Ivypool

Ivypool looked around her and blinked in amazement. The battle was over. The prophecy was over.

It was all finally over.

She let out a jubilant cry and the rest of the cats took it up too. The battle was won!

Suddenly someone barreled into Ivypool. She bristled, then laughed when her cheek was attacked by licks. "Bumblestripe, you lump, get off!" She purred and then tackled him, pressing her muzzle against his. "It's all finally over," She said softly.

Bumblestripe nodded. "And we can finally be together forever."

Ivypool nodded and licked his cheek. Suddenly, there was a yowl and Ivypool was thrown off of Bumblestripe. "Hollypaw!" She gasped.

The apprentice purred. "I did it! I go the Summoning Howl!"

Ivypool noticed a silver wolf behind her, and felt her claws unsheathe nervously.

Hollypaw shook her head. "No, it's okay! This is Kipcha, and she's the one who howled. She saved us all."

Ivypool dipped her head to the she-wolf. "The thanks of StarClan goes with you." She meowed. "Your wolves saved us all. You were the Saviors of the prophecy."

Kipcha let out a growl that sounded strangely like a purr. "Happy to be of service. Hollypaw is a wonderful cat." She gazed fondly at the apprentice, who shuffled her paws.

Ivypool nodded. "Yes, yes she is!"

Around her, cats were speaking with members of StarClan, new and old. Ivypool was devastated to see some of the cats. Firestar was among them, as well as Squirrelflight, Sandstorm, Cloudtail and Brightheart. Cats from other Clans were there as well. But Ivypool was happy to see the cats who survived. Violetpaw and Hickorypaw rushed around the clearing, yowling happily. Bumblestripe, who was right in front of her. Ivypool saw Graystripe nuzzle his son, Stormfur, and touch noses with Featherpaw and Whisper.

Ivypool took a deep, happy breath. "Over," She repeated.

Lionblaze- no, Lionstar- was going around and checking out ThunderClan cats. He passed by her and flicked her ear with his tail. "Good job," He murmured.

"Thanks," She said softly.

Hollypaw snorted. "What about me? You know, the Dark One who let the wolves out?"

Lionstar purred and pressed his nose into his daughter's ear. "You did wonderfully." He raised his head, then looked at Ivypool. "Do you think she has earned her warrior name?" He asked.

Ivypool nodded. "A million times over."

Lionstar let out a loud yowl. "Cats of StarClan! I ask you to see this apprentice, for she has worked hard to learn your ways and the way of the warrior code." His voice softened. "I commend her as a warrior to you in turn. Hollypaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?"

Hollypaw raised her head. "I do!" She said proudly.

Lionstar smiled. "Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Hollypaw, from this moment you will be known as-"

"Wait," Hollypaw said softly. "I want to be known as Hollypool. For Ivypool. It is because of her I am the warrior I am today."

Lionstar blinked, then nodded. "A noble request. From this moment you will be known as Hollypool. StarClan honors your bravery and loyalty, and we welcome you as a full warrior of ThunderClan."

Cats and wolves from StarClan, the Tribe and other Clans called out her name. "Hollypool! Hollypool! Hollypool!"

Hollypool closed her eyes and relished the moment. It was the proudest of her life.

Bluestar raised her tail for quiet. "These cats have both earned their worth." She said softly. "But now the wall between StarClan, the Dark Forest and the real world must be sealed."

"Does it?" One cat asked softly. "We could live among friends and Clanmates again."

Murmurs of agreement rose from the crowd, but a gray tom with splotches of white stood. "No," He said. "It is against the very laws of nature. StarClan must exist to protect our Clans."

"Well said, Sky." A large orange tabby with white paws meowed. "I agree."

"As do I, Thunder." Shadow said softly.

River and Wind nodded, and the rest of the Clans were in slight awe when they realized that the first ever Clan cats were in front of them.

"All right," Bluestar meowed. "It is time to seal the pathways."

Everyone was quiet. "How do we do that exactly?" Crookedstar asked.

Bluestar looked at Ivypool sadly. "I have to wake up in the Tribe of Endless Hunting, then find a way home, don't I?"

With a sad shake of her head, Bluestar rested her tail on Ivypool's shoulder. "Ivypool…the only way for the path to be closed is for you to die."

Ivypool took a step back, flattening her ears. "No," She whispered. "I can't. I have to stay with Bumblestripe, Hollypool, Violetpaw and Hickorypaw."

Bluestar shook her head. "I'm sorry, but this is the way it has to be."

Ivypool pricked her ears and bared her teeth. "You knew, didn't you? You knew that I would have to die for this to work." Bluestar said nothing. "No! I'm tired of being StarClan's pawn! I want a life of my own! I want my mate, and my kits. I want to live a normal life as a warrior of ThunderClan. I want. To be left. Alone!"

Bluestar bowed her head. "I'm sorry," Was all she said.

"No," Ivypool whispered again, tears streaming down her face. "No."

Fur brushed against her and she turned, leaning into Bumblestripe. "I don't want to die," She shook.

Bumblestripe rested his head on hers, and when he spoke his voice was broken. "I don't want you to die either. But…do we have any choice?"

Ivypool opened her mouth, but closed it again. She wanted to say yes. She wanted to tell StarClan no. But she couldn't. "No," she answered. "We don't."

Bluestar took a step forward and Ivypool bared her teeth again. "Give me a minute!" She snapped.

The blue-furred she-cat nodded and stepped away.

Ivypool pressed into Bumblestripe. "Where are Violetpaw and Hickorypaw?"

"Here," A small voice said behind her. Ivypool turned and saw her two kits sitting together, sadness in their eyes. "Are you going to leave?" Hickorykit asked.

Ivypool nodded. "I have to."

Tears welled in Hickorykit's eyes, and he ran forward, pressing into his mother. "I'm gonna miss you." He cried.

"I'll miss you too." Ivypool told him. "But I'll visit you, at the Moonpool. I promise."

Hickorykit nodded and backed away a little, letting Violetpaw forward. "Do you have to leave?" She whispered.

"Yes," Ivypool answered. "I'm sorry."

Violetpaw licked her mother's cheek. "I'll see you again, though, right?"

Ivypool smiled. "You bet. But it had better not be any time soon!"

Violetpaw chuckled, but her eyes sparkled with sadness. "It won't."

Bluestar stepped forward. "I'm sorry but…we have to do this soon. Before any Dark Forest cats come back."

Ivypool took a deep breath and nodded, turning around to see Whitewing, Dovewing and Hollypool behind her. "We'll miss you." Whitewing said softly, clearly trying to keep a hold of her emotions, but failing.

Dovewing swallowed. "You're a great sister, and I love you."

Hollypool's ears were back. "And an awesome mentor."

Ivypool stepped forward and was overwhelmed by her family. "I'll miss you all too," Her voice was muffled from behind surrounded by her family. "And I love you too. But we'll all be together again someday."

Dovewing nodded. "Someday."

With a small throat-clearing from Bluestar, Ivypool pulled away. "All right, I'm ready."

Bluestar was trembling when she came forward. "How…how should we do this?"

Ivypool shrugged, trying not to shake with fear. "What way is the least painful?"

A cat stepped forward, and Ivypool guessed it was an old medicine cat. "If you snapped her neck, she wouldn't feel a thing."

"Then do that," Ivypool said softly. Bluestar took a hesitant step forward, then another until she was in front of Ivypool. "I love you Bumblestripe," Ivypool meowed.

Tears ran down his face, and he nudged Violetpaw and Hickorypaw away. "I love you too."

Ivypool closed her eyes.