Told you guys it'd be fast! I had this one half-written, so the other half is literally hot off the press, probably riddled with mistakes, rushed, and just plain terrible. But it's here! And I hope you like it! Next chapter not coming until tomorrow haha. I need a break! Only 2-3 chapters left :'(

And a very loved, important character dies, fair warning. With that being said, knowing you guys are probably itching to read it now,

On with the story!

Chapter 29

Roseheart

The sharp, fresh morning breeze cut through her fur and she tried not to shiver. The group of silent warriors had almost reached the rendezvous point with the other Clans. Thornflight walked beside her, strong and ever present. Gingerstrike brushed his fur against hers every few moments, as though assuring himself she was still there. Their protective stances soothed her though she knew they would do little good.

At last, the wind brought the strong scents of ShadowClan. Moments later, Roseheart detected the sounds of a large group of cats moving towards them. They were unused to the heavy undergrowth of ThunderClan territory and she could hear many curses aimed at the close branches and dry, snapping twigs. She smothered a snort of laughter.

"Thornpaw!"

Roseheart's ears pricked and the scents of Snowpaw, Dapplepaw, and Darkpaw all flooded her. She purred, happy at being with her friends again. "Dapplepaw!" Thornflight called joyfully.

"I'm Dapplesong now," the she-cat announced proudly, picking her way over the group of young warriors, sisters following. The rest of the ShadowClan warriors slowly began to mingle with the rival warriors, all joined by their fear and hatred. "And this is Darkfire."

Roseheart purred congratulations before turning to Snowpaw. "You haven't received your name yet?"

She listened as Snowpaw shuffled her paws, embarrassment flooding from her pelt. "Twigfur wants to wait until the battle is over." Roseheart purred and brushed her cheek against the apprentice's shoulder affectionately.

"Congratulations then," she mewed cheerfully. Snowpaw laughed, as did everyone else. Soon, WindClan came, and the other apprentices joined them. "Have you received your names too?" Featherstream asked as they padded up.

"I'm Blackfoot," the young tom answered energetically. His brother gave a low rumbling purr. "And this is Runningstorm."

"Looks like we're all warriors together!"

"What a coincidence!"

Roseheart listened to her friends' happy mews, not so heavy with anxiety anymore. It was almost like any other Gathering they had attended together. Except it wasn't. Sadness filled her as she sat there and she prayed they would all be okay in this last battle.

The trip to FourTrees was silent, filled only with heavy breathing and the brushing of pelts. Bile rose in her throat as she imagined her brother hurt, or Gingerstrike and she struggled to push back the rising tide of fear.

I must be strong. I cannot show fear!

At last, they arrived. The rancid scent of Twoleg waste and rogue left Roseheart light-headed and dizzy. She could feel their glares and taunting sneers. "There's Shadowfur," Gingerstrike muttered, hatred in his voice. He had lost his father to Shadowfur. Beside Thornflight, Roseheart sensed Featherstream stiffen.

"Together," she murmured, raising her chin high. She wouldn't let these pieces of crow-food see her tremble.

"Shadowfur," Leafstar called. Roseheart shivered at the bitterness in her voice. Her mother stood determined behind her leader and Roseheart admired her bravery. "Why do you do this again?"

Roseheart could hear his paws strike the ground softly as he approached their leader. Ravenwing drew closer, growling low in her throat. "Ah, dear Leafstar. And Ravenwing, good to see you alive and well," the tom purred in a silky voice. Roseheart was surprised by how smooth it was, for a cat so wrong. "I think you'll find that I will actually win this time."

Shadowfur's voice suddenly became louder. "The era of the Clans is at an end! All who wish to join will be spared mercifully. All who stand and fight will perish."

Roseheart growled. "Stand back, Shadowfur. You're nothing but a flea-bitten coward!" Nightstar snarled. Shadowfur merely laughed. The madness had finally taken over, Roseheart realized.

"I do not wish to waste time on useless words!" he snapped, suddenly vicious once more.

"It's strange," Featherstream murmured. Roseheart, distracted, tossed a glance in her direction.

"What is?"

"He hasn't mentioned me."

Roseheart shrugged. From what she had heard of the tom, she wouldn't be surprised if he had forgotten all about Featherstream.

She was jerked to attention by her mother's voice. "Shadowfur, why are you doing this again? How many more cats must die before you realize you can't win this battle?" she asked, sounding weary.

"Only four," Shadowfur purred. "Leafstar, you, and your brats!"

Ravenwing gave a roar of outrage, and Roseheart winced at the sound of body slamming against body. The battle had begun.

The world had become a blur. All she knew was slashing, biting, the sting of a new cut on her cheek. Some of her old scars had reopened and they throbbed on her sides and face. Jumping, she slammed a rogue into the ground, digging her claws into his back. "Scum!" she screeched, drawing blood. Hate, fury, and an overwhelming desire to protect her Clan overcame her senses.

Cats fled before her flashing claws. Thornflight remained by her side, yowling challenges to any rogues nearby. Gingerstrike helped Featherstream throw what sounded like a heavy tom off and Dapplesong fought with her sister nearby. Snowpaw had joined the other medicine cats in the bushes surrounding the clearing.

Roseheart stumbled, dizzy. A stab of fear and pure agony struck her chest and she suddenly couldn't breathe. Faintly, she could feel herself hitting the ground, Gingerstrike calling her name desperately. It's time.

She pushed herself to her paws, screaming a challenge now. Thornflight gave a yelp of surprise, which she ignored. Surging forward, she left them all behind. Pure energy coursed through her veins and she ran with the spirits of all who had suffered under Shadowfur's claw. No enemy stood before her. They fled or fell, wailing in their pitiful defeat.

At last, she broke through a ring of rogues to find Shadowfur battling Leafstar. She could sense her mentor was tired by her feeble yelps of pain. Shadowfur laughed maniacally and Roseheart wondered desperately where her mother was. "It ends here, Leafstar!" he crowed before a sickening ripping sound tore through Roseheart's mind.

"Leafstar!" she screamed. Only a faint gurgle replied and she howled, racing forward. "You piece of fox-dung! You badger-hearted crowfood! Die, Shadowfur!"

Shadowfur's laugh was cut off as she slammed into him, full-force. Her mother was calling her name, but that was far away. Gingerstrike as well, but that was also too distant to be worried about. All that mattered was the enemy before her, the cat destined to die. "Fight me, you coward!" she challenged.

They were locked in an eternal battle, both fighting for the upperpaw. They rolled and somersaulted about, both ripping fur in a desperate attempt to unhinge their opponent. Roseheart had never felt more alive in that moment. Before her dark stare, the images of all her loved ones flashed before her. Most prominent was Darkflight, and she remembered his message from her dream that night.

"Your faith is going to be tested, Roseheart, but you must stay strong. I am with you every pawstep of the way."

"Darkflight!" she howled, shoving Shadowfur away. Both lay, panting.

"Well, little she-cat," Shadowfur chuckled, standing on shaking legs. "You put up quite a fight."

Roseheart laughed, rising. "Your time is at an end, Shadowfur," she declared proudly. His hatred flew at her and she stumbled back.

"Never!" he snarled before leaping. Screaming a battle cry, she leaped too, claws outstretched.

In that one instant she hung in the air, the battle fell away. All she knew was her anger and her love. A crazy, unrestrained love that drove her to keep on fighting. A love for all her Clanmates, all the cats that had touched her life. Her love filled her and in that one beautiful moment came peace. I'm ready.

Pain exploded from her throat as she sank her claws into his. His warm blood spilled over her claws and she held on stubbornly, refusing to let him go. A faint cry escaped his lips and satisfaction filled her entire body.

"I-I see you, Rosepelt," he whispered, voice fading away. "I'm sorry." And his breath drifted away with his spirit. It was strange, how beautiful his death was.

Roseheart lay beside her fallen enemy, claws still stuck deep in his throat. She had done it; she had defeated him. At a high cost.

His sharp claws were embedded in her throat as well. The world began to spin. Thornflight's voice sounded beside her ear, loud and filled with panic. She could feel her own blood spilling onto the ground and she knew. Her time was going fast.

Please, Father…just once more.

A huge ray of light pierced her veil of darkness. Roseheart blinked her eyes open and sighed happily. She could see. The sky was blue and the trees were green. Her brother's dark eyes swam before her and she realized he was crying. "R-Roseheart, hold on! We're getting help!"

The song of birds reached her ears and a fresh breeze brought the warm scent of heather. She sighed again. "Everything is so beautiful," she murmured.

"Thornflight?"

"Yes, Roseheart?" he choked out. She turned her head to him.

"I can see," she whispered. Suddenly, a dark tabby tom was standing behind Thornflight. His pale eyes were filled with love and anguish and his pelt was shone with stars.

"Darkflight," she purred. "It's time to go, isn't it?"

"No!" Thornflight wailed, throwing his head back. "Don't take her! Please!" His muscles were taut and the agony inside was written in his dark green eyes.

"I have to, Thornflight," she murmured. Her eyes began to drift shut. "Tell Gingerstrike I love him. And tell Featherstream…tell her I forgive her. And Thornflight," she mustered the last of her dwindling strength. "I love you, brother."

A radiant, pure light blazed forth almost the second she had said that, blocking everything else from her regained sight. So this is StarClan's light. It is glorious indeed. And she let herself fade away, not fighting anymore.

Darkflight led her up the path to the sky, his pelt brushing hers. Roseheart refused to look back, to see the blood stained clearing and her limp body. She was leaving it all behind, that world. Ahead, she could see Leafstar and Fernpelt waiting for her, and pure happiness filled her body for the first time in a long, long time.

She followed her father home.

I'm crying. Seriously. I love Roseheart. She was one of the most amazing characters I have ever written. To part with her hurts more than anyone could possibly fathom.

I hope I surprised you guys a bit. And I hope you all don't hate me. I swear, this has been planned since I wrote the second to last chapter of Raven's Wing. It was a diabolical, horrible plan but I loved it and it wouldn't leave me alone.

Oh Roseheart, what will I do now?

~Ciao, Monkey~