Okay, so this is an entry for Jeffery Dahmer's story, The Challenge.
I'm in the acknowledgements. (^u^)
i had one of those fangirl moments when i noticed
oh pfft it's all happened to us before
This short story is about Heronwing and Seedpaw-yes I am aware that she died.
But what happened if she didn't? It's mostly aimed on Heronwing, who has no Fanfiction's in my knowledge.
poor heron, unloved by the fandom
"Love recognizes no barriers.
It jumps hurdles, leaps fences,
penetrates walls to arrive at
its full destination of hope."
- Maya Angelou
"Let all of cats old enough to catch their own prey gather here under High Ledge!"
The dark gray and black tom limped out of the medicine cat den, his amber eyes dull with oblivious knowledge. The thorn wound in his paw was healing fast, but it was still painful to place weight on it. Keeping his pad from the ground, he watched as the tabby leader of ThunderClan leaped onto his perch. Although he wasn't a part of the group, he was still mildly interested in whatever news Bramblestar had to share with the felines.
The injured warrior settled at the edge of the den entrance, his eyes now fixed on the crowd that was gathering around. The dark brown tom that addressed his Clan flicked his tail for silence, sending a wave through them until everyone was hushed. Heronwing spotted the pale ginger apprentice standing at the fringe of the group, a deep red blush painted across her muzzle. Congratulations, he thought; she had earned her ceremony, especially since her training had been delayed.
"Today, Seedpaw has completed her assessment and has proved that she will be a loyal warrior to ThunderClan. From this day forward, you shall be known as Seedfire, for the flame in your heart that keeps you going despite any challenges in your way."
The newly-named warrior let Bramblestar rest his muzzle on her head, before licking his shoulder respectfully and bounding away. Cheers arose from the crowd, proudly chanting, "Seedfire! Seedfire! Seedfire! Seedfire!" Heronwing softly joined in, making sure his voice was barely audible for the closest cat to hear. After a stretch of time, the Clan leader dismissed the meeting, and he trudged back into the medicine cat den.
"Heronwing!"
He turned around to see Seedfire in front of him, a mouse dangling from her jaws. "Do you want to share?" The dark black tom was faintly aware that she was only doing it to be nice; no other of her Clan enjoyed his presence. Shrugging, he let her toss the prey between them and took the first bite. It was edible, a little too furry and tough, so he preferred the trouts and minnows at his home much more. The ginger she-cat began to dig in as well, her ears flattened against her head.
Why did she hate him?
Seedfire was embarrassed. Sharing a mouse with a cat from a different group? At least he wasn't a pain...not all the time anyway. This was her stupid punishment for sneaking out of camp and nearly drowning. She had to be friendly with a fish-smelling warrior. The tabby could only imagine the things her friends and the elders were saying behind her back. "Oh wow, she must be super happy." "I would hate to be in her paws."
As the prey was cleaning to the bone, she continued to speak with Heronwing, as Bramblestar had instructed her to do so. He was quiet and his timidness irritated her; how was she supposed to strike up a conversation if he barely replied. Well, if he hates me, I hate him. Frog-brain, she thought bitterly, beginning to groom her fur with a look of disgust on her muzzle. The new warrior cleaned her pelt, refusing to meet his gaze.
"Help! Help! D-Dogs!"
A black and brown tom burst into the camp, his amber eyes wide with terror. Spiderleg's paws wavered and he buckled to the ground. A nasty gash was ripped along his side, gushing blood onto the sandy camp ground. Beads of red liquid fell from his mouth as he groaned, "Coming this way...got Amber-" Multiple cats carried him away towards Seedfire, who ran outside to join the commotion and excitement.
"We will be ready when they arrive! ThunderClan will not be beaten by a couple of dogs..." Bramblestar's voice faded away as a group of six canines crashed through the thorn tunnel, a pale golden pelt dangling in one's mouth. Amberpaw, Seedfire thought in distress. Her best friend was dead, because of those monsters. A wave of pain ran through her and she raced towards them, claws sliding out of her paws. Her clanmates charged after her, all yowling for the intruders to leave.
The first few minutes were lively. Great even. She slashed along the muzzle of one dog and nipping at its ankles, managing to kill it with the assistance of Rosepetal, Ivypool, and Lionblaze. She was strong, until she felt fangs grab her by the scruff and lift her in the air. A moment later, she was being tossed to the side like a stick. Crashing on the rocky walls of the gorge with her vision glazed, a choke slipped from her throat as a giant black mutt hovered above her, panting blood from its victims. Seedfire closed her eyes as the predator closed in for the killing bite.
It never came.
Looking back up, she watched in horror as an injured black and gray tom lured the dog away, raking his claws down its muzzle every few seconds. Heronwing? The warrior limped from the thorn wound in his pad, barely dodging the batting paws of the canine. She coughed, rising back up and getting read to leap back into battle. She soon found out that she couldn't do it; a shot of agony was placed in her head and every step she took led to her falling over. All she could do was watch as the RiverClan warrior fought the black mutt. I'm useless. I can't just watch them here...
Luckily, it wasn't long until the fight was finished. Many were injured but cheered in victory despite their wounds and fresh scars. Seedfire glanced around for Heronwing, where was he? She let out a silent choke as she spotted his black and gray pelt spread across the floor of the camp, with nobody near him. Painfully dragging herself towards him, she breathed out a cry for blood spilled out of his neck, pooling around him like a halo. His amber eyes were just barely open and every time he tried to speak, red splattered by his mouth.
Seedfire's mind was broken. Not of physical pain, but also confusion. Searching for the right words, she wondered out loud, "Why?"
Heronwing's eyes were dull but she could see a small glint of light inside them, explaining almost everything instantly. No it couldn't be true...could it? She felt her heart shatter into pieces, regret and sorrow replacing her dislike for the tom. How could she have been so blind? Tears began to stream down her cheeks and she couldn't stop herself from crying like a kit. Each one fell onto his fur like dew and mixed into the blood that poured out of his fatal wound.
Coughing out red liquid drops, the young tom spoke softly, "It's what a true warrior does."
Before y'all start ranting about what a mean she-cat Seedfire is, she's actually not.
Since she already knew that forbidden relationships wouldn't work,
she tried to manipulate her mind into thinking that she didn't want him,
so she wouldn't be broken since they couldn't be together.
So after he sacrificed himself for her, she let all her emotions pour out:
her pain, her loss, her grief, everything really.
~o~
I am also extremely aware that in previous chapters, neither showed feeelings for the other.
This is because I wanted it to be more a shock for both of them at this final chapter.
So basically, I wanted neither of them to admit it.
~o~
It's up to you to decide if she:
- dies from her cracked head, and becomes mates with Heronwing in StarClan
- dies from her cracked head and doesn't become mates with Heronwing in StarClan
- lives from her head wound and never takes a mate
- lives from her head wound and takes another mate.
~o~
If you think that she does take a mate, whether it's Heronwing or not;
in the reviews comment you think it would be and what their kits would be named and look like :D
Thank you for reading!