Thanks for checking out my story! It's one of those "After The Last Hope" stories, except it takes place a full fifty years after said book and focuses on the struggles of a new cast of characters. Here's hoping you enjoy it

Prologue

The day the sky started to burn began just like any other.

The Clan cats had woken at dawn, patrolled the borders, caught fresh-kill, and given thanks to StarClan, just as they always did. Medicine cats collected herbs, kits got into trouble, apprentices trained, and when they weren't complaining about all this, elders shared stories of famous battles, such as BloodClan's attack on the Old Forest, the war between StarClan and the Dark Forest, and the Echo Wars.

It had seemed an agonizingly normal day, up until the heavens had burst aflame. And that was when the Clan cats were forced to acknowledge that things were out of order. Some fled, or did their best to when it was the sky itself they were running from. Some fell to the ground and repented, praying that StarClan would forgive them for whatever had caused the sky to be consumed by this inferno. Some tried their best to ignore it, and to pretend that life remained unchanged. Others died from shock right there and then.

Regardless of their reaction, none of the Clan cats had an inkling of a clue why the sky was burning.

Karis however, understood the situation perfectly. She was not a Clan cat, nor was she one of the starry cats that they worshipped. Up until now, she had never had even the slightest reason to care about the Clan cats or their home by the lake.

Karis was a Vestrian. The sun and the sky were her domain, commanded by her and her five companions. She could bring the fiercest storms, or make rain pour down like the sky was weeping. However, now she could do naught but wait for the sixth Vestrian to return.

Four stood with her at moment. The one standing beside her, stretching his long legs was what others would have called a wolf, but to the six he would always be Arctora. He had always looked down upon the lands of the Clan cats with longing, and he had been the one to suggest the current course of action. Off to the side stood Miloto, known to some as the Stormforger. He was warlike, and if the others hadn't been around to keep him in line, Karis had no doubt that he would charge off to conquer all that lived. Nearby stood Akura and Rystris. The two were huddled together, as if they could protect each other from the battles to come. Karis scowled. She saw no need for love, and had no doubt that if she ever sought it out, it would be the death of her.

The sound of the footsteps against the ground announced the coming of the final one of the sixth. Sylara raced into the clearing, panting with exhaustion. She dropped to the ground and started to bow, but Karis raised a talon to signal that in this urgent situation, such formality was unnecessary.

"My queen," Sylara explained, "everything, even our sacred tree, has been consumed by the Cursemist. We need to leave now, before it devours us as well."

Karis cursed. Several years ago, a strange fog had appeared in small traces on their lands. At first, they had paid it little mind. That was before it had started growing burning through everything it touched, causing it to decay within heartbeats. Now, their realm was reduced to ruin, and they would fall with it if they stayed.

Noticing a burn on Sylara's shoulder, Karis walked over to her and touched it with her talon. "Why didn't you tell me you were hurt?" she growled angrily. Instantly, the wound started to close.

Karis turned around, staring at her fellows. "Akura, Rystris, can you two carry Sylara?" she asked. "She's in no condition to travel right now."

The two nodded. "On it, my Queen," said Akura. They picked up their smaller comrade and laid her across their backs.

Karis smirked. Perhaps love did have its uses, sometimes. Not that she needed it.

"Arctora, tell me about this place we're heading to," she instructed the Vestrian at her side.

Arctora had been staring towards their destination with longing in his eyes, and he seemed thrilled at the concept of talking about it. His eyes searched the clearing, making sure he had everyone's attention.

"It's a place called StarClan," he explained. "There are four groups called Clans, and when they die they go to rest there until they have faded from every cat's memory. It is a paradise that never sees leaf-bare, and that is exactly what we need right now."

As he finished, Rystris spoke up. "I brought our rebirth crystals," she mentioned. "With these, we can leave without fearing that the sky will devolve into even greater chaos."

Karis nodded, pleased by the quick thinking from her comrade. Unfurling her wings, the Vestrian queen gave her home one last look, knowing that she would never have the pleasure of seeing it again.

It was harder than she thought it would be. Karis broke off a sob in her throat. The last thing the other Vestrians needed was to see their queen show weakness in the face of a disaster.

"We head to StarClan, then," she declared, almost choking it out.

"With respect my queen," Miloto suddenly piped up, "may I speak?"

She nodded.

"Now, this is a completely hypothetical situation," he started, "but suppose we reach this StarClan place and the locals don't like us? Say they try to drive us out. What would you have us do then?"

She considered his question for a moment, knowing there were only so many answers that she could give. Finally, sighing, Karis gave him the answer he craved. "I suppose we would have to do what you do best," she told him.

A massive, gleeful grin broke out across Miloto's face. "A war with StarClan," he mused. "Now that I would find ever so intriguing."

She nodded, facing the horizon. Karis knew the Vestrians expected something from her as they left the only home they had ever known. So, she gave them her best.

"This will not be our end," she promised them. "Our home has been taken from us, but the Sky Guardians will keep us alive in their memories. We have to trust in them to do the right thing, and we must fight for them as they fight for us. Wherever we may wander, we live in their hearts. In the coming days, you will need all your courage and strength, but I promise you, we will survive. We have to, for the sake of the sky."

…

The night sky was deceptively calm for the coming of something that would shake the Clans to their core.

But then, the lives of the Clan cats had already been changed forever, and they didn't even know it.

In the cold leaf-bare night, only one cat dared leave this safety of his den. He was watching, waiting. Soon, the time for his vengeance would come.

The Watcher sneered at the stars as he stood beneath them in the snow. "You have no power over me," he whispered to them. "Not anymore."

He reflected again on the cats that he lived among for the moment.

RiverClan were pathetic. They crawled to the other Clans for help, showing their utter weakness.

ShadowClan were violently self-destructive, waging battles without a thought for how things could turn against them. Every battle they had waged, and everything they had taken from him, would be repaid in kind.

ThunderClan were arrogant fools. They thought they were better than the other Clans because they took in kittypets, and they believed themselves to be StarClan's chosen.

WindClan were liars, thieves, murderers, and traitors. Their moor was where the worst kind of scum resided. It would be a great pleasure to see them crushed underfoot.

The Watcher had become acquainted with a tortoiseshell tom named Arise. This enigmatic figure held great power, and he had been willing to share this power once he had heard how it would be put to use.

The Watcher had everything he could ever want, so long as he was willing to suffer the ever-present pain in his chest.

He heard the soft sound of pawsteps on the ground. Looking ahead, he saw an ally approaching, bringing him a delivery.

"Finally," he muttered, licking his lips.

His Deliverer stepped into the clearing, dropping a single she-kit at his paws.

"I apologize," the Deliverer mewed. "There were two kits, but I had to throw the one that the mother called Nix into the river. She gave chase, you see, so I thought that it would deter her if I drowned one of her brats. You do not know how heavy they can be until you try to steal a pair."

"I see," he mewed to her. "How did the rest of the mission go?"

"Well, I brought you this kit, didn't I?" she snapped. "And that's a big favour, since I despise the little maggots. I did exactly what you asked. I told the mother that I was claiming her kits for the Clans, then grabbed them and ran. Satisfied?"

She broke off to start licking herself, obviously tired from carrying the kits such a long distance.

"Oh, I won't be satisfied until I make the ground run crimson with the blood of the Clan cats," he purred, "but yes, this is a start. What's her name?"

She eyed him sceptically. "You are hopelessly sentimental," she growled. "But if I'm remembering correctly, I think she's called Aurora. Now, can I finish her off, since I went through all the trouble of carrying her to you?"

Aurora looked up at them and mewled. The Deliverer almost hit her, but the Watcher motioned for her to stop.

"I'll kill Aurora," he said. "You've already had your fun. Now, you should get back to your Clan. It's late, and somebody will notice your absence."

She shrugged. "What about you?" she asked.

"No one cares if I take a walk after the Gathering every now and then," he muttered.

The Deliverer sighed and turned away, walking off towards her home.

"You know," he called after her.

She turned around in a huff and glared at him.

"What?" she snapped.

"When the Sky Avengers attacked, some cats heard the tales of the Vestrians, the objects of their worship," he mused. "Of course, most assumed that these beings were a simple fantasy."

"And you think they're more than some idle daydream?" she asked.

He nodded. "Oh, I know that they're more. And soon, when the Clans find their reckoning, they shall realize the extent of the power that they've been neglecting."

She turned and padded off into the darkness.

He listened to her footsteps as she left. Distantly, he wondered if Arise was out there in the night, watching him. Then he shrugged. It didn't matter what that tom did as long as he didn't interfere.

Snow continued to fall, and Aurora squealed again. "Looking for your mother, little one?" the Watcher asked. "Don't worry. You won't need a mother where you're going."

The wind howled, tearing through the night. He smirked in response. Everything was going perfectly.

Aurora couldn't see him with her eyes still closed, but he still advanced slowly, as if he could spook her and she could successfully flee. "You've lived a short life, little one," he told her, "and it won't last much longer. But I won't forget you, and even if they don't know you, neither will the Clans. This may hurt, but it has to be done."

He unsheathed his claws gleefully as he moved towards the kit.

"Don't worry, Aurora," he mewed. "I promise, I'll make this quick and painless."

To be continued…

Thank you very much for reading this! If I peaked your interest, I hope you'll continue to read and enjoy my story. It's hopefully going to be quite a ride.