Clan History

A detailed retelling of all events in the comic, with some supplementary things I was unable to add for timing/artistic burnout.

1 “Bring forth the pyre.”

HawkClan was once one of the great 5 clans, along with FerretClan, MouseClan, DeerClan and AdderClan. Skilled in arboreal living, the cats of HawkClan ruled the skies from the treetops, skilfully navigating their forest territory.

The problem with living in such a specific way, though, is that when something threatens that way of life, there’s almost no coming back from it. A great fire swept through the trees, destroying much territory from all clans, but HawkClan was hit the hardest; nearly all cats of the clan died from the smoke and flames, save for four fast and resourceful kits who retreated to the depths of the mountain adjacent to their old territory.

Surviving their literal trial by fire, the four set out onto unknown land, taking refuge in the mountain cave they now call home. Now the four, their spirits reborn from the ash of their past, rise to the challenge of creating a clan from scratch in a land unfamiliar to them.

2 “Born anew, amidst embers.”

The three oldest kits delegated roles to each other; Blazepaw, the medicine cat; Smallpaw, the future leader; and Dazzlepaw, the new clan’s first warrior. They discuss the new clan’s name and purpose, agreeing on PhoenixClan. “We don’t know what it means,” Dazzlepaw claims. “But it sounds cool, and Blazepaw said StarClan approved!”

Daisykit was still too young, and to everyone’s surprise, he still refused to speak.

3 “Shadows lurk within the smoke.”

While on a hunting patrol, Dazzlepaw and Smallpaw ran into a mysterious loner. They ran home as fast as they could, but the loner followed them to their cave.

She made her presence known, introducing herself as a molly named Slight. “I mean you no harm,” She spoke softly to the frightened kits, their safe haven now breached. “I travel these parts, as a healer. Do you have any adults with you? It’s dangerous to be alone out here.”

4 “Reborn, through fire and spirit.”

Slight, after two moons of caring for the kits, continued to bring them out for hunting lessons.

During a particular hunting session, in which she focused much of her efforts on Dazzlepaw, Smallpaw wandered off, looking to hunt on his own. To his shock and horror, a rogue cat attacked him, deeply wounding his face.

All of this was far too close to home for Slight.

Slight and Dazzlepaw, hearing his cries, rushed over to his aid, Slight easily slamming the rogue to the ground. As she checked on her wounded ward, the rogue got back up and slashed her throat open easily, causing her to despair as she slipped away from life.

Slight awoke in StarClan, greeted by Luckstar, Dazzlepaw’s kindly father and the last leader of HawkClan. He eagerly asked Slight about her commitment to the kits. “I’d give anything for them,” She declared confidently. “Even my life.”

Calling over the fallen of HawkClan, they all offered Slight their own lives.

Clearspark, Dazzlepaw’s mother, trotted up eagerly, offering a life for the strength to protect her loved ones. “Keep treating my daughter kindly, please, she deserves that kindness.”

Snapdapple walked up next, introducing herself as Blazepaw’s mother, and gave a life for love. “Please, love freely and fully, and never let those kits feel a single day of solitude.”

A much larger molly introduced herself as Sandshell, Daisykit’s mother, and gave a life for ferocity. “It may seem like a vicious gift, but you will need sharp teeth and strong claws to protect our precious kits.”

Four HawkClan toms unrelated to the kits offered up lives next, one for swiftness, one for a clever mind, one for the confidence to lead, and one for a strong sense of justice.

One last molly stepped forth, a sour expression on her face. She introduced herself as Smallpaw’s adoptive mother, and hissed out a warning that Slight had better keep a closer eye on her son, before giving a life for clear sight. “Because, clearly, you need it to protect my son from rogues.”

Finally, Luckstar himself stepped forth, and bowed his head respectfully to Slight. “I give you one last life… for hope. Hope for the future of PhoenixClan, and our kits.”

With all lives given, Slight was acknowledged as her new self, Slightstar, and she awoke once more in the living world.

Seeing her newly arisen, the rogue ran away, terrified. Swiftly, Slightstar consoled the kits, before bringing them back to be treated for their injuries.

Unbeknownst to the clan cats, the rogue ran back to his group, having recognized what they were, to inform his leader of the discovery.

5 & 6 “Bright embers in the snow”

A few moons after the rogue attack, life for PhoenixClan was starting to shape into a new kind of normal.

Daisykit, ever the silent cat, sat amidst the snow, gazing thoughtfully at the night sky.

Dazzlepaw, curious of her little friend’s thoughts, joined the small cat outside. She eagerly began discussing Daisykit’s upcoming apprenticeship, eager to have another warrior by her side.

“You’ll be the coolest tom in the clan, Daisykit!” She exclaimed, excitedly. To her surprise and confusion, Daisykit turned away, fighting back tears.

“I do not want to be a tom anymore.”

To Dazzlepaw’s utter shock, Daisykit spoke! Was he just shy before? Frightened? Did the fire leave him so traumatized he couldn’t speak until just now? But wait… what was that he said?

“You… OH!” Dazzlepaw exclaimed, realizing what the little cat had just said.

The two sat in silence for a moment before Dazzlepaw turned to Daisykit once more, curious. “So… what DO you want to be?”

Daisykit sat silently for a moment, thinking deeply on her question. After a while, the small cat responded; “I do not know.”

At this, Dazzlepaw smiled. “You don’t have to know,” she reassured, “In fact, you don’t have to be anything, if you don’t want to be. Tom, molly, sam, nothing… We’ll always love you, regardless of what you call yourself.”

Daisykit was stunned at this. “You think so?”

“I know so!” Dazzlepaw continued to reassure. “What should we use for you? I can tell the others so you don’t have to speak if you don’t want to.”

Touched by Dazzlepaw’s open acceptance, Daisykit, teary eyed, responded; “I would like to try out ‘she’ for a while.”

“HELL YEAH! She it is!” Dazzlepaw yelled out her support, and scooped up the small cat in a warm embrace. “I love you Daisykit!”

Daisykit didn’t reply out loud, but her heart soared with joy. “I love you too, Dazzlepaw.” She said wordlessly, letting herself be wrapped in her friend’s loving embrace.

[Summary for 6 to be added when 6 is completed :) ]