corruption over conscience [private]

**BEAR.** · #1 November 10th, 2020, 11:23 PM

"So the little bird has finally become the full medicine cat of ShadowClan."

Wolverine's voice was grating as he stepped from the shadows of the dark forest, blistering gaze on his pseudo-grandson. He knew, to some extent, Ebonyfang's desires and his passion - and he was here to fuel it further.

"But that isn't enough, is it? Tell me, Ebonyfang. How far are you willing to go to become the greatest the Clans have ever seen?" It was bait, a trap, to see how ambitious Ebonyfang truly was. Wolverine expected nothing less from his 'kin.'

The word felt like bitterness even in his mind. A reminder of Owlfeather's betrayals, but soon she would get what was coming to her. Perhaps it was time to pay his old darling a visit too.

[ @Siren Bliss ]

**Madelaine** · #2 November 11th, 2020, 12:30 AM

[ @BILL.; ]

Ebonyfang looked around where he was. He had been here once before, but only briefly, so he knew what it looked like. The tom watched a cat move through the shadows and appear to him. "it was about time to. I always had to wait and wait for her. Now that's over I rule the medicine den.", he responded.

The large black tom admitted in his head that Irisflame was a good mentor, but she was barely there. The last moon he had taken it upon himself to heal those who needed.

"It'll never be enough. I want to be the best out of all four clans. A cat other medicine cats go to for help.", Ebonyfang responded a fire lit in his eyes. "I'm willing to do whatever it takes to be at the top."

**BEAR.** · #3 November 11th, 2020, 12:50 AM

"We'll see about that." Wolverine's muzzle twisted into a smirk as he stopped in front of the young tom, his tail lashing. "You have a lot of work ahead of you, boy. The first step to ruling the den is to not let anything or anyone hold you back. You blame that useless limp for making you wait but it is up to you to take initiative over not only your patients, but the others who come to you. To truly rule, you must take charge. Take control of the situation as soon as it comes to you.

"Do you understand that?"

[ @Siren Bliss ]

**Madelaine** · #4 November 13th, 2020, 09:19 PM

[ @BILL.; ]

Ebonyfang listened to his advice. He just realized whenever Irisflame was missing he should have spoken to Dawnstar about taking her place. Now he wished he had done that. He wanted to show his ambition to her and perhaps she'll start respecting him more. But then he remembered he was doing this for him not his cousin.

"yes I understand that now.", Ebonyfang meowed.

**BEAR.** · #5 November 14th, 2020, 12:34 AM

"Good."

Wolverine stalked across the clearing to shove his muzzle into Ebonyfang's face, rancid breath blowing over the other tom. "Remember this, boy: you're not just any ShadowClan cat. You share the blood of the greatest leader that Clan has ever seen, and you best make sure no one forgets that."

But that wasn't the main reason Wolverine was here. No, he had a bone to pick with Ebonyfang. "How do you expect to be the most powerful medicine cat in Clan history if you're soft inside, child?" He jabbed his paw toward Ebonyfang's chest. "You won't get anywhere if you're a mouse-heart, not unless you want to end up like that pathetic excuse of a cat that led before my daughter." Windyhag.

[ @Siren Bliss ]

**Madelaine** · #6 November 14th, 2020, 12:55 AM

[ @BILL.; ]

Ebonyfang glared at him. "Oh I'll never forget it. Not when everyone else in my family is weak. Mirepaw was weak for leaving Shadowclan He always has been weak to become a warrior.", he meowed. The large black tom almost spat out the name of his brother. His adopted sister was weak too or other wise she would have been a warrior already. He was the strongest out out of the three.

"That soft side will never return. That cat is gone and I'll make sure he never returns. That leader didn't know what he was doing, so was that good for nothing deputy.", Ebonyfang responded.

**BEAR.** · #7 November 14th, 2020, 01:16 AM

"'Everyone' in your family?" Wolverine couldn't help but look at the younger male with amusement gleaming in his eyes. "Oh, I never expected that to come out of your mouth, mama's boy." Wolverine knew Citrusflower was pathetic - he was glad she wasn't his spawn because that would be disgraceful.

No, the only kit who was worthy of being his had been Icestar. And she had done.. well, she wasn't a complete waste of time. "Boy, you are that cat. What steps have you taken to ensure you won't allow those weak emotions to get the best of you? How can you be sure you won't crack under the pressure of seeing your kin in danger?"

[ @Siren Bliss ]

**Madelaine** · #8 November 14th, 2020, 01:41 AM

[ @BILL.; ]

Ebonyfang didn't flinch or show any emotions when he mentioned him being a mama's boy. That wasn't him anymore. That was old Ebonyfang. This is the new one. "Citrusflower was a coward. She ran away from her own clan all because Dawnstar was leader.", he meowed. He never thought he would ever think this way, but it was too. She was a coward for ditching her clan. He didn't have her to turn him soft.

"Thinking about my loyalty to my clan is the plan. I have no loyalty to any cowards. My loyalty is to my clan not my family. The only family that matters is Dawnstar. She's stronger than any of those pathetic ones. I will think of all the coward acts my family has pulled. I will not turn into them. ", he added. His grandmother was trying to get in, but there was no way he would ever allow her to. She needed to go.

**BEAR.** · #9 November 15th, 2020, 02:39 AM

Ebonyfang's response was impressive, and Wolverine couldn't resist the laugh that rumbled out of his throat. "Maybe you ain't so hopeless after all, boy. But be aware of this: do not put your faith into Dawnstar. She has potential to be powerful, but she bears the potential of being a failure. Allowing yourself to follow her like a lost puppy will only bring your own downfall.

"Your loyalty should be to yourself first. The Clan is nothing compared to you. Without YOU, they would die from infections and disease. You are the most valuable cat in that Clan, never forget that."

Wolverine took a step back, for once giving Ebonyfang some breathing space. "I have some news for you, and I think you and that granddaughter of mine will like it."

[ @Siren Bliss ]

**Madelaine** · #10 November 17th, 2020, 03:35 AM

[ @BILL.; ]

Ebonyfang made sure to repeat it in his head until he knew he wouldn't forget it. From now on he will be loyal to himself first. "I don't want to be a lost puppy, so I've locked that into my brain.", he responded with a nod. The large black tom began to think of ways he could keep to his words.

When he started talking about how important he was to his clan he knew what he had to do to achieve his goal. "Oh I'll never forget it.", he meowed, keeping his face straight.

Ebonyfang began to wonder what this news was. he was dying to find out. "And what news is that?", he asked.