Firestar opened his eyes.
He was in a dip. The wind blew, causing the grass to sway. It was quiet. The leader forced himself to his paws, the pain he had just felt was gone. His wounds were gone. His mind was clearer than it had been in a very long time.
He knew where he was.
The last thing he could remember was the tightening tendril around his neck. Pain engulfing him. Brambleheart's panicked screams as water engulfed him and Tigerstar.
He was dead.
He eyed his surroundings cautiously. He had seen the Place of No Stars before; this was not it. Somehow, he was in StarClan. The hills surrounding him were not too steep but something told him that even if he tried, he would be unable to leave this place. He turned at the sound of approaching paws.
Anger bubbled in him as he recognized Spottedleaf. The tortoiseshell StarClan cat stopped in front of him. "Hello, Fireheart," She greeted. Firestar eyed her.
It had been so long since he had spoken to any of their warrior ancestors, not to mention the cat before him. He was not angry at her in particular, however, all he felt was rage toward the young medicine cat.
"My name is Firestar." As she did not answer, he continued. "Is this StarClan?" She shook her head. "Then where is it?" He still did not believe this was the Dark Forest.
"It is neither StarClan nor the Place of No Stars," She explained. "You will only be here temporarily."
"Is Tigerstar dead?" She nodded. Firestar shifted, relief overcoming him as it had never before. It was over. "Where is he?" Spottedleaf indicated behind him and Firestar turned, eyes widening at the sight.
Dark trees impossibly tall disappeared into the sky some distance away. He had not noticed them before. A shiver ran down his spine.
"Am I getting my lives?" Firestar looked back to the medicine cat. He could not leave WindClan as it was. Tigerstar was dead and both Clans needed all the help they could get.
He needed to go home.
"Your fate is being decided," Spottedleaf replied. "For now, you are to stay here." Frustration grew in him but he nodded.
"Tell them," His voice came out low, "I want what I'm owed." Her mottled tail brushed against his shoulder as she turned away.
"Reflect on yourself," the medicine cat meowed. "Think over your life." Anger flared. "I will be back." Firestar nodded, settling into the long grass around him as she disappeared back over the rise.
There was nothing he needed to think about. He knew what had happened. He knew what he was due.
Firestar had killed Tigerstar. That was the agreement.
They owed him lives. They owed him an apology. Only one of those was realistic.
Seasons could have passed for all Firestar knew when Spottedleaf returned. He lifted his head, gaze focused on her. Light amber eyes regarded him. "Well?" Firestar rose. "What is the verdict?"
"What have you learned from your reflection?" She asked. Firestar raised his head high.
"That I am owed lives," He replied. "The deal was I kill Tigerstar and I will get lives." His tail was twitching, "I wish to return to my Clan promptly." With the time that had passed, he easily could have been dead for so long.
Spottedleaf nodded. "Come here," Her voice was quiet. Firestar stepped forward, pausing as he recognized sadness brimmed in her eyes.
Firestar's belly dropped. He backed up. "I'm not going near you," He growled. "Give me what I am owed."
"Fireheart –"
"I am Firestar, leader of WindClan!" He bared his teeth. "I am doing nothing until I am given what I am owned!" He backed away from the medicine cat. She stepped toward him.
As expected, some invisible force kept him from going too far. Firestar's head jerked to the sky. "Face me and judge me!" He yowled. "Let me defend myself!" His claws extended as he looked back at the medicine cat in front of him. He did not want to hurt her but would if it came to it.
All he wanted was for them to keep their promise.
Spottedleaf eyed the angry warrior, stopping less than a fox length away. "This does not need to be difficult," She began.
"You are not giving me what I am owed." His back arched, "I've rolled over too many times – I will not do it now."
"Spottedleaf." Both cats turned at a voice.
A gray tom had come over the hill. Cold eyes glanced at Firestar. "They'll see him." The tortoiseshell looked surprised.
"Has this been done before?" She asked.
"There is a first for everything," The tom replied. He turned his attention to the leader, grunting, "You want judgment? Fine. They will give you it." The warrior raised his head, relief washing over him. "Come," He turned away. "Let us go."
"Who are you?" Firestar asked. Piercing yellow eyes looked back at him.
"My name is Hawkheart," He growled. "We mustn't keep them waiting." He started forward, the ThunderClan medicine cat following after. Firestar could do nothing but follow.
He let out a breath as they moved out of the down and away from the Place of No Stars. Firestar's eyes widened at the sight before them.
A lush land like he had never seen before lay ahead. He looked around cautiously as they entered, heading toward a patch of woods. The scent of prey hung in the air and he opened his mouth as he took it in. His stomach groaned. Starry cats watched as he was led through.
Firestar's chest tightened and he wanted to look down. Instead, he raised his head high, taking a deep breath.
Hawkheart led them around a thicket. Firestar's head did lower at the sight before him. He paused in his step, his mind racing, as Tallstar stepped toward him.
Yellow eyes regarded him and Firestar lowered himself to his leader. "I apologize," He began, "I did not intend to lie to you."
"I understand." Firestar looked up at the StarClan cat, surprised. Warm eyes blinked at him. "I've told you before – the choice was up to you." Firestar shakily nodded. A weight on him eased.
"I'll go tell them you're here," Hawkheart had walked further into the clearing. Firestar noticed for the first time that Yellowfang and Bluestar were here, too. The StarClan cat looked at Firestar as he continued, "You will be called in soon enough." The warrior's eyes were as cold as ever.
Spottedleaf moved to the ThunderClan leader's side as Hawkheart left. Firestar stepped forward, his gaze focusing on Yellowfang. A purr was building in his throat as he pressed against the old medicine cat.
"It's good to see you," He murmured.
"We'll see how you feel about that in time," Yellowfang replied. When they pulled apart, Firestar glanced cautiously at Bluestar.
His former leader took a step toward him. "We can fix your eye – even just for right now," she meowed. "No one in StarClan needs bare a wound they don't want." Firestar backed away.
"It'd be strange to see at this point," he said. Bluestar had stopped in her step. They held each other's gazes. He knew that look. He had certainly given it to his kits time and time again. She still saw him as he was in ThunderClan.
But that Fireheart was gone. This had all started with Bluestar's death yet Firestar felt hurt by her. He had failed her; she had betrayed him.
"They're ready." Heads turned as Hawkheart appeared again. "Come."
Firestar started forward, pausing in his step as no one else came. He looked back at Tallstar and Yellowfang.
"We're not allowed to witness this," Yellowfang told him. "Only those who are judging you." Firestar shakily nodded, turning away.
Firestar squinted as he left the dark of the woods behind, entering a small gorge. A brook ran through it, separating him from the cats on its other side. Hawkheart signaled him to stop on a rock, stepping away as he did. The warrior held his head high, gazing intently across the water. Sunlight bore down on the gorge, lighting up his ginger pelt brilliantly.
"Fireheart, sit if you will."
"It's been a minute, hasn't it?" Firestar wrapped his tail around his paws as he sat back. "You've forgotten my name but I hope we haven't forgotten our agreement."
"Tigerstar is dead," it was Heatherstar who spoke, "And so are you."
"I expect my dues." He knew he should not speak like this to them but Firestar was angry.
"Fireheart," A ginger tom spoke, "What have you learned since you last spoke with Heatherstar?"
"That you will not respect me," The warrior looked across the StarClan warriors. "My name is Firestar, what are yours?"
"I am Sunstar," the tom spoke again. "I was leader of ThunderClan before Bluestar." Firestar nodded; he knew that name.
"Hailstar," the gray tom next to Heatherstar meowed. "Crookedstar is my predecessor."
"And I am Cedarstar," The last cat spoke. "Leader of ShadowClan before Raggedstar."
"You speak of respect and yet that is what you lack," Hailstar's eyes narrowed at the respondent. "You have learned nothing since you last spoke with Heatherstar."
"I have done as I was told, did I not?" Firestar meowed, "All I am asking for is to serve my Clan."
"You only did it when you felt you were forced," Heatherstar replied. "It was not of your own heart."
"You never gave me a choice," His eyes narrowed. "You never gave Brambleheart a choice – you never gave any of us. He still doesn't know, does he?"
"He knows what he needs to know," Heatherstar replied.
"Every cat has a choice, Fireheart," It was Cedarstar who spoke. His tail was tucked around his paws, "Those who wish to serve their Clan will do so willingly."
"My name is Firestar," The warrior reminded them. He rose to his paws, "And I have led WindClan in its defense against rogues – over to these territories, and I have killed Tigerstar." He glared at the dead warriors, "I will have my name respected!" It had already been dragged through the mud by Tigerstar. He was sick of this treatment.
"Do you believe you have earned a place before StarClan?" Heatherstar asked.
"Did Tigerstar?" Firestar asked. "Did Brokenstar? I do not care for StarClan, I am not asking for a place here!" He repeated, "You gave them lives; give me my dues. My Clan expects me to lead them."
"You don't want a place here?" Sunstar sounded surprised. Firestar shook his head.
"Judge me all you want after I have lost my nine lives," He meowed. "You can throw me right back to Tigerstar in the Dark Forest for all I care." A wave of fear overcame him at the thought. "But until then, I wish to make the Clans whole."
"I will talk to Leopardstar about the deconstruction of TigerClan. I will help these Clans – all of them." Firestar eyed the former leaders. "You owe SkyClan as much as I owe the Clans – if not more!" The leaders exchanged looks.
"What could we possibly do for SkyClan?" Hailstar asked. "They are not the topic of discussion. You are, Fireheart."
"Firestar!" He snarled, tail lashing as he glared at the other leaders, "I have earned my place as leader – Tigerstar is dead!"
"As are you," Cedarstar's eyes were narrowed. "It is not our fault he killed you." Firestar's ears flattened.
"Cedarstar is right," Sunstar rose to his paws. "You have not received these lives while alive. There is no reason to bring a dead warrior back. Tornear would make a capable leader. This does not even consider the disrespect you have been spewing to WindClan recently." Firestar gritted his teeth.
"I admit, my memory fails me these last few moons." It was already bits and pieces before Tallstar's death. Now it was even worse. He had no clue how long they had been at the lake. "But I have a plan, going forward – one which will benefit the five Clans!" He stared at them desperately. As angry as Firestar was, he needed to get back to WindClan! Sandstorm was expecting him.
"Which is?"
"I will work with the other leaders to restore the Clans to what they once were." Leopardstar would be willing to do that. Even if she did not trust him, he knew she wanted RiverClan back. With her help, they could appoint leaders and territories accordingly. It was not too late. "And I want that to include SkyClan. I will need your help with them." He crouched before the leaders.
They wanted him to grovel. Firestar would not do that for his own sake, but the Clans were different. Cedarstar gave him a curious look.
"You expect us to help you? Fireheart, SkyClan is gone." Firestar's ears went back, he forced himself to take a deep breath before speaking.
"There are cats there – descendants of SkyClan, as Sky was. Even if they do not know of their warrior blood. There is also a partly trained medicine cat." Firestar meowed, "We all want the same goal. It will never be completed without SkyClan. If you help me, I will never speak ill of you again." Heatherstar's ears went back.
"Your threats are empty," she said. "We have the power to send you to the Place of No Stars right now." He glared up at her. Anger burned in his belly.
"If you do that, I will do everything in my power to destroy you." The warrior growled. There was a shift among the dead leaders.
Oh, Firestar realized as Cedarstar's tail flicked anxiously. I am a legitimate threat. His paws tingled with excitement. There was something here he did not understand. "If I fulfill my duties as leader and am still cast there, I will do nothing."
Sunstar glanced at Heatherstar. The gray she-cat's gaze was locked onto the newly-dead cat. "What do you want us to do about SkyClan?" Her meow was low.
"Talk to Echo," He replied. "There's a rogue there – her name is Leaf, send her dreams. Help them find each other."
"We know of her," Sunstar gave the tom a quizzical look.
"Why have you chosen Leaf?" Hailstar asked. Firestar looked at him.
"Sandstorm speaks highly of her," He replied simply. "She seemed capable when we met."
"And if they start building a Clan?"
"Give them time to thrive," Firestar meowed. "Us, time to health. Some seasons, at least. Then we will work to get SkyClan where it belongs." The lake territories were much bigger than the ones in the forest. There would be room for SkyClan.
Firestar held his breath as the leaders looked to each other. Finally, Heatherstar spoke. "Fine." The leader's shoulders relaxed.
He would be going home.
Heatherstar rose to her paws. She still did not look pleased. "Fireheart, this will not be easy. If you cannot handle it, your lives will be stripped." He looked intently up at the StarClan cat.
"I'm returning to WindClan." Heatherstar nodded.
"If you in any way thwart our bidding," she meowed. "You know your fate." Firestar knew exactly what she was talking about. He remembered that rainy night well.
"I'm not prevented my children from having children," He replied. "Do not wrong them."
"Wait here." Firestar rested his head on his paw and the leaders left.
"Fireheart." A voice called out to him after some time and the warrior rose. He shook the frustration off at the name.
He needed to show some submission. Just once more. He would get his name back shortly. He had been through worse.
Fireheart headed across stepping stones, padding into the brush on the other side. His head was raised high as he stepped into a clearing.
It was empty. The tom's tail twitched. Had they lied to him? Was this another trick? A shape moved out of the forest.
Fireheart blinked at Yellowfang. Orange eyes looked at him and as she raised her muzzle, his head lowered. The old she-cat touched her nose to his forehead. It burned.
"With this life, I give you courage," She rasped. "Use it in your darkest days. Use it to serve your Clan." Fireheart's heartbeat quickened as sharp pain struck through him. The warrior could hear the yowl of battle. Feel these cats' heartbeats. He gasped as his heart seemed to sear.
It ended as quickly as it began and the warrior trembled. Were they all going to be like this? She blinked at him and those last few moons with her returned to him.
He had been through worse. He would survive this.
Yellowfang turned away and his gaze lingered. He missed her every day.
As he forced his gaze away, Fireheart was startled by the cat before him.
Silverstream approached him and he could not help but stare. He had forgotten Feathertail's resemblance to her. He had always seen Graystripe in the young she-cat.
He lowered his head as the RiverClan queen approached. "I give you a life for understanding," She murmured, touching her nose to his forehead.
This one was soft. Fireheart almost felt dazed as the life overcame him. It was cut short as a sharp pain hit his gut. He snarled, looking up to the StarClan cat as she stepped back. The feeling slowly subsided and he was left panting. He felt faint.
"Graystripe still speaks of you," He rasped as she turned away. It was different than it had been seasons before. Different than when she was alive and different from the time when her death was still fresh. The silver and gray cat looked back at him. There was a wistful look in her eyes before she turned, heading back into the forest.
A twinge of grief hit Fireheart as the next cat approached.
Crowpaw's tail twitched as he stepped forward. Nervous blue eyes looked up at the leader. Fireheart remembered this. His death was a waste. It had to have meant very little to Tigerstar. Fireheart lowered his head to the young tom. Crowpaw touched his nose to the leader's head.
"I give you the life of reverence," the apprentice spoke. "May you shower your Clan in it. Let it help guide you and them toward a better future." Fireheart took a deep breath as a light seemed to form in his chest.
He was suddenly acutely aware of the world around him. It was painful how bright the world became. He wanted to close his eyes but did not allow himself to. The light of StarClan burned through him and he wanted to collapse as it finished, leaving through the tip of his tail.
Crowpaw was looking at him. "I'm sorry for what I almost did to Leafdawn," the apprentice muttered. Alarm shot through Fireheart. What was he talking about?
"Did she get hurt?" The warrior's meow came out low. Crowpaw shook his head.
"I wasn't able to." Fireheart was silent for a moment. The gray tom almost looked scared.
"Then, I forgive you." He was a product of the world he grew up in. They all were. In a different one, Crowpaw could have been one of his Clanmates.
In a better one, he would have been a warrior. Fireheart continued, "Though, she is the cat you should be apologizing to." The apprentice shakily mewed his agreement. Crowpaw dipped his head, stepping away. Fireheart watched after the young tom. He would need to ask Leafdawn about this later.
Fireheart turned to the next cat. He bowed his head as Bluestar stopped in front of him.
It still hurt to look at her. The ThunderClan leader's nose was pressed between his ears.
"I give you the life of justice," She murmured. "Use it well in the moons to come." This life was cold. It hurt to breathe as it felt like he had been submerged in icy water. He could not feel his body. He could hear some voice speaking, he almost thought it was himself. Fireheart melted.
He looked up at Bluestar and they held each other's gazes for a moment. Fireheart was not the warrior she had needed him to be and he was sorry for that. He said nothing; she turned away.
Fireheart blinked at the hardened face that approached next. Barkface's yellow eyes were focused on him. The tom was younger than Fireheart had seen him last. He lowered his head and the medicine cat touched his nose to it.
"I give you a life of farsightedness –" Fireheart could not stop himself from snorting and they both pulled back. Barkface's eyes narrowed.
"Fire–"
"Sorry," The younger tom interrupted. "You know I can't even tell distance."
"It's not literal." Fireheart gave him a thoughtful look.
"I'll consider my decisions," He murmured. "For you." He knew Barkface had been displeased by this all. The medicine cat had been downright furious with him at times. He could have easily told the Clan yet he stood by his side. The medicine cat gave a slight nod, touching his nose to the warrior's head.
"I give you the life of farsightedness," Barkface repeated. "Use it when making decisions regarding your Clan, as much as the others. To understand the consequences of your actions." Lightheadedness came over the warrior. Clarity which reminded him of being young.
He was young. They were young, Sandstorm reminded him of it time and time again but this reminded him of the rigor he felt back in ThunderClan before anything had happened.
He had been naïve but the world had been clear. He lowered his head to the medicine cat as Barkface stepped away.
His breath stifled as he caught sight of the next cat. Bright blue eyes looked at him. "Cinderpelt, I'm –" She gave him a pointed look, blinking.
"There's no need."
Fireheart lowered his head to the medicine cat. "I give you the life of mentorship," She murmured, touching her nose to him. "May you teach your young cats well."
This life was filled with agony. His heartbeat quickened and fear overcame him. He could hear the chatter of young cats. The worries of mentorship. It rapidly turned into stillness. Fireheart looked up at Cinderpelt.
Fireheart had three apprentices, only one made it to warriorship with him. That was barely so. He was not a good mentor. He loved them all. He needed to do better.
Cinderpelt turned away and Fireheart turned his attention to the next cat. He lowered his head to Spottedleaf as she approached. The young tortoiseshell watched him for a moment before touching him.
"With this life, I give you faith." Oh, of course. Fireheart managed to hold in this snort. "May you make use of it and let it guide you throughout your leadership." A stillness overcame the warrior. He could feel all of StarClan gazing upon him. Fireheart thought it might seem comforting to some, but to him, it was biting.
He felt shaken as she stepped away. Fireheart held his head high as the next cat approached. She had been far from pleased with him the last time they had met. Blue eyes regarded him.
"With this life, I give you tireless energy," Heatherstar meowed. "Use it to protect our Clan. Use it to ensure our Clan's strength." It was as if a gust of wind had blown through Fireheart. His heartbeat quickened and he felt jittery. He could feel the wind in his fur as though he stood out on the moors. The StarClan cat pulled back and the leaders looked at each other, old and new.
"I will do anything for WindClan," He promised. Heatherstar's gaze was cold as she stepped away.
The final cat was Tallstar. Fireheart looked up at his leader as he spoke. "With this life, I give you nobility. You have already led your Clan, use it to be a just leader in the seasons to come." He was gripped by agony as this life entered him. Ambition and anguish overcame him. Pain, like he had never felt before but also joy. Fireheart's legs were shaking and he could not help but collapse against the StarClan cat.
Tallstar rested his head on his successors. "You're a great cat," He meowed. "The cats around you have always recognized that. You are a brilliant leader, Firestar."
Firestar pulled away, still shaky on his paws. He bowed to the older tom.
"You have now been given the nine lives of a leader," Tallstar's voice cut through the quiet of this empty clearing. "And we leave WindClan in your care. May this usher in a new beginning for not only WindClan but all the Clans." The clearing was silent.
Firestar gasped as he suddenly lost his breath. Tallstar disappeared and the world went black, it felt like that tendril was still around his neck. He could feel it digging in.
What was this? Had they tricked him somehow? He was lightheaded and he could not breathe and – his muzzle was wet?
Firestar opened his eyes. He was looking at a pool of water, gasping for air. There was still pain but it was less intense. "Firestar!" He turned at Sandstorm's voice.
She was at his side, green eyes wide. It was dawn, it looked like it had been raining. Firestar had not been here before but this had to have been the Moonpool. He pressed against Sandstorm. "You mousebrained fool," she hissed. "Why didn't you tell me?" She pushed her paw into his side.
"I'm sorry," He croaked. Firestar's eyes widened as he caught sight of Leafdawn and Squirrelflight. Astonishment lit up both of their faces.
"Papa," Squirrelflight began.
"My daughters!" He whispered, stumbling toward them. They both came to him, purring. Leafdawn supporting his side.
"Don't move too much – what happened?" She asked.
"There was a cat – wasn't part of our Clan," it hurt to talk. "I went after him."
"No, did you get your lives?" Squirrelflight asked. The leader nodded. Relief came across the other cats' faces.
"Let's just head back to camp." Sandstorm came to his side. "Everything can be sorted out there." Firestar was shifted back against Sandstorm and Leafdawn stayed by him. Squirrelflight took the lead. He breathed in their scents as they started back.
Firestar was home.
