Edited ✔️

Now the chapter you've all been waiting for: the finale! I'm going to write an epilogue, and then Icetail's Enemy will finally be complete! This'll be my first fanfiction completed! And a warning guys, this chapter will be very . . . PG13. Of course no cussing or nothing inappropriate, it's just a lil bloody. I mean very bloody.

Sorry it took over two months to upload. It took a while to write so originally it was gonna take at least one month, but then I got a concussion so I wasn't allowed to be on Wattpad cause of it. But here we are for the big chapter!

Leaving Goldenpaw's dead body was difficult, but Icestar swore that he'd come back to bury her properly later. He weaved through the battling cats, keeping his eyes on Rainwhisker as he followed the warrior to where Ashtail was. According to him, Ashtail was having an intense battle with DarkClan's deputy, Woodclaw. It didn't sound good by the way Rainwhisker had explained it.

I won't lose any more cats tonight, declared Icestar internally, thinking back to Goldenpaw. Who else had died today? The thought made him scared, but he forced himself to push it to the back of his mind. Right now, he had to focus on saving MoonClan.

Finally, they reached an edge of the large clearing that was bordered DarkClan's forests. Icestar's eyes widened at what he saw.

Ashtail was panting, his fur soaked with blood and filled with scratches. A large gash was could be seen on his right, and one of his ears had been torn off. The worst part about it was his eye . . . Ashtail's right eye had been ripped from its place, bleeding down his nose and mouth as he tried to keep it shut. Woodclaw looked no better—both of his ears were torn, scratches covered the entirety of his pelt, and he was missing many clumps of fur. The two of them staggered in place, but they each kept eyeing each other strongly, not one or the other backing down.

"Ashtail!" yowled Icestar, racing toward the two.

Ashtail looked up, having to turn his head fully to see his leader and friend approaching. "I-Icestar," gasped the deputy, but the moment it was said, Woodclaw's body flashed from its spot. He had leaped onto Ashtail and pinned him to the ground. Ashtail struggled wildly as his opponent tried to bite down on to his neck.

Icestar didn't waste a second. He and Rainwhisker both tackled Woodclaw off of Ashtail simultaneously; Icestar chomping onto his tail and Rainwhisker yanking his scruff.

"Fox-heart!" spat Icestar, slashing his claws across Woodclaw's muzzle. "You cruel fox-heart!"

Ashtail staggered upwards, panting. "I-I'm saved . . ."

"Don't waste your breath," Rainwhisker advised. "See? I told you I'd get Icestar as quick as possible. I'm so sorry, though . . . about your eye."

"I-it's nothing," murmured Ashtail, as Icestar struggled to keep Woodclaw pinned to the forest floor. "I mean, it doesn't hurt much. I-I'll live through it."

"Doesn't hurt much? We've got to get you to Sweetheart," Rainwhisker said with disbelief. "Icestar, I'll take him back to camp."

"Go quickly!" Icestar's strength was slowly faltering, and he knew that Woodclaw would be able to break free in no time.

Suddenly, something knocked into Icestar's side, throwing him to the ground. "Oh no you don't!" snarled a new voice. He looked up slowly, dizzily, to see the DarkClan warrior Toadskip standing over him, barring his fangs. "We outnumber your Clan, Icestar! There is no way you have the power to kill Woodclaw."

"Numbers don't mean anything!" Icestar swiftly got up before Toadskip was able to reach him. "Ashtail, Rainwhisker—run!"

"There is no where to go!" Woodclaw yowled, letting out a menacing mrrow of laughter. Five cats surrounded them, including Toadskip and Woodclaw. Amongst them were warriors Icestar never learned the name of, but their builds were strong, and much less battle-scarred than all three of the MoonClan warriors put together.

Icestar eyed Woodclaw furiously. "Don't be so cruel," he snarled, his voice lowering.

"It is not cruelty," replied Woodclaw, wiping blood off his nose with his right paw before meeting the MoonClan leader's gaze. "It's the will of Dewstar. His commands are absolute to me, and I'll do whatever it takes to carry them out." A cruel smile formed on his face.

Icestar felt his haunches press against Ashtail and Rainwhisker. All of them held their ground nervously, especially Icestar. If we don't get Ashtail to camp soon, he can bleed to death, he thought with a sense of urgency. There's got to be something I can do!

For a moment, all that was heard were the sounds of the battle. Snow was stained red all around them, blood that had come from both Clans, and the air was still and dry as if waiting to see who will pounce first. And then finally, a movement was made.

Everyone's ears snapped towards Ashtail as the deputy staggered forth a bit. "Woodclaw, leave my Clanmates alone. Let us continue our battle!"

Icestar's eyes widened. Why would Ashtail do such a thing? His condition was terrible, and he couldn't see from his right eye! How would he dodge a blow coming from a spot he couldn't see? Icestar looked worriedly at his friend, and Rainwhisker squirmed uncomfortably, probably thinking the same thing.

"The odds of you winning are no bigger than a mouse!" taunted Toadskip. "Do it, Woodclaw, and when you're done with him, we can go kill the rest of these MoonClan scum!"

"Perhaps that's a good idea," Woodclaw said, outstretching his bloody claws. "Let's do this, Toadskip." He took a step forward, and so did his Clanmate.

Ashtail growled. "What a coward, Woodclaw!"

Woodclaw suddenly stopped walking. "What do you mean coward?"

"You're too afraid to fight me on your own," snarled Ashtail, narrowing his one eye. "What's this, two against one, especially after I challenged just you?"

"Don't think I'll pity you!" he snarled back.

"I knew it! You're too much of a coward to fight me one on one, Woodkit," Ashtail taunted, standing taller.

"What in StarClan's name are you doing?" gasped Icestar.

Ashtail flicked his tail to silence him. "I'm trying to finish what we started," he murmured. "Woodclaw, this is our battle!"

Woodclaw's face scrunched up, obviously irritated. His eyes blazed with anger, and his claws were digging the ground so much that his paws seemed like they were about to get buried. "If you want a fight, that's what you'll get!" Without earning, he leaped from his spot, bowling into Ashtail's direction—but he was too slow. Ashtail, despite his injuries, leaped to the air, turning over and landing squarely onto Woodclaw's shoulders.

"Woodclaw!" gasped Toadskip, running forward. "Come on, you two!"

Icestar stepped in front of Toadskip before he had the chance to run. "Do you think we can take on four, Rainwhisker?" he called, turning over his shoulder to spot the gray tom.

"Of course!" snarled Rainwhisker.

Toadskip growled with frustration, and turned to the other three cats. "Let's get him!" he snarled. One of the she-cats leaped besides Toadskip, while the other she-cat and tom ran in Rainwhisker's direction. Deep down Icestar felt unconfident about taking on two cats at once, but he had to try . . . to live for the sake of Goldenpaw, his mate, his kits and his Clan. And I won't die until I get to face Dewstar, he thought, trying to build up his confidence.

"I'll charge from the back," the she-cat said, running from her spot. "You get him up front!"

"Not if I can help it!" Icestar whipped around and slashed his claws across the she-cats cheek before her claws met his haunches. For a moment, he felt successful to land the first blow, but it was short-lived when he felt Toadskip's piercing claws stab into his spine.

Icestar held back a yowl, and instead grunted with pain as he ripped himself free from Toadskip's grasp. The she-cat, angry that she had been hurt, grabbed on to Icestar's tail and yanked him backwards, causing him to tumble to the ground. She kicked him over before he could react, so that his belly was facing towards the sky.

"Rip 'im apart!" she yowled, biting down onto his belly.

Icestar couldn't hold it anymore. He screeched with pain, and kicked her face away from his belly before she could land a blow that could seriously injure him. Toadskip smashed Icestar's head to the ground with his back paws while at the same time, scratched his neck, but Icestar moved away before it could go deep enough.

Gasping, he curled up his body up to attempt to kick Toadskip off, but it was no use. He was completely pinned down. Why did I think I could take them on myself? Icestar thought with frustration and dread.

"He's completely trapped!" laughed Toadskip, pressing down harder to keep him still. "What do you think we should do with him?"

"Kill him, of course!" snapped the she-cat.

Icestar couldn't see anything. His face was turned sideways, planted to the dirt, so he couldn't tell if Rainwhisker was having the same troubles as him. What about Ashtail? Was he okay? Icestar tried to squirm free, scared that Ashtail's injuries had finally caught up with him, but Toadskip's claws began to sink into his head. Icestar stopped moving, scared that he would get punctured to death.

"I think we should make him have a slow and painful death," Toadskip said. "It's what he deserves! The mouse-brained leader thought he could defeat DarkClan, the strongest in all the forest! It was a mistake not to give in to us."

Icestar growled. "It was never a mistake!" he managed to say.

"Shut it!" Toadskip pressed Icestar's head further down to the dirt.

The she-cat was silent for a moment, before she gasped. "I have an even better idea! Let's let him watch his precious deputy die before his eyes, just like when he had to watch his poor little mother and father die. When Ashtail's dead, let's finish Icestar off ourselves!"

Icestar yowled some incoherent curse. Nothing could be made out because of his inability to speak at the moment.

"That's a perfect idea!" Toadskip let Icestar's head up a little, and the moment he found freedom, he tried to break free. But it was impossible with both the weights of Toadskip and the she-cat keeping him down at once. The she-cat forced his head to face the direction where Ashtail and Woodclaw were fighting no matter how much Icestar resisted. "Now watch and see your precious friend die!"

"Ashtail!" Icestar yowled, catching sight of the battle.

Even though Ashtail seemed to hear him, he couldn't turn to Icestar's direction this time. His total attention was on Woodclaw alone. It was understandable—the moment Ashtail lost focus of the fight in front of him, he'd get pinned and killed.

Icestar watched with horror as the two  fought viciously, swiping and landing blows on each other's faces, ripping out each other's fur. Blood and fur flew everywhere, and the two of them were covered scarlet. Woodclaw crashed into Ashtail, and bit down hard on his forepaw, but Ashtail rolled him over and pressed his body to the ground with extended claws.

Both of them growled ferocious threats to each other, but Icestar didn't pay attention to the words being said. I wish I could help him! he thought, trying to squirm free o Toadskip and the she-cat's combined weight. Still, he couldn't escape. Frustrated, he tried to bite on to the she-cat's paw, which was close to his face, but unfortunately, she must have sensed this and moved it away.

"He'll die any moment, Icestar," she said with venom, "so don't worry. Your time will end soon, too."

Please, Ashtail, live! he thought, uselessly watching Ashtail's desperate battle.

Ashtail leaped up in the air as Woodclaw charged at him again, and he landed on his opponent's back, clinging on as the DarkClan deputy tried to shake him off. Finally, Woodclaw leaped into the air and flipped himself over, landing on his back, crushing Ashtail underneath. Ashtail coughed at the loss for breath, but despite that, wrapped his forearms around Woodclaw, tearing at his belly. Woodclaw yowled with pain and struggled to his paws as Ashtail coughed, trying the best he could to regain his breath.

"Y-you're at a t-tough one!" Woodclaw said menacingly in his deep, pain-filled voice.

Ashtail growled. "You too," he breathed, barely able to spare his breath.

"It's time to finish this!" Woodclaw declared, getting ready to attack again. Ashtail watched his opponent's every move carefully, his tail flicking and his ear drawn back. Then, Woodclaw charged head on, leaping into the air. Ashtail leaped too, and in a second they clashed, with Woodclaw's teeth buried in Ashtail's neck, and Ashtail's claws teared open Woodclaw's stomach.

The two of them collapsed to the ground, wheezing and coughing. Icestar's eyes were wide, and his body was shaking. "Ashtail . . ." he whispered, watching as his deputy became still. "Ashtail!"

Ashtail's flank moved up and down one last time, and any sign of him breathing completely faded. He had taken his last breath.

"Woodclaw is dead!" exclaimed Toadskip, surprise in his voice. He looked down to Icestar. "He killed our deputy!"

"They killed each other," the she-cat said. "Toadskip, now that it's over, it's time to kill Icestar. It's not like Woodclaw's death is at a loss if we rip out Icestar's remaining lives. Just imagine what position Dewstar will give us the moment he sees his brother's dead body!"

Icestar wanted to yell. Another one of his precious friends died right before his eyes! His heart couldn't take the grief—first, his daughter, then Goldenpaw and now this. Who else dear to him was he going to lose tonight? It's over for me, he thought. I'll be finished off before I even get to name my kits with Silverleaf. I'll never see MoonClan again . . .

"I like the sound of that," snickered Toadskip.

The she-cat dug her claws into Icestar's neck, and he coughed in pain and discomfort. "You do the honors. Avenge Woodclaw!"

Toadskip didn't need to he told twice. He dived down, biting hard onto Icestar's neck. Icestar yowled, trying to struggle free from the unbearable pain. It was a worse pain than he had ever felt . . . this was the feeling of death. His eyes squeezed tight, and his breath quickened. Then, Toadskip bit harder. Icestar's life felt as if it were being drained away, until finally, he stopped moving.

* * *

It was dark when Icestar's eyes opened again.

The moon was full and high in the sky, shining brilliantly down onto the sweet-scented grassy moor he woke up on. The stars weren't visible in the sky, though. Something wasn't right. He got up from his spot, and suddenly fell back down as he felt an unbearable pain in his neck, followed by a tight feeling in his chest.

Suddenly, he froze. Was he in StarClan? Did Toadskip actually kill him? Icestar looked down to his paws, which weren't bloody at all. In battle, he was drenched in Goldenpaw's blood, especially on his paws, so why did he look so clean? I must have died, he thought. It was a battle. after all. Then, a thought came to his mind. Maybe Goldenpaw and Ashtail are here too!

He forced the pain away and he got right back up on his paws again, taking unsteady steps towards the forest in the near distance. He wanted to see his Clanmates . . . figure out who else had been killed. He wanted to see everyone again before he lost he chance.

Icestar broke into a run. He couldn't be the only one here, right? There has to be some other cat nearby! As he ran nearer to the forest, he could make out a few silhouettes in against the darkness, standing by the trees as if expecting for him.

His lungs felt clear, and his energy didn't exhaust at all. He only seemed to be running faster and faster towards the shapes in the darkness, until finally, he stopped.

They were coming towards him.

Nine cats were walking, all neatly alined next to each other. He watched them, hoping to see Goldenpaw or even Ashtail emerge out of the crowd, but as they approached, he realized something else.

Those were his nine lives.

Brightstar, Featherbreeze, Grasspelt, Shard, Vinetail, Ripplefur, Whiteeye, Sparrowheart and Darkstar were all there, approaching him confidently as he stood with awe and confusion.

Finally, they reached him. Brightstar dipped her head. "Welcome to StarClan, Icestar."

He didn't know what to say. "A-am I dead?" he whispered, fearful that DarkClan had won.

Brightstar sighed. "You are, but not quite." She looked at Featherbreeze, who said, "Those DarkClan cats only managed to take one of your lives. Now your body is recovering itself so you can wake up again."

"So that's how it works," Icestar murmured, thinking about the nine separate times a leader had the chance to live. Then, he felt distressed and remembered that this peace was but a dream. "They've completely overpowered us! As soon as I wake again, I'll probably be too weak to move, and I'll just get killed again!"

Darkstar shook her head. "No, don't think like that. There's always hope."

Shard nodded with agreement. "Something is stirring up in the battle, Icestar. When you wake up again, you'll have a chance. Grasspelt and Vinetail have made sure of it." The two of them gave him a look of confidence.

"But how?" Icestar pleaded.

Sparrowheart shook his head. "That we cannot say. But as long as StarClan has power, we did everything we could to help."

"When will I wake again?" he murmured, looking down to his paws. "I have to return to battle. MoonClan's fighting on their own!"

Whiteeye gave him a sympathetic look, while Ripplefur said, "You're going to wake soon. You've been . . . sleeping for quite a while. Don't worry Icestar, we are on your side."

Everyone murmured an agreement.

Icestar looked at each cat separately, feeling just a little more confident. Well, if StarClan is on his side, he had to win. Right?

"I have one more question," he announced. "How are Ashtail and Goldenpaw? A-and what about Lightkit?" His voice got smaller when he mentioned his dead kit.

"They're all fine," Featherbreeze purred.

"I'd like to see them."

"I'm afraid not," she meowed, shaking her head. "Don't worry, they're okay. It's just not best for any of you to see each other now." She looked at Brightstar. "Trust that they are watching you."

"May the stars be with you, Icestar," Darkstar said, stepping up. "Our spirits will be beside you."

Icestar gasped for breath, his eyes opening wide. He burst up from his spot, looking around him to see where he was now. He was back in the clearing between MoonClan and DarkClan. The sun was long gone, and the moon had broken out. It was barely visible against the dark gray clouds that draped across the sky.

As he turned his eyes down to the clearing, he realized that shapes all around him were still fighting, tearing at each other's pelts, leaping on each other's backs and running around looking for refuge. His vision cleared, but it was hard to make out who was fighting who. Where is MoonClan? he thought, looking around for some cat from his own camp. He couldn't find anyone, let alone look properly at any DarkClan cats.

He stumbled a little, gasping for breath, but suddenly, he felt soft fur touch his. He looked to see his apprentice Amberpaw leading him to the tree-line on MoonClan's side, with Rainwhisker by her side as well. There was also someone else . . . a cat that took him a few more moments to recognized.

Swiftstar?

Opening his mouth to scent, he realized that the only scents in the clearing wasn't of blood and two enemy Clans, but he could also pick up a trace of CloudClan. Were they here, too? He let Amberpaw lay him down in a safe place, not far from the clearing. Sweetheart stood over him, rubbing poultice on his wounds and placing cobwebs where there were scratches. A few cats lay around him, injured from both MoonClan and CloudClan.

Amberpaw looked at Sweetheart, her gaze worried. "Will he be okay?" she asked, her voice a little soft. "He took such a fatal blow."

"Of course he will," the medicine cat replied, licking behind Icestar's ear where a faint scratch had appeared. "He always pulls through. Besides, he has eight more lives to spare, right Icestar?" She looked at him, searching his eyes to see if he was aware of his surroundings.

He nodded a little, and then strained himself to get stand up. "Amberpaw, I told you to stay in camp. To protect Silverleaf."

"You have to stay lying down," scolded Sweetheart. "You'll just reopen your wounds!"

Icestar shook his head. "I will be fine."

"I'm sorry for leaving, Icestar," she meowed. "Silverleaf was fighting, and your kits seemed to be well protected. A few DarkClan warriors broke into camp, but it wasn't much so Sharpfang sent me to the clearing because he thought you might have needed help."

Rainwhisker sighed. "I was about to be slain by those DarkClan warriors until she came. After helping me chase them off she just . . . dashed away, before I could even thank her."

Rainwhisker and Amberpaw exhanged glanced, and the apprentice licked her chest with embarrassment.

"Where to?" Icestar asked, relieved to see he was okay. Rainwhisker didn't look as bad as Ashtail did before he died, or even like Goldenpaw. He seemed fine, especially with his wounds treated by Sweetheart.

"I went to CloudClan," Amberpaw announced. "I couldn't leave us to die like this, so I had to get help."

Icestar was surprised. "But they declined to help us before!" he gasped. "They really came to help?" He remembered how firmly the CloudClan leader had said no to his request for backup for the upcoming battle with DarkClan. He looked at Swiftstar, who was waiting patiently by Sweetheart's side.

"I had a dream, Icestar," he explained. "Grasspelt and Vinetail visited me and told me to defeat the darkness. Just after I had the dream, Amberpaw came running to me with a message to help defeat DarkClan." His eyes darkened. "I knew I was risking CloudClan, but if StarClan is guiding us, then we have a stronger chance at winning this battle. We have decided to help you not through our own kindness, but through the will of StarClan themselves."

Icestar stared at his apprentice, shocked. "I can't believe you actually did it," he murmured.

"I'm not in trouble, am I?" she asked with worry.

Icestar felt himself burst with pride. His own apprentice turned out to be a quick thinker and an evidently fast runner through all their moons of hard work and training. Despite her loud and bubbly personality, she didn't let it get the best of her for once. He suppressed a purr.

"Of course not, Amberpaw. In fact, may have even saved the whole Clan!" She looked as proud as he felt for a moment, her chest puffed out as if she were ready to boast to her siblings. Then, Icestar froze. Amberpaw's own sister had died right before his eyes . . . and she didn't know yet.

For a moment, as Sweetheart tended Icestar's wounds, he wondered if he should break the news to her now. He didn't want her to be distracted if she had to go back into battle, but he also didn't want to break her heart at the same time, and it would be wrong to keep such a thing from her.

Oh Amberpaw . . . I'm sorry I couldn't protect her.

Amberpaw's eyes flashed. "Why are you staring at me like that?" she asked, tilting her head. "Do I look funny? You're looking at me as if I grew a second tail on my head."

Icestar felt guilty. "Sorry." He looked away for a second, then flicked his eyes back to her. "Listen, Amberpaw, I have to tell you something . . ."

She looked down to her paws. "You're about to tell me that Goldenpaw's dead, right?"

He froze, his tail bristling uncomfortably. "Wait, how did you know I was going to tell you that?"

Sweetheart and Rainwhisker's eyes became downcast and their tails dropped with grief.

"I felt it at some point when I was fighting," she murmured. "My spine felt tingly, like a piece of my heart broke off. I thought I was imagining things, but . . ." As she trailed off, Icestar wished he had been there for Goldenpaw sooner. If he had been, maybe she would still be alive. "Don't look so guilty, Icestar," Amberpaw continued, "I bet she was having a good fight. She died saving MoonClan, and I know I have to live for her sake."

"That's right, Amberpaw," Icestar said. "You're much stronger than me when it comes to losing those you love." His eyes flashed with memories of his friends, parents and especially of Dewstar. "Truly."

* * *

"Let me go over the plan one more time," Icestar said, glancing at the cats that had just recovered from Sweetheart's herbs. It was just a few of them—three CloudClan cats, including Swiftstar, and four MoonClan cats—Rainwhisker, Amberpaw, Squirreltail and Hawktalon. "We've got to chase as many DarkClan cats away with a threat to never to come back. Kill only when you have to, and try to stick in pairs so we won't fall into any traps. Got it?"

A few cats nodded, and others flicked their tails to signal that Icestar's order had been heard.

"Okay, good. You charge when Swiftstar gives the signal," he said, pointing to the CloudClan leader with his nose. "I'm going off to find Dewstar."

Amberpaw was trembling with both adrenaline and fear. She and Rainwhisker were paired up, and Swiftstar was with Hawkheart. Squirreltail and the two CloudClan cats were paired to work with one another, and they were already standing by each other's sides.

"I hope Blackpaw is okay," Amberpaw whispered, eyeing outside of the bush. "I'd be devastated if I lost him, too."

Rainwhisker gave her ear an encouraging and comforting lick. "You won't lose him, not on my watch," he declared.

Icestar inched close to Swiftstar, who was taking the leading position in the front of the party. "I'm leaving now. I wish you good luck," he meowed, before dashing off into the clearing when no cat was looking.

He looked around, wondering where his brother could be. According to Amberpaw, he was nowhere near the camp when they had patrolled the heart of the territory. His scent was hard to pick up through all of the blood that had spilled, and he was especially hard to see in this darkness. Where could he even be fighting?

Icestar prepared himself before he ran deeper into the large crowd of battling cats. Several times, he was been targeted by DarkClan warriors, but had managed to escape easily by running away as fast as he could. Right now, his opponent is Dewstar. He knew that Dewstar was still alive, because this battle was still going on, so he had to find him. Without their leader, DarkClan would have no confidence. But despite thinking this, Icestar still had no intention of killing.

Not yet, at least.

Finally, he spotted familiar white fur standing out of the crowd, overlooking the battle on a high rock on DarkClan's side. Despite the rock being tall, it was hard to see because it was shielded by the trees and the darkness. He looked up and squinted, wondering if that was Dewstar, and the moment his cold blue eyes spotted Icestar, he leaped off the rock and began to run in the opposite direction.

Oh no you don't! Icestar thought, dashing after his brother. Why is he running away and not standing ground? This battle is all his fault, so he should be alongside his Clanmates trying to win. I can't believe him. He's such a coward!

Icestar ran into DarkClan's forest, almost smashing his face against a tree that was impossible to see. Thanks to his senses, he smelled it was there first and managed to dodge it, but immediately stumbled into a bush after. He had to hurry, or he was going to lose Dewstar! Icestar crawled out of the thin branches, shaking the snow off his pelt before beginning to run again, this time trying more carefully not to crash into another tree or bush.

As he ran, Icestar felt cold and hungry, forgetting that he hadn't eaten or slept properly since yesterday. He hoped everything could be over soon, with MoonClan living through. He desperately needed to rest himself.

His jaws were open as he ran through the forest. Despite his bad scenting abilities, he could faintly pick up Dewstar's familiar smell. It was getting closer and closer. Had Dewstar stopped running? Icestar continued deeper into the forest, slowing down only a little to get a better taste of his surroundings. Suddenly, the ground felt as if it were getting lighter and more fragile.

Icestar's ears pricked the second he heard a tumbling rock. For a moment, he wondered what could be making that sound, until he realized that he was somewhere right in front of a large cave that dropped straight down. He stopped abruptly, his paws pushing more snow and rocks down the large deathly trap. A couple more steps and he'd have been dead!

A bush nearby rustled. "I hoped you'd have fell," snarled a familiar voice. Dewstar slowly walked out of his hiding spot, narrowing his eyes. "This was the perfect trap, and you were at least one step away from MoonClan and CloudClan losing this battle."

"I'm not surprised," Icestar replied. "You and your Clan always play dirty tricks!" His fur bristled, and he backed up a little as his brother took a few steps forward.

Dewstar's blue eyes blazed from cold stare to a burning fire. "It is the way we stay strong, above the rest! Noble battles won't get us anywhere. We learn to fight, prepared to kill!"

"Look, Dewstar," Icestar began, "you're a MoonClan cat at heart. It's where you were born from, so why are you picking fights from the cats who raised you?"

"This isn't a time to question! We're going to fight!" he shouted, inching closer.

Icestar held his ground. "Maybe we can talk," he offered, narrowing his eyes. "If you want this to turn out to a fight, then so be it. But we are still brothers, and I deserve to talk to you one more time."

"You deserve nothing, Icestar," snarled Dewstar softly. "I don't get why you think you're so pure. You killed as many cats as I have, and fought as many battles as I have. Just because I switched Clans, it doesn't mean I'm worse than you. StarClan and everyone else always favored you!"

Frustrated, he shook his fiercely. "No, Dewstar! You were always more popular than I was! Everyone loved you, but you just always pushed them away because you were selfish, killing the cats who raised you behind our backs! Vinetail, Softpelt, Sparrowheart and Brightstar shouldn't have died. They were murdered by you, Dewstar. You're too selfish to admit any of this . . ."

"Then why did I have the bad dream?" whispered Dewstar. "I heard you were saved by some pretty StarClan cat, but I had to kill her!"

Icestar didn't know how to respond, but he did anyways. "Maybe because I have a better heart than you."

Dewstar narrowed his eyes. "That's not true!" he yowled, bowling into Icestar. He pinned him down with claws as he continued. "Your heart is as dark as mine."

Icestar wrestled him off of his body, struggling to keep him away. "No, it has never been, you traitor!" He was still pinned, but was struggling to break free.

"That's it!" Dewstar's long claws sliced through Icestar's chest, his muscles pushing his paw down strongly. "You're time is over!" Icestar coughed fiercely, feeling a hot pain slice across his chest. "How does it feel to be murdered by your own brother?"

"D-Dew—star—"

The white tom didn't stop. His fur became stained with his brother's blood, and Icestar felt more pain spread across his chest so unbearable that he had to yowl. This feeling was worse than what Toadskip had done to him! Not because of the pain of the injury, but because it was his own brother, trying to murder him . . .

Suddenly, the forest croaked. Dewstar stopped before he could get the chance to kill Icestar, and pricked his ears as he looked around the darkness. The forest croaked again, and the ground began to shake. Icestar stopped yowling. He was gasping, still trying to weakly struggle out of under Dewstar while he had the chance.

For a moment, things were silent. Then, the sky flashed brilliantly. A lightning bolt struck down to the trees with an ear-splitting yowl, causing Dewstar to leap into the air with surprise. The trees began to shake from the wind, but one particular tree swayed madly. Before Icestar had time to react, the tree tipped downwards in Dewstar's direction, and fell at the speed of light. It hit the ground with a loud boom.

Icestar staggered upwards. "D-did it get him?" he whispered. He stared at the fallen tree for a heartbeat, his eyes wide. His fur was more blood-soaked then ever, and he felt so weak that he could barely even walk. But he had to see if Dewstar had made it . . .

He limped forward, stumbling to the ground at his first few steps. Icestar slowly stood up again, his legs shaking, and pushed himself to walk even further. I have to see if my brother is alive, he thought, urging himself to go forward. His fur was blown the wrong way from the wind as it grew stronger, and his eyes began to sting.

A storm was going to come . . .

The sky split again, and the clouds grew over the forest as a second lightning bolt hit another tree. Icestar jumped, falling back down. At this point, his ears were ringing—the sound was too loud for him to take any more. He barely caught a glimpse of the lightning bolt before it flashed away, but a red haze caught his sight instead. He looked up at the treetops. A purple flame rose from the tree that had been struck, and in a split second it blazed red. Icestar's eyes widened, and the scent of smoke stuck in his throat.

A fire! The forest was going to burn soon. He had to hurry!

He turned around and began to limp as fast as he could, gasping with pain as his injury opened up more. Icestar had to make it back whether Dewstar was dead or alive. He had kits and a Clan to go back to . . . he had to see everyone again!

"H-help," croaked a weak voice. The voice was barely heard over the wind, but he knew it was Dewstar. Icestar whirled around, squinting his eyes against the wind to make out the white-furred tom's leg stuck under the large pine tree. "Help me!" Dewstar yowled, his voice growing stronger.

Icestar's gaze hardened. "Why should I?"

Dewstar looked so weak and vulnerable under the tall tree—it reminded him of his own kits, the way they were the moment they were born. "We're brothers, Icestar," Dewstar pleaded. "I-I'm going to burn to death if you don't save me!"

"Before your leg was crushed, you were going to kill me," snarled Icestar, shaking his head. "Why would I save a cat with so much blood on his paws?"

The DarkClan leader silenced. Icestar waited, growing nervous and impatient at the growing flames. Finally, Dewstar spoke. "Fine, Icestar. Go and leave without me. Save yourself and leave me to die!"

Turning around, Icestar thought, and that's exactly what I'll do! He looked up at the fire, and noticed it had spread quickly to several other trees, and it was not stopping yet. He wondered if the fighting Clans could see the smoke. He gave one last glance at Dewstar, who's gaze was on the ground, his eyes shut with pain. What was Dewstar thinking?

"You have no time for this, Icestar!" said a new voice. A faint spirit of a cat formed right before Icestar's eyes—and it was Shard. "Go and save yourself!"

Icestar was silent for a moment. All that could be heard was the loud wind, and the crackling of the wildfire. Why did Shard come? What did he care about Dewstar?

"I can't," he murmured, knowing very well that Shard had heard him.

"Why can't you?" demanded Shard. "Dewstar killed so many cats, he doesn't deserve to live. You must go now before it is too late!"

"I must know why!" Icestar snapped, trying to stand taller in front of Shard. "I must know the real reason why Dewstar would do all these things. A true warrior would never let his brother die no matter how much blood he spilled!"

And with that, Icestar whirled around, dragging himself as quick as he could to Dewstar's body. Dewstar didn't look up, let alone acknowledge his presence. He must have not heard him coming.

"Dewstar, get up," demanded Icestar, "I'm getting you out of here."

The white-furred tom's head slowly raised, and he looked up, spotting Icestar. "I thought you left," he said coldly, his blue eyes full of despair. "This is what I deserve after all, right? You won't be so popular anymore if you save me."

"This is something I have to do," snapped Icestar. "I'm getting you out no matter what!" He looked up at the fire, and it had spread much faster than he anticipated. The tip of the pine tree that was crushing Dewstar was also in flames, and he knew that if he didn't get Dewstar out fast enough, both of them would burn to death nine times over-or in Icestar's case—eight times.

He began to pick at the loose bark on the tree, ripping off as much as he could to expose Dewstar's leg more. He did this as fast as he could, keeping an eye on the fire that was quickly approaching.

"If you're going to get out, you've got to help," ordered Icestar, once he exposed Dewstar's crushed leg as much as he could. "Pull yourself with your free paws, got it? I'm going to try to get your leg out." Dewstar didn't respond, but had simply nodded. "This is going to hurt a lot."

Icestar grabbed Dewstar's leg with his jaws, and began to pull. Dewstar grunted in pain, and forced himself forward, his body beginning to shake. As Icestar continued to dig the ground and pull his brother, his own wound started to hurt less and less as he slowly forgot about it.

The fire was now covering the whole tree. Dewstar's fur was singeing and Icestar began to cough due to the smoke, but he didn't give up. With a loud yowl, Dewstar finally pulled himself free. His leg was nearly flat and disoriented-looking, covered in blood and splinters from the wood.

"Let's get out of here!" choked Icestar, his throat filling with smoke. "Hurry!"

Dewstar struggled upwards and the two of them leaned on each other, supporting one another as they limped as fast as they could away from the clearing. "W-wait!" Dewstar gasped, stopping suddenly. "We're going the wrong way . . ."

"What do you mean?" demanded Icestar.

"The ditch!" Dewstar said, his voice filled with panic. "It's the way we're going—and there's no other way out. Look!" Both of them turned around, to see that a line of trees on fire covered their path. "Only one of us will make it."

"No, we'll both get through!" he snapped, shaking his head with disbelief. "We'll find another way out, I promise!"

Dewstar growled with frustration. "Listen, I can't properly walk anymore! My leg is too badly messed up. I won't be able to run—but you can. You're stronger than me at this point, and you're the only one that will make it anyways."

"What do you mean?" asked Icestar. "I didn't save you just so you could die!"

He shook his head. "That's how it's going to be . . . I'm far too hated to gain back a place in the Clans anyways. If Woodclaw's alive, he'll be the new leader of DarkClan."

"Woodclaw's dead," Icestar said, "And so is Ashtail. They died fighting each other. The battle turned tides, and we're winning now."

Dewstar remained silent after those words. He was staring down at his paws, a guilty look in his eyes. "I . . . killed all those cats," he said after some time, "and they're gone forever because of me." He didn't look back up. "When I got stuck under the branch, I saw all the cats I've killed. They came to me, and made me open my eyes, Icestar."

"What made you do it?" he asked.

"I told you—a dream," Dewstar replied, his voice filled with shame. "Many, many dreams. The cat who told me to kill the StarClan she-cat was the one who told me to kill my other victims. He made me join DarkClan and become its leader."

"That's terrible," whispered Icestar. "Why did you listen to that cat?"

Dewstar gulped. "Because he threatened he'd kill you if I didn't listen to him." For a moment, he paused. "That cat's name was Shard." The moment Dewstar said Shard, the fire grew much larger than it had been before. Icestar was shocked. Shard . . . made Dewstar turn dark? "Over time, he threatened he'd kill my friends, that he'd kill Dawnstripe, and destroy MoonClan. He told me this so much, I lost who I was and soon started listening to everything he said. I listened to Shard, and you should have left me to die."

Icestar was in disbelief. Shard, the one who had been on his side since the start? The one who gave him one of his nine lives? Was it really that Shard? "I shouldn't have left you to die," he whispered. "Featherbreeze told me long ago not to become dark in order to defeat darkness."

Dewstar's ears flicked at the mention of their mother, but he beckoned his head forward. "L-let's go," he coughed, stumbling on his words. "Let's get out of here."

Icestar nodded. "Yes, it's not safe anymore."

"Icestar, watch out!" Dewstar suddenly howled, leaping into the air bowling into Icestar. A tree had crashed where they had been standing. His eyes were wide as he stared at their position. Dewstar really wasn't a bad cat . . . his heart wasn't so dark anymore, right?

"Dewstar!" called Icestar, looking around. "Are you okay?"

The tree caught up in flames in moments. Icestar looked around more quickly, afraid that Dewstar had been crushed again. What if he did? What if he was burning to his death right now? More horrible thoughts filled in his mind as he searched around. His chest was tightening because of the smoke, and his throat burned like crazy.

"Where are you?" demanded Icestar, continuing to search around even though the smoke was weakening him.

His ears pricked when he heard coughing in the distance. "I-I'm here!" Dewstar's words caught Icestar, and he whirled around to see nothing.

"Where?" he asked, looking around quickly. "I don't see you!" When Dewstar didn't respond, he wondered if it was just his imagination. Suddenly, he saw the cliff-edge, and his eyes widened. He ran over and looked down, scared to see if Dewstar was dead.

"I'm stuck!" coughed Dewstar. Finally, Icestar saw his brother, clinging onto the rocks below, right out of Icestar's reach.

"Oh StarClan . . ." gasped Icestar. "Let me help you up!" He reached a paw down, but Dewstar didn't even attempt to pull himself up. "Come on, what are you doing?" he demanded.

Dewstar's paws were shaking, as if they were going to give out any minute. "Leave me here," he said, a serious look in his eyes. "You won't be able to reach me. I deserve this anyways." His voice wavered as he weakened.

"No, you don't! Nothing's your fault—you finally came to your senses, Dewstar! You don't deserve this!" Icestar pleaded. "Come on, please!"

Dewstar shook his head. "It's either me . . . or you." His weak body seemed like it had finally given in. "I'll watch over you, wherever I end up. It's better this way . . ." His paws, which had been clinging on to the cliff-edge had finally used the last of it's strength.

"No!" Icestar yowled, trying to grab Dewstar with his claws, but it was too late. He was already falling, he was going to die. "It didn't have to be this way, you idiot!" he shouted, coughing and choking on his words. I've got to get out of here! he thought. Dewstar's fate had already been sealed, and there was no way to bring him back. The time to leave was now.

An aching tugged at Icestar's heart as he stared down the ditch. The feeling of loosing Dewstar as well was a great pain. He turned around, and looked at the burning trees. He'll have to wait out this fiery storm . . .

"Dewstar," Icestar murmured, as his eyes slowly opened. Suddenly, he jumped. Dewstar! He turned around, wondering where his brother had gone, but a feeling of grief made his stomach go cold once he spotted the ditch. He died for me, thought Icestar, and I didn't do anything to save him . . .

The pine trees were burned to a crisp all around him as he slowly walked through DarkClan's forest. He didn't remember falling asleep. How long had it been? Who won the battle? It was hard to think of these thoughts as he staggered along. He was too upset. His heart hurt too much to care.

Dewstar shouldn't have died . . . he did everything to let Icestar live, and yet he ended up with such a tragic fate. Everyone who did and didn't know him will continue to hate him forever, he thought. He was only trying to do something good, which had ended horribly.

Icestar lost track of time and the direction of where he was headed. He knew he had been staggering mindlessly in this forest for a while, but he forgot where he was going. His lungs hurt—his throat was sore. Every bad feeling in the world seemed to return to him.

What do I do now? Icestar thought. He stopped walking, and looked up to the sky. The sun was up—he hadn't noticed before. The battle must be over. Which Clan had survived, and which one had perished?

Finally, he came across the clearing in which the battle took place. It was littered with dead bodies and pooling with red blood. The stench of death was deep, and it made Icestar want to vomit although he had nothing in his stomach to empty out. He quickly strode past the clearing and entered into MoonClan's forests, feeling sick.

Dewstar would have loved to return here once again. If only he could have . . . things would be better. Icestar wasn't sure if he should continue traveling in MoonClan. What if there was no camp to return to? What if DarkClan won the battle—and all his friends were dead?

Silverleaf, he thought weakly. What if Silverleaf and their kits were gone?

He walked uneasily, limping heavily on his sore paws. The cuts and wounds on his body stung, but it was nothing compared to his grief.

Then, he stopped. The camp was in sight. He pricked his ears, hoping to hear voices. He didn't want to stumble into another dead battlefield. As his ears strained forward, he heard faint talking. Please, let it be my Clanmates, thought Icestar as he weakly made his way forward.

As he got close to the camp walls, words could be distinguished through the voices b

"Do you . . . do you think Icestar didn't make it?" asked a she-cat. He recognized the voice to be Goldsun.

Relief washed over Icestar; MoonClan had survived.

"I hope not," said Squirreltail, "but he had been missing for quite some time. Amberpaw said that he went after Dewstar, but no one knows how that turned out. Everyone's thinking that . . ."

"Don't say it," Flameheart snapped, cutting Squirreltail off. "I have faith Icestar lived. After all, he has so many things to live for!"

Icestar was glad that his Clanmates had faith in him. I'm right here; alive, he thought. He limped forward, his eyes on the camp entrance. He was going to see everyone again . . .

He passed through the thickets that protected the entrance, and stopped once he was inside. For a moment, no cat noticed him. Swiftstar was here, although his Clanmates seemed to have returned home. Sweetheart was running to and forth from the medicine den and the warriors den, while Amberpaw and Blackpaw were helping repair the walls that were broken with a few older warriors.

"Sharpfang," Icestar called. The dark-furred warrior was standing just a few whiskers away. At the mention of his name, he whirled around and his eyes widened.

"Icestar!" Sharpfang gasped loudly. At the mention of Icestar's name, everyone seemed to stop what they were doing. Goldsun, Squirreltail and Flameheart looked up from where they were sitting. Relief seemed to flood all over their eyes, but looks of horror replaced their faces once they saw how wounded Icestar was.

In a moment, he was crowded by the Clan, and everyone began to devour him with questions. He didn't respond—he didn't really know how to after all. The feeling of grief wasn't easily forgotten, but a new feeling of happiness came across him.

Icestar could see Silverleaf pushing past the crowd of cats. Some cats let her pass, because after all, she was Icestar's mate. When she got past the last cat, she looked up at him with relieved shiny eyes. "You survived," she mewed. "I'm so glad you're back!"

"Yeah," he agreed, his voice weak. "I'm home."

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Okaaaay. This was one of my longest, if not THE longest chapter that I've written in this book (over 8,000 words)! After two loooong months, I finally finished chapter 60! Inform me if you see a mistake, and I really hoped you liked it. I'm not gonna give a teary author's note yet, because next I'm posting an epilogue. Don't worry, the epilogue won't take as long as chapter 60! 

Now let me emotionally recover from everything I've written....and I'll see you when the Epilogue is out :)