Deserve

**Deserve** is a black tom with white paws, emerald green eyes.

## Character Summary

Deserve is the son of two barn cats named Dice and Velvet, and the brother of Boost and Song. He spends most of his kithood in the barn, playing and living comfortably with his family. Dice teaches him to hunt mice, and he's eager to help support his family. After his father, the sole provider of the family is killed by a car, Velvet is unable to care for her kits and takes them to ShadowClan.

ShadowClan doesn't accept Velvet on the chance she's one of Bone Shred's rogues, but takes in Deserve and his siblings. During this time, Deserve tries to comfort and protect Boost and Song. They are taken in by Sunflower, and her kits Snakekit, Brownkit, and Blackkit bully and physically harm them.

One day in rage, Deserve attacks and kills Snakekit using the killing bite that Dice taught him. After realizing what he's done, he runs away and begins living as a rogue.

Deserve blames the clans for tearing his family apart. When he's grown, he begins attacking ShadowClan patrols, one of his first victims being Sunflower.

Time passes, and he forms Deserve's Army, a group of rogues and loners who feel they've been wronged by the clans. Deserve has two sons, Castiel and Crow.

He forms an allegiance with Poisonedsap, promising her a high position in the army and his future mate if she helps him recruit cats within the clans. Deserve sympathizes with Bloodfur's mistreatment and tasks him with leading an attack on the medicine cats. After he fails and is exiled, Deserve allows Bloodfur to join the army. Upon Revengeheart's request, Deserve sends a patrol to kill Ebonypaw and Flintpaw, however Ebonypaw survives.

Song and Stripednose visit Deserve's camp, and Song pleads with Deserve to change his ways and be the brother she remembers. Deserve refuses and holds them prisoner, killing Blackstorm in front of them as an example. He then launches his attack on the clans.

## Kills

A list of cats that Deserve has directly or indirectly killed.

* Snakekit
* Sunflower
* Rosebreeze
* Diamondrain
* Brownstripe
* Blackstorm
* Gladestar
* Poisonedsap

## Appearances and Mentions

### Shadows of Blood

#### Allegiances

Deserve is listed under Allegiance Update 4, Allegiance Update 5, Allegiance Update 6, and Final Allegiances as leader of Deserve's Army.

#### Chapter 6

Brownstripe tells Bloodpaw that he was a kit when Boost and Song were taken into the clan. Their mother abandoned them outside the camp. Bloodpaw says he knows, as Bloomfire told him. Brownstripe says "Ah" and dips his head, asking if he knows that they had another sibling, a brother.

Bloodpaw asks "Really?" and stares at him, surprised and asking what happened to him. Brownstripe looks away as he speaks and explains that his name was Deserve. He and his brothers, Blackstorm and Snakekit, would tease Deserve, Boost, and Song a little, what kits do. Brownstripe narrows his eyes and says Deserve took it too seriously and killed Snakekit, then ran away, and no cat ever saw him again.

Bloodpaw's blood freezes as he whispers "a kit?". Brownstripe says yes and fixes his eyes on him, saying that Deserve was only a kit and seemed completely innocent. However, he's learned that size and age doesn't matter, and any cat can be dangerous. His eyes stay firmly on Bloodpaw.

Bloodpaw shifts his paws and grows uncomfortable, as Brownstripe almost looks aggressive. He wonders why it seems like he's accusing him of something. He tells Brownstripe he's sorry about his brother.

Brownstripe holds his gaze for a moment longer before narrowing his eyes and looking away. He growls to Bloodpaw to remember that no matter who they are or how young they are, warriors will tear apart any enemy. He asks if he understands. Bloodpaw nervously says of course, silently wondering if Brownstripe is trying to scare him.

#### Chapter 13

When Depthstar explains that Starfaith and Dewstorm were attacked at highstones, Cobratail's eyes widen as he worries it's Deserve, but Depthstar dismisses this, as they haven't seen him in seasons.

#### Chapter 17

Copperstripe wonders who would murder their cats and if it could be Deserve. Cobratail twitches an ear and says they have no reason to fear Deserve, as he was only a kit and they haven't seen him for seasons.

#### Chapter 19

When Revengeheart says Poisonedsap won't be able to attend the meeting next moon since she's expecting kits, Castiel narrows his eyes and tells him his father has developed a plan and wishes to share it with all of them. Poisonedsap needs to hear it.

#### Chapter 20

Poisonedsap and her followers visit Deserve's camp. Bloodfur is shocked to learn that the leader of the group is Deserve, who Brownstripe told him about. After being acquainted with Bloodfur, Deserve proceeds to explain how Deserve's Army are rogues who joined together to fight against the clans who have wronged them. He proudly introduces his son, Castiel, and one of his strongest soldiers, Papercut. When Bloodfur guesses Castiel is the deputy, Deserve growls that he has no deputy and will never adopt any of the clan's ways.

Poisonedsap flirts with Deserve, but he's only irritated by her and shoulders her away. He insists on waiting to start the meeting until a hunting party returns, to which Blackstorm protests. Deserve shoots him a glare, and he respectfully agrees. Deserve watches him in hatred. Bloodfur sees that there is still tension between them, as Blackstorm bullied Deserve, Boost, and Song as kits.

Deserve invites the clan cats to eat from the fresh kill pile in the meantime, and is followed by Poisonedsap, Revengeheart, and Mistybreeze as he turns away.

Bloodfur falls asleep for a short time before he's awoken by Deserve, who wishes to speak to him alone in the forest. Bloodfur is nervous, wondering if Deserve plans to kill him. Deserve proceeds to tell Bloodfur about his kithood and how he was judged for being born in a barn while Bloodfur was judged for being born in blood. He understands how he feels. He explains that it is something the clans will always fail to understand. Deserve struck back and would not tolererate their hatred. He asks Bloodfur what he's going to do before leaving him alone with his thoughts.

Deserve holds his meeting to explain his plan to prepare them for the final battle against the clans. The army is not strong enough yet to take on all five clans, and so he asks his allies to lessen the clans' numbers. In addition, the medicine cats must be eliminated. He asks Bloodfur to take charge of this mission, and he agrees to it.

#### Chapter 22

It's noted that Bloodfur has had a few moments where he reconsiders his decision to follow Deserve's order, but ultimately decides he wants vengeance.

After rejecting Cardinalpaw as his apprentice, Bloodfur notes that he has a special role in Deserve and Poisonedsap's plan, and Cardinalpaw would just get in the way. Swiftstalker later confronts him about his behavior, saying he'll never be able to carry out Deserve's order. Bloodfur angrily disagrees.

When planning an attack on the medicine cats, Bloodfur decides that he'd like some of Deserve's soldiers to join him. Poisonedsap says she's not making another trip to see Deserve. Clovernose tells him she's going to introduce her kits to Deserve's Army tonight and will pass Bloodfur's message to Deserve.

#### Chapter 23

The clans hold an emergency gathering to discuss the attack on the medicine cats two nights ago. When Bloodfur feels guilty about the attack, he reminds himself that Deserve is the one who told him to do it and should be the one to feel guilty.

#### Chapter 24

Bloodfur suspects that Mistybreeze wanting to walk with him has something to do with their plot with Deserve.

#### Chapter 25

Before sunrise, Revengeheart brings a large number of their allies out to the forest for a training session. Bloodfur realizes how many of his clanmates are involved with Poisonedsap and Deserve's plot.

In the forest, Mistybreeze tells Bloodfur that she wanted no part in the allegiance with Deserve to attack the clans.

#### Chapter 26

Bloodfur and other allies of Poisonedsap go to Deserve's camp. Deserve greets them, and Poisonedsap confirms that the attack on the medicine cats went well. Deserve praises Bloodfur, who is proud. Castiel quickly joins his father. When reminded that the other medicine cats are still alive, Deserve says the remainder must be eliminated and asks about ShadowClan's medicine cats. Mottledface tells Deserve that Creamheart is Brownstripe's daughter, and Deserve thinks it's all the more reason to kill her. He asks Bloodfur to do the job.

Deserve calls a meeting, and his soldiers look up at him with interest. He tells them the time is near for them to attack the clans, explaining how the clans have lost two medicine cats. Castiel puts in that their army is nearly as big as two clans, and with their clan cat allies, he believes they're capable of attacking at any time. Deserve agrees, but feels they should wait until some of the other medicine cats are taken care of.

Bloodfur hardly hears what Deserve says for the rest of the meeting, too angry about Revengeheart. After Revengeheart badly wounds him, he's grateful that Deserve has healers.

#### Chapter 27

Bloodfur hesitates while stalking Creamheart and considers being honest with Deserve. But he knows he would be angry with him if he doesn't kill her, and he and the others might even kill him. As he chases Creamheart, he panics, knowing that if she tells the clan he was stalking her, it might ruin Deserve's plan.

#### Chapter 28

It's explained that a moon ago, Bloodfur turned to Deserve's Army for a home. He expected Deserve to be angry with him for failing to kill Creamheart, but instead Deserve understood that Cardinalpaw's death had interfered with the plan. Deserve welcomed Bloodfur into the army.

In the forest, Castiel tells Bloodfur that his mother, Nebel, died giving birth to he and his littermates. Bloodfur is surprised to learn that Castiel is not Deserve's only kit. Castiel snorts that Deserve sure makes it seem that way. He explains that while he and Crow survived, four of his siblings died right after they were born. Deserve favors Castiel, saying he's smarter and stronger. Castiel has asked him to try to give more attention to Crow, but Deserve doesn't seem to want to listen.

When Bloodfur and Castiel return to camp, they find Revengeheart speaking to Deserve. They leave to continue their conversation in Deserve's den. When the two return, it's revealed that Revengeheart asked Deserve to help killing Ebonypaw and Flintpaw.

Deserve sends Castiel to lead a patrol to the burnt sycamore to attack Ebonypaw and Flintpaw.

#### Chapter 29

After admitting he wants to return to ShadowClan, Bloodfur begs Castiel not to tell Deserve, as he'll kill him. Castiel promises he won't tell any cat.

Revengeheart leads the clan allies into Deserve's camp and announces there are some cats who want to speak to him. Deserve steps out of his den, surprised to see Song, and pads toward them. He starts to say he hasn't seen her since they were kits, and trails off, noticing she's expecting kits. Bloodfur thinks he sees warmth in his eyes for the first time. Deserve says it's great that she's expecting and asks how Boost is.

Deserve asks who Stripednose is,and is surprised to hear his sister took a clan cat as her mate after all they've done. Song angrily reveals she knows his cats have been attacking the clans and could never forget the scent of her brother. She asks what he has against the clans, and Deserve says they hurt them, reminding her what Snakekit and his littermates did to them as kits. He angrily says he killed Snakekit to protect she and Boost. For a long moment, they face each other angrily, before Song softens and reminds him of how they were as kits. She wants her brother back, knowing this isn't him, and begs him not to hurt anyone.

Deserve looks thoughtful for a long moment, and Bloodfur wonders if he's actually considering her words. But Deserve vows he will destroy the clans one cat at a time, and looks at Blackstorm, adding he'll start with him. Papercut and Bonfire drag Blackstorm to Deserve's paws, and Deserve slashes his throat open. Spiderfang asks why he killed Blackstorm, who was loyal to him. Deserve glares down at the body and responds that HE was never loyal to HIM. He says Blackstorm is the first of many cats who will feel his claws before the battle, and Song can't stop him.

Stripednose attacks Deserve, who easily pins him and digs his claws into his throat. Song asks him to let him go, panicked, and Deserve releases Stripednose, telling Song he cares about his family and won't take her mate from her. He orders Papercut and Bonfire to take Song and Stripednose to the extra den, as they know too much about the army and can't be allowed to return to their clan.

Deserve leaps onto the tree stump and announces tonight they'll attack the clans during their gathering at fourtrees. He angrily tells his soldiers half of them will attack at fourtrees, while smaller groups will be sent to each camp. He tells the soldiers to fight for everything the clans have ever takem from them. Castiel leaps to his father's side and starts a "death to the clans" chant.

Bloodfur races into the forest, noting he can't let any more cats suffer because of Deserve and Poisonedsap's plot. Mistybreeze relaxes when she sees him, saying she thought he was one of Deserve's cats. They decide they must do something to stop the attack, or Deserve will destroy the clans. They hear a yowl and realize Deserve's cats are headed for the forest. They race back to fourtrees, taking a different route and hoping to get there before Deserve and his cats.

They reach fourtrees, aware that Deserve's cats could arrive at any moment.

#### Chapter 30

Bloodfur warns the clans that Deserve's Army is going to be here at any moment. As he speaks, Deserve yowls for his army to attack, and leaps out of the bushes, his soldiers following.

During the battle, Bloodfur is alarmed to see Deserve standing on the great rock, pinning Gladestar under him as he encourages his soldiers. He bites into Gladestar's throat until she goes still, then lunges at Strawberrystar. Bloodfur hopes Deserve doesn't realize Gladestar has nine lives.

Revengeheart reveals that the clan allies needed to kill as many clan cats as possible for Deserve.

#### Chapter 31

Poisonedsap is about to kill Swiftstalker when Deserve arrives with Castiel and Wolf and asks what she's doing. She informs him that Swiftstalker has betrayed them and deserves to die like her other kits who refused to fight. Deserve growls that he has no interest in working with a cat who would kill her own kits, and revokes their deal.

Poisonedsap furiously faces Deserve, reminding him that they had an agreement: If she helped him gain allies in the clans, he would take her as his mate and give her a high position in the army. Castiel is surprised and asks Deserve if this is true, and he says not anymore. Deserve asks Poisonedsap if she thinks he's an idiot, for he's seen how she treats her mates, and has no interest in letting her even join his army.

oisonedsap screeches and lunges at Deserve, but he swings a paw at her head, knocks her to the ground, and tears his claws down her body, killing her. Deserve shakes blood from his paw. He agrees to let Swiftstalker live, and he and his companions leave to see how the others are doing at fourtrees.

After Swiftstalker's death, Deserve is heard yowling for his cats to retreat, and Frostedstar announces the battle is won.

#### Chapter 32

When StarClan explains the prophecy to Bloodfur, Maplefur states that Poisonedsap was recruiting cats from within ShadowClan to participate in she and Deserve's plot to destroy the clans.

Spiderfang tells Bloodfur that after he saw Deserve kill Blackstorm, it made him realize how horrible those cats were.

A few days after the battle, Castiel brings Bloodfur a message from Deserve: Song and Stripednose are staying with them a while, as Song is very close to giving birth, and Deserve doesn't want her travelling until after the kits are born. Bloodfur believes this, as he's seen how much Deserve still cares for his sister and doesn't think he'd harm her or the kits.

### Rainheart's Love

#### Chapter 4

It's mentioned that many days ago, a rogue came to ShadowClan with her three starving kits, begging for a home. Depthstar decided to take them in. Though many questioned if these kits came from Bone Shred's gang, Depthstar dismisses this possibility with the fact that these kits don't carry the scent of twolegplace.

Sunflower had taken in the three named Deserve, Boost, and Song to raise with her own kits. Everything seemed fine until a few days ago when the clan made a horrific discovery. Just outside the camp, Deserve had killed Snakekit and run away.

Every cat had been stunned that a kit would commit murder, and many cats wanted Boost and Song thrown out of the clan. But Depthstar insisted that whatever their brother had done wasn't their fault.

Boost and Song were devastated at the loss of Deserve, but Milkblaze seemed to make them feel safe and help them cope with the recent tragedy.

### Mistybreeze's Choice

#### Allegiances

Deserve is listed under Allegiances as leader of Deserve's Army.

### Starfaith's Fate

#### Chapter 3

Dewpaw tells Starpaw that a loner came to ShadowClan with three of her kits. Sunflower cared for them in the nursery, but then one of the kits, Deserve, killed Snakekit. Starpaw is stunned that a kit would kill another kit. Dewpaw sadly says they've never seen anything like it, and that the kit's name was Deserve. He ran away and they haven't seen any sign of him, and no cat wants to find him. A kit who kills has no place in a clan.

Dewpaw explains that the clan wanted to throw out Boost and Song, but he and Hawkfeather argued against it, for they aren't to blame for what their brother did, and are already terrified without their mother and brother.

## Gallery

### Designs and References

Old Deserve design (2017)Deserve's design (current)
### Covers and Headers

Deserve on an old cover of Deserve's BeginningDeserve on the cover of Deserve's BeginningGerman style Shadows of Blood cover
### Scenes

Deserve and SongDeserve speaks to Bloodfur in the forest

### Other

Deserve in Warrior Cats: Ultimate EditionDeserve in Warrior Cats: Ultimate EditionDeserve in Warrior Cats: Ultimate EditionDeserve in Warrior Cats: Ultimate EditionDeserve in Warrior Cats: Ultimate Edition

## Quotes

*"We are a group of cats who have joined together to fight against the cats who have wronged us. The clans."*

-Deserve to Bloodfur in *"Shadows of Blood",* chapter 20

*"I have no deputy. My army will never adopt any of the clans ways."*

 -Deserve to Bloodfur in *"Shadows of Blood",* chapter 20

*"I was brought into ShadowClan with my siblings after my mother abandoned us. Our father was killed by a monster. He was the only cat able to provide for us, as my mother couldn't hunt. So she brought us to your clan where she hoped we would be cared for. We were so afraid. We'd just lost everything."*

-Deserve to Bloodfur in *"Shadows of Blood",* chapter 20

*"And you know why they did it? Because we were rogues. We were born in a barn, and they were born in a clan. And that gave them the right to hurt us. One day, I had enough. I couldn't stand watching my brother and sister suffer any longer. So I attacked Snakekit."*

-Deserve to Bloodfur in *"Shadows of Blood",* chapter 20

*"My father taught me to hunt before he died. The killing bite was the only move I knew. You should have seen the looks on their faces! They looked at me like I was a monster. And so I ran away, because no cat would ever understand what I'd done. I was protecting my siblings. But you know what? I'm glad I killed him. He deserved it. I should've killed Blackstorm and Brownstripe too at the time."*

-Deserve to Bloodfur in *"Shadows of Blood",* chapter 20

*"I know exactly how you're feeling, Bloodfur. You're exactly like I was after I left ShadowClan. Heartbroken, but hungry for revenge. You were born in blood. I was born in a barn. And those are the reasons we were hurt."*

-Deserve to Bloodfur in *"Shadows of Blood",* chapter 20

*"It's something the clans will always fail to understand. And cats will continue to suffer just as you and I have because of it. But not if we do something about it. I will not rest until the clans have suffered for what they did to us. I struck back at them. I let them know I would not tolerate their hatred. So what are you going to do, Bloodfur?"*

-Deserve to Bloodfur in *"Shadows of Blood",* chapter 20

*"Cats of the army and the clans! A plan to prepare us for the final battle has been formed!"*

-Deserve in *"Shadows of Blood",* chapter 20

*"Papercut's idea to attack the medicine cats at highstones was a good one, and very successful. We must eliminate the medicine cats. The clans are nothing without them."*

-Deserve in *"Shadows of Blood",* chapter 20

*"You will have one of the most important roles in this plan. Every medicine cat must be killed in order for us to succeed. Can I trust you with the job?"*

-Deserve to Bloodfur in *"Shadows of Blood",* chapter 20

*"Well done, Bloodfur. I knew I could trust you."*

-Deserve praising Bloodfur on the attack on the medicine cats in *"Shadows of Blood",* chapter 26

*"I believe the time is near for us to launch our attack on the clans. The clans have lost two medicine cats, and two others are unlikely to recover. Without medicine cats, the injured cannot be treated."*

-Deserve to the army and clan cats in *"Shadows of Blood",* chapter 26

*"Song? I haven't seen you since... You're expecting kits. That's great! How's Boost?"*

-Deserve reuniting with Song in *"Shadows of Blood",* chapter 29

*"I will not stop until the forest runs with the blood of clan cats. The clans will be destroyed, one cat at a time..."*

-Deserve to Song in *"Shadows of Blood",* chapter 29

*"I care about my family, believe it or not. I won't take your mate from you. You're my sister."*

-Deserve to Song in *"Shadows of Blood",* chapter 29

*"Cats of Deserve's Army! The time has never been more right! We will attack the clans tonight under a full moon while they are gathered at fourtrees!"*

-Deserve to his soldiers in *"Shadows of Blood",* chapter 29

*"Tonight, we will have vengeance on the clans who have wronged us. Fight for everything they have ever taken from you! Fight like you've never fought before!"*

-Deserve to his soldiers in *"Shadows of Blood",* chapter 29

*"That's it! Kill them! The time has come for the clans to be defeated!"*

-Deserve to his soldiers in *"Shadows of Blood",* chapter 30

*"I have no interest in working with a cat who would kill her own kits. Our deal is off."*

-Deserve to Poisonedsap in *"Shadows of Blood",* chapter 31

*"I've seen how you treat your mates. Do you think I'm an idiot? I have no interest in letting you even join my army."*

-Deserve to Poisonedsap in *"Shadows of Blood",* chapter 31