Here is a nice wrap-up chapter before things get real very, very quickly. I guess wrap-up may not be the word. But it talks about what is to come. And putting Skysong and Mouseclaw in the same place is fun.

Happy reading, everyone!

Chapter 28: The Last Evening

How curious it was, that in the last few moments, two half-Clan kits brought ThunderClan together more effectively than anything else. Gingerkit and Flamekit somehow became the very final pieces that brought the Clan to its highest potential – which was right where it needed to be in war-time. It seemed counterintuitive to everything the Clan stood for: in any other place and time, they would have been more divided than ever. But now, as Skysong waited for the tides to change, she watched her Clanmates accept these two misfits into its belly.

"Flamekit's flecks are the cutest thing I've ever seen," gushed Blossomfall to Skysong as they passed each other – Skysong going in and Blossomfall coming out. It was the fourth random sentiment Blossomfall had passed that day. Skysong had heard other exclamations echo through camp, cries of: "let WindClan come! They won't take our kits!" and "Those two are going to be good ThunderClan warriors, I can just see it!" Birdfeather hadn't even inspired their words. The Clan knew that WindClan was coming with their teeth bared, and defending the kits had become a matter of pride. If they sacrificed these two half-Clan kits, it would mean every value of ThunderClan spirit had shattered. No one would let that happen.

Riding high on her sentiments, Skysong stepped into the nursery and saw Mouseclaw talking happily with Poppyfrost, his blue eyes fondly watching each movement the kits made. Gingerkit yawned, her tiny pink mouth dripping saliva, and then she pawed into Flamekit's side. The smaller flecked tom squeaked as if angry. Mouseclaw's eyes were so focused it gave Skysong pause. Noticing her staring, Poppyfrost lifted her head and purred welcome. So Skysong approached tentatively.

It was hard to believe that those were her brother's kits, her kin.

"Weird, how small kits are," said Mouseclaw in a soft voice. He flexed his paws, his claws arching out and casting shadows over the nursery floor. "So vulnerable." He turned and looked at Skysong. She didn't know how to reply.

"And then they grow up into brave warriors," Poppyfrost answered instead. She turned to Skysong and Mouseclaw. "How is it outside?"

"You should see them all," said Skysong. "Everyone wants to protect these two."

"As they should," said Poppyfrost. She blinked purposefully at them. "But they're stressed."

Mouseclaw nodded. "No one can tell what's coming," he said. He glanced at Skysong, who nodded.

The three of them stood in silence for a little while, just watching as the kits slept on, oblivious to all implication of their birth, their Clan, their identity. They were two blades of grass in the great forest, impervious and ignorant of what trees grew around them. Skysong felt a strange sense of unease settle into her bones, and she turned away.

"I just wanted to visit," she said, and she backed up.

Mouseclaw followed her.

"How much time do we have, really?" he asked close to her ear. Skysong shrugged.

"Hard to tell at this point," she mumbled. She took a few steps away from him, but he pursued her. Her unease swelled in her chest. Hesitant, Skysong glanced up at Mouseclaw and tried to discern the emotions on his face. He was a tom she could not read, and thus he was someone she found it very difficult to handle. Skysong took a deep breath. She didn't need to stand here struggling with him: he was afraid just as they all were.

"I know you don't like me," said Mouseclaw. "But I need your help."

"With what?" Skysong frowned. "Is it about Willowleaf? Because if so, you don't need to ask me to protect her, I – "

"Not quite." Mouseclaw flicked his ear. "Of course I know you'll protect all of your littermates. But…" He searched for words in the air between Skysong's ears. "I'm afraid that in whatever lies ahead for the five of you, she's going to face a difficult choice. I'm worried that…" He paused. "I'm worried that it will be a decision between losing your battle and losing herself."

Skysong felt her heart sinking. She could foresee the choice just as easily as Mouseclaw could. Willowleaf was so easily snapped, like a narrow tree branch. If something heavy crashed down on her, she would tumble to the ground.

"If you're asking me to let the Dark Forest win…"

"Of course not." Mouseclaw's blue eyes clouded. "Just that if something happens. If…if I am in the way of Willowleaf doing her duty…please don't let her save me."

Skysong wasn't expecting that. She knew Mouseclaw, having hunted beside him and lived beside him for her entire life. She knew how he obsessed over her sister, how he cherished her above anything else. It wasn't that she minded – Willowleaf did not need another variable in her life. But Mouseclaw's unwavering faith in Willowleaf scared Skysong. She had lied to him and forced him to suffer for so long, and still he was happier than ever to be beside her. He let Willowleaf become his life, and she was all-too-willing to put the same level of devotion into him when she had the time, and Skysong didn't know if that intensity could last forever.

But this sentiment of his wasn't out of the picture. It wasn't the doting of a moonstruck tom. These were the words of a measured warrior. Skysong couldn't help but share the image she could see in Mouseclaw's head: of him in trouble and Willowleaf flying to him, letting their entire quest fail. Or of what Mouseclaw wanted: Willowleaf screaming in protest as Skysong forced her to let go. Her resting unease hardened as the leader's instincts she had forgotten about stiffened in protest.

"ThunderClan comes first," she said. Mouseclaw breathed out a sigh of relief, though his eyes were not any clearer. "I will not let any member of ThunderClan perish."

Mouseclaw tilted his head to the side, puzzled.

"I don't like you, sure," said Skysong, "but if you do get in trouble, Willowleaf isn't the only one that's going to try to save you. All five of us will."

"And do you think you can do it?" said Mouseclaw.

"Yes." Skysong would not let herself believe otherwise. She didn't know what was coming, and the thought of battle and the risk frightened her from a place deep inside her. But thinking about failing was worse.

Mouseclaw nodded; her confidence seemed to put a light in his eyes.

"I'll do everything I can to help you," he said. Skysong didn't want his help, but she didn't say so. Mouseclaw was as genuine on this issue as could be. She could appreciate his honesty. Parting from him, Skysong turned and paced towards the back of camp, where Mountainstone had been sitting in rigid focus for most of the morning. While they had guards on duty, Doveheart and Mountainstone had been switching off sitting catatonic, pretending to doze, and using their senses to be totally aware of camp.

When Skysong approached, Mountainstone's blue eyes opened cautiously.

"Hi," said Skysong. "Any news?" Her brother shook his head. Skysong took this information in. He would be the first to know what would happen to them. She envied him in a way – at least he could see what was happening, at least he wouldn't be stuck in this horrible waiting period.

"I want to ask you to explain something." Mountainstone's voice was tired from overuse. "Littlefalcon."

"What happened?" Skysong thought back. "I don't think he's the same as us."

"I get that," said Mountainstone. "But what's so different? All the prophecies refer to Five – what makes him tick, and why do the rest of us not have that?"

"I don't really understand myself…" began Skysong. She tried to think through her jumbled facts. "When we were kits, Littlefalcon had some sort of power to mask the truth and switch our powers around. He did that and diverted some power to himself – Birdfeather's persuasion, for example."

"Just Birdfeather's persuasion?" Mountainstone flicked his tail. "I know now that I am the one controlling our mental communication. So Littlefalcon had that power for a while, but he gave it back. And from you he stole your destiny, right?" His nose wrinkled.

"I don't like the word stole," mumbled Skysong. She sat down. "But yes. Apparently our destinies have been opposite for some time."

"Then what were you meant for before this?" said Mountainstone. "If you and Littlefalcon swapped places, he must be meant for something other than leadership."

"The words of our prophecy still stand," said Skysong. "Water will fall into starlit power. That must mean Littlefalcon, even if it doesn't mean leadership."

"Another question," Mountainstone said. "That's something from everyone except Willowleaf." He narrowed his eyes at Skysong. "What did Littlefalcon take from Willowleaf that she'll get back soon?"

Skysong paused. She realized how many pieces were still missing.

"And what does it mean that we had more powers that he diverted from us?" said Mountainstone. He looked at his paws for a minute. "Maybe I'm saying too much. But what if the only power Littlefalcon ever had was to divert powers and tamper with our memories? What if…?"

"If he doesn't have any others," said Skysong, understanding. "Do you think his water powers are not his, either?"

"Well, he's had trouble controlling them for the first time recently," said Mountainstone. He blinked. "Skysong, do you think I'm being too suspicious?"

"No," said Skysong. "You're right. There are still things we don't know."

"About our own brother," said Mountainstone. He shook himself. "Littlefalcon is a vital part of our duty to the Clan. If we don't know what he's capable of, how can we be sure that we'll be able to trust him to do his part?"

"We don't know what his part is," said Skysong.

"We don't know what form any of this will take." Mountainstone chuckled, putting his head on his paws and closing his eyes again. "I only sense that we will not have many more nights to muse over this."

"You think this may be it?" said Skysong.

"This night, or the next night," said Mountainstone. He nodded cautiously. He flicked his ears suddenly, and ever muscle in Skysong's body tensed. But then she tasted Birdfeather's scent, and she welcomed her sister to their circle.

"Have you had another dream?" asked Mountainstone. Birdfeather shook her head. She had told everyone about her dream of Breezepelt and the in-between plane, which was what Ivypool had called it, just earlier that day.

"Only worries," she said. "Am I really meant to destroy Old StarClan?"

"If things go wrong," said Skysong softly.

"We can prevent it from happening," said Mountainstone. He opened his eyes again. "Tigerstar told me I couldn't save them. I will prove him wrong."

"This isn't one of those wars where everyone ends up okay in the end," Birdfeather snapped.

"Do those wars exist?" Skysong asked.

"I just mean…" Birdfeather shook her head. "I'm starting to think that the reason Old StarClan fears us so much, the reason they've stood in our way all this time…is because we're supposed to destroy them to save everyone else."

"I won't believe that until it's the only option left to me." Skysong found the words spilling forth before she could stop them. She thought of all the past leaders, with their great tales of glory and their pelts full of the guiding stars. StarClan was everything the Clans needed. If StarClan could be destroyed, how could the Clans trust anything?

"We'll see," said Mountainstone. He blinked calmly at them. "We'll just have to see."

"I don't like not having a plan, but you're right." Birdfeather nodded. She glanced at Mountainstone. "Can you see where Doveheart and Willowleaf are?"

"They've just arrived in ShadowClan land," said Mountainstone. "They'll be there for some time, I'm guessing." He sighed. "Do you think things will break apart at the Gathering?"

"Too ominous," said Skysong. "Too obvious."

"I was hoping you'd say otherwise," sighed Mountainstone. "Then I think I'm right. Tonight."

"Tonight." A shiver shook Birdfeather, but Skysong felt nothing. Only the tingling in her paws at the idea of everything coming to its conclusion now. She would never really feel ready, but this was good enough. Sighing, Skysong shook her head.

"We'll see," said Mountainstone again. "We'll just have to see."

XXXXX

Time passed. As the evening drew on, Skysong found herself beside Greyheart once again. There was little else to say. It was easy enough to stand in Greyheart's company and wait for WindClan to arrive demanding blood or kits.

"You nervous?" said Greyheart. Skysong nodded. "You should be."

"That's encouraging, thank you."

"I just mean that if you weren't, I'd be even more afraid." Greyheart blinked at her. "That you're nervous means that you want to do your best."

"I do." Her words were beginning to come out as a whisper. She hadn't really felt her own nerves until that point. It was a startling calm inside her chest, except for a distant shaking in the back of her brain. A mouse seemed to be running around in her head, squeaking all its impulses of fear and the urge to run. Skysong was stronger than any mental urges. She knew better. She took a deep breath.

Now. Mountainstone's voice in her head held all the fear and pain Skysong knew he would not express aloud. She could feel in that single word the warrior impulses in her brother beginning to build up like scales to protect him. Skysong had no attachments she could use as protection. She was a cat of the mind. She was just as vulnerable as anyone else. Slowly, she stood and met Littlefalcon's gaze; he knew, too. She nodded at Birdfeather, who instantly retreated into the nursery. Then she took three steps forward, Greyheart following with each one.

"It's now." Greyheart's voice was firm. "It's happening."

"Yes." Skysong could feel the shift in the air as if she was standing on the border between StarClan and the Dark Forest itself. There was no way to tell when the border would fall, but it was dangerously close. It would be tonight.

Mountainstone passed her.

"I'm going to get Willowleaf and Doveheart." His voice, as expected, was hard as the stones he was named after. He blinked at her. "Let's do this."

Skysong nodded, and moments after he shot out of camp, Honeyleaf staggered in, her eyes bright and full of the blaze of warrior intensity. All of ThunderClan jumped to their paws.

"They're coming," said Honeyleaf. "My patrol has found evidence of WindClan and RiverClan patrols on our land. They mean to hold off as many cats as they can, but they're coming." She broke off, breathing heavily, trying to take control of her fear and courage at the same time. Lionstar leaped to the top of the Highledge and tipped his head back and called a battle cry Skysong knew would be just like a real cat of LionClan. She felt a rush through her paws as ThunderClan echoed that cry, howling like wolves to the twilight sky. Greyheart's voice beside her calmed her, and Skysong let adrenaline take over her as she let her voice intermingle with the rest.

Lionstar's eyes were two individual suns of fury.

"Let us show WindClan and RiverClan that they are not welcome," he growled. "Our battle strategy is set. Let us depart."

Skysong caught one final glance of Birdfeather's afraid green eyes, and then she turned and nuzzled into the fluff beneath Greyheart's chin.

"Stay safe," she whispered. "I love you."

"That's all I need," said Greyheart. He touched his nose to hers. "I love you, too."

Hearing his sincerity, Skysong could smile. She didn't need a wind to feel like she was flying. She streaked across the clearing to meet up with Cloudtail, who would be leading her party. The senior warrior shook his long fur and looked around as the party formed. Skysong looked around, too, meeting the eyes of her Clan-mates, the cats she would do anything to protect.

"Let's do this," said Dustfur, kneading the ground underneath his paws.

"WindClan and RiverClan will learn that ThunderClan can't be pushed around," meowed Hazeltail.

"We're the greatest warriors in the forest," said Berrynose. "They'll know that after tonight."

"What happens tonight will prove our strength," said Ivypool, making eye contact with Skysong. She nodded, taking the words to heart. I will be strong. Cloudtail waved his tail, and Skysong turned after him, rocketing out of camp. The scents of ThunderClan washed into her nose and sunk into her heart. This was it.

Here was the final clash of the Clans, the night that would determine the fate of them all.

Oh yes it will.

I'm working my way through Chapter 33 right now! I'm going to upload this guy, then hopefully as I finish chapters, upload more. I want this battle to go very quickly so there are no cliffhangers involved, haha! By that I mean, I don't want to leave you guys sitting around when I can write it all without issue.

BATTLE BEGINS NEXT CHAPTER!

If you liked this/have any comments, let me know! Also don't forget to tell your friends and follow me for more glorious Elemental goodness!

~Elsi