A/N: Thank you all for reading! You have no idea how much your views and reviews mean to me. I hope you've enjoyed reading this story as much as I enjoyed writing it. With that said, here is the fourth and final chapter of Snowlight.

Disclaimer: I do not own Warriors or Snow White.

Ravenstar wrapped the bright red berries carefully in leaves and stashed them away under the bushes. I'll use those in just a moment. She stalked deliberately over to the warriors' den, where Hawkfoot was resting.

It was dark inside, the roof of the den providing a cool shade for the warriors inside to rest in. Only Hawkfoot and a warrior named Hollowsong were inside. Ravenstar tiptoed carefully around Hollowsong to reach the back, where her deputy slept. He was murmuring in his sleep when she reached his side. She cocked her head, trying to pick up the barely audible words, but they were jumbled and nearly impossible to understand. Whatever he was mumbling seemed important, but there was no way she was going to figure it out.

Giving up, she crouched low to whisper in his ear. "Hawkfoot, wake up."

He stirred and blinked his yellow eyes open. "Ravenstar?"

"Come with me, Hawkfoot. We need to talk."

She led the way out of the den and into the forest, stopping beside the bush where she had hid the scarlet berries, called deathberries because they were poisonous enough to kill any cat who ate them. She didn't bring them out right away, but turned to face her traitorous deputy. "I know what you did," she growled. "How dare you disobey me?"

The mottled brown tom did his best to look confused, but beneath that façade she saw fear flash in the depths of his eyes. "What are you talking about?" he asked.

"Snowlight!" Ravenstar hissed. "You didn't kill her! You sent her to Twolegplace, where you thought I wouldn't think to look for her. Do you think I'm a mouse-brain?"

"No," snapped Hawkfoot. "But I couldn't just kill my own Clanmate. Isn't it enough that she's out of your way?"

"Never!" Ravenstar dug her claws into the ground. "She needs to pay the price for what she's done."

"And what exactly has she done?" Hawkfoot hissed. "Snowlight is innocent, regardless of what you think. She never did anything wrong. Why are you punishing her for a crime she didn't commit?"

Ravenstar turned away. "She took away something very dear to me," the leader meowed softly.

She could sense Hawkfoot's bewilderment, but she didn't explain. "If she did take something from you, I'm sure she didn't know she was doing it," he said after a moment. He seemed to choosing his words carefully. "Surely you can forgive her?"

"No, I can't," Ravenstar mewed shortly. She reached under the bush and pulled out the bundle of leaves and berries.

Hawkfoot pricked his ears as his eyes landed on it. "What's that?" he asked warily.

Ravenstar's eyes glittered maliciously and an ominous purr rose briefly in her throat. "It's my backup plan," she meowed. "Now let's go."

She padded away into the trees and Hawkfoot followed her hesitantly. "Where are we going?" he asked, sounding for all the world like an apprentice traveling into the forest for the first time, pestering his mentor at every step. "And what exactly do you mean by your 'backup plan'?"

Ravenstar rolled her eyes. Hawkfoot became immensely chatty when he was nervous. Usually, she found it amusing, but today it was distracting. She had to focus; she was listening closely for Vipertail's voice in her head. The Dark Forest cat had promised to guide Ravenstar on her mission, but so far she hadn't uttered a single word.

They passed beneath the shifting emerald canopies above, traveling quickly along paths strewn with leaves and twigs. To Ravenstar, the journey seemed short; before she knew it, she was standing at the border of ThunderClan's territory, gazing out across the jumbled maze of the Twolegplace. Everything in it was bright, the white reflecting the sun too much, the silver fences harsh and blinding in comparison to the soft silver of the moon. There was even a flat red object on a metal thing that resembled a skinny tree, with a hue that was redder than deathberries.

Hawkfoot grew still. "You can't seriously want Snowlight dead this much."

"I do, and I'm completely serious."

"You're horrible," he growled.

"I know."

That seemed to bring him up short. He looked away, as though he couldn't bring himself to meet her eyes. "Redstar should never have picked you for his deputy."

Ravenstar didn't take her gaze off of the Twolegplace. "Maybe not," she meowed, "but he did, and now you have to deal with it." She stood and flicked her tail at her companion. "Come on, let's keep going."

As they continued into the Twolegplace, walking alongside a narrow gray Thunderpath, Ravenstar heard a silky voice purr in her mind, Hello, little warrior.

About time you showed up, she thought, ignoring the somewhat demeaning nickname.

Now, now, don't be impatient, said Vipertail. Isn't it enough that I came at all?

I suppose, Ravenstar thought reluctantly. Now can you cast that spell we talked about? The one that will disguise my appearance? I don't want Snowlight to recognize me when I find her.

Why does it really matter? asked the Dark Forest warrior. You're going to kill her anyway. It's not like she can tell your Clanmates what you did once she's dead.

That's a lie. She'll go to StarClan. She could easily tell my medicine cat, or any other warrior, by visiting them in their dreams.

Vipertail was quiet. Ravenstar felt a flash of satisfaction; the Dark Forest cat obviously hadn't thought about that. I'm smarter than she is.

Mind your manners, Ravenstar. I can still hear you.

Scowling, Ravenstar returned her attention to the setting around her. They had come to a cross of Thunderpaths, and looming above her was a red thing on a silver stick. She gazed upward at it, then decided it wasn't important. She scented the air, trying to decide which way to go.

Hawkfoot hesitated, opening his mouth to say something. Ravenstar eyed him curiously, but he closed it again without speaking a word. "What were you going to say?" she asked him.

"Nothing," he meowed.

"Don't lie to me."

Hawkfoot looked away, his mouth shut resolutely.

Punish him, urged Vipertail. You can't let him get away with disrespect. He's the deputy and you're the leader, not the other way around.

Ravenstar didn't say anything. Hawkfoot's refusal to speak was inconvenient, since he had obviously been going to say something important, but she couldn't help but admire his determination. However, she wasn't going to show it. She tasted the air again, lashing her tail to make it seem like she was annoyed rather than impressed. She was so focused on maintaining this appearance that she almost missed the scent when it reached the roof of her mouth. That's her, she realized. It's definitely Snowlight's scent!

Hawkfoot glanced at her. "Did you find something?" he asked.

"Yes," meowed Ravenstar. "Snowlight's scent. She must have gone this way recently, based on the freshness of the scent trail."

Her deputy flinched. Misery welled in his golden eyes, but Ravenstar felt no pity. "This never would have happened if you'd done what I asked in the first place," she hissed. "It's your own fault. Now let's go."

They followed the scent around the corner and along an uneven wooden fence. Soon, they caught sight of a gap underneath the fence and Ravenstar crouched to peer through it. Her eyes traveled the garden on the other side, full of green plants and flowers that made her nose itch. But her gaze landed on something that made it worthwhile. A tuft of white fur was caught on a thistle, blowing slightly in the wind like a clear announcement that the cat she was searching for lived here.

"Twolegs," Ravenstar mewed spitefully. "Snowlight was a warrior. How could she choose to live with them?"

"Well, you did pretty much exile her from the Clan," Hawkfoot pointed out. "She couldn't have returned to her life as a warrior, even if she wanted to."

"No," Ravenstar snapped, "you exiled her from the Clan. I was trying to kill her. There's a difference."

"Yes, but my way was better."

Ravenstar growled under her breath. "No it wasn't," she hissed through clenched teeth. "It didn't accomplish anything. It just prolonged Snowlight's suffering. Now wait here and don't say another word."

Hawkfoot's eyes shone with worry, but he shut his mouth obediently. Ravenstar barely glanced at him before turning away and closing her eyes. Concentrating, she managed to summon Vipertail's presence in her mind. Are you ready to help me out?

Of course, murmured the Dark Forest cat. What kind of disguise would you like? Tabby fur, perhaps? And yellow eyes? Or maybe a scar or two across that pretty face of yours?

Ravenstar thought for a moment, briefly toying with different ideas. None of those, she decided. Make me old. Give me scraggly claws and graying fur on my muzzle. Make my eyes dull and my back hunched. Make me as frightening as possible.

There was a moment of silence. A strange request, Vipertail commented, but certainly within my power. As you wish.

Ravenstar felt her legs grow frail and her fur become matted and patchy. Her claws withered and twisted into frightening shapes, and her back grew crooked. She heard a startled gasp from behind her and turned to see Hawkfoot staring at her in horrified shock. "You'd never recognize me like this, would you?" she asked smugly.

"W-what happened to you?" he stammered.

"Magic," she replied, her eyes gleaming with satisfaction. "You aren't my only useful friend." She returned her attention to Vipertail's presence. You remembered to change my scent? she checked.

Yes, Ravenstar, Vipertail answered, with an impressive amount of patience considering that she was an evil spirit.

Good, the ThunderClan leader said. "Wait here until I come to get you," she commanded her deputy. She grabbed the leaves containing the deathberries in her jaws and slipped under the fence into Snowlight's garden. She winced as pain shot through her arthritic back. Thanks for making this so realistic, Vipertail, she grumbled.

My pleasure.

Rolling her eyes in frustration, Ravenstar returned her attention to the task at paw. Now that she was in the right place, all she should have to do was wait. She sat down and wrapped her snarled tail around her paws, faltering again as her back legs nearly gave way beneath her. No wonder the elders are so grumpy, she thought. I would hate having to live like this every day. The sooner I get out of this form, the better.

She glanced around the yard, trying to distract herself from the achy feeling in her body. She noticed some strange silver things hanging in front of the entrance to the Twolegs' den that made chiming noises when the wind blew through them. Hmm, that's a surprise. It's a Twoleg thing that's actually beautiful.

She closed her eyes and listened to the sound for a while. Somehow, though she had never heard it before, its beauty reminded her of her apprentice days, when she had believed completely in the goodness of the world and had found the greatest happiness simply by having Galeheart at her side. It brought her back to a time before she had ever met Snowlight, the friend that had betrayed her and twisted her into something dark. A time before she had ever dreamed of the vengeance and power that now made her who she was. I was innocent once, she thought. Where did that innocence go? She opened her eyes again and was startled to find her vision blurred by tears.

Before she could sort out her feelings, a loud creak cut across the peaceful murmur of birdsong and the chiming of the silver things in front of the door. Ravenstar crouched low in fear, the tears clearing from her eyes as she turned her attention to the source of the noise. It appeared that the Twolegs had opened the entrance to their den to let their precious kittypet Snowlight out into the garden for a walk. Ravenstar curled her lip in disgust as she saw her former warrior brush affectionately against the Twolegs before padding out into the yard.

It was only a moment before Snowlight noticed her. The white she-cat's eyes grew round with fear. She hesitated, then padded slowly forward toward the stranger in her garden.

"H-hello," Snowlight mewed, obviously trying to be friendly. Both fear and pity flickered in the depths of her lucid blue eyes. How dare you feel sorry for me, your murderer! Ravenstar seethed inwardly. But she knew she had to keep her feelings contained. Time to see if all those games I played with Galeheart have made me a good enough actress.

"Oh, hello, my dear," she purred silkily. "I'm so glad to see a friendly face."

"R-really?" Snowlight stammered. "Why's th-that?"

Ravenstar lowered her head in an attempt to appear saddened. "You see, I lost my only Twoleg not long ago. He was old, rather like me, and he got sick one day. There was nothing anyone could do to save him. I've been all alone ever since he died and I've been terribly lonely."

"Oh, I'm so sorry!" Snowlight exclaimed. "I would be devastated if I ever lost my Twolegs. They took me in when I lost my old home," she added. "I'll always be grateful to them."

"Yes, Twolegs can be wonderful," Ravenstar agreed. Yuck, imagine complimenting a Twoleg, she thought, inwardly revolted by her own words. But whatever has to be done for this mission will be done. "Mine grew all sorts of wonderful plants in his garden just for me. Catmint, flowers, and these lovely red berries!" She opened the leaves with her paws, revealing the deathberries. I hope Snowlight didn't spend enough time in Maplefoot's company to recognize them! "They're really very tasty, and I was looking for someone to share them with," she continued. "It would brighten my day more than you could ever imagine if I could see someone else enjoying them as much as I do."

"Oh, how kind of you," Snowlight purred. "I'd love to share some with you. There's nothing I enjoy more than seeing everyone happy."

"I'm so glad you understand," meowed Ravenstar, purring too. "I feel exactly the same way." She nudged the berries forward. "Go on, you can have all of them if you'd like. They're probably my favorite thing to eat in the whole world."

"You're much too kind!" Snowlight protested. "I'll only take one or two. I'd hate to take them all from you."

"No, it's fine," Ravenstar reassured her. "There are plenty more in my garden."

"But if your Twoleg is gone, are you sure any more will grow without him to take care of them?" Snowlight asked.

"They'll be fine," meowed Ravenstar. "After all, the rain should keep them watered, and if there are any weeds endangering them, I can always uproot them myself." She laughed softly. "I may be old, but I promise you, dearie, I'm stronger than I look."

"Are you sure you want to give me all of them?" Snowlight mewed, but her resolve seemed to be weakening.

"I insist," Ravenstar replied.

"Okay, if you're sure." Snowlight sniffed the berries carefully. "Thank you so much!" she meowed, taking the berries and their leaf wrap in her jaws. She waved her tail in farewell. "Good luck!" she added, her words muffled by the leaves. "I hope to see you again sometime."

"Oh, I'm sure you will," meowed Ravenstar. She watched with baited breath as Snowlight bounded away, paused by the door, then trotted over to a side window and jumped to the windowsill. The white she-cat wriggled through the narrow open space and disappeared into the den.

"Oh, why did she have to go in there to eat them?" Ravenstar hissed. She turned in the direction of the fence and crept to the edge of the garden. "Hawkfoot, get over here!" she whispered fiercely.

For a moment, she was sure that he had disobeyed her and deserted her. Then he appeared, squeezing under the fence. His eyes were wide with grief.

"Is she dead?" he asked, his voice hoarse.

"Not yet," answered Ravenstar. "She has the berries, but she hasn't eaten them yet."

"That's good enough," said Hawkfoot. "Come on, let's head back to camp."

"Not yet," said Ravenstar. "I want to make sure she eats them." Change me back, she ordered Vipertail. And give both me and Hawkfoot an invisibility spell, so Snowlight doesn't see us while we spy on her.

You expect a lot from me, don't you? the older she-cat replied.

Shut up, I know you're enjoying this as much as I am. Just do it!

As you wish, Vipertail meowed again, with a hint of sarcasm in her voice this time.

Ravenstar felt a rush of relief as her body grew strong and flexible again. Then she felt a sort of shimmer ripple across her fur. That must be the invisibility spell, she thought. "I'm going up there," she told Hawkfoot, nodding to the windowsill.

"You don't need me here," he replied, turning and starting to leave. "So I'll just go—"

"Oh, no you don't!" Ravenstar hissed, pouncing on her deputy and dragging him back. "This is your fault, so you must witness each and every second that Snowlight suffers! You're coming with me."

Ravenstar leapt to the windowsill, Hawkfoot trailing unwillingly behind her. He jumped up to stand beside her, his body tense with dread. Ravenstar glanced at him with dark amusement.

Together, they peered into the Twoleg den. Ravenstar could see several Twolegs moving around inside, maybe seven in total. There cat toys strewn all over the place that announced Snowlight's presence, as well as a soft-looking nest in one corner. Of course, the Twolegs adore her, Ravenstar thought bitterly. Just like every cat in ThunderClan. I'd bet even the prey she eats worships the ground she walks on.

Then she spotted Snowlight. Ravenstar pricked her ears in anticipation as she noticed the leaf wrap and berries in the white cat's mouth. Snowlight was sitting near the entrance to the room, unnoticed by her Twolges. She sniffed hesitantly at the berries and frowned slightly, as though she was a little uncertain.

Just eat them! Ravenstar thought anxiously.

Every second seemed to crawl by. Hawkfoot's heart was beating so hard that Ravenstar could feel it in his shoulder, which was pressed against hers. The Twolegs were chattering and the smallest two were laughing. None of them noticed Snowlight leaning down to eat the scarlet berries. She took one daintily between her teeth and chewed it, then swallowed.

For a moment, Ravenstar felt nothing but blood roaring in her ears. I did it, she thought. She felt no emotion except a curious sort of wonder. I did it.

Then there was a thump as Snowlight collapsed. The Twolegs turned to face her and collectively gasped as they noticed their kittypet writhing on the floor. Three of them rushed to her side, while the biggest ran out of the room. The smallest two began to wail in fear. The one that must have been their mother tried desperately to comfort them, all the while staring in shock at Snowlight's fallen form. Hawkfoot turned his head away, as though he couldn't bear to watch, but Ravenstar was completely still, transfixed by the scene of chaos that she had caused.

Snowlight shuddered and grew still, seemingly too weak to fight the poison any more. Ravenstar couldn't see if she was breathing at all. Feeling a rush of satisfaction, she turned away. "Come," she meowed briskly to Hawkfoot, jumping off the windowsill. "Our work here is done." He followed her blindly, too shocked to disobey.

Their journey back to the forest was a blur. Ravenstar could hardly believe what she had just done. She could hardly believe that she was free of Snowlight forever. There's no one left to take Galeheart away from me. He's mine now. He will love no one but me.

Won't he?

Ravenstar sat on the Highledge, looking down at the camp as twilight settled on the forest. Though there was no moon, the small valley seemed to glow with an eerie light, as though it were illuminated by a mysterious presence. Stars had begun to glitter overhead, sending a cold glow down on the cats of ThunderClan as they withdrew to their respective dens for the night.

Ravenstar tipped her head back to search the sky for a new star. Surely Snowlight would be among their ancestors by now? But the sky's pattern of icy lights was exactly the same as it had always been. Come on, StarClan, she growled to herself. Take her already. If she means anything to you, take her. The next thought came unbidden into her mind. Don't make her suffer like this.

"Ravenstar?"

The voice seemed to resonate through the darkness. The leader turned to see her closest friend standing barely more than a fox length away.

"Yes, Galeheart?" she asked.

"Can I talk with you for a while?" He came forward and sat beside her, his blue eyes glowing softly as they reflected the day's fading light. Ravenstar was both startled and pained by the sorrow in his gaze.

"Of course," she murmured. "You can always talk with me."

"You've always seemed busy," he replied. "I never wanted to interrupt you."

"It's fine," she meowed. "Feel free to interrupt me whenever you like. I always have time to be interrupted."

He gave a soft mrrow of laughter, making Ravenstar's heart twist painfully as memories of their apprenticeship washed over her, as clear in her mind as if they had just happened yesterday. There's so much I've done to win your heart, and yet I still don't feel as though it's mine, she thought, gazing at him. All I've done is destroy my own. And for what? You've always thought of me as a friend and you'll never think of me as anything more.

The realization hurt more than anything she had ever felt before. It was as though fate was digging its cruel claws into her heart. Breaking her into a thousand pieces, fragments as numerous as the stars.

"It's Snowlight," Galeheart confessed, looking up at the sky. "I know this can't be helping you either, since you loved her as much as I did, but… I especially miss her tonight. I… I thought that speaking about her would make her seem closer. You know, in spirit."

The irony of his statement made Ravenstar want to laugh, even through all her pain. You have no idea how wrong you are. "I'm sure she is with you, even though you can't see her," she meowed instead. "And she'll always be in your heart. Our hearts."

Galeheart purred softly. "Thank you, Ravenstar. You always know just what to say." He stood and stretched his forepaws out in front of him, his tail kinking over his back and his jaws parting in an enormous yawn. "I know we haven't been talking for very long, but I'd best get some sleep. You too, my friend," he added. "We need an alert leader, not a sleepy one." He nudged her playfully. "Good night, Ravenstar."

"Good night, Galeheart."

She turned away as his pawsteps receded, unable to watch him go. Heart heavy, she padded into her den and curled up in her nest, fighting back the tears that threatened to spill from her eyes. Please, StarClan, no dreams tonight. Just sweet darkness… lovely, beautiful darkness…

Of course, that was not to be. She had hardly fallen asleep, it seemed, when she opened her eyes to a ghostly, shadowed version of the Twolegplace she had traveled into just the day before. It was amazing how much a difference the night made. With the white lights illuminating the Thunderpaths and reflecting off the monsters' sleek pelts like false moonlight, it didn't seem much different from the forest. The random wooden pillars were almost like trees, the Twolegs' dens almost like giant rocks. The only thing that was missing was the stars, but it was a relief to be away from the eyes of the ancestors. And the guilt they caused her.

She found herself in Snowlight's garden and remembered vaguely the story she had come up with to trick the white warrior. I wonder what she thinks of me now, Ravenstar mused, tipping her head back to look at the windowsill where she had stood and watched Snowlight's suffering. Or at least the old kittypet who gave her those berries. Does she know that's what caused her endless sleep?

Hardly knowing what she was doing, Ravenstar leapt silently onto the windowsill. Through the transparent stone (or whatever those silly Twolegs had put in the gap), she could see Snowlight, glowing like her namesake in a ray from the Thunderpath lights. It really is like she's sleeping, Ravenstar thought sadly. But she won't ever wake. It's only a matter of time before the stars come to claim her. Please let it be soon.

As though her thoughts had been a prayer, a light appeared in the entrance to the room. As she watched, she saw that it was Fawnfeather, her ginger fur turned silver by the starlight that always surrounded her.

Have you come to bring Snowlight to StarClan? Ravenstar asked her friend silently. But the StarClan cat seemed not to notice her. Instead, she beckoned to a ghostly figure standing beside her. As he stepped out into full view, Ravenstar felt her heart skip a beat. It's Galeheart! What's he doing here? He must be dreaming too, she realized, noticing that the ethereal quality of his image wasn't an illusion created by the darkness. He really was as translucent as a cat made of mist.

Her best friend's eyes were round with shock and wonder as he gazed at his mate, laid in a soft bed and guarded by a Twoleg, who was sitting on a couch and seemed not to notice the dream encounter of the four cats. None of them at all noticed Ravenstar, who felt her heart break at she saw the love in Galeheart's eyes. Though it seemed impossible that it could really break again when it hadn't been whole in moons.

"Is she… dead?" Galeheart asked Fawnfeather hesitantly.

"Not yet," replied the StarClan cat. "But her life is still in danger."

"I—I don't understand," stammered Galeheart. "How can this be? She disappeared a long time ago. Where has she been all this time? And why did she leave me?"

"Shh," whispered Fawnfeather, drawing her tail gently across his cheek to silence his anxious questions. "That doesn't matter now. All that matters is that we save her."

"We? What can I possibly do?" Galeheart's eyes were wide with surprise.

"I can save her," Fawnfeather explained. "But only if you truly love this cat. It's part of the magic. Do you love Snowlight?"

"Of course I do," murmured Galeheart. "With all my heart."

Ravenstar could barely watch, but at the same time, she couldn't bear to turn away.

Fawnfeather's eyes glowed with both sadness and joy. "Then touch your nose to her forehead and tell her."

Galeheart stood before the fallen form of Snowlight for a moment, then bent down to touch his nose to her forehead. He closed his eyes, a tear slowly drawing a line of darkness across his face as it wet his fur. "I love you," he whispered. A shimmer of starlight reflected off Galeheart's tear as it fell on Snowlight's face.

All three of the dream cats waited, holding their breath. Anxiety gnawed at Ravenstar's heart. Do I want the spell to fail or succeed? She was surprised to find that she didn't know anymore.

Then Snowlight gasped as she woke, her blue eyes flying open. "Galeheart?" she whispered. Happiness filled her gaze. "You came for me."

A sob choked the mottled gray warrior for a moment. "Of course I did."

A purr rose in Snowlight's throat, her eyes sparkling as though they were filled with their own stars. "I'm so glad!"

Galeheart purred as well, unable to contain his joy.

Ravenstar turned away, struck by the conflicting emotions in her heart. Elation filled her as Snowlight was revived, but her heart was heavy with the weight of her sorrow. No one will ever love me like that, she thought wretchedly. And I don't blame them. I'm nothing but a monster. I tried to kill one of the only two friends I ever had out of jealousy and spite. I tried to use a loyal cat to do horrible things and punished him for doing what was right. Hawkfoot said I was horrible and I thought I knew that, but I didn't really see it. Now I do, and it hurts! More than even my broken heart!

She turned to face the scene before her once more. I deserve this feeling, she thought. Let it be my penance for all that I have done.

Suddenly, Galeheart looked up from Snowlight, and seemed to notice his old friend for the first time. "Ravenstar!" he meowed. "I hope you understand. I'm going to stay here with Snowlight." He gazed at the Twoleg den around him. "These Twolegs obviously love her, and I can tell that she loves them too. I can't ask her to come back to the forest and leave them. If she left the Clan, I know it was for a good reason. But I can't be apart from her any longer."

Throat tight with grief, Ravenstar nodded. "I understand," she murmured. "I really do, more than you could ever know." She swallowed the lump in her throat. I have to let him go. If I really love him, I have to let him go. "I wish you ever happiness," she said. "Both of you." She choked on her last words, then fell silent, overwhelmed by emotion.

Fawnfeather's eyes glowed as she gazed at Ravenstar. "I'm very proud of you," she said. "You've come a long way since the day I first met you, giving you a life. It seems you've figured out how to use its gift at last."

A life for kindness and mercy. She'd forgotten the lessons that came with each life. "I haven't used this one well at all," Ravenstar mewed sadly.

"Not in the past, you haven't," conceded her StarClan friend. "But you can always change. Make yourself a better cat, Ravenstar. It isn't too late."

Fawnfeather began to fade, her starlit pelt disappearing into the shadows behind her. Ravenstar could sense that the dream was ending; Galeheart was disappearing too.

"I'll come find you as soon as I'm awake," he promised Snowlight.

"Galeheart!" called Ravenstar, blinking back tears.

"Yes?" He turned to face her. He was almost gone now; the only part of him that she could see clearly was his eyes. The eyes that she had always loved so much.

"Remember me," she meowed.

His eyes glittered with tears. "Always."

Ravenstar closed her eyes, trying to preserve the memory of his gaze in her heart. When she opened them again, he was gone.

When she awoke, Ravenstar felt numb. The pain and sorrow were gone, but she felt as though she were in a daze. Nothing felt real, not the feeling of the moss and stone beneath her paws, not the coolness of the shade her den provided, not the memory of her dream the night before. The mouth of her den was bright, telling her that it was morning, but time ceased to mean anything to her.

Galeheart is gone. The words were unfamiliar in her mind. My best friend, Galekit, Galepaw, Galeheart… he's gone.

She wasn't sure how much time passed before she heard pawsteps approaching her den. She dragged her gaze off the floor and forced herself to look up to see who had arrived. She blinked in what would have been surprise had she been able to feel anything; it was Hawkfoot.

"I thought you didn't want anything more to do with me." The words sounded hollow, even to her own ears.

There was a pause. "Are you all right, Ravenstar?" Hawkfoot finally asked, seeming concerned.

Ravenstar would have laughed if she'd had the energy. "What makes you ask?"

"You're just—not yourself," he replied.

A wave of emotion rose inside her at last, banishing the numbness, but bringing with it all the pain. "Everything I did," she choked. "It was all for nothing." And with this confession, the entire story spilled out of her. The purpose of her plot, her guilt, and the shattered remains they had made of her heart.

Hawkfoot's eyes never left her face as she told her story. When she was finished, she felt all the energy leave her. "Go," she murmured. She turned away, feeling wretched. He's judging me, and he should. There is no excuse for what I've done. All the guilt was catching up with her. She felt sick.

She heard pawsteps as Hawkfoot closed the distance between them. To her utter astonishment, she felt his tongue rasp over her ear. Was he feeling sorry for her, after all she had said and done to him?

"I feel so horrible," Hawkfoot said. "I wish there was something I could have done to help you."

"Help me?" Ravenstar echoed. "Hawkfoot, I'm despicable. You should hate me, not wish you could have helped me. Besides, you did help me. Against your will, you helped me with all the wrong things. But that's not your fault. It's mine. All mine." She nearly choked on the words. "I forced you to be evil, and you did it because you were loyal. You're a much better cat than I am. I'm so sorry."

"I forgive you," Hawkfoot murmured.

Ravenstar's heart felt like it was being pierced by claws. He forgives me. His heart must be even stronger than I thought it was. How could I never have given him the credit he deserves?

Her deputy seemed to read her thoughts in her eyes. "Don't beat yourself up," he meowed urgently. "Just be better. From this moment forward. You can change for the better. I know you can, Ravenstar. I believe in you."

Ravenstar's heart twisted painfully, but then the agony eased to a tolerable ache. It wasn't completely gone, but the relief gave her a chance to breathe. She took a deep breath, closing her eyes. Behind her closed eyelids, she saw an image of Snowlight and Galeheart playing together in the Twoleg garden, free forever from their worries and strife. I did the right thing by letting him go, she thought, and that's a start. The thought was like walking into the shade after standing in the sun on a hot Greenleaf day.

She could sense the presence of Vipertail at her shoulder. I'm done working with you, she told the spirit. I'll never forget that you helped me, despite the fact that what we did together was wrong. And I'll never forget the lessons you taught me. But I have to take my own path from here. A path of light.

The spirit said nothing for a moment. Then her presence dissolved like dust blowing away in the wind. A sense of sudden peace enveloped Ravenstar, holding her in its embrace.

She opened her eyes again, determination blazing through her. Her sorrow was its fuel, she knew, but in time she would heal. She would no longer be broken.

And that's enough for me.