Time for a full fight between the behemoths known as Tigerstar and Firestar. Let's do this!
Chapter 10: Unbridled Willpower
Firestar and Tigerstar locked eyes. Tigerstar cackled and said, "Come on. Show me something!" Firestar hissed, "Happily. I've been waiting for this for a long time! My vengeance is so close, I can taste it! And it tastes sweet!" The two Toms dashed toward one another, meeting in the middle.
As the two clashed, shockwaves erupted from them. They traded blows for several minutes. Firestar blocked a claw and sunk his teeth into Tigerstar's shoulder. Tigerstar hissed in pain as Firestar ripped a chunk of flesh out of Tigerstar's shoulder. Firestar tasted the iron of Tigerstar's blood and spit the chunk of flesh out. Tigerstar's shoulder healed instantly, and Tigerstar knocked Firestar away from him. Firestar skidded backward and hissed, "Come on! Are you afraid of me?! Good! YOU SHOULD BE!"
Firestar shot toward Tigerstar faster than the blink of an eye. Tigerstar barely reacted in time to evade Firestar's strike. As he evaded Firestar's strike, Firestar's paw grazed Tigerstar's cheek. Tigerstar hissed in pain as just the graze ripped a chunk of his cheek off. Tigerstar slid underneath Firestar, digging his claws deep into Firestar's stomach. As Tigerstar slid underneath him, Firestar hissed in pain. Blood pooled below him, and the injury healed in a flash of fire.
Tigerstar cackled and said, "This is fun! Come on!" Tigerstar shot toward Firestar like a viper. The two began going blow for blow for almost an hour, blood exploding from both of the Toms' injuries. Each strike that found its mark sounded like Thunder crashing. Firestar blocked a strike and retaliated with a powerful hook, sending Tigerstar flying through one of the stone walls. Several rocks fell from the roof of the tunnels and Tigerstar yowled in pain as he flew through the wall of stone. He landed harshly, breathing heavily. Tigerstar sighed in relief as his wounds healed. Tigerstar got to his paws and laughed maniacally.
Firestar's eyes locked onto Tigerstar's position because of Tigerstar's bloodlust. He muttered, "How in the hell is he standing? I sent him through a wall of stone!" Firestar's eyes widened as claws appeared before his face. He barely reacted in time to evade the strike. Tigerstar's claws grazed Firestar's cheek and ripped a chunk out. Firestar hissed in pain and felt claws rake across his back as well. Firestar dropped to the ground. Firestar's eyes widened in disbelief as he saw Tigerstar's claws heading for his throat. Firestar barely got his fore legs up in time to block the strike. Firestar got sent sliding into a stone wall because of the sheer power behind Tigerstar's last attack. He coughed up blood and rolled to his paws.
Firestar's injuries healed in a flash of fire and he sighed in relief. Firestar looked around the area and gasped. Firestar dropped to his stomach to avoid Tigerstar's leap. Firestar got to his paws and pelted toward Tigerstar. Firestar clawed Tigerstar's flank and immediately climbed up a stone wall. Firestar leapt toward Tigerstar with his shoulder lowered. Firestar's shoulder made contact with Tigerstar's chest and he felt several of Tigerstar's ribs break from the force of his strike. Tigerstar yelled in pain and was sent rolling on the ground. Tigerstar got to his paws shakily and yowled, "This is fun! Let's see if you can handle something stronger!" Firestar hissed in annoyance and Tigerstar's body erupted with a black and red aura as he began the true chant.
Red and black erupted from Tigerstar's body and it continued to grow in size with each word, his voice sounding demonic, "I, who is about to awaken, am the cat sent from hell to enact vengeance and exert pure unrivaled fear!" Tigerstar's body erupted with darkness as he continued, "I kill the weak, train the strong, eviscerate the Cat of Hope for getting in my way, and make the forest quake in fear as I prevent the banishment of the Heavenly Cat of Hope and the Infernal Cat of Domination!" Tigerstar's body was enveloped with dark flames as he continued, "I shall drag you all into the depths of hell, begging for mercy." Tigerstar's entire body became blood red, eyes included as he finished, "INFERNAL DRIVE!" The word drive echoed throughout the tunnels.
The entire tunnel system shook at Tigerstar's immense power and Firestar looked at Tigerstar and growled, "So. You're resorting to the complete transformation." Tigerstar cackled and said, his voice demonic, "Indeed. Come on. Use yours! Or have you not learned the entirety of the true chant?"
Firestar's body pleaded with him to succumb to Tigerstar's aura. He tried to take a step, but found he couldn't. Firestar's head became drenched in sweat. Tigerstar cackled and said, "Oh no. Is the hero of the forest scared?" Firestar shook his head and looked directly up into Tigerstar's eyes.
Tigerstar smirked and Firestar growled, "I might be terrified currently. However, I won't let this fear decide my fate! ONLY I CAN DECIDE MY FATE!" Firestar managed to get his body under control and ran at Tigerstar. The two traded blows in the middle of the clearing, blood flying from each strike. Firestar blocked a strike and felt his forelegs shatter. He yowled in pain as he was sent skidding backward into a wall. He slumped down, breathing raggedly.
Sunnypelt yelled, "FIRESTAR NO!" Firestar felt her words give him strength. His wounds healed in a flash of fire and Firestar got onto his paws shakily. He locked eyes with Tigerstar and vanished. Tigerstar couldn't track him and felt something land on his back. Tigerstar felt flaming claws rake his back and he growled in pain. Firestar looked around for something to use and saw something. Firestar smirked and leapt up. He punched the stalactite. It began falling and Firestar felt time slow for him. Firestar landed on the stalactite and roared as he punched it down towards Tigerstar. Time resumed at its normal pace for Firestar and he landed on the ground harshly.
Tigerstar felt something stab deep into one of his hind legs and he roared in pain. Firestar coughed up blood and hissed, "Good luck moving fast right now and good luck trying to evade my next assualt. That stalactite is lodged deep into your hind leg so it won't heal until the damn thing is removed." Firestar got to his paws shakily and growled loudly, exhaustion and pain being replaced by adrenaline.
Firestar bolted toward Tigerstar and roared as he blitzed Tigerstar. Firestar hit Tigerstar with several fast, powerful attacks and ended his blitz with a powerful right hook. Tigerstar was sent flying through several walls. Tigerstar roared in pain as he was sent flying through the stone walls. He slumped down, breathing heavily.
Firestar fell to his stomach, his body nearing its limit as he and Tigerstar had been fighting at full power for almost two hours. Firestar's vision blurred and unblurred several times. His eyes widened in fear as he saw Tigerstar charging toward him. Firestar tried to get up but couldn't. He felt himself getting stuck in relentless assault. Each attack from Tigerstar felt like a Twoleg Monster had hit him. Tigerstar ended his blitz as he punched Firestar into the ground and he bounced up, hissing in pain. Tigerstar clawed Firestar's chest deeply and Firestar tried to block a strike but was too slow. Firestar caught Tigerstar's closed paw right in the chest. Firestar yelled in pain as he was sent flying through a couple of stone walls. The tunnels shook as each wall was destroyed. Firestar's back hit a stone pillar and he slumped down into a sitting position, not moving. Blood pooled below him and the Heavenly Drive deactivated.
Sunnypelt felt her eyes water and she choked out, "N-No. H-He can't be! FIRESTAR! GET UP!" Boneclaw muttered, "I-I don't believe it. I am so fucked. So fucked! I am so fucked! Tigerstar's gonna torture me relentlessly and never kill me. Sunnypelt, you gotta help me!" Sunnypelt spat, "How the hell can I help you? The only able to help you is getting destroyed by Tigerstar!" Sunnypelt looked toward Firestar's unmoving body, her body tensing as she tried to suppress the need to cry. She muttered, "C-Come on. Y-You have to get up! YOU HAVE TOO!" Sunnypelt watched Tigerstar approach Firestar's unmoving body.
In Firestar's Mind:
Firestar's life was flashing before his eyes. He never stayed too long in one memory and found himself in his Leader's Den in Thunderclan. Firestar's face became pale and his eyes watered as he saw Spottedleaf, Heathertail, and Olivenose were there in his Leader's Den as well. Spottedleaf mewed sweetly, "Hey Fire. What's on your mind? You look like you've seen a ghost."
Firestar's lips pressed together, forcing his breath to stay even, and mewed, "Y-You're here! So are Heathertail and Olivenose! Y-You're all alive and here!" Olivenose giggled and said, "Of course we are mousebrain. Why wouldn't we be?"
Firestar felt his voice get caught in the back of his throat and Heathertail rubbed Firestar's back with paws. She mewed, "Answer her, love. Why wouldn't we be alive and here?" Firestar answered, choking back tears, "B-Because I killed you three." Noise at the entrance to his den drew his attention. He blushed as he saw Sunnypelt walk into his den.
Sunnypelt padded over and kissed Firestar deeply. Firestar tried to pull away, but he didn't want to. Sunnypelt separated herself from him, a thin strand of their saliva stuck together. Sunnypelt smiled and said, "I told you that you didn't hurt them, Love." Firestar's eyes widened at the word Love. He mewed shyly, "Y-You called me love? Why?"
Sunnypelt giggled and said, "You're so funny, Firestar. We confessed our feelings after you killed Tigerstar." Firestar's mind immediately raced and he said, "I killed Tigerstar?" The four she-cats around him nodded their agreement. Firestar got an idea and asked, "How did I kill him?" Heathertail answered, "You killed him with one single deep claw down his gut, just like Scourge did to him when he was killed the first time." Firestar's mind raced again and he muttered, "W-Wait. This isn't real. I'd never tell the ones I love how I killed someone because they don't need to worry more about me than they already do and be afraid of me going down the wrong path. That must mean that I am still fighting him! How am I going to get back out there? B-But I could stay here and spend my remaining time with Spottedleaf, Heathertail, Olivenose, and Sunnypelt. That does sound nice." Firestar padded to one of the corner's of his den. Firestar felt a tail on his back and he turned around, looking into Sunnypelt's blue eyes.
Sunnypelt mewed warmly, "You figured that out quick. You need to get up, Firestar. Tigerstar's about to kill you! I am the part of you that wants to live, no matter what! Get up Firestar! Your story hasn't ended yet! We both know you didn't kill Heathertail, Olivenose, and Spottedleaf. That is why I brought you here. To reignite that spark of hope and wanting to live buried deep within you. You haven't lost yet. Get up, my love. Your Will to Live and Willpower is stronger than you think! Listen closely, and you will get back on your feet. I promise you that. I also promise that if you get back up, you will see all four of us again." Firestar's mind raced at Sunnypelt's words until a feminine voice reached his ears.
Sunnypelt's voice reached his ears as it said, "Y-You gotta get up! I know your Will to Live is stronger than this! Please! Get! UP! I don't know how I'd handle losing you because I…I.. Fuck it. BECAUSE I LOVE YOU!" Firestar thought to himself, 'T-The real S-Sunnypelt?! She is on the brink of tears. I can tell. I refuse to be the reason she cries again. I adamantly refuse! GET UP! I NEED TO GET UP! I HAVEN'T LOST YET! I CAN CRY ABOUT THIS DREAM LATER! GET UP! COME ON! GET! UP!'
With Sunnypelt and Boneclaw:
Sunnypelt's voice was stuck in the back of her throat as Tigerstar stood above Firestar's body. Sunnypelt's eyes watered and she found her voice and yelled, "Y-You gotta get up! I know your Will to Live is stronger than this! Please! Get! UP! I don't know how I'd handle losing you because I…I.. Fuck it. BECAUSE I LOVE YOU!"
Tigerstar cackled and mewed, "It was indeed fun, Firestar. Thank you, for actually putting up a fight. But your story ends here!" Tigerstar went to slash Firestar's neck. His eyes widened as Firestar caught his paw, a mere inch from Firestar's neck. Tigerstar's eyes widened in fear as he saw fire swirling around Firestar's broken forelegs. Firestar hissed in pain as his forelegs snapped back into place and healed. Firestar's eyes locked onto Tigerstar's, and Tigerstar gulped in fear as he saw pure determination and willpower in Firestar's eyes. Firestar's willpower was so strong, you could practically see it erupting from his body.
Sunnypelt's eyes watered and she covered her mouth with her paws, preventing a yelp of joy as she saw Firestar stop Tigerstar's attack. Boneclaw's eyes widened in shock as Firestar stopped Tigerstar's final attack.
Firestar roared, his voice getting deeper and filled with determination with each word, as he struggled to push Tigerstar's claws away from his neck, "I! HAVEN'T LOST YET!" Firestar crushed Tigerstar's foreleg and threw Tigerstar's paw to the side. Firestar roared as he wrapped his paws around Tigerstar's ginormous body. Firestar got onto his hind legs and ran while carrying Tigerstar through several stone pillars. Tigerstar grunted in pain as he was carried through several pillars of stone. Firestar roared as he did a quick three-sixty, twenty feet before a stone wall; to build momentum and threw Tigerstar toward a wall. Tigerstar coughed up a large mouthful of blood as his back struck a wall. Tigerstar's eyes widened in fear as Firestar blitzed him.
Firestar slammed Tigerstar against the wall once more and roared as he blitzed Tigerstar with several hundred strong attacks, each one sounding like thunder. Tigerstar's blood from his injuries completely covered Firestar's body with each strike. Tigerstar struggled to defend himself from Firestar's assault. Tigerstar was knocked unconscious for a few seconds as a closed paw struck his face. Tigerstar regained consciousness and his eyes opened. His eyes widened in disbelief as he saw Firestar's claws about to penetrate his throat. Tigerstar caught Firestar's paw before Firestar's claws tore into his throat. Tigerstar and Firestar grunted in effort, each one trying to gain ground. Tigerstar's forelegs shook with effort, trying to prevent Firestar from tearing his throat out. Tigerstar managed to push Firestar's paw away a single mouse length from his throat. He struggled to speak and asked, "H-How are you doing this?! You aren't even in the Heavenly Drive! This is your base form, and you're winning a battle of strength against me in the complete Transformation?! HOW?!" Firestar hissed and pushed his claws forward a hair-length, "Because fuck you! That's how!" Tigerstar pushed Firestar's claws away another mouse-length. Firestar hissed in pain, his foreleg shaking in effort as Tigerstar moved it back, bit by bit, with both his paws. Firestar roared and pushed his claws closer to Tigerstar's throat, gaining the ground he had lost. Firestar hissed, "It's called pure determination and unbridled Willpower if you must know!"
Firestar and Tigerstar struggled to gain ground on the other. The two were at a stalemate. Firestar hissed and growled, "I CAN DO THIS!" Tigerstar's eyes widened in fear as Firestar pushed his claws forward hair-length, by hair-length. Tigerstar's eyes were filled with desperation and fear as he tried to push Firestar's claws back. Firestar felt his claws touch Tigerstar's throat and he roared as he forced his claws into Tigerstar's neck slightly.
Firestar roared with all his might as he felt his claws pierce into Tigerstar's throat slightly. Firestar roared, his voice deep with determination, "I NEED TO STAB DEEPER! I NEED TO RIP HIS THROAT OUT! I NEED TO CUT AND STAB DEEPER!" Firestar exerted his remaining strength and roared as his claws went clean through Tigerstar's throat and they stuck deep into the wall of stone behind Tigerstar. Firestar felt his foreleg break from the force his claws had hit the stone-wall with. Firestar hissed in pain.
Tigerstar gurgled on his blood and his warm blood covered Firestar's foreleg. Firestar struggled to remove his claws from the wall of stone, and he hissed in annoyance. Firestar roared, and pulled his claws out, exerting so much force that he fell backward, rolling a few times until his back hit a stone wall. Firestar gasped for breath, blood flowing from his mouth. Tigerstar's warm blood was on Firestar's foreleg. Tigerstar laughed weakly. Tigerstar coughed up a massive amount of blood and said, blood dribbling from his lips, "I-Impressive. But I told you this wasn't the final confrontation. I'll be seeing you, Firestar." Tigerstar slumped to the ground as his injuries healed. Firestar watched Tigerstar struggle to his paws and retreat into the darkness. Firestar tried to get to his paws, but he couldn't. The invisible circle of fire surrounding Sunnypelt and Boneclaw dissipated just as Sunnypelt exited the circle and began running toward Firestar.
Sunnypelt yelling Firestar's name fell on deaf ears as Firestar succumbed to his injuries and exhaustion. Sunnypelt hissed, "Get over here, Boneclaw! Help me damn it!" Boneclaw walked over to Sunnypelt and said, "We need to get him back to Skyclan, ASAP! I don't know how he managed to stop Tigerstar's final attack. Look at him!" Sunnypelt's eyes shot over Firestar's body. She saw countless minor injuries and several deep cuts on his flanks, a deep gash across the chest, a deep bite on his neck, a deep gash on his back, and his front legs were broken, the bone poking through the skin. Blood poured from the wounds like a drink. She hissed, "The only reason he managed to defend himself, is his pure unbridled willpower. Help me get him on my back! I'll carry him back to Skyclan. Stay close. I refuse to let him lose a life here!" Boneclaw helped get Firestar on Sunnypelt's back and they headed back toward Skyclan.
Several Hours Later:
Sunnypelt and Boneclaw arrived back at Skyclan. It was nearly sunhigh and she yowled, "I NEED A MEDICINE CAT! STAT!" as she breached the entrance to Skyclan. Fidgetflake and Frecklewish came from their den. Both cats' eyes locked onto Firestar and Frecklewish covered her mouth. Fidgetflake ordered, "Bring him in here. NOW!" Sunnypelt obeyed without hesitation and carried Firestar into the Medicine Den. She set Firestar down on a mossbed gently. Sunnypelt kissed Firestar's head gently and said somberly, "Please. Come back to me. I need you to come back to me!"
In Firestar's Mind:
Firestar awoke in his Leader's Den in Thunderclan. His gaze wandered throughout the den and he saw no one. Firestar sighed in relief and said, "It was all just a dream. Thank Starclan." Firestar got up and tried to leave his Leader's Den, but was knocked back into his den. He landed harshly and hissed, "The fuck?!"
Firestar tried to leave his den again, and he was knocked backward. His back hit the back wall of his den and he grunted in pain. He hissed, "What is this?!" A beautiful ginger she-cat with blue eyes walked into his den. Firestar recognized Sunnypelt and he asked, "H-How did you come into my den?! I can't leave it!"
Sunnypelt purred in amusement and said, "I am preventing you from leaving your den." Firestar asked, "WHY?! WHAT'S GOING ON?!" Sunnypelt answered somberly, "I am preventing you from leaving your den, because if you do, you will join Starclan." Firestar couldn't believe his ears and Sunnypelt continued, "You don't remember, do you?" Firestar shook his head and Sunnypelt sighed. She brushed against Firestar's flanks with affection and said, "You're dying, Firestar. You defeated Tigerstar in the tunnels of the Old Forest. Unfortunately, because you don't know the true chant, Tigerstar is still alive."
Firestar's mind raced and he couldn't remember anything. Firestar asked, "If that's the case, why can't I remember it? And tell me why you're able to prevent me from leaving my den!"
Sunnypelt answered, "You can't remember it because I am preventing you from remembering it until you decide you want to live or die. And the reason I am able to prevent you from leaving your den in Thunderclan, is because I am the part of you that wants to live. I am hiding you from the part of you that wants to die, but it won't last forever. So you need to hear me out, before it shows itself. Got it?" Firestar's mind raced and he said, "B-But." Sunnypelt clicked her tongue and said, "But nothing. We both know your story is far from over. So hear me out. Please."
In the Waking World:
Sunnypelt was curled up beside Firestar's body. It had been almost four days since Firestar fought Tigerstar. Fidgetflake and Frecklewish had done their best to patch up Firestar. She remembered the words that Frecklewish said. She said, "It's up to him now." Those words cut deeper than any claw.
Sunnypelt was fighting back her tears, barely succeeding. Someone entered the Medicine Den and Sunnypelt leapt on top of Firestar's body, ready to defend it with her life. Her hostility didn't vanish as she recognized Macgyver and Sparrowpelt.
Macgyver said calmly, "Easy there, Sunnypelt. We aren't here to send him to Starclan, I promise." Sparrowpelt said, "He's right, dear. We came to check up on him and you. How are you doing?"
Sunnypelt spat, "How do you think I'm doing, dad?! The tom I love is dying as we speak! Use your fucking head!" Sparrowpelt visibly flinched at her words and Macgyver said calmly, "We didn't cause his injuries. We aren't the enemies here, okay? Talk to us. What happened?" Sunnypelt looked down in shame and began to explain everything from her first time meeting Firestar, to now.
In Firestar's Mind:
Sunnypelt had finished talking and Firestar mewed, "S-So you think I didn't hurt them? And that I need to be Out for Love instead of pure vengeance." Sunnypelt nodded and said, "Close. I know you didn't hurt Heathertail, Olivenose, and Spottedleaf. And if I know it, so do you. And you do need to be Out for Love. Or you will die. How can I get through to you?" Sunnypelt thought for a second and said, "I got it."
Sunnypelt took a breath and mewed, "I see you're driven by your destestation. Your every step is stoked with animus. You need a different type of motivation, or there's no way that you can handle this! I know you're thirsting for vengeance, Firestar, you're out for blood. But you'll only stand a chance if you're out for love. Think of those you care about, protect them and be out for love! You're gonna fight without gloves; long as you're out for love. Fuel yourself with the fear of losing those who are your reason to live! Harness your heart and you can't help choosing to fight all you can give! I know you're thirsting for vengeance, Firestar, you're out for blood. But you'll only stand a chance if you're out for love. You must be out for love and think of those you care about, protect them and be out for love! You're gonna fight without gloves and when that push comes to shove; yeah, you just might rise above as long as you're out for love!"
Firestar took Sunnypelt's words in and mewed, "I see. I think I get it." Sunnypelt beamed and she vanished. Firestar yowled, "SUNNYPELT NO!" Firestar's eyes shot to the entrance of his den and his eyes widened as he saw Lionblaze pad into the den. Lionblaze mewed, "About time I found you, my son."
Firestar hissed, "So. You're the part of me that wants to die, I take it?" Lionblaze nodded somberly and said, "Why is it always up to you and I to defend the forest? We both haven't been allowed to have a normal life. Anytime impossible odds are placed before us, we're expected to go and defeat those odds. When have we ever gotten to think about ourselves'? Both you and I have been chosen by Starclan to protect the forest, hence the reason they placed the power of the Stars in our paws. Starclan didn't think about the toll and price it comes with. You've been defeated, Firestar. And that is nothing to be ashamed of. Allow yourself to succumb to your injuries so you may rest in peace. No more pain. No more loss of loved ones. No more loss. No more anything. Just peace. Come with me, my son. You know you don't want to keep going on."
Firestar growled, "The forest needs to be protected! Tigerstar is trying to wipe all the clans out for his petty vengeance!" Lionblaze said warmly, "I know. But you don't want to do it anymore. You know that. You've been through so much. Much more than anyone with the Power of the Stars in their paws that came before you went through, myself included."
Firestar spat, "All of my loved ones need to be protected, yourself and mom included. You trying to say you can protect my harem, and my kits, all whilst protecting yourself and mom?!" Lionblaze answered, "I am not saying that I can protect your harem and kits while also protecting myself and Cinderheart. But you know when we all pass, we will join you in Starclan so you won't be alone."
Firestar growled, "That isn't the point, dad! What you just said, told me everything I need to know! I want to live! I need to live! Bring Sunnypelt back this instant!" Lionblaze shook his head and said, "Impossible. I sent her far away from here. She won't be coming back anytime soon. Let's chat, Firestar."
In the Waking World:
Sunnypelt had finished explaining everything that had happened between her and Firestar since they first met, to Macgyver and Sparrowpelt. Macgyver mewed, "I understand now. I understand why you fell for him. My condolences for your loss." Sparrowpelt nodded in agreement and said, "I get it too. Well. I hope he comes back to you. I truly do. I haven't seen you this happy in moons! Our prayers for him go to Starclan." Sunnypelt nodded her understanding and watched her father and Macgyver leave the Medicine Den.
Sunnypelt curled up beside Firestar again and mewed warmly in his ear, "I know you're in there, Firestar. Please. Come back to me. I know you can. Come back to me so I can confess. I don't want the only times I confessed to you to have fallen on deaf ears. Please. Come back to me! Come back to me so I can tell you how I feel!"
In Firestar's Mind:
Firestar took in Lionblaze's words and Lionblaze continued warmly, "You can fight against your death for as long as you want, but your willpower will eventually break. Come with me, and allow yourself to finally rest. You've earned it, Firestar."
Firestar growled, "No. I won't cave! My Will to Live and Willpower is stronger than you think!" Firestar leapt at his father and the two rolled on the ground. Firestar wound up on top and he pinned Lionblaze to the ground. Firestar went to kill Lionblaze, but found he couldn't.
Lionblaze shook his head and answered, purring in amusement, "Why do you think I am the part of you that wants to die? Because you'd never kill your father. And why do you think Sunnypelt is the part of you that wants to live? It isn't because she's the one who will save you, mousebrain. It's because you'd never kill the ones you love either. You didn't do what you think you did, and deep within your psyche, you know that. It's obvious, because Sunnypelt is the part of you that wants to live. I am the part of you that has forgiven yourself for thinking you actually killed Heathertail, Olivenose, and Spottedleaf. The same can be said with the part of you that wants to live. Hence the reason the part of you that wants to live has taken the form of Sunnypelt. Come with me, Firestar. And you won't have to ever hurt again. Starclan will grant someone else the power of the stars in order to protect the forest. If you come with me, yes; your story will be over. However, you won't need to hurt anymore."
Firestar took in Lionblaze's words and his eyes welled up. He unpinned his father and looked at the entrance to his den in Thunderclan. Firestar took a step toward the entrance, only to be tackled by someone through his den's entrance. The two rolled on the ground and Firestar wound up on top.
Firestar recognized Sunnypelt below him and she mewed, "Don't do it, Firestar. Come back to me! You know you want to! Sure, you might be hurt time and time again, but you will lay eyes on Heathertail, Olivenose, Spottedleaf, Lionstar, Windstream, Honeypaw, Silverstream, Splashfur, Dovewing, Ivypool, Mistystar, and myself again! You know you will! Pain is what makes life worth living! Without pain, there would be no meaning to life! If everything was always pain free, it would mean that you didn't truly live! Think about what I said! Be out for love, mousebrain!"
Firestar unpinned Sunnypelt and she looked at Lionblaze and spat, "Come on! You can't seriously think that Firestar wants to give up! Do you actually think he wants to?!"
Lionblaze retorted, "The choice is his, Sunnypelt. He can either come with me, or go with you. This will be a test of his Willpower. Neither of us can force him to come with us. Has he lost the will to live, or has he decided that his life still has meaning. A true test of his willpower!" Sunnypelt got to her paws and sat on the opposite side of Lionblaze. Both Sunnypelt and Lionblaze snapped. Firestar remembered his battle with Tigerstar in the tunnels. His body became covered in several wounds, blood pooled below him and he coughed up blood. Firestar fell to his stomach and he hissed in pain.
Lionblaze mewed, "That pain you feel, will end if you come with me. No fear and no pain in Starclan." Sunnypelt said, "That pain you feel, is proof that you're alive! Come with me, and you will be brought back to the land of the living." Both Lionblaze and Sunnypelt mewed in unison, "What's it gonna be?! The sweet release of Death or the pain of Living?!"
Firestar couldn't get to his paws as his front legs were broken. He coughed up more blood and growled in pain. Firestar said through gritted teeth, "I…I choose…." Both Lionblaze and Sunnypelt mewed in unison, "Yes?"
Firestar coughed up a large mouthful of blood and hissed through gritted teeth, "I…I must be out for love… So.. I… I… choose…. To live! Even if it hurts. I CHOOSE LIFE!" Firestar crawled to Sunnypelt, his body screeching in agony. Once he was below Sunnypelt, she licked his head affectionately and mewed, "Wise decision. Together, we will find Heathertail, Olivenose, and Spottedleaf. I promise that we will find them together. I love you, Firestar." Firestar said through gritted teeth, "I…I love you too."
Lionblaze sighed and said, "His decision has been made. Gotta say. I'm impressed. Until we meet again, Firestar. Take care of yourself." Lionblaze vanished from Firestar's den and Sunnypelt mewed sweetly, "Let's go home, Love." Firestar nodded and closed his eyes, letting his will to live bring him back to the land of the living.
In the Waking World:
Sunnypelt mewed weakly, "N-No change in almost a week. M-Maybe I should just accept that he's gone." Fidgetflake padded over and said, "I am sorry for your loss, Sunnypelt. He was a good Tom." Her tears that she had been holding back for a week, began to flow freely. She roared in grief. The entire clan of Skyclan, Ragnar included, heard her roar of grief. They all headed toward the Medicine Den, attempting to comfort the grieving she-cat.
Once everyone had given Sunnypelt their condolences, Fidgetflake and Sunnypelt started preparing Firestar's body for vigil and burial, Sunnypelt's tears drenching Firestar's body. Once they were done preparing his body for his vigil, they carried Firestar's body towards the entrance of Skyclan. A gasp of breath erupted from Firestar. Sunnypelt and Fidgetflake gasped in disbelief as Firestar's body was enveloped with pure white flames. Both of them dropped his body onto the ground before they were burned. Sunnypelt mewed, "Firestar?! FIRESTAR?!" All of Skyclan came out to investigate the noise. Everyone's eyes widened as they saw Firestar's body surrounded with pure white flames.
Firestar's heart began to beat once again, his breathing shallow and ragged. His eyes struggled to open. Once they opened, he recognized the blue eyes above him, glistening with tears. Firestar mewed weakly, "I-I never wanted to make you cry again, Sunnypelt. I-I-I'm s-sorry." Sunnypelt covered Firestar's body with hers, her tears drenching his underbelly. Sunnypelt mewed weakly, "I-I thought I lost you! No changes in over a week! W-What changed?!"
Firestar answered weakly, "I will explain it to you later. I promise." Firestar tried to get to his paws, but found he couldn't. Sunnypelt helped Firestar to his paws. He leaned heavily on Sunnypelt, forcing her to take the brunt of his weight. Sunnypelt helped Firestar walk toward their den. Firestar mewed weakly before they entered, "I have something I need to tell you, Sunnypelt." Sunnypelt mewed, her tears of sadness replaced with tears of joy, "Oh yeah? What might that be?"
Firestar mewed into her ear, "You are the reason I made it back, Sunnypelt. I made it back for you. Also, I need to tell you something else, Sunnypelt. Sunnypelt, I love you." Sunnypelt's eyes widened as she heard Firestar's sentence. Sunnypelt purred happily and said, "I have something to tell you as well." Firestar listened and Sunnypelt whispered into his ear, "I love you too." Firestar purred happily and said, "I had hoped that was the case. However, you're a damn fool."
Sunnypelt laid Firestar into their mossbed and said, "Of course it was the case, mousebrain. How could it not be?" Firestar answered weakly, "I thought you didn't want to be mated by me. I do have eight mates already." Sunnypelt licked his head affectionately and said, "Actually, you have twelve now, Heathertail, Olivenose, Spottedleaf, and myself included. We both know that those three are still alive. And believe me, I never expected to fall for you. But I did. Sleep and recover, mousebrain. Got it?" Firestar chuckled weakly and closed his eyes, swiftly falling asleep. Sunnypelt shook her head in disbelief and laid next to Firestar. She mewed, "Of course I fell for you. And I know I'm a fool for falling for you, but I also know you didn't kill those three. The scent of lavender was strong in the tunnels for a reason. Mousebrain. Tigerstar was hiding the scents of Heathertail, Olivenose, and Spottedleaf."
Sunnypelt purred happily and she snuggled close to Firestar, her head on his chest. Sunnypelt mewed, "I do not know how you made it back to me. But I am glad you did. Must have an unfathomable amount of Willpower to be able to come back from being pronounced dead. I love you. I love you so much, Firestar. Please, don't leave me like that again!" She listened to Firestar's heart beat, letting it soothe her until she fell asleep.
Well! There we go! Another chapter down! I know the fight wasn't the entire chapter, but don't worry. The final confrontation will be at least two chapters of combat. I promise you that! May Starclan watch over you all! HappytheExceed16, logging out!