The guardian cats

The guardian cats are a group of cats who take in sick or injured cats and care for each other.
==Description==
:The guardian cats live in a city in the basement of a church-like building. They take in and treat sick cats and are generally peaceful without an established territory. They are all equals and do not have a ranking system, though the others often look to Fierce for answers. All cats share responsibilities, though some take specialized roles depending on their skills. Cats such as Rascal and Mittens are best known for their hunting skills, and cats like Peanut, Spire, Boots, and Bracken are skilled healers and tend to the herbs. However, all cats tend to the sick and injured. Other cats guard the basement where they reside. Cats with permanent injuries or conditions stick around forever, such as in the case of Fierce. A stray named Pumpkin taught them about herbs before traveling onward, and the guardian cats advanced their medicinal knowledge after. The guardian cats are also masters of navigating the city and are at ease walking near Twolegs, unlike Clan cats.
==Territory==
:Prior to Tigerheart's arrival, the guardian cats did not have an established territory. The group of healers lived in church-like building called the gathering place built of stone with rainbow-stained windows and a sloping, spiked roof. Smaller spiked towers surrounded a giant one in the middle that resembled gorse thorns. The building resided in the middle of a patch of grass and trees with thin slabs standing upright. Once a quarter-moon, Twolegs arrived to gathering place to yowl, though the building was deserted for the remaining days. The guardian cats resided in the basement of the gathering place down stone steps through the broken glass. The basement had smooth walls and was lit by window, and it was filled with abandoned Twoleg rubbish. The guardian cats made nests of soft Twoleg pelts and collected water from dripping pipes inside.
:Outside of the den, the guardian cats roamed the city streets scavenging for prey in trashcans and gathered herbs, such as feverfew and willow herb, from a patch of grass under a flying Thunderpath. Every moon, the Twolegs gathered in the grass clearing to have a feast, which the guardian cats savored by stealing some prey. The Twolegs typically didn't mind, but they started leaving cat traps for the strays once Fog's group instigated a fight by stealing their catch. Upon Tigerheart's urging, the guardian cats began enforcing their borders against Fog's group and to protect their sick and young from future prey thieves.
==History==
===In the Super Editions===
====Tigerheart's Shadow====
:Tigerheart encounters the guardian cats while following Dovewing. He finds out that Dovewing is staying with them while she is pregnant and goes to live with them temporarily.
:The guardian cats are unable to gather herbs from their usual spot, as foxes have taken over the area. Tigerheart volunteers to lead a patrol to investigate, and they discover two foxes making a den there. He encourages the guardian cats to fight off the foxes, and they are reluctant. Eventually, Tigerheart convinces them to fight, with Spire acting as bait, and drive out the foxes. They block up the foxes' den in case the foxes decide to come back.
:Later, the guardian cats meet another group led by a cat named Fog. Tigerheart sees the loners as threats, and encourages the guardian cats to mark their territory and make borders. Both the guardian cats and Fog's group seem to think that wouldn't do any good, and Fierce decides to let Fog and her friends hang around. They later learn that Fog and her cats were driven out of their old home by foxes. Tigerheart thinks that the guardian cats should drive out the foxes from Fog's old home, so they will go away.
:Twolegs begin to notice the infestation of cats downstairs where the guardian cats live, and they set a trap out in the yard. Pouncekit gets caught in the trap, but she is rescued. Streak, Fog's brother, is caught and taken by Twolegs, to Fog's dismay. Rascal points out later that the Twolegs didn't know of the guardian cats until Fog's gang showed up. The guardian cats collectively agree they need to do something about the loners.
:Tigerheart brings up his suggestion of driving away the foxes from their old home. They could lead the foxes into the traps, but they would have to get Fog or Tuna to show them where the foxes are. The guardian cats agree, and travel to the loners' encampment to speak with Tuna. Tuna agrees to help them, and follows along with them. The guardian cats successfully lead all of the foxes into the traps. Fog agrees to leave and return with her group to their old home, leaving the guardian cats in peace. The guardian cats agree to make borders and defend them too, like Tigerheart suggested.
:Eventually, Tigerheart and Dovewing are ready to return to ShadowClan with their kits, and Blaze, Cinnamon, Spire and Ant want to come with them, interested in Clan life. They are sorry to leave, but Fierce tells them their nests won't be wasted, as more cats will come for them to take care of.
==Members==
===Current members===
===Former members===
===Temporary members===
==Trivia==
===Author statements===
*The guardian cats "generally notice the passing of seasons without counting the moons so much."
*Kate thinks the guardian cats won't appear again.
==Quotes==
==See also==
*Twolegplace
*Silverpath
*Thunderpath
*Twoleg nest
*List of guardian cats
*Other Clanless groups of cats
==Notes and references==
de:Wächterkatzenfi:Kaitsijakissatfr:Les Gardienspl:Opiekuńcze Kotypt-br:Os gatos guardiõesru:Стражи
Category:Clans and groups