[TSF] Ivytooth NPC

In her prime, Ivytooth was lean and headstrong, taking pride in her ability to climb trees and leap from branch to branch like a squirrel. She grew up with three sisters, and being a part of such a large litter of kits meant that she was extremely competitive. She’d always been a bit of a hothead, and her ThunderClan pride was so strong that she developed a deep mistrust for the other Clans. Now that she’s much older, her fierce loyalty has not wavered in the slightest.

She’d always been an excellent warrior, though very independent, and was always very eager to leap into action. All of her sisters died before she did, two of them prematurely, the last dying alongside Ivytooth in a fierce battle as senior warriors against a gang of rogues by the Twolegplace. She still bears the scars from that terrible night.

Fueled by the anguish of losing her final sibling, although she was growing very old, Ivytooth pushed herself harder than ever. She absolutely refused to give up her warrior rank, insisting that she had to serve ThunderClan as long as possible. She flattened her ears against the protests of her Clanmates, positively refusing to admit that she was any less capable than she was moons ago. Finally, after spraining one of her paws attempting to climb a tree, she admitted defeat and retired to the elder’s den for good.

Retirement never suited Ivytooth in the least. She’s still very active in Clan affairs, and likes to boss around the younger cats, scolding them for not having the sort of reckless pride that she had; sitting around in camp all day has made her more hotheaded than she’s ever been. If anything, it keeps her busy. She seems to think that she has a right to discipline her Clanmates because of all of the time she spent serving ThunderClan. However, while extremely strict and disgruntled, she’s an excellent motivator and cares very deeply for the hardworking younger cats of her Clan. She just disguises her caring with a layer of sarcasm and bitterness.

Though trapped in the confines of the camp and doomed to the elder’s den forever, Ivytooth proved her strength yet again when the drought and illness hit the lake. She was able to avoid catching the disease. The fact that she was in extremely good health is probably the reason behind her uncanny success. Furthermore, when the Clans decided that they were going to travel in search of new territory, Ivytooth insisted on coming along. She knew that the journey would be extremely dangerous and strenuous, but she was determined to see it through. As per usual, she ignored her Clanmates' concerns and stood firmly, as staying behind was not an option.

It was just before they left on the Great Journey when Badgertooth, Ivytooth's best friend in the entire world and only other sole survivor from the old generation of ThunderClan, contracted the disease and passed away. To her, everything became bleak and grey, and she went through a short period of complete disarray where she refused to eat and confined herself to the elder's den. One day she emerged more determined than ever to make the journey to the Fjords. She claimed that Badgertooth had spoken to her in a dream and urged her on, so that they could both see the new land together. 

It was an immense stroke of pure luck that Ivytooth survived the journey to the Fjords. Her old, sore bones protested with every step, and she had to rest frequently, but she proudly stood with ThunderClan as they first laid eye on their vast new territory. She had vowed to support her Clan until the very end, potentially until she heaved her last breath, and she carried out that promise even as a sour old elder. This journey was possibly Ivytooth’s final feat, but she wouldn’t have changed it for the world.

-Her bark is far worse than her bite, in most cases.

-She’s always quick to pounce on an apprentice for something (and will often treat younger warriors as apprentices as well, just to tease them).

-She’s got a sharp tongue and is always ready to scold anyone for anything.

-Despite all of this, she’s fiercely protective over her caretakers and Clanmates with a motherly sort of love that burns as strong as a bear’s. If any cat besides herself were to inflict harm on anyone in ThunderClan, she’d unleash a scolding ten times as harsh as she would normally dare to treat even the lowliest apprentice. 

-She always insists that she personally knew the great-great-great (etc) grandkit of the legendary Firestar himself, but nobody can prove it, not even her.

-She used to have a secret ambition for becoming deputy. The fact that she wasn’t chosen never put out the fire that burned within her, however, and she doesn’t resent the cat who became leader instead of her. She is extra tough on the current deputy, though!

-She’d literally be willing to get in a tussle with any cat over a fresh-caught squirrel. They’re her absolute favorite.

-After Badgertooth died, Ivytooth doesn't speak to as many cats as she once did. She keeps to herself, mostly, snapping at any cat who gets too close. Instead, she's often found looking up at the sky and the stars, as if searching for something.

-Sometimes, she claims that she can still feel Badgertooth's presence. This is when she's happiest.

Relationships:
-Bristlemane: Ivytooth "mentored" Bristlemane when he joined ThunderClan as a rogue. She personally taught him Clan code and customs, easing him into the life of a warrior. She was very tough on him, but formed a bond through mutual respect, and would fiercely defend him if anyone were to bring up his past as a rogue. Bristlemane was the last cat that Ivytooth mentored before she retired to the elder's den. She teases him frequently. 

-Badgertooth: Ivytooth's best friend. When Badgertooth died from illness, Ivytooth was absolutely beside herself with grief. They had been absolutely inseparable, those two, best friends since apprenticehood and everything that came after. They were both skilled in battle and often fought beside one another, along with their other friends, who have long since passed from other causes. Ivytooth was always fueled by the presence of Badgertooth, as they were a great pair and would spend their days napping, teasing apprentices, ordering others around and bickering. Although they were both cranky, they were happy. After Badgertooth died, Ivytooth lost a bit of her spark, and she now spends most of her days napping in the elder's den and snapping at anyone who disturbs her. She only feels like herself again when she swears that she can feel Badgertooth's presence beside her.

“I’ll use your fur to line my nest if you don’t quiet down, kit.”

“Hey, you! You’re doing it all wrong! Didn’t your mentor teach you anything?”

"Who're you calling 'old'? I could take on a ShadowClan warrior any day, don't you forget it!"

"You're not getting any younger either, you boring old git."