Edited ✔️

Icepaw's fur was on end as he turned around to face Sandstar along with an entire patrol of cats behind her. Flamepaw stood along with them, but anger blazed in his eyes. He pushed passed his Clan members, standing up to his leader besides Icepaw, a growl deep in his throat.

"You did not tell me that you were going to attack MoonClan!" he yowled, his fur bristling up with anger. "I thought I was your apprentice!"

"You are better yet my son," she hissed. "Today, we will defeat MoonClan." Her evil eyes looked up to Brightstar, and Icepaw's leader stood angrily with her teeth barred.

"Never!" she growled, loud enough for everyone to hear.

Flamepaw stood between the two Clans. MoonClan was yet again outnumbered like the last time. Icepaw felt small as he remembered Featherbreeze once more. But this time, he did not let his emotion and aggression get the better of him. He felt her looking proudly down at him.

You've heeded my advice, my son, she said to him.

It was as if a whole burden had been released off his shoulders, and he felt like he was floating for a moment, until he finally realized that he was still on the DarkClan borders, close to MoonClan. Close to battle.

StarClan is watching over you and your Clan, Featherbreeze whispered into his mind. Remember, the darkness was never meant to be, and two cats high and proud will lead and destroy.

Icepaw inhaled. That prophecy again. But somehow, he knew it was going to help him during the battle between MoonClan and DarkClan.

Sandstar took a step forward, crouching down so that she was face-to-face with her son, Flamepaw. "Oh? So are you defying my rule?" she asked, her voice surprisingly calm. "Won't you accept today's battle, O wise one?"

Icepaw looked fearfully at Flamepaw—the cat who helped save him and his friends. What if he suddenly betrayed him? Icepaw's heart thumped as he forced his neck fur to stay flat.

Flamepaw took a deep breath, and finally, from what seemed like forever, he nodded curtly. "I'm defying you," he hissed, unsheathing his claws. "DarkClan has been living lies for a long time. I won't put up with it!"

"Fine then!" Sandstar yowled, slashing his cheek with her foreclaws with no hesitation. "You're no ally of mine!"

"No!" Icepaw yelped, immediately rushing up to Flamepaw.

Angrily, the rusty-orange apprentice stood up again, his deep growl still present in the back of his throat. "Keep going!" he challenged, standing tall and proud.

Sandstar hissed again and slashed his chin this time, but now, Flamepaw landed his own attack on her, slashing hard on her neck. "I thought you said I was your son!"

"You were," Sandstar growled. Icepaw could tell that Sandstar was trying not to wince in pain after the blow. "I don't need you in my Clan. Go somewhere else for all I care!"

Brightstar stood taller. "Icepaw, come here," she ordered. "I am not going to waste my time today fighting. There will be no more bloodshed!"

Sandstar looked up angrily. "When Icepaw killed Fallentail, that meant war," she said angrily. "You left our dead warrior between the borders as a sign of war a long time ago! And now, that war you wanted is going to start! DarkClan, attack!"

Brightstar's fur bristled intensely. "Icepaw, Flamepaw, get over here!" she ordered. "Get Silverkit to camp and order help from as many warriors as you can get!"

"No, I am going to stay and fight," growled Flamepaw.

"I will take Silverkit back," Skypelt said. "I need to ensure the safety of my kits. I promise to bring cats back with me. Please, Brightstar!"

Brightstar nodded. "Go now, Skypelt!" Her meow was anxious. Then, before DarkClan could even reach MoonClan's borders, she raised her voice out and yowled, "MoonClan, attack!"

Icepaw felt his paws naturally flee from his spot as he charged over to the borders. He let out a battle cry, an angry one, and leaped at the nearest warrior.

"Mangy MoonClan apprentice!" she hissed, throwing him off her back.

Icepaw gasped and landed with a loud thud, quickly recovering to his paws although his head spun. He recognized the she-cat warrior's voice. It was Flashpelt, the one who was on the search for the two escaped kits, had-mouthing Silverkit with the worst words she could possibly think of.

She will pay for what she has done!

Icepaw leaped at Flashpelt, biting down hard at her ear while at the same moment, Flashpelt tumbled right onto her side, taken aback by Icepaw's surprising move. But then, her forepaws locked onto his shoulders, her claws digging in deep, and her back paws began to dig painfully in Icepaw's stomach with each claw stretched out as far as they possibly could go.

He let out an agonizing yowl and released her ear as she triumphantly let him go. Before he could recover from this brief moment, she shot back right on him with her teeth fastened onto his neck. Icepaw struggled hard, flailing all of his legs like crazy. His body wormed underneath her and he slipped his back paws under her soft underbelly, managing to kick her off. He panted heavily from the strong efforts.

Was this how real DarkClan warriors fought? Like merciless rogues?

Yes, thought Icepaw, recalling each and every one of their brutal battles. This meant he had to sink to their level to beat her! He yowled with rage, leaping onto her back before she realized it.

Angrily, Flashpelt pushed off the ground and leaped high into the air, flipping over, indicating that she'd land on her back. But before it happened, Icepaw released and pushed off of her, remembering his intense training that day with the mentors and apprentices.

This was the move that they learned that day!

All of Ashtail's teachings were back instantly, along with Brightstar's intense training. Flashpelt landed hard on her back, the wind knocking out of her body. She coughed up a little blood, staggering to her paws before Icepaw could react.

"Haven't you had enough?" hissed Icepaw. He did not want to admit it, but he felt dangerously exhausted. From not having a decent sleep to the rescue mission that required long travel and hard effort, the only thing allowing him to fight this battle was the adrenaline and the intense desire to protect his Clan at all costs.

"I haven't," she responded with menace, catching her breath. "I will fight you to the death. Better hope StarClan has room for more!"

Faster than a squirrel, she swiped at his chest before he could react. Icepaw instantly staggered back, coughing up blood from the deep cut she had given him. Flashpelt charged again, but before she could reach him, Flamepaw took Icepaw's place and leaped at his Clanmate.

Icepaw stared in horror as Flamepaw easily dug his claws into her chest and scruff, holding her down, while his jaws met her neck and bit down hard. Where had he learned such killing moves? His tail was even tucked in, as if he were the only cat in the forest who knew how to balance without it.

Flashpelt landed dead on the floor, her eyes wide open.

With pained amber eyes, Flamepaw looked up at Icepaw. "This battle has to end . . ." he murmured. "No cat should be fighting!"

"I know," agreed Icepaw almost silently. But as soon as he said that, a yowl of agony ripped through the forest. Brightstar landed onto the ground, right before Icepaw, her eyes shutting slowly.

Sandstar triumphantly stood over her.

Oh no! Icepaw thought. Was this her last life?

Sandstar growled. "Brightstar is such a weak cat. I wonder how many more lives she has? I'd be pleased to rip the remaining ones away from her all at once!"

"Never!" growled Icepaw angrily. "I will never allow that!" He stood protectively by his leader.

"Oh, you?" asked Sandstar with a mocking voice. "How can you stop me?"

Icepaw's legs were trembling with grief and anger. But before anything could happen, Brightstar gasped and her eyes shuttered open once more, and she looked up at Sandstar with harsh eyes.

"Get—get off my territory!" Icepaw's leader stammered, catching wind of her new life. "Or today will be your last!"

Sandstar looked thrilled. "Oh really?" she mewed. "How?" Her eyes blazed with excitement and evil ambition.

Those are the eyes of a murderer, Icepaw thought angrily. How did Flamepaw ever put up with her?

A familiar apprentice emerged from behind Sandstar. "Look!" he wailed.

Icepaw's eyes widened as he recalled who this was. Beetlepaw? That kit I'd fought? Icepaw thought with fear and amazement. Beetlepaw grown—matured, even. He had sleek muscles and of course, he was much bigger, now at the regular apprentice age.

But, before Beetlepaw had said anything more, Icepaw swiftly turned to what Beetlepaw was staring at, and his eyes widened. There, right before him, stood most MoonClan. Now DarkClan was the one outnumbered! He stared in amazement as the battle ripped apart.

A few DarkClan cats poured over their borders, dragging Flashpelt's body along with them. As the battle clearing became easier to see, no cat from MoonClan had evidently fallen.

Whiteleap, Sandstar's deputy, stood up, clearly fear stricken. "Sandstar! We must retreat!"

"No!" Sandstar yowled. "We are winning this battle!"

"But we can't loose it!" protested Whiteleap. "We are outnumbered!"

Sandstar stared at the large group. Brightstar boldly stood in front of Sandstar. "Leave," she ordered, "or my Clan will come striking down upon yours like a fierce wildfire!"

Sandstar growled with frustration, her eyes glimmering in thought. "DarkClan, retreat!" she called angrily. The remaining cats who fought broke apart, looking up with shock. Sandstar herself seemed livid. "Know this, Brightstar, I am going to cause you and your Clan pain! I will no longer show mercy like I did today!" Then, she turned to her Clan and yowled: "Retreat!"

Icepaw watched as they disappeared into their territory. Flamepaw watched them go with grief and anger in his eyes. The last cat they saw was Sandstar, who gave one last dirty glance to MoonClan before chasing after her party.

No Clan had won that day. But thankfully, Icepaw and his friends successfully escaped bloodshed.

* * *

Brightstar looked down to her Clan from the Moonrock, her eyes blazing. "Icepaw," she meowed, "Dewpaw, Flamepaw, please come here."

Icepaw gulped and climbed up after his leader. "Are we in trouble?" he asked, scared that Brightstar would punish him and his brother for sneaking out of camp.

Brightstar shook her head. "No, my apprentice," she said with a warm smile. Her white pelt was bloodstained. Her legs visibly trembled with weakness as she kept herself standing. Brightstar leaned in close to Icepaw's ear when he got close enough. "I have lost my fifth life today."

Icepaw's eyes widened with fear. "What will happen when the last life is gone?"

"My deputy will become leader, obviously," Brightstar purred. Was she not troubled? "Well, all cats old enough to catch their own prey, please gather here."

Every cat gathered into the clearing, even the kits though they could not catch prey like the older Clan cats. Brightstar straightened her stance and stood prouder. "Today," she announced, "Three brave apprentices put their lives at risk to save our dear kits from harm, and those same three apprentices have also bravely risked their lives to save MoonClan in battle. I have seen something especially astonishing, and have an important announcement to make."

Icepaw's eyes widened, and he looked at his leader.

She raised her voice and began: "I, Brightstar, leader of MoonClan, call upon to look down on these three apprentices. Icepaw, Dewpaw and Flamepaw had trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend them to be a warrior in their turns."

Icepaw looked astonished as Brightstar spoke. Was this really happening? It was! Brightstar was making him a warrior! For once in his entire apprenticeship, Icepaw had seemed to forget about the prophecy of darkness as Brightstar continued to speak.

"First, Icepaw," she meowed. "Do you promise to uphold the code and protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your own life?"

Icepaw knew these words clearly. "I do."

"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name! You shall now be called Icetail, in honor of your previous mentor, Ashtail. I also give you your warrior name in recognition of your courage, your loyalty, and your fierce desire to protect all your Clanmates. Never forget that Featherbreeze will live forever in your heart. MoonClan welcomes you as a full warrior!"

Icetail's heart almost skipped three beats, but it almost stopped when he did not hear his Clanmates call out his name. Slowly, however, Sparrowheart began to chant his newly given name. In a matter of seconds, the whole Clan joined along. He felt proud and happy and could burst of joy! If only Featherbreeze were here.

Oh, but I am watching you! Featherbreeze said. I'm so proud of you! I knew you'd become a warrior, Icetail. Her voice in his head felt comforting.

Now, it was Dewpaw's turn. The same ceremony that Icetail received happened to him, and he was named Dewfang, for his ferocious fighting spirit and his amazing strength and quick thinking. Of course, his mentor approved his training to be done, and when the chanting had died down, Flamepaw nervously stood up.

"Now, Flamepaw," Brightstar meowed, landing her soft gaze on the apprentice. He seemed to shrink back. "Today, you've done everything you could for my Clan. You've risked your life to defend it in battle, and it's kits . . . Ripplefur, if she were here, would thank you. Skypelt thanks you enough."

"And that I do," Skypelt agreed.

"No," Flamepaw murmured. "I did what was right. I've been with the enemy Clan before, and you can't name me a warrior unless I am part of MoonClan."

"Then join us," said Brightstar simply, "or be Clanless. My generous offer will not wait. I am ready to name you a warrior when you are. You deserve it, Flamepaw."

Flamepaw dipped his head. "Thank you, Brightstar," he whispered with what seemed like his whole heart. Then, with a louder voice he said, "I will accept your generous offer and join this Clan. I'll be a MoonClan warrior and serve you and our Clanmates wholeheartedly."

"Good." Brightstar purred. "Then by the powers of StarClan, I, Brightstar, leader of MoonClan, give you your warrior name! You will be now known as Flameheart. Your heart is big, and your mind knows what is right, Flameheart. The name suits you perfectly. You've come from our enemy Clan, but you proved yourself worthy today of your dedication to serve your friends here. MoonClan accepts you as a full warrior to our Clan." She dipped her head to him.

"Thank you for the name," Flameheart murmured. "It's nice."

"Flameheart! Flameheart!" called the Clan, though a few specific cats did not chant. Obviously, it was Sharpfang and his little gang of cats. But Flameheart did not care. He looked happily down to his new Clan.

Brightstar sighed, and leaned in close to Icetail once more. "Had I done the right thing?" she asked him. "Letting Flameheart join the Clan, I mean?" Her voice was low so nobody else could hear it.

"Yes, I would have done the same thing. I trust him with all my heart," he meowed. "Flameheart is a good cat, Brightstar. Times have been hard, and now that the war began . . . we need all the help we could get, don't you think?"

"I hope you are right, Icetail," murmured Brightstar. "I really do."

A/N

OMG THE THIRD CHAPTER IN ONE DAY! I did not think I'd make it THIS FAR since I'm a painfully slow typer (even though I type really fast. I just run out of ideas a lot) with lots on my schedule! But, actually, this is NOT the last chapter. There are much, much more to come :P Even though it seems like an ending . . .

But YAY! They're finally warriors :D and now he officially has Flameheart on the good side!!

Hmm . . . but now . . . wait until I post more ^~^ I am done for today—typed WAY too much!

luv you

~l.tc