You Dead, You Dead [private]

[BEAR.]

"Look what the rats dragged in."

Wolverine's voice was a rasp as he materialized in front of Icestar, but now..

There was a rift between them. Where Wolverine was clearly in the Dark Forest, Icestar stood on the threshold between Clan Heaven and Hell.

"Surprised to see me, girl? It was only a matter of time before you got to this point." Trapped between two worlds as she toed the lines of morality. "You got the StarClanners' tails in a twist, but there's one thing they're set on now after what's been going on in ShadowClan.

"This isn't a wound you'll be waking up from, daughter."

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[pidgeon]

Icestar opened her eyes upon the dusky expanse that was the border between StarClan and the Dark Forest, and found herself looking upon her father once more on the Dark Forest side. As her memories recollected, she let out a yowl of fury.

"I can't believe this!" She yowled. "That disgusting traitor! I knew she was no good, I knew I was right." She lashed her tail and swiped at the starry ground beneath her, icy cold frost collecting around her paws. That was odd, to say the least, but it was not her biggest concern at the moment. Her eyes widened and her scowl hardened as she listened to what Wolverine had to say.

"What the hell do you mean? I had lives left! Send me back!"

BILL.

[BEAR.]

"Oh, you were right." Wolverine's gaze shifted to graze her body, looking over the border she was ensnared between for just this moment. "Your own paranoia allowed your guard to be weakened, so she could strip from you what was most important." He had to savor these words, soaking in the failures of his daughter like eating a sour mouse.

"I wish I could send you back. I had hoped your leadership would be long and prosperous.. but those Star-blind Fools think otherwise. They have decided to not heal your wounds, girl. If you woke up, you would merely die again, and again, and again, until you stopped coming back.

"Trust me when I say, this is a far better fate.. albeit a load of fox-dung."

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[pidgeon]

For once, Icestar was at a loss for words. She had been injured that badly? So badly that she couldn't regain her life? By Hailstorm?
"No, that can't be possible," she shook her head with bewilderment, looking at her starry form--less starry than the usual StarClan cat--and noticed a few scars were missing, but not all. She really was dead.

"Fox-dung! I had so many great plans for ShadowClan! I had a vision for the future and nobody wanted to hear it. I--" she paused, blinking. She had a sudden realization.
"--can still influence my clan. That's right! I may not be able to lead them directly, but I'm quite certain Dawnstripe's loyalty will remain to me." All she had to do was figure out how to visit her dreams. Oh, all the information she could gain now that she was no longer of the living! Perhaps...perhaps this wasn't so bad. No, she could make this work for her.

BILL.

[BEAR.]

"Yes.. not only can you still influence your Clan and that kit of yours, but your influence is not bound to one plane of the afterlife.

"You stand in the throes of a neutral morality: neither too evil for StarClan, nor too good for the Dark Forest. StarClan did not want to taint their image with you, despite this 'mercy' they are extending.

"So.. their solution was to curse you to no true afterlife. No borders will confine you: you can wander back and forth between realms as you please, and provided you do not cross the lines of morality.. I do not foresee any changes being made to your ability. The living will remember the name Icestar for all eternity, even eons after you are gone."

Wolverine's lips curled into a smile. "And perhaps.. you can spread your influence over to that new ThunderClan leader. Dawnstripe lacks your charisma, dear girl. She may need a helping paw in making ShadowClan the best again."

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