Chapter Text
“Firestar.”
His face scrunched together.
“Firestar, wake up. Destiny calls once again.”
His eyes shot open, stumbling to his paws. Once his vision focused, he held back a sigh. In front of him stood a group of glowing translucent cats- StarClan. When he glanced down at himself, he was still solid. He wasn’t a ghost yet. Why? He looked up at them with confusion.
“Calm yourself, our burning flame.” Bluestar meowed, flicking her tail as she stepped forward. “There’s a journey ahead. No need to fret, you are strong.”
“I don’t understand. This is the end, isn’t it?” A bad feeling settled in his stomach.
“Soon.” Tallstar promised. “We have one last task for you.”
No. No, no, no. What were they saying? He was dead, he couldn’t do anything else for them! “I’ve already done what I could, please let me rest now.” He was tired. He was so damned tired.
“Soon.” Tallstar repeated, pity in his eyes. “Firestar, we are sending you back.”
“Back? Back to life?” That would be hard to explain to Sandstorm and Graystripe.
“Of sorts. Back in time.” Yellowfang commented, reluctance in her voice.
“Why?” Firestar blurted out. What had to be fixed? Everything turned out fine.
“You will see.” Swiftpaw explained, wearing the same cocky expression he’d had before he left camp and died.
“I need a better explanation than that!” Firestar didn’t mean to snap, but he was tired. He was so tired. He couldn’t do this.
The stars didn’t answer.
He gave a long sigh and lifted his head. “How far back?”
“Right before you joined ThunderClan.” Bluestar explained, ears twitching. A nostalgic emotion covered her shiny eyes.
That was a long time behind them. He didn’t comment on it, he could make it work. Maybe he could save some lives. “Will I be going alone?”
“Of course not,” Whitestorm stepped forward, circling around Firestar. “You will have company, an ally.”
“Oh, thank StarClan. Whitestorm, you’ll be coming with me?” Firestar felt himself relax. At least he’d be with an old friend.
“No,” Lionheart interrupted before Whitestorm could respond. “Whitestorm will not be going with you.”
“Then, who will?” He looked through the crowd.
They met his gaze determinedly, but did not answer. The silence dragged on. When it was clear they wouldn’t answer, Firestar’s fur bristled.
“I’m getting sick of this.” Firestar grumbled. “I’m serious. After this, I’m done.” He didn’t even want to do this. He was supposed to rest, he was supposed to be at peace now.
“We understand,” Yellowfang answered tiredly. “I apologize, Firestar. I was heavily against this.”
Firestar’s fur smoothed. He blinked affectionately at the grumpy she-cat. At least he would be able to see her again, right? “It’s...” It wasn’t fine. “Don’t do this again.” He settled on saying.
They all nodded in sync.
“Go now, Firestar.” Bluestar’s strict voice cut through the starry sky. “Save us.”
“I already have.” He muttered, but allowed himself to sink back into oblivion.
When his eyes snapped open, he was sitting on the fence post. Barely older than a kit again. He stared into the forest, watching a mouse scuttle between the trees. He jumped down and chased after it.
Well, here we go again.