Mistystar had power.

It ran through her veins the moment she'd received her nine lives. Strength and reassurance that she would live her lives to the fullest. She would be able to build Mistyclan into the strongest and most stable hierarchy she could. 

And she promised herself that she would.

As a cat, she had seen and experienced betrayal, sabotage and death. It was a cruel world. Mistystar was starting to realise that she had to be crueler.

It was starting to become clearer and clearer. Especially after Fallenleaf sacrificed himself to protect her, Tropicpalm and Honeypaw. 

Her darling mate. 

A handsome tom who fathered her beautiful kits. 

All gone. In a matter of seconds.

Right after an argument in which she had said words that she could not take back. And never would.

The power she had did nothing.

Useless.

Absolutely useless.

That night, in the medicine den, Mistystar knew deep in herself that she could survive her injuries. If she stood up right then and there, she would've been able to keep going. Maybe organise a few patrols to check out the fox den. 

Get a piece of prey, share it with Lilypad. No matter what any cat said, whatever happened, there was strength in her to keep going. 

She didn't have to lose a life over the foxes.

Mistystar wasn't weak.

But, that night in the medicine den, she couldn't. 

She simply couldn't.

Watch as Yellowbelly and Cloudypaw fussed. Watch as their fussing grew even more panicked. Watch their expressions of horror as her breathing shallowed and eventually stopped.

And then the darkness came like a silent wave.

Mistystar felt peace in her heart as she slowly opened her eyes and found herself in a grassy meadow. Stars glittered in her paws and she felt lighter than ever. Some part of her wished to stay in this peaceful version of the world, where nothing could hurt her. But her soul told her that this couldn't be. 

So did a voice that echoed in her ears.

"Mistystar. Welcome to Starclan."

The recently 'deceased' leader licked her paw and drew it over her face, "Give me my next life and let's get it over with."

The owner of the mysterious voice appeared in a glittering form dappled with shining stars. Though her counterpart was decorated with flowing muscles and eyes that shone with a clarity that had never adorned the cat in her living ages, Mistystar was able to immediately recognise her.

Littlebird blinked peacefully at her adopted daughter, "I suppose you've been here many a times before?"

Mistystar's eyes widened, taking a few steps forward before stopping, as if she was unsure what she should do, "Littlebird? How? Did you.."

The Starclan cat narrowed her eyes, "Yes, yes, I'm dead. Offer your condolences later. We don't have time for this."

For a moment, the hurt in the leader's eyes was obvious as she stared forlornly at her former foster mother. Then it was gone, her gaze broken quickly and swiftly before any cat could even think of noting it.

However, the anger in her voice was still there as she snapped, "You never had any time for anything. Not me. Not even your own kits."

Littlebird's composure disappeared, "What are you talking about? I cared for Morningflower just fine!"

Mistystar was lost for words.

How could a cat be so heartless?

So brainless?

Littlebird growled, "Starclan sent me to deliver to you an important message. And I'm going to do just that, nothing else."

She continued, "Your weakness will be your downfall. Your power will never be enough to protect the ones you love."

Mistystar rolled her eyes, "Stop rubbing it in my face!"

Littlebird hissed, "If it was up to me, I would never have to see your face! Morningflower deserved a better mentor."

The leader shook her head, "That's enough! Get me out of here!"

Turning around, Mistystar's tail whipped in the air as she streaked towards the Moonpool that was behind her. Testing the water, shivers ran up her spine from the cold.

Why couldn't it be nice, warm water?

Looking back, Littlebird was making absolutely no effort to chase her, a bored expression plastered over the dead cat's face. Mistystar took a deep breath and leapt, front paws penetrating the water first, before the dark liquid completely swallowed her.

Cold.

Dark.

Wet.

Grief.