Ah, Redtail. We all thought we knew his simple story, didn't we? Of course, it was all a lie—Oakheart didn't kill him, Tigerclaw did. But Redtail here is about to learn his life was a lie, too, not just his death...
Chapter Four: Redkit
In which Redtail learns of his true parentage while in StarClan, and is properly horrified
It wasn't Redtail's first day in StarClan; far from it, actually. He had learned about SkyClan long ago. He knew all sorts of StarClan secrets. He often spoke with the long-dead Bluestar, who was very influential in the council of starry cats.
He had a pretty good death. Most of his family was now dead with him—this was long after the Dark Forest War, even—and he could spend time with them, too. Really, he was just great.
He didn't want to know any horrible family secrets... but his parents didn't really care.
Swiftbreeze and Adderfang had been good parents, kind and loyal. Good role models. He had never doubted he was their son.
He should have.
When his parents came up to him one day, he assumed they had just come to talk and have fun. He welcomed them happily and inquired about their deaths, ignoring the worried looks on their faces.
"Mother, Father, are you doing well?" Redtail asked pleasantly.
"Well—" Swiftbreeze began.
Taking that as an answer, he said, "Oh that's lovely! Yeah, I'm doing great to. Have you—"
He was interrupted by his father, Adderfang.
"Son, we have something important to tell you," the dark tabby tom said gravely.
Redtail blinked, confused. "What?" he asked, not very curious. (They never really are.)
"Son..." Swiftbreeze paused. "Redtail, you aren't actually our son."
"I-I'm adopted?" Redtail stammered, shocked.
"Well... not really," Adderfang admitted. "You see, a long time ago, we became involved in an underground society called WeaselClan, and—"
"WeaselClan?" Redtail asked incredulously. "Are you guys crazy?"
"We were back then," Swiftbreeze muttered. "We joined WeaselClan, and, well... we kidnapped you from a kittypet, so your sisters could have a brother."
"You what?!" Redtail shouted. "But—I'm not Clan born? I'm—I'm a kittypet?"
"No, you're a warrior, but you weren't born one," Adderfang explained.
"UGH! GO AWAY!" Redtail shouted. "I HATE YOU! I DON'T WANT TO TALK TO YOU ANYMORE!" He stormed away, leaving his parents alone.
Swiftbreeze frowned. "Well, he didn't take that well at all."
"No," Adderfang agreed. "He's acting like an apprentice." He paused. "Should we tell him that he's related to Scourge, too?"
"Maybe next week," Swiftbreeze said, sighing. "I don't think he can handle it right now."