Finality (Closed)

Specklefur rested herself upon a ledge outside of camp, over looking over the camp and giving herself a far away view of the territories. The sun was setting and Specklefur was feeling tired, not in the I'm going to sleep and feel rejuvenated in the morning. Looking over the area with a peaceful mind set, turning to look out the corner of her eye she noticed that there was a figure approaching her.

Spottedstar came closer to Specklefur, after her episode with dementia, she was still confused at the she-cat. Giving a sad look, she hated how the she-cat was turning. Seeing her turn towards her, she smiled and purred, sitting next to her. "Hey Specklefur"

Specklefurs eyes glazed over as she tried to remember the she-cats name, furrowing her brow as she turned away with a simple 'hey' looking to her paws Specklefur tried to speak but snapped her mouth closed multiple times. Specklefur decided to speak without thinking as she herself was a bit surprised. It wasn't too fleshed out of a speech, she couldn't remember much but the memories were still there, always were there, her consciousness just couldn't grasp them no longer.


"I treat everyone harshly to protect them, I'm afraid my kittens will be taken away by the other queens if not by cats outside the clan. I've lost so many cats to Soulfang, to everything else and everything inbetween. Soulfang has killed and stolen my second litter, Soulfang has terrorized me and nearly put me to death countless times, he has threatened my kittens and I've no doubt that he will hold them out."

"If he has truly died, I will continue to battle him in the dark forest, he must be waiting for me, he isn't a very patient cat." She sighed, Specklefur was confused at what was coming out of her mouth, before she.. forgot everything must have been terrible, it'd explain the odd feelings she felt at some things.

"I guess I've always got to protect and fight don't I? I've got to always battle to protect, never to be protected. I guess I've lost this fight? After fighting to protect my mates, failing, fighting to protect my kittens and failing... fighting to protect my friends and failing, fighting to protect my clan and failing. Fight to... protect myself and I've failed at that too. Soulfang has won, he's won every single time... I'm glad I've forgotten for a while..."

Specklefur felt her heart give a rough yank within her chest as she looked to the sunset.

"I've one more battle to loose and I hope you will be there beside me when I do.." She asked, looking over to Spottedstar with a quirk of her brow, eyes once more returning to focus as she looked to her paws.

The she-cat was spilling things, but they didn't sound like Specklefur, so she thought that maybe it was just her memories speaking. But when it came to 'one last battle' she stared at the ground. She saw the cat deteriorating, but there was nothing she could do. "I will always be here Specklefur, even if I have to go to the Dark Forest and kill Soulfang there or here, I will do it." she stopped, not knowing what to say. "Want to sleep out here or in the den? Its warmer in my den or in the elders."

"No no... I know what's next and I don't want Miles or my kittens waking to a dead body." Specklefur spluttered, the sunset like a lullaby that you could barely hear. "I'm going to stay here, and I'm going to have my last night here." She huffed, laying her head down with resolution. "Are you going to be with me for this one last time?" She asked, turning her head to face Spottedstar with weak and tired eyes.

"Of course Specklefur, I'll always be here." she mewed, laying next to the she-cat. It was very sad for the she-cat so say she was going to die, but Spottedstar was in denial to even the thought. She closed her eyes, settling down.

Specklefur finally let her eyes shut, lulling herself to sleep with the presence of her old friend. Specklefur thought of Darkpaw and Beanpaw, she didn't remember what they were to her, she just remembered their names from earlier that day and that was it. Soon enough Specklefur felt herself grow colder, her own lungs failing to take in more air and her heart ceasing in its one mission.

Specklefur awoke eventually, but it wasn't in Thunderclan territory, next to Spottedstar, it was in a beautiful place with many stars and lush grasses in a nice and comfortable temperature. Most of all, Specklefur felt young she could run miles and fight thousands of battles. Flicking her eyes around as she observed every little detail, until a starry figure was in front of her, furrowing her brows at the familiarity.

Dewstar stood tall, faint and shimmering. The stars dotted her gray pelt like water droplets. Her eyes, though naturally cold and harsh, were somewhat soft. The ground under her paws didn't react to her weight; no grass was bent beneath her and no dirt was stirred by her slow steps. It had been long since she first strode in these forests. The last time she had walked in ThunderClan's forest, she was old. Now she was young. Strong as well, but she had always been strong. The StarClan cat's eyes traced the brilliant sky before her gaze met the she-cat in front of her.

"Greetings, Specklefur. We welcome you."

Her meow was singular, yet also accompanied by the voices of many others. Behind the past leader were more cats, slowly making their presence known. They peered at her, friendly and warm. Among them stood Swiftnose, his kind eyes shining and his mouth wide in smile. Just beyond him was Sunface, her bright red pelt sparkling as she respectfully dipped her head in a graceful bow. Specklefur would not be alone again.

Specklefurs first expression was shock, but then it was to a more neutral expression as she looked to Spottedstars form. Furrowing her brows she muttered, "I didn't expect myself to be right about dying tonight Dewstar." She huffed. Sending a pitying glance to her paws until she finally processed the extra voices, whipping her head up to look at the gathering cats and before Specklefur knew it, she was sobbing. For once it wasn't out of grief but it was out of joy, she couldn't believe it. She always felt so alone, isolated, and cold but now everyone she knew that never hated her was there, in front of her.

"What about Soulfang? Is he alive or dead?" She found herself asking without thought, adding on to that she spat. "If he is then please let me have a few more days if you can, to let me rip him to shreds as to not hurt my family." through gritted teeth she flexed her shoulders, welcoming the feeling and the proper sense of hearing and sight being restored to her.

Spottedstar opened her eyes to the starry plains of Starclan, how she knew? All of the dead Thunderclan and more were there, including Dewstar. Her heart rose and she started purring uncontrolably. "Dewstar." she mewed, stepping towards the cat, but she stopped. Why was she here? She felt a pain in her heart, throbbing every few minutes in seemed, painful. Ow, that hurt, looking to Specklefur, she didn't notice the young spring in her step and voice, but her gaze wandered around and back to Dewstar.

Dewstar looked at the warrior with a clouded emotion hidden by a steady expression of calmness. She was glad that Specklefur would finally be happy. Hers was a difficult life, to say the least. Dewstar had not known much of her trials while she was living, but the leader could detect the wear and tear it was doing to the brave she-cat. The topic of Soulfang was an unpleasant one, but Dewstar was pleased to be able to put her mind to rest. "You can rest your soul, Specklefur. Soulfang has not walked the forests below for a great many seasons, nor does he stalk in the stars. You are safe, and so is your family. You have no cause to return. Come and be at peace with us." She beckoned with her muzzle. The stars above twinkled in welcome, and the gathered cats behind Dewstar were meowing their invitations to Specklefur.

The pale gray tabby let the murmurs die before turning her attention to the other she-cat. Her smile was gentle and familiar, an old light returning to her eyes. "Old friend, it is more than a pleasure to see you again." She paused. The circumstances were rather grave, unfortunately. She would have preferred no conversation to this one. "I hate to bring bad news, but your being here is not a miracle. You have died, Spottedstar. You are one life fewer." She had quieted, delivering the shocking news in a tone of grave seriousness.

Specklefur had let out a sigh or relief and stepped forwards to line up behind Dewstar but the sound of her old mentors voice stopped her. Turning to look at Spottedstar with shock, heart clenching with guilt at the thought of somehow causing her to loose a life in some way. Forcing off the feeling she joined the cats in the back, a rare smile upon her features even if it was a little subdued to the recent news.

Spottedstar gasped, when did she die? Feeling another sharp pain in her chest, she wondered. "How did I die? I don't remember anything."

OOC: short because i'm busy

"Your heart failed you. It will take a little more time to heal, so you're not going anywhere just yet." Dewstar said, feeling a small inkling of sadness for the ThunderClan leader. The emotional toll had to have been great for a death like that to have happened. Her whiskers twitched like they did when she was amused during her life. "I've been watching you lead ThunderClan the past few moons. You have handled yourself well, especially with Fishstar and her Clan. I'm pleased to have you as my successor. I think you will be pleased with your own successor when the time comes."

Spottedstar looked down to the ground. Her heart failed her? Looking up to her former mentor and leader, she smiled. "I am proud to be your successor and honored to have had you as my mentor and leader. I am very pleased with my successor, even if he wanders to family loyalty and not clan. He will learn though, I know." she purred, feeling the pain in her heart ebb away. She knew her time with Dewstar and Specklefur was almost over, even though the new happy she-cat was already among the crowd. Knowing maybe the she-cat would hear, she mewed almost loudly. "I love you Specklefur! And I will miss you dearly, back home wont be the same without you." she turned back to Dewstar and smiled again, she was so happy to see her.