A/N: Oh my goodness. I can't believe the story's almost done!
Just a couple more chapters, and then... SEQUEL TIME!
Enjoy!
Chapter 23 | Secret's Out
This explains everything, Hollypaw thought. Snowstar didn't found IceClan just because she was power-hungry; she knew Darkstar's heritage would come out sometime and she didn't want her second-in-command driven out!
Grayheart and Silverflame are mates and Frostfur and Darkstar are littermates… Grayheart and Silverflame are so much like each other, but their cubs are opposites right down to the color of their fur!
Then Claystar yowled, "I don't want to be led by a half-Clan wolf! I hereby declare IceClan to be broken into ThornClan and FrostClan once more!"
The ThornClan wolves followed him into the forest, back to their territory, while the FrostClan wolves stayed by Darkstar, who jumped down from the Great Rock. "Come on. We're going home," snarled Darkstar. The FrostClan wolves followed her, but looked a bit unwilling.
SnowClan went back to their territory as well, following Cloudstar, until WaterClan was the only Clan left.
Then Riverclaw turned on Frostfur. "You traitor!" he hissed. "You were IceClan the whole time!" He leaped for her, claws sharp. Then he was slammed by the neck to the Great Rock, his hind legs dangling a tail-length above the ground.
"Blood isn't loyalty," Lightningclaw growled. "Her heritage has nothing to do with her loyalty. Frostfur isn't a traitor; she didn't even know her own bloodline."
"We don't know that," Riverclaw snarled, "she might be spying for ThornClan this very instant!" He threw himself at Lightningclaw, but couldn't budge the iron paw holding his neck. "Let me go!"
"No." Lightningclaw raised Riverclaw up and off of the Great Rock. "Arguing with me is a bad idea. Unless you promise not to harm my mate, you'll become a rogue." His claws pinched Riverclaw's neck, nearly drawing blood.
"Fine," Riverclaw muttered after waiting a few heartbeats. "I promise not to harm Frostfur. I swear on MoonClan. I'm sorry."
Lightningclaw dropped him and turned to face Frostfur. "You're not getting hurt," he promised. "I'll protect you." He turned to glare at Riverclaw wordlessly, and then led his Clan home, brushing protectively against his mate.
()()()()
Back in the WaterClan camp, Hollypaw curled up in her nest, missing the warmth of her mentor next to her. After tossing and turning, she finally fell into a deep sleep.
When Hollypaw opened her eyes, she found herself in MoonClan, curled up in a soft bed of moss. She sprang up, and saw Swiftbreeze standing in front of her. Hollypaw exclaimed, "Swiftbreeze!", and buried her head in Swiftbreeze's sweet smelling fur. Swiftbreeze licked her apprentice comfortingly.
She murmured, "Hollypaw, I have a message for you: It is time for Lightningclaw to receive his leader's name. You are to go with him."
Hollypaw looked up and whispered mournfully, "Okay, Swiftbreeze. I just really wish that you could still be here." Hollypaw didn't notice her mentor's eyes sparkling with excitement.
Swiftbreeze responded, "Hollypaw, I will be with you, always, watching over you." She nuzzled her apprentice and faded back into mist.
Hollypaw woke with a start. She raced to the warriors' den and picked her way between the sleeping warriors until she reached Lightningclaw. "Wake up," she whispered. Lightningclaw stirred. When he saw Hollypaw, he got up and followed her out of the den.
"What is it?" he inquired.
Hollypaw looked up at him and replied, "Swiftbreeze visited me in a dream and said that you are going to get your leader name. We must leave as soon as possible!" Lightningclaw's eyes widened, and he bounded up onto Highrock and howled, "Warriors of WaterClan, wake up!" Warriors and apprentices came streaming out of their dens and looked up expectantly at their leader. Lightningclaw informed them, "Hollypaw and I are going to the Starpool, the real Starpool, so I can get my leader name." Calls of congratulations echoed around the clearing. Lightningclaw added, "Redheart, you will be in charge until I return." Redheart dipped his head. With that, Lightningclaw and Hollypaw filed out of the camp and began the long trek to the Starpool.
()()()()
The two wolves arrived at the Starpool by moonhigh. Exhausted, they both touched their noses to the cold, clear water, and entered MoonClan.
Lightningclaw found himself in a clearing within a thickly forested area. He looked around expectantly, but there were no MoonClan warriors to give him his lives. Hollypaw, who was standing next to him, seemed confused also.
Just as Lightningclaw was on the verge of panicking, thousands of MoonClan warriors shimmered into existence around the clearing, and he was bathed in a golden light.
Lightningclaw was so busy looking around that he didn't notice Leopardclaw standing in front of him. "Lightningclaw," Leopardclaw rumbled.
Lightningclaw looked up at his former mentor, and gasped, "Leopardclaw!''
Leopardclaw dipped his head and said, "I give you a life for courage, so that you may lead your Clan wisely and without fear." He rested his muzzle on Lightningclaw's head, and a bolt like lightning swept through Lightningclaw's body. Lightningclaw gritted his teeth together in pain.
As soon as the pain had come, it left. Lightningclaw opened his eyes and saw that his father, Stormstar, was standing in front of him. Lightningclaw pressed his nose against his father's fur and whispered, "I miss you so much."
Stormstar nodded and replied, "It was not my destiny to stay with you." Then he straightened up and exclaimed, "But don't dwell on the past! I have a life to give you. I give you a life for wisdom and strength to carry the burden of leadership. It will weigh heavy, but every problem is just a challenge to overcome." Stormstar rested his muzzle on Lightningclaw's nose, and an invisible pressure weighed down on his shoulders. However, Lightningclaw squared his shoulders and he thought, I am strong enough to carry this burden.
Stormstar stepped back, and was replaced by Quailfur. She rested her head against Lightningclaw's shoulder and murmured, "Oh, my son. You cannot imagine how proud I am of you for coming this far. I give you a life for loving and protecting your Clanmates, as though they are your own cubs." She reached up to press her nose to Lightningclaw's forehead. Lightningclaw braced himself, but instead of being painful, the life filled him like a warmth, but also shot through him like cold water. He felt that he would give up all his lives to protect his Clanmates.
Quailfur was replaced by Amberfur. Lightningclaw exclaimed, "Amberfur! Thank you so much for giving me the remedy to cure Yellowtail!"
Amberfur smiled, and responded, "I'm glad to be able to help. I give you a life for compassion, not only to your Clanmates but to any wolf- or lion- that needs your help." She brushed her muzzle against his, and a heat like fire shot through him, filling him with compassion and grace to any wolf that might need his help.
A big, broad-shouldered wolf stepped forward and said, "My name is Thornfang. I give you a life for bravery and energy, to help you carry the burdens, sadness, and joy of leadership." Thornfang rested his big muzzle on Lightningclaw's head, and a wave of energy swept through Lightningclaw, making him feel as though he had as much energy to leap over mountains and run forever.
Lightningclaw looked around, but didn't see anyone. A squeak sounded from below him. Lightningclaw looked down and saw Goldencub looking up at him with bright eyes. He squeaked, "Lightningclaw! I give you a life for respect, respect for your elders, warriors, and cubs. They have valuable information, and will help you lead your Clan." Lightningclaw lowered his head, and Goldencub reached up and touched noses with his former leader.
When Lightningclaw looked up, Sunrise was standing in front of him. "Sunrise!" Lightningclaw gasped in surprise.
Sunrise dipped his head. "I give you a life for understanding, so that you may understand and connect with not only your Clanmates, but with other wolves or lions." Sunrise rested his muzzle on Lightningclaw's head.
Sunrise stepped back, and at first Lightningclaw didn't see anyone to give him his eighth life. Then a small growl sounded below him, and he looked down in shock. "Leafcub!" he yelped. Leafcub had been his litter-sister, killed in the FrostClan invasion that had taken the rest of WaterClan, and Lightningclaw had missed her. Leafcub gazed up at her brother and said, "Lightningclaw, I give you a life for loyalty to your Clan. Sometimes you may feel like abandoning them, or you feel too frustrated to deal with them. Be loyal to them, Lightningclaw." She brushed her small nose on her brother's now big nose. Lightningclaw breathed in her milky scent, and he knew he would never forget Leafcub.
Sparrowstar padded forward. "I am very proud of you, Lightningclaw." Lightningclaw dipped his head respectfully to his former mentor. Sparrowstar continued, "I give a life for self-confidence. Some of your Clanmates may challenge your word, but the word of a Clan leader is law." She pressed her nose against his, and to Lightningclaw, it seemed like a wave of power swept over him.
Sparrowstar stepped back, threw back her head, and began to howl, "Lightningstar! Lightningstar!"
All of MoonClan joined in. "Lightningstar!"
"Lightningstar!"
"Lightningstar!"
Lightningstar padded over to Hollypaw, where she was looking among MoonClan anxiously. The new leader looked around too.
"Where is she?" whimpered Hollypaw. "Where is Swiftbreeze?"
Lightningstar wondered the same thing. He had secretly been hoping that Swiftbreeze would give him a life.
A beautiful silver wolf walked gracefully over to Lightningstar and Hollypaw. "Silverflame!" Hollypaw gasped.
Silverflame dipped her head at Hollypaw, and addressed them, "Swiftbreeze is being held captive by the Frost Forest." Lightningstar and Hollypaw bristled, and curled their claws into the earth.
Silverflame went on, "Lightningstar, you and Hollypaw must rescue her from the Frost Forest. If you succeed, Swiftbreeze will be granted the right to return to WaterClan. But if not, her soul will be lost. Forever."
Lightningstar glanced at Hollypaw. She nodded. Lightningstar growled, "Take us to her." Silverflame dipped her head respectfully and beckoned for them to follow her with a flick of her tail.
Finally, they reached the border of the Frost Forest. It was dark in there, and stunk strongly of FrostClan. "Good luck," Silverflame murmured, then streaked back into MoonClan.
Lightningstar and Hollypaw took a deep breath and started trotting cautiously into the Frost Forest. Evil eyes glared at them from bushes, and the two bushed out their fur and stayed on their guard.
Finally, Hollypaw picked up a scent of Swiftbreeze. "This way," she hissed, trotting off in another direction. Lightningstar took up the rear, looking around cautiously.
Hollypaw finally spotted Swiftbreeze in the middle of a clearing, surrounded by dead FrostClan wolves' spirits. She let out a low growl. Swiftbreeze was in terrible condition: her fur was matted and filthy, her eyes were dull and glazed over, her belly was shrunken, and her breathing was shallow.
Hollypaw leaped at her mentor's guards, roaring, "Don't you dare touch her!" Lightningstar streaked towards Swiftbreeze and a snarl erupted in his throat. He lunged at the nearest wolf (who turned out to be Snowstar) and sank his teeth into her throat, trying not to gag on the warm, gooey blood. Then, he whirled around and leaped onto the back of another wolf, and began tearing out clawfuls of stinky fur. However, another Frost Forest warrior leaped at Lightningstar and sank her teeth into his neck, dragging him to the ground. The she-wolf clawed at Lightningstar's tender belly unmercifully. Lightningstar mustered up all his strength and reared up, sending the warrior howling into the dark woods.
Hollypaw ran towards her mentor and circled her, protecting her. Her dark fur was fluffed up and bristling, and her eyes flamed with rage. Hollypaw lunged at a big warrior, tearing at his throat. Then, she leaped towards another warrior, and slithered under her belly, tearing and slashing at the dark warrior's belly. Suddenly, she was lifted off her feet by teeth that she couldn't see. Twisting her head around, she saw a huge warrior holding her by her scruff. Hollypaw wiggled around, twisted, and turned, but she couldn't escape the powerful jaws that held her. Three more warriors came and chewed, bit, and clawed Hollypaw, causing her to howl in pain. She looked over at Swiftbreeze, and at the sight of her chewed up, battered, thin, filthy mentor, she felt strength flow through her. Hollypaw kicked with her hind legs at the warrior holding her; the warrior was surprised, and dropped Hollypaw. She bounded over to Swiftbreeze and stood over her- fur bushed out, pelt bristling, and jaws foaming with blood. Hollypaw roared, "If you want her, you will have to get through me first!" Her eyes blazed with frightening fury. Lightningstar raced over to stand by the apprentice, and he glared at the circle of wolves, baring his teeth.
Both wolves were a very scary sight to behold. Hollypaw was bristling, and her mouth foamed. Lightningstar had his fur fluffed out, so his big, broad, strong shape appeared to be even, bigger, broader, and stronger. The remaining Frost Forest warriors backed away into the dark forest.
Hollypaw breathed a sigh of relief. She looked up at Lightningstar, who murmured, "Let's take her back to MoonClan. Maybe they will be able to heal her." Without waiting for a reply, he crouched down, and Hollypaw shoved her mentor onto Lightningstar's back.
Swiftbreeze breathed softly, "Thank you." Then her eyes closed, and she fell back into unconsciousness. Lightningstar padded back to MoonClan with Hollypaw taking up the rear, scanning the woods for any wolf that dared to face them. None came, though she noticed a tufty, bloody pelt slinking away through the trees. When they passed a snow-white wolf, Hollypaw paused. It was Snowstar. As the two wolves watched, Snowstar's evil soul faded away, only a faded bloody stain on the rotted leaves remaining.
The evilest wolf to ever live was finally vanquished.
()()()()
When the wolves and Swiftbreeze made it back to MoonClan, Silverflame and Oakfur bounded up to them. When they saw Swiftbreeze, their brows wrinkled with worry. Oakfur ordered, "Follow me. I will heal her." He trotted off into the beautiful woods, with the others following at his heels.
Finally, they came to a sun-bathed clearing with a nest of the softest moss in the middle of it. Lightningstar gently laid Swiftbreeze into the nest. Oakfur turned to Lightningstar and Hollypaw. "You can go back to the Clan now. I will take care of Swiftbreeze."
Hollypaw replied, "You said that if we succeeded in rescuing her, she would return to WaterClan. So…"
Oakfur answered, "Swiftbreeze will return when she is ready. Now go." With that, he faded away, and Lightningstar and Hollypaw woke at the Starpool, disappointed and yet satisfied.
A/N: So Lightningstar's finally got his nine lives and stuff!
Thanks for reading and please review!