Firestar's Quest/Chapter 9

==Chapter description==
:Firestar yells at Sootpaw to get away from the badger, but the leader knew he wouldn't reach him in time. Willowpelt dives in front of the badger's paw and knocks her son out of the way. The animal's heavy paws break her back and snap her neck. Her lifeless body is thrown into the clearing by the badger. As Sootpaw wails for her mother's life, Firestar dives his claws into the creature's side, along with Ashfur. Thornclaw claws out the badger's eyes while the two other cats claw up the animal. Firestar yells for the cats to let the badger go as it retreats. 
:Sootpaw crouches over his mother's body as Firestar apologizes for her death. The group of cats carry the warrior's limp body back to camp. Cloudtail, Dustpelt, and Brackenfur meet Firestar and the patrol and see the Willowpelt's body. Firestar explains what happened to the warriors, and he sends Cloudtail and his patrol to ensure the badger is gone for good. Graystripe and Sandstorm check on the tom, but he dismisses them. Sandstorm runs to tell Cinderpelt the news. The medicine cat leaves her den to treat Ashfur and Sootpaw. Rainpaw and Sorrelpaw grieve over their mother's death. Firestar hops onto Highrock for a Clan meeting and announces the late warrior's death. He tries to comfort the Clan the best he can and announces Willowpelt's vigil.
:During the vigil, Dappletail is the first to speak and mourn the warrior. Meanwhile, Firestar doubts his abilities as a leader. He fears his destiny the SkyClan warrior had told him before and believes his place is with his Clan. His Clanmates continue to say comforting words about Willowpelt until Speckletail calls for removing her body. The elders lift her body and carry it out of the camp for burial. Cinderpelt tells Firestar that the apprentices can't train today over the loss of their mother. Firestar walks back to his den and quickly falls into a deep sleep.
:Firestar finds himself walking next to a river. He spots Silverstream's head pop out of the water, and she offers him the fish she had just caught. Firestar tries to deny the prey, but she insists it is a gift. The silver she-cat advises the leader, saying loyalty doesn't always mean following the warrior code. Silverstream turns from the leader, and the two cats go separate paths. Firestar blinks awake in his den and thinks about how Silverstream wants him to go on this journey. He is surprised that his belly is full and he can still taste fish in his mouth. He agrees to the thought and believes Graystripe would be a proper alternative to lead while he is gone.
:Firestar walks to Cinderpelt's den and Longtail greets the leader. Firestar asks the warrior if his eyes are improving, but he denies it. Cinderpelt asks if the leader would like to say something else, and he adds that Sootpaw needs a new mentor while Longtail is injured. He suggests Thornclaw should take over the mentorship, and Longtail agrees. He invites Cinderpelt to talk to him, Sandstorm, and Graystripe after the patrols leave the next morning. Cinderpelt agrees and tells him that she will let the queens look after the mourning apprentices. She says that it will do them good to be treated like kits for a day or two so soon after losing their mother. 
:Graystripe informs Firestar of the badger heading near ShadowClan territory. Firestar tells the warrior to warn the camp. The cats enter deep into the forest, and Firestar relays his dreams to them. Sandstorm and Graystripe accuse the leader of wanting to live with his Twolegs and abandoning the Clan life. Firestar explains the history of SkyClan to his warriors and that he must leave to rebuild the lost Clan. His friends are shocked and angry, but Cinderpelt sympathizes with him. He offers an invitation to Sandstorm to join him on the journey. Firestar tells her that her apprentice will temporarily have another mentor, and she agrees. He turns to his other friends, who promise the leader they will take good care of ThunderClan while he is gone.
==Characters==
===Major===
===Minor===
===Mentioned===
==Important events==
===Deaths===
*Willowpelt is killed by a badger.
==Trivia==
*This chapter aligns with part two of A Thief in ThunderClan.
==Notes and references==
de:Feuersterns Mission/Kapitel 9
Category:Firestar's Quest
Category:Chapter subpages
Category:Super Edition arc