Yes, this is the second to last chapter. We reach the climax at last.

Applepaw lay down in her nest, tail flicking with excitement.

"We'll be warriors soon!"

She whispered in Blazepaw's ear, unable to keep her anticipation to herself.

Blazepaw lay a paw over his ear, grumbling, "Go to sleep or you'll be too tired for your assessment!"

Applepaw leaned away from him, noticing Featherpaw awake with her eyes shining. Her eyes met Applepaw's and she gave her sister a broad grin before putting her head on her paws. Icepaw and Stormpaw were curled tightly together, whispering excitedly in one another's ears. It sounded like they were discussing their warrior names.

Lightpaw had received her medicine cat name, Lightsoul, honoring her happy-go-lucky personality and tenderness. Applepaw curled up into a tight ball. I hope I don't get Applebounce or something stupid. She said before she lay her tail over her nose and was asleep in minutes.

"Get up, it's time for the assessments." Blazepaw said, looking down at Applepaw.

She blinked and stretched, getting rid of the grogginess in her bones.

"I'm up."

Blazepaw had already woken up Snowpaw and Featherpaw. Featherpaw, the nimblest hunter of all of them, and Snowpaw, the miracle. Moonpaw was also stirring and Icepaw was awake, grooming his sleek white fur down.

His warm brown eyes met hers and he waved his tail, "G'luck."

She felt her fur growing hot and turned and bounded out of the den. Their four mentors were there waiting. Ferndream, hers, Crowtalon, Snowpaw's, Sharpclaw, Featherpaw's, and Sunflower, Blazepaw's. Snowpaw looked around, seeming disappointed.

Blazepaw's keen eyes noticed him and he gave him a sharp poke, "Who are you looking for?"

Snowpaw bristled, "Nobody!" He said defensively.

"Alright, you half-blood k-"

Flarestrike had trotted over to watch his children head off to their assessments. His eyes shone with pride and he licked each of them on the head.

"Happy hunting." He called, before bounding out into the forest.

"Anyway," Crowtalon continued, "You will all be hunting, obviously. Applepaw, take the route towards the river. Snowpaw, you head towards Tree Hill. Blazepaw, Red-Rocks, and Featherpaw you can take the inner forest area."

Applepaw flicked her tail with disappointment, she had wanted Tree Hill where there were open fields and she could chase after her prey. Snowpaw didn't seem too thrilled about it either. He scowled at Crowtalon before the apprentices whirled around and fanned out. Applepaw followed along the well-worn path towards the river, her ears pricked and swiveling. A growl behind her made her turn around in surprise. But, it wasn't right behind her. It was back along the path she had just walked.

"I hope Snowpaw and Blazepaw didn't get into a fight."

Blazepaw was larger than Snowpaw, but Snowpaw was stronger than him. She turned around, worried for her brothers. She found Blazepaw, crouched low in the bushes. Worried she'd spoiled his hunt, she flattened herself to the ground.

His eyes flitted behind him, "Come here quietly. I'm not hunting."

He whispered, like a snake's hiss. She crawled towards him and peered out of the bushes.

Ashfall and Cloverspirit were standing a whisker-length away from each other. Ashfall was snarling viciously at Cloverspirit, who looked aggravated.

"We shouldn't leave our children to solve these problems for us, Ashfall! You saw what happened with Snow and Moonpaw-"

Ashfall slashed at the white medicine cat, who dodged quickly, trained in the defensive arts.

"Toms being toms." The grey she-cat said simply.

"But, you're quite right. It's not right to tell our children lies. Too bad the lies are actually the truth. Myself and my kits were just toys, to be played with and used to cover up your own scheme. He never loved me, and has never loved our kits. Besides, the tom I mated with an aloof, fun-loving warrior. However, since he doesn't fit that description anymore, then he is no longer the father of my kits."

Cloverspirit frowned at her, "All kits have a father! You're disturbing your kits' lives because of your own anger!"

Ashfall's orange eyes turned to flames. "My kits are perfect little angels!" She roared.

Blazepaw turned to her, "Go. Finish your assessment. I'll handle them."

Applepaw was reluctantly pushed away. She stared at him for a moment as he stepped out of the bushes, and then sprinted away. I have to finish my assessment! Snowpaw's probably caught more than me by now! She slowed her pace near the river, where the scales of a fish glittered in the sunlight from where a fox had managed to catch one. Stale. Applepaw confirmed before she looked downriver. A water vole was burrowing near the water, and she stalked towards it. Suddenly, the head popped up with some nuts in its mouth and she leapt onto it.

Eeep! She sank her fangs into it hurriedly, and they cut through its neck viciously, spilling the warm blood.

"Mouse-dung." She growled, then glanced over her shoulder.

Pushing it into the roots of a tree and burying it, she continued to catch a rabbit, a squirrel, and a finch. As she was covering up her finch something bumped into her.

"Huh?"

Applepaw turned around, and to her horror, a bloodied white body fell before her, groaning with pain.

"Snowpaw!" She fretted, before the eyes opened. Brown. "Icepaw!"

Icepaw's eyes closed again, and his paws twitched. "He's coming to get me..."

The white-tom whispered. Suddenly, Applepaw's stomach twisted painfully.

"N-No. Don't die! I'll... I'll..."

She picked him up by the scruff and pulled him awkwardly over her back. She stood and ran as quickly as she could towards camp. Icepaw... if you die... I'll die too! Applepaw choked back sobs as her feelings for the white tom suddenly bubbled to the surface. As she was running blind, she hit another cat, stumbled, and fell. Icepaw yelped as he hit the ground.

A cat that was identical to Icepaw stepped forwards, muzzle and paws bloodied.

"Snowpaw..." She whispered, backing up to stand in front of her crush.

Snowpaw's muzzle wrinkled as he nodded to something invisible beside him. "Give him to me."

He lowered his head, allowing his yellow eyes to glare at her with a frightening bloodlust.

"S-Snowpaw! Stay away from him."

Applepaw lowered herself to the ground, flattening her ears to the top of her head. She let out a yowl of fury, and prepared to fight her brother. Her big, muscular, much stronger than her brother. Icepaw, I'll defend you! No matter what!

Okay, just to put you in suspense, I have to tell you... 4 cats die and 1 runs away into the unknown. :P R&R!