A/N: Warriors is property of Erin Hunter. Please support the official release.
Prologue: In the Dark
"I shall keep vigil with Redtail's body tonight, before we bury him at sunrise."
It's done. As cats gathered around the former deputy's body, Tigerclaw stalked off somewhere he wouldn't be seen…grieving. Redtail was murdered by his claw. It truly was the point of no return. For the fallen, for ThunderClan, and for himself.
Not for the first time, he wondered how it had come to this, before realizing that he knew how and he knew he was right. He just couldn't make it feel right. Not at all. Then again, he expected that when he made up his mind. ThunderClan would be erased if he simply sat and waited. If he lost his honor in the process, then so be it.
As the wind blew, he hissed to himself. In this desperate time, in the clan's hour of need, Bluestar saw it fit to recruit a kittypet! If that wasn't a sign that they were backed onto a cliff...ugh! What could she have been thinking?! That wasn't adding strength to the clan, but detriment! Was the she-cat truly at her wits end to such an extent? When would the degradation of a once-proud tribe stop!? His fur went flat again as his anger vanished just as quickly as it came. It would stop when he was triumphant. And he would be.
But for now, he would rest.
"Tigerclaw."
What?
"Tigerclaw, awaken."
The tabby's eye creaked open and he was immediately confused. He was surrounded by the cosmos, a pool of stars and night sky. The other warriors were nowhere in sight.
"Stand, Tigerclaw."
Subconsciously, the warrior obeyed, although he saw no one. He knew right away that he could only be dreaming. But who was speaking to him? "Who's there?" He growled from his chest.
Suddenly, a bright light tore through the darkness and a shape began to form in front of the nearly-blinded tabby. As the glow began to fade, it was clear who stood before Tigerclaw now. Even if his pelt was now glittered with stars, his face hadn't changed at all. "R…Redtail…" He couldn't deny it; it was clearly the deputy he had betrayed. The traitor's pelt immediately stood up on end as he took a step back.
Had he died in his sleep!? Was he to be punished and accursed already?
"Do not cower, Tigerclaw; your fate is not sealed," the former deputy informed. "You yet live."
At the mere mention of cowardice, the murderer's shaking stopped and he padded a few feet forward. "I am not cowering," he rumbled, his ears flicking in agitation. He decided to go straight for the metaphorical jugular. "Why am I here before a Starclan warrior then? I am no medicine cat."
Redtail remained sitting coolly, giving a paw a quick lick. "That is precisely why you are here."
Tigerclaw couldn't help the tilt of his head, "How say you?" He didn't like the fact that the deputy was so calm in the face of his killer. For the slain to not be wrathful felt…unnatural. But perhaps that was the point of death. Any pain of living was left behind.
The tortoise shell warrior locked eyes his former kin. "this situation requires a guardian," he said standing, seriousness finally claiming his muscles, "not a healer." His front paws shifted. "The clans are in danger, possibly like they've never been before," he prophesied grimly.
A chill ran through Tigerclaw's body. "What do you mean?" He asked quietly.
"Surely you know young Firepaw."
A shudder of disgust ran through the tabby as he heard the fake name of a fake warrior-in-training. "Yes," he grounded out through his fangs, "what of him?"
Redtail's eyes darkened a bit, "He is not a normal cat." His tail twitched with anxiety. "He is…something that we thought we would never see again; he could be the monster to end them all."
Tigerclaw's ears wiggled at this information, caught off guard. His head couldn't lean over much more. The kittypet as a harbinger of death? "Has my betrayal made you lose your mind?"
Finally, some bitterness showed itself in the deputy. "Not at all," the deputy hissed. "I'm saner than I ever was." He dared to step closer. "But if you think your priorities are infallible, you have another thing coming." His eyes flashed dangerously, "Tigerclaw, if you truly wish to be a savior, then you must guard Firepaw with your life!"
The tabby reeled back in shock. He shook his head, at his wits end. "Wait! First you tell me that the kittypet is doom bringer, then you tell me to protect him? What is the meaning of this?! What is StarClan attempting to pull?"
"We're not pulling anything," Redtail regained his composure and sat back down. "We see possible outcomes; we do not steer fate itself." He blinked. "Which is why we decided to come to you."
Tigerclaw said nothing, trying to make sense of what had been said. The deputy gladly filled in the blanks for him.
"Firepaw could easily be the end of us or stand between the clans and total annihilation. In the end, it is up to him. That does not mean we cannot sway him a certain direction. With him we have a small chance. Without him, we have no chance
The scarred warrior openly sneered at this point, "Stop talking in riddles and explain yourself. This sounds like nothing but nonsense to me!" His hackles rose. "Why should I believe anything you're saying about a stray weakling? Why choose me at all for that matter!?" He knew what he'd done and what it must look like to his ancestors. There were no delusions he was innocent.
Redtail's face became impassive as he spoke. "I shall answer both of your questions at once," he offered. "Simply put that no one burns for Thunderclan's future like you. Even if it is to a violent extreme." His ears went back in annoyance. "But that is why it must be you. You have something going for you that a clan leader or medicine cat do not. Sometimes, only a zealot can find the strength to defeat a greater evil."
Well, didn't the tabby just feel so special? However- "I think I see your point." As convoluted and insulting as it was. "Still what is this kittypet? How can he be such a bane to the clans?"
"This is the part where I ask for your patience," Redtail meowed unapologetically. He was a little amused to see Tigerclaw visibly get upset. "Consider this a test of faith. Firepaw must remain safe and untampered with." He fell silent for a moment, openly searching for words. "We wish to believe in you, Tigerclaw. I especially wish to know that you are more than a murderer." He turned to disappear in the abyss. His last words were, "Make it so."
At a lost, the warrior looked down at his paws. He was very sobered.
His murder victim had just confronted him, and instead of blaming him, he showed faith and encouragement. On behalf of his clan, he pushed the past aside. He still was a deputy of ThunderClan in his heart. He knew what loyalty was.
Tigerclaw hoped that he still did as well.
