Onestar's Decision by WyldClaw
plot: hi ! it's been quite a while since i wrote a new Warriors one-shot. This is my take on Onestars choice to end Darktail's life. Spoilers for A Vision of Shadows book 3: it takes place the night before the battle with Darktail and his Kin and the Clans- Onestar's point of view. Written before Onestar's Confession came out . I own nothing. I made up the part about Whitetail clawing him across the face. I added two Warriors references to the last Harry Potter book. Hope you like it. Please read and review. Enjoy.
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The moon was shone brightly on the moors. It cast a silvery glow upon the WindClan cats sleeping peacefully under the star-dotted night sky as a light breeze ruffled their pelts. All the cats of the Clan were sleeping … all but me: WindClan's aging small lean pale mottled brown tabby tom leader.. Onestar.
I gazed around at my sleeping Clan and sighed. no matter how hard, I tried I just couldn't fall into sleep . It alluded me like a big juicy rabbit just out of my grasp . It could have been my growing anxiety about the next day's battle with Darktail or my old age. It could have also been the lack of warm bodies near me . For with the exceptions of my mate Whitetail, my deputy Harespring and my medicine cat Kestrelflight my Clanmates decided to not to sleep near me.
I sighed again. No WindClan cat really wanted to be near me after my confession to the Clan about Darktail being my son a few days ago. In fact, after the other Clan leaders left, Whitetail took me aside and clawed one side of my graying brown face . The memory of her words and her actions stung like a deep claw to the heart.
~~~~~~~~~flashback starts~~~~~~~~~~~
I was stunned and stumbled a few mouse-lengths back. I could feel the breeze sting the open wound as I smelled blood . "Wh-Whitetai! Y-You just attack your Clan leader." I added in my thoughts, And your own mate!
Her green eyes blazed for a heartbeat .I cowered in spite of her small size-for at that moment her fury seemed to make her large as a TigerClan cat. She was typically one of the gentler and understanding cats in the Clan. " I'm sorry Onestar.. but I'm just beyond furious with you!. You betrayed the Clan with having an affair with that-that .. kittypet and fathering .. him! " She spat the last word out like it was a bad piece of rabbit in her jaw.
"Calm down.. I said I was a foolish hare-brained warrior. I didn't know Smoke was having kits until she told me . I was ashamed of what I'd done so I refused to let them both join.. I thought by casting them out of my life ..I was done with them. but when he spoke to me on the battlefield and revealed who he was .. I couldn't take the humiliation that I was the cause of this. I … was a coward. "
She glowered at me. " Then you deserved that clawing. Not telling the truth .. that so called embarrassment has cost cats their lives-RiverClan, and ShadowClan their territories ! SkyClan was driven out of their home . Our lives have been totally uprooted. … You hurt all the Clans.. you hurt me and Heathertail.. now " she stopped and sniffled . "You were the one who taught me its best to own up to your mistakes.. I trusted you and .. that confession .. ripped my heart. " She paused. " I-I don't want to be around you for a while " Her eyes were filled with pain and were wet with tears. "I don't know if I can trust you anymore."
I felt like I'd just been clipped by a Twoleg monster on the the Thunderpath. I took a few cautious steps forward in case she gave me another blow. "Whitetail.. I swear to StarClan.. I never ever ever meant to hurt you or the Clans. I was stupid.. I didn't think about the consequences of my actions. B-Believe me"- my voice cracked and tears pricked my eyes .. " That c-confession felt like losing a life. Darktail was right when h-he said a c-cat that denounced h-his own kits band killed said kit would end up in the D-Dark Forest."
I paused to catch my breath. " I'm a stupid hare-brain. I shouldn't have ever let myself be taken in by Smoke. Please .. forgive me Whitetail. I did deserve that strike.. and I won't stop you if you want to do it it again. "
Whitetail came up and shook her head. "No my love.. you've suffered more than enough." She licked my face. " I forgive you and I accept your apology. I just let my anger and frustration get the better of me. I don't want to seem like a horrible grandmother in front of Applekit and Woodkit. "
She licked my wound. "Ow.." I flinched at the touch. "I wouldn't want to mess with you in the battle. "
She purred with laughter. " And who was the cat that taught me my battle skills? "
My whiskers twitched in amusement and I chuckled- for I'd been her mentor . "Fair point.. If you do get your claws on Darktail during the battle .. give him some scars to remember you by."
Her whiskers twitched. " Oh most definitely ."
~~~~~~~~~~flashback ends ~~~~~~~~~~~
I shook my head coming back to reality. While Whitetail had accepted my apology- as did Kestrelflight when he'd put cobwebs on my wound- many of the other WindClan cats still didn't trust me. I didn't know how I could regain their trusts. " You only brought this on yourself." I murmured under my breath.
I gazed up at the shining stars of Silverpelt twinkling in the night sky. StarClan give me wisdom. I don't know what I should do about the situation with Darktail. I thought as I closed my eyes.
….
When I reopened them I was alone on the moor and I saw some familiar ghostly cats, each looking healthy and speckled with stars in their fur. There was my blue eyed gray older sister and former deputy Ashfoot -slain in the Great Battle and Morningflower , her amber eyed tortoiseshell sister alongside my small brown pelted mother Wrenflight . They dipped their heads in respect . Next to Morningflower there was a young lean brown tabby tom apprentice with short thick fur.
Wrenflight looked at me with her amber eyes. "Oh my kit.. my handsome kit."
My throat felt dry as a river in scoring greenleaf. "M-M-Mother.. A-Ashfoot.. M-Morningflower .. G-gorsepaw." I sputtered.
Gorsepaw looked up at me excitedly . "Uncle Onestar! Uncle Onestar. "
Morningflower chuckled. "Now , now Gorsepaw mind your manners. What do we do when we see a Clan leader?"
"Sorry, I forgot. " he replied and then dipped his head in respect. They came up next to me and we all sat down.
"Hello Onestar.. " Ashfoot mewed."it's been awhile. "
"Wh-Why are you here?"
"To reassure you. " She paused and cut right to the point. "We heard your confession. Stagleap.. wasn't too happy. "
Wrenflight nodded her head in agreement. "No he was not. Tallstar had to go talk to him to calm him down. "
I gazed down at my paws for a heartbeat or two , feeling uncomfortable that I had upset my father. The tip of Morningflower's tail touched my flank and I looked up at her touch. "Don't worry. He- like all of us-was in shock. "
"I was an idiot ! I was a pompous mouse-brain.. I was a-a-"
"Kittypet-loving Code-deceiving big hare-brain." Morningflower responded.
I swallowed. "Y-yes I was .!"
My older sisters laughed. " Well." said Ashfoot sticking out her tail for my own to entwine. " You can't say fairer than that."
"Though it cost countless lives and turmoil , you owned up to your past and mistake fathering that … beast" Wrenflight stated- not even calling Darktail by his name. "That heartless brutal monster .. is no kin of mine. I've talked to Dawnpelt , Pinenose, Rowanstar and Needletail and he's as horrendous as they go. "
"I think he's worse than that t-tyrant who killed me." Gorsepaw mewed in a small voice. Morninflower licked the top of his head to comfort him. He turned his gaze to me. "We heard how troubled you seem 'bout what to do. And I think th-there's only one thing you have to do to set things right again. " The apprentice shivered as if not wanting to say it.
I looked at all of them. "You want me to k-k-" I couldn't even finish my sentence.
They nodded. "Onestar.. I know it's hard for you to hear this but.. you have to end Darktail's blood soaked reign of terror… forever . He won't stop destroying the Clans until he destroys you , son. " There was determination in Wrenflight's words.
"You are on your last life. Darktail won;'t stop until he's fulfilled his revenge on you for disowning him. " Ashfoot pointed out.
"You have to do it Onestar, " Morningflower pleaded. "I know the Code says An honorable warrior mustn't kill other cats to win battles unless its outside the warrior code or if its extreme vital for self defense . And this…" she paused "is a justifiable reason for self defense. So no matter what that brute said about you going to the Dark Forest.. it won't happen. You are a good cat and leader brother… you just made mistakes in your past that seriously bit the Clans in the tail. Now it's your chance to change that. "
"Please, Uncle Onestar? You have to.. I care about WindClan even though I've been gone for endless seasons. I care about these cats that i watch over and help guide.. I don't want that monster to utterly ruin Clan life as we know it."
They're right. He won't stop, not now.. He's already caused strife in RiverClan and ShadowClan, turned cats to his cause and his army grows by the day. I can't let anymore cats die or suffer because of my younger self's utter mouse brained choices. I have to be the cat stop him . I have to be the one that ends Darktail.. even if it means ending my own life forever - I can't be a coward anymore.
I then looked them in the eyes , finding a strength from my words as I meowed them. "You're all right. I was a coward to hide from my past mistakes .. from rejecting Smoke and Darktail from WindClan.. from my life. It is my fault and mistake that has cause all this turmoil and trouble within the Clans.. my fault why SkyClan lost their home and Clan members as they traveled here. I'm the cause of all of this trouble- I was too ashamed to admit the truth before now. I can't hole my Clan up any longer. Cats are dying - Clans and families ripped apart thanks to my actions in the past . I will not stand idly by anymore as Darktail tries to ruin everything the Clans have worked for just to destroy me . "
I paused to get my breath back for a few minutes . "Does it hurt?" The kit-like question came from my mouth before I could stop it.
"Dying for your Clan? Not at all. " replied Ashfoot. "Faster and easier than falling asleep after a warrior name vigil…" The grey she-cat looked at me. "You're nervous about what you have to to do ."
"Yes.." I admitted.
"Don't be nervous dear. " Wrenflight reassured me. " Like you said, you have to be the one to make sure he's done hurting any more cats. Have strength and courage . We'll be with you giving you strength. ."
My ears perked up. " Really?"
Morningflower purred with laughter. "Not physically , hare-brain. but-" she tapped her right front paw on my chest. "Right here in your heart and in your soul. "
"I wish I could be there with you Uncle." Gorsepaw said. "I'd want to help you take out that horrible beast of a cat. "
I purred at his words. "You'll be there with me in spirit, Gorsepaw. " I gazed at the four StarClan cats. "Thank you all for all that encouragement and wisdom. I will do my very best to make you proud. I only wish.. I had more time with Heathertail and Whitetail. but .. what must be done must be done. I have to save the Clans .. no cat is perfect we all make mistakes .. it's what we do to fix those mistakes that shape our paths. it's my fault Darktail even existed ..I have to end his life..I need to save everyone. "
A deep voice purred as i heard paws steps approach. . "Spoken like a true WindClan cat." the voice of Tallstar , my half-uncle- and previous WindClan leader stated. The former leader - looking healthy and strong with stars dotting his black and white fur came up to us, my brown furred father Stagleap at his side.
I dipped my head in respect. " Tallstar .. fath-Stagleap."
Both toms' eyes sparkled. "Onestar we heard everything you've said here" Tallstar told me . "You have the greatest challege ahead of you.. and I have my utmost faith and belief that you'll suceed. I was right to name you as my sucessor." I felt my cheeks burn.
".. I'm proud of you " Stagleap told me. "I know you can do it . "
"Thank you."
"I hate to sound like a queen but our boy here needs his rest. " Wrenflight. " If you can't fall back asleep just picture yourself in a nice sun warthmed moor with all your loved ones and friends . just having fun. "
"And chasing big fat juicy rabbits." Stagleap ended.
" With no worries or problems, " Tallstar put in.
I nodded and each cat nuzzled and licked me a final time . I thanked each of them and drank in their scents. After I did that they started to fade away as did the silent moor.
..
I opened my eyes again and found myself back in the WindClan camp. It was still dark as i heard a small voice ask from a few mouse lengths away. " Grandpa Onestar? can i ask you something?."
Through the light of the stars and moon i could just make out the outline I saw my small gray furred granddaughter Smokekit sitting a mouse-length away from me. " What's the matter little one?"
She shuffled her paws. " I-Is it true?" She whispered .
"Is what true?" Oh great StarClan please tell me she hasn't discovered that Darktail was the one who took her and nearly hurt ...
"Is it true that Darktail-the cat who is hurting the Clans-is brindlekit and my' un-un -" she shuddered ."uncle?" She gazed at me.
I sighed and thought of the easiest way to explain. ."I'm afraid so Smokekit. I ... Was a foolish young warrior in our old territory and I ... wronged Darktail and his mother. I broke my word to his mother and he swore revenge . He wants to utterly ...ruin me .when I realized the truth Instead of facing him I ... Ran like a wimpy cowardly rabbit and hid WindClan."
"You're not a cowardly rabbit or a wimp grandpa ." Smokekit pointed out . "You were just scared... Heathertail says rabbits aren't cowards- they just get startled and surprised. When they get over their fear they come out in group out of their ... Where do they live again? Dens? Nests?."
"Warrens , Smokekit." I told her and she nodded . I never thought about it like that ... "Your mother is wise. I've never really thought about it that way before . You taught me something."
Her eyes sparkled. " I taught you something grandpa Onestar? But I thought Clan leaders knew everything .."
I let out a purr of amusement . " oh little one.. No leader knows everything... "
"I think you should gather your courage , pad right up to Darktail in the big battle an' tell him first you're sorry . Then box his ears, shred his fur an' tell him to leave . This is your home an' he had no right to come an' ruin it and Clan life even if you broke your word. . He's ruined not only our lives but the other Clans as well . Then things can get back to normal again ."
My ears flickered in amusement . Smokekit' sounded like my dear sister Ashfoot- her great -grandmother - then . Her her idea sounded so simple . If only it were that easy
" that is a wonderful idea Smokekit. you are very smart and that will serve you well in your apprenticeship." I mewed . "But I don't think Darktail is going to leave from my words, a boxed ear and a shredded pelt. But I will do my best to claw him for all the pain he has caused the Clans. "
" I don't like that Brindlekit an' I are kin to Darktail." She mewed softly. " An' I'm scared for my parents an' Clanmates. Whitetail is too"
"I don't blame you, or your grandmother for being scared little one. Darktail is so twisted and evil I don't see how he can even share my blood. But I think things will be back to normal after the battle. You just have to have faith and trust."
"I'll t-t-try my hardest." She yawned . I'm scared I'm gonna have bad dreams about the battle ..."
I suddenly felt a prickle of guilt. I knew in my heart this would be one of the last conversations I would have with the kit. I would never be able to see her and her sister become apprentices or warriors. But it's for their future and the future of all the Clan cats that I'm doing what I have to do. I helped bring Darktail into this world ... I have to be the one to take him out.
"Go back to sleep Smokekit . Dream of happy things." I told her gently ." Things always look the darkest before the dawn. Everything will be okay." She purred and got up off the ground. "And my dear?"
"Yes?"
"Remember to stay strong and brave no matter what happens. You and Brindlekit are WindClan . I will always be there with you ."
She nodded and padded off to her mother and littermate. I myself yawned, rested my head on my weary paws and closed my old eyes Harespring will make a fine leader…I though as I drifted off into a peaceful sleep.
The End
