Agony

[Magicheart]

Glittering liquid glass tears poured from his golden eyes as silvery shapes began to materialize in front of him. Shadowstar trembled as he could feel the presence of Otterpaw first of all. So many young cats. Some of the chosen Eight would be joining him here, in the heavens, tonight. Have we already failed? Can the Eight have replacements? The ancient tom's heart lurched in agony. Was the forest doomed? Would the rest of his clanmates, and the cats from the other clans be joining him here? Would there be no more descendants to watch over?

"Hello, Otterpaw." Stepping forward, Shadowstar embraced the young and frightened looking she-cat.

[Seraphinu]

Silverstream too, embraced the apprentice in turn. She could only imagine how hurt Rockpaw, her grandson, must be feeling right now. Stardust made the tears spilt shimmer beautifully. How could something so pure, be so painful?

"Shadowstar, we must not lose hope. I'm sure there is a way for the Eight to be reborn. We preordained this long ago. The destination is not written, but as long as there is hope, this journey cannot lead to ruin. If we assure our clans that there is still hope in this world, then that conviction will surely produce a solution," she offered.

"Oh, Otterpaw. Why must the youthful run with Starclan so soon? I had a full life, as cut short at some belived. But you, you have barely begun to live..." she looked in sadness at the apprentice.

[Magicheart]

Shadowstar went rigid as the next she-cat formed in the sky. It was Sparrowpaw.
"I have to go, Silverstream. I have to make sure that Pantherfang doesn't do anything stupid."
On the way by, the dark tom embraced the young Windclanner. "It'll be ok, Sparrowpaw. We'll watch over your family. We'll keep the forest safe as long as we can."

[Seraphinu]

"Yes, go Shadowstar. Pantherfang is desperately needed to rally his clan..." Silverstream said as he left. She then looked at the two apprentices, both of them chosen cats.

"Those of the forest look to Starclan for guidance in times of need," she began, looking down to the world below as she spoke, watching over Riverclan.

"But who does Starclan look to when answers are needed?" she wondered aloud.

[Magicheart]

Shadowstar returned to the sky, looking haggard. "I have done what I believe to be best. Let's just hope that it works out." he sighed, wondering if he had told Willowleaf and Whitepaw too much. The clans were in such desperate need of news and comfort though. "The four clans will have to put their pride aside. They need each other so much more than they even know. The clan boundaries will have to become hazy and blurred if they are to succeed. Each clan's warriors have talents that will be needed in the battles to come." he sighed to Silverstream. "I just don't know if they will be willing to succeed this time where they failed last."

[Seraphinu]

"I believe the Clans can overcome their differences. Many of the Eight have bloodlines of mixed Clans. Inkpaw and Phoenixpaw are both Thunderclan and Windclan, and my own Rockpaw has the blood of Riverclan and Thunderclan. The clans have come together before, to defeat Bloodclan, as well as to find the new home before us. Many of these crucial cats have the blood of heroes past. I have more faith in them now more than ever," she spoke, her eyes shining.

"Shall I send for Rockpaw in his sleep? I believe he will be needed in Windclan to assist Whitepaw where she is ignorant. Rockpaw knows the ways of the Tribe, and may recognize Moontears," she suggested. Vaguely she wondered about Whitepaw's destiny, and if it involved facing Lostclan and her brother.

(Kind of interesting how Lostclan has so many ties to Windclan, isn't it? Bear and Pantherfang, Whitepaw and Midnight, and Sunstorm and Coal. hm)

[Magicheart]

"I can't help but wonder how the replacements of the lost Eight will affect the chemistry and success between them though." he sighed, gazing down at the forest below him. "I think that would be wise." he replied, referring to Silverstream's offer to send for Rockpaw. "But perhaps, we should make sure he comes before or after Eclipsedstar. Windclan is bound to be edgy enough with one outsider there, let alone two." he advised.

[Seraphinu]

"Perhaps Willowleaf can tell them to watch for his arrival. They will trust a medicine cat, especially after how she helped Whitepaw in place of her mentor," Silverstream suggested, her tail twitching as she considered their options. She did wonder what would happen now, especially since Rockpaw's beloved Otterpaw had passed to StarClan...

[Magicheart]

Shadowstar sighed in exaughstion and nodded. There was so much loss and suffering within the clans, and he knew it would get worse before it got better....

[Seraphinu]

Silverstream brushed her starry pelt against Shadowstar's.

"As the Clans have faith in us, so we must believe in them. They will come through this," Silverstream purred the soothing words.

[Magicheart]

Shadowstar nodded, clearly tired, and not just physically. "You're right. I just wish we could do more for them."

[Seraphinu]

"They will comfort in the fact that we are watching over them," she soothed, although, at the same time, feeling equally as uncertain about the current happenings.

[Magicheart]

"I can feel pleas from Thunderclan. Do we have no one that can give them comfort?" He asked with a guilty tone.

[Seraphinu]

"Yellowfang should be back form the Tribe of Endless Hunting soon," Silverstream said, hoping this would finally comfort the cat who had once founded ShadowClan. At heart, Silverstream would always be a RiverClan cat. But in StarClan, Clan rivalry meant nothing, and all four Clans could co-exist here where there were no Clan boundaries. She thought of the ancient Shadowstar with reverance, but also as a friend.

[Magicheart]

Shadowstar nodded. "I hope so." he missed her a lot. The tom had always looked up to medicine cats, in his days in the forest and beyond. No matter how old he was, he was always consoled by their guidance.