Wow. Here we are. We made it to the finale. This is the FINAL chapter of Elemental Book Three: An Endless Reign. I sincerely hoped that you have enjoyed getting to see these characters grow up and take on new responsibilities, because I certainly have enjoyed writing it all out. There is still more to come, of course! I will begin writing the final installment VERY soon. I already have a prologue.

Enjoy! And, for the final time, I don't own Warriors.

Chapter 22: StarClan's Will

We all depend on you now.

Three sunrises later, and Bramblestar's words echoed in Lionstar's head like the words of his prophecy once had. This felt different, as though he was suddenly leading two Clans instead of just ThunderClan.

"You haven't been getting enough sleep," said Icecloud chidingly, momentarily taking Lionstar's attention off of his kits. Willowleaf and Birdpaw were taking a short stroll in the sunlight while Mouseclaw slept – for all Lionstar knew, Willowleaf hadn't left her chosen mate's side. Skysong and Mountainstone were chatting with Molewhisker and Snowpaw. Littlefalcon sat alone in camp, his head folded on his paws as he attempted to nap in the afternoon light.

"There's so much to do," Lionstar said softly.

"You don't have to do it all yourself," said Icecloud. Lionstar didn't reply, and she purred. "I know. You want to help, and you won't stop until everything fixes itself."

"Bramblestar told me on his deathbed that one of them would be the leader ThunderClan needs," said Lionstar. "He thought it to be Mountainstone."

"Mountainstone is a powerful warrior, like you," said Icecloud softly.

"I don't think the Clan needs a powerful warrior to lead them," said Lionstar.

"You seem to do the job just fine," said Icecloud. Lionstar lazily tipped his head back to meet her eyes, and she stopped grooming him for a moment, a faint smile on her face. "What do you think?"

"I was going to ask your advice," said Lionstar. "You know our kits just as well as I do. Maybe more." He paused. "Willowleaf is a lot like you. Mountainstone is, too."

"Willowleaf isn't a leader," said Icecloud. "Nor am I. There are just some of us who aren't cut out for it. Destiny has nothing to do with it."

"I need to take a guess," said Lionstar with a shrug. "I've put this decision off long enough."

"You've been thinking about it since Bramblestar's death," said Icecloud. Her eyes twinkled. "Don't think I haven't seen you waiting in the entrance of the den, just staring out there."

"Skysong or Littlefalcon," said Lionstar softly. "They both have the right traits. I was going to take on Littlefalcon and teach him some of the skills I learned as deputy. But…"

"But then Littlefalcon started being snappy and irrational, uninterested in trusting anyone," said Icecloud. "I saw it happen, too."

"On the other paw, Skysong is too proud, which leads her to be pointlessly cruel," said Lionstar. "I don't know which fault is worse."

Icecloud was quiet for a long time, her tail idly flicking over Lionstar's.

"I think you already know what decision you're going to make," said Icecloud softly. "Trust your instincts. They're usually fairly good ones."

She stood up and stretched, her white pelt alive and glossy in the sunlight. Lionstar observed her. Once he had dreamed of Icecloud by his side as he saved the Clans. Now that it had some promise to actually occur, he dreamed of something different. Icecloud was his constant, as she had been since the days before their kits were born. He couldn't imagine life without her there as his friend and his shoulder to lean on and his confidante. Now, though, Lionstar pined to live in a world where he and Icecloud could have an ordinary life. Where they could be like Dustpelt and Ferncloud and just be notorious for their devotion to one another. Where there were no worries of prophecies and leading the Clan. He would run away with her, if she asked and if they lived in a different world. Here, though, prophecies were his reality, and ThunderClan was even more important to him than Icecloud.

"Would you send Doveheart to me?" asked Lionblaze as Icecloud licked the top of his head with a murmur about taking a patrol out hunting. "I want to go over something with her."

"Absolutely," said Icecloud.

"Thanks," said Lionstar as she started gliding across the camp. "Happy hunting!"

She waved her tail to indicate that she had heard, and Lionstar sighed. What do you want from me, Bramblestar? Firestar? He knew that he would get no answers, that their time was up for actually knowing what they needed to know. But Lionstar felt like a kit back in the nursery, watching as the big, scary warriors brought back mice the same size as his torso. He half expected Firestar to stroll back into camp having just taken a patrol of his own, or Bramblestar to appear and strut around the camp to ask if the apprentices had done their duties and if the patrols had come back alright. But none of it happened, and Lionstar was alone in his destiny of leadership. Lionstar wondered if this was a fate he really wanted to pass on to one of his kits.

"You wanted to see me?" Jostled out of his inner turmoil, Lionstar looked up to Doveheart. "What's wrong?"

"It's something I was told a while ago," said Lionstar. "I'm supposed to choose one of them and train them as a leader."

"Skysong and Littlefalcon, you mean," said Doveheart. She nodded and sat down, becoming pensive. "One of them will have to walk alone."

"I realize that," said Lionstar. "Neither path is easy, though. Living life as a leader may not be worth living life with a guide, even if the alternative is never knowing."

Doveheart mewed quietly to confirm this. Her eyes were far away, perhaps thinking through her own possibilities. Lionstar looked up to her and didn't speak. He wasn't sure how to break his newest opinion.

"I think Skysong is going to walk alone," said Lionstar.

"Which means Littlefalcon is the promised leader that will…save the Clans and all of that," said Doveheart, but she kept observing Lionstar as if she wasn't entirely opposed. "You're going to choose Littlefalcon to guide."

"I think it's the right decision," said Lionstar. "I thought about it for a long time. Moons. I keep considering – what happens if Littlefalcon isn't good enough, or if Skysong needs support."

"They don't need our guidance," said Doveheart softly. She shook her head. "Not really, anyways."

"I don't think that's true," said Lionstar. "You brought Willowleaf back to the Clans. Jayfeather is Birdpaw's mentor and has taught her how to be a medicine cat. Ivypool helped Mountainstone work his way out of the Dark Forest. Maybe it's time I taught one of my kits a similar lesson."

"Good luck," said Doveheart. She flicked her tail. "Why do you need me to talk about all of this?"

"I wanted to ask you if you'd give up some of your duties," said Lionstar in a quiet voice. Doveheart didn't reply, but his words had not been expected. "In-camp, I mean. So I can give Littlefalcon a taste of what responsibility and leadership really feel like. Does that make sense?"

"So he would help me organize patrols, that sort of thing," Doveheart said.

"Yes," said Lionstar. "I also think he can help me make decisions, if they come up. Or he can at least listen in on what you and I do to manage the territory."

"That makes sense," said Doveheart. "How are you going to explain it to the Clan?"

"I won't," said Lionstar. "But if they don't understand, I'll explain it to them when they ask me. For just under a moon, I want Littlefalcon following you and I around. You've been deputy for three moons now, so you know how things work." Doveheart nodded softly.

"He's already quite good at recognizing the strengths and weaknesses of his Clan-mates," said Doveheart. "Is that why you chose him?"

"Yes," said Lionstar. "He's always been the most intuitive." Doveheart nodded, flicking her tail.

"I'll go get him," she said. Lionstar watched her go, his eyes scanning the camp once more. He couldn't remember a time where he hadn't loved each of these cats with all his heart. All their petty differences and imperfections, all their faults and gifts. He wanted to be the right leader to them, but he knew he couldn't be Firestar. Though he may not have been the most liked leader throughout the Clans, Firestar had led ThunderClan through the passing moons with every bone in his body. Lionstar knew he would never be able to reach that mark. Maybe Littlefalcon could.

"You wanted to see me?" said Littlefalcon. His voice was heavy and light at the same time, as though he was giving out. Lionstar hesitated, noting how Littlefalcon's eyes seemed dull today. Lionstar glanced at Doveheart, who flicked her tail. Littlefalcon's head snapped up suddenly, and the amber in his eyes glowed brighter. "Sorry. I'm listening."

"Doveheart and I have been thinking," said Lionstar, sitting up so that he looked his son in the eye. "You know, of course, that Bramblestar was training Mountainstone to be a great leader."

"Yes," said Littlefalcon. He swept his tail over the dusty ground. "It wasn't obvious, but the signs were there if you were looking for them. But Bramblestar didn't think he was right."

"No," said Lionstar. "I've been trying to decide which of you is, in fact, destined to lead ThunderClan. After long consideration, I've decided to train you."

"Me?" Littlefalcon's eyes got wide, as though Lionstar had genuinely surprised him. For the briefest of moments, Littlefalcon looked like the merry apprentice again, and his tail waved happily as he forgot whatever was wearing on his mind and smiled. "You think I'm destined to lead ThunderClan."

"You'll follow Doveheart for a while," said Lionstar. "I want you to help her assign patrols and get to know the Clan-mates. You'll sort of act as…in my mind, I call it an in-Clan deputy. You'll meet with me as well, and I'll teach you what I've picked up as well."

"Thank you," said Littlefalcon. He sounded like he really and honestly meant it. The small golden tom dropped his eyes to the ground for a few moments, his smile evident. Then he looked back up and glanced between Doveheart and Lionstar. "Knowing you have this much faith in me…it means a lot."

"Your new duties will start tomorrow," said Lionstar. "Meet Doveheart at sunrise tomorrow, and she'll guide you through what she does every morning."

"Yes, Lionstar," said Littlefalcon, dipping his head. "Thank you both."

"You'll be brilliant," purred Doveheart. Her eyes sparkled as she smiled. "I know that you're ready to give everything to the Clan."

For a moment, Littlefalcon's smile faltered, but then he was back at full attention. Lionstar caught onto the hesitation, but he didn't know what to make of it. A certain degree of hesitation entered his heart – had he made this decision incorrectly?

"I'll make sure you don't need to doubt me," said Littlefalcon. He dipped his head. "Thank you, Lionso-star. Lionstar." He backed up a step, flustered as the incorrect name suddenly tumbled from his lips. "Doveheart." Then, his kittish joy evident in the bounce in his step, he moved off towards Skysong and Mountainstone across camp.

"He has a lot on his mind," meditated Doveheart. "I can't even begin to fathom what goes on inside that cat's brain."

"I worry about him," said Lionstar. He stretched. "But I still think he'll do well."

He left Doveheart on this note, letting himself stroll casually out of camp before he let his composure drop. A weight was building up in his heart, partly because of his self-doubt, but also because he couldn't see what was ahead. He was meant to be a guide, and now that the barrier in StarClan was breaking down, he didn't know if they had prepared soon enough. Were his kits ready? They were warriors, and Birdpaw would no doubt become a full medicine cat within the next two moons. He supposed that they were full grown. Still young, but when he was still young, he had traveled on two major journeys and given himself a name as a prominent ThunderClan cat. He shouldn't doubt his kits so much. Maybe he just doubted himself, no matter which way the doubt manifested itself.

A rustle in the air around him made him look up, and Lionstar flattened his ears onto his head as he stared into the green eyes of Lionheart. Don't trust him, thought Lionstar. You can't trust anyone who can appear to you.

"Do you know what you're doing?" said Lionheart in his thick voice. "You've made a major decision in choosing Littlefalcon."

"I do not need help," said Lionstar.

"You would not accept help, even if it could prevent the death of one of your kits?" said Lionheart. His eyes flashed. Lionstar felt his heart constrict, and he couldn't breathe for several moments. the images of this possibility flashed through his mind: Littlefalcon lifelessly lying in the center of camp in their vigil, Skysong screaming as her blood splashed onto the forest floor, Mountainstone's eyes glazing over and reflecting the sky above him, Willowleaf shuddering in pain before finally lying still; Birdpaw's wild last words going unheard as her life was snatched from her by a cat's claws.

"Hear me, Lionstar, first of the Good Four," said Lionheart, his voice booming in this empty corner of the forest. "The balance must be restored. If your Great Five dare to interrupt it, one of them will perish along with all hopes of paradise."

"You cannot be serious," said Lionstar. "Who can judge this? How do you know?"

"StarClan has judged it so," said Lionheart sternly. "Are you so shocked to know that one of your kits' destinies ends in death?" Lionheart laughed. "Do not grieve so hard, Lionstar. You have four more."

"What happened to you?" said Lionstar, his paws shaking mostly out of fear but partly out of rage. "You were so good, so benevolent."

"There is no good, no benevolence," said Lionheart, his eyes tipping to look at the sky. "Just as there is no evil, no malevolence. It is all one, all joined together in a balance that until now has been disrupted." Lionheart stared at him. "Your Great Five must choose to save it, not destroy it."

Lionstar watched Lionheart until the giant golden tom strode off into the woods. Lionstar didn't bother moving after him, because he knew that the StarClan cat would not be there for further discussion. Long ago, this had been the decision presented to Firestar, too. Save or destroy the Clans. That was always what it came down to – a choice. Two options, one catastrophic and the other their only hope. Firestar had always been afraid of the destroy alternative, and Lionstar felt a vague sense of nausea creep up within him. He, too, was afraid that his kits could destroy the Clans when they came around. Back in the war, Firestar had tried to meddle, and it had only irritated Lionstar; now, though, he was tempted to meddle as well.

It was up to him to make sure that his kits didn't destroy the Clans. They were destructive, and he knew that. They could – some of them had – killed with their powers, and Lionstar saw the stark fear in Willowleaf's eyes whenever she realized that she could do it again easily. They had the power to destroy. Lionstar and the others, then, as their guides, had to ensure that they made the right choice. The Great Five needed to save the Clans, especially now that StarClan was quite literally fraying at its edges. If there was some great balance to restore, some magical ending to fix StarClan, Lionstar had to ensure that his kits found that path to take. There was no other alternative. His kits were good cats, and they would choose whatever they thought was right, but what if they were too young and foolish to find what was actually right?

As for one of his kits dying, well…Lionstar could do everything in his power to ensure that it didn't happen. He would easily lay down his life for those five young cats. If it all came down to a sacrifice, if StarClan willed for there to be a sacrifice, Lionstar would ensure that he was the one to die.

Of course…nothing is as it seems, when great is greater than good.

THE END

STAY TUNED FOR THE FINAL CHAPTER OF THE SAGA OF THE GREAT FIVE

ELEMENTAL BOOK FOUR: THE FINAL STEP

I would like to thank the following people for favoriting, following, and reviewing this story: Blood Red Mind, Cinderpaw11, Happyuy1, Hawkwing of WindClan, KittyMew113, LakeStream, Welcome to the New, lithdrea23, Arianna Flamepelt, munchkineater, Thornshadow, Tigertail24, and other anonymous guests. I appreciate your support IMMENSELY, as this story has been crazy and up and down, and I've considered dropping it once or twice. Your faith in me and in my storytelling has led me to continue writing and expanding in this universe that is VERY dear to me. I LOVE ALL OF YOU! 3

If you didn't review, favorite, or follow, that's okay, too! I appreciate everyone who read this story, and all the people who are going to read it after I write this. Thank you SO MUCH! If you have any other thoughts for me, I would love to hear them, even if it is over. I could always use advice in Book 4, and I still get a warm fuzzy feeling when the little email announcing activity pops up in my email.

Book 4 will be posted before you know it! I'm REALLY excited to begin this project. My plans for it are immense, and I just finished putting in the final details on the plot summary. The Final Step is going to be a whopping 39 chapters (as of right now), and is going to feature essentially every character that has EVER been important in the Elemental-verse.

If you're interested in my other work, you can check out my profile for my other stories. I've written a fic for Axis Powers Hetalia called A Question of Arrangement, if you're in that fandom. If not, you can always read the other work in the Elemental-verse, such as War of Shadows. Actually, I would highly recommend that. It isn't totally mandatory, but it may cast some light into what is going on.

Once again, THANK YOU!

~Elsi