Last Moments

Silverstream
I stared up at the familiar faces. Slowly it roamed from Fireheart's orange pelt, to Cinderpelt's gray fur, and finally on the most important of them all. My eyes fixed upon the gray tom, who was staring at me with beautiful amber eyes. "Graystripe..." I murmured softly.

"Save your energy. The kits need you." Graystripe said soothingly. Slowly he stroked his tail over me. I looked at him and the memories came flooding into my head. I could see everything flashing in front of me. The first time I saw Graystripe, drowning in the river. The days we would meet in the reeds and talk. The day I had found out I was to have kits, and my great excitement. But I knew that this would be the end of my memories on earth. The rest of my memories would be while I was in Starclan. "Graystripe, I'm not going to survive." I whispered. "Take good care of the kits, and remember I have and always will love you..." I could hear the voices of Starclan calling to me. "Come Silverstream." they purred. "It is your time. Do not be afraid, Starclan will accept you with open paws..."

"No!" Graystripe wailed. "Don't die!"

I stared into his deep amber gaze. "I know this is hard for you, but it cannot be helped. We will meet again..." Slowly I saw the world growing darker and darker. Not even the strongest herb could bring me back now. The sounds and scents of the Thunderclan forest grew fainter, while the scents and sounds of Starclan's hunting grounds grew stronger and stronger...A burst of light appeared, and I knew I was with Starclan.

Brindleface
"Tigerstar!"

I spat the word out as the brown tabby approached me. I could feel the heat of anger tingling underneath my pelt. "Why are you on Thunderclan territory! We all know the treachery you have done, and nobody trusts you anymore!"

"Oh, I haven't come back to try and join Thunderclan." His face seemed to grow darker with evil, and he showed a small grin. "I've come to destroy it."

"Never! I'll die protecting my clan if I have to!" I growled. The dark tabby cat's amber eyes narrowed.

"And you will." Tigerstar leaped toward me. His eyes burned with ambition. Quickly I rolled out of the way, and as he landed I jumped onto his back. He hissed and rolled over too quickly for me to jump off, resulting in me getting a mouthful of fur and dirt. I threw him off, then charged toward him, scratching his side. He growled and reared up, hammering my head as he came down. I screeched in fury and ripped his ear. Quickly he jumped on top of me, biting my ear and running his long, tiger-like claws down my back. I rolled over, trying to use the trick he'd done on me, but he jumped off to quickly. I was about to get up when he zipped over and pinned me down. Suddenly realizing I couldn't beat him alone, I wriggled desperately, trying to get free of his grasp. He only sunk his claws in deeper. His eyes gleaming with triumph, he reached down and bit my throat. "See you foolish she-cat?" Tigerstar hissed into my ear. "You will die. But unfortunately, you won't be dying to protect your clanmates. Instead you will be dying to destroy them."

"No.." I rasped out. "My mate, my kits, Thunderclan!" I could hardly bear it. I was losing my life. I'd never see my kits beautiful faces again, and Thunderclan would perish...all because I hadn't gone back to warn them in time.

Moonflower
I was only trying to follow my leader's order. What did I do to deserve death? I remember it like it was only yesterday I died...

"Moonflower, see that den there?" Pinestar hissed into my ear. I turned around to see a small tunnel leading into the den. "That is the medicine cat's den. If you can destroy the herbs, we will have won this battle. I need you to get in there." I nodded reluctantly. This didn't feel right...but I had to obey my leader.

I tore through the crowd of fighting cats. "Destroy the herbs" I thought to myself. "Just destroy the herbs, and get out of here!" I raced into the medicine den. Neat piles of herbs were stacked around the edges of the den. I wrinkled my nose at the stench coming from them. Quickly I picked a pile and began shredding it. Pieces of the leaves flew into my eyes, causing them to water and sting. But I ignored that. If I destroyed the herbs fast enough, I could get out before anyone saw me. I moved around the den, destroying one pile after the next. I was on the last 3 piles when a large shape blotted out the light from the entrance. Quickly I scampered into the darkest part of the den, hoping not to be seen.

As soon as the cat entered the den, I knew he was the medicine cat. Letting out a screech, the cat rushed up to the shredded herbs. "My herbs!" he wailed. Tiptoeing as quietly as I could, I slunk to the entrance. Just as I thought I was safe, I stepped on a pebble. I tried hard not to make any noise, but a muffled "Ouch!" gave me away. The strong tom whipped around and saw me.

"How dare you!" he growled. He fluffed out his fur and ran toward me snarling. I screamed and dashed out the entrance.

I crawled out of the medicine den, feeling a sharp pain in my tail. The medicine cat must have bit me. I dashed through the screeching, howling cats. The medicine cat was so close I could feel his hot breath panting on my tail. "Coward!" he screeched, then jumped on top of me. I screamed and tried to escape, but his grasp was too strong. "You will pay for this." He hissed. Then he sunk his teeth deep, deep into my neck. Hawkheart glared at me, his eyes full of triumph. I realized Pinestar had made the wrong decision, and I was going to pay the ultimate price for it. The last thing I saw was the blue flash of my daughters fur as she came racing toward me.

But it was too late.

Snowfur
It felt so good to have the breeze buffet my fur, and the grass brush against my paws. It had been so long since I left the nursery. I knew Whitekit could manage on his own. I needed a break from the stuffy air in camp. The scents of the forest filled my nose, and the birds chirped happily, enjoying the green-leaf sun.

My sister Bluefur walked alongside me. That's when I smelled it. The reek of crow-food filled the air, mixed with the scent of cats. "Shadowclan!" I hissed. I began trailing the scent. "Snowfur stop it! What if it's an ambush?" Bluefur said.

"Bluefur, I can smell them. There's only 3. We can take them!" I hissed. Bluefur reluctantly trudged after me. The smell was getting stronger as we neared the border. Finally I spotted them, slinking through the trees, nearly at the border. Each of them held a piece of prey in their mouth. "Prey stealers!" I growled and jumped out at them. The Shadowclan warriors growled and began to back away toward the border. "Snowfur, it'd be better to just go back and report to Pinestar." Bluefur hissed under her breath.

"Yea Snowfur, go run back to Pinestar and tattle on us!" one of the Shadowclan warriors said. The rest of the patrol snickered. I screeched and charged at them. Not only were they prey-stealers, but they insulted me! Quickly they dashed on the Thunderpath. "Cowards!" I screamed at them. "You no good, prey-stealing Shadowclan warriors!" I dashed across the Thunderpath at toward them. "Snowfur, NO!" Bluefur screeched. I turned to see a monster barreling toward me. I closed my eyes, but I felt only a slight breeze. Had the monster swerved out of my way? I peeked open my eyes to see I was still on the Thunderpath. I sighed in relief. But I heard a wail, and saw my sister crouched over...me?

"I'm sorry, but you have joined Starclan." I whipped my head around to see a familiar cat.

"Mother..." I sighed.

"It is time to go to Starclan." she said.

Redtail
"We won." I smiled. Tigerclaw looked at me with ice-cold eyes. "Is something wrong?" I asked.

"I will be deputy!"he growled. Then he pounced on me "What are you thinking?" I snarled. I rolled out of the way and knocked him off his feet. Quickly he jumped up again, racing by and scratching my shoulder. "Tigerclaw, why are you doing this?" I howled.

"I will become deputy, then leader!" His eyes were filled with ambition. "But you're in my way!" He snarled and bit my throat. I fell over, gasping as pain seized me. "You would have made a wonderful deputy Tigerclaw." I choked out. "If only you could use your power, your ambition, your strength, all for good intentions."

"I have good intentions." Tigerclaw sneered. "I will make Thunderclan a noble clan. Bluestar is such a softie! Only the strongest, most loyal warriors shall live in my clan."

"Then Thunderclan will not be strong, but weak." I croaked. "For nobody will look strong and noble in the eyes of a murderer." I glared at Tigerclaw. "And cat will turn against cat, destroying Thunderclan."

Tigerclaw simply glowered. "You will see. From Starclan you will watch Thunderclan become the strongest clan in the forest!"

What a loss for Thunderclan...Tigerclaw could have been a wonderful deputy. I allowed my eyes to close, and then the world was gone.

Feathertail
I scrambled up next to Stormfur. Finally, we were all safe! But suddenly I heard a familiar wail, and time froze. There was black shadow crouched beneath the swiping paw of the great mountain cat threatening the tribe. But neither moved.

"The silver cat has come! She will kill Sharptooth!"

"The silver cat has come! The silver cat has come! The silver cat has come!"

Voices rushed through my head. A shaft of moonlight hit my fur and it glinted...silver. I realized Stormfur was not the silver cat. I was. Things began to move again, and the mountain cat swiped his paw once more at Crowpaw. "I hear the voices." I murmured. "This is for me to do." Quickly I jumped onto a pointy rock hanging from the ceiling. It dropped beneath my weight, and everything went black.

I cracked open my eyes. Was I dead? Crowpaw was bent over me. "You're alive!" he sighed. I shook my head feebly. "Not for long." I turned my gaze to Stormfur. "Save the clan!" I croaked. "Continue the journey without me!"

"Don't leave me!" Crowpaw wailed.

"I'll always be with you, I promise." I whispered. Then I heard a familiar voice. "Mother, you've come for me..." I thought. Then I closed my eyes and allowed myself to be swept to Starclan.

Bluestar
he churning water sucked me further, down..down..down..Goosefeather's prophecy rang in my ears. "Water will destroy you.." I flailed in the water. "No!" I wanted to scream, but water only filled my mouth when I tried. A huge mass of brown fur slammed into me. A dog. It howled pitifully. "Serves him right." I thought. Finally my head reached the surface. A gasped in a ragged breath, but then I was swept under again. "Starclan, take me swiftly!" I prayed. Then a bright orange flash flew into the water. Fireheart! No! He couldn't die saving me! He was the fire that would save the clan! He mustn't die! I watched helplessly as he was swept underneath the water. I had just begun to give up when a firm grip grasped my scruff and I was pulled upward. I looked to see Fireheart holding me, barely managing to keep me up. "Fireheart, save yourself." I croaked feebly. Fireheart couldn't hear me over the rush of the river. Then suddenly, I was upon two other cats, and brought to shore.

I coughed up a mouthful of water. I looked up to see two blurry gray shapes. "My kits." I purred weakly. "Kits?" Stonefur questioned. "I am your mother, and Oakheart was your father." I coughed. "I brought you to Riverclan...but I regret it. I regret keeping this secret from you. Will you forgive me?" I looked up with hopeful eyes. Stonefur hesitated. "Please forgive her!" Fireheart pleaded. I wanted to growl. Their forgiveness meant nothing if it was forced from them! "We forgive you. " Mistyfoot said. Then both of them began licking my fur. "Fireheart, you are the fire that will save the clan." I murmured. Then the licks of my kits slowly grew more faint till I could feel nothing but warm air on my pelt.

Whitestorm
Screeching filled the air. I leaped on top of a Bloodclan warrior and bit his throat. I jumped off and he ran madly into the bushes, screeching and howling. I knew I was going to die in this battle. Starclan had told me my time to join them was to come soon. But I would do all I could to help my clan, all the clans, before it was time for me to go. A purring sound filled my ears. "I am proud of you my son." the voice of a she-cat whispered into my ear. I closed my eyes and savored my mother's voice.

But suddenly I was knocked into the dust by a powerful Bloodclan warrior. "This will be our territory." the black and white tom hissed. He raised a paw to slash his tooth-studded claws on me.

"Even if you take my life," I choked out. "The clans will win this battle!"

"We have lived among twolegs and their filth too long! This forest will be ours!" The black and white tom slashed my stomach with a flick of his paw. I watched as he stood over me, his eyes shining with triumph. Pain seized me and I could feel my energy draining. Suddenly Bramblepaw, a young apprentice leaped on his back.

"You made a mistake when you harmed Whitestorm." he hissed in the warriors ears. "APPRENTICES, ATTACK!" he howled. Tawnypaw, Ashpaw, Featherpaw and Stormpaw all jumped out from the swarm of fighting cats and landed on top of Bone, sinking their claws in deep. Bone flicked off Stormpaw, but quickly Stormpaw got back up and bit down on his leg again.

"Whitestorm!" Firestar wailed and ran up to me. "Don't die! Please don't die!"

"I'm sorry Firestar but my time has come." I rasped. "Graystripe is the one who is destined to be your deputy. He has been all along." I gave Firestar one last smile, then slipped off into a deep sleep.

Russetfur
"I don't need you guarding me like I'm a kit!"

I hissed at Blackstar. I had been battling a brown tabby. I was doing pretty well until he pinned me down. That's when Blackstar came out of nowhere and knocked him off of me. I could take care of myself! I would have finished off that Thunderclan warrior myself if Blackstar hadn't flung him off!

"I'm only trying to protect you!" he growled.

"I don't need protecting! I thought you of all people would know that!" I snapped back.

"I'm just concerned about you." he said.

"Look, I can do this. I'm not a kit anymore." This time my words came out more gently.

Blackstar nodded. "Just...be careful, ok?" he said. I nodded. Then Blackstar turned and raced back into the swarm of cats. I sighed. Why did Blackstar have to be so protective? I liked him, in fact I liked him a lot, but he had to realize I wasn't that helpless. I suddenly had an idea. If I got rid of one of Firestar's lives, I would earn Blackstar's respect, and impress him! Quietly I slunk into some bushes. From there I watched carefully for a flame-orange pelt. I waited for a few minutes. Then a flash of orange appeared. Firestar. I raced out of the bushes and clamped down on his neck. Quickly he threw me off and I landed in the dust. I saw him race back into the battle as the dust cleared. Coward.

I weaved between screeching, wrestling cats, trying to find that cowardly excuse for a leader. He had run away when I had clearly shown him I was ready to fight him to the death. I saw a flash of orange and followed that through the battle. Suddenly the large brown tabby from before landed on me. I hissed and clawed at his belly. He howled and his grip loosened. I bit his leg quickly before disappearing into the battle again. Nobody was stopping me from getting the cat I wanted; Firestar.

I screeched and flew myself at Firestar once again. This time I clamped my jaws on his neck harder, sinking my claws in his fur to stay on top of him. Desperately he tried to shake me off. But he was losing energy, and was slipping clumsily on the wet ground. He couldn't run away this time.

Suddenly there was a horrifying scream. Then a mass of golden fur grabbed onto me and pulled me off Firestar. The cat's teeth sunk deeper and deeper. ''He's killing me! ''I thought frantically. I let out a scream, louder than anything I've ever yowled before; and then the world went black.

Stonefur
"No. I won't do it."

My stomach churned wildly at the thought of what would happen to me, now that I had refused to follow Tigerstar's order. Would he kill me? Drown me? Suffocate me? All the possibilities of ways to die flew through my head, each one worst than the last. I turned my head to Leopardstar. She wouldn't let him kill me, right? For a moment her gaze met mine. It was filled with helplessness and pity. She turned away. I knew exactly what that meant. She wouldn't go against Tigerstar.

I glanced at the two terrified apprentices, Featherpaw and Stormpaw. For a moment I considered taking their lives to save mine. No. I thought. ''Dying with honor is better than living in shame. ''

Tigerstar sighed, as if saying, ''Oh that's just too bad. I was hoping for a good slaughter.'' "Darkstripe." he said. Darkstripe immediately stood up. "I know just what to do." he hissed and stalked up to me. I growled and fluffed out my fur. I was weak, but I would not give up until every fragment of energy was drained from me. I would die a worthy warrior, and no guilt would be upon my shoulders when I joined Starclan. This was wrong, and I would fight to the death to prove it. Darkstripe lunged toward my throat. Quickly I rolled out of the way and managed a bite on his back leg. Darkstripe turned around and clawed my shoulder. I winced but didn't stop fighting. This went on for a while, until I realized I was winning. Darkstripe lay panting on the ground, his eyes burning with fury. I looked up to see Leopardstar. Her eyes were glowing with pride. However, Tigerstar's were filled with disappointment.

"Really Darkstripe, I thought you could handle a weakened, half-clan warrior." Darkstripe hid his face in shame. ''That's right. ''I thought. ''Hide your shame. Hide your dishonor.''

"Blackfoot, finish this half-clanner off."

Blackfoot approached from the crowd. Darkstripe struggled to his feet and ran over to join him. I hissed and lunged toward him, but Blackfoot easily overpowered me and pinned me down. "Goodbye, half-clanner!" Darkstripe hissed in my ear. Darkstripe lifted his claws and slashed open my throat. I closed my eyes. I felt no panic. No desperation. Only...calmness. I had done the right thing, and that was all that mattered. Today, I saved two innocent lives...today, I had become a worthy Riverclan warrior.