Graystripe’s final story - 3/4
“You don’t?”
“Of course. He’s really old.”
Graystripe rested his head. He took a few long breaths, then lifted it again.
“Anyway, after Firestar died, Bramblestar became leader. His first deputy was Squirrelflight. You’d probably remember her from Alderheart. At one point, Bramblestar became possessed, and exiled Squirrelflight. She stayed in ShadowClan for the rest of her days. I hear she took in a new mate. I never found out who, but I always thought it was Slatefur. He seemed to have a crush on her... Anyway. His next deputy was his apprentice, Berrynose. A few moons later, Bramblestar snapped, and his possessed form came out and started attacking ThunderClan warriors.”
“Who was it?”
“...I don’t know.”
“Oh... Graystripe, you have such a bad memory... I’ll just ask Alderheart or Baystar.”
“Good idea. Anyway, Bramblestar was dead at the end of the battle. He wouldn’t revive. That meant Berrynose was supposed to become the next leader, but... his sister, Hazeltail, appeared from StarClan and said that the berry bush was burning. Nobody understood what that meant except Berrynose. He ran to a bush that the two played at as children, which was burning, and tried to put it out. He didn’t survive. We found him dead and the bush gone.”
“What happened then? Who took the leader spot?”
“We did a vote. Seven ThunderClan cats stepped up as possible candidates: Ivypool, Thornclaw, Sparkpelt, Mousewhisker, Bumblestripe, Whitewing, and her mate Birchfall. There was some fighting. It got out of hand when Myrtleflower accidentally killed Birchfall. Whitewing stepped down from her position and became an elder after that. From there, they were eliminated one by one, first Mousewhisker, then Bumblestripe, then...”
“Isn’t Bumblestripe your son?”
“Yes, he is. I was a bit sad when he was eliminated, but I knew he was too premature to become leader. I’m glad that Ivystar did. Her deputy was Myrtleflower. She chose her because she was an outcast like herself. But after Myrtleflower became deputy, Whitewing secretly left on a patrol and died. We think she did it on purpose in anger that the cat who killed her mate might lead the clan one day.”
“Like my brother did.”
“Yes, kind of like Leopardspot. I think he-”
“I’d prefer to not hear about him. His death was recent.”
“Okay. I’ll keep talking about Ivystar. Anywho, Myrtleflower died of a sickness during Ivystar’s sixth life. She was kind of lost without her faithful deputy, so in honor, she chose Baywhisker as the next deputy. Eventually, Ivystar died of... something or other... I don’t recall... oh well. Baystar was the leader after that. At the time, the oldest cat besides myself was Jayfeather.”
“He’s the one who mysteriously died after I was born, right?”
“He was, Blossomheart. I miss him. He was the cat who helped Briarlight through all she had to go through. He was there when she died. I’m glad they’ve reunited in StarClan. And he’s with his brother and sister, too. And Ivystar has-”
Graystripe fell to the ground. He started coughing violently. To Blossomheart, it looked like he was struggling to breathe.
“I need a medicine cat! Someone! Anyone!”
A few cats started rushing in once they heard Blossomheart’s calls. Baystar brought Alderheart and Metalfang with her. The two medicine cats rushed to his side, and had him eat some herbs.
“What do those do?”
Metalfang was ready to talk, but Alderheart responded to Twotail. “They nullify pain. He’s dying. It’s natural.”
“Blossomheart?”
“Yes?”
“Remember me by my stories. One day, you will be telling the clan all sorts of things from the distant past... goodbye, ThunderClan...”
That’s when Graystripe died.