Warriors: Beetlestar's Path

Chapter Four

     Water rushed around Beetlewing, currents dragging him down into a whirlpool as he kicked and thrashed. He could hear screams in the distance as cats called to him. He saw only a glimpse of his Clanmates before he was pulled into the abyss.

He floated for awhile, suspended in the water as he twisted to right himself. No matter where he looked, he could see no surface. I'm sinking into a void! I'm going to drown here!

A bright, searing light exploded behind him, and he twirled and looked towards it. It died down quickly into a simple glow deep in the darkness. He strained his burning eyes to see through the murky depths and made out the shape of a cat. "Brookstar!" He tried to call out, but water rushed into his mouth and down into his lungs. I have to save her! He kicked and paddle towards the glow, towards his noble and strong leader, and descended into the crevice. He reached out and touched her with one paw. A violent pain exploded in him, racking his entire body and crumpling him. It felt as though fire and ice cut through his very veins and muscles.

There was nothing he could do.

Beetlewing blinked rapidly and lifted his head, yawning and clacking his teeth together before curling into a tighter ball and burying his face into his paws. The warm sun beat down on his black pelt and offered some small relief from the dream. The terror persisted though. Brookstar is suffering, isn't she? Really suffering.

A familiar, comforting smell washed over him, and a careful tongue rasped over his ear. Beetlewing breathed in his mother's scent and unfurled, taking a deep breath and willing himself to relax. "Ma."

"Yes?" Berryfrost sat upright, and Beetlewing pushed himself up to look at her.

"I- Do you think I can take care of the Clan? Until Brookstar recovers?"

Berryfrost purred softly. "I think you can. You've done a great job already. Your father would be proud."

Beetlewing thought of his father, Flywing, the deputy before Brookstar. He had been an honorable and dutiful cat and an example of a perfect deputy up until he succumbed to greencough. I could never live up to his name. But I can do my best. And it's nice to think that he's supporting me from StarClan.

Berryfrost slowly lowered herself and stretched out on the grass. "I think Dustfoot wanted to talk to you. Oh, and Swiftcreek already sent out patrols." When Beetlewing gasped in panic, Berryfrost snickered. "Don't worry, no one judges you. You're acting leader, so it's good to have an acting deputy as well. Swiftcreek isn't official, but everyone looks up to her."

"That's true." Beetlewing hung his head. His body still ached, and he had been thoroughly so exhausted after the gathering that he had simply collapsed in the corner of camp and drifted off. I really should have gone to my nest. He stood on shaky paws and forced himself to purr at his mother. "Thank you. I'm going to go see Dustfoot now."

Berryfrost flicked her tail tip in acknowledgement and shut her eyes, and Beetlewing made his way to the medicine den. The camp itself was quiet, most cats on patrol or hunting. He heard Heronpaw cursing to himself as he dragged bedding out of the elders den while Swiftcreek chided him. Meanwhile, he spotted Poppywings sunbathing. Other than them, everything stood empty.

Beetlewing stepped into the medicine den, a large structure with sides made of woven reeds set between two jutting boulders, and he sat down in the middle and admired the shells and pebbles that lined the walls. Nests dotted the earth floor here and there, and herbs were stored in holes dug into the ground or on shelves made from driftwood and willow boughs. Dustfoot certainly keeps everything neat.

As if on cue, Dustfoot entered holding a small sparrow by its wing. She only looked at Beetlewing for a second before plopping down and dropping her prey. An air of melancholy surrounded her and she peered up with sorrowful eyes. "I just took some herbs to Brookstar. Dandelion and poppy seeds."