Elsi: Alright, last chapter for tonight. I finished it, and I figured I'd post it. I might be writing more tomorrow, because i did kind of leave you on a cliff in Chapter 2, and I plan to do it again here. Less of a cliff. More of a small series of hills leading up to a pot of gold. But that's besides the point.

Trek: Uh...right. Elsi doesn't own Warriors by the way. She's just a really big fan of the world and of the characters...basically Erin Hunter's work.

Elsi: I am a fan of her work. She does good work, I think, for all ages, too. I have to read the latest book, don't I? That might be a good way to get me back into Elemental if I swing out of it again. When I swing out again. Because I undoubtedly will (hooray school!)

Trek: So, read on. This chapter is about Ivypool and Mountainpaw. So is the next one, if I'm not mistaken.

Chapter 3: Long Lost

Ivypool's whiskers quivered, and Icecloud meowed her concern, pressing into Lionstar's side. Lionstar leaned into his mate, grateful for her support. Ivypool glanced at Jayfeather in fear, but the medicine cat was oddly silent.

"Five lives," Ivypool said painfully. "Four lives from you, four lives from Bramblestar. Where did they go?" Lionstar shook his head.

"All I know is that I have to find the next leader of ThunderClan before I lose five lives, and I have to get them ready."

"Wouldn't that be Doveheart?" asked Icecloud. "She's your deputy."

"StarClan said that a leader was coming, one that all the Clans would have to follow until everything was at peace again. Bramblestar…he said that he thought the leader was Mountainpaw."

"If not Mountainpaw, then who?" asked Ivypool. "Skypaw?"

"She'd be my next guess," admitted Lionstar. "But I don't want to do what Bramblestar did and commit. We need to just keep following them, like we have been doing."

"I'll keep training Birdpaw," Jayfeather promised hollowly. "But I think StarClan means a leader-leader. Is Doveheart after Willowpaw now?"

"She is?" Icecloud turned to Lionstar, her eyes wide with amazement. Lionstar nodded quietly.

"I sent her when I came back. I hope that she'll be back sometime tomorrow, Willowpaw beside her. She's got to be Willowpaw's guide. Icecloud, you have to help me watch over Skypaw and Littlepaw."

"I'm looking out for all of our kits, Lionstar," soothed Icecloud. Lionstar took a deep breath.

"But those two in particular," Lionstar emphasized. "One of them is mine to guide, and…one of them walks alone. I just can't figure out which one I need to keep a close eye on."

"You'll have my help," decided Icecloud. Lionstar purred his appreciation and turned to Ivypool.

"And Ivypool…" he began.

"I'll get Mountainpaw back on track," decided Ivypool. She stood up, arching her back. She had to figure out a way to get to the Dark Forest without getting into another terrible conversation with Hawkfrost, and this time, she had to bring Mountainpaw out with her. There had to be a way to convince him to stop messing around in the Dark Forest, and if there was, Ivypool would be the best candidate. Lionstar gave her a long look, as if finally deciding that she was the only choice he had. Ivypool knew that it was still hard for Lionstar to trust her. He had to lead the Clan now, and she was the only cat in the Clan who had been an important figure in the Dark Forest once. It didn't matter that she had betrayed Hawkfrost; she could betray Lionstar just as easily. Of course, Ivypool knew that she would do nearly anything to stop Tigerstar from regaining his strength. But how was Lionstar to know that?

"You can trust Ivypool," Jayfeather muttered lightly. Ivypool looked at the medicine cat, once more grateful for his support. During all of her tough times, Jayfeather had been there for her. He'd reached out to her when Doveheart wanted nothing to do with her, and he'd kept forgiving her, even after she'd shoved him away. Apart from Bumblestripe, Jayfeather was probably one of the biggest reasons she had switched sides. He had promised to keep Bluemoon and Greyheart alive – and he had kept to his word. Her kits were warriors now.

"I know," Lionstar said, but he was just convincing himself. Ivypool didn't blame him for being insecure about her. "She's the fourth, and that's what matters now."

"Thank you, Lionstar," Ivypool muttered. It felt good to finally gain his trust, especially because of Mountainpaw. "What's going to happen to Mountainpaw's training, now that Bramblestar is gone?"

Lionstar looked taken back, as if he hadn't actually given any thought to it. He wasn't used to Bramblestar being gone. Ivypool felt terrible – how would she be able to deal with that kind of pain? Bramblestar was like Lionstar's father, and Ivypool had just lost her own father, so she understood. But Lionstar was closer to Bramblestar than Ivypool ever had been to Birchfall, and she pitied him. He had to lead them all now.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Mountainpaw looked up at Ivypool from his hunting crouch.

"I really don't see the point of this," he put forward. "What's the point of me going all the way back to the basics! I know all about the hunter's crouch. I've been doing it properly since I was a kit."

Ivypool raised an eyebrow at him, and her new apprentice fell silent. He did have proper form. There was just one thing she wanted to look for.

"Did Bramblestar teach you anything special?" she inquired. "A trick for hunting?" Mountainpaw sat up, surprised, and Ivypool tried to keep a blank face; she knew as well as he did that mentors in the living world didn't teach their apprentices much variation to the hunter's crouch. "I know most mentors don't…but you're a special apprentice…"

"I know something," snapped Mountainpaw. "Can I actually stalk some prey this time?"

"Be my guest," Ivypool answered with a smile. He'd fallen right into her trap – now, she had to make sure that he would follow through. Mountainpaw moved off through the undergrowth, and Ivypool bolted up a tree to follow him. She kept an eye on her apprentice as he began to trail something – a vole, she guessed. Eventually, Mountainpaw found his quarry, and he sank into the stance that she knew too well. A feeling of dread and excitement alike filled her heart. Hawkfrost had showed her that move, too.

When Mountainpaw had successfully made the catch, Ivypool leaped down from the tree, rolling neatly when she arrived. Mountainpaw's blue eyes glowed, impressed, as she came up easily. Clearly, he had never jumped out of trees before. She had done too much work in the trees.

"I've seen that before," she said hollowly. "Before you show off, think about who your audience will be." Mountainpaw's face fell, and Ivypool held her new apprentice's eyes. He was long gone, lost in Hawkfrost's trap. Had he already begun to help Tigerstar? In their last conversation, Hawkfrost had seemed confident. Maybe she was too late to help.

No! That was a stupid idea. There was always something Ivypool could do to help. She sat down before her apprentice, indicating that he should do the same. Mountainpaw stood, warily watching her.

"I know what you're going to say," Mountainpaw snapped. "You think that I don't know what I'm doing. That I'm just wandering in a trap."

"I wasn't going to say that," Ivypool answered – which was true. "I do think you're wandering into a trap, but I wasn't going to say so." Mountainpaw hesitated. Ivypool hunched over, her memories of the Dark Forest coming back to her. "You know I've been there before, right? That was the first thing he taught me."

"You go, too?" Mountainpaw's eyes widened, and Ivypool nodded. She was a little surprised that he wasn't aware of her former allegiance – maybe that wasn't included in the stories of the Dark War, the War of Shadows.

"I went," replied Ivypool. "A long time ago." Before I killed Hawkfrost. "He taught me lots of things. Like the tree move. More than just me went."

"Like who?" asked Mountainpaw. Ivypool smirked, ignoring his question. He didn't need to know about the huge quantity of warriors, from all the Clans, who had spent their nights lost in darkness. Some of them had been forced to do their warrior duties bleeding from the scars they got at night. They waged two wars, one in the day and one in the night. There had been no doubt to any of them which one was more dangerous. It would be devastating to Ivypool if a trick of Tigerstar and Hawkfrost caused all that she had fought against to come back.

"I can teach you some of what he taught me," she suggested. "I can tell that you've been going." Mountainpaw stiffened. "That's why I wanted to be your mentor."

"So you can talk me out of it," Mountainpaw said warily. Ivypool didn't reply. He was very clever already; it was probably Bramblestar's work. Maybe he did know what he was doing.

"I thought it would help with training," she suggested. "I'll know why you start dozing off during our fighting bouts. I'd deal with it differently." Ivypool scented the air. "Tell me what cats are nearby." Mountainpaw scented the air, and Ivypool watched with interest. He had such super senses. How did they work? Were they like Doveheart's? The apprentice opened his eyes again.

"Molewhisker and Sorreltail just took Snowpaw and Honeypaw exploring," he reported. "Leafpool, Dustfur, Foxleap, and Littlepaw are on patrol near the WindClan border. Mouseclaw, Cinderheart, and Whitewing are hunting not far from here."

"Can you take me where we won't be overheard?" she suggested. Mountainpaw looked at her, perplexed, but began to lead the way through the forest. Ivypool let herself trust him: he probably didn't know what to make of her mentoring abilities. He might even be thinking of Brackenheart, her last apprentice. Hopefully, he was looking at her requests as tests.

Finally, they arrived in what Jayfeather called Herb Garden. It was on the banks of the river, where all of Jayfeather's herbs flourished. The wind was strong here, and it carried their scents away towards RiverClan territory. Ivypool meowed her approval at her apprentice; Mountainpaw nodded his thanks.

"Good choice," Ivypool explained. They sat, staring over Snake River and towards RiverClan. Ivypool finally broke the silence. "I know about your powers, Mountainpaw."

Mountainpaw looked up at her, shocked, but he said nothing. Ivypool continued, trying to stay calm and figure out his reaction.

"I know…well, probably more about the prophecy than you do," Ivypool said. "Lionstar wanted me as your mentor so I could help you. I want to make sure that you do what you're duty is: to help ThunderClan."

"That's all I want," Mountainpaw confirmed. Ivypool's heart warmed – he really did think that Hawkfrost was helping him. He was a good cat, deep down. She knew it. He wasn't lost to her touch yet. She looked down, meeting his equally blue eyes. He looked like Greyheart, she thought to herself.

"That's why I'm afraid you're making a mistake," she pointed out. "I understand that you think that you're just learning, and that whatever you're being asked to do is worth it. You're probably right."

"Then what's the problem?"

"Eventually, the training will get so worth it that the tasks will get bigger," continued Ivypool. "He'll start asking you to learn things for him, or injure certain enemies in battle. He'll come up with these clever little plans, that to you, will sound like great ideas." Her heart constricted over her own guilt. "I once started a battle that killed many warriors, thanks to his influence."

Mountainpaw didn't know how to answer that, and he looked away.

"He wants me to heal his wounds," Mountainpaw explained. "I made a deal. Two lessons, and I'd decide. I've had one."

"It was worth it, wasn't it?" Mountainpaw nodded in agreement. "All of his lessons are. But I'll remind you that I took them all. And, as your mentor, I'm required to teach you everything I know." Mountainpaw stared up at her, his eyes curious. "And I wouldn't make you do anything worse than get rid of some ticks." Mountainpaw laughed at that, and Ivypool sighed in relief – inwardly, of course. It was working, she figured. Her story about the battle with ShadowClan had hit him. Ivypool couldn't read minds like Skypaw, but she did know that Mountainpaw was a good cat. He was just trying to learn some battle moves. He wasn't interested in starting wars, and her story had made him understand that Hawkfrost was up to no good. That relieved Ivypool. Any second now, he would ask for her help.

"How did you get out?" Ivypool smiled. "Who helped you?"

"Jayfeather promised my family protection," Ivypool answered. "I destroyed Hawkfrost myself in the battle, and that was how it ended."

"How does he still exist?"

"Because I destroyed him. Tigerstar is wounded, because it was Lionstar that killed him. You are like your father, when it comes to battle technique." She smiled, wondering if he understood that his father was supernaturally gifted, too. Mountainpaw could have comprehended, but he didn't make any noise of revelation.

"Can I get out?" Ivypool looked down at him, pity in her heart. She nodded quietly.

"I can go back with you," she encouraged him. "I'll go there every night until he calls you."

"How will I find you?"

"You won't. I'll find you." Mountainpaw stared at his paws, as if wondering if he was just being fooled. She sounded like anyone else; she was trying to convince him that Tigerstar was bad news. Mountainpaw could resist at any moment. But when he glanced back up, he just looked sort of afraid.

"Promise?" he asked. Ivypool nodded, touched by the comment. He was good, deep down. That was what she knew about him. He was confident and strong, and according to Bluemoon, he was arrogant and thought that he knew everything. But when Ivypool had cut down his defenses, and when she had told him that his special Dark Forest crouch wasn't so special, she had gotten to him. He trusted her, just a little bit, because she had been there. She had known all along that she would be able to get to him. Doveheart, Lionstar, even Jayfeather…they couldn't have gotten to Mountainpaw, not on this level.

She would keep that promise, too. Every night, she would wait in front of the training clearing, or she would follow Hawkfrost's scent until she found the place in which he trained Mountainpaw. He wasn't long lost yet, but he was fighting a losing battle. Until she was in the picture, Hawkfrost had the upper hand. But, maybe, if she worked with Mountainpaw, she could get him out of the Dark Forest for good. That was the goal.

Elsi: Hmmm...so, what will Ivypool do? This is kind of not proud and arrogant for Mountain; does he believe her or not? We shall see, we shall see. I think the next chapter takes place that night...yes, that would make sense, because then we go back to Doveheart and Willowpaw. ANYWAYS, I hope to get you at least the next two chapters before I recover. That might happen tomorrow! I'm on such a roll.

Trek: Yeah, you are...I'm impressed. You've been doing like three FULL chapters a day. Three and a half, I guess.

Elsi: More than that. I basically outlined War of Shadows last night. Right! That reminds me. So, if you haven't checked my profile page (today the 28th), you won't know about this. I'm kind of plotting out an idea for a prequel to Elemental. Kind of like Sunstrike's Story, which I think will be a series of one-shots if I ever get around to finishing this and Book Four. Which may take a while. Anyways, it'd be me focusing on what happened after I veered off from canon and began writing Elemental. I'd just read Fading Echoes when I started writing this (hence why Flametail lives in Elemental), so it'd basically start after that battle with ShadowClan (the one that Ivypool just mentioned!) and it would end in what the older guys call the War of Shadows. Wow, I wonder where the book title came from. Yeah, it'd follow Ivy and Dove and Jay and Lion. The Four, and their prophecy. Which I enhanced and lengthened, but it's not as positive as the one in Last Hope. Basically, I want to explain what happened with Lionblaze and Cinderheart, how Lionblaze and Icecloud became a thing, what happened with Ivypool and Bumblestripe, and where Doveheart's relationship with Tigerheart got all confusing. She should probably talk to him, next time she has a chapter. Hmm. So, tell me what you think!

Trek: And review in general! Elsi and I set up the little comment box again. It's down there. We had to disguise it as a review button, because of 's guidelines and whatever, but it ISN'T. Promise. It's a...comment box. Much less effort required.

Elsi: See you soon, I hope! Hope you liked your older generation chapters!