NOTE: I don't own anything warriors and only one of the characters. All credit given in the Allegiances section.
The Epilogue is after this chapter. I couldn't help but crying so badly at the end of this chapter. This chapter was alluded to in a "Vision in Flight". It so broke my heart.
Again, I want to kick my friend to the moon.
Review and Enjoy!
Chapter 34: Decision Forced
Lightningfur sat at the edge of the star-pool. His deep blue eyes reflected off the dark water as he waited for the moon to come. Blackstorm crouched on a root across from his. She was sniffing the air around her. He had challenged her in the forest. Blackstorm told him how Trenton had threatened her, made her betray her Clan, but how she tried to fix it. The deputy had quickly forgiven her. Now he asked if she would be his guard. He needed to speak with Starclan, if the ancestors would come to him. Tears appeared in his eyes. His decision was made. He just needed to confirm it with Starclan.
The moon appeared in the water. Stars sparkled faintly around his reflection. Lightningfur snarled weakly. Were Forestclan's ancestors pulling away? Why wouldn't they do a thing to help them? Then he sighed heavily. Starclan was dead. They couldn't control Twolegs. There was nothing they could do. Forestclan was on its own. The water rippled as his breath touched it. He quickly glanced at Blackstorm. The she-cat nodded firmly. She would defend him while he spoke with Starclan. He was about to touch the water when she spoke up
"Tell them that I ask for forgiveness. Tell them I so sorry that I betrayed my Clan."
"I promise," Lightningfur meowed.
His nose touched the cool water. That shock of cold raised up his spine. Then he was out. He opened his eyes in Starclan. Sitting before him were three cats. One he instantly recognized as Comet, the creator of Falconstar's family. The other two were she-cats. Something deep within told him to bow his head to them. The she-cats gave him sad smiles. Coral and Sophia appeared on either side of him. Worry shined in their eyes. Samson and Patch sat off his right. Cloud was crouching between Patch's white paws. On Lightningfur's left were Timberclaw, Birdfeather, Dustflight, Cloudpaw, and Fishrunner. All of their eyes were shining with pain.
Comet spoke, "Lightningfur, you know me as Comet. The two beside are Light (his right) and Wave (his left). Together we changed the forest by forging the three families. My line brought forth Falconstar. Light's family would eventually see the rise of Berrybranch. Wave's bloodline gave birth to Riverbreeze. But we never saw the cost of our decision. All of us died from exhaustion. Then we watched from here as our families fought enemies and each other. That's not what we ever planned…"
"Comet, he doesn't have much time," Light interrupted softly.
Wave growled, "Like us, your decision to help our families, the rogues, and the loners forge Forestclan changed the path of the forest. But like us, the cost for you is high. We know of your decision. We won't force you to change it. All we can do is ask and beg."
"I'm sorry," Lightningfur meowed. He rose to his paws and raised his head, "All of this is happening because of me." Those eyes glanced to the fallen warriors, "Cats have died because of my decisions. Forestclan has roots in this forest. I cannot watch Trenton drag them away without guilt tearing me apart."
Coral meowed, "But your decision will shatter your heart. It will shake the forest to its roots."
"I know but it must be done," the tom replied.
Dustflight stepped forward and bared his teeth at the deputy, "Running away is no answer. Stand and fight. You are a warrior, a deputy. Show Trenton the cat you truly are."
"My entire life has been nothing but a battle. First with my family. Then the fire. Then the Twolegs. Next I was fighting cats and dogs for Trenton's enjoyment. After that, I was fighting for survival while caring for four kits. I fought for Forestclan's creation and fought to defend it. I failed my Clan. I fought and I failed."
Cloudpaw stood and approached. His nose touched Lightningfur's forehead, "From the moment I saw you standing up to the leaders, I knew that I wanted to be like you. Dogs and cats were scared to challenge. No fox or badger could defeat you. Your strength and speed was poured into this Clan. It was your claws that stitched it together. We are nothing without."
"Then what am I supposed to do!?" the deputy suddenly cried.
Lightningfur collapsed to the ground. Tears of agony poured down his face. He did not want to make this decision. But there was no other choice. He wanted answers. He was not here for a debate on his place. Deep inside he was the deputy of Forestclan. There was no doubt about it. It was who he was. But he also knew Trenton. The Twoleg would dump the Clan in some random forest near the castle and order them to call it home. His men would be constantly checking in on the Clan. If they should move or change anything, Trenton would be furious. Freedom was nonexistent under him. Should anyone doubt that fact then they just needed to look at Samson, Patch, Sophia, and Cloud. Nothing good ever came from the Twoleg leader.
Sophia's soft voice entered his ears, "The choice is yours. Starclan will stand beside you always. You shook the forest to its deepest roots. This decision will shape the future. What is your choice, my love?"
Lightningfur looked up at the cats around him. Tears poured down his face but his gaze was strong. He knew what needed to be down. He was willing to make the ultimate sacrifice is necessary.
The Twoleg camp was being packed up. Trenton had what he came for so there was no need to stay anymore. Forestclan moved around in the massive cage. Their ears pricked as they heard meowing and hisses. Several men left Trenton's tent with cages in their hands. Leafshine, Blizzardsky, Forestclaw, and Jayflight had been placed in individual cages. Nightfur was in a larger cage with her four kits. The wooden floors of the cages protected the men from her sharp claws. Instantly Forestclan began yowling at the Twolegs. Trenton walked past and slammed his fist into the wooden side.
His sharp voice rang out, "Quiet! They will be well cared for."
It was Riverbreeze who arched her back and spat at him, "Who trusts the word of a Twoleg?"
Trenton glared at her but said nothing. He kept walking towards his carriage. Lightningfur's family was loaded inside. Once all four cages were loaded, his men bowed to him and left. He quickly hopped in to check on them. Leafshine and Nightfur growled at him. Blizzardsky glared but said nothing. Forestclaw did not even look at him. Jayflight was trembling as if he was cold. The Twoleg leader checked the locks to make sure they would hold. Then he made sure the cages were set flat and secured to the floor so they would not jostle around. With a nod, he seemed pleased. He was about to leave when Dapplekit let out a squeak of pain. Instantly his head whipped around. Her back paw had slipped between the wooden floor boards. Trenton watched as Nightfur gently pulled her daughter free. Once released from her mother's grasp, the kit charged her siblings. That told the leader that she was alright so he left.
Falconstar's voice suddenly came to his ears, "I never thought you would go this far, Trenton. I guess I underestimated you."
Trenton looked at the Forestclan leader, who was sitting on a box den recently installed, and growled, "Yes, you underestimated me."
Those green eyes sparkled, "Yet you still don't have the one you want."
His blue eyes narrowed, "He will come when he realizes that I have every single member of his Clan. Then he will have nothing to fight me for."
"Wrong!" spoke a deep voice that everyone recognized.
Forestclan raced to the back of the wagon. There it was all wiring so they could look out. Lightningfur was standing in the open meadow. His white fur seemed to glow in the sunlight. Blackstorm stood slightly behind him. Her white eyes looked down at her paws. Lightningfur's tail ran along her side. She had no choice but to give Forestclan up. Her story of wanting to join them had been true. Trenton just got to her first. The deputy had forgiven her. Starclan had forgiven her.
Trenton smiled, "Poppy, it's good to see you."
"Let them go, Trenton," Lightningfur replied, blue eyes narrowing.
That smile faded a little bit, "You said that you won't be separated from your family. Forestclan is your family. So they will be coming with us. I told you that I will give anything you ever want. I'm keeping that promise."
"Then I ask that you let them go, all of them," the deputy growled. Before Trenton could speak, he continued, "Release them and I will come with you willing. No cages. No fight. Just release every member of Forestclan."
Falconstar stretched his paw through the wiring, "Lightningfur, don't!"
Lightningfur refused to look at him. All of Forestclan added their voices to their leader's plea. Still the tom refused to look at them. He knew what he was doing. Trenton analyzed him carefully. A sense of determination flowed from the white tom. It was something that Trenton had come to rely on in the past. The Twoleg leader sensed that his men were watching the proceedings. All of them knew that the gem around his neck allowed him to talk to animals. Dominic padded forward, ears pricked. Suddenly Lightningfur bared his teeth and unsheathed his claws.
"Release them!" he yowled, his voice breaking slightly.
Trenton cocked his head to the left, "Are you so headstrong that you are willing to give up everything just so they will stay in this forest? There are plenty of forests near my home for them to live in."
"Forestclan has roots in this forest. Those are roots I refuse to cut. Yes, I'm willing to give up everything so they don't have to leave," the tom replied.
Everyone could hear his the shaking indecision in his voice. Those blue eyes shined with a determined light. This decision was tearing him apart from the inside out. It was the most painful thing he had to do since he killed Sophia. However, he knew it was the right one. Those eyes remained locked on Trenton. He could not bear to look at his Clan, at his leader. Finally Trenton signaled for Forestclan to be released. His men leaped to obey. Falconstar immediately leaped to the ground and raced for his deputy.
His voice broke as he spoke, "Don't do this, Lightningfur. Our past isn't worth this!"
"Forestclan belongs here. I won't be able to live with myself if you are forcibly removed," Lightningfur whispered. His blue eyes stared intently at Falconstar, "My kits deserve a better life than what Trenton will give to them. They deserve an actual life."
Falconstar felt his heart starting to break, "They also deserve to know their father, to see your pride as they go through life. What of Nightfur? This decision will break her heart! She loves you with her entire body, heart, and spirit. Your kits need you at their side. I need you at my side."
"You will be fine, Falconstar," he replied, touching his leader's head with his nose. "You are everything that I am not. Forestclan needs you more than it needs me. I would rather be apart from my one true family than to see them live under Trenton's control. My decision is final."
His brother and friend let out a choked cry, "No. Forestclan needs you. You helped create us. You helped bring us together."
"I don't belong here. Never have. It's my fault that so many things have happened. Dustflight. Birdfeather. Cloudpaw. Fishrunner. Their deaths are all my fault. They wouldn't have died if I had simply surrendered to Trenton in the first place." Falconstar began mumbling that it was not Lightningfur's fault. "Timberclaw's blood is on my paws because I trained Oak. Forestclan doesn't need a cat like me in its ranks."
A weak meow came from his leader's mouth, "It's not your fault. You belong here. You are needed here."
"No other cat will suffer because of me," his deputy, brother, and friend replied. "This ends now."
With that, he turned and padded towards Trenton. The Twoleg knelt down and scratched his ears. Forestclan joined their leader's side. Several cats had tears in their eyes. Others had their claws unsheathed. This was not right. It was not fair! They watched as Lightningfur looked towards Trenton's carriage. An eyebrow went up but he signaled for the cats inside to be released. His kits let out cries of joy when they saw him. Then their cages were carried past. Placing them next to the Clan, the Twolegs opened the doors and ushered them out. All of them paused in confusion. Leafshine looked towards her father. Jayflight sniffed the air until he turned to face him, fear shining in his pale blue eyes. Blizzardsky and Forestclaw exchanged a glance. The youngest kits bounced around Falconstar's paws in happiness. Nightfur met her leader's, and brother's, gaze. He looked away in pain.
Nightfur spun around to face her mate, "No! Lightningfur, don't!"
"I must," he replied softly, eyes closing in pain.
"Daddy!" Leafshine cried. Aspenfall managed to stop her before she raced towards him.
Nightfur stepped forward, tears pouring from her eyes, "Please. I need you. We need you. Don't leave us."
"I'm sorry, my love," Lightningfur said, stepping up to her. His nose touched her's, "I promise to never love another other than you. You will always be in my heart and mind. One day we will see each other again. Until then, care for our kits and remind them that I am always proud of them." He stepped away and choked, "I will always be in your heart."
That's when Trenton picked him up. Blizzardsky took a step forward but his father shook his head. Forestclaw had his mouth open in a silent cry. Jayflight pressed into Tawnysong, trembling violently. Blossomstorm ran her tail along his back. Leafshine let out a cry of pain, reaching a paw for him, but Aspenfall held her scruff firmly. The silver tabby shed the tears in her eyes. Silversoul bowed her head in the deputy's direction. Falconstar kept his nephews and nieces close to his paws. He could not believe that he was losing his first deputy and his friend. Many cats of Forestclan bowed their heads in pain. Willowbreeze licked Wishkit gently along the side, eyes distant. She could understand the pain that was tearing through Nightfur at that moment. Cherryleap pressed into the black she-cat's side. It was a poor attempt at comfort.
Lightningfur stuck his head out of the carriage window as it was taken away. His paws were planted firmly on the window baseboard. Those deep blue eyes stared back at the Clan he had come to see as his family. Nightfur took one step forward. Then she threw back her head and let out a cry of pain. Her mate flattened his ears and bowed his head. Tears raced down both of their cheeks. Both of their hearts cracked. One day they would see each other again but neither could wait a moment for that day to come.
(Cries) I can't...(sniffles and breaks down into tears)
Forestclan
Leader:
Falconstar: massive dark brown tom with black stripes and green eyes, left paw is white. Nightfur's brother.
Deputy:
Lightningfur: pure white tom with deep blue eyes, long legs that make him tall, and a long, flexible tail. Nightfur's mate. Father of Blizzardsky, Forestclaw, Leafshine, Jayflight, Cloudkit, Ravenkit, Dapplekit, and Snowkit.
Medicine Cat(s):
Tawnysong: white, calico she-cat with deep green eyes. Her chin is black, orange patch on her muzzle and around her left ear, both ears are tipped with black with white in the middle, black tail tip, right eye surrounded in black, and white paws. (Falachen)
Blossomstorm: gray female with dark gray spots and amber eyes. (BoneMeal)
Jayflight: dark gray tom with black patches on his sides and pale blue eyes, blind. Lightningfur and Nightfur's son. Brother of Blizzardsky, Forestclaw, Leafshine, Cloudkit, Ravenkit, Dapplekit, and Snowkit.
Warriors:
Cobrapelt: sand colored tom with amber eyes and white paws.
Autumnfire: red-ginger she-cat with blue eyes and brown patches here and there. Mintleaf and Duststripe's sister.
Mintleaf: gray tuxedo she-cat with sky blue eyes. Autumnfire and Duststripe's sister.
Duststripe: sand colored tom with dark brown stripes and green eye (right eye is blind/missing). Autumnfire and Mintleaf's brother.
Flowerspot: red she-cat with white spots and amber eyes. Twin of Rosedawn.
Riverbreeze: blue-gray she-cat with a white muzzle, white/gray ringed tail, and hazel eyes. Eaglewing's mate. Mother of Stonepaw.
Eaglewing: brown tabby tom with black stripes and green eyes. Riverbreeze's mate. Father of Stonepaw.
Windhowl: white tom with brown spots and amber eyes. Previously known as Howler.
Skycloud: pale gray she-cat with amber eyes and white tipped ears. Mother of Whispersong and Wolfsnarl.
Ashtree: dark gray she-cat with green eyes and silver flecks and black ears.
Tigerpelt: black tabby tom with ginger-brown stripes and blue eyes. No right ear.
Berrybranch: long-legged brown tom with red-ginger patches and amber eyes.
Wildfire: orange she-cat with green eyes and white back left paw. Barktooth's sister.
Barktooth: light brown tom with white stripes and hazel eyes. Wildfire's brother.
Reedtail: light brown tom with black stripes, black ears, black ringed tail, and amber eyes. Wildfire and Barktooth's half-brother.
Icefur: silver tabby she-cat with ice blue eyes, dark gray stripes, white ears and paws, and white tipped tail. Fishrunner and Streamnose's sister.
Streamnose: pale gray she-cat with amber eyes and white ears and muzzle. Fishrunner and Icefur's sister.
(NOTE: Icefur and Streamnose are the same litter. Fishrunner from previous litter)
Otterfoot: black, gray, and brown she-cat with green eyes.
Flightwish: brown and white patched she-cat with yellow eyes. Mother of Cloudpaw and Stormpaw. Talon's former mate.
Aspenfall: short-haired silver tabby with ice blue eyes. She has long legs that lead to her appearing tall. She's got muscle, but most of it doesn't show. (AlexaMarrinDaughterofPoseidon)
Cherryleap: brown she-cat with patches of red and white, red left paw (front), white tail tip, two colored eyes (left: green, right: amber). (Guest Cat)
Tigerstorm: tom, unruly off-white fur, with striking brown eyes, black strikes down back and face. (BoneMeal)
Flickerfire: tom, short curly red pelt, white on the muzzle and underbelly, green eyes. Rosedawn's mate. Father of Ashkit and Goldenkit. (BoneMeal)
Bonefeather: a light gray shorthair with a white chin, chest, and paws. Mischievous brown eyes. Small body with a short tail. Right ear was burned off in a fire, left is chipped at the top (fight with a loner). (BoneMeal)
Hazelsky: silver and white tabby she-cat with darker gray tabby stripes and sky blue eyes. Previously known as Bella. (TheSilveroftheSky)
Wolfsnarl: dark gray tabby tom with black stripes and green eyes, resembles father closely. Son of Skycloud (and Breeze). Whispersong's brother.
Whispersong: pale gray she-cat with amber eyes, black tipped ears, and black tipped tail. Daughter of Skycloud (and Breeze). Wolfsnarl's sister.
Rattleclaw: dusty brown tom with blue eyes and four black paws and black tail tip. Son of Willowbreeze. Sunviper and Birdfeather's brother.
Sunviper: yellow tom with amber eyes, hints of ginger in his pelt. Son of Willowbreeze. Rattleclaw and Birdfeather's brother.
Silversoul (Hawk): large, muscular, but really skinny silver tabby she-cat with deep blue eyes. (SilentLeap85)
Blizzardsky: pure white tom with blue eyes, long fur. Lightningfur and Nightfur's son. Brother of Forestclaw, Leafshine, Jayflight, Cloudkit, Ravenkit, Dapplekit, and Snowkit.
Forestclaw: dark brown tom with black spots, ears, and paws and amber eyes that glow ominously in the dark. Lightningfur and Nightfur's son. Brother of Blizzardsky, Leafshine Jayflight, Cloudkit, Ravenkit, Dapplekit, and Snowkit.
Leafshine: calico with more brown than orange and white with deep, leaf green eyes. Lightningfur and Nightfur's daughter. Sister of Blizzardsky, Forestclaw, Jayflight, Cloudkit, Ravenkit, Dapplekit, and Snowkit.
Blackstorm: jet black she-cat with light gray stripes that look like lightning and snow-white eyes (Silentleap85)
Others not mentioned
Apprentices:
Stonepaw: blue-gray tom with green eyes. Riverbreeze and Eaglewing's son. Mentor: Reedtail.
Stormpaw: brown she-cat with gray spots and sky blue eyes, back left leg is badly twisted. Flightwish's and Talon's daughter. Sister of Cloudpaw. Mentor: Hazelsky.
Queens and Kits:
Nightfur: pure black she-cat with amber eyes. Falcon's younger sister and Lightningfur's mate. Mother of Blizzardsky, Forestclaw, Leafshine, Jayflight, Cloudkit (white tom with amber eyes, black paws, and black tipping his ears and tail), Ravenkit (black tom with blue eyes), Dapplekit (black she-cat with green eyes, white and gray patches along her back and sides, white tail tip), and Snowkit (pure white she-cat with amber eyes).
Rosedawn: red she-cat with white spots and amber eyes. Twin of Flowerspot. Flickerfire's mate. Mother of Ashkit (shorthair red tom with green eyes, patches of white and orange on his face, back, and chest, white front left and back right paws, white tail tip, and white belly) and Goldenkit (short, curly orange she-cat with bright amber eyes, a few white spots on her face and back, white chin and right ear).
Willowbreeze: cream she-cat with black and brown spots and green eyes. Mother of Rattleclaw, Sunviper, Birdfeather, and Wishkit (white she-cat with black chest, muzzle, and black paws, pale gray stripes on her back, pale blue eyes (Falachen)).
Elders:
Crow: black tom with amber eyes, white muzzle, white tipped ears and tail.
Badger: black and white patched tom with faint gray stripes and green eyes.
Cats outside the Clan:
Snow: white she-cat with short-hair, normal-sized tail, yellow eyes, and black ear tips. (Snowshadow)
Trenton's Fighting Cats (All are covered in scars):
Adder: tan tom with dark brown paws and green eyes. Long scar left shoulder to right haunch (going over his back).
Tom: long-furred black tom with a white muzzle and hazel eyes. Three scratches crossing his face.
Bridget: white she-cat with black rings on her tail and amber eyes. Right ear is missing.
Dagger: storm gray tom with blue eyes and a black muzzle. Half of his tail is missing and front left paw is badly burned.
Silver: a silver she-cat with white ears and green eyes. Scars striping her back from a whip.
Range: orange tom with pale yellow stripes, white paws, and amber eyes. Blind in left eye and a torn right ear.
Misty: dark gray she-cat with a silver muzzle, white paws, and green eyes. Scratch scars on her shoulders.
Many More.
Starclan:
Comet: faint black tom with orange and white stripes that swirl, white paws and nose, and hazel eyes. Cause of Death: old age.
Samson: white tom with black, swirling stripes, pink nose, and blue eyes. Lightningfur's mentor. Cause of Death: throat sliced open.
Patch: small russet-colored tom with faint splashes of ginger and brown, four white paws, and bright green eyes. Lightningfur's second apprentice. Cause of Death: drowning.
Coral: calico she-cat with green eyes. Patches of brown mix with the black, white, and orange. White left ear with an orange tip. Right ear is brown and black patched. Large black spot covers her right eye, traveling back around the ear, to the back of her head. Orange flecks surround left eye. Brown spot on muzzle (near nose) and brown tail tip. Right front paw is black. Left front paw is white with an orange toe. Both back paws are patched black, orange, and white. White belly. Cause of Death: paw swipe from fox attack to her stomach.
Sophia: white she-cat with large, ginger spots and blue eyes. Lightningfur's first love. Cause of Death: cut open from throat to tail across the stomach.
Unnamed kit (Cloud): white tom with deep blue eyes, ginger spot on his muzzle and ginger tail tip. Cause of Death: mother's death, never lived.
Breeze: dark gray with black stripes and amber eyes. Father of Wolfsnarl and Whispersong. Skycloud's former mate. Cause of Death: hunting dog attack.
Twig: a brown tom with a white chest and stomach and green eyes. Tawnysong's father. Cause of Death: greencough.
Talon: gray tom with flecks of white and sky blue eyes. Father of Cloudpaw and Stormpaw. Flightwish's former mate. Cause of Death: rat-bite infection.
Bear: small white tom with amber eyes, black stripes, and brown spots. Falconstar's and Nightfur's father. Cause of Death: falling from a tree during a fight.
Whisper: small pure black she-cat with amber eyes. Falconstar's and Nightfur's mother. Cause of Death: fight with a rogue.
Ancestor of Aspenfall: silver she-cat with amber eyes. Scars cover her entire body. Cause of Death: unknown.
Timberclaw: black and brown patched tom with brown eyes and broken jaw. Willowbreeze's former mate. Cause of Death: hit in the head by a Twoleg boulder.
Dustflight: jet black tom with amber eyes, small body, short, shorthair, tail tabby style. (BoneMeal). Cause of Death: rockslide, saving Flickerfire.
Birdfeather: gray, brown, and black patched tom with brown eyes. Son of Willowbreeze. Rattleclaw and Sunviper's brother. Cause of Death: bite to the spine, saving Blizzardpaw.
Branch: black tom with white spots. Cause of Death: hunting dog attack. (BoneMeal)
Cloudpaw (Cloudracer): white tom with patches of pale gray and amber eyes. Flightwish's and Talon's son. Brother of Stormpaw. Cause of Death: falling into the gorge, protecting Stormpaw from dog attack.
Fishrunner: silver she-cat with amber eyes. Icefur and Streamnose's older sister. Cause of Death: Twoleg hunting trap, lost her head.
Dark Forest:
Oak: massive brown tom with patches of red and black and amber eyes. Lightningfur's first apprentice and enemy. Cause of Death: throat cut by Lightningfur.
Ancients:
Ancient Tom: a white tom with black stripes covering his back, black line flowing from nose to back of head, fluffy white tail, and bright green eyes.
Ancient She-cat: tortoiseshell she-cat with various shades of red, orange, and gray and deep blue eyes. Stomach is white. Top of tail is black while the bottom is spotted. Long legs.