So I'm trying to push out chapters before my workload gets too stressful and I'm too tired to write. OOHhhh BOY I can safely say that I hate my classes. Especially the one class I had just now- you want me to pay more money in order for you to proctor my tests? This teacher can't seriously believe that no one is going to find ways to cheat right? Bruh FFS
So anyways, I pushed out another chapter for you people. Just don't expect updates everyday now that I have classes to contend with. ;-;
Reviews are appreciated!
Brambleclaw wasn't expecting to receive much fanfare when he and Jayfeather returned to the Thunderclan camp. Surely the clan didn't actually think he went to the Moonpool to receive nine lives? He was sorely mistaken when he stepped into camp, and the cats standing guard announced his oh so grand return. Then every cat was pouring out of their dens, congratulating him for receiving his nine lives.
"Bramblestar! Bramblestar! Bramblestar!"
"I'm not Bramblestar," he interjected dryly. Their congratulatory yowls died down into confused mutterings. "I'm still the same old Brambleclaw you saw yesterday night. You know, the deputy of Thunderclan and not its leader?"
"Didn't you go to the Moonpool to become leader?" Berrynose asked a confused expression on his face.
"Now what gave you that impression? No, Jayfeather and I only trekked up there to give Starclan a piece of our minds. Not that I was eligible to receive nine lives anyway," Brambleclaw meowed.
"What do you mean? Is there supposed to be someone else more qualified leading us instead?" Thornclaw yelled from the crowd.
"Yes there is actually." Brambleclaw's neutral expression turned into a glare. "His name is Firestar, I'm sure you all remember him," he said sarcastically. "So yeah, it turns out that Starclan doesn't like it when cats chase out a leader. They still recognize the leader, even if chased out, as the leader of that clan until they step down willingly or die. Since Firestar was chased out instead of being killed or willingly retired, Starclan still recognizes him as our leader. You all know what that means don't you?"
He could see Sandstorm's relieved looking face within the crowd, happy that her mate wouldn't be replaced so easily. Graystripe was next to her, looking equally relieved.
"It means we have to go out, find him, and bring him back you mouse-brains!" Jayfeather snapped, unhappy with the persisting silence that seemed to plague the clan. Honestly, it wasn't a hard answer!
Half of the clan shuffled on their paws nervously, and Brambleclaw was sure that they were still scared of what Firestar was. Didn't they know that Firestar was possibly breaking down with no one to help him? He held in his anger- getting angry at the clan wouldn't help Firestar's case.
"Look, Firestar has always been there for anyone who needed help. But when he needed us the most, when he needed help figuring out how to go about his new changes, this clan shunned and avoided him, all because of some scales, wings, and fire breath was so unknown to us. I know it seemed scary living with such a cat- but did any of you consider how Firestar felt about everything?" Brambleclaw spoke. He scanned the gazes of the clan- some seemed remorseful, some understanding, and some that looked as if the message hadn't sunk in.
"No one ever asked Firestar how he felt. I can imagine that he was scared out of his mind, having some stone attach itself to him and suddenly be turned into what he is now. What's even scarier was the sudden lack of support from this clan. He had no one to turn to so he clung onto some of us because he needed help. He was so busy trying to adhere to everyone's wishes that he was unable to confront what really happened to him. He was so busy trying to keep himself from hurting anyone that half of the clan didn't bother coming to terms what happened themselves," he said tersely. If these cats couldn't see what he was trying to convey, then that was their problem. But he was going to track Firestar down and drag him back, even if most of his body sustained major burns and deep scratches.
And then he would help Firestar get through his troubles and restore the dead spark in his eyes back to life.
"I'm going to bring him back- if anyone wants to help, I'll be grateful," he said.
"You can't leave! We would have no leader and no deputy if you do!" someone cried.
Brambleclaw flattened his ears. "Considering how some of you have been treating Firestar, I don't see how that's my problem."
"Calm down Brambleclaw, you're not acting right," Jayfeather said. "They're right, you can't leave the clan or we'll be even weaker than before. Someone else has to go." Brambleclaw angrily lashed his tail; he wasn't feeling up to being deputy right now. He just wanted to find Firestar.
"I'll go," Squirrelflight said as she stepped forward. "I haven't been a good daughter lately have I?" she admitted sheepishly.
Lionblaze raised his paw, only for Hollyleaf to push him down. She gave him a shake of her head; if he left, Thunderclan would easily fall to the Dark Forest. Lionblaze dug his claws into the ground, frustrated that he couldn't help. Other cats glanced at each other nervously, wondering who would join Squirrelflight on the quest.
"I want to go!" Cherrypaw exclaimed.
"Cherrypaw, no! You're much too young to go off on some ridiculous search party!" Poppyfrost shrieked.
"No! It's not ridiculous!" she whirled around to face her mother. "I'm the reason he was transformed in the first place. He was the one who saved me from burning to death in a forest fire! I'm not going to sit back anymore when my leader clearly needs help!" the apprentice yowled. Poppyfrost stood rigid, shocked at her daughter's declaration. Cherrypaw raced over to Squirrelflight's side and sat down, unmoving in her position.
"Well, I guess I'm going too," Foxleap said as he moved to join them. Cherrypaw looked up at her mentor, startled. "Hey, you're my apprentice. Someone has to keep you in line," he joked.
"Anyone else?" Brambleclaw called. There was silence before a quiet "I'll go" echoed throughout the camp, and Hollyleaf stepped forward.
"I've got some knowledge on herbs. I could be useful if anyone gets hurt," she said.
"Well, this is great and all, but we don't even know where Firestar flew off to!" Berrynose yowled from beside his distraught mate.
"Actually, when Brambleclaw and I spoke to Starclan, Yellowfang revealed that Firestar was hanging beyond the outskirts of Thunderclan territory. He hasn't been flying, so it shouldn't be too hard to catch a scent trail," Jayfeather meowed. "I'd leave as soon as you can if I were you. Who knows when Firestar will start moving again?"
"What about traveling herbs?" Hollyleaf inquired.
Jayfeather shook his head. "The fire took out a good chunk of my stores. I don't have enough traveling herbs for everyone. You'll just need to eat and get plenty of rest along the journey." He flicked his tail, signaling for this small patrol to follow him into the medicine den, and Brambleclaw watched after them. He wanted nothing more than to join them and help find Firestar, but his current duty was to Thunderclan as it's temporary leader.
'Good luck, and please bring him back.'
Annnd the search party is off! Cherrypaw has a role at last. Originally I wanted Brambleclaw to be apart of the search party but he's deputy of Thunderclan and he needs to hold everyone together, plus uniting the clans for the DF threat. Lion, Jay, and Dove obviously can't come because they're needed for the Dark Forest stuff. Plus with a ton of burnt herbs, Thunderclan will need all the medicine cats they can get, so Leafpool stays.
Only problem is now I haven't many ideas for what the search party will go through. oof
Next chapter should be back to Firestar, and fortunately, I've got ideas for him.
Tell me how I did.