The Winds of Winter [PLOT FINALE]

The pale, fluffy form of Shadowclan's deputy was visible quite close to the contrasting dark gray pelt of Scorchfang. His blue eyes were set upon one thing, Lichenmask. A low growl came from deep within, yet his features remained mostly stone. The cat who had taken Littlestar's life was standing here before them. He was glad that Poppypaw wasn't here, he felt like he wouldn't hurt anyone if he didn't have to. These cats needed to hurt for what they did though. Looking behind them briefly, he wondered if Firestone was here. He was unsure if his new friend had joined, yet he couldn't see the tall ginger tom's fur. Maybe that was just because he was short.

With a small flick of his eyes, his gaze landed on Shade. The infamous killer, the cat who had been plaguing Riverclan and the rest of the clans for ages. A gleam of excitement could be seen in the gaze of the brown tabby. It made his ears flick in disgust. The tufted ears swiveled around, looking for any noises. There were none. The night seemed that itself was silent in anticipation of the battle. The only sounds he could hear were the few voices, if any, speaking. Tonight was the judgment hour, for whatever happened tonight might change the course of the clans forever. All he could hope is that they could overpower the exiles and win the fight. He enjoyed things how they were.

Aspenpaw brief moment of crazed anticipation was cut short by the low but sharp hiss of Pumapaw, and the tom's remaining eye flicked over to gaze in her direction, one side of his mouth curled upward in a knowingly smug sneer.  "Oh, what's left to give away sweetheart?  They know we're here, they know they're walking into a battlefield. Silence signals fear....so let's make some noise!  The only cats that should be silent are the losers...and here they come now!"  The end of his sentence was released in a high, taunting voice, and the dark gray tabby tom turned to look at the cowardly little leaders - followed by their armies of filth - as they filed into the clearing.  There was only one pelt he looked for though...one he knew would stand out like fire in the darkness...and... ah!  There he was.  The rogue who dared call himself one of StarClan's chosen...

---

Leopardstar's slitted hazel eyes gleamed vividly through the wilting leaves that dappled the ring of bushes surrounding the once secure hollow, the golden-pelted tom crouched cautiously on the very verge of the hill.  His ringed tail-tip twitched nervously, but that was the only signal of his growing unease.  His face was stoic, determined, strong...the same mask he always displayed.  On the inside though, his mind was a swirling storm not unlike the one brewing above them; he was terrified.  If they lost, if their plans failed, if by morning all his clanmates lay dead, their lifeblood soaking into the earth they had once hunting and lived upon...he would never forgive himself.  In moments, he remembered how he had felt before meeting with StarClan to gain the name of a leader, his words to Blizzardshine a rush of doubt and emotion he had never quite moved past.

"Blizzardstar...I can't do this!  How can I take your place...I don't know what to do!  I don't think I'm worthy of this...what potential did you ever see in me when you appointed me as your deputy?"

"Everything I've loved and tried to protect is dying...if I become leader...I fear the same thing might befall ThunderClan.  I...I don't want to see our clan fall Blizzardstar..."

Her response though also held sway in his heart.

"There is none more fitting to take my place than you. There is none else in the forest I would feel more at ease giving this kind of power and responsibility to”

She trusted him.  StarClan had trusted him...and possibly still did.  His clan trusted him to lead them through this battle with his head held high, to do the best he could to help defend them all, the family that had adopted him and lifted him up to become a star.  This all meant so much more than just two rival forces clashing for the fate of the forest...this was a battle of ultimate truth and terrible lies.  A faceoff between cats who had everything, versus those who chose to have nothing.  This was a war, to determine what truly mattered in life.  The blood, or the heart; and Leopardstar was ready to prove once and for all the words which had once inspired him to keep going beyond all odds.  What makes you Thunderclan is that you believe you are Thunderclan.

And, maybe...he would finally be able to prove it to himself.

"On my signal.  Go."  With a single flick of his tail, the large spotted tom pushed his way through the foliage, making his presence known to the cats already down in the clearing.  Not wasting a heartbeat, he galloped down the hill, hearing the soft crunching of paws on dry grass telling him that his clan followed loyally at his heels.  Finally, they passed underneath the four great oaks and entered the clearing.  Leopardstar took in his surroundings; Brindlestar, Tinystar, and Scorchfang - followed by their clan's respective parties - were already there, and it seemed that Brindlestar had already addressed Lichenmask, who was seated once again upon the Great Rock.  His jaw clenched furiously, the tom's bright eyes dashed side to side, noticing that there seemed to be many new additions in the crowd...and also one on the leader's rock.  This took him off guard for a moment, before he remembered something from many previous Gatherings.  This...is Shade.  The bloodthirsty tom looked just as deranged as he had been described, and Leopardstar felt his clans curl out of their sheaths.  This traitor had hurt and killed the young and old alike to achieve his ambitions...he was just as bad as Lichenmask.  And they both hailed from RiverClan...

His pawsteps steady, the powerful warrior strode forward to stand alongside the other leaders and deputies, finding his place on the other side of Brindlestar that Scorchfang did not already occupy.  He came silently and stood silently; his eyes did not leave Lichenmask's form for a moment to offer them any greetings.  The brown and white tabby tom before them, his face so calmly, so arrogantly confident, made his blood boil.  There was something wrong with him, something that had nothing to do with any StarClan connection or 'chosen one' mentality.  Something deep within this cat was so unsettlingly, so undeniably wrong...he almost felt sorry for him.

This cat has threatened the lives of my clan, the wellbeing of my family, and myself.  He will not live to see the dawn.

On silent paws, Tigerleaf followed her clan into Fourtrees. WindClan and ShadowClan were already present, and... so was Lichenmask's party. A chill struck the young she-cat's heart at the sight of the Exiles perched around the Great Rock. The clearing that should have been familiar had become threatening and sinister. As her clanmates drew to a halt behind the gathered leaders, her yellow gaze darted up at the young tom atop the Great Rock. Without a doubt, he was Lichenmask. One seemingly so young had wrought the sun dark with a single paw. He had StarClan's power on his side. How many more cats would SkyClan lose tonight? She didn't want to think about it, yet the sardonic nature within her doubted that they would all be able to return alive. Perhaps, this place was meant to be her burial ground. The sky boiled and churned, adding to the chaos soon to unfold. There was no choice but to fight. She would stand by her clan.

---

Nature itself seemed to be anticipating the arriving mayhem. Before Hailpaw's eyes, lightning flickered through the darkness above, briefly illuminating the mass of dark, swollen clouds. Thunder rumbled continuously; its dull roar seeming to echo throughout the heavens. The storm was a growling beast on the verge of awakening. Then its full fury would cascade down upon the forest. Following Leopardstar's lead, the fluffy white apprentice bounded into Fourtrees. However her clanmates might have been feeling at that moment, the main emotion raging through her veins was anticipation. There they were--Lichenmask and his followers. The Exiles' leader sat atop the Great Rock, his eyes glowing like bright embers in the darkness. The air crackled with the familiar tension that came just before a heavy downpour. This time, however, it wasn't just the storm that was about to be unleashed. It was an electrifying sensation, one that made her feel alive. Hailpaw dug her unsheathed claws into the dirt, trying to reign her excitement back. Soon, but not now. Her gleaming gaze surveyed the gathered leaders. RiverClan was late. The sooner those fish-breaths got here, the sooner the battle could begin.

Truth be told, now that they had arrived, a tendril of anxiety had wormed its way into her heart. As much as she loved to fight, her clanmates would undoubtedly be hurt in the war. It was a grim realization that had only just started to sink in. StarClan might have been absent, but Hailpaw thanked them with all her heart that Ridgepaw wasn't present. The pale calico was dangerous on the battleground for other reasons. Gladepaw had come, however, and so had Bearpaw. In a natural manner, she had moved to stand beside the she-cat. The thrill of risking something so important was part of what made battle so entertaining. She wouldn't let them be hurt. She couldn't lose another one like Beepaw.

Beside the golden leader, a dark brown tom crouched in silence. His tabby pelt blending into the undergrowth around him and white chin tucked down where it was obscured by foliage. His amber gaze looked over the gathered cats. Some were familiar from gatherings, clan cats he had seen for a few moons who casually milled about. Others were the ones who followed the leader of the chaotic ruin the forest seemed to be rapidly approaching. The pelts of Snowdrop and Beetlemask made Marshstorm's jaw clench. His mind churned with the wonderings of what he had done wrong that lead them to follow such a dangerous cat? Even despite the knowledge that it wouldn't help now, it ripped at his chest like a wound. Now, they were willing to do battle with their own clan, for what?

Purity? Revenge? Ill-guided belief? A slow blink and soft gust of air as the tom released the breath he hadn't realised he had been holding. Leopardstar's words broke him free of the train of thoughts that threatened to spiral out of paw. As much as he wanted to try and convince them peacefully that they were wrong, the time for peace was over. They had chosen their side. Now, he had to make sure that none of the loyal ThunderClan cats perished beneath the paws of traitors.

The flick of gold in his periphery sent him pelting down the slope that led to the usually safe sanctuary of four trees. His paws crunched on fallen leaves, the bold white of them flashing in his determined run until he skidded to a stop next to his leader. His head lowered respectfully as he waited for Leopardstar to move forward first, before he strode forward to stand beside the other deputies. His eyes gleamed with determination, his pelt smoothed and showing not even an inch of fear. Lichenmask may have cloaked the forest in darkness, but the clans were able to push past their fears and survived despite it.

Morningpaw was among those who have come with Shadowclan. The young medicine cat was nervous beyond comprehension. She was responsible to treat all her clan-mate's wounds as well as help out the other clans. She had so much in her mind and on her shoulders that she felt ready to explode! The apprentice's lower jaw was shaking slightly as she thought of how this could go wrong. She prayed to the hidden cats above for support. They may need it.

The pawsteps of a larger group approached slowly and steady, guided by the large, grey leader of the clan. Piercing green eyes appeared in the darkness of the shadows of the Fourtrees before Riverclan could officially make their appearance. Jaystar didn't speak to his warriors like other leaders did because he already gave him all the warnings and instructions they needed back in camp.

He made his way to the side of the other leaders and ordered his clan to stop behind him with a flick of his tail, sudden and silent. He didn't take too much time to notice a familiar face among Lichenmask's troops. The large warrior let out a hiss and the fur of his back bristled with anger and despise. "You should be rotting with the rats." He spat with disdain. After that, the handsome tom turned his face to Lichenmask, the real leader of the enemy group. "What an irony... claiming to be fighting for the pureness of the clans yet you ask not only for the help of a rogue but a cat with the blood of two different clans... There's no doubt you are a hypocrite."

It was a pain in his heart to see the two traitors of his clan about to fight to destroy all the clans. Both Shade and Lichenmask were born and raised inside the walls of the Riverclan camp... they were his blame and he needed no other cat to remind him that. His heartache was his to carry and it was time to make things right for the sake of all of them. This red sky had to stop. It didn't matter his belief in Starclan or not. Even if Jaystar still held some faith in them, it was clear they were not going to help them now. The clans were now fighting alone for the freedom of their clanmates... to stop a massive genocide caused by a merciless monster.

---

The scarred Riverclan warrior followed her leader diligently. Her eyes were a clear sign of exhaustion yet there was something in them that it wasn't before... stubborn determination mixed with guilt. Her odd eyes were fixed on the two toms who in the past were her apprentices... the sight of them was so different from the one she had when they were barely learning how to fight. Silverfang clenched her fangs but she denied to turn her face away. They were her shame, her disgrace. Shade and Lichenmask were her faults and she would surely go to the Dark Forest for that... but before dying, she had to end all the chaos they had caused... for her family, for her kin and for the future of Riverclan... they were going down tonight...

Condorshade's huge frame could easily be seen among the joined group of cats. The Skyclan warrior looked like a beast, towering over every cat gathered there. His piercing golden gaze could make any cat shiver. The dark-furred tom was absolutely ready to tear some enemy pelts!

A soft silver she-cat followed the flowing bodies of her RiverClan clanmates. Her pelt blending in with the majority of the cats around her as she stood ready with her clanmates to attack the invading and ill-fated cats on the otherside of the battle field. Glimpses passed of the other large battles she had been to. Ones where blood was shed, needlessly. For once, this was a battle she was ready to go to. A war she was willing to wage on a cat so intent on murdering the innocent, the young and the helpless. Shade, a cat she had once known. A tom who could have been a good warrior and done great things, could have proved himself... yet he chose to commit atrocities. Her gaze fell on the scarred she-cat only a tail length away.

Silverfang had given her grief. They had argued, and once... sadness flashed through her blue eyes as she thought about Sweet. The she-cat driven from the clan for disloyalty. A cat that Shade and Silverfang had murdered in cold blood... but. Her claws dug into the ground as unease rippled through her pelt. A torrent of emotions through her as she thought about the potential outcomes. Deep concern for her mate, for the kits that had been chosen to come. The sadness, that some of them might not return to camp that day.

She glanced up at Shade. Then it fell back to Silverfang. With all the scarred she-cat had done, she should dispise her. Yet she felt her paws padding forward. Her tail brushed the scarred warrior's pelt in comfort that she offered without regret. Concern over the potential outweighed her own greviences. Silverfang had been Shade's mentor once... and she could only imagine how she must feel... with the same tom so ready to kill his own kin. Supporting a cause that mocked and scorned his own heritage.
"Silverfang." She spoke softly. "I wish you well." The words came out slowly, restraining ones that she wanted to say, but couldn't. For the very reasons that had caused this mess. Yet, it felt like enough. While she could never forgive the she-cat for her other actions, she wouldn't wish harm on another clanmate. If all could return to camp in one piece, Dewshine knew she'd be perfectly happy.

Goldeneye gave herself a moment to glare down at Lichenmask, her heart aching just a bit, for while she had known of his fate she had regardless built a bond towards him. Closing her heart to it she turned on her paws to meet with the medicine cat apprentices. "You are all very new to this, you all will treat the cats with minor injuries, my apprentice Fallowpaw will take the cats with moderate injuries and I will receive the cats with the major injuries. There can be no bias since Windclan currently does not have a medicine cat apprentice. Now, before the battle begins, do any of you have questions regarding polituces and or herb combinations?" Goldeneye meowed, her tone hard and gruff, her eyes dark and sunken as she had yet to regain her weight.

Goldeneye knew this was inevitable, had prepared since she got the prophecy and was well stocked until today. She had the warriors carry bundles of herbs, all almost dried, a fair amount fresh and ready for use. She tucked them away in the bushes, clearing out a space for the patients that were to come and rest away from the battle. A designated spot to house the injured. "We must keep a diligent eye out for those falling on the battlefield, only those of our own, the medicine cat code does not stretch to those scum out there. I will leave the retrieval of our fallen warriors to those only treating minor injuries, those can wait, not those with serious injuries." Goldeneye barked her orders, her gaze unwavering as she tucked the herbs away safely.

Misyrain trotted into Fourtrees, close on Tinystar's heels. Her muscles were tense, and a worried frown had painted itself across her face. She scanned the crowd of exiles, who seemed to have been joined by several rogues, picking out a few unfortunately familiar faces. With the addition of several rough-looking rogues to the group, there were more exiles than the deputy would ever have imagined. Would the Clans truly be able to prevail through this? Mistyrain wanted to have faith in StarClan, but where were they? It seemed like in the time that the Clans needed them most, they had disappeared without a word.


.....


Tansyheart stood her grout, glaring at the cats who had dared to oppose the Clans. She could spot several former ShadowClanners among the group, which distressed her. It was shocking that Clanmates could turn and betray like this. She was prepared to fight, to the death, if need be. She would fight for Littlestar, whose lives had been stripped away in one foul move, and for Scorchfang, who had bravely stepped up to lead the Clan in the midst of the horror, and especially for ShadowClan. She couldn't imagine the forest being any different than it was now, and she knew that if the Exiles were allowed to conquer it, everything would change.


.....


Ravenflight's eyes were creased with worry. As Jaystar spat words of disdain at Lichenmask and Shade, both her former Clanmates, her claws unsheathed and slid into the ground. Following the death of Ryeheart, she had been almost numb to the threats of the Exiles until the preparation for this battle. Now was the time to fight for everything she had left.

Gladepaw could hardly contain her excitement, it was foolish, she knew this was not something to be excited about. Many cats would probably die during this battle, possibly herself and friends, but the thought of victory made her heart ache. Besides, once she won the battle she'd be remembered forever, a true hero, for the most part.

Proudly, the fluffy white she-cat moved up to stand with her clan mates.

~~

This war, meant everything to Darkflower. She'd practically begged Tinystar to allow her to come, she'd of snuck out of camp, even if he'd said no. The tuxedo she-cat, turned her head to look at the great rock, a snarl rising in her throat. How dare such disgusting creatures sit atop that rock. It made her sick to her stomach. They were the cats threatening her, threatening her family, threatening her clan. How pathetic they looked to Darkflower, to cowardly to even meet them on even ground. She grew more impatient with every second. Her claws dug deep int the ground, she couldn't wait to tear the smugness off the exiles faces. She'd show them what happened, when they got between her and her family.

~

Pumapaw rolled her eyes, but the tom was right. "The losers look so sure of themselves! I can't believe they actually think they could stand a chance against us, ha! The looks on their faces as they realise how wrong they are... I'll enjoy destroying their hopes and dreams, and then casting them out, how they casted us out!" she hissed a smirk forming upon her muzzle. The thought of how much the clans underestimated them was pitiful, hey really had no idea what was in store for them.

Whatever starlight had been recovered was gone now. StarClan was nowhere to be seen; in the most crucial stage of this trial, the starry ancestors had fled into the storm. Could they see? Could they hear? Perhaps they didn't care at all. Scorchclaw had not expected any more from them, and he didn't feel any disappointment at their disappearance then. By Jaystar's side, the large brown tabby strode into the clearing that was Fourtrees. A distinct lack of conversation enveloped the gathered RiverClan cats. They were a shifting mass in the darkness, their great number made clear only by the many pairs of gleaming eyes. Paw after paw trod the foliage underfoot. When they had all flooded into the clearing, they merged with the already gathered army of warriors. RiverClan seemed to be the last group to arrive, a fact that Scorchclaw coldly registered. Throwing his intense green gaze in the direction of the Great Rock, the figure at the very top immediately caught his attention. Lichenmask was seated there again, just like the night the darkness had first veiled the sky. This time, they would pull him down for eternity. Feelings of apprehension still existed within Scorchclaw, but he had done his best to suppress them. A grim, determined expression could be seen upon his face.

He must have caught sight of Shade a second after Jaystar did. Rogues had been mingled with the Exiles, and the difference between the two parties were visible at a glance. Among the rogues was a familiar, dark tabby pelt. Scorchclaw recognized him in an instance. Green eyes widening, he drew his ears back in hostility. He was right there. Shade, the very cat that had crippled, killed, and maimed so many. Duckpuddle's murderer. Jaystar's venomous words reached the fluffy deputy's ears, and he shot the leader a quick glance. Cinderfall, Jaystar's son(?) had also been one of Shade's many victims. In a low but clear voice, Scorchclaw addressed the former RiverClanner. "When you were exiled, you should have taken your chance and fled far away."

Among the gathered RiverClan cats was Adderfeather. The knowledge was a painful one. Truth be told, he had not wanted her to come along. His heart had sunk within him when Jaystar had called out her name. Lichenmask had the so-called power of StarClan on his side; this battle would be more perilous than any they had ever faced before. It was a war that could potentially change the forest forever. The Exiles had already displayed their ruthlessness with Littlestar's murder. There was no guarantee that the gray warrior would survive. In fact, he didn't even know if he would. The thought of her being hurt or killed was almost more than he could bear. In recent moons, he had realized how much she meant to him. And yet, who was he, to keep her from defending her clan? As much as his heart cried its opposition, he had chosen to remain silent in the end. Even if he had said anything, he doubted that she would agree to stay in camp like he wanted her to. Or so he had thought. As he stood with the other deputies now, feelings of regret were beginning to surface. It didn't matter whether she refused, he should still have said something. That would have been better than to simply part ways like this. It was too late to do anything now.

Firepaw stood, eyes narrowed, watching the evil Exiles. A low growl rumbled in the back of his throat. After all that they'd done, it was time to face justice, once and for all.

Flamewish was a little bit calmer. She knew she had to fight with all she had. Not for Riverclan, or for her honor, or for her fallen family. For everyone. The whole forest would suffer if they failed.

Falconpaw's tail swished back and forth. Tonight, she would fight to defend her Clan. This is for Beepaw. For Beepaw. For Beepaw. The mantra that had formed played over and over again in her head. She was ready to rip some pelts, fight like every enemy she took down brought her closer to Beepaw. She looked up at the starless sky, ear flicking. Wherever you are, Beepaw, know that this is for you. Claws out, she waited close to her leader, thinking about the kits in camp she would be defending. There was so much to fight for, her hyperactive brain was still for once.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ravenpaw relaxed a bit at the touch of her mentor. "How many are there?" She asked, speaking to to no one in particular.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wolf froze when the RiverClan leader spoke of half-Clan cats. Did he recognize her? She relaxed when she realized the tom was talking about Shade. Quit being so jumpy, Wolf. She admonished herself. Mosspaw and Brindlestar are the only ones I need to worry about recognizing me. I never really talked to anyone else outside of my family. Tail lashing, she sat and waited for Shade's order.

Ooc: not sure if this is possible this late, but it would be cool if Wolf could battle against someone who recognizes her.

Amberpaw welcomed Morningpaw with a solemn nod, hoping to lock eyes and see if the other apprentice was as nervous as she felt. The golden tabby jumped slightly as Goldeneye appeared; the large mottled she-cat had always been grumpy, but in the face of what was to come the SkyClan medicine cat apprentice was grateful for the older cat's no-nonsense attitude. Immediately Amberpaw went from scanning her surroundings to focusing fully on RiverClan's medicine cat as the she-cat went over the plan for them once more.

Morningpaw and I take minor injuries only, Amberpaw echoed inwardly. Get into the fight, then get them out. When Goldeneye asked if they had questions, Amberpaw wanted to blurt out that she had a million, but she knew she didn't - not really. She was simply nervous. So far she had always managed to remember the best poultices whenever she needed to. She hoped that now would be no different. The SkyClan apprentice glanced around at the store of herbs her Clan had brought, and at what the other Clans had brought as well. They all knew that what they used here meant less for leaf-bare.

Amberpaw felt her tail twitch anxiously as the medicine cat informed them to help only their clanmates - not the exiles. And they were to retrieve fallen warriors as well. The apprentice felt herself gulp. She knew she would see many of those tonight. The golden tabby nodded once again, though she felt guilt in her belly about not being allowed to treat the exiles. What if they realized during the battle where their loyalties truly lie, and they needed the help of their Clan? Amberpaw shook her head - it wasn't her choice to make. Not tonight. The medicine cats could decide.

---

Lightstep padded into Fourtrees beside his friend Firepaw and his other friend Mottledpaw, surrounded by the RiverClan cats who had volunteered to fight this night. Lightstep hated how the eerie red sky made his coat look blood-washed, but even more he hated how that same sky that had haunted them for days likely foreshadowed the blood to come. The tom took strength in the company of his friends and Clanmates, and in the courage that Jaystar showed as he led them into Fourtrees to face their enemy.

When Firepaw growled, Lightstep gently touched his friend's shoulder with the tip of his tail. "There'll be plenty of time for that," the newly appointed warrior promised darkly. "There's enough tension - let's keep calm and see what the leaders say."

Mottledpaw rolled his eyes and growled mockingly, "What, you think we're all gonna chat and just be buddies again?" The darktortoiseshell tom looked over Lightstep's back to meet Firepaw's eyes and hissed with a smirk, "We're going to shred 'em. We'll be warriors after this." It's about time, the apprentice thought irritably.