"Splash down in the silver screen, Into a deep dramatic scene, I swim through the theater, Or maybe I'm just a dreamer, Like a kite in the bright midday, Wonder stole my breath away, Shy sonata for Mercury, The stars always sing so pretty..." Dreams Don't Turn To Dust, Owl City

Chapter 24

Darkness crept over Iceshadow like a blanket. She felt a shiver run down her back. This forest was beginning to get eerily familiar to her. Blackstripe had not visited her over the past few days, but that was because she had worked tirelessly since becoming a warrior.

And now she had this to worry about on top of Nightfeather and her rogues. There was so much at stake right now. Half of the Clan didn't trust her, and the half that did was risking their lives to trust her. Iceshadow almost wished that she had stayed in MoonClan. Maybe none of this would have happened. Maybe she would be a normal warrior with a normal life.

Yet I have these stupid powers that so far don't do anything to help me, she thought bitterly. Why do I have these powers if I can't even use them?

She had thought about telling the Clan about her powers. But there was enough trouble going on as it was. She didn't want to make things any worse than they already were. Iceshadow only hoped she wouldn't have to use her powers when it came to fighting Nightfeather.

"Iceshadow, it's good to see you again." Blackstripe's rasping purr sent more shivers down her spine. She dipped her head as he approached her out of the shadows. "You are a warrior at last. But that does not mean your training here can end," he added in a low hiss.

"I understand that," she replied. Before she could say anything else Blackstripe suddenly lashed out at her muzzle with his claws. Pain seared through her as she stumbled back from the surprise. Amusement gleamed within Blackstripe's eyes as he watched her curse under her breath. "What was that for?" she demanded, voice as cold as her namesake.

"To make sure that you don't do this again," he snapped. "Every apprentice here must learn that the hard way. Be thankful your punishment wasn't more painful, I could have done much more to you than you could imagine."

For the first time since she started this training, fear wormed it's way into her heart. This was no StarClan forest. She would not have felt pain if that were the case. And she doubted StarClan warriors were this cruel to their apprentices, if they had any.

Iceshadow was too lost for words as Blackstripe led her to the training area. Her heart raced as she thought of how to escape from this place. If Blackstripe was this dangerous than she couldn't imagine what the other cats in this forest were like.

"Can we try something new tonight?" Iceshadow suddenly asked. Her ears flattened when Blackstripe glared at her, but he didn't say no. He just sat down with his tail wrapped neatly over his paws as he waited for her to speak.

Taking a deep breath, Iceshadow focused on her powers. She had learned some time ago to concentrate deeply on it. That was the only way she could really control it. Blackstripe's eyes narrowed into tiny slits when the air suddenly got colder.

He didn't get the chance to say anything as an icy blast was hurtled towards him. His eyes widened in disbelief before he was frozen on the spot. Iceshadow felt her heart nearly skip a beat when she realized that patches of the forest were frozen over as well. This had never happened before as far as she could tell.

If I freeze the forest than the Dark Forest will stop hurting the Clans, she realized. Even if it was only temporary she could stop the Dark Forest, for now. With that in mind Iceshadow raced forward, not even glancing back as she began freezing everything her paws touched. She only hoped that when Blackstripe freed himself from the ice, he wouldn't go after her for revenge.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you." Iceshadow skidded to a halt when she felt claws gripping her shoulder. She let out a yowl of surprise when she saw a pale looking cat glaring at her. "This battle is far from over, kit," the cat sneered.

Iceshadow glared at the enemy, but she dared not say anything. She knew the path she was treading would be a dangerous one. And there was no escaping the Dark Forest once they got a hold of her. She was going to have to fight her way through, powers or no powers.

. . .

Worry clouded Shadepelt's thoughts. He paced around the cave as he thought of what Icepaw was up to nowadays. Or what any of his kits were up to. It felt like moons had passed since he'd made that promise to Frostwing. To keep their kits safe no matter what happened to him. But now they had all taken their own paths.

"Will you stop that pacing?" Rowanfire hissed. "I'm getting tired of seeing you act this way, mousebrain."

Shadepelt was about to make a retort when he realized that she was actually concerned for him. Rowanfire had never shown such emotions towards anyone. She was the one who always started arguments or thought that she was always right.

"I'm just worried, about the border fights," he muttered crossly. It was partly true. StreamClan had been strangely quiet since the last border fight, which was nearly four days ago. The whole Clan was beginning to wonder if Sandstar had finally given up.

It would serve the mousebrain right if he thought he could take our borders, Shadepelt thought with a roll of his eyes. By leadership terms Sandstar was old. He was deputy when Redstar became MoonClan's leader. Maybe old age was starting to get to him.

"Something else is bothering you," Rowanfire snorted. She was licking the back of her paw as if this conversation meant nothing to her.

It probably didn't mean anything to her. Why she was wasting her time chatting with a 'lower life form' was beyond Shadepelt. Maybe she was finally beginning to mature. It had taken her long enough if that was the case.

"I'll be fine," he growled. Rowanfire looked at him in surprise before shrugging.

"Whatever you say, mousebrain," she scoffed.

Shadepelt didn't bother saying anything else. Though he had to admit that Rowanfire was right. He was always worrying about his kits and what they were up to these days. He knew that eventually they would find out who their birth parents were, if they hadn't discovered that already.

Only Raincloud and Bluelightning knew about his secret. And Raincloud was always disappearing in the middle of the night to who knows where. Her brother was busy tending to the wounded after the battle at the border.

He actually hadn't seen Raincloud in days now. Every now and than he would spot her leaving for a patrol. But lately she had been so distant towards the Clan. He had a feeling that she was meeting with someone. Memory told him that was exactly what was going on.

You can't control who you fall in love with. It just... happens. Shadepelt flinched as he remembered that was what Frostwing had told him when they were still apprentices. For the longest time he kept telling himself that it was wrong, that they were breaking the warrior code. Eventually Shadepelt just learned to accept it as his destiny. If falling in love was what StarClan had wanted for him, than he would follow his heart.

. . .

Panic gripped Iceshadow's heart as she steadied herself. The pale gray she-cat's lips curled in a snarl of contempt. This cat was determined to get the best of her. Already she had received several wounds to the shoulder and muzzle. If this kept up she wouldn't escape.

"Still think you can get away from me?" the pale gray she-cat sneered. "I am stronger, faster and better than you will ever be!" Without missing a heartbeat she lunged forward, claws scraping along the edge of Iceshadow's fur. Iceshadow moved away just in time to avoid receiving more wounds.

"Who are you?" Iceshadow demanded. Her teeth ground together as the slender she-cat moved swiftly to the side, avoiding a blast of icy cold wind.

"You don't even recognize me? How pathetic," the she-cat hissed. "My name is Silverstar. I was leader of FireClan before those fools decided to take me down."

Iceshadow's eyes widened at the name. Silverstar. She was the one who had ordered the attack on StreamClan. It was her who decided to kidnap Sandstar's kits, so that he would obey her every command. And it was her who nearly destroyed all of the Clans in the valley.

"What do you want with me?" she rasped after realizing just how dangerous her enemy was. StarClan wasn't here to help her. She was on her own.

"Nightfeather was wise in finding you," Silverstar explained. "She knew the potential you have, and yet you throw it away by following those mousebrains you call your Clanmates." With a wave of her tail she suddenly lunged forward again. This time Iceshadow leaped to the side, narrowly avoiding getting crushed. "Imagine how glorious the Clans would be if they were united as one, under one leader we would have no enemies!"

She bared her teeth at Silverstar as the former leader rose to her paws again. "I would never let that happen," she snarled. "The Clans will always have enemies, and they would never agree to uniting as one!"

Silverstar's eyes flashed with malice. The hate within them sent shivers of rage down Iceshadow's back. She almost wished that none of this would have happened. Silverstar was a cruel leader who didn't deserve a second chance.

"Do you honestly believe that?" she growled. When Iceshadow nodded, Silverstar let out a purr of amusement. "You are more of a fool than I realized. The Clans weren't always four Clans. At one time they were one. And it can be done again."

Before Iceshadow could say anything else, Silverstar raised a claw and swiped it across the back of her cheek, knocking her off her paws. The pain that followed blocked out her vision. Silverstar saw the opportunity and pounced, wasting no time in getting her revenge.

AN: So that was a fun cliffie to write. And the plot is finally back in action. Yes, I did randomly leave that scene with Shadepelt like that on purpose. He will have another couple of chapters before I'm done with him ;) Thanks to Willowdream of ForestClan and Cookies and Cream for reviewing!