Blue Moon: Book Four: Dark Skies

by InkblotLeaf

Dark skies have settled above the lake, threatening to destroy the clans forever. Whilst a deadly disease rips through ThunderClan, tensions brew between SkyClan and RiverClan, shaking the allegiance that binds them. ShadowClan are shooting accusations, whilst WindClan are ominously quiet. Meanwhile, the divisions are poised to strike. One thing's certain: no cat can be trusted.

1. Allegiances and Prologue

STOP!

This is the fourth book in the Blue Moon series. If you haven't read the previous four books, I suggest reading no further and reading the first, otherwise you'll be very confused. Thank you! :D

Sorry for the delay in posting this, I've been juggling a lot at the moment; school, homework, re-writing Untold Secrets and then that wasn't helped by the internet not working on my laptop. I'm having to use the family computer to post this. Hopefully that problem will be solved soon.

FAN FICTION OF THE WEEK

Far by tranquillite

No cat has ever spoken of the arrival of the lost souls. Is everyone scared, or is it because they.. Forgot? Little by little a young apprentice uncovers the mysteries of a forgotten story that turns out to be nothing close to a fairy tale. The clans are to endure great peril from the danger that threatens them to extinction. Can they be saved?

There's only a prologue so far, but I'm loving this and I totally recommend Far to all of you guys! If you favourite and leave a review for the lovely tranquillite, then I'll send you a sneaky preview of the first chapter of Dark Skies, which I've already written. c:

Disclaimer - I do not own Warriors

Well then, here we have the allegiances and prologue, hope you guys enjoy! :D

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Allegiances

THUNDERCLAN

Leader Bramblestar – dark brown tabby tom with amber eyes

Deputy Lionblaze – golden tabby tom with amber eyes

Apprentice, Flamepaw

Medicine Cats Leafpool – light brown tabby she-cat with amber eyes

Jayfeather – grey tabby tom with blind blue eyes

Warriors (toms and she-cats without kits)

Brackenfur – golden brown tabby tom

Sorreltail – tortoiseshell-and-white she-cat with amber eyes

Spiderleg – long-limbed black tom with brown underbelly and amber eyes

Apprentice, Finchpaw

Birchfall – light brown tabby tom

Whitewing – white she-cat with green eyes

Berrynose – cream-coloured tom

Hazeltail – small grey-and-white she-cat

Mousewhisker – grey-and-white tom

Poppyfrost – tortoiseshell she-cat

Cinderheart – grey tabby she-cat

Foxleap – reddish tabby tom

Toadstep – black-and-white tom

Apprentice, Nettlepaw

Rosepetal – dark cream she-cat

Blossomfall – tortoiseshell-and-white she-cat

Apprentice, Lakepaw

Bumblestripe – very pale grey tom with black stripes

Molespots – brown-and-cream tom

Apprentice, Redpaw

Cherryflower – ginger she-cat

Lilystream – dark brown tabby she-cat with white patches

Seedflight – very pale ginger she-cat

Dewclaw – dark grey tom with amber eyes

Ambersky – pale grey she-cat with white patches

Snowfall – small, white tom with amber eyes

Pebblefall – golden tabby tom

Puddlefrost – very pale grey tom

Honeyflower – golden brown tabby she-cat

Stormgazer – very dark grey tom

Mossfire – long-furred tortoiseshell-and-white she-cat

Apprentices (more than six moons, in training to become warriors)

Redpaw – dark fox-red tom

Lakepaw – pale ginger tabby she-cat with white patches

Nettlepaw – mottled pale grey tom

Finchpaw – dark brown-and-white tabby tom

Flamepaw – very bright ginger she-cat

Queens (she-cats expecting or nursing kits)

Dovewing – pale grey she-cat with blue eyes, mother to Bumblestripe's kits, Featherkit (silver tabby she-kit with a white underbelly), Stonekit (dark grey tabby tom), Tigerkit (small brown tom with darker stripes) and Silverkit (silver-and-white tabby she-kit)

Ivypool – silver-and-white tabby she-cat with dark blue eyes, caring for Icecloud's kits, Oak-kit (light brown tabby tom with white markings), Specklekit (mottled pale brown she-kit), Tricklekit (pale grey-and-white she-kit with ginger paws) and Splashkit (small white she-kit with a splash of grey on her side), also nursing Toadstep's kits, Puffinkit (black tom with white paws and tail-tip), Ravenkit (black and white she-kit with one blue eye and one green eye) and Swallowkit (pale grey tabby she-kit with white patches)

Orangeflight – orange tabby she-cat with green eyes, expecting Mousewhisker's kits

Daisy – cream long-furred cat from horse-place

Elders (former warriors and queens, now retired)

Dustpelt – dark brown tabby tom

Sandstorm – pale ginger she-cat with green eyes

Greystripe – long-haired grey tom

Millie – striped grey tabby she-cat with blue eyes

Cloudtail – long-haired white tom with blue eyes

Brightheart – white she-cat with ginger patches

Thornclaw – golden brown tabby tom

SHADOWCLAN

Leader Crowstar – black-and-white tom

Deputy Toadfoot – dark brown tom

Medicine Cat Berrywhisker – mottled grey she-cat

Warriors Ratscar – brown tom with a long scar running down his back

Tawnypelt – tortoiseshell she-cat with green eyes

Olivenose – tortoiseshell she-cat

Apprentice, Nightpaw (very dark grey she-cat)

Owlclaw – light brown tabby tom

Shrewfoot – grey she-cat with black feet

Scorchfur – dark grey tom

Ivytail – black, white and tortoiseshell she-cat

Tigerheart – dark brown tabby tom

Dawnpelt – cream-furred she-cat

Pinenose – black she-cat

Ferretclaw – cream-and-grey tom

Apprentice, Mottlepaw (mottled dark grey tom)

Starlingwing – ginger tom

Snowypelt – small white she-cat

Ravenclaw – black-and-white tom

Thornstrike – pale brown tabby tom

Smallstep – small black she-cat

Queens Kinkfur – tabby she-cat with long fur that sticks out at all angles, mother to Firekit (dark ginger tom), Rowankit (pale ginger she-kit) and Jaykit (brown tabby she-cat)

Applefur – mottled brown she-cat, mother to Dustkit (mottled light brown she-cat) and Sparrowkit (tortoiseshell-and-white she-kit)

Snowbird – pure white she-cat

Elders Littlecloud – very small tabby tom, former medicine cat

Snaketail – dark brown tom with tabby-striped tail

Smokefoot – black tom

WINDCLAN

Leader Onestar – brown tabby tom

Deputy Sedgewhisker – light brown tabby she-cat

Apprentice, Wildpaw (silver tabby tom)

Medicine Cat Kestrelflight – mottled grey tom

Apprentice, Larkstep (dark grey she-cat)

Warriors Crowfeather – dark grey tom

Owlwhisker – light brown tabby tom

Weaselfur – ginger tom with white paws

Heathertail – light brown tabby she-cat with blue eyes

Harespring – brown-and-white tom

Apprentice, Eaglepaw (dark reddish tabby tom)

Leaftail – dark tabby tom with amber eyes

Emberfoot – grey tom with two dark paws

Apprentice, Falconpaw (pale brown-and-white tabby she-cat)

Swallowtail – dark grey she-cat

Apprentice, Swiftpaw (golden brown tabby she-cat)

Whiskernose – light brown tom

Boulderfur – large, pale grey tom

Crouchfoot – black tom

Tinystep – very pale grey she-cat

Quickbird – dark brown she-cat

Mudpelt – brown-and-cream tom

Hawkclaw – large, dark brown tom

Rabbitfoot – pale brown she-cat with white paws

Queens Furzepelt – grey-and-white she-cat, mother to Littlekit (small grey she-cat)

Sunstrike – tortoiseshell she-cat with large white mark on her forehead, mother to Fawnkit (dusty brown she-cat with paler dapples) and Gullkit (very dark grey-and-white tom)

Gorsetail – very pale grey-and-white tabby she-cat with blue eyes (expecting Owlwhisker's kits)

Elders Ashfoot – grey she-cat, former deputy

Whitetail – small, white she-cat

RIVERCLAN

Leader Mistystar – grey she-cat with blue eyes

Apprentice, Splashpaw (black-and-white she-cat)

Deputy Grasspelt – light brown tom

Medicine Cat Mothwing – dappled golden she-cat

Apprentice, Willowshine (grey tabby she-cat)

Warriors Mintfur – light grey tabby tom

Minnowtail – dark grey she-cat

Icewing – white she-cat with blue eyes

Apprentice, Darkpaw (dappled dark grey tom)

Pebblefoot – mottled grey tom

Apprentice, Morningpaw (very pale grey tabby she-cat)

Duskfur – brown tabby she-cat

Mallownose – light brown tabby tom

Robinwing – tortoiseshell-and-white tom

Apprentice, Pikepaw (black-and-silver tabby tom)

Hollowflight – dark brown tabby tom

Apprentice, Duckpaw (dark grey-and-white tabby tom)

Mossyfoot – brown-and-white she-cat

Rushtail – light brown tabby tom

Heronbeak – brown tabby tom

Apprentice, Shadepaw (very dark grey she-cat)

Cloudysky – grey-and-white she-cat

Goldenlight – very pale ginger she-cat

Rapidstream – pale brown-and-white tom

Rainsplash – dark grey she-cat

Sandytail – very pale ginger tom

Swanflight – white she-cat with blue eyes

Queens Troutstream – pale grey tabby she-cat, mother to Rushingkit (mottled brown-and-white tom), Greykit (grey she-kit) and Bluekit (smoky grey tom with blue eyes)

Littlestream – tortoiseshell she-cat, mother to Leopardkit (dappled tortoiseshell she-kit), Ryekit (pale brown tom) and Applekit (mottled ginger she-kit)

Mosspelt – tortoiseshell-and-white she-cat with blue eyes

Elders Reedwhisker – black tom

Greymist – pale grey tabby she-cat

SKYCLAN

Leader Rabbitstar – very pale brown tom

Deputy Bouncefire – ginger tom

Apprentice, Wolfpaw (dark grey tom with black paws)

Medicine Cat Frecklewish – mottled light brown tabby she-cat with spotted legs

Apprentice, Brackenpaw (light brown tabby tom)

Warriors Shrewtooth – skinny black tom

Ebonyclaw – striking, black she-cat, former daylight warrior

Billystorm – ginger-and-white tom

Harveymoon – white tom, former daylight warrior

Rockshade – black tom

Sagewhisker – pale grey tom

Mintfur – grey tabby she-cat

Creekfeather – grey tabby tom

Nettlesplash – pale brown tom

Apprentice, Wildpaw (dark ginger-and-white tom)

Plumwillow – dark grey she-cat

Honeysplash – light golden she-cat

Birdflight – black she-cat with a grey muzzle

Sandypelt – light ginger-and-white tom

Apprentice, Aspenpaw (golden brown tabby she-cat)

Harryclaw – grey tom with a pale muzzle and underbelly

Firesong – dark ginger she-cat

Apprentice, Larkpaw (pale grey she-cat with black points)

Robinsong – golden brown tabby she-cat with green eyes

Flintclaw – dark grey-and-ginger tom

Shadewillow – black she-cat

Greywhisper – very dark grey she-cat

Sparrowfoot – black tom with one white paw

Apprentice, Frostpaw (small white tom)

Cloudfoot – brown tabby tom with white paws

Apprentice, Sootpaw (small dark grey tom)

Berrystep – pale brown tabby tom

Brightwing – ginger-and-white she-cat

Whitefern – white she-cat with green eyes

Mouseleap – small, pale brown she-cat

Queens Tinycloud – small white she-cat

Stormwhisker – grey-and-ginger she-cat, mother to Wrenkit (tortoiseshell she-kit with yellow eyes) and Beekit (pale ginger she-kit with thick, darker stripes)

Redflower – tortoiseshell-and-white she-cat

Elders Echosong – silver tabby she-cat with green eyes

Patchfoot – very old black-and-white tom

Petalnose – pale grey she-cat

Cherrytail – tortoiseshell-and-white she-cat

THE DIVISIONS

The Guardian – dark grey tabby tom with one blue eye and one amber eye and a battle scarred pelt

Body Guards Ray – large white tom with yellow eyes

Sniff – dark ginger tom with green eyes and white paws

Cleo – black she-cat with amber eyes and white tail-tip

Raven – dark grey tom with white patches and blue eyes

THE WATCHERS

Chief Watcher Drake – scarred reddish tabby tom with green eyes

Senior Watchers Phoenix – bright ginger tom with half an ear missing

Loki – small white tom with amber eyes

Shadow – very dark grey she-cat with green eyes

Misty – dappled grey she-cat with blue eyes

Trigger – dark brown tom with a paler underbelly

Flint – grey tabby tom with white paws and amber eyes

Watchers Coco – dark brown she-cat

Leo – golden tabby tom with a white chest

Kiara – pale brown tabby she-cat with green eyes

Jake – black tom with white paws

Titch – light ginger tom with white paws and amber eyes

Lark – pale tabby she-cat with amber eyes

Coal – dark grey she-cat with amber eyes, former Healer

Soot – dark grey tabby she-cat with green eyes, former Healer

Tiger – brown tabby tom with green eyes

Night – black tom with a white mark on his face

Red – reddish dark ginger tom, formerly of the horseplace

Juniper – pale grey she-cat with green eyes

Blaze – pale ginger tom with amber eyes

Brook – light ginger she-cat with green eyes

Initiates Frost – small white she-cat with blue eyes

Willow – smoky grey she-cat with blue eyes, formerly of the horseplace

Poppy – pale grey she-cat, formerly of the horseplace

Stripe – striped dark grey tom, formerly of the horseplace

Spots – spotted silver tabby she-cat, formerly of the horseplace

Apple – dark grey-and-white she-cat, formerly of the horseplace

Nutmeg – pale brown she-kit, formerly of the horseplace

Oak – pale grey tabby tom, formerly of the horseplace

Chloe – grey-and-white tabby she-cat

Shade – black tom with a white underbelly and paws

Storm – pale brown tabby tom

Sky – dark grey she-cat with blue eyes

Jack – small black-and-white tom

Sydney – very dark grey tom with amber eyes

THE FIGHTERS

Chief Fighter Oscar – golden brown tabby tom with white patches

Senior Fighters Ebony – black tom with green eyes

Tangle – long-haired pale brown tom

Jess – dappled brown-and-white tabby she-cat

Talon – white tom with blue eyes

Shayla – dappled brown she-cat

Connor – black-and-white tom

Blade – pale ginger-and-white tom

Fighters Cam – golden tabby tom

Rusty – reddish tabby tom

Scar – battle-scarred grey tom

Mocha – lithe brown she-cat

Snake – dark brown tom with mottled white paws

Ripple – silver tabby she-cat with white patches

Rio – blue-grey tom with blue eyes

Gus – golden brown tom

Drew – pale grey tom

Mouse – small brown tabby she-cat

Hazel – slender light brown tabby she-cat

Dart – black-and-silver tabby tom

Jigsaw – black-and-white tom

Tommo – dark brown tom with white patches

Snowy – white she-cat

Luna – silver tabby she-cat with blue eyes

Gale – small black tom

Hailey – mottled grey she-cat

Initiates Honey – small ginger she-cat

Summer – grey-and-white she-cat

Benji – brown-and-cream tom

Mitri – black-and-white tom

Toby – dark grey tom with white patches

Shimmer – grey-and-white tabby she-cat

Ginger – dark ginger she-cat with green eyes

Dusty – dusty brown she-cat with amber eyes

Rufus – bright ginger tom

Topaz – pale grey tom with darker points

Charlie – ginger tom

Grey – long-haired grey tom

Cara – brown tabby she-cat

Smog – smoky grey tom

Cream – creamy-furred she-cat

THE HUNTERS

Chief Hunter Flame – pale ginger-and-white tom

Senior Hunters Dusk – golden she-cat with white patches

Inky – very dark grey she-cat

Tobias – broad-shouldered grey tabby tom

Sapphire – dark cream she-cat

Echo – pale grey she-cat

Jasper – golden brown-and-white tabby tom

Rose – black she-cat with blue eyes

Hardy – brown tabby tom with blue eyes

Bailey – black tom with white paws

Ellie – dark brown she-cat

Sandy – ginger she-cat with amber eyes

Hunters Snowdrop – slender white she-cat

Lily – grey-and-white she-cat

Ember – mottled dark grey tom

Amber – pale brown tabby she-cat with amber eyes

Finn – grey-and-white tom

Swift – grey tom with a paler underbelly

Flicka – black she-cat

Ivy – cream-and-white she-cat

Piper – dark brown tabby tom

Snare – black tom

Brynn - very pale grey tabby tom

Cloudy – white she-cat with blue eyes

Breeze – golden brown tom with green eyes

Rocky – grey tabby tom with paler dapples

Moth – dappled brown she-cat

Egg – cream tom

Mia – silver tabby she-cat

Scarlet – dark ginger she-cat

Haze – dappled silver tabby she-cat

Jasmine – lithe pale brown she-cat

Dew – white tom with black patches

Silver – dark grey tabby tom

Cinders – grey she-cat with darker grey patches

Tris – pale brown tabby she-cat

Timber – dark brown-and-white tom

Crow – black tom with white paws, underbelly and tail-tip

Sam – white tom with dark brown patches

Initiates Hail – mottled grey tom

Silky – long-haired tortoiseshell she-cat

Fizzy – dark ginger she-cat

Blue – grey tabby tom with blue eyes

Della – dappled grey she-cat

Danny – golden tabby tom

Shrew – pale brown tom

Russet – very dark ginger tom

Wolf – grey tom

THE HEALERS

Chief Healer Kaya – silver tabby she-cat with pale amber eyes

Senior Healers Slate – dark grey tom with white paws

Fire – bright ginger tom

Blossom – pale brown she-cat

Ruby – tortoiseshell she-cat with amber eyes

Harley – black tom

Jade – tortoiseshell-and-white she-cat

Healers Polo – spotted brown she-cat

Alfie – black tom with amber eyes

Winter – white tom with dark grey patches

Ice – white tom with blue eyes

Tommy – pale grey tom

Petal – dappled tortoiseshell she-cat

Moon – pale grey tom with darker stripes

Snowy – very pale grey she-cat

Owl – dark brown tabby tom

Autumn – golden brown she-cat

Milo – black tom

Initiates Dawn – pale ginger she-cat

Maverick – very dark grey tabby tom

Vixen – reddish ginger she-cat

Lottie – tortoiseshell she-cat

Duncan – brown-and-white tom

Splash – dark grey she-cat with white mottles

BREEDING STOCK

Nursing Kits Layla – brown-and-white tabby she-cat of the Watchers, mother to Trigger's kits, Holly (dark brown tabby she-kit), Clover (grey she-kit) and Arrow (dark brown tom)

Tilly – golden brown tabby she-cat of the Healers, mother to Fire's kits, Thistle (fluffy brown tom) and Luna (white she-kit with blue eyes)

Freya – dappled tortoiseshell she-cat of the Hunters, mother to Flame's kits, Pine (dark ginger tom) and Chester (orange-and-white tabby tom)

Expecting Kits Bella – black-and-white she-cat of the Watchers, expecting Night's kits

Mocha – golden tabby she-cat of the Fighters, expecting Cam's kits

Rain – dappled pale grey she-cat of the Watchers, expecting Drake's kits

Pip – small brown she-cat of the Hunters, expecting Flame's kits

Molly – black she-cat of the Fighters, expecting Connor's kits

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PROLOGUE

It was hidden away in a tiny clearing that they gathered. Concealed by the outstretched branches of the leafy beech trees above and with the thick undergrowth deterring any unwanted visitors, it was an unlikely spot to find such a gathering of cats, their pelts flickering and gleaming with starlight. Though it had only rained lightly the previous night, a large puddle had formed in the centre of the clearing, which the cats had clustered around.

Very few words were exchanged, a great quiet hanging thickly upon the clearing for several long moments until, at last, the final few cats thrust their way through the undergrowth and entered the clearing; a grey tom with white patches that resembled clouds, a brown-and-cream tabby she-cat and a fiery-pelted tom.

As the three cats slipped in and out of the gathered cats, each finding their way to the front, to where the puddle gleamed in the half-moon light, welcoming murmurs were sent their way.

"Nice to see you, Cloudstar," a dark brown tabby tom purred, rising to his paws and joining Cloudstar where he sat at the edge of the puddle, a murky brown in the pale light.

The grey-and-white tom gave a flick of his tail, "And you, Sparrowpelt."

"You took your time," a dark grey she-cat with a flattened muzzle muttered, eyes glinting in the moonlight.

"Well, if you hadn't picked such a remote place then we might've been able to get here sooner, Yellowfang," the fiery ginger tom replied, "And all the brambles didn't make it very easy getting here either."

"We can't risk being overheard!" Yellowfang snapped.

"Why?" a reddish brown tom challenged, "It's hardly a secret what we're discussing, the whole of StarClan no doubt knows already, they're not blind."

"Just be quiet, Oakheart," Yellowfang sighed.

"We've wasted enough time already," a spotted golden tabby she-cat hissed, "Let's just begin."

The brown-and-cream tabby she-cat shot the spotted she-cat a glare, but after a sigh, at last began to speak, "We're all aware of why we're gathered here," her words were straight to the point, her amber gaze drifting to the puddle. She paused, swiping her forepaw across the surface of the murky pool. After a heartbeat or so, an image began to form, "There are dark clouds gathering above the clans. Darker skies than we could ever have imagined."

Her words hung in the air for a moment, eventually giving way to a hushed silence as cats craned their necks to try and catch a glimpse of the images in the puddle. It was clear after a few moments that it depicted the lake, surrounded by the territories of all five clans. In the lake's surface, storm clouds were reflected, dark and ominous.

"These next few seasons will not just shake one clan," Leafstar's words were almost inaudible, her starry pelt paler than usual under the light of the half moon, "but all of the clans. It's important that they realise who the real enemy is, not each other…" she broke off, giving a distinguished flick of her tail and causing a new image to appear on the surface of the water, "but him."

"Not just him," a dark brown she-cat put in, "We've seen what they're capable of; they're dark-hearted cats, all of them."

"Not a single one of them can be trusted," Sparrowpelt agreed, giving a nod of the head.

The brown-and-cream tabby she-cat opened her jaws to speak, but she was cut off before the words even left her mouth. A light brown tabby she-cat with blue eyes added her voice to the discussion, "I'm not so sure," her voice was soft and quiet. She didn't appear to be particularly confident in her words, but her eyes glowed, "They've been raised on dark words, a fierce and cold-hearted way of life. It's all they know. They can't be blamed. It wasn't always like that, remember?" her eyes fell to the puddle, "Before he showed up, they led a peaceful way of life. It could be like that again, if they had a good leader."

Several murmurs of agreement rippled amongst the starry-pelted cats. A dark ginger she-cat didn't look at all convinced, "Who cares?" she snorted, lashing her tail, "The stupid divisions can sort out their own problems. All that matters is they're driven away from the lake before this supposed war truly begins, those mouse-brained cats should never have set paw near the lake, they should've been dealt with before they caused a problem," her pelt was bristling, hatred blazing behind green eyes

A white tom with a black foot gave her a gentle nudge, "Calm down," he murmured softly. Then he cleared his throat, addressing the rest of the cats, "I have to agree with Russetfur," he meowed, "The sooner these cats are driven away, the better."

"You say that like driving them away is easy, Blackstar" a blue-grey she-cat murmured, "These cats are far more capable than we could ever have imagined. If it was easy, the clans would've driven them out long ago," she lifted her gaze from the puddle to the white tom, "The clans are starting to make progress, with the allegiance of the three clans and ThunderClan sending cats to find out information about the divisions," her whiskers twitched, "The key to defeating the enemy is understanding them. The clans must learn how the divisions work, how they fight, how they think, only then can they be triumphant."

When she finished, enthusiastic meows of agreement broke out amongst the cats. But there were still a few cats who remained silent. As the voices faded out to silence, a light brown tabby she-cat with amber eyes took a tentative step forward. Her coat was faded and the outlines of the forest behind her could be made out through her pelt, she had walked the skies for many more seasons than most of the gathered cats.

"Understanding them is certainly the best way to achieve victory, Bluestar," she mewed, her words almost inaudible. Several of the cats had to strain their ears to try and make out what she was saying, "But do we really need a victory?"

Silence ensued for a moment. The blue-grey she-cat frowned, exchanging confused glances with a reddish brown tom, Oakheart. Before any of the gathered cats could ask questions, the light brown tabby she-cat continued.

"It sounds mouse-brained, I know, but battle isn't the only way to solve disputes," she mewed, her amber gaze sweeping across the moonlit clearing, "If we drive them away, there's nothing to say they won't return and even if they don't, they're bound to cause trouble elsewhere," she took in a deep breath, the gentle night breeze stirring her fluffy pelt, "We could teach them a better way of life, we could make them see sense, we could make them see that there's another way to live, one that doesn't revolve around fear."

A hush fell over the cats for a moment.

Cloudstar gave a small smile, wistfulness creeping into his gaze, "If only there was some way…"

A black-and-white tom held the light brown tabby she-cat's gaze, "As much as I prefer your idea, Birdflight, I don't know how it could be done," a soft sight spilled from his jaws and he turned his head away, "As much as I hate it, sometimes it seems the only way to resolve things is battle. When that final battle does come, we can only hope that the clans are victorious."

"But what if they're not?" a silver tabby she-cat put in, "What if the clans are defeated? What happens then? Will the divisions force them into joining their ranks or will the clans have to find a new home?"

"We can only hope that the divisions will show them mercy and allow them to leave," Cloudstar murmured, "As painful as it would be to leave behind the lake, they can surely find a new home elsewhere."

"But at what cost?" the bright ginger tom murmured thoughtfully, "The Great Journey to find the lake was long and gruelling. It took many moons, who know how long it would take to find a new home? Many might not make it."

"There's no use worrying about this now," Bluestar muttered, "What we must focus on is how can we prevent that from happening."

"Perhaps we might be more likely to achieve victory if WindClan weren't working with the division cats?" the dappled golden tabby she-cat challenged, shooting a glare at the black-and-white tom.

"Or if ShadowClan take an involvement in it at all," Sparrowpelt growled, "Right now they're doing nothing about it. It's going to affect them whether they like it or not, the sooner they accept that and the sooner they act, the better."

A short-tailed brown tom's gaze narrowed, "Don't just shoot accusations," he warned, his eyes clouded, "Onestar is only doing what is best for his clan, I doubt you could lead WindClan any better, Leopardstar."

A dark brown tabby tom with a ragged pelt sprung to his paws, his pelt bristling, "Don't you go blaming this on ShadowClan!" he snapped, lashing his tail furiously, "Perhaps if SkyClan just surrendered their territory and left then we wouldn't have all this trouble?"

Sparrowpelt's lip curled in a snarl, "You mouse-hearted"-

"Raggedstar! Sparrowpelt! Enough!" Yellowfang hissed, her eyes narrowing to slits, "This is no fault of any clan. Turning against each other will only make matters worse," she took a deep breath, lowering her voice, "The only way the divisions can be defeated is by standing together, five must act as one, the lake is at cost."

Raggedstar and Sparrowpelt exchanged dark glares, but one look from the dark grey she-cat and their prickling pelts lay flat once more as they dipped their heads in resignation.

"He started it," Sparrowpelt mumbled under his breath.

"What are we, kits?" Leopardstar spat, looking both Raggedstar and Sparrowpelt in the eye, then she gave a sigh, "Yellowfang is right. The lake belongs to all the clans, they all should fight for it."

"But even united, there's no promise of victory," a light brown tabby she-cat with bright blue eyes put in, her voice soft and smooth like honey, "Surely battle isn't the only solution?"

Bluestar's gaze lingered on the light brown tabby she-cat for a moment before straying to Birdflight, "It's a risk we must take, Honeyfern," she murmured quietly, "I know you would rather Birdflight's idea, but I simply can't see a way of making that happen. Unless another decision becomes clear, this is our only hope."

Honeyfern gave a soft sigh, but nodded slowly, her blue gaze clouding.

"Will we send the clans a message then?" asked a silver tabby she-cat with blue eyes, "The five must unite; it's the only way."

Bluestar held the silver tabby she-cat's gaze evenly, "As difficult as it is, sometimes it's best for the clans to realise these things for herself," her gaze flickered to the puddle briefly, "There will be no message, Feathertail, they must uncover their own destiny."

"But what if they don't realise?" a dark brown she-cat with sky-blue eyes challenged quietly, fear glinting behind her gaze, "What happens then? Are we just supposed to watch the clans fall?"

"We can only hope it doesn't come to that, Briarlight," Oakheart meowed, his gaze sweeping from the dark brown she-cat to Bluestar, "We must have faith in our former clanmates, when the time is right, they will make the right decision."

Quiet mews of agreement rippled throughout the group of cats. Leafstar gave a flourish of her brown-and-cream tabby tail, "I think it's best we finish this meeting now," she murmured, "Before we all rip each other's pelts off," she shot a glance at Sparrowpelt and Raggedstar.

"That would probably be wise," the fiery-pelted ginger tom agreed, giving a slow nod of the head, "We should meet again in a couple of sunrises, perhaps a new path will have emerged by then?"

Cloudstar took a step forward, his gaze sweeping over all the gathered cats, "Yes," he mewed, "And until then, we should all watch very closely over the clans."

After mews of agreement, the gathering of cats at last began to exchange farewells as they parted ways, peeling off in their separate directions. As silence slowly closed in on the clearing, now empty, the surface of the puddle began to shimmer once more. After a few moments of hazy confusion, an image was at last clear on the water's surface. Reflected in the pale moonlit water, the images of three cats had formed; one was a snowy white tom, the second was a pale grey-and-white she-cat and the final cat was a dark grey tom. All three cats had amber eyes.

Several moments of silence ensued and the image continued to flicker upon the water's surface. It was the echoing cry of a tawny owl that at last split the silence. The cool night air stirred the surface of the puddle, ripples blossoming on the murky water's surface. When the water was still once more, the image had faded, leaving nothing but murky brown behind.

---

It was also a cool night beside the lake, surprisingly cool given the fact that the season was mid green-leaf. The tabby tom had never been at all bothered by the cold or wind, he welcomed it in fact, but tonight it just unsettled him. Sleep was useless on a night like tonight, it only troubled him; he preferred to push his exhaustion to one side so that he might climb up to the plateau above camp, where he could watch over his clan and ensure their safety. If he slept, his clan could be attacked, or even worse. He preferred to sacrifice a few sleepless nights if it meant he could safeguard his clan.

He knew he would get a telling off the following morning from his mate for denying himself sleep. She was constantly nagging him that he needed to stop worrying and settle down. But how could he settle down? How could he not worry? How could he? With everything that was happening?

A breath he didn't realise he'd been holding spilled from his jaws in a heavy sigh and he watched as it blossomed into soft clouds in the cool, still night air. So what if I don't sleep? So long as my clan is safe, then I'm happy.

Giving a slight toss of the head, as if trying to shake the thoughts from his mind, he let his gaze drift away from the camp below, away from the moors and hills of his clan to the lake. In the pale half-moon light, its surface flickered and glimmered, the wind the cause of its restlessness. He'd never liked water, but there something quite soothing about watching the lake, the way light played upon its surface. If he wasn't so worried, he'd call it beautiful.

It was a strong, pungent tang that tugged the brown tabby tom away from his thoughts. A frown creased his expression and his gaze misted as he lifted his head to the sky, drawing in a deep breath, that's funny, that smells just like-

His thoughts were cut short. Movement caught the corner of his eye and he jerked his head around, his eyes widening when they fell to the cats before him. There were three cats in total, a reddish tabby tom with a scarred pelt, a golden brown tabby tom with white patches and then, standing before the two other cats and wearing a sickly grin, a sleek tom with a pelt as dark as night, apart from a small white marking on his head. His eyes were a piercing blue and they met the tabby tom's amber ones directly, a challenge in their icy depths.

"Onestar," the black tom smirked, his tail flourishing from left to right, "I hope you don't mind us paying a surprise visit on you tonight?"

It was a question, but the tabby tom knew there was only one right answer. If he declined the black tom's right to visit him, he'd only fall deeper into his trap, so he gave a slow nod, swallowing the lump in his throat and forcing a semi-confident meow from his jaws, "Of course not, Night," his gaze flickered across all three cats, "and of course, Drake," he dipped his head to the two cats before letting his amber gaze stray back to the final cat, "I don't believe we've met?"

Night gave a flick of his tail, "Oh, this is"-

"I can introduce myself, thank you," the golden brown-and-white tabby tom growled, his gaze glinting in the moonlight, "My name's Oscar, I'm the Guardian's Chief Fighter."

Onestar's breath caught, but he swallowed the fear mounting within him, forcing his neck fur to lie flat, "Greetings Oscar, it's an honour to meet you."
The tabby tom couldn't help but wonder, with great apprehension, as to why the three division cats were visiting him tonight. So, shuffling his paws uncomfortably, he waited for an explanation.

Oscar sat quite still, his gaze picking over Onestar in a scrutinising manner until Night at last cleared his throat and began to speak, "You must, of course, be wondering what our reasons are for visiting you tonight?" he meowed, a knowing glimmer in his blue gaze, "So I won't leave you wondering any longer; the plan I told you of before? Of the disease? We've begun to put it into place," his words hung ominously in the cool night air, "ThunderClan will soon be weaker than mice."

The tabby WindClan leader nodded slowly. Great StarClan, they've really done it. Despite the tensions between his clan and ThunderClan over the last few seasons, Onestar wouldn't wish the fatal and infectious disease upon any clan, especially having heard Night's recollections of the pain and suffering the disease had previously caused.

The black watcher grinned, flashing white fangs, "Our plan next is to launch attack on ThunderClan when the disease has set in fully. It should be an easy defeat and the other clans will soon start to realise just how powerful we are. Then, when ThunderClan is dealt with, we can start to work on SkyClan and RiverClan, let's just say their precious allegiance won't last much longer," his whiskers twitched in amusement.

The brown tabby tom swallowed, "What about ShadowClan?"

"Oh," it was Drake who spoke this time, his words casual, "I shouldn't worry too much about them, they might even surrender their territory over to us if we're lucky and then we won't even need to fight."

Onestar heaved a deep breath and gave a nod, "That sounds… good."

"So, of course," Night continued, "When we launch the attack on ThunderClan, we will require the support of your clan once more, I hardly think they'll put up much of a fight, but it's better to be on the safe side."

The WindClan leader blinked, the wind ruffling his tabby pelt, "Of course, we'll be there," he assured him, "What happens once we've defeated ThunderClan?" he wasn't sure if he dared ask the question.

Oscar smirked, "When we defeat ThunderClan," he purred silkily, "We give any cats left over one choice; join us, or die."

An icy cold stretched through the tabby tom at the golden brown-and-white tabby's words, but he veiled his unease in a confident meow of agreement, "Good."

Night's tail flourished from left to right, "We'll give the other clans the same choice, unity or death. Either way, the lake will be ours before long."

The brown tabby tom let out a deep breath. For a moment, silence ensued, before Onestar challenged quietly, "But if the clan cats join the divisions, isn't there the possibility they might cause trouble?"

Night's gaze was icy cold and burned into the brown tabby tom's side, "We'll deal with any cats whose loyalties are questionable before that can happen," he tilted his head slightly to one side, "You seem rather concerned about the other clans?" his gaze locked with Onestar's, "You remember our agreement? We'll spare your clan if you help us drive the other clans out. If you try to help the other clans or back out of this agreement, you know what will become of you and your clan," his claws slid out, glinting in the dim light of the moon. Moments later, both Oscar and Drake also unsheathed their claws, their pelts bristling slightly and a growl resounding from Oscar's throat.

Onestar's belly churned uncomfortably and he took a step back, "Of course not," he meowed, smothering the fear away from the three cats, "I just want to be sure you don't treat them too kindly," his tail flourished from left to right nervously.

The black tom snorted, amusement flickering behind his blue gaze for a moment, "I don't think there'll be a problem with that," he purred, his ears flickering slightly, "They'll get what they deserve."

Onestar shifted slightly, "Good."

Night gave a sharp nod of the head, "I'll send a cat along to let you know of when your warriors are required," he told him, his tail giving a distinguished flick, "Any questions?"

Onestar didn't hesitate in shaking his head.

Night gave a purr, "Good," he gave a sickly sweet smile, rising to his paws, "Remember our agreement, Onestar," he glanced over at Oscar and Drake, "If you show even the slightest hesitance or attempt to aid the other clans, then your clan won't be shown any mercy."

The brown tabby tom nodded, his tail curling around his paws.

Night gave a tip of the head, "Very well," his gaze flickered to Oscar and Drake, "This was only a brief visit, my companions and I must be returning to our camp."

The brown tabby tom rose to his paws, ignoring the dull, aching exhaustion in his limbs, "Thank you," he mewed, "Have a safe journey."

Night regarded him one last time, an ambitious gleam in the icy depths of his eyes, then he gave a gesture with his tail and, without a further words notice, the three cats left, leaving only silence.

Onestar waited a while, to let his heartbeat return to that of the norm and also be sure that the cats were out of earshot before heaving a sigh, letting his head hang low. Ever since Night had first came to him, promising to spare his clan of war, he'd been regretful of his decision and never more so than tonight. As the three cats disappeared over the windswept moors of his clan, he felt that achingly familiar pang of repentance in his belly, that same unease and discomfort. Over these past few moons, it had felt like he was treading on thin ice. All he wanted was to protect his clan, for his clan to be happy and safe. Night had come to him, offering that, peace and safety, and so, naturally, the tabby tom had accepted. It had seemed too simple at the time, but now, he wished he'd just said no.

It was too late now to change anything, Night had reminded him of that tonight. If he backed out of their deal or attempted to come to the assistance of the other clans, the black tom would only ensure that WindClan suffered the most of all the clans.

He let his gaze drift to his paws, I'm such a mouse-brain, he thought pathetically. He'd tried to steer his clan in the right direction, he'd tried to protect them, but in the end, he would only be responsible for the downfall of the clans. How could he live with himself, knowing that whilst his clan was safe and protected, the other clans were falling apart?

I suppose I'll just have to, he decided, gritting his teeth. He let his gaze drift to the sky above, which was flecked with the light of stars, StarClan, forgive me for all that I've done and all I'm about to do, he swallowed, his eyes falling to his paws once more, I'm only trying to do what's best for my clan.

The wind stirred the grasses at the brown tabby tom's paws, weaving around the brown tabby tom and carrying a scent that was all too familiar to the WindClan leader. Tallstar, he realised achingly.

I know you're only trying to do what's best for your clan. Onestar's head jerked up, searching his surroundings frantically for the black-and-white tom, but there was no sight of the former WindClan leader, just his wistful words, carried by the wind, but what about what's best for the other clans? The clans must support one and other in times of need, not watch as the others wither and die.

The brown tabby tom swallowed, lowering his head, "I'm sorry," he murmured softly.

There was no response.

---

Bam, Dark Skies has begun! :D I'm super excited about this one, we're now halfway through the Blue Moon series (if you don't count the Super Editions that is). I'm afraid Dark Skies is going to be a real heart-wrencher, but I think you'll will like it... hopefully.

Next Chapter:

- Seedflight is feeling a little under the weather (could it be the disease?!)

- We check up on Molespots and Foxleap, who're still with the divisions.

- Some other stuff which I honestly can't remember right now xD

Guess what? If you leave a review on this chapter, you get a sneak peak of the next one! If you leave a review on this chapter and also check out the Fan Fiction of the week and favourite and review it, you get another review! Tempted? Just make sure you let me know you've reviewed and favourited, I will be checking! c:

Live, Love, Read and Review,

Leafy x