( Late at night, hours after the battle where Chimerahunt reclaimed WaterClan )

Phoenixriver had been patched up already, though even now, the former leader had insisted she be one of the last. She was old, yes, but she could still survive the few hours where those who really needed the help got it. That apprentice had done a number on her.

It had been moons since she'd traveled the lands of WaterClan, her home. She missed it dearly. And now that everyone could rest easy, knowing that Riverwolf was locked up securely in the Regime's prison, she felt comfortable leaving them to their own for a few minutes.

The former leader walked through all her favorite places. Through the marshes and the trees that were just beautiful in leaffall. Along the rivers and over the hills. At some point, she made her way to the cliff atop the hill, the waterfall to one side of her, camp far, far below, behind the cascading river, where her family lay. For just a few moments, she sat there, and then the feline began to talk. To Lightningswift, to her kits, grandkits, her siblings, her mother, to Violetstar, Sparrowmark, and the whole host of WaterClan cats up in StarClan. It was about everything and nothing at once. How proud she was of her family, all of them, even Wyverndelirium who'd made some bad decisions recently. Of all the things she learned since kithood, of what each and every cat she'd met, whether WaterClan or not had taught her. Of how honored she'd been to lead them, how much she missed the clan, and everyone she'd lost in her lifetime.

She talked about what had happened, and what her hopes for the future were as she stared at the open sky and the stars above. Her silver tabby pelt, dulled gray flecks coating her body, was lit up in the moonlight, fiery eyes as bright as the ever were while she sat alone and talked with those who'd passed, even knowing that they could not talk back.