Warriors: Battle of the Elements ~Series 1 Book 3~

Chapter 21

Stormflame's P.O.V:

Stormflame woke up in his nest and yawned. He got to his paws and shook out his pitch black fur. He glanced around the empty warriors den. "Huh, they all left without me." He muttered and padded out of the den.

The cold air hit him quickly and he shivered, Greenleaf was already coming to an end. A breeze had picked up and the wind blew into camp. Stormflame sighed and looked around the empty camp, "Where is everyone?"

Then a sound made Stormflame prick his ears and turn to the medicine den. There was something in there. He padded slowly to the den and peeked inside. "Oh." He whispered inaudibly. Everyone was inside the den.

The cats were crowding around a body on the ground of the medicine den. Silverstar was at the front, head lowered. Had another cat died? He pushed his way to the front to see who the cat was.

Once he could see the cat and immediately looked away in disgust. The cat lying on the ground had been sick all over itself and its fur was a mess. Its mouth was wide open as it panted for air and their sides heaved with the effort. Stormflame looked again and realised it was Poppyfire, the elder with Whitecough. It was probably Greencough by now; the cold weather during the night most likely sped up the process.

Stormflame padded away from the zombie-like cats and out of the stinking medicine den. He breathed in the sharp, fresh air and sighed in relief. The smell of that den was horrible.

He padded to the fresh-kill pile and sat beside it but didn't eat anything. He just lay there, thinking.

He had never really met Poppyfire properly since he came to the clan. The old elder had always been intimidating towards him so he stayed away. He guessed that she didn't approve of bringing in another stray cat.

But Clearlight had told Stormflame that Poppyfire used to be a rogue named Poppy who was barely alive when she arrived at the clan. How can a former rogue be so aggressive towards a fellow rogue?

Stormflame shrugged to himself and yawned again. His muscles ached from the battle just the night before and he felt like sleeping again. But he should probably wait until Poppyfire either got better or went to Starclan.

He sighed and closed his eyes as the wind blew constantly through camp.

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Waterfly's P.O.V:

The clan sat a silent vigil around the dying elder as they waited for her to finally let go and leave them. Poppyfire wheezed as she fought for breath. She was holding onto her life by a thread.

Waterfly kept her head dipped in sadness for the elder. Silverstar had called the clan to send her on her way like an honorable warrior. Poppyfire deserved it; she had fought her last battle with Magiclan and beat her enemies bravely.

Time passed slowly for Waterfly. Everything seemed to be in slow motion. She dared to glance at Poppyfire and quickly turned away. The poor elder was so sick; it would be kinder for her to be killed brutally in battle than suffer through the immense pain.

Waterfly peeked at the cats around her and noticed a black cat darting out of the den. A new scent hit her nose, Stormflame. Stormflame's scent still carried a soft trace of twolegplace. So did Cloudwhisp's.

After another long agonising minute, Poppyfire finally let go. Her breathing stopped, her chest stopped rising and falling and her body grew still.

The clan raised their heads slightly and a few mutters passed through the cats. Silverstar raised her tail for silence, the leader meowed softly as if she was trying not to disturb anyone, "Slowsky, Bigstep and Cloudwhisp. Take Poppyfire to be buried in the forest. Would anyone like to go with them?"