(Rewrite posted August 18th, 2020)
Hello and welcome to my favorite What If of them all so far, aka the kind of dark one. The original version of this was very, very sloppy, so I definitely think it improved a lot! This one's a little heftier than the others at 7.5k words but it just goes to show how much I really enjoyed working with this idea... I actually have a more extended version hidden in my thumb drive done later on where I actually made more logical decisions as to who would live and die, what the numbers would be, etc. I'd love to dig deeper into this AU and address the questions of the aftermath and the battle itself some more, and so if that's something you might be interested in, I'd love to hear it!
Anyways, onto review replies.
Snowcrystal of Thunderclan: Yes indeed... hopefully I wrapped things up a little bit better in the rewrite now that we know Rusty still gets into the Clans.
AngelMaster16: Thank you for the suggestions! Right now I'm liking 7 the best... hmm...
"snowleaf": Thanks for the suggestion! :)
Mistress1296: Thank you, although I'm afraid I haven't read Twilight so I own't be able to do that one.
Little Feathered Flame: Agreed :P Although I'm probably biased.
WyldClaw: Thank you!
puppydogs68: Thank you! I did have the start of a Tiny-the-favorite What If posted, but it was... not very good. I think I'll definitely be redoing that one at some point just to prove that I can do it well after all :P
Once again, a big thank you to everyone who dropped a review! It always makes my day to see that someone left me something! We're actually at 49 reviews right now which is really awesome, I'm pretty sure that's the most I've ever gotten discounting having a friend who would review every chapter of my old stuff. It's really cool to know that so many people are enjoying what I'm doing. :)
Thanks aside, onto the chapter!
What If the Dark Forest Won?
. . .
Bumblestripe's POV
"Thundergonners"
Even today, it's still hard to believe. How could everyone have fallen? Our strongest warriors, our weakest – our leaders and our elders. When Firestar and Brambleclaw fell, slain by their oldest enemies, it was a turning point. Suddenly the Dark Forest had the upper paw. Desperately, we sent Cherrypaw and Molepaw to ask for help from the other Clans, but they didn't have anyone to spare. Even with Dovewing's senses, with Jayfeather's sight and Lionblaze's strength… even with their powers, we fell.
Everything was happening so quickly; it was impossible to process it all. I had spent the day fighting for my life, for the lives of my Clanmates and for the hollow, only to slowly watch them go still at the paws of Dark Forest warriors. Even as we fought harder, fury and desperation coursing through our veins, the Dark Forest attackers stayed stronger, harder, fiercer.
First were Dovewing and Cloudtail.
The beautiful gray she-cat had gotten a paw stuck in a bramble, so busy on concentrating on her Clanmates in the distance that forgot to pay attention to herself. Cloudtail had stayed back to help her, but before they could return to the group, Dark Forest warriors ambushed them. Dovewing was killed in their attack.
Cloudtail survived the first wave but barely managed to make it back to camp on his own paws. Leafpool had tried her best to stop the bleeding, but he was already on his way to StarClan. Brightheart's frantic yowl as she tried to rouse her mate still echoed around the hollow.
Next was Hollyleaf.
Ivypool and Tigerheart had brought her back to camp, saying that she had taken a blow from Hawkfrost that was meant for Ivypool. She died in the hollow with her family surrounding her, making peace with her mother, Leafpool, at last.
I remembered thinking in the beginning that only three cats lost wasn't too bad, that we could still win this fight. I defended my Clanmates against the second wave with hope buoying me and giving me courage and strength.
At some point, Ivypool fell, her thoughts still muddled with grief and shock after Hollyleaf died for her.
Then I saw Mousefur die at the paws of a shadowy warrior, Purdy forced to flee to the nursery where he aided the desperate queens. When I found a rare moment of respite, I used it to pull Mousefur's frail body out of the way of all the fighting.
"StarClan help us," I had breathed.
A black tom had reared up beside me then, bringing his paws down hard on my back. "Look at the little warrior thinking StarClan will help him," he taunted. "Well, guess what? We already took car of StarClan! You're on your own, kit."
Any hope I still had at that point that we would win, that we would survive the fight and rebuild, vanished in that moment. How could we survive if our warrior ancestors had already fallen?
Somehow, we made it through the second wave. Leafpool, Jayfeather, and Cinderheart bustled about trying to help all they could. Yet even with their determination the death count grew: Rosepetal, Thornclaw, and Mousewhisker's bodies were laid beside Mousefur's. Brackenfur and Whitewing, while still alive, were hauled to the medicine cat den in critical condition.
I think this was when I started wondering if this was all just a dream.
Maybe I could wake up and everything would be fine, right? No one would be dead, and the Dark Forest would be nothing but a nursery tale. Maybe the sting of my cuts and the ache of my sprained paw were all in my imagination.
I knew they weren't. Each life lost was lost forever. I didn't even know if there was still a StarClan for my Clanmates' spirits to go to, with the spirits of ancestors dead as they were. There was no going back now, and if we couldn't win, then there would be no going forward, either.
The queens started exclaiming that Ferncloud had collapsed, dead, just as the third wave started up. I had never seen Dustpelt fight so hard, taking out his grief on the shadowy warrior who had slain her.
Tigerstar seemed to be leading this wave himself, but before anyone could move, Firestar threw himself with a mighty roar at the great warrior. Brambleclaw was only a few pawsteps behind, slashing at Hawkfrost as he forced his way into the ThunderClan camp.
A stocky tortoiseshell with ragged, see-through fur flew at Birchfall and Blossomfall, shrieking that they were traitors who would pay for their betrayal. I leapt into battle next to my sister and Birchfall and, together, we parried the tortoiseshell's blows. Yet we were getting tired and the spirit still had plenty of energy to spend, not to mention that even if we killed her, one of the countless reinforcements would take her place.
Blossomfall fell first, leaving me to crouch beside her with an anguished wail. As I did so, Birchfall was cut down, and the tortoiseshell left proclaiming she had more traitors to punish.
Great StarClan, I thought, cursing myself. How dare I look away just because Blossomfall died? I left Birchfall by himself. I looked away, and he died.
There was no going back.
I'm sorry, Birchfall. I won't look away again, no matter who falls. I'll keep fighting until it's me who's dead.
"Firestar and Brambleclaw are dead!"
I broke away from the large gray tabby tom who had taken the tortoiseshell's place, my mind spinning. What did they mean, Firestar and Brambleclaw were dead? They couldn't be! ThunderClan needed them!
Graystripe, Sandstorm, and Squirrelflight rushed to avenge them and I held my breath. The battle was short but certainly not sweet – not a single one of my Clanmates seemed to land a single blow, Tigerstar and his son dancing around them and mocking them.
It didn't take long until the three ThunderClan warriors lay still beside Firestar and Brambleclaw.
"Clanmates, this battle is over. Leave these cats to lick their wounds," Tigerstar ordered, stepping back from the bodies before him.
I stiffened. Was Tigerstar surrendering? But… he was winning!
The Dark Forest cats released their ThunderClan opponents, bunching around Tigerstar and blocking the entrance to the hollow.
"I'll be over at WindClan if you need me," Hawkfrost said with a yawn, strolling leisurely through the crowd of Dark Forest warriors and preparing to duck out of camp. "I'll see you later."
Tigerstar nodded sharply. "I better. Bring all that remains of WindClan."
Hawkfrost twitched one ear. "I will, don't worry."
"Now," Tigerstar began, scanning the clearing. "Snowtuft, form a patrol and search the camp. Bring out the oldest and the most wounded, along with the kits. There is no room for weakness in TigerClan. If anyone tries to stop you, use whatever force necessary to neutralize them."
Neutralize them. I shivered.
Then I remembered – Briarlight!
What would happen if they went to Jayfeather's den? They'd bring her out and… I already knew the answer. A paralyzed cat was of no use to Tigerstar. She would be slain along with anyone else he deemed unnecessary. And Brackenfur and Whitewing, who were barely alive – the massive tabby would have them killed as well.
How could I stand by and let my sister, my Clanmates, be killed? But I knew there wasn't anything I could do. I'd die myself if I move a paw out of line. And well I hated to be a bystander to slaughter, I'd be abandoning all the living Clanmates who still needed me.
Next to me, Cinderheart and Lionblaze were whispering furiously.
"I'm going to fight Tigerstar," Lionblaze was saying. "You know I'll win."
"But then battle would break out everywhere," Cinderheart shot back. "How many more of us would be killed? Sure, you could kill Tigerstar – but how many Clanmates would pay for that with their lives? Is killing Tigerstar worth their lives?"
Lionblaze looked away, raking his claws over the ground. "Fine. But as soon as I have an opportunity, I've got to try. Otherwise I'm letting cats die."
Cinderheart didn't seem happy about that, for which I couldn't blame her – Lionblaze would most certainly die if he tried to fight Tigerstar, Firestar definitely had and he was, well, Firestar – but she didn't say anything, just flattened her ears and turned away.
I shifted uncomfortably from paw to paw as the Dark Forest warriors rooted through us. Dustpelt attacked one of them as they approached the nursery, but he couldn't keep them out, nevertheless stay alive. I wasn't sure whether I felt worse about the fact that he had died or the fact that none of us had fought with him. By obeying, were we saving the Clan or saving ourselves? I didn't have an answer, so I just lowered my head, so I didn't have to look at Dustpelt's corpse.
Purdy and the kits were the first to be shoved into the middle, along with Cherrypaw and Molepaw. Jayfeather, fur bushed out, joined Purdy in standing protectively over the kits. Then Whitewing, Brackenfur, and – my heart leapt into my throat even though I had known this was coming – Briarlight.
"Briarlight!" Millie cried, rushing forwards.
A Dark Forest warrior swiveled on his paws and raked his claws down her flank. "Get back unless you want to be killed as well," he snarled.
"But-"
"No buts," the tom hissed. "Away. Out. Shoo."
Millie, looking distressed, slunk backwards to stand next to Spiderleg. I looked at the queens, counting them – one, two. With the exception of Ferncloud, they were both still alive, though they were certainly wounded. At least Brightheart and Sorreltail's kits seemed, for the most part, unharmed.
"Molepaw! Cherrypaw!" Poppyfrost cried. She took a step forwards, but the same warrior who had sent Millie back shot her a glare. Instead, Poppyfrost whimpered and sunk into Berrynose's side; her mate covered her with gentle licks but looked for all the world that he didn't feel any stronger than the tortoiseshell.
"What's going on?" Lilykit asked, looking scared. "Mom? Mom, where are you?"
The kit made eye contact with Sorreltail and started trying to join her, but the cat called Snowtuft knocked her aside with one paw. "Stay with the others," he growled.
"Do what he says," Sorreltail begged. "Stay there, okay? Everything's going to be fine."
She didn't sound very convincing, but Lilykit huddled obediently with her sister.
I looked at Briarlight, trying to send her all the hope and strength and love I could. Be brave, I thought. Be brave and strong and remember I love you. We all love you.
"Frostclaw, choose two cats and prepare for the executions," Tigerstar ordered. "And Silvershade, you used to be a medicine cat; take a look at Brackenfur and the white she-cat and see what the chances are that they'll recover."
A white she-cat, presumably Frostclaw, moved out from the crowd of shadowy warriors and turned to look at her brethren. Tails shot up gleefully, each warrior eager to have a chance.
I shivered, instead choosing to watch Silvershade. She was another she-cat, and the dark glimmer in her blue eyes looked out of place on her beautiful silver-and-white tabby pelt. Silvershade stalked across the clearing to lean over Brackenfur and Whitewing and sniff at their wounds.
"It's going to take a lot of herbs and effort to make sure they fully recover," Silvershade sniffed haughtily, kicking Brackenfur with one paw. The tom barely reacted, his eyes half-closed. "I doubt it's worth it. Besides, this one is old, not too many moons away from joining the elders. Just let them die or kill them ourselves."
"Right. We'll just kill them, we do have some mercy in the Dark Forest after all," Tigerstar said with a chuckle.
He swung his head to look at Frostclaw and her team. "Are you ready?"
"Yes, Tigerstar!" Frostclaw barked out, unsheathing her claws. "Bring it on!"
First came Purdy. I could barely watch as the two toms who Frostclaw had chosen held him down, leaving Frostclaw to slice him open from throat to bely. He was dead within instants. Hopefully, he had felt no pain, though I knew that was probably too much to hope for.
I looked to see who was next.
No!
Briarlight was being dragged up just as Purdy's body was being tossed to the side. I heard a strangled mew and turned, seeing Spiderleg holding a desperate Millie back by the scruff.
"If only I hadn't come to the Clans," Millie sobbed. "Then my kits would be safe and alive as kittypets."
The two toms held Briarlight down, not that my paralyzed sister could put up much of a fight.
"Mom, Bumblestripe, it's okay, I love you," she mewed desperately. "I love you so much. I love-"
Briarlight's body landed with a thunk next to Purdy's.
I stopped paying attention to the Dark Forest warriors as the killings were carried out and focused on an indent in the side of the hollow wall. At this point, I couldn't say I cared whether I was killed or not. At the end of the day, yes, I still lived, but ThunderClan was reduced to only a few stragglers and the death count was higher than ever.
. . .
Jayfeather, slaughtered for being blind.
Brackenfur and Whitewing, executed for their Dark Forest-inflicted wounds.
Millie, Daisy, Hazeltail, and Berrynose, all slain for not being Clanborn. They put up a good fight, but they stopped resisting once Frostclaw threatened the kits instead.
Snowkit, Amberkit, and Dewkit, killed in a cruel twist of fate after the non-Clanborn cats were killed, all three of them deemed to be too young to be worth dealing with.
Brightheart, felled for her struggles when her kits were slaughtered.
Sorreltail, sacrificed for her age. She died much like Briarlight, continuously reminding her traumatized kits of her love.
. . .
Lionblaze's POV
"Nightmares"
It's hard to believe that I stopped wondering what went wrong and started accepting the slaughter of my Clanmates. I suppose I was one of the lucky ones; I still had my mother and my mate while cats like Bumblestripe had lost everyone they loved. Great StarClan, Mousewhisker's entire family was killed, including him! But life now was a terror. I didn't know what was going to happen next, who would be killed or for what. I should have been more grateful that I was still alive, but I couldn't help but wonder if I would have been better off dead like so many of my Clanmates.
I stood next to Cinderheart, pressed into the comfort of warmth of her fur as I waited for my turn to cross the treebridge. The Dark Forest warriors were shepherding us to the island; the scents that littered the area told me that the other three Clans had already been brought here. The Dark Forest warriors were herding us together prey. For what, I didn't know.
"Come on, get a move on already you rats," a red tom hissed, giving Icecloud a shove.
She squealed and staggered into me. "R-right."
I subtly boosted her back onto her paws. She shot me a grateful look before hurrying onto the treebridge. Not wanting to take any risks, I led Cinderheart onto the wood as soon as there was room for the two of us to stand on it.
In the clearing, I couldn't help but wince at how small and pitiful the crowd looked. To my relief – and devastation – there were only six kits left aside from Lilykit and Seedkit.
"Ah, this is going to be interesting," a Dark Forest warrior hummed as he padded past me.
I stiffened. What was that supposed to mean? I had a pretty good feeling that I wouldn't like it…
"Let all cats old enough to shed the blood of their foes gather beneath the darktree for a Clan meeting!" Tigerstar yowled. He was perched on the tree where the leaders normally made their announcements from during the Gatherings.
Absently, I realized that there weren't going to be any more Gatherings.
Hawkfrost, Mapleshade, and Brokenstar were perched on the branches below him, none of them as high up as Tigerstar but all holding themselves with the pride and confidence that said that they were important figures in Tigerstar's regime.
"First off, so the living warriors understand," Tigerstar sneered. "I am your leader now. You will obey me or suffer the consequences. Secondly, Brokenstar will be your deputy, and Hawkfrost and Mapleshade will serve as third-in-commands. You will either be strong enough to heal by yourself or you will die – there will be no medicine cats. Third off…"
The massive tabby paused, a knowing smirk on his face.
"I believe there are far too many living warriors to be accommodated for on this island, so there shall be a tournament to the death," Tigerstar announced. "Each of you will face a cat from another Clan. The survivor will get to live and have the honor of choosing one of the next combatants; the loser… well, I think you know what happens to the loser."
Mews of shock rippled through the crowd and a few Dark Forest cats hissed at us to shut up, but we were going to fight each other to the death?
I stared at Cinderheart, eyes round. "I can't believe this!"
"Believe it," she answered wearily. "This is Tigerstar's Clan, after all. It's been seasons since Firestar first killed him, and now he gets to take his revenge."
"If you aren't already perched with your former Clanmates – though we are all your Clanmates now – then make it happen," Tigerstar ordered. "Send your kits in Clan groups to the base of the tree."
We shuffled to our assigned spots, each Clan grouping close together. The kits had long since stopped wailing and huddled silently in fear, peering out as us with wide eyes.
Help us, they seemed to say. But I couldn't. I had all the power of the stars at my paws and I couldn't save anyone.
"Lionblaze…" It was Cinderheart. "If you go before me… Please, choose me to go next. I don't want to keep waiting to find out whether I live or die. I just want to get it over with."
I stared at her. "Okay."
Then the tournament was starting, and Tigerstar was scanning the group of cats.
"I'm thinking we should start this tournament off with a kick," Tigerstar decided. The gleam in his amber eyes was definitely maniacal. "Let's do Kestrelflight of WindClan versus that black ShadowClan she-cat. Remember, to the death."
I watched as Pinenose shakily stood up and left the shelter and safety of her Clanmates. Kestrelflight did the same, the medicine cat looking very uncertain of himself.
After a moment, as if sensing that there was no getting out of this, the two started exchanging feeble blows. It was obvious that neither of them was trying to win. This carried on for a few minutes as the whole clearing watched in tense silence.
"Enough!" Tigerstar roared when he realized nothing better was going to happen. He stalked between the two cats before pouncing on Pinenose, snapping her neck with an expert flick of his paws. As Kestrelflight turned to flee, he spun on the medicine cat and clawed at his throat. Kestrelflight dropped to the ground, still alive, but left to bleed out in agony. Tigerstar's amber eyes glared out at the crowd of watching cats. "Shall we just kill all of you? Fight if you want to live!"
Tigerstar returned to the tree with his tail lashing behind him. Hawkfrost quickly leapt down from the tree and picked two more cats to fight.
I narrowed my eyes – Icecloud was one of them; the other was Crowfrost of ShadowClan.
This time, there were no kitten blows. Both of them understood that if they didn't fight, they would both die – and though no one wanted to break the warrior code, no one wanted to die, either.
But Icecloud was exhausted and she couldn't parry Snowbird's blows for long. The ShadowClan warrior made her death a quick one, I'll give Snowbird that. But I'll never forget what it looked like to see my Clanmate killed by another warrior, a warrior who was forced to do so by the same cats who just destroyed our Clans.
"Could have been worse," Hawkfrost shrugged, like this was a competition and he was assigning scores to each battle. Maybe he was. "What's your name?"
"Snowbird," she said, stepping back from Icecloud's body and shooting the meager group of ThunderClan cats an apologetic glance. "Warrior of ShadowClan."
Hawkfrost narrowed his eyes. "Not anymore. You are Snowbird of TigerClan, now. Who do you choose to be in the next fight?"
The pure white she-cat looked around the clearing uncertainly. "Uh… Minnowtail, from – err, formerly from RiverClan."
"Interesting," Hawkfrost said. Yep, he was definitely ranking us. The tom watched as Minnowtail slowly padded out into the clearing. "And she'll fight Foxleap."
Filled with fury after seeing his sister killed, Foxleap won the fight. He chose Scorchfur, who killed Leaftail. Then Poppyfrost was nominated.
The tortoiseshell she-cat, quivering on her paws from pain and exhaustion, dipped her head to lick both Cherrypaw and Molepaw on the forehead. "I love you both so much. I'm so proud of you, and I know you'll find a way to get out of here. Promise me you'll be alright, okay?"
"Mom, why are you talking like this?" Cherrypaw begged. "You can do this. You can win!"
Poppyfrost shook her head. "I'm too weak. I've lost too much blood to win this fight. So, you've got to promise me."
Slowly, solemnly, Cherrypaw and Molepaw both promised.
"I love you."
"We love you too."
Poppyfrost walked to the center of the clearing where Emberfoot of WindClan dipped his head to her. She didn't come back.
Leafpool was killed by Duskfur. Gorsetail fell to Dawnpelt, while Whitetail killed Mallownose. Molepaw and Troutstream died to Mossyfoot and Furzepelt. I could still hear Cherrypaw's screams.
Whenever I closed my eyes, Olivenose's face flashed before my eyes, her eyes rolling backwards in her head as I twisted her neck. I tried to be as gentle as I could but both of us left that battle scarred. I don't think I've ever gone so long without blinking before.
I chose Cinderheart after me just as she had requested. My heart in my throat, I watched as Cinderheart slew Sunstrike of WindClan.
That was about the point when I noticed Breezepelt watching the battles gleefully with Snowtuft and Silvershade. I saw red; Cinderheart and Foxleap both had to scramble to hold me back.
Cherrypaw managed to defeat Hollowflight, shaking, and Bumblestripe just barely killed Smokefoot. But Robinwing and Graymist killed Spiderleg and Toadstep respectfully.
Foxleap, Cinderheart, Bumblestripe, Cherrypaw, and I huddled together as the last remaining ThunderClan cats aside from Seedkit and Lilykit. How could we have been decimated so completely in such a short amount of time? We had filled the hollow with laughter and soul, and now I had more whiskers than Clanmates.
I buried closer to Cinderheart. Great StarClan, I was so lucky to still have her.
By the time it was over, ThunderClan and WindClan were down to five and ShadowClan and RiverClan were down to six. I let loose a sigh of relief, thinking that maybe, finally, I could start to scrub the memories from my mind.
I wasn't the only cat who heaved when the kits were brought forward. There were eight of them: Seedkit, Lilykit, and a smattering of other kits who I didn't know the names of. First, they had been forced to watch the killings, and now they were expected to execute the same maneuvers.
"You can't do this!" Ivytail snarled, darting out from the small bundle of ShadowClan cats to plant herself between the kits and the Dark Forest warriors.
"Actually, I can." Hawkfrost flicked his tail tip at a scrawny black tom. "Houndleap, will you take care of her?"
The tom rose to his paws, stalking towards Ivytail. The ShadowClan drew arched her back and hissed, but Houndleap didn't veer from his path.
She put up a good fight considering the situation, but not good enough. Houndleap returned to his perch with barely any fresh scratches.
Seedkit was first, pitted against a WindClan kit. They exchanged soft kitten blows until the surrounding Clan warriors hissed at them to fight, unwilling to let both of them die.
The WindClan kit was too young to stand a chance. A trembling Seedkit backed away from the fallen body until Cinderheart dared to dart out and grab Seedkit's scruff. To my relief, the Dark Forest didn't react, allowing my mate to carry Seedkit back to the ThunderClan group.
"Shh, it's okay," Cinderheart murmured to the spooked she-kit. "Just keep quiet."
She couldn't, not when Lilykit's claws couldn't pierce Mistkit of ShadowClan's thick coat. The blue-eyed kit blinked owlishly at Lilykit's body before darting for the safety of her Clanmates.
Mosspelt's daughter killed Dewkit. This time it was Mistkit's turn to wail at the loss of a sibling. But when Sparrowkit managed to defeat Mosspelt's son, he joined his sister with relief shining in his eyes.
Tigerstar yowled for attention from the darktree once the last fight had subsided. He waited until the clearing was absolutely silent before speaking. "Well done, kittens. You will all make fine warriors of TigerClan when the time comes. Rushtooth, organize a patrol to dispose of the bodies."
"Where to?" questioned a light brown tabby, standing up.
Tigerstar shrugged. "The lake will do just fine."
The tabby nodded, beckoned for a handful of his Clanmates, and started towards the scattered piles of dead bodies. I looked away.
Meanwhile, Tigerstar continued to speak. "All of you have earned the right to live by proving your strength, but you have yet to earn my trust. And until you can do that, you will stay on the island. The treebridge will be guarded day and night, so don't bother trying to escape unless if you feel like dying. If you manage to prove that your loyalties lie with TigerClan, then you will be treated with the same respect as any other warrior here."
Dawnpelt rose to her feet in the ShadowClan crowd, her cream pelt tinted red. "So why keep us here at all, if you clearly don't think we'll be trustworthy?"
Multiple cats, me included, shot her glares. Was she trying to get us killed?
But Tigerstar simply laughed. Maybe it was because Dawnpelt was his granddaughter, or maybe he genuinely didn't mind the question. "For entertainment, for labor, take your pick."
Clearly finished with the meeting, Tigerstar leapt down from the darktree and padded briskly across the clearing. Hawkfrost and Brokenstar followed him, the trio quickly leaving the island. Many Dark Forest warriors either followed or disappeared – perhaps to the Dark Forest – but a couple pawfuls remained to keep an eye on us.
Somehow, we ended up making a circle of Clan cats, our backs to the Dark Forest warriors as sought comfort in one another. Seeing the kits huddling together, eyes wide, I realized that we needed someone to care for them.
"Is anyone here a queen?" I hissed quietly, pointing my tail at the kits. "Those kits need someone to be their new mother."
A RiverClan she-cat, Duskfur, nodded. "My kits have been killed, but I'll take care of Mosspelt's daughter and the others. I don't want to see anymore kits suffer."
We all let out murmurs of agreement as Duskfur gathered the kits close to her, comforting them and wrapping her tail around them to bring them close. "Don't worry, little ones," she purred. "Everything's going to be just fine."
Would it? I wasn't sure, but I couldn't blame Duskfur for the empty promises.
Knowing Seedkit was in good paws, I looked at the other warriors once again. "So… how are we going to escape?"
"Escape?" a ShadowClan cat echoed warily.
Mintfur of RiverClan glanced over his shoulder nervously before whispering, "The only way out of here that I know of is swimming across the lake and fleeing, but I highly doubt that anyone is up to that. Do any non-RiverClan warriors know how to swim?"
"I can keep afloat," I offered, remembering the time when my littermates and I helped rescue the WindClan kits from the tunnels. I pushed down a subsequent pang of grief knowing that both Jayfeather and Hollyleaf were dead.
Cinderheart nodded. "And I've been swimming since I was an apprentice."
"I have a very basic understanding of how to swim from when I was a kit," Swallowtail added, shooting a look at me. That was right, she had been one of the kits, hadn't she?
To my astonishment, Snowbird also piped up. "Tawnypelt and I have had a few occasions where we've had to swim and made it out alive, which makes eleven swimmers total."
"And ten non-swimmers, not to mention we have four kits and only one of them is RiverClan," Foxleap pointed out.
"Not RiverClan," Scorchfur muttered darkly. "TigerClan, apparently."
I narrowed my eyes, choosing to ignore his comment. "Then we're all going to have to save our strength. The best swimmers will have to hold the kits, and the less experienced swimmers will just have to help the non-swimmers as best as they possibly can."
Suddenly, a shadow loomed ahead, and a white she-cat glared at us, tossing three mice and a sparrow into the circle of Clan cats. "There's your rations for the day. Have fun," she sneered, then stalked off.
Looking uneasily at one another, no one moved. At last, Harespring snorted, slid forwards, and took a small bite out of the sparrow before passing it on to the cat next to him. Emberfoot repeated the motions and passed it on, the cycle continuing until the sparrow was gone just over a third of the way around the circle. Harespring snagged a mouse with one claw and tossed it at the cat who would have been next. We managed to give everyone a bite with a little over half of a mouse left behind; Duskfur took it and gave the rest of it to the kits, so at least some of us would have full bellies tonight.
"Let's make our dens in a group on the far side of the island," Tawnypelt suggested. "Then, in the morning, those who know how can try and fish from shore while the rest of try and catch some land prey."
Mews of agreement rang out in response to her plan. It felt good to know what to do.
. . .
ThunderClan: Cinderheart, Lionblaze, Foxleap, Bumblestripe, Cherrypaw, Seedkit
ShadowClan: Applefur, Snowbird, Tawnypelt, Scorchfur, Dawnpelt, Mistkit, Sparrowkit
WindClan: Whitetail, Harespring, Emberfoot, Swallowtail, Furzepelt
RiverClan: Graymist, Mintfur, Robinwing, Grasspelt, Duskfur, Mossyfoot, Silverkit
. . .
Foxleap's POV
"Escape"
I will never forget the four days we spent on that island with the Dark Forest warriors, being fed minimal rations and not catching much on the side. Everything extra went to the kits and the weakest cats, but it just wasn't enough. On the second day, Applefur was killed for talking back to some Dark Forest warrior, while late on the third Bumblestripe died from his wounds and a lack of proper nutrition. I don't think I'll ever be able to forgive myself for being more grateful that they were non-swimmers than I was upset at their deaths.
"Foxleap, get up, it's time to go," Lionblaze hissed, looming over me.
I groaned but got to my paws, muscles aching. The Clans had already figured out the plan the day before; each swimming cat would be paired would be paired with a non-swimming cat, while RiverClan cats would carry the kits. Personally, I was swimming next to Lionblaze.
It was nighttime, of course, and as we crowded by the lake the RiverClan cats and their partners slid in first.
Lionblaze slowly moved into the water with me right beside him; he floundered for a moment as he got used to swimming again before he hissed at me to start moving.
I did, though I was freezing cold and I wasn't quite sure what to do. According to the RiverClan cats, it was lot like just running in water, but I was certain there had to be something more to it. Slowly, cautiously, I waded out until I couldn't stand and started paddling frantically.
As soon as my head dipped underwater, Lionblaze was there, grabbing my scruff and pulling me back up.
"Thanks," I gasped, adjusting my paws until it felt like I was actually doing something. "I-I think I've got it now."
He gave a curt nod and released me; to my amazement, I was right – I was swimming! Though I wasn't at all competitive with the RiverClan or even Lionblaze, I was still going forwards. With Lionblaze pushing me along slightly and helping me whenever I faltered, I was keeping up with the majority of cats.
At one point I heard a muffled yowl as someone realized that their partner gone. Another cat shushed him, and then there was some splashing but no victory. Someone had drowned, joining our Clanmates on the lakebed.
It wasn't until we were halfway across the lake that I heard noise coming from the direction of the island – our escape had been discovered.
I think everyone, despite how exhausted they were, picked up their pace once that happened. From the sounds of it they were still trying to figure out what exactly had happened, but it wouldn't be long before they knew we had swum off. Luckily, they wouldn't guess we where we were landing – ThunderClan shores – until after we were long gone.
At last, the lake became shallow enough to stand in and I half walked, half swam the final five fox-lengths to the bank. The Clans paused on shore – swimming was exhausting – before Tawnypelt and Harespring rallied us and we ran off into the forest. I fought my way to the front with Cinderheart, knowing we would be needed to navigate the trees of ThunderClan, but Lionblaze stayed in the back saying he was one of the strongest fighters remaining and that if the Dark Forest warriors were to catch up, he needed to be the one to face them.
I hadn't wanted to leave him behind but Cinderheart ushered me to the front telling me that he would be okay.
Hopefully she was right.
. . .
Tawnypelt's POV
"Second Chances"
We were incredibly lucky that we managed to escape the Dark Forest warriors. We traveled for about half a moon before settling by a river. On one side were meadows stretching for what seemed like forever to our weary bones; the other side had lush forests. It was perfect for us. As the seasons passed, I grew to wonder whether StarClan had put it there on purpose. While the cats who died in our new home showed up as spirits, we never saw the spirits of those who died in the Great Battle or before. Maybe StarClan really had been destroyed and, as their last act, had placed this land in our path for the survivors to find. But then why couldn't they do something to make us win the battle instead? I never knew whether to thank StarClan or curse them after that.
We had been living by the river for just under a moon now and we knew that it was time to start rebuilding our old lives. There was no way we had enough cats to form four Clans – we could field two Clans at most – but what were we going to do instead?
"I think we should build just one Clan," Swallowtail suggested.
"And what would we call it?" Scorchfur shot back. "ShadowWindRiverThunderClan? Yeah, I don't think that's going to work."
Graymist narrowed her eyes. "What about, say, PureClan or NewClan? It's not like we have a choice about building one Clan together."
"What about leadership?" Foxleap intervened. "It's not fair if a ShadowClan cat gets to be leader with a RiverClan deputy or something – I want my Clan to be represented."
Several cats agreed, pelts bristling.
"All four Clans should be represented," I found myself exclaiming. "Look, we know the old Clans are gone, just like the lake itself. Whoever said this Clan has to be exactly the same? Why don't we have four leaders – one from each Clan – who can share the leadership and deputyship between them?"
"What, and make decision by vote?" Emberfoot asked skeptically. "What if there's a tie?"
I shrugged. "Then everyone can vote."
Some cats nodded, but Robinwing tilted his head. "Look, Tawnypelt, but what about hunting? RiverClan isn't great at hunting mice, and the rest of you don't hunt fish. I don't see joint hunting patrols working very well."
"Then we have different types of warriors," Furzepelt suggested, the young she-cat looking excited for what was probably the first time since the Great Battle. "Wind Warriors, who run like the wind to catch rabbits; River Warriors, who swim and catch fish; Thunder Warriors, who, uh, make the trees tremble catching prey in the branches; and Shadow Warriors, who specialize in hunting on the forest floor in low lighting."
I twitched one ear approvingly. "Exactly."
There was quiet for a few moments.
"That could actually work," Lionblaze mewed at last. "Four leaders who represent the four Clans, and four types of warriors so that we can all stick with what we know best."
Mews of agreement rang out.
"And we can pick the name later," Scorchfur mumbled before raising his voice. "Each Clan group should pick their representative now, if we're really doing this."
I drew together with Snowbird, Scorchfur, and Dawnpelt – Mistkit and Sparrowkit were sleeping in the den that we'd designated as the nursery, not to mention that they probably wouldn't make very knowledgeable voters.
"Obviously, it has to be either Snowbird or Tawnypelt," Scorchfur said at last, glancing between me and the white she-cat.
Dawnpelt nodded. "That makes sense. I'd vote for Tawnypelt, but I'm probably biased."
I rolled my eyes at my daughter. At least she recognized that.
Snowbird inclined her head in my direction. "If I'm being honest, I don't think I'd make a great leader," she mewed sheepishly. "Not to mention, I'm perfectly happy as a warrior."
"Tawnypelt's been through a lot and she's always come out on top," Scorchfur agreed. "She led ShadowClan to the lake in the first place, and she helped lead us here. Besides, Rowanclaw was deputy and they were mates, so surely she's learned something about leadership from that, right?"
Maybe I rolled my eyes too early. Sometimes my Clanmates could act like mousebrains. Last I checked, leadership doesn't rub off on someone if you spend time around them.
Dawnpelt raised her muzzle. "Great! Then Tawnypelt's our new leader."
Wide-eyed – although I honestly couldn't say that I was that surprised – I waited in silence as the other Clans finished deciding.
"I've been chosen as RiverClan's leader," Graymist mewed softly.
I glanced at WindClan where Harespring was stepping out. "I've been elected for WindClan."
Raising my head, I nodded to Graymist and Harespring. "I'll be representing ShadowClan."
"And I'm the ThunderClan leader," Lionblaze declared, which I think anyone could have predicted, honestly.
What I didn't predict was for Cinderheart to step out next to Lionblaze. "Most of you don't know this, but Cinderpelt's spirit was reincarnated into my body. She… she's in StarClan now, but I still have her knowledge of healing. If you'll all agree to let me continue to be mates with Lionblaze, then I would be willing to step in as the medicine cat."
I hadn't even thought about a medicine cat. "That's fine with me," I mewed. "I always thought that rule wasn't so great anyways."
"Same here," Graymist echoed. "Having a family doesn't mean you can't care for your Clanmates."
Harespring nodded. "We need a medicine cat, Cinderheart. You could probably demand we bring you squirrel every day and we'd have to accept!"
Cinderheart, looking relieved, nodded. I made a mental note to start setting up a medicine cat den in the days that would come.
"What about kits?" Emberfoot asked.
We all tilted our heads. "What do you mean?"
He glanced in the direction of the nursery. "Well, in case you haven't noticed, WindClan is the smallest and we don't have any kits, plus none of us are mates. How's WindClan supposed to have fresh blood?"
"I mean, we're one Clan now. Anyone can become mates," Graymist mewed thoughtfully. "And then their kits wouldn't belong to any one Clan. What if kits are allowed to choose what type of warrior they become?"
Mossyfoot nodded enthusiastically. "That's a good solution!"
"This is good and all, but we really need to stop saying the names of our… old Clans," I interrupted. "We are one Clan now, and we should act like. We are…" I took a deep breath, trying to think of a name that represented us. "We are MoonClan."
"MoonClan?" Harespring echoed, squinting at me. "Why MoonClan? Isn't the moon supposed to be sacred?"
"There is one moon in the sky and it shines down on us every night, right?" I explained. "Besides, the moon is a companion to the stars, and it has always looked down upon each and every Clan. The moon does not favor the moor or the woods, the marsh of the streams. The moon is no more the lake's than it was the forest's than it is the river's. It's a symbol that always united all four Clans at the Gathering, and we named both the moonrock and the moonpool after it. What else represents us better than the moon?"
Murmurs of agreement made themselves clear and I felt pride washing through me. Maybe I would do alright as a leader.
"I suppose you have a point there," Harespring said, looking up at the sky. "We are MoonClan now."
The stars seemed to shine a little brighter that night.
. . .
ALLEGIANCES
MOONCLAN
Leaders:
TAWNYPELT – tortoiseshell she-cat with green eyes, former Shadow Warrior
GRAYMIST – pale gray tabby she-cat, former River Warrior
HARESPRING – brown-and-white tom, former Wind Warrior
LIONBLAZE – golden tabby tom with amber eyes, former Thunder Warrior
Medicine Cat:
CINDERHEART – gray tabby she-cat, also a Thunder Warrior
Thunder Warriors:
FOXLEAP – reddish tabby tom
APPRENTICE, CHERRYPAW
Shadow Warriors:
SNOWBIRD – pure-white she-cat
SCORCHFUR – dark gray tom
DAWNPELT – cream-furred she-cat
Wind Warriors:
EMBERFOOT – gray tom with two dark paws
SWALLOWTAIL – dark gray she-cat
FURZEPELT – gray-and-white she-cat
River Warriors:
MINTFUR – light gray tabby tom
ROBINWING – tortoiseshell-and-white tom
GRASSPELT – light brown tom
MOSSYFOOT – brown-and-white she-cat
Apprentices:
CHERRYPAW – ginger she-cat
Queens:
DUSKFUR – brown tabby she-cat (adopted mother to SEEDKIT, a very pale ginger she-kit, MISTKIT, a spiky-furred pale gray she-kit, SPARROWKIT, a large brown tabby tom, and SILVERKIT, a silver she-kit)
Like I said, I definitely enjoyed delving into this AU despite all the death. There's some questions it confronts that I think are very interesting to work with. Once again, if you'd be interested in more of this (both an extended and improved version of the content already here and most likely a continuation showing the growth and development of MoonClan) that would be cool to hear. Also, as always, constructive criticism and What If suggestions are more than welcome.
Additionally, if you really really like my writing, I'm starting to post rewrites of my old forum challenges on my current/main account (raindropp14). They're all using random characters, not canon cats, but if you just want to read Warriors one-shots then that might be a thing to check out.
Anddd one more thing, if you come across any stories that follow the same AUs as something I've done, please tell me in a review! I'd love to start shouting stories that follow the same general concepts as chapters so that if anyone really enjoyed something they have some suggestions of where to go to get more of that sort of miniverse.
Anyways, thanks for reading and maybe even reviewing! I'll see you next time with the very final rewrite. (But not the end of the What Ifs, there's one brand new completed one and I'll probably ask next time for maybe some votes between my favorite What If suggestions/possibilities so far.)
Syrup / Rain