An: Before I begin this story, all credit goes to Huntress of Sacred Dreams. She gave me this idea with her own story, Game of Blood: Crimson Moon. Meanwhile, it may seem I got the title for our villain from her name itself, I did not(for all of you who have read her stories), finding that in a book, named The Haunting of Gabriel Ashe. Since you happen to be reading my story, I highly suggest you read her stories. The sequel is beginning. Three Cheers for Huntress of Sacred Dreams!
"'There once were three Clans. They were some of the most powerful cats to roam the Earth.
One Clan was made up of large, strong cats with thick, golden manes. They were known as LionClan, the bravest, most compassionate cats.
Another Clan was made up of sleek, spotted cats with powerful legs. They were known as LeopardClan, the fastest, most agile cats known to the world.
Then there was TigerClan. Home of the cats with the darkest hearts and long black stripes like the jagged scars left from a war.
How did they get their stripes, you may wonder. Here is where I shall explain it all and tell you how the Clans died. The Forgotten Story.
"'Jealous of LionClan, with their flawless golden manes, and LeopardClan, with their black spotted legs, TigerClan attacked, on the moon of what was soon-to-be the last gathering. Of course, they were hopelessly outnumbered by the other two Clans, and were banished to live in the shadows for a moon. Festering in their rage, and jealousy, they lived in the shadows for their darkness for the appointed moon. When they came out, their once plain orange pelts sported long black stripes.
Little did the other Clans know, the cats of TigerClan had made a dangerous gamble. In exchange for their beloved stripes, they sold themselves into service of one called 'the Hunter'.
The reason for their stripes was eventually forgotten over many moons, the Clan thinking it was just the darkness that gave them their stripes. One day, the Hunter reappeared. "You have forgotten why I gave you those stripes. Nor do you give credit to my genius. They ooh and ahh, but there is not one thought to your creator, your saviour. I guarantee you will not forget again." Without another word, the Hunter left. One fortnight later, their leader was found, brutally murdered in his den. There was a crude letter written in his own blood. It was simply, an 'H'.
It meant everything to the Clan. The very next night, they called for a gathering. Whispering amongst themselves, the Clans watched the former deputy begin. "I see you have noticed our leader is missing. Though, unfortunately, he has not merely been stolen; he has died of a sudden illness. A band of rogues lie on our territory, feeding the evil disease. Their diseased stench is as powerful as they are. TigerClan?" He meowed, starting a process that brought the former leader's mangled body into the clearing. The other Clans gasped in horror.
One cat shouted out; "That is not the work of a cat, that is the work of a demon!"
"Nothing so drastic, I fear. But these cats dug up our leader and did this after he died. They may as well be demons themselves. We have heard plans of them separating to each of your territories as well. I ask you for your help in destroying these cats, and saving our home."
In the end, there were five from LionClan, four from LeopardClan, and four from TigerClan leading the battle. Though all of TigerClan came to fight what was to be one of the last battles, those Thirteen led.
They fought until they could no longer. But alas, that was the day the Clans fell."
Many, many seasons later, it is not remembered how the former Clans died out. Perhaps it was for the better, but I fear it was not. After all, if you can't remember your mistakes, you can't fix them. The Clans had fallen, their stories forgotten.
"And so the Game of Darkness began once more."