This scene is something I came up with our of the blue, based on the idea that Swallowstar's manipulation came from somewhere. He wasn't born evil, but it was also unavoidable, in a way. I'm definitely not excusing what he did to Sweetfur or how he treated his Clan (fair, but he did get ridiculous sometimes) but I want to show the worst of his line, what he easily could have become.

If you don't like what you see, please don't flame me. This is not a happy story, even though the piece it's attached to tries to have a lighter tone in in dealing the aftermath of dark situations. Also, for those who are interested, I'll start posting the sequel to Swallowstar's Revenge later on.

Cinderfire

"You bastard!"

"Pauly, it's not what you think!"

"Oh it's exactly what I think! I distinctly recall Shipper saying she didn't like you and now she's going to have your kits?! What kind of sick game are you playing, Snow? Because it's not funny to me."

"It's not a game, I swear! She came out of nowhere! Who was I to reject the most beautiful she-cat in the neighborhood?"

"Right." Pauly sneered.

"C'mon, old pal. You know you're the only tom for me." Snowball purred.

"Don't pull that ridiculous line on me, Snowball Jenkins. It's not going to work."

"Yeah? Well how about this: I'm leaving tomorrow, and I want you and Shipper to come with me."

"Where are we going?"

"The forest, where the wildcats live. My mom's from there, see, she kept up with my dad in the abandoned houses, but I found the group of cats she ran with. They're awesome, and they need extra paws. Whaddya say, Pauly? You, me and Shipper, we'll go be wildcats."

"How do you even know they'll let us stay?"

"Who can resist kits?"

"Snowball, no! I'm not letting you use Shipper like that. It's bad enough she's going to have your kits. You can't use them as a bargaining chip for some cats we don't even know! If those kits are all you're after then I'm sorry, but you can't have them!"

"What?!" Snowball snapped. "Who are you to tell me what I can't do?! The only reason Shipper even comes around us because she likes me, so you have no claim to our kits!"

"I do if you're not going to act like their father."

"Oh, scraps to that! What could you possibly know about being some cat's father, Pauly? You didn't even have one yourself."

"I'd do better than you." Pauly growled. "I don't like Shipper like you do, but if you try and hurt her then that's not love, Snowball. That's lust and manipulation. I won't let you use her."

"Like I plan on using you?" Snowball purred, inching closer.

"Not tonight." Pauly growled, annoyed. Snow thought his charm was the answer to everything.

"C'mon, Pauly. One last round, for old time's sake. Think of it this way, at least we won't have kits."

"Get your kicks somewhere else, Snowball. Why don't you go find those cats early?"

"I think." Snowball scoffed. "That I can do what I want. Now are you coming home tonight or will I have to set Claws on you?"

"I'll stay long enough to see you off."

"There's my favorite tom in the world." Snowball purred.

Pauly stalked away, pelt blending in with the darkness, leaving the pure white tom alone under the streetlight.

Snowball would eventually become Snowblaze, many greats grandfather to the current leader, Swallowstar.