Thorn (Warriors FF)

Thorn pushed through the brambles, hoping to find some prey. She did, finding a squirrel munching happily on an acorn. The squirrel didn’t notice her creeping up to catch it, and when it did, it was too late. The squirrel’s eyes dully pointed to the sky. Thorn’s teeth sliced easily through the squirrel’s soft flesh. She felt refreshed. Thorn ran back home to her small abandoned badger set. She noticed a black-and-white spotted cat sniffing around her set. “Get away from my set.” Thorn growled, flexing her claws. While she waited for the cat to make a move, she noticed a shiny collar around its neck. ‘Kittypet,’ she thought. ‘Too lazy to make a move, let alone find their own home.’ “Hmm… What reason do I have leaving this area?” The kittypet purred. “I mean, you just left it here.” “This is my HOME, you lousy no-good KITTYPET.” Thorn snarled, putting emphasis on ‘Home’ and ‘Kittypet’. The kittypet licked her paw. Thorn would wait no longer. “GRAAAHH!!” She shouted, pouncing at the kittypet. It looked shocked, and made no move. It shrieked when Thorn landed right on top of it. “Let me GO!” It yowled. Thorn relaxed her grip, but not enough to allow the kittypet to escape. “FINE! I’ll LEAVE! Just LET ME GO!” Thorn allowed it to get up. “You can leave, but never return. Tell your fellow kittypets to stay away too.” Thorn growled, louder this time. The kittypet scrambled away, clearly scared. Thorn crawled into her set, stretching out on the soft moss, letting herself fall into a deep sleep.

Thorn woke up, startled to notice a large tom standing at the entrance to her set. “Lemme out, you big fool.” Thorn rasped. “No.” The tom said, standing firmly in place. “You threatened my daughter. I will let you out, but you must fight me.” Thorn realized that he must be talking about the kittypet that came too near to her set. “Fine. I’ll fight you, old coot.” Thorn rolled her eyes, thinking that the tom would never beat her. “Your move.” He rasped. Thorn pounced, in which the tom quickly dodged. ‘So old, yet so fast.’ She thought. The tom pounced at her, in which Thorn barely escaped. The tom managed to get a few claws on her shoulder, which started bleeding. She winced. While the tom boasted his pride to his daughter, Thorn ran at full speed to him. She bit down hard on his scruff, so hard she could taste blood. “Never… come… near… my… home… AGAIN!!” She clawed at his shoulders. Thorn bit down on his scruff again, and this time threw him across the ground. “Never come near my home again. Don’t even bother sending MORE kittypets to ‘defeat me’. You kittypets are pampered, spoiled, and have a home. I live by myself, hunt for myself, and live in an old abandoned badger den. Now go. Go before I make you REGRET even THINKING about coming here.” The battered tom and his daughter walked away slowly. Thorn growled. They picked up speed, before leaving the range of Thorn’s sight. She looked around, trying to see if any more kittypets lingered around her set, trying to catch her off-guard. She walked off in one direction, trying to find some prey. Thorn sniffed around, eventually smelling the scent of several cats. She remembered something one of her friends told her, about groups of cats called ‘Clans’ that have somehow forged an alliance with each other. Thorn, while lost in thought, was caught by someone. “You have trespassed on Storm Clan’s territory. Prepare to pay the price.”

“Argh, let me GO, you--” The cat dragging her dropped her in front of a well-muscled tom. “I am Lightningstar.” He rumbled in a deep voice. “What do you WANT?!” Thorn yowled. “You trespassed on my Clan’s territory. You shall be held captive.” “UGH, take two steps over a borderline and 300 cats jump you. How long will I be held captive?!” Thorn screamed. The leader seemed unfazed. “Until I let you free. You will be guarded by Shadowfur-” A black she-cat stepped out of the shadows- “And Brokenheart. The one who caught you.” The mottled dark brown cat that dragged Thorn there gave Thorn a harsh look. “Lightningstar.” The she-cat said. “Where should we put this rogue?” Lightningstar closed his eyes. Silence followed. “Shadowfur, this rogue-” Lightningstar was cut off. “‘This rogue’ has a NAME. It’s Thorn.” She said with a defiant look. “Okay then. ‘Thorn’ will be put with the queens and kits.” Lightningstar replied to Shadowfur’s question. “Are you sure putting ‘Thorn’ with the queens and kits is a good idea? I mean, she’s a ROGUE, for Star Clan’s sake.” Shadowfur had a questioning look on her face. Lightningstar nodded. They rubbed heads. Lightningstar cut the silence. “But first, Brokenheart will show her around the territory.”

“So this is the warrior’s den.” Brokenheart pointed with his tail to a somewhat large den woven with bramble vines, and patched with thorns. “Medicine cat’s den is over there,” He said, clearly unhappy about showing Thorn around. The medicine cat’s den was a twisted fallen tree, with an opening designed for cats to go in and out easily. “Leader’s den-” Brokenheart motioned to a very well-made den. “And finally, the nursery. Where you’ll be staying.” He turned and left. Thorn walked into the nursery. Three queens and eight kits were inside the nursery. Thorn groaned at the thought of spending time in this place with eight kits. She accidentally snapped a small twig upon coming in. The kits’ ears perked up, and woke up quickly after that. All eight ran to her. The queens woke up too. “What are YOU doing here?” A sleek gray queen snarled. Thorn looked around, and surely enough, the other two queens were glaring at her. “Your so-called leader trapped me in this place. Now I’m stuck here.” Thorn muttered. “Well then,” A golden-brown she-cat purred. “I’m Leafpelt. The gray one is Nightfoot, and that white one is Snowymist.” The queens lay back down. The kits lined up in front of Thorn. “I’m Dewkit!” A gray-and-white she-kit squeaked. “These are my brothers, Leopardkit and Whisperkit!” Whisperkit was pure black, with blue eyes. Leopardkit looked almost exactly like his mother, Leafpelt, but lighter colored. “Whitekit! I’m Whitekit!” Snowypelt’s kit squeaked. Nightfoot took over. “This is Tigerkit, Lionkit, Moonkit, and Grasskit.” She snarled. A black tom strolled casually inside. He rubbed heads with Leafpelt. “Thorn,” He said, “Lightningstar wants you to go on patrol.” “Ugh, fine.” Thorn reluctantly followed the tom. Shadowfur and three other cats were standing under a tree. “Thorn, we’re on patrol, so you’ll have to get that rogue scent off of you.” Shadowfur explained, and led Thorn to a small stream. “Get in.” Shadowfur instructed. “What-- why would I get in WATER?! I’m a cat, not a fish, mouse-brain.” Thorn retorted. A white tom shoved her in and snickered. Thorn immediately jumped out and clawed at the tom. She managed to get a claw on his shoulder. He quickly retaliated with raking his claws over the wound on Thorn’s shoulder. Shadowfur yowled to stop the fighting. The white tom- Blizzardclaw, Shadowfur said- was sent to the medicine cat. Thorn had to keep going with the patrol, soaking wet. They came to the border, and a few cats sat there. “HA! Is Lightningstar so weak that he depends on rogues to patrol the borders? At this rate, he’ll be taking even the weakest kittypets!” An orange tom laughed. Thorn was ready to claw that cat’s fur out when a ginger-colored she-cat from Thorn’s patrol spat a smart remark back. “Oh yeah? Well then, why is Blazestar letting you fox-dung-for-brains cats patrol the border? Does he think that you mouse-heads can actually patrol?” Shadowfur nodded. “Well, we might depend on rogues, but at least we don’t get kittypets to join your precious ‘pure-blood’ clan.” The ginger she-cat hissed. The orange tom and the light gray tom patrolling left. Shadowfur muttered under her breath, “When war comes, they will be crushed.”

“Thorn, go help the medicine cat. His name is Brambletail, and his apprentice’s name is Wildwing.” Lightningstar ordered. He turned around back to his den. “Lightningstar, Shadowfur said something… odd.” Lightningstar stopped in his tracks and turned to Thorn. “She said ‘When war comes, they will be crushed.’.” Lightningstar thought for a minute, before coming up with an answer. “At the last gathering- you know what a gathering is, right?” Thorn said that she had never heard of one, which Lightningstar explained that it was when all three clans come together to talk about what has happened in the clan. Thorn nodded, and Lightningstar went on. “At the last gathering, two warriors- mine and Blazestar’s- started arguing, which gave rise to an argument between me and Blazestar. The last clan- Night Clan- had broken the argument, but after the gathering, Blazestar and I argued some more, until agreeing that we shall fight on the plains on the day of the next gathering, which is later, but the clan will get to the battlefield in- well, now.” Lightningstar called the warriors together. Thorn went into the crowd of cats. “Leafpelt, Nightfoot, Snowymist, are your kits old enough to stay with the elders?” The queens nodded. “The elders will stay with the kits. Wildwing, you will stay here, taking care of the elders and kits. All queens will fight. Brambletail will take care of minor injuries on the battlefield, Wildwing will take major ones. Now, we fight!!” Everyone followed Lightningstar to the battlefield, but Flame Clan did have a plan…

“AAARGH!!” The battle quickly initiated, as soon as Lightningstar stepped foot on the battlefield. Thorn rushed in, going straight to the heart of the fight. She had begun fighting with a black-and-ginger she-cat, who retreated quickly. She came into combat with the same orange tom from the small skirmish at the border. “You think you can beat me?! I’m the deputy of Flame Clan! The strongest of all!” He yowled for the leader, who begun fighting also. ‘Arrogance,’ Thorn thought, while claws flew, ‘Their weakness. If I can make them think that they ‘beat me’, which I can use to my advantage.’ Just then, as Thorn finished her thought, the deputy, who was referred to as ‘Clawfur’ by Blazestar, rammed his head into Thorn’s side. She wasn’t hurt, but she pretended to be. Clawfur and Blazestar both turned, unknowing that Thorn was directly behind them. She jumped on their backs, digging her claws in. Clawfur fell on the ground, wriggling away to his clan’s medicine cat. Blazestar, however, couldn’t break free from the iron grip of Thorn. She scratched, bit, and sliced at her enemy. He went limp. She jumped off of Blazestar, and the fight stopped. “Blazestar is on his last life!” The Flame Clan medicine cat called. Two warriors dragged Blazestar off to the Flame Clan territory, and the medicine cat turned to Thorn. “You will pay for putting Blazestar on his last life.” The she-cat hissed, “You will pay. I am Goldenfur. Remember that name.” She hissed, before slinking behind the frazzled Flame Clan warriors.

“Brambletail, here’s that cobweb mesh you wanted.” Thorn said through teeth holding cobwebs. “Thanks, Thorn.” Wildwing thanked Thorn while Brambletail sorted herbs. Brambletail turned around and dipped his head at Thorn. He turned back and returned to sorting herbs. “STORM CLAN, PREPARE TO PAY FOR WHAT YOU HAVE DONE BEFORE!!” Blazestar’s voice rang from outside. Thorn, startled, ran out of the den, not caring how many twigs got caught in her neatly groomed fur. Blazestar sat on top of the tall rock where Lightningstar made announcements. Several warriors, apprentices, queens and the like stood behind Blazestar. “Flame Clan… ATTACK!!” The warriors streamed forward, strongly attacking any lone cat in sight. Storm Clan’s warriors streamed out of the warriors’ den, and another fight engaged. Thorn ended up fighting alongside Brokenheart, who was remarkably strong. “Fight harder!” Thorn muttered through gritted teeth. Brokenheart muttered something under his breath. Two cats surrounded Thorn and Brokenheart on both sides. One was Blazestar; the other was the cat from before, Goldenfur. Thorn took on Goldenfur, Brokenheart took Blazestar. “Hnnurghh… You fight like a kittypet, rogue.” Goldenfur grunted through clenched teeth. She flashed claws at Thorn. Thorn dodged. “Shadowfur told me about you, that your parents were kittypets.” Goldenfur was distracted for a moment. Thorn swiped at Goldenfur, leaving a scratch on her shoulder. Goldenfur ran off, upset that a mere rogue would know she was a kittypet. “RETREAT!!” The deputy yelled. Only one cat from Flame Clan didn’t leave: Blazestar. Clawfur prodded Blazestar with his paw, and yowled. “BLAZESTAR HAS LOST HIS LAST LIFE!!”

“Thorn.” Lightningstar beckoned Thorn closer with his tail. “You showed incredible courage in the battle against Flame Clan. Your prison time is up. You may return to your home. Brokenheart will escort you back to your home.” He dipped his head in honor of Thorn. Brokenheart walked over to them, and motioned for Thorn to follow him. They walked to the home of Thorn, stopping to catch some prey along the way. Brokenheart and Thorn stepped up to the abandoned badger set. Brokenheart turned around for a moment to give something to Thorn. “I… caught a rabbit. For you.” Brokenheart murmured. They touched noses. “Thanks…” Thorn said back. Brokenheart turned back, glancing at Thorn and smiling weakly. He continued walking, and Thorn slowly walked back into her den. She took a bite of the rabbit, and pushed it away, not having much of an appetite. Thorn tried to fall asleep, but couldn’t, thinking of Brambletail, Lightningstar, Shadowfur, Brokenheart, and all of the other cats in Storm Clan. She eventually fell asleep, having a prophetic dream… “Thorn.” A white tom stood in front of Thorn in her dream. Thorn was laying on her side, but got up. “I am Brightstar, former leader of Storm Clan.” His voice was similar to Lightningstar’s. “Former-- what?” Thorn was utterly confused. “I was the leader before Lightningstar.” Thorn nodded. “Your destiny is to be in Storm Clan, living by the warrior code, and fighting for Storm Clan. Not being a rogue, living by no code and fending for yourself.” Thorn’s memories flashed before her eyes. She then realized what Brightstar was talking about. Thorn yelled, “Send me out! I have to get back to Storm Clan!”

Thorn woke up and immediately began running towards the Storm Clan border, not caring how many bushes she had to streak through. “LIGHTNINGSTAR!!” She yowled. Several Storm Clan cats stared at her. She almost crashed into Lightningstar. “Let me guess- You want to stay in Storm Clan?” Lightningstar smirked. Thorn panted heavily. “Yes… Brokenheart… Where?” She almost fell on the ground. Shadowfur, who had walked up to see what the commotion was. She nosed Thorn back up. “Brokenheart’s over in the warrior’s den.” Shadowfur laughed a little at Thorn. Brokenheart came over to Thorn. “Thorn…! I never thought you’d come back!” He gasped. They rubbed heads. “Star Clan told me to stay here.” Thorn smiled. “Whatever happened, I’m glad you’re back. Wanna go hunting?” Thorn was about to accept when the kits ran up to Thorn. “Thorny! We’re apprentices now!” Dewkit, now Dewpaw squeaked. “Now we’re Dewpaw, Whitepaw, Tigerpaw, Lionpaw, Moonpaw, and Grasspaw!” Lightningstar called the clan together. “Everyone!” Lightningstar said. “Thorn has decided to stay in the clan!” The cats cheered. “Thorn.” Lightningstar beckoned her up to the rock where he stood. Thorn bowed her head in honor. “Star Clan has given their wisdom to us. Thorn will now be known as-” “No.” Thorn murmured. The clan was shocked. “I’m staying Thorn.” She held her head up. “Well then. Star Clan, I present to you… Thorn!” The clan yowled in agreement. They scattered. “Brokenheart… The best part of staying here… is being with you.” THE END

Leader: Lightningstar (blue-gray, well muscled tom) Deputy: Shadowfur (mottled dark gray she-cat) Warriors: Thorn (mottled brown she-cat with several scars) Brokenheart (brown tom with some scars) Longface (gray tom) Darkclaw (mottled black tom) Featherface (light gray tom) Softfeather (mottled white she-cat) Whisperlong (pure black tom) Stonetail (black tom with gray tail) Fishcatch (silver tom) Squirrelheart (light brown she-cat) Apprentices: Whitepaw (white she-cat) Dewpaw (mottled light gray she-cat) Grasspaw (brown tom) Moonpaw (pure black she-cat) Tigerpaw (fiery orange tom with gray stripes) Lionpaw (fluffy golden tom) Leopardpaw (golden-brown tom with black/gray spots) Shinypaw (white-and-gray tom) Queens: Leafpelt (Golden-brown she-cat) Nightfoot (Sleek gray she-cat) Snowymist (Pure white she-cat) Elders: Sharpslash (ratty-furred gray old tom) Swiftfoot (white tom with black spots)

Leader: Darkstar (very dark gray she-cat with ginger spots) Deputy: Rosefoot Warriors: Spotface (black-and-white tom) Tawnyfur (tawny colored she-cat) Toothshred (dirt-colored tom) Fuzzytail Mousesqueak Can't fill in the rest at the moment :X