#darkstripe deserved better

[otterdotters-potsandpans]

Just gon leave this here for yall, will prolly expand l8r idk

[kudossi]

Tigerclaw and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Senior Warrior Position AU

In a world where deputies can only be named after their first apprentice has been granted their warrior name, Tigerclaw struggles to keep an apprentice alive long enough to earn their name.

or, a comedy-tragedy AU in which having an apprentice isn't enough — you have to see them to their warrior name, and Tigerclaw cannot fucking get any of his goddamn apprentices to live, damn it.

—

It starts out mostly normally, except for the fact that Tigerclaw hasn't gotten any apprentices to their warrior name, and he needs that so he can accomplish his (very noble, of course) kitty genocide goals. And also be the supreme leader of the world or something. Darkpaw died stupidly, he hasn't had a chance since, and now he's got some tiny thing that's afraid of his own shadow.

Well. It'll have to do.

So naturally this man is so protective over Ravenpaw that Ravenpaw barely even leaves his sight. Firepaw and Graypaw think that this is adorable. Look how much Tigerclaw cares about his apprentice!!

Ravenpaw, of course, is fucking terrified and also slowly losing his mind, just in a different way.

—

"Redtail assigned us to go on a patrol to Snakerocks." "OH NO HE DID NOT. WE'RE STAYING IN THE SANDY HOLLOW WHERE IT'S SAFE."

"Nothing matters more to me than making you a warrior, Ravenpaw. Nothing." And the terrible thing is that Ravenpaw is sure he's being sincere.

—

Ravenpaw disappears and Tigerclaw nearly fucking has a conniption because the timing was all RIGHT and he was going to finally get the position AND HE NEVER GOT HIS DAMN NAME FUCK.

"Do you think I could convince the elders that Fireheart was my apprentice?" "Fireheart was Bluestar's apprentice, as approved by StarClan. You're going to have to wait for the next litter to be apprenticed."

So he begs and begs and gets Cinderpaw and then she accidentally falls into the trap he'd set for a better deputy candidate at the Thunderpath. Fuck.

—

Well. Time to resort to drastic measures.

"I was thinking that Darkstripe would have been a good name. Because he had dark stripes." "Again, Tigerclaw, it's admirable that you loved your apprentice so much, but I cannot grant him a name." "Are you sure?" "Honestly, Tigerclaw, I'm not sure he ever would have gotten a name. Missing quite a few feathers from his nest, that one..." Fuck. The worst part was that she wasn't even wrong.

— Swiftpaw and Brightpaw get mauled by the dogs he set up to happen like right after he got the title and they sprang it before and he's like FUCK NOW WHAT DO I DO WITH THESE DAMN DOGS? His world domination plans literally never come to fruition because he cannot keep his apprentices alive/in the clan/his own.

— "Brightheart counts. She HAS to count." "Actually, Cloudtail took over her training…" [demented noises]

—

Turns out that Ravenpaw is alive and no one — no one — in the Harper Collins Extended Universe is happier than Tigerclaw.

"You're alive! …You deserve your warrior name!" "Actually, I've come to peace with my name and my way of life. I have no need for a—" "GET YOUR FUCKING NAME RIGHT NOW RAVENPAW OR SO HELP ME STARCLAN—" "I know you really wanted Ravenpaw to become a warrior," Barley says gently, "but he's made his decision. It's very kind of you to acknowledge that he deserves it, though. You must have been so close as mentor and apprentice." Tigerclaw's eye twitches. "Yes. Close. Very... close." —

He finally, finally retires as an elder after his plans go absolutely nowhere for years on end. And maybe StarClan is still like "Brambleclaw would be chill actually, we can forget that pesky little law" and Tigerclaw is sitting there like "excuse me what the actual fuck?" —

But at this point Tigerclaw is about as dangerous as Ashfur without a freak forest fire. Which is to say about as dangerous as using a leaf as a weapon. Which is, incidentally, how Darkpaw managed to get himself killed in the first place.

—

"Is this the Dark Forest? This has to be the Dark Forest. It doesn't look like Thistleclaw described it, but it must be. This Clan is all an elaborate punishment meted down by StarClan for my sins." "Tigerclaw, sir, I'm just here to help you with your ticks. See? I have the mousebile right here." "…Yes, thank you, Alderpaw." — Graystripe joins him in the elder's den and he's like, "You know, Ravenpaw thought you were up to some… scheme, back in the day. Crazy, right? You've been a model Clanmate as long as I've been alive." [muffled screaming] "Huh, what do you think that is? It sounds almost like someone killed a rabbit, but they know not to come this close to camp…"

[wc-confessions]

The Great Battle ending the way it did was a crime. The only Dark Forest spirits that actually died are Tigerclawstar, Hawkfrost, Brokenstar, and Shredtail. Not even Darkstripe or Mapleshade! The Erins really just said 'this is the end of Evil Broad-shouldered Tabbies' and that's it.

It was labelled as this end to the Dark Forest, so I thought that pretty much everyone we knew was going to die in it, but... no. Sure, Tigerclawstar was probably one of the main leaders, but even he looked up to Thistleclaw (still alive). Brokenstar was always just kind of there, so it's not like he was a huge loss for them. Hawkfrost is just a Tigerclawstar lackey, and Shredtail... he existed?

What Ashfur did to the Dark Forest was far more destructive than the Great Battle ever was. Thistleclaw and Mapleshade still being alive means that like the majority of the big evils in the Dark Forest are still alive and plotting. If the Great Battle was supposed to be the end to the Dark Forest, Thistleclaw and Mapleshade should have died too.

Also, Hawkfrost should've lived. Man is hyped up as this big villain and he didn't even kill anyone. We deserved a better Hawkfrost villain arc. TBC would have been MUCH cooler with him possessing Bramblestar instead of Ashfur.

.

[tigerclawsbiggestfan]

Rating tigerclawstar ships 🗣🗣🗣

Tigerclaw/Darkstripe: i love it. im literaly darkstripe. i dont blame him one bit. 9/10

Tigerclaw/sasha: Tigey dating a kittypet? scandelous! but the fact that sasha was described as his "true love" breaks me every time. 10/10

Tigerclaw/Whitestorm: freinds to enemys/lovers, peak old men yaoi aswell 9/10

Tigerclaw/Goldenflower: Alot of people miscontrue it so seem like tigerclawstar was abusive, but although goldenflower wasnt his true love i do think he loved her as much as he could. she still deserves better. 7/10

Tigerclaw/Scourge: toxic sludge yaoi. so bad its good. 10/10 im obsessed.

Tigerclaw/fireheart: honestly really weird, and defintly a proship. but for gags and jokes its funny. 4/10 serious, 7/10 unserious.

Tigerclaw/Ravenpaw: horrible. he would NOT groom someone after what Thistleclaw did to him. Although IF it were aged up it would be hilarious seeing Tigerclaw rizz up Ravenwing after redtail's death. 0/10 normally, but potentially 8/10 if non-problematic

Tigerclaw/Thistleclaw: No -1000/10

[fledermoved]

Who is your favorite canon warrior cat?

I used to say Graypool or Dovewing but when it comes to the original arc I think I favor Longtail just because the narrative really did him dirty.

People will be like "oh he was so edgy and mean to rusty/firepaw when he joined" but like. And? He was still a young warrior at the time and was taken under wing of like. Two very very anti-kittypet cats. Cats that had major influence on his life. Ofc he's gonna take after them and try to imitate that ideology/attitude, and probably in an exaggerated way because he's young, esp when it's not just Tigerclaw and Darkstripe that dislike kittypets.

But we see time and time again that Longtail is fiercely loyal and pretty compassionate about his clanmates even if he doesn't necessarily like them. Didn't he save Fireheart from like??? Drowning??

And then at the end of it all, he ends up with two of the most influential cats in his life leaving by betrayal and having to fight against them, losing his apprentice in an extremely traumatic way that, mind you, is connected to one of those influential cats because he lures the dogs out to kill brindleface, and ends up blinded by what to him MUST be a humiliating way.

I'm glad he's able to find peace with the disability by the end and settle, though as always I wish that the Erins would actually let disabled cats be warriors instead of immediately assuming they're incapable. Blindness ≠ unable to fight. It's a big disadvantage, yeah, but cats have other senses, and they're pretty strong senses at that.

Idk. I grow more and more fond of Longtail as a character as time goes on and personally I really wish he had been made deputy within the first arc because I believe he not only deserves it, but would be the guy fit for the job better than Graystripe or Bramble.

Dovewing is another close favorite, though I haven't read the newer arcs. I only know up to Omen of the Stars. Everyone sympathizes with Ivypool because she had a bad childhood and literally got sent to hell (it's valid to feel bad for her, don't get it twisted) but imagine being a literal child and your gods tell you that you're the chosen one whether you like it or not. You're "blessed" with an ability that actively hurts you and alienates you from your peers and you're settled with an insurmountable pressure to do as you're told to save the world or whatever. You just want to be a normal kid. You want to have a good relationship with your sister, but you can't because of this. You aren't allowed to complain about it because you are supposed to be grateful to these gods for everything. The other chosen ones are abrasive and standoffish from their own traumas. You're a child. And you're going through this. That's fucked up, man. And yet she's so kind 🥺

[talonslockau]

Forest of Secrets - Chapter 12

Chapter 11 || Index || Chapter 13

Fireheart’s wounds stung as he wearily followed Yellowfang into camp, but he kept his head held high nonetheless. By the nursery, he could see Snowkit alongside five younger kits watching with wide eyes as they returned triumphantly. Closer to the entrance, the elders were bickering amongst themselves, but they slowly quieted as they caught sight of the returning patrol and the broken body that the healer leading them was carrying.

Bluestar herself was waiting for them by the Highrock, her blue eyes narrow as she watched them approach. “What has happened? Dewpaw and Longtail returned with Mistspring, but-” Her eyes widened in shock as she saw who Yellowfang was carrying. “Is that Brokentail?”

“He was hit by a Monster trying to flee from us.” Dustleap snarled before the old healer could set her burden down. “Yellowfang insists we should let him live instead of killing him for his crimes against the code!”

“He lives because Starclan wills it!” The cantankerous molly snapped back at him, turning a baleful copper gaze on the young tabby before turning to Bluestar. “They would not have let him return if they did not want him here. Starclan has spoken: Brokentail must be allowed to live!”

Bluestar looked upon the mangled tom uneasily. “Brokentail.” She murmured softly, her gaze cold and unkind - so different compared to how she often looked at Fireheart and the rest of her Clan. “What do you have to say in your defense?”

He couldn’t see the tabby’s expression from where he was standing, but the ginger tom could only imagine that the rogue’s face was twisted into a deep scowl. “I have nothing to say to you!” He spat at her spitefully. “Thunderclan is full of weak mousehearts. I should have driven you all out when I had the chance!”

The silver leader’s eyes narrowed at the provocative words, but she seemed almost amused by his words more than offended. “And yet you never could.” She replied steadily as she looked back up to the patrol. “I do not understand, Yellowfang. Brokentail has broken every law of Starclan’s noble code. And yet you claim he is here because they willed it?”

“Starclan is the one that grants us lives, Bluestar.” The grizzled healer responded with a dip of her head. “And they are the ones that can take them away, as well. If they had wanted him to die by the Thunderpath, they would have done so. And yet, they have allowed him to live. It is Starclan that judges us for our deeds; if they have decided he still deserves to live, then who are we to claim that we know better?”

Fireheart refrained from rolling his eyes at the healer’s superstitious nonsense. There was no such thing as multiple lives; every cat knew that, or else Quickflash might have come back. Whatever powers Starclan did have, it was very obvious from having met Redtail that they would not interfere so boldly by resurrecting such a horrible leader. Still, he knew better than to interrupt her.

His ear twitched as he heard someone emerge from the bramble tunnel behind them. Glancing back, he saw as Tigerclaw entered camp, his amber eyes glowing as he spotted his son next to Bluestar. The tabby tom made straight for the small crowd, while Peppermask and Darkstripe looked on curiously behind him.

Bluestar gave a slight nod to her deputy, but didn’t take her eyes off of Brokentail. “Be that as it may, Yellowfang, what would you have me do with him? Even if we let him live, he would die soon enough without aid.”

“You’re not suggesting we throw him out?” The healer sounded astonished, as though the thought had never occurred to her. He didn’t know why: it sounded like a perfectly sensible solution to him. “We would be no better than him, throwing out the broken to die in the wilderness!”

The fur on Bluestar’s scruff rose at that. Fireheart winced, remembering how irate she had been at Mosspaw’s exile. “Those are not remotely the same. He exiled innocent kits because he couldn’t be bothered to use herbs: he is a murderer, and should be treated as such.” Bluestar responded coldly. Tigerclaw nodded approvingly beside her, and though it rankled him to agree with the traitorous tabby, he had to admit he could not argue with her. “There is no place in our camp or our territory for him.”

“If I may, Bluestar.” The crowd turned to see One-eye approach slowly. “The Clan once took prisoners, many seasons ago, back in the days when we fought bitterly with Windclan for territory. It has been long since that foxhole was used, but-” She glanced disdainfully at the exiled rogue before them, “I’m sure it would still fit him.”

“Keep Brokentail? In our own camp? One-eye, you must be mad.” Tigerclaw growled as he shook his head. “He would murder our kits by sundown!”

“I’m old, not senile! You’d do well to remember that, Tigerclaw.” The old white molly swung her head to glare at the deputy with a snarl. “I may only have one eye left, but I can see as well as you can that he’ll never be able to walk again. Even if he does manage to escape the prison, I’m sure whatever warrior is on guard duty will be able to catch him before he makes it to the nursery. Unless you don’t trust them to take on a two-legged elder, in which case they shouldn’t be on guard duty at all.” The elder gave a wide yawn once she finished her speech, showing off her broken and missing fangs prominently.

The deputy growled lowly in response, but he seemed momentarily cowed by the elder. Fireheart was surprised and impressed - not many cats could speak to the mighty warrior that way and expect to keep their ears. Beside him, Bluestar seemed thoughtful. “Perhaps it would be better to have him somewhere we can keep an eye on him.” She mewed at last. “He has already demonstrated a remarkable ability to survive destruction, like a swarm of rats. If we didn’t kill him now, it’s impossible to know what harm he could bring later.”

“You’re not seriously considering it?” Dustleap huffed bitterly as he lashed his tail. “Well, I’m not hunting even a flea for this pile of crowfood! He can starve to death for all I care.”

He glanced at Bluestar, wondering what the leader was going to say, but it was Yellowfang that spoke first. “I will care for him.” The old molly growled roughly, dipping her head to the silver queen before her. “As healer, it is my responsibility to see to Starclan’s will. If this is how I must serve them, so be it.”

The leader watched Yellowfang with a scrutinizing gaze. At last, she nodded slowly. “Very well. So long as no undue burdens are placed upon my warriors, I see no reason not to imprison him. Being held captive by such weak mousehearts will surely be punishment enough for this rogue for whatever lifetime Starclan grants him.” She gazed down on the exile, her whiskers twitching in amusement as she threw his words back at him. “One-eye, show Yellowfang to the foxhole. Tigerclaw, I expect that there should now be two cats on guard duty at all times, with one being posted next to the prison.” 

The large tabby nodded slowly to the leader as One-eye began showing Yellowfang across camp, towards the apprentices’ den. “It will be done.” He mewed, though the irritation in his voice and his twitching tail tip indicated he still wasn’t quite pleased with this plan.

“What about the rest of Brokentail’s exiles?” Bluestar asked as she looked back to the rest of the patrol. “Longtail told me that they had been driven out. Do you think they will return?”

“It’s possible. None were killed in the attack.” Mousefur mewed as she stepped forward. “But I don’t think they will be so eager to attack us, especially not without their leader. I doubt we’ll be seeing them for many moons.”

“Make sure there’s a regular patrol along the Twolegplace border, as well.” The leader instructed Tigerclaw once the dusky brown molly had finished speaking. “Once a day will be enough - just to make sure that Brokentail’s rogues don’t find their way into our territory.”

“They were already hunting within our territory. We found crowfood near their nest, and one of them mentioned bringing back prey from our territory before the fight.” Mousefur mewed with a nod to Fireheart. “Fireheart and Longtail were right. Brokentail was already a threat, we just hadn’t realized it yet.”

“I see. I’m glad we acted quickly, then.” Bluestar mewed appreciatively. “You all will have to tell the other Clans of the battle at the next Gathering.” Fireheart perked his ears at that. She was already guaranteeing that he would get to go to the Gathering? The others would be thrilled to hear it. He started to get to his feet when the silver queen spoke again. “Though you could perhaps leave out the part about Brokentail himself.”

“Why?” Dustleap challenged brashly, his tail still lashing. “You’re not ashamed of taking in that old fleabag, are you?”

“No. I trust my healer’s word.” Bluestar replied, her gaze unwavering as she looked on at the reckless tabby warrior. “But mention of him will surely open old wounds. There is no reason to bring it up needlessly. If any cat asks, he died under that Monster’s paws.”

Dustleap sneered at that, but Fireheart nodded in understanding. Even with Yellowfang, the topic of the old Shadowclan tyrant seemed raw. He couldn’t imagine how it would be for Windclan, who lost their home to his greedy claws, or Shadowclan, who suffered cruelly underneath his leadership. She was right: it was best to leave the topic be.

The cats surrounding her began to disperse across the clearing. Fireheart watched as Cinderpaw bolted for the healer’s den - checking on her mentor, he realized guiltily. He had nearly forgotten about her in all that had happened after the battle. He was about to follow the gray apprentice when he stiffened and glanced back to Bluestar. “Has Graystripe returned from hunting yet?” He asked curiously.

She glanced at him, a small frown crossing her silvery muzzle. “He has not.” She admitted. “Why?”

He frowned at her response. It was unusual for any warrior to be out all day, but perhaps Graystripe had lost track of the sun. “You said you wanted two cats on guard duty. I was supposed to be the second, but then there was the battle.” Tigerclaw narrowed his amber eyes, and he added quickly, “I just wanted to offer to guard Brokentail first, at least until Tigerclaw assigns the night vigils.”

The deputy’s gaze stayed narrow, but Bluestar smiled in delight. “Of course, Fireheart. I appreciate the dedication. The Clan needs that more than ever these days.” She sighed softly as her blue eyes drifted across his pelt, torn from both the battle and the rose bush he had chased Brokentail through. “But you must see Yellowfang and Dewpaw afterwards. I can’t risk your wounds getting infected now that leafbare is here.”

“Of course.” He mewed with a dip of his head, taking the opportunity to dismiss himself. He crossed camp towards the ferns of the apprentices’ den that he had seen One-eye take Yellowfang. He paused by it, glancing around in confusion. She had mentioned a foxhole, but he had never seen one near their old den. 

“Looking for the prison?” He jumped as One-eye seemed to materialize beside him. “It’s over there, just behind the warriors’ den.” She pointed with a paw, and he followed it to see an almost-hidden hole in the ground. Long grass and a few tree shoots surrounded it; if she hadn’t pointed it out, he would have never seen it. “Well hidden, of course. We couldn’t have any enemies sneaking in to free their friends.”

“Thank you.” He mewed, trotting over. The hole was small, only big enough for a young apprentice to fit through comfortably. Tigerclaw, Lionheart and Whitestorm would never be able to fit in on their own. Then, he supposed, perhaps that was a good thing for Brokentail - it meant that the more murderous members of the Clan wouldn’t enact their own justice on him.

He threw back his shoulders and started to squeeze his way in. He didn’t need to see the inside, really, but he was curious. It was evidently very rare for Thunderclan to take prisoners, and he didn’t know when he’d get another opportunity like this.

The inside was almost black, and even though he couldn’t see, he could feel with his whiskers how cramped it was. He blinked slowly, trying to let his eyes adjust, when he heard soft murmuring. As the space slowly came into focus, he could see Yellowfang and Brokentail laying in a shallow groove in the dirt. The healer was gently lapping at the exile’s head with her eyes closed, just like he had when he had been comforting Princess.

“Yellowfang!” He hissed in surprise. “What are you doing?”

The old molly startled at his voice, opening her eyes to see him standing in front of them. “Fireheart!” She gasped, clearly also shocked to see him. “What are you doing in here?”

“I was going to guard Brokentail.” He scowled at the kit-killer. Even though he had volunteered for it, that didn’t mean he liked the rogue any more than Dustleap seemed to. “What in Starclan’s name were you doing to him? Were you comforting him?”

The healer stared at him with wide eyes, as though she hadn’t processed what he said at all. Then her shoulders sagged and her gaze dropped to the floor. “I was.” 

“Why?” Fireheart asked in confusion. She hated the tyrant that had exiled her, didn’t she? Surely his comfort would be the last thing on his mind. He shook his head slowly in disbelief. “He doesn’t deserve that.”

Her gaze slowly turned to the mangled tabby beside her, her eyes drifting across his still form. She watched as his flank slowly and steadily rose and fell. He was sleeping, the ginger tom realized after a moment. “Because he’s my son.”

Fireheart blinked at her, not sure if he had heard her right. “Your son?” He echoed dimly as he stared at her. “But I thought healers weren’t allowed to have kits.”

“We aren’t.” Yellowfang sighed as she watched the tabby tom breathing, her eyes filled with a fondness he hadn’t seen from her before. “I was young, and foolish. I was in love with his father - Raggedstar. We were leader and healer, then, and I believed that there was nothing that could stop us.” Her copper gaze then clouded with grief. “I was wrong.”

Fireheart glanced behind him. No cat was going to sneak up on them, at least for the time being, so he slowly sat down. He owed it to Yellowfang, at least, to hear her out. “What happened?”

“I had three.” She mewed softly. “The first two were stillborn mollies. I named the first one Hopekit, after the hope I had that the rest would live. I named the second Wishkit, after the wish I had that they would forgive me in Starclan for breaking the code. The third…” Fireheart glanced at the exile before him. “Brokenkit, after the broken heart I had realizing I could never raise him as his mother.”

She looked back up to the Thunderclan warrior, her eyes watering. “I knew then that I had betrayed Starclan by taking a mate and kits, and that they were punishing me for my insolence. I thought that Hopekit and Wishkit’s deaths were the curse they had given me.” She squeezed her eyes shut. “But now I know I was wrong. My punishment was not that my daughters died. It’s that my son lived!”

Brokentail didn’t startle out of his sleep, still slumbering soundly despite the howling of the queen beside him. “Does he know? That you’re his mother, I mean?” 

“No.” She opened her eyes and gazed back down at her tabby son. “I buried Hopekit and Wishkit where they were born, and took Brokenkit back to Raggedstar. He was surprised at my change of mind, but agreed to have one of the queens nurse him instead.” She wrinkled her nose in disgust. “One jumped at the chance to nurse Raggedstar’s son. She raised Brokentail like he was her own. He likely still believes she was his birth mother.”

She sighed wistfully at the memories. “I recommitted myself to my duties as a healer. No one but my mentor ever suspected that I was Brokentail’s birth mother, and I was able to move on with my life. But Starclan never forgot, and they certainly never forgave.” The healer’s paws shuffled shamefully in the soil. “Ever since his birth, I have been unable to speak to them. Thankfully, I have always had an apprentice there to interpret their will for me, but it is a constant reminder that I have broken our sacred code.” 

He watched her carefully. “You said that you knew that my sister was in a hard position, and that you couldn’t leave her in distress. Is- is this why you agreed to help her?”

Yellowfang nodded slowly in response. “My mentor taught me those secrets I mentioned when I was a half-moon away from kitting. I think she knew, even if she didn’t say it out loud.” She sighed once more. “Sometimes I wonder if she looks down on me from Starclan even now, still disappointed in me for not following the healer code. I abandoned my old self completely - my love, my kits, my name - yet still, my shame follows me.”

He perked his ears in surprise as she spoke. “Your name? You had a different name?”

She snorted. “What, did you think I was born Yellowkit?” The grizzled healer’s whiskers twitched in amusement at his question. “My mother may have been a bit mad, but she wasn’t blind. I had a name to match the rest of my siblings’, once.” She looked away, her smile fading after a few heartbeats. “But that name was given to me by Starclan. In abandoning them, I abandoned that name. Raggedstar gave me my new name, just after Brokenkit was born. There aren’t many in the Clans who remember my old name, now.”

He recalled the joke Graystripe had made on the way to a Gathering with him a couple of moons ago. “I guess I didn’t really think about it.” He finally mewed. “What was it, if I may ask?” 

The melancholy molly shook her head slowly. “No. Like I said, that name is no longer my own. Starclan has made it clear I no longer deserve it.” The dark gray queen sighed as she looked down on her son, her gaze filled with heartache that spoke more words than she could ever say. “Just like he is no longer my son. It is only in these secret moments, when no one is watching, that I even dare to think about what life might have been.”

The elderly healer finally looked back up to him, her sorrowful copper gaze meeting his emerald eyes. “I understand if you cannot forgive me. I don’t know if I would either, in your position.” 

Her form seemed to shrink before him, until she looked nearly as small as a new apprentice. He looked between her and Brokentail - her son, the cat she loved despite all that he had done, cared for unconditionally. He understood now why she had defended him so desperately; what mother would willfully send her son to his death? And even knowing all the atrocious acts that the tabby had committed, knowing that he only still lived because of Yellowfang, Fireheart couldn’t find it in himself to blame her.

“I’ll forgive you.” He declared at last. “But only on one condition.”

Her eyes glittered in what little light remained. “Speak your mind.” She replied wearily, as though already resigned to him extorting her.

“You forgive me for breaking your leg.”

They stared at each other for several moments. He wondered if perhaps she was thinking it over, but then she began convulsing, letting out a growl in between each shaky breath. “Yellowfang?” He mewed in concern for the old molly, stepping closer in the small cave.

“Oh, Fireheart.” She wheezed in between growls, and after a heartbeat he realized she’d been laughing. “I forgave you for that many moons ago.”

“Then I forgive you.” He mewed simply, leaning over Brokentail to touch his nose to hers affectionately. “Cats aren’t just their parents. I am not the kittypet my mother and father were. Brokentail is not Raggedstar or you. I wouldn’t thank him for your actions, just like I won’t blame you for his.”

Her laughter finally ceased, and she slowly looked up to fix him with a steady copper gaze. “You have more wisdom than some elders I���ve known, Fireheart.” Yellowfang murmured softly, finally standing up and moving away from Brokentail’s body. “Thank you. It feels good to have told another cat the truth.” She hesitated and looked back at her son briefly. “It… it may be selfish of me to ask, but would you keep this between us? Even though I can no longer speak with Starclan, I still enjoy my role as the Clan’s healer. I don’t want to give it up for anything.”

Fireheart stared at her in confusion. “Why would you have to give it up if other cats knew? Brokentail being your son has nothing to do with your skill as a healer.”

She chuffed as though he’d said something funny, but he could see tears welling in her eyes. “If only other warriors thought as you did.” She sighed and glanced down at her paws. “By taking a mate and having kits, I broke Starclan’s code. I could be exiled, if Bluestar so chose. At best, I would likely be forced to retire to the elders’ den. I may be old, but I still have some life left in me, I should think.”

The ginger warrior pressed himself against her, giving her a reassuring purr. “You’ve kept my secret, I see no reason why I shouldn’t keep yours. Besides, Dewpaw still needs a mentor, and it would tear her up to have her second mentor taken from her in as many moons.” He wondered what the spotted molly would think if she learned of Yellowfang’s secret; she had always been ready to recite the healer code, but he had no doubt that she loved the grumpy old healer as well. 

“Dewpaw…” The grizzled gray molly hesitated at the mention of her apprentice’s name. “Do you think I should tell her the truth as well? I never told Wetnose, but… perhaps she deserves to know.”

He wasn’t sure how to answer that. He didn’t see the issue, but then, he wasn’t a healer. “I think you should trust your own judgement on that. Dewpaw’s an understanding cat. If you think she needs to know, then I’m sure she would be willing to keep your secret.” He blinked as the thought of the healer’s apprentice suddenly reminded him of what had happened after the battle. “You should go see her, though, and help her with Mistspring. Besides, I’m supposed to be outside, guarding Brokentail.” Even as he said that, he glanced back at the sleeping form. It wasn’t like there was much to guard right now.

“I already did what I could to help Mistspring. Whatever happens, she’s in Starclan’s paws now.” Still, the healer moved towards the crevice that led outside, before glancing back at the two toms. “Brokentail won’t be moving for a while. I gave him some poppy seeds to help ease the pain, and they’ll likely keep him sleeping through the night. You should come with me, so I can see to those injuries of yours.”

Fireheart hesitated, glancing back. While he trusted Yellowfang’s assessment, he had still promised Bluestar that he would guard the prison. “Can I come see you after I’m done? I don’t want to disappoint Bluestar.”

The old queen rolled her eyes at his words. “I’ll bring the herbs to you. You’ll be sitting outside?” He nodded quickly in response. “Fine, then.” She pushed her way through the entrance, her bulky Shadowclan frame loosing some of the dirt as she went through.

The warrior gave one last glance at the almost peaceful form of Brokentail before following her. It would be strange, having the former tyrant in camp, but some part of him was glad the tom had survived the Monster. Especially now that he knew the truth about his parentage. Even if Yellowfang might deny it, it was clear she still had affection for the broken tom. 

He shook his head briefly to rid himself of the thought. It wasn’t his concern, anymore. As far as he cared, Brokentail was just a prisoner. He left the foxhole quickly, leaving the dark tabby to the shadows where he belonged.

[strelles-universe]

Just read your previous posts from 2022 and damn, I somehow missed the fact that Fireheart was willing to DIE for the clan when the dogs came. Man's was willing to yeet himself into the water to save an entire clan that never apologized for being so shitty to him.

Fireheart has so much patience to put up with this bs, 'cause I would've been pretty snappy about the "kittypets are too soft" topic. Darkstripe would've been shredded like moss- or you know, BLINDED for poisoning a fucking kit.

Like damn- no wonder kittypets don't think highly of clan cats, they can annoying af sometimes.

Moving on, Fireheart was way too nice and too good for the clans sometimes. I appreciate aus like yours where he's sassy and doesn't take shit from anyone.

Oh yeah, canon Fireheart was seriously about to throw himself from the edge to save ThunderClan from the dogs despite them still harassing him, long after the event. Honestly, it was the lack of a support system I think - the poor guy had no friends and wanted to fit in so badly that he let all the hazing and bullying grind him down. Canon Fire deserved so much better - or at least a dang, apology.

[kirwell]

"I need redemption, I'm just a man. Pray for me, brother I need redemption I'm just a man A man on a mission" - Art (c) me (LizzieLass on DeviantArt) Reposting my stuff from DA cause it's dead over there rip

I'm not a huge fan of Blackstar. I read Blackfoot's Reckoning, and I couldn't tell if it was supposed to be a "redemption" story since he was being evaluated by StarClan to receive his 9 lives. He's obviously done a lot of terrible things for a lot of terrible people, taking everything at face value instead of digging a little deeper to find the truth and make his own judgement calls. He idolized cats so much, and it really blinded him to his own atrocities. I don't remember if he ever made amends in the main arc or not before he died?? 

What actually bugs me the most, is by StarClan's own standards, mentioned in some of the newer books, Blackstar should've ended up in the Dark Forest. In fact, A LOT of cats should've ended up there, if StarClan followed what they preach and didn't play favorites. I'm getting off topic but I don't understand how StarClan got PISSY with Leafpool and Squirrelflight about having illegitimate kits and lying about it, but cats who murder and generally do awful things, get a free trip into cat heaven! I don't get how you can justify someone like Ashfur and allow him into StarClan, but actually consider condemning Leafpool, whose worst crime was HAVING BABIES !! and babies who actually saved the clans, sooo why ya'll mad starclan?? Imagine being judged by Bluestar and Yellowfang of all people... literally the least qualified to be judging people. im sorry, im mad. Idk bro, its sus. Starclan be gatekeepin' fr

but yeahhh, I didn't like Blackfoot's Reckoning. I was in mental agony reading through it. I feel like the purpose of his novella was the Erins trying to "redeem" him in the eyes of the readers like "ohhh look Blackfoot wasn't all that bad, he wasn't a bad person, seeeee, he deserves to be in starclan." But all it did was show me how UNQUILFIED he was for a leadership role. This dude really was a sheep his entire life smh. we all joke that darkstripe was a simp for tigerstar, but lets be honest, i'm pretty sure Blackfoot was too. How else could he be so blind to literal cat war crimes??? Erins... It's OK to have non-villain characters be seen in shades of grey. You don't need to make them squeaky clean and void of all faults in order to call them a good guy. The world is more than black and white. Lesson of the story. StarClan is really wack with their judgment calls and blackfoot was not a good, nor a smart person. ShadowClan deserved better. And I have an au in the works to show just what I mean,, if i ever finish it .. ^^;

[otterdotters-potsandpans]

A test chapter of an au im working on- this is NOT the frostthaw au- this is the fallenhawkau

---------□□□□□□□□■■■■■□■□■□■□

Snowkit sat in the middle of the camp, his tail flicking as he chased clumsily after a golden butterfly, his pink-tipped white ears flicking and bouncing around as he leapt after it.

He made a sound that could have been a huff as his ears and tail drooped slightly - he had missed the butterfly and it had quickly flittered away.

His blue eyes were narrowed in concentration, he could feel vibrations in his paws as other cats milled around the camp and as the wind was brushing past his legs, the long white fur tufts bouncing and flowing in the wind at his movements as he bunched up his hind quarters, getting ready to pounce at a plant in front of him after the butterfly had escaped from his not so gentle grasp.

The plant- was it lavender?- was flowing in the wind erratically yet softly, the purple bunches bouncing energetically as if they were waving at him happily or in glee.

His soft white tail flicked as his interest was taken off of the lavender in front of him, he noticed cats quickly running into their dens or leaping under shelter, he looked at them in confusion and slight fear, as some of them looked up at the sky- eyes wide as their fur bushed up and their tails bristled.

Snowkit yelped loudly, a strangled toke to his voice, as he was yanked odd of the ground by sharp claws that dug into his soft sides, he looked down at the camp in fear as he was slowly picked up.

---

Darkstripe looked up in surprise, he wasn't a good cat by any means... at least he didn't think he was, but he couldn't let a kit die, could he?

No other cat stepped forwards to attack the hawk, so he took the chance.

A black streak raced across the camp at an alarming speed, his tail flowing behind him rigidly as he leapt up into the air- his claws extended and his eyes narrowed in aggression, an angry amber glow emitting from them as he leapt across the camp.

Sharp rigid claws made contact with the hawk's brown feathered wings, some of its feathers being yanked out as he pulled it down slightly, his maw was open in a silent yowl- his sharp teeth showing off as a stark contrast against his dark smokey tabby fur.

The hawk began falling, and Darkstripe didn't let go until the hawk released the deaf white kitten.

They both began falling towards the ground, Darkstripe growled, pulling Snowkit into his thick furred chest as they hit the ground, blood dripped out of Snowkits wounds and he was shaking in fear and shock- tears in the corners of his blue eyes- Darkstripe wasn't looking much better, blood dripped from one of his eyes and trickled out of his mouth and nose, he spat some out onto the ground.

A red splatter sat in front of him, a contrast between the deep red blood and the calm green grass.

Darkstripe was breathing heavily, exhaustion suddenly taking over his features as he stayed slightly side to side as he sat on his haunches cautiously, hesitance in his movements as he tried not to fall over, his breath coming out in small sudden deep gasps.

Snowkit sat down, his eyes wide as he sat still in shock- save for the occasional shiver.

Cinderpelt hobbled over quickly, trying to assess the situation, before shouting something to Brightheart in a frantic yet professional tone, her eyes showing urgency as she ordered cats around the camp, the apprentices looking on in terror and shock until they were given tasks.

Darkstripe didn't have an apprentice, the clan didn't seem to trust him still- even after he hadn't followed Tigercl-star.

Sandstorm had sent her apprentice- Fernpaw- quickly to get some watered moss at Cinderpelts orders; Snowkit and Darkstripe were carried- or in the dark tabbies case, half dragged, half carried- to the medicine den, being settled carefully yet quickly into nests.

Darkstripe kept dozing off, aware yet unable to do anything in his state of exhaustion and pain, his vision was bleary and his hearing was foggy, a haze settles over his mind as he felt someone prodding him- trying to wake him up; before he dozed off he was fed something- some herb for any shock and pain and poultices were plastered onto his wounds.

He fell asleep finally.

[warriors-rewritten-chaos]

could i maybe have some tigerclaw x whitestorm x lionheart hypokits? :o

Warriors Ships Hypokits- WhiteTigerLion Edition

I never considered this ship before. I think it could have a lot of great angst potential in a more canon-like setting... but I can't do that because I'm a sucker for happy endings. And by StarClan do Lion and White deserve one (and maybe Tiger does too)

In this AU, Tigerpaw is apprenticed to Bluefrost instead of Thistleclaw. The two are constantly butting heads and Tigerpaw constantly disobeys his mentor and causes trouble. It's only after the two are forced to actually talk that Bluefrost understands that Tigerpaw is lonely and struggles with a complex about his father and believes that he is inherently bad somehow. Bluefrost begins to help her apprentice and he becomes better over time. He doesn't attack Tiny, but Tiny still ends up founding BloodClan, but it is a much kinder group as a result of the Clans' kindness toward him as a kit. Tigerpaw grows close with two other apprentices, Lionpaw and Whitepaw, who shares similar issues about his own father Thistleclaw, who was exiled for killing another Clan's Medicine Cat. When they grow older they fall in love and become mates (after a lot of work and talking things out). Tigerfrost never becomes Leader or even Deputy but he finds that he is very okay with that. He cheers the loudest of everyone when Bluestar becomes ThunderClan's Leader.

They have six kits with their friends Goldenflower, Frostfur, and Willowmoon as the surrogates.

Litter 1 (fathered by Tigerfrost):

Leopardstep- light-brown-and-silver spotted tabby tom with pale blue eyes. Cis tom, demisexual. This universe's version of Longtail and was named after Leopardfoot. Leopardstep is a petty and cold cat who believes Clan cats are superior to all other cats, despite the efforts of his fathers to teach him otherwise. He changes with the arrival of Firepaw, who is made his apprentice and the two bond over their time together. In a complete reversal of his former self, he ends up falling for Fireheart’s older kittypet sister Princess and leaves ThunderClan for BloodClan to be with her. He visits his family with her and their kits a lot before the Clans are forced to leave the forest. He dies from old age surrounded by his mate and kits. When he was a Warrior, he was a Hunter. 

Litter 2 (fathered by Lionheart; born around the same time as Litter 1):

Braveclaw- golden molly with a longer neck ruff and amber eyes. Trans molly, lesbian. Braveclaw is a tough and strong-willed cat who is a natural leader and takes charge easily. She is firm and stern but fair, and is well-respected by her Clanmates for it. She is a bit awkward outside of situations that she needs to take charge of and is actually a huge softie underneath it all. Braveclaw prefers to try and hide this because it interferes with her “cool and strong” image, but her family like to tease that side out of her because it’s funny and cute to see that shift. She is killed in a battle at some point while fighting to defend her Clan. She is a Warden, then eventually becomes a Deputy under Firestar.

Cougartooth- light brown tom with dark brown ears and amber eyes. Cis tom, straight. Cougartooth is his littermate’s polar opposite in almost every way. He is a coward who tends to follow stronger cats around and take orders from them. He is easily influenced by the beliefs of others that he believes are stronger, which is why Bluestar’s decision to give him to the treacherous Darkstripe as an apprentice was a horrible idea in hindsight. He and Darkstripe are the only ThunderClan cats to leave and follow Thistlestar once he takes over ShadowClan. His fathers are forced to kill him in the LionClan vs TigerClan battle after he attacks them and they grieve heavily over it. He was a Scout, then a Spy after he moved to ShadowClan.

Litter 3 (fathered by Whitestorm; born around the same time as the other apprentices in Into the Wild):

Blizzardwish- longhaired white tom with one blue eye and one yellow eye. Trans tom, gay. Blizzardwish comes across to most as being coldhearted and even cruel at times. And he is to a big extent. He believes that he needs to be that way to survive, having been picked on by many cats for being hard-of-hearing and blind in his blue eye. He fought hard to be where he is and fears that showing any sort of weakness will cause his hard work to go down the drain. He gets better, improving through his mentorship of his brother Swiftspirit and  Snowhawk, who has similar issues to him. While he is still pretty cold, he tones it down and learns that kindness is much more valuable in life. He dies of old age as an Elder. He was a Brute when he was a Warrior. 

Erminefur- pretty longhaired white molly with yellow eyes. Cis molly, straight. Erminefur and her littermate Blizzardwish were apprentices when Firepaw joined the Clan and were some of his biggest critics. Erminefur has always been pretty vain and a bully, being the stereotypical mean girl of ThunderClan. She, Sandpaw, and Dustpaw were best friends before Sandpaw began to like Firepaw and thus was ostracized from the group. Over time, Erminefur and Dustpelt mellowed out a bit as well (but not too much) and fell in Prickly Asshole Love and had kits together. Erminefur died during the Great Battle fighting alongside her mate. She was a Scout.

Litter 4 (fathered by Tigerfrost; born at the same time as Swiftpaw is in canon):

Swiftspirit- black-and-white tabby tom with amber eyes. Cis tom, bisexual. This universe's version of Swiftpaw. As the youngest child, Swiftspirit grew up pretty spoiled and believed that he was the strongest kit and then apprentice in the Clan. This proved disastrous when the dog pack appeared and began terrorizing the Clans, when Swiftpaw riled up the other ThunderClan apprentices to go after the dogs, resulting in the deaths of most of them and his own near-death experience. He delayed his own apprenticeship due to his injuries and deep depression but ultimately became an excellent Warrior. He died during the Great Storm saving his Clanmates from the floodwaters. He was a Warden.

[bonefall]

actually tigerclaw having thistleclaw as a brain demon would be kind of based bc in tigerclaw's fury he/mapleshade thinks,"Thistleclaw would have clouted you over the ears for letting yourself get beaten by a kittypet and a star-crazed old she-cat." to which tigerclaw replies with,"Thistleclaw wouldn’t have dared to take on the leader of his Clan! Tigerclaw lashed back. If he hadn’t let Bluestar become deputy in the first place, everything would be different. He would have chosen me to succeed him, and ThunderClan would be as strong as we deserve!" which is really interesting. tigerclaw's fury is like,the main book I reference for tigerclaw's personality,aside from the first arc ones,I just ignore that mapleshade is there.

It would work sooo much better if every dark forest trainee had a sort of "patron demon." One that could actually relate to their goals and ambitions, instead of stuffing so much evil into Mapleshade that she becomes generic

It feels like the books are running out of interesting DF characters as the old ones die off. It's good that in ALITM we finally got some insight on Silverhawk, Sparrowfeather, and maybe Snowtuft, but it's really not enough considering they equally killed another 3 (Redwillow, Darktail, Darkstripe... and snowtuft lol)

[xonerose]

You know how Ashfur didn’t go to the Dark Forest because he “loved too much”?

Well what if that applied to Darkstripe as well? I could picture Ashfur and Darkstripe relating to eachother in Starclan.

[littlepuffy4ever]

Not me crying over warrior cats in the holy year of 2022

(Cw death and warrior cats spoilers in tag bc I got carried away hehehehe)

[froody-matriarch-of-bleu-cheese]

A little Darkstripe doodle. Angry kitty is angry.

He’s always been one of my favorite personal characters. Taking part in killing Stonefur was not right but as a character his actions make senses with his motives.

He does go off the deepend, but seeing his reaction to ending up in the Dark Forest/Cat Hell, he saw himself as doing the right thing, and was loyal to the wrong cats, and I believe he saw Tigerstar was a father figure, being that his actual father died earlyon, making his life trying hard and failing, trying to please who he’s loyal to and a tragic mess of events.

[warriors-last-words]

This has definitely already been done, but my mind’s nagging at me to make this, so

Cats who I think should have super editions / novellas:

Brightflower (she openly accused her eldest daughter of murdering her new litter and helped run her out of the Clan, only to find out later that said daughter never even did it-- further, it was the leader of the Clan that she might’ve been supporting [she was probably on his side for at least a bit, since that’s naturally how you feel about your leader]. Did she try to talk to her daughter again? Maybe meet her at the border and try to get her to come back?).

Crag / Stoneteller (or another Tribe cat, ‘cause I think it would be interesting to get a story from their point of view when the Clans aren’t with them).

Another Dark Forest cat (because the ‘ambition’ thing is kinda overused and I want more evil characters that got sent to hell for other reasons. It’s similar to Mapleshade, but she was pretty popular, wasn’t she? And I think part of that goes to the different tone that that book had-- at least that’s what worked for me).

Goldenflower (she deserves it).

Maybe a short story from someone in Starclan either dealing with issues from Starclan or worrying about Clan issues (cause I think it would just be neat).

Either Lizardfang or Brokenstar (again with the wanting to see more evil characters, but also because Lizardfang sucks and I want a book where we can see what happens to her)

Dustpelt (to give the authors a chance to fix how he felt about Fernpaw, but also going from Redtail to Darkstripe and having his best friend switch to his target’s side, and all that).

A cat that has some sort of mental or physical impairment (also to give the authors a chance to give us at least ONE character with an impairment that doesn’t get screwed over)

Graypool (her bio kits died and she was said to wail out to them in the forest because she thought they might be able to hear her calling for them if she were closer to their graves, then getting new kits that just show up, finding out those kits belong to the Thunderclan deputy/leader, probably having her kits confront her about it when they’re older [they were pretty upset when they found out the truth, it makes sense that they at least ask her], Rippleclaw was a dick to her mother when she gave up her kits, and then the two became mates when she became an adult, getting dementia).

The Windclan cat that killed Badgerfang (I get that it was a battle and Shadowclan was fighting viciously, but if you found out you killed someone who should’ve still been suckling at their mother’s belly, you’re bound to feel something, and I’m curious to how they deal with it).

Blossomfall / Millie (their relationship seems to have gotten better in the end, but I really want to see Blossomfall fully confront Millie and call her out)

Darktail growing up with his mother and searching for the Clans for revenge (admittedly it’s mostly because there’s a ‘fact’ [I don’t know if it’s true or not] that he met Sol. Pretty much everyone comes up with how they teamed up or got along, but I really like the idea that Sol, believing himself to be so great, tried to manipulate Darktail. Darktail either manipulated him back, making Sol think it was working when really he was setting a trap, or Darktail just straight up kills Sol. Sol, in my opinion, is basically just a con artist. Yes, he’s very successful and causes a lot of problems, but he’s not really evil-evil, at least not to Darktail’s extent. I want Mr ‘I’m-so-great’ to get owned by a deadlier villain).