Warrior Cats: Sky of Storms

Chapter 27

"Bluetail!" She flung herself at him, brushing noses. Her eyes watered with happiness. "You're alive! But how?"

Bluetail nodded to the smallest opening she saw in the rubbish pile. Wow. My deputy is skilled, isn't he? There was still no answer.

"I can't believe it." She whispered, but then a lurching thought came to her. "What about everyone else? The apprentices?" 

Blackclaw stepped forward. "Tidalpaw, Twigpaw, and Skypaw are alright. And so is every other cat. Pebblewing's leg was cut through, but ThunderClan's medicine cat was there and she's being treated right now."

Echostar gulped, realizing he didn't mention the gold apprentice. "And Sunpaw?" Stormfur lowered his head, as did every other cat.

"I was able to escape," Bluetail said. "But the weight was too heavy on him, and he was suffocated." He nodded to a secluded corner where she saw Cinderpelt leaning over Pebblewing, and beside her was the apprentice's lifeless body. 

Echostar padded over, her hope falling deep into an unending pit. She approached the golden apprentice, feeling guilt pummel her. She crouched down and pressed her muzzle into his cold fur. "May you find everything you ever wanted in StarClan," she murmured softly.

Bluetail approached her. "Mosspelt will be devasted." Echostar stood up, trying to stop her shaking legs. "And Volelimp will be devasted for Mosspelt."

"So will Sunbeam," Echostar added, and Bluetail winced. Sunpaw had been named after Bluetail's mate, Sunbeam.

Firestar suddenly approached her, and Echostar regained her poster. She took a quick breath, collected herself, and then said, "Thank you for your help Firestar. I hope none of your warriors are hurt?"

Firestar shook his head. "No. Scathed, but none dead." He looked over her shoulder, then lowered his voice. "I'm so sorry to hear about Sunpaw's death." Echostar nodded in thanks. 

Firestar turned, but said over his shoulder, "My Clan will be returning home. We'll use the Twoleg bridge to cross, but just one thing. " He turned back, anger suddenly flashing in his eyes. "Our debt to you is paid, but that does not mean we are to help you every time you need it. Prey was not asked for, and neither was anything else. Our two Clans will act alone from now on." He nodded respectfully and then gathered his Clan to leave. 

Echostar watched him go and then yowled for her Clan to gather around. She studied each cat carefully, wishing she wasn't the one to give orders. Hawkfrost and Rockheart came up first, herding the three aprentices. Tidalpaw, Skypaw, and Twigpaw all looked devasted. 

They must be horribly sad to hear about his death. She glanced at Twigpaw, and he met her eyes. She tried to say, Everything will be alright. Your brother will be happy in StarClan. 

He looked away.

Stormfur and Blackclaw came up next, followed by Pebblewing who limped drastically. Rockheart supported her on her side, while Blackclaw stared at her intently. "What now?" He hissed, anger surrounding his aura.

Stormfur nudged the black warrior, who cleared his throat. "We should have brought fewer apprentices and more warriors. Sunpaw had the potential to be a great warrior!" There was silence at the mention of the apprentice.

Echostar lifted her chin, ready to confront Blackclaw. "I understand that I am blamed for Sunpaw's death. However, I made the decision to bring him into battle, and he died honorably serving his Clan. Any true warrior would want the same."

Blackclaw sat down, looking at Pebblewing's limp leg. She met his gaze, and her eyes seemed to brighten the slightest bit. 

"Blackclaw and Hawkfrost, you two carry Sunpaw's body." As Blackclaw sat up his eyes followed Pebblewing. Then Echostar said quickly. "Wait, Rockheart, you help Hawkfrost. Blackclaw, you'll help Pebblewing home."

Blackclaw gave her a glance, but she couldn't read it. At least I did one right thing today. She sighed. "The strongest of you, flank the outsides. Apprentices stay in the middle." 

As they headed home, she fell in step with Tidalpaw. He looked up at her, then quickly away. Echostar nudged him. "You fought well today. Like a warrior." His eyes glistened, but he didn't look up.

She glanced at Sunpaw's body, carried between the two bigger warriors. I should hold a naming ceremony for him. Sunpaw was brave and noble, a troublemaker, but his humor brought joy to the Clan. 

She helped the weak cross over the moat, and took a deep breath, preparing herself for the cats that would soon bombard them with questions. 

The apprentices entered first, and Twigpaw and Skypaw immediately rushed over to their mother and foster mother.

Waterfire watched Skypaw as she snuggled up to Sunbeam. The medicine cat sighed as Fatepaw and Thunderpaw joined their littermate. Echostar's anxiety spiked when she saw her apprentice. I had forgotten about him. 

Wavefire walked up to her, mewing, "By the energy in the camp, I assume you won the battle?" Echostar nodded. 

"Yes, but we lost someone else." She flicked her tail toward Sunpaw's body, which Stormfur and Hawkfrost had laid on the ground in the center of the camp. Cats gathered around it, and she felt Swallowtail's fur brush her own. 

"Don't back down." She whispered into her ear, and then she seemed to melt away into the crowd. Mosspelt shrieked and ran over to her kit, crying out with a yowl that shattered the sky. Echostar watched as the rain began to drizzle as if StarClan was mourning Sunpaw as well.

Mosspelt turned to Twigpaw, who had begun to step nervously forward to watch Sunpaw as he began to be drenched in the drizzle. The mourning warrior suddenly advanced on Echostar. "HOW DARE YOU!" She sprung at her, and Echostar, caught off guard, rolled in a circle with her.

She tried shoving Mosspelt off, but the warrior dug her claws into her neck and hissed furiously. "This is your fault! I will never trust you again." And then, Mosspelt slit her throat.