—

Yowls and hisses filled the ravine, fur and red strewn all over. Spark’Moon was guiding Chive’Paw to the medicine den to be patched up, with the apprentice limping by her side. There was a hiss from somewhere beside them, and they looked to see a Forestclan warrior charging towards them. Spark’Moon hissed back, keeping the wounded apprentice behind her to keep them from harm. Then a flash of lighter brown tackled the opposing warrior, pinning them to the ground. Holly’Bright slashed at the warrior’s muzzle, an amount of anger in her eyes that Spark’Moon had not seen before from their partner. 

Remembering the apprentice behind them, Spark’Moon sent the apprentice ahead. Chive’Paw limped into the medicine den and disappeared into the hole in the wall. Spark’Moon followed after them, but before she could go inside the den, a pained yowl sounded behind them. Time seemed to still, as Spark’Moon watched in horror as the enemy warrior struck a fatal blow onto HollyBright’s neck, causing her to stagger back and fall onto the ground. Red started to pool around her wound almost immediately, and Spark’Moon lurched forward, collapsing next to her.

“No! No no no..! Holly’Bright!” Spark’Moon whimpered, and the light brown warrior blearily looked up at her. Spark’Moon turned to the medicine den, “Aspen’Spirit! Aspen’Spirit come quickly!” She wailed. A speckled brown head poked out of the entrance almost at once, and AspenSpirit’s eyes widened at the sight in front of him. Without any introduction, Aspen’Spirit rushed to the two, helping Holly’Bright to the medicine den with his sibling. Setting her down onto a nest, Aspen’Spirit quickly turned to the herb stores to gather supplies. Spark’Moon stayed with her partner, placing a paw onto hers to try and comfort her. 

Aspen’Spirit placed a large bundle of moss next to his littermate. “I can get started on the poultice, you can just focus on the wound.” He instructed, and Spark’Moon wordlessly nodded. It was only then that Spark’Moon realized she was shaking as they grabbed the moss, pressing it onto the fatal wound. Holly’Bright winced, causing Spark’Moon to hesitate for a moment before continuing. Oddly enough, Holly’Bright tried to push away SparkMoon’s paws, resisting the much-needed treatment. “You need this to survive Holly’Bright..! Come on..” Spark’Moon murmured, but Holly’Bright just stopped her again. 

Spark’Moon met HollyBright’s weary gaze, and the warrior smiled reassuringly at her. “You don’t need to waste such important materials on me, Spark’Moon..” The light brown warrior rasped. “Don’t say that!” Spark’Moon mewed crossly, though there was a tone of sadness behind it, “We need to so you can recover! Please..just let me treat you.” Holly’Bright shook her head, and Aspen’Spirit had stopped making the poultice, looking at the two with a solemn expression. Spark’Moon started to break down, with eyes clouded by impending grief, she still pressed. “Holly’Bright, please! If you don’t, you’ll die!” The medicine cat wailed, and Holly’Bright simply placed a paw onto SparkMoon’s cheek. 

The light in the warrior’s gaze was flickering, but she still smiled in reassurance to the distressed medicine cat. Spark’Moon let out a wail and held Holly’Bright close to her, whimpering as they could feel HollyBright’s body starting to cool. Spark’Moon felt a paw on her shoulder, and looked to see Aspen’Spirit with a sympathetic expression. He let Spark’Moon lean against his shoulder, sitting there for as long as they needed. The sounds of hisses and yowls had silenced, leaving the camp desolate than it had been mere moments ago. 

—

Holly’Bright stayed where she was, hearing the birds start to chirp and sing their songs of the waking dawn. The vicious battle that had ultimately ended with the loss of her love was a painful memory to bear. She hadn’t moved since she collapsed onto the ground after receiving the terrible news from Aspen’Spirit, not even standing up to eat or drink or rest. Simply laying there, alone, just beyond the entrance of the medicine den. HollyBright’s ear twitched at the sound of rustling coming from a den somewhere beside her. 

Arch’Watcher poked her head through the dangling greenery from the fallen birch tree, her posture faltering seeing Holly’Bright laying in the same position she had been the whole night. With a sigh, Arch’Watcher approached her clanmate, her steps the faintest noise of the morning.”Holly’Bright?” She murmured, crouching beside her. “Why are you not resting?” Holly’Bright didn’t answer at first, not exactly sure what to say. “There’s not much of a point of rest when there’s nobody to rest with.” She mewed dryly, her throat sore from the wails of grief the night before. 

The dark brown she-cat pondered for a few moments before rising to her paws. “Let's go see Aspen’Spirit.” Arch’Watcher meowed. This got HollyBright’s attention as she stared at Arch’Watcher confused. “Isn’t he asleep?” She asked, and Arch’Watcher nodded. HollyBright’s eyes narrowed, “So why are we bothering him?” Holly’Bright knew all of the clan's wounds were treated, especially hers. So why did Arch’Watcher want to visit him with Holly’Bright? Arch’Watcher motioned her head towards the medicine den before she started to pad away to the entrance. “You’ll see what I mean.” Seeing no other option but to follow, Holly’Bright stood up and followed Arch’Watcher into the medicine den.

It was dark inside the medicine den, taking Holly’Bright a moment to adjust her eyes to the darkness. Inside a little cavern in the wall, was a speckled brown cat in a mossy nest, sleeping soundly with an empty nest just beside him. Arch’Watcher nudged the medicine cat, trying to wake him. “Aspen’Spirit, Aspen’Spirit!” The medicine cat woke with a jolt, yawning as Arch’Watcher took a step back. “What do you two need at this time?” Aspen’Spirit mewed, his eyes still drooping with sleep. Arch’Watcher leaned in and whispered to Aspen’Spirit, but it was too quiet for Holly’Bright to pick up what she was saying. 

“Alright, come on Holly’Bright.” Aspen’Spirit meowed as he motioned his head to the empty nest beside him, “How about you get some rest?” Holly’Bright blinked in surprise but she didn’t think it’d be right to turn down the offer. She made her way to the nest curling up on the mossy bed littered with feathers. “I’ll let you two rest now.” Arch’Watcher meowed before turning and walking out of the medicine den. Aspen’Spirit was already curling backup to sleep, his back turned on Holly’Bright. When she laid her head down on her paws though, she realized why she had been allowed to sleep in here. 

The air was still, seemingly tensing as if something was going to happen. Aspen’Spirit seemed on edge and no one was sure as to why, not even Spark’Moon or Arch’Watcher. The two medicine cats decided to head to the Moonstone together to see if StarClan had an explanation as Aspen’Spirit refused to say why. There’s a tense silence that falls between the two as they journey to the Moonstone, not a word is exchanged the whole way there. Upon arriving, the duo touch their noses to the stone, giving them access to StarClan. The two are greeted by Red’Snake, a Senior SteelClan warrior. Spark’Moon never knew them personally, but she knew Aspen’Spirit did. 

“Red’Snake.” Aspen’Spirit mewed and the StarClan cat nodded their head as a greeting to the medicine cat. “There’s something I must warn you two about.” Red’Snake meowed, the tip of their tail was twitching. Spark’Moon felt a stir of alarm, “What is it? Is the clan in danger?” She mewed, and Red’Snake looked at the young medicine cat. “I’m afraid so.” They told her, and there was a glint of sympathy from the warrior in front of the two. “You must hurry back to your clan now. They will need all the help they can get.” Their surroundings started to blur and fade away, “Go now, you two. Your clan needs you.” 

They both woke up with a jolt. Without a second thought the two rushed out of the cave and ran as fast as they could back to their camp to warn them. Arriving at camp they could hear yowls and hisses echoing through the ravine. They looked to see all the other clans attacking each of their clan mates. “Quick Spark’Moon! To the Medicine Den! We can help our clan mates more easily there!” Aspen’Spirit yowled as he bounded down the path leading into the ravine. Spark’Moon followed after him, her brown fur fluffed up and their eyes wide with horror.

A shriek of pain made Spark’Moon stop in her tracks. She turned to see Holly’Bright pinned under a ForestClan warrior, Blue’Fish. Spark’Moon lunged at the opposing warrior, causing the large tom to stumble backward, releasing Holly’Bright from under him. Gold’Tooth quickly tackled Spark’Moon, pinning her onto the ground and clawing down at her. Blue’Fish must’ve run off as he didn’t return. Holly’Bright then sank her teeth into GoldenTooth’s shoulder, but he quickly turned and struck her, sending her back onto the ground. Before the ForestClan warrior could do anything else, he quickly rushed off to help another warrior. Holly’Bright watched him run away before turning her attention to the battered medicine cat next to her. 

“Spark’Moon!” She cried, trying to nudge her but their eyes could only stay open for so long. “Stay with me Spark’Moon, we’re going to get you the help you need I promise!” Holly’Bright keep nudging and licking Spark’Moon in an attempt to keep her awake. All around them cats hissed and growled at each other, clawing and biting, bits of red and fur strewn across the camp ground. “Stay with me Spark’Moon.” Holly’Bright pleaded, “Please Spark’Moon just stay with me.”  

Wren’Sight and Ember’Mask are stumbling to the medicine den, deep wounds carved onto their pelts. “Just up ahead Wren’Sight,” Ember’Mask rasped, “We can make it just hold on.” Wren’Sight went further ahead and stopped to wait for Ember’Mask. But Ember’Mask didn’t make it far as Dark’Wave, the RuinClan deputy, tackled Ember’Mask and sank his teeth into their neck. “NO!” Wren’Sight screeched. Anger rose threw him slowly, with her dusty brown fur fluffing up and her tail lashing. With a hiss, Wren’Sight leaped at Dark’Wave. However, the dark tabby only lunged forward and slashed WrenSight’s neck with ease. The pale brown warrior fell onto the ground with a thud, next to his love. 

Stoat’Star slashed at a MeadowClan warrior’s side, trying to fend off as many warriors as he could from its clanmates. Tree’Star then toppled over Stoat’Star, pinning him onto the ground. The broad leader’s claws were pinning the smaller cat’s throat. “We may have had our disagreements Tree’Star,” Stoat’Star growled, his lanky brown tail lashing against the ground. “But we never would’ve called a battle like this!” Tree’Star curled his lip, showing a glint of yellow teeth. “This is something that will be for the better for the rest of us rather than your clan of rats.” He spat, before sinking his claws into StoatStar’s throat, causing the cat to limp beneath him. He let the deceased leader roll to the side, before turning to Raven’Star who was approaching him. “It has been done.” Tree’Star meowed, and Raven’Star nodded before she heaved herself onto a higher ledge.   

“Retreat everyone! Retreat! We have done what we’ve set out to do.” Raven’Star yowled, and the opposing warriors rushed out of SteelClan camp, leaving a mess of fur and red strewn over the once peaceful camp. Once all of the cats from the other clans had left, all was quiet in SteelClan camp. Cats staggered to their feet, beaten and worn. Others lay very still on the campground, ones that their clanmates will mourn for many moons to come. Aspen’Spirit was beside Stoat’Star, helping him get back up onto its feet after patching it up with cobwebs. Other cats were focused on those who were injured or those who they’ve lost, trying to provide comfort to those around them. “Aspen’Spirit!” Holly’Bright yowled and the medicine cat turned to look. 

A ghastly shriek split the air. Aspen’Spirit snapped his jaws closed before rushing to Spark’Moon and Holly’Bright. The little brown cat’s flank was rising and falling so scarcely it made Aspen’Spirit wince. “She’s still breathing, what can we do?” Holly’Bright asked anxiously, her eyes wide with worry and pleading. “I’ll need help getting her to the medicine den, quickly.” The speckled brown cat instructed, hauling the smaller medicine cat onto his back with Holly’Bright helping with the hind quarters. The two vanished into the covered entrance of the medicine den, the remaining cats of SteelClan waiting outside nervously. Holly’Bright emerged alone a few moments later to join the worried cats waiting outside of the medicine den. 

Night was at its behest, as the sky was darkening like a deep pool of water. Finally, Aspen’Spirit emerged from the medicine den, his ears were flattened. He looked up at Holly’Bright, his eyes brimming with sympathy and heartbreak. “Holly’Bright.” He murmured, “I’m so sorry.” The light brown she-cat froze, her ear lowering. Holly’Bright suddenly let out a loud wail and collapsed onto the ground. Many cats rushed to her and tried to comfort her, laying by her side and trying to console her. Stoat’Star looked at his littermate with pity, before climbing onto the Tall Rock. “We have many vigils to hold tonight.” The leader began, gaining the attention of some of the cats. “Wren’Sight, Ember’Mask, Dusk’Splash and now Spark’Moon. Tonight, they all will be sitting with their fellow clanmates among the stars.” 

The leader’s gaze flicked to the bands of stars stretching across the dark sky before taking a deep breath. “Dusk’Splash was a noble deputy, and I mourn his death as he would’ve made a fine leader. But now, I shall appoint SteelClan’s new deputy. I say these words before the body of Dusk’Splash, so that his spirit may hear and approve my choice.” There was a beat of silence before the leader spoke once more. “Arch’Watcher will be the new deputy of SteelClan.” The dark brown she-cat blinked in surprise, before nodding her head. She still sat at HollyBright’s side, the tip of her tail touching her lightly colored flank lightly.

A MeadowClan warrior who had helped SteelClan in battle, Shadow’Bounce, was shuffling their feet from side to side. “What about me? I don’t wish to stand by the side of MeadowClan, nor the other two clans. Besides, I think you all could use an extra paw.” They mewed, and Stoat’Star turned to them. “You turned against your own clan to fulfill what you believed was right. You helped alongside us in such a vicious battle. I think you’ve more than earned your place here, Shadow’Bounce. And we welcome you as a new warrior of SteelClan.” The black cat nodded and bowed their head respectfully. “Thank you, Stoat’Star.”    

Stoat’Star bounded down from the Tall Rock and sat among the small cluster of fallen cats. Aspen’Spirit had brought out Spark’Moon from out of the medicine den, her fur still sticky from the pollituce from their found brother’s desperate attempts to save them. With the help of Snap’Bark and Brush’Cloud, the three arranged the cats for their vigil, before sitting next to each other to comfort and mourn together. The rest of the night was filled with a loud silence, cats either staying the whole night for the vigil or going to rest in their beds for the night. The camp seemed so empty now, not without the brightness from the cats that the clan so tragically lost. The sight of seeing them in StarClan whenever Aspen’Spirit visited would be painful and he knew it.