Ok, here is yet another chapter. I can't believe I am seriously typing this up before I even post Chapter 36. I think that means that if people want me to update faster, they need to review more! Seriously! If people reviewed more, I could then update faster, and therefore reach my deadline for the sequel being posted, which is December 24th! That is when I plan on posting book two in this series! At least, the prologue. I will give you one tidbit of information, which can also be found along with the expected release date on my profile. The title will be The Legend of Hollyleaf: Moonkit's prophecy. For those who like my longer chapters, this one will be long. And for those who like epicness: it will be epic. For those who like both: Look who got an early Christmas present! Though, I assure you, the finale which is coming soon, followed by an epilogue, will be, possibly, more epic. Actually, as I am running out of ideas, this just may actually be part one of the finale. Actually, I think it is! Which means lots of character deaths in the next two chapters! OMG ITS PART ONE OF THE FINALE ALREADY! (Freaks out at realization) The story I started in May of this year is almost over! Now, for all those who reviewed on the last chapter: Your gift of Hollyleaf and Blackstar plushies! One of each for EVERYONE who reviewed! YAY!

Hollyleaf: Yippie! There are plushies of me!

Blackstar: And of me!

Spottedflower's spirit: Hello!

Foxleap: Spottedflower!

AR: *Having a panic attack*

Whitestorm: *sighs* On with the story while we try to calm down Aduial.

Chapter 37

The Finale part 1

The Rescue

Lionblaze, Cinderheart, and Sealwhisker, who had decided to go with the two, traveled carefully accross the border that separated ShadowClan and ThunderClan. It was two days since Lionblaze and Hollyleaf had discussed Lionblaze leaving to rescue Heathertail, who had been catnapped at the beginning of the War by Breezepelt. Finally, they were going to rescue her.

"Shh, I hear voices!" Cinderheart mewed suddenly. The three cats crouched down so they were hidden.

"Do you really think we'll come accross StarClan supporters around here?" came a voice. Lionblaze narrowed his eyes. Tigerheart. He had once thought the tom and his siblings were his kin, before they found out that they weren't really related to Brambleclaw.

"Stay down until we know how many there are," Lionblaze hissed to the two she-cats. Sealwhisker and Cinderheart nodded. There were four other cats with Tigerheart, the three soon realized.

"Who knows," one mewed. "A group of StarClan supporters managed to break the siege of the ThunderClan camp in a rather short period of time."

"Yeah," scoffed Tigerheart. "But not before one went crazy and killed herself!"

Spottedflower. She had been the only casualty of the battle, and she had died a hero, according to the messenger. She had known, apparently, that if she had lived, it would only be a matter of time before the Dark Forest finally took full control over her and forced her to kill each of the three, using the 'gifts' that the Dark Forest had given her.

"The she-cat's death is a shame though, really," Tigerheart continued. "She was one of two assassins the Dark Forest created to kill for cats. Now we only have one."

Two assassins?

"The one will have to work hard to kill Firestar and the three. Tigerstar wants vengeance on the stupid kittypet for foiling his plan which could have brought about Dark Forest rule sooner, and as for the three, well, they stand in the way of the Great Plan. I hope that the assassin leaves Dovewing alive though. She just might be usefull in producing loyal warriors of DarkClan."

Lionblaze decided then that he had heard Tigerheart say enough. "Attack!" he hissed and sprang out of the bushes, Sealwhisker and Cinderheart beside him.

The Dark Forest supporters were caught unprepared, but the bushes, thorns, and small clearing were soon full of hissing, spitting, fighting cats as blood and fur flew. Lionblaze was soon happily surprised to hear Dovewing's furious hiss.

"Traitor!" the she-cat was hissing as she attacked Tigerheart.

"Dovewing?" Tigerheart mewed.

"I heard what you said, and if you think I'd rather join you than die you're wrong! I'd sooner die than fight for the Dark Forest!" her claws tore his ear.

Lionblaze turned back to the cat he was attacking. It was a rather vicious wiry brown WindClan she-cat. He sank his teeth into her shoulder as she shrieked in fury and tried to rake open his throat. He quickly ended her life.

It wasn't long before the five Dark Forest supporters were either dead or had fled.

"Well, that's two less traitors for us to fight," mewed Dovewing, licking blood away from her shoulder.

"Are we ever lucky you came along with your patrol!" mewed Sealwhisker, licking her paw, which had been twisted in the battle.

"My patrol and I are currently staying at the ThunderClan camp. We arrived the day after Spottedflower died," Dovewing explained. "I just wish Tigerheart hadn't gotten away," she mewed bitterly, looking at the two dead boddies of Dark Forest cats."Anyway, what bring you this way? Are you trying to reach the ThunnderClan camp?"

"We are going to rescue Heathertail. While doing so, we may as well try to kill Breezepelt. He seems to be the leader of this 'DarkClan'. Kill him, the whole operation might come tumbling down, and they'll be weaker," Lionblaze explained.

"I think that their camp may be near the tunnels where Hollyleaf orginally vanished," Dovewing mewed. But I'm pretty sure it's a bit more remote than that, considering it would be foolish to try to enter them Hollyleaf nearly died. The cave in actually created an entrance to a series of tunnels above ground, like a massive cave with twists and turns. I think that's where they're staying. Also, my sister, Ivytalon, hasn't been spotted. I think she's with Breezepelt, keeping Heathertail prisoner. Though why they haven't killed her is beyond me."

Lionblaze shuddered at the thought of doing battle in dark caves.

"We should probably stop in the ThunderClan camp for a little while, so Sealwhisker can have her paw looked at," mewed Cloudtail, a member of Dovewing's patrol. His mate, Brightheart, mewed in agreement.

The group of cats made their way to the ThunderClan camp. By luck, they met no more Dark Forest patrols.

Lionblaze stared in amazement at the ThunderClan camp. It was filled with wounded cats limping around amongst some healthy warriors. One cat's ears were shredded to the point that they were now noexistent. Another was missing an entire leg. One cat's face was what Brightheart must have looked like shortly after being mauled by a dog, only worse as the injury had taken both sides of the face.

"Who is that?" asked Lionblaze.

"Harespring," mewed Brightheart as she left to comfort the now faceless cat. Brightheart was the only cat able to comfort the WindClan warrior, having suffered similar injuries as an apprentice.

Jayfeather padded up to Lionblaze and Dovewing. "What happened?" he rasped.

Lionblaze quickly explained while the injured warriors got help from other medicine cats.

Finally, Lionblaze saw Spottedflowers broken, bloodied body, lying where it had remained since she had jumped to her death.

"How's Foxleap?" Lionblaze asked. He'd heard that the tom had been slightly traumatized by the death of the she-cat.

"He's determined to go and kill every Dark Forest cat out there, so I'd say he's doing fine. I'm sure he'll gladly go with you on your journey if you mention it to him. In fact, if you speak of it around him, he'd probably decide to follow you, even if you ordered him to stay here," Jayfeather mewed.

"What journey?" asked Foxleap. "If it involves killing Dark Forest cats, I'm going."

"I'm glad to hear it. We could use your determination where we're going," Lionblaze meowed. "Considering that it might very well be the heart of the Dark Forest operation."

Foxleap's eyes lit up. "Really? When do we leave?"

"As soon as Sealwhisker's paw heals."

"What happened to Sealwhisker?"

"She twisted a paw while fighting a Dark Forest cat."

Foxleap's eyes blazed with fury. "This war has gone on long enough!" he raged. "They're hurting cats! It's time we ended it once and for all!"

~Heathertail~

It was over half a moon since the War had begun. I only knew that it wasn't over because cats continued to enter and leave the DarkClan camp giving Breezepelt a report of what was going on in the War. I was beginning to give up all hopes of being rescued. I was starving. I got three mice every now and then, and my only water was the trickle that came into my prison. I knew what they wanted, my allegiance to DarkClan and the Dark Forest. But I would not join them. I would die here, and go to StarClan.

~Lionblaze

Three days later at dawn, I led Foxleap, Cinderheart, Sealwhisker, Dovewing, Cloudtail, and Brightheart out of the ThunderClan camp. It was time to destroy the DarkClan camp and rescue Heathertail.

Surprisingly, we reached the WindClan border without meeting any trouble.

"Dovewing?" I asked. The she-cat cast out her senses, trying to find the entrance, as we were near the tunnels, the suspected entrance.

"That way." She gestured a little ways off, to an area somewhat hidden by trees. "The entrance is in there, amongst a maze of caves and tunnels."

I took in a deep breath. "Anyone who wishes may turn back now," I mewed.

"No," mewed Cinderheart. "I said I'd go with you, and I will do so till the end."

"As will I," mewed Sealwhisker. Foxleap mewed in agreement, and Cloudtail and Brightheart stepped forward so that they were beside me. Dovewing's eyes held determination.

I led the way forward, and we soon found the entrance. It was time to enter the lair of the enemy.

~Squirrelflight~

Brambleclaw, look out!" I shrieked as a cat lunged at him. He turned and batted it away. The battle for the gathering place was not going well for us. I sank my teeth deep into an enemies throat, killing them, then throwing them away. Blood covered the ground, as did dead boddies of StarClan and Dark Forest supporters alike.

"Nightcloud!" a cat screeched. I turned to see Leafpool staring in horror at Crowfeather's mate, who was battling with a massive ShadowClan cat who was about to sink his teeth into her throat.

~Leafpool~

"Nightcloud!" I screeched. I raced toward that black she-cat who was Crowfeather's mate. I may not have cared much for her, but I still loved Crowfeather, the father of my kits. If he loved her, then it would destroy him to see his mate die. Just like his love for Nightcloud had nearly destroyed me. I knocked the massive tom off of Nightcloud, raked my claws accross his eyes, and hissed menacingly. I saw Crowfeather running towards Nightcloud and I, clearly having heard my shriek.

"Stay away from her!" I hissed at the tom. Nightcloud was clearly dazed, as she appeared to just be regaining consciousness.

"So the little medicine cat wants to fight with a warrior? Oh, wait, you aren't a medicine cat anymore! Either way, you don't have the proper training," the tom mewed, smirking slightly.

"I can still fight you!" I hissed. Crowfeather reached us then. He went straight to Nightcloud.

"Are you alright?" I heard him ask his mate.

"Yes, thanks to Leafpool," she replied.

A paw struck my face. I felt blood ooze from a wound. I hissed and lunged at the tom, who was at least twice my size.

We wrestled for a few moments, each inflicting wounds upon the other. Crowfeather's dark pelt suddenly appeared as the tom was dragged away from me, and Nightcloud joined the fray. The three of us soon drove off the tom, knocking him off the island and into the lake where he drowned.

~Lionblaze~

We padded through the tunnels. It was a while before I caught a vaguely familiar scent. "Heathertail?"

"Lionblaze! You came for me!" It was Heathertail. Her voice sounded strange, hollow, yet it was definitely her.

"Heathertail, we're going to get you out of here. Where are you?"

"Behind the boulder. Lionblaze, be careful, Breezepelt's here!"

"Dovewing can warn us about him, she's here," I mewed.

"Great! But just so you know, the tunnels twist all over the place. Breezepelt somtimes appears above where you are now!"

"Ok. We'll get you out of here Heathertail. This boulder can't be too big to move. Stand back as far as you can, we're going to try to push it!"

"Ok!"

Lionblaze, Brightheart, Cinderheart, Dovewing, Cloudtail, Foxleap, and Sealwhisker all pushed on the boulder. It slowly began to move.

"It's moving! I can see a little light coming through!" Heathertail meowed.

"Again, on three! One, two, three, push!" I yowled. They pushed again, and the boulder moved. Finally, there was a wide enough gap for Heathertail to get out.

I was shocked at what I saw. Her pelt had lost it's shine, her eyes were dull, and her ribs showed. She was skinny, even for a WindClan cat.

"Oh, Heathertail, what did they do to you?" I murmured.

"Lionblaze, we've got to get out of here, now!" she mewed.

Just then, I heard Breezepelt.

"The prisoner has escaped!"

"How do we get out?" I asked, hearing cats coming the way we'd come.

"I don't know, we need to run for it though. This place is a maze!" Heathertail mewed, clearly terrified.

"Ok, we'll meet back at the ThunderClan camp. Agreed?" I others nodded. "Try to stick with at least one other cat. If we separate, it's all for the better because then they won't know who to follow. If not everyone is back at the ThunderClan camp within three days, those who have returned, lead a patrol back here. Understood?" they nodded again. "Good. Now run!"

~Brightheart~

I hadn't felt so terrified since being mauled by the dogs, or the battle with BloodClan. This was worse than both. Cloudtail, Dovewing, and I soon separated from the others. I hoped they were ok. We ran through the tunnels, determined to get out.

~Lionblaze~

"Kill them! Don't let them escape!" yowled Breeezepelt, or Breezestar, or whatever he went by now. Heathertail and Cinderheart were beside me, and Sealwhisker and Foxleap were up ahead. Suddenly, Sealwhisker and Foxleap skidded to a halt. We nearly crashed into them. There was a dead end. The only way out was to climb the huge boulder ahead of us.

"Lionblaze, we need to get out now!" Heathertail mewed frantically. I glanced at her. She was clearly half starved, and rather weak. And Breezepelt and his cats were right behind us, gaining quickly.

"Heathertail, you go first. Cinderheart, Sealwhisker, help her. Foxleap and I will fight them off, and join you outside as soon as we can," I mewed.

"The sun is rising," mewed Foxleap. The faint light of dawn was appearing, visible just above the boulder. Foxleap and I turned to face the cats who were racing twards us as Cinderheart and Sealwhisker helped Heathertail up.

"Now for wrath, now for ruin, and the red dawn!" I yowled. Foxleap and I lunged towards Breezepelt and his cats, who were startled and taken aback, as we had been running for our lives up until now. I glanced at Heathertail and the others, who were now at the top of the boulder. "Foxleap, now!" I mewed. Foxleap and I raced for the boulder and began to climb.

"They're escaping!" I heard Breezepelt yowl in fury.

Foxleap and I scrambled up the boulder.

"Lionblaze, here!" Cinderheart reached down with a paw to help me up. Sealwhisker did the same with Foxleap. We were out.

~Heathertail~

Free. I was finally free. "We did it!" I whispered. "We did it! We got out!" We all began to race around, laughing happily as the sun rose. Little did we know that our joy would be short lived as we walked away.

"Stop them!" Breezepelt yowled. We all turned at the same time. We had no choice but to fight, and this time it would be a fight to the death as Breezepelt and I once again met in battle. The others were fighting other cats. It was only me against Breezepelt.

"Traitor!" I hissed, lashing my claws accross his face.

"You are the real traitor, Heathertail," he snarled. We lashed at each other, each one trying to kill the other. I was the first to deliver a fatal blow, one that took away all nin of his lives. But not before he delivered a fatal blow of his own. We had killed each other.

~Lionblaze~

I heard Heathertail let out a screech of pain as the last of the Dark Forest cats was killed, and saw Breezepelt convulse, then go still, only to go through the same thing again.

"He's dying nine times!" mewed Cinderheart in utter horror as I ran to HEathertail, who was slowly dying.

"Lionblaze..." she mewed. "I'm dying."

"No, you're not! We'll get you to Jayfeather, you're going to be fine!"

"No, I won't be. Take care of Cinderheart, I know you'll be happy together. She is so lucky and deserving of your love... I love you, Lionblaze... I always have and always will. Goodbye."

"No!"

There you go. And all typed up and finnished before I get chapter 36 up. I must really love you guys. Don't forget to review! Everyone who does gets Heathertail and Dovewing plushies! I want ten more reviews before I update again, so go forth and review!

Hollyleaf: Wow, you are going to get a reputation for being murderous to characters. Two named and several unnamed dead as of this chapter!

AR: And more deaths in the next one! Which will be part two of the finale! Followed by the epilogue!

Blackstar: Fascinating.

Whitestorm: Now review!

Spottedleaf: It will make us happy!

Foxleap and Spottedflower's spirit: And you get plushies, Heathertail and Dovewing ones!

Hollyleaf: So review! Or I will track you down and kill you!

AR: Hollyleaf, no. But please, review! I don't care how many emails I get telling me that people have reviewed, I want everyone who reads this chapter to review. Seriously. It's part one of the finale, so feedback is incredibly important now. And you get plushies! Seriously! You want a plushie? Then review!