Chapter 90

LAST CHAPTER BEFORE EPILOGUE !!

Jaystar led her hunting party deeper into the silent forest where barely any mice scurried the ground or any birds called from the trees. It was an omen. An omen of terrible things coming their way. Jaystar felt did as did Dovewing who walked beside her. The two of them- plus the medicine cats, Applefrost and Willowshine- had been trying to figure out what Jayfeather meant when the time of the Clans would be over. Were all the Clan cats really going to die? Or did StarClan have some greater destiny for them? Jaystar tried to talk to Jayfeather again, but he would not walk with her in her dreams. Was he ashamed to tell her they were going to die?

"I don't know how you ThunderClan cats can stand hunting in the forest," Crowfeather growled softly from where he walked in between Lionblaze and Dovewing. Since the news of the dog pack, Jaystar had ordered that all patrols have a minimum of five warriors. Five cats weren't enough to stop a whole dog pack, but it was better than two or three.

"I know what you mean, Crowfeather, its so different from ShadowClan territory," Brokenheart meowed, bringing up the rear of the patrol. Jaystar had always started going hunting with Brokenheart and Crowfeather- never letting them out of her sight. If something were to happen to the two of them- Willowshine as well- then ShadowClan, WindClan, and RiverClan would be completely gone. With them still alive at least a small hope remained for the destroyed Clans. "It's so light. There are hardly any shadows to stalk in."

"Squirrel," Lionblaze whispered suddenly and every cat dropped to a crouch, glancing around until they saw the small creature nibbling on a nut. Crowfeather took a step forward, but Lionblaze put his tail in front of him. "You got the rabbit earlier. Let a ThunderClan warrior show you how to catch a squirrel. Dovewing, go!"

Dovewing nodded and sprang forward. In the middle of her jump, the squirrel looked up and spotted them, taking off into the forest, Dovewing hot on its tail. Turning to Lionblaze, Jaystar ordered, "After her. I don't want any cat left alone."

Lionblaze sprang to follow her, but Dovewing returned a moment later, her eyes wide with horror. Lionblaze was first to speak. "Dovewing, what's wrong? Is it the dogs?"

In one word Dovewing explained everything...

In one word Dovewing made Jaystar's heart stop...

In one word Dovewing revealed the threat that would destroy ThunderClan...

Fire.

*

"Everyone try and get as many cats out of the territory as possible! Take them to Smoky's barn!" Jaystar ordered as they ran, her sides heaving as she knew this was the end for ThunderClan. Firestar's Clan. Her Clan. As Jaystar headed towards her camp, she could start scenting the smell of smoke and if she looked hard enough, fire danced in between the trees.

As she ran, Jaystar was having flashbacks and knew it was her life flashing before her eyes...

Becoming a medicine cat apprentice...

The first battle with ShadowClan...

Earning her warrior name...

Giving birth to Rabbitclaw, Rushleaf, and Amberkit...

Mentoring Brackenspot...

Becoming ThunderClan's deputy...

Her nine lives...

And now this. Jaystar knew that when she was with StarClan, she would always remember this night. The night she died.

Jaystar didn't remember going into ThunderClan camp, but she did remember what she saw there. Dozens of cats- her Clanmates- racing around, searching for the kits and apprentices. The youngest must escape first.

As soon as they entered the camp, Jaystar's patrol abandoned her to help their Clanmates, already coughing with all the smoke in the air.

"Jaystar! Jaystar!" Jaystar turned and watched Stripepaw stumble towards her, the younger cat's eyes red because of the smoke. "Jaystar, have you seen my mother or Cedarpaw? I can't find them anywhere!"

"What about Toadflower?" Surely Blossomwhisker's mate would know where she was as long with his missing kit.

Stripepaw shook her head and whispered, "Jaystar, Toadflower is dead. He and Crookedpaw died when the apprentices' den collasped."

Jaystar glanced at the apprentices' den and saw that it was nothing more than a pile of ash. Turning back to Stripepaw with a heavy heart, Jaystar murmured, "I'll go find them. Go and stay with Lionblaze. He'll help you to escape."

Jaystar watched Stripepaw run away and raced around, searching for Blossomwhisker brown coat. Jaystar was still mourning over the loss of Toadflower- one of her best friends- but she knew she couldn't grieve right now. There was too much happening.

Jaystar ducked her head into the warriors' den and almost left until she recognized the black-and-white heap of fur in the corner. It was Cedarpaw! And beside him was Blossomwhisker! Jaystar padded towards them and watched as Cedarpaw opened her amber eyes and stared at her. "Jaystar? Jaystar, Blossomwhisker won't wake up."

Jaystar glanced down and saw that another old friend had joined StarClan. Bending down to touch her muzzle to Blossomwhisker's fur, Jaystar murmured, "I'm sorry, Cedarpaw, but theres nothing anyone can do now. Here let me help you get out of here."

Jaystar let Cedarpaw lean on her shoulder and the two of them stumbled out of the warriors' den in time to hear Beargaze yowl, "The fire's at the entrance! We're trapped!"

"What about the hidden entrance? The one we found our about seasons ago!" This yowl was Bumblethroat's and Jaystar spotted him, helping Badgerleaf walk towards the nursery where there was enough rumble to climb out and escape. Jaystar was about to follow them when another voice called out.

"I already tried over there! The fire is too close!" It was Foxfang who was racing around the whole camp, trying to make sure everyone was okay. Jaystar snarled under her breath. Was StarClan really trying to kill them?

"Jaystar, try the wall," Jaystar glanced at the stone wall that had a couple ledges where a cat- if they had wings- could jump on to. What was Jayfeather thinking?! No cat could jump up there, but Jaystar then realized what Jayfeather was trying to do. Give her hope.

"Everyone try the wall!" Jaystar yowled and like she predicted, many cats were challenging her decision.

"What?!" That was Butterflypaw.

"Are you mousebrain, Jaystar?" That was Sandstorm.

"We can't jump that high!" That was Coalpaw.

"Just do it! We don't have another choice!" That was Thornclaw, always keeping calm under hard siturations. Jaystar hoped her made it out alive. There was not many cats like him.

Jaystar grabbed Cedarpaw's scruff in her mouth and jumped up to the closest ledge, praying she would not fall. When stone touched her paws, Jaystar began springing up the rest of the ledges, hope flying in her chest. Were they going to make it?

Suddenly a stone gave way and Jaystar felt herself fall backwards.

"No!" She yowled, but it was too late. Jaystar and Cedarpaw slammed onto the stone that served as their ground for many seasons and the rocks tumbled on what remained of ThunderClan's camp.

The end of the Clans had come.

*

Jaystar opened her eyes and found herself at the island, surrounded by dozens upon dozens of cats.

Blackstar was there with Rabbitclaw and Amberkit, Rushleaf close by. Jaystar's heart sunk as she realized her daughter didn't make it out alive... Jaystar took a step towards them, but Blackstar shook his head. There would be time for them to see each other again soon.

Brackenfur and Sorreltail were there too with their real kits: Molepaw, Honeyfern, Stripepool, Cinderheart, and Poppyfrost. There was also a small golden brown kit who Jaystar took to be Rustkit. The kit that she had replaced.

Jaystar noticed that Leafpool was by herself, watching her Clanmates reunite with one another. Why was she alone? Was Crowfeather still alive? Did the Clans still live?

"The Clans are gone, Jaystar," Jaystar turned and saw Jayfeather padding towards her, his cloudy blue eyes sharp with pain as he spoke, "Thunder, Shadow, Wind, and River will soon fade from all living cats memory, but not all cats will forget. There are survivors of this and they will rebuild the warrior code, uniting cats underneath one Clan."

"What Clan?" Jaystar asked, finding herself whispering.

"Walk with me, Jaystar, and I will show you the future. Walk with me and I will show you how JayClan triumphs."

Author's Note: Well there it is. There will soon be another chapter about explaining what happened to JayClan a season after the end of the first Clans... you will see some familiar faces and some new.

I will also be adding a chapter explaining the changes made from my first copy of this story and the new one. You don't have to read it, but I thought I would upload it for fun.