A/N: I noticed the dearth of Heavystep stories, so I decided to write a one-shot explaining his sudden return from the grave. Never written a Warriors fanfic before, please R&R.

"Hmm now, what's all this? Wha? Greencough? What're you going on about now?

Oh wait, I suppose you're right, I died a while back didn't I?

Come again? How I'm still alive? Well, let me tell you now, it's a long story, so settle in, right over there. Careful now. All right, everyone comfy? Good.

It was a dark and stormy night..."

Actually, it wasn't. It was bright and sunny, like it usually was in StarClan.

"I was keeping myself busy, like usual."

A tabby tom napped in the shade of a tree. He snored and rolled over, mumbling in his sleep.

"When suddenly, some cat disturbed my, er, duties."

Bluestar walked over to Heavystep and nudged him with her nose. He grunted and scrambled to his feet. "I'm awake, I'm awake." He took a closer look at the she-cat who had disturbed him. "And who might you be?"

"She was a very important cat, and when your time comes, young ones, be sure to treat her with respect. Anyway, she had an important message for me."

"My name is Bluestar, and I have a message for you."

"Speak up, will ya? My ears ain't what they used to be." Heavystep complained, scratching behind them with his hind paw.

Bluestar sighed. "I said, I have a message for you."

"Well, spit it out then!"

Bluestar inwardly groaned. I'll have Yellowfang's pelt for this! "StarClan has chosen to honor you for your services to your Clan. We've decided to give you a second chance at life."

"Come again? Second chance at life? Whatsat supposed to mean?"

"It means, we've decided to give you a choice: you can stay here in StarClan, or you can live out what would have been the rest of your days in RiverClan had you not succumbed to greencough."

"She told me that they – not quite sure who they are – had decided to give me a choice; I could stay in StarClan, or come back and finish my life here in RiverClan. StarClan was fine and dandy and all that, but I missed everyone back here. So of course, I said yes."

"Well, that's not much of a second chance then, if I'm only goin' back same as before." Heavystep grunted.

"Well, that's true..." Bluestar started slowly. Wait, why did we pick an elder for this? Oh well, too late now. "But, just think of the stories you'll be able to tell! A cat mysteriously coming back from the dead with no explanation whatsoever? This will be talked about for generations to come among the Clans!"

Heavystep narrowed his eyes in thought. "Well, when you put it that way..."

"So, you'll take the offer?"

"Well, I guess so..."

Bluestar sighed in relief. "All right, good."

"Next thing I knew, I was back in the elder's den, like nothing ever happened. Really, it was like no one even noticed I was gone. Next thing you know, cats're gonna be switching genders without anyone else batting an eye. Lemme tell ya, back when I was young, nothin like this ever happened. Why, I remember back when you couldn't take a fish from the fresh-kill pile without half the Clan chewing your ears off for it. Speaking of fish, did I ever tell ya about the time I caught my first one?

Where are you going? Sit back down, didn't your mother ever tell you to respect your elders? Now, where was I? Oh right, my first fish..."