Warrior Idol Chapter 32: Final Elimination, a warriors fanfic

A/N: Oh my god….I wish I had an excuse for why this has taken so long, but I guess my only excuse is that life happens (I mean for goodness I'm in college now – studying musical theatre if anyone cares -). I'm really not expecting anyone who originally read this to still be around, but I just want to thank everyone for sticking through this to the end.

Disclaimer: Warriors belongs to Erin Hunter, and the songs belong to their respective artists.

I stand right off stage, just able to peer out and see the vast number of cats sitting in the audience. Every cat from every Clan is there, and a few loners who I don't recognize. Every cat in the area is here for one reason – to find out who will win the first ever Warrior Idol. Taking a deep breath, I step out onto the stage, and am immediately greeted by cheers.

"Hello, and welcome to the final elimination round of Warrior Idol!" I yowl, and the cats in the audience go crazy. I spot Squirrelflight and Tawnypelt standing next to the judges table, their fur neatly groomed. All of the judges look spotless as well, even Blackstar, who looks somewhat nicer than usual.

"Today, we will announce the winner of Warrior Idol," I begin. "The winner was chosen by all of you through voting. The loser will be allowed to sing one farewell song, and then the winner will finish with a performance of their own. Squirrelflight and Tawnypelt, would the two of you join me on stage?" I beckon with my tail, and the two cats leap up next to me. Squirrelflight is on my left, and Tawnypelt on my right. I can feel nervous energy coming off both of them.

I press my muzzle comfortingly into my sister's flank. Since the results are kept a secret from everyone, even me, I have no idea how this day will go down. Squirrelflight looks at me with gratitude, then steps away, allowing me to proceed with the results.

I look down at the judges table, where Graystripe is holding out the envelope with the name of the winner in it. I leap down off the stage and graciously take it from him.

"Thank you," I murmur, a pang of sadness hitting me as I remember that it should have been Firestar sitting there, instead of his best friend. Graystripe nods at me, and I leap back onto the stage.

I stare at the envelope I'm holding, wishing with all my heart that I could postpone this moment forever. But I can feel the stares of every cat on me, and with trembling paws, I open it. Taking a moment to read the name on the card inside, I look between the two finalists. Both of them are staring straight ahead, an unreadable expression on their faces.

"The winner of the first ever Warrior Idol is…..Tawnypelt!" I yowl, and my words are met with cheers and yowls from the audience. All of the judges look extremely pleased, especially Blackstar, who cheers the loudest. I turn to Tawnypelt and congratulate her; her eyes are wide with shock, and all she can do is nod and smile. Taking a deep breath, I turn around and face my sister, handing her the microphone. As the runner up, it is time for her to sing her last song. There are tears in her green eyes, but she holds her head high, and I admire her firm resolve. As I step back, I nod, and the music begins to play.

The snow glows white on the mountain tonight
Not a footprint to be seen
A kingdom of isolation, and it looks like I'm the Queen
The wind is howling like this swirling storm inside
Couldn't keep it in; Heaven knows I've tried

Don't let them in, don't let them see
Be the good girl you always have to be
Conceal, don't feel, don't let them know
Well now they know

Let it go, let it go
Can't hold it back any more
Let it go, let it go
Turn away and slam the door
I don't care
What they're going to say
Let the storm rage on, the cold never bothered me anyway

It's funny how some distance
Makes everything seem small
And the fears that once controlled me
Can't get to me at all

It's time to see what I can do
To test the limits and break through
No right, no wrong, no rules for me
I'm free

Let it go, let it go
I am one with the wind and sky
Let it go, let it go
You'll never see me cry
Here I stand
And here I stay
Let the storm rage on

My power flurries through the air into the ground
My soul is spiraling in frozen fractals all around
And one thought crystallizes like an icy blast
I'm never going back,
The past is in the past

Let it go, let it go
When I'll rise like the break of dawn
Let it go, let it go
That perfect girl is gone
Here I stand in the light of day
Let the storm rage on,
The cold never bothered me anyway

As Squirrelflight finishes, and her last note rings through the air, the audience greets her with cheers almost as loud as the ones they gave Tawnypelt. I feel a rush of pride for my sister; I know that the decision between her and Tawnypelt could not have been an easy one.

Leopardstar looks like she wants to speak, and I motion for the audience to fall quiet, before turning to the RiverClan leader.

"Sweetie, you've proved yourself time and time again that you deserve to be on that stage. I have no doubt that you have a bright future in front of you," she meows, and the other judges nod in agreement.

"Thank you," Squirrelflight can barely choke out the words, her eyes swimming with emotion. I approach her, and she hands me the microphone, before turning and padding offstage. I approach Tawnypelt, and hand her the microphone, smiling at her as I step back and signal for the music to begin again.

I've never seen a diamond in the flesh
I cut my teeth on wedding rings in the movies
And I'm not proud of my address
In the torn up town, no post code envy

But every song's like:
Gold teeth
Grey Goose
Tripping in the bathroom
Bloodstains
Ball gowns
Trashing the hotel room

We don't care, we're driving Cadillacs in our dreams

But everybody's like:
Crystal
Maybach
Diamonds on your timepiece
Jet planes
Islands
Tigers on a gold leash

We don't care, we aren't caught up in your love affair

And we'll never be royals (royals)
It don't run in our blood
That kind of lux just ain't for us, we crave a different kind of buzz
Let me be your ruler (ruler)
You can call me queen bee
And baby I'll rule, I'll rule, I'll rule, I'll rule
Let me live that fantasy

My friends and I we've cracked the code
We count our dollars on the train to the party
And everyone who knows us knows
That we're fine with this, we didn't come from money

But every song's like:
Gold teeth
Grey Goose
Tripping in the bathroom
Bloodstains
Ball gowns
Trashing the hotel room

We don't care, we're driving Cadillacs in our dreams

But everybody's like:
Crystal
Maybach
Diamonds on your timepiece
Jet planes
Islands
Tigers on a gold leash

We don't care, we aren't caught up in your love affair

ooh ooh oh ooh
We're better than we've ever dreamed
And I'm in love with being queen

ooh ooh oh ooh
Life is great without a care
We aren't caught up in your love affair

Tawnypelt finishes to thunderous applause, and she looks out into the audience, beaming. I smile and take the microphone back from her. Yowls of "Tawnypelt! Tawnypelt!" are rising from the mass of cats in front of me, and I have to wait several seconds for them to quiet down.

"Ladies and gentlemen," I meow, "this concludes our first season of Warrior Idol! Congratulations to Tawnypelt, our winner, and to every cat who has been a part of this journey! I hope to see you all soon, and may StarClan light your paths!"

As I turn to lead Tawnypelt offstage, the cheers from the audience begin again, swelling up louder and louder. Squirrelflight is backstage as well, and she pads over to Tawnypelt and offers her own congratulations. I pad away, leaving them to talk alone, and emerge into a clearing. I look up at the sky, which is just beginning to get dark, and I can see one star glittering high above my head.

"Thank you, dad," I meow quietly, staring at the star, "for everything."

A/N: And done. Thank you for all the support (and sorry again!)