CLANLIFE

This is an account of all the stories (in correct order) that have happened to the cats of ThunderClan. These tales will begin just after a great flood that has destroyed most of ThunderClan and RiverClan. In these times the Clan leader Greystar was sick with greencough and sent his deputy, Lionheart, to the gathering instead. That day the Clan was struck with a massive flood and the cats could not return from the Gathering. When they finally were able to get back they found everyone who was left in the camp to be dead.

Our story begins one moon later.

CURIOSITY KILLED THE CATS - ThunderClan Medicine Cat's Den - Moonhigh

"Are you sure she's alright?" Asked Lionstar, peeking into Snowtail's den.

The exasperated Medicine Cat turned to glare at him for the ninth time that night. "Yes. She'll be fine; she just needs to rest. And so do you."

"I know." Sighed Lionstar, padding into the den. Snowtail frowned at him but said nothing. "I'm going to the Moonstone. I won't cross across WindClan territory so they-" Lionstar stopped when he saw Snowtail shaking her head. "What?"

"Do you get it? This isn't about territory anymore. WindClan has made it obvious that they're with Metalstar. You can't go."

Lionstar shook his head. "I have to. No matter what anyone says." Even Firestar, he thought to himself.

Snowtail shook her head and looked sadly up at her leader. "Be careful."

He nodded and touched his nose to hers. "I will."

-----

Cautious paw steps carried Lionstar along the edge of the Thunderpath. It felt cold and alien beneath his paws and with it's stench filling the air he could smell nothing else. A dull roar sounded in the distance, though it didn't register in his mind as a threat; his heart was pounding so hard he couldn't concentrate on any other sounds. It was only when the monster was roaring in his ears that he realized he was in danger. The ThunderClan leader turned his head just in time to see the blinding lights of a two-legs monster, then something hard collided with his side throwing him through the air and he could see nothing at all.

-----

"I have to tell you something. Hurry."

Lionstar opened his eyes to see Graystar standing over him, his eyes wide with fear. The previous ThunderClan leader was alone, which surprised the orange tom. "Where are Firestar and Bluestar?"

The gray tom shook his head, glancing over his shoulder. "In the moonstone you'll be safe. Go before they get you. I'll tell you there."

Lionstar could feel himself slipping away. His body was healed now, but he didn't want to leave. Some threat had entered StarClan, but how? There was nothing that could compete against the ancient Clan in the stars. Before Lionstar could ask, however, Greystar disappeared and his eyes opened. He was back on the ground in a ditch beside the Thunderpath. His body ached but at least he was still alive, and away from whatever it was Greystar was fretting about. The fact that StarClan was afraid too scared him. It must have some connection with Metalstar and her Clan, but how? Perhaps Metalstar had more power then the Clans knew about yet.

Lionstar staggered to his paws and leaped from the wet ditch, shaking the water from his pelt as soon as he landed.

"Well, well. Who do we have here?" Lionstar spun to face Redclaw. The big black tom smiled and stepped forwards, his long claw extensions clicking against the paved path.

The ThunderClan leader stepped back, muscles tensing. "Stay back, Redclaw."

Redclaw shook his head, taking another step towards Lionstar, who this time held his ground. The two cats circled each other, Lionstar realizing he had no choice but to fight. Finally Redclaw dove forwards, rolling onto his back to slash at Lionstar's underbelly. Lionstar reared up, stumbling backwards into the pit.

A smile crept across Redclaws face and he stepped forwards, looking down at the trapped ThunderClan leader smugly.

At that moment a gust of wind tore through the clouds and Reclaw's back glowed silver in the moonlight. He looked up, then back at Lionstar. Growling deeply he turned towards BoneClan territory.

"I'll get you." He warned and dashed off.

Lionstar staggered to his paws and considered going after him, but when he stood the orange tom felt his hind legs hurt badly when he put his weight on them. There was no point trying to follow, but he still had to go to the Moonstone. He remembered Greystar's worry and shivered. Something was horribly wrong and it was up to Lionstar to find out exactly what it was.

-----

It wasn't long before the clouds had once again covered the moon, leaving Lionstar to find his way blindly through the near blackness of the night. By now the rain had grown harsher, like tiny thorns being thrust into his flesh. The wetness did him no good either and only made him colder.

Shaky paws brought him slowly across the path to Highstones where he staggered down the hill towards Mothermouth. Upon reaching the bottom he collapsed, panting and squeezing his eyes shut, willing the blinding pain to go away. It didn't, but it did become slightly more bearable and he got to his paws again. The ThunderClan leader felt his legs were no longer attached to him body; the cold pain was unreal, as if his bones were splintering, losing the ability to hold him up. In the darkness it was even harder. His senses felt as useless as the rest of his body, as if he was only a mind trying to explain where another cat should go without speaking, but his body obeyed, staggering and stumbling he finally made it to the Moonstone.

Lionstar staggered towards the stone, finally collapsing beside it. Taking deep breaths he pressed his nose to the cold, glowing stone and felt himself fall into unconsciousness.

-----

Even in the fields of StarClan, Lionstar found he could not stand. He still felt heavy and detached and his vision was blurred, turning the nighttime StarClan forest into a dark blur. He knew, however, that there was a cat in front of him, but it wasn't Greystar; it was a dark brown tabby tomcat whom Lionstar had never seen before.

"Where is... Greystar?" Asked Lionstar, barely managing to whisper.

The cat in front of his took a step closer, lowering his face to Lionstar's level so he could now see the tom clearly. His eyes shone with years of wickedness and hatred; hatred for Greystar, for Bluestar, for Firestar, for Lionstar and their Clan. Past the tom's lowered head Lionstar could see abnormally long claws digging into the earth. It seemed to connect with something the current ThunderClan leader had heard before but could not remember.

"Dead." Hissed the tom, his voice low and cold.

Lionstar raised his head slightly then lowered it in a feeble attempt to nod. "I know that, but where is he now?"

The cat chuckled, raising his muzzle to the sky, which was simply an unending black abyss overhead. When he looked down again his cold green eyes were narrowed with sobriety. "With Rusty."

Rusty. Finally everything clicked and Lionstar found he was able to think clearly again, though none of his thoughts were good. Rusty, Firestar by the Clans, was gone, and he had been killed by his mortal enemy.

Lionstar shrank back, looking fearfully into the tom's eyes. The brown cat stood up tall. He didn't have to puff out his fur to look completely menacing with his strangely long claws.

"You'll see them soon. Don't worry." The cat stepped forwards and Lionstar attempted to move back, but found he was frozen to the spot. He attempted to yowl for help, but the cry died in his throat as Firestar's lifelong enemy approached him.

Then the world began to fall away, swirling into a mist of blackness, the colors churning together until everything was silver, but as if it had been burned into his mind the shape of the cat remained.

Firestar was gone. Tigerstar had finally won.