Firestar’s Quest

“These are your children,” Birdflight explained. “Though they were too small to make the journey with SkyClan, and grew up in ThunderClan instead, Spottedpelt and Gorseclaw have chosen to walk these skies with me in honor of their SkyClan ancestors.”

Firestar stared in astonishment. Spottedpelt was a slender tortoiseshell, as like Spottedleaf as if the two cats had been littermates. Gorseclaw was a broad-shouldered tabby tom with glowing amber eyes; Firestar’s belly churned at his like-ness to his old enemy, Tigerstar. Birdflight had said that the two cats had grown up in Firestar’s own Clan. Did that mean that SkyClan’s blood ran in ThunderClan? Were Spottedleaf and Tigerstar both descended from Cloudstar?

He caught Spottedleaf’s eye and saw her gazing delight-edly at the cats in the center of the circle. It must be true! No wonder he had been reminded of the SkyClan leader when she appeared. No wonder she had felt so involved in the destiny of the new Clan.

Cloudstar took a single pace toward his children, his legs stiff with shock. “When I left the forest,” he mewed hoarsely, “I vowed my Clan would never look to the stars again. Some of my warriors still followed the old ways, but as time went on and SkyClan was scattered, StarClan was forgotten, and our warrior ancestors were unable to walk these skies. Until now.” His brilliant gaze traveled from Birdflight and his children until it rested on Firestar and Leafdapple. “Until now.”

Birdflight paced across the circle to where Leafdapple still waited, her eyes filled with wonder, and touched noses with her.

“With this life I give you faithfulness,” she mewed. “Use it well to hold fast to Clan and kin.”

As the ninth life surged into Leafdapple, one more cat appeared from the starry ranks, a small tabby with a white front and paws. She padded across the circle until she stood face-to-face with Echosong.

“My name is Fawnstep,” she announced. “I was SkyClan’s medicine cat when they fled from the forest. You have my cave in the gorge, and you find herbs in the same places that I once did. Your warrior ancestors have chosen you to be SkyClan’s medicine cat from this moment on.”

“Thank you,” Echosong whispered. “I—”

Fawnstep silenced her by laying the tip of her tail gently over Echosong’s mouth. “Peace, dear friend. From now on I will walk in your dreams and watch over you until you have learned how to be a true medicine cat.” Her eyes sparkled.

“We shall travel far together, you and I.”

Echosong raised her head and looked deep into her fellow medicine cat’s eyes. “I’ll be ready for our next meeting,” she promised.

Leafdapple stood in the middle of the circle, a little unsteady on her legs, and looked around. “What happens now?” she asked Firestar in a hoarse whisper.

Firestar had no need to answer. While the new Clan leader was speaking, the last shreds of mist dissolved, revealing a sky where a full moon floated serenely. Stars blazed out as SkyClan’s warrior ancestors returned to watch over their descendants who had been lost for so long.

His pelt prickled with recognition as he spotted a strong gray warrior among them, with stars in his fur and the shimmer of starlight in his eyes. Rainfur’s gaze met his and he dipped his head.

His belly churning with grief and guilt, Firestar padded over to him. “I’m sorry, Rainfur,” he murmured. “If you hadn’t joined SkyClan, you would still be alive.”

“It was my decision.” Rainfur gazed at him with clear eyes.

“Now I’ll always be part of a Clan, and have a place among the stars. The warrior code is worth dying for.” He hesitated briefly and then added, “How are Petalnose and the kits?”

“They grieve for you,” Firestar replied. “But they’ll always have the support of their Clan.”

“I know. I trust SkyClan to look after them.” Rainfur dipped his head again, and Firestar felt as though he had been forgiven.

The ranks of cats rose to their paws and sprang up into the sky, setting each star to shine more brightly. Their voices mounted high and tingling to the glittering swathe of Silverpelt. “Leafstar! Leafstar!”

“Leafstar!” Firestar and Echosong joined in to welcome the new leader of SkyClan. “Leafstar!”

The light around him grew so dazzling that Firestar had to squeeze his eyes shut. The voices died away, and when he opened his eyes he was crouching on the surface of the Skyrock, with Leafstar and Echosong beside him. The half-moon still shone in a frosty sky.

Leafstar rose to her paws, staggered to find her balance, and let out a long breath. “Thank you, Firestar,” she meowed.

“I never imagined…” She blinked rapidly, while Echosong brushed her pelt against her flank and pressed her muzzle into the new leader’s shoulder.

“You know you mustn’t speak of this to any cat?” Firestar warned her.

Leafstar stared at him. “How could I? There are no words…” Shaking her head, she went on. “I understand now.

And I promise that I’ll be a strong and loyal leader to my Clan, until it’s my turn to walk among the stars with my ancestors.”