A/N: No reviews this chappie... maybe I have stunned my readers with the last chapter XD

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"We need to move Icestrike once I stabilise him! It's too open out here; we're open to attack from ShadowClan or rogues or monsters again." Cinderpelt was meowing, spreading the last of the cobwebs over Icestrike's wounds.

Birdpaw nodded numbly, handing over the last of the herbs to Cinderpelt as she stared at her brother in shock. H-How could this have happened?! Why, Icestrike? Why!?

"Get some more warriors out here!" Cinderpelt snapped at Sunpaw, who had just run back from ThunderClan camp.

He moaned, turning around slowly and beginning his run back.

"Ok, Cloudtail, Greystripe, Brackenfur, come over here and help me slide Icestrike onto this bark." She motioned with her tail to a large piece of bark Longtail had brought. "Skysong, you walk ahead and make sure there's no large sticks or rock in the way of the warriors. Longtail, get up here and help!"

The four warriors picked up the limp tom, Longtail grunting softly under the weight.

Cinderpelt nudged Birdpaw, following the warriors as they carried their delicate cargo across the forest floor.

"How are you staying so calm, Cinderpelt?" Birdpaw asked quietly, blue eyes wide.

"You suppress your emotions until later. Right now, Icestrike needs you."

Birdpaw nodded, staring at the dirt that she walked over. What will mom say?

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"How did this happen?!" Dawnfeather raced to her son's side, caressing his rumpled, stained fur with a pink tongue.

"He was hit by a monster." Skysong said quietly, eyes full of sorrow. Dawnfeather's tears dripped onto Icestrike's fur, and Mudpelt pulled her back, well aware of the whispers from the other cats.

"Dawn, Dawn, listen to me. You have to get ahold of yourself. Now's not the time to make a scene."

"Make a scene? MAKE A SCENE?!" Dawnfeather whirled, fur raised. "This is MY SON, we're talking about! I've already lost ONE kit, and I don't want to lose another!"

Mudpelt lowered his ears sadly, deep blue eyes full of sadness. "I know, Dawnfeather, but crying over him won't help." He stepped forward. "Let the medecine cats do their thing. Come. Eat some freshkill. You'll need your strength."

Dawnfeather nodded, following her mate to the freshkill pile.

My son... I don't want to lose you too! Stay with me...(1)

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Icestrike snapped awake, leaping to his feet.

"W-What?! Where am I?" He gazed around the silent meadow. It was night, and the stars shone down brightly. A soft breeze slipped through the grasses, tickling his ears.

"Anycat there?" His voice seemed to echo, and he shivered as the breeze grew into a sharp wind.

He gazed up at the bright stars, narrowing his eyes. Are they... getting closer?!

Indeed they were. The stars hurtled out of the sky, landing on the earth in small, bright explosions. Wherever a star landed, a pod of flames burned white-blue. The flames in each pod slowly died away, revealing a starry-coated cat.

"StarClan..." Icestrike whispered in awe, fur raised.

"Greetings, Icestrike, son of Scourge." The cats all spoke at once, and their eyes glowed eerily. "We have been watching you."

"Wait... you're not StarClan, are you?" Icestrike stepped back warily. "No. But we do know of this StarClan you speak of. We see them often, roaming the skies."

"Well, then, who are you?"

"We are the spirits of the cats who have died not believing in StarClan."

Icestrike curled his tail uncomfortably around his paws. "What are you doing talking to me, then?"

"You were born to a rogue mother and father. You grew up not believing in StarClan for a majority of your kithood. Thus, we came to speak with you."

"Am I... dead?" Icestrike didn't want to say it.

"You are on the brink of death. It is your choice to join us, or stay in your mortal body, where, if you survive, will most likely be blind."

Icestrike gulped. "Blind? How will I fight, how will I hunt?..."

"You won't."

His fur spiked again in agitation. "But, my mother and sister... they'll be really sad... and I can't leave them, or Tawnypelt."

"It is your choice."

"Let me think about it."

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A/N: Ya know,Erin Hunter never really did address what happens to kittypets and rogues when they die.. they don't believe in StarClan, so they certainly don't end up there, and I don't see why they'd end up in the Dark Forest...

(1): Stay with me: A reference to the Warrior M.A.P., Stay With Me.

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