AN: Final chapter before the epilogue! And this story is slowly coming to an end, which means book three will be coming out either sometime today or tomorrow depending on if this Northeaster kills our power. So thanks to everyone for your reviews, and enjoy :)

EDIT: I lied. This is the last chapter, sorry! Forgot I don't post epilogues because they would make the prologues for the next book XP

Chapter 17

Stormsong spotted Frostwind first. She was lingering in the back of the crowd, standing over the body of some rogue that Stormsong didn't know.

Her blue eyes glowed with such hatred that it seemed to burn through Stormsong. She let out a fierce yowl and leaped forward. Frostwind hissed in rage and met her attack head-on. Stormsong's ears flattened when she realized that Frostwind was faster than her.

She didn't count on Hawkfrost helping her out. The dark brown tom let out a furious yowl and managed to tackle Frostwind to the ground. He was bigger than her - almost twice Frostwind's size.

Frostwind struggled to break free from Hawkfrost's grip, but he held her down firmly. Stormsong glared at Frostwind.

"Why did you spare me?" she hissed before letting Hawkfrost end the battle.

Horror clouded over Frostwind's eyes when she stared up at Stormsong. "I... You... Magnolia... You are just like her... I couldn't..." The words were choked out and filled with fear as Frostwind tried to fight back.

Stormsong felt her fur bristling. How could a cat who had been bent on taking over the Clans remember her mother? Frostwind had never admitted how much she cared for the other rogues that had followed her.

She looked back at Hawkfrost. He understood the signal and clamped his jaws around Frostwind's neck. The she-cat let out a shriek and her body writhed around like Graystripe's had. Stormsong had to close her eyes again when the stench of blood filled her lungs.

Once Frostwind's body had stilled she opened her eyes once more. Hawkfrost was staring down at it, his eyes wide.

"It's over," she whispered. Her legs trembled when she realized that the prophecy that had haunted her for so long was finally fulfilled. A single word whispered within her mind when she gazed around the clearing.

Free, she thought.

"I should go back," Hawkfrost suddenly meowed. "My Clan will wonder where I am."

She gazed at Hawkfrost before nodding. His heart lay within RiverClan, while hers laid within ThunderClan. They couldn't leave their Clanmates behind for each others sake. Even if it meant breaking their hearts.

"I will always remember you," she murmured softly enough for only him to hear.

"We can hunt together in StarClan," he promised.

With those final words he departed from the camp before cats began to notice him. Cloudtail had been the only cat to see him, but he was too busy licking his wounds to notice now. Stormsong stared after him until his tail disappeared in a frond of ferns.

She stood up when Leafpelt approached her with Brightheart and Sandstorm close behind. All three she-cats looked warily at Frostwind's still body. She knew that they would feel an immense hatred for Frostwind. She couldn't blame them.

"Graystripe is dead!" Mousefur's wail suddenly caught Stormsong's attention.

Her fur bristled slightly when Firestar stood up and blinked. The wounds on his neck looked like they were getting infected. Leafpelt tried to work on his wounds, but he shrugged her off.

"I had to kill him," Firestar meowed calmly. "Frostwind was... controlling him somehow."

"You killed your own deputy," Ashfur snarled.

"Calm yourself furball," Ferncloud snapped. "Remember what he did to us all!" She glanced at Larchpaw and Birchpaw. Thankfully neither apprentice looked too battered. Snowpaw's right eye was bleeding from a scratch, but that looked like it would recover.

"You will have to name a new deputy, Firestar," Dappletail rasped.

The flame colored tom's eyes clouded over. Stormsong knew that Graystripe had been Firestar's best friend. She was surprised that he had taken the blame for killing Graystripe. Her stomach clenched with pity when she realized that he was trying to protect her.

Why would he when I killed in cold blood? she wondered.

No, you didn't kill in cold blood, whispered another voice. It was Firestar's, and she suddenly realized that she had read his thoughts. You were protecting the Clan.

She looked at Firestar in surprise, but he was limping towards the Highrock. Cats gathered around it while they waited for his announcement. This was one of the most important Clan meetings she had ever attended.

"I say these words before the spirit of Graystripe so that he may hear and approve my choice. Stormsong will be my deputy." Firestar's words sent thrills of shock and dismay through Stormsong.

Her jaw dropped when she gaped at him. Had he lost his mind during the battle?

"What are you thinking Firestar?" Dustpelt sprang to his paws and yowled at Firestar. "She's too young, and part kittypet like yourself!"

Firestar's fur bristled but he said nothing in response. Other cats began to protest. Longtail bared his teeth and looked like he was ready to knock Firestar off of his perch. Sandstorm simply shook her head in shock before turning around.

"My choice has been made!" Firestar snapped when the arguments continued rising. Embarrassment washed over Stormsong when cats glared at her.

They would never accept her as their deputy. She was certain that someone would try and replace her. And she hoped that someone would.