*wipes sweat off brow* Alright so I honestly thought I'd be closer to wrapping up the story by now, but by the way this story is progressing, its clear we've got a few more chapters yet until I can wrap it up and begin the sequel.

That being said, I will need cats from ThunderClan and WindClan more than ever, especially for the sequel, so please do submit some OC's if you have any in mind! (I promise I won't kill them all off this time T-T )

Chapter 21

The group padded silently back over ShadowClan's border. Hidinglight realized with a flash of hope that the scent markers were still fresh. She had been silently worried about coming back to an empty camp, like the one from her dream many moons ago. Or worse, coming back to find the last of ShadowClan dying, just as they had in RiverClan. But if cats were still patrolling the borders, there must still be some cats to save.

Bravekit padded by her side. She hadn't said it, but in the moon they'd been gone, he'd grown to nearly three times his size. He no longer complained about his legs being tired from the long travels, and it seemed that nothing had dampened his bright spirit. When Hidinglight had gently informed the kit that they needed to go back, he had accepted it without a complaint, asking if their mission from StarClan was over. The tortoiseshell warrior had informed him that it had only just begun, and Bravekit seemed to hold a seriousness unlike many kits of his age, sensing the importance of their travels.

Sparrowdawn pressed against her pelt, sharing a knowing look, and Hidinglight forced her fur to lie flat. Despite the assurances from the fresh scent markers, she still felt cold to the tip of her tail with worry over what they would find.

Bubble stopped, tail flicking curiously, jaws opening to taste the air. "I smell ShadowClan," She mewed certainly, and Hidinglight cautiously sniffed the air. The tiny she-cat was right. She shot Bubble an admiring look; Nettlefire had been training her in an unofficial apprenticeship, and she showed great promise and determination in her skills.

Sparrowdawn's eyes narrowed. "Just one cat," He announced, and as if on cue, a blurred grey shape threw itself at the tom, fur bushed out and claws unsheathed. Hidinglight jumped back, startled. "Rainpaw!" She mewed in surprise. Instantly recognizing the cats, the dark grey tabby she-cat hopped off of Sparrowdawn, though her pelt continued to stand on end and her eyes glimmered with fury. "You abandoned us!" She hissed towards the cats, gaze flicking from Hidinglight to Sparrowdawn. She seemed not to notice Bubble and Nettlefire.

Bravekit stepped forward, seeming unconcerned by the she-cat's fury. "We were on a mission from StarClan!" He squeaked, and Hidinglight cringed. In a way, it turned out that they had been, but leaving with no intention of returning had been Sparrowdawn's idea, and that was what he had told the Bravekit in order to get him to come with.

Rainpaw glanced at the cats surrounding her, eyes narrowed doubtfully. "Well, whatever. I'm sure Webstar will love to hear the real reason you all," She emphasized the last word, flicking her gaze towards Nettlefire, "abandoned your Clan in the times of greatest need. And, Hidinglight, my name's not Rainpaw anymore. It's Rainpoppy."

Hidinglight blinked towards the dark grey she-cat, a purr rumbling in her throat. "Congratulations! I'm sorry I couldn't be here for your ceremony." Rainpoppy stared at the tortoiseshell intensely, gaze unreadable. "I'm sorry too," She mewed curtly, whirling around and dashing towards the direction of the Clan. The group shared glances before rushing to catch up to the she-cat, and Hidinglight went as fast as she could while still staying beside Bravekit.

When they entered the camp, Hidinglight noticed with sinking dread that it was nearly silent. The scent of cats was much more faint than it had been when they had left, indicating the small number of cats remaining in the Clan. She watched as a small dark grey tom with white tipped ears bounded over to Rainpoppy, eyes alight with excitement at the sight of the she-cat. "Rainpoppy! How was border patrol?" He mewed, tail twitching with excitement, and Rainpoppy puffed out her chest, standing a little taller at the younger toms attention. "Nothing amiss, Wildpaw. I found these traitors," She shot her gaze towards the group, eyes narrowed, "Inside our border. How's Webstar?"

Hidinglight's jaw dropped. Rainpoppy had done the border patrol by herself? The situation was worse than she had imagined. At the mention of their leader, Wildpaw's gaze strayed to his paws, shuffling them uneasily, tail drooping. "Butterflypaw says he's losing another life," The formerly excited tom mewed with barely a whisper. Beside Bubble, Nettlefire's gaze darkened, and he burst forward towards the leader's den, ignoring protests from Rainpoppy. Bubble and Sparrowdawn were right behind him.

"Wildpaw!" Hidinglight called towards the dark grey tom, and he looked towards her curiously, eyes lighting up with excitement. "Hidinglight! It's so good to see you again!" He bounded over to the she-cat, nuzzling her briefly. Hidinglight purred. "It's good to see you too, Wildpaw. An apprentice now! Can you stay with Bravekit for a moment while we go visit Webstar?" The apprentice nodded, nosing Bravekit affectionately. The cream and white kit purred, green eyes alight as if nothing had changed since they'd left the Clan.

Seeing that Bravekit was in good paws with his friend, Hidinglight followed the rest of her group (Rainpoppy complaining under her breath behind her) and entered the leader's den. Butterflypaw stood alone beside Webstar, gaze darkened with worry as he struggled for each breath. "Butterflypaw, where's Halfmoon?" Sparrowdawn demanded, and the grey-blue she-kit looked up in surprise, as if she hadn't noticed them enter. Her eyes echoed sadness and wisdom beyond her years, and Hidinglight felt her chest tighten for the small she-cat. "She's got Cold Paw. She's in the medicine den."

Nettlefire pushed forward, gently nosing his adopted father, but the black striped tom barely responded. "How many lives is this now, Butterflypaw?" The spiky furred tom demanded after a moment. Butterflypaw dipped her head, her breathing shaky with fear. "He'll only have two left after this," She whispered. Bubble pressed her pelt to Nettlefire's reassuringly, her copper eyes sympathetic.

Just two lives left? Hidinglight stumbled backwards in shock. She'd known their leader had lost quite a few to Cold Paw already, but how could he have lost so many in just a moon? Webstar's breathing became ragged and shallow, shuddering and struggling with each breath. A choking sound echoed from his throat and Hidinglight looked away, pressing her nose into Sparrowdawn's pelt, unable to watch as her beloved mentor took his last breath and fell still.

Beside them, Rainpoppy was bristling, her emotions emanating off of her in waves. "You never should have left!" She yowled, whirling on the returning cats. "We lost almost everyone! Smokekit, Heathershade, Quicktuft, Eagletail..." Her voice choked on the last name, and Hidinglight recalled with horror that Quicktuft was Rainpoppy's mentor, and Eagletail was Rainpoppy's father. On top of that, she had not heard yet about Runningleaf's fate.

Sparrowdawn was tense by Hidinglight's side. "And Emberfall?" He asked hesitantly, voice breaking. Rainpoppy shook her head. "Emberfall is here. He's training Wildpaw. He's been having to do almost all of the hunting himself. We've been starving." Her voice shook.

"Has there been any word from ThunderClan or WindClan?" Hidinglight asked, the fur on her spine bristling. ShadowClan had grown so small. They were almost too late. Was the same true for the other Clans?

"No. No Clan has been going to the gatherings - Webstar or Emberfall have checked. But ThunderClan still renews their scent markers."

Hidinglight swiveled her gaze to her mentor's still body. Silence weighed heavily in the den, before Webstar's breathing picked up again, slow and steady. She let out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. Butterflypaw dragged a soaking piece of moss, bringing it towards their leader's face, and Hidinglight stiffened.

"No!" She yowled, leaping forward and shoving the moss out of the way. Butterflypaw leaped back in surprise and Webstar's eyes blinked open, confusion heavy in his gaze. "Where did you get that water?" Hidinglight demanded to the wide eyed apprentice. "T-The lake, where else?" Butterflypaw mewed. The warrior shook her head. "We can't drink out of the lake, or any water around here anymore. That's where Cold Paw has been coming from in the first place! That's why RiverClan was taken by the illness first!" Hidinglight's pelt bristled, standing over her leader protectively.

Rainpoppy's eyes widened. "What? How do you know that?" She demanded. Hidinglight raised her hazel eyes to meet the young warrior's. "I had Cold Paw when we left," She announced. "Just the beginning of it. By the time I lost control of my hind legs, I was captured by a twoleg. While staying there, they gave me these bitter herbs and I regained control of my legs. The kittypet there told me that the water in the area holds an illness that makes cats and many animals very sick, unless if something is done to make the water healthy."

Webstar stirred from beneath her, and Hidinglight jumped out of the way, dipping her head respectfully to her old mentor. The striped tom scrambled to his paws. She was amazed at how agile he seemed, when just a moment before he hadn't the strength to even breathe. "If what you say is true, the other Clans need to be warned immediately. If we have a chance to defeat this illness, then we must take it."

Butterflypaw's small voice hovered above the den. "Does this mean that if the sick cats stop drinking the lake water, Halfmoon will recover?" Hidinglight looked into the small apprentice's wide, hopeful eyes, and a pang echoed in her chest. The she-cat didn't want to be ShadowClan's only medicine cat; she was scarcely old enough to be apprenticed, and couldn't have been training with Halfmoon for more than a moon.

"I don't know," Hidinglight answered honestly, "But we have to try."

Nettlefire stepped forward, expression pensive. "How will we get water that won't kill us? Other than the bit of rain we get, our only water source is the lake and the streams surrounding it." Butterflypaw's ears perked up, and she looked towards Hidinglight hopefully. "Do you think the water at the moonpool is healthy? Surely StarClan's water wouldn't be tainted with this illness?"

Sparrowdawn lashed his tail from beside Rainpoppy. "There's no way we could travel to the moonpool nearly as often as we would have to in order to get water for the Clan. On top of this, we shouldn't take any risks until we know for sure," He mused. He fixed his amber gaze on Webstar. "StarClan has been with us this entire time," Sparrowdawn mewed, shooting a meaningful glance towards Hidinglight. "We've had a long journey and there will be time to share more about it later, but I have faith that StarClan will guide us from this darkness." The striped leader nodded thoughtfully. "The cool night will light the sky with stars before the sun rises. Perhaps it is time for the sun to rise."

After a few more words, the group disbanded, with Nettlefire and Bubble being ordered to travel to spread the message to WindClan and ThunderClan. Before the pair left, Bubble turned towards Rainpoppy, a sorrowful expression heavy in her copper eyes. "Rainpoppy, about Runningleaf-"

The dark grey tabby waved her tail to silence the small she-cat. "I don't want to know, Bubble. I really don't." Her voice shook with pain, and Hidinglight couldn't imagine what the she-cat was feeling. Rainpoppy had lost everything except for her Clan.

Hidinglight tore her gaze away, scanning the clearing until she spotted her cream and white kit, playing with a dark grey she-kit with a white tipped tail. She purred, padding over to the kit. "Fidgetkit! I'm glad to see that you're healthy," She mewed.

The grey she-kit turned towards Hidinglight, her chest puffing out with pride. "My name is Riverkit now, because I'm the sole survivor of RiverClan. Webstar said that nothing has more life and movement than that of a river." Her eyes beamed. "Rainpoppy said she was going to try and teach me to swim when I'm an apprentice, so that I can pass on RiverClan's traditions."

Bravekit bumbled over to the she-kit excitedly. "Me too! I want to learn to swim too!" Hidinglight purred at the pair's friendship. It truly was as if they hadn't ever left. Her gaze traveled towards the medicine den, where Butterflypaw and Nettlefire were disappearing to, and her heart sank, reminding her of the cold truth.

"Let all cats of ShadowClan gather here beneath the great rock for a meeting!"

Hidinglight blinked from the clouds of her sleep, lifting a weary head where she lay beside Sparrowdawn, Bravekit, and Riverkit. The dark grey she-kit jumped up immediately, as if she'd been accustomed to the changed announcement, and the cream and white kit was short on her heels, following her around like an admiring puppy.

Hidinglight rose to her paws, untangling herself from Sparrowdawn and stretching her legs before padding out into the clearing. A light rain had begun to drizzle into the camp, and to Hidinglight's surprise, dried moss lay in many areas, presumably to catch the rainwater. That's a good idea, She mused.

The clearing was lit up by the first shades of dawn, and the group that gathered beneath Webstar was incredibly meek, featuring only Emberfall, Rainpoppy, Nettlefire, Sparrowdawn, and herself for warriors; Butterflypaw sitting at the base of the rock (Halfmoon was still in the medicine den); Wildpaw sitting beside the youngest warrior, staring admiringly; Bubble sitting beside the spiky furred warrior, pelt pressed to his; and of course the remaining kits of the Clan, Bravekit and Riverkit. The two youngest members puffed their chests out proudly, as if excited to be included in a meeting they normally were left out of.

Webstar stared down at his Clan, clearly noticing how small the group had grown as well. A deep sadness echoed in his gaze before he turned his head towards Butterflypaw.

"Yesterday, Hidinglight and Sparrowdawn informed us of their discoveries outside of the Clan; that this illness is living in the very water we drink. We have lost many cats, and as the prophecy sent by StarClan has said, the cold night has indeed lit the sky with stars. But Sparrowdawn assured me yesterday that StarClan has not abandoned us, and they will show us the way. Sure enough, last night, Butterflypaw recieved a dream from StarClan. Butterflypaw, would you like to tell them about it?"

The grey and white apprentice stepped forward, looking a little nervous, though her eyes were filled with determination. "Last night, I dreamed that I was standing beside the lake during leaf-bare. I could see many stars reflected on the lake, and after a long moment, four bubbles rose from beneath the surface and floated into the air, merging into one. The air around me got colder, and blew with snow, but this bubble drifted away from the lake, in the direction of the low moon, and I followed it. The further I followed the bubble, the brighter and warmer the landscape seemed to get, until it was brighter even than sun-high in greenleaf."

Hidinglight stared in shock as the tiny apprentice described her dream. With a start, she recalled that StarClan hadn't visited her since she'd lost her kits. Perhaps, now that ShadowClan had a leader and medicine cat that followed the will of StarClan, their starry ancestors were ready to guide them. Hidinglight felt a pang of regret at the thought that she might not see her ancestors again, but the thought that Butterflypaw was being guided by StarClan filled her with fierce hope.

"I have discussed this with Halfmoon and Butterflypaw, and we have decided to take the meaning of the dream literally. Bubble, you have shown yourself to be guided by something beyond us; whether that be your ancestors, StarClan, or something else. It is my belief that you are the one to guide us away from the lake and Cold Paw, into a new area where we will be safe from this illness." Nettlefire's eyes widened with shock, and he glanced over towards the tiny she-cat in alarm, but she merely raised her head in determination, as if she had somehow known this ahead of time.

Webstar dipped his head to her before continuing. "I also believe that it is our duty to combine our Clan with what is left of RiverClan, WindClan, and ThunderClan, much as we had during the great journey. When Nettlefire and Bubble visited the two remaining Clans, they were in a similar state as us; Cold Paw had ravaged their camp and taken many lives. Both Clans are left without an official leader, as both the deputies and leaders died before a new one could be appointed. I believe that if we tell what's left of ThunderClan and WindClan about Butterflypaw's vision, they will not hesitate to join us. I think her vision is telling us that four Clans must become one, once and for all, in order to survive."

Nettlefire was the first one to speak up. Fur bristling and tail lashing, he bared his teeth. "That's ridiculous! We can't form a Clan with those rabbit-eaters and fox-hearts!" Webstar swiveled his gaze towards the tom, eyes burning with an anger Hidinglight had never seen in her mentor. "What do you suggest? Trying to build a Clan from our meager remnants? If there ever was a time to band together, that time is now, when all Clans are on the brink of extinction. Now is not the time to worry about borders and who belongs to which Clan. StarClan is one Clan; after our devastating loss, we all need to be as well," Webstar hissed, and Nettlefire glared at his adoptive father for a long moment before dipping his head in resignation.

"My loyalty is to StarClan and the warrior code," Nettlefire mewed, flicking his ears. "The warrior code insisted the Clans remain separate but coexisting, but I'm willing to acknowledge that those who made the warrior code might never have imagined an illness so bad that it wiped out almost all of the Clans. I stand by your decision, Webstar."

Webstar nodded, the fury vanishing from his gaze, and he looked out towards his Clanmates. "Very well then. Myself, Rainpoppy and Hidinglight, will go to ThunderClan to convince and gather the remaining cats. Emberfall, Sparrowdawn, and Wildpaw will go to WindClan. That leaves Nettlefire, Bubble, Butterflypaw, and of course Bravekit and Riverkit to defend the Clan. Does everyone agree?" Hidinglight stifled a mrrrooow of laughter at the statement; those two kits wouldn't be very formidable opponents, but they also didn't likely have any enemies strong enough to bother attacking the ShadowClan camp, no matter how weakened the proud Clan had become.

Hidinglight gazed out at her Clanmates, a mixture of sorrow and pride filling her heart. Their Clan had grown to be so small during this illness. She only hoped that, with the guidance of StarClan, they would find the future they were hoping for.

"What exactly are you saying?"

Hidinglight forced her pelt to remain flat as she stood beside Webstar and Rainpoppy in the ThunderClan camp. Their camp was just as meager as ShadowClan's, and it seemed that their medicine cat had joined StarClan as well. There didn't seem to be an official leader, and it was clear with the wide eyes and thin frames that they were struggling to keep the Clan together without the most vital parts of a Clan.

"StarClan sent our medicine cat apprentice a vision. It suggested that we need to leave the lake as one Clan if we want to survive Cold Paw," Webstar mewed, raising his head high. The cats gathered around appeared frightened and uncertain. "Leave the lake?" One cried, "But StarClan guided us here in the first place so that we would be safe."

"Clearly that's not the case anymore," Rainpoppy snapped, tail lashing. Hidinglight was taken aback by the she-cat's harshness. Losing her family had obviously had a profound impact on her bright and energetic personality.

Webstar shot the she-cat a warning look, before returning his gaze to the cats in front of him. "We all have lost kin and Clanmates these last few moons, when it seemed even StarClan wouldn't guide us. It is our duty as warriors to remain faithful and attentive to the signs they send us. I don't believe there is any other way for us to continue in the way we have been, with so many lost Clanmates, without a major change."

The ThunderClan cats murmured amongst themselves, before a single cat stepped forward; a white she-cat with one blue eye and one brown eye. "We'll go," She mewed. Webstar dipped his head. "You are all welcome to come to the ShadowClan camp so that we can regroup."

A reddish brown tabby ThunderClan tom snorted, and Hidinglight figured that he didn't look much older than an apprentice. "Why is ShadowClan in charge?" He demanded, bristling. The white she-cat pawed him over the head with a glare. "Robinstar's dead, Redpaw. We don't have a deputy or a medicine cat. We're hardly in a position to argue about what StarClan wants us to do." The white she-cat dipped her head towards Webstar respectfully. "Webstar, you have been a noble and loyal warrior for all of your life. ThunderClan will come with you on this journey. Only the future will tell what is to come after that."

To Brownfurfics and Wyldclaw: Welcome! I'm always glad to see new people in the reviews! I hope you enjoy the story as much as I've enjoyed writing it!

To The MoonClanner: That's really cool, is the cat with the sort of tree shape on his back a black and white cat? I know I've seen cats with heart shaped splotches and whatnot that were black and white or calico, so I'd be willing to have that kit be a cat with a shape that looks somewhat like a tree if that's the case. Let's brainstorm some more ideas for Secretkit's name. There are some really cool names alongside the canon that would fit your cat/OC that could be important to you. What do you think of these: Whisperkit, Mistkit, Dawnkit, Quietkit, or Echokit? I think those names are all pretty cool, but I want that character to have a name you like as well since they're Bubble's kits. I also think it would be good for one of her kits to be named Shadowkit, in remembrance of ShadowClan. (Her kits will probably be one of the first born in the sequel) Which kit would you prefer take that name? Shadedkit's name seems most similar to the name Shadowkit, but I'll leave the decision up to you.

Congrats on the kittens! Both my cats are fixed so if I ever have a cat with kittens it will probably just be a fostered pregnant cat. They're so adorable when they're little balls of floof.