Post by Hawkstar on Mar 11, 2009 17:06:11 GMT -5
Alright, this is my very first fan-fiction so don't expect anything great. Now then, this story takes place right after Eclipse and takes the place of Long Shadows (because I wrote it before Long Shadows was released). Now without further adieu, I present you with Warriors: The End.
The cat in the center is Firestar.
WARNING:THE FOLLOWING CHAPTERS ARE PAINFULLY SHORT
The cat in the center is Firestar.
Prologue
A dark tabby watched in silence from a forest as three apprentices were named warriors. A dark brown tom came running up.
“Tigerstar-” the brown cat began.
“Be quiet Hawkfrost!” snapped Tigerstar. “Lionpaw is becoming a warrior, look.” Hawkfrost slid past Tigerstar silently and watched.
“Lionpaw, you shall be known as Lionblaze. StarClan honours your courage and skill in battle.” meowed a ginger tom.
“Firestar,” meowed Tigerstar, his voice filled with hate. “He has no idea where Lionblaze’s skill in battle comes from.” Tigerstar spun around to face Hawkfrost.
“What did you want?” Tigerstar meowed to Hawkfrost.
“I needed to tell you that it is possible.” Hawkfrost replied.
“Is it now?” Tigerstar meowed with a hint of excitement.
“Yes, it is!” Hawkfrost meowed eagerly.
“Watch out Lionblaze.” Tigerstar meowed ominously, staring up at the non-existent stars. Tigerstar suddenly whipped his head down.
“What is required?” he demanded of Hawkfrost.
“Listen very carefully...” murmured Hawkfrost.
A dark tabby watched in silence from a forest as three apprentices were named warriors. A dark brown tom came running up.
“Tigerstar-” the brown cat began.
“Be quiet Hawkfrost!” snapped Tigerstar. “Lionpaw is becoming a warrior, look.” Hawkfrost slid past Tigerstar silently and watched.
“Lionpaw, you shall be known as Lionblaze. StarClan honours your courage and skill in battle.” meowed a ginger tom.
“Firestar,” meowed Tigerstar, his voice filled with hate. “He has no idea where Lionblaze’s skill in battle comes from.” Tigerstar spun around to face Hawkfrost.
“What did you want?” Tigerstar meowed to Hawkfrost.
“I needed to tell you that it is possible.” Hawkfrost replied.
“Is it now?” Tigerstar meowed with a hint of excitement.
“Yes, it is!” Hawkfrost meowed eagerly.
“Watch out Lionblaze.” Tigerstar meowed ominously, staring up at the non-existent stars. Tigerstar suddenly whipped his head down.
“What is required?” he demanded of Hawkfrost.
“Listen very carefully...” murmured Hawkfrost.
Chapter 1
Jaypaw padded toward his littermates.
“Congratu-” Jaypaw began, but before he could even finish his word, an image flooded his eyes and he began writhing on the floor of the clearing, letting out a gruesome choking noise. Above him was a dark muscular tabby with amber eyes. Before Jaypaw could even think, the tabby leaped upon him and began scratching at his neck. Lightly at first, but the tabby began to scratch harder and harder until he finally stopped and smashed his paw down on Jaypaw’s throat. The tabby leaned so close to Jaypaw that he could smell the reek of blood on the tabby’s breath.
“Tell Lionblaze that the end is coming and nothing can stop it.” the tabby meowed before grabbing Jaypaw by the scruff and throwing him across the forest into a tree, as if he were a piece of fresh-kill. The vision began to fade, and for the first time he could remember, he was glad that the sight had faded. When Jaypaw woke up the first things he smelled were the herbs in Leafpool’s den and the scent of his littermates.
“He’s awake!” Hollyleaf mewed excitedly.
“Good to see you awake, Jaypaw.” Lionblaze mewed to him.
“Lionblaze,” Jaypaw meowed instantly. “I need to speak to you in private.”
“Alright.” Lionblaze replied. Jaypaw and Lionblaze padded out of the medicine den and into the forest. They settled down next to a tree.
“So,” Lionblaze began. “What’s on your mind?” Jaypaw suddenly became very serious.
“The end is coming and nothing can stop it.” He meowed “A dark tabby told me that. He looked much bigger than anyone in our clan.”
Jaypaw padded toward his littermates.
“Congratu-” Jaypaw began, but before he could even finish his word, an image flooded his eyes and he began writhing on the floor of the clearing, letting out a gruesome choking noise. Above him was a dark muscular tabby with amber eyes. Before Jaypaw could even think, the tabby leaped upon him and began scratching at his neck. Lightly at first, but the tabby began to scratch harder and harder until he finally stopped and smashed his paw down on Jaypaw’s throat. The tabby leaned so close to Jaypaw that he could smell the reek of blood on the tabby’s breath.
“Tell Lionblaze that the end is coming and nothing can stop it.” the tabby meowed before grabbing Jaypaw by the scruff and throwing him across the forest into a tree, as if he were a piece of fresh-kill. The vision began to fade, and for the first time he could remember, he was glad that the sight had faded. When Jaypaw woke up the first things he smelled were the herbs in Leafpool’s den and the scent of his littermates.
“He’s awake!” Hollyleaf mewed excitedly.
“Good to see you awake, Jaypaw.” Lionblaze mewed to him.
“Lionblaze,” Jaypaw meowed instantly. “I need to speak to you in private.”
“Alright.” Lionblaze replied. Jaypaw and Lionblaze padded out of the medicine den and into the forest. They settled down next to a tree.
“So,” Lionblaze began. “What’s on your mind?” Jaypaw suddenly became very serious.
“The end is coming and nothing can stop it.” He meowed “A dark tabby told me that. He looked much bigger than anyone in our clan.”
Chapter 2
Lionblaze gulped as Jaypaw described the tabby warrior. He knew Jaypaw was referring to Tigerstar.
“Do you know what he means, Lionblaze?” Jaypaw asked hopefully. What do I tell him? Lionblaze thought. If I tell him who he is then he’ll know I’ve been secretly meeting with Tigerstar.
“You’ve been meeting with Tigerstar?” Jaypaw suddenly blurted out. Lionblaze knew he couldn’t deny it now. Jaypaw had looked into his thoughts.
“Stop doing that!” Lionblaze meowed angrily.
“But, if you’ve been meeting with Tigerstar then it’s very important you stop!” Jaypaw meowed. “Wait,” Jaypaw mewed thoughtfully. “If you’ve been, meeting with him then why did he sound so angry?” Lionblaze felt very guilty for telling Tigerstar about the prophecy.
“I got him angry the day before the Gathering when I told him I believed in the prophecy.” Lionblaze mewed to his littermate.
“You told him about the prophecy too!?” Jaypaw meowed in disbelief. “What else do I not know?” Lionblaze padded around looking into bushes surrounding them as if he expected Tigerstar to leap out of one.
“After we had a fight he said “I’ve not finished with you yet,” I think that’s what he means by the end is coming.” Lionblaze finished.
“Why would he tell me and not you?” Jaypaw questioned.
“I don’t know.” Lionblaze replied.
“Jaypaw!” They heard Leafpool call.
“Well, I’ve got to go.” Jaypaw called as he ran back to the hollow. What is the end and why can nothing stop it? Lionblaze thought.
Lionblaze gulped as Jaypaw described the tabby warrior. He knew Jaypaw was referring to Tigerstar.
“Do you know what he means, Lionblaze?” Jaypaw asked hopefully. What do I tell him? Lionblaze thought. If I tell him who he is then he’ll know I’ve been secretly meeting with Tigerstar.
“You’ve been meeting with Tigerstar?” Jaypaw suddenly blurted out. Lionblaze knew he couldn’t deny it now. Jaypaw had looked into his thoughts.
“Stop doing that!” Lionblaze meowed angrily.
“But, if you’ve been meeting with Tigerstar then it’s very important you stop!” Jaypaw meowed. “Wait,” Jaypaw mewed thoughtfully. “If you’ve been, meeting with him then why did he sound so angry?” Lionblaze felt very guilty for telling Tigerstar about the prophecy.
“I got him angry the day before the Gathering when I told him I believed in the prophecy.” Lionblaze mewed to his littermate.
“You told him about the prophecy too!?” Jaypaw meowed in disbelief. “What else do I not know?” Lionblaze padded around looking into bushes surrounding them as if he expected Tigerstar to leap out of one.
“After we had a fight he said “I’ve not finished with you yet,” I think that’s what he means by the end is coming.” Lionblaze finished.
“Why would he tell me and not you?” Jaypaw questioned.
“I don’t know.” Lionblaze replied.
“Jaypaw!” They heard Leafpool call.
“Well, I’ve got to go.” Jaypaw called as he ran back to the hollow. What is the end and why can nothing stop it? Lionblaze thought.
Chapter 3
“So that’s all I have to do?” Tigerstar meowed to Hawkfrost.
“Yes, it is.” Hawkfrost answered simply.
“Most of the cats should be easy to convince.” Tigerstar meowed.
“Yes, but Scourge may be difficult to persuade.” Hawkfrost replied.
“Scourge will be difficult at first,” Tigerstar growled. “But with time he will agree. Let’s go.” Hawkfrost seemed shocked.
“But cats in the Place of No Stars are never to cross paths.” He meowed. Tigerstar turned away from Hawkfrost.
“Welcome to a world without rules.” He growled.
“So that’s all I have to do?” Tigerstar meowed to Hawkfrost.
“Yes, it is.” Hawkfrost answered simply.
“Most of the cats should be easy to convince.” Tigerstar meowed.
“Yes, but Scourge may be difficult to persuade.” Hawkfrost replied.
“Scourge will be difficult at first,” Tigerstar growled. “But with time he will agree. Let’s go.” Hawkfrost seemed shocked.
“But cats in the Place of No Stars are never to cross paths.” He meowed. Tigerstar turned away from Hawkfrost.
“Welcome to a world without rules.” He growled.
Chapter 4
Hawkfrost padded after Tigerstar, not saying anything. They were going farther into the Place of No Stars than Hawkfrost had ever been before, until at last they reached a place where the path split in two directions.
“You go left. I go right.” Tigerstar meowed without looking back at Hawkfrost. Hawkfrost began to walk away and searched intently for the shapes of what could be cats. Tigerstar told me that it is very difficult to find cats in the Place of No Stars. Hawkfrost thought. He padded down the path for what seemed like a moon before he noticed a cave going of to the side and into a hill. He searched for scents at the entrance and detected the distinct scent of cat. Darkstripe! Hawkfrost thought immediately. He charged down the tunnel going deeper and deeper until he reached a large cavern dimly lit by glowing mushrooms growing on the walls.
“Darkstripe.” Hawkfrost called cautiously.
“W-w-who’s there.” A shaky voice replied. A scraggly cat crawled out of a crevice. His pelt was dull as dirt and his eyes were dark and bloodshot as if he hadn’t slept for a moon. This was the strong warrior Tigerstar always talked about? Hawkfrost thought.
“Who are you?” Darkstripe asked. “How do you know my name?” Darkstripe put up a paw defensively.
“I am Hawkfrost,” Hawkfrost answered. “Son of Tigerstar.” At the mention of Tigerstar’s name Darkstripe lowered his paw.
“Tigerstar needs your help.” Hawkfrost continued.
“Why does Tigerstar need my help?” Darkstripe asked clearly not believing this story.
“Tigerstar needs the support of all the Place of No Stars cats.” There was a pause which was only heartbeats, but to Hawkfrost it felt like moons.
“Very well,” Darkstripe replied at last. “But what do I need to do?” Hawkfrost glanced around.
“This and exactly this…” He began.
Hawkfrost padded after Tigerstar, not saying anything. They were going farther into the Place of No Stars than Hawkfrost had ever been before, until at last they reached a place where the path split in two directions.
“You go left. I go right.” Tigerstar meowed without looking back at Hawkfrost. Hawkfrost began to walk away and searched intently for the shapes of what could be cats. Tigerstar told me that it is very difficult to find cats in the Place of No Stars. Hawkfrost thought. He padded down the path for what seemed like a moon before he noticed a cave going of to the side and into a hill. He searched for scents at the entrance and detected the distinct scent of cat. Darkstripe! Hawkfrost thought immediately. He charged down the tunnel going deeper and deeper until he reached a large cavern dimly lit by glowing mushrooms growing on the walls.
“Darkstripe.” Hawkfrost called cautiously.
“W-w-who’s there.” A shaky voice replied. A scraggly cat crawled out of a crevice. His pelt was dull as dirt and his eyes were dark and bloodshot as if he hadn’t slept for a moon. This was the strong warrior Tigerstar always talked about? Hawkfrost thought.
“Who are you?” Darkstripe asked. “How do you know my name?” Darkstripe put up a paw defensively.
“I am Hawkfrost,” Hawkfrost answered. “Son of Tigerstar.” At the mention of Tigerstar’s name Darkstripe lowered his paw.
“Tigerstar needs your help.” Hawkfrost continued.
“Why does Tigerstar need my help?” Darkstripe asked clearly not believing this story.
“Tigerstar needs the support of all the Place of No Stars cats.” There was a pause which was only heartbeats, but to Hawkfrost it felt like moons.
“Very well,” Darkstripe replied at last. “But what do I need to do?” Hawkfrost glanced around.
“This and exactly this…” He began.
Chapter 5
Tigerstar waited until Hawkfrost had padded out of sight before going down the right path.
“Brokenstar!” He called out. His call was met with a weak growl from over a hill. Tigerstar instantly shot into a run up the hill. Once he made it to the top of then hill he found a hollowed out crater. Tigerstar saw a cat lying in the crater with a tail like a snapped branch.
“Brokenstar, get up!” Tigerstar growled to the cat. Brokenstar woke up very slowly, sleep crusted around his eyes.
“Tigerclaw, are you here too?” Brokenstar asked.
“Yes, I am.” Tigerstar meowed. “And I’m Tigerstar now. I became leader of ShadowClan.” Brokenstar nodded.
“Why have you come to meet me?” He asked.
“I require your help.” Tigerstar meowed quietly. It was not easy for him to admit he needed help.
“I see, but why?” Brokenstar asked.
“That is unimportant.” Tigerstar replied. “Will you help?” Tigerstar waited expectantly.
“Yes. I will.” Brokenstar replied to Tigerstar.
“Good,” Tigerstar meowed. “Follow me.” Tigerstar and Brokenstar began to trek back to the fork in the path. When they got there they were alone.
“Hawkfrost! Where are you?” Tigerstar called out.
“I’m coming!” A voice called. Hawkfrost exploded out of the forest followed by Darkstripe and Clawface. Good, he found Darkstripe and Clawface is just a bonus. Thought Tigerstar.
“I see you found Brokenstar.” Hawkfrost meowed.
“Yes I did.” Tigerstar replied. “You take these three back to the clearing.” Hawkfrost nodded.
“What will you be doing?” He asked Tigerstar.
“I must go to meet with Scourge.” Tigerstar replied.
Tigerstar waited until Hawkfrost had padded out of sight before going down the right path.
“Brokenstar!” He called out. His call was met with a weak growl from over a hill. Tigerstar instantly shot into a run up the hill. Once he made it to the top of then hill he found a hollowed out crater. Tigerstar saw a cat lying in the crater with a tail like a snapped branch.
“Brokenstar, get up!” Tigerstar growled to the cat. Brokenstar woke up very slowly, sleep crusted around his eyes.
“Tigerclaw, are you here too?” Brokenstar asked.
“Yes, I am.” Tigerstar meowed. “And I’m Tigerstar now. I became leader of ShadowClan.” Brokenstar nodded.
“Why have you come to meet me?” He asked.
“I require your help.” Tigerstar meowed quietly. It was not easy for him to admit he needed help.
“I see, but why?” Brokenstar asked.
“That is unimportant.” Tigerstar replied. “Will you help?” Tigerstar waited expectantly.
“Yes. I will.” Brokenstar replied to Tigerstar.
“Good,” Tigerstar meowed. “Follow me.” Tigerstar and Brokenstar began to trek back to the fork in the path. When they got there they were alone.
“Hawkfrost! Where are you?” Tigerstar called out.
“I’m coming!” A voice called. Hawkfrost exploded out of the forest followed by Darkstripe and Clawface. Good, he found Darkstripe and Clawface is just a bonus. Thought Tigerstar.
“I see you found Brokenstar.” Hawkfrost meowed.
“Yes I did.” Tigerstar replied. “You take these three back to the clearing.” Hawkfrost nodded.
“What will you be doing?” He asked Tigerstar.
“I must go to meet with Scourge.” Tigerstar replied.
Chapter 6
Hollyleaf padded towards the warriors den. My first night sleeping in the warriors den. She thought.
“Hollyleaf,” Lionblaze called. “Hollyleaf come over here!” Hollyleaf turned to see Lionblaze sitting near the fresh-kill pile, quickly devouring a vole. Hollyleaf began to walk over. On her way she picked up a mouse.
“First night in the warriors den.” Lionblaze meowed.
“Yes, I’m so excited.” Hollyleaf meowed eagerly.
“Yes, but remember we’ll be on the outside. We’ll be the least sheltered.” Lionblaze explained.
“Maybe so, but it will be more sheltered than the vigil.” Hollyleaf meowed.
“Yes and-” Lionblaze suddenly broke off. Hollyleaf wondered why until she noticed Jaypaw padding towards them. She remembered how much her brother had wanted to be a warrior, but because he was blind he had to become a medicine cat.
“Don’t stop talking because of me,” Jaypaw meowed. “I’m happy for you.” Hollyleaf was relieved that Jaypaw wasn’t upset. Just as she was going to begin talking again she heard a rustle in the brambles near the camp entrance. Spiderleg shot into the clearing.
“WindClan are attacking again!” He yelled.
Hollyleaf padded towards the warriors den. My first night sleeping in the warriors den. She thought.
“Hollyleaf,” Lionblaze called. “Hollyleaf come over here!” Hollyleaf turned to see Lionblaze sitting near the fresh-kill pile, quickly devouring a vole. Hollyleaf began to walk over. On her way she picked up a mouse.
“First night in the warriors den.” Lionblaze meowed.
“Yes, I’m so excited.” Hollyleaf meowed eagerly.
“Yes, but remember we’ll be on the outside. We’ll be the least sheltered.” Lionblaze explained.
“Maybe so, but it will be more sheltered than the vigil.” Hollyleaf meowed.
“Yes and-” Lionblaze suddenly broke off. Hollyleaf wondered why until she noticed Jaypaw padding towards them. She remembered how much her brother had wanted to be a warrior, but because he was blind he had to become a medicine cat.
“Don’t stop talking because of me,” Jaypaw meowed. “I’m happy for you.” Hollyleaf was relieved that Jaypaw wasn’t upset. Just as she was going to begin talking again she heard a rustle in the brambles near the camp entrance. Spiderleg shot into the clearing.
“WindClan are attacking again!” He yelled.
Chapter 7
Tigerstar padded along the path. Heading for a place he had only heard about, the exact centre of the Place of No Stars. Tigerstar padded along the path for a very long time and he was about to give up when he noticed a sleek black shape with icy blue eyes grooming itself under a tree.
“Scourge,” Tigerstar called out. “Is that you?” There was no response and Tigerstar began to think he had imagined the shape.
“Who wants to know?” A high pitched voice yelled back. Tigerstar immediately began running to the shape. Tigerstar had been right, it was Scourge.
“You!” Scourge meowed angrily.
“Yes,” Tigerstar replied calmly. “But what do you have against me?” Scourge looked intently at Tigerstar.
“Do you remember the kittypet you attacked when you were still named Tigerpaw?” Tigerstar suddenly became very shocked. That kittypet was Scourge. I and I alone brought about my demise! He thought. “I take it you remember him then.” Scourge meowed a grin of satisfaction on his face.
“Yes, I do remember you.” Tigerstar meowed, still struggling to get over the shock.
“You know Tigerstar,” Scourge began. “You and I are two sides of the same mouse. We both share a loathsome hatred of my half-brother.” Tigerstar blinked.
“Who is your half-brother?” he questioned.
“Firestar.” Scourge mewed. Tigerstar felt even more shocked.
“Maybe you should help me get revenge on your flea-bitten half-brother.” Tigerstar meowed, using this sudden turn of events to his advantage. Scourge narrowed his blue eyes.
“Make it worth my while.” He demanded.
Tigerstar padded along the path. Heading for a place he had only heard about, the exact centre of the Place of No Stars. Tigerstar padded along the path for a very long time and he was about to give up when he noticed a sleek black shape with icy blue eyes grooming itself under a tree.
“Scourge,” Tigerstar called out. “Is that you?” There was no response and Tigerstar began to think he had imagined the shape.
“Who wants to know?” A high pitched voice yelled back. Tigerstar immediately began running to the shape. Tigerstar had been right, it was Scourge.
“You!” Scourge meowed angrily.
“Yes,” Tigerstar replied calmly. “But what do you have against me?” Scourge looked intently at Tigerstar.
“Do you remember the kittypet you attacked when you were still named Tigerpaw?” Tigerstar suddenly became very shocked. That kittypet was Scourge. I and I alone brought about my demise! He thought. “I take it you remember him then.” Scourge meowed a grin of satisfaction on his face.
“Yes, I do remember you.” Tigerstar meowed, still struggling to get over the shock.
“You know Tigerstar,” Scourge began. “You and I are two sides of the same mouse. We both share a loathsome hatred of my half-brother.” Tigerstar blinked.
“Who is your half-brother?” he questioned.
“Firestar.” Scourge mewed. Tigerstar felt even more shocked.
“Maybe you should help me get revenge on your flea-bitten half-brother.” Tigerstar meowed, using this sudden turn of events to his advantage. Scourge narrowed his blue eyes.
“Make it worth my while.” He demanded.
Chapter 8
Lionblaze was shocked, but glad to be having something interesting to do.
“I would have thought the vanishing sun would have kept them on their own territory!” Hollyleaf meowed surprised. Firestar bounded out of his cave and onto the Highledge.
“Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath the Highledge for a Clan meeting!” Firestar yelled the familiar words.
“We’d better go.” Meowed Jaypaw. Lionblaze ran over and sat down next to Graystripe.
“Brambleclaw,” Firestar called down from the Highledge. “What is going on?” Brambleclaw glanced up at Firestar.
“WindClan have crossed the border again!” he meowed. Firestar looked dumbfounded.
“Tell me what evidence you have for this theory.” he meowed.
“Come with me,” Brambleclaw replied. “and I’ll show you.” Firestar jumped down from the Highledge and began to follow Brambleclaw.
“Graystripe,” Firestar mewed as he passed the gray tom. “you are in charge of the camp while I’m gone.” Brambleclaw padded out of the bramble barrier, but as soon as he exited he was jumped by a small group of WindClan warriors. Lionblaze was taken aback for only a second and then he began to charge at the WindClan cats.
“Lionblaze, no!” Firestar yelled at him. Does he expect me to stop? Lionblaze thought. Catching the patrol off guard Lionblaze leaped onto a white she-cat that he recognized as Whitetail. Dragging her off his father he yelled
“Crowfood eaters. Get out of our territory!” Giving her a few warning nips on the ankles Lionblaze let Whitetail go. He then noticed that Firestar was grappling with Tornear and Squirrelflight was fighting with Weaselfur.
“I guess that just leaves you and me.” A gray tom with two dark paws meowed.
“I guess so Emberfoot.” Lionblaze replied. Emberfoot charged directly at Lionblaze, but he managed to jump out of the way and sink his teeth into Emberfoot’s tail. He let off a yowl of pain and grabbed Lionblaze’s foreleg in his jaws. Lionblaze fought the urge to screech out in pain and instead bit down on Emberfoot’s ear. Emberfoot let go of Lionblaze’s leg and Lionblaze raked his claws across the WindClan cat’s flank. Emberfoot and the other WindClan cats fled in defeat. Jaypaw and Hollyleaf ran over to Brambleclaw.
“Brambleclaw, are you alright?” Jaypaw mewed to his father. Brambleclaw glanced down at the large wound running all the way down his chest.
“I’ve been better.” He struggled to reply.
“You’re injured,” Jaypaw meowed. “I’ll go get Leafpool.” Brambleclaw shook his head.
“Leafpool cannot help me now.” He meowed. “My time has come.” He let out a hoarse cough which brought up clots of blood.
“You can’t die!” Squirrelflight meowed, tears welling up in her eyes.
“My only regret,” Brambleclaw meowed looking at Jaypaw. “is that I’ll never get to see Jaypaw with his full medicine cat name.” Brambleclaw laid his head on the ground and shut his eyes. Brambleclaw was dead.
Lionblaze was shocked, but glad to be having something interesting to do.
“I would have thought the vanishing sun would have kept them on their own territory!” Hollyleaf meowed surprised. Firestar bounded out of his cave and onto the Highledge.
“Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath the Highledge for a Clan meeting!” Firestar yelled the familiar words.
“We’d better go.” Meowed Jaypaw. Lionblaze ran over and sat down next to Graystripe.
“Brambleclaw,” Firestar called down from the Highledge. “What is going on?” Brambleclaw glanced up at Firestar.
“WindClan have crossed the border again!” he meowed. Firestar looked dumbfounded.
“Tell me what evidence you have for this theory.” he meowed.
“Come with me,” Brambleclaw replied. “and I’ll show you.” Firestar jumped down from the Highledge and began to follow Brambleclaw.
“Graystripe,” Firestar mewed as he passed the gray tom. “you are in charge of the camp while I’m gone.” Brambleclaw padded out of the bramble barrier, but as soon as he exited he was jumped by a small group of WindClan warriors. Lionblaze was taken aback for only a second and then he began to charge at the WindClan cats.
“Lionblaze, no!” Firestar yelled at him. Does he expect me to stop? Lionblaze thought. Catching the patrol off guard Lionblaze leaped onto a white she-cat that he recognized as Whitetail. Dragging her off his father he yelled
“Crowfood eaters. Get out of our territory!” Giving her a few warning nips on the ankles Lionblaze let Whitetail go. He then noticed that Firestar was grappling with Tornear and Squirrelflight was fighting with Weaselfur.
“I guess that just leaves you and me.” A gray tom with two dark paws meowed.
“I guess so Emberfoot.” Lionblaze replied. Emberfoot charged directly at Lionblaze, but he managed to jump out of the way and sink his teeth into Emberfoot’s tail. He let off a yowl of pain and grabbed Lionblaze’s foreleg in his jaws. Lionblaze fought the urge to screech out in pain and instead bit down on Emberfoot’s ear. Emberfoot let go of Lionblaze’s leg and Lionblaze raked his claws across the WindClan cat’s flank. Emberfoot and the other WindClan cats fled in defeat. Jaypaw and Hollyleaf ran over to Brambleclaw.
“Brambleclaw, are you alright?” Jaypaw mewed to his father. Brambleclaw glanced down at the large wound running all the way down his chest.
“I’ve been better.” He struggled to reply.
“You’re injured,” Jaypaw meowed. “I’ll go get Leafpool.” Brambleclaw shook his head.
“Leafpool cannot help me now.” He meowed. “My time has come.” He let out a hoarse cough which brought up clots of blood.
“You can’t die!” Squirrelflight meowed, tears welling up in her eyes.
“My only regret,” Brambleclaw meowed looking at Jaypaw. “is that I’ll never get to see Jaypaw with his full medicine cat name.” Brambleclaw laid his head on the ground and shut his eyes. Brambleclaw was dead.
Chapter 9
Hawkfrost waited in the clearing, shocked at what he had just seen. He whipped his head around at the sound of a rustle in a bush. Tigerstar walked into the clearing alone. I guess he couldn’t convince Scourge to help. Hawkfrost thought.
“Come on,” Tigerstar called into the bushes. “Don’t look like that!” Just then a small, sleek black cat with one white paw exited the bushes. He approached Hawkfrost.
“I am Scourge,” he meowed. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you before.”
“I am Hawkfrost,” he replied. “Tigerstar’s son.” Scourge’s ice blue eyes widened as he turned to look at Tigerstar.
“You never told me you had a son.” He meowed. Tigerstar paid Scourge no mind.
“What happened while I was gone?” Tigerstar questioned Hawkfrost.
“One of your enemies has been defeated.” Hawkfrost mewed trying to sound calm. Tigerstar suddenly became interested.
“Who was it?” Tigerstar demanded.
“Look there.” Hawkfrost replied pointing his tail at a puddle of water which he had used to witness Brambleclaw’s death. Tigerstar padded over to it and glanced in. He sat and watched for a very long time as if hypnotized by the puddle’s gentle ripples. Suddenly Tigerstar slapped his tail into the puddle destroying the fragile image within.
“Good,” Tigerstar meowed triumphantly. “Brambleclaw is dead.” Scourge looked puzzled.
“Who is Brambleclaw?” he questioned Hawkfrost. “Brambleclaw is Tigerstar’s other son.” He answered.
“I see.” Scourge meowed.
“Brambleclaw’s death should be taken as a sign to the fools of ThunderClan.” Tigerstar meowed. “For the end is drawing near!”
Hawkfrost waited in the clearing, shocked at what he had just seen. He whipped his head around at the sound of a rustle in a bush. Tigerstar walked into the clearing alone. I guess he couldn’t convince Scourge to help. Hawkfrost thought.
“Come on,” Tigerstar called into the bushes. “Don’t look like that!” Just then a small, sleek black cat with one white paw exited the bushes. He approached Hawkfrost.
“I am Scourge,” he meowed. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you before.”
“I am Hawkfrost,” he replied. “Tigerstar’s son.” Scourge’s ice blue eyes widened as he turned to look at Tigerstar.
“You never told me you had a son.” He meowed. Tigerstar paid Scourge no mind.
“What happened while I was gone?” Tigerstar questioned Hawkfrost.
“One of your enemies has been defeated.” Hawkfrost mewed trying to sound calm. Tigerstar suddenly became interested.
“Who was it?” Tigerstar demanded.
“Look there.” Hawkfrost replied pointing his tail at a puddle of water which he had used to witness Brambleclaw’s death. Tigerstar padded over to it and glanced in. He sat and watched for a very long time as if hypnotized by the puddle’s gentle ripples. Suddenly Tigerstar slapped his tail into the puddle destroying the fragile image within.
“Good,” Tigerstar meowed triumphantly. “Brambleclaw is dead.” Scourge looked puzzled.
“Who is Brambleclaw?” he questioned Hawkfrost. “Brambleclaw is Tigerstar’s other son.” He answered.
“I see.” Scourge meowed.
“Brambleclaw’s death should be taken as a sign to the fools of ThunderClan.” Tigerstar meowed. “For the end is drawing near!”
Chapter 10
Hollyleaf was padding her way into camp with a mouth full of mice. ThunderClan just isn’t the same without Brambleclaw. Hollyleaf thought. Firestar had made Graystripe deputy again. As Hollyleaf walked by a group of senior warriors she heard part of their conversation.
“I had wanted to be deputy again,” she heard Graystripe meow to Sandstorm. “but not under these circumstances.” Hollyleaf did not hear what Sandstorm’s response was. After she dropped her catch on the fresh-kill pile, she looked up at the sky. The sun was setting and tonight she and her littermates would be going to the gathering. Hollyleaf padded over to where Jaypaw and Lionblaze were talking.
“Our first gathering as warriors.” Lionblaze meowed to Hollyleaf as she sat down. Before Hollyleaf could reply Jaypaw began to speak.
“We’d better go now if you don’t want to miss it.” He meowed. Lionblaze got up and stretched his joints. Hollyleaf walked after him toward the camp entrance.
__________________________________________________
Hollyleaf had waited until the senior warriors had crossed the tree bridge before leaping onto the slippery wood. She began to walk slowly across the bridge. She had almost made it across when she lost her footing and tripped over a branch. She tumbling off the tree and landed in the water. As she landed she noticed that she was in the shallows by the shore. As she climbed onto the shore Lionblaze walked over to her. He took one glance at her and let out a mrrow of laughter.
“Hey, it’s not funny.” Hollyleaf meowed as she rubbed her flank against Lionblaze. He let out a shriek of fear and leaped back. Hollyleaf laughed then both of them entered the clearing. Hollyleaf looked around the clearing and spotted Willowshine. She walked over and sat down next to her.
“What happened to you?” Willowshine questioned.
“It’s not important.” Hollyleaf sulked.
“Did you fall of the tree bridge?” Willowshine asked. Hollyleaf paused.
“Yes.” She admitted. Before Willowshine could reply the leaders called to indicate the start of the gathering.
“Would RiverClan like to speak first?” Firestar asked Leopardstar.
“With pleasure,” she replied. “RiverClan is well despite the Twolegs, fish is plentiful, and we have been blessed with four new kits Hawk-kit, Bramblekit, Swiftkit, and Fernkit.” Firestar nodded.
“ThunderClan will speak next.” Firestar began. “We have good news and bad news.” Worry rippled through the ranks of RiverClan.
“Why are they so nervous?” Hollyleaf asked Willowshine.
“It must be the fact that ShadowClan has rejected StarClan and something bad happening to ThunderClan right after wouldn’t be good.” Willowshine answered.
“We’ll start with the good news; we have three new warriors, Lionblaze, Cinderheart, and Hollyleaf.” It was then that Hollyleaf remembered that all the cats on the island would see her dripping wet. As they looked at her she could see some apprentices stifling laughter. Firestar began to speak again. “Now for the bad news,” All the cats glanced up as he began speaking again. “Brambleclaw is dead.” He meowed. The clearing instantly erupted into mews of distress.
“He was so young!” Hollyleaf heard Blackclaw yell. There was chaos within the clearing, but one voice called above the rest. It was the voice of Mistyfoot.
“How did he die?” She called up to Firestar. The clearing instantly calmed down wanting to know how it happened.
“Brambleclaw was jumped as he left the camp by a WindClan patrol!” Firestar meowed through closed teeth. The clearing erupted once more and Robinpaw of RiverClan stood up and padded away from Sunpaw of WindClan. Firestar and Leopardstar raised their tails to silence the clearing. Firestar approached Onestar until his face was only a mouse-length away.
“What were your warriors doing in my territory?” Firestar questioned angrily.
“How should I know?” Onestar meowed, his claws extending. Hollyleaf became shocked as she saw WindClan following their leader and extending their claws. They won’t break the truce, will they? She thought. Firestar had also extended his claws. Within seconds the clearing had become a battleground. Hollyleaf couldn’t believe it everywhere she looked she saw cats grappling with one another. She glanced up at the sky. There were no clouds in sight. Does this mean StarClan approves? Hollyleaf thought.
Hollyleaf was padding her way into camp with a mouth full of mice. ThunderClan just isn’t the same without Brambleclaw. Hollyleaf thought. Firestar had made Graystripe deputy again. As Hollyleaf walked by a group of senior warriors she heard part of their conversation.
“I had wanted to be deputy again,” she heard Graystripe meow to Sandstorm. “but not under these circumstances.” Hollyleaf did not hear what Sandstorm’s response was. After she dropped her catch on the fresh-kill pile, she looked up at the sky. The sun was setting and tonight she and her littermates would be going to the gathering. Hollyleaf padded over to where Jaypaw and Lionblaze were talking.
“Our first gathering as warriors.” Lionblaze meowed to Hollyleaf as she sat down. Before Hollyleaf could reply Jaypaw began to speak.
“We’d better go now if you don’t want to miss it.” He meowed. Lionblaze got up and stretched his joints. Hollyleaf walked after him toward the camp entrance.
__________________________________________________
Hollyleaf had waited until the senior warriors had crossed the tree bridge before leaping onto the slippery wood. She began to walk slowly across the bridge. She had almost made it across when she lost her footing and tripped over a branch. She tumbling off the tree and landed in the water. As she landed she noticed that she was in the shallows by the shore. As she climbed onto the shore Lionblaze walked over to her. He took one glance at her and let out a mrrow of laughter.
“Hey, it’s not funny.” Hollyleaf meowed as she rubbed her flank against Lionblaze. He let out a shriek of fear and leaped back. Hollyleaf laughed then both of them entered the clearing. Hollyleaf looked around the clearing and spotted Willowshine. She walked over and sat down next to her.
“What happened to you?” Willowshine questioned.
“It’s not important.” Hollyleaf sulked.
“Did you fall of the tree bridge?” Willowshine asked. Hollyleaf paused.
“Yes.” She admitted. Before Willowshine could reply the leaders called to indicate the start of the gathering.
“Would RiverClan like to speak first?” Firestar asked Leopardstar.
“With pleasure,” she replied. “RiverClan is well despite the Twolegs, fish is plentiful, and we have been blessed with four new kits Hawk-kit, Bramblekit, Swiftkit, and Fernkit.” Firestar nodded.
“ThunderClan will speak next.” Firestar began. “We have good news and bad news.” Worry rippled through the ranks of RiverClan.
“Why are they so nervous?” Hollyleaf asked Willowshine.
“It must be the fact that ShadowClan has rejected StarClan and something bad happening to ThunderClan right after wouldn’t be good.” Willowshine answered.
“We’ll start with the good news; we have three new warriors, Lionblaze, Cinderheart, and Hollyleaf.” It was then that Hollyleaf remembered that all the cats on the island would see her dripping wet. As they looked at her she could see some apprentices stifling laughter. Firestar began to speak again. “Now for the bad news,” All the cats glanced up as he began speaking again. “Brambleclaw is dead.” He meowed. The clearing instantly erupted into mews of distress.
“He was so young!” Hollyleaf heard Blackclaw yell. There was chaos within the clearing, but one voice called above the rest. It was the voice of Mistyfoot.
“How did he die?” She called up to Firestar. The clearing instantly calmed down wanting to know how it happened.
“Brambleclaw was jumped as he left the camp by a WindClan patrol!” Firestar meowed through closed teeth. The clearing erupted once more and Robinpaw of RiverClan stood up and padded away from Sunpaw of WindClan. Firestar and Leopardstar raised their tails to silence the clearing. Firestar approached Onestar until his face was only a mouse-length away.
“What were your warriors doing in my territory?” Firestar questioned angrily.
“How should I know?” Onestar meowed, his claws extending. Hollyleaf became shocked as she saw WindClan following their leader and extending their claws. They won’t break the truce, will they? She thought. Firestar had also extended his claws. Within seconds the clearing had become a battleground. Hollyleaf couldn’t believe it everywhere she looked she saw cats grappling with one another. She glanced up at the sky. There were no clouds in sight. Does this mean StarClan approves? Hollyleaf thought.
Chapter 11
Tigerstar stood upon a large rock surrounded by Hawkfrost, Darkstripe, Clawface, Brokenstar, and Scourge.
“Friends and enemies,” Tigerstar began. “I require your help in my ultimate plan which I have been thinking about ever since Scourge killed me back in the forest.”
“What do we need to do?” Clawface called to him.
“You and everyone else must sit in a circle around me.” He answered. Clawface gave him a look as if to say “You’re a mousebrain.”
“What’s in it for me?” Scourge called to him.
“You sit in the circle with me.” He answered simply.
“Is that it?” Scourge asked.
“Believe me,” Tigerstar meowed. “You’ll understand.” Scourge rolled his icy blue eyes before padding into the circle of cats. Tigerstar leaped down from the large rock he was perched upon and into the circle.
“Close your eyes and think of what you saw before dying.” Brokenstar gave an angry grunt reminding Tigerstar of his blindness.
“Or the last thing you heard.” Tigerstar corrected. The cats in the circle shut their eyes and began to think. Nothing’s happening, Tigerstar thought. Why isn’t anything happening!? Just then Scourge let out a screech of pain and fear. Tigerstar glanced over at what was happening and was shocked by what he saw. Scourge’s blue eyes were melting out of his skull. After his eyes were gone his head began to melt. Tigerstar suddenly began to fear for his own safety. He opened his mouth to tell the cats to stop but before he could his vision began to fade, his eyes must be melting too. One minute later Tigerstar passed out thus ceasing the immense pain he had suffered for the last two minutes. Tigerstar brought himself to his paws after he had awakened. He opened his eyelids expecting to see darkness but instead saw trees. He looked to his left and noticed Scourge on the ground still breathing. Tigerstar glanced up to the sky and was shocked to see the cats of Silverpelt shining above him. He brought eyes to the right and noticed that the lake lay beside him. His plan had succeeded; he had come back to life.
“Watch out Firestar,” he growled. “for I am back.”
Tigerstar stood upon a large rock surrounded by Hawkfrost, Darkstripe, Clawface, Brokenstar, and Scourge.
“Friends and enemies,” Tigerstar began. “I require your help in my ultimate plan which I have been thinking about ever since Scourge killed me back in the forest.”
“What do we need to do?” Clawface called to him.
“You and everyone else must sit in a circle around me.” He answered. Clawface gave him a look as if to say “You’re a mousebrain.”
“What’s in it for me?” Scourge called to him.
“You sit in the circle with me.” He answered simply.
“Is that it?” Scourge asked.
“Believe me,” Tigerstar meowed. “You’ll understand.” Scourge rolled his icy blue eyes before padding into the circle of cats. Tigerstar leaped down from the large rock he was perched upon and into the circle.
“Close your eyes and think of what you saw before dying.” Brokenstar gave an angry grunt reminding Tigerstar of his blindness.
“Or the last thing you heard.” Tigerstar corrected. The cats in the circle shut their eyes and began to think. Nothing’s happening, Tigerstar thought. Why isn’t anything happening!? Just then Scourge let out a screech of pain and fear. Tigerstar glanced over at what was happening and was shocked by what he saw. Scourge’s blue eyes were melting out of his skull. After his eyes were gone his head began to melt. Tigerstar suddenly began to fear for his own safety. He opened his mouth to tell the cats to stop but before he could his vision began to fade, his eyes must be melting too. One minute later Tigerstar passed out thus ceasing the immense pain he had suffered for the last two minutes. Tigerstar brought himself to his paws after he had awakened. He opened his eyelids expecting to see darkness but instead saw trees. He looked to his left and noticed Scourge on the ground still breathing. Tigerstar glanced up to the sky and was shocked to see the cats of Silverpelt shining above him. He brought eyes to the right and noticed that the lake lay beside him. His plan had succeeded; he had come back to life.
“Watch out Firestar,” he growled. “for I am back.”
Chapter 12
Lionblaze felt adrenaline rush through his veins as he launched himself at Antpelt. Lionblaze grasped Antpelt’s ear in his jaws. Antpelt tried to flee but couldn’t get free of Lionblaze’s grasp. Lionblaze began to tug at Antpelt’s ear, but opened his mouth in surprise at the sound of tearing flesh. When Antpelt regained his balance and stood up Lionblaze saw that Antpelt’s black ear was hanging on by a few strings of skin and vessels. Lionblaze couldn’t believe that he had just done that. Lionblaze didn’t have much time to think before a black she-cat bowled him over and pinned him to the ground.
“Time to join Brambleclaw!” The black she-cat meowed.
“Not yet, Nightcloud.” Lionblaze replied. He smacked his paw against her face and raked his back claws down Nightcloud’s stomach. She yowled in pain and Lionblaze wriggled free from her grasp. While she was still distracted Lionblaze clamped down on her tail. Just then Lionblaze was surrounded by WindClan cats all eager to sink their claws into his flesh. Just when Lionblaze thought he was done for, a deep voice called above the fighting
“Stop!”
Lionblaze felt adrenaline rush through his veins as he launched himself at Antpelt. Lionblaze grasped Antpelt’s ear in his jaws. Antpelt tried to flee but couldn’t get free of Lionblaze’s grasp. Lionblaze began to tug at Antpelt’s ear, but opened his mouth in surprise at the sound of tearing flesh. When Antpelt regained his balance and stood up Lionblaze saw that Antpelt’s black ear was hanging on by a few strings of skin and vessels. Lionblaze couldn’t believe that he had just done that. Lionblaze didn’t have much time to think before a black she-cat bowled him over and pinned him to the ground.
“Time to join Brambleclaw!” The black she-cat meowed.
“Not yet, Nightcloud.” Lionblaze replied. He smacked his paw against her face and raked his back claws down Nightcloud’s stomach. She yowled in pain and Lionblaze wriggled free from her grasp. While she was still distracted Lionblaze clamped down on her tail. Just then Lionblaze was surrounded by WindClan cats all eager to sink their claws into his flesh. Just when Lionblaze thought he was done for, a deep voice called above the fighting
“Stop!”
Chapter 13
Jaypaw instantly glanced up at where the yell had come from. He ran over to where Lionblaze and Hollyleaf were.
“I can recognize the voice.” Jaypaw mewed. Lionblaze opened his mouth to speak.
“It’s Tigerstar.” They both said simultaneously.
“But he’s dead.” Hollyleaf meowed her voice shaking.
“I can smell someone else with him,” Jaypaw meowed to Lionblaze. “any idea who’s with him?” Lionblaze was still in shock.
“I’ve never seen him before.” He answered.
“Tigerstar!” Firestar called attempting to keep calm. “How are you and Scourge here?” Scourge was the leader of BloodClan! Jaypaw thought.
“I’ll field this one.” Scourge replied in Tigerstar’s stead. “You see Firestar,” he began. “It turns out cats in The Place of No Stars are able to come back to life if said cats have the support of all the other denizens of The Place of No Stars, and now I’m back to get revenge on you, half-brother.”
Jaypaw instantly glanced up at where the yell had come from. He ran over to where Lionblaze and Hollyleaf were.
“I can recognize the voice.” Jaypaw mewed. Lionblaze opened his mouth to speak.
“It’s Tigerstar.” They both said simultaneously.
“But he’s dead.” Hollyleaf meowed her voice shaking.
“I can smell someone else with him,” Jaypaw meowed to Lionblaze. “any idea who’s with him?” Lionblaze was still in shock.
“I’ve never seen him before.” He answered.
“Tigerstar!” Firestar called attempting to keep calm. “How are you and Scourge here?” Scourge was the leader of BloodClan! Jaypaw thought.
“I’ll field this one.” Scourge replied in Tigerstar’s stead. “You see Firestar,” he began. “It turns out cats in The Place of No Stars are able to come back to life if said cats have the support of all the other denizens of The Place of No Stars, and now I’m back to get revenge on you, half-brother.”
Chapter 14
Shocked gasps echoed through the clearing to find out that Scourge and Tigerstar were back was one thing but the fact that Scourge and Firestar were half-brothers seemed to be too much for the cats to handle for the clearing once again erupted into battle. Hollyleaf looked around and noticed Jaypaw grappling with WindClan warriors and if that wasn’t bad enough she could see Scourge creeping up on her brother. Hollyleaf wanted to save her brother but she could hardly bring herself to break the sacred truce of StarClan. She decided to help Jaypaw without breaking the truce by leaping at Jaypaw and pushing him into a bush.
“What did you do that for?” Jaypaw asked angrily.
“Scourge was going to kill you and I can’t do it Jaypaw.” Hollyleaf meowed. “I can’t break the truce.” Jaypaw looked at her.
“Do you remember the stories we were told in the nursery, about the cats of the ancient clans?” He meowed.
“TigerClan, LionClan, and LeopardClan.” Hollyleaf meowed.
“The cats in those stories faced problems and they had many chances to turn back but they never did.” Jaypaw continued. “There were lessons in those stories even though we may have been too young to understand them. They never gave up because they were holding onto something.” Hollyleaf looked down at the ground.
“What’ve we got to hold onto, Jaypaw?” she asked. Jaypaw nudged her head up with his tail.
“That there’s still something good in this world, something that’s worth fighting for.” Before Hollyleaf could reply Jaypaw charged out of the bushes and back into battle. He’s right, there is something worth fighting for. Hollyleaf thought. Hollyleaf began to charge into the battle, but without knowing it she ran straight into Firestar.
“Leopardstar and I are going to distract Tigerstar and Scourge while ThunderClan, RiverClan and WindClan escape. Tell the rest of ThunderClan.” Firestar whispered. Hollyleaf nodded and then ran towards Jaypaw and repeated the message. Jaypaw began to tell other cats, until every cat of ThunderClan, WindClan, and RiverClan knew the plan. Firestar and Leopardstar leapt up onto the Great Oak.
“Tigerstar and Scourge!” Firestar and Leopardstar called out together. Tigerstar looked up and Scourge did the same. “We challenge you to a two on two battle” Firestar meowed.
“I accept,” Scourge meowed and then turned to Tigerstar. “but do you?”
“Of course I do.” Tigerstar replied. He immediately launched himself at Firestar. Hollyleaf knew that was their chance to leave because Scourge had just jumped at Leopardstar. Graystripe began herding the ThunderClan cats off the island. Once the last cat had leaped off the tree bridge. The clans began to split up and headed to their territory. If Scourge and Tigerstar are back will StarClan help us or will they just watch? Hollyleaf thought.
Shocked gasps echoed through the clearing to find out that Scourge and Tigerstar were back was one thing but the fact that Scourge and Firestar were half-brothers seemed to be too much for the cats to handle for the clearing once again erupted into battle. Hollyleaf looked around and noticed Jaypaw grappling with WindClan warriors and if that wasn’t bad enough she could see Scourge creeping up on her brother. Hollyleaf wanted to save her brother but she could hardly bring herself to break the sacred truce of StarClan. She decided to help Jaypaw without breaking the truce by leaping at Jaypaw and pushing him into a bush.
“What did you do that for?” Jaypaw asked angrily.
“Scourge was going to kill you and I can’t do it Jaypaw.” Hollyleaf meowed. “I can’t break the truce.” Jaypaw looked at her.
“Do you remember the stories we were told in the nursery, about the cats of the ancient clans?” He meowed.
“TigerClan, LionClan, and LeopardClan.” Hollyleaf meowed.
“The cats in those stories faced problems and they had many chances to turn back but they never did.” Jaypaw continued. “There were lessons in those stories even though we may have been too young to understand them. They never gave up because they were holding onto something.” Hollyleaf looked down at the ground.
“What’ve we got to hold onto, Jaypaw?” she asked. Jaypaw nudged her head up with his tail.
“That there’s still something good in this world, something that’s worth fighting for.” Before Hollyleaf could reply Jaypaw charged out of the bushes and back into battle. He’s right, there is something worth fighting for. Hollyleaf thought. Hollyleaf began to charge into the battle, but without knowing it she ran straight into Firestar.
“Leopardstar and I are going to distract Tigerstar and Scourge while ThunderClan, RiverClan and WindClan escape. Tell the rest of ThunderClan.” Firestar whispered. Hollyleaf nodded and then ran towards Jaypaw and repeated the message. Jaypaw began to tell other cats, until every cat of ThunderClan, WindClan, and RiverClan knew the plan. Firestar and Leopardstar leapt up onto the Great Oak.
“Tigerstar and Scourge!” Firestar and Leopardstar called out together. Tigerstar looked up and Scourge did the same. “We challenge you to a two on two battle” Firestar meowed.
“I accept,” Scourge meowed and then turned to Tigerstar. “but do you?”
“Of course I do.” Tigerstar replied. He immediately launched himself at Firestar. Hollyleaf knew that was their chance to leave because Scourge had just jumped at Leopardstar. Graystripe began herding the ThunderClan cats off the island. Once the last cat had leaped off the tree bridge. The clans began to split up and headed to their territory. If Scourge and Tigerstar are back will StarClan help us or will they just watch? Hollyleaf thought.
Chapter 15
Once ThunderClan arrived back at camp, they were instantly met with questions from Foxpaw and Icepaw.
“What happened at the Gathering?” Icepaw enquired.
“How come you’re back so early?” Foxpaw questioned.
“Where is Firestar?” They both asked in unison.
“Firestar will explain everything once he returns.” Lionblaze meowed. If he returns. He finished in his mind. Just as Lionblaze finished his thoughts Firestar burst into the clearing. Lionblaze noticed he was panting as if he ran all the way back from the island. Firestar jumped up onto the Highledge.
“Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath the Highledge for a Clan meeting.” Firestar called. Almost immediately the area underneath the Highledge was filled with cats. Lionblaze padded into the cats and sat down next to Poppyfrost.
“What happened at the gathering?” Poppyfrost immediately called out.
“There was a battle with WindClan.” Firestar began. “Then two unexpected visitors arrived.” Lionblaze knew he was referring to Tigerstar and Scourge.
“Who were they?” Honeyfern asked. Firestar hesitated for a moment.
“Scourge and Tigerstar have come back from the dead.” Firestar meowed. Shocked yowls echoed through the clearing.
“But that’s impossible!” Mousefur called.
“Apparently it’s not.” Firestar replied. “There is even more shocking news. Scourge is my half-brother.” Firestar continued. The clearing fell silent as if it was too much for the clan to handle.
“How did the clan get away?” Mousefur asked.
“Leopardstar and I distracted them as the clans got away, but unfortunately Scourge claimed all of Leopardstar’s remaining lives.”
“Then how did you escape?” Graystripe asked.
“After Leopardstar was killed I knew it was a losing battle so I escaped over the tree-bridge.” Firestar explained.
“Why didn’t they follow you?” Sandstorm asked.
“Who said they didn’t.” A deep voice growled from outside the camp entrance.
Once ThunderClan arrived back at camp, they were instantly met with questions from Foxpaw and Icepaw.
“What happened at the Gathering?” Icepaw enquired.
“How come you’re back so early?” Foxpaw questioned.
“Where is Firestar?” They both asked in unison.
“Firestar will explain everything once he returns.” Lionblaze meowed. If he returns. He finished in his mind. Just as Lionblaze finished his thoughts Firestar burst into the clearing. Lionblaze noticed he was panting as if he ran all the way back from the island. Firestar jumped up onto the Highledge.
“Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath the Highledge for a Clan meeting.” Firestar called. Almost immediately the area underneath the Highledge was filled with cats. Lionblaze padded into the cats and sat down next to Poppyfrost.
“What happened at the gathering?” Poppyfrost immediately called out.
“There was a battle with WindClan.” Firestar began. “Then two unexpected visitors arrived.” Lionblaze knew he was referring to Tigerstar and Scourge.
“Who were they?” Honeyfern asked. Firestar hesitated for a moment.
“Scourge and Tigerstar have come back from the dead.” Firestar meowed. Shocked yowls echoed through the clearing.
“But that’s impossible!” Mousefur called.
“Apparently it’s not.” Firestar replied. “There is even more shocking news. Scourge is my half-brother.” Firestar continued. The clearing fell silent as if it was too much for the clan to handle.
“How did the clan get away?” Mousefur asked.
“Leopardstar and I distracted them as the clans got away, but unfortunately Scourge claimed all of Leopardstar’s remaining lives.”
“Then how did you escape?” Graystripe asked.
“After Leopardstar was killed I knew it was a losing battle so I escaped over the tree-bridge.” Firestar explained.
“Why didn’t they follow you?” Sandstorm asked.
“Who said they didn’t.” A deep voice growled from outside the camp entrance.
Chapter 16
Every cat in the clearing fell silent and Firestar felt himself feeling more nervous by the second. He glanced quickly around the camp. It has never felt so dangerous before. Tigerstar could pounce out of any of the bushes here. Firestar thought. Firestar leaped down from the Highledge and padded over to Graystripe.
“Graystripe…” Firestar began.
“We’re going to look for Tigerstar out there aren’t we?” Graystripe meowed before Firestar could finish.
“Yes, we are.” Firestar replied.
“Just a moment.” Graystripe meowed beginning to walk into the throng of cats. Firestar peered into the group of cats to see what Graystripe was doing and he noticed that Graystripe was bidding a possible final farewell to his mate and kits. Firestar figured he should do the same. He padded over to Sandstorm and began to speak.
“Graystripe and I are going out to search for Tigerstar and Scourge if we don’t make it back you are the new leader.”
“Who will be deputy?” Sandstorm asked.
“That will be up to you.” Firestar replied. “Tell our kits and tell Squirrelflight to tell Jaypaw, Hollyleaf, and Lionblaze.” Graystripe had returned by then and they began to leave the camp. Once they had left Graystripe began to whisper.
“Should we split up?” Graystripe meowed quietly.
“No, Tigerstar will find it easier to pick us of if we’re separated.” Firestar replied just as quietly. They began to search, but very soon Graystripe and Firestar glanced into a bush and found a message.
Prepare for death,
And decay,
The End is coming,
The Clans will pay.
Firestar sniffed the message.
“It’s written in blood.” He meowed to Graystripe.
“What could this ominous threat mean, what is The End?” Graystripe wondered aloud.
“I don’t know, but I think we should report back to camp.” Firestar meowed. They began to re-enter the camp and Firestar leapt up onto the Highledge. Firestar knew the words to call the cats were unnecessary because none of the cat had moved from where they were when he and Graystripe left.
“Did you find Tigerstar?” Cloudtail called from the clearing.
“No we did not, but we found a message written in blood.” Firestar meowed.
“What did it say?” Brackenfur asked.
“It seemed to be written in the form of a makeshift prophecy and it went like this…” Firestar began.
“Prepare for death,
And decay,
The End is coming,
The Clans will pay.”
Every cat in the clearing fell silent and Firestar felt himself feeling more nervous by the second. He glanced quickly around the camp. It has never felt so dangerous before. Tigerstar could pounce out of any of the bushes here. Firestar thought. Firestar leaped down from the Highledge and padded over to Graystripe.
“Graystripe…” Firestar began.
“We’re going to look for Tigerstar out there aren’t we?” Graystripe meowed before Firestar could finish.
“Yes, we are.” Firestar replied.
“Just a moment.” Graystripe meowed beginning to walk into the throng of cats. Firestar peered into the group of cats to see what Graystripe was doing and he noticed that Graystripe was bidding a possible final farewell to his mate and kits. Firestar figured he should do the same. He padded over to Sandstorm and began to speak.
“Graystripe and I are going out to search for Tigerstar and Scourge if we don’t make it back you are the new leader.”
“Who will be deputy?” Sandstorm asked.
“That will be up to you.” Firestar replied. “Tell our kits and tell Squirrelflight to tell Jaypaw, Hollyleaf, and Lionblaze.” Graystripe had returned by then and they began to leave the camp. Once they had left Graystripe began to whisper.
“Should we split up?” Graystripe meowed quietly.
“No, Tigerstar will find it easier to pick us of if we’re separated.” Firestar replied just as quietly. They began to search, but very soon Graystripe and Firestar glanced into a bush and found a message.
Prepare for death,
And decay,
The End is coming,
The Clans will pay.
Firestar sniffed the message.
“It’s written in blood.” He meowed to Graystripe.
“What could this ominous threat mean, what is The End?” Graystripe wondered aloud.
“I don’t know, but I think we should report back to camp.” Firestar meowed. They began to re-enter the camp and Firestar leapt up onto the Highledge. Firestar knew the words to call the cats were unnecessary because none of the cat had moved from where they were when he and Graystripe left.
“Did you find Tigerstar?” Cloudtail called from the clearing.
“No we did not, but we found a message written in blood.” Firestar meowed.
“What did it say?” Brackenfur asked.
“It seemed to be written in the form of a makeshift prophecy and it went like this…” Firestar began.
“Prepare for death,
And decay,
The End is coming,
The Clans will pay.”
Chapter 17
Lionblaze gasped and turned to Jaypaw.
“Didn’t you say Tigerstar talked about The End before?” He asked. Jaypaw turned and nodded, his eyes clouded with fear. Before the meeting could continue any further there was a rustle in the brambles at the entrance of the camp. All the cats instantly glanced around to see who was coming. It was a gray she-cat who Lionblaze instantly noticed as Ashfoot, the deputy of WindClan. Lionblaze instantly raised his hackles and growled at her.
“What are you doing here?” Firestar asked.
“Tigerstar has claimed the life of one of our cats. He left a message…” Ashfoot began.
“That was in the form of a prophecy?” Firestar asked.
“Yes it was.” Ashfoot meowed. “How did you know that?”
“We got one too.” Firestar meowed. “Which cat did Tigerstar kill?” He asked.
“He has claimed the life of one of our apprentices, Breezepaw.” Firestar jumped off the Highledge and padded over to where Lionblaze was still growling. Lionblaze felt Firestar’s tail on his shoulder.
“If Tigerstar is back, then we must put the squabble between ThunderClan and WindClan aside and join together.” Firestar meowed wisely.
“Wait if he gave you the message how did he get the blood for yours?” Ashfoot asked.
“I can’t think of anyone…” Firestar began. Just then Sandstorm approached Firestar.
“I couldn’t find Squirrelflight to tell her you and Graystripe went to search.” She meowed.
Lionblaze gasped and turned to Jaypaw.
“Didn’t you say Tigerstar talked about The End before?” He asked. Jaypaw turned and nodded, his eyes clouded with fear. Before the meeting could continue any further there was a rustle in the brambles at the entrance of the camp. All the cats instantly glanced around to see who was coming. It was a gray she-cat who Lionblaze instantly noticed as Ashfoot, the deputy of WindClan. Lionblaze instantly raised his hackles and growled at her.
“What are you doing here?” Firestar asked.
“Tigerstar has claimed the life of one of our cats. He left a message…” Ashfoot began.
“That was in the form of a prophecy?” Firestar asked.
“Yes it was.” Ashfoot meowed. “How did you know that?”
“We got one too.” Firestar meowed. “Which cat did Tigerstar kill?” He asked.
“He has claimed the life of one of our apprentices, Breezepaw.” Firestar jumped off the Highledge and padded over to where Lionblaze was still growling. Lionblaze felt Firestar’s tail on his shoulder.
“If Tigerstar is back, then we must put the squabble between ThunderClan and WindClan aside and join together.” Firestar meowed wisely.
“Wait if he gave you the message how did he get the blood for yours?” Ashfoot asked.
“I can’t think of anyone…” Firestar began. Just then Sandstorm approached Firestar.
“I couldn’t find Squirrelflight to tell her you and Graystripe went to search.” She meowed.
Chapter 18
Jaypaw instantly stiffened. His mother’s blood could have been used to write Tigerstar’s sadistic prophecy. Jaypaw suddenly began to run to the camp entrance, but he felt teeth grab his scruff and stop him.
“If you go out there Tigerstar will kill you.” Meowed the familiar voice of Leafpool.
“I have no choice my mother could be out there.” Jaypaw snapped trying to squirm out of Leafpool’s grasp.
“Your mother can’t be out there.” Leafpool replied.
“Where is my mother then?” Jaypaw asked still attempting to squirm free from Leafpool.
“Your mother is here,” Leafpool mewed. “holding you back from looking for her sister.” Jaypaw instantly stopped squirming.
“You can’t be our mother. Brambleclaw was Squirrelflight’s mate, not yours.” He meowed.
“Brambleclaw is not your father.” Leafpool meowed. “Crowfeather is.” Jaypaw gasped, but before he could continue there was another rustling at the camp entrance. Tawnypelt padded into the clearing, followed by her three kits.
“What are all of you doing here?” Hollyleaf mewed in disbelief.
“ShadowClan is not safe for us anymore. Tigerstar has taken over.” Tawnypelt replied.
“Did Blackstar just stand back and allow this?” Firestar asked also in disbelief.
“Of course he didn’t.” Tawnypelt meowed. “He and Russetfur fought Tigerstar and Scourge to keep control of ShadowClan, but they were both killed. Now Tigerstar is leader and Scourge is deputy. I overheard him saying that he wants to rebuild TigerClan. Can we stay here?” Firestar sat down and thought.
“Yes, you and your kits have done nothing to deserve the torture Tigerstar would put you through.” Firestar replied.
“This reminds me of when BloodClan invaded the first time. It feels like we’re rebuilding LionClan.” Dustpelt meowed to a group of senior warriors. Jaypaw had heard the stories of LionClan’s fierce battle with BloodClan but he never thought he might have to experience it himself.
Jaypaw instantly stiffened. His mother’s blood could have been used to write Tigerstar’s sadistic prophecy. Jaypaw suddenly began to run to the camp entrance, but he felt teeth grab his scruff and stop him.
“If you go out there Tigerstar will kill you.” Meowed the familiar voice of Leafpool.
“I have no choice my mother could be out there.” Jaypaw snapped trying to squirm out of Leafpool’s grasp.
“Your mother can’t be out there.” Leafpool replied.
“Where is my mother then?” Jaypaw asked still attempting to squirm free from Leafpool.
“Your mother is here,” Leafpool mewed. “holding you back from looking for her sister.” Jaypaw instantly stopped squirming.
“You can’t be our mother. Brambleclaw was Squirrelflight’s mate, not yours.” He meowed.
“Brambleclaw is not your father.” Leafpool meowed. “Crowfeather is.” Jaypaw gasped, but before he could continue there was another rustling at the camp entrance. Tawnypelt padded into the clearing, followed by her three kits.
“What are all of you doing here?” Hollyleaf mewed in disbelief.
“ShadowClan is not safe for us anymore. Tigerstar has taken over.” Tawnypelt replied.
“Did Blackstar just stand back and allow this?” Firestar asked also in disbelief.
“Of course he didn’t.” Tawnypelt meowed. “He and Russetfur fought Tigerstar and Scourge to keep control of ShadowClan, but they were both killed. Now Tigerstar is leader and Scourge is deputy. I overheard him saying that he wants to rebuild TigerClan. Can we stay here?” Firestar sat down and thought.
“Yes, you and your kits have done nothing to deserve the torture Tigerstar would put you through.” Firestar replied.
“This reminds me of when BloodClan invaded the first time. It feels like we’re rebuilding LionClan.” Dustpelt meowed to a group of senior warriors. Jaypaw had heard the stories of LionClan’s fierce battle with BloodClan but he never thought he might have to experience it himself.
Chapter 19
Lionblaze was lying in the warriors den trying to fall asleep, but with Tigerstar and Scourge trying to rebuild TigerClan outside he felt there was no way he could ever go to sleep again. Tigerstar knew exactly where the ThunderClan camp was and could attack at any moment. Firestar had taken the precaution of assigning five cats to guard the camp entrance per night, but Lionblaze still never felt safe. There must be somewhere we can go that Tigerstar doesn’t know about. Lionblaze thought. Suddenly it hit him like a paw swipe to the face. The tunnels of the dark river! He thought.
“I must tell Firestar.” Lionblaze whispered to himself. Hollyleaf let out a mumble.
“What did you say?” she asked.
“There’s no time to explain, I have to tell Firestar something.” He replied. Hollyleaf suddenly sat up wide awake.
“What is it?” she meowed very seriously. Lionblaze let out a sigh.
“I think we should stay hidden in the tunnels of the dark river.” He meowed. Hollyleaf gave him a strange look.
“That would actually be a good idea if the tunnels didn’t flood whenever it rained.” She meowed.
“Are you talking about the dark river?” meowed a voice from outside the den. Hollyleaf and Lionblaze padded out to find Jaypaw seated just by the entrance of the warriors den.
“Because if you need to enter when it’s raining there must be somewhere that doesn’t flood.” Jaypaw finished.
“Should we go to look for it?” Lionblaze questioned.
“Are you crazy,” Hollyleaf began. “we’d get slaughtered by Tigerstar if we left the camp!”
“Not necessarily,” Jaypaw meowed. “we know this forest better than Tigerstar does and there are probably hundreds of places we could fit into that Tigerstar never could.”
“But how will we be able to even leave the camp? Firestar has even put up guards at the dirtplace tunnel. There’s no way out.” Hollyleaf meowed.
“Not true there’s one he forgot.” Lionblaze meowed staring up the wall of the camp. Hollyleaf and Jaypaw padded over to where he was standing.
“You see there are a few roots and indents we can use for paw holds.” Lionblaze mewed as he began to climb up it.
I’ll help you up Jaypaw.” Hollyleaf meowed to her brother and for once he wasn’t angry.
“Thanks.” He said beginning to shove his paws into the first indent. I guess even Jaypaw knows he can’t climb vertically without help. Lionblaze thought. Once Hollyleaf and Jaypaw had made it up the wall Lionblaze began directing them towards the entrance to the dark river. Once they arrived Lionblaze began digging the branches and dirt out of the entrance.
“It’s a good thing it hasn’t rained since the battle otherwise this entrance would probably be plugged up.” Lionblaze meowed to Hollyleaf who had begun digging. Soon the entrance was clear and Lionblaze, Jaypaw, and Hollyleaf started to pad down the tunnel and prepared to scout out the area. Very soon they found their way to the main chamber.
“Everyone stick together, you never know what we could find down here.” Hollyleaf meowed.
“You could find me.” Meowed a high pitched voice.
Lionblaze was lying in the warriors den trying to fall asleep, but with Tigerstar and Scourge trying to rebuild TigerClan outside he felt there was no way he could ever go to sleep again. Tigerstar knew exactly where the ThunderClan camp was and could attack at any moment. Firestar had taken the precaution of assigning five cats to guard the camp entrance per night, but Lionblaze still never felt safe. There must be somewhere we can go that Tigerstar doesn’t know about. Lionblaze thought. Suddenly it hit him like a paw swipe to the face. The tunnels of the dark river! He thought.
“I must tell Firestar.” Lionblaze whispered to himself. Hollyleaf let out a mumble.
“What did you say?” she asked.
“There’s no time to explain, I have to tell Firestar something.” He replied. Hollyleaf suddenly sat up wide awake.
“What is it?” she meowed very seriously. Lionblaze let out a sigh.
“I think we should stay hidden in the tunnels of the dark river.” He meowed. Hollyleaf gave him a strange look.
“That would actually be a good idea if the tunnels didn’t flood whenever it rained.” She meowed.
“Are you talking about the dark river?” meowed a voice from outside the den. Hollyleaf and Lionblaze padded out to find Jaypaw seated just by the entrance of the warriors den.
“Because if you need to enter when it’s raining there must be somewhere that doesn’t flood.” Jaypaw finished.
“Should we go to look for it?” Lionblaze questioned.
“Are you crazy,” Hollyleaf began. “we’d get slaughtered by Tigerstar if we left the camp!”
“Not necessarily,” Jaypaw meowed. “we know this forest better than Tigerstar does and there are probably hundreds of places we could fit into that Tigerstar never could.”
“But how will we be able to even leave the camp? Firestar has even put up guards at the dirtplace tunnel. There’s no way out.” Hollyleaf meowed.
“Not true there’s one he forgot.” Lionblaze meowed staring up the wall of the camp. Hollyleaf and Jaypaw padded over to where he was standing.
“You see there are a few roots and indents we can use for paw holds.” Lionblaze mewed as he began to climb up it.
I’ll help you up Jaypaw.” Hollyleaf meowed to her brother and for once he wasn’t angry.
“Thanks.” He said beginning to shove his paws into the first indent. I guess even Jaypaw knows he can’t climb vertically without help. Lionblaze thought. Once Hollyleaf and Jaypaw had made it up the wall Lionblaze began directing them towards the entrance to the dark river. Once they arrived Lionblaze began digging the branches and dirt out of the entrance.
“It’s a good thing it hasn’t rained since the battle otherwise this entrance would probably be plugged up.” Lionblaze meowed to Hollyleaf who had begun digging. Soon the entrance was clear and Lionblaze, Jaypaw, and Hollyleaf started to pad down the tunnel and prepared to scout out the area. Very soon they found their way to the main chamber.
“Everyone stick together, you never know what we could find down here.” Hollyleaf meowed.
“You could find me.” Meowed a high pitched voice.
Chapter 20
Graystripe had just finished his shift guarding the camp and was looking forward to curling up in the warriors den to sleep for what was remaining of the night. As soon as he stepped into the warriors den Graystripe noticed that Hollyleaf and Lionblaze’s bedding was empty. He lowered his head and began to sniff them. The bedding is still warm perhaps they just went out to make their dirt. Graystripe thought. He began to close his eyes to go to sleep, but just before he shut them completely he decided to ask the cat guarding the dirtplace tunnel. As he padded across the camp he saw that Sandstorm and Dustpelt were taking the places of Cloudtail and himself. Once he reached the dirtplace tunnel he saw Spiderleg grooming himself.
“Off to make your dirt, eh Graystripe?” Spiderleg meowed.
“No, I’ve come to ask you something.” Graystripe replied.
“I’m listening.” Spiderleg meowed as he ran his tongue along his paws.
“Have Hollyleaf and Lionblaze been through here tonight?” Graystripe asked.
“No,” Spiderleg mewed as he ran his paw over his ears. “are they not in the warriors den?”
“No, they aren’t. I never saw them leave and you never saw them leave so they must still be in the camp.” Graystripe meowed.
“You should check the medicine cat den. Maybe they went to see Jaypaw.” Spiderleg meowed. “Thanks,” Graystripe meowed. “I’ll do that.”
“Always glad to help.” Spiderleg called as Graystripe ran over to Leafpool’s den.
“Leafpool,” Graystripe meowed once he had entered the medicine den. “Are you in here?”
“Yes Graystripe,” Leafpool called sleepily. “you haven’t gotten yourself injured have you?”
“No, but have Lionblaze and Hollyleaf been in here?” Graystripe asked.
“Not to my knowledge, but Jaypaw is gone too.” Leafpool meowed.
“I think they may have gotten out of camp.” Graystripe meowed.
“We have to tell Firestar!” mewed Leafpool.
“Let’s go.” Graystripe meowed.
Graystripe had just finished his shift guarding the camp and was looking forward to curling up in the warriors den to sleep for what was remaining of the night. As soon as he stepped into the warriors den Graystripe noticed that Hollyleaf and Lionblaze’s bedding was empty. He lowered his head and began to sniff them. The bedding is still warm perhaps they just went out to make their dirt. Graystripe thought. He began to close his eyes to go to sleep, but just before he shut them completely he decided to ask the cat guarding the dirtplace tunnel. As he padded across the camp he saw that Sandstorm and Dustpelt were taking the places of Cloudtail and himself. Once he reached the dirtplace tunnel he saw Spiderleg grooming himself.
“Off to make your dirt, eh Graystripe?” Spiderleg meowed.
“No, I’ve come to ask you something.” Graystripe replied.
“I’m listening.” Spiderleg meowed as he ran his tongue along his paws.
“Have Hollyleaf and Lionblaze been through here tonight?” Graystripe asked.
“No,” Spiderleg mewed as he ran his paw over his ears. “are they not in the warriors den?”
“No, they aren’t. I never saw them leave and you never saw them leave so they must still be in the camp.” Graystripe meowed.
“You should check the medicine cat den. Maybe they went to see Jaypaw.” Spiderleg meowed. “Thanks,” Graystripe meowed. “I’ll do that.”
“Always glad to help.” Spiderleg called as Graystripe ran over to Leafpool’s den.
“Leafpool,” Graystripe meowed once he had entered the medicine den. “Are you in here?”
“Yes Graystripe,” Leafpool called sleepily. “you haven’t gotten yourself injured have you?”
“No, but have Lionblaze and Hollyleaf been in here?” Graystripe asked.
“Not to my knowledge, but Jaypaw is gone too.” Leafpool meowed.
“I think they may have gotten out of camp.” Graystripe meowed.
“We have to tell Firestar!” mewed Leafpool.
“Let’s go.” Graystripe meowed.
Chapter 21
Hollyleaf was shocked by the familiar voice. “Scourge! What are you doing here?” Hollyleaf meowed in disbelief.
“Tigerstar knew that at one point you would be foolish enough to search for refuge and he knew just where you’d look.”
“The dark river.” Lionblaze meowed under his breath.
“Precisely!” Scourge yelled. “So he told me to trek into the tunnels and wait. I must say I was just about to give up. Good thing you came tonight instead of tomorrow. If you had come tomorrow I wouldn’t have been here.” Hollyleaf and her littermates began to panic and they ran into the first tunnel they could find. Unfortunately they were separated from each other in the chaos. I wonder if Scourge is chasing me. I must say that I would rather not know. Hollyleaf thought. When she looked ahead she noticed the light of the moon. It’s the exit! She thought. Her hopes of leaving were instantly destroyed when she found the tunnel sloping downward away from the opening, but before she lost sight of the opening she saw something. Something she wished she hadn’t seen. Storm clouds.
“Foxdung!” Hollyleaf meowed. “The tunnels will be flooding.” She then rounded a corner to find a dead end and when she whipped around she noticed the shadow of a cat.
“Don’t worry,” a voice meowed. “You won’t be here when the flooding starts.
Hollyleaf was shocked by the familiar voice. “Scourge! What are you doing here?” Hollyleaf meowed in disbelief.
“Tigerstar knew that at one point you would be foolish enough to search for refuge and he knew just where you’d look.”
“The dark river.” Lionblaze meowed under his breath.
“Precisely!” Scourge yelled. “So he told me to trek into the tunnels and wait. I must say I was just about to give up. Good thing you came tonight instead of tomorrow. If you had come tomorrow I wouldn’t have been here.” Hollyleaf and her littermates began to panic and they ran into the first tunnel they could find. Unfortunately they were separated from each other in the chaos. I wonder if Scourge is chasing me. I must say that I would rather not know. Hollyleaf thought. When she looked ahead she noticed the light of the moon. It’s the exit! She thought. Her hopes of leaving were instantly destroyed when she found the tunnel sloping downward away from the opening, but before she lost sight of the opening she saw something. Something she wished she hadn’t seen. Storm clouds.
“Foxdung!” Hollyleaf meowed. “The tunnels will be flooding.” She then rounded a corner to find a dead end and when she whipped around she noticed the shadow of a cat.
“Don’t worry,” a voice meowed. “You won’t be here when the flooding starts.
Chapter 22
Jaypaw ran through the tunnels afraid that Scourge may be chasing him. After running for at least thirty foxlengths he could smell fresh air.
“This must be the exit of the tunnels.” Jaypaw meowed. “But if I got out then that must mean Lionblaze and Hollyleaf didn’t.” Jaypaw opened his mouth to scent where he was. He instantly caught a distinct scent. ShadowClan! He thought.
“I think it came from over here.” Jaypaw heard a familiar voice meow. He skidded under a bush to hide just as Tigerstar emerged from the trees.
“I don’t see anything.” Meowed a tom which Jaypaw recognized as Ratscar.
“Perhaps you’re right, Ratscar,” Tigerstar meowed looking off into the distance. “but I think Jaypaw should keep his tail down if he is going to hide in that bush.” Foxdung! Jaypaw silently cursed himself for forgetting to hide his tail. Tigerstar instantly reached into the bush and grabbed Jaypaw by his scruff and began to drag him back to the ShadowClan camp.
Jaypaw ran through the tunnels afraid that Scourge may be chasing him. After running for at least thirty foxlengths he could smell fresh air.
“This must be the exit of the tunnels.” Jaypaw meowed. “But if I got out then that must mean Lionblaze and Hollyleaf didn’t.” Jaypaw opened his mouth to scent where he was. He instantly caught a distinct scent. ShadowClan! He thought.
“I think it came from over here.” Jaypaw heard a familiar voice meow. He skidded under a bush to hide just as Tigerstar emerged from the trees.
“I don’t see anything.” Meowed a tom which Jaypaw recognized as Ratscar.
“Perhaps you’re right, Ratscar,” Tigerstar meowed looking off into the distance. “but I think Jaypaw should keep his tail down if he is going to hide in that bush.” Foxdung! Jaypaw silently cursed himself for forgetting to hide his tail. Tigerstar instantly reached into the bush and grabbed Jaypaw by his scruff and began to drag him back to the ShadowClan camp.
Chapter 23
Hollyleaf backed up against the wall as the shadow approached her. Suddenly she felt relief flow through her body from ears to tail-tip. The shadow belonged to Graystripe, deputy of ThunderClan.
“Where did Scourge go?” Hollyleaf asked.
“I fought him off and he ran into one of the other tunnels.” Graystripe replied. Hollyleaf felt the relief leave her.
“But Jaypaw and Lionblaze are in the other tunnels!” she meowed.
“I’ll go find them,” Graystripe meowed. “you get back to camp; Firestar will want a word with you.” Hollyleaf opened her mouth to argue, but knew it wouldn’t make a difference. She wasn’t looking forward to explaining herself to Firestar. Once she reached the camp entrance she noticed that the cats on guard were watching her quite intently.
“What is it?” Hollyleaf asked.
“Why is there a ShadowClan cat with you?” Dustpelt asked. Hollyleaf instantly turned around and noticed that Snaketail was following her.
“I have come to deliver a message to Firestar.” He meowed.
“Very well you shall see Firestar.” Sandstorm meowed. She padded away and into Firestar’s den. She soon emerged followed by Firestar.
“What is it that you want, Snaketail?” Firestar asked.
“I have come to tell you that if you ever want to see Jaypaw, Lionblaze, or Graystripe again meet ShadowClan in battle in three days time on the island.” Snaketail meowed. He then scraped two tufts of gray fur and one of golden fur off his claws and left.
“We must get WindClan and RiverClan’s help.” Firestar meowed.
“We will set up two patrols. One will meet with WindClan, and the other will find RiverClan. I will lead the patrol to find WindClan. Cloudtail, Brackenfur, Dustpelt, Whitewing, and Icepaw you will come with me. Sandstorm will lead the patrol to find RiverClan.” Hollyleaf padded away before she saw them leave the camp. She laid down in her bedding to try to sleep.
Hollyleaf backed up against the wall as the shadow approached her. Suddenly she felt relief flow through her body from ears to tail-tip. The shadow belonged to Graystripe, deputy of ThunderClan.
“Where did Scourge go?” Hollyleaf asked.
“I fought him off and he ran into one of the other tunnels.” Graystripe replied. Hollyleaf felt the relief leave her.
“But Jaypaw and Lionblaze are in the other tunnels!” she meowed.
“I’ll go find them,” Graystripe meowed. “you get back to camp; Firestar will want a word with you.” Hollyleaf opened her mouth to argue, but knew it wouldn’t make a difference. She wasn’t looking forward to explaining herself to Firestar. Once she reached the camp entrance she noticed that the cats on guard were watching her quite intently.
“What is it?” Hollyleaf asked.
“Why is there a ShadowClan cat with you?” Dustpelt asked. Hollyleaf instantly turned around and noticed that Snaketail was following her.
“I have come to deliver a message to Firestar.” He meowed.
“Very well you shall see Firestar.” Sandstorm meowed. She padded away and into Firestar’s den. She soon emerged followed by Firestar.
“What is it that you want, Snaketail?” Firestar asked.
“I have come to tell you that if you ever want to see Jaypaw, Lionblaze, or Graystripe again meet ShadowClan in battle in three days time on the island.” Snaketail meowed. He then scraped two tufts of gray fur and one of golden fur off his claws and left.
“We must get WindClan and RiverClan’s help.” Firestar meowed.
“We will set up two patrols. One will meet with WindClan, and the other will find RiverClan. I will lead the patrol to find WindClan. Cloudtail, Brackenfur, Dustpelt, Whitewing, and Icepaw you will come with me. Sandstorm will lead the patrol to find RiverClan.” Hollyleaf padded away before she saw them leave the camp. She laid down in her bedding to try to sleep.
Chapter 24
Firestar padded through the camp entrance, leading his patrol towards the WindClan border.
“Do you really think they’ll help us?” Dustpelt asked.
“They’ve helped us before.” Firestar answered.
“Yes, but that was when Tallstar was leader. Things seem to have been a little rough between us after Onestar took over.” Dustpelt replied.
“I don’t think even Onestar can deny that we’ll have to join together.” Firestar meowed. Once they had reached the border Icepaw sat down, but Firestar did not stop.
“Don’t we usually wait for a patrol to let us across?” Icepaw asked. Firestar turned his head to face her.
“If we stay here,” he began. “we’ll be sitting prey for Tigerstar.” Icepaw got up and looked around as if to see if Tigerstar was there. Once they had reached the WindClan camp they noticed WindClan was gathered in the clearing. Firestar padded down into the clearing.
“What are you doing here?” A cat Firestar recognized as Dewspots meowed angrily.
“I have come to speak to Onestar.” Firestar meowed.
“What is it Firestar?” Onestar meowed. “Have you come to offer us more help we do not need?” Firestar approached Onestar and took a deep breath.
“No,” he began. “I have come to request your help.” Onestar looked slightly taken aback.
“With what?” he asked.
“We have been challenged to a battle with ShadowClan now under the rule of Tigerstar and Scourge.” Firestar began. “I fear we cannot do it alone.” Onestar eyed Firestar intently. “Let us put our differences aside and join together to confront this evil. Let us build LionClan once again.” Onestar paused for a moment as if considering what had just been said.
“You have WindClan’s support.” He meowed at last.
Firestar padded through the camp entrance, leading his patrol towards the WindClan border.
“Do you really think they’ll help us?” Dustpelt asked.
“They’ve helped us before.” Firestar answered.
“Yes, but that was when Tallstar was leader. Things seem to have been a little rough between us after Onestar took over.” Dustpelt replied.
“I don’t think even Onestar can deny that we’ll have to join together.” Firestar meowed. Once they had reached the border Icepaw sat down, but Firestar did not stop.
“Don’t we usually wait for a patrol to let us across?” Icepaw asked. Firestar turned his head to face her.
“If we stay here,” he began. “we’ll be sitting prey for Tigerstar.” Icepaw got up and looked around as if to see if Tigerstar was there. Once they had reached the WindClan camp they noticed WindClan was gathered in the clearing. Firestar padded down into the clearing.
“What are you doing here?” A cat Firestar recognized as Dewspots meowed angrily.
“I have come to speak to Onestar.” Firestar meowed.
“What is it Firestar?” Onestar meowed. “Have you come to offer us more help we do not need?” Firestar approached Onestar and took a deep breath.
“No,” he began. “I have come to request your help.” Onestar looked slightly taken aback.
“With what?” he asked.
“We have been challenged to a battle with ShadowClan now under the rule of Tigerstar and Scourge.” Firestar began. “I fear we cannot do it alone.” Onestar eyed Firestar intently. “Let us put our differences aside and join together to confront this evil. Let us build LionClan once again.” Onestar paused for a moment as if considering what had just been said.
“You have WindClan’s support.” He meowed at last.
Chapter 25
Graystripe opened his eyes slowly. Suddenly he remembered what had happened before. The tunnels had all been an ambush and he was now being held prisoner in the ShadowClan camp. He looked to the left and saw he was not alone, among him in the dank prison were Jaypaw, Lionblaze, Crowfeather, and Copperpaw. Suddenly there was a clatter near the entrance. Tigerstar is coming! Graystripe thought. Sure enough Tigerstar rounded the corner and began staring at all of the cats as if he were searching the fresh-kill pile looking for the best piece of prey. One of the guards whispered something to Tigerstar. Tigerstar nodded and stared at Copperpaw.
“Bring me that one.” Tigerstar meowed. The guards entered the area in which the prisoners were kept and dragged Copperpaw out and around the corner. Graystripe could just make out what was happening by the shadows of Tigerstar and Copperpaw. Tigerstar lunged at Copperpaw. Copperpaw tried to fight but due to the size advantage Tigerstar was able to kill him simply. Tigerstar emerged from around the corner Copperpaw’s limp body dangling in his jaws and threw him back into the prison.
“Let that be a sign of what’s to come.” Tigerstar meowed. After he had finished speaking he left.
Graystripe opened his eyes slowly. Suddenly he remembered what had happened before. The tunnels had all been an ambush and he was now being held prisoner in the ShadowClan camp. He looked to the left and saw he was not alone, among him in the dank prison were Jaypaw, Lionblaze, Crowfeather, and Copperpaw. Suddenly there was a clatter near the entrance. Tigerstar is coming! Graystripe thought. Sure enough Tigerstar rounded the corner and began staring at all of the cats as if he were searching the fresh-kill pile looking for the best piece of prey. One of the guards whispered something to Tigerstar. Tigerstar nodded and stared at Copperpaw.
“Bring me that one.” Tigerstar meowed. The guards entered the area in which the prisoners were kept and dragged Copperpaw out and around the corner. Graystripe could just make out what was happening by the shadows of Tigerstar and Copperpaw. Tigerstar lunged at Copperpaw. Copperpaw tried to fight but due to the size advantage Tigerstar was able to kill him simply. Tigerstar emerged from around the corner Copperpaw’s limp body dangling in his jaws and threw him back into the prison.
“Let that be a sign of what’s to come.” Tigerstar meowed. After he had finished speaking he left.
Chapter 26
It had been two days since Copperpaw’s murder and Tigerstar had not returned. Lionblaze had never felt so vulnerable all he could do was sit here and wait for his death. Suddenly something caught his eye. Jaypaw was sniffing the wall. Lionblaze padded over to him.
“What are you doing?” Lionblaze asked.
“Checking for loose dirt.” Jaypaw meowed. Suddenly without warning he rammed himself into the wall. The dirt collapsed and opened to a small tunnel big enough for only a mouse to fit through. Lionblaze had an idea.
“If we can widen this tunnel then we could probably escape.” He meowed.
“Let’s get started then.” Jaypaw meowed.
“But how will we keep the tunnel a secret when guards come in.” Lionblaze asked. Jaypaw began digging a hole in the ground and pulled out a leaf the size of the tunnel. Lionblaze nodded and began to dig. After a few hours the tunnel was big enough to enter and move a few mouselengths. Suddenly without warning Tigerstar padded into the prison. Lionblaze just managed to cover the tunnel before he rounded the corner. Tigerstar sat down and began panning his eyes over the cats until finally they rested upon Lionblaze.
It had been two days since Copperpaw’s murder and Tigerstar had not returned. Lionblaze had never felt so vulnerable all he could do was sit here and wait for his death. Suddenly something caught his eye. Jaypaw was sniffing the wall. Lionblaze padded over to him.
“What are you doing?” Lionblaze asked.
“Checking for loose dirt.” Jaypaw meowed. Suddenly without warning he rammed himself into the wall. The dirt collapsed and opened to a small tunnel big enough for only a mouse to fit through. Lionblaze had an idea.
“If we can widen this tunnel then we could probably escape.” He meowed.
“Let’s get started then.” Jaypaw meowed.
“But how will we keep the tunnel a secret when guards come in.” Lionblaze asked. Jaypaw began digging a hole in the ground and pulled out a leaf the size of the tunnel. Lionblaze nodded and began to dig. After a few hours the tunnel was big enough to enter and move a few mouselengths. Suddenly without warning Tigerstar padded into the prison. Lionblaze just managed to cover the tunnel before he rounded the corner. Tigerstar sat down and began panning his eyes over the cats until finally they rested upon Lionblaze.
Chapter 27
Tigerstar began to walk towards Lionblaze.
“Tigerstar!” a voice called from out of the prison. Tigerstar instantly turned around.
“I’ll deal with you later.” He meowed to Lionblaze. The guards came into the prison guiding what looked to be an apprentice. Suddenly Lionblaze recognized Foxpaw. Tigerstar looked him over.
“You are an impressive specimen for a ThunderClanner.” He meowed. “Join me and I shall complete your training.” Jaypaw padded over to Lionblaze.
“Foxpaw should be able to keep him busy for a little while.” He meowed to Lionblaze. Lionblaze nodded and they both padded over to the escape tunnel. Jaypaw moved the leaf and directed Lionblaze into the cramped tunnel. As soon as Jaypaw covered the entrance once again Lionblaze could see nothing.
“No, I don’t think I will.” Lionblaze heard Foxpaw reply finally.
“Very well,” Tigerstar meowed. “drown him in the lake.” The guards began to drag Foxpaw away.
“Now, where did Lionblaze go?” Tigerstar asked. “Whoever tells me won’t die.” Lionblaze knew Jaypaw and Graystripe wouldn’t tell but could Crowfeather be trusted? Lionblaze moved the leaf a tiny bit to look out. Crowfeather was opening his mouth to reply. Lionblaze braced himself for Tigerstar to find him.
“I think he went past you and out the exit when you were talking to that apprentice.” Crowfeather meowed. Tigerstar looked very angry.
“Very well,” Tigerstar began. “I’ll just kill you then.” Tigerstar began to approach upon Crowfeather. He raised a paw ready to deliver a quick killing strike when suddenly a voice called from the entrance.
“Stop right there Tigerstar!”
Tigerstar began to walk towards Lionblaze.
“Tigerstar!” a voice called from out of the prison. Tigerstar instantly turned around.
“I’ll deal with you later.” He meowed to Lionblaze. The guards came into the prison guiding what looked to be an apprentice. Suddenly Lionblaze recognized Foxpaw. Tigerstar looked him over.
“You are an impressive specimen for a ThunderClanner.” He meowed. “Join me and I shall complete your training.” Jaypaw padded over to Lionblaze.
“Foxpaw should be able to keep him busy for a little while.” He meowed to Lionblaze. Lionblaze nodded and they both padded over to the escape tunnel. Jaypaw moved the leaf and directed Lionblaze into the cramped tunnel. As soon as Jaypaw covered the entrance once again Lionblaze could see nothing.
“No, I don’t think I will.” Lionblaze heard Foxpaw reply finally.
“Very well,” Tigerstar meowed. “drown him in the lake.” The guards began to drag Foxpaw away.
“Now, where did Lionblaze go?” Tigerstar asked. “Whoever tells me won’t die.” Lionblaze knew Jaypaw and Graystripe wouldn’t tell but could Crowfeather be trusted? Lionblaze moved the leaf a tiny bit to look out. Crowfeather was opening his mouth to reply. Lionblaze braced himself for Tigerstar to find him.
“I think he went past you and out the exit when you were talking to that apprentice.” Crowfeather meowed. Tigerstar looked very angry.
“Very well,” Tigerstar began. “I’ll just kill you then.” Tigerstar began to approach upon Crowfeather. He raised a paw ready to deliver a quick killing strike when suddenly a voice called from the entrance.
“Stop right there Tigerstar!”
Chapter 28
For a moment Crowfeather thought he was saved but when he glanced up at who had called his hopes faded. Scourge began padding down from the entrance.
“This one is mine.” Scourge meowed.
“Yes, I shall leave you alone then.” Tigerstar meowed as he padded away from Scourge and left the prison. Scourge padded towards Crowfeather.
“You won’t get away with this!” Crowfeather growled.
“On the contrary I believe I shall,” Scourge began. “for you see, the child never contradicts the parent.” A smile spread across Scourge’s face.
“Deadfoot is my father!” Crowfeather yelled.
“He is not. Your mother did not want you to know that you had a murderous rogue as a father, but I am more than just a rogue now.” Scourge meowed. “Now the duty must be done.” Scourge raised a paw above his head and swiped it down towards Crowfeather. The last thing Crowfeather felt was a searing pain and then the world went dark around him.
For a moment Crowfeather thought he was saved but when he glanced up at who had called his hopes faded. Scourge began padding down from the entrance.
“This one is mine.” Scourge meowed.
“Yes, I shall leave you alone then.” Tigerstar meowed as he padded away from Scourge and left the prison. Scourge padded towards Crowfeather.
“You won’t get away with this!” Crowfeather growled.
“On the contrary I believe I shall,” Scourge began. “for you see, the child never contradicts the parent.” A smile spread across Scourge’s face.
“Deadfoot is my father!” Crowfeather yelled.
“He is not. Your mother did not want you to know that you had a murderous rogue as a father, but I am more than just a rogue now.” Scourge meowed. “Now the duty must be done.” Scourge raised a paw above his head and swiped it down towards Crowfeather. The last thing Crowfeather felt was a searing pain and then the world went dark around him.
Chapter 29
Firestar was leading his warriors to the island for it was tonight that the battle between LionClan and TigerClan would take place. Firestar suddenly thought back to his leader ceremony and the prophecy which he had received. Four will become two, Lion and Tiger will meet in battle, and blood will rule the forest. It seemed as if the prophecy would finally come true. The four clans had become two instead of one, LionClan and TigerClan were about to meet in battle, but Firestar would not let blood rule the forest without a fight. Once they reached the tree-bridge Firestar noticed that there was only one cat on the island. Its body was limp and lifeless. Firestar led LionClan across the tree-bridge and onto the island. Firestar instantly recognized the body as Foxpaw. The ThunderClan apprentice had wandered off a day ago and he had not been seen since, this was the fate that he had met.
“Cats of LionClan,” Firestar addressed the cats. “we fight this battle to get back the cats that have been taken from us, but we also fight this battle in the memory of those who have lost their lives at the paws of Tigerstar. We shall fight this battle for Leopardstar, Squirrelflight, Breezepaw, Blackstar, Russetfur, and Foxpaw! We will fight for freedom! Now we shall try our best to purge the forest of the evil that has crept within it! We must stop this destruction! The death will end here!” The cats of LionClan called out a battle cry and then charged into the clearing.
Firestar was leading his warriors to the island for it was tonight that the battle between LionClan and TigerClan would take place. Firestar suddenly thought back to his leader ceremony and the prophecy which he had received. Four will become two, Lion and Tiger will meet in battle, and blood will rule the forest. It seemed as if the prophecy would finally come true. The four clans had become two instead of one, LionClan and TigerClan were about to meet in battle, but Firestar would not let blood rule the forest without a fight. Once they reached the tree-bridge Firestar noticed that there was only one cat on the island. Its body was limp and lifeless. Firestar led LionClan across the tree-bridge and onto the island. Firestar instantly recognized the body as Foxpaw. The ThunderClan apprentice had wandered off a day ago and he had not been seen since, this was the fate that he had met.
“Cats of LionClan,” Firestar addressed the cats. “we fight this battle to get back the cats that have been taken from us, but we also fight this battle in the memory of those who have lost their lives at the paws of Tigerstar. We shall fight this battle for Leopardstar, Squirrelflight, Breezepaw, Blackstar, Russetfur, and Foxpaw! We will fight for freedom! Now we shall try our best to purge the forest of the evil that has crept within it! We must stop this destruction! The death will end here!” The cats of LionClan called out a battle cry and then charged into the clearing.
Chapter 30
The first thing Cinderheart noticed when she entered the clearing was that there were no cats there.
“Do we have the right night?” Dustpelt asked Firestar.
“Is it possible that the battle was a set up?” Mistystar meowed. Cinderheart was about to say something when suddenly she felt a weight press down on her back. Firestar instantly charged over towards Cinderheart and knocked off the weight which she saw to be a full grown ShadowClan warrior.
“No, I don’t think it’s a set up. I’m pretty sure they’re here.” Firestar meowed charging over to another cat. Onestar looked over to Mistystar.
“Well, this is a joint leadership so I suppose we lead our own cats.” He meowed.
“WindClan, attack!” “RiverClan, attack!” they yelled in unison. Instantly the entire clearing erupted into fighting. Cinderheart began fighting off Smokefoot. She grabbed his ear in her jaws and clamped down on it. He squirmed out of her grasp and pinned her down. Cinderheart reacted immediately using this to her advantage and used her back claws to rake Smokefoot’s belly. Smokefoot let out a yowl of pain and began to retreat.
“Crowfood eating coward!” Tigerstar yelled to him. “Come back here and fight!”
“Tigerstar!” a voice called. Tigerstar began to turn his head to look behind himself. Firestar was standing behind him with the squirming body of Oakfur clamped in his jaws trying to escape. Firestar opened his mouth and let him go.
“Let’s end this now.” Firestar meowed.
The first thing Cinderheart noticed when she entered the clearing was that there were no cats there.
“Do we have the right night?” Dustpelt asked Firestar.
“Is it possible that the battle was a set up?” Mistystar meowed. Cinderheart was about to say something when suddenly she felt a weight press down on her back. Firestar instantly charged over towards Cinderheart and knocked off the weight which she saw to be a full grown ShadowClan warrior.
“No, I don’t think it’s a set up. I’m pretty sure they’re here.” Firestar meowed charging over to another cat. Onestar looked over to Mistystar.
“Well, this is a joint leadership so I suppose we lead our own cats.” He meowed.
“WindClan, attack!” “RiverClan, attack!” they yelled in unison. Instantly the entire clearing erupted into fighting. Cinderheart began fighting off Smokefoot. She grabbed his ear in her jaws and clamped down on it. He squirmed out of her grasp and pinned her down. Cinderheart reacted immediately using this to her advantage and used her back claws to rake Smokefoot’s belly. Smokefoot let out a yowl of pain and began to retreat.
“Crowfood eating coward!” Tigerstar yelled to him. “Come back here and fight!”
“Tigerstar!” a voice called. Tigerstar began to turn his head to look behind himself. Firestar was standing behind him with the squirming body of Oakfur clamped in his jaws trying to escape. Firestar opened his mouth and let him go.
“Let’s end this now.” Firestar meowed.
Chapter 31
Firestar was standing behind Tigerstar watching him.
“Yes, let’s end your life now.” Tigerstar meowed. Firestar instantly leapt at Tigerstar. Before making collision with Tigerstar’s flank he felt a sharp pain in his shoulder. He looked back and saw that Tigerstar had his claws in Firestar’s shoulder. Firestar instantly sank his teeth into Tigerstar’s paw. Tigerstar let out a yowl of pain and reared up on his back legs. Firestar was unsure of what Tigerstar was doing, but before he could think anymore Tigerstar slammed himself down on Firestar’s chest and knocked the wind completely out of his lungs. Firestar saw the world fade away around him and the image of Tigerstar’s evil grin became nothing but a memory. Suddenly he found himself in a clearing surrounded by the cats of StarClan. He saw all the familiar faces and some new ones. Firestar glanced to the left and saw Squirrelflight pushing her way through the cats. She ran over to him and they both rubbed muzzles. Firestar suddenly looked up at Bluestar.
“I’ve lost another life haven’t I?” he asked.
“Yes,” Bluestar meowed. “you have 3 lives remaining.” Firestar nodded.
“I’ll have to make them count then.” Suddenly the clearing darkened and Firestar then found himself upon the island, ready once again to begin his battle with Tigerstar. Firestar began to bolt towards Tigerstar’s turned back, but just before he made contact with him, Tigerstar whipped around and knocked Firestar towards a tree. Once Firestar made contact with the tree he noticed a particularly stiff branch had made contact with the back of his neck and was now jutting through the front. Firestar began having wild spasms and soon found the clearing slipping away once again. Firestar reappeared in the clearing among the ranks of StarClan.
“I fear my life is over.” Firestar meowed.
“There are some wounds even StarClan cannot heal.” Bluestar meowed. “I believe this to be one of them.” Firestar looked at the increasingly solid version of himself with the ranks of StarClan. Soon I shall truly join them. He thought. The cats of StarClan faded away once again and he found himself upon the tree once again. The pain instantly started up again and Firestar felt himself writhing uncontrollably his life slipping away by the second. The clearing island faded away for a third time and he found himself once again among the ranks of StarClan. This must have been what Tigerstar’s death was like. he thought.
“I will be with you once again soon.” Firestar meowed to Squirrelflight as he was fading away preparing for his final painful trip to life, but just before he faded away he caught sight of some familiar shapes. Graystripe, Lionblaze and Jaypaw! he thought. At once he appeared upon the island his neck still impaled on the tree which resulted in his death. He glanced around and right before the clearing slipped from view for a final time he caught one last sweet glance at Sandstorm and he drifted slowly into the afterlife.
Firestar was standing behind Tigerstar watching him.
“Yes, let’s end your life now.” Tigerstar meowed. Firestar instantly leapt at Tigerstar. Before making collision with Tigerstar’s flank he felt a sharp pain in his shoulder. He looked back and saw that Tigerstar had his claws in Firestar’s shoulder. Firestar instantly sank his teeth into Tigerstar’s paw. Tigerstar let out a yowl of pain and reared up on his back legs. Firestar was unsure of what Tigerstar was doing, but before he could think anymore Tigerstar slammed himself down on Firestar’s chest and knocked the wind completely out of his lungs. Firestar saw the world fade away around him and the image of Tigerstar’s evil grin became nothing but a memory. Suddenly he found himself in a clearing surrounded by the cats of StarClan. He saw all the familiar faces and some new ones. Firestar glanced to the left and saw Squirrelflight pushing her way through the cats. She ran over to him and they both rubbed muzzles. Firestar suddenly looked up at Bluestar.
“I’ve lost another life haven’t I?” he asked.
“Yes,” Bluestar meowed. “you have 3 lives remaining.” Firestar nodded.
“I’ll have to make them count then.” Suddenly the clearing darkened and Firestar then found himself upon the island, ready once again to begin his battle with Tigerstar. Firestar began to bolt towards Tigerstar’s turned back, but just before he made contact with him, Tigerstar whipped around and knocked Firestar towards a tree. Once Firestar made contact with the tree he noticed a particularly stiff branch had made contact with the back of his neck and was now jutting through the front. Firestar began having wild spasms and soon found the clearing slipping away once again. Firestar reappeared in the clearing among the ranks of StarClan.
“I fear my life is over.” Firestar meowed.
“There are some wounds even StarClan cannot heal.” Bluestar meowed. “I believe this to be one of them.” Firestar looked at the increasingly solid version of himself with the ranks of StarClan. Soon I shall truly join them. He thought. The cats of StarClan faded away once again and he found himself upon the tree once again. The pain instantly started up again and Firestar felt himself writhing uncontrollably his life slipping away by the second. The clearing island faded away for a third time and he found himself once again among the ranks of StarClan. This must have been what Tigerstar’s death was like. he thought.
“I will be with you once again soon.” Firestar meowed to Squirrelflight as he was fading away preparing for his final painful trip to life, but just before he faded away he caught sight of some familiar shapes. Graystripe, Lionblaze and Jaypaw! he thought. At once he appeared upon the island his neck still impaled on the tree which resulted in his death. He glanced around and right before the clearing slipped from view for a final time he caught one last sweet glance at Sandstorm and he drifted slowly into the afterlife.