THORNTOOTH (588 words)
He didn’t care if he had a reputation for being a snarky, on edge constantly, and a generally very tough cat. He didn’t care that he was supposed to be leading his clan to victory, only under Lionstar.
Thorntooth was petrified.
He was a decent fighter, sure, but he wasn’t amazing. And seeing his allies be knocked down over and over again by a clan filled with rogues and loners… His chest grew tighter as he looked at the battlefield. It wasn’t like anything he’d been used to, but he’d never been involved in something like this. He could make out Lionstar in the near distance, fighting against two cats at the same time, yet taking them both on with ease. Even soft, ex-kittypet Beeheart was putting up a solid fight against a slightly smaller cat. He was sitting above, watching the battle, not engaging at all, and yet Beeheart was overpowering another cat. Things were so wrong.
Fur gently brushed against his own, causing him to jump, but it was only Falcondream. The medicine cat looked solemn, which was to be expected. “Are you thinking about what might happen today?” His voice was low, and despite the yowls of both pain and victory from below, Thorntooth could hear every word.
“You could say that.” The corner of his mouth tugged, almost forming a smile, but not enough to make a difference to his serious face. A sudden call from below sent Falcondream running, but not without a knowing glance behind him to the deputy. Not much got past that cat, and Thorntooth knew that he was aware of his anxieties about the battle. Silence fell between himself and the air around him as he tried to find the courage to jump in and help. He was acting like a useless deputy; not worth being in charge of any part of the battle that raged below.
The claws dug into his spine and severed any vital cords that needed to stay connected. The movement was so fluid and sudden that Thorntooth had no time to react. He felt his entire body collapse, but then the world was silent. Eerie. Ghostly. His eyes flicked open and he took in the surroundings-
Wait.
He looked down at his paws and realised that he was looking down at his own body, a tortoiseshell she-cat laughing at his pathetic hiding abilities. But he wasn’t hiding at all. “I had no idea she was there.”
“You weren’t meant to.” The other voice made Thorntooth turn around quickly, jolting his body. The large grey tom stood over him, kind eyes meeting his own. It didn’t stop him from gulping in fear. “Don’t be scared, Thorntooth. Do you know who I am?” His mouth was dry as he fumbled for a name that lingered in the back of his mind. A cat that had been mentioned so often and yet not often enough.
“Boulderstar.” The stars shimmered on his pelt, and Thorntooth quickly realised that his own fur was doing the same. Death was different than he imagined. The former leader rested his tail gently on the younger’s shoulder as he led him towards the battlefield, completely out of sight from everyone. Everyone except the light cat who hurried around, taking herbs to and from different cats, patching small wounds and making sure they were still okay to fight. For a split moment, Falcondream looked towards the sky, and Thorntooth knew that he saw them, in whatever way the medicine cat could see the dead.
Thorntooth was petrified.
He was a decent fighter, sure, but he wasn’t amazing. And seeing his allies be knocked down over and over again by a clan filled with rogues and loners… His chest grew tighter as he looked at the battlefield. It wasn’t like anything he’d been used to, but he’d never been involved in something like this. He could make out Lionstar in the near distance, fighting against two cats at the same time, yet taking them both on with ease. Even soft, ex-kittypet Beeheart was putting up a solid fight against a slightly smaller cat. He was sitting above, watching the battle, not engaging at all, and yet Beeheart was overpowering another cat. Things were so wrong.
Fur gently brushed against his own, causing him to jump, but it was only Falcondream. The medicine cat looked solemn, which was to be expected. “Are you thinking about what might happen today?” His voice was low, and despite the yowls of both pain and victory from below, Thorntooth could hear every word.
“You could say that.” The corner of his mouth tugged, almost forming a smile, but not enough to make a difference to his serious face. A sudden call from below sent Falcondream running, but not without a knowing glance behind him to the deputy. Not much got past that cat, and Thorntooth knew that he was aware of his anxieties about the battle. Silence fell between himself and the air around him as he tried to find the courage to jump in and help. He was acting like a useless deputy; not worth being in charge of any part of the battle that raged below.
The claws dug into his spine and severed any vital cords that needed to stay connected. The movement was so fluid and sudden that Thorntooth had no time to react. He felt his entire body collapse, but then the world was silent. Eerie. Ghostly. His eyes flicked open and he took in the surroundings-
Wait.
He looked down at his paws and realised that he was looking down at his own body, a tortoiseshell she-cat laughing at his pathetic hiding abilities. But he wasn’t hiding at all. “I had no idea she was there.”
“You weren’t meant to.” The other voice made Thorntooth turn around quickly, jolting his body. The large grey tom stood over him, kind eyes meeting his own. It didn’t stop him from gulping in fear. “Don’t be scared, Thorntooth. Do you know who I am?” His mouth was dry as he fumbled for a name that lingered in the back of his mind. A cat that had been mentioned so often and yet not often enough.
“Boulderstar.” The stars shimmered on his pelt, and Thorntooth quickly realised that his own fur was doing the same. Death was different than he imagined. The former leader rested his tail gently on the younger’s shoulder as he led him towards the battlefield, completely out of sight from everyone. Everyone except the light cat who hurried around, taking herbs to and from different cats, patching small wounds and making sure they were still okay to fight. For a split moment, Falcondream looked towards the sky, and Thorntooth knew that he saw them, in whatever way the medicine cat could see the dead.
STONECLOUD (519 words)
Stonecloud knew that his children were capable adults now, and that everything would be fine if he left them alone. He knew that Firestorm especially could hold his own in a battle and didn’t need any sort of protection. But as his claws tore through fur and flesh combined, he knew he couldn’t leave them. A flurry of ginger fur in the distance caught his eye as Lionstar went up against Crowfire; CrowClan’s leader. His throat was tight, thinking about how Lionstar might lose a life through this fight, but a sudden blow to the head brought his attention back to the sleek black cat who was a little too close for comfort.
He recognised the cat as Blackblood; the one who had killed Littlewave only days prior to the fight. His blood boiled with anger but Stonecloud knew he couldn’t let his guard down again. Hawksnow quickly realised his father’s danger and leaped on the attacking cat, managing to drive him off. As the two tangled in fur and blood, Stonecloud’s eyes quickly moved to the solidly built brown cat barrelling towards him. His eyes were filled with rage and hatred and an overall need for death. Seeing a thin, small cat in front of him was like hunting prey. Waiting until the last moment, Stonecloud ducked to the side, avoiding the other cat’s claws.
Or so he’d hoped.
The blood trickled from his throat, slowly, and yet all too dangerously. Stonecloud knew that was it. He watched, speechless and motionless, as his two sons tackled the other tom to the ground, ripping him to pieces. He wanted them to stop, to be with him in his final moments, but he knew that the brown cat would just attack them from behind. When they were certain he wouldn’t be getting up again, they walked to their father’s side. Stonecloud managed a gentle smile, but his eyes were growing heavy and words refused to escape his mouth. He noticed Firestorm’s mouth moving, but the sounds he made were muffled. His vision quickly vanished as his eyes fluttered, threatening to close for good. He felt a soft pressure on his sides, and even without his other senses, knew that his sons were by his side.
It was the best way he could have gone, considering the battle.
Hawksnow was the one who hauled his father’s limp body back to camp, avoiding the thick of the battle. He entered the medicine den without a sound, and as soon as Aldertail collected the deceased body, he broke down. His father was gone. The clan’s advisor, the most peaceful cat anyone could ever meet, was gone.
Firestorm carried on fighting, knocking back his opponents with ease. The sight of his father’s life being torn from him flashed in his mind through every slice and every kick. Eventually he reached Lionstar, who managed a break from Crowfire’s fury. Telling his other father of Stonecloud’s death was the hardest thing Firestorm had ever had to do. Watching his brain tick over as he realised what his son had told him…nothing would ever match the pain.
He recognised the cat as Blackblood; the one who had killed Littlewave only days prior to the fight. His blood boiled with anger but Stonecloud knew he couldn’t let his guard down again. Hawksnow quickly realised his father’s danger and leaped on the attacking cat, managing to drive him off. As the two tangled in fur and blood, Stonecloud’s eyes quickly moved to the solidly built brown cat barrelling towards him. His eyes were filled with rage and hatred and an overall need for death. Seeing a thin, small cat in front of him was like hunting prey. Waiting until the last moment, Stonecloud ducked to the side, avoiding the other cat’s claws.
Or so he’d hoped.
The blood trickled from his throat, slowly, and yet all too dangerously. Stonecloud knew that was it. He watched, speechless and motionless, as his two sons tackled the other tom to the ground, ripping him to pieces. He wanted them to stop, to be with him in his final moments, but he knew that the brown cat would just attack them from behind. When they were certain he wouldn’t be getting up again, they walked to their father’s side. Stonecloud managed a gentle smile, but his eyes were growing heavy and words refused to escape his mouth. He noticed Firestorm’s mouth moving, but the sounds he made were muffled. His vision quickly vanished as his eyes fluttered, threatening to close for good. He felt a soft pressure on his sides, and even without his other senses, knew that his sons were by his side.
It was the best way he could have gone, considering the battle.
Hawksnow was the one who hauled his father’s limp body back to camp, avoiding the thick of the battle. He entered the medicine den without a sound, and as soon as Aldertail collected the deceased body, he broke down. His father was gone. The clan’s advisor, the most peaceful cat anyone could ever meet, was gone.
Firestorm carried on fighting, knocking back his opponents with ease. The sight of his father’s life being torn from him flashed in his mind through every slice and every kick. Eventually he reached Lionstar, who managed a break from Crowfire’s fury. Telling his other father of Stonecloud’s death was the hardest thing Firestorm had ever had to do. Watching his brain tick over as he realised what his son had told him…nothing would ever match the pain.
LIONSTAR (582 words) - 8/8 lives lost
The black cat’s claws raked his belly in one swift motion. Lionstar’s legs quickly gave way as he collapsed to the ground, blood all too quickly pooling around him. Crowfire stood in front of him, staring down, a snarl on his face. “Pathetic.” The other tom spat the word like Lionstar was dirt; a worthless being that did not deserve to be remembered as a leader. His eyes glazed over too soon, too quickly. Despite nobody being able to see his first life leave his body, everyone on the battlefield knew. Cats from both clans, the few that remained, turned to where Crowfire stood, watching the leader fade away.
“His life is gone.” Falcondream mumbled to nobody in particular. He took a few steps towards his leader when he realised that a second life was soon following. His steps became a hurried run until he sat by Lionstar’s side, nose buried in his fur. Minutes passed before Falcondream felt the third life leave. “What have you done?” His voice shook as he spoke, gazing up at Crowfire, who seemed all too pleased with himself for making the leader lose three of his lives in one attack. “I’ve never even heard of a cat who could-”
His words were caught in his throat as he felt the fourth life go. The medicine cat knew that he looked more crazy than usual to the cats who slowly surrounded him. Nobody else had weird dream cat…dreams. Nobody else could feel Lionstar drifting away. He let out an audible sob as the fifth life brushed past him. He could truly feel it; the fifth life must have been compassion, or love, given to the leader by someone he held dear to him. Maybe it was the life that had just been lost that made him snap, but Falcondream pounced on Crowfire with his claws unsheathed, but the other cat quickly threw him off; Falcondream was never a great fighter.
“You’re more than just a murderer.” He snarled at the black tom. “When Lionstar wakes up, he’s going to shred you to pieces.” Crowfire laughed as Lionstar’s sixth life vanished from his limp and lifeless body, though he didn’t know what had happened. The reality dawned on Falcondream like he was just hit by a monster on the Thunderpath. This cat, this evil, selfish murderer had just taken all but two of Lionstar’s lives. Stonecloud was bitten by a snake, wasting the ninth life of this leader, and Falcondream knew that if he even partially sensed one more life being taken from his leader’s body, that would be the end.
The seventh life roared by in a flurry of colour, but of course nobody else could see it. It was that single moment that it all clicked for the medicine cat. “He was never given nine lives.” Falcondream tried to hold back his sobs. “Because of Stonecloud he only has one life left, and-” It was too late; the final life became nothing more but a whisper on the wind. The various figments of Lionstar’s spirit came into one being, joining like a puzzle, but glimmering like the Cave of Stars on a moonlit night. The ghost of the leader was tall and proud as he stared down Falcondream. His eyes were hollow and yet full of life. Of hope. His head bent slightly in a respectful nod, and the medicine cat did the same. As his head lifted, Lionstar’s spirit was gone. It was all over.
“His life is gone.” Falcondream mumbled to nobody in particular. He took a few steps towards his leader when he realised that a second life was soon following. His steps became a hurried run until he sat by Lionstar’s side, nose buried in his fur. Minutes passed before Falcondream felt the third life leave. “What have you done?” His voice shook as he spoke, gazing up at Crowfire, who seemed all too pleased with himself for making the leader lose three of his lives in one attack. “I’ve never even heard of a cat who could-”
His words were caught in his throat as he felt the fourth life go. The medicine cat knew that he looked more crazy than usual to the cats who slowly surrounded him. Nobody else had weird dream cat…dreams. Nobody else could feel Lionstar drifting away. He let out an audible sob as the fifth life brushed past him. He could truly feel it; the fifth life must have been compassion, or love, given to the leader by someone he held dear to him. Maybe it was the life that had just been lost that made him snap, but Falcondream pounced on Crowfire with his claws unsheathed, but the other cat quickly threw him off; Falcondream was never a great fighter.
“You’re more than just a murderer.” He snarled at the black tom. “When Lionstar wakes up, he’s going to shred you to pieces.” Crowfire laughed as Lionstar’s sixth life vanished from his limp and lifeless body, though he didn’t know what had happened. The reality dawned on Falcondream like he was just hit by a monster on the Thunderpath. This cat, this evil, selfish murderer had just taken all but two of Lionstar’s lives. Stonecloud was bitten by a snake, wasting the ninth life of this leader, and Falcondream knew that if he even partially sensed one more life being taken from his leader’s body, that would be the end.
The seventh life roared by in a flurry of colour, but of course nobody else could see it. It was that single moment that it all clicked for the medicine cat. “He was never given nine lives.” Falcondream tried to hold back his sobs. “Because of Stonecloud he only has one life left, and-” It was too late; the final life became nothing more but a whisper on the wind. The various figments of Lionstar’s spirit came into one being, joining like a puzzle, but glimmering like the Cave of Stars on a moonlit night. The ghost of the leader was tall and proud as he stared down Falcondream. His eyes were hollow and yet full of life. Of hope. His head bent slightly in a respectful nod, and the medicine cat did the same. As his head lifted, Lionstar’s spirit was gone. It was all over.