Fire raged not far behind them, burning the ground and heating the air. "How can we get across?" a brown tom yowled anxiously. The cats stared ahead at the deep water.
Their leader sighed. "W-we're going to have to swim!" The Clan shuddered. The orange tom lifted his chin up and addressed his Clan. "Warriors, grab a kit and swim!" He yelled at the top of his lungs. "When we run out of kits to take across, help an elder!"
"But it's too high!" An elder's scratchy voice complained.
"Would you rather die?" The orange tom said grimly. The elder looked down thoughtfully.
The tom waited until his Clan was ahead of him. The rising river water drenched his paws, but he didn't step back. A queen with white fur ran over. Her belly was swollen. She was due soon. "I can't get across! Not like this!" She sounded desperate. Her concerned mate was already across the river, watching with a regretful look. Some of the elders were struggling to paddle across.
He looked over at the overgrown river. Its current was pulling strongly, threatening to drag a weak elder away. He looked back at the queen. "I'll come with you," he mewed. They padded into the water. It was cold as ice, and clung to each strand of fur. The only comfort was that it would protect them from the horrible fire they left behind. The queen paddled ahead of him, her muscles straining to keep herself afloat. Ahead of them, several warriors and apprentices were leaning forward, ready to help. It seemed like an eternity swimming up to the other side. With one last kick, she barely reached the bank before two warriors hauled her up. The bright orange tom touched the bank seconds after.
He turned and looked back at his territory. It was engulfed in flames, scorching everything his Clan loved. Their only protection was the giant river they had put between themselves and the fire.
He heard a loud screech that signaled the white she-cat was kitting. The medicine cat rushed over and shooed away some of her Clanmates for privacy. This was the worst time to be kitting, but it cannot be helped.
Unfortunately, the safe land they had found belonged to another Clan. His Clan would go to Rock Point tonight if they wanted guaranteed safety. It just won't be very comfortable. The cats dropped to the ground to rest. They gasped for air, their wet flanks heaving. The tom felt soaked to the bone. He sniffed the air. He could smell other cats closeby. The native cats. "Come out. I know you're watching us," he said sternly, and peered over his shoulder to scan the landscape.
A silver tabby she-cat and a black tom slithered out of the reeds far ahead. "Don't talk like we're the trespassers now," the she-cat snorted.
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A mouse scuttled along the roots of an oak tree. It was peaceful here, with lots of food. Suddenly, giant paws grappled it and killed it swiftly with a bite to the neck. Satisfied with her kill, the gray she-cat with brown markings sat up and sank her teeth into her meal. Footsteps sounded behind her, and she perked up.
"Windystar," a voice echoed.
"Hello, Blackfall." Windystar turned around to face a black tom with amber eyes and a green eyed she-cat with a creamy colored coat and brown spots. "And nice to see you, Briarstar. Has something gone wrong in EchoClan?"
Briarstar shook her head. "Blackfall has seen something. It barely concerns EchoClan, but I have chosen to accompany him in his delivering the message."
Blackfall bowed to Windystar. "Tonight, I watched our territory burn to ashes."
     Windystar looked away. She felt so helpless.
     Black fall reassured her, "There was nothing you could have done. But much more happens tonight than just a fire. This is the time when another terrible thing will happen, though it is what creates the beginnings. Tonight is the first step to finding our lost kin."
     "But they've been lost forever," Windystar said.
     Blackstar's amber eyes froze. "The new moon will return from the foggiest path."
Windystar was confused. "Are you implying that a leader will bring them home? Who?" She demanded.
"That is for you to decide," Blackfall admitted.
"For the most part, Flamingstar ruled an era of peace," Briarstar chimed in. "There was the fire...but MistClan is helping. I doubt they did it out of the kindness of their hearts, so expect them to demand something in return. Your next leader must be strong enough to hold the weight of all the Clans on their shoulders, for they will bring all cats back to their destiny," Briarstar added. "That's what Blackfall claims he saw.
"Well, who do you suggest I choose, Blackfall?" Windystar questioned. "I have trusted you as my medicine cat for countless moons, surely you have a better idea than me?"
Blackfall wore a thoughtful expression. "Now is the first step of finding the lost kin. What happens now will eventually lead to them. That's all I can say," he sighed. His thoughts drifted. "Whoever you believe should succeed Flamingstar...you must choose before it's too late."