Grey As Stone }{ Darkest Hour Re-Write

[Silvermask ~]

Title: Grey As Stone [Darkest Hour Re-Write]
Chapters: 10, 1 completed.
Author: Silvermask/ Silver the Masked
Pairing: None
Rating: PG
Spoilers: Darkest Hour
Summary: A rewrite of the Darkest Hour where Stonefur doesn't die.
Warning: Character death, hopefully not too gory though. Not anymore than you'd expect from your usual warriors.
Disclaimer: I don't own warriors. I'm just writing this for fun [and to improve my writing ] But if you steal it, I eat you o.O
Beta: None
Cover: None

Author's Notes: I've got this all planned already, and a basic timeline typed on my computer, but I'm not putting it here 'cause it will spoil the story for ya^^ It'll probably take a while for me to update this; don't think I'm gonna stop just because I haven't posted in 2 weeks. I'll get there in the end, but I won't put something up until I'm happy with it and it's done to the best of my abilities.

Prologue

An orange ball of fire was only just visible on the horizon. The land was darkening rapidly as dusk began to fall. The wind was crisp and cold. The ground was soft and damp. It squelched beneath the paws of the eight cats as they walked silently through the path of reeds. In the lead, a massive dark tabby with amber eyes that burned into the fur of others. At the back, an equally huge white tomcat with jet-black paws. Two others cats walked on either side. All four reeked of Shadowclan scent.

In the middle of this grand party walked four very different cats. The first, a blue-grey she-cat who padded along swiftly, her tail drooping in defeat. Every now and then, she stopped to nudge along two young apprentices; one dark grey, the other light silver. Behind them was the forth prisoner, a stone-coloured tom, heaving a sigh from his broad grey flank. While his eyes remained emotionless, inside he was boiling with anger. How could Leopardstar let this happen?

The brown tabby in the lead drew to a halt in front of a small black hole. It looked unpleasant and extremely uninviting. “In there”, the tabby ordered, jerking his massive head in the direction of the hole.
“But I can’t!” the silver apprentice protested, her voice shaking in desperation and fear. “You have to.” The blue-grey she-cat meowed in a reassuring voice. She herded to two apprentices into the hole, flashing a last glance of hatred at the huge brown tabby. He didn’t even flinch.

Last of all went the stone-coloured tom. With a last look at the stars above, he slipped into the never-ending darkness.

- - - -

[Silvermask ~]

Part 1: Imprisonment
- - - - -
“Wake up you lazy furball!”
Stonefur felt a large paw jab him painfully in the rips. Blinking dust out of his eyes, he attempted to look at his surroundings. He might as well have not bothered. All he could see was darkness. The grey warrior was lying in an old fox’s set in Riverclan territory. His muscles felt cramped from sleeping in the same uncomfortable position all night. There was nothing but the cold, hard earth to rest on. It had been like this for days now – weeks, even. The formally strong, healthy Riverclan deputy barely had the energy to lift up his head.

“Now!” The harsh voice spoke again. Stonefur recognized the now familiar scent of Jaggedtooth, the Shadowclan warrior in charge of guarding the four prisoners. Darkstripe’s scent was also close; Stonefur guessed from the muffled groans of protest beside him that the sleek grey tabby was rousing his sister, Mistyfoot. As Jaggedtooth was preparing to poke him once again, Stonefur forced his body to put energy into his cramped limbs and get to his paws. After a few heartbeats Mistyfoot was standing beside him. Her earlier groans had woken Stonefur’s apprentice, Stormpaw, who was also about to stand. The only one still asleep was Featherpaw – Darkstripe gave a sharp poke that made her squeal in surprise, and soon they were all awake.

“Now”, meowed Jaggededge, authority showing in his voice, “There’s no breakfast for you fleabags today; Tigerstar wants you four at Bone hill immediately. Darkstripe and I are going to escort you there. ”
The way he emphasized the word escort made Stonefur want to spit. He heard Stormpaw muttered to his sister in disbelief, “No breakfast? What does he think we are – twigs?”
Nether the less all four cats followed Jaggedtooth out of their prison.

Stonefur had to squint as the harsh morning sunlight hit his eyes. His memories were fading – he couldn’t remember when he last been out of that set. He stumbled out of the fox’s former home, feeling rather dizzy. “Not you”, he heard Darkstripe meow behind him. Squinting even more, the Stonefur could just make out the shape of the dark tabby shouldering Mistyfoot to one side to make room for the apprentices to get out. “You’re staying here. Russetfur is going to guard you.”
“Why?” Mistyfoot questioned him, sounding rather puzzled.
Jaggedtooth shrugged. “Tigerstar’s orders.”

A ginger she-cat stepped back and pushed Mistyfoot back into the dark hole. Jaggedtooth took the lead, sweeping his tail for the prisoners to follow. Stonefur padded after him warily, followed by Darkstripe, while another Shadowclan cat that Stonefur didn’t know brought up the rear with the apprentices. Stonefur following the flickering image of Jaggedtooth’s silhouette as the Tigerclan warrior led him deeper into the lands that he used to call home.

At last, the silence was broken by a call in the distance. Stonefur couldn’t make out the words, but it sounded like Tigerstar’s voice. Just the thought of Shadowclan’s new leader brought uneasiness to his stomach. Within heartbeats, Jaggedtooth halted, waiting. The next words that Stonefur heard made his blood turn to ice.

“It is time for the trial to begin. Fetch the prisoners!”

Before Stonefur could protest, Jaggedtooth grabbed by the scruff and hauled him through the reeds. The grey warrior hit the ground awkwardly, only to have Jaggedtooth push him further forward. Looking up for the first time, Stonefur barely bit back a yowl of surprise.

He recognized the clearing not far from the Riverclan camp – but oh, how much it had changed. In front of him, glistening in the sunlight, was a massive hill of bones. Mouse bones, fish bones, vole, shrew; all mixed together like a witch’s stew. The clearing was full of yowling cats. Rotting crowfood surrounded the edges. And there, mounted on the top of that ghastly graveyard was Tigerstar.

Stonefur stared at it in horror as Featherpaw and Stormpaw were pushed out behind him. Sitting on the right hand side of the Shadowclan leader was Blackfoot, his second in command. On the other side of the Shadowclan leader was Leopardstar. But she looked so different to what she used to be. Gone was the crown of pride that she’d warn for so long. Her once sleek, well-groomed spotted pelt was ruffled and messy. She no longer sat tall and proud, but in a weak and exhorted way. Her eyes showed sorrow and regret.

Staring at his former leader, Stonefur hadn’t realized that Tigerstar had had started to speak.
“… Surrounded as we are by enemies”, the dark brown tabby was saying, “There is no room for the half-hearted. We must ensure the loyalty of our own warriors, and be certain that there are no traitors in our mist. We especially cannot tolerate half-clan cats. What loyal warrior would take a mate from another clan?”

As he paused, Blackfoot began to cry out the words “Flith! Filth!” Darkstripe joined in with endless insults, and before long the whole clearing of cats were shouting and yowling at the top of their lungs. Glancing backwards, Stonefur saw Featherpaw and press herself against her brother, her blue eyes absorbed the scene fearfully. Stepping back, Stonefur joined them, his back fur bristling in uncertainty and anger.

“Half-clan cats have been accepted until now, but those times have since passed. How can we trust these cats not to turn against us and betray our secrets? Can we really expect the support of Starclan if our warriors are the heirs of those who have tossed away the warrior code?”
“No!” screeched Darkstripe, flexing his claws.
“No, my friends. We must banish these cats from our clan so that our blood will become pure again and we can be blessed with the favour of Starclan.”

Stonefur felt as if just taking in the scene would kill him. Nether the less, he forced himself to get to his paws and stand up facing Tigerstar.
“No cat has ever questioned my loyalty!” he yowled up at the Tigerclan leader. “Mistyfoot and I didn’t even know that Bluestar was our mother until a couple of moons ago. We’ve been loyal to Riverclan all our lives! Why does that change now? Let any cat who thinks differently come down here and prove it!”

Tigerstar didn’t even flinch, only turning to Leopardstar. “You showed poor judgement when you chose this cat as your deputy. Your clan is chocked by weeds of treachery, and we must root them out.”

Stonefur stared at the Riverclan leader. She’d never doubted his loyalty before. He’d served her well ever since she’d become deputy – the deputies before her too. She often relied on his advice, taking in his opinions carefully. Stonefur’s heart skipped a beat. Surely she’d defend him now?

But Leopardstar was blinded by her ambitions for respect and power. Pausing slightly, she dipped her head.

Stonefur’s jaw dropped in shock. His own leader, in charge of protecting her clan-mates – gone, just like that. Now she was nothing but a poor, defenceless cat, powerless to defend her own deputy. The grey warrior remained glued to the spot as Tigerstar spoke again;
“Fine then, Stonefur. I will give you a chance to prove your loyalty to Tigerclan. Kill these two half-clan apprentices.”
- - - -


I'm halfway through chapter 2! Hopefully I'll get it up soon....

[Silvermask ~]

I know it's been like, forever, [ie, 2 months. Do I really have that little time on my hands o.o] but I finally have completed chapter 2!

- - - -
Part 2: Choice

Stonefur stared at Tigerstar in disbelief. The Shadowclan leader was asking him to kill two worthy apprentices? Let their lives be wasted and their courage taken away? And for what? What sort of leader would do such a thing?

Lost for words, Stonefur turned to face the half-clan kits. They were huddled together, shivering; staring at him with eyes round in fear. Pricking his ears, Stonefur could just make out the words of his apprentice, Stormpaw. “Don’t worry”, he was telling to his sister in a hushed voice, “I won’t let him kill us.”

Despite the predicament that he was in, Stonefur felt his heart swell with pride. His apprentice would not give up until the very end – one of the best possible qualities that could be possessed by a Riverclan warrior. Tigerstar was expecting him to just remove that from the clan? Stonefur knew that he could never commit such an unlawful murder on these two brave, innocent young cats and ever live up to the crime, spending day after day blindly following the ambitious Tigerstar. How could he possibly be so heartless? Stonefur knew that there was only one thing that he could do.

Nodding approvingly at Stormpaw, he turned to face Tigerstar. Taking a deep breath, he yowled, “You’ll have to kill me first Tigerstar!”

Gasps greeted his words, echoing around the clearing. But, his blood running cold, Stonefur realized that they were not directed at him. Whirling around, he was just in time to see a bundle of flame-coloured fur leap into the clearing behind the last rows of cats; sunlight shining down on the bight ginger pelt. It was Firestar! The Thunderclan leader’s gaze flickered around the clearing, resting briefly on Stonefur before turning to Tigerstar on the top of Bone Hill.

“Greetings, Tigerstar”, he meowed coolly. “I came to see if you’d make some sort of agreement on this new clan of yours, but now it seems that I have a completely different matter on my hands.” He looked again at the half-clan cats; Featherpaw and Stormpaw were edging closer to Stonefur as if they realized that he was now their main source of protection. “Would you like to tell me what is going on here?”

Tigerstar hissed ferociously at his old enemy. “What we do is Tigerclan’s business and no one else’s!” he spat back in reply. But when Firestar continued to stare at him with an emotionless green gaze, he gave the Thunderclan leader the explanation that he wanted. “We’re giving these half-clan cats a chance to prove their loyalty.”
“By doing what?”

Tigerstar’s claws sank around the bone beneath him, making a tiny scratch along one side. He didn’t answer Firestar’s question. What could one say? Leopardstar opened her mouth as if to say something, but closing her jaws she obviously thought the better of it.

It was clear that Firestar wasn’t going to get a reply. Stonefur got the sense that he didn’t need one. Had he been watching their predicament all along? The scent of crowfood came off Firestar’s fur in waves, but it was very hard to detect. He could have easily been hiding in the reeds for hours. Perhaps even with a patrol behind him, but no cat stepped out of the reeds to stand beside the flame-coloured leader.

After what seemed like seasons, or maybe just one heartbeat, Firestar uttered the words that Stonefur could never imagined he’d hear right now, just at his moment, on this day. “Perhaps you would let us have them then.”

Yowls of protest rose sharply from the Shadowclan cats. Darkstripe joined in, Blackfoot scraped his claws down a piece of bone and Tigerstar just hissed in fury. Leopardstar said nothing, staring blankly into the clearing.

As the noise died down, Firestar pointed out the obvious. “They are half Thunderclan cats”, he reminded them. “They have a choice of what clan they should belong in. You obviously don’t need them here.” Another hiss rose from Tigerstar, his eyes glittered with hatred, but he said nothing in reply. The Thunderclan leader resting his green eyes on the former Riverclan deputy. “Stonefur, will you join us?”

Every pair of eyes in the clearing turned to look at him. Stonefur wanted to lay his gaze on the ground, but he forced himself to meet the menacing stares evenly. There wasn’t much of a choice. Firestar might as well have asked him whether he wanted to live or be killed. “Yes, I will join you”, he meowed quietly. The apprentices nodded their agreement.

Up on Bonehill, Tigerstar let out an enormous growl of pure fury, bunching his muscles as he prepared to land directly in the centre of the clearing. But before he could take off, Leopardstar’s tail swept around to block his path. She gazed at him, her eyes emotionless, telling him not to do it. The Shadowclan leader turned to her in rage, only to be met by that clear, solid, amber gaze. There was no pleading in the golden tabby’s eye, only a single, silent command. Let him go.

Tigerstar’s lip turned up in the beginnings of a snarl, but no sound came out. Stonefur took his chance. Stepping forward, he began to walk slowly through the crowd of Tigerclan cats to where Firestar waited, Featherpaw and Stormpaw at his side. The tide parted to let the three cats through; not even the most aggressive Shadowclan warriors were making any type of protest.

Tigerstar just glared at them, his amber eyes blazing, as the half-clan cats stepped out the clearing. Firestar looked at Tigerstar for one more heartbeat, any emotion in his eyes undetectable, before disappearing into the reeds behind them.

- - - -

I always thought that Leopardstar sould have done a bit more to save Stonefur....