Guess who's climbing the stairs (Open)

Rockthorn had rounded over a hill, the crisp dryness of the moor grass scratching at his legs and belly fur, making his fur twitch as he desperately wanted to scratch at it. His chest heaved as he looked over the territory and back, seeing the whole forest on fire and the orange and yellow flames shimmering. He could even feel the heat from where he stood, amazing!

Soon, the itchy yellow grass would be shrivelled and black as the fire ate it and travelled swiftly across the moors. Turning back around Rockthorn frowned and tilted his head so the fire would touch the grass, but this time he'd do something different. After getting a good run in the tom dropped the stick, erasing the last piece of evidence even if it wasn't much anyways.

Rockthorn got out of there as fast as his paws could take him, fire at his tail as he shot towards the barn, hoping that the fire wouldn't reach so far but he was unsure. So until then he'd nervously wait.

Ashstar never slept anymore, so she was taking a stroll in the territory when her well-trained nose smelled smoke coming from across the moorlands. Smoke? In WindClan? That can't be right. Using her WindClan speed, she raced quickly across the next hill from where the scent came to see a large, blazing wildfire spreading across her home territory, and a small black figure streaking away from it. There was no point in pursuing the cat, she had bigger things to worry about. With characteristic quickness, the gray-furred she-cat ran back to camp, faster than she'd ever run before, praying that she would get there in time. Thank StarClan, she did, and with time to spare for what she knew she needed to do. Mind working quickly, the WindClan leader called out, using her powerful voice to send out commands through the sleeping camp. "Everyone, wake up! Wake up now! A fire is headed this way! Queens, kits, elders, get on top of the Tallrock! Every able-bodied warrior and apprentice, come with me! We're digging a trench so the fire won't get to camp! Hurry, we don't have much time!" Not pausing to see who would follow, and hoping with all her heart that everyone did, Ashstar turned tail and ran again, adrenaline keeping any possible exhaustion at bay, until she reached the fire. A few fox-lengths off, she began furiously digging, gray paws flying through the ground and scooping up pawfuls of earth. Thank you StarClan, thank you StarClan, thank you StarClan. She had found the dangerous fire in time. As long as everyone came to help quick enough, the fire would be stopped before it reached WindClan camp. Before long, a trench would encircle the place, keeping it safe. The camp would be safe. The Clan would be safe. But the territory would suffer lasting damage. As long as my Clanmates and Clan are okay, it doesn't matter. The fate of the other Clans would not befall WindClan today.

Shadepaw had been sleeping fitfully in the medicine den when she heard Ashstar's voice; immediately, she leapt to her paws, ignoring the pain that shot through her back leg. Every able bodied warrior and apprentice... With or without sight, Shadepaw refused to believe that this call to action didn't apply to her. Besides, how could she flee when the clan needed help so desperately? For now, she wouldn't question how the fire had started, she would focus only on the task of keeping it from reaching camp. Their way of life would not be so easily destroyed.
She rushed from the medicine den, moving as quickly as she could with a limp, following the scent of smoke and the sound of Ashstar's pawsteps as they got further and further away. Eventually, she came to a halt--she could hear the fire crackling, could feel the heat on her whiskers, but she could hear Ashstar digging furiously, and quickly began doing the same.

Smoke!

Brindlewhisker had only smelled the strange, acrid scent once in her life and it was during her early moons as a loner near the Twoleg place. Despite her preferable lack of contact with the disastrous natural disaster that created smoke, just the mere scent of smoke was enough to cause her to scramble to her paws with bristling fur. Right around then Ashstar was suddenly rushing into camp yowling, and the Deputy was quickly forced into action at her Leader's chilling words- adrenaline pounding through her veins at the prospect of danger. 'Thank Starclan Ashstar was out of camp and was able to see the fire with enough time to give us a warning! Who knows what would of happened if the fire had spread to camp while we were all sleeping.' She was plagued by the thought, blood momentarily chilling at the thought of waking to a wall of fire and smoke. Shaking her head, she swung her head back and forth to survey her slow-going Clanmates before she sucked in a great breath; noting at the way her lungs stung slightly during her inhale. "Go! Go! You heard Ashstar!" Brindlewhisker yowled above the ensuing clamor, before turning tail and plunging after her leader and out into the strangely light night.

Brindlewhisker hurtled after Ashstar towards the fire, face screwed up as the smoke stung her eyes and throat, bounding with a speed that didn't seem possible. Thrusting her hind legs back with even more strength, she began to practically bound after her leader in an attempt to move at an even quicker pace, doing her best to refrain from tripping in the process. Now that they drew closer to the fire, she could feel the frighteningly intense heat wafting from the bright flames, but she forced herself to lock away all the rapidly mounting terror building within her chest- she was Deputy; her Clanmates needed her to as strong and unwavering as Ashstar in this moment. "Stay near me." She hissed at Shadepaw as she rounded past the recently maimed apprentice- they needed all the help they could get in this situation. Screeching to a halt and pausing a short distance away from her leader, Brindlewhisker began to tear into the earth in frantic manner that was similar to the way Ashstar was currently digging. She sent countless pawfuls of gritty, dry soil flying in her haste, pausing only for a brief moment to cough heavily before returning to her frantic trench digging. She ignored the way her claw's screamed in protest as they tore through the earth and snagged against rocks embedded within the soil- all that mattered was that she kept digging. This had to work.

Nightheart was deep asleep when the fire started, curled up near the center of camp. However, Ashstar’s voice quickly caused her to open her eyes and got on her paws, fur standing on end and claws unsheathed as if she was expecting to be attacked. However, as soon as sleep fully left her body and her brain started to work properly she finally understood that they weren’t facing a clan in war, but something that probably was way worse.

Shaking her head to get rid of any drowsiness left on her body, she rushed towards the cats that were starting to dig the trench, using her slightly longer legs than usual to her advantage as she quickly started to dig. She was careful to not throw the dirt all over the place, but put it into a compact pile next to her that would create a kind of wall that could act as an extra barrier of some kind, as well as getting rid of any moor grass that could leave a path for the fire to follow and reach camp. Many times she had doubted Ashstar on her past for many reasons, some even unknown to her, but this wasn’t one of those times. This time she was glad that Ashstar was her leader, her quick thinking and smart choice putting her ever higher on Nightheart’s eyes at this point.

Spiderfur needed a vacation every once in a while. Right now, this was definitely not it. "Fire." Cold terror struck the senior warrior dumb. Her paws shook under her. Every bone in her body was telling her to run. Run as far away as she could. But she couldn't. They were frozen in place. Ashstar and Brindlewhisker's orders fell on deaf ears until the brown she-cat spotted her sister. That was what got her to move. "E-Elders and kits ge-get in the emerge-gency dens!" Below was where it was safe.

All she wanted to do was to run and hide, but right now, right now she had to do her best to help Ashstar and the others. So she hopped over the little trench and, precariously close to the raging flames, ripped up the grass and threw it in the direction of the fire. Hopefully without a trail to follow the embers couldn't find suitable fuel to even get close to the camp.

The panicked cry of Ashstar woke Laurelpaw, and the groggy she-cat listened for a moment to hear what was going on. What could she want this late at night? Well, if it's not an emergency, I'm not getting up. For a moment didn't hear a word, just the pounding of paws, but then Brindlewhisker's voice rang out, and sent chills down the apprentice's spine; Fire! Jumping to her paws, the white and speckled she-cat showed no sign of fear as she let out a loud yowl to her denmates; "Wake up guys, there's a fire! Ashstar and Brindlewhisker need us!" Not waiting to see if they awoke, the strong young she-cat dashed out of the den and followed the others to where they were beginning to dig a trench to protect the camp. Laurelpaw fell in beside Ashstar and tore at the earth with her claws. The feeling of peaty moorland soil under her claws was unpleasant, but she kept going without complaint. WindClan needs me, I have to save the camp! I wonder...if I do well maybe I'll be made a warrior for my bravery! Despite her best interests, a faint feeling of excitement drifted into her mind, and the she-cat began to dig even harder.

The fire increased with fervour, burning quickly across the moors before anyone could do much. It ate the dried out grass and anything else that had the misfortune of being it's path. Thick black smoke rose in plumes, covering the sky as it encroached further and further into the territory, making the air thick and difficult to breathe.

Icepaw was terrified as the wall of fire drew nearer, he dug as his leader ordered but every instinct within him screamed for him to run. That the fire would take him too fire he didn't back away now, but then everything changed.

Slatepaw barely had time to register what was happening. One moment calls of 'fire' were being shouted in a warning to the clan and everyone followed Ashstar's lead in digging a trench. The next moment, a cool mist was washing over the flames and land. He felt at peace for a moment, the anxiety and fear being immediately washed away. And then it was over. The young tom blinked slowly as he tried to register everything that had just happened. He was next to Icepaw and turned slightly to his brother, "Are you okay?"

Per usual, Sagepaw had been deep inside the medicine cat's den. Her nightmares were instantly ceased as she shot awake. A burning smell wafted into the den and immediately panic set in. She raced out to see the smoke that had begun to rise in the air. It occurred to her to make sure everyone was safe, however, as soon as she saw he rest of the clan digging that seemed like the best way to do so. Her and Beetlewing could check over the clan once camp had been defended. The medicine cat apprentice was faster than her brother in setting to work digging the trench. The work was fast and in a few short moments there was a great start. And then it was over. The flames ceased underneath a blanket of mist. It seemed almost unreal.

"What is happening?" She whispered in disbelief, half to herself and half to Starclan. Sagepaw half expected a response from Puddlepaw, but nothing came to her. Her eyes cast a slow glance around that came. Other than the expected shock, the clan seemed fine. Cocking her head in confusion, she looked up at Brindlewhisker, "I'm not still dreaming, right?" The smell of singed earth said otherwise. But the way the fire just instantly ceased seemed unreal. Her tail lashed in frustration as she begged for Starclan to share something with her. Yet no answer came. At least the clan was safe... for now.

Mottleheart was curled up on the far side of the camp, his tail covering his muzzle as he was lost in a peaceful sleep but was so rudely jolted out at the sound of voices. At hearing the panic yowls of his Clanmates, his head jolted to attention as he jumped to his paws. "A-Are we under attack?" he slurred as he fought off what grasp of sleep still held on him as his ears perked, trying to catch the words that were being shouted back and forth for an answer. 'Wake up...Heading this way...Tallrock...Digging a trench...''Stay near...' 'Fire.' His eyes widen at that final word, his attention fully coming back to him as he stumbled forward toward the entrance of the camp to see if what he had heard was true. And when he reached the clusp of the hill, he stumbled to a shocked stop. There was indeed a fire raging its way toward the camp and he could barely see the forms of Brindlewhisker and Ashstar digging furiously, their bodies simply silhouettes against the burning flames.

Mottleheart darted away from the camp, heading toward his leader and friend as some of his Clanmates reached them and joined in the digging progress but came to a stop before he could reach them, his eyes growing wide. A mist was forming behind the digging cats, snaking past them and toward the flames - a simple battle which the fire quickly lost as it was stopped in its tracks. "A-Ashstar? B-Brindlewhisker?" he called as he stumbled toward the two she-cats, his breath catching on the thick smoke that remained the only traces of the fire but also the gentle chill that had taken the air.

Beetlewing watched the fire from afar as it struck the moorland, and as warriors darted past him and beyond to aid Ashstar in their struggle to protect the camp. Everyone was doing something, put all he could do was stare at the flames and feel itches passing through his paws and shooting up his spine, making him shake. This was unreal, the whole forest was one burning mass, all that he had called home. A good part of the WindClan territory had been burt down and there was still more to come. He blinked a coule of times to clear his head of fear and uncertainty before he padded cautiously towards the flames. The way he moved, so slow and untouched by the thrill of the moment made Beetlewing wonder if StarClan had stopped time for him. By the time he had stumbled next to Sagepaw, the flames had stopped, engulfed in a thick mist. Dumbfounded, the mentor exchanged sighs with the apprentice, mouth gapping wide. This mist, he wanted to think it was sent by StarCla to protect them, but something deep inside his stomach begged to differ.

The frantic cries of her Clanmates simply went above her head as Brindlewhisker continued to dig, showering herself in gritty mud in the process, forelegs screaming at the harsh pace of digging that she was currently working with. She only paused for a brief heartbeat to suck in a mighty, smoke-tinged breath, but as she lifted her head to do so, the sight that greeted her caused her to freeze completely, jaw gaping as she stood there like a fool. Brindlewhisker's paws slowed as the mist fell upon them, eyes growing as wide as the full moon as the mist slowly enveloped the hungry flames and smothered them down, suffocating the ravenous tongues of heat until only the burned moorland remained...what? How...could this of happened? No fog she had ever encountered before had ever been this strong before! This had to be Starclan's work- there wasn't a doubt about it in her stunned mind. She stood there watching with wide eyes as the mist continued to billow about, leaving nothing but a sooty smear across the damaged moorland.

Flanks heaving, Brindlewhisker remained poised at the trench she had began digging moments earlier as she tried to regain her bearings. As she stood there, she couldn't help but admire how the gentle chill of the mysterious fog felt wonderful in comparison to the scorching heat she felt moments earlier, sucking in greedy breaths as she did so. At Sagepaw's quiet question, she turned to look at the Medicine Cat Apprentice with an equally baffled expression- maybe it was just a dream. "I...I don't know." Brindlewhisker admitted, voice raspy from the smoke she had inhaled. There was a slight twinge in her chest as she spoke and her claws felt like they had been torn completely from her feet, but other than that, she was simply baffled and awestruck by the events that just unfolded. At Mottleheart's summon, she turned towards the camp, eyes burning slightly as she squinted to pick out there splotched form of her friend. "Mottleheart! Over here!" She croaked, lifting her tail to try and point the tom in her direction.

Ashstar dug with a fury, scooping out paw upon pawful of peaty earth and flinging it behind her. Her heart warmed with gratitude as Brindlewhisker and any others, even Shadepaw, came to help dig. Or maybe that was just the oppressing heat of the fire, growing ever closer, almost near enough to lick at her pelt and consume her. But then, somehow, the scorching temperature ceased, cooling down refreshingly. Unbelieving, the WindClan leader stopped digging and looked around to see a mist creeping slowly around them, effectively cutting off the stifling, smothering flames that had been so eager to devour her home. Air-starved lungs relishing in the newly clean atmosphere around camp, the she-cat closed her eyes for a few moments, letting her breathing slow down. Her long gray fur stuck to her body, matted with sweat. The fire was gone. WindClan was safe. But what... what had happened? Had StarClan sent that mist? Though it seemed the most logical answer, something about it didn't seem quite right. But she wasn't complaining. A quick glance at the black, withered territory and unfinished trench directly in font of her was enough to scare her more than she already was with how close to death they all had likely gotten.

Gazing at the last wisps of thick black smoke ascending into the suddenly clear twilight sky, Ashstar breathed out a silent prayer of thanks for the timely miracle. She then turned around to her confused Clanmates. "Thank you." Her voice was quiet and hoarse. "Thank you all for being willing to help. I am lucky to have such loyal Clanmates. I cannot express my gratitude to you all." She took a deep breath. "Whether by StarClan's grace or some other power, WindClan is safe for now. Return to camp and rest. Beetlewing and Sagepaw will help your sore throats." She was just going to... sit here for a while. She was exhausted. As most of the crowd turned and made their way back to camp, the leader sank slowly to the ground, weary body crying in relief as the pain of continuing to stand dissipated. She needed rest. A very, very long rest. The gray-furred she-cat wasn't what she used to be.

Nightheart had entered in some kit of deep trance as she dug, eyes tearing up with the smoke but never fully closing, her lungs and throat burning and begging for oxygen but she ignored them. Only one thing was on her mind at the time and it was to keep her clan safe regardless of the price she had to pay for it. The heat that before had been so slim, now was overwhelming, her short pelt not doing a good job at keeping her isolated from the raging flames that approached camp as she kept digging the trench. But if this was successful at anything, it was to give her even more determination and put even more speed and effort to her job.

Even if the fire reached her, even if the flames engulfed her, she wouldn’t stop until she had made sure that the camp was safe. She would rather die than retreat and being forced to carry with the burden of knowing that if she hadn’t done such thing her clan would’ve had a better chance to survive.

She was so focused on her job that her own mind blocked as much as possible her perception of the world surrounding her. From the roaring of the flames to the scorching heat…so she failed to notice the cool white mist that at some point replaced the deadly wall of orange and yellows that had been there only seconds ago. Ashstar’s voice was what finally caused her to snap out of it and rise her head to look around, confusion and shock in her eyes as they scanned the remains of the mist and the black scorched earth not far from where they were standing.

Instead of retreating to camp like most of her clanmates did after Ashstar’s words, she just stood there, her mind still trying to understand what had just happened. Almost without thinking, she padded towards the tired leader and sat her side, her eyes locked on the darkened moors “Twolegs rarely come here at night, and I’m sure that there wasn’t thunder in the skies tonight…how did the fire started….and most important, what was that mist that stopped it?” Her voice was almost absent, like if she was thinking out loud, as well as hoarse because of the smoke she had been breathing.

Shadepaw didn't initially notice the mist as it rolled in, only continued to dig as fast and as deep as she could along with everyone else; she could feel the fire getting closer, she couldn't feel her hind leg, and her lungs ached from spoke, but she dug, nonetheless. Until... The air seemed to gain a strange chill, and it felt damp, all the sudden. Fog? The sounds around her seemed to become muffled. The crackling of the fire died, and when the fog cleared, all signs of fire were gone. "What... What happened?" She said, sitting up slowly; it hadn't rained, and even so, if it had, such a small amount of rain wouldn't put out the fire...
Shadepaw numbly listened to the speculation around her. She vague heard something about being treated for a sore throat, and began following the sound of her clan-mates' pawsteps as they headed back towards camp, feeling dizzy, sore, and deeply confused.