Edited ✔️

Hi guys! Sorry that this chapter is shorter than usual, but it's very important. That is why I didn't make it any longer than just a few pages, hehe. Read on to find out why it is important! :D

The moon was still up in the night sky, but it was barely visible against the thick, gray clouds. Small droplets of cold white snow fell down onto the forest, going through the tree branches above Icestar's head. The cold wind pushed through his fur, and the snow on the ground dug into his paws.

The gathering was just a while ago, and soon it would be dawn—yet Icestar could not bring himself to sleep. Dewstar's threat was still heavy in his ears, that there was a new war. Of course, Icestar knew this himself before Dewstar mentioned it at the gathering. Dewstar made it clear that we are having another war the day he wrecked the training hollow, he thought. But now, all of my Clanmates know. They all know . . . that there's going to be war.

He continued walking through the forest, ignoring the cold in his paws. He needed to be alone, for he did not want to listen to the gossip of his Clanmates. He didn't want to think of what could go wrong. His fear of Dewstar and fear for his Clanmates was growing stronger by the day.

The snow didn't bother Icestar's eyes at all. What bothered him was the wind tugging at his fur, and the feeling of thorns piercing his heart. Now for sure, he couldn't avoid a battle with his brother. The prophecy he received seasons ago was finally taking place.

The darkness was never meant to be, and two cats high and proud will lead and destroy.

How on earth was Icestar going to accomplish the task of destroying DarkClan when their odds seemed so low?

He felt the presence of another cat close behind him as he padded through the forest. Swiftly, he turned, expecting to see his worst fear. He didn't expect to see Ashtail. His deputy's worried gaze met Icestar's eyes.

"Are you all right?" Ashtail mewed. "Everyone's starting to notice that you've gone missing."

Icestar shook his head. "I'm not alright. I can't bring myself to face everyone."

Ashtail stared at him with concern. "Yet this war is far from your fault, you're scared. Why, Icestar? Dewstar is the cause, not you."

"I never thought I was the cause for this war. It's just . . . I'm scared that I'll have to confront Dewstar," he responded. "I mean, he betrayed us long ago. I know that. I've even fought him before, too. But Dewstar's still . . ."

"I know. He's still your brother, and you still care for him. Right?" Icestar could barely hear Ashtail's voice over the wind, but he understood.

Icestar gave a nod.

"You shouldn't be out in this storm," Ashtail went on, walking closer to Icestar. "You can get hurt."

Icestar didn't repsond.

Ashtail sighed. "Silverleaf almost came out herself before I offered. If you don't come back to camp, she'll go out looking for you."

"Don't let her leave the camp," he murmured. "It's dangerous for her."

Ashtail narrowed his eyes. "Can't you just come back? You can catch a cold!" he protested.

"Stop trying to convince me!" Icetail snapped. "I need time to think away from everyone. I'll be back by the crack of dawn. If I don't return by then, I give you permission to look for me."

"But—" Ashtail meowed.

Icestar looked away. "I'm ordering you to leave me. I'm sorry, but just watch over the camp while I'm gone." Icestar turned and padded away. He felt bad for snapping at Ashtail like that, but he needed this time alone.

He felt Ashtail's eyes burn on his back as he disappeared in the undergrowth, away from the Clan. He felt disappointed in himself. He was letting Silverleaf and the rest of his friends down. He wanted to let everyone know that he wasn't running from his problems, because what he was doing surely looked like it.

I feel like a coward.

He padded farther and farther away, the snow whipping at his ears. He felt frost cling to his pelt, and icicles touch his tail. I must look different. I must be a mess, he thought. This was no time to clean his pelt, though.

Icestar kept on walking for longer, wondering how far he was going. He knew he still was within MoonClan's borders. He couldn't smell it, but he recognized the look of his territory so well. As he walked on, he hoped that Ashtail would actually listen to his orders. Of course he would, right? Ashtail was his loyal deputy, and Icestar was the leader. The leader's word was law.

As Icestar kept on walking, he realized how close he was getting to the old portion of MoonClan territory that Dewstar had stolen from them. He looked over the border, taking in the scents around him. There was barely any prey-scent, but he felt pained that there was some. MoonClan would be less hungry if it weren't for Dewstar.

He stared over the border, keeping to his own territory. Icestar shivered in the cold but he forced himself to ignore it.

After some time, the snow began to slowly stop. The calm after the storm finally arrived, and the wind quieted. Icestar looked up to the sky, seeing that dawn was going to come very soon. He wondered if he should get back now that the snow stopped. He had been sitting there for quite a while.

Icestar decided that he should, and got up, readying himself to get back to camp. He was about to leave until he caught a familiar scent on his nose. Icestar tensed.

"Dewstar?" he growled. Why would his brother be here?

Dewstar padded out of the dark shade of his territory's trees. "Hello, Icestar."

Icestar's fur bristled. "What are you doing here?" he demanded. "This is MoonClan's territory!"

"As you can see, I did not cross onto your territory," Dewstar hissed. "Now, can I ask you what you're doing here, so close my my territory?"

"That's none of your business," snarled Icestar softly.

Dewstar narrowed his eyes. "I bet you were thinking about stealing my prey, huh?"

"I said that's none of your business!" snapped Icestar.

Dewstar sat down, keeping to his side of the border. "I'm not pleased to see you, but I was hoping that I would get a moment of alone time with you."

"I wasn't," Icestar snarled. "What do you want?"

Dewstar straightened his back. "A proposition. I saw your expression when I stated to all the Clans that we are at war. You looked angry—scared."

"But that doesn't mean I'm not ready, that I won't protect my Clan, Dewstar." He met Dewstar's gaze. They were so close together, alone, for the first time in a long time. Yet he felt so far away.

Dewstar's ears twitched. "I will give you two moons to make a decision, Icestar. Remember how I wanted to take over the Clans? I will spare your friends if you do something for me."

"I'll never let you do that!" Icestar spat. "You'll never take MoonClan, not any Clan, as long as I live!"

"I wasn't finished," his brother snapped, causing Icestar to slowly take a step back in silence. "I'll spare your Clan, and even you, if you give up your leadership. I'm giving you two moons to decide this. Give up your Clan to me, and your territory, and run far away from here alone and never come back. That way, I'll let everyone live with no bloodshed."

Icestar's eyes were wide. Why would he give up his territory? The stars had looked down on this forest for countless seasons. The trees had protected him for endless moons. MoonClan had lived here in this forest their whole lives! The thought of leaving his precious home made him feel sick.

"If you don't, then I will wage this war and I'll kill every last cat in MoonClan, starting with the ones most closest to you," Dewstar finished.

Icestar shot up on his paws. "If you lay a claw on Silverleaf, I'll kill you!" he threatened. These words lay heavy in his throat. The thought of killing his own brother made Icestar tremble with fear.

"I'm giving you two moons to decide, Icestar," Dewstar spat. "You will either give up your leadership, or give up your friends."

"What happened to you?" Icestar yowled. He was still trembling. "They were your friends too! You grew up around these cats, just like me!"

Dewstar turned his back away, and began padding into the DarkClan forest. "Two moons, Icestar!" his brother called over his back, before disappearing into the darkness.

Icestar stared after Dewstar, pain gripping deep within. It felt as if there were many thorns and icicles piercing his heart all over again.