This is it. The last pre-battle chapter. It has lots of Jayfeather being sassy Jay. A cute moment with Willowshine for all you Willowshine fans. A bit more Firestar-Jayfeather tension in the air is always nice. :D Enjoy!

Chapter 27

Jayfeather

"What do you mean, what are we going to do about them?" said Jayfeather crossly. "They're kits of ThunderClan."

"As it stands," said Brambleclaw. "But who is to say that their mother won't try and change that?"

"Ivypool is ThunderClan, too," said Jayfeather. "Don't tell me you'd honestly think of casting her kits out."

"It's not a desirable situation," said Firestar thoughtfully.

They were in the medicine den, just the three of them plus Briarlight and Bumblestripe – who to this point hadn't said a word. Firestar and Brambleclaw had apparently come to an agreement about a few things: first, that Ivypool was dangerous to the Clan and had to be monitored constantly; second, she wasn't to see Doveheart or Cinderheart, as they were at risk of helping Ivypool; third, the kits were problematic in their very existence; and fourth, since the Clan was about to go to war, Jayfeather was not to get involved in what had been decided as "warrior problems." Jayfeather understood that Doveheart had been acting rash over the past quarter-moon, and that no, perhaps it wasn't his place to tell Firestar how to win a war, but if he was being honest, the best advice this Clan had received in the past moon had been from Bouncepaw, and it seemed as thought Firestar had just gathered his senior warriors to decide what was best for the Clan without consulting Jayfeather. If Jayfeather had been consulted, perhaps he would have advised Firestar to bringing Lionblaze into discussions, and to actually listen to Doveheart when she spoke out of turn. Then again, no one in their right mind would bring love-struck Lionblaze into an official meeting.

Thinking all of this would have made Jayfeather guilty - as he quite respected most of the warriors that seemed to be involved with Firestar's plans – but he was still stuck on the idea that he hadn't been consulted as the medicine cat of ThunderClan, and it really pissed him off. Thus, his response:

"Well-observed, Firestar, really. I suspect you wanted this to be easy, right? Everything in your planning would actually work if it was."

"Jayfeather…" said Briarlight, but her voice was so quiet and timid that the angry silence in the den seemed to be louder than her warning.

"We are at war," said Jayfeather. "We are at war with a foe that, as it stands, I know more about than you."

"I think you will find that you don't know everything, even about your own situation," said Firestar dangerously. "This war resembles the war with Tigerstar and the war with BloodClan, back when I first became leader. I've been trying to direct the Clan as if it was still that time."

"It isn't that time," said Jayfeather. The world spun in grey around him, the same way it always did, but he could nearly hear the crackle of tension in the air.

"We'll discuss this later," said Firestar. "The issue at hand is that we need to figure out what to do with these kits."

"I don't know what you want me to say," said Jayfeather. "I'm looking after the kits."

"Perhaps there's a plan with them," said Brambleclaw. "We don't know what Tigerstar is planning. Maybe leaving Ivypool here was purposeful. Maybe he has a purpose for – "

"For two kits?" said Jayfeather. "You do realize how mouse-brained that sounds, right?"

Brambleclaw heaved a massive sigh, and Firestar took a deep breath. Jayfeather partially braced himself for the entitled rant that would certainly followed.

"Can I say something?" said Bumblestripe, and the den had never been so shocked-silent. "Look, I know I'm not as important as any of you. I'm just a silly warrior who became mates with a cat I realized never loved ThunderClan. And even though Ivypool says I'm not allowed to see the kits, they are mine. I…I don't think that Tigerstar wants anything to do with kits that are mine."

"Bumblestripe…" said Briarlight.

"My mother was a kittypet," said Bumblestripe. "But I was born into ThunderClan, and ThunderClan is everything to me. I want my kits to grow up here, and to become the best cats they can be. I know my opinion doesn't count for much when it comes to battle, but I think I deserve a voice in what happens to my kits."

"We want the kits to grow up in ThunderClan, too," said Firestar, "but you're precisely right. Millie was a kittypet for the first half of her life, and it's strange that he would let Ivypool take you for a mate. We want to make sure there's nothing going on here."

"The kits are under my protection," said Jayfeather. "No one meaning them harm will be able to get near them."

It was a dual threat and promise, and by Firestar's silence, Jayfeather decided that he had made his point. The conversation had gone nowhere, just as he had expected. Sighing, he muttered a dismissal to the leader and deputy before strolling out of the den. He didn't have anything else to say to them, and his thoughts were too preoccupied with the circumstances surrounding Ivypool's labor than a petty debate over the potential war significance of Ivypool's kits.

He passed Toadstep – who was on guard – and let himself into the small crevice in which Ivypool was being forced to stay with her kits. Hazeltail was there, which somehow didn't surprise Jayfeather. To be honest, he was quite glad that Hazeltail was lending some support to Ivypool. She needed it. Jayfeather took a cautious few steps forward, just enough so that he could reach out and touch Ivypool's kits.

"Will you let me check on them?" he asked. Ivypool hmphed, but she didn't say anything in protest, so Jayfeather leaned over to sniff the kits.

"Have you thought about what to name them?" he asked.

"The she-kit is Bluekit, and the tom is Greykit," said Ivypool after a hesitant moment. Jayfeather lifted his head slowly and sat back at this response.

"Look, Ivypool," said Bumblestripe. "She's so pretty…and bright blue! Like your eyes."

"Like my eyes?"

"Like your eyes," said Bumblestripe. "They're perfect. That's why I believe in you, Ivypool. Because they, and you…make me sure that this world is more grey than black-and-white, like the others think. There's more to this than black and white, and I see that now. Some cats keep telling me that you're evil, and that I'm good, but I don't think it's really like that at all. How could you be evil, when I've seen you be kind and unassuming and determined to help the Clan? I fell in love with you for a reason, Ivypool." He stepped back, realizing that she was asleep. Then Bumblestripe stared down at his kits in thought, and he sighed. "No one thinks it's a good idea, but I love you even more after today. You won't let me have these kits, but you can't stop me from loving them. You won't let me have you, but you can't stop me from loving you, either."

"I see," said Jayfeather, although his calm tone of voice didn't match the growing excitement inside him. Was this the closest thing to a confession to her love for Bumblestripe? She was subtle. Not subtle enough. "Those are good names. I understand why you chose them."

"No, you don't," said Ivypool angrily. "You can't even see them."

"Of course," said Jayfeather. "Hazeltail, could you do me a favor and find Lionblaze and Doveheart? I want them here."

"But…but Doveheart isn't allowed…" said Hazeltail.

"I said she's allowed, so she's allowed," said Jayfeather. Once Hazeltail was gone, Jayfeather turned his full attention back to Ivypool.

"Wh-why are you bringing them here?" said Ivypool. "I thought you were checking on my kits."

"Your kits are fine," said Jayfeather. "It's you I'm worried about."

"Me?" She shrunk back from his sightless scrutiny, instantly knowing what he was referring to. "I…I don't know what you're talking about."

"I think you do," said Jayfeather. "Ivypool, for how long have you been able to come and go from the Place of No Stars at will?"

"Can't everyone?" said Ivypool. She laughed nervously. "When I want to go, I go, or they call me. Either way. It would be suicide for me to leave early, which is why no one does it."

"Ivypool," said Jayfeather carefully. "I have the ability to connect mentally with others. It allows me to follow other cats into their dreams, share memories with them, understand what they are feeling."

"Wh-what?" said Ivypool. "So you threatening Tigerstar…" Jayfeather went on.

"Lionblaze has the ability to never get hurt in battle," said Jayfeather. "This allows him to win any battle for ThunderClan, no matter the opponent, unless he consciously decides to lose."

"You're lying…"

"Doveheart has the ability to sense things outside of the range of normal cats. If she chooses to, she can hear, see, and smell the tiny day-to-day activities of RiverClan cats right now. It's why she was chosen to bring the water back to the lake. It's why Firestar has always had an interest in her. I suspect she is hearing this conversation."

"Jayfeather!" Right on cue, Doveheart burst into the den, seething. Lionblaze was on her heels. "What are you doing?"

Ignoring her, Jayfeather continued, a heavy weight in his heart. This was the moment he had been waiting for – the realization that things were actually going to work out. This was it.

There will be three cats, kin of your kin, with the power of the stars in their paws. A dark prophet will arise to complete the Good Four, light of light and the first enemies of the darkness. With starlight in their paws, they will defeat the shadows to save or destroy the Clans.

The first enemy of the darkness – the one that could escape it whenever she wanted to, but kept going back out of the need to protect her family.

"You, Ivypool, have the ability to cross between the realms at will," he said. "This is how you can find yourself in the Place of No Stars just by willing it to be so. I suspect, during your labor, your powers got the better of you, which is why you flashed in and out of the waking world. Am I right?"

"What?" said Lionblaze, jumping back. Doveheart had fallen silent, but Jayfeather could feel her shock as well.

"Ivypool," said Jayfeather calmly. "You are the fourth cat in our prophecy."

"That can't be…" said Lionblaze. "Ivypool?"

"A dark prophet," said Doveheart hesitantly. "Jayfeather, are you sure?"

"You're lying," said Ivypool, her voice thick and hesitant. "I don't believe you. You're lying! You just want me to be on your side! Well I won't do it!"

"There will be three cats, kin of your kin, with the power of the stars in their paws. A dark prophet will arise to complete the Good Four, light of light and the first enemies of the darkness. With starlight in their paws, they will defeat the shadows to save or destroy the Clans," recited Jayfeather. "This prophecy was given to Firestar, and it speaks of us. I'm sure you understand which shadows it refers to."

"I don't believe you," said Ivypool, shrinking away from them. She gathered her kits close with her tail. "I don't believe you. All of this was a cover, don't you understand that? The kits, the mate, everything – just a cover so that I could bring you to the Dark Forest. I completed my mission. Why would they have given it to me if I had…magical powers?"

"No one else could complete this mission," said Jayfeather coolly. "Hawkfrost and Tigerstar knew about your power all along. They've been lying to you."

"You've been lying to me," spat Ivypool. "Now get away, all of you. I won't be a part of your stupid made-up prophecy."

"But Ivypool, if what Jayfeather is saying is true, you have no choice…"

"I don't care, Doveheart. I won't do it. I am a general of the Place of No Stars. This is my mission! This is where I belong!"

Jayfeather wanted to reach out to her, perhaps mentally, but he didn't know how. Her words were angry, defensive, full of tears of betrayal. There she was, this broken and twisted she-cat, abandoned by ThunderClan and the Dark Forest alike. She clung to her kits as if they were her lifeline, and despite her screaming about the supposed "cover," the supposed "mission," Jayfeather suspected that they were the only thing left she really cared about.

"Ivypool, you listen…" said Lionblaze, but Jayfeather shook his head.

"It's a lot to take in," he said. "We'll let you be." Walking past the shocked duo, he slipped out of the thorn bush and nearly collided with Firestar. He felt Lionblaze and Doveheart appear behind him.

"Doveheart isn't allowed in here," said Firestar crossly. "I made that decision for a reason, and you three can't just go disregarding it."

"I-I'm sorry, Firestar," said Doveheart, bowing her head. "I didn't think about it."

"It's my fault, Firestar," said Jayfeather, waving his tail towards Doveheart. "I thought our first meeting would go better than that, I must admit."

"First meeting?" said Firestar sternly.

"You were warned of a dark prophet," said Jayfeather. The fire-pelted leader went quiet. "Well, there she is."

"Ivypool?" said Firestar in a horrified whisper.

"So there you have it," said Jayfeather. "Four. Four, and we are the only ones who possess the power to save the Clans. Your plans are only getting in the way."

He strode away, but Firestar sighed deeply. Normally, Jayfeather wouldn't have turned around for that sort of thing, but there was something in this sigh that made Lionblaze and Doveheart come to attention.

"You're forgetting a clause," said Firestar quietly. "It says save or destroy the Clans. If you were in my place, wouldn't you also have done everything you could to avoid that possibility?"

XXXX

Willowshine was waiting for him when he fell asleep.

"Things are getting bad," said Willowshine right away. "Aren't they?"

They were sitting around a puddle, like usual, except the water was a dark and murky violet color. Jayfeather shivered at the sight.

"I think the battle will be soon," he said quietly. "A number of days, maybe. Perhaps when the sun rises next."

"I heard a rumor, Jayfeather," said Willowshine. "They're saying that Kestrelflight has been captured by WindClan. I don't know what they want with him, but it leaves WindClan without a home and a medicine cat. This can't go on."

She was right, and he knew it. But the only way to stop it was with four, and thought they had those four spelled out and informed, he couldn't guarantee that Ivypool would willingly sign on. It was impossible to make her see sense.

"ThunderClan's general, Ivypool, is a hostage in our camp," said Jayfeather hesitantly. "I delivered her kits the moonrise before last."

"Her kits?" said Willowshine, appalled. "You've mentioned her before…she's had kits?"

"She claims that it was all a mission," said Jayfeather hurriedly. "That it was her way of gaining the trust of ThunderClan again."

"You don't believe her."

"I don't," said Jayfeather. "She named her kits after something said by her mate – for whom she claims to have no feelings for."

"There's a theory running around in my Clan," said Willowshine. "We find it hard to believe that some of the cats in WindClan's camp actually want to be there. Some of the warriors that claim to be working for the Place of No Stars don't seem the type. We think that there's something keeping them from leaving."

"Threats?" said Jayfeather. "The same theory is running around my Clan. What of it?"

"I'm saying that you can't give up on Ivypool," said Willowshine. "Judging from the way you've talked about her, you've been trying as hard as you can to get her on your side. Now, what's happened? You seem ready to abandon her."

"She's unresponsive now," said Jayfeather. "She fears for her kits. She won't abandon them, which means she'll stay with Tigerstar until the end."

"I thought you would have learned this," said Willowshine crossly. "It's something that I've seen every day of my life. A mother will only act once she is absolutely sure that her kits will be safe. Maybe Tigerstar has offered her something – but can't you offer her anything else?"

Jayfeather stopped to think about this. He had offered to protect the kits countless times, but still Ivypool didn't believe him. He couldn't make her come around, not unless he promised her that all the stars in the sky would protect those kits.

Oh.

"You can't give up on Ivypool now," said Willowshine again. "Especially not when everyone else has."

XXXX

Jayfeather was making his way over to Ivypool's prison when Rosepetal ran into camp, gasping for air and shivering from head to toe. He paused to look up. It was a good thing that Icecloud had been the one on guard duty.

"Firestar!" cried Icecloud. "Rosepetal has information on the warriors of the Place of No Stars!"

Firestar was there in a moment, bounding down from the Highledge to join the crowd gathering around Rosepetal and Icecloud.

"Rosepetal's back!"

"How did you get out?"

"What are they doing?

"Rosepetal's on our side?"

"Are they going to attack?"

"Let Rosepetal speak!" Firestar was able to silence them, and Rosepetal took a deep breath.

"I went with the others as a spy," said Rosepetal. She nodded at Icecloud. "Icecloud, Doveheart, or Lionblaze can support my story. RiverClan and WindClan had this sort of system set up, and then when we joined and ShadowClan joined it got more complex. All of the warriors, no matter what Clan, took turns patrolling the area or hunting. It was like we had formed our own Clan. Everything was led by the four leaders, one from each Clan."

"The generals," Brambleclaw said. "Who were they?"

"Mossytail from RiverClan, Redwillow from ShadowClan, Breezepelt from WindClan, and…it was supposed to be Ivypool, so Thornclaw has taken over as acting general."

"Why would he do it?" hissed Brightheart. "Is he pretending to be a leader over there?"

"If he is, it's a pretty convincing act," said Rosepetal. "I only stayed for a little while, but I can assure you that inter-Clan tensions aren't a problem."

"No one has a problem living among cats that aren't their Clan-mates?" said Cloudtail, appalled.

"I would hate sleeping in the same den as a RiverClan cat," said Molepaw with a shiver. Cherrypaw nodded importantly.

"Everyone has been trained to work together," said Rosepetal. "Like I said, it's like we're our own Clan. Anyways, that's not why I came back. Thornclaw mentioned to me that the next step will be to attack the Clans that still exist. They plan to send half of their forces to RiverClan and half to ThunderClan. Once they've wiped us out, they'll advance into ShadowClan territory. They plan to kill everyone who resists the…new order."

"And how will they manage that?" said Dustpelt. "A pawful of fox-hearted fools against the Clans?"

"Except they've gained the final push they need," said Rosepetal. "I don't know what it is exactly, but it's enough to allow all the cats in the Place of No Stars to take a form here. One that could actually wound a cat."

"Impossible," said Sandstorm. "That's not possible."

"It is," said Rosepetal. "So we won't be facing an army of a pawful of warriors. This is going to be a war between the Dark Forest and the shadow warriors…and us."

Whispers turned into shouts of protest and fear, but all Jayfeather could think of was the idea of Tigerstar taking a form so shadowy and yet solid that he could hurt others in battle. How was that possible? He would need a link into this world – into their world. But Tigerstar was stuck in the Place of No Stars…all cats were. No cat could escape.

"All cats gather for a Clan meeting!" said Firestar, tossing himself without a care onto the Highledge. "You have all heard Rosepetal's report, so you know that there isn't much time left." He took a deep breath. "I will consult with my senior warriors, but we must prepare for this. I suspect that if we do not attack first, we will not stand much of a chance. I will need all of our warriors on this. Therefore, to ensure that our queens and elders will be safe in the days ahead, I would like to name two new apprentices."

"Now?" said Brackenfur. "You want to name the two apprentices…now?"

"What better time is there?" said Firestar. "Briarkit and Windkit have reached their sixth moon, and I can think of no time when the Clan will need them more. Please step forward."

The two motherless kits detached themselves from Ferncloud and trotted forward side-by-side. Jayfeather wondered what their faces looked like. Was there any excitement to be had in a ceremony under these circumstances?

"Windkit, from this day until you receive your warrior name, you will be called Windpaw."

"Windpaw! Windpaw!" At least they were still united, even if the entire Clan was shaken. Jayfeather considered this good news, at the very least.

"Brightheart, you will be mentor to Windpaw. You have been far too loyal of a ThunderClan warrior for this to be your first apprentice, but it is your loyalty and courage that must now be passed onto Windpaw. I know you will do well.

"Briarkit, from this day until you receive your warrior name, you will be called Briarpaw."

Briarlight had once been called that.

"Briarpaw! Briarpaw!"

"Sorreltail, your cleverness and determination are extremely commendable," said Firestar, moving right along. "You will be mentor to Briarpaw, and I trust that you will pass your skills on to her.

"StarClan, look down on these two apprentices and grant them the bravery and loyalty that they will need in the days ahead," said Firestar sternly. "Teach them your ways, so that despite all the grief and turmoil around them, they will learn what it is to live by your warrior code, and what it is to be ThunderClan."

The apprentices handled, Firestar turned his attention back to the others.

"Jayfeather, Sandstorm, Dustpelt, Cloudtail, Brackenfur, Sorreltail, Lionblaze, Rosepetal, and Doveheart," said Firestar. Jayfeather nearly gasped aloud at the exhausted admittance. "Please meet me in my den. I will need your counsel."

Firestar had called Jayfeather, and Jayfeather would not turn down this final opportunity to make his voice heard. But before he did…

He ducked into the bushes, and Ivypool sighed.

"Don't lecture me, Jayfeather," she said. "I don't think I can stand it."

"There isn't much time for lectures," said Jayfeather.

"New apprentices," said Ivypool. "Is that what my kits will become? Thrown into battle before they understand it, always wondering whose battles they're fighting?"

"Is that what being a warrior has become to you?" said Jayfeather.

"StarClan doesn't want me," said Ivypool. "The warrior code has never been forgiving to me. Nothing has."

"StarClan chose you," said Jayfeather. "Like it or not."

"What does that make my kits?" said Ivypool. "Prey to be fought over by forces of good and evil? Am I to suddenly shoot light out of my eyes and vanquish the almighty darkness to protect them? That's not how this works, Jayfeather. I'm not special. I won't last. It doesn't matter whose side of this battle I fight on. I'm just going to lose. What does this – any of this - mean for them?"

"Here's what it means," said Jayfeather. "Ivypool, look. I don't like you. You don't like me. I'm not going to pretend that those things aren't true. But I'm not going to give up on you, either. I won't let you drift off without a fight. And if anything – anything – should happen that isn't in our favor, I swear to you that I will protect Bluekit and Greykit. With the power of the stars."

In which Jayfeather has a flair for the dramatic. No, really. I feel like most of the time he's running around yelling POWER OF THE STARS PEW PEW!

So, I've finished writing War of Shadows! I post things in various stories on a schedule, though, so you'll have to wait just a little longer. ;) I'll probably post a chapter a day until the end of summer next week. Sound good?

If you had any questions or last comments, please leave a review! Thanks, everyone!

~Elsi