#(For ThunderClan was it called the High Rock in the original canon?)

[twotailednekomata]

Playing around with Freezestrike's patterns, with hints of the IRL sokoke pelt. (Except the faces in the middle. They were made to fill some empty space)

[stargleam-star]

Warriors Rewrite Pt 7: Firestar's Quest

Quick note: This book takes place immediately after the events of The Darkest Hour. Riverclan and Shadowclan are now ruled by Stonestar and Darkstar respectively. There will be major changes made to this story in the first half, but otherwise follows the same beats as the canon version of Firestar's Quest. With that said, let's get into it

The prologue for this book starts off similar to its canon counterpart. The difference is that the clans are far less caring of Skyclan's fate, and are unwilling to help even in the slightest if it means they can snag a small sliver of extra land once the Twolegs have finished building their new town. The four clans are so eager to see Skyclan leave that they decide to eject the clan themselves. The only Skyclan members allowed to stay are the clan's young kits and their mothers. The last bit of the prolouge timeskips to show Skyclan's struggle and inevitable dissolve. Skyclan does not denounce their trust in Starclan like in canon, as they do not see it as their ancestors faults.

The main story starts a moon after my rewrite of The Darkest Hour (so it's been 2 moons since the battle with Bloodclan). Cats are still feeling unsettled and jumpy, but life has gone on like normal. Firestar watches his clan from the top of High Rock as he finishes up a ceremony. Sorrrelpaw, Rainpaw, and Sootpaw have been made apprentices. Firestar finds great joy in naming these cats, taking it as a sign that Thunderclan is thriving. He knows that their parents, Willowpelt and Whitestorm, would be proud of them if they were still here

After that's over Tawnypaw requests that the two of them go hunting together. Finding this to be a smart idea, Firestar follows his apprentice out into the forest. The pair split up by the owl tree, agreeing to meet back here soon, once they've each caught a decent amont of prey.

While he's alone, Firestar begins to feel as though he's being watched. As he stalks through a clump of ferns, he comes to find out why. A gray and white patched cat appears before him; laying on the low hanging branch of a tree a few fox-lengths ahead. This cat is unfamiliar, and smells nothing like any of the clans. His blue, star filled, eyes are trained intensely upon Firestar.

Firestar doesn't take the time to wonder who this stranger may be or where they come from; whoever this is, they're a threat. He charges forward, ready to chase the cat out of the territory. But when Firestar reaches the tree, the cat's completely vanished. Feeling a bit crazy, Firestar shakes his head. He convinces himself that it's a mixture of his paranoia and hunger that have caused him to hallucinate another cat being here. After all, he's still feeling the effects from the battle with Bloodclan, even if that was two moons ago. Without lingering a mpment more, Firestar turns around and stalks back into the undergrowth to catch himself something for lunch

When they return home a little after sunhigh, Firestar and Tawnypaw share a meal together. Although he feels a bit better, the firey tom is still uneasy from the cat he saw earlier. He decides to go take a quick nap in his den to hopefully clear his mind

In his dreams, Firestar appears in an incredibly dense part of the forest. This place is almost completely covered in trees. The firey tom finds himself struggling to walk over roots as he tries to take a look around. The forest is foggy, the winds carrying the shrill cries of terrified cats. In the mist, the Thunderclan leader can barely make out blurry silhouettes. Where was he? What did these cats want, he found himself wondering aloud.

Firestar's question goes unanswered as he is suddenly woken up by one of his mates, Sandstorm. She tells the tom that he was twitching in his sleep. She laughs, asking if he was dreaming of chasing mice. Firestar corrects the molly, telling her he was dreaming of flying hedgehogs. Sandstorm headbutts Firestar's chin affectionately, happy to know that he's alright. Firestar smiles at her, although inside he's truly feeling stressed

Awake now, he decides to go speak with Ravensong about his dreams. Perhaps his friend will be able to help him decipher what it may mean, or determine who those cats were. Ravensong is alone in the medicine den when Firestar appears, curious about what the leader could need. Firestar takes the time to explain his dream in detail before asking the medicine cat to interpret it. Ravensong is perplexed by this dream, and is unsure what to make of it. Instead, he simply tells Firestar to let him know if he has the dream again, as further information would help with deciphering what message it may hold. Firestar leaves the medicine den unsatisfied, and more stressed from before. To help himself relax, he decides to go share tongues with Graystripe and Sandstorm

Two days pass. Firestar dreams of the dense forest again. This time he's around long enough to ask his questions again. "Who are you? What do you want? What can I do to help you?" In response, from this fog appears the gray and white patched cat. He looks sad, despite his proud posture. The mysterious tom's mouth moves, as if he were talking, but no sound comes out. When Firestar says he doesn't understand, the stranger dips his head in defeat. Just like that, the dream is over again.

In the waking world, Firestar catches sight of the gray and white patched cat again. Once, during a patrol near the Twoleg border. The other time is during the next gathering. The strange cat appears on the top of the Great Rock after the meeting is dismissed. Firestar sees him look down upon the other cats scornfully. Its here that Firestar notices starry figures mingling among the living clan cats. No other seems to be able to see them, however. Distressed, Firestar decides he needs to visit the Moonstone. He follows Windclan back to their territory, traveling the rest of tue way to mothermouth on his own

When he gets there, Firestar dreams of Four Trees. Standing there waiting for him on the Great Rock this time was Bluestar. She knows why the Thunderclan leader has come, and warns him that he may not like the answers he receives. After heaving a sigh, she reminds Firestar of how she mentioned a fifth clan the last time they had met. She goes on to explain that clan was Skyclan, and that is who he has been seeing. They were driven out by the clans long long ago. Firestar wonders why they've come to him, even though they probably found another home somewhere. Did they want to return to the forest?

Bluestar theorizes that Skyclan's appearance to Firestar has to do with his destiny "fire alone will save the clan". He saved Thunderclan after all, why not Skyclan? But she ensures that there's no way for Skyclan to return to the forest, for there's simply no room. Their original territory is where Twolegplace now sits, and what was left from their land was divided between the clans that once shared their borders. Plus, Bluestar reasons there should never have been a fourth cat to begin with. Just as there were four seasond3, and four great oaks where the clans meet, there should be four clans

Firestar calls Bluestar out on her bullshit and wakes up angry. Starclan, too, seems to be displeased, as they have covered over the moon and stars. Firestar ignores this sign, upset with his ancestors for so willingly abandoning an entire clan.

Back at home, tired from his journey, Firestar decides to sleep. He's no longer anxious about talking to the mysterious cats in his dream, but determined. He wants to talk to them amd help any way he can. They came to him after all, there must be a way to help

During the dream, Firestar sees Skyclan traveling along the path of Riverclan's river. He follows them, watching cats die off along the way for various reasons. Some beg the clan's leader-who turns out to be that gray and white patched cat-to find them a place already. They're starving and suffering, and the medicine cat has told them that Starclan has not beem able to provide any guidence. After that, the clan grows distant from Firestar, and although he runs to catch up they soom fade out of view. Not long after that, Firestar wakes up

Awake, and a bit frustrated, Firestar decides to join a hunting patrol to clear his mind. Snowfoot leads the patrol, taking the hunting party towards Twolegplace. The four hunters split off, and Firestar lingers as he tries to find a prey scent. A familiar sensation causes him pause in the midst of his prowling. He looks up into the canopy above, spotting Skyclan's leader perched in an elm tree not far off. Firestar runs to get closer to him, but the ghost cat turns with a wave of his tail, then leaps through the trees in the opposite direction. Firestar takes this as a sign that he should follow

Thunderclan's leader is led a different part of the forest, near Tallpines. Here he finds Pebblestep and Longtail ((who does not go blind btw)) holding down his sister, Princess. The two cats question the kittypet's motives, while Princess ignores them, insisting that she see her brother. Firestar commands his warriors to step off of her, and although reluctant they obey. Afterwards, Firestar sends the patrol away so he can speak with Princess alone.

Princess is relieved to see her littermate. She explains the reason for coming so far onto Thunderclan territory is because she believes she'll have to join the clans. Firestar is confused, asking why that might be. He asks if something's happened with Princess's housefolk. Princess assures that her housefolk are still around, and still treat her kindly. However, the reason why she thinks she has to live in the forest is because if the strange dreams she's been having

Princess goes on to explain that in her dreams, she keeps seeing a cat beckoning her into a dense forest. And sometimes the cat tries to coax her to follow him alongside a river, while many cats follow behind them. Princess goes on to describe that the following cats always wail out in agony, suffering. She wants to help, and she knows the strange cat-who she reveals to be the same gray and white cat Firestar's been seeing-is asking that she assist, despite her being unable to hear him.

With these dreams occuring so often, and the recollection that Firestar had been beckoned into the woods by his own dreams, Princess concludes that Firestar's warrior ancestors want her to become a clan cat. Firestar thinks that it's probably not what Skyclan's ancestors want of her, although he finds it strange that they're showing up in his sister's dreams.

Firestar goes on to assure Princess that she won't have to leave her housefolk. Princess seems disappointed by the news. She admits although she was scared of the idea at first, she'd grown to be comfortable with the destiny she thought she'd have to follow. Now, after having all those dreams, she didn't mind the thought of going to live in the wild.

Firestar contemplates about the idea of accepting his sister into Thunderclan. But before he makes a final decision, he asks to go home with her. He believes that maybe if he sleeps in Princess's garden for a night he may get more answers, and find out why Skyclan has been appearing in Princess's dreams

At Princess's den, Firestar starts to sees signs of possible Skyclan life in the small fenced in territory. The den sits in a slight dip, with bushes dotted here and there within the garden. As he examined the area, Firestar thought about how he'd set up a camp if he ever had to find a new one for his clan. This leads him to believe that Princess's den might be built right on top of where Skyclan's camp once. And when he settles down to sleep, Firestar awakens to see that he was correct. His dream reveals how the camp once was, and shows a vision of a giant monster coming to plow right through it, sending trees toppling and terrified cats scattering. Amongst the terror stood Slyclan's leader, calm, collected. He stepped forward through the vision of what had become of his clan's territory to talk to Firestar

The cat introduces himself at last as Cloudstar. He gives a brief tour of where everything in camp used to be. He then tells Firestar about how Skyclan has broken up. It still lives within the bloodlines of the cats decended from the clan, but Skyclan as a whole is no more. Cloudstar has come to ask Firestar to help bring his clan back together. He recites a familiar prophecy, the one that once held Firestar's destiny. Only, it sounds off when Cloudstar speaks it "The embers of fire will save our clan". Cloudstar takes it that means Thunderclan's leader can help him. Although overwhelmed, Firestar agrees to help

When he wakes, Firestar tells Princess of his dream. Then he tells her that he's going to leave to find the place Skyclan broke apart. Princess insists she come on the journey with him. Firestar denies her. But Princess is insistent. Skyclan came to her dreams too, they called to her just as they did to Firestar. She wants to see this through, to gelp Skyclan reform. Firestar finally gives in, amd accepts his sister's company. He tells her he'll come to get her in two days. Then after saying his farewells he leaves back to Thunderclan

Back at camp, Firestar prepares for his journey. He gathers Ravensong, Cinderpath, Graystripe, and Sandstorm; his most trusted allies. He tells them of the journey he must take, and informs them about Skyclan. He trusts his friends to take care of the clan while he's away.

Sandstorm gets worried about letting Firestar go off on his own. Firestar explains Princess will be with him. But Sandstorm insists that makes things worse. He shouldn't go alone without another warrior. Firestar agrees. In fact, he decides to ask her to come along. Sandstorm happily agrees. The other cats ask who will be left in charge, then. Firestar asks Cinderpath if she would become interim leader. Cinderpath accepts, but is worried that she too may need help. She has kits to take care of now after all, she can't watch the clan on her own.

Ravesong gets an idea, leaving shortly and returning with Goldenflower. Firestar calls the medicine cat a genius. Goldenflower is a brave, intelligent, trustworthy cat. She's perfect to help watch the clan while he and Sandstorm are away. Firestar lets Goldenflower in on the conversation, explaining everything again so she can understand what's going on. Once everyone's caught up and in agreement, everything is set in stone: Cinderpath and Goldenflower will take charge of the clan, and Firestar, Sandstorm, and Princess will go to restore Skyclan

The next day the mates head out to collect Princess, and begin to travel up the river along the path Skyclan once walked. The journey to the gorge is exactly the same. Actually most of what happens from this point on in the story remains the same, except there's no drama with Sandstorm because of Spottedleaf. And when Sandstorm goes missing Firestar has Princess to help him and keep his spirits up

From this point on a majority of the book is the same, with minor changes here and there to fit Princess into the plot. In fact, Princess has a lot to do with this book, and Skyclan. When Firestar starts giving cats warrior names, Princess requests to have one too. She likes Skyclan, she's come to like living in a clan. So, she'd like to become an offical warrior. Firestar feel great pride and joy for his sister, and without hesitation he names her a warrior. Firestar grants his sister the name Emberflower

As the Thunderclan cats spend more time with Skyclan, training the new recruits, and setting things up, Sandstorm occasionally complains of feeling weird or unwell. But she doesn't let anything stop her. She continues to fulfill the same roll she does in the canon books. Later on in the story, after Firestar's found Skyclan's new holy place, and has brought them Echosong, their medicine cat, its time to figure out who is going to be leader.

Echosong's leader dream is vastly different than the one in canon. She tells Firestar that she awoke into a white forest clearing, with snow blanketing almost everything in sight. But through the blankness an orange flower stood out, appearing just ahead. As Echosong approached it, the flower seemed to crackle with embers. When she'd gotten a good look, the medicine cat awoke. Firestar helps to interpret this dream, and the pair come to the conclusion that his sister Emberflower has been chosen as Skyclan's leader.

The pair swiftly break the news to Emberflower, and although she is nervous, she accepts her destiny with open arms. That night they take her to earn her nine lives. Firestar and Echosong dream with Emberflower and watch her ceremony. By the end of it, the two leaders are given a prophecy by the now deceased Skywatcher, the "Kin of Your Kin" prophecy. When the three cats awake, Skyclan has a new leader: Emberstar. At moonhigh, she chooses Leafdapple as her deputy

With nothing left for them to do, and with Skyckan restored to its former glory, Firestar and Sandstorm begin to say their farewells. Firestar is incredibly sad to leave his sister behind, but Emberstar promises that they'll see each other again some day. Sandstorm remarks that she hopes this is true, and that hopefully Emberstar will be able to meet her soon to be born nieces and nephews. This is how Firestar finds out Sandstorm is expecting. The three have a good laugh and finish their goodbyes. Firestar glances over his shoulder once last time to look at Skyckan's camp. Emberstar stands at the edge of the camp, head high with pride and confidence. Beside her, Firestar can see the ghostly starclan figure of Cloudstar postured the same way, a smile on his glimmering face

Back at home, the story's epilouge is pretty much the same. Sandstorm lays in the nursery, with not two, but three sleeping newborns. Two mollies and a tom. Firestar and Graystripe are there to see them, smitten with their new little family. The new parents think hard about names for their kits and finally choose the perfect ones. Graystripe chooses Squirrelkit's name for her coloring and the shape of her tail. Sandstorm picks Leafkit for the second molly, naming her after Leafdapple. Finally, Firestar chooses the name Emberkit for his son, in honor of his sister. As he looks on at his kittens, Firestar's reminded of the prophecy he received. He's excited to see what life will hold for his children