Snakefang

## Other

### Enemies

Burrowclan, Rainclan, Cloverclan, Moonstar, Birchfire, Sparrowclaw, Scorchpelt, Briar, Yellowtail, Needlestar

### Allies

None

Snakefang is a sleek, light brown tom with darker bengal flecks covering his body and forehead. His most prominent feature are his large front teeth that jut from his mouth like fangs. He has many scars running across his back, stomach, forelegs, and face. Green eyes.

## Personality

Stubborn, rude, bossy, independent, cold, domineering, full of contempt, has anger problems, sarcastic, portrays some of his father's cowardly side, impulsive, dispirited, snarky.

#### -- Strengths --

He has excellent senses, superior battle moves, and is good at hunting (as long as it's not toads). He has good morals, although he didn't see them at first, and is willing to risk anything for Scarletflame and his family. Loyal to whomever he pleases.

#### -- Weaknesses --

He tends to see the worst in situations, hates cowardice, will stop at nothing to keep himself from becoming like his father, refuses to be told what to do, he sometimes freezes up in battle due to something his Dark Forest mentor did to him.

## Backstory

### Brief Summary

As a young kit, Snakekit looked to a warrior named Scorchpelt to be his role model. But as he got a little older he became aware of his mother's stress whenever Scorchpelt was around. Scarletflame would often spend time away from camp, and return with Scorchpelt's scent on her fur. Snakekit did not understand this, not yet. When Snakekit was barely two moons old, Scarletflame presented him to the dark forest, telling him he must train hard for his future. Yellowtail had chosen to mentor him herself, and she showed little mercy. Snakekit would wake terrified every night and beg never to go back, but Scarletflame would comfort him with promises that things would soon get better for the both of them and he wouldn't have to train any longer.

Yellowtail would take any opportunity to fill him with hate against his clanmates. She told him that Scorchpelt was just like his treacherous father and only wanted to contaminate Scarletflame's mind, making her doubt the path to a brighter future. Snakekit developed a deep hatred against Scorchpelt, and this only worsened when Scorchpelt took him on as his apprentice. Snakepaw would rebel against Scorchpelt whenever possible, and grew angry when his mentor tried to get in his way. Most times when he saw Scorchpelt his mother wasn't far behind. Snakepaw felt like he had to compete with Scorchpelt for Scarletflame's attention, and blamed Scorchpelt for his neglected kithood.

But over time as Snakepaw learned more about his mother's plans, he began to grow more and more wary of her intentions. He did not want to kill without reason, and it was becoming clear to him that Scarletflame didn't really care about him at all. She only ever cared about her selfish plans for revenge. As tensions rose and Scarletflame prepared to strike out against all cats that had done her wrong, Snakepaw comes up with a plan of his own. To use Scarletflame's weakness against her, to threaten Scorchpelt's life. But his plan comes to a shattering end when Scorchpelt flees from the clans and from his leader. Snakepaw's hatred of the tom only intensifies as he witnesses Scorchpelt's cowardice.

Feeling abandoned once more, Snakepaw decides the best course of action is to follow his mother's instructions-- no matter what the outcome. As soon as the opportunity presents itself Scarletflame sets out to murder her former mate, using Snakepaw as her weapon. But before Snakepaw gets the chance to strike Scorchpelt returns. Snakepaw doesn't waste another moment and pins Scorchpelt, making Scarletflame choose between Scorchpelt's life or her revenge on Sparrowclaw. Scarletflame reluctantly chooses Scorchpelt. But Snakepaw knows his mother's desire for vengeance would never end if Sparrowclaw is allowed to live. That's why the apprentice made sure his cowardly father fled in the direction of the gorge.

After the battle, Scorchpelt returns to Fernclan with Scarletflame, Snakepaw, and Firetail. Scarletflame finally seems content with her role as a warrior, and Scorchpelt resumes his normal duties as deputy and as Snakepaw's mentor. For the first time in his life everything seems right-- but the apprentice knows the heavy cost. He had betrayed the Dark Forest, and Yellowtail would not let him go after he foiled all of her plans. Snakepaw bravely returns to his old training grounds to face his punishment. Yellowtail appears, naming him a traitor and promising to make him suffer for his mistakes. Snakepaw tries to fight her, but he is no match for her brutal battle moves and strategies. He soon falls victim to her claws, unable to fend off her strikes. Scorchpelt shows up just in time, dragging Yellowtail off the helpless apprentice. Yellowtail calls Hollowtail forward to take Scorchpelt on while she finishes off Snakepaw. But to her dismay, Scorchpelt wins the fight to the death all too quickly and returns for his apprentice. Yellowtail rips a deep gash in Snakepaw's stomach before fleeing, knowing she cannot take on the angered deputy.

Snakepaw hovers between life and death, but Scarletflame manages to treat his near fatal wounds. He then starts his slow recovery. But as his wounds heal the apprentice realizes his confidence has suffered a fatal blow. He is no longer the cat he once was, the cat with a purpose. Not knowing if Scarletflame still cares about him in the same way that she did. He grows anxious watching the other apprentices battle train, not even wanting to join in. But then a mysterious loner shows up, Briar. She spends some time in the medicine den while Snakepaw is recovering and the two develop a bond. Unlike most other cats, Briar seems to understand Snakepaw's struggles and takes the apprentice under her wing, being the friend and mother that he never had. Snakepaw's confidence soon returns, and he's ready to tackle training once more.

It doesn't take long for the apprentice's life to take another turn for the worse. Rogues soon attack the Gathering battle, and Briar uses this opportunity to strike back against Needlestar. Snakepaw doesn't know this, however, and tries to defend Briar. Needlestar turns his fury on Snakepaw, knocking the apprentice unconscious while Briar flees. Snakepaw wakes, surprised to find some cat other than Scarletflame tending to his wounds. He is deeply hurt by this, and soon becomes rather bitter, claiming that even his own mother has abandoned him. He refuses to listen to Scorchpelt's reasoning, and his mentor is soon fed up with him.

Snakepaw passes his assessment and is made a warrior by Scorchpelt. He then retreats to the territory where he is confronted by Rosepaw. After a brief fight, Rosepaw flees. When Snakefang goes to find her, he discovers she has been murdered by Briar. Snakefang furiously attacks Briar, but manages to control himself before harming her further. He then stumbles back to camp with Rosepaw's limp body in his jaws.  (See Snakefang's Grief)

### Detailed Summary (WIP)

Snakefang starts out as a rather curious, confident, and eager young kit. He is more than ready to take on the world, and is excited by the prospect of becoming a fearsome warrior. Scorchpelt is the first warrior he meets, and the young kit is inspired to be just like the clan deputy someday. By the time he is old enough to explore outside of the nursery Scarletflame has already started to fill the young kit’s head with self doubt. She tells him that the clan is dangerous, always eager to judge him. She also tells him the story of how Needlestar tried to kill him shortly after she brought him to the camp. This leads Snakekit to question his place in the clan.

Scorchpelt’s attempt to console the young kit only drives his intention to become the greatest warrior the clan has ever seen, something Scarletflame had encouraged of him. She tells him that in order to become a great warrior, he must train in the Dark Forest under a special mentor she had chosen just for him. While Snakekit is eager at first, Yellowtail soon strikes pain and fear into the young kit. She teaches him that if he doesn’t fight, he’ll feel her claws.

Snakekit is confused when Scarletflame begins spending time away from him to train with Scorchpelt. To add to this, he is even more confused when a queen in the nursery comments on Scorchpelt’s obvious liking to Scarletflame. Snakekit sees his mother become distraught, rushing out of the nursery to speak with Scorchpelt. He begins to feel defensive of his mother. The next morning, Snakekit confronts the deputy, demanding to know what he had done to cause Scarletflame’s distress. Scorchpelt avoids the question, sending him to ask Scarletflame, who tells him to wait until he’s older.

After several moments of interrogating both Scorchpelt and Scarletflame for answers, Scorchpelt attempts to explain their broken relationship to him. This only seems to upset Snakekit further.

Snakekit is merely repeating the words that Yellowtail had reiterated many times. Calling him worthless. A mistake. A kit that was never supposed to be born. She used this as a twisted form of encouragement, all the more reason to prove himself.

A few nights after this incident Yellowtail tells Snakekit that Scorchpelt is no better than his own father, Sparrowclaw. She tells him that he will inevitably hurt Scarletflame if he doesn’t do something to stop it, thus effectively harnessing the young kit’s fear and using it to turn him against the deputy.

Snakekit wakes to a cold nest, realizing that Scarletflame hadn’t returned to the nursery last night. A patrol manages to track the two cats down and escort them back to camp. Snakekit is horrified at the sight of his mother’s broken paw.

He suddenly becomes very protective of his mother as he screeches at the deputy, beginning to escort his mother away. He feels a deep loyalty to her and to the path that she has set out for his future, and knows that it would fail if Scorchpelt were to get in their way.

A few moons later, Snakekit is apprenticed. Scorchpelt insists on mentoring the stubborn young cat, to which Snakepaw remarks that it won’t get him any closer to Scarletflame. Somehow Scorchpelt had managed to wrestle the information of his Dark Forest training from Scarletflame, putting their secretive plans in jeopardy. Needless to say, Snakepaw does not trust his mother when she’s with Scorchpelt. Yet he soon sets his resentments aside, becoming more confident and eager as he sets his paws on the unexplored territory. He expresses a bit of hostility towards the other clans, particularly Burrowclan, the clan in which his father resides.

After Snakepaw’s first border patrol, Scorchpelt instructs him to check the elders for ticks. Snakepaw immediately grows hostile again, telling the deputy to make him.

Through this act of defiance Snakepaw tests Scorchpelt’s patience, unwary of the punishment it may bring. He now recognizes Scorchpelt as his competition, and is determined not to make things any easier for the tom. As punishment, Snakepaw is to remain in camp instead of going to his first Gathering. Once he cleans the Elders’ Den, the punishment would be lifted. That night, however, after giving him a good clawing, Yellowtail informs him that Sparrowclaw has been wounded in battle. Now was the perfect time to finish him off.

So Snakepaw sneaks out of camp, setting out into unfamiliar territory in search of the Gatheringplace. He arrives there, but before he can track down Sparrowclaw’s scent trail Scorchpelt arrives. Snakepaw refuses to tell the deputy what he is doing, merely spitting out more defiance.

Scorchpelt orders him back to camp, but Snakepaw still refuses to leave. Finally fed up with Snakepaw’s stubbornness, Scorchpelt picks up the young cat by the scruff and drags him back to camp, Snakepaw fighting him every step of the way. Scorchpelt then assigns two more guards to keep Snakepaw inside the camp until he cleans the Elders’ Den.

Needing his freedom back but still determined not to let Scorchpelt get his own way, Snakepaw takes advantage of Rosepaw’s kindness and asks her to help him clean the Elders’ Den. Rosepaw is more than eager to help, and finishes the task quickly. As Snakepaw is taking out some of the dirty moss, Scorchpelt dashes into the camp, Scarletflame not far behind. Scorchpelt acts surprised to see him doing the job, having thought the apprentice had escaped.

This hurts Snakepaw, who was actually feeling proud of his accomplishment. Though Scorchpelt quickly apologizes, Snakepaw can’t help but notice that Scarletflame can’t seem to trust him either.

Finally freed from the prison of the camp, Snakepaw resumes his regular training. Scorchpelt offers to teach him battle moves, to which Snakepaw replies that his battle moves would be unsuitable for his level of experience. He tries to avoid battle training, set in the mindset that he will never be good enough to succeed in a fight. But Scorchpelt makes him do it anyway. While Snakepaw starts with confidence, the moment Scorchpelt gains the higher ground he begins to tense up in a fearful reflex-- post traumatic stress from his time spent training in the dark forest.

Scorchpelt immediately grows concerned for his apprentice, even more so when Snakepaw begs his mentor not to kill him. Scorchpelt questions why his apprentice would think that, seeming to snap Snakepaw out of it. The young tom quickly scrambles to regain his composure, immediately lying to Scorchpelt about a wound he had reopened in the skirmish. A wound inflicted by Yellowtail. Scorchpelt confronts him for this, trying to make him admit his Dark Forest training and realize that they aren’t to be trusted. Snakepaw retorts that his training forces him to be strong, that they believe the same things as he does.

Snakepaw hesitated uncertainly. "The same things Scarletflame believes," he replied evenly. But a slight hint of resentment in his gaze told otherwise. He lashed his tail, wishing he could avoid all of these questions.
Scorchpelt flicked his tail to the apprentice. "Sit down. Talk. I'm your mentor and we haven't had a proper talk yet. Tell me about what's going on. You're obviously upset." Blinking, Scorchpelt did his best to look inviting. Getting the apprentice to talk to him, rather than verbally spar, was one of the key principles of bonding between the two.
Snakepaw bristled defensively. "No," he growled, backing away. "I will not tell you anything, you are trying to stop me. I am not as vulnerable as my mother, do not think you can get the information from me."

In the days following this interaction Snakepaw begins to get more disinterested in his regular training. He is extremely wary of Scorchpelt’s intentions, wishing he’d stop the “nice act”. The eagerness he had expressed previously seeming drained.

## Education

Mentors - Yellowtail (Dark Forest), Scorchpelt.

Apprentice - None

## Full Family Tree

Mother: Scarletflame Father: Sparrowclaw

Step-father: Scorchpelt

Half-siblings: Larkkit, Gingerkit, Nightkit, and Calicokit (future)

Aunts: Moonstar, Briar, Cinderfall

Uncles: Shardpaw

Cousins: Fierce, Peak, Shard (kit), Fern

Grandparents: Harefoot, Willowfern, Ginger, Rockfall

Great Grandparents: Grayslip, Smokestar, Vixen

Great great Grandparents: Darknose, Crowfur

Great Aunt: Shatteredstar

## Random Facts

* The majority of Snakefang's scars were inflicted by Yellowtail. From a very young age he received a tear in his ear from his Dark Forest training, which led Scorchpelt to question his frequent injuries. He later received a nasty scratch to his cheek for his stubbornness in refusing to clean the elders' den. Later injuries, consisting of multiple ear tears and scars to his neck, legs, and pelt came from his attempt to break away from the Dark Forest. His final ear tear was inflicted by Briar during a revenge battle over Rosepaw's death, and it is nearly identical to Sparrowclaw's single torn ear.
* Snakepaw never cleaned the elders' den as Scorchpelt demanded. He instead recruited Rosepaw to deal with the elders while he brought her mouse bile and took out a small amount of dirty bedding. He later gave her a hard smack for nearly announcing it in front of Scorchpelt and some of the clan.
* Snakefang's markings are mostly random. However, his most prominent markings are the three specs on his forehead and the almost unnoticeable brown spot on his right forepaw.
* Snakefang once looked up to Scorchpelt before he started his Dark Forest training.
* It was planned that Snakefang would witness his mother eating a toad and complain to Scorchpelt about it.

## Related Links

Snakefang's Grief

Snakefang's Final Battle (Part 1)

Scorchpelt

Scarletflame

Sparrowclaw

Rosepaw

Briar