Chapter Sixteen

Falling Tiger

We ended up staying with the clan for a moon. After that, there was nothing else to learn. There was hardly anything to learn in the first place. Tigerstar and Scourge were very similar, ruling their 'clans' with fear and violence. I couldn't stand being around either cat. And I knew that TigerClan was not run like a proper clan. Fox wasn't convinced, but I was sure.

So we went back to the twolegplace, to report to Scourge what we had learned. We snuck away while on a hunting patrol, so that we would time to escape before any cat would notice. We waited a few days before reporting to Scourge, since I needed a break of overbearing cats. After we made our report – Tigerstar was a violent leader who didn't have many cats who were truly loyal – Scourge made a plan.

(***)

We were hiding in the bushes, while Tigerstar and his clan were confronting another group of clans. Scourge was sitting near me and Fox, meowing quietly to Bone. He was clearly unhappy with the way we were being treated. We were waiting for a signal from the white tom with black paws, Blackfoot.

And we finally got to show ourselves.

Most of the cats had prepared for the battle, wearing their teeth filled collars, and enforcing their claws. It all seemed stupid to me. Fox and I went without. We were better fighters than many of the BloodClan cats, anyway.

(***)

Scourge led us into the clearing, where we surrounded TigerClan. Fox and I hid ourselves in the middle of our group, so that none of the TigerClan cats would see us. Bone moved to the front, to stand beside Tigerstar. He was probably pretending to be the leader, he definitely looked more the part. But then Scourge fell into place on Tigerstar's other side.

"So, Tigerstar. Do you want to tell us who your new friends are?" meowed the red tabby who was the leader of the other clans.

"This is BloodClan. They come from Twolegplace. I have brought them to the forest to persuade you foolish cats to join with me. I knew you wouldn't have the sense to agree on your own." Tigerstar explained. I couldn't blame the red tabby for not agreeing with Tigerstar, I centainly never would. Tigerstar continued, "You see, Firestar? I am even more powerful than StarClan, for I have changed the Clans in the forest from four to two. TigerClan and BloodClan will rule together."

"No, Tigerstar. If you want to fight, let us fight. StarClan will show who is more powerful."

"You mouse-brained fool! I was prepared to come here and talk with you today." No one was believing that line. Tigerstar was a mouse brained fool, as far as I was concerned. "Just remember that is was you who drove us to this. And when your clans mates are dying around you, they will blame you with their last breath." He turned to face us. "BloodClan, attack!"

Of course, none of us moved. Most were wearing for orders from Scourge. I just didn't feel like listening to any cat who thought he could control me.

Scourge took a step forward. "I am Scourge, the leader of BloodClan. Tigerstar, my warriors are not yours to command. They will attack when I tell them, and not before."

The red tabby moved forward to stand in front of Scourge, Bone and Tigerstar. "Greetings, Scourge. I am Firestar, leader of ThunderClan. I wish I could say you are welcome in the forest. But you would not believe me if I did, and I have no wish to lie to you. Unlike your supposed ally here, I am a cat of honor. If you've believed any promises he made to you, you're mistaken."

He carried on to explain Tigerstar's past, but I didn't care to listen closely. I was looking over all the cats on the red tabby's side of the clearing, wondering if I'd have to kill any of them. Wondering which ones I should be cautious of. I didn't comprehend a word from the three leaders until Tigerstar loudly yowled "Traitor!" That grabbed the attention of every cat. And then he leapt.

It was a suicidal move. Any smarter cat would have realized that Scourge was prepared for such an action, and knew how to respond. Scourge moved to the side and batted at the larger cat's shoulder, which set him off balance. Then, with a vicious rip, he tore the cat open.

Tigerstar fell to the ground with a horrible cry of pain and fury. Then something happened, and I couldn't be sure what. It looked as though the cat died multiple times. But such a thing couldn't happen, surely? However, that's what it looked like. He would shake and tremble, then grow still. Then start again, in a seeming endless cycle. When finally the cat grew still for the last time, even I felt shaken by the sight. And I hadn't care for the tabby at all. Fox had pressed closer to my side during the spectacle, and I knew he felt the same way I did. Scourge was the only cat who seemed unaffected, and though I was supposed to respect him for it, I only felt contempt.

A slight signal from Bone cause all of the BloodClan cats to take a step forward, to seem threatening. Fox and I only moved because the cats behind us pushed us forward. I hissed angrily and the tom who had nudged me, and he lowered his head slightly. Satisfied, I turned back to watch what was going on.

"You see what happens to cats who defy BloodClan," Scourge meowed. "Your friend here thought he could control us. He was wrong."

"We don't want to control you," the red tabby meowed. I decided that I liked him. Or, at least, didn't dislike him as much as I disliked the other clan leaders I'd met. "All we want is to lead our lives in peace. We're sorry that Tigerstar brought you here with lies. Please feel free to hunt before you go home."

"Go home? We're not going anywhere, forest fool. In the town where we come from, there are many, many cats, and live prey is scarce. Here in the forest we won't need to depend on Twoleg rubbish for our food. We are taking over this territory now. I shall rule the forest as well as the town. But I understand that you may need some time to reflect on this. You have three days to leave – or meet my Clan in battle. I shall wait for your decision at dawn on the fourth day."

That was what we left the red tabby to think about.

Disclaimer: Again, I quote a lot from the book 'The Darkest Hour' ~Capitaine Jaf