Chapter 15, Finale Part 1/2, Everything will end, someday.
It was cold, or rather, a sharp cool. The trees were coated in a thin layer of water, and the forest was an unnatural shade of blue. Morning had come. If Sandstar had control over the day, then it wouldn't change from now. She didn't want to face what waited later this day. The cruel, cold claws of a killer cat who could take nine lives with one claw-stroke, and his clan of dog-killing cats. But Sandstar wasn't about to give them the forest. Starclan had dictated that the clans would rule the forest, and by the same Starclan she would give all of her lives before she fled the forest. She and Thunderclan would fight for the forest. Her warriors were gathered around the high-rock below her, looking to her for guidance. For once, she was ready to give it to them. She looked in to each and every one of their eyes, each filled with trust and the fire to fight for. Thunderclan. Each cat was precious to her, and she was afraid to lose them. But, she had already made her peace. If they fought and died for Starclan, then Starclan would welcome them as heroes.
Fireheart was on his way to four trees, on the forest floor rather than by trees. He had decided that if he was going to fight Bloodclan for Thunderclan's sake, then he shouldn't be in the trees. This was a time for him to prove his worth to Thunderclan and his strength to their foes. It would do Thunderclan no justice if he fell into battle like a squirrel. He would fight Bloodclan, paw step for paw step, with Starclan behind his every move. He wasn't alone, either. Featherpaw was with him. After he had told the small she-cat about Bloodclan, there wasn't anything Fireheart could do to stop her from coming. It made Fireheart ache for Thunderclan again. The strength of spirit that the clan apprentices had was strong. Fireheart only hoped he could protect it.
"Where are we, Fireheart? Is four trees close?" Featherpaw asked Fireheart.
"Why don't you take a deep breath and tell me?" Fireheart coxed her. "You should know what scents to smell for." Featherpaw's ear flicked in annoyance, but she complied. She breathed in, then held the breath as she read its scents. "I smell... Thunderclan forest, You and me..."
"And?"
"I smell the four trees. There's a lot of cats there. Riverclan, Shadowclan..., Thunderclan, and Windclan. They're all there!" Featherpaw was amazed.
"They're going to need our help."
"Exactly. That's why we're going at all."
Featherpaw remained silent. Fireheart couldn't tell what she was thinking, but he knew she was nervous. He didn't draw his attention to it, though. He had
caught a whiff of something else in the air. He couldn't recognize the smell, but it reminded him of the two legged place. The stagnant, muggy odors that surrounded every two-legs home.
"Bloodclan?" Featherpaw asked.
"Probably." Fireheart said knowingly. It didn't take a guess to imagine what she meant. She had smelled it, too.
"Do you think they're near by?"
"Smells like it. But not that many."
"You don't think that Bloodclan is going to attack the camps while the warriors are fighting him at four trees, do you? Would he risk not having full force
there so that he can attack the camps while they're unguarded?"
"I don't know. Bloodclan..."
"Why would I do that? A complete waist, if you ask me." Some-cat said from nearby. "You can't use a dead cat for much more than sharpening your claws."
Fireheart's body whipped towards the sound, knocking Featherpaw away a tail lengths worth.
"Who are you?" Fireheart asked. The cat was a small, black tom with white around his paws, and a red kitty pet collar around his neck. Studded around it were several sharpened teeth, each one more knarald from the last. His claws were extended, and on them were bone-white teeth, held in place by the cats
paw sheath. Next to him was a white cat with a similar collar, much larger than the first, but less intimidating.
"I'm surprised you don't know. I thought that the word would have passed to all the forest cats by now. I am Scourge, leader of Bloodclan, and ruler of this forest. Who are you to not know?"
"Ruler!" Fireheart was a gasp. The leader of Bloodclan? Here? Shouldn't he be leading his clan?!
"Scourge asked you a question! If you don't want me to wear your entrails, you'll answer him now!"
"Patience, Bone, let the cat speak before you gore him. Actually, I think I have a good guess." Scourges eyes were fixated on Fireheart. Fireheart could see the blood lust growing in his eyes. "You're Rusty, one of Jakes children, aren't you?"
"Rusty? No, he's not"
"Hush, Featherpaw. What if I were?" Fireheart's felt tension rise, and his gut start curling by the second.
Rusty was a name he had heard in a long time. He barely recognized it from princesses slip of the name.
"It's not hard to guess. You look a lot like him, though not as fat and silky. No, your what Jake would have been if he had learned to live without two legs to pamper him. This is a pleasant surprise. I never thought that I would meet you here. Don't you remember me?"
"Remember... you? How would I remember you?" Fireheart growing confusion was mixed with anxiety. Fireheart hadn't even heard of Bloodclan before not too long
ago, let alone it's leader.
"Of coarse you wouldn't. You were so young back then. But look at you now, a forest cat."
"You knew me when I was a kit? How!?"
"Do I really need to tell you?"
"Jake?"
"You're father, Rusty. I'm sure you can put the pieces together."
"So why do you care who my parents are!" Fireheart was growing angry. This self assured, smug little tom was playing 'non the wiser' with him.
"It means that you and I have some unfinished business." Scourges eyes locked onto Fireheart, some mix of satisfaction and hate that burned at Fireheart.
Scourges tail flicked, and his left ear flicked twice. Then, suddenly, there was a rush of the bushes, and a loud crash just behind Fireheart. Fireheart snapped towards the sound. Featherpaw was gone! Rather, there was a large tangle of fur and brawn, pinning down the she-cat a fox length and a half away from Fireheart's mind raced as he coiled to spring to the apprentices aid.
"Stop! Make one move towards them, and Dogsclaw will tear out her throat and feed it to her!" Scourge threatened, his voice full of raw authority. Fireheart
staggered still, not sure if he should try to attack, or obey the command. In the end he could only watch the lithe silver she-cat struggle under the tom as he suppressed her breathing with his paw. "I won't hesitate to kill her." The cat who had Featherpaw pinned said. "I've never hesitated before." Fireheart watched in
noosing horror as Featherpaw squirmed to escape the much larger cat, but she was firmly pinned.
"Now, Rusty. You and I have an old mouse we need to bury. I'll let the scrawny silver she cat live if you listen to me." Scourge said firmly.
"How did you plan this? Did you know I was here?" Fireheart swiveled towards the head aggressor.
"It was coincidence that we met, and the nice thing is I didn't have to plan any of it. Now, you will listen to me if you hold any value to the pretty thing over there." Scourge was serious. There was no way that he was lying. Fireheart would just have to play the ploy. "What do you want?"
"I've already told you. We've got something to settle. And I plan on settling it." Scourge was being blunt, but without his intent on display.
"What could you possible want with me?" Fireheart couldn't hold his now sultent fury, and only the defenseless Featherpaw kept his claws away from Scourge and his Lakies.
"You and I are going to take a little walk to somewhere so that we won't be interrupted. The little one will be escorted to that sacred ground of yours so she can fight with the rest of you forest cats. Then we'll talk."
"Why? Why would you freely give another fighting cat to your foes?" The confused words tumbled out of Fireheart quicker than he could catch them, and he heard Featherpaw squeak in vain fear.
"I'd rather have a cat fight to the death than kill them while they're down. Its more fun when prey struggles. I'm sure the rest of my clan agrees." Scourge said icily. The strength of foreboding and fear tinged Firehearts anger. How could one cat be so assured? Fireheart caught a fleeing thought as his eyes flickered to the bone tooth collar Scourge was wearing. It only dawn on Fireheart where they could have come from. They were the remaining fangs that had been stripped from animals with meat eater teeth. Sharp canines, all studded as trophies for each kill. Fireheart's mind recoiled in horror as the reality dawned on it, the true horror that now threatened the forest. Scourge killed cats and dogs alike as a sport in his own game of hunter and prey.
"It looks like you've come to know what your in on, now." Scourge said, pleased.
"Can you promise that Featherpaw will make it to the clans alive?" Fireheart said, his voice strong with resolve.
"I won't promise anything. I know that you know you have no choice in the matter."
"I'm not coming with you until you promise she'll make it there alright."
"And I'm not negotiating my hostage. Either come with me now, or you both die now." * ~Alternative ending starts here~
Fireheart's heart skipped. There was no two ways about it. He had only one hope left. He glanced back and Featherpaw, now weak from reduced air intake, unable
to squirm any more. Fireheart would never forgive himself if he let the she cat die on his choice, nor would he forgive Scourge for what he had done. "What do you want?"
"Time. Just some of your time. Come." Scourge beckoned for Fireheart to follow him. "I think you'll like where we're going. Bone, Dogsclaw. Make sure the runt makes it there unscratched. Wouldn't want it to be an unfair slaughter, would it. Rusty. You come with me."
Fireheart watched helplessly as the two brutes strong-pawed her towards four trees. He though about attacking them while he had the element of
surprise...
Fireheart cautious gaze locked back onto Scourge, who was watching him with a sadistic set of eyes. He might be small, but he was strong enough to kill Tigerstar 9 times over in one blow. Fireheart had seen it himself in Spottedleafs vision, and the trophies that studded his collar each told their story of another that Scourge had killed.
"What do you want with me, Scourge?" Fireheart put on his strongest voice. Any weakness could lead to instant death.
"As I said, you and I are going somewhere." He said, with cold excitement. "Don't try anything bold, now. I don't what to have to kill you just yet." Fireheart burned with rage, feeling every claw grip around scourges fur, even though he hadn't touched him. Fireheart didn't want to take orders from a
murderous monster. But Scourge had peaked his curiosity and his fear, and Fireheart begrudgingly followed the small, rugged cat.
Sandstar stared down the large ranks of Bloodclan from behind a bush, not daring to count them. She didn't want to lose any faith that she had. She was waiting for Windclan to show. Her paws shook in silent anticipation, and her belly was numb with the constant rush that sparked up her body. Sandstar wasn't afraid to fight. She wasn't afraid to die here for her clan. But to lead her clan into a fight that might kill them all was a new, harrowing type of fear. She closed her eyes and imagined what Bluestar might have done. Confident look, strong posture, years of experience... Sandstar wasn't afraid to die, but she was afraid to let her clan mates die.
"So, do you plan on just stare at them, or fight them?"
Sandstorm glanced towards the voice, then froze when she saw who it was. Leopardstar! "What are you doing here?" Sandstar said, stiffing the surprise that peaked out of her fear. She didn't think that Riverclan would show up. But it re-erupted as Sandstar noticed Blackfoot next to Leopardstar. "You're surprised? I thought you knew better." He said with no humor. "Shadowclan isn't going to back down so easy."
"Riverclan has spent countless generations here. There is no reason for that to change." Leopardstar said steelily. "I believe Starclan would lose heart in us if we were to run now."
"So, you'll fight with us against Bloodclan?" Sandstar's spine chilled in a faint relief. With Shadowclan and Riverclan fighting too, then they had greater chance of winning.
"You didn't get our message?" Leopardstar said, a slight puzzlement in her expression.
"I... maybe." Sandstar said, careful not to appear weak. She had been under a lot of tension, so a message could have easily slipped her.
"We don't have time to be worrying about messages. Look" Blackfoot pointed with his eyes. "It looks and smells like they have a Riverclan prisoner." Sandstar traced the line in his gaze to a small silvery she cat that was sitting between two Bloodclan warriors. She was staring at her paws, and was noticeably out of place amongst the mar-tredden warriors of Bloodclan, once you spotted her.
"That's Featherpaw!" Leopardstar said sharply. "I thought she was in Thunderclan! What, did you turn her over to Bloodclan to be used as bait!" Leopardstar's eyes sharpened to a death glare.
"No! She... She never actually got to Thunderclan." Sandstar didn't actually know what happened. From what Greystripe had told her, He, Ravenpaw, and Fireheart, the exiled cat, had gone into Riverclan and Shadowclan to take them back. Greystripe had spent and entire day looking for Featherpaw after she went missing.
"Then what is she doing among the warriors of Bloodclan." Leopardstar said, loosing some hostility.
"I don't know." Sandstar said. Her thoughts trailed off a bit. The only cats who would have known what had happened to her would be the cats from Tigerclan, Sandstar's warriors, and the three cats who had rescued them. If Blackfoot and Leopardstar didn't know, then none of their warriors did, or else they would have been told. None of Sandstar's warriors knew, or else Greystripe would have found out. He had spent two days looking for her all across Thunderclan, and even in the other territories. That went twice for Ravenpaw, since he had been there the whole time. That only left Fireheart.
"I'll rip off all their legs then make them eat them if they've lain a single claw on her!" Greystripe's long fur was bushed out in every direction, and rage enough to make a grown cat quake was pulsing off of him. If he had been Fireheart, he could easily be mistaken for a live flame.
"You'll get your chance, Greystripe." Sandstar reassured him. "We're here to fight them anyhow."
"We won't get that chance standing here. Let's get out there and fight them!" Blackfoot said irritably.
"You're right. It's time we go deal with these unwanted pests" Leopardstar agreed.
"Wait, what about Windclan? Can we start without them?" Sandstar said.
"Why would you want to do that? We came all this way to fight, and now you think you can do it without us?" Tallstar said, emerging from a bush nearby.
"Tallstar! When did you..."
"I came in less than a moment after Leopardstar did. Hope you don't mind me eavesdropping a little."
"Yes, I do. But now's not the time for that. Where are your warriors?"
"All here and in good condition to fight." Tallstar said. At that queue, Windclan warriors came stalking out of the undergrowth, until they formed a barrier behind Tallstar.
"Looks like we're ready. Well, ready as we can be." Leopardstar said.
"We're as ready as we need to be, Leopardstar." Tallstar said. "I've lived in this forest long enough to know that it is my true home. I will not paw it over to a pack of rogues without lifting a claw in its defense. It is time that we fight. To fight for that which Starclan rightfully gave us."
...We're not handing it over to rogues. To fight for that which Starclan gave us...
Authors note: We're closing in on the *Cough* Grand finally of Fireheart, rogue of Thunderclan. I tell you, it has been and interesting two years of working on this story. I don't know if anyone remembers, but this is a revision of the original version of this story, also written by myself. Part way through, I had realized that the story I was writing was crap, so I botched it and taped together the pieces. Ah, the fond memories. This chapter, in particular, is made in gratitude to Firestar3721, for sending me a message to remind me that I actually have a story to write, and tell me to get of my kister and write. Here's to you.
*Alternative ending 1 ~ Fireheart couldn't hold himself any longer. He lunged for the small black cat, covering the distance between them with ease. He rammed into him, knocking himself and Scourge to the ground. Fireheart pinned him down, and hissed his rage at him. Suddenly, another cat smashed him sideways, then scourge was on him in a second. "I told you not to try anything bold. You just lost your privilege to live" Scourge said. Without any other warning, claws ripped into Firehearts underbelly
scoring him deep and long all the way up to his throat. His blood started pouring out, and he cried out in pain, folding into a crest on the forest floor around his blood.
"Fireheart!" Featherpaw screamed in terror. She made a move towards him, but the cat that didn't tackle Fireheart was on her in a second, crushing her neck
with his strong jaw. It was all over. Fireheart couldn't feel it. He couldn't feel anything anymore. Not the pain of the gash, or the shock of Featherpaw's
sudden death. Fireheart slipped away without any trouble, unable to fight with one life what Tigerstar couldn't with 9.
Bloodclan went on to fight the clans of the forest, eventually driving out what few survived. Heavy casualties ensued to both sides, leaving Bloodclan with few warriors and the forest clans with even fewer. With the skilled use of medicine cats, the clan cats heal faster, and take advantage of the wounds of Bloodclan in a surprise attack, killing them off. The clans reclaim the forest, but few in numbers. At most, 2 warriors survive in each clan. The forest is won, but at a unspeakable price.
The clans eventually had to come together as one clan to feed the queens, kits, and elders. In the wake of this, Sandstar become the mother of Blackfoot's kits, out of necessity than anything else.