Firestar's Quest

My name is Echo. I dream of cats with stars in their fur.

Bluestar blinked. "There are cats who would argue that there should never have been a fifth Clan in the forest at all. Why are there four oaks at Fourtrees, if not to stand for the four Clans?" Firestar gazed up at the massive oak trees, then back at Bluestar. Fury pure as a lighting flash rushed through his body. "Are you mouse-brained?" he snarled. "Are you telling me SkyClan had to leave because there weren't enough trees?

I will always be here. We will walk the skies together forever.

StarClan may go where they please, they have betrayed SkyClan. From this day on, I will have nothing more to do with our warrior ancestors. StarClan allowed the Twolegs to destroy our home. They look down on us now, and let the moon go on shining while you drive us out. They said there would always be five Clans in the forest, but they lied. SkyClan will never look to the stars again.

Bluestar blinked. "There are cats who would argue that there should never have been a fifth Clan in the forest at all. Why are there four oaks at Fourtrees, if not to stand for the four Clans?" Firestar gazed up at the massive oak trees, then back at Bluestar. Fury pure as a lightning flash rushed through his body. "Are you mouse-brained?" he snarled. "Are you telling me that SkyClan had to leave because there weren't enough trees?" A look of shock and dismay filled Bluestar's eyes.

I am sorry I am the only cat left of what was once a noble Clan. I will try to preserve the way of the warrior until my last breath. But I fear that when I die it will die with me, and the memory of SkyClan will be lost forever.

Clovertail blocked the entrance and wouldn’t let any of them in,” Petal added. Firestar rested his tail on Clovertail’s shoulder. “Well done.” The she-cat rose painfully to her paws, revealing the marks of rat bites on her chest and shoulders. “You should go see Echosong,” Petalnose told her. “I can look after the kits.

Your Clan is safe for now. But there will be three, kin of your kin, who hold the power of the stars in their paws.

Spirits of cats who have gone before,” Moony mewed, “I am sorry I am the only cat left of what was once a noble Clan. I will try to preserve the way of the warrior until my last breath. But I fear that when I die it will die with me, and the memory of SkyClan will be lost forever.

Raucous quacking sounded in Firestar’s ear. He jumped up, staring around wildly until he spotted a duck in the water beside the reed bed.

Maybe we will meet again in the paths of dreaming, but my heart tells me this is farewell.

His voice ached with a loneliness that contradicted his words. Sandstorm

Sandstorm sighed. “I was afraid you were going to say that.

Then he spotted Willowpelt diving from the top of a rock to streak across the ground and shove Sootpaw out of the way with outstretched forepaws. The badger landed heavily on her back; her shriek was cut off with a sickening crunch as the huge creature snapped her neck. It scooped up her limp body with one paw and tossed it into the clearing. Sootpaw

The tabby rogue bounded alongside the river until he reached the fallen tree that Sky had used to cross a few days before. Leading Firestar over to the far bank, Scratch started to climb another trail that led up the cliff face on the opposite side. Firestar panted after him, wishing he had the rogue’s powerful haunches. Scratch was a true SkyClan cat!

As Firestar drew nearer he recognized the cream-and-brown tabby she-cat he had surprised in the scrubland near the Twolegplace.

I’m glad I’m here with you.” Firestar touched his nose to her ear. “I’m glad you’re here, too. I don’t think I could do this without you.

As he looked across to the opposite bank a cold claw sank into his heart. Sandstorm was gone.

There will be three, kin of your kin, who hold the power of the stars in their paws. Firestar

And yet the only reason he had found the courage to lead the forest Clans into battle against BloodClan was because he had believed his warrior ancestors when they told him there had always been four Clans in the forest. The fifth Clan was StarClan, forever protecting the four below. Had StarClan lied? Bluestar

He and Sandstorm hunted and carried their fresh-kill back to the cave. But when he reached the entrance, Firestar stopped in surprise. The hollow in the cave floor was empty. Sky had gone.

Firestar saw a small, light brown tabby she-cat shouldering her way through the warriors until she reached the gray-and-white cat. “Let me speak to StarClan,” she begged. “They might know of a place for us.” The cat rounded on her. “No, Fawnstep!” he spat. “Our warrior ancestors have failed us. As far as we’re concerned, StarClan no longer exist.” He

Even the kits were affected, boldly playing at rat attacks during the day, but scurrying back to the nursery at any unexpected noise. But

Couldn’t StarClan do anything to help you?” he asked. “StarClan!” The SkyClan cat spat out the word, lashing his tail. “StarClan betrayed us. They allowed the other Clans to chase us out like rogues. When we left the forest, I vowed that I would never look to the stars again.” “A Clan without warrior ancestors?” Firestar was bewildered.

Your Clan is safe for now. But there will be three, kin of your kin, who hold the power of the stars in their paws.” Firestar stared at the old warrior. “I don’t understand. Why are you telling me this?” There