We are now heading towards the end of Iceclaw's Destiny (aka the start of the climax)! I gotta thank everyone for their reviews, PM's and views! Keep checking back, Windclan's stories aren't done yet!
Iceclaw found himself in a boggy, smelly, withered forest. Looking up, there was nothing but a bleak, dark sky. Something about this place seems familiar, he thought as he trekked down the musty path. Whispers filled with hatred questioned him. The inky shadows ahead of him parted like a curtain, revealing a shaggy tortoiseshell cat, grinning with malice.
"Welcome back Dark warrior." She purred, pressing her fur against his. He shivered and tried to not gag against the smell of death. "You've kept me waiting long enough." She sat down on the forest floor. "Come here."
Iceclaw pushed himself forward. "Mapleshade." He addressed holding his head high. "I have nothing to do with you here." He swept his tail towards the darkness behind him. "I made my choice to protect my clan; there is nothing for me here."
Mapleshade laughed, causing the sounds of the other unseen cats to silence. "I could flay you for those…pitiful words my dear Iceclaw." She glared at him, "Are you sure you still don't wish to work with us? I wouldn't stop myself or my warriors from killing you this time."
"Mapleshade, that's enough." Out of the darkness, Jayfeather stepped through, his eyes blazing in fury. "You lost your battle moons ago, when the Four took you and your "clan" apart. Leave this cat alone, he refused to help you already." Jayfeather held her stare as she stood up slowly.
"Very well Jayfeather, Iceclaw." She gritted her teeth in anger. "You have turned me down it seems….but I don't take second thoughts. You're against me, which mean in all the power I have I will end you." Mapleshade and the dark forest began to disappear as Jayfeather dipped his head. Without speaking, he flicked his tail at Iceclaw to follow. Wordlessly they moved through a field, where the grass was lush, mice ran plump and starshine smelled like stone. A young dappled she-cat dipped her head towards Iceclaw.
"I had a feeling you two would seek me out." She said as she waved her tail.
Jayfeather dipped his head and welcomed her. "Frostwhisker. How has your hunting been?"
"It has been fine, but I sense the darkness is growing restless." She glanced at Iceclaw. "Will you freeze over the darkness once and for all?"
"How do I stop Mapleshade and the Dark Forest?" He blurted out. "I don't want them to destroy everything I love!"
Frostwhisker twitched her whiskers and looked at Iceclaw in the eyes. "Remember," She said as Jayfeather, Starclan and herself began to fade, "When light is blotted out and the heat is gone, look to the ice to help you."
That's exactly what Spottedstar said! "Wait!" He called out but no one answered. "Tell me more!"
"Iceclaw!"
Featherpelt's distraught voice quickly brought Iceclaw out of his sleep. "What's wrong Featherpelt?" Her eyes were wide and glassed over in fear, sadness and trauma. What she said next to him froze him in his wake.
"Sunstrike… She went out hunting on the early patrol and chased off after a rabbit. She was found by the lake, her neck was broken. Oh Iceclaw I'm so sorry!" She buried her nose in his fur.
"That wasn't an accident," He replied gritting his teeth. "Mapleshade killed her because I refused to join her." He stood up and licked her cheek quickly. "I need to see Spottedstar." Racing over to Spottedstar's nest, he saw her talking to Leaftail, one of the elders and her mate Darkblaze. "Spottedstar." He dipped his head. "I just heard the news."
"I've sent Echoleaf to get Ivypool for you. I know you know Mapleshade did this." Her voice cracked in grief. "We are preparing for her vigil now." They walked over to Sunstrike's body. Her eyes stared sightlessly into the sky, and her face contorted into a snarl, as if attacking something as she died. Featherpelt walked up solemnly and pressed her fur against his.
"I know we can get through this," She whispered. "We've been through a lot together."
"I know and I thank you for everything Featherpelt. I don't feel as lonely when I am around you." He purred, entwining his tail with hers. As they pressed their pelts together in vigil, Iceclaw stooped down to touch his mother's fur. I will avenge your death, he vowed silently as the warriors carried her off to bury her.
"Okay don't be afraid to act like a rogue either Iceclaw. She and the others will be vicious and won't stop at anything to rip out your throat." Days went by and Iceclaw began learning tactics to attack and defend. He kept his mind on taking out the clan's biggest threat. He twisted his body to avoid Ivypool's claws. Using his tail he knocked her over and pushed his paw lightly on her throat. "Good one!" She batted him playfully. "A little more and you'll be ready. Go back to the clan now and rest. May Starclan Light your path!"
Iceclaw rushed back to the clan in time to order out the patrols the way Sedgewhisker taught him. As he completed his tasks, he grabbed a crow and took it into the nursery, where Featherpelt was making her nest. "I figured you'd be hungry," He said as he spat out the feathers adding, "And would want some feathers for the nest." He eyed her gently swollen belly and pressed his nose against it. "Pretty soon the tough warriors will come!"
"Soon enough!" She laughed, and then grew serious. "How is the training going?" She tilted her head.
"Quite well. I'll be ready to confront Mapleshade myself pretty soon." He stretched his paws out and unsheathed his claws. Soon Sunstrike, he thought, soon I'll bring you peace. He sat there in a daze as Featherpelt licked his back gently, until Honeyfrost burst through the nursery.
"Iceclaw!" She panted, "Dovewing is here! The Dark Forest is coming!"
"Get back Featherpelt!" He gently pushed her into the nest. "Stay safe please. I don't want to lose you." As she huddled in the back with Nigtwing and her kits, Iceclaw raced out to Dovewing, who looked nervous and determined.
"I brought Lionblaze, Jayfeather, Ivypool and Bumblestripe with me." She gestured to the cats. "I hear them…. They are coming!"
"Suprise Iceclaw." Mapleshade stepped out of the shadows with an onslaught of Dark Forest warriors. "I told you we'd be back. It's time to die!"