Teaselfeather is dancing with him. Teasing him, even, and it's starting to get on his nerves. A growl snaps from his jaws, this little give and take they have going on burying irritation deep down in his veins. Goldenroar gnashes his teeth together, goes for a larger smack, missing. He continues his advance, tail lashing behind him. Biding his time like just Teaselfeather likely was. But it's just seconds before his eyes catch over towards another situation. Their paws pushing against the edge of the gorge-
Flowercloud and Harvestseeker are locked in battle, paws on another's shoulders. His ears flatten on his skull.
"Don't push her in!" He roars out,
disengaging with Teaselfeather and turning with incredible speed, launching himself at @flowercloud. His attempt is successful, slamming into her ribs with the force of a Monster, leaving her spread on the ground and Harvestseeker safely away from the edge. Aqua eyes snapped to his clanmate, mentally taking note of her wounds, before turning towards the other clan's deputy.
He's rushing to pin her down, his mass leaning over her, solid muscle keeping her still.
"Speaking about friendship." He snarls out, face inches from hers.
"Pushing them into the gorge- 'that's what you call potential friendship? Your leader attacking us? Your own clanmates murdering a Windclan cat, on our territory?" Goldenroar snaps, his shoulders straining against Flowercloud's attempts to free herself. His breathing his heavy, and while he doesn't demand a response, it's- his face screws up at the scent on Flowercloud's fur. Memories of another time. Softer nests lined with moss and feathery down. The salt of tears. Soft, black stripped gray fur, those clear eyes- Goldenroar's hefty jaw snaps closed, but the whisper of a name that escapes him is audible.
"Pike."
It's in this instant that the scuffle nearby is flung further. Somewhere he couldn't reach, and wouldn't follow. Goldenroar's head turned, eyes widening as his leader, as Flowercloud's King, as they fall into the gorge.
"NO!" His shout is instant,
freeing Flowercloud so he could run to the edge, standing with a shell-shocked expression. Hawkstar's skull bounces on rock, stopping before the bottom. But the mist, the raging waters, they swallow Dustystar. A different kind of gray fur. Weary with the weight of leadership. The crown that hangs low, one that clatters on the stone next to him. It rolls, taunting him, it's own cruel smiling staring up at him.
She's gone. She's gone. Sh-
".. gone. She's gone. Gone." He breathes. The fur on his spine stands up taller, the lion's mane wreathing him aflame with the dying sun. He turns, and in his mind, picks up the crown. It's his now, isn't it? The responsibility. The lives that will weigh on his shoulders.
Hollowmumble was right.
"Re... Retreat. Windclan! Retreat!" He speaks softly, then snaps it out, the roar carrying across the battlefield. Grief clouds his mind, guilt snagging at each of the burrs on his heart.
Give my flank to protect you. He didn't. He lied. He lead them to their leader's death, even if it was her decision. Goldenroar's breathing is heavy, fast paced.
Your fault. Your fault. You can never leave. Repent. He could hear Sanctity's voice, like some kind of cruel moniker. Merry running away. Hollowmumble's screeches.
How can you ever face them?
Goldenroar sees each of his clanmates locked in battle. His sister standing tall against two opponents. Roostertuft's mate doing all she can. Goldenroar shakes his head as Windclanners begin to disengage and flee across the bridge, aqua eyes turning to meet Flowercloud's where she has just stood.
The bear trap. It's around his throat, now.
