I have a poll up for the next book of this series. If you'd like to help make a decision for what happens in the next book, do take some time to vote in the poll. It's about time I gave back to my amazing community and allowed them to make a decision. It is a big one. That is all I am going to say about the decision. Now. Onto the final assault.

Chapter 20: The Final Push

Firestar woke up and looked around. He had been forced into the medicine den a week ago now. He took a whiff of the air and mewed, "Hey Spottedleaf." Spottedleaf padded over to him and replied, "Yes Love?" Firestar continued, "I need you to take Honeypaw, Silverstream, Splashfur, Windstream, Flowerkit, and yourself away from Thunderclan until the battle ends." Spottedleaf opened her mouth to argue, but Firestar interrupted her with a gentle kiss and mewed, "Please. Do it for me."

Spottedleaf kissed back and grumbled, "You're lucky you're my mate, or I'd claw you for bossing me around. Fine." Firestar purred with happiness and got on his paws and stretched. He mewed, "Get going. Now. The battle begins soon. if completely decimating their encampment did not distract them. I will go with you to explain the situation to them."

Firestar and Spottedleaf walked towards the Nursery. Both were greeted warmly by Windstream and Flowerkit. Flowerkit tackled her father and the two rolled on the ground. Firestar laughed and said, "I missed you too. However, your dad has a request." Flowerkit looked curious and Firestar continued, "I need you to be strong and help Spottedleaf defend your mother, Splashfur, Silverstream, Squirrelflight, Rosekit, Cedarkit, and Honeypaw as she leads you all to a safe place outside of Thunderclan." Flowerkit pleaded, "But dad! I wanna help you defend the clan!"

Firestar mewed with admiration, "I know dear. But you are not old enough. One more moon and you'll be six moons old. I already know who your mentor will be." Flowerkit's eyes lit up and she asked hastily, "Who is it?!" Firestar purred in amusement and said, "You will have to wait and see. If you do a good job defending everyone in this little group, I might tell you." Flowerkit began jumping up and down in excitement. Firestar chuckled and Windstream purred as she said, "I told you that you'd be an amazing father."

Firestar purred and said, "I know." He gently prodded Splashfur, Silverstream, and Honeypaw awake. The three woke up groggily and Honeypaw complained, "We are near bursting and you're waking us up. You better have a damn good reason." Honeypaw's eyes adjusted to the light and she saw Firestar. She immediately began to apologize, but Firestar laughed and said, "I know. I'm just terrible. You all need to get up. Spottedleaf will be taking all of you to a safe place outside of Thunderclan. I am sorry for waking you all up. But I don't want anything to happen to any of you."

Splashfur mewed, "We understand. But do be careful." Firestar replied seriously, "I always am. I have far too much to defend to let them overrun us or kill me." Spottedleaf looked at Firestar and saw a fire in his eyes that she had not seen in moons. Spottedleaf mewed calmly, "Fire will save the Clans. You're back at full power, Love." Flowerkit looked at Spottedleaf with curiosity and asked, "Why did you call my dad Love? I thought he and mother were a thing. Not you and him." Everyone except Flowerkit visibly winced. Firestar licked his chest fur in embarrassment and Windstream came to his rescue.

Windstream mewed, "Well. You see. Your father is a very special Tom. How do I word this nicely? Hmmmm. Damn. I can't think of anything, so I will just say it as nice as I can. Flowerkit, your father is with me, Honeypaw, Splashfur, Silverstream, Spottedleaf, and six other she-cats." Flowerkit's eyes went wide and she asked, "And you're okay with that?!" Windstream purred in amusement and replied, "Yes. Everyone involved in it is. He treats us all fairly and shares the love well for the most part." Flowerkit asked, "Is being with multiple different cats normal?" Windstream replied honestly, "No. It isn't. But…. I guess you could say Starclan made things align for all of us that are with your father. None of us mind, because your father is very loyal to us and we are loyal to him and loyal to each other as well."

Flowerkit's curiosity peaked and she asked, "You're with the other she-cats as well mother?" Windstream opened her mouth, but couldn't think of a nice answer. She licked her chest fur in embarrassment, but Firestar came to her rescue.

Firestar said, "Well. Let's just say that your mother and the others are…. close friends. I think that's a good way to word it. Now! No more questions, Flowerkit. I know you're curious about it, and when you're old enough, I might tell you more." Flowerkit was still highly curious, but she didn't ask anymore questions. Spottedleaf led everyone in the Nursery aside from Firestar out and towards safety. Spottedleaf said over her shoulder, "You better not die, Love. Or Starclan save you from my wrath." Firestar chuckled and smelt Grayclaw, Seedwhisker, Specklepelt, Ferncloud, and Lionblaze. Firestar took a deep breath and mewed softly, "Let's do this." Firestar walked out of the Nursery and Specklepelt asked, "You ready for this man? We got some assholes to defeat." Firestar snorted and said, "Yeah. I'm ready. More ready then I ever thought I could be."

Firestar looked at the members of all the clans ready to defend Thunderclan. Heathertail, Olivenose, Smokefoot, Reedwhisker, Breezepelt, Lionblaze, Dovewing, and Owlwhisker looked at Firestar, awaiting their orders. Firestar mewed loudly, "The ones I trained, on me. We will be the frontal defense. Everyone else. Stay behind us. Protect one another! Pick off any stragglers that get by us. AND MOST OF ALL! DO NOT LET THEIR FORCES SCARE YOU! I KNOW THIS WILL BE THE FIRST TIME FOR ALL OF US ASIDE FROM ME, FIGHTING BADGERS. KEEP IN MIND, THEY'RE SLOW BUT TANKY AND POWERFUL! USE YOUR AGILITY TO EVADE THEIR STRIKES! KEEP YOUR WITS ABOUT YOU AS WELL BECAUSE OF THE FOXES! AND MOST IMPORTANT! REMIND YOURSELF THAT WE WILL NOT FALL! NOT NOW, NOT EVER! WHO'S WITH ME LIONCLAN?!" Lionclan's voice drowned everything else out as they all yelled, "WE ARE WITH YOU, FIRESTAR!" Firestar smirked and heard a battle cry. Firestar yelled, "THE ONES I TRAINED! REMEMBER YOUR TRAINING! AS FOR THE REST OF LIONCLAN! WE WILL PREVAIL! LIKE WE ALWAYS DO! THEY MAY HAVE THE NUMBERS, BUT WE HAVE THE HEART! ATTACK!" The final assault had begun!

Firestar and the group he trained, immediately leapt into combat. Firestar's pelt erupted in white flames. The flames licked across his pelt and claws hungrily. Firestar evaded several attacks and retaliated with a powerful uppercut. The badger was launched upwards. He yowled, "LIONBLAZE! NOW!" Lionblaze pelted towards his son and leapt onto Firestar's back. Firestar immediately helped Lionblaze use his back like a launchpad, sending Lionblaze high into the air towards the badger. Lionblaze collided with the badger and began a full on assault, ending the assault with a powerful punch that sent the badger rocketing back towards the dirt. The badger hit a rock harshly, its back immediately shattering upon impact.

Lionblaze dove towards a dog and landed on its back and swiftly slit its throat. Bramblestar and Hollyleaf leapt into combat, back to back, picking off stragglers that made it through the frontal defense. Spiderleg, Cloudtail, Brightheart, and Tawnypelt were defending the Elder's Den. Dovewing and Ivypool got back to back on their hindlegs, working together as a team. Owlwhisker, Olivenose, and Smokefoot pelted to Firestar's side.

Firestar focused on the strength he had unlocked through the moons of his life and the flames licking across his pelt appeared to vanish. Olivenose looked at him in awe and asked swiftly, "Where did the fire go?" Firestar replied swiftly as he evaded several strikes and retaliated with a claw that lit the dog ablaze. It immediately began howling in pain. Firestar replied, "Still here. Just. Invisible for some fucking reason."

Crowfeather and Leafpool heard a cry come from the Elder's Den. They looked at one another in fear and bolted to the Elder's Den. Their stomachs dropped the moment they saw blood spurting from Mousefur's neck with two foxes above her body. The ones who were protecting the Elder's Den, severely injured to the sides as if one of the foxes knocked them aside after fighting them to get to the easy prey inside. Leafpool and Crowfeather leapt towards the fox, trying to get inside the Elder's Den. Purdy leapt towards the fox as well, tears in his eyes. Leafpool and Crowfeather bit back their sobs of grief and began to assault the two foxes, a bloodthirsty rage clear in their eyes.

Leafpool, Crowfeather, and Purdy worked together, their rage allowing them to overpower the foxes. Purdy cleanly slit one of the fox's throats. Leafpool pinned the other one and Crowfeather disemboweled it, its entrails spilling out onto the ground. Several yowls of grief erupted through Thunderclan's camp. Firestar looked around and saw Foxleap laying motionless, blood pooling below him, a dog on top of him. Firestar immediately leapt towards the dog and snapped its neck swiftly, the snap audible throughout the camp. Firestar threw Foxleap's motionless body towards the Medicine Den and yelled, "SAVE HIS LIFE JAYFEATHER! I'LL KEEP YOU SAFE!"

Jayfeather shot from the Medicine Den swift as a rabbit and began dragging the body towards the Medicine Den, Firestar was on Jayfeather's heels fending off assailants. Firestar yowled, "LIONCLAN! FORMATION THREE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE THUNDERCLAN CAMP!" Lionblaze yowled, "YOU HEARD HIM LIONCLAN! BACK TO BACK!" Spiderleg knocked a cat away from Bramblestar and he yowled, "WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK IS FORMATION THREE?!"

Lionblaze replied, his back against Dovewing's, "HE WAS TALKING TO THE ONES HE TRAINED! EVERYONE ELSE, FOCUS ON SURVIVING! GET CLOSE TO US IF YOU NEED HELP!"

Lionblaze, Dovewing, Ivypool, Heathertail, Breezepelt, Smokefoot, Olivenose, Reedwhisker, and Owlwhisker were back to back in the middle of the Thunderclan Camp, Tigerstar's numbers flooding through the entrance and back of the camp.

Firestar evaded several strikes and blocked a bite with a forearm. He hissed in annoyance and swung hard as he could into the badger's chest. His paw plunged deep into the chest of the badger. Firestar gripped its heart and ripped it out. He crushed it immediately as the badger fell backwards, dead. Lionblaze looked at his son, understanding in his eyes. Firestar nodded. Lionblaze ordered, "EVERYONE! DEATH, MURDER, AND KILL! CODE FOURTEEN WILL APPLY FOR SELF-DEFENSE! TIME TO SHOW THESE BASTARDS A TASTE OF THEIR OWN MEDICINE!"

Everyone in the Thunderclan Camp hesitated for a second, but Firestar yowled, "I WOULD NEVER ASK ANY OF YOU TO DIRTY YOUR PAWS, BUT UNFORTUNATELY, IT IS NECESSARY AT THIS POINT. THEY'VE ALREADY KILLED A FEW OF US!" Firestar evaded a strike and retaliated with a full force punch aimed at a cat's head. Its head exploded in a mess of blood, skull, and brain matter. Firestar focused on the strength he had gained through his moons of life and he yowled, "LIONCLAN! COVER YOUR EARS! SORRY IN ADVANCE LOVE!"

Dovewing mewed, "IT'S FINE! WE ARE GETTING OVERRUN! JUST DO IT! PUSH THEM BACK!" Before anyone could blink, Firestar appeared to vanish from where he was standing. Several sonic-booms echoed throughout Thunderclan's camp as several dogs, cats, foxes, and badgers became a red fine mist almost all at once.

Firestar reappeared back at the Medicine Den and his heart plummeted when he heard Jayfeather say, "Foxleap's….gone." Firestar looked around Thunderclan's camp and saw several cats laying motionless. Firestar roared in anger and grief, shaking the forest.

With Spottedleaf's Group:

Flowerkit covered her ears as a roar erupted throughout the forest seconds after the sonic-booms occurred. She stuttered, "W-What in the name of Starclan was that?" Splashfur comforted the kit and said, "That was your father. He's starting to get serious." Windstream nodded and thought to Spottedleaf, Splashfur, Honeypaw, and Silverstream, 'There's gonna be a massive vigil for our fallen comrades unfortunately. Right?' Honeypaw thought to her, 'You're right unfortunately.' Windstream muttered, "Damn it."

Back at the Battle:

Firestar immediately remembered that in the books he read as a twoleg, Olivenose and Owlwhisker were killed in the Great Battle just like Hollyleaf was, but he had already saved Hollyleaf. Firestar growled quietly, "No. I will fight against this potential Final Destination bullshit! I WILL CHALLENGE THE GOD OF DEATH IF I HAVE TO! I refuse to lose them too! TO HELL WITH THIS!" Firestar's rage had just about hit its limit. He growled. "It's time." Jayfeather thought to him, 'Don't….You….Fucking…..Dare!' Firestar growled loudly, "It's too late. It's happening! STARCLAN! GRANT ME YOUR STRENGTH! AND GRANT MY CLAN YOUR STRENGTH AND PROTECTION!"

Jayfeather yowled from the Medicine Den, "SOMEONE TALK OUR STUPID FUCKING LEADER OUT OF HIS STUPID FUCKING PLAN! SHE-CATS AND YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE, IT'S UP TO YOU! ONLY YOU CAN GET THROUGH TO HIM AT THIS POINT!"

Dovewing, Ivypool, Olivenose, and Heathertail looked at one another in fear and Ivypool hissed, "God damn it! LIONBLAZE! IT'S UP TO YOU, BREEZEPELT, SMOKEFOOT, REEDWHISKER, AND OWLWHISKER FOR THE TIME BEING TO DEFEND THE MIDDLE! FIRESTAR'S THINKING ABOUT ACTIVATING IT!" Breezepelt hissed, "Gods, he's a dumbass sometimes. GO! WE GOT THIS! WE WERE TRAINED BY THE BEST AFTER ALL!" Heathertail mewed, "Thank you." She swiftly gave Breezepelt a hug and hissed, "Ladies! ON ME!" Breezepelt blushed lightly. He shook his head and thought, 'Get those thoughts out of your head. Firestar most likely won't share her with you. He likes she-cats. Not Toms. Then again, I like she-cats too. Not Toms. However, no eye-contact and we high-paw afterwards. Nah. Nah. Not happening. Damn. I can't believe I still love Heathertail. Then again. Makes sense, she is the one I had planned on being mates with. Heartbreak takes awhile to heal. And I know I said it before and said I should be pissed with Firestar. But I truly am not.'

Firestar opened his mouth to begin the chant when he was tackled by four cats. His mouth was covered immediately by someone's tail. Ragnar and Lothrik bolted to his side and Lothrik said, "While we wait for them to talk some sense in to your thick fucking skull, Ragnar and I will defend all of you."

Ragnar smirked and mewed, "Been itching for some action. Time to fight!" Lothrik hissed, "Be smart about it. Don't die or I will go to Valhalla myself and drag your stupid alcoholic ass back myself." Ragnar snorted and leapt into combat beside Lothrik.

Ragnar and Lothrik worked together, the time they've spent together fighting side by side; evident. The pair easily slaughtered any cats that approached. Tawnypelt shot towards them as a dog approached the pair.

She tackled the dog and the two rolled on the ground a bit. Tawnypelt wound up on top and leapt off of it to get into a better position.

She landed beside Ragnar and Lothrik. Ragnar whirled around to defend him and Lothrik when Tawnypelt hissed, "FRIENDLY!" Lothrik avoided a strike and retaliated with his metal claw tips. He was deadly precise as the fox fell dead, blood spilling from its throat. Lionstar shot towards them and mewed, "Let's even the odds. One lioness, at your disposal."

Lothrik whistled and mewed, "Slayer even bagged himself a Lioness. Impressive. But she's the same size as us." Lionstar growled, "First off. How the fuck do you know that he and I are a thing? Secondly, I may be the same size as every other cat here, probably slightly larger, but my strength is third to none other than Firestar and Lionblaze because even in this smaller form, my strength as a Lioness carried over and I will not hesitate to eviscerate you if you insult me again."

Lothrik purred lightly and mewed, "And you're feisty. And to answer your first question, it's obvious. I've noticed every little thing. Slayer, or as you all call him, Firestar, is mates with Olivenose, Dovewing, Mistystar, Heathertail, you, Ivypool, the Queen known as Windstream, Splashfur, Honeypaw, Silverstream, and Spottedleaf."

Firestar's mouth was still covered by someone's tail. He recognized Ivypool's tail and he asked mentally, 'Why are you stopping me from using it?!' Ivypool snapped, 'BECAUSE IT WILL KILL YOU, YOU FUCKING MOUSEBRAIN! AND IF YOU THINK I WANT YOU TO DIE, THEN YOU'RE A FUCKING IDIOT! NONE OF US WANT YOU TO DIE! THINK YOU DUMBASS! BY THE GRACE OF STARCLAN! USE! YOUR! FUCKING! HEAD! YOU! STUPID! ATTRACTIVE! MOUSEBRAIN! THE FATE OF THE CLANS RESTS ON YOUR HEAD AND THE FOREST WILL NOT SURVIVE WITHOUT YOU! SO UNTIL YOU GET THAT THROUGH YOUR THICK FUCKING SKULL, I WILL NOT REMOVE MY TAIL FROM YOUR MOUTH AND DOVEWING, HEATHERTAIL, OLIVENOSE, AND LIONSTAR WILL KEEP YOU PINNED HERE UNTIL YOU REALIZE IT'S A BAD FUCKING IDEA, YOU ASSHOLE!' Firestar sighed and Olivenose mewed, "Don't use it Love. Please." Firestar looked at his mates pleading with him, their eyes full of nothing but concern for his wellbeing, love, and fear for his safety.

Firestar's rage was quenched for half a second and he was able to think rationally. He thought to himself, 'The fuck am I doing? I am falling into his trap if I activate it before I learn the rest of the true chant. It will undoubtedly kill me! And then he will have no obstacle and he will be able to take over the forest freely and rule with terror and fear! T-They're right. Starclan damn it.'

Firestar thought to them, 'Alright. I won't use it. Please, let me up and we can finish this fight!' Ivypool thought to him, 'You promise?' Firestar nodded. Ivypool removed her tail and the cats pinning him, unpinned him. The she-cats immediately pelted back the group in the middle and got into formation, back-to-back. Firestar eyes traced over the fallen bodies of his comrades and he mewed, "I'll use the chant before the incomplete one."

Firestar took a deep breath and mewed; his body erupting in a white aura, "I, who is about to awaken, am the cat sent from Heaven to protect the forest!" Firestar's aura became bright gold as he continued, "I protect the weak, and give the forest hope!" Firestar's eyes became pure white as he continued, "I shall become the Heavenly Cat of Hope!" Firestar's pelt became pure white as he continued, "I shall bring you all from the depths of despair!" Firestar's pelt ignited in white flames as he finished, "HEAVENLY CAT DRIVE!"

Ivypool looked at him, about to yell at him, but realized Firestar had used the chant he used when fighting Lionblaze. Firestar ordered, "LIONCLAN! FORMATION SEVEN! TIME TO BRING THE ASSAULT TO THEM!" The cats Firestar had trained, nodded and changed their formation. All nine cats dropped down to all four legs. They formed a straight horizontal line with Lionblaze in the front. Firestar ordered, "EVERYONE ELSE, FORM UP BEHIND THOSE NINE, PROTECT THEIR FLANK." Bramblestar yowled, "Sir, Yes, Sir! You all heard him! Listen to him!"

The cats that were able to fight obeyed the order. Firestar leapt to the front lines, orbs of light orbiting around him. Firestar knew what he had to do. Firestar yelled, "STARCLAN! GRANT US YOUR STRENGTH AND BLESSINGS! I CALL UPON OUR WARRIOR ANCESTORS TO JOIN US IN DEFENSE OF THE ENTIRE FOREST! I, FIRESTAR, LEADER OF LIONCLAN, REQUEST YOUR AID IN THIS BATTLE!"

As Firestar finished what he was saying, the rainstorm became much worse. Lightning began striking all around Thunderclan's Camp and the orbs surrounding Firestar erupted in a blinding light. Tigerstar's army yelled in pain as they were blinded, yet Firestar's forces weren't affected. Once the light cleared, around eighty members of Starclan had joined Firestar's forces. Firestar looked around and smirked. He yowled, "FOR THE FOREST! CHARGE!" Everyone heeded his order and charged towards Tigerstar's forces.

Firestar tanked several strikes and gripped the cat's paw with his and threw the cat against a tree. Firestar appeared to vanish and reappeared behind the cat. Firestar gripped its front legs and yanked them behind the tree. The cat grunted in pain and surprise. Firestar grunted in effort and hissed as he ripped the cat's front legs off. It yowled in pain and swiftly fell to the ground dead from blood loss.

Firestar threw the cat's front legs to the side and looked for his next opponent. The battle halted for a moment as everyone looked at Firestar. Firestar ignored it and leapt back to the frontline of his army. Lionblaze whispered to him, "A bit brutal don't you think?"

Firestar replied quietly, "Yeah, but I gotta do what I gotta do to get my point across. Do you not realize how many of our clanmates they've killed?! How many of our friends they've fucking killed?! They've killed Ferncloud, Foxleap, Mousefur, Sorreltail, Dapplenose, Hollowflight, Robinwing, Troutstream, Boulderfur, Swallowtail, Sunstrike, Thistleheart, Tornear, Webfoot, Applefur, Cedarheart, Redwillow, Shrewfoot, Starlingfoot, Tallpoppy, and Toadfoot! They are nothing short of barbaric!"

Lionblaze hissed quietly, "I know! But your anger can be a weapon if you use it correctly! And you are not using it correctly! You're becoming reckless! Tanking attacks just to get the upper paw?! Use your fucking head!"

Firestar growled quietly and yowled, "COME ON LIONCLAN! WE'RE PUSHING THEM BACK!" Everyone shook off Firestar's brutal display of strength and yowled, "SIR, YES, SIR!" Firestar shook his head and leapt back into the fray, Lionclan on his heels.

Firestar evaded several attacks and retaliated with a hook, sending the dog through a tree. Firestar looked up and followed the falling tree's trajectory. He yowled, "NO!" He leapt into the air towards where it was going to land. Firestar landed in front of Olivenose and Owlwhisker. He growled and prepared himself for the weight he was about to catch. Olivenose yowled, "FIRESTAR DON'T! THAT TREE IS GINORMOUS! WE CAN JUST MOVE!" Firestar ignored his mate's pleading and hissed as he muttered, "You will not kill them. NOT LIKE THIS! FUCK YOUR FINAL DESTINATION BULLSHIT!" Firestar stuck his paws up.

He was almost crushed by the weight of the tree landing on his paws. Owlwhisker mewed, "FIRESTAR!" Firestar's feet dug deep into the dirt below them. Firestar hissed in pain as his body screamed in agony. Firestar's paws dug deeper into the dirt and he roared with all his might, shaking the entire forest. Slowly, but surely, Firestar began to stand up. He growled, "CATCH!" Firestar threw the tree towards Tigerstar's army. Yowls of fear erupted throughout them as they scattered.

The moment the tree left Firestar's paws, the Heavenly Drive deactivated. He collapsed to the ground, breathing heavily. Owlwhisker said, "God damn Firestar. Even for you, that was impressive." Olivenose leapt to her mate's defense. She ordered, "Owlwhisker! Go help the rest of Lionclan! I will stay here by his side to protect him until he recovers!"

Owlwhisker opened his mouth to argue, but decided against it and nodded. He leapt next to Lionblaze. Both toms shared a nod and Lionblaze ordered, "Until Firestar is able to fight again, I will take control as the deputy of Lionclan! Lionclan! ON ME!" Lionblaze leapt into the fray with Lionclan on his heels.

Olivenose hissed to Firestar, "You stupid fucking Tom! Do you not realize how fucking risky that was?! Stupid fucking mousebrain." Olivenose watched as the tree crushed several members of Tigerstar's army. Tigerstar's army began to fall back after the tree had killed several of their members. She hissed to Firestar, "That was reckless, dumbass. You're lucky that worked like you obviously thought it would. Several badgers were crushed under the weight." Firestar coughed up blood and mewed weakly, "It worked, didn't it? I couldn't risk you or Owlwhisker not reacting in time. Surely, you understand."

Olivenose sighed and batted Firestar upside the head gently. She mewed, "I can't stay mad at you for long. Damn you." She helped Firestar to his paws. Firestar thanked her and mewed, "That was adorable by the way." Olivenose tilted her head to the side, curiosity clear in her eyes. Firestar mewed, "When you batted me." Olivenose blushed and said, "Hush."

Firestar looked around and asked, "Where did everyone go?" Olivenose answered, "Everyone in Lionclan is pushing back the assault. Lionblaze has taken the leadership role since you were out of the fight. Shall we catch up to them?" Firestar nodded and mewed, "Thank you. For staying behind to keep me safe. I love you." Olivenose purred and said, "I love you too. Now. Let's go defend our Clan and the forest." Firestar smiled and said, "I couldn't have said it better myself."

Firestar and Olivenose pelted towards where Lionclan had been pushing Tigerstar's forces back. Firestar and Olivenose leapt to the frontlines. Cloudtail yelled, "Firestar is back!"

Brightheart hissed in pain as a fox's attack landed on her. Her eye went wide as she watched the fox leap towards her throat. She prepared for her life to slip to Starclan, but the feeling never came. The fox yelped in pain, only to go quiet shortly after. She opened her eye and saw Firestar over the fox's body, blood dripping from his maw and a chunk of flesh in his mouth. Firestar spit the chunk of throat out and asked, "You alright, Brightheart?" Brightheart mewed gratefully, "Y-Yeah. Thank you." Firestar nodded and said, "Use your senses, Brightheart. You have lost half of your sight. Your other senses should be enhanced. Learn to master your other senses, and you will skyrocket in skill when it comes to combat."

Brightheart nodded her understanding and Firestar leapt back into the fray. He landed beside Blackstar. Blackstar whirled around and defended himself, unable to stop the attack heading for Firestar's throat. Blackstar's eyes went wide but Firestar blocked the attack, a small stream of blood trickling down his leg. Blackstar began to apologize, but Firestar mewed calmly, "It's fine. Anyone would've done the same! We are literally in a clusterfuck right now!" Firestar caught a cat by the throat that had leapt at him and Blackstar. Firestar mewed calmly, "My enemies are not allowed to interrupt me when I am talking to my clanmates. To repent for your sin, you shall perish." Firestar immediately crushed the cat's throat without a second thought and tossed its lifeless body to the side.

Firestar mewed, "As I was saying, it's okay, Blackstar. But do be careful. You are on your last life. Do not lose focus my friend. Stay behind me if you must." Blackstar nodded his understanding. Firestar leapt in front of Blackstar and blocked several strikes from a cat. Firestar retaliated with a flaming paw, sending the she-cat flying towards the lake. Firestar flipped over a dog leaping at him and mewed, "Stripestar. This one is all yours." Stripestar erupted out of Firestar's body and immediately assumed a solid form. Stripestar replied, "Perfect. I needed to stretch anyway." Firestar chuckled and said, "Have fun."

Dovewing evaded several strikes and blocked another. She retaliated with a swift claw down her enemy's flank. Dovewing let her senses stretch out. She took a slow, long, deep breath and felt something within her change. Dovewing's body began completely moving on its own, evading attacks with ease.

Firestar watched her evade strikes with ease and smiled as he thought to himself while evading attacks himself, 'Impressive. The training has completely changed Dovewing's combat prowess. I'd say, if she keeps going down this route, she will be right up there with Lionblaze and myself in combat prowess. She's relying more on instinct now and combining it with her gifts from Starclan, thus allowing her to achieve something I didn't even know was possible.' Firestar nodded his approval and blocked a strike.

He smirked and blocked another strike. Firestar appeared to vanish and reappeared on the back of the fox. He forced the fox to the ground and gripped its head as best he could. He immediately snapped the fox's neck, the CRACK clearly audible. Firestar leapt off of the dead foxes body towards a cat he recognized immediately. Firestar landed and immediately leapt at the Tom. The Tom ducked under the leap and turned towards where Firestar landed.

Firestar landed gracefully and immediately leapt into the air and spun his body one-hundred and eighty degrees. Firestar landed and spat, "Sol." Sol replied, "Yeah. It is me. Let's try to be civil about this." Firestar looked around and saw that he and Sol were far away from everyone else. Firestar growled, "You have exactly one minute. Spit it out." Firestar sat down.

Sol sat down as well and mewed, "Well. First off, why do you heed the orders of Starclan when all they are, are cats that were foolish enough to let themself be killed in battle?" Firestar replied, "You better be careful with your next words, or I will end you the same way I did last time. You will not disrespect the members of Starclan. Not in front of me, or anyone in the forest!"

Sol whistled and said, "Why shouldn't I? Don't you see? All of this bloodshed could've been avoided if you just joined us in the Dark Forest! It could've been avoided if Starclan wasn't meddling!" Firestar spat, "All of this bloodshed could've been avoided if Tigerstar didn't have a rage boner against the clans!" Sol mewed calmly, "Maybe so. But, put yourself in his shoes, as you twolegs say. He was betrayed by everyone, especially Bluestar! Everyone knew Tigerstar was the best choice for Deputy, but Bluestar decided to give it to Lionheart after Redtail died!" Firestar hissed, "Redtail was murdered by Tigerstar during the battle of Sunningrocks! Lionheart was killed by Shadowclan when Firestar, Ravenpaw, Graystripe, Tigerstar, and Bluestar were at the Moonpool! It wouldn't surprise me at all if Tigerstar had some kind of paw in it! And then Tigerstar tried to lie his way to the top, and it worked! The only ones who knew the truth were Firestar, Ravenpaw, and Graystripe! However! It wasn't enough to just be the Deputy of Thunderclan! He attempted to murder Bluestar himself when he was deputy! Tigerstar is nothing but a power hungry, revenge-driven, pathological liar, and a psychopath! And do not refer to me as a twoleg! We both know I am not a twoleg!"

Sol continued, "But that arises another question, how do you know so much about it? I know the Elder's never told the whole story to many, and the ones who might've known about it, are either already dead, or died during this battle."

Firestar growled, "Because Starclan communes with us clan cats you ignorant fool!" Sol clicked his tongue and mewed, "Tsk tsk tsk. Come now Firestar. We are too old to be calling one another names. Besides, Tigerstar only wanted to make Thunderclan strong again! Thunderclan was the laughing stock of the old forest! Bluestar brought in so many impure cats! Kittypets, rogues, and traitors to their clan!"

Firestar hissed, "So what if Bluestar did bring them in?! Without them, we never would've gotten Millie, Firestar, Cloudtail, Yellowfang, all of Windclan would've been lost, etc.! Need I go on?! Besides! Bluestar bringing and saving those cats, made Thunderclan the strongest clan!"

Sol sighed and said, "I will never get you to see Tigerstar's side, will I?" Firestar mewed calmly, "You are correct." Sol said, a hint of fear in his voice, "Are you going to kill me like before?" Firestar mewed sadly, "Not the same way as before, but you will die. And the reason is because you are a very persuasive Tom, and I really don't want you converting members of my clan to Tigerstar's… there is no nice way to say, so Ima just say it. I don't want you converting members of my clan to Tigerstar's cult. Besides, we all know your forces are going for the kill, so Code Fourteen applies for self-defense." Sol muttered, "Shit."

Sol raised his voice and said, "So be it. But I won't go down without a fight!" Firestar's body and muscles tensed as he said, "I wouldn't want it any other way." Sol nodded in understanding and said, "No tricks this time. Just you verse me." Firestar beamed and said, "I appreciate that. If only I could redeem your soul, but you have strayed too far from the path of light." Sol took a breath and mewed, "Let's go!"

Sol leapt at Firestar, claws out. Firestar ducked under the leap and hooked Sol's hind leg with a claw. Firestar slammed Sol into the ground. Sol coughed in pain and got to his feet again. Sol shot forwards, a small cloud of dirt shooting up from under him. Firestar smiled and evaded several strikes and mewed, "Your body is releasing noradrenaline in a desperate attempt to keep you alive. Your body knows you're going to die." Firestar slipped several attacks and blocked another. Sol asked, "The fuck is noradrenaline?!"

Firestar struck Sol's face with a closed paw, sending Sol rolling backwards. Firestar mewed as Sol struggled to get to his paws, "Noradrenaline is similar to Adrenaline. However, the difference is that Noradrenaline releases your body's full potential. Adrenaline only releases a little bit of your potential. Noradrenaline is released when your brain thinks you are actually about to die, so it unlocks your full potential in a desperate attempt to keep you alive. Think of it, as your body making a final stand." Sol mewed, "Makes sense that my body would release my full potential against a foe such as you."

Firestar replied, "Indeed." Firestar darted towards Sol fast as a rabbit. Sol's eyes went wide and he focused on defending himself. Sol managed to evade several strikes and blocked one. Firestar's eyes went wide as Sol hit him with a powerful jab. Firestar stumbled backwards in shock. He laughed and wiped his lip clean of blood. He mewed, "Impressive. You actually managed to hit me with a punch. Didn't know you had it in you to fight like me." Sol didn't expect the praise and mewed, "Thank you."

Firestar chuckled and got onto his hind legs. Sol shook his head and leapt towards Firestar, teeth bared. Firestar flipped over the leap and landed gracefully on his hind legs. Sol growled in annoyance and leapt towards Firestar once more. They began an all out battle in close quarters, each blow that landed; sending blood flying.

Firestar blocked several strikes and checked a claw from Sol. Sol grunted in pain and retaliated with a claw down Firestar's stomach. Firestar fell to his paws in pain and hissed as his injuries healed in a flash of fire. Firestar smirked and ignited his claws with white fire. Firestar leapt at Sol and raked his claws down Sol's flank, the fire immediately cauterizing the wound. Sol yowled in pain.

Sol stepped backwards in pain and hissed in annoyance. Firestar mewed, "King takes Bishop. One step closer to checkmate. That's check, Tigerstar. Your move!" Before Sol could blink, Firestar shot forwards fast as lightning strikes and slit his throat cleanly. Sol fell to the ground, choking on his blood. Firestar padded to be in front of Sol and he said, "Good fight Sol. You held your own for a bit." Sol coughed up a large mouthful of blood and he mewed weakly, "You showed me that believing in something is good. Thank you." Sol coughed up another large mouthful of blood and strained to say, "Give me a Warrior's Vigil. Please." Sol's eyes began to glaze over as he took his last breath. Firestar murmured, "As you wish Sol. I doubt this will allow you to join Starclan, but stranger things have happened." Firestar yowled, "I HAVE DEFEATED THEIR RING LEADER. THEIR FORCES ARE BOUND TO BE WEAKENED!" Firestar leapt back into the fray.

After several more hours of fighting, the moon was high in the sky. Firestar and Lionblaze were fighting side by side, slaying many of Tigerstar's forces. A yowl of retreat was heard. Firestar and Lionblaze watched Tigerstar's forces retreat into the darkness. Both toms were breathing heavily, their injuries; not healing as both toms had reached their limit hours ago. Firestar and Lionblaze collapsed to the ground, coated in blood and injuries.

Multiple voices were heard yelling both their names. Cinderheart sprinted towards her mate's and son's body. Firestar's mates that were fighting in the battle rushed to his side. Firestar and Lionblaze looked at everyone around them. Firestar mewed weakly, "We're fine. We just need some rest." Lionstar and Cinderheart spat at the same time, "BULLSHIT!"

Sandstorm padded over and mewed, "No need to play the tough guy here, Firestar. We all know both you and Lionblaze are in pain." Firestar struggled to get to his paws, but managed to stand up. Firestar said, voice full of authority, "Arrange our fallen friends and comrades for their vigil. We need to add one more to their numbers." Ivypool sighed and mewed, "As you wish."

Firestar limped over to where Sol's lifeless body was. He looked at the body and mewed, "I'll be damned. His body didn't disappear. Intriguing. Maybe he did truly redeem himself." Firestar picked up Sol's body from its scruff and carried it towards the bodies of his fallen clanmates.

Bramblestar asked, a hint of disgust in his voice, "Why did you bring his body here?" Firestar replied, "Because he asked me to give him a Warrior's vigil. He earned it while fighting me. I could tell his mind changed during our fight." Bramblestar asked, "You sure?" Firestar nodded and Bramblestar mewed, "As you wish." All of Lionclan gave a vigil to everyone in the Clans', Sol included, for the entirety of the night.

So. There we go. Again. I have a poll up. Please take time out of your day to vote on it, or I will end up using the cats y'all might not want for it. I know, it's shorter. May Starclan watch over you all! Until next time, HappytheExceed16, logging out!