Screams filled the air as the large tabby fell still. The black cat lifted his head, watching as some of the forest cats fled. Others watched on in horror. He pulled his reinforced claws out of the other cat's chest.
"Three days," His voice cut through the air like a cold Leafbare breeze. "You have three days to leave or we'll make you."
"Firestar you can't be serious!" Yowls arose from the gathered Clan. Firestar's tail lashed as he tried to steady himself. He was serious. They had been found. They had been found and TigerClan needed a place to go and Feathertail was injured and Brambleheart was being held prisoner. This was their only option. They had won.
Tigerstar had won. StarClan had won.
All Firestar wanted to do was curl up in his den and sleep. Pretend like it was just another day. Long before Tallstar's death and Squirrelpaw and the others had left but he could not. He needed to protect his Clan and right now that meant throwing it to the dogs. Firestar took a deep breath.
"They are weak," he forced his voice to come out strong. "Right now, as it stands, TigerClan will not be a threat to us. They have no means to be."
"But what about when they regain strength?" A brown tabby looked up at him, "Even though some of us were not part of WindClan as this happened, we know what happened. We know what Tigerstar is capable of." her tail lashed, "We have just defended our territory from outsiders!" More yowls of support came.
"I am not going to force anyone to come. However, this is WindClan," Firestar replied. "We have proven ourselves strong. We are resilient and we are the last Clan remaining." He rose to his paws, breathing deeply as his head began to feel fuzzy again.
"We owe this to the Clans," Firestar continued. "WindClan is not meant to be alone – none of the Clans are. This is StarClan's will."
He hated using their name and Firestar could feel nothing but fury toward their warrior ancestors but it was true. It was true and this was something that the Clan would listen to. The others certainly had.
They would be doing this at StarClan's will. Firestar almost wanted to laugh; they had finally gotten him. He was not going to let any other cat take his place and so they had gotten him.
"StarClan led us here – allowed us to become strong. To learn about SkyClan and learn from the Clans' past mistakes." His tail was lashing. He could barely feel himself speak. "ThunderClan, ShadowClan, and RiverClan are not lost causes. It is not too late for them. After fire, there is regrowth. No matter how wicked. WindClan is strong and we will nurture this regrowth." A few excited yowls arose. Firestar continued.
"We will do that by bringing down one of the biggest threats the Clans have ever faced." Firestar would be facing it head-on. He needed to, not some foolish kit. "This is the destiny WindClan faces. This was what we were brought here to do. Again, I understand that this is daunting and you will not be judged if you choose to stay. Speak now, if you so choose." Firestar looked across his warriors, expectantly. His heart thumped against his chest.
Silence answered their leader.
His shoulders eased as his chest tightened.
What was he about to lead his Clan toward?