BRAMBLESTAR

            A flame-colored tom stood in front of Bramblestar in his dream. “Didn’t I tell you not to mourn Squirrelflight for too long?” he hissed, his green eyes blazing.

            “Firestar, you stole her from me!” Bramblestar hissed.

            He leaped at Firestar, his unsheathed claws glinting in the sunlight. Firestar crashed to the ground, snarling. The former ThunderClan leader pushed himself to his feet, throwing Bramblestar across the clearing. Bramblestar forced his aching legs to stand, and charged at Firestar again. His claws raked over Firestar’s nose, spattering scarlet blood onto Firestar’s muzzle. Firestar slashed his claws down Bramblestar’s side, and Bramblestar staggered as his mentor rammed his head into Bramblestar’s side. Firestar leaped, trying to land on Bramblestar’s back, but Bramblestar rolled out of the way. He slammed his left forepaw onto Firestar’s chest. Firestar, who was trying to rise to his feet again, fell to the ground. Bramblestar opened his jaws, preparing for the death blow.

            Suddenly, sharp teeth grabbed his scruff and dragged him off of Firestar. It was Squirrelflight. “That’s my father and he was right!” she hissed furiously. “Quit grieving for me and take care of your Clan!”

            “My Clan,” he murmured.

            Bramblestar suddenly realized that he had been a terrible leader lately. He had to change things. “I'm sorry, Firestar,” he meowed to the ginger tom. “And to you, Squirrelflight.”

            Squirrelflight nodded. “Go back to your Clan,” she said softly.

            Bramblestar woke in his nest and rose to his feet. He padded slowly out of his den and looked around. “Brackenfur, Thornclaw, Floodface, and Falcontail,” Sandstorm was saying. “Go and patrol the ShadowClan border.”

            Lionblaze, Bramblestar’s deputy, was eating a vole beside Cinderheart. He glanced worriedly up at Bramblestar’s den and looked shocked to see Bramblestar making his way slowly out of his den. Lionblaze dashed over to where he was standing. “Hello, Bramblestar,” the ThunderClan deputy meowed warily, staring at his paws.

            Bramblestar stared at him, feeling a pang of regret. “Lionblaze,” Bramblestar said softly. “I'm so sorry.”

            Lionblaze gazed up at Bramblestar. “Shadecloud was right. You have returned,” Lionblaze meowed.

            Bramblestar stood on the Highledge and he could feel the gazes of his Clanmates scorching his fur. “Cats of ThunderClan, I'm sorry for the way I've acted over this past moon. But now, that is over, and I know that we must deal with ShadowClan. Brackenfur, Lionblaze, Sandstorm, Bumblestripe, Cherrypelt, Molefur, Lilyblossom, Ivypool, Rosepetal, Icecloud, Toadstep, Thornclaw, Dustpelt, Berrynose, Mousewhisker, Groundpaw, Grasspaw, Cavepaw, Cloudtail, Brightheart, Seedfur, Blossomfall, Millie, Spiderleg, Floodface, Flowerburst, Sorreltail, Poppyfrost, Birchfall,  and Falcontail, you will come with me.”

            Graystripe objected. “Bramblestar, you're only leaving two warriors in camp!”

            “So be it,” Bramblestar meowed. “We must deal with ShadowClan and we must win!”

            A few murmurs of agreement rose from the crowd. He leaped down from the Highledge, the wind ruffling his fur. He ran through the forest, his legs flying through the air as he leaped over a tree branch. They flew through the forest, racing across the border. A border patrol was easily brought down, leaving the ShadowClan warriors dazed. The ThunderClan cats slowed down as they neared the ShadowClan camp. They halted by the entrance to the camp. “Half of you stay here so that they think we have fewer cats. But when you hear my cry, come running,” he whispered. Then, raising his voice, he yowled, “ThunderClan, attack!”

            Half of the cats rushed down into the clearing. Rowanstar looked at Bramblestar and sneered, “Do you think this many cats can beat us, Bramblest…” he broke off as Bramblestar slammed into his side, sending him crashing to the ground.

            The ThunderClan cats were easily outnumbered. They were losing the battle and tiring quickly. “Attack!” he cried loudly.

            “What do you think that’s going to do?” Rowanstar hissed, then blinked in confusion as more cats came rushing down into ShadowClan’s camp.

              Bramblestar dug his claws into Rowanstar’s belly, tearing clumps of fur from his belly. “Had enough?” Bramblestar snarled finally. “Leave us alone or else you know what to expect.”

            “ShadowClan, retreat!” Rowanstar said, and it sounded as if the words pained him.

            “ThunderClan, let’s go!” Bramblestar called. Yowls of triumph rose from the ThunderClan warriors.

            Squirrelflight’s death had finally been avenged.