Dim The Spark

chapter 1

Squirrelpaw was in a moment of brief shock, which quickly lapsed as warriors, from her own Clan or other, immediately began digging under the tree, to rescue the fallen leader. Onewhisker stood, frozen, eyes pinned on the spot where his friend pushed him away. Thunder-like noise roared overhead, the twolegs monsters screaming their way through the forest. Brambleclaw, beside her, joined the other warriors, digging frantically for his leader.

"I've got him!", Brambleclaw called after several heartbeats that felt like days. From Squirrelpaw's view, she managed to see a still ginger pelt, which the brown tabby clasped in his jaws and immediately started dragging him away to safety. As the monsters crashed closer, Squirrelpaw bounded after him, closely followed by her sister, Leafpaw. The four emerged into a clearing, still safe from destruction a  nod half hidden as a cavern from fallen branches, as the ginger tom laid  still with his eyes closed. Brambleclaw kneaded his paws, his amber eyes dark with worry.

"He's losing a life", Leafpaw said quietly.

But still, after several fox-lengths of time that seemed to stretch longer than normal, the ThunderClan didn't wake from claiming his next life. Leafpaw pressed an ear to his chest and reported that he was definitely alive, as she could hear her father's breathing and heartbeat.

The brown and white tabby shook her head, "I don't understand, he should of woken up by now"

"Father!", Squirrelpaw dashed forward to join her sister. "Father, wake up!"

"He won't", Brambleclaw sounded strangely calm. "We need to get to the others, though. I'll carry him"

"We need to get back to the others", Leafpaw looked up at the trees. "The monsters might get us like they destroyed ShadowClan's camp"

Soon, they meet up with the rest of the Clans, who mingle anxiously, watching for danger but while still trying to act like their own Clans. Squirrelpaw pads by Brambleclaw's side, watching over the limp ginger cat dragged along as gently as the brown tabby could. Sandstorm rushes over, a gasp choked in her throat. "It's not his last life", she manages to say, "isn't it?"

Leafpaw shakes her head with a rueful gaze. "No, it's not. We rescued him from the tree and waited for him to wake, but he didn't."

The other ThunderClan cats let out confused murmurs. No optimistic ginger leader to encourage them, no leader to lead them to victory. Brambleclaw lets go of Firestar, staring. Oh, Squirrelpaw realises. Without Firestar, Brambleclaw will have to stand in as acting leader.

The other Clan leaders approach: Leopardstar looking troubled, Blackstar a bit shook, and Tallstar determined. They take a brief glance to the fallen leader. "Last life?", Tallstar asks sorrowfully, his gaze darkened.

Brambleclaw's tail droops. "No, thankfully. He didn't  wake up to reclaim his next life"

"Oh!", Leafpaw looks up, "what if it's the connection to StarClan? It's so faint, he might not be able to claim his life from them."

"That can happen?", Blackstar echoes, he has a hint of unsureness, but stands proud.

Squirrelpaw flicks her tail. "Whatever the problem is, we'll save Firestar and the Clans!"