This is the final chapter of The Demon Clans 3: The Cursed Forest. But don't worry. The story isn't over yet. I should have the next story in the Demon Clans story up something this week. The main character won't be Flightwing anymore. Want a hint? It has something to do with Spottedclaw.
"Of course I will do it," said Nightspeaker. The alive specials and she were standing at the gate. She turned to Auraclaw, "I will head up there now and get ready. I will first get rid of what I did on Pebbletail like I promised."
"I can't believe you are going to do this," whispered Flightwing.
Hazelpaw gave his aunt a reassuring lick. "Don't worry. Just do what you need to do here."
The six alive specials then headed over to Lionstar and Robinfang who were waiting beyond the gate. "Good luck," whispered Robinfang.
Auraclaw groaned and opened her eyes. Where was she? She could hear yelling. Auraclaw realized with a jolt that she was in the Treeclan camp. Smokefur and Fangclaw were lying right next to her, their bodies covered in slashes. Auraclaw carefully lifted her head to see Pebbletail yelling at Cedarstar. Thornheart was slowly padding over to Pebbletail. Auraclaw got to her paws, just in time to see Pebbletail gasp and back up a few steps.
"What…what have I been doing?" He turned and looked at Auraclaw, "Auraclaw…I…I didn't mean to…"
Auraclaw shook her head, "Don't worry. It was never your fault." She turned to Cedarstar, "Gather everyone and head for the gathering ground. Everything will be explained there." Noticing the confused faces looking at her, Auraclaw continued, "I mean it. Everything will be explained there. Oh. And don't worry about Pebbetail and the cats with him. They won't do anything. Oh. And Smokefur and Fangclaw. The two of you should head on home. Be gone before we return." Smokefur and Fangclaw were confused but they obeyed Auraclaw.
After some more pushing Cedarstar finally took control. He still didn't trust Pebbletail to be around the kits so he told Pebbletail and his group to go with them. Pebbetail agreed as well.
At the gathering grounds, the Treeclan cats entered the circle of rocks to see the rest of the clans were already there. Firewind, Scalefur and Hazelpaw were sitting on the rocks that the leaders were supposed to sit on. Cinderstream was sitting on the ground next to the rock that Hazelpaw was on. Auraclaw left Cedarstar's side and jumped onto the rock that Cedarstar would sit on.
Firewind yowled, signaling the beginning of the gathering. He looked up at the starry filled sky and said, "I know this seems odd but there is a reason behind it." Firewind took a deep breath before launching into the story about how Risingdawn was creating specials to get his revenge on the clans. How Risingdawn was going to attack Starclan when he had enough specials.
Mummers ran through the clans. It was obvious that they could not believe what was going on. "I know it is hard to believe," spoke up Scalefur, "But it is true. The four of us were there, helping Flightwing and the other specials defeat him."
"However he escaped," spoke up Hazelpaw, "And we have learned from the Starclan cats that Risingdawn can see whatever the specials are doing and only the specials. That means if we stay here then he might be able to return and try to starve the clans again like he is doing now."
Auraclaw took a deep breath and said, "So we have decided to leave the clans."
Protests rang up from the clan cats.
"How are we going to live without specials?"
"How can you defy Starclan like this?"
"Starclan has accepted this!" yowled Cinderstream. Everyone stopped talking and stared at the medicine cat. "I would know. I was with them."
"Starclan sent me a dream," spoke up Skypaw, "Lionstar was in it. He said there were going to be lots of changes in the clans. Changes that would affect all of our lives."
"But…" protested Streampelt, "You aren't just the special. You are also valuable members of the clans."
"That is why we have asked a deceased special for help," said Auraclaw, "We have asked her…" Auraclaw paused before saying, "To erase us and the whole concept of specials from the minds of all of you."
Protests rang up louder this time. "You can't! cried Spottedclaw, looking at Firewind. But Firewind refused to look at her. "You can't…"
"Skypaw," said Cinderstream to her apprentice.
"You are leaving as well aren't you?" asked Skypaw, looking at the ground.
Cinderstream licked her apprentice on the head, "I am sorry." She looked over at Twilight who was staring at the ground. Ruby was trying to comfort her father. Cinderstream padded over to him. "I'm sorry Twilight."
Twilight shook his head, "Somehow I already knew something like this would happen." He buried his face into his daugther's fur.
Cindestream backed away from Twilight and went over to the other specials who were bidding farewell to the other specials.
"Are you sure about this?" asked Waterstar.
"We are sure," said Scalefur.
Auraclaw noticed a star shining more brightly than the others. It was the signal. "Come on. Nightspeaker is ready."
The clan cats fell silent as the five specials walked out of the circle of rocks. They watched silently as the cats' figures became smaller and smaller. Pebbletail suddenly broke away from the group and began running after the specials. Before he was a fox length away he stopped in his tracks. What was he doing? He looked around, confused. He checked the moon. It wasn't full yet. He looked back to see all the other clan cats were looking around in confusion. Pebbletail had a feeling that something was missing but he shook the feeling away and padded over to Cedarstar who was leading the Treeclan cats back to camp.
Flightwing
Flightwing was standing in front of the gate. She smiled, knowing that now the cats of the Cursed Forest would be in good paws. Starclan would remove the walls surrounding the Cursed Forest and make it a part of Starclan. The work was already underway. Specials were using their powers to help the Starclan cats.
Applemind and Grayfang were standing together, their tails entwined. "Good luck," said Applemind.
Flightwing nodded, "Take good care of the special cats."
"Don't worry," said Grayfang, "We will."
"Sorry to keep you waitng!" Brightsky and Shadepaw were helping Nightspeaker over to Flightwing. "Nightspeaker here is exhausted on using her power on every single cat in the clans."
"Do you think you can travel?" asked Flightwing.
Nightspeaker nodded, "Don't insult me."
Lilystream padded over to the gate, "I still can't believe what you are going to do."
Flightwing smiled, "I know but I know I can do it."
"And don't forget," said Shadepaw, "She has us."
"Following the alive specials," whispered Grayfang, "Helping them in their dreams. You are courageous for you will be walking in new skies. Skies that other clans live in."
"I know," said Flightwing, "But I will visit here after they have settled in wherever they are going to live."
Lilystream smiled at her sister, "I know you will."
Flightwing turned around to the small group of specials that had decided not to stay in Starclan. Skypelt was among them as well as a bunch of specials that Flightwing didn't know.
"Should we get going?" asked Brightsky, "From what I saw they already started heading out."
Flightwing dipped her head to Applemind, "Thank you for all your help." She turned to the small group of specials that had gotten up. "Well let's go." Flightwing led the way into the foggy area near the Cursed Forest. It was in the same direction that the alive specials had went. "Whatever happens next. I will face it along with my friends."
Well that's the end. See you in Demon Clans 4!
