Warriors: The Power of One

by Strongheart the First

What if Crowfeather and Leafpool had stayed away? Join the four kits of Brambleclaw and Squirrelflight in an alternate version of the story. Full of suspense, drama, romance, action, and increasing tension. "The power of just One can change the future of many. One will come, out of fire and tiger, whose choice in the noise of thunder will determine the future of the clans."

14. Part 3 & Ch 13 The Warrior's Shock

Allegiances

ThunderClan

Leader-Firestar-ginger tom with a flame-colored pelt

Deputy-Brambleclaw-dark brown tabby tom with amber eyes

Medicine Cat-Brightheart-white she-cat with ginger patches

Apprentice, Molepaw

Apprentice, Nightpaw

Warriors-Graystripe-solid gray tom

Dustpelt-dark brown tabby tom

Sandstorm-pale ginger she-cat

Brackenfur-golden brown tabby tom

Apprentice, Sunpaw

Cloudtail-long-haired white tom

Apprentice, Cinderpaw

Thornclaw-golden brown tabby tom

Apprentice, Poppypaw

Ashfur-pale gray tom with darker flecks and dark blue eyes

Apprentice, Toadpaw

Brook-brown tabby she-cat with gray eyes, formerly of the Tribe of Rushing Water

Stormfur-dark gray tom, formerly of RiverClan, then the Tribe of Rushing Water

Apprentice, Runningpaw

Sorreltail-tortoiseshell-and-white she-cat with amber eyes

Apprentice, Silverpaw

Spiderleg-long-legged black tom with a brown belly and legs

Squirrelflight-dark ginger she-cat with green eyes

Apprentice, Thrushpaw

Whitewing-white she-cat with green eyes

Birchfall-light brown tabby tom

Berrynose-cream-colored tom with half a tail

Hazeltail-small gray-and-white she-cat

Mousewhisker-gray-and-white tom

Apprentices-Cinderpaw-gray tabby she-cat

Molepaw-dark gray tom, weak from sickness as a kit

Poppypaw-tortoiseshell she-cat

Nightpaw-black she-cat with blue eyes

Runningpaw-ginger tom with amber eyes

Sunpaw-dark ginger she-cat with green eyes

Toadpaw-dark brown tabby tom with amber eyes

Silverpaw-silver tabby she-cat with blue eyes

Thrushpaw-dark brown tabby tom with gray eyes

Queens-Ferncloud-pale gray she-cat with darker flecks and green eyes, mother of Dustpelt's kits: Foxkit (reddish tabby tom) and Icekit (white she-cat)

Daisy-cream-colored she-cat, former barn cat

Millie-silver tabby she-cat, former kittypet, expecting Graystripe's kits

Elders-Longtail-pale tabby tom, retired early due to blindness

Mousefur-small dusky-brown she-cat

ShadowClan

Leader-Blackstar-large white tom with huge black feet

Deputy-Russetfur-dark ginger she-cat

Medicine Cat-Littlecloud-very small tabby tom

Warriors-Oakfur-small brown tom

Apprentice, Olivepaw

Snaketail-dark brown tabby tom with a snake-like tail

Whitewater-long-furred white she-cat with one eye

Apprentice, Shrewpaw

Ratscar-brown tom with ugly scars

Apprentice, Redpaw

Swiftflight-pale gray she-cat

Cedarheart-dark gray tom

Rowanclaw-ginger tom

Crowfrost-black-and-white tom

Kinkfur- tabby she-cat with fur that sticks out at all angles

Nightwing-black she-cat, daughter of Nightpelt and Dawncloud

Smokefoot-black tom

Toadfoot-dark brown tom

Ivytail-tortoiseshell-and-white she-cat

Owlclaw-light brown tabby tom

Apprentices-Shrewpaw-gray she-cat with black feet

Olivepaw-black-and-white tom

Redpaw-ginger tabby tom

Queens-Tawnypelt-tortoiseshell she-cat with green eyes, formerly of ThunderClan, mother of Rowanclaw's kits: Dawnkit (gray she-cat), Flamekit (ginger tom), and Tigerkit (dark brown tabby tom)

Snowbird-pure white she-cat, daughter of Blackstar and Swiftflight, expecting Smokefoot's kits

Appleblossom-light brown tabby she-cat, mother of Oakfur's kits: Barkkit (dark brown tom), Hollykit (dark brown tabby she-cat), and Elderkit (dark gray tabby tom)

Elders-Boulder-very old gray tom, formerly a rogue

Tallpoppy-long-legged light brown tabby she-cat

WindClan

Leader-Onestar-brown tabby tom

Deputy-Ashfoot-gray she-cat

Medicine Cat-Barkface-brown tom

Apprentice, Kestrelpaw

Warriors-Webfoot-gray tabby tom

Tornear-tabby tom with a torn ear

Robinwing-light brown she-cat, Mudclaw's mate

Whitetail-small white she-cat

Apprentice, Fallowpaw

Runningbrook-light gray she-cat

Willowclaw-dark gray she-cat

Tawnyfur-tortoiseshell she-cat with large light brown patches

Apprentice, Heatherpaw

Emberfoot-gray tom with one dark foot

Antpelt-light brown tom with a white underbelly

Nightcloud-black she-cat

Weaselfur-ginger tom with white paws

Apprentice, Sootpaw

Owlfeather-light brown tabby tom

Apprentice, Sagepaw

Leaftail-dark brown tabby tom

Dewspots-splotched gray she-cat

Harespring-brown-and-white tom

Sunspot-tortoiseshell she-cat with a white chest

Apprentices-Heatherpaw-light brown tabby she-cat

Kestrelpaw-light brown tabby tom

Sootpaw-very dark gray tom

Fallowpaw-light brown she-cat

Sagepaw-light gray tom

Queens- Gorsetail-gray-and-white she-cat, mother of Weaselfur's kits: Sedgekit (light brown tabby she-cat), Swallowkit (dark gray she-cat), and Thistlekit (dark brown tabby tom)

Elders-Deadfoot-very old black tom with a twisted paw, former deputy

Morningflower-tortoiseshell she-cat

RiverClan

Leader-Leopardstar-spotted she-cat that resembles a leopard

Deputy-Mistyfoot-gray she-cat, half ThunderClan

Medicine Cat-Mothwing-dappled golden she-cat

Willowshine-gray tabby she-cat

Warriors-Blackclaw-smoky black tom

Mosspelt-tortoiseshell she-cat

Apprentice, Pebblepaw

Pinefur-short-furred brown tabby she-cat

Mintfur-gray tabby tom

Rainstorm-blue-gray tom, Mistyfoot's son

Reedwhisker-black tom, Mistyfoot's son

Hawkfrost-dark brown tom with a white underbelly and icy blue eyes

Otterheart-dark brown she-cat

Timberclaw-brown tabby tom

Heronflight-dark gray tabby tom

Voletooth-brown tabby tom

Apprentice, Minnowpaw

Duskshadow-dark brown tabby she-cat

Beechfur-light brown tom

Rippletail-dark gray tabby tom

Apprentices-Minnowpaw-black she-cat

Pebblepaw-gray tom

Queens-Dawnflower-pale gray she-cat, mother of Mintfur's kits: Copperkit (dark ginger she-cat), Nettlekit (gray tabby tom), and Robinkit (brown she-cat)

Graymist-gray she-cat, mother of Voletooth's kit: Mallowkit (light brown tabby tom)

Icewing-white she-cat with blue eyes, mother of Rainstorm's kits: Beetlekit (black-and-white tom), Grasskit (light brown tabby tom), and Petalkit (gray-and-white she-cat)

Dapplenose-spotted gray she-cat, expecting Rippletail's kits

Elders-Heavystep-large dark brown tabby tom

Swallowtail-dark brown tabby she-cat

Stonestream-gray tom

Other Characters

Smoky-gray-and-white tom who lives in the barn, Daisy's former mate

Floss-white she-cat who lives in the barn

Warriors: The Power of One: Part Three, Chapter Thirteen

"The Warrior's Shock"

Toadpaw had always known he would be a great warrior someday. A warrior capable of taking on any of the forest's beasts and the best warrior in any of the other clans. It was what he was born for. But today he was just tired.

Waking up for the dawn patrol had exhausted him. When the patrol had come back to camp, Toadpaw had been dismayed to come face to face with his mentor, Ashfur, who wanted him to come on a hunting patrol. After a long hunt, Ashfur had then insisted on battle training. Toadpaw felt as though he had been training for moons.

"Ashfur, when can we be done for today?" he asked tiredly.

Ashfur seemed annoyed, "When I say we're done, that's when. Do your tree jump move again. I want you to perfect that so we can teach the clan a new move."

Toadpaw had been climbing a tree a few days ago when a thought had occurred to him: What if he could jump on an enemy from above. If he could move quietly and quickly enough, and land in the right way, the enemy below would be completely defenseless to his attack. Ashfur had at first been afraid for Toadpaw's safety, but Toadpaw had promised not to jump from too high. After Toadpaw had proven that the move would work, Ashfur had been eager for Toadpaw to teach it to the rest of the clan.

"But I'm tired, Ashfur," Toadpaw whined. Just the thought of walking over to the tree made him want to lay down and sleep right where he stood.

Ashfur's nose flared. "I shouldn't have to tell you more than once," he warned.

Toadpaw sighed, and walked slowly over to the tree.

"Fine!" Ashfur fumed, "We're done for the day. Kit-acting cats like you are the reason I grow tired of this clan. It's no wonder you're lazy, considering who your mother and father are. I-I…" Suddenly Ashfur seemed to realize what he was saying.

Toadpaw felt his heart fall through his chest. How could his mentor say such things?

"I'm sorry, Toadpaw. Please forget everything I've said today. Let's head back to camp together. I'm not feeling very well," Ashfur stammered out.

Now that he mentioned it, Toadpaw could tell that Ashfur had seemed tense and on edge all day. He wasn't his usual calm, collected self. Toadpaw looked over to see Silverpaw and Poppypaw with their mentors staring at Toadpaw and Ashfur. Thankfully they were far enough away to not have heard any specifics of Ashfur's outburst. Ashfur explained to the other mentors that they were heading back early, and Toadpaw followed his mentor back to camp.

As they neared camp, Ashfur hesitated. "Toadpaw, I really am very sorry for how I acted today. Even though I am not feeling well today it was not fair to take that out on you."

"It's alright. Maybe you should go and see Brightheart," he suggested timidly.

Ashfur sighed. "I doubt that she would be able to do much for me."

Just then Toadpaw's father, Brambleclaw, walked out of the camp with a patrol. He approached his son and Ashfur. "Is everything alright?" he asked, noticing Ashfur's expression.

Toadpaw watched as Ashfur's face went from distant to rage, "I'm fine. And I don't need any help—Least of all from you." With that he stormed into camp.

Brambleclaw seemed as bewildered as Toadpaw felt. Before his father could ask, Toadpaw said, "Don't ask me, I have no idea."

After everything that had happened, Toadpaw just wanted to sleep. He went to the apprentice's den and almost as soon as he laid down, fell asleep.

He couldn't have slept very long, because it was still light outside when Thrushpaw woke him, and Toadpaw was still tired. Thrushpaw apologized and explained that Firestar had called a clan meeting.

As he wandered into the camp meeting, he sat next to Nightpaw and Thrushpaw. "What's the meeting for, Nightpaw?" he asked his sister.

"Are you serious?" she asked, "Did you sleep so long that you forgot tonight is the gathering?"

The gathering. Toadpaw had forgotten. Suddenly his exhaustion faded. The gathering meant he might be able to see Sunspot and Heatherpaw. As he listened to Firestar say who would be going to the gathering he listened eagerly for his name.

"I've decided that I will be going along with Brambleclaw, Brightheart, Graystripe, Dustpelt, Cloudtail, Sorreltail, Squirrelflight, Hazeltail, Silverpaw, Thrushpaw, Poppypaw, and Toadpaw." Firestar said.

At the sound of his name, Toadpaw mentally leapt for joy. Then he celebrated even more when he realized that Nightpaw's name had not been in Firestar's list. He would be able to talk to Sunspot without his sister breathing down his neck.

He looked over to his sister who was already looking at him. "You'd better stay out of trouble," she warned, giving him a stern yet slightly worried look.

"I will," Toadpaw promised.

Toadpaw waited anxiously until it was time for the gathering. He followed his clan to the island, and tried to distract himself by listening to Thrushpaw and Silverpaw's excited chattering.

When ThunderClan reached the island, all three other clans were already there. Toadpaw immediately began searching the crowd for Sunspot. He wandered aimlessly, saying hello to a couple cats who greeted him. He began to feel frustrated with his lack of findings. The leaders would begin speaking soon, so he would need to find her soon.

"Looking for someone?" asked a familiar voice.

Toadpaw turned around to find Heatherpaw speaking to him, a friendly teasing gleam in her eyes.

"She's not here tonight," Heatherpaw said. Toadpaw knew who Heatherpaw meant.

"Well at least you're here," Toadpaw mewed, "What's the new plan? When are we going to track down the badger?"

"Slow down, Toadpaw," Heatherpaw said, laughing slightly. "I didn't know you were so eager to go badger hunting. You sound like Sunspot."

Toadpaw took that as a compliment.

"Our plan right now is to go tomorrow night," Heatherpaw explained. "In a way it might have been best that we were delayed a moon. I'm going to be a warrior soon," Heatherpaw said proudly.

"So will my siblings and me," said Toadpaw, "Hopefully within the moon."

"That's great!" exclaimed Heatherpaw.

"But where should we meet you?" asked Toadpaw, back to the details of tomorrow night.

Heatherpaw explained that they would meet in the same place as they had last planned. "Do you think any of your siblings will come with you?" she asked.

Toadpaw had already thought about this. "I think I will only ask Sunpaw. She was the most eager to go last time, and Nightpaw will just try to stop us again. I think Runningpaw didn't really want to go anyway, and I'm afraid he would tell Nightpaw."

Toadpaw and Heatherpaw discussed their plans until the leaders began their addresses. Firestar and Blackstar both reported on the badgers driven from ThunderClan and ShadowClan territories, and the lost apprentices. WindClan gave their address, and RiverClan gave their address to close the gathering.

When Toadpaw scanned the crowd after the gathering, one cat caught his eye. It was a RiverClan tom. He a large brown tom. Something about him seemed familiar, but what it was Toadpaw couldn't place. While he was trying to figure out where he knew this cat from, the tom turned his gaze and met eye contact with Toadpaw. As soon as their eyes met, Toadpaw instantly remembered where he had seen this cat. It was Hawkfrost. He had been with Tigerstar in the dark forest.

Toadpaw's mind raced with questions, but he was unable to break eye contact with Hawkfrost. He felt a chill run from his nose to the tip of his tail. He had assumed that Hawkfrost was dead…after all he had been in the dark forest with Tigerstar. Then again Toadpaw and his siblings had been there, and they certainly weren't dead.

"Toadpaw?" Heatherpaw asked, slightly bewildered. "What are you staring at?"

Toadpaw was able to break eye contact finally, and he mewed "Nothing, sorry. What were you saying?"

Heatherpaw looked at him with skeptical concern, "I was just saying good-bye. WindClan is leaving."

"I think ThunderClan is as well," Toadpaw said, as he rushed toward his clanmates. "I'll see you tomorrow," he whispered before he ran away.

When he fell in beside Thrushpaw and Silverpaw, he looked behind and quickly scanned the crowd of cats. Though Hawkfrost had moved since he last saw him, he was still staring intently at Toadpaw. Toadpaw felt a chill go through him again, but turned around and went with his clan.

That night Toadpaw had thought he would have no trouble falling asleep. But every time he closed his eyes, Toadpaw pictured Hawkfrost's gaze. It was unnerving to think about what Hawkfrost's motives were. Why any cat would want to visit the dark forest and Tigerstar for that matter, was beyond Toadpaw. The only guess he had was that Tigerstar was training Hawkfrost to be a better warrior, like he had asked to do for Toadpaw and his siblings.

Toadpaw finally fell asleep by telling himself that there was no reason to believe that Hawkfrost meant him any harm. For all he knew Hawkfrost was simply a warrior training to be the best he could be who had a slight staring problem. He would need his rest if tomorrow night would be a success, so he forced himself to sleep.

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