Moth Flight’s Vision

“Few cats would understand which moth will lead their Clan to safety,” Gray Wing told her.

“I haven’t led my Clan anywhere.” Moth Flight’s heart began to quicken. She looked for Micah. He wasn’t behind her anymore. She glimpsed his pelt among the other spirit-cats. “I only brought you Wind Runner. You’re going to save her, right?”

“We can’t save this life.” His words echoed from the walls, ringing in Moth Flight’s ears.

She stared at him, feeling sick. “But you have to!”

Gray Wing stepped back while StarClan moved at the edges of the cave, forming a glittering ring around the blazing Moonstone.

Moth Flight’s heart seemed to stop. “Don’t let her die!”

“We can only give her our gift.” Gray Wing leaned down and touched his nose to Wind Runner’s head as she lay against the rock. “Wind Runner, with this life I give you the determination to bring unity to all the Clans.”

Wind Runner suddenly jerked, as though sharp teeth had seized her body. She shuddered, her fur bushing.

As Gray Wing stepped away, the WindClan leader lifted her head and blinked. She staggered to her paws and stood unsteadily, staring at the circle of star-flecked cats.

Moth Flight wanted to race forward and press her muzzle to her mother’s cheek, but her paws felt frozen, her body too stiff to move. She watched helplessly as another cat stepped forward.

Moth Flight recognized Petal from her first meeting with StarClan. The she-cat leaned toward Wind Runner, who blinked at her, confused.

“With this life,” Petal told her, “may you learn to love friendship and loyalty above all things.” She touched her nose to Wind Runner’s and Wind Runner trembled, her ears flattening.

“Please don’t hurt her,” Moth Flight called. “She’s suffered so much already.”

Micah’s gaze flashed toward her, soft with sympathy. Moth

Flight stared at him pleadingly. He blinked slowly, as though reassuring her again that everything would be fine.

Wind Runner swayed on her paws as Petal drew away. Her eyes sparked with fear as Turtle Tail took Petal’s place. She recoiled, tucking her broken leg tighter beneath her.

“Don’t be afraid, Wind Runner,” Turtle Tail soothed. “We are giving you a gift. A gift for all the Clans.”

Wind Runner straightened, pushing her injured leg to the ground. Moth Flight’s paws turned cold as she saw her mother grimace, as though gritting her teeth against pain.

Turtle Tail reached her head forward. “With this life, I give you stubbornness to keep going in the face of future troubles.”

Wind Runner moaned softly as Turtle Tail touched her, the fur lifting along her spine. Moth Flight felt sick. She knew her mother was suffering. She tensed as Wind Runner tensed and, as Turtle Tail stepped away, she felt limp with relief.

Wind Runner turned her head to stare at the star-pelted cats crowding the cave. She blinked as though noticing them for the first time. Then her eyes widened as a gray tom padded toward her. Her ears twitched. “What are you doing here?” There was a snarl in her mew.

Moth Flight tipped her head, curious. Who was this strange cat? She hadn’t seen him before.

The tom dipped his head as he stopped in front of Wind Runner. “I know you hate me for leaving you.”

Wind Runner hissed. “You’re a coward, Branch! You abandoned me before I could even hunt properly! There’s nothing I want from you!”

“I didn’t mean to leave you.”

“Yet you left me all the same!” Wind Runner narrowed her eyes. “It was the kindest thing you ever did for me. If you hadn’t disappeared, I’d never have met Gorse Fur. He’s a better cat than you could ever be! He has given me love and loyalty, and kits that I’m proud of.”

Moth Flight frowned. Who was this? Clearly a cat her mother had known when she was young. As she strained to recall her mother’s stories, Branch spoke.

“You deserve a cat like Gorse Fur far more than you deserved me.” He leaned forward and touched his nose to her head. “With this life, I give you the confidence to open your heart to other cats. I give you trust.”

Wind Runner jerked again, trembling as his touch sent pain searing through her. But Moth Flight didn’t flinch. This was like it had been in her dreams. Wind Runner must endure it, just as the other cats had and, when it was over… Moth Flight narrowed her eyes. When it was over, then what?

A familiar pelt moved toward Wind Runner. Willow Tail!

Clear-eyed and strong, Willow Tail stepped forward. She carried no signs of her injuries from the battle. Chin high, she took Branch’s place.

Wind Runner met her gaze, her eyes flashing with anger.

“You lied to me.”

Willow Tail nodded. “I know. I led my Clanmates into battle for no good reason.” As she leaned forward, Wind Runner began to duck away. “I’m sorry.”

Wind Runner paused and met Willow Tail’s touch with her nose.

“With this life,” said Willow Tail, “I give your heart the grace to forgive all cats, however weak or wrong they may be.”

Wind Runner hardly flinched. Only her tail-tip shivered.

As Willow Tail stepped away, a kit took her place.