NOTE: I don't own anything warriors.
This is based off of Erin Hunters' "Cats of the Clans" book. These are the "Cats of Forestclan". Each chapter will be a different cat from the story Cracking Hearts. All characters that appear belong to my friend unless I state otherwise.
I probably rewrote this like fifteen times. This is harder than it looks.
The Bottom Author Note lists the next/previous cats for your reference. If you have any questions regarding a cat then let me know so I can answer them!
Review and Enjoy!
Cats of Forestclan: Falconstar
Many cats are said to have a heart of fire. They are fierce and courageous. In battle they are the ones that you fear to fight. But how often do you find a heart of water? A calm cat who is ready to fight when pushed hard enough. These are the cats that I would fear. They will remain silent and strong. Their ears and eyes will always be watching. The moment you go too far they awaken in all the fury of a storm.
A cat is often born with a heart of fire but a heart of water must be formed. Formed of trial and pain. It rises from silence and loss. A bleeding heart soon becomes a raging river. Sharp claws will remain hidden. You can yowl and tear but a cat with a heart of water will never move. However, turn on one that the cat cares for and you will awaken a torrent. Those hidden claws will appear covered in blood. Eyes, normally calm and peaceful, will reveal the storm that rages within. All of this can happen over time or within a moment. Blood and friendship mean everything to these cats. Become a part of their circle and they will tear apart anything that dares to harm you.
So do you think Forestclan made the right choice by naming Falconstar the first leader? He is one of a few who has a heart of water. If you meet him, he will friendly, kind, and peaceful. He will welcome you into his home. Under his rule, you will be well taken care of. However, don't push this leader too far. He is fiercely loyal to his Clan, his family. When Forestclan chose him, Falconstar saw all of them as his family. Even Riverbreeze, the she-cat he had been at war with for moons. Lightningfur and his kits were family long before the white tom and Falconstar's sister became mates. That's just the way Falconstar rules those under him.
I know the question on your lips. I said that a cat isn't born with a heart of water. Such a thing is formed over time. So how did the silent, loving leader of Forestclan gain a heart of water? That is a good question. He was born with a quiet heart, one that peaceful. You may know that Bear was his father and Whisper was his mother. Both were peaceful and loving leaders of Falconstar's family. Bear had created a truce with Riverbreeze's father, Diamond, over a strip of land. Viper, Berrybranch's father, had created a pact with Bear that their sons would eventually honor. Viper and his family would leave every leafbare for land further south so that Bear's family could use the territory to survive. In all, Falconstar had watched his father end generations of war between the families. He grew up beside his sister in a loving home. Comet, his ancestor, had created a system of blood. This meant that when Bear passed on, Falconstar or Nightfur would become the new leader. Since he knew that his sister had no interest in being leader, Falconstar followed his father everywhere to watch and learn. His family tolerated his endless questions, especially his father. Though Bear was a loving father, he was also strict. Falconstar's curiosity made for an interesting debate inside the leader. Eventually his father got over it.
Many cats believe that Diamond or Viper had something to do with the attack. Nothing could ever be proven. Falconstar and his sister had been training for about a moon when it happened. Two cats were found on their border, starved and wounded. Bear immediately took them in. No cat would die on his watch. The cats thanked the family profusely when they left a few days later. If you ask, Falconstar will tell you the same story. He was sleeping peacefully, dreaming of the coming day when he would hunt with his father, when he heard rustling. Exiting his den, Falconstar saw the two cats they had rescued entering camp. Behind them was an army. Immediately he sounded the alarm. His peaceful home suddenly became a battlefield. He and Nightfur did their best to help but they knew little on fighting. Their mentors hid them in the bushes, telling them to guard the kits hidden there. It was from there that they watched.
Their mother, Whisper, was locked in combat with the she-cat they had rescued. Whisper had the advantage of combat knowledge. The rogue had knowledge in trickery. You can imagine who won the match. It pained Falconstar to watch the rogue she-cat cut his mother's throat. Then he heard yowling above him. Looking up, his eyes spotted the tom they had rescued fighting Bear in the trees. The two toms were exchanging blow after blow. Their fighting was too much for the tree branch. Falconstar watched in horror as it gave out beneath them. Bear managed to leap to another branch. His teeth seized ahold of the tom's scruff, saving the rogue as well. Falconstar knew his father would order the rogue to leave his territory. His father was just delivering the threat when the tom whipped around and kicked Bear in the chest. This time there was nothing to save his father. Bear hit the ground with a sickening thud. The rogues then fled from the forest.
So you see, Falconstar became the leader of his family when he was only eight moons old. He watched as the cats his parents saved turned on them. As I said, a bleeding heart often turns into a raging river. Falconstar swore over his parents' graves that he would guide his family like they did. His quiet nature became a solemn one. Rarely he raised his voice or unsheathed his claws. Those green eyes never stopped watching his family. He became adept at learning secrets. He learned to hate any sort of fighting. A war remains him of the night both his parents perished. The feeling of loss, the agony it brought, was something he never wanted to feel again unless it was the cat's time to join the stars. Falconstar made it a habit of leaving camp to "confess to the stars". It was the only way he ever felt close to his parents. It was the only time he felt he could spill the anger and pain in his heart.
Back to my earlier question: did Forestclan make the right decision? I see some of you nodding while others are hesitating. As a member of Starclan, I can see Falconstar's future. I knew the fire in the forest would change the pawsteps of every cat. What I never expected was how far Falconstar's future shifted. His future was supposed to be filled with peace, as a good leader's future should be. Now all Starclan can see is fire and blood. You want my opinion? I think Forestclan made the right decision. Though fire and blood light his future, I can see that Falconstar will remain strong. That is the benefit of having a heart of water. Water charts its own course through the world. It takes effort to make it move. That's how the first leader of Forestclan will be like. A raging flood that can't be moved or stopped, standing firm between any threat and his family.
You want to know if there is prophecy regarding Forestclan!? No. They are the cats who will start everything after into motion. There is no prophecy that can cover what they will do. The change will be too drastic. And yes, every cat has their own prophecy. However, it is up to the cats whether or not they will follow the path of the prophecy. You want to what the prophecy is for Falconstar? Very well, it won't hurt to tell it:
Water will become blood. Rain will turn to fire. When fire and blood rise, a falcon will cry with a strike of lightning.
Hope you like it! If you have any questions regarding a cat then let me know so I can ask it.
Previous: Prologue
Next: Lightningfur
