When Flameclaw left the nursery, a group of rouges ran into the camp. They were led by a white she-dog with black spots. Ravenheart, Cloudfoot, and Sunheart moved to block the nursery. The she-dog yowled and the rouges attacked. The she-dog stayed where she was and her head swung side to side until she spotted what she was looking for.
"Bandit!" she screamed and ran to him. "Where is Andromida?"
Defiance glowed in Bandit's eyes. "I'm not going to tell you. We came here to get away from you, now will you just leave us alone?" he screamed and ran off.
The she-dog chased him. "I raised you to know better than to yell at me," she said.
His defiance turned to rage. "Spots, you never raised us, it was your sister, remember?" he screamed and ran into the battle to defend the clan.
Spots eventually gave up searching for Andromida and left. Flameclaw looked around the clearing and was relieved to see that not many dogs were wounded. Then his eyes rested on one limp, lifeless body. The pelt was matted with blood but Flameclaw could tell it was Stealstar and he was overcome with grief. Flameclaw saw the light of battle in Stealstar's eyes.
Snowclaw came out of the nursery and ran to Flameclaw's side. "Are you okay?" She asked.
"Yes, I'm fine," Flameclaw said trying to convince himself as much as he was her. She started to look around the clearing then stopped dead. Flameclaw knew she was staring at Stealstar.
Snowclaw ran to Stealstar's body, put both her front paws on his side, and started shaking him. "Stealstar, wake up," she cried. "Wake up!"
Treeclaw came up to her and asked, "Snowclaw, why are you crying?"
She looked up at him and said, "He was my father."
Treeclaw was shocked. "What do you mean?" he asked.
"Didn't you hear me, Treeclaw? He was my father," Snowclaw repeated.
Flameclaw leaped onto Highstone and yowled "Let all dogs able to catch their own prey join here for a pack meeting," when he had the attention of every dog in the clearing, he continued, "Today Stealstar gave his last life to protect this pack and I know his pups, Snowclaw and Ginger, will miss him terribly, as will the rest of the pack. Tonight I will go to Skystone and next sunhigh I will choose my deputy." Flameclaw dipped his head to his pack and jumped off Highstone. He went into Blacktooth's den and said, "I'm sorry, Blacktooth. I know how much you loved him."
"Don't worry about me, Flameclaw. I'll be fine," Blacktooth said and pushed a pile of herbs toward him. "Next time any dog sees you, you'll be Flamestar."
"Yes, but not even I can take Stealstar's place. Bye." Flameclaw said and left to go Skystone.
When Flamestar got back to the camp from visiting the Skystone he jumped onto Highstone and called "Let all dogs able to catch their own prey gather here for a pack meeting." When the clearing was full he continued "I have chosen Brickpelt to be my deputy. I believe that when I give my last life, he will lead you with the same courage and bravery he has shown as a warrior."
Thank you, Flamestar," Brickpelt said and dipped his head to his leader. "I won't let you down." He said.
"You deserve it my friend," Flamestar said and dipped his head to the new deputy. He jumped off Highstone and let the pack congratulate the new deputy.
Blacktooth was lying near the entrance to her den. She kept glancing at her belly so Flamestar went up to her and asked "Are you okay?"
"Yes," Blacktooth said.
"Why do you keep glancing at your belly?" Flamestar asked.
"I'm expecting Stealstar's pups," Blacktooth said.
Flamestar was so happy "Blacktooth, that's so great!" he said. "Did he know?"
"No," Blacktooth said. "I didn't get a chance to tell him."
Just then a low moan came from the nursery. Moonpaw came out of the nursery "Blacktooth, I need you." She said and went back in.
"Okay," Blacktooth said and got up.
"What's going on?" Flamestar asked.
"Andromida is having her pups," Blacktooth said before going vanishing into the nursery. Flamestar followed her. Andromida moaned as a spasm shook her body.
"Not much longer," Moonpaw said to Andromida. "The first one's coming."
Flamestar heard a soft thud and looked over Blacktooth's shoulder to see a tiny bundle of fur against Andromida's belly. He watched as the second and third pups were born. Then he walked over to Snowclaw and lay down.
When the commotion calmed down, Flamestar asked, "What are you going to name them?"
Flamestar could tell he caught her off guard. "I haven't thought about that," she said. "How do I know what to name them?"
Snowclaw got up. "It's easy," she said. "I'll show you." She covered two of Andromida's pups with her paw. "Look at only this pup. Besides you, Blackclaw, and the other two pups, what comes to your mind when you look at him?"
"I guess holly leaves because his eyes are green," she said.
"So you could name him Hollypup," Snowclaw said. "But you have to be careful. Look at her." Snowclaw motioned to one of Andromida's daughters. "When I look at her, I think of snow but you can't name her Snowpup, because my daughter's name is Snowpup, but you could name her Whitepup."
"Okay, I get it," Andromida said. "Whitepup, I like that. I'll name her that. Now when I look at this one, I think of a lion because I see fierceness in her eyes. I'll name her Lionpup."
"That's a great name," Snowclaw said. "Are you and your pups going to stay?"
"Yes," Andromida said. "I want to give them a better life."
"What are you going to do about Blackclaw?" Snowclaw asked. "You know he will want you and the pups to go with him."
"I know," Andromida said. "I'm going to tell him that he needs to leave because I'm joining Eaglepack and my pups are staying with me!" Her pups started to whimper and her voice was soft and kind as she talked to them "It's okay, I didn't mean to scare you," she whispered and they stopped whimpering.
"Is this your first litter?" Snowclaw asked.
"Yes," Andromida said.
"By the way you treat them and the fact that you are not over worried about them, a dog might think you have had at least one litter before," Snowclaw said.
Flamestar could see that Snowclaw had caught Andromida by surprise. He tried to change the subject. "Snowclaw, you know our pups are six moons old, now. When do you want to have the ceremony?" he asked.
"Oh, I don't know," Snowclaw said.
"What about next sundown?" Firepup asked.
"That's a great idea," Flamestar said and touched his nose to each one of his pups heads.