Sunday, August 5, 2012

The End?

"Cloudstar, Sparkfire has fallen ill." Cloudstar nodded, not facing the Medicine Cat as he sat in his den, facing the hard, stone wall.

"That makes six, then." He murmured, his eyes hollow while he thought of Hawkeye, Ravenpaw, Birchfire, Riverfang and his mate, Snowfall. "How's Snowfall?" He meowed, pricking his ears.

"She's alright. I can't do much for any of them though, unless we have water." Goldfeather meowed softly, realizing how fragile Cloudstar seemed right now. Cloudstar nodded, still not caring to face the Medicine Cat.

"Do you think StarClan has abandoned us?" He asked, almost in a whisper.

"Of course not!" Goldfeather almost gasped, but kept her fur from prickling. "Just because we have a drought, does not mean that they have deserted us." She meowed, her eyes wide.

"Then why is this happening to us? I am stuck in the middle of a war, Goldfeather." This time he stood up, and turned himself around to face her. "I can't even say hello to a DuskClan patrol without them thinking that we are on their side. We need water, and we can't get it!" So close... Yet so far away. "Have you had any signs recently?" He meowed, waiting for an answer.

Goldfeather swished her tail in nervousness. "Well... No. But that doesn't mean StarClan have left us!" Her sudden outburst surprised Cloudstar, and he eyed her with curiosity. "Why do you think we see Silverpelt every night? Or why that every Kit in the Clan is healthy?" She meowed. "Because StarClan watches over us! They can't stop every bad thing from happening, they don't control these type of things. StarClan will always be with us." She meowed, seeing how Cloudstar would react. The old tom nodded slowly, then turned back to us position facing the wall, flicking his tail to show that she was dismissed.

~*~

"Fallenpaw, is there any goldenrod left?" Goldfeather meowed while sticking her paw through a cleft in the wall, rolling out juniper berries. About four of these are good... I should go out and collect some more, though.

"Yes, plenty." The young apprentice meowed, surveying the supply of herbs. "Though we need more Horsetail and Fennel." Goldfeather nodded, thinking of the best places in the territory which grew them.
"Come on, I'll show you the best places for them." She meowed, already padding out of the den.

"But Goldfeather... What about them?" Fallenpaw looked uncertainly at the three sick cats, Hawkeye, Sparkfire, and Snowfall.

"They're sleeping, and we'll be back soon. Don't worry." She meowed, waving her apprentice over with her tail. "Let's go."

~*~

"Now make sure to only get the perfectly round ones, those ones are the best. The shriveled ones we can leave for the birds. We don't want them to go hungry now." She joked. "But only collect a few, since that's all we need. We'll save some for next time." Fallenpaw nodded, listening to her mentor's advice. They had already gotten the fennel, which grows best near the StellarClan border. 

"Goldfeather, how does this one look?" Fallenpaw meowed, eying a juniper berry. "I can't tell if it's good or not."

"Let me see.." She meowed. "I suppose it's oka-" Her voice was drowned out by the crackling of bracken, and a cat exploding through the bushes. "StarClan's kits! Iceshadow, what?" Goldfeather meowed, her eyes wide.

"Cloudstar's losing a life!" He meowed, his eyes wide with fear. "Please help!" Goldfeather nodded, then turned to Fallenpaw.

"You stay here and collect those juniper berries, and then come back to camp." She meowed, running after Iceshadow. "Be careful!" She turned to the leader's son. "What happened?" She blundered. "He was fine when I left camp!" Iceshadow shook his head.

"I don't know. I entered the den, and I thought he was asleep.. But he wasn't..." He voice trailed off, and Goldfeather nodded with understanding.

"Don't worry - Everything will be okay." As she said that, another scent tickled her nose, but she shrugged it off. We must get to Cloudstar!

~*~

"Well he doesn't have any wounds on him... I wonder what caused this." Goldfeather murmured, mostly to herself. She was in the den with Snowfall, Goldenbreeze, and Iceshadow, though she tried to make Snowfall stay in her nest, she still wanted to see her mate. They hadn't gotten back to camp quick enough to stop Cloudstar from losing a life, so for now, they waited. 

"Cloudstar has been giving up his share of the grass Goldenbreeze and I found, along with what's rest of the stream to the Queens and Elders... Maybe he died-" He stopped himself. "Lost a life because of dehydration..." Goldfeather nodded.

"That's probably it..." She said grimly. "After he wakes up, I want him moved to my den where I can keep a close eye on him, and make sure that he is getting his share of water." She turned towards Goldenbreeze. "And I want a cat assigned to making sure that no one is giving up their water. Though it may be noble, I don't want to lose another cat." The deputy nodded, padding out of the den to find someone. Just then, a cat bounded into the den. "Snowpaw? What happened?" Goldfeather demanded.

"Honeyfrost sent me. The stream is dried up! There is no water..." The new apprentice meowed, panting. Goldfeather felt a sinking feeling in her stomach. Great StarClan... This has turned into something more than a little dry spell... Please let OakClan survive!

40 comments:

  1. Squirelfoot looked taward's the leaders den and frowned.Guilt pricked at her heart,since he'd been giving part of his share of grass and water to her.If i'd just refused...she thought and then shook her head."Enough of that.You'll do no one any good thinking like that."she muttered to herself.

    Mistfur watched the kits from some shade beside the nursery.She frowned noticing that they weren't playing as enthusiasticly as they had before.This heat,is even getting to them!she thought,shaking her head sadly.

    Echokit sat near her mother,looking curiously around the clearing.

    Toadkit looked at the other kits,and smiled."Anyone want to play?"he asked.

    Dustpaw looked around the clearing and sighed.His eyes rested on the medecine cat's den so he paded over to it.Deciding to try and visit Ravenpaw and see how she was doing.

    Blueflower paded over to Goldenbreeze with Honeyfrost right behind her."Is there any patrols going out?"she asked.

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  2. [What about Snowpaw and Firekit? xD]

    Stoneheart was only now feeling the effects of the heat. "It seems like nothing is going right with all three clans." He casted a glance in Sparkfire's direction. Mouse-brain. He should've gone to the medicine cat as soon as the heat started getting too much.

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  3. (dahfkjadgjasd Sorry Alado! I'll add that in right now xD I fixed the part with Birdpaw so that actually Snowpaw is coming in, and Echo, Honeyfrost is Snowpaw's mentor ^^ You can introduce them in the comments now xD)

    Iceshadow shook his head worriedly, then turned to Goldenbreeze. "What now?" He murmured, more to himself. "Should you send out a patrol to look for water out of our territory?" He glanced at his Father, who was just beginning to stir. "Though he may not approve..."

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  4. Blueflower sat down near Goldenbreeze waiting to see what they would decide.

    Honeyfrost frowned and looked at where the stream at used to be.With a sigh,she bounded back to camp uncertain of what else to do.As she soon as she entred,she looked around for her apprentices familiar white pelt.

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  5. Shadowsplash had her ears tuned in on the Leader's Den. She couldn't hear much, but knew Cloudstar must have lost a life. She held a blank expression well, not giving away her excitement. If he dies soon....That just gets us one step closer. She narrowed malevolent eyes. But I can be patient. The dark calico padded over to the Leader's den and mewed lightly to make herself known. "Excuse me? I couldn't help but over hear...From my old clan we often struggled with water. I might know a few tricks to get us enough to get by? Until there is a better source found, of course."

    Clawkit looked at Toadkit and snorted. I'd shred you. He couldn't help but shiver as he remembered all the deadly training sessions with Shadowsplash.

    Badgerkit looked over to her mother and in hopes of impressing her, puffed out her chest and challenged, "Sure, let's race. I will win."

    Ravenkit jumped to his paws, "No, I'm going to win! Ready set go!" The black kit shot off toward the fresh-kill pile.

    His sister pelted after him, burning with the urge to win. I have to show mom how fast I am!

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  6. Toadkit smiled,and raced after them.The heat slowed him down a bit but he kept up.

    Echokit looked curiusly at Clawkit and bounded silently over to him.She sat down near him,wraping her fluffy white tail around her paws."Are you cold even in this heat?"she asked,having seen him shiver.

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  7. [Don't worry about it. XD]

    "He'd be a mouse-brain if he were cold," Firekit snorted from the entrance of the nursery. He was new to the clan, but that didn't stop him from being annoying.

    After informing the medicine cat's about the stream, he left the den in search of his mentor. Once he spotted her, he bounded over, glad that his pelt was white and not black.

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  8. Iceshadow pricked his ears at the sound of the new Queen's voice. "Shadowsplash? You can come in. That seems interesting, and of course, very helpful. What do you know?"

    (I guess I'll play Goldfeather for a bit)

    Goldfeather nodded, inclining her head towards Shadowsplash. "I'm sure Cloudstar would like to hear what you have to say."

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  9. Honeyfrost looked tawards Snowpaw,"Did you tell them about the stream?"she asked.

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  10. "I think that we should stay in camp.. we can't risk cats going to the stream dehydrated. They could faint, or even worse.." Goldenbreeze murmured to Blueflower and Honeyfrost, cutting off, knowing not to say it. She then shook her head, But we need water. "Maybe I can go with two warriors," she offered. She looked over at Cloudstar for his answer.
    --Goldenbreeze

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  11. Ravenkit found the sun beaming down on his black pelt made his breath come in faster and he ran out of steam quickly. Badgerkit shot past him and leaped in front of Toadkit so he couldn't get around her. She looked toward Shadowsplash, and felt her heart sink that her mother wasn't watching.

    Clawkit leaned away from her, flattening his ears. His claws dug into the ground at Firekit's remark. "I'm not cold, I just had an ant crawl up my pelt." He gave himself a shake and looked away from the two kits.

    Shadowsplash entered the den and sat down, wrapping her fluffy tail around her paws. "Well, I know that tree roots hold lots of water since they can reach deeper into the ground. We could dig them up and bring them back to camp. They transport well." She closed her eyes and thought for a moment. "Also, I used to have to dig holes and put grass in them. If you cover up the hole with a leaf the water coming out of the grass as it dies will form droplets on it and you can lick them up. The leaf wont be transportable since the droplets will be facing down....but its a easy way to get a quick drink." Shadowsplash looked at the cats and shrugged as if she was embarrassed. "It was just a thought of course...I have a few others too."

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  12. Snowpaw nodded. "Yes, I told them. The heat is really that bad that we don't even have water?" He asked.

    "Ants?" Firekit seemed amused by the idea and wondered if his brother would also be amused to find ants in his nest.

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  13. Clawkit's irritation flared and he swung his head around to glare at the ginger tom. "Yes, mouse-brain. Ever heard of them?" His dark calico-tabby fur bristled. I don't even want to be here!

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  14. Cloudstar shook his head at the deputy. "No, it would be too dangerous. Besides, the Clan needs their deputy around now more than ever." He turned his attention back to Shadowsplash. "I suppose we could try to dig the roots up, so hopefully we'll find cats that won't mind to get their paws a bit dirty." He nodded with thanks. We can form groups about the size of patrols to dig them up. I'll lead the first one." He muttered, standing up, though he was a bit shaky.

    "I don't think so Cloudstar." Goldfeather mewed, her voice tart. "You need to stay here and get better, you're just recovering from losing a life, and going out on a patrol is not going to help. You stay here. Goldenbreeze has it under control."

    Iceshadow nodded, mulling the ideas over, but then turned towards the Medicine Cat and his father. "Goldfeather is right. You need to rest." He eyed his mother. "Same as you, you should be getting back to Goldfeather's den." Without waiting for a reply, he turned back to Shadowsplash. "Which tree roots carry the most water? Would it be the bigger oak trees, or the saplings?" He meowed, wanting to hear more.

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  15. Shadowsplash thought for a moment. "Well, sapling roots are easier to get too and to break off but the bigger oaks definatly carry more water. You might break a claw or two trying to get them though." She looked at Cloudstar, noticing how weak he was. "I could have been much more help as a Warrior." She pointed out in a matter of fact tone. My kits can handle themselves! I will not sit and waste away in a Nursery with that annoying Mistyfur and her soft-hearted kits.

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  16. Iceshadow nodded. "I'll lead a small patrol to try this out, if you don't mind, Goldenbreeze." He nodded at the deputy, eager to go out and start digging.

    Cloudstar flicked his tail dismissively. "Shadowsplash, I know you want to be back on your feet as soon as possible, and I know that you miss your old duties, but you have 3 lives to look after, and I'm sure they would appreciate it if you are in the same nest with them every night." He joked though it came out as a wheeze. "Anyways... Anything else we should look out for?"

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  17. Fallenpaw hurried into camp, juniper berries swinging in a leaf in her jaws. She deposited them breathlessly in the medicine den and then padded up to Goldfeather. "What happened?" she mewed, worry creasing her gaze.
    ~Fallenpaw

    Birdpaw huffed. If we would just ally ourselves with Stellarclan we wouldn't have this problem! The combined might of our two Clans could easily obliterate Duskclan, and we could have all their water for our own!
    ~Birdpaw

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  18. Toadkit looked tawards Badgerkit as he stoped panting,his eyes shining happily."Your so fast Badgerkit!I bet one day you'll be the fastest cat in the clan."he mewed.

    Echokit looked apoligicaly at Clawkit,she haden't for all this trouble.

    Blueflower looked at Iceshadow,"Can i join you?"

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  19. "Of course I know what ants are! And don't call me mouse-brain!" Firekit stood up, his fur fluffing up with anger as he let his temper get the best of him, which was usually the case.

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  20. (Iceshadow is still in the den, Echo, so he won't respond right now xD But Blueflower can join)

    Goldfeather nodded to the Queen and the 2 warriors. "It seems that you have it under control here, so I suppose I'll be on my way." She turned to Snowfall. "Get plenty of rest, and don't wear yourself out." She warned, then turned to her apprentice as she padded out of the den. "Cloudstar lost a life from dehydration, and the stream is now dried up... But Shadowsplash has some helpful moves to get water, so they are going to try those, at least, until we get a bigger water source." She meowed, filling her in.

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  21. [Ok,sorry about the mistake.]

    Echokit looked from Clawkit to Firekit.

    Blueflower looked tawards Cloudstar's den curiously

    Mistyfur watched Firekit and Clawkit worriedly,ready to interfere if they got into a fight.

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  22. "Sure, Iceshadow. You can lead the first patrol; I'll lead the second," Goldenbreeze meowed.
    --Goldenbreeze

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  23. Shadowsplash sighed heavily. "I cant think of anything else right now, but I'll inform you if I remember anything useful." The Queen stiffly dipped her head and paded out.

    "I call them as I see them!" Clawkit was on his paws now, claws out. He knew he probably had more fighting expeirience than this arrogant fox-heart.

    Shadowsplash narrowed her eyes as she spotted the arguement and flattened her ears as she noticed Mistyfur watching. He's supposed to be fitting in! "Clawkit! Stop fighting this instant!"

    Badgerkit panted, looking past Toadkit to see her mother. Her heart sank as she realized Shadowsplash hadnt been watching. "Thanks...." She mewed half heartedly to Toadkit.

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  24. (You don't have to apologize, it was nothing big :))

    "Thank you, this has helped OakClan very much." Cloudstar meowed as the Queen padded out. He turned to Iceshadow. "Who will you take on your patrol?"

    The tom thought for a moment. "I suppose I'll take Blueflower and Stormfang. I think we can bring along their apprentices too, since it could be a good learning experience, and we don't know how long we'll have to use this." Iceshadow meowed.

    "Very well. Also, tell Stoneheart that since Sparkfire is sick, he can take over Dustpaw's training." Cloudstar meowed, settling down to rest.

    "Alright." He dipped his head, and backed out of the den. He padded over to Blueflower. "Shadowsplash taught us a technique to get water from tree roots, and I was gathering up a patrol to go test it out. Can you come?" After the she-cat agreed, he continued. "Great! Do you mind telling Stormfang? And tell him that Birdpaw can come too." After Blueflower left in search of the warrior, he looked around camp. "Anyone seen Dragonpaw?"

    (Sorry, just had to play Blueflower for a second xD)

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  25. [It's ok.xD]

    Mistyfur looked at Shadowsplash in surprise.Since she'd met the her,Shadowsplash haden't realy seemed interested in her kits.She looked over at Firekit."That goes for you to Firekit."she mewed.

    Blueflower looked around for Stormfang,finaly spotting him,she paded over to him."Iceshadow wants us to come on a patrol with him.He said that Birdpaw could come to."she mewed.

    Toadkit blinked at Badgerkit,"Is something bothering you?"He asked.

    Honeyfrost noded sadly."Unfortunatly it is.Hopefuly it'll rain soon,before any more cats get sick."she mewed.

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  26. Firekit sat back down with a contempt smirk as Clawkit was scolded. It soon faded as Mistyfur scolded him as well. "Hmph."

    "You should stop acting like a mouse-brain," Snowpaw told his younger brother as he slapped him on the head with his tail. "You're just making a fool of yourself."
    "Don't tell me what to do!" Firekit hissed. "You're one to talk! You don't even have a proper warrior name. It's fit for a she-cat, Snowpaw!"
    Gnashing his teeth together he simply just shook his head and walked away.

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  27. Shadowsplash gave a half hearted purr to Mistyfur. "Kits, huh? Such pawfuls!" She roughly liked Clawkit's head, her voice unaturally sweet. She ushered her son away to the privacy of the Nursery. "What were you thinking? This clan will never accept you if you dont quit acting like a rouge!" Her face was a whisker away from the little tom. "Its all about the acting! What would your father say!?"

    Clawkit glared at Firekit but had little time to say anything before he was hurried into the den. Shadowsplash hot breath stirred his whiskers and her claws glinted only a pawstep away. Anger flared inside him as his father was mentioned. "How would I know! Clawstripe was executed before I got to know him!" His dark eyes narrowed. "And I'm glad."

    Shadowsplash face contorted with fury.

    Badgerkit sighed. "No, nothing." She looked with envy at the Nursery. Clawkit always gets mothers attention! Why doesnt she love me.

    Ravenkit gave Toadkit a shove. "Your fast!" He was trying to change the subject.

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  28. Seeing that he couldn't find his apprentice and that he might as well ask someone, and to deliver the news to Stoneheart. "Hi! Well, since Sparkfire is sick, Cloudstar wanted to know if it would be okay for you to take over Dustpaw's training."

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  29. Stormfang overheard Iceshadow talk to Blueflower, and heard his name come up. He watched Iceshadow leave, and padded over to Blueflower. "Are we going on a patrol?"
    --Stormfang

    Dragonpaw woke up in the Apprentice's den, and looked around. He sat up, yawned, stretched, and ran out of the den. He ran over to Iceshadow. "Sorry that I slept in! Are we doing anything today?"
    --Dragonpaw

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  30. Echokit looked at Firekit curiously.

    Toadkit smiled,"Not as fast your sister!"he mewed.

    Mistyfur watched Shadowspalsh pad into the nursery with a look of bewilerment.She stood up and fallowed the queen inside,but only in time to hear Clawkit say,'..I'm glad.'She frowned,"What are you glad about Clawkit?"she asked.

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  31. Blueflower noded."Yes.Iceshadow told me you could bring Birdpaw along."she mewed.

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  32. Ravenkit scowled. "She's just a show off." He raised onto his hind legs. "Come on let's fight!"

    Badgerkit padded away dejectedly from the two kits.

    Shadowsplash gritted her teeth, forcing her fur to lie flat and sheathing her claws. "Glad that we found this clan when we did! We were half starved."

    Clawkit focused on his paws. I wont be like my father and she can't make me...all about the acting, well maybe I don't want to act!

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  33. She looked at Shadowsplash and noded.She looked at Clawkit for a moment,and then turned and paded out.Not beleiving for one moment that what they'd been talking about.She looked around for Firekit,wanting to make sure he was alright.Thought her thoughts remained on Shadowsplash and Clawkit.

    Toadkit grinned,"Alright!"he mewed,and tackled him.

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  34. "Okay," Stormfang meowed and instantly started looking for Birdpaw. He found his apprentice just sitting in the clearing, in thought. He touched his tail tip to her shoulder, and meowed, "We're going on a patrol!"
    --Stormfang

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  35. Ravenkit fell backward, feeling winded. He kicked at Toadkit's belly with soft paws.

    Shadowsplash sighed. "You have an important destiny to fill out." She narrowed dark eyes at her son. "The name Clawstar will have its legacy. No matter what." She whisked out of the den and headed for the fresh-kill pile.

    Clawkit watched her go, feeling icy claws grip him.

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  36. Echokit watched as Shadowsplash paded out of the nursery.I hope she didn't scold him to much..she thought guiltly.

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  37. "That's perfectly fine with me!" Stoneheart meowed. although his voice was cheerful; he was worried about his friend.

    Firekit looked over at Echokit, only to find her staring at him. Quickly, he looked away, turning his nose in the air.

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  38. Echokit frowned at Flamekit,and paded over to him,her blue gaze filled with curiousity.

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  39. Iceshadow nodded. "Great, I'm sure Dustpaw will love getting back to training." After chatting with Stoneheart for a few more moments, he turned around to Dragonpaw's pawsteps. "No worries, we're just going to try out Shadowsplash's technique of getting water out of tree roots." I hope it works... Though I'm sure cats aren't very excited to be chewing on yucky tree roots...

    (New post coming on the weekend :D)

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  40. [Yay!]

    Dustpaw paded over to Stoneheart,"How's Sparkfire doing?"he asked.

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