the crumble: a sorrow—filled day for occupants of greenclan, a day in which started alike any other. the sun climbed slowly into the sky, shedding its light on the lush budding flowers and verdant green grass in which sprouted throughout the camp.

unknown to them, the normalcy of that morning was a deceiving calm before the storm.

the first days of sunlight creeped into camp, and welcomed the greenclan warriors with warmth. but the terrifying roar of a beast echoed through the peace — metal beasts, cruelly violating the silence of their defence home.

terrified, cats scrambled in every direction as the clan was caught unprepared and unpredicted. feared warriors hissed, panicked queens wailed out for help as earth swamped the nursery, threatening the lives of their offspring.

the machines clawed into the heart of the camp and toppled age—old towering trees, sending them down at a rapid pace, crushing anything beneath its looming shadow. the monsters scraped at the grass and flowers, mauling the earth as they continued on their war path of destruction.

a flash of ginger hurtled across camp. the deputy called aloud for his peers to aid those to safety, while he tackled the dangers of the nursery.

blossombud cowered in the corner of the nursery, a small kitten clinging to her stomach for security, the bodies of their deceased littermates hidden under the rubble and mud the monsters brought up.

tempestriver's heart plummeted at the sight of his mate. the she—cat's eyes welled with tears and a wail of sorrow poured from her jaw as she cried out for her kits to come back to her, her paws digging at the mounds that buried their tiny bodies.

❝ my love we must go! ❞ tempestriver choked out, his voice splintering at the sight of what he could see of his deceased kits. he leaned into his mate.

the descending sound of splintering trees drowned out the agonising cries of the clans inhabitants, as one by one cats succumbed to the darkness and the description of man, joining numerous felines up in starclan.

❝ blossombud quickly. come on, ❞ demanded the orange tabby tom—cat with a snap of his jaw. he creamed down his head and scooped up his son from her stomach, scuttling out of the den and into the open. blossombud followed close behind.

tempestriver's heart pounded heavily in his chest as he hurtled across the chaotic scene, mouth tightly clasped around almondkit's trembling body.

he scanned the camp in despair, the territory now shredded, with tree roots skewing up to the sky and the earth upended and reeking of unnaturality.

around him, warriors darted in all directions, fleeing for safety with wide, panic—stricken eyes reflecting the intense destruction of their sacred home.

an eruption of panicked meows and distressed wails resonated through the air, deafening the subtle undertones of the wilderness and consuming all traces of tranquility.

above the harrowing clamor of chaos, a monstrous roar resounded, one alike the many grumbles that had already echoed across the camp.

the noise steadily approached the deputy. and with a sudden and horrifying jerk, he was sent upwards, caught by the surprising force from the monster. for a breath—stopping moment, everything stood still, then gravity claimed them, dragging the tabby and almondkit downwards.

biting back a wince, he cradled the kit even closer to his body, his every instinct telling him to protect his son. even though he couldn't suppress the force with which they plummeted towards, he knew he could try and shield his kit from the blow.

they crashed onto the debris—filled soil. his breath escaped his body with a hushed gasp as the impact was harsh.

a painful tingle shot across the tom's body as he landed on his side. each gasping breath bore the pain of a spear lacerating his flank. he gritted his teeth against the agony, twisting his gaze to look at the kitten.

the kit mewled weakly, his eyes clouded with fear and confusion. he seemed unharmed. tempestriver offered a weak but reassuring purr.

a harsh cough smacked his lungs and his breath hitched. he could only let out a sigh of relief at the sight of his son, knowing that he was safe, for now.

❝ stay... close... my boy, ❞ tempestriver heaved as he watched the small kitten scramble towards his voice. the deputy stared ahead at the group in the distance.

his strength sapped rapidly, but he was determined.

blood—stained and beaten, the tom—cat cast his vibrant eyes across the ruined camp. the life that they had known, shared and cherished had been torn apart. yet in his heart, he knew that greenclan could endure. he believed in them.

using every fibre of strength that he could muster, he moved towards the huddled felines that stood on a hill and over—looked the devestation below, fighting through every tearing wince of pain. almondkit hung loosely in his fathers jaw, as the deputy dragged his limp body across the remains of the camp.

each pained drag was more torturous than the last but tempestriver kept moving. his duty, as deputy, and as a father, demanded nothing less of him.

tattered, his strength failing him, he staggered to a stop before the small congregation of survivors.

❝ take my son... ❞ he rasped, his voice brittle with pain and exhaustion. his eyes met with gorgestar, and he weakly whispered, ❝ lead them... to safety ❞

the pain swallowed him whole. as the darkness crept into the corners of his vision, tempestriver fell limp.

gorgestar stared at her clans survivors. she forced down a dry gulp, pushed down and picked up the kit, before turning tail.

❝ we can't stay here any longer... ❞ the black she—cat sorrowfully mewled. ❝ starclan will guide us to a new home, my warriors ❞

gorgestar stood firm, her back straightened. her eyes steadily scanned the rolling fields ahead of them.

❝ we can't stay here any longer... ❞ the black she—cat sorrowfully mewled. ❝ starclan will guide us to a new home. we will rebuild. we will be strong once again, ❞ she roared.

the cats surveyed the land ahead. sprawling fields, ones in which looked alike to the destroyed camp behind them, and tall, distant mountains.

gorgestar silently stood for a moment. a perilous place, and a dangerous task to tackle, but one that could serve as a perfect location for a new camp.

❝ the mountains. we'll go to the mountains ❞ she declared strongly. ❝ it'll be a few days' walk, ❞ she added, turning to the remains of greenclan's camp, as more monsters chundered in.

❝ a treacherous one no doubt, but it's high ground, and sheltered. no twoleg would be stupid enough to embark up it ❞ gorgestar muttered with a soft sigh.

❝ it will make a strong camp, and be a great new beginning for us all ❞

she threw her head over her shoulder for one final glance. she would not let the memory of those who fell burn out with the demolished camp.

and so, gorgestar stepped down the hillside, marking the start of their journey for a new life.