The battle was the bloodiest one in moons. Brokenstar had led his warriors in blindly, giving little regard to their abilities. He did not stop to think about strategy. All he cared about was showing WindClan what brute force could do. Despite the horrific injuries, only two ShadowClan cats died. Two cats too young to be made warriors. However, not according to Brokenstar.

Cats had filed into the medicine den, bleeding heavily from various wounds. Each one taking up more space in the small den. It was impossible to keep the injured outside, as they would need constant attention. When there was barely breathing room, Yellowfang had to tell some of the warriors to sleep the pain away in their own nests.

Runningnose sorted the scattered herbs and did his best to clean up any remaining droplets of blood. Thanks to the chaos after the battle, the den was in disarray. Cats slept in hastily made nests, some of which were soaked in blood, and the air was stuffy with the stench of injured cats. There was no way for him to know who would die that night. He prepared deathberries so they could pass quickly.

The camp was unusually silent. Most cats would be busy at this time, but Blackfoot must have sent out too many patrols again. Or it was out of respect for the dead, injured, and grieving. Somewhere near the nursery, Dawncloud was wailing with grief for her lost kits. Yellowfang had gone to help her once everyone was healed, but it seemed more like an excuse to leave the den. It was heartbreaking, but Runningnose knew he could not help her, he had to focus on the injured.

Oh, StarClan, what are we going to do? Every battle created more wounds, depleting their supply of medicine. And so many cats were dying Runningnose wondered if the Clan would keep growing, despite Brokenstar's promises. A cat whimpered in her sleep. Please, StarClan. Just send me a sign. Or some guidance. We can't keep living like this.

"Runningnose, I'm back." Yellowfang stood at the entrance of the den with dead eyes, as if she had absorbed some of Dawncloud's grief. "Has anyone died?" she asked with a solemn nod towards the deathberries.

"No. I hope they won't." Yellowfang entered the den and sat beside him, making sure she did not step on any herbs or bloodstains. She looked more focused than before, but it was clear the battle still weighed on her. "Is Dawncloud feeling better?"

"No," she sighed. "Finchflight took her out on a walk."

"I think I may need one as well. Some fresh air would be nice."

"You should," she meowed with a forced, yet kind, smile. "You deserve a break."

Runningnose blinked at her gratefully. Relieved, he quickly said goodbye and exited the den into the night.

He took a deep breath, relishing the fresh air. It was warm out, but pretty soon leaf-fall would hit his Clan and he would need to stock up herbs for leaf-bare. Hopefully, it would be a quiet season. For now, though, he was able to enjoy the beautiful night in peace.

The night sky was gorgeous. The moon was nearly full, lighting up the night sky like a second sun. Stars dotted the sky but most were found in Silverpelt. The home of StarClan and his fallen Clanmates. Help us, StarClan. I do not care if it is a sign or some random words whispered into my head. Anything.

His prayers went unanswered yet again. He was secretly jealous of WindClan, who had easy access to StarClan. All they had to do was look up at the sky and see their ancestors. Runningnose needed a clearing. The medicine den had one nearby, but it could never beat the moor.

The Clanrock! There were no branches and he could easily see the night sky. Excitedly, he jumped up on the Clanrock, almost falling in the process. Even full-grown he was too small to jump on it in one leap.

Silverpelt was more visible now, and Runningnose pretended he could see which cats were which in the mass of stars. He knew they would listen now. Yellowfang told him to have faith, and he tried, but it was difficult when he was faced so much blood.

"Oh, StarClan," he whispered. "Please, send me a sign." He waited for a moment, sure that StarClan had abandoned them for good, then a star shot across the sky.

Everything around him turned to pitch black. The only light came from tall flames encircling him. Fire alone will save our Clan. This sentence was repeated louder and louder by a crowd of cats, while the flames grew higher until they blocked out all darkness. The Clanrock returned.

Finally, StarClan had sent him a sign! "Thank you StarClan," he whispered. "Thank you for looking down on my Clan." Maybe he should have more faith in his ancestors. Tomorrow he would go over this with Yellowfang, away from Brokenstar's prying ears.

"Hello!"

Runningnose nearly jumped out of his own skin when he heard the unexpected greeting. With an uninspiring squeak, he fell off the Clanrock and into the clump of ferns surrounding the medicine den.

As he ungracefully stood up, he noticed Brokenstar looking down at him with a small smile. The smile was unsettling. Brokenstar rarely smiled, to him or any other cat.

"Um, hello, Brokenstar." He bowed his head, hoping this show of respect would grant him some mercy if he was in trouble. "Shouldn't you be taking a nap? You woke up at sunhigh then fought in that battle."

"A strong warrior doesn't need to sleep to heal themself. I'll be in my nest at dawn." His smile widened, sending shivers down Runningnose's spine. If he was attempting to seem gentle, he was failing miserably. "I heard you whispering something up there. What was it?"

Runningnose mentally cursed himself for speaking aloud. "Oh… um just remembering some herbs." Brokenstar narrowed his eyes suspiciously. "A good medicine cat always reviews his herbs."

"Really?" Runningnose was pretty sure the smile was more of a warning at this point. "You were acting quite odd up there. I could have sworn you sounded like you were saying some sort of prophecy. Something about fire and our Clan?"

Runningnose sighed. "I did get a prophecy from StarClan," he admitted. "'Fire alone will save our Clan'. I-I wasn't going to tell you until later. After I understood it." He hated lying to his leader, but this is something StarClan would want him to do. Right? Hopefully, the bow did grant him some mercy.

"What do you think it means?"

"It is pretty obvious. Something that represents fire will save our Clan."

"Since 'it is pretty obvious' why don't you tell me what is being represented."

"Um. I don't know yet. I have had no time to think about it. But it will probably be a symbol." Brokenstar glared at him. "Maybe you could just look around for anything that looks like fire and go from there. Like an herb. Or a cat."

"Interesting," Brokenstar mused. "Come with me. I would like to hear more about this prophecy." Brokenstar flicked his tail, guiding him towards his den. Shakily, Runningnose followed him, wondering how he could describe a prophecy he had just received to Brokenstar.

"Shouldn't we tell Yellowfang first? She is a medicine cat."

"No," Brokenstar growled. "That she-cat is a threat to the Clan. I am not going to trust her with any prophecy."

It would be best to tell Yellowfang anyways. Brokenstar was biased for unknown reasons. But, based on his sudden appearance, the dark tom had eyes and ears everywhere. There was nothing he could do to stop him. Resigned, he understood that this prophecy would be twisted and hidden to fit his leader's horrific goals.

If only he was a better liar.

Allegiances

ShadowClan

Leader

Brokenstar - dark brown tabby tom with orange eyes and a broken tail

Deputy

Blackfoot - white tom with huge, jet-black paws

Medicine Cats

Yellowfang - dark gray she-cat with a snub nose

Runningnose - small, sickly gray-and-white tom

Warriors

Brackenfoot - pale ginger tom with dark ginger legs

(Father to Mintkit and Marigoldkit)

Finchflight - black-and-white tom

Frogtail - dark gray tom

(Apprentice, Applepaw)

Newtspeck - black-and-ginger tabby she-cat

(Apprentice, Whitepaw)

Ashheart - pale gray she-cat with blue eyes

Scorchwind - ginger tabby tom

Nutwhisker - brown tom with amber eyes

Rowanberry - brown-and-cream she-cat with amber eyes

(Apprentice, Snowpaw)

Boulder - skinny gray tom

(Apprentice, Wetpaw)

Russetfur - dark ginger she-cat with dark green eyes

Wolfstep - gray tom with a torn ear

(Apprentice, Ratpaw)

(Father to Badgerkit)

Clawface - battle-scarred brown tom

(Apprentice, Littlepaw)

Nightpelt - black tom

Deerfoot - dark gray-and-white tom

Flintfang - gray tom

Stumpytail - short-tailed brown tabby tom with darker stripes

(Apprentice, Brownpaw)

(Father to Oakkit)

Cinderfur - thin gray tom

Tallpoppy - long-legged light brown tabby she-cat

Darkflower - black she-cat

Apprentices

Applepaw - mottled brown she-cat

Brownpaw - brown tom with bright yellow eyes

Littlepaw - very small brown tabby tom

Wetpaw - gray tabby she-cat with yellow eyes

Ratpaw - brown tom

Whitepaw - black she-cat with a white chest and paws

Snowpaw - pure-white she-cat with green eyes

Queens

Brightflower - orange tabby she-cat with a snub nose

(Mother to Mintkit and Marigoldkit)

Tangleburr - gray-and-brown she-cat

(Mother to Oakkit)

Fernshade - tortoiseshell-and-white she-cat

(Mother to Badgerkit)

Dawncloud - small pale ginger tabby she-cat

Kits

Badgerkit - black-and-white tom-kit with a white stripe on his face

Oakkit - small light brown tom-kit

Mintkit - gray tabby tom-kit

Marigoldkit - tortoiseshell she-kit

ThunderClan

Leader

Bluestar - blue-gray she-cat with blue eyes and a silver tinged muzzle

Deputy

Redtail - small tortoiseshell tom with a distinctive ginger tail

(Apprentice, Dustpaw)

Medicine Cat

Spottedleaf - beautiful dappled dark tortoiseshell-and-white she-cat

Warriors

Lionheart - magnificent golden tabby tom with thick fur around his neck

(Apprentice, Graypaw)

(Father to Thornkit, Brackenkit, Cinderkit, and Brightkit)

Brindleface - pretty pale gray tabby she-cat with darker flecks

Tigerclaw - big dark brown tabby with amber eyes and unusually long front claws

(Apprentice, Ravenpaw)

Whitestorm - big white tom with yellow eyes

(Apprentice, Sandpaw)

Willowpelt - very pale gray she-cat with unusual blue eyes

Runningwind - swift light brown tabby tom

Mousefur - small dusky-brown she-cat

Darkstripe - sleek, black-and-gray tabby tom with yellow eyes

Longtail - pale tabby tom with dark black stripes and a long tail

Apprentices

Dustpaw - dark brown tabby tom

Ravenpaw - small, skinny black tom with a white dash on his chest and a white-tipped tail

Sandpaw - pale ginger she-cat with green eyes

Graypaw - long-haired gray tom with a darker stripe running down his back

Queens

Speckletail - pale golden tabby she-cat with amber eyes

Goldenflower - pale ginger she-cat with yellow eyes

(Mother to Swiftkit and Leapkit)

Frostfur - beautiful white she-cat with blue eyes

(Mother to Thornkit, Brackenkit, Cinderkit, and Brightkit)

Kits

Swiftkit - black-and-white tom-kit with amber eyes

Leapkit - pale ginger tom-kit with black patches

Thornkit - golden-brown tabby tom-kit

Brackenkit - golden-brown tabby tom-kit with amber eyes

Cinderkit - smoky-gray she-kit with blue eyes

Brightkit - white she-kit with ginger patches

Elders

Smallear - gray tom with very small ears

One-eye - pale gray she-cat with one yellow eye; virtually blind and deaf

Dappletail - once-pretty tortoiseshell-and-white she-cat with a lovely dappled coat

Halftail - big dark brown tabby tom with part of his tail missing

Patchpelt - small black-and-white tom with amber eyes

(Father to Swiftkit and Leapkit)

Rosetail - gray tabby she-cat with a bushy pinkish-orange tail

WindClan

Leader

Tallstar - black-and-white tom with amber eyes and a long tail

Deputy

Deadfoot - lean black tom with a broken front paw

Medicine Cat

Barkface - short-tailed dark brown tom

Warriors

Cloudrunner - pale gray tom with blue eyes

Plumclaw - dark gray she-cat

Ryestalk - gray tabby she-cat with amber eyes

(Apprentice, Robinpaw)

Doespring - light brown she-cat

Pigeonwing - dark gray tom with white patches

(Apprentice, Thrushpaw)

Flywing - white tom

Wrenflight - brown she-cat

Oatwhisker - creamy-brown tabby tom

Rushtail - light creamy-brown tom

Darkfoot - black tom with big paws

(Apprentice, Stonepaw)

Mudclaw - mottled dark brown tabby tom

Tornear - gray tabby tom with a torn ear

(Apprentice, Runningpaw)

(Father to Tawnykit)

Onewhisker - light brown tabby tom with one white whisker

Crowfur - black tom with a silver muzzle

(Father to Webkit and Whitekit)

Apprentices

Thrushpaw - pale brown tabby she-cat

Runningpaw - gray tabby she-cat

Robinpaw - light brown she-cat

Queens

Larksplash - tortoiseshell-and-white she-cat

(Mother to Webkit and Whitekit)

Sorrelheart - gray-and-brown she-cat

(Mother to Tawnykit)

Morningflower - tortoiseshell she-cat

Ashfoot - gray she-cat

Kits

Webkit - gray tabby tom-kit

Whitekit - white she-kit

Tawnykit - golden-brown she-kit

Elders

Mistmouse - light brown tabby she-cat

RiverClan

Leader

Crookedstar - huge light brown tabby tom with a broken jaw

Deputy

Oakheart - reddish-brown tom

Medicine Cat

Mudfur - long-haired light brown tom

Warriors

Whitefang - pure-white tom with brown paws and a brown tabby tail

(Father to Heavykit, Silverkit, and Shadekit)

Ivytail - brown tabby she-cat

Voleclaw - gray tom

Petaldust - tortoiseshell-and-white she-cat

(Apprentice, Vixenpaw)

Dawnbright - ginger-and-white she-cat

Mallowtail - tabby tortoiseshell-and-white she-cat

Frogleap - gray tabby tom

Blackclaw - smoky-black tom

Skyheart - pale brown tabby she-cat

Reedtail - pale gray tabby tom with a long, thin darker tail

(Apprentice, Grasspaw)

Loudbelly - dark brown tom

Leopardfur - unusually spotted golden tabby she-cat

(Apprentice, Whitepaw)

Stonefur - blue-gray tom

Mistyfoot - blue-gray she-cat

(Apprentice, Mosspaw)

Silverstream - pretty slender silver tabby she-cat

Greenflower - brown tabby she-cat with a white splash under her chin and one white hind paw

Apprentices

Vixenpaw - black she-cat with a ginger tail

Grasspaw - brown tabby tom

Whitepaw - black tom with one white paw

Mosspaw - tortoiseshell she-cat with a white chest

Queens

Sedgecreek - brown tabby she-cat

(Mother to Heavykit, Silverkit, and Shadekit)

Kits

Heavykit - thickset tabby tom-kit

Silverkit - silver-gray tom-kit

Shadekit - very dark gray she-kit

Elders

Owlfur - brown-and-white tom

Softwing - white she-cat with light brown tabby patches

Graypool - thin gray she-cat with patchy fur and a scarred muzzle

Cats Outside Clans

Princess - light brown tabby kittypet she-cat with a white chest and paws who lives near the forest

Rusty - handsome ginger kittypet tom with green eyes who lives with Princess

Barley - black-and-white barn tom who lives on a farm near the forest

There will be some changes, but I will stick to the original plot as much as possible, but there will still be changes. I did make Wetpaw (Wetfoot) and Whitepaw (Whitethroat) she-cats. Mainly because there were too many toms as apprentices, which would mean there would be two she-cat apprentices.

I'll try to update this story often. I don't have a set schedule, but there will be another chapter AT LEAST twice a week.