Snowcrystal of thunderclan: ikr! Weird changes! :D
Mistress1296: good! :p
FeatherSunfire: Thank you!
Scarlet Vow: You'll have to wait and see! The ending still isn't (that) close!
Walkswithwheels: the canon series was a little weird, but then again, so is this story lol. I think the only supporters of Fireheart right now are Sandstorm and Ravenflight, but I'm not sure. Also I had to post the last chapter from a tablet because i was having technology issues. That will be the only weird chapter, fear not!
Goldskies: thank you for the multiple reviews! They are much appreciated!
This chapter is kind of short, but ah well. :p
Tigerclaw stumbled out of Bluestar's den, still stunned from her announcement. The Clan turned to him, licking their wounds. He saw Spottedleaf and Cinderpelt, scrambling around the clearing to check their Clanmate's wounds. Ashpaw and Fernpaw were gently prodding Brindleface's body, trying desperately to wake her up, but Whitestorm pulled them away sadly. As he broke away from the den, every cat went silent. A dozen eyes landed on Tigerclaw.
"Bluestar is dead," he spluttered. At once, yowls followed his words. Ears flattened in fear and eyes went wide. He was bombarded with open questions.
"Bluestar is dead?"
"Was she murdered?"
"Did Fireheart kill her? Is that why he left?"
"Fireheart left? Why?"
"Did you kill her?"
A silence swept across the clearing as the question was left unanswered. Tigerclaw's pelt prickled. They don't believe I killed her, do they?
"Of course not." Ah, Whitestorm's voice. The white warrior hopped up beside Tigerclaw and lashed his tail to silence the muttering. Tigerclaw felt a wave of relief. He nodded at his friend gratefully, and the white tom returned it before facing the Clan. "I overheard what happened in Bluestar's den. You have nothing to fear from Tigerclaw. If you would like proof, ask Darkstripe, Longtail, and Cloudpaw."
Tigerclaw found the three toms in the crowd, all of whom nodded. Gaining confidence, Tigerclaw stepped forward. "If some of you are confused, let me educate you. This battle was planned with Fireheart, along with ShadowClan, in secret," he revealed darkly. Gasps followed his words. Even Sandstorm's green eyes rounded. "He's been planning to take over ThunderClan for months. Cinderpelt, what happened to you was no accident. In fact, his intentions now are clearer than ever: to kill me."
Another round of gasps. Cinderpelt hobbled forward. Her mouth moved, but no sounds came out.
"And Fireheart knew he could get away with anything because Bluestar liked him so much," Tigerclaw went on. "So Spottedleaf and I lied and said she had only one life - in actuality she had two - and he attacked only hours later." Tigerclaw bowed his head. "I was in there, when he confessed everything. She exiled him once she came back on her last life. Unfortunately, she passed away from injury only moments later."
A silence followed his words, but this time it was out of respect.
"Fireheart is no longer welcome on ThunderClan territory," he finished. Ravenflight hissed, but Sandstorm merely drew him back with her tail. Tigerclaw caught her glare, and guilt was almost teeming from her. "Anyone who wishes to follow him may speak up now and leave."
No cat spoke. Tigerclaw tipped his head at Ravenflight, whose eyes rounded in mock innocence. I know this was you, too. I've got my eye on you. Behind the wiry black tom, Graystripe exchanged a nod with Tigerclaw. The gray tom had gotten happier over the past few months since Silverstream's death, and Tigerclaw knew he and Fireheart had only history between them.
Oh, development.
The night was freezing, but Tigerclaw had never felt warmer. He almost couldn't believe the day had happened: Fireheart was exiled from ThunderClan, and Bluestar was dead.
The dignified gray leader was strewn by Tigerclaw's paws, smelling of sweet lavender instead of the tangy scent of blood and Fireheart's betrayal. Tigerclaw wasn't sure if he should speak any words for her, as most of the Clan was silent.
Beside her was Brindleface's gray body, claws forever unsheathed. Tigerclaw remembered her rolling over, dead, very vividly, but the word sweeping the Clan was that she had gone out defending Fernpaw, her kit. Tigerclaw didn't doubt that. A queen with threatened kits was not one to mess with.
And last in the row of unmoving bodies was Thornpaw, the brother of Brackenfur, Brightpaw, and Cinderpelt. Tigerclaw was still unnerved at the fact that ShadowClan had mercilessly slaughtered an apprentice and a queen as he saw Brightpaw, Brackenfur, and Cinderpelt gather around the body of their brother, grief-stricken.
"Tigerclaw." Tigerclaw turned an ear at Whitestorm's gentle voice. In honor of Bluestar's death, Tigerclaw had appointed her nephew as deputy in his place. No cat was surprised, honestly; the white tom was one of the most respected warriors in ThunderClan. And though he grieved Bluestar deeply - he still held his head high. Whitestorm nudged his old friend in the shoulder gently. "I know this isn't really on your mind right now, but it's time to get your lives."
Tigerclaw's fur rose at the reminder. Nine lives! He thought. I'm the leader of ThunderClan now.
"Of course," he meowed in reply, desperately trying to hide his excitement. "I'm counting on you to take care of the Clan while I'm gone."
Whitestorm nodded importantly as Tigerclaw excused himself. He caught sight of Spottedleaf's tortoiseshell pelt not far off. Her head was bent over Thornpaw.
"Spottedleaf," he murmured. "It's time."
"Of course," she sighed. She gave the little apprentice's pelt one last touch before facing Tigerclaw with sadness in her gaze. "Are you ready?"
The question struck Tigerclaw as odd. "I think," he replied honestly. Spottedleaf smiled, but it looked forced.
"If what you say is true - if Fireheart murdered Bluestar - then something tells me he's not done," she meowed quietly. Her whiskered quivered, illuminated in the moonlight. "So really, Tigerclaw, are you prepared for what he might do?"
"As ready as I can be," he growled, stalking past the medicine cat grimly. "Let's go."
Even though he had walked there a million times, the walk to the Moonstone felt like forever. The mountains were a jarring dove-gray against the navy sky, and at the horizon, bits of morning-pink were beginning to appear.
"Almost there," Spottedleaf promised. Her tail brushed Tigerclaw's cheek gently and she passed him, stepping towards a tunnel-looking cave.
"And this is safe?" Tigerclaw pondered aloud. Spottedleaf rolled her eyes in a friendly manner.
"Of course not," she replied sarcastically. "I come here every quarter moon, die a violent painful death, and come right back."
Tigerclaw let out a low whistle. "What a way to spend the evening."
Spottedleaf laughed before ducking inside. Tigerclaw followed hesitantly. Only his whiskers gave him an idea of where he was going, and from the feel of it, he was cramped. A brief fear trickled through his fur - if he would get stuck - but Spottedleaf broke into a clearing with an exhale at just the right time.
"Here it is," she breathed. Tigerclaw emerged, setting his eyes on the glimmering white stone that shone in the late moonlight. "Isn't it beautiful?"
Tigerclaw only nodded in awe and padded towards the Moonstone hesitantly. He lay down beside it, suddenly overcome with the long day that was behind him. His eyelids drooped, and before he knew it, he was asleep against the frigid white rock.
"Tigerclaw. Welcome to StarClan."
Tigerclaw scrambled to his paws at his name. A dazzling white light blinded him momentarily before his amber eyes adjusted. He pelt Spottedleaf's pelt against his, and he looked at her. She only nodded forward, signifying to him to walk.
Tigerclaw took an apprehensive step forward in the gleaming golden grass. Ahead, a blur of countless cats stood before him, each gliding with the breeze and transparent with stars. Tigerclaw sucked in his breath. StarClan!
"I am glad you were chosen to be my successor," the same cat continued. Tigerclaw blinked before recognizing Bluestar's modest voice. He pranced up to her, overcome with joy at seeing his friend once again. But the glare of disapproval in her eyes stopped him.
"We are not here to greet you as friends," she warned him, stepping back. "That's a bit unfair to the cats who never see StarClan." Tigerclaw tipped his head to the side.
"But why not?" he pondered. His gaze swept the starry crowd, and he placed names to faces. "I can see everyone I lost, Bluestar - Lionheart, Redtail… you." Tigerclaw dipped his head. "I'm sorry."
Bluestar smiled slightly. "I don't disagree with you." she murmured. Then she took a step forward, thrusting her nose out to touch his. "For your first life, I give you compassion," she announced. Her voice swept across the clearing, murmuring an echo in the tall grass. "I know you trust Fireheart as much as I do, but greater things are coming. Sometimes you mustn't let hatred run through you. Show compassion." As she spoke, her nose touch Tigerclaw's. He felt a wave of pain energize through his body, and every fur along his spine rise. The grass flattened with the fierce wind that followed. The pain ebbed away, and Bluestar stepped back.
"Will they all be like that?" Tigerclaw panted, leaning over. Bluestar shrugged.
"Some are worse then others," she confessed. Then the second cat took her place. Tigerclaw purred.
"Redtail," he greeted. "I've missed you."
The tortoiseshell tom nodded eagerly. "As have I," he replied. "Although I would love to be in your spot, fate has a calling to each of us." He thrusted forward, almost having to reach up to reach Tigerclaw's cheek. "I give you a life of training young cats wisely. The youth is the next generation, the one to rise up after you are long gone. Respect them, and in turn, they will place their trust in you."
As he reached out to give Tigerclaw the life, the brown tom's image flashed to Goldenflower in the nursery. Bramblekit and Tawnykit pranced around her happily before their kit-selves were replaced by full-grown warriors. Tigerclaw stifled a gasp. Tawnykit was beautiful, like her mother, with the same lithe shape and thoughtful eyes. And Bramblekit bore a striking resemblance to his father, from his muscular tabby fur to his careful amber eyes. And Tigerclaw understood what Redtail meant - they were the future.
Redtail stepped back, grinning.
The next tom took his place, and Tigerclaw forced his fur to lie flat.
"Pinestar," he growled. There he was - his hatred of kittypets, his reason of scorn, and most importantly, his father. "I didn't know kittypets were allowed into StarClan."
Pinestar sighed a long, deep sigh. "I was always proud of the cat you grew into," he admitted, ignoring Tigerclaw's comment completely. "But your hatred of kittypets never left, not after all these years?"
Tigerclaw licked his rumpled chest fur. "Well, Fireheart certainly helped with my love and devotion towards kittypets, didn't he?" he remarked sourly. Pinestar stepped forward, and Tigerclaw flinched.
"I give you a life for exploration beyond ThunderClan's borders," he meowed, thrusting out his muzzle. "There is so much more out there for you to explore."
Tigerclaw took the life grudgingly. Tigerclaw hardly recognized the next two cats to step forward. In fact, he didn't even see them until he looked down. Two she-kits, one gray and one black, were below him, eagerly looking up with round blue eyes. Tigerclaw softened at the sight of them and crouched down. They ignored Bluestar's warning completely and tackled into him, nearly bowling him over.
"Don't you remember us?" the gray she-kit squeaked, eyes wide. "It's me Mistkit! And Nightkit!"
Tigerclaw gasped at the names. "My sisters!" he murmured, rolling over to his paws. Nightkit grinned eagerly.
"We get to give you lives!" she exclaimed, hardly containing her excitement. "I'm giving you one for understanding size isn't everything. Just because you're, like, huge, doesn't mean other cats don't matter too!"
"Of course," Tigerclaw murmured, leaning down to touch his nose to Nightkit's. A small bit of pain flickered inside of him, but it quickly passed when Mistkit stepped in her sister's place.
"And I give you a life for pride in ThunderClan," she meowed. "No matter what happens soon, let ThunderClan know you have their backs - and you're proud to."
She gave him the life and Tigerclaw meowed with appreciation as his sisters scurried away. He was, admittedly, sad to see them go. However, the next cat gave him a flicker of happiness.
"Lionheart!" he exclaimed. The golden tom purred, looking even more powerful in StarClan.
"I am so proud of you," Lionheart praised. His golden eyes glittered. "I would want no other cat to follow in my footsteps. With this life I give you strong faith in StarClan. You may not think you need it now, but the future is uncertain."
Before Tigerclaw could ask what he meant, Lionheart pressed his nose to Tigerclaw's forehead. Yet another light swept through the clearing, painting Tigerclaw from nose to tail-tip. A she-cat took Lionheart's place, and Tigerclaw took in her beautiful silver tabby pelt.
"Silverstream," he breathed. "I tried. I'm so sorry."
"I know," the RiverClan she-cat replied simply. "It was my time, and my punishment. I give you a life for trusting your instincts. While I wasn't so keen there myself," she added cheekily, "I trust you will do well, Tigerclaw. You are in the making for a legendary leader."
Tigerclaw was touched by her words as he leaned in to receive his life. He understood why Graystripe loved her so much; she was not only strikingly beautiful, but she was wise beyond her years in life and death.
Silverstream stepped back, grinning and tail flicking. Next came a small, golden brown tom. Tigerclaw felt a wave of grief as Thornpaw padded up to him.
"I'm sorry," he said numbly. "What they did to you was cruel."
Thornpaw flicked his tail. "You need to stop apologizing," he said softly. "And anyway, I'd rather die fighting for ThunderClan than anything else." But his golden eyes reflected his true sadness. Tigerclaw felt a prickle of shock. What if I had killed Rowanpaw?
"I give you a life for mercy," Thornpaw exclaimed, shaking his head free of thoughts. "Killing in battle - especially an apprentice - is cowardly. I trust you to look past that."
Tigerclaw, shocked by the young tom's sudden wisdom, learned downto receive his second-last life. It shot through him like lightning once more, but by now he had grown used to the pain.
"Once more, Tigerclaw." Tigerclaw looked up to see Brindleface, padding up to him with her tail kinked over her back. Tigerclaw felt another wave of regret that back home, Ashpaw and Fernpaw were still grieving over her body.
"Tell my kits I love them," she whispered, and her eyes glazed with sadness. Then she shook her head and stepped back. "For your ninth life, I give you farsightedness. Whatever Fireheart may be up to, it's time to expand your horizons and see other's opinions beside your own. There are other cats out there that matter just as much as you do."
Tigerclaw stretched out his neck to receive his final life. This one hurt the most, feeling like he was being ripped in half from his neck to the base of his belly. Tigerclaw unsheathed his claws and dug them into the dirt as Brindleface squeezed her eyes shut. Then the gray queen stepped back, looking quite pleased.
"You did it," she purred. "Welcome, Tigerstar!"
Tigerstar stepped back as the starry cats began cheering his name one at a time. He heard Spottedleaf join the chant beside him, and relished in the glory of StarClan. It would take him a long time to get used to his new name - to be honest, he had never truly expected to have -star at the end of his name, but here he was.
He was Tigerstar, leader of ThunderClan.
Yay Tigerstar! Fun fact: Tigerstar got the same lives that he did in the real series, just by different cats. Also, there's a reference to his death by Scourge towards the end. Maybe I should start asking questions about your thoughts at the end of chapters?
1) which character are you most surprised at personality-wise?
2) which character would you like to appear more?
3) Which character do you want to die? B) (i'm gonna use these btw)
4) Who is your favorite so far?
Thanks xX