Embers Will Always Fall

by SlytherinTimeLordHasImpala

Many moons have passed, Firestar and the Power of Three have become nothing but elder stories. The Four Original Clans still stand but they have all fallen on hardships. Less warriors, sickness, little fresh-kill, cold weather. Everything seems to be in their odds. Follow the lives of various cats and how their lives are affected. Rated T for blood, violence and dark themes.

1. Prologue

A beautiful she-cat sat in silence as she gazed at her reflection in a puddle. The night sky stretched for miles above her and Silverpet shined down. Behind her, was the entrance to her home. Her clanmates were now asleep, resting after a long day hard work. She could smell leaf-bare in the air. Pawsteps gently padded up beside her.

"Adderstar." The red tabby tom said softly.

"Robintail. What is it?" She asked eyeing her deputy.

"I just came back from our night patrol. Not even the frogs are croaking." Robintail replied.

"Good. The more quiet it is the more at peace I can be." She muttered.

"I don't understand what these night patrols are about, Adderstar." Robintail said gently.

"Extra caution. Times have been hard lately. So much blood has been shed lately. It seems that every other day we are getting in some kind of border skirmish and pray has been little even in new-leaf and now leaf-bare is approaching? Sometimes I wonder if Starclan is punishing me." Adderstar said, her voice catching.

"Why would Starclan be punishing you?" Robintail asked softly.

"The things I have done, Robintail. I should have known it would have caught up to me. But, now my clan is paying the price. You know, I did everything I could to become leader. I so desperately wanted to help my clan. I went at it the wrong way though." Adderstar said glancing back at her reflection.

"We have all done bad things, Adderstar. I don't think Starclan punishes us for every single one of them." Robintail said with a sigh.

"The Gathering is tomorrow." Adderstar said, changing the subject.

Robintail nodded, his amber eyes narrowed at her. "Have you thought on who to bring with you?"

She shook her head. "No. I'll let you decide. I want your opinion, Robintail, should I confront Thunderclan tomorrow?"
"Do you want Starclan angry at us?" Robintail asked, surprised.

"They already are."

She got to her feet and stalked away from the puddle and went back into the camp entrance. Robintaill watched after her with a sad expression. Was she right? Was Starclan really angry with them?