Special thanks to thesaltybobcat, previously known as GoDownWithYourShip on deviantart for the new cover art for this story.
The original version of this story(which I have since taken down) was started in 2011 after Erin Hunter announced that The Last Hope would be the end of the original story arc. I thought it would be cool to keep my favorite character's story going since he was done in the cannon. I hadn't known at the time that Erin would make another series... Nowadays, I come to this story to reminisce the glory days of Warriors back when the plots weren't just rehashes of older plots. For anybody seeing this story for the first time, it does not follow the cannon storyline through Bramblestar's Storm and beyond. In my eyes, the cannon ended at The Last Hope.
PROLOGUE
It was a cold night. Pale slivers of moonlight poked through the clouds, dotting the cliff-side with small pools of white amidst the dark stones. A wide cave opening was carved into the side of the precipice, its gaping mouth chiseled with huge tooth-like boulders. Black waves rose and fell below the lip of the cave, casting spray high into the air. The salty froth made the cave opening look like the maw of a giant rabid beast.
A strong wind tore through the mist revealing a patch of sky. The rocks sparkled as drops of water gathered on their faces and a few twinkling stars shone through the clouds. Standing at the edge of the cave and staring down at the water was a coarse-furred badger. Her gaze was dull and emotionless and her hunched shoulders were hardened and strong from many seasons of living with the wind and weather. The spray washed over her fur but her dark eyes were unblinking as she waited and watched- standing so still she could have been made of stone herself.
"Three have become four, four have become three, and Clans are safe," the badger rumbled distantly as if speaking to someone only she could see. "But I fear their journey far from over. There is still darkness lurking beyond horizon that could bring ruin to all cats." She shivered as if the cold wind was finally breaching her thick ragged pelt and seeping into her bones.
"Stars show me one last sign of destruction- a horrible thing that threatens life of all we hold sacred." The badger took a deep breath and exhaled it slowly in a long sigh. "Never an end to plight of cats."
"Or to you," came a soft voice from the shadows. "You have seen many horrible things, but this darkness will affect us all, Midnight."
The badger rumbled in amusement, her large claws scraping the rocks as she pulled her paws closer to her chest. "Ah, old friend. Long time since you visited me in my home. Too busy watching over lost cats that don't see the way."
"Yes, I see the darkness too," the voice whispered, and a flurry of white flower petals swirled upon the breeze beside the badger. "But it's not only the cats that I fear for."
"You fear for my sake? Nonsense! Old badger not afraid of path that lay before her. My task is only to help one more cat before I return to sky." Midnight lifted her gaze upwards to where the small bundle of stars poked through the clouds. "Many lives this darkness will change and take."
"You have to escape," the voice called more urgently. "The Clans- the Tribe need you!"
The badger shook her fur, shaking off the salty residue from the mist-filled air. With a deep breath, she dipped her head and trod back into her cave embedded in the cliff wall. The wet jagged rocks glistened like fangs in the moonlight but the badger passed undaunted. "So much fear my friend has, but it is misplaced. Visions of time to come have faded from my sight as prophecies end and peace has come. My final journey awaits."
"You are going to warn the Clans about the danger?" the voice asked hopefully, barely loud enough to be heard as a huge wave crashed against the cliff-side below.
The badger padded deeper into the cave, her long claws dragging against the rock with each step, to where a bed of stones and old wet moss lay waiting. "No, Stoneteller, not what I plan to do. But young cats still have many questions and I must answer."
"Why not warn them," the voice growled hotly, the dancing white petals shaking and falling to the cave floor. "If you won't, I will."
"Dear Stoneteller, you care so deeply for these living cats as do we all, but home for you in sky and memory. The moment small kit is born, their destiny stretches far across stars. Is not our place to change, they must discover path alone."
A pair of green eyes lit from the shadows and a ghostly white she-cat padded towards the badger. Her fur was long and soft, covering her small lithe frame and delicate paws. She was barely visible as time had all but forgotten her and it looked as if her image could shatter with a simple gust of wind. "So you would see all the Clans be wiped out and not lift a claw to help?" The white cat fluffed out her glimmering fur in anger. "This new darkness is like nothing they have ever seen before!"
The badger turned to the bristling she-cat, her old black eyes warm and wise. "I know you speak harsh words only from concern. Do you think Clans will fail against new threat? Must put more faith in brave cats by lake, noble Half Moon. Much they have endured already."
Half Moon's eyes dimmed and she bowed her head, ashamed for erupting on her friend. "Sorry. I suppose you're right. The Clans have fought hard for their place by the lake and with Jayfeather and the other two guiding them, they will remain by the lake for many more moons. But what about you, Midnight? Were will you go?"
Midnight blinked slowly, shifting the boulders of her nest into a more comfortable position. "I will be in time and memory as I always have, Half Moon. That is where I will forever stay."
ALLEGIANCES
ThunderClan
LEADER
Bramblestar- big dark brown tabby tom with amber eyes
DEPUTY
Squirrelflight- dark ginger tabby she-cat with green eyes
MEDICINE CAT
Jayfeather- gray tabby tom with blind blue eyes
WARRIORS
Graystripe- long haired gray tom
Sandstorm- pale ginger she-cat with green eyes
Millie- striped gray tabby she-cat with blue eyes
Brackenfur- golden brown tabby tom
Cloudtail- long haired white tom with blue eyes
Thornclaw- golden brown tabby tom
Leafpool- light brown tabby she-cat with amber eyes (former medicine cat)
Spiderleg- long-legged black tom with brown underbelly and amber eyes
Birchfall- light brown tabby tom
Whitewing- white she-cat with green eyes
Berrynose- cream colored tom
Hazeltail- small gray and white she-cat
Mousewhisker- gray and white tom
Cinderheart- gray tabby she-cat
Poppyfrost- tortoiseshell she-cat
Apprentice, Lillypaw
Lionblaze- golden tabby tom with amber eyes
Foxleap- reddish tabby tom
Apprentice, Cherrypaw
Icecloud- white she-cat
Toadstep- black and white tom
Rosepetal- dark cream she-cat
Apprentice, Molepaw
Briarlight- dark brown she-cat
Blossomfall- tortoiseshell and white she-cat
Bumblestripe- very pale gray tom with black stripes
Dovewing- pale gray she-cat with blue eyes
Ivypool- silver and white tabby she-cat with dark blue eyes
APPRENTICES
Lillypaw- small dark tabby she-cat with white patches
Molepaw- brown and cream tom
Cherrypaw- ginger she-cat
QUEENS
Brightheart- white she-cat with ginger patches and a scarred face (mother to Snowkit, Dewkit and Amberkit)
Daisy- cream long furred she-cat from the horseplace
ELDERS
Purdy- plump tabby tom with a gray muzzle (former loner)
ShadowClan
LEADER
Blackstar- large white tom with huge jet black paws
DEPUTY
Rowanclaw- ginger tom
MEDICINE CAT
Littlecloud- very small tabby tom
WARRIORS
Tawnypelt- tortoiseshell she-cat with green eyes
Oakfur- small brown tom
Smokefoot- black tom
Apprentice, Mistpaw (spiky furred pale gray she-cat)
Kinkfur- tabby she-cat with long fur that sticks out at all angles
Toadfoot- dark brown tom
Applefur- mottled brown she-cat
Crowfrost- black and white tom
Apprentice, Dewpaw (gray she-cat)
Ratscar- brown tom with long scar across his back
Apprentice, Sparrowpaw (big tabby tom)
Snowbird- pure white she-cat
Olivenose- tortoiseshell she-cat
Owlclaw- light brown tabby tom
Scorchfur- dark gray tom
Tigerheart- dark brown tabby tom
Dawnpelt- cream furred tom
Pinenose- black she-cat
Ferretclaw- cream and gray tom
Starlingwing- ginger tom
QUEENS
Ivytail- black, white, and tortoiseshell she-cat (mother to Ravenkit and Hawkkit)
Shrewfoot- gray she-cat with black feet
ELDERS
Tallpoppy- long-legged light brown tabby she-cat
Snaketail- dark brown tabby tom with tabby striped tail
Whitewater- white she-cat with long fur, blind in one eye
WindClan
LEADER
Onestar- brown tabby tom
DEPUTY
Ashfoot- gray she-cat
MEDICINE CAT
Kestrelflight- mottled gray tom
WARRIORS
Crowfeather- dark gray tom
Owlwhisker- light brown tabby tom
Apprentice, Whiskerpaw (light brown tom)
Whitetail- small white she-cat
Nightcloud- black she-cat
Gorsetail- very pale gray and white tom with blue eyes
Weaselfur- ginger tom with white paws
Harespring- brown and white tom
Leaftail- dark tabby tom with amber eyes
Emberfoot- gray tom with two dark paws
Heathertail- light brown tabby she-cat with blue eyes
Breezepelt- black tom with amber eyes
Sedgewhisker- light brown tabby she-cat
Swallowtail- dark gray she-cat
QUEENS
Furzepelt- gray and white she-cat (mother to Cricketkit and Sagekit)
ELDERS
Tornear- tabby tom
RiverClan
LEADER
Mistystar- gray she-cat with blue eyes
DEPUTY
Reedwhisker- black tom
MEDICINE CAT
Willowshine- gray tabby she-cat
WARRIORS
Graymist- pale gray tabby she-cat
Mintfur- light gray tabby tom
Apprentice, Whitepaw (white tom)
Icewing- white she-cat with blue eyes
Minnowtail- dark gray she-cat
Pebblefoot- mottled gray tom
Apprentice, Redpaw (white she-cat with ginger paws)
Mallownose- light brown tabby tom
Robinwing- tortoiseshell and white tom
Mosspelt- tortoiseshell she-cat with blue eyes
Beetlewhisker- brown and white tabby tom
Petalfur- gray and white she-cat
Grasspelt- light brown tabby she-cat
Hollowflight- dark brown tabby tom
Heronflight- brown tabby tom
QUEENS
Duskfur- brown tabby she-cat
Rushtail- small light brown tabby she-cat (mother to Shadekit)
ELDERS
Dapplenose- mottled gray she-cat
Pouncetail- ginger and white tom
Tribe of Rushing Water
HEALER
Teller of the Pointed Stone (Stoneteller)- dark gray tom (formerly Crag where Eagles Nest)
PREY HUNTERS
Gray Sky Before Dawn (Gray)- pale gray tabby tom
Wing Shadow over Water (Wing)- gray and white she-cat
Brook where Small Fish Swim (Brook)- brown tabby she-cat
Storm Gust that Ruffles Fur (Storm)- dark gray tom with amber eyes (formerly Stormfur of RiverClan)
Flight of Startled Heron (Flight)- brown tabby she-cat
Screech of Angry Owl (Screech)- black tom
Splash when Fish Leaps (Splash)- light brown tabby she-cat
Dark Shadow on Water (Dark)- black tom
CAVE GUARDS
Sheer Path Beside Waterfall (Sheer)- dark brown tabby tom
Scree Beneath Winter Sky (Scree)- huge mottled brown tabby tom
Moss that Grows by River (Moss)- light brown she-cat
Pebble that Rolls Down Mountain (Pebble)- gray she-cat
Snow Falling on Stones (Snow)- white she-cat
Rain that Passes Quickly (Rain)- gray speckled she-cat
KIT-MOTHERS
Night of No Stars (Night) black she-cat, mother of Feather Falling from Sky (Feather)- gray tabby she-kit with amber eyes, and Leaf that Blows on Breeze (Leaf)- light brown she-kit with green eyes
TO-BES
Lark that Sings at Dawn (Lark)- pale tabby she-cat- cave guard
Pine that Clings to Rock (Pine)- light brown tom- prey hunter
ELDERS
Talon of Swooping Eagle (Talon)- big dark brown tabby tom
Bird that Rides the Wind (Bird)- gray-brown she-cat
Cloud with Star in Belly (Cloud)- pale gray she-cat
The Mountain Pack
Leader
Flora- dark brown and white she-cat with green eyes
Hunters
Stripes- large pale silver tabby tom with amber eyes
Twist- tortoiseshell she-cat with white stripes on her face
Nettle- pale brown furred she-cat with a scarred muzzle
Boulder- large brown tabby tom
Edge- scarred ginger tom with green eyes
Twitch- long-legged white tom with green eyes
Silver- silver tabby she-cat with green eyes
Sparrow- gray tabby tom
Dusty- sandy-furred and white tom with blue eyes
Snake- white she-cat with brown speckles
Shred- large brown tabby and white tom
Dodger- thin black and white tom with amber eyes
Beetle- small black she-cat with a silver muzzle
Young Hunters
Asphalt- black she-cat
Gravel- solid gray tom
Haze- gray tabby and white tom
Blue- gray tabby she-cat with blue eyes
Rose- ginger and white she-cat with amber eyes
Bearing Mothers
Petal- tortoiseshell and gray she-cat (mother to Slate- gray tabby tom)
SkyClan
LEADER
Cherrystar- tortoiseshell and white she-cat
DEPUTY
Bouncefire- rugged ginger tom
MEDICINE CAT
Frecklewish- mottled, light brown tabby she-cat
Apprentice, Firebright (ginger tabby she-cat)
WARRIORS
Rockshade- black scarred tom
Tinycloud- small white she-cat with a torn ear
Sparrowpelt- dark gray tabby tom
Apprentice, Bonepaw (deaf white tom)
Stormwind- gray and ginger she-cat
Hardstone- stout gray tom
Sagefur- small pale gray tabby tom
Apprentice, Hollowpaw (tortoiseshell she-cat)
Mintnose- gray tabby she-cat
Rabbitleap- brown tom
Creekfeather- gray tabby tom
Plumwillow- dark gray she-cat
Whitetoe- ginger tabby she-cat with white paws
Streamwhisper- black and white-striped silver she-cat with one blind white eye
Smokebreath- black tom with a white muzzle
Murkypool- black she-cat
Brighttail- large black tom with white tail and paws
Queens
Birdglide- black she-cat with lighter muzzle
Sandypelt- pale ginger tom with darker tail and paws
Elders
Shrewtooth- skinny black tom
Leafdapple- brown and cream tabby she-cat with amber eyes (former leader)
Billowstorm- ginger and white tom
Cats Outside the Clan
Sol- tortoiseshell tom with pale yellow eyes
Jayjay- light brown tabby tom with white spot on face and blue eyes
Cash- light brown tabby tom with green eyes
Felix- black and white tom with amber eyes
Felicity- black queen with green eyes
Ravenpaw- black tom with a white spot on his chest
Koda- enormous pale ginger tom with black spots
Sentinel- skinny sandy-furred tom with amber eyes
Alicia- long-furred gray and white she-cat with green eyes
Other Animals
Midnight- star-gazing badger who lives by the sea
Drool- large gray dog
Snow- blue-eyed white fox
HEY, IF YOU HAVEN'T TAKEN THE SURVEY ON MY PROFILE PAGE, YOU NEED TO DO THAT RIGHT MEOW!
