Hello people to what I think is the longest chapter of this story so far! Woohoo! I'm proud of it *^*

REVIEWS

Rainy Skies- Thank you so much! And no, this isn't quite over yet ;)

Jordan- Haha! We'll see how it turns out. I know how it goes, but I can't tell you yet! I'm always reading classic books for school so a thing I notice is that the thing that recalls gives story a story-like feeling is the use of a wide vocabulary and words that fit well but aren't what you'd hear in a usual conversation. So I'm trying to widen my writing vocabulary, but its pretty hard!

"Moonshine warriros"- I'm sorry! I just had to do it. I had to join the writing group of cruel authors that laugh at their readers sadness. I'm not even that sorry.

Shadowhawk540-2- She couldn't get out of them all! after all, she was just a kit. But I'm glad the twist sat well with you! I've been trying to be more bold.

Meepypolo- Oh no! well, at least you got through it. I love things that break the fourth wall! Its so fun ^^ But it has to be well done as well. When I get my own laptop I'll check it out for sure!

"ICMNTO"- Good, much faster to spell! I'm not sorry at all! I want you to be sad! haha! All the great writers make their readers sad and it creates empathy between the two. Of course, my writing isn't too great, so this is just a literary effort. But have fun in Florida! I haven't been there for forever.

Dawnfeather- Yep! It keeps things interesting and I though it was becoming a bit stale. Plus, its more fun to write like this!

goldenvine128- Don't worry! All in good time, all in good time! Don't worry, I won't leave the mountains she-cat's hanging! They'll get their time soon enough!

Chapter 35: Red Snow

The rush of the wind rose into a crescendo, cold and brisk as it rolled off the ice. Gray light made its way through closed eyelids as Boulderpaw foggily came through. He sat up- unsteady- and blinked in confusion at the dark gray light.

The wind shook the pine branches above him with noisy rustling and flashes of gray sky came through in the dimly lit forest. Shivering, he looked around at the silent forest. Churned snow, broken ferns, blood splatters. Everything rushed back to him upon these sights and Boulderpaw felt nauseous as he recalled the event.

He'd been following Scorch and this strange cat when it'd happened. A blur of black had shot down and slammed Scorch into the ground before he could gather a breath. The strange cat had disappeared as soon as it happened and Boulderpaw had wasted no time in throwing himself at the attacker the who he quickly realized was Crowpelt.

All his mistrust that he had supposed was unfounded had hardened. But he knew he was no match for the warrior, all his struggled were in vain and it was sheer luck that Crowpelt ended up tangled in a briar bush and allowed him time to grab Scorch and go in vain escape.

After that he'd headed for the lake, hoping to either lose or catch the attention of others in the immense openness of the lake. But he'd been injured and exhausted by then; Scorch even more so. Crowpelt had caught up and Boulderpaw gave the last of his strength to the fight.

He didn't know what had happened after that. Now he was here, all lone. Where was Scorch? Where was Crowpelt? What had happened? These questions weren't going to be answered by the age-old pines and he pushed himself to his paws, wincing slightly at the painful wounds on his chest and sides that burned like a hornet's sting.

Panting heavily, he started dragging his heavy paws toward camp. With any luck Scorch had made it there, she always seemed to be able to take care of himself. If they were even lucky, Crowpelt would be captured. That would be nice...

His legs wobbled and his breath came short as he floundered around in the drifts of snow. He continued on, he needed to get to camp. That was all. The dark light was slowly lightening and he realized it must be morning, though the gray cover kept things shrouded in dimness.

As he walked, absentminded, he became aware of a strange sound. More specifically, the strange lack of sound. Even the wind had died down and not a thing stirred but him. By now the sun must have cleared the horizon and his blue eyes scanned the area around him suspiciously. He had caught the faint scent of another cat.

"Come out, I know you're here," he rasped, surprised by how dry his mouth was and licking his muzzle.

Out stepped the cat, white and ginger paws brilliant against the gray snow and bright green eyes that could have almost been stars. "You," Boulderpaw growled, laying back his ears. She was the one that had disappeared when he and Scorch had needed help- besides that, he instinctively didn't like the way she looked, too much like Scorch.

"Boulderpaw," the voice was solemn, the bright eyes heavy but glowing with earnest. She had been all smiles when Scorch had introduced him, radiating with confidence and joy. But now she looked like a different cat with a serious expression that resulted from a dark conscience.

"I need you to listen to me," the cat continued, stepping forward.

Boulderpaw growled and in a flash of anger leaped at her, easily pinning the small cat down on her back beneath him. "You need to listen to me. You ran away when Scorch needed you, right after she told me she trusted you! How could you do that to a sweet cat like Scorch, she's too innocent to see the bad sides of cats- I know- but you're too young to fail at such a simple test of character!"

Boulderpaw ranted angrily, claws inching out and clasping the kit.

She stared up at him, eyes empty. "I was not using Scorch or being manipulative. But I have a duty, to see the future go forward as it is supposed to."

Her words made no sense to his marcid mind and he curled his claws tighter in exasperation. "Speak so that I understand you!"

The she-kit's eyes flashed. "Get off of me and maybe I'll make more sense!"

"Why does me holding you down affect that?" Boulderpaw snapped, anger fading but frustration building.

"You are too angry to think rationally and you need help for those wounds," the kit spoke calmly.

Boulderpaw could see the sense through the fog of his mind and he growled as he retracted him claws and stepped backward to sit in the snow. The kit stood up and watched him carefully. "Drink the snow, than clean your wounds," the kit instructed.

"That's it?" he scoffed, he didn't need to be told to do that. He just wanted to get to camp first.

"I'm not terribly knowledgeable in the herbs here. Were we where I'm from I could whip something up, but not here especially in the snow," the kit defended herself mildly.

"Scorch isn't from here and she manages just fine," he grumbled as he took a mouthful of snow and waited for it to melt in his mouth.

"Scorch has a much greater recourse of knowledge to draw from than I," the kit mewed.

"Again with not making sense. Do you know where Scorch is?" he asked.

"Yes, she is sleeping right now after escaping from Nghtwing's camp," the kit mewed.

Boulderpaw sighed in relief. "So she's alright?"

"I don't know about that..."

Boulderpaw narrowed his eyes, "You just said she escaped, right? That means she's at our camp, right?"

The kit stared at him, "I did not come to talk to you about that. You remember my name, right? Sonya?"

"Yeah, yeah," Boulderpaw waved his tail. Truthfully, he had forgotten it in the chaos, but he wasn't going to admit that.

"Scorch is in a difficult position right now. But you have to leave her be," Sonya instructed.

"I'll help her if I want to!" he shot back.

"No, you need to get to your camp and prepare your Clan-mates for battle. Nightwing is planning on marching on them today with reinforcements and than he'll march on WindClan and ThunderClan."

Fear shot through Boulderpaw, ThunderClan was in danger? He anxiously looked in the direction of his beloved Clan, but only saw swamped shadows and pines. "If that's true, I need to get back to my own Clan and warn them!" all thoughts but those of ThunderClan were lost.

"No, you need to help ShadowClan and RiverClan stop them here or there is no hope and Nightwing will grip the entire forest. That means the deaths of many," Sonya warned.

"But my Clan," Boulderpaw chewed his lip.

"The best way to help it is to stop Nightwing before he can get to it. And no matter what he says, stay strong for yourself and for others." And with that Sonya turned and leaped up into the trees. Boulderpaw didn't see her creeping along the branches and a breath didn't stir the pine boughs, she had just vanished.

But his worries were all focused on the impending march of Nightwing as he hurried to the camp after finishing cleansing his wounds- which made him feel slightly refreshed. Worries for his sister and mother occupied his thoughts, with him here, who would defend them? Who would warn them?

Pinefur was sure to throw the lower-level Clan cats at Nightwing first to tire his cats out and than send his elite groups to finish Nightwing off. But how many Clan cats would be killed with that reckless tactic? Not that Pinefur would care, Boulderpaw growled at his own hypothetical thoughts. He could see Pinefur now, green eyes watching calmly as apprentice tore at apprentice- completely innocent but forced into a corner nonetheless.

A shiver chilled his spine and he limped faster, the camp was almost within sight. Hurrying, he sighed in relief that Nightwing wasn't here yet. If Sonya was right, their defeat or victory would spell the destruction or survival of the Clans.

Boulderpaw's eyes glimmered, he had never imagined he'd be part of something so spectacular. He walked along the log over the snow-covered marsh and went through the camp entrance. Cats were out and about, looking smoothed-pelt but an undercurrent of apprehension ran thick.

His entrance was quickly spotted and Sunstar, Painted, and Flashpaw were in front of him before he could even blink. "Where have you been?" "Where's Scorch?" What happened to you!" the aghast cries started up as they noticed his wounds.

"Let me thought, let me through," Flickertail pushed his way through the crowd and quickly looked over his pelt with cool amber eyes. "Come to my den quickly now, we don't want infection setting in. You all leave him alone until afterward."

The crowd allowed the two of them to travel to the medicine-cat den, but Sunstar followed imposingly. Boulderpaw felt irritation stir in him as the yellow leader followed him. "Don't you have cats to calm?" he snapped.

"They will be easier to calm when I know the details, which only you can tell me," Sunstar mewed as they entered the den, eyes cold as he looked down.

Flickertail started treating his wounds and Boulderpaw missed Scorch's warm scent and her small paws that quickly and efficiently treated his aching spots and left them feeling as good as new. Flickertail's paws were firm and hard and his tail flicked with unnerving nervous energy.

"Now, maybe you'd like to tell me where you were all day yesterday, how you got those wounds, and where Scorch is," Sunstar sat down across from him in the small den, his eyes betraying nothing of what he was feeling.

"Most of yesterday it seems I was knocked out, half-way from here to RiverClan territory- I'm surprised you didn't find me," he veiled the insult. "Scorch and I were traveling back to camp- don't ask where we were, I wasn't with her until she was back in the territory- when we were attacked," Boulderpaw's voice dropped to a scowling growl.

"By Nightwing's cats?" Flickertail guessed.

"No, by Crowpelt." A hush fell over them. Sunstar and Flickertail swapped a wary look.

"He hasn't returned since then either, we feared he might be involved. Do you know why he attacked you?" Sunstar continued.

Boulderpaw shook his head, "But when I woke up, Scorch was gone."

"Than we have to assume he took her to Nightwing," Sunstar's mew was heavy.

"Nightwing?! Why would he do that?!" Boulderpaw jumped, he knew Scorch had escaped from Nightwing but he hadn't thought Crowpelt had been responsible, after all, they all knew how much Nightwing loathed Scorch and that included Crowpelt.

"Crowpelt has been working with Nightwing since the beginning," Sunstar explained. "He's been lending cats he has gathered to himself and offering favors to Nigthwing in return of the black devil's help in freeing WindClan. ThunderClan is also part of the exchange for Nightwing."

Boulderpaw stared, that was very close to what Sonya had said. "But how did you know that?"

Sunstar and Flickertail grinned at each other. "I'm a leader, I know everything." The great yellow cat got to his paws. "Everything's going according to what I predicted, however, Nightwing's malice toward Scorch was not part of my calculations. We'll have to figure something out to account for that."

He started for the entrance, Boulderpaw watched him with a flickering of respect. "He really knew all along?" he asked Flickertail when the leader had left.

"Yes, he only told me though, he didn't want the others to worry or to let it get out," Flickertail started putting herbs away.

"Is that why he didn't put the final blow down on Nightwing and follow Scorch's plans?"

"Yes, he was still gathering plans and resources. But now we are fully prepared and can go all out in this fight." Flickertail looked up, amber eyes serious. "But it will still not be an easy victory. Every cat will have to put themselves out there if we want to win."

Boulderpaw frowned, "What about Nightwing's increasing numbers?"

Flickertail laughed, "Don't worry about that. It's all under control."

He wasn't convinced, but thanked Flickertail and went out into the camp clearing to see the leader's ideas put into action. Brambles were being moved out, fresh-kill was being buried; preparations were already well underway. Boulderpaw went over to help, but was ordered to rest by every cat so he gave up and went to the den.

I suppose it won't be any good if I'm worn up before the battle has even started. He curled down in the soft warmth of his moss nest and closed his eyes. With the buzz of activity around him, he felt calm and sleepy. All that he was missing was a familiar warmth and a soft voice.

…

"Wake up!"

Boulderpaw jumped out of his sleep, his dream shattering and whirling away- forever gone. He looked up and saw the bright gray eyes of Flashpaw. The light was dim again, the shadows thin but lengthening.

"Nightwing is almost here! Our scouts found him with his forces just as Sunstar said. He'll be here very soon!" Flashpaw bounced nervously on her paws as he sat up and gave his messy fur a quick grooming.

"Okay, I'm coming, what's the battle plan?" Boulderpaw stood up and followed the fellow apprentice out.

"Sunstar will explain, but basically we lure them in our trap that we set up and attack from four sides at once."

"Four?" Boulderpaw frowned, "Won't that stretch our forces to thin?"

Flashpaw shook her head, "No, since we'll all attack at once and be altogether. There's Sunstar, he's about to explain everything."

Sunstar stood on the rocks that made up his den, head held high with a crown of pine over his head. His eyes glowed with hidden strength and his muscles moved smoothly under his taut pelt. Right now, he looked more like a ShadowClan leader than a RiverClan one. "No, he's a leader for all Clans at this moment." Boulderpaw jumped as the voice whispered in his head, sending shivers going down his spine. Was that Sonya's voice? He looked around warily but did not see anything.

"Is something wrong?" Flashpaw watched him curiously.

"No, just thought I heard something."

Flashpaw blinked sympathetically, "Every cat is on edge right now. This is it, the last battle and than we're free."

Boulderpaw nodded tensely, his stomach churned. It was almost inevitable that some cat would die in this battle, who wouldn't make it? He scanned the sea of determined faces. He blinked in surprise. "Willowwater is fighting?"

Flashpaw nodded, frowning. "She's still pretty badly injured, but she insists on it." They looked at the heavily patched-up gray and black tabby she-cat. Although she stood awkwardly as if it hurt, her eyes burned the brightest in the crowd- anger flashing dangerously furious in her green depths.

"She looks pretty serious," he commented.

"Yeah, I haven't seen her look that angry since Rainstone left," Flashpaw mewed.

"Rainstone?" Boulderpaw swore he had heard that name before, but he didn't know who it was.

"She was a rogue she-cat that tried to stop Nightwing and Pinefur before they got to power. But things didn't work out well, and she left right after ShadowClan fell," Flashpaw explained.

"Did you know her?" Boulderpaw asked the older apprentice.

"Vaguely, she came to RiverClan for awhile when I was a kit. She even saved me from Nightwing once. She was funny looking and talked weird oh! She also had a lame paw. But I do know that she and Willowwater were best friends. Willowwater has always felt bitter that Rainstone left the Clans the way they were," Flashpaw whispered quickly.

"Shh, Sunstar's talking." The two apprentices were chided by Flickertail.

Boulderpaw dutifully turned his attention to Sunstar, but missed most of it because he was thinking about Rainstone. A rogue she-cat helping the Clans? Looked different and talked differently? Is this some joke? Not knowing whether to laugh or be unnerved, Boulderpaw ignored those feelings and listened long enough to learn which patrol he would be on.

"Boulderpaw, you're with Shadowripple's group," Boulderpaw turned and padded over to the four other cats on the patrol. It was Jump, Mira, Newtlight, Shadowripple, and him. Not an impressive group, but they'd be capable enough.

"Ready to beat up Nightwing, Boulderpaw?" Newtlight grinned at him, she seemed to have forgotten he was from ThunderClan for the time being.

Mira and Jump looked less excited, their eyes worried- no doubt for Scorch. But they seemed determined enough. Boulderpaw had seen Jump fight before, the dirty white cat was quick-footed and lethal in his attacks. But he hadn't seen Mira, due to her healing broken leg.

"Will your leg be okay?" he asked, frowning Scorch had told him before how much trouble it had been given Mira.

"Its fine, I'll just try to stay on the edge of the fighting so that I can use tactic so that it doesn't come down to a show of strength," Mira smiled lightly.

Shadowripple nodded at them. "Alright; Mira and Newtlight, you'll help pull the trap. You other two jump in as soon as the trap is up. We will come in from the back, so we have to be careful not to be spotted until after the targets have moved into position."

Boulderpaw nodded and they left camp, quickly followed by two of the other patrols. They each turned their own way, each taking a corner of the wide snow-covered marsh that Nightwing would have to cross to get to the camp. I hate to admit it, but Sunstar was a genius this time! I guess its not surprising- he is a leader.

Boulderpaw pricked his ears as they settled into position. "I here them," he whispered.

Shadowripple nodded, her own ears were pricked and her eyes steady. The faint stripes on her black fur were bristling. "When you see the signal, pull the trap," the patrol leader whispered as the two she-cats grabbed the pull for the trap.

Boulderpaw crouched down against the snow, they were hidden strategically behind two trees that cast them into shadow. All the patrol were hidden. All except Sunstar, he stood like a mini sun at the entrance of the camp.

His blue eyes locked on Nightwing, his black fur was slick and he looked incredibly haughty as he led his long line of cats over the bare snow marsh. Dim gray light rained down on them, they had no where to hide as they traversed steadily closer to where Sunstar was standing.

"Shouldn't the signal have been given by now?" he whispered, a little nervous.

"Wait for the signal," Shadowripple encouraged. Boulderpaw and Jump swapped a wary glance, Nightwing was half-way into the marsh, all of his cats were in position. The snow of the marsh was hard enough to keep them from sinking down, but soft enough that the churned snow would be easy to pull the trap through.

The seconds ticked on into moments. The moments into minutes. "There!" he breathed, Sunstar flashed his tail and four cats near him pulled on ivy tendrils near their paws. All around them tendrils were being pulled taunt in a cross-work pattern. Mira and Newtlight pulled on their own tendrils and up sprang the bramble ropes that had been weaved beneath the snow of Nightwing's cats.

Snow flew up and screeches of curses echoed in the air as cats became helplessly entangled in the chains of brambles. "Now! go!" Shadowripple led the charge as Boulderpaw and Jump flew behind her. Other cats were racing out in similar formations to tackle the attackers.

Just before they reached the cats Shadowripple whispered in their ears, "Remember, only attack black cats! Leave the others be unless they attack you!" They nodded, and in they jumped into the clash of tooth and claw.

Boulderpaw fell upon one of the outer warriors; he barely registered it was a black tom with silver paws and frozen gray eyes. Growls roared around him as the battle commenced and he dug his claws into the tom's back, adding his victim's agonized yowl to the noise.

He clung to the cat's back and churned his paws, causing dangerously deep wounds on the sides of the tom. He dug his teeth into the tom's ear and wondered why he just bucked and tried to shake him off instead of rolling.

Then he realized, the tom's legs were tangled in the brambles- he couldn't move. Gleeful, Boulderpaw easily lashed out several deep wounds over the tom's back, underside, and chest. His opponent growled stubbornly, but his blood was pouring out quickly and his angry silver eyes were glazed with pain.

The apprentice paused, standing in front of the helpless cat. He had obviously won- this cat would not be fighting anything for a moon- but did he kill the tom or drive him off? He looked around nervously, every cat was locked in a fight, most of the black cats had managed to free themselves form the brambles and were putting up quite a fight, though they kept getting caught again in the brambles that lay treacherously on the snowy ground. No cat lay motionless yet, and Boulderpaw wasn't sure what to do.

The warrior-like thing to do would be to let him go, but he's not a warrior. What's more, I'm not fighting for my Clan, I am completely outside the warrior-code. Without anything to guide his uncertain conscience, his thoughts turned to Scorch. She would let him go, I think. But she's a rogue, so maybe she wouldn't?

Even more frustrated, he turned away, allowing the tom to struggle free and limp off- leaving a trail of red snow behind him. Boulderpaw had paused to watch him limp off miserably, but attacking claws drew him out of his confused guilt.

Twisting and growling as he grappled with a furious black she-cat with white ears and front paws and narrowed blue eyes. They had rolled into the thick of the fighting and were surrounded with similarly ungraceful fights.

Boulderpaw growled and tucked his chin in, butting his head against the cat's jaws She screeched and drew back, her grip loosening. He wriggled out and gave her two long wounds below her neck before facing her again. Blood dripped down her chest and his fur clogged her claws, but her blue eyes glowed with wrath.

He settled himself to a fierce fight and launched himself at her. Down they went again in a wrestling match, but now Boulderpaw had the advantage of momentum. A few wounds later he had her pinned, his developing muscles outshining the slender cat's lanky one. Scorch's strategy of starving them worked, they're in worse condition than us.

A shadow over him caused him to look up. One of the multi-pelted cats in Nightwing's forces stood over him. He crouched, snarling as he prepared to fight. But the cat ignored him, launching to the other side and landing on a black cat that was holding Flashpaw at their mercy. What? Not quite understanding, but not willing to ask questions in the thick of battle, he gave the she-cat a fierce bite that would be felt in the morning and chased her out of the battle.

A flash of gold caught his eye as he returned to the battle. He turned and saw Sunstar throwing two black cats off his back before tackling one in front of him. Boulderpaw felt a snarl on his tongue as he recognized Crowpelt as one of the cats harassing Sunstar. His paws froze though, remembering how helpless he had been against him before.

But this time I'm rested and I've eaten, I'm stronger now. I can beat him and then ask him what he did to Scorch. Ignoring the fear that pulled at him he raced around the chaos of battle and lunged for Crowpelt's paws as he tried to attack Sunstar again.

Crowpelt hit the ground but was on his feet again in an instant as Boulderpaw put himself in between Sunstar and Crowpelt. Looking back now, he saw that Sunstar was facing Nigthwing and he shivered at the horrendous wounds that covered both of the leaders.

Staying focused on Crowpelt, he drew his lip back in a snarl. "This will be a more even fight," he growled.

"You sure about that?" Crowpelt sneered, crouching low to the ground and shooting himself at him.

He had done the exact same thing yesterday and Boulderpaw did a back-flip, landing just in front of where Crowpelt's slithering moves took him. He smirked as he brought his paws down on Crowpelt's head, but growled when Crowpelt rolled away and his paws flopped into the snow.

Pulling himself out of it, he whirled around and found himself exchanging lighting-fast strikes with Crowpelt. Black paws flashed around him and he was too busy avoiding them to pay attention to where his went. Crowpelt managed to grab one of his paws in his teeth and Boulderpaw hissed in pain as Crowpelt did his best to crush his paw.

Taking Crowpelt's slight distraction, he pounded Crowpelt's jaw and managed to release the paw and backed away, putting his bloody paw down on the cold ground. He flattened his ears as he faced Crowpelt again, fury flashing before him.

Crowpelt remained untouched by the searing emotions and leaped at him, outstretched paws aiming for his shoulders. Boulderpaw saw it, a crystal, frozen moment as Crowpelt hung over him- jaws slightly opened, claws out and grasping, body in a streamline position of energy aiming for a single point.

The moment was all it took. Crowpelt fell upon his mark and Boulderpaw had his own jaws in a ready position to dodge between the open paws and snap at Crowpelt's throat while the black cat's claws sank into his shoulders. They fell in a withering heap of tearing claws and snapping teeth.

But Boulderpaw's teeth had torn a dangerous gash at a tender spot and the blood came out most alarmingly. It was nearly a death blow and was more than enough to allow the apprentice to take down the warrior. Boulderpaw panted and trembled as he finally held Crowpelt pinned beneath him.

His paws were shaking from exhaustion and he was torn and bloody and one of his eyes was already swelled closed- but he had won. Crowpelt's breath came in rapid pants and his blood flowed out more swiftly- creating a patch of red snow around them.

"I win," Boulderpaw growled. "Now tell me where Scorch is!" he spat, shaking the fainting tom savagely.

"Oh? You hadn't heard?" Nightwing's bloody sweet voice sent uncontrollable shivers up his spine. He looked at the black cat that was still facing Sunstar one-on-one. Both were even more torn and bloody, but neither were going to give up anytime soon.

"So you do have her! Where is she?!" Boulderpaw snarled, gripping Crowpelt more tightly with her claws in response to the fear he felt.

Nigthwing cackled and Sunstar glared. "Answer," the golden leader snarled.

"Oh, I will," Nightwing lowered his head to the ground and looked up at them maliciously. "She's dead, I killed her with my own claws." He lifted a bloodstained claw and licked it, watching them loftily.

Sunstar was unmoved, "You scum!" he growled.

Boulderpaw didn't do anything. He was frozen. All he knew was that it wasn't true. No way. Not in a million moons could Scorch just disappear like that. He stared at the red snow, eyes fixated with horror upon the disconnection between realities.

"Its true," Crowpelt gasped beneath him. "I checked, she wasn't breathing and had no heartbeat."

Boulderpaw slowly turned his head toward the defeated warrior. The black cat's green eyes were hollow, the last bit of life was drifting away, "I watched him do it. She's dead, and its as it should be," the cat could still muster a sneering tone.

Boulderpaw glared down at him, a savage emotion starting to pound under his frozen surface- anger would have been an understatement. It was pure, blistering animosity that caused him physical pain as it started cracking the cold shock of his mind.

"You'll pay for that! You are the one that betrayed Scorch to that monster!" Boulderpaw screeched and even Sunstar looked at him with nervous eyes.

"Oh yeah, apprentice? And what are you going to do?" the warrior goaded, a sneering smirk blanketing his exhausted face.

Boulderpaw didn't think. Raging violence unleashed itself on the defeated tom and Boulderpaw didn't stop to think until it was done. And there laid Crowpelt beneath his unsheathed claws, bloodstained and dead. Boulderpaw's breath came in heavy gasps as he waited for horror to come over the realization that he had done that, killed a cat in cold blood.

But it didn't come. He felt no regret, and it was no hard task to kick the dead body and growl, "Good riddance."

Nightwing and Sunstar had stopped their battle for a moment to watch him. Nightwing looked almost amused at the slaughter of his ally and Sunstar didn't allow an emotion escape those orange eyes. But the second Boulderpaw met his eyes, he could feel the disappointment.

It didn't last as Nightwing and Sunstar resumed their fight. Boulderpaw looked around, most of the fights were over, the few squabbles were being finished as Clan cats helped subdue the remaining cats. He watched curiously as some of the cats that had come with Nightwing were helping the Clan cats. I'm sure there is a story behind that.

But every cat was transfixed on the battle of the leaders. No cat attempted to intervene, and Boulderpaw was equally aware that this was strictly a leaders' battle of pride and strength. Silence was broken only by the grunts of the fighting warriors.

No words were exchanged and even Flickertail worked silently among the wounded, keeping one worried eye on the battle that captivated the attention of every other cat. Boulderpaw watched the big golden leader move deftly in front of the hard-muscled black cat he faced.

It was impressive the way Sunstar blocked the blows and returned with just as much force if not more. But the tenacity of Nightwing was probably more impressive, fighting so well even when he had no chance of victory. Even if he defeated Sunstar, he would not be getting out alive.

Raven, specifically, was crouched near her former leader with a dark expression in her eyes. Boulderpaw shivered as he looked at her, she must have heard about Scorch. The thought sent his heart pounding fearfully fast and he wondered if he'd faint as he swayed on his paws.

He focused on the battle again. It was drawing to a close, both were nearing the end of their strength. They paused for an instant their incessant attacks. Sunstar was badly wounded and scarlet blood stained the gold fur and dripped down on the snow like rose petals. Nightwing was no better, panting with his pelt shredded and dark red molting into his fur. But his brown eyes still glowed with unearthly fire.

"You're all fools," Nightwing snarled, swinging his head around at them. "Scorch is dead, you're all half-dead, and your leader is a deserter. I don't know what you hope to do after this, but Pinefur won't leave you be. I'll be gone, but he won't be! You're all going to be destroyed anyway!"

Sunstar growled, eyes glaring. "You'll pay for what you did to Scorch! That kit was innocent of anything malicious, and her blood is on your paws. I would think you'd hope for death."

Boulderpaw trembled. As horrified as he was at reality he didn't believe it. Some part of him couldn't accept it. He stared at his paws as the leaders leaped at each other, the final blow being decided. But nothing happened. No sound came, not even the crunch of paws against snow.

He looked up at the sky and the world was in colors of black and white. What's going on? He looked around, no cat was moving. The most disturbing was that Sunstar and Nightwing hung in the air, three mouse-lengths away from colliding.

He shook, was he going crazy after Scorch died? "No, don't worry. This isn't you," the voice was light and laughing. He jerked his head around and saw Sonya stepping across the snow. Her fur was white like snow and red like blood. It matched the surrounding battlefield.

Then he noticed something. A bit of color outside of Sonya. Nightwing's throat was dripping fire with blood even though the rest of his wounds were gray. His eyes drifted down to Sonya's paws that were both red.

He didn't comment, he didn't say anything at all. "Scorch is dead." His voice was hollow even to him.

Sonya dropped her head, "I am sorry." The voice was apologetic, but not very sorry.

It filled Boulderpaw with fury. "You knew! And you didn't tell me!" he accused.

"The last time I talked with you she was not dead. You would be happy to know she did not suffer very long. Her body was left on the trail that Nightwing came along, there is lavender along the way as well" Sonya dipped her head lower.

Boulderpaw trembled at the thought of the herb that was used to prepare the dead. It made it feel more real. "There is something I need you to do when you find Scorch's body," Sonya lifted her head, green eyes staring at him.

He shuddered. He swore she had had bright green eyes, but these eyes were dark green almost black, practically identical to Scorch's. It made it feel like he was talking to Scorch and urged him to listen. "What?"

Sonya came closer and whispered several instructions to him. "Do it all and have hope. I promise and tell nothing, but do this and do not allow any other cat to know about it."

Boulderpaw stared at her wide-mouthed and confused. "What will this do?"

"I cannot tell you. But you must do it." And Sonya turned and raced away, a blur that moved much to fast. And the colors faded back in and sounds flowed back along with movements around him. He blinked slowly and turned back to Sunstar and Nightwing. Sunstar took the leap and knocked Nightwing to the ground and raised his head for the killing bite, but the black leader was already dead. The wound on his neck flowing limply with blood.

Sunstar looked up and stared around confused. No other cat had noticed that he had not inflicted the wound. Or perhaps, Boulderpaw just did not notice who noticed. But he met Sunstar's frowning orange eyes and he shook his head knowingly. Sunstar nodded once and raised his head in a triumphant yowl.

Nightwing was dead and so was Crowpelt. Their enemies were defeated. The Clans had won. They were free again. And the last moon of hardship had finally born its sweet fruit. Cries and cheers erupted around her as the injured warriors leaped right into celebration.

Boulderpaw alone did not utter a sound of rejoicing. He turned immediately and raced along the track that Nightwing had come to them upon. It was easy enough to follow the well trodden path through the snowy forest. Just as the scent of blood had faded behind him, it reappeared in front of him and he ran faster.

He skidded as he came to the top of a little rise. A circle of untouched snow was ruined only by three pairs of paw-prints. Three pairs of pawprints and a wide trail of red snow. The sight of it, the smell of it. It overwhelmed him. It was too much blood to have come from such a small cat, wasn't it?

But the thing that sent the most shivers down his spine was that there was no body. Just a trail of red snow and paw prints twice the size of his own.

...

Finally! hahaha! Nightwing it beaten! It wasn't as extravagant as it should have been... That's my problem, I have so much going on I can't give anything due time. I'm laughing at myself right now, the whole ShadowClan and RiverClan vs. NightClan was only supposed to last three chapters -_- What happened you ask? I moved, and that left me with practically a whole month and a half to do nothing but come up with ideas. But its over now! And we can continue on whatever path is left? I dunno, Scorch is dead. Who's the main character now? And what happened to Scorch's body? I know!

Please Review!