This chapter is another view of the events in chapter 24, and that was truly a hard chapter to write. I memorized the events and dialogue in The Last Hope, but they might be wrong because it has been a while since I have read that book. Anyways, hope you enjoy the last chapter! This one will have a lot of meaning inside of it and it is also the explanation of the title name. (Make sure to also read the next "chapter", as it is a Q+A!

Spottedleaf saw a cat leap out behind a bush and attack Sandstorm. Mapleshade! The she-cat was about to kill her. No! You will not do this! She is mine!

Without thinking, Spottedleaf leaped onto Mapleshade and bowled her over. Mapleshade was stronger than she had expected. Spottedleaf felt her body get pushed off and she landed on the ground in a heap of fur.

She barely opened her eyes before Mapleshade had pinned her down and clawed at her throat, her eyes full of malice.

Spottedleaf tried looking around. Help me, someone! But all she could feel was pain. Her vision blurred. I'm dying the second time. This time, I will be gone forever. No, this cannot happen!

The weight above her seemed to be lifted. A voice sounded in her ear. "Spottedleaf! No!" Firestar!

Firestar was pleading with her now. "Spottedleaf, you promised to greet me in StarClan!"

"I'm sorry, my love," Spottedleaf tried speaking, but her words were barely more than whispers now. "I'll never be able to greet you in Starclan."

"Don't leave me," Firestar pressed his nose into her flank. His voice was full of sorrow.

Did I do it? Does Firestar really love me now? But the thoughts were short. She had no more time left. I have always loved you. And in her final moments, her last thought was: Even though I won't be able to see you anymore, this moment should be enough.

Then, her body felt light, and darkness closed around her.

Mapleshade paused behind a bush. She could barely make out the ThunderClan camp which was in front of them.

A hiss sounded from behind the bush. "Who's there?"

Mapleshade snarled. "You should know who I am. ThunderClan ruined my life!" And with that, the tortoiseshell she-cat leaped from behind the bush, pinning the cat behind it to the ground. Sandstorm!

I can finally make Firestar suffer now… this is the cat that he loves most! She raised her paw and unsheathed her claws, preparing to finally kill a cat that she had hated.

I can send you to StarClan, separated from the cat you love most.

She heard a yowl. "No!" A furry body hit her from the side, slamming into her flank. She smelled a sweet scent on the cat who pinned her to the ground. Spottedleaf! What do you think you're doing?

With rage, Mapleshade pushed out her hind legs and propelled Spottedleaf off of her and leaped on her. Mapleshade did not hesitate to claw her throat out.

You have always lied to me. You manipulated me. You tried harming my kits. You ungrateful, miserable cat!

Mapleshade finally understood the truth: Spottedleaf was never trying to help her, she wanted to manipulate her and kill her. Even if she was staying in the Dark Forest, her enemy would die and Firestar would suffer.

Killing Sandstorm is not the way, killing Spottedleaf will make me content. Much more content than killing Sandstorm.

Sandstorm was enraged by Mapleshade's actions. She attacked Mapleshade.

You fool. You should be thanking me. Spottedleaf wants Firestar's love, and she wants you dead. I'm doing you a favor.

But Mapleshade knew that nobody other than Spottedleaf and her would know the truth. Now only I do. Now, this is fitting revenge.

Sandstorm chased Mapleshade away, but Mapleshade did not bother to fight. I have already harmed Firestar. I have slit his heart. This is what I will always be proud of, more than killing Reedshine, killing Appledusk, or killing Ravenwing.

Eventually, Sandstorm stopped chasing Mapleshade. She snarled, "Mange-pelt!"

Mapleshade leaped into the trees, losing Mapleshade. Mapleshade watched her pelt disappear into the distance.

Such a difference it makes, the truth. Spottedleaf always wanted you dead. She wanted Firestar to love her. But you should be thanking me.

She raised her head to catch some of the rays. I have brought vengeance upon the Clans. Even if we lost, at the very least I have made Firestar suffer. I have found the truth and righted it.

Mapleshade smiled for the first time that day. We have lost this time, but the Clans will never be the same. The Dark Forest will rise again, and all of you puny cats will all feel my wrath.