Shifting Roots: Chapter 1

Shifting Roots: Chapter 1 is the first episode of Clouded Moon and the first chapter of Shifting Roots.

Links
Episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxzTt6nw474&t=15s

Subtitled Episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_SGBKvCEQo

Plot
Field Colony travels to the Moonlight Island for the Moonlight Gathering. As the Moonlight Island comes into view, Spottedshadow reminds Peach to stay close. Peach expresses her excitement over attending her first Moonlight Gathering, curious how Spottedshadow's own first Moonlight Gathering went. Spottedshadow, slightly hesitant, exclaims that she met many of her closest friends that night.



Timberleg reminds Peach that she must also be on her best behavior, as she is representing Field Colony. At these words, Forestleaf turns to face the cats briefly, applauding Timberleg's words while ridiculing Spottedshadow's philosophy of cross-Colony friends. Timberleg glances at Spottedshadow apologetically, but she has already looked away.

Shortly after, Field Colony arrives at the Moonlight Island, where they split into their separate groups. Spottedshadow and Peach head over to Oak Colony cats Dawnfrost and Thornheart. Spottedshadow asks how they’ve been, and Thornheart briefly glances at Dawnfrost before hesitantly saying that Oak Colony has been well. At this, Dawnfrost gives a slight nod, and Spottedshadow frowns.

Dawnfrost inquires about Spottedshadow’s new status as a Mentor, to which Spottedshadow presents Peach as her new-claw of a few months, whom she wasn’t able to introduce due to being barred from Moonlight Gatherings. She asks how the two Oak Colony cats’ new-claws are. Thornheart enthusiastically informs her that both have become Rangers that day, Larkwing and Aspenbreeze. Both Thornheart and Dawnfrost express their pride in their former new-claws, and Spottedshadow warmly compliments their capabilities.



As the three cats smile at each other, they notice River Colony cats approaching, among which are Wolfthorn, Swiftmask, Grey, and Moss. Wolfthorn and Dawnfrost share an awkward glance and try to hide it by looking anywhere else, while Thornheart excuses himself to sit beside Wrensong. Surprised, Spottedshadow asks Wolfthorn how long he's been back in the River-lands. He gives a cool but half-hearted laugh, saying that it's been long enough, and that he thinks Rainfall gave him a new-claw in hopes of keeping him in the Colony. He playfully teases Swiftmask, and the tom sarcastically thanks him. Swiftmask introduces Moss and Grey, his and Wolfthorn's new-claws respectively.

Marsh Colony arrives on the Moonlight Island. Spottedshadow turns away to look hopefully through the arriving cats, lighting up as she notices Wildfur, the last cat to step onto the island. Wildfur smiles warmly at her and makes his way toward the cats, Pool by his side. Spottedshadow and Wildfur greet each other and nuzzle, much to the discomfort of the other cats, particularly Dawnfrost and Wolfthorn. Wildfur distastefully remarks that he'd thought Goldenpelt, Hazelfur, and Forestleaf would have forever kept her away from Moonlight Gatherings. Spottedshadow notices the new-claws sniffing at Pool, and expresses her excitement about Wildfur becoming a Mentor, especially as Hawkshell had never given him a new-claw in the past.

Peach asks for Pool's name, introducing herself. As he begins to respond, Moss cuts him off, wondering why he's small and believing that Marsh-landers should be large and intimidating, just like Wildfur; much to Swiftmask and Pool's chagrin. As they speak, Hawkshell climbs onto the tree. She takes her place amongst the other Captains.



Elmtail light-heartedly comments on Hawkshell's appearance, asking if Marsh-landers ever groom themselves. He gives a humorous laugh, met by Hawkshell's stiff response that her day was eventful and that she'd like to return back to the Marsh-lands as soon as possible. Immediately, Elmtail turns serious, while Hazelfur listens warily and Rainfall eavesdrops with a scowl. At Hawkshell's words, Rainfall stands up and begins the Moonlight Gathering, though not before making a jab at Hawkshell's appearance and age.

Rainfall announces that River Colony has been doing well during the summer, with four new-claws beginning their training: Lily, Grey, Moss, and Ivy. The Colonies cheer the new-claws' names. Once they finish, Hazelfur declares that summer has brought blessings to all of the Colonies, not just River Colony. He continues, proudly revealing that Clayfur and Thrushspots have become Rangers and Peach is attending her first Moonlight Gathering. Once again, the Colonies cheer their names.



Elmtail reports that Larkwing and Aspenbreeze have become Rangers. In response, the Colonies cheer the newly-made Rangers's names, especially Spottedshadow, much to the other Field-landers' annoyance. Elmtail carries on, revealing that Oak Colony's Second, Brackenfoot, has died due to a longstanding illness. He presents Redleaf as the Colony's newest Second, and the tom proudly puffs out his chest, though none of the other Seconds seem particularly happy about this announcement. The cats of the Colonies cheer Redleaf's name, excluding Spottedshadow, Dawnfrost, and Wolfthorn. Spottedshadow begins to offer her condolences, but Dawnfrost cuts her off, distant and only saying that he was a good Second. Wolfthorn gives a somewhat knowing look, aware of Dawnfrost's desire to become Second herself.

Elmtail asks if Hawkshell would like to share her news. The molly declares that two Marsh Colony Rangers, Sunfire and Breezeheart, were found torn to shreds. Rainfall interrupts her, brushing their deaths off as the result of a badger, especially since River Colony had driven one away in the morning. Angry at Rainfall's impertinence, Hawkshell snaps at her, asking how a badger could maul a Ranger past his own mother's recognition. The cats of the Colonies gasp in horror and begin murmuring amongst each other. Spottedshadow asks Wildfur why he hadn't told her that they were in such danger, and Wildfur only says that it wasn't for him to say, looking away.



Elmtail notices the moon has been covered with clouds and declares it a bad omen from the Spirits Beyond, thus ending the Moonlight Gathering. Hawkshell urges the Colonies to stay safe; however, her warnings are met with Rainfall’s response that River Colony is always well-guarded and Hazelfur’s belief that whatever threatens Marsh Colony will not threaten Field Colony, though the latter thanks her for her warning. After looking at Hawkshell sorrowfully, Elmtail leaps off the branch as well, leaving Hawkshell to grieve.

Later, Pool says that he can’t believe Sunfire is dead, considering him to be a great Ranger. Peach consoles him, telling him that at least no one will get hurt since the message is being taken seriously. She looks to Spottedshadow for reassurance, though the molly looks away. Spottedshadow asks for Wildfur to stay safe. He begins to assure her, inadvertently insulting Hawkshell. Swiftmask crossly rebukes him for saying such, especially in front of his new-claw. Immediately after, the River Colony cats leave the Moonlight Island.



Dawnfrost also takes her leave, having known Sunfire and wishing to give her condolences to Hawkshell. Spottedshadow and Wildfur are left alone with their new-claws, and they begin to lean closer to each other, though Spottedshadow pulls back. She tells Wildfur that she and Peach should leave, aware that Goldenpelt will tell Forestleaf if they linger for too long. Wildfur begins to threaten Goldenpelt, but Spottedshadow cuts him off, simply asking him to stay safe. He agrees and they share a quick nuzzle before Spottedshadow and Peach depart.

Field Colony returns to the Field-lands. On the journey, Spottedshadow asks what Peach thought of her first Moonlight Gathering. Thinking for a moment, Peach jokes that there weren’t enough cute Marsh-lander new-claws. The two cats laugh and Spottedshadow challenges Peach to a race, which she accepts. As they run past the other Field-landers, a lone tom looks up at them to glare scornfully at Spottedshadow.

Trivia

 * Shifting Roots: Chapter 1 is the first and only episode not to be impacted by Clouded Moon's lore changes, as it was made before the lore changes were created. Instead, the episode uses Warriors terminology.
 * A revised episode is currently in production, with slight animation changes for lip sync. The script can be found on Captain Snapdragon's Oh Snap 3.
 * In Captain Snapdragon's Oh Snap 3, they go in-depth about the character details portrayed through the animation and script.