Chapter Text
One fateful day, many many moons ago, two kittypets left their domestic life behind in favor of living in the woods beyond the safety of their gardens. The first day was full of fun, the adrenaline from the freedom coursing through the two cats as they ran and played in the brush. It was only later that they realized that they would need shelter for the night and food soon. As they explored further into the forest, the two found a grotto where a shaken tomcat and a kit were hiding. As the two ex-kittypets entered the grotto, the tom jumped in front of the kit, hissing at the two, “We don’t want trouble, but I will attack if you come any closer!”
The two cats felt the fur along their spine bristle and the tuxedo calico cat spoke up. “We don’t want trouble either! We come from the Twolegplace!”
The speckled soot grey tom sneered. “No wonder you two stink. What’s a couple of kittypets doing out in the forest away from such luxurious lives?”
At this, the tan marbled she-cat retorted, “What’s a luxurious life if not a boring one? Sure the Twolegs give us toys to play with, but nothing compares to the thrill of being in the woods!”
The tom’s standoff-ish stance softens before the tom just stares at the two she-cats, the small white kit staring curiously at them. “Alright, fine. I suppose it’s okay for you two to stay here with us. There is safety in numbers after all…” He flicks his tail around his front paws as he sits down, any signs of aggression now gone. “What are your names? Mine is Sootstorm, and this is-”
The kitten interrupts the older cat. “I’m Lightkit!”
Sootstorm sighs, “And that is Lightkit. On our way here, we were attacked by a coyote and his mother… well…” He dips his head down as his voice trails off and the kitten looks away, the sorrow apparent in his eyes.
The calico nods her head, understanding what they were trying to say. “I’m sorry to hear that… my name’s Baby and this here is Duchess.”
Before Sootstorm can say anything, Lightkit blurts out, “Those names sound dumb!”
Sootstorm immediately shoots Lightkit a warning look and Duchess can’t help but to laugh at the kitten’s statement. “Well, our Twoleg owners had given them to us, but they don’t fit cats that are no longer house cats- er, kittypets, hm?”
Sootstorm shakes his head, “No, they do not. We can give you new names, fit for clan cats.” Duchess and Baby exchanged a confused look, not sure what he meant by clan but Sootstorm paid no mind to this and stepped forward standing in front of the two, staring steadily at Baby. “Former kittypets Baby and Duchess, I hereby announce the official departure from your former lives. From now on, you while be known as Dappledfur and Rainbowstep. Us four shall now be known as Cloverclan.”
Baby, now known as Dappledfur beamed to Rainbowstep who seemed to share the same excitement, but their moment was interrupted by the mewling of Lightkit. “Sootstorm! Sootstorm! What about a leader! We don’t have a leader!”
“You’re right, Lightkit. We don’t have a Leader, but that will be for Starclan to decide, then we can go from there.”
Dappledfur and Rainbowstep were again confused but said nothing as the tom signaled for the two to follow him, leading them to a small pile of fresh kill. “It isn’t much, but we can go hunting for more tomorrow. It’ll be easier with more paws to help.”
The four cats had their first of many meals together as the sun set in the distance, thus marking the beginning of Cloverclan.
As the cats fell asleep curled close to one another in the soon to be warriors den, visions began to appear in Rainbowstep’s dreams. A trio of she-cats outside the grotto… A lone cat watching from the distance until it all melted into the stars of Silverpelt, were Starclan walks with a single starry cat sitting before her, waiting.
As soon at the starry cat notices Rainbowstep’s presence they tread forward and though this cat was unfamiliar to Rainbowstep, it felt as if she were reuniting with an old friend. The starry cat meowed, “My name is Foxclaw. Tonight, you meet me but the cats under your care will all meet me one day as their time comes to join the stars. For now,” the cat presses their nose to Rainbowstep’s forehead, “Take this gift, to help you know when to fight and when to choose peace.”
Suddenly, the mist at the edge of the clearing takes shape. Dozens of wispy, starry spirits of past cats emerge, surrounding Rainbowstep. “We grant you your remaining 8 lives.” Each of their voices is distant, but together the force of their words shook Rainbowstep to her core. “Use them well, with our blessing.” And in a heartbeat, they were gone.
Rainbowstar awakens with a start, her new name ringing in her ears. The other two grown cats are startled awake as Rainbowstar had sat up so suddenly. Dappledfur was the first to speak. “Rainbowstep, what is it? Did you have a nightmare?”
Rainbowstar slowly shook her head, trying to understand what she had seen in her dreams before she met Sootstorm’s gaze. “I believe I saw… Starclan…”
Sootstorm’s eyes widened before he bowed his head. “Rainbowstar. Starclan has chosen you to be the leader of Cloverclan.” He then straightens his posture again and sits with his tail curled around his paws as the kitten stirred awake. “Lightkit, you’re up just in time for Rainbowstar to choose her Deputy.”
At this Lightkit’s eyes immediately lit up and he stared up at Rainbowstar as if a kitten so young could even be considered for such an important role. Rainbowstar looked to Dappledfur and smiled before speaking. “You’ve been my closest friend since we were kits. You’re a strong cat and your loyalty is unwavering; would you do the honors of being Deputy?”
Dappledfur’s ears flatten back just a moment and she gives a nervous flick of her tail. “You know I’d do anything for you Rainbowstar but, uhm… What does it mean to be deputy?”
Sootstorm interjects, “Deputy is next in line for leader should the leader lose all nine of their lives.”
Dappledfur’s eyes widened and she looks back towards Rainbowstar. “Are… are you really sure I’m fit to be Deputy?”
Rainbowstar nudges Dappledfur with her nose, smiling. “Of course I am!”
And with that these four cats were the start of the clan, but not without a few more additional cats joining in. A few nights passed and a trio of she-cats had appeared in Cloverclan territory, seeking shelter and another lone cat sought out Cloverclan, claiming that her medicine knowledge would be helpful. With Rainbowstar beginning their long reign as leader with Dappledfur by her side, Lightseeker as the medicine cat and several other cats, was the origin of Cloverclan...