Deathcough: A Warrior Cats Infection (AU)

Tunnels

Alderheart approached Whitewing, who was sleeping. He pressed a layer of Marigold leaf paste into her wound, then wrapped the cobweb around the injured forepaw.

"Ah...That feels so much better. Thank you," mewed Whitewing, wrapping his snow-white tail around herself in the moss nest.

"You're welcome," mewed Alderheart. He glanced at Jayfeather. "Is Bramblestar alright?"

"As far as I know, he's not dead, but he's getting aggressive."

"Do you know what stage of deathcough he's in?"

"After that long, he must already be a deathamate." mewed Jayfeather. "He doesn't have those bloodshot eyes anymore."

Alderheart flattened his ears. His leader had gotten the infection. And there was nothing he could do. There was no cure for stage 3 deathcough. Cats would use questnelle, but questnelle was scarce, and the infection was spreading fast. Not everyone got cured: Patients would run away in the middle of the night, cats did not enjoy quarantine and complained, and some of them progressed to the next stage too quickly.

Alderheart knew Jayfeather had that hard shell when he talked about Bramblestar's condition bluntly, but he knew, deep down, Jayfeather was terrified and concerned, just like him.

If only he could check on Bramblestar. Maybe he could check on Bramblestar's condition and perhaps use catmint to help him keep his sanity for a while. But Bramblestar was locked in the deepest parts of the Thunderclan and Windclan tunnels, where the two clans kept all infected victims.

"Don't you dare do it," muttered Jayfeather, staring at Alderheart with blind-blue eyes. "It's too dark. Don't risk yourself for this. We need you."

Alderheart felt his heart glow at the praise, but the warmth faded as soon as it had come. Of course, it was dark and dangerous, but surely he had a right to see his father and perhaps cure him?

He didn't argue: There was no point. Jayfeather was older than him, and his former mentor. Besides, Jayfeather did have a point. He shouldn't leave camp during a crisis like this.
After a while, Alderheart stood up, stretching. "I'm going to get some more catmint, Jay." Alderheart mewed, edging to the door.
"Come back before sundown," mewed Jayfeather.
Alderheart picked the freshest leaves of catmint from the abandoned twolegplace. When he did, he couldn't help but glance at the tunnels, where Bramblestar was. He decided to use catmint perhaps to help Bamblestar.

Alderheart, a gentle and caring feline, approached the dark tunnels with caution. As he drew closer, he saw his father, Bramblestar, sitting in a pit and trembling with fear. Concern etched across his face.

"Do you need some water?" Alderheart mewed, his voice shaking.

There was no response. Just radio silence.

"Can you not speak?" mewed Alderheart. "I could go and get some honey."

He waited, but again, there was no reply. Instead, Bramblestar turned to face him, his dark eyes glowing with an eerie intensity. Blood dripped from his mouth, and Alderheart couldn't help but feel a sense of unease.

Alderheart tried to gauge Bramblestar's condition, but the silence was unsettling. He knew his father well, and Bramblestar always had an answer to his questions. This time, however, it was different. As he turned to leave and retrieve the honey, something hooked his pelt, and he felt Bramblestar's sharp claws digging into his skin. Alderheart struggled to break free, but Bramblestar's hold grew stronger with each passing moment.

Suddenly, Bramblestar opened his mouth, snarling viciously, and Alderheart cringed in fear. He felt a sharp pain rip through his fur, and his body trembled with agony. When he looked down, he saw a deep gash in his skin, and fear took hold. A deep gash went through his belly, blood pouring out. Bramblestar snarled again, leaving. Alderheart collapsed, groaning in pain. How could his father do this to him?

Slowly, he felt the pain fade away. When he looked up again with great effort, everything was a blur of faded colours. He felt shadows gathering around him, tugging at his limbs. As his blood poured around him, he felt his consciousness fading away. He sank into the coldness and felt nothing more.

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I just killed my favourite character 💀
He didn't deserve it but I still oofed him

Sorry Alder  😭