~Chapter One~
Brambles sliced through his pelt as Tigerstar slid through the thorn tunnel and into ShadowClan camp. All eyes shifted towards him as soon as he entered. After him came his deputy, Blackfoot, Boulder and Darkstripe. Tigerstar let out a growl from deep within his throat before stalking into his den inside the trunk of the oak tree. The attack on WindClan camp had been successful, but the two half-clan RiverClan apprentices had escaped, along with their half-clan mentor.
They'd gone to ThunderClan no doubt, to grovel at the paws of that fluff-hearted kittypet. He'd left two of his warriors, Jaggedtooth and Oakfur to guard the RiverClan camp. Punishment for being stupid enough to let them escape. He should have left Darkstripe behind as well. His former apprentice had proven to be little more than an embarrassment. Worse than Ravenpaw, who at least had the decency to die quickly. He watched as Darkstripe picked out a sparrow from the fresh kill pile. At least he could always count on him to be loyal, even if he brain was filled with mouse-dung.
He turned his attention away from the dark tabby as Blackfoot padded up to the entrance of his den. Tigerstar had appointed him as his first deputy and the white tom had already proven him a loyal follower, as well as a quick learner and dangerous opponent in battle. The ShadowClan warrior dipped his head as he approached his leader.
"Everything is ready for tomorrow," he announced. "The warriors are eager and Runningnose's supply is stocked." Tigerstar nodded in approval and dismissed the warrior with a flick of his tail.
As Blackfoot turned and headed for the warriors den to retire for the night, Tigerstar shut his eyes, taking in the scents of the camp. Fresh kill, his warriors in their den, the fog of crowfood and pine needles that seemed to follow him whenever he was in ShadowClan territory, and the faint scent of fear. Only to Tigerstar, it was an indicator of respect, as he considered himself the most powerful force in the forest.
He lay on the floor of his den and tucked his paws beneath him. Tomorrow it'll all be over. TigerClan would rule the forest, and BloodClan... once he finished off Scourge the rest of his followers would either join him, or be killed. He felt a tinge of excitement at this. His claws aching for battle.
In his dreams, he was standing underneath the Fourtrees. Their enormous branches casting shadows throughout the clearing. Around him where endless rows of faceless cats, obscured in shadow. And in front of him was Firestar. The ThunderClan leader's ears were flattened as he raised his haunches and hissed at his enemy.
Tigerstar unsheathed his claws in anticipation before sinking his teeth into Firestar's throat, watching as the kitty-warrior's blood poured out like a river, splashing across the grass of the Fourtrees. Tigerstar stared at his red stained flame colored pelt in sanctification. After a few moments, the blood faded and the ThunderClan leader rose, only for Tigerstar to leap forward and snap his neck. As he watched Firestar die at his feet, a familiar voice came from the darkness.
"Not bad for the son a kittypet," it spat, mockingly. Tigerstar whirled around, the fur on his neck bristling as he hissed into the trees.
"Show yourself!" he demanded. Beside him, Firestar's dead body disappeared, followed by the rest of the Fourtress before the momentary blackness was replaced by the smell of dead leaves and crowfood.
Ugly gray trees covered in fungus sprung up everywhere, blocking out the sky. Under his paws was cold, stale dirt, devoid of even a single blade of grass. The air around him was sour and thin, forcing him to part his lips just so he could breath. Hidden in the shadows of the forest, he spotted a muscular figure sitting and watching him with narrowed eyes.
He tried to pick up the stranger's scent, but it was indistinguishable from the rest of the forest's musty aroma. He was reminded of the Twolegplace, where all his senses had been muffled, leaving him completely blind. It was only when the figure sprung out of the darkness and stood beside him did Tigerstar recognize the spikey-furred, gray and white haired tabby.
"Thistleclaw," he said, his eyes widened in surprise at the sight of his former mentor. More than anyone else, he'd expected to see him when he went to receive his nine lives. Strangely, the former ThunderClan warrior hadn't appeared, though Tigerstar couldn't help but feel glad to him now.
"What is this place?" he asked. "It isn't StarClan."
"No, it isn't," Thistleclaw replied, as if just that had answered his question. He slid past Tigerstar and sat, staring into the trees on the other end of the clearing. "But even here, there are places where the Clans can be seen," he said. "I have seen something I wish to share with you."
"Is it a prophecy?" Tigerstar asked. Thistleclaw whirled to face his apprentice, as if what he'd said had been offensive.
"This is a warning!" he hissed. The gray cat raised his paw and bashed Tigerstar across the head, causing him to teeter off balance. "Listen closely!" Thistleclaw roared. But Tigerstar was in no mood to obey.
Angered, he rose onto his hind paws and pinned Thistleclaw to the ground. Pausing to fight for breath, Tigerstar snarled at the warrior, his muscles rippling under his pelt, his amber eyes glowing in the shadows of the trees.
"I'm not the cat who got himself killed by a RiverClan patrol!" Tigerstar spat. "You always talked about being strong, but you never had the nerve to go all the way." Even back when Tigerstar was an apprentice, his mentor had always talked about being deputy, but when Bluestar assumed the role, he'd never done anything to challenge her.
Tigerstar glared at Thistleclaw, who stared back, unafraid, with coldness in his eyes. After a long moment, Tigerstar finally releasing him before turning away and heading towards the trees. His earlier relief at seeing the cat he'd always respected, gone. Replaced with anger and frustration.
"Once you're killed, you'll think differently."
Tigerstar froze midstep and cocked his head back to face Thistleclaw. The gray tabby met his gaze and they stared at each other for a long moment. Tigerstar had never known his mentor to hold any cat's paws. If he'd gone through the trouble to warn him, he must have been quite certain in what he saw.
"When?" he murmured.
"Tomorrow." Tigerstar frowned for a moment before letting out a mrrow of laughter.
"That's funny," he chuckled. "But I don't think any cat is fool enough to be killed nine times in one day."
"You're only killed once."
"I received my nine lives only two seasons-"
"Your lives are weak!" Thistleclaw hissed, raking his claws against ground. "You'd be no worse off if you only had one!" Tigerstar was silent. He trusted the gray cat more than any warrior alive, and yet what he was saying made no sense.
"This place," Thistleclaw muttered. "The smell, the silence... after a while it's maddening." He met Tigerstar's eye and the ShadowClan leader felt as if were an apprentice again, being told a particularly deadly fighting move. "I made many mistakes when I was in ThunderCan. I am here as a result. You have already outlived me by many moons. It may already be impossible for you to avoid meeting the same fate.
"Then I will live," Tigerstar declared with a brisk nod of the head. "I thank you for your warning. And when my life does eventually pass, I would consider it an honor to be able to walk with you." Thistleclaw's eyes narrowed, but he said nothing. Tigerstar smiled. Feeling confident with himself he added, "Although you may have cats in StarClan you wish to walk with, I have no so such desires. I am content to walk alone if need be."
Thistleclaw gave his former apprentice a look of surprise. Tigerstar saw the edges of his mouth curled upwards slightly, his eyes expressionless as he let out a small chuckle.
"There was a time when I thought the same," he whispered. But before Tigerstar could ask him what he meant, the air around them seemed to dissipate. He felt his paw growing weak as he collapsed onto the cold ground, the forest around him turning into a blur.