The Fire Prophecy/Book 1

Chapter 9

Cursedpaw walked into camp, a fat juicy squirrel in his mouth. It's been two moons since his name changed and he will soon become a warrior. Surprisingly, Emberpaw isn't a warrior yet. Since he kept getting punishments for messing with Cursedpaw he had to skip training to take care of the elders. His brother, Orangepaw, refused to become a Fire cat unless Emberpaw became a warrior at the same time as him. Cursedpaw dropped his squirrel on the pile when Emberstar yowled.

"Let all cats old enough to fight with fire come to the bottom of Water-Rock."

Oh god... it's time. Cursedpaw walked over and sat beside his brother while Emberpaw was puffing out his chest, acting like he was better than everyone else.

"Orangepaw, Emberpaw I am sorry for such a late ceremony. But now you finally can become what you've always wanted." Emberstar meowed as he jumped down from Water-Rock.

"Emberpaw." The strong leader's voice echoed around the clearing as he walked over to Emberpaw.

"You have trained well, and I thank Burnwing for training you so well. By the power of Starclan, I give you your warrior name. From this moment on you shall be known as Emberclaw, let Starclan light your path." Emberstar meowed, smiling at Emberclaw. Emberclaw stood tall and bowed his head.

"Orangepaw." Emberstar turned towards Orangepaw, bowing his head.

"You have chosen to become a Firecat and I thank you for that. By the power of Starclan, I give your warrior name. From this moment on you shall be known as Orangestripe." Emberstar stepped back and Orangestripe bowed his head.

"Orangestripe! Emberclaw!" the clan yowled out. Cursedpaw watched but turned his head away.

Ever since Emberclaw's name was changed he acted like Cursedpaw was an even bigger disgrace and treated him like mouse-dung. Emberclaw looked over at him and smirked, walking away with his brother. Cursedpaw rolled his eyes and sat down. Stupid cat.

"Cursedpaw!" Flamepaw purred, running to his brother.

"Hey." Cursedpaw mewed. Flamepaw nudged him, smiling.

"Hi." Flamepaw purred.

" I have something for you, wait here!" Cursedpaw meowed as he ran out of the camp.

He ran fast, letting the wind hit his pelt, but he stopped as a familiar scent hit his nose. He raised his head and his ears twitched. Cursedpaw's eyes widened, his claws digging into the ground. Moonclan!

Cursedpaw turned around and ran faster than he had ever run before and reached the edge of the camp, hearing battle cries and scenting the smell of smoke. He ran into the camp and his eyes widened at the battle in front of him. Some cats were fighting with fire and others weren't but it was a gruesome battle. He saw Hethermoth cornered by two Moonclan warriors and growled.

He ran over and launched himself on the brown Moonclan warrior, digging his claws into the cat's flank. The warrior screeched in pain and shook him off, running into the crowd of fighting cats.

Cursedpaw smirked and looked towards Hethermoth, relaxing when he saw she was okay. That's when he heard it, the familiar voice of Flamepaw.

"Cursedpaw!" Cursedpaw looked around, frantically trying to find Flamepaw amongst the crowd.

Cursedpaw finally spotted Flamepaw and ran towards him. As he got closer he could see Flamepaw trembling. He ran faster but was pounced on before he could make it. A Moonclan apprentice had a tight hold on Cursedpaw's back. Cursedpaw yowled and flipped himself, squashing the Moonclan apprentice under him.

The apprentice yowled and ran off. Cursedpaw growled and turned towards Flamepaw once again, but froze. He began to tremble as he saw Tigerstar standing over the body of Flamepaw. Blood covered Tigerstar's muzzle and claws, along with Flamepaw's body.

Flamepaw. No. Please no.

"Flamepaw!" Cursedpaw yowled, anger filling his head. Tigerstar's head turned towards him and he smirked.

Cursedpaw yowled, launching himself on top of Tigerstar. He bit into Tigerstar's scruff, pulling and pulling. Tigerstar hissed with pain and shook Cursedpaw off, but not before Cursedpaw took a claw swipe at Tigerstar's eye. Cursedpaw fell to the ground and watched the blood drip off Tigerstar's chin from his eye.

"You little rat! I'll be back for you!" Tigerstar yowled and ran out, his clanmates following him. The battle was over.

Cursedpaw watched them leave, anger flaring inside of him. That anger, however, soon turned into agony. Cursedpaw turned towards Flamepaw's body and he ran over to him. Cursedpaw nudged him, trembling.

"Flamepaw, please wake up. Please don't leave me. You're supposed to be my medicine cat." Cursedpaw nuzzled Flamepaw's flank, feeling his cold body.

Flamepaw didn't move, his fur and body cold as ice. Cursedpaw trembled as he looked up. He could hear his clanmates walking up behind him but he paid them no mind. He looked up at the sky, his eyes glistening. Take care of Flamepaw for me. Take care of my brother Starclan. Please. Cursedpaw couldn't hold himself back anymore.

"Flamepaw!" Cursedpaw cried into the sky, agony, and hatred in his voice.