The Bright Sky (The Blazing Fires Book 2)

Chapter 10

Stonepaw awoke to the sound of cracking lightning and the smell of smoke filling his nose. He slowly opened his eyes, to see a red glare outside the apprentice's den. He just assumed that it was close to dawn, so he let his eyes close again. Until he felt the air getting thicker. He opened his eyes again and peered out of his den. His eyes flickered to the shrub next to the fern as red flames began to devour it. A spark quickly leaped onto the warrior's den, causing the roof to go into flames.

Stonepaw gasped and bolted out of his den. "Fire! Fire!" He howled. "There's a fire in camp!" Every cat started shifting out of their nest, only to spot the fire, growing on top of the warrior's den. Soon, the fire started spreading more, destroying every plant in its path.

Brightstar jumped onto the Cliff Rock, so every cat can hear him. "Everyone! Evacuate camp! Now!" He yowled to the whole clan. The fire quickly jumped from den to den, burning them down to crisps. The cats quickly dashed for the fern tunnel, sliding out one by one. The queens, kits, and elders went first, followed by the rest of the clan.

The clan barely made it out when the fern tunnel went up in flames. The fire blazed fiercely and started inching closer toward the cats. "Quick! Onto the valley! We'll be safe there!" Brightstar directed.

"But what about the coyotes?" Stonepaw mewed.

"It's the only place the fire can't follow us." The tom scanned his clan mates. "Wait, where's Morningeyes?" The clan frantically looked around, but there was no sign of their deputy.

"I'll go back in to get her!" Yellowpaw volunteered, before sprinting back towards the flaming fern tunnel.

"I'm coming with you!" Stonepaw followed.

"No! I should be the one to go! It's too dangerous for you two!" Brightstar chased after the two apprentices, his heart racing faster than a rabbit. All three cats emerged into the blazing clearing, and they spotted Morningeyes trapped in the nursery, protectively holding Berrykit and Ashkit, who were barely a half-moon old.

"Morningeyes!" The two apprentices called out to her. They scrambled over to her.
"Here, get my kits to safety! Brightstar can help me out!" Morningeyes frantically handed her kits to the apprentices. They both nodded and dashed out of camp.

Brightstar leaped over towards his mate. The fire blocked the entrance of the nursery. Brightstar drew in a deep breath, and leaped over the flames, barely making it. "Come on! Through the walls!" The tom started clawing at the walls until he managed to make a hole barely large enough to fit a cat. "You go first," Brightstar insisted.

"But-" The ginger deputy was cut off by her mate.

"I have eight lives, you have one. I'm making sure you get out first," He ushered Morningeyes out through the hole. She reluctantly jumped through the gap. "Keep running! I'll be right behind you!" He shouted. The ginger deputy nodded and began to run out.

The brown and silver leader prepared himself to leap through the opening until the walls caught ablaze. The fire soon surrounded him, leaving him nowhere to go."Oh, StarClan help me..." The tom breathed before he felt his body being swallowed by the smoke, and his vision faded into black. 

The ValleyClan leader was reluctant to open his eyes, expecting the sting of the flames to flare up. But he felt no pain. Just soft, dewy grass below him. He lifted his head, to see a creamy pelt standing in front of him. "Skyfur!" Brightstar purred, leaping to his feet. "I lost another life, haven't I?"

"I'm afraid you've lost all of your lives." Skyfur huffed, putting a tail on her brother's back. "The flames completely destroyed your body, leaving nothing for you to return to."

"So, I'm not going back?" Brightstar's ears drooped. "What about Morningeyes? And my kits? I..."

"I'm sorry," The cream she-cat mewed. "But now, you'll be with your deceased clanmates. I'm here to guide you to StarClan."

"Alright," The brown tom started to sound a bit more optimistic. "Lead the way,"

Stonepaw kept a good grip on Ashkit's scruff, carefully weaving through the forest and up the valley. Yellowpaw was close behind, holding onto Berrykit. They soon reached where their clanmates were. Some cats were anxiously pacing in circles, while others laid down, pondering what will happen next.

Morningeyes soon emerged behind the two apprentices. She gently grabbed her kits and curled them around her belly to keep them warm. "Where's Brightstar?" Stonepaw mewed.

"He was right behind me," Morningeyes started. "He should be close behind." There was a worried edge in her mew.

* * * * * *
Rain started pouring, and the flames soon died, leaving a tang of smoke in the air. The clan wearily entered through what was left of the fern tunnel. The camp was charred, most of the dens were burnt down, and the black stain of smoke was everywhere. It was a horrific sight. "Brightstar!" Morningeyes yelped, racing towards a charred mass. She thought as if she would be sick at the sight. The burned, gory state of his body gave her shivers.

The whole clan was silent as if sitting vigil for their fallen leader. "Not even StarClan can heal those wounds." Windflower broke the eerie silence. After a heartbeat, Morningeyes leaped onto the Cliff Rock. "I must go get my nine lives. When I return, we shall all sit vigil for Brightstar." The deputy mewed, before heading towards the once was fern tunnel. "I'll go alone. I know my way around.

* * * * * *

Morningeyes, now Morningstar, emerged back into camp, hopping onto the Cliff Rock. "I need to choose a deputy," She started, scanning the crowd below her. "Brindlepelt, you have always been so loyal. I want you to be my deputy."

"I accept." The tom dipped his head.

"Brindlepelt! Brindlepelt!" The clan half-heartedly cheered.

"Now, there is another ceremony I wish to have," The ginger leader started. "Stonepaw, Yellowpaw," She beckoned the two apprentices forward with her tail. "You two went to great lengths to save your clan mates. Stonepaw, from this day forward, you shall be known as Stonefire. Yellowpaw, you shall be known as Yellowflame."

"Stonefire! Yellowflame!" The clan yowled.

"You may sit vigil in camp, so you can join Brightstar's vigil." Morningstar flicked her tail to dismiss her clan. Brightstar's body was wrapped in moss and flowers. With the gruesome state of his body, it was better for his clanmates to remember what he was like when he was alive. Morningstar sobbed hysterically into the night. She wanted so badly to feel his pelt, to drink in his scent. But she couldn't. The brightest cat in her life was gone. Maybe this was StarClan's doing. They're making me repay for my crimes, aren't they?