Here we go again! What did everyone think of the previous chapter? A little bit of a dark twist I don't usually do. This will be a much shorter chapter than usual.

Chapter 11: Broken or not?

Honeypaw led Fireheart's harem towards Windclan. Mistystar met them at the border. Mistystar said, "If I was Fireheart, where would I go to deal with this." Honeypaw replied, "If I was him, I'd want to be alone. Maybe a clearing that's hard to find." Heathertail replied, "That would make sense for him. He doesn't want anyone to worry about him. So he'd want to be as far away as possible." Mistystar murmured, "I hope he's okay." The rest of the she-cats in Fireheart's harem mewed their agreement.

With Fireheart:

Fireheart had woken up after fainting and looked around, his vision blurry. He noticed he was at the Twolegplace by the lake in Windclan at the tip of a peninsula. The sun was high in the sky. He muttered, "I… I can't believe it. I was probably mere seconds from being back in time to save Ashfoot. I…I… I failed. Damn it! Damn it all to hell!" Fireheart stood up weakly and looked around. He realized he was far from Windclan now. Fireheart looked around and saw nothing but grassland. Fireheart tasted the air and immediately nodded in understanding. He muttered, "I am going to go to the Moonpool. I need to find out where I went wrong. What caused me to not make it in time!" Fireheart nodded at his plan and began to set out for the Moonpool. Fireheart muttered, "I guess I am not broken yet. I can tell because of how quickly I recovered from my distraught. But damn near close. I am nearing my true breaking point. I need to find a way to reset it or some shit. Starclan help me."

In Thunderclan:

Windstream woke up and walked out of the Nursery. Squirrelflight followed her and asked, "What seems to be the issue, Windstream?" Windstream answered, "I am going to ask Dovewing if she can find Fireheart. If anyone can, it'd be her." Squirrelflight retorted, "Maybe so. But what if Starclan prevents Dovewing from finding him. They did give her her powers. They can dull them to make sure Fireheart can't be found via them." Windstream sighed and said, "I…I know. Damn it all to the Place of No Stars." Squirrelflight replied, "I know. But he will come back. He always does." Windstream sighed and said, "I know. He always comes back. No matter what."

Lothrik walked past Hollyleaf and nodded his respect. Hollyleaf said, "You must be one of the rogues that Fireheart sent here." She used her tail to point at Ragnar and said, "He must be your brother." Lothrik replied, "Indeed" Jayfeather was eavesdropping on the conversation from the Medicine Den and decided to try and force himself into Lothrik's mind and memories. He was sent back with such a force, he winced in pain. Jayfeather shook his head and tried once more and connected after a battle of mental prowess. What Jayfeather found after delving into Lothrik's memories, was unspeakable. He disconnected after learning what he could. He muttered, "I am sorry you had to go through that Lothrik. No wonder your voice sounds like it hides repressed memories, a dark past, and secrets that should never be discovered. I have never felt bad about intruding on someone's mind, but I do feel bad for intruding on yours, Lothrik."

With Fireheart's Harem:

Honeypaw led the harem towards Windclan, hoping to find a scent trail. Heathertail met them, ears down. Silverstream asked, "What's wrong Dear?" Heathertail looked at her and replied, "A-Ashfoot didn't make it. As a result, I am now the Deputy of Windclan." Fireheart's harem mewed their apologies and their congratulations. Heathertail sighed and said, "F-Fireheart is broken." Lionstar mewed with understanding, "We know. Everyone in the Forest heard his roar of grief. Lothrik and Ragnar also told us that he was broken. But something about their tone of voice made me think that they know more than they're letting on." Splashfur asked quietly, "Are you saying that you don't trust them, Lionstar?" Lionstar shook her head no and said, "It's not that I don't trust them, because if Fireheart trusts them, then I know they're trustworthy. I just don't think they're telling us everything. That's all." Splashfur nodded in understanding. Spottedleaf mewed, "Now. I watched over Fireheart after he went back in time to save Hollyleaf's life and my own. I watched over him since he was just a kit. His favorite hiding place in Thunderclan was near the Sandy Hollow. Back before he knew how special he truly was. He always knew he was different, but he couldn't put a paw on it. He always went to the clearing near the Sandy Hollow. We should check there."

Heathertail mewed weakly, "I think he's somewhere in Windclan Territory." Mistystar said, "Then we start in Windclan. And work from there." Silverstream mewed, "Sounds like a plan." The she-cats agreed, and set out to Windclan.

With Fireheart:

Fireheart continued his trek to the Moonpool, refusing to stop to catch any prey for himself. As he neared the Moonpool, the sun had set and the moon was low in the sky. His stomach growled, hunger pains eating at him, but he shrugged it off. He had to hide from many patrols looking for him. As Fireheart walked towards the Moonpool, he smelled the scent of someone familiar. He sighed and walked towards the entrance to the Moonpool and saw a badger. Midnight looked at him and said, "I figured I'd find you here. I never thought I'd beat you here though Firestar. What held you up?" Fireheart sighed and said, "Had to hide from many patrols searching for me." Midnight nodded her large head in understanding and replied, "I guess you're here to find out why huh?" Fireheart nodded and Midnight said jokingly, trying to lighten the mood, "Character development." Fireheart chuckled weakly and said, "You make it sound like we're part of a book." Midnight laughed roughly and said, "Who knows? Hopefully Starclan can tell you why. But, you need to remember this." Fireheart's ears twitched in curiosity. Midnight said, "Real Heroes get back up." Fireheart opened his mouth to ask what she meant, but Midnight had already begun to walk away towards her set.

Fireheart looked at the entrance and took a deep breath. He walked into the entrance of the Moonpool and followed the path to the Moonpool. Fireheart looked up and waited until the Moon hit the water just right and lapped up some of the water.

Fireheart laid next to the Moonpool and closed his eyes. He immediately passed out and woke up in Starclan. He looked around and saw Firestar. Firestar walked towards him and said, "Fireheart. What brings you here tonight?" Fireheart responded hastily, "I have come for some answers Firestar!" Firestar's ears twitched in curiosity and said, "Shoot."

Fireheart asked, "Why?! Why did Ashfoot have to die?! What could I have done differently?!" Firestar smiled and flicked his tail so it pointed behind Fireheart and said, "Maybe you could ask her yourself." Fireheart whirled around immediately and saw Ashfoot.

Ashfoot approached Fireheart without hostility and said, "I do not have the answers you seek, but I do have a couple things to tell you." Fireheart replied, "I am listening." Ashfoot mewed, "It is during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light." Fireheart opened his maw to say something but Ashfoot continued, "Real Heroes get back up." Fireheart looked shocked and muttered, "Midnight told me the same thing. Starclan must know I am near my breaking point. They're trying to give me back my confidence in myself. Something big must be about to happen." Ashfoot continued, "Another thing. My death was planned. Do not tell anyone. It was planned to show you that you can not save everyone, no matter how hard you try. I had no idea my death was planned until I had joined Starclan and they told me."

Firestar looked at Fireheart and said, "We are truly sorry that it played out this way. We had no idea how close you truly were to breaking down. You hide your true emotions well, even from Starclan. We only knew how close you were when you roared with grief at the peninsula in Windclan Territory. It was so filled with grief, anger, hatred, disappointment, etc. that it shook Starclan just as much as it shook the Forest. Starclan is truly sorry, Fireheart." Fireheart retorted, "Sorry doesn't bring back those that no longer hunt with the Forest, Firestar!" Firestar visibly winced at the comment and replied, "We know." Ashfoot padded over to Fireheart and placed her tail on his back. He slowly calmed down and said, "Sorry for that, Firestar." Firestar replied, "I understand. If I am being honest, I would've responded with that too most likely." Fireheart nodded in understanding. Firestar looked down at Fireheart's body and chuckled.

Fireheart asked, "What's funny?" Firestar said, "You're gonna have company when you wake." Fireheart looked down at his body and saw Spottedleaf and Honeypaw sitting at the entrance into the Moonpool so the other she-cats didn't barge into the Moonpool. Fireheart chuckled weakly and Ashfoot said, "They know the rules of the Moonpool. One must not be disturbed while communing with Starclan. And usually only Medicine Cats and/or Leaders are allowed to use it. Apprentice's are no longer required to make the journey to the Moonpool before becoming a Warrior. So only Medicine Cats and Leaders will know what the Moonpool looks like. For now." Fireheart nodded his understanding and looked at Ashfoot. Ashfoot looked back and said calmly, "It isn't your fault Fireheart. Nothing you could've done would've changed the outcome." Fireheart sighed and said, "I know. I know." Ashfoot sat down and said, "Everything will be alright Fireheart. Everything happens for a reason."

Fireheart looked back at his body and nodded in understanding as he said, "I must return now. Thank you." Ashfoot mewed, "Stay safe Fireheart. And don't give into the Darkness you're currently feeling. Or all will be lost." Fireheart nodded his head in agreement.

Fireheart woke up and looked around. Spottedleaf said, "Makes sense we'd find you here. You were a tough one to find. But I thought after a while, you'd want answers. So. I suggested the Moonpool. The rest of the Harem agreed. And lo and behold here you were. Did you get your answers, Fire?" Fireheart replied, "Yes. Yes I did. Let's head home. I got to protect Windclan tomorrow. Anyone down to join?" Spottedleaf's eyes showed disbelief and said, "I thought the weight of the world was on your shoulders alone." Fireheart replied, "I have had plenty of time to think about what you told me. And you're right. The weight of the world is not on my shoulders alone. I have a whole forest to help me. I can't even begin to hope to fight all the battles against impossible odds alone, or I will sadly perish much like Firestar. Ashfoot's death helped show me. Had I had more help on the journey there, we would have more than likely made it back in time to save her." Spottedleaf's eyes watered as she said, "I am glad you have learned that you can't always take on impossible odds alone. It's an important lesson to learn early in life." Fireheart smiled.

Spottedleaf purred happily, eyes still watering from joy at Fireheart learning that lesson. Honeypaw replied, "Well. Shall we head home, Love?" Fireheart nodded and kissed both Honeypaw and Spottedleaf. All three purred happily as they began to head back to Thunderclan. All of Fireheart's harem greeted him at the entrance and said, "Glad we were worried for nothing." Fireheart flashed a smile and said, "Let's go home."

Fireheart walked with Spottedleaf and Honeypaw out of the Moonpool and was greeted by the rest of his harem. He smiled and said, "Let's head home." The she-cats mewed their agreement as they surrounded Fireheart as he led the way back to Thunderclan. Before they arrived, all of the she-cats had told Fireheart how worried they were about him and that they were glad he was okay.

As Fireheart walked back into Thunderclan, harem by his side, he was greeted warmly. Bramblestar looked at him and said, "The whole forest heard your roar, Firestar. What happened? You shook the whole damn Forest." Fireheart replied, "I did not make it back in time to save Ashfoot's life. The roar was of grief." Bramblestar gasped in disbelief and said, "My condolences to Windclan. Ashfoot was an amazing deputy." Heathertail nodded her agreement and said, "As a result of the unfortunate circumstances, I am now the deputy of Windclan." Bramblestar said, "My congratulations, even though you becoming deputy was because of an unfortunate event." Heathertail mewed, "Thank you."

Fireheart looked at Bramblestar and asked, "How soon until the army attacks? I lost track of time while I was gone." Bramblestar mewed, "They attack in a couple days." Fireheart replied, "Well fuck me I guess. No time to train. I am going to select a group of cats to help me fight this one." Bramblestar looked shocked and asked, "And why this sudden development? Not that I think it's a bad idea." Fireheart looked at Bramblestar and replied, "Because. Had I had a group going with me to find the Blazing Star Flower, Ashfoot may have been saved. Instead, my dumbass went alone and had to fight against many scenarios that slowed me down because I was solo. I refuse to let it happen again! I adamantly refuse!" Bramblestar flashed a toothy smile and said, "Good to hear it. So. Who will be helping you?" Fireheart looked around and walked up to the Highrock and yowled, "Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey, meet under Highrock for a clan meeting!" Bramblestar and Hollyleaf walked up to be beside Fireheart, and the rest of the clan gathered up below him. Cloudtail looked up and said, "Glad to see you made it back safely, Firestar." Fireheart looked at Cloudtail and said, "I did make it back safely. I have decided to pick a group to help me fight against the next push of the Army. We all already know one pick of the group." The clan murmured their agreement. Fireheart continued, "So. The rest of the group will be: Cloudtail, Seedpaw, Hollyleaf, Spiderleg, Bramblestar, Lionstar, Grayclaw, and Specklepelt. We will also have a group stationed nearby with a couple of Medicine Cats to heal injuries and switch out. The second group will consist of: Spottedleaf, Jayfeather, Silverstream, Ferncloud, Splashfur, and Brightheart!"

Cloudtail looked at Fireheart and mouthed, "Thank you. I know why you chose Seedpaw for the first attacking party." Fireheart smiled and mouthed back, "Of course. I hope she passes this time." Cloudtail smiled and went to talk with Seedpaw. Fireheart assumed he was talking to her about battle plans and attack strategies. Fireheart yowled, "Meeting adjourned!" The clan dispersed and went about their separate things. Fireheart walked towards his den, his harem behind him.

Well. It was a much shorter chapter than you're all used to; I know. But next one will be long. I promise. Anyhow! May Starclan watch over you all! HappytheExceed16, logging out!