Brightflower's Choice

Brightflower's Choice is before Fernstar's Clan, and it's main protagonist is Brightflower. The cover is by 52Blue.

*After a accident at a lake, Brightpaw is reluctant to be a apprentice. But what if she became a medicine cat instead?*

### **Summary:**

Brightkit is playing with her sister, Sparkkit, in the clearing. The current medicine cat comes out and asks them if they are feeling alright. They both nod, not wanting to eat the nasty herbs. Brightkit has an idea, saying to her sister that they could go to the frozen lake and play on top of it. Sparkkit says that the could fall in, but Brightkit disagrees, saying the ice can hold two kits. Sparkkit finally agrees, saying that this could be their only chance of going outside. They are making their way to the lake and Brightkit lets out a meow of happiness. They both run to the lake and slide all over it.

Soon Brightkit and Sparkkit see that it is almost sunset. Brightkit walks off the ice and tells her sister to follow. Sparkkit nods and stands up, and starts to walk off the ice, but Sparkkit's eyes widen as the ice starts to crack, and she falls in. Brightkit calls her sister's name over and over but soon Sparkkit sinks below the water. A TreeClan patrol arrives, and sees Brightkit crying alone. They ask where is her mentor, but Brightkit tells them that she is only a kit.

Moons later, Brightpaw is afraid of water because of what happened to her sister. Her mentor reassures her that the water can't hurt her. She finally agrees, knowing that it is greenleaf, and Sparkkit died in leaf-bare. She gathers up her courage and tries to swim, but fails. Her mentor says that most apprentices don't always succeed. They then move on to hunting, but Brightpaw sees that she is a *horrible* apprentice. As she walks to her nest, she sees the medicine cat sorting herbs, and a thought pops into her mind. What if she became a medicine cat?

Brightpaw opens her eyes. She has made her decision: she will become a medicine cat. She starts to walk to Owlstar's den, but Ashpaw stops her. He asks her if she is asking them to become warriors, but Brightpaw says that she is becoming a medicine cat. He says that is a good joke, but she says she really wants to be a medicine cat. Ashpaw argues with her, saying what would Sparkkit want. Brightpaw says Sparkkit would want her to be happy, and becoming a medicine cat would make her happy.

Ashpaw then says that she *will* become a warrior, and that they will be mates. Brightpaw is taken aback, knowing that if she is a medicine cat, they cannot be mates. She walks to Owlstar's den and tells him that she wants to be a medicine cat. He agrees, and she is a medicine cat.

Brightpaw is now Brightflower, and Ashpaw, now Ashclaw, asks her again if she still wants to become a medicine cat. Brightflower tells him that she is a medicine cat for the rest of her life. Brightflower trains Moonpaw and Moonpaw becomes Moonberry. Ashclaw still thinks she will become a warrior until a battle with TreeClan. Brightflower goes to the side, sorting herbs when Ashclaw comes up to her. She asks him if he needs any herbs, but he says he needs her to become a warrior so they can have kits. Brightflower tells him that she will ever have his kits. Ashclaw then lashes out scratching Brightflower to death. She ascends to StarClan, and reunites with Sparkkit.