Edited ✔️

All of you keep on going how I leave too many cliff-hangers XD. I can't deny that I do, it's honestly fun to add them. Well anyways, it's almost done so I hope you all can get the best of book one before we move on to book two.

Also, I am sorry for not updating in August. One, I was trying to work out how the conclusion shall be. Two, I was on vacation! Now I'm back and so is school, so the updates will also become regular as well!

Icestar's muscles became tense as soon as his deputy gave him the report, his heartbeat quickening as he pictured the war starting in his head.

It's time!

"We must go. I'm afraid of what will happen to my patrol if we wait any longer," Ashtail said, looking down to his paws. "It's really time . . ."

Slowly, Icestar stood up from his spot. "Will you be okay, Silverleaf?" he asked.

"What do you mean?" She pulled their two kits closer to her belly, her tail wrapping around them protectively.

"Dewstar is waiting for me at the border," he explained, taking a deep sigh. "We might be heading into battle soon. I want to know if you'll be okay."

Finally, after thinking things through, she managed to nod. "Of course I'll be. I lost Lightkit, but I won't lose them two." Her gentle gaze swept over their living two kits, eyes filled with love and sorrow. "I promise that they'll be okay no matter what. And I especially won't let myself die for their sake."

"I'll watch over her," Sagepelt declared, standing up from her spot. "She just had kits, but even so . . . that won't stop her from keeping them safe."

Icestar nodded firmly. "Be strong, you two." Reluctantly, he left his place from the nursery. If only DarkClan never existed, how fine things would be for MoonClan! He padded in to the clearing, where cats were murmuring unsurely. "Which cats have you taken to your patrol?" Icestar asked his deputy.

"Rainwhisker, Fireshade, Dawnstripe and Goldenpaw," he replied. "Right now, they're facing DarkClan. We cannot let them be any longer, they're expecting you and I don't know how long they're willing to take."

He stopped in his tracks. "Okay, I'll need a battle plan."

"We must take the cats who are most willing to go ahead," Ashtail said, looking around the Clan.

Icestar nodded. "I'm going to make the announcement."

"Be quick!" he urged.

The leader left his spot and raced up the Moonrock, trying his best not to slip up the frosty stones. His gaze traveled across the camp, and the cats of MoonClan watched him just as carefully.

"I'm sure you've all heard, but Dewstar is expecting us!" he announced. Ashtail stood firm at his spot while cats looked at him wide-eyed, probably wondering where his patrol went. "The plan is happening half a moon too early, but we can't be faltered. We have to go and let Dewstar know what's rightfully ours!"

Murmurs of agreement rippled through the crowd, and Sharpfang called out, "I'll stay here and watch over the camp!"

"Are you sure? You're one of our best fighters," Ashtail protested unsurely.

"I'm sure," Sharpfang said. "I want to keep my kits safe, and as well as Icestar's new kits too. If a DarkClan patrol comes to attack, I'll protect them with my life!"

"You may stay, Sharpfang." The gray-furred leader gave a curt nod. "Volefur, you and Blackpaw will come with me," Icestar ordered. "Along with Swiftbreeze, Ashtail and Flameheart." They picked their way out of the crowd to stand by the Moonrock. "Stonetooth, lead Goldsun, Squirreltail, Hawkheart and Redsky close behind me."

"Will do, Icestar!" Stonetooth called, beckoning his cats forward.

Amberpaw's eyes met Icestar's. "Will I be going with you?" she asked, frowning.

Icestar shook his head. "I'm sorry, Amberpaw. I need you to stay here and protect the camp."

"But Icestar!" she protested.

"Stay here," he said firmly. "I know you are my apprentice, but we can't leave the weak unprotected. Skypelt, you stay as well."

"I'll take care of the camp too!" declared Mousetail.

Adderclaw stood up tall. "As will I, Icestar. We may be elders, but we can fight."

"Thank you," he meowed to them, dipping his head with respect. "We'll need your old battle skills."

Mousetail and Adderclaw both dipped their heads back, before returning to the elder's den. Icestar noticed from his position how confident all four elders were about protecting MoonClan in this battle-to-come, even though they were old and supposedly weak. They're stronger than they seem, he thought. Finally, he snapped out of his thoughts and returned his gaze to the Clan.

"What will I do, Icestar?" Petalwing asked, her head poking through the moving crowd of cats. Everyone was trying to get with their assigned party, an attempt to be organized.

Icestar thought for a moment. "Petalwing, lead Shiningmoon, Shadowheart, Crowflight and Nightrose close by my patrol. Stick in two groups and have one stay by the camp, and another one farther out. Cover as much vulnerable spots as possible to keep the camp protected, understand?"

"Yes, Icestar!" Petalwing said, gathering her patrol together.

"When I leave, be ready," he called out, giving a swift glance as Silverleaf, hoping she'd be okay. She gave him a reassuring nod before he leaped off the Moonrock, landing unsteadily onto his paws.

Ashtail met by his side a moment later, along with the patrol he'd chosen. "I'm not thrilled about battle, but I'm happy to be fighting for MoonClan," said Flameheart, letting out a steady purr of encouragement.

"Me too," Blackpaw agreed.

"Time to put in everything I trained you, Blackpaw," Volefur meowed, nudging the black-furred apprentice.

"I hope we'll be fine," he murmured back, looking down to his paws.

"We have to be," Icestar encouraged, trying not to tremble. "We'll finally be fighting this war through and through. StarClan must be on our side. After all, we've done the good deeds while DarkClan broke the warrior code countless amounts of time. We must survive this!"

I wonder if Lightkit is watching over us, too, he thought sadly.

Ashtail nodded with agreement, pressing close to Swiftbreeze. "You're right. MoonClan has been through too much to lose. Even with small numbers, nobody can beat us."

"Right," Swiftbreeze whispered, perhaps feeling more reassured. "We'll survive this."

"By the way," Ashtail meowed, turning his glance to Icestar. "Since when have you been so level-headed?"

* * *

The moment Icestar left behind MoonClan's camp, his patrol grew silent, and he could smell a fear-scent rising from Blackpaw. All of the other patrols dispersed among the forest, and the follow-up party followed close behind Icestar's own group of cats. He tried to be silent as he stalked through the undergrowth, but he felt his paws moving quicker than they should, farther and farther away from Silverleaf, and closer to Ashtail's patrol who were trapped amongst Dewstar's Clan.

DarkClan's borders were coming close. His paws pricked with anticipation, his belly fluttered with butterflies and his mind felt unsure. Fighting Dewstar at last, he thought, creeping up the slope towards part of MoonClan's stolen territory. He had fought Dewstar before when Silverleaf was but an apprentice, and that felt like a long, long time ago.

Things must definitely have changed since then. Dewstar and Icestar both were stronger, more determined, and leaders of Clans—each bearing nine lives. A battle against his own brother might be painful, and a long one too. Icestar was hoping deep down that Dewstar would somehow decide to change his mind after all, so that no fighting would actually happen, but that was but a dream.

Chances were, the battle would be unfair by many. DarkClan was huge, and MoonClan . . . not so much. But we'll get through it somehow, he thought, remembering his newborn kits, mate, and the rest of his comrades. We always have.

Ashtail came a bit closer to Icestar and hissed, "There they are!" The deputy's tail pointed past the trees into a clearing that stood right in the center of MoonClan and DarkClan's shared borders. He crept closer to look at them; surrounded by what seemed to be two Clans in one, cramped in that clearing, keeping eyes out on all corners of the forests.

As Icestar looked around for cats of Ashtail's patrol, he spotted a flashing white pelt that he knew too well. Dewstar's eyes scanned the trees, looking very familiar with the undergrowth that protected MoonClan. Finally, their eyes met.

For a moment, Dewstar stared before calling out sharply, "I know you are there!"

Icestar, knowing that there was no going back, outstretched his legs. "I'm here just like I promised," he spat, stalking out of the undergrowth. The cats of DarkClan turned to his direction.

"Icestar!" someone gasped—one of the cats from Ashtail's patrol, and by her voice, he could tell that it was Dawnstripe.

"Finally, you're here," Dewstar said, stepping in front of Dawnstripe. It was weird seeing them stand by each other—he remembered how close they use to be before Dewstar abandoned MoonClan. "I bet you've been thinking a lot about my decision . . . and either way, things will always go the way I planned, huh?"

"You don't know that," growled Icestar.

Ashtail stepped up. "MoonClan is different from when you left. You'd be surprised how strong we are!"

A few cats murmured with agreement.

"So what is your answer to my proposal, Icestar?" asked the DarkClan leader. "Giving up your Clan to me? It would be very wise if you do. Look at my Clan compared to yours; not enough warriors, huh?" There was a taunting look in his cold blue eyes. "Or are you going to give up your warriors and fight me? Your chance of winning is low."

"But there's still a chance," murmured Icestar.

"What was that?" he spat, stepping closer. "What is your answer, Icestar? Speak up! Or are you too scared?"

"Making an enemy out of MoonClan was your worst decision yet!" Icestar turned to look at his cats. Ashtail's eyes flickered with hope, and Swiftbreeze gave a small nod of encouragement even though her tail was tucked to her belly in fear. Flameheart seemed nervous in meeting DarkClan in battle, but Icestar knew that he was a MoonClan cat inside. He would fight for the right cause.

Rainwhisker, Goldenpaw, Dawnstripe and Fireshade were inching closer and closer together, until they were all back-to-back, facing the large crowd of DarkClan cats around them. They knew what was happening.

Dewstar stepped up one more time. "Well, what's your answer, you coward? Spit it out!"

Rage built up inside Icestar. He shouldn't be thinking, he should act! Dewstar murdered Vinetail, Softpelt, Brightstar, and many more warriors from his own Clan. He betrayed Featherbreeze by joining up with the cats who killed her . . . he caused so much suffering for Sparrowheart. He had to avenge everyone! And yet, it was so hard to respond to Dewstar. They were still brothers, and used to be close no matter how far they drifted apart. They have the same blood and came from the same place, became apprentices and warriors together. He didn't want to fight, but he had to.

Icestar forced his dark gray fur to lay flat, and his posture to relax. StarClan was with MoonClan, and had been since the first leaders walked the forests. He will have to fight, even at the cost of his own life.

After all, that's what it means to be a warrior. An unbreakable vow made to the Clan.

"Dewstar," he finally said. "Who do you think the cats of MoonClan are?"

"Weaklings, liars and soft-hearted fools," he replied harshly, and almost immediately. "Tell me your decision before I decide for you, Icestar!"

"And what about StarClan?"

Dewstar's claws clenched the ground. "They may be there, but they are dead! Everyone who dies, dies, and shouldn't have an influence on us who live." Suddenly, he tensed, and his blue eyes became angry. "Stop asking me questions and answer mine! I know you're stalling because you are scared!"

Icestar stood taller. "We won't give in to you," he challenged. He exchanged a glance with his deputy, before shouting, "MoonClan is going to fight!"

"Oh, is that so?" taunted his brother. "That's not a very wise decision. We outnumber you, and we will take over you."

Rage filled in Icestar's heart. "So what we're smaller in size? I told you that our enemies always fail against us . . . and you're my enemy, Dewstar. You and all cats of your Clan!" He looked at Ashtail, a sign to be ready, and the deputy nodded in response. Dewstar was right, they were outnumbered and didn't have a good chance of surviving DarkClan's piercing claws. But something was making Icestar hold on to the hope of living, though he just didn't know what it was.

He watched his brother intently, wondering what his next move was, or if he was going to make a move at all. Finally, Dewstar's long tail flicked, and his voice rung out loud and clear. "DarkClan, attack!"

In that moment, the cats of the enemy Clan trampled over the border, yowling fiercely in response to Dewstar's order. Icestar tensed up, and his fur bristled with rage as they neared. He could see Dawnstripe and Goldenpaw position themselves back-to-back, fending off a large ginger tabby tom and a dark gray she-cat. Fireshade had disappeared among the crowd, and so had Rainwhisker.

Icestar's cats had already begun to fight too, with two of his patrols charging through the undergrowth and into the large clearing. He knew that his Clan was okay . . . now, he had to help Dawnstripe and her apprentice. They were in the midst of all this trouble!

With all of his strength, he pushed passed three DarkClan warriors who were trying to hold him back from reaching his Clanmates, but before he could go, a large weight suddenly pinned him to the bare and cold forest ground, claws sinking into his fur. Icestar struggled to see who had him under his claws, and he noticed easily that it was Lizardpelt.

"You're not going anywhere," she hissed menacingly, eyes sparking with triumph. "After all the troubles you caused me, I'll kill you nine times over!"

Icestar thrashed madly. "Get off of me!"

"Not until you're dead!" she growled, diving in to give his neck a killing bite. Before she was able to sink her long fangs down, Icestar grabbed her with both of his paws, sinking his claws into her head and then he began to kick her stomach, trying his best to land scratches on her.

She coughed in response, and broke free from his grasp. Blood was dripping down her fur, making her look more evil than she already was. With the chance that he had, Icestar shoved her off and leaped to his paws before pouncing at her, barring his teeth with a hiss.

Lizardpelt's tail lashed angrily. "You're not scary, Icestar!"

"I'm not trying to be," he snapped, bowling her over. Furiously, he raked her belly with all the strength he could muster, but she didn't give up just yet. She managed to struggle out of his grasp, hooking her claws to his ears to make him hiss in pain. He forced himself to go through the terrible feeling, and ripped his ear apart from her claws, feeling the blood drip down. Without hesitating though, he grabbed ahold of her scruff and flipped her over so he could get a clean view of her vulnerable spots. Then, he lunged to her neck before she could struggle.

Lizardpelt gasped as soon as his teeth sunk down into her neck. "Y-you murderer," she struggled.

Icestar didn't let go until she stopped moving. When he realized that she was dead, he immediately left her body where it was and looked around for Dawnstripe and Goldenpaw, wondering where they were. In no time, he spotted the pair to see that they had been separated; Dawnstripe was tackling down the large tom, and Goldenpaw being ripped to shreds by the she-cat.

Without taking a glance back at Lizardpelt's unmoving body, he raced for Goldenpaw. He knew very well that she couldn't fight as well as her brother and sister, and she had been the most afraid of this battle out of all the cats in the Clan. She didn't stand a chance!

"Goldenpaw!" Icestar yowled, hoping the she-cat would turn her attention away.

"I-Ice . . . star!" she sputtered, trying to break free from her attacker.

The gray she-cat forced Goldenpaw to look up at her. "I'm your opponent! Pay attention to me!" she snarled.

Icestar raced over there, and grabbed ahold of her thick-furred tail, pulling her off of the defenseless apprentice. "Coward!" he meowed angrily. "Why don't you fight someone your own size?"

"That little weakling is just about dead anyways," growled the gray she-cat.

With a battle yowl, he charged at her with outstretched paws aiming to land on her. But with swift reflexes, she leaped out of his way and he missed, falling to the ground. He quickly recovered himself before she could attack him, and he stared at her intently. The she-cat studied him in return, her piercing blue eyes watching his every move. Both of them had bristled fur and lashing tails, growling defensively.

Icestar noticed how lithe she was, looking almost identical to Silverleaf's shape. This cat herself looked old . . . by any chance, was she Ripplefur's mother? She looked almost too much like Silverleaf, and if she had any relations to her then that would be the most logical answer.

"What, do I look like someone you knew?" she growled, noticing how Icestar was staring at her.

"You were close to Ripplefur, weren't you?" he asked, trying to figure out if his thought.

The she-cat tensed for a moment. But then, she yowled, "Don't say that name in my presence!"

"I bet she was your daughter," Icestar went on. "Would you really attack the Clan that she loved?"

The gray she-cat snarled. "So what if I was Ripplefur's mother? She's gone, and so is everyone I ever loved! It's all thanks to your own pathetic mother, taking her away from me. Featherbreeze didn't think I'd ever make her happy!" Her gaze did not falter. "I will attack your Clan. It's what took her away from me in the first place!"

"Ripplefur was happy in MoonClan!" Icestar convinced. "She had kits of her own, you know. You're going to kill them if you continue this battle!"

"Dewstar chose to have this battle, and we're merely fighting it for him," she said angrily, charging from her spot and furiously swiping his nose. "I don't get what you're trying to do, but we're enemies. Battle is no place to talk!"

A scratch on Icestar's nose stung, beginning to bleed immediately. The blood began to trickle down and he wiped it away before he could breathe it in. He looked at her, eyes becoming cold. He didn't want to kill her, especially because she could have told Silverleaf many things about Ripplefur that no cat knew. But this she-cat obviously did not want to talk. She just wanted to fight.

"If that is the way you want it, then I'll kill you," Icestar snarled, his voice getting lower.

She didn't respond. Her claws swiped the air, aiming a blow on Icestar's head, but she missed since he dodged it. Goldenpaw, please hold off until I defeat this she-cat! he thought with a sense of urgency, risking a glance at the poor apprentice. Many tufts of her fur had been ripped out, and her l blood was slowly pooling around her from the many open wounds she had received.

"Keep your eyes on the battle!" snapped the DarkClan cat, diving down to bite onto Icestar's leg.

Surprised, Icestar fell to the ground, a sharp pain emitting from the area she attacked. His thoughts quickly ran from Goldenpaw and back to the she-cat who had him pinned to the ground. Her eyes narrowed. "Remember this, Icestar: my name is Coldrose, and I'll be the one to kill you tonight," she hissed into his ear, sounding much different than she had before.

"A lot of cats want me dead, but I'm still living," he said in response, trying to mimic her tone.

Coldrose brought her paw to his neck, trying to hold him down as he kept attempting to kick her off. He coughed and sputtered as she brought her paw further down, and his hindlegs pressed up against her belly, trying his best to shove her off. But it was no use . . . although Coldrose was old, she was certainly strong and much more experienced than Icestar.

Suddenly though, he had an idea. He remembered a far-back battle training move he did with Ashtail once as an apprentice. He would just have to use that technique!

Icestar's hindlegs loosened completely, and he stopped moving altogether. Darkness overwhelmed him as he shut his eyes, then he stopped breathing as well. Coldrose's paw let go of his neck, and she climbed off of him. "Now I'll just wait until he wakes up again," he heard her murmur. "Curse leaders for having nine lives!"

He couldn't believe that the move had worked! Abruptly, he jumped up, and tackled Coldrose to the ground before she could say anything.

"Wh-what?" she gasped, her eyes wide at the sight of him back on his paws. "H-how did you wake up so quickly?"

"I must be lucky," Icestar responded, sinking his claws into her belly. She yowled out in pain as he sliced her cheek open. "This is what happens when you mess with MoonClan!" he hissed, adding another blow to her side. Coldrose was whimpering in pain, her blue eyes shutting tightly. Icestar let go of her completely. "Now get out of my sight!"

"Why don't you kill me?" she demanded, her voice cracking with pain.

"If you want to die, it will not be by my claws," he growled.

Quickly, she scrambled onto her paws, eyes watching Icestar with fear. She didn't stick around long enough to see what would happen, though. She sprang around and pelted out of the clearing, limping slightly from the harsh blow that Icestar dealt to her. Once he made sure that she was gone, he rushed to Goldenpaw's side, relieved to see that she was not dead.

The young apprentice's breaths were swift but shallow, eyes barely open to see Icestar standing over her. "D-did I beat th-the DarkClan cat?" she whispered when she saw him.

"Yes," he said soothingly. "You were amazing, Goldenpaw. Come now, we have to get you back to camp. Amberpaw's waiting."

"I-Icestar," Goldenpaw whimpered, shutting her eyes tight. "I wasn't able to kill . . . I was scared . . . wasn't c-confident enough to save M-MoonClan—"

"Save your strength, I'm taking you to see Sweetheart," insisted Icestar.

Goldenpaw took a deep breath before coughing more blood. "Let me sleep first," she murmured, her eyes still closed. "I-I'm so tired."

"No Goldenpaw, don't sleep! Open your eyes!" he urged, nudging her until her eyes opened once more.

She began to shiver. "Everything hurts," Goldenpaw went on, "And I'm cold."

"I'll warm you," Icestar said immediately, lying down by her side. His fur began to get stained with the blood that was pooling around her, but he didn't care. "See now? Everything will be okay as long as I'm here."

"Let me sleep," she whispered. "All the pain will go away when I sleep." Her voice was barely heard over all the yowling in the clearing, especially since she was talking dangerously low.

"Goldenpaw, don't sleep," Icestar murmured. "If you sleep, you might—" he stopped. Goldenpaw had quit moving overall, and her eyes were shut completely.

She was dead.

Icestar couldn't believe it. He promised Goldenpaw that he'd protect her in the battle. He promised her that she would live, and that she'd be a warrior and continue her life in MoonClan! But it was all a lie; Goldenpaw was dead, and there was no bringing her back. Fireshade and Nightrose will never forgive me for letting their daughter die, he thought sadly. I'll never forgive myself for letting this happen!

She died because of him . . . because he had failed to protect her. If only he had been quicker, if only . . .

He felt a new presence by his side. Icestar looked up to see Rainwhisker panting, trying to catch his breath. The warrior's pelt was stained with blood, and a long scratch across his face was visible. He must be tired from all the fighting that happened so far.

"I-Icestar!" gasped Rainwhisker once his breath had regained. "Ashtail's having a huge fight with Woodclaw, DarkClan's deputy." He took another large breath before he began to speak again. "And we cannot find Dewstar anywhere . . ."

"What of the camp?" Icestar murmured, his eyes remaining on Goldenpaw's dead body.

"I think they're okay," Rainwhisker said honestly, "but I don't know. I sent Goldsun and Squirreltail to check, but they've never returned. I-I'm sure they're fine though. I mean, it's hard finding the camp, and plus, they have Sharpfang there!"

"Rainwhisker," whispered Icestar. "I wasn't able to protect Goldenpaw . . ."

Rainwhisker tilted his head. "What do you—" suddenly, he stopped himself. The MoonClan warrior finally spotted the limp body next to the leader. "Oh no!"

"She died because I couldn't protect her!" Icestar said again, staring at her bloody body.

"No, Icestar, that is not true," he said immediately. "You didn't kill her, Icestar, so it's not your fault that she is dead! It's all Dewstar's fault, okay? He's the one who charged this battle."

The leader shook his head. "I promised her—"

"Her life never depended on you," Rainwhisker said, shaking his head. "It was not your fault, and it never was. But I will blame you for not fighting this battle if you keep on grieving like that. Our Clanmates are here with their lives on the line, fighting. We don't have the time to grieve no matter how sad you are. We mustn't let Goldenpaw's sacrifice be in vain. If MoonClan loses this battle, it will all have been for nothing!"

Icestar remained silent, still staring at her dead body.

"Listen, Icestar," snapped Rainwhisker. "If you don't get up and fight, then more lives will be lost! We've got to help our comrades!"

"But I don't know what to do!" Icestar yowled, shaking his head. "Fireshade and Nightrose will forever hate me! Blackpaw won't look up to me anymore . . . and imagine what Amberpaw would say . . ." He tried not to think of the look of horror in Amberpaw's eyes once she found out her sister had died.

"You must fight," Rainwhisker urged, his eyes narrowing. "If you don't move from your spot, and if you do not stop grieving, I will forever blame you if MoonClan loses this battle!" Icestar's eyes widened, and finally, he tore his gaze off of Goldenpaw to look up at Rainwhisker. "I've lost my sister to battle a long time ago, but I didn't stop fighting, Icestar. I fought so that her death wouldn't be in vain, and I saved two cats that day! If I had stayed and grieved over her, those two cats would be dead right now."

Icestar finally seemed to realize what Rainwhisker was trying to say. "You know what? You're right," he murmured. "I will not let Goldenpaw's death be in vain." He kept looking down on her golden pelt, his heart feeling as if it had been broken apart.

Rainwhisker gave him an encouraging nod.

"I regret not being able to protect her, but I don't want to lose anyone else," he said, his claws outstretching.

"Come on, Icestar, everyone needs us!" Rainwhisker said, eyeing the large crowd of fighting cats nervously. "Everyone's outnumbered and surrounded . . ."

"We'll get through it," Icestar growled, standing up. His fur was drenched with Goldenpaw's blood, which mixed in with his own that had bled through the scratches that he received from Lizardpelt and Coldrose. He felt tired from fighting, and he had a heartache for his loss, but Rainwhisker's words sunk into his mind; Goldenpaw died for the Clan, and if the Clan itself dies out, then she'd have given her life away for nothing.

With a newfound strength, he charged from his spot and back into the clearing. He must fight to the bitter end to keep MoonClan safe from harm, and that he will.

Sorry for posting this twice T__T Wattpad keeps deleting half the chapter. But anyways, I hope I didnt destroy your feels. I certainly destroyed mine.