Tigerheart raced through the forest, the fire on his heels. In his jaws, Battlekit squealed.

The terrible sound of the dogs echoed in his mind as he ran. He had to reach the island before the fire reached him. Or the dogs, of course.

Snowbird, Smokefoot, and Snaketail tagged alongside him.

Tigerheart sprang onto the log, which was wet as water. He skidded and would have fell into the dark water if it wasn't for a sharp grip pulling at his scruff.

He looked up and saw Olivegaze. "Thanks." He said, voice muffled by Battlekit.

Olivegaze dipped her head. "Come on! RUN!" she shouted, and leaped onto the island.

Tigerheart followed. Where was the rest of the Clan?

***

"Flametail, grab all the herbs you can and run." Littlecloud's voice was gruff.

"But-"

"Now!"

The sound of barking grew closer. Littlecloud grabbed some cobwebs and rushed out of the den. Flametail raced after him.

The sound of barking was still there. Flametail looked around and spotted Littlecloud. He dashed over to his mentor.

The run to the Gathering was a hard one. Sparks flew through the air, and branches fell as thunder roared. Lightning struck in the air as rains created thick steam that clotted Flametail's nostrils.

The island was in sight. Littlecloud raised his tail and began to run, but a burning branch fell directly in front of him. Littlecloud backed up into Flametail.

"Littlecloud, I'm scared." Flametail whispered.

Littlecloud's whiskers trembled. "I know."

"Are we going to die?" Flametail asked.

Littlecloud didn't answer. Then the sound of barking came nearer and a large dog burst through the bushes. Its fur was charred and messy, and its eyes deranged and wild. It ranted in tongues that no cat would understand, strange howls and hoots.

The dog narrowed its eyes and charged. Littlecloud pulled Flametail out of the way just in time. The tabby stood in front of his apprentice, fur bristling and eyes gleaming with determination.

The dog got ready to charge again. With a screech, Littlecloud leaped on the dog's snout, hissing and biting. The dog shook Littlecloud off. Littlecloud opened his eyes just in time to see a sharp teeth coming towards him.

"Littleclo-" Flametail started, but his voice broke off into a cough. Was it him or was it getting hard to breath?

Then a burning branch fell directly on the dog. It collapsed, howling in pain as it's fur burned. Flametail ran over to his mentor.

There was a long, narrow gash along Littlecloud's side. It was oozing blood and dog saliva.

"Flametail," Littlecloud panted. "Go ahead. I'll be-" He winced. "I'll catch up."

"No- no, I'm staying here."

"If you stay here, you'll burn. Or end up like me. I'll be fine. Just promise me you'll save yourself."

"No!" Fury surged through Flametail. "I won't let you die…"

"I'll finally get to live among StarClan…" Littlecloud whispered.

"No you won't. Here-" Flametail grabbed some cobwebs and matted them on his mentor's tabby pelt.

"Don't waste cobwebs on me. There will be others hurt."

"No." Flametail gritted his teeth. "Littlecloud, get up."

Littlecloud winced and slowly got up. His face gritted in pain as Flametail pressed the cobwebs closer to his wound.

"Lean on me." Flametail hissed. Littlecloud obeyed, like a blank puppet. His weakness frustrated Flametail. He wasn't used to seeing his mentor like this- there was a possibility that Littlecloud might actually die. No. That would never happen. It couldn't. Why didn't every cat have nine lives?

***

"Flametail!" Tigerheart raced towards Flametail. His brother's pelt was matted with dirt and singed at the edges, and Littlecloud was leaning on him, his blood soaking Flametail's pelt.

"Ugh." Flametail collapsed onto the dirt. All four clans were there- that was why the island was so crowded.

"Are you okay?" Tawnypelt's voice flooded his ears, reminding him of Littlecloud.

Flametail cracked open an eye. He got up on shaky paws, blue eyes quivering with fear.

Littlecloud was there. His cobwebs were heavy with blood, making Flametail's stomach churn. He vomited and coughed.

Then he saw Mothwing. The golden tabby had brought herbs. Wonderful herbs! Yes. The herbs would save his mentor. They had to.

"I think you should leave." Tawnypelt's warm scented wreathed him. "I know how hard this is for you."

Flametail gazed at the forest burning, listening to the howls that came beneath. If he fell asleep, this grisly scene would haunt his dreams. If he stayed awake, he'd be tormented by this terrible reality.

The worst had finally come. It was his time. It was time for three to rise.

XXX

Ooh! I love this chapter. This is why it's rated T. I'm thinking of changing the summary and the genre. Cause Family/Adventure isn't really working now. What are your thoughts?

:)

-Lukos (That's not my real name)