Warrior Cats: Icetail's Enemy (COMPLETED ✔️)

Chapter Fifty Five

Edited ✔️

Okay everyone, I am sorry for the long wait in this new update. But I have great news to share—school is officially out and I am up and at 'em again! I've ended all my test scores with something higher than 85% (I got a 96 on my English, specifically), which is AWESOME, and I've been improving my writing in secret for this past month. Well anyways, since you guys have had a long wait, I'm going to try to update at least two (if fortunate, more) chapters before July starts. Icetail's Enemy will be complete very shortly, and then I will begin the sequel to the book. Thank y'all for sticking to this book for so long! To show my thanks, I'll write my best for these last few chapters ^o^

Murmurs rippled throughout the Clan as soon as Icestar finished his announcements. Deep down, he was hoping he made the right decision . . . because if not, the fate and blood of all of his Clanmates will be in his paws. They were his responsibility, after all. He kept a watchful eye on all of his friends, wondering what they were thinking about it. Finally, he met Silverleaf's gaze. Her light blue eyes shone of approval.

Icestar felt a bit relieved.

Ashtail stood up from his spot. "I'm with Icestar!" he called, his voice loud enough for everyone to hear.

"Me too," Swiftbreeze yowled at an instant.

Sagepelt brought her kits closer to her, and her chin rose high. "I will fight too!" she declared.

Cats in the crowd exchanged glances. Sharpfang stood up too. "I will support you, Icestar," called the senior warrior. "DarkClan will not beat us!"

Amberpaw and Blackpaw were fidgeting with eagerness, and Goldenpaw was shrinking by her brother's side, obviously scared. "MoonClan! MoonClan!" chanted the apprentices, excluding Goldenpaw, and in a moment, the whole Clan began to chant along with them. "MoonClan! MoonClan! MoonClan!"

A whole weight lifted off of Icestar's shoulders. From the Moonrock, he could see that Stripeeyes was in the elder's den with a disapproving look on his face. Goldenpaw trembled in her spot. Some cats don't approve, he thought sadly. But we will fight this battle; most of the Clan wants to, and so do I. He remembered Silverleaf's words about their kits. Her desire to protect them buried deep in his heart.

When the chanting died down, Icestar began to speak again. "In a moon at our next gathering, I will ask CloudClan for their assistance if we need it," he said. "I don't like being in anyone's debts, but for the sake of our own Clan, we have to beat DarkClan."

Ashtail looked up at Icestar. "May I have permission to speak?" asked his deputy.

Icestar nodded. "You may. Come here so that everyone can hear you."

Ashtail began to make his way up the Moonrock, climbing gracefully up the steep stones. When he had taken his place besides Icestar, he cleared his throat and raised his voice high. "We will need to form more training patrols," he said, glancing around. "Our apprentices must know the advanced skills of a warrior by two moons, and we have to secure our camp as much as we possibly can. Even our kits must learn to defend themselves."

Ashtail looked over to the nursery, glancing at Shadekit and Berrykit. Eagerness lit up in the both of their eyes, and Sagepelt seemed to become uncomfortable with the idea by the look on her face.

Icestar heard the knowledge of the seasoned warrior's voice. He was right. Ashtail had fought in a real war before, thought the leader. Most of the senior warriors had. We will need their guidance in every step of this.

"We will also need a battle strategy," Ashtail went on. "When the day comes, we will have to have an ambush ready, and our whole territory grounds secured."