So, a great deal of this chapter is from the manga, Rise of Scourge. If you want to get the full context on this section, you might want to read it. I'm not providing every single detail from the book.

Also, reminder: this story is set in an alternate reality. The canon of Warriors cats will be altered, so some scenes will not be the same as you will remember them. That being said, enjoy! :D

Prologue

Tiny's ears perked up at the sound of strange voices outside the house. Quickly, he took shelter under the coffee table in the living room and observed as unfamiliar housefolk entered the vicinity. There were three of them- two older-looking ones and a small girl. Upon seeing his siblings, the child squealed in delight.

"Aw, look at the little kitties!" the girl beamed.

That's right. I forgot, Tiny realized. His mother, Quince, had spoken to them only a few days ago about getting new homes soon. She had told them that they would have a different backyard to play in and their own housefolk to take care of. He didn't expect that day to come so quickly; and needless to say, he wasn't looking forward to it.

Socks and Ruby, his littermates, played around with a yarn ball in front of the housefolk, attempting to look as cute as possible. They don't fool me, Tiny snorted inwardly. They're only pretending. It was no doubt just an act to be adopted, and the little girl was eating it up. Tiny scrunched up his nose in disgust. He didn't want to pretend. He didn't want to get anywhere near Socks or Ruby, especially after the way they had treated him several days ago. He had finally gathered the courage to venture out into the forest not too long ago. It was the most amazing experience he had ever been through. He found a strange-looking beast, attacked a giant leaf, and climbed a huge tree stump. Not only that, a massive bird flew right over his head, and he didn't even blink. Tiny had never been more excited in his life, and upon sharing his adventures with his family, he knew from their faces that they didn't believe a word he had said. And though she wouldn't admit it, not even his mother seemed to believe him.

Tiny sunk his claws into the soft carpet. Nobody here believes in me. Nobody here even likes me, he growled internally. When he gets big enough, he'll show them all. They'll all see that he's not just some helpless runt.

Suddenly, while the child rubbed Socks' belly, Ruby trotted towards Tiny. He glowered at her with his icy blue eyes as she came closer. "The housefolk cub wants us. Not you," she snickered as she approached him. "And do you know what happens to unwanted kittens?" Ruby stood over him ominously and silently, as if pausing for dramatic effect. "They get thrown in the river," she finally sneered, an evil smile dancing on her curled lips.

Tiny's eyes widened as he gasped. His heart sank as he watched Ruby return to the girl. She and Socks played with the child for a while longer until the housefolk decided to take their leave. Ruby's statement haunted Tiny all day and night. He didn't want to be thrown into the river. This left him with no choice. When the housefolk return tomorrow, Tiny would have to try his best to get them to like him the same way they liked Socks and Ruby. He just had to. Otherwise, Tiny would meet his fate in the form of a watery grave.

The next day quickly approached, and Tiny found himself nervously sitting by the entrance of the living room. He plastered his best smile onto his face and curled his fluffy tail neatly around his paws, trying to look as adorable as possible. However, when the housefolk arrived, the little girl walked straight past him and towards Socks and Ruby, who greeted her with excited mewls. A knot formed in Tiny's stomach as he watched the housefolk cub play with his siblings. This was it, and he blew it. He wasn't good enough for the child, and that meant only one thing now. Visions of a raging river flashed through his mind, and his paw pads began to sweat.

No! Tiny howled inwardly. They're not going to throw me in the river. He dashed towards the open sliding door that led to the backyard. I won't let 'em. I won't let 'em. Tiny pushed himself through the small opening in the fence that he had made earlier. Gotta get away...get as far away as I can… He trotted alongside the fence that seemed to go on for miles. It didn't matter where he went. As long as he got away from there.

"Well, well. Look at that," a voice chuckled from above. Tiny looked up to see two cats resting atop the fenceline, their collars glinting in the sunlight.

"Runnin' away from home are we, then?" one cat inquired, his tabby fur ruffling in the wind.

"Just make sure you don't go in the forest, sonny," the other cat warned.

Tiny gazed up at them and quirked his brow. "Why shouldn't I go into the forest?" he asked, slightly tense. Somehow, he figured he knew the answer.

"You're much too small to go venturing in there," the tabby stated.

"Why, those forest cats would eat up a cat as small as you in a single gulp," the brown tom declared.

Tiny's fur bristled and his blue eyes narrowed. He arched his back and spat, "I'm not too small! I'm plenty big! And strong, too!" He glared at the tomcats and fumed even more when they gave each other doubtful looks. He was sick of cats underestimating him. He was sick of being called small. He was sick of being weak.

Suddenly, a warm scent blew into Tiny's nostrils. It smelled scrumptious, and it seemed to be coming from the woods. Casting the cats one last scowl, Tiny walked towards the aroma. He wasn't afraid of the forest, or anything in it. Those cats could say what they wanted to. He was determined to explore. Upon entering the woods, Tiny breathed in all the wonderful odors. Leaves and grass caressed his paws and legs. It was even better than he had ever- Uh-oh!

Three large cats stood before Tiny, their eyes narrowed suspiciously. He lowered himself to the ground, taking in the size of the forest cats. They were much bigger than he was, and they didn't seem particularly thrilled with his presence. The most muscular cat took a step towards Tiny. "What are you doing here?" the mottled tom growled. "This is ThunderClan territory!"

The gray she-cat beside the intimating male leapt to Tiny's defense. "Thistleclaw, he's only a kit. It's not as if he poses a threat to us."

Thistleclaw's amber eyes never left Tiny's small form. "An intruder is an intruder, Bluefur! You're only saying that because he's a kittypet. You've always been too soft on them."

Tiny's eyes grew to the size of saucers. He backed up slowly, not sure what to do in this situation. If he ran, they would catch him easily. But if he didn't, he could be torn to shreds. His mother was right all along. Forest cats were as real and as fearsome as her stories claimed.

"Here, let's put it to my apprentice. What do you think, Tigerpaw?" Thistleclaw asked, glancing at the brown tabby beside him and smirking. "How should we handle this?"

Tigerpaw's ears folded back against his thick neck. "I think the kittypet should be taught a lesson. One he'll remember," he snarled, his big white teeth bared.

"So be it, then," Thistleclaw stated, lifting his head in approval.

Bluefur stared at the spiky-furred tom with panicked blue eyes. "Now, hold on. There's no need for this-"

All of a sudden, Tigerpaw charged towards Tiny, his long claws unsheathed. With no effort, the tabby slammed into the kitten, knocking him to the ground. Tiny cried in fear and attempted to stand. However, Tigerpaw quickly slashed at his neck, severing the bell from Tiny's collar. He then sank his teeth into the kit's chest, pinning him to the ground. Tiny writhed under the weight of the large cat, but it was no use. He wasn't strong enough. "Say goodbye, kittypet," Tigerpaw hissed, his voice slightly muffled by a mouthful of fur.

"Stop, Tigerpaw! That's enough!" Bluefur howled. "Warriors do not need to kill cats to win a battle, remember?"

Tigerpaw released his grip on Tiny and placed a massive paw on the kit, preventing him from getting away. "I was just defending our territory," Tigerpaw claimed.

"And you've done that. This kit has learned his lesson," Bluefur stated.

The brown tabby removed his paw from Tiny's chest, allowing the kit to stand. As Tiny wobbled up to his feet, Tigerpaw lowered his face only inches away from Tiny. "Yeah. You'll never forget me," he growled, his sharp teeth glinting. And with that, the forest cats trotted away.

Tiny's breathed heavily and released a sigh of relief. He shakily made his way out of the forest and curled up next to the fenceline. He hurt everywhere and just wanted to go home. When he reached the hole in the fence where his house was, he froze. He remembered that Socks and Ruby were mostly likely gone by now, adopted by the housefolk and their cub. He couldn't go back. They would throw him into the river. Tiny had no other choice. He'd have to find a new home. "Goodbye, Mama," he whispered softly to himself, giving the house one last look.

However, as he turned around to leave, he heard a loud voice behind him. "Tiny!" it screamed. Tiny's blood ran cold. It was his mother. She ran up to him, rubbing her face against his back. "Oh, thank goodness! I've been looking for you!" Quince purred, relief evident in her tone. Suddenly, her head jerked upwards, and her eyes widened. "What happened to you?! You're bleeding!" she exclaimed.

Tiny looked down at his chest. The wound wasn't too big or very deep. He was actually very lucky to get away from the forest cats with just that. "I-I," he stuttered, his eyes brimming with tears.

Quince's face scrunched up in realization. "You went into the forest, didn't you?" she said, wrapping her tail around Tiny. "I told you not to go in there!" she scolded. "Those forest cats are dangerous!" Seeing Tiny's guilty and hurt face, Quince sighed. She placed her head atop Tiny's head and enveloped herself around him. "But, thank goodness, you're alright."

Tiny pulled back from his mother, shaking his head sadly. "I can't go back with you, Mama," he murmured, looking at the ground. His mother's eyes widened fearfully, and she took a step towards him. He backed up instinctively. Tiny couldn't allow her to take him back forcefully. He had to keep his distance.

Hurt was evident in her amber eyes. "I don't understand, Tiny," she meowed softly. "What happened?"

"I can't let them throw me in the river, mother," Tiny explained, taking a few more steps backward. He was prepared to run if he had to.

"Throw you in the river?" Quince echoed, confused. "What are you talking about?"

"All unwanted kittens get tossed into the river, Mama. Ruby said so. And the housefolk didn't want me. If I stay here, they'll kill me."

Quince's eyes grew large. "What? Ruby said that?"

Tiny nodded his small head.

"I don't know why she would say such a thing, but it's not true. Our housefolk would never do such a thing!" Quince exclaimed. "Tiny, come home with me. I promise nothing bad will happen to you."

Tiny looked at his mother's pleading eyes. He wanted to trust her. But if she was wrong, his life would be the cost. If she couldn't believe him when he first went out into the forest, then why should he believe her? And even if he did go back, what future would that house offer him? Will some housefolk eventually adopt him? Or will live the remainder of his miserable life being babied by his mother? His face scrunched up in thought, and as the silence dragged on, Quince's face became progressively more worried.

"Tiny, please," she begged. "I love you."

He looked up into his mother's warm eyes. She smiled gently and held out her paw for him. Tiny gazed at the gesture for a moment. Her intentions seemed pure, as did her affection. If the housefolk did decide to kill him in the end, he could always fight them. And if what his mother said is true, then she would most likely try to save him. Hesitantly, Tiny extended his paw and placed it on top of Quince's paw. She grinned from ear to ear and pulled her son into an embrace, her whiskers tickling Tiny's nose. Tiny smiled weakly at his mother, and she licked his forehead. As Quince made her way towards the house, Tiny began to follow. Before going through the hole in the fence, he took one last glance at the forest behind him.

The images of that brown tabby flashed through his mind, and he growled. Even if he remained a housecat for the rest of his life, he vowed to find this "Tigerpaw" and make him suffer for the pain he inflicted upon him. One day...there would be justice.