December 19th, 1944. Ardennes Forest Belgium.
Fireheart was still making a recovery but it was clear he was still out cold. Soon he opened his eyes to see that he was home.
"Where am I?" Fireheart asked. Soon some cats began to appear from his imagination. The cats that appeared were the cats that had fallen and died in combat. First to appear was a giant lion like brute but as gentle as a breeze.
"It's been a while young Fireheart." The cat called out. Fireheart looked up to see it was his old yet gentle friend full of wisdom and tricks.
"Lionheart, I never knew it was you. What are you going to give me?" Fireheart asked.
"I'm giving you the gift of courage. A leader must take all the daunting tasks for himself, you're going to need it when you get back into Germany." Lionheart responded. He soon disappeared as the next soldier cat came walking forth.
"Redtail?" Fireheart asked.
"Even if we didn't meet in cat I am still glad you didn't let my murder go unsolved. I give you the gift of justice. Thank you for telling Bluestar this." Redtail responded before rubbing the head of the deputy. Soon another cat with a beautiful coat pattern appeared.
"Mistyfoot told me all about you and your bravery and I am proud of it." Silverstream mewed. "You really helped us all in Sicily. But you can't trust everyone. I'm giving you the gift of Loyalty. This will show your how you will decide who is truthful." Soon she disappeared as a fast moving tom came racing along.
"I give you the gift of tireless energy. It is necessary if you want to keep running around on the battlefield." Runningwind mewed as his voice was fast. He soon zipped off without a reply. Brindleface soon came up to him as she was there to thank him.
"Thank you for looking after my kits and Cloudtail for me. Frostfur sure does miss me being around." Brindleface mewed to him. "As your reward you get protection. Protection from a leader defends his platoon like a mother defends her kittens." Brindleface soon left as another cat an apprentice showed up.
"I am so sorry Swiftpaw, I wanted to get you promoted but I couldn't. Bluestar wouldn't allow me." Fireheart begged as he recognized the apprentice.
"It's okay, I'm at peace now. As your reward, you get the gift of mentoring. Your knowledge will be useful for the troops you will teach for future battles ahead." Swiftpaw mewed. He soon left as he went off. Soon a ragged old she cat covered in scars soon came over.
"I will want to thank you for what you did back there when you were just an apprentice. My loyalty still lies with you. But you do care for those that you want to see safe even the enemy. My gift for you is Compassion, since it feels wrong to leave an enemy on the battlefield." Yellowfang responded as he voice rasped. She soon disappeared. She was soon replaced by a beautiful tortoiseshell she cat as she was happy to see him.
"It has been a long time soldier. I've heard you made some relationships with Sandstorm before, she is proving your loyalty to you as much as I wished I had a mate and kits though I was so fascinated with medicine I couldn't give it up. My gift will be Love for your future relationship with Sandstorm." Spottedleaf mewed as she warmly greeted him.
"I will definitely miss you." Fireheart responded.
"So do I." Spottedleaf responded as she disappeared and the last cat to greet him was Bluestar, looking younger and stronger than before. She looked like she had restored her faith with her ancestors.
"I was impressed that you risked your life for me. Even in my drowning life you would still risk all. As your gift I am giving you the gifts of Nobility, Certainty, and faith. Use it well." Bluestar mewed as she was happy to be with those that fell. Soon all the cats soon gathered.
"We are all proud of you and what you have accomplished. For now on you will be known as Firestar and the new rank of Staff Sergeant." All the cats chanted together. Before Pride can take over Firestar, the ground opened up as he soon fell into it. There were the bodies of mangled troops and destroyed tanks burning all over. More bodies soon joined it continued to get worse.
"Four will become two. Lions and tigers will meet on the battlefield and blood will spill all over Germany." A voice whispered the haunting message. Firestar soon woke up.
"Anything wrong Firestar?" Cinderpelt asked as she was listening to this the entire time.
"I'm good. Also I think I'm feeling better." Firestar responded.
"That's good to hear. Let's get going." Cinderpelt mewed as she helped him to his feet. They soon staggered out as they returned back to where there camp was.
Ever since the defeat of the dogs, some of the forces were beginning to carve morsels off of the Shadowclan offensive. It was clear that they weren't going to last.
December 24th, 1944. The Ardennes forest, Belgium. 21:55.
Massive pine trees were decorated across the camp with their lights hanging off of them. The troops were discussing what they wanted to get for tomorrow as a present. Cloudtail and the apprentices were busy huddled around a fire in the freezing cold. Firestar walked over to the fire as they had some cups of hot coffee in their canteens.
"To Bluestar, in honor of fighting by your side, you will guide us to victory in the ultimate demise of Shadowclan." Cloudtail chanted. The other apprentices raised their canteens in her offer.
"I see that you're still honoring your former leader Cloudtail." Firestar responded. "I would like to see you and Whitestorm in my tent alone. There is a surprise for you." He soon walked off to his tent.
"I'll be right back, keep chatting away until I get back." Cloudtail hopped along to catch up with Firestar. Soon he reached his tent as he had a couple of gifts for them. Whitestorm looked at Cloudtail whose leg was still bandaged up.
"How's that leg holding up for you?" Whitestorm asked.
"Its fine, hopefully it could have that bandage removed in time for the New Year." Cloudtail responded. Whitestorm laughed at his joke and resolution.
"All right, now the reason I called you two in here is because I'm giving you two a promotion." Firestar began. "I have been impressed with how you two managed to push back the offensive and rolling them out of the hill. Some of Thunderclan is still stranded in Bastogne and we will break it. Whitestorm I'm promoting you to Sergeant and Cloudtail, I appreciate that you are helping Lostface out and I'm promoting you to corporal. Also Princess is coming tomorrow with the presents. And you two will be helping me defend our armored convoy that will break the siege."
"Do they want to surrender in Bastogne?" Whitestorm asked.
"No they want us to surrender." Firestar answered.
"NUTS!" Whitestorm shouted.
"Get some rest for tomorrow; it's going to be a crazy one." Firestar responded giving the two of them presents. They soon walked out as they were soon ready for bed.
December 25th, 1944. Ardennes Forest, Belgium. 9 miles north of Bastogne.
"God is it freezing cold or what?" Bramblepaw asked clutching his M1A1 Thompson that Bluestar had.
"I could seriously go for another cup of Joe." Brackenfur mewed as he shivered.
"Yeah we're all freezing out here." Tawnypaw responded. Soon Fireheart walked over.
"Bramblepaw can I talk to you for a moment?" Firestar asked.
"Sure." Bramblepaw responded as he and Firestar went to a separate section of the foxholes.
"Bramblepaw I wanted to ask you, even if Tigerstar is your father, will you still be loyal to Thunderclan?" Firestar asked.
"Of course I will. After all, you have taught me a lot even if you freak out every time you see me." Bramblepaw responded. "Even if my origins are different, I will still stay loyal. You taught me a lot more than Tigerstar has."
"I'm glad to hear you say that." Firestar responded. Soon Ravenpaw, Barley, Onewhisker and Deadfoot came running. "Why are Windclan cats here?"
"Windclan has lost the offensive to the north. We've been ordered to Regroup with Thunderclan and prepare for the counter push." Deadfoot mewed.
"When will they be coming?" Firestar asked.
"Soon." Onewhisker responded.
"Where's Tallstar?" Firestar asked.
"He's in a fighter plane. Helping our bombers destroy a nearby Shadowclan storage area that houses enemy tanks. Ravenpaw managed to destroy two of them but they kept coming. We were ordered to fall back." Deadfoot responded. Cloudtail soon came racing over.
"The supplies have arrived I want you to check them out." Cloudtail mewed.
"Okay. Follow me." Firestar ordered. When he arrived, he saw many trucks unpacking crates of supplies such as ammo, food and warm clothing as well as some presents.
"Anyone in the mood for fudge?" Princess asked as she hopped out of the truck. "Boy, its cold out here."
"Mother!" Cloudtail shouted excitedly as he ran over to hug her.
"I'm so glad to see you." Firestar greeted her.
"I heard you got pushed back so you didn't get to go home for the holidays so I had to bring the presents to you." Proncess responded.
"Hey Cloudtail, can you bring this box of ammo to one of our machine gun crews?" Frostfur asked.
"Sure." Cloudtail responded as he soon took the box of ammo as he went to where Frostfur had assigned him. He soon arrived to the Machine gun nest with Goldenflower and Mousefur were assigned.
"Look who's came with the presents Saint Nick?" Mousefur asked.
"Put it under our tree." Goldenflower responded as Cloudtail puts the ammo box under the tree. The ammo was under the tree alongside canteens, some medical supplies and Mousefur's carbine with some sweets.
"Princess has got brownies up there if you want some." Cloudtail mewed. Soon something exploded as a tree came down.
"I think the brownies will come later, we got company." Goldenflower responded. Shadowclan and some strange kittypets with teeth in their collars were beginning the assault on their lines.
"What is going on? I don't want to end up dying out here!" Princess shrieked seeing the attack unfolding in front of her eyes.
"Cloudtail, get out here and help me with Mg crew 4." Firestar ordered. "Here Princess, take my M1 Carbine, I will be assisting Cloudtail." Princess takes the M1 Carbine with some clips as she cocked bolt on the light gun. She was soon ordered into Mg nest where Goldenflower was for her safety. Soon Cloudtail and Firestar got into nest 4. Cloudtail loaded a 250 round belt into the stationary M1919A4 Machine gun. He cocked the bolt as Firestar grabbed an Ithaca M37 with a rubber butt stock. He checked if it was loaded before he grabbed some of the ammo belt to help feed Cloudtail. Soon smoke came up.
"They're using smoke to cover their charge!" Whitestorm shouted as he was commander of the right side. Soon the Shadowclan cats came charging out of the smoke as began to clear.
"Open fire! Cloudtail, shoot in bursts of 3!" Firestar instructed. Cloudtail began to open fire as he wielded the M1919A4 Machine gun. It was clear that Tigerstar was going to throw everything at them. Shadowclan cats began to fall one by one as they began to fire. But the tanks soon began rolling over. They were 175 yards within their position.
"Cloudtail, continue firing, I'm calling Artillery, mortars and Tallstar's bombers." Firestar ordered as he continued to pepper fire with his .30 Caliber machine gun. Firestar ran out of his nest as went to go to the radio. "Smallear, One-eye I am requesting Artillery and Mortars to deal with Shadowclan tanks. Also order Tallstar with the bombers to destroy the tanks."
"Roger that 10-4. Out." Smallear called over the radio. Firestar soon ran back to his Machine gun nest where Cloudtail was peppering the Shadowclan troops away.
"Stand back!" Ravenpaw shouted from the Far left as he was being supported with Barley and Tawnyfur. He soon fired a Bazooka rocket as he destroyed the treads of a Panzer 4.
"Nice shot." Barley responded as he fired his Mp40.
"You three should get out of here and support the center we got something coming your way." Firestar shouted as the three cats soon dashed away from the far left of the troops. Soon the M4 Shermans began to steamroll their way to make up the far left. The three cats soon slid into machine gun nest 4 as Cloudtail was peppering the cats as they popped out from the tanks. Soon Mortar fire began to come down injuring many Shadowclan cats but doing little to the tanks. The 15 tanks Shadowclan had been destroying the Shermans that they had. They called 20 shermans in and 4 had already been destroyed. Soon the Artillery began to rain down destroying about 3 of Shadowclan's tanks. But it wasn't enough.
"Nothing's working!" Cloudtail shouted as he continued to fire in bursts. He was almost out of ammo.
"We should hold out until Tallstar arrives with the bombers." Firestar shouted. Ravenpaw fired his bazooka finishing off a Tiger 1 tank. Soon a shout came from Goldenflower's nest. Firestar soon ran over and saw Mousefur was injured as she took a bullet to her elbow. "Cinderpelt, get Mousefur to the back lines, Princess take over for her."
"Okay." Princess mewed nervously as she continued to help pepper the Shadowclan cats away from their tanks. Soon, the Pak 40 and Pak 38 guns soon came rolling in as they began to shell Thunderclan and Windclan reinforcements that were arriving on the M3 Halftracks to help protect the M4 Sherman tanks.
"They still keep coming!" Cloudtail shouted as he continued bursting with the M1919A4 but he unfortunately finished his 250 round belt of ammo rendering the Machine gun useless. He soon got out his M1918A2 BAR and he began firing from the hip to provide support. Soon a plane came crashing down from the sky. Soon more planes came in as the sky soon turned into a chaotic fight. Bombs were being let off loosely as tanks from Shadowclan tanks and artillery were being destroyed. A Shadowclan Pak 40 fires off as it blows up Goldenflower's Machine gun nest.
"Princess!" Cloudtail shouted.
"Cloudtail you need to stay here to continue providing fire. Sandstorm, get some more ammo for this Machine gun nest. I and Lostface will clear out that nest.
"Got it!" Sandstorm mewed as she ran off to get another ammo box for Cloudtail. Soon Firestar dashed across the shortest route to get to the destroyed Machine gun nest. He fired off a couple of shots from his Shotgun killing a Couple of Shadowclan cats at close range as he soon began to dig out the machine gun nest as Lostface soon joined him. Willowpelt soon joined in to cover them with her M3A1 Grease gun. Firestar and Lostface dug away as they found Goldenflower unharmed She dragged Princess out as she had a piece of Shrapnel in her side.
"It's going to be okay Princess. Littlecloud is going to help you." Firestar mewed. Princess was bleeding as she clutched his and Mousefur's M1 Carbines. Littlecloud raced over He soon puts Princess on a stretcher as he raced her behind the front lines to be treated. "What happened Goldenflower?" Firestar asked as he picked up the Carbine and he began to fire while Goldenflower took the other one. They soon began to fire away together.
"A Pak 40 shot has hit out nest. Luckily the log above us collapsed shielding us from most of the blast but Princess took a piece of Shrapnel." Goldenflower responded.
Sandstorm soon raced to Machine gun Nest #4 with another box of 250 rounds. Cloudtail was running low on BAR ammo when Sandstorm arrived.
"You're here! I only have 1 clip of ammo left." Cloudtail announced to Sandstorm as he loaded the last clip of ammo he had. He began firing to keep Shadowclan at bay. Sandstorm was loading the box of M1919A4 ammo into the Machine gun while Cloudtail used up the last of ammo that he had.
"Prep that Machine gun, I'll cover you!" Sandstorm shouted as Cloudtail ducked down into the nest. She fired her M1 Garand ad Cloudtail cocked the bolt readying it. He soon began to fire with Sandstorm. Soon more bombs began to crash down destroying the rest of Shadowclans forces. Those that lived retreated, while hundreds of cats lay dead or wounded across the battlefield. Firestar soon saw the rest of the cats retreat as he went to tally up the casualties. Tallstar soon landed with his fighter plane as he got out of the cockpit.
"What happened?" Firestar asked Tallstar.
"We got intercepted by Shadowclan fighter planes. The sky became a war in itself. I took out 4 planes but our bombs couldn't release properly." Tallstar replied. "And we lost 2 bombers in the process."
"But you inflicted damage on them right?" Firestar asked.
"Yes we did." Tallstar replied.
"At this rate we should begin rolling them back." Firestar mewed in relief. Soon Cinderpelt raced over as she had news.
"Sorrelkit, she's been poisoned. Me and Littlecloud are treating her. It looks bad." Cinderpelt responded. "We managed to get Princess and Mousefur into stable condition and they will make a full recovery. I'm surprised a Kittypet would help put up a vigorous defense. "
"Yeah she's a fighter. I bet I should make a promotion to two special cats who definitely deserved a promotion long ago." Firestar responded.
It was soon night time as Firestar soon gathered the entire platoon for an announcement.
"Cats of Thunderclan platoon I would like to promote two cats of our platoon. Lostface, Thornpaw step forward." Firestar announced. "I know your promotions are long overdue but will you be a model soldier even if it cost your life?"
"I do." Lostface mewed excited.
"I do." Thornpaw mewed as he beamed.
"That's great. Thornpaw you will be promoted to PFC and your new name will be Thornclaw. You will be our new patrol manager. And Lostface, you long deserve a promotion. You will go from a dead cat walking to a PFC and your new name will be Brightheart. Cloudtail certainly trained you well with your one eye. Keep going and you will surely be a true underdog hero. And you get a purple heart for your injuries despite your bravery." Firestar beamed as he promoted the two cats. They soon left as he went to go to his tent.
[A/N]: 3000 words, that's impressive. I can type up to 4000 words spreading it across 10 pages but I want to reach 50k words by the time this story is over. But this is clearly the worst holidays for the platoon but Operation Greif is now a failure. Keep reading to find out why.