Chapter 96: Tigerstar's Farce
The time of the Gathering was once again upon us, but it was the first time we'd be there without Bluestar, and it was the first time I'd be sitting with the deputies. I knew there'd be controversy given that both of Thunderclan's leader positions were filled by former kittypets, but I knew Firestar and I could deal with it once it became an issue. The real question would be what Tigerstar's reaction would be. On one paw, I'm almost positive Tigerstar still sees me as a viable ally. On the other, I'm a pretty obvious threat. It doesn't help that Firestar carries the ideals of Bluestar so blatantly. The moon shone brightly above us, and not even a whisp of a cloud was in the sky. Tonight will be one to remember.
We emerged into the Fourtrees clearing calmly, noting the presence of Windclan already present. We were a bit early. I moved to the deputy's position to overwatch the interactions. Ashfur had been briefed on how to gather information and what kind of words indicate a good conversation to eavesdrop on. Since I couldn't move freely anymore, he'd be my informant. After a moment, Deadfoot decided to speak up to me.
"Riverclan and Shadowclan seem to be running late. I also notice Bluestar doesn't seem to be present. Given that you are here, I unfortunately have to assume she passed on. You have my condolences." He mewed in a somewhat apologetic tone.
"Bluestar had a warrior's death. There was no shame in her demise. She died protecting her clan, and that is all that I'm willing to say." I answered aloofly.
It was then that Shadowclan and Riverclan made their appearance. The odd part was how both appeared at the same time. Usually, each clan comes in somewhere between ten to fifteen minutes apart. Riverclan and Shadowclan appeared together. On top of that, Leopardstar and Tigerstar appeared to be walking together. It made my skin crawl. Something had changed since the last time I went to Riverclan. Leopardstar looked, for lack of a better word, beaten. There was this aura of concession in her form. That fire she was so well known for, it just wasn't there. She leapt onto the Great Rock, seemingly wanting to end this quickly. Another oddity made itself known. There was no Stonefur, her deputy. Instead, the spot was blank. No cat sat in the Riverclan deputy position.
Tigerstar was soon upon the Great Rock as well. His impatience made itself known once again because he started the meeting immediately without giving the clans time to interact as was customary. "I see you've gained the title of leader Firestar. We all know what that must have meant. You have my sympathies." Tigerstar mewed, but his tone was tinged with a bit of giddiness. He wasn't sad in the slightest. In fact, he saw this as some kind of opportunity.
"I know Bluestar did not want to join our alliance during her time as leader, but I still remember what you said when you were but an apprentice. Why must the clans remain separated and not aid each other in times of hardship? I offer you now what you once saw as a way to better the forest. Join with us and make Tigerclan. We'll no longer squabble amongst ourselves. No more bloodshed and skirmishes will plague us because of border markings. Riverclan has already accepted my offer." Tigerstar tempted. It sounded good in theory, but as one who has lived as a human and is now a proud cat warrior, I know that these types of interactions are necessary for the clans to keep their autonomy and maintain the strength to repel foreign invaders.
Firestar seemed of like mind, making his position readily apparent. "Those may have been my thoughts at one point in time, but that was when I was but an apprentice. There have always been four clans!" Firestar announced. I winced, knowing that technically wasn't correct. Firestar continued. "We draw strength from our rivalries. We develop unique ways to live since we are all raised in wildly different places. Our ambitions, morals, and skills all differ drastically. Forcing us all to fit under one clan is not only an insult to Starclan, but it also disrespects all the efforts our cats, past, present, and future put into maintaining their clan's way of life. To put simply, I reject the very notion of this dark alliance you seek." Firestar answered vehemently.
Tigerstar sneered at Firestar's answer. He was clearly angry at it, but it was also obvious he was expecting it. Slowly Tigerstar turned to Tallstar. "And you?"
Tallstar scoffed, offended to have even been offered a chance at this unholy union. "You are a fool to even offer me the chance Tigerstar. I will answer you the same way I would any outsider. You will not get our territory. Every blade of grass, every whisker length, every breath of our Windclan air will be paid for in blood. If you plan to take us out, you better be ready to face the consequences." Tallstar growled in response.
"You'll regret this." Tigerstar hissed, immediately leaping down from the Great Rock.
"No. I don't think I ever will." Tallstar snapped back, causing Tigerstar to rumble with rage.
"Tigerclan. We're leaving." Tigerstar yowled, pulling all of Riverclan and Shadowclan away. I refuse to acknowledge this alleged Tigerclan. Knowing the nature of Tigerstar and the two clans he ruled, Tigerclan would not last long. Either there'd be a Riverclan coup eventually, or someone would come along and kill Tigerstar for good. They were only held together with fear.
Firestar almost made to leave himself before Tallstar stopped him. "We cannot trust Tigerstar to remain passive. As much as I hate to admit it, he's got us vastly outnumbered. Should Tigerstar come to attack either of our clans, I offer a temporary alliance. It will be only mutual defense, no sharing of territory. Is that agreeable?"
Firestar nodded resolutely. "I find those terms acceptable. Thunderclan vows to aid you should Windclan find itself attacked by Tigerclan. We will expect the same. I suggest we make arrangements to meet again to discuss strategy should the worst come to pass."
Tallstar nodded in agreement. "I am amenable to running some drills. It is an obvious case of when not if Tigerstar attacks."
As we began our trip home, I caught the tail end of a conversation between Cloudtail and Ashfur. "Can you believe Tigerstar had the gall to request that of us after what he did? 'Join with us and make Tigerclan.' What a bunch of utter mousedung!" Ashfur growled. The part that caught my attention was Ashfur's impersonation of Tigerstar. It was almost perfect. I actually stopped him to hear it again.
"Ashfur. I need you to do that voice again." I commanded with a bit of excitement.
"You mean the Tigerstar voice?" He questioned getting a firm confirmation from me. Ashfur sunk his voice and more gravelly to mimic Tigerstar. "How's this?" He mewed in the odd tone.
"Make it a bit more growly and pull it further back in your throat." I instructed.
Ashfur briefly toyed with his tone before committing himself to the character. "Kittypet." Ashfur growled. It was an almost one to one match to Tigerstar's voice. Oh, how I planned to abuse this.
"I think I've finally gotten a plan for how we'll get our revenge on Tigerstar, but it hinges on your ability to impersonate his voice. Practice it when you can. We'll strike in two days time." I mewed, drawing forth an evil grin on Ashfur's face. It would be disconcerting if that same wicked grin weren't plastered across mine as well.