A Warriors Carol
A Parody of Charles Dickens "A Christmas Carol"
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Tigerclaw sat outside the warriors den. He huffed as the kits roughhoused by throwing tiny chunks of ice that broke on impact and sliding down hills of white snow.
"Kits and their shenanigans. When I was young, if I roughhoused, I got a good scolding by my mother," muttered Tigerclaw, shuffling among the heavy snow, compacted down by paw prints of the in-going ThunderClan cats.
"Tigerclaw, over here. I want you to lead a hunting patrol. The fresh-kill pile is very low. Please pick your cats going with you," explained a cat.
Tigerclaw glanced over his shoulder to see Redtail, ThunderClan's own deputy.
He snuffed and slowly got up from his spot, padding over to his, rather, current love interest, Goldenflower.
"Oh, hi Tigerclaw! What do you need?" the beautiful pale ginger she-cat asked.
"Redtail asked me to lead a hunting patrol. Will you and Darkstripe to come with me," he said to her.
"Of course he asked you to lead a patrol. Well, I'll go and see Darkstripe. You can wait outside," Goldenflower mewed.
Tigerclaw nodded his head a as he saw her quickly pad off to where the black-and-gray tom sat beside Longtail.
He turned away and raced toward the brambles. After he left, Ravenpaw slowly slid over to where the kits slid down the icy hill.
"Hey, Ravenpaw! What to join?" asked one of the kits.
"Uh...sure," he mewed in reply.
Ravenpaw gripped the small ledges and heaved himself on the flat center of the slide.
"Okay, I can do this. It's just a-"
He let out a yowl as one of the kits pushed him of the platform, sending him down the cold slide on his hind-quarters.
Shaking, he heaved himself up from the pile of snow he landed safely on. The kits raced toward him.
"That was awesome Ravenpaw!" one of the kits mewled.
All of them agreed with the young kit who spoke up. Ravenpaw chuckled as they dragged him of to StarClan only knows where.
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Meanwhile, Tigerclaw and Goldenflower were chatting with each other while Darkstripe chased after a high-flying crow.
"So, are you glad that the kits are having so much fun?" questioned Goldenflower, glancing over where a few weeds grew.
"More like fighting. They're supposed to be hurting their enemies, not each other!" growled Tigerclaw.
Goldenflower groaned and replied, "Seriously Tigerclaw. They're just play-fighting. PLAY-fighting. Just a little fun."
"Yeah. Let's just murder each and every cat and call that play-killing," Tigerclaw complained.
"Tigerclaw!" Goldenflower hissed. "Come on, it's almost the time to thank StarClan for our territory and this is how you respect them? Disrespectful."
"Ah, humvole!" Tigerclaw spat.
Goldenflower gasped and then glared at him.
"How can you say that?" she retorted.
Before saying something back at her, Tigerclaw saw her whip around and go back into the bushes. Darkstripe just emerged of the bushes, carrying a dead crow, as Goldenflower pushed him out of the way to let herself be swallowed by the darkness of the forest.
Darkstripe turned his attention to Tigerclaw. "What's her problem?" he asked.
Tigerclaw just sighed and replied, "Nothing. We still need some more prey. Let's search over there." He pointed over to where a crevice of a rock sat.
Darkstripe nodded and followed him into the bushes. But Tigerclaw still found Goldenflower's disapproving look following him every step.
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The senior dark-brown tom arrived back at the ThunderClan camp just when another hunting patrol went by the two cats.
They both went over toward the miniature pile of fresh-kill and dropped a decent amount of prey.
"Darkstripe and Tigerclaw, both of you can get some rest," meowed Redtail as he came from behind.
Both nodded and headed to the welcoming sight.
Tigerclaw's ear twitched as he heard what sounded like a yowl. Suddenly, out of nowhere, Ravenpaw landed on Tigerclaw, sending him down with a puff and knocking his breath away.
"Ravenpaw! Get away from me, you mousebrain dolt!" hissed Tigerclaw, throwing off Ravenpaw from his back from his black scruff.
Immediately, Spottedleaf raced over and put her tail gently, then whirling around and glared at the brown tom.
"What was that, Tigerclaw? You could've broke one of Ravenpaw's hind-legs with that force," scolded the tortoiseshell medicine cat.
"That fox-dung of a cat could have broke one of my ribs!" retorted Tigerclaw.
Bluestar padded over with Redtail and Mousefur flaking her sides.
"What is the meaning of this?" questioned Blustar, her pelt shining brightly among the hard-packed snow.
Spottedleaf was about to answer, but Tigerclaw interrupted. "Bluestar, Ravenpaw landed on me out of nowhere. Give him a punishment for it."
Redtail stood between the gray she-cat and the brown tom. "You have no authority to speak like that way to your own leader," calmly meowed Redtail.
Bluestar laid her tail on Redtail's shoulder. "It is quite fine Redtail. Now, Tigerclaw, we mustn't skip to conclusions. We can not punish a cat for a crime that did not cause hurt to anyone," replied Bluestar.
"Bu-"
Bluestar held her tail up for a sign for silence. She locked her bright blue eyes with his amber ones. "No buts, Tigerclaw. Just look at Ravenpaw. He was just having fun with the kits," Bluestar meowed, pointing a forepaw in the direction of the young black-and-white apprentice.
Tigerclaw whirled around to find Ravenpaw, shuttering and staring at him while hiding behind Spottedleaf.
Tigerclaw snarled at this. He stamped over to the warriors den, ignoring that he ran straight into the thorny brambles of the den. He tugged at them, and after a few seconds of pulling, he finally got inside. He curled around his nest and took a final glance outside. Every cat recovered from his snap and continued doing their duties today. A faint orange light spilled among the bramble den. Tigerclaw could barely see the sun slowly going down the horizon. Finally, Tigerclaw fell into a deep sleep.
He woke up in a dark place, blacker than midnight in leaf-bare.
'Where am I?' thought Tigerclaw to himself.
Just of a sudden, he felt something soft on his rough pads. He looked down to find a beautiful patch of grass sprouting among him. Tigerclaw observed as the surrounding changed suddenly turned to the ThunderClan camp, but it was more younger.
"Greetings, Tigerclaw. I was worried you couldn't make it," a voice mewed.
Tigerclaw turned around to find a reddish-brown tom with crisscrossed scars on the ridge of his nose.
"Pinestar..." Tigerclaw breathed.
"Listen, Tigerclaw. I came to give you an important message from StarClan," explained Pinestar.
"Why should I listen to a traitorous kittypet? You betrayed your Clan and me, your son! You don't deserve to join the holy ranks of StarClan!" hissed Tigerclaw, taking a step back and claws unsheathed.
"Its okay, son, if you hate me right now, but please listen. I didn't come down here to quarrel with you," Tigerclaw's father, Pinestar, soothed.
Tigerclaw let his hackles sit down, but still had his claws unsheathed.
"What have you got to message me about?" asked Tigerclaw.
"Well, lets find out, shall we?" answered Pinestar.
Before Tigerclaw could retort, Pinestar's eyes shone until the whole camp was surrounded in a blinding light. Tigerclaw held up his tail to block the light. After opening his eyes, he suddenly saw a gigantic tree that was glittering with warmth. Suddenly, Tigerclaw remembered this place. It looked just like the ThunderClan camp, but more older.
"T-this is the ThunderClan camp when I was just a kit," Tigerclaw mewed to himself.
"You are correct, my son. It is when you was just a kit, and me before I decided to break the path of a warrior and become a kittypet," answered Pinestar, padding up to stand beside him.
Tigerclaw did not answer for he was observing the old camp. Cats woke up to find the glistening snow. Apprentices and elder kits danced around the clearing, tossing snow around at each other.
"Ah, I see that you are interested as much as any cat. Come, we must continue."
Pinestar curled his tail around his senior son's other tabby tail, and made his way toward a bush that was surrounded by brambles, which was the nursery that held nursing queens and their kits. Tigerclaw flinched as his father fazed through the passing cats. When Pinestar reached the threshold of the nursery, he glanced over his shoulder.
"Well, are you coming or are you just going to gawk like a badger in sunlight?" Pinestar taunted to Tigerclaw.
Tigerclaw sighed and padded over to his ghostly father, binding around the unaware felines. Finally, he reached his goal. Tigerclaw sniffed and smelled a aroma of milk, mewling kits, and a familiar chuckle coming from the inside of the nursery. Pinestar flicked his ears and invited himself in. Tigerclaw followed, hastily going through the bramble as the sounds grew louder. He finally pushed himself through to find his mother, a sleek, mottled black she-cat, and his father gathered around three squirming kits.
"Leopardfoot," Tigerclaw breathed under his breath.
"Yes, and you, Mistkit, and Nightkit. You three was our gifts to us on the day where we thank StarClan for everything," his father explained.
Mistkit, a young and fragile gray she-kit, mewled for food. Tigerclaw drew back as he felt small tears leak from his eyes. His two sisters died in under a moon, due to a illness. His heart ached to just lick them on the head and say that everything is going to be fine, but he remembered that this is just a dream. The scene faded and found himself in the place where Pinestar and him met.
"You see, Tigerclaw? I am your spirit of StarClan's past. I want you to know to show kindness on this wonderful day. Now, it is my time to leave. The next spirit will be here soon," Pinestar quickly explained.
Even though Pinestar betrayed the Clan by becoming a kittypet, part of Tigerclaw's heart longed to say that he loved him, but never came.
Pinestar nodded and raised his tail up high. Before the tabby tom could reply what his father was doing, he suddenly felt the firm ground at his paws fell away, leaving a deep abyss. Tigerclaw gasped in surprise as he fell down, darkness enveloping his vision.
Tigerclaw awakened, shaking off the drowsiness. His amber eyes searched around the area, waiting for another ghostly cat float up to him. Instead, a tiny golden flower sprouted up beside his swishing tail.
"Hmm?" Tigerclaw turned around and sniffed the beautiful plant. Its scent reminded him a lot about one of his Clanmates. "Goldenflower," he whispered to himself.
"Correct, Tigerclaw!" a soothing, but booming voice sounded in front of him.
He whirled around to find another shining ghost, a she-cat to be exact, staring back at him with caring eyes.
"Hello again, friend," she meowed to Tigerclaw.
The she-cat had a pale ginger pelt that reminded him of Goldenflower.
"Goldenflower, what happened to you?" he asked to the ghostly presence of his friend.
"Nothing!" she replied. "I'm merely a figment of your mind, but also a part of your good self-conscious, like Pinestar."
Tigerclaw nodded. It was rather weird to be talking to his own mind, but hey! Anything can happen nowadays.
"So, shall we get started?" Goldenflower questioned to the tabby tom.
Before Tigerclaw could answer, Goldenflower planted a mischievous grin on her face and shut her eyes quickly. A yellowish-golden light filled the dark space, teleporting the mind spirit of Goldenflower and Tigerclaw.
When Tigerclaw opened his dark amber eyes he found himself in the ThunderClan camp, but a crowd had gathered there. They gasped and some even cried. Goldenflower padded beside Tigerclaw and looked down as well.
"What are they doing? Are they having a Clan meeting?" he asked to Goldenflower.
She shook her head and replied, "No, they are banning some cat that has helped them many times in battles. Let's go and check. Tell me when you're ready."
Tigerclaw sighed and smelled himself. There was a faint whiff of fear of what will be waiting for him and Goldenflower down there. He exhaled and nodded.
Goldenflower nodded in agreement and swiftly whipped her tail. The crowd seemed to thin as Tigerclaw's aroma immediately smelt of more fear and surprise. Standing under the Highrock, he was bruised, scars lining everywhere on his bloody body. Future Tigerclaw's mouth was drew back in a vicious snarl. Beside the future him was a bright ginger tom, his well-groomed pelt messy from a supposed fight that was about a few minutes ago. His green eyes stared harshly at the accused Tigerclaw, flaming with pure hatred as much as his fire-colored fur in sunlight. On the very top was Bluestar, but looked more like a traumatized kit more than a courageous and generous leader. But the gray she-cat's aqua blue eyes was swimming with hatred, much like the ginger toms.
"Tigerclaw, for betraying your Clan and almost slaughtering your own leader, you are hereby banished from ThunderClan. If we see you on our territory again, we will show no mercy," Bluestar boomed.
Tigerclaw( future) snuffed and growled to the Clan, "Fine, but my followers will always be loyal to me. Longtail, come."
He padded over to the entrance and glanced over his shoulder. The pale warrior did not move.
"Okay, have it your way. Darkstripe? Dustpelt? Anyone?"
No cats came up to him. Tigerclaw's amber eyes flashed with surprise before returning back to a vicious state.
"Alright, fine then. All of you are backstabbers! I'll be back, and when I do, I'll personally murder each one of you!"
He growled and looked over to the ginger tom.
"Especially you, kittypet," he growled before turning back and sliding through the ThunderClan entrance for the final time.
The scene faded away with only a emotionless spirit and a surprised warrior in a black place.
"So, Tigerclaw, now it is my turn to give you a present. I give you protection among your Clan, for I am your spirit of StarClan's present. I understand, this is rather shocking, but I must go now. The last spirit is waiting," Goldenflower meowed unexpectedly.
Tigerclaw nodded. It was so difficult to handle all of this. Would this soon be his own destiny, having to be banished from his Clan forever? He suddenly felt drowsy all of the sudden. He laid down of his belly and set his head on his massive paws. Blackness, yet again, covered his vision and fell into a slumber.
The warrior's ear twitched as he, yet again, awakened for the third time. His lifted his tabby body up and scanned the area. Instantly, a wave of fear and excitement filled the breeze.
"Ugh, who's making that smell?" questioned Tigerclaw to no one in particular.
"Much more cats then you think, Tigerclaw," a cold voice answered.
Tigerclaw was used to the voices that seemingly appeared out of nowhere, but this cat's voice seemed not caring for anyone. It was filled to the brim with hatred, like the ginger tom's sight before.
He circled around to find an unfamiliar tabby tom glaring at him with cold dead amber eyes. Unlike the others, he seemed most dead of all of the three.
"So, Tigerclaw, you're supposed to be my father, eh? You look more pathetic than I thought. Goes to show that once you live a Clan, you become even more disgusting than a badger and fox mixed!" hissed the ghost.
This hit a nerve. No one called him pathetic! But at the same time, he was actually curious. What did he mean by father, and is the vision before actually true?
"Why did you call me your father?" Tigerclaw asked, trying desperately to keep his tone polite. The ghostly cat did look like the younger, spitting image of himself.
The feline hesitated before answering, "I will be your future son in ThunderClan. Now, stop blurting out questions. Let's get this over with so I can sulk in the back of your head," the ghostly cat sulked.
The blackness faded away, but the peacefulness of the space was replaced by yowls and snarls of cats. It took place at Fourtrees, the clouds gray and the sky promising a hard storm. Two gigantic groups were at the opposite sides of each other, an occasional unsheathed paw trying to grab a hair on one of their other enemy's pelt. What shocked him most was that, on one side, was the ginger tom standing beside Tallstar. On the other, was himself with Leopardfur, but she looked more than a leader than a deputy, and Blackfoot, also looking like a leader. He looked bloodthirsty than anything Tigerclaw had ever noticed. A lean, short black cat with one white paw, sharp claws unsheathed, and a purple collar pinned with dog teeth and dried blood stains covered it.
"This is you, Tigerclaw. Bask in your amazing transformation of a loyal and noble ThunderClan warrior to a bloodthirsty ShadowClan leader that wants revenge," Tigerclaw's son taunted.
Tigerclaw was too attached to the scene to notice his future son's comment. How...how could he be so evil that he would organize his own Clan and try to fight the other.
"Looks like your against us, Firestar. Its finally time for the final showdown that I've been anxiously waiting for so long. Now, get ready for your doom! Attack!" shouted out the tyrant Tigerclaw.
No cat moved a mouse-length. The future Tigerclaw glanced around, wariness appearing in his amber eyes.
"My Clan does not attack without my order, Tigerstar," the black cat meowed, padding up beside the tabby tom.
Tigerstar whipped around to face the emotionless coal-black cat. This seemed to have ticked off Tigerstar.
"How DARE you say that? This is MY Clan! I
made it! I shaped it! You have no right to say that to your new leader!" he yowled, swiping his paws. The black cat was swift, dodging every attack. He reared up and leaped at the lean feline. He ducked out of the way and rolled onto his back. Tigerstar's belly was in clear view.
Tigerclaw looked away and clenched his eyes tight shut. He could hear his painful yowling and shredding flesh. A long silence filled the air. Suddenly, a sickening sliding sound of sorts and a squishing sound replaced the quiet stillness of the air.
Tigerclaw weakly opened his amber eyes and immediately regretted that decision. There he was, standing still. A long, bloody scar ran deep along his belly. His entrails were spilled out, along with a couple showing ribs. His bloodthirsty amber eyes were now glazed with death as he slowly toppled over, entrails and tissues finally disconnecting with their body.
Tigerclaw gagged, trying to hold back vomit while his son was gasping for air after laughing. After holding back his vomit, he glared at his son.
"Why are you laughing about this? Your dad just DIED and you're cackling about it!" Tigerclaw hissed.
His tabby son stopped cackling. Tigerclaw gulped as his son turned around, an insane smile planted on his face. His son got up and slowly padded to him. His claws were unsheathed and teeth bared. Tigerclaw backed away as his son transformed into Tigerstar. Suddenly, his used-to-be ghostly son lunged at him. It was a tabby blur as the scene turned to a gory forest. Trees were red with blood and skeletons of cats surrounded the entire forest. Tigerclaw suddenly felt the ground disappear. After twirling around, Tigerstar sunk his claws onto Tigerclaw's paws.
Tigerstar leaned in close and whispered in Tigerclaw's ears.
"I am Brambleclaw, your future son and your StarClan's Spirit of the Future. Make this image remain in your head for all eternity, Tigerclaw, till your own flesh melts away into nothing. I come here to bring you the gift of weariness and wisdom, knowing what will come if you don't listen carefully to StarClan. Goodbye and may we NEVER meet again!"
Brambleclaw let go of Tigerclaw's paws. Tigerclaw yowled for StarClan as he fell down into the darkness of the pit.
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Tigerclaw awoke with a start. The sun filtered through the brambles. He quickly got up and looked around with frightened eyes. The vision of his own guts gushing out haunted him. He pushed through the bracken and found many kits playing around and cats, seemingly, praying to StarClan. Goldenflower pushed through the entrance of the camp and glanced at Tigerclaw. He ran toward her and started to spill out his dream.
"Listen, Goldenflower, I'm so sorry about yesterday. I was wrong, okay? I had this weird dream last night," he explained.
Goldenflower looked at him for awhile until she spoke. "I understand, Tigerclaw. You were stressed about the kits. You're just trying to look after them," she purred.
Tigerclaw nodded as she pressed her flank against his. But one thought raced in his head. Was the vision actually real? And when will it happen if so? Pushing the questions away, he smiled gently and accepted the comfort of Goldenflower, as snowflakes slowly fell down from the gray sky.
The End
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Hi guys. Sorry, kinda in a rush. But happy Christmas Eve! Did your stomach turn in the last paragraph :P. Anyways, comment down below. Yet again, happy Christmas Eve! Bye!
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Disclaimer
Warriors Cats(c) Erin Hunter
Christmas Carol(c) Charles Dickens
A Parody of Charles Dickens "A Christmas Carol"
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Tigerclaw sat outside the warriors den. He huffed as the kits roughhoused by throwing tiny chunks of ice that broke on impact and sliding down hills of white snow.
"Kits and their shenanigans. When I was young, if I roughhoused, I got a good scolding by my mother," muttered Tigerclaw, shuffling among the heavy snow, compacted down by paw prints of the in-going ThunderClan cats.
"Tigerclaw, over here. I want you to lead a hunting patrol. The fresh-kill pile is very low. Please pick your cats going with you," explained a cat.
Tigerclaw glanced over his shoulder to see Redtail, ThunderClan's own deputy.
He snuffed and slowly got up from his spot, padding over to his, rather, current love interest, Goldenflower.
"Oh, hi Tigerclaw! What do you need?" the beautiful pale ginger she-cat asked.
"Redtail asked me to lead a hunting patrol. Will you and Darkstripe to come with me," he said to her.
"Of course he asked you to lead a patrol. Well, I'll go and see Darkstripe. You can wait outside," Goldenflower mewed.
Tigerclaw nodded his head a as he saw her quickly pad off to where the black-and-gray tom sat beside Longtail.
He turned away and raced toward the brambles. After he left, Ravenpaw slowly slid over to where the kits slid down the icy hill.
"Hey, Ravenpaw! What to join?" asked one of the kits.
"Uh...sure," he mewed in reply.
Ravenpaw gripped the small ledges and heaved himself on the flat center of the slide.
"Okay, I can do this. It's just a-"
He let out a yowl as one of the kits pushed him of the platform, sending him down the cold slide on his hind-quarters.
Shaking, he heaved himself up from the pile of snow he landed safely on. The kits raced toward him.
"That was awesome Ravenpaw!" one of the kits mewled.
All of them agreed with the young kit who spoke up. Ravenpaw chuckled as they dragged him of to StarClan only knows where.
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Meanwhile, Tigerclaw and Goldenflower were chatting with each other while Darkstripe chased after a high-flying crow.
"So, are you glad that the kits are having so much fun?" questioned Goldenflower, glancing over where a few weeds grew.
"More like fighting. They're supposed to be hurting their enemies, not each other!" growled Tigerclaw.
Goldenflower groaned and replied, "Seriously Tigerclaw. They're just play-fighting. PLAY-fighting. Just a little fun."
"Yeah. Let's just murder each and every cat and call that play-killing," Tigerclaw complained.
"Tigerclaw!" Goldenflower hissed. "Come on, it's almost the time to thank StarClan for our territory and this is how you respect them? Disrespectful."
"Ah, humvole!" Tigerclaw spat.
Goldenflower gasped and then glared at him.
"How can you say that?" she retorted.
Before saying something back at her, Tigerclaw saw her whip around and go back into the bushes. Darkstripe just emerged of the bushes, carrying a dead crow, as Goldenflower pushed him out of the way to let herself be swallowed by the darkness of the forest.
Darkstripe turned his attention to Tigerclaw. "What's her problem?" he asked.
Tigerclaw just sighed and replied, "Nothing. We still need some more prey. Let's search over there." He pointed over to where a crevice of a rock sat.
Darkstripe nodded and followed him into the bushes. But Tigerclaw still found Goldenflower's disapproving look following him every step.
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The senior dark-brown tom arrived back at the ThunderClan camp just when another hunting patrol went by the two cats.
They both went over toward the miniature pile of fresh-kill and dropped a decent amount of prey.
"Darkstripe and Tigerclaw, both of you can get some rest," meowed Redtail as he came from behind.
Both nodded and headed to the welcoming sight.
Tigerclaw's ear twitched as he heard what sounded like a yowl. Suddenly, out of nowhere, Ravenpaw landed on Tigerclaw, sending him down with a puff and knocking his breath away.
"Ravenpaw! Get away from me, you mousebrain dolt!" hissed Tigerclaw, throwing off Ravenpaw from his back from his black scruff.
Immediately, Spottedleaf raced over and put her tail gently, then whirling around and glared at the brown tom.
"What was that, Tigerclaw? You could've broke one of Ravenpaw's hind-legs with that force," scolded the tortoiseshell medicine cat.
"That fox-dung of a cat could have broke one of my ribs!" retorted Tigerclaw.
Bluestar padded over with Redtail and Mousefur flaking her sides.
"What is the meaning of this?" questioned Blustar, her pelt shining brightly among the hard-packed snow.
Spottedleaf was about to answer, but Tigerclaw interrupted. "Bluestar, Ravenpaw landed on me out of nowhere. Give him a punishment for it."
Redtail stood between the gray she-cat and the brown tom. "You have no authority to speak like that way to your own leader," calmly meowed Redtail.
Bluestar laid her tail on Redtail's shoulder. "It is quite fine Redtail. Now, Tigerclaw, we mustn't skip to conclusions. We can not punish a cat for a crime that did not cause hurt to anyone," replied Bluestar.
"Bu-"
Bluestar held her tail up for a sign for silence. She locked her bright blue eyes with his amber ones. "No buts, Tigerclaw. Just look at Ravenpaw. He was just having fun with the kits," Bluestar meowed, pointing a forepaw in the direction of the young black-and-white apprentice.
Tigerclaw whirled around to find Ravenpaw, shuttering and staring at him while hiding behind Spottedleaf.
Tigerclaw snarled at this. He stamped over to the warriors den, ignoring that he ran straight into the thorny brambles of the den. He tugged at them, and after a few seconds of pulling, he finally got inside. He curled around his nest and took a final glance outside. Every cat recovered from his snap and continued doing their duties today. A faint orange light spilled among the bramble den. Tigerclaw could barely see the sun slowly going down the horizon. Finally, Tigerclaw fell into a deep sleep.
He woke up in a dark place, blacker than midnight in leaf-bare.
'Where am I?' thought Tigerclaw to himself.
Just of a sudden, he felt something soft on his rough pads. He looked down to find a beautiful patch of grass sprouting among him. Tigerclaw observed as the surrounding changed suddenly turned to the ThunderClan camp, but it was more younger.
"Greetings, Tigerclaw. I was worried you couldn't make it," a voice mewed.
Tigerclaw turned around to find a reddish-brown tom with crisscrossed scars on the ridge of his nose.
"Pinestar..." Tigerclaw breathed.
"Listen, Tigerclaw. I came to give you an important message from StarClan," explained Pinestar.
"Why should I listen to a traitorous kittypet? You betrayed your Clan and me, your son! You don't deserve to join the holy ranks of StarClan!" hissed Tigerclaw, taking a step back and claws unsheathed.
"Its okay, son, if you hate me right now, but please listen. I didn't come down here to quarrel with you," Tigerclaw's father, Pinestar, soothed.
Tigerclaw let his hackles sit down, but still had his claws unsheathed.
"What have you got to message me about?" asked Tigerclaw.
"Well, lets find out, shall we?" answered Pinestar.
Before Tigerclaw could retort, Pinestar's eyes shone until the whole camp was surrounded in a blinding light. Tigerclaw held up his tail to block the light. After opening his eyes, he suddenly saw a gigantic tree that was glittering with warmth. Suddenly, Tigerclaw remembered this place. It looked just like the ThunderClan camp, but more older.
"T-this is the ThunderClan camp when I was just a kit," Tigerclaw mewed to himself.
"You are correct, my son. It is when you was just a kit, and me before I decided to break the path of a warrior and become a kittypet," answered Pinestar, padding up to stand beside him.
Tigerclaw did not answer for he was observing the old camp. Cats woke up to find the glistening snow. Apprentices and elder kits danced around the clearing, tossing snow around at each other.
"Ah, I see that you are interested as much as any cat. Come, we must continue."
Pinestar curled his tail around his senior son's other tabby tail, and made his way toward a bush that was surrounded by brambles, which was the nursery that held nursing queens and their kits. Tigerclaw flinched as his father fazed through the passing cats. When Pinestar reached the threshold of the nursery, he glanced over his shoulder.
"Well, are you coming or are you just going to gawk like a badger in sunlight?" Pinestar taunted to Tigerclaw.
Tigerclaw sighed and padded over to his ghostly father, binding around the unaware felines. Finally, he reached his goal. Tigerclaw sniffed and smelled a aroma of milk, mewling kits, and a familiar chuckle coming from the inside of the nursery. Pinestar flicked his ears and invited himself in. Tigerclaw followed, hastily going through the bramble as the sounds grew louder. He finally pushed himself through to find his mother, a sleek, mottled black she-cat, and his father gathered around three squirming kits.
"Leopardfoot," Tigerclaw breathed under his breath.
"Yes, and you, Mistkit, and Nightkit. You three was our gifts to us on the day where we thank StarClan for everything," his father explained.
Mistkit, a young and fragile gray she-kit, mewled for food. Tigerclaw drew back as he felt small tears leak from his eyes. His two sisters died in under a moon, due to a illness. His heart ached to just lick them on the head and say that everything is going to be fine, but he remembered that this is just a dream. The scene faded and found himself in the place where Pinestar and him met.
"You see, Tigerclaw? I am your spirit of StarClan's past. I want you to know to show kindness on this wonderful day. Now, it is my time to leave. The next spirit will be here soon," Pinestar quickly explained.
Even though Pinestar betrayed the Clan by becoming a kittypet, part of Tigerclaw's heart longed to say that he loved him, but never came.
Pinestar nodded and raised his tail up high. Before the tabby tom could reply what his father was doing, he suddenly felt the firm ground at his paws fell away, leaving a deep abyss. Tigerclaw gasped in surprise as he fell down, darkness enveloping his vision.
Tigerclaw awakened, shaking off the drowsiness. His amber eyes searched around the area, waiting for another ghostly cat float up to him. Instead, a tiny golden flower sprouted up beside his swishing tail.
"Hmm?" Tigerclaw turned around and sniffed the beautiful plant. Its scent reminded him a lot about one of his Clanmates. "Goldenflower," he whispered to himself.
"Correct, Tigerclaw!" a soothing, but booming voice sounded in front of him.
He whirled around to find another shining ghost, a she-cat to be exact, staring back at him with caring eyes.
"Hello again, friend," she meowed to Tigerclaw.
The she-cat had a pale ginger pelt that reminded him of Goldenflower.
"Goldenflower, what happened to you?" he asked to the ghostly presence of his friend.
"Nothing!" she replied. "I'm merely a figment of your mind, but also a part of your good self-conscious, like Pinestar."
Tigerclaw nodded. It was rather weird to be talking to his own mind, but hey! Anything can happen nowadays.
"So, shall we get started?" Goldenflower questioned to the tabby tom.
Before Tigerclaw could answer, Goldenflower planted a mischievous grin on her face and shut her eyes quickly. A yellowish-golden light filled the dark space, teleporting the mind spirit of Goldenflower and Tigerclaw.
When Tigerclaw opened his dark amber eyes he found himself in the ThunderClan camp, but a crowd had gathered there. They gasped and some even cried. Goldenflower padded beside Tigerclaw and looked down as well.
"What are they doing? Are they having a Clan meeting?" he asked to Goldenflower.
She shook her head and replied, "No, they are banning some cat that has helped them many times in battles. Let's go and check. Tell me when you're ready."
Tigerclaw sighed and smelled himself. There was a faint whiff of fear of what will be waiting for him and Goldenflower down there. He exhaled and nodded.
Goldenflower nodded in agreement and swiftly whipped her tail. The crowd seemed to thin as Tigerclaw's aroma immediately smelt of more fear and surprise. Standing under the Highrock, he was bruised, scars lining everywhere on his bloody body. Future Tigerclaw's mouth was drew back in a vicious snarl. Beside the future him was a bright ginger tom, his well-groomed pelt messy from a supposed fight that was about a few minutes ago. His green eyes stared harshly at the accused Tigerclaw, flaming with pure hatred as much as his fire-colored fur in sunlight. On the very top was Bluestar, but looked more like a traumatized kit more than a courageous and generous leader. But the gray she-cat's aqua blue eyes was swimming with hatred, much like the ginger toms.
"Tigerclaw, for betraying your Clan and almost slaughtering your own leader, you are hereby banished from ThunderClan. If we see you on our territory again, we will show no mercy," Bluestar boomed.
Tigerclaw( future) snuffed and growled to the Clan, "Fine, but my followers will always be loyal to me. Longtail, come."
He padded over to the entrance and glanced over his shoulder. The pale warrior did not move.
"Okay, have it your way. Darkstripe? Dustpelt? Anyone?"
No cats came up to him. Tigerclaw's amber eyes flashed with surprise before returning back to a vicious state.
"Alright, fine then. All of you are backstabbers! I'll be back, and when I do, I'll personally murder each one of you!"
He growled and looked over to the ginger tom.
"Especially you, kittypet," he growled before turning back and sliding through the ThunderClan entrance for the final time.
The scene faded away with only a emotionless spirit and a surprised warrior in a black place.
"So, Tigerclaw, now it is my turn to give you a present. I give you protection among your Clan, for I am your spirit of StarClan's present. I understand, this is rather shocking, but I must go now. The last spirit is waiting," Goldenflower meowed unexpectedly.
Tigerclaw nodded. It was so difficult to handle all of this. Would this soon be his own destiny, having to be banished from his Clan forever? He suddenly felt drowsy all of the sudden. He laid down of his belly and set his head on his massive paws. Blackness, yet again, covered his vision and fell into a slumber.
The warrior's ear twitched as he, yet again, awakened for the third time. His lifted his tabby body up and scanned the area. Instantly, a wave of fear and excitement filled the breeze.
"Ugh, who's making that smell?" questioned Tigerclaw to no one in particular.
"Much more cats then you think, Tigerclaw," a cold voice answered.
Tigerclaw was used to the voices that seemingly appeared out of nowhere, but this cat's voice seemed not caring for anyone. It was filled to the brim with hatred, like the ginger tom's sight before.
He circled around to find an unfamiliar tabby tom glaring at him with cold dead amber eyes. Unlike the others, he seemed most dead of all of the three.
"So, Tigerclaw, you're supposed to be my father, eh? You look more pathetic than I thought. Goes to show that once you live a Clan, you become even more disgusting than a badger and fox mixed!" hissed the ghost.
This hit a nerve. No one called him pathetic! But at the same time, he was actually curious. What did he mean by father, and is the vision before actually true?
"Why did you call me your father?" Tigerclaw asked, trying desperately to keep his tone polite. The ghostly cat did look like the younger, spitting image of himself.
The feline hesitated before answering, "I will be your future son in ThunderClan. Now, stop blurting out questions. Let's get this over with so I can sulk in the back of your head," the ghostly cat sulked.
The blackness faded away, but the peacefulness of the space was replaced by yowls and snarls of cats. It took place at Fourtrees, the clouds gray and the sky promising a hard storm. Two gigantic groups were at the opposite sides of each other, an occasional unsheathed paw trying to grab a hair on one of their other enemy's pelt. What shocked him most was that, on one side, was the ginger tom standing beside Tallstar. On the other, was himself with Leopardfur, but she looked more than a leader than a deputy, and Blackfoot, also looking like a leader. He looked bloodthirsty than anything Tigerclaw had ever noticed. A lean, short black cat with one white paw, sharp claws unsheathed, and a purple collar pinned with dog teeth and dried blood stains covered it.
"This is you, Tigerclaw. Bask in your amazing transformation of a loyal and noble ThunderClan warrior to a bloodthirsty ShadowClan leader that wants revenge," Tigerclaw's son taunted.
Tigerclaw was too attached to the scene to notice his future son's comment. How...how could he be so evil that he would organize his own Clan and try to fight the other.
"Looks like your against us, Firestar. Its finally time for the final showdown that I've been anxiously waiting for so long. Now, get ready for your doom! Attack!" shouted out the tyrant Tigerclaw.
No cat moved a mouse-length. The future Tigerclaw glanced around, wariness appearing in his amber eyes.
"My Clan does not attack without my order, Tigerstar," the black cat meowed, padding up beside the tabby tom.
Tigerstar whipped around to face the emotionless coal-black cat. This seemed to have ticked off Tigerstar.
"How DARE you say that? This is MY Clan! I
made it! I shaped it! You have no right to say that to your new leader!" he yowled, swiping his paws. The black cat was swift, dodging every attack. He reared up and leaped at the lean feline. He ducked out of the way and rolled onto his back. Tigerstar's belly was in clear view.
Tigerclaw looked away and clenched his eyes tight shut. He could hear his painful yowling and shredding flesh. A long silence filled the air. Suddenly, a sickening sliding sound of sorts and a squishing sound replaced the quiet stillness of the air.
Tigerclaw weakly opened his amber eyes and immediately regretted that decision. There he was, standing still. A long, bloody scar ran deep along his belly. His entrails were spilled out, along with a couple showing ribs. His bloodthirsty amber eyes were now glazed with death as he slowly toppled over, entrails and tissues finally disconnecting with their body.
Tigerclaw gagged, trying to hold back vomit while his son was gasping for air after laughing. After holding back his vomit, he glared at his son.
"Why are you laughing about this? Your dad just DIED and you're cackling about it!" Tigerclaw hissed.
His tabby son stopped cackling. Tigerclaw gulped as his son turned around, an insane smile planted on his face. His son got up and slowly padded to him. His claws were unsheathed and teeth bared. Tigerclaw backed away as his son transformed into Tigerstar. Suddenly, his used-to-be ghostly son lunged at him. It was a tabby blur as the scene turned to a gory forest. Trees were red with blood and skeletons of cats surrounded the entire forest. Tigerclaw suddenly felt the ground disappear. After twirling around, Tigerstar sunk his claws onto Tigerclaw's paws.
Tigerstar leaned in close and whispered in Tigerclaw's ears.
"I am Brambleclaw, your future son and your StarClan's Spirit of the Future. Make this image remain in your head for all eternity, Tigerclaw, till your own flesh melts away into nothing. I come here to bring you the gift of weariness and wisdom, knowing what will come if you don't listen carefully to StarClan. Goodbye and may we NEVER meet again!"
Brambleclaw let go of Tigerclaw's paws. Tigerclaw yowled for StarClan as he fell down into the darkness of the pit.
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Tigerclaw awoke with a start. The sun filtered through the brambles. He quickly got up and looked around with frightened eyes. The vision of his own guts gushing out haunted him. He pushed through the bracken and found many kits playing around and cats, seemingly, praying to StarClan. Goldenflower pushed through the entrance of the camp and glanced at Tigerclaw. He ran toward her and started to spill out his dream.
"Listen, Goldenflower, I'm so sorry about yesterday. I was wrong, okay? I had this weird dream last night," he explained.
Goldenflower looked at him for awhile until she spoke. "I understand, Tigerclaw. You were stressed about the kits. You're just trying to look after them," she purred.
Tigerclaw nodded as she pressed her flank against his. But one thought raced in his head. Was the vision actually real? And when will it happen if so? Pushing the questions away, he smiled gently and accepted the comfort of Goldenflower, as snowflakes slowly fell down from the gray sky.
The End
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Hi guys. Sorry, kinda in a rush. But happy Christmas Eve! Did your stomach turn in the last paragraph :P. Anyways, comment down below. Yet again, happy Christmas Eve! Bye!
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Disclaimer
Warriors Cats(c) Erin Hunter
Christmas Carol(c) Charles Dickens
Redstar
