A/N: Hello! This is my first ever story on FanFiction so yay! Big shout out to purastella for introducing me to it and encouraging me to try it. Honestly, she is the best.

This is an AU of Erin Hunter's series Warriors. The plot and cats are mine, but the basis for the story is set up like the book series. If there are any cats in the following lists that have the same name as those in the book series, that was unintentional. Think of this as either completely different clans (maybe Starclan and Skyclan are pals lol) or the clans decided to move again to another lake territory and changed their clan names (and it's been so long that all of the book cats are long gone- even Starclan has changed names because it has been so long).

Either way, I hope you enjoy the plot. I have had this plot in my head for a few years now and am excited to finally share it!

Following is the list of cats for the characters (just like in the books) and the prologue. Enjoy!

Fireclan

(live in plains)

Leader:

Blackstar – white tom with black splotches and green eyes

Deputy:

Wildflower – white she-cat with pale brown and gray flecks; blue eyes

Medicine Cat:

Drywhisker – long-haired dusty brown tom with yellow eyes

Leafsong – brown tabby she-cat with green eyes

Warriors:

Harepelt – light gray tom with white underbelly and amber eyes

Mousetail – brown she-cat with an unusual long tail and yellow eyes

Ravenfoot – black she-cat with white paws and green eyes

Shadowbreeze – black she-cat with a white tail-tip and green eyes

Apprentice: Squirrelpaw

Blackstripe – gray tabby tom with amber eyes

Foxclaw – large dark ginger tom with yellow eyes and unusual long claws

Apprentice: Whitepaw

Emberheart – white she-cat with black stripes and amber eyes

Twisterhowl – silver tabby tom with white chest/paws and green eyes

Duststorm – dusty brown tom with amber eyes

Owlsight – brown tabby tom with yellow eyes

Cloudstep – light brown she-cat with white paws and green eyes

Kestrelflight – mottled brown she-cat with green eyes

Liontooth – pale ginger tom with yellow eyes and unusual long fangs

Apprentice: Goldenpaw

Bramblemask – brown tabby tom with green eyes

Frostpoppy - black she-cat with white paws and ice blue eyes

Apprentice: Snakepaw

Apprentices:

Squirrelpaw – ginger she-cat with green eyes

Whitepaw – white she-cat with pale gray splotches and pale green eyes

Goldenpaw – mottled tom with amber eyes

Snakepaw – brown and ginger tom with green eyes

Queens:

Snowleaf – white and brown she-cat with green eyes

Kits: Birchkit (white tom), Hollykit (black she-cat)

Speckledwing – brown & white she-cat with ginger flecks; amber eyes

Kits: Fernkit (mottled she-cat), Rainkit (gray tom), Redkit (ginger tom)

Echowhisper – small black she-cat with blue eyes

*Kits: Lostkit (small white and black tom), Rosekit (ginger she-cat)

Elders:

Hollowbranch – dark brown tom with amber eyes

Patchtail – small mottled tom with half tail and green eyes

Lightsky – very old ginger she-cat with blue eyes

Earthclan

(live in forest)

Leader:

Ravenstar – black tom with amber eyes

Deputy:

Ashfoot – brown tabby tom with dark brown paws and green eyes

Apprentice: Rowanpaw

Medicine Cat:

Mudpool – brown and black she-cat with amber eyes

Apprentice: Thistlepaw – brown tom with yellow eyes

Warriors:

Tigerfang – dark brown tabby with unusual long fangs and amber eyes

Apprentice: Hawkpaw

Oakjaw – brown tom with a white underbelly and amber eyes

Rockfall – black tom with black paws and amber eyes

Ambermist – ginger and white she-cat with blue eyes

Apprentice: Breezepaw

Crowleaf – dark gray tom with green eyes

Apprentice: Dovepaw

Fallenecho – black she-cat with amber eyes

Fawntail – brown she-cat with white speckles and amber eyes

Raggedear – dark brown tom with battered ears and green eyes

Brackenflame – brown tabby with dark amber eyes

Flamespirit – ginger tom with green eyes

Brindleback – brown, gray, and black she-cat with green eyes

Robinbelly – black she-cat with dark ginger underbelly and green eyes

Dapplebird – brown she-cat with black splotches and a white chest

Quailfur – gray tom with black spots and amber eyes

Sootpatch – brown and black tom with amber eyes

Apprentices:

Rowanpaw – dark ginger tom with green eyes

Hawkpaw – dark tabby tom with amber eyes

Breezepaw – small silver tom with blue eyes

Dovepaw – small white she-cat with brown flecks and yellow eyes

Queens:

Poppytail – dark ginger she-cat with black flecks and green eyes

Kits: Applekit (ginger she-cat), Berrykit (dark brown tom)

Stormhowl – dark gray tabby she-cat with blue eyes

*Kits: Bluekit (blue-ish gray tom), Duskkit (light brown tom)

Elders:

Brokenleg – dark tabby tom with amber eyes and a broken leg

Willowpelt – long-haired silver she-cat with green eyes

Waterclan

(live in small tree and rivers area)

Leader:

Jaystar – dark gray tabby tom with blue eyes

Deputy:

Silverwhisker – gray and white tom with green eyes

Medicine Cat:

Mistshadow – sleek silver tom with blue eyes

Apprentice: Heatherpaw – brown and white she-cat with amber eyes

Warriors:

Bluestone – gray-blue tom with blue eyes

Swiftclaw – black and white tom with amber eyes

Apprentice: Thrushpaw

Littlepetal – small brown she-cat with green eyes

Crowwing – black tom with yellow eyes

Brookleap – gray she-cat with amber eyes

Brightlight – ginger she-cat with blue eyes

Apprentice: Lilypaw

Daisybreeze – white she-cat with brown/black splotches and green eyes

Webfoot – black tom with white paws and amber eyes

Apprentice: Dewpaw

Minnowleap – spotted brown she-cat with amber eyes

Puddlefur – dark gray tom with yellow eyes

Apprentices:

Thrushpaw – ginger tabby tom with amber eyes

Lilypaw – white she-cat with ginger fur and darker ginger stripes along her back and tail and green eyes

Dewpaw – gray tom with white flecks and yellow eyes

Queens:

Bloomheart – white she-cat with ginger splotches and green eyes

Kits: Mudkit (brown tom), Rainkit (gray tom), Sparrowkit (ginger and white tom)

Larksong – brown tabby she-cat with amber eyes

Kits: Briarkit (brown and white she-cat)

Elders:

Darkfur – dark gray, almost black, tom with yellow eyes

Airclan

(live in the mountains)

Leader:

Sandstar – pale ginger she-cat with yellow eyes

Deputy:

Stoneheart – gray tom with amber eyes

Apprentice: Falconpaw

Medicine Cats:

Darkwhisker – black tom with white paws and green eyes

Featherstorm – brown tabby with a white chest/paws and green eyes

Warriors:

Risingmoon – gray tom with amber eyes

Feathersun – brown tabby tom with yellow eyes

Fallenlight – black tom with yellow eyes

Apprentice: Whitepaw

Snowbreeze – white she-cat with blue eyes

Lightcatcher – pale ginger she-cat with blue eyes

Nightfeather – dark gray tabby she-cat with green eyes

Redcrow – dark ginger tom with green eyes

Scorpiontail – dark gray tom with amber eyes

Boulderflight – massive dark gray tom with amber eyes

Thunderstrike – dark brown tabby tom with amber eyes

Apprentice: Scorchedpaw

Apprentices:

Scorchedpaw – dark ginger tabby tom with black stripes and amber eyes

Falconpaw – dark tabby tom with amber eyes

Whitepaw – brown tabby she-cat with white paws and blue eyes

Queens:

Windwhisper – gray she-cat with dark stripes and green eyes

Kits: Wingedkit (gray she-cat with white splotches), Ashkit (dark gray tom), Juniperkit (black tom), Brackenkit (dark brown tom)

Elders:

Crookedwind – very old gray tom with blue eyes

Eaglethorn – dark brown tabby tom with white underbelly and yellow eyes

The Living Forest Pride

Leaders:

Dying Flame (Ember) - long-haired brown tabby tom with a gray chest/paws and yellow eyes

Crashing Sound (Thunder) - dark brown tom with green eyes

Deputies:

Blazing Energy (Fire) - long-haired ginger tom with yellow eyes

Fading Light (Night) - large dark gray tom with yellow eyes

Cats:

Fluttering Feathers (Wing) – mottled black/brown she-cat with green eyes

Racing Wings (Bird) – brown tabby tom with amber eyes

Flashing Fire (Lightning) – ginger tabby tom with amber eyes

Glittering Waters (Lake) – gray tabby tom with white paws and blue eyes

Softening Voice (Whisper) – small dappled she-cat with green eyes

Flying Fog (Cloud) – white tom with gray splotched and blue eyes

Flickering Lights (Star) - black tom with white flecks and blue eyes

Rising Rocks (Mountain) - brown tom with a white tail-tip and amber eyes

Scattering Drops (Rain) - gray tom with white flecks and amber eyes

Nesting Bird (Jay) - silver tabby she-cat with amber eyes

Clouding Sky (Storm) - white tom with brown patches and blue eyes

Whispering Wind (Breeze) - silver she-cat with blue eyes

Crouching Mist (Fog) - sleek light gray tom with yellow eyes

Running Paws (Rabbit) - brown tabby tom with amber eyes

Dripping Red (Blood) – dark ginger tom with amber eyes

Apprentices:

Soaring Shadow (Falcon) - black she-cat with amber eyes

Icing Leaves (Frost) - white tom with a gray chest/paws and blue eyes

Glittering Sun (Light) - sand-colored she-cat with amber eyes

Queens:

Blooming Flower (Daisy) - brown tabby she-cat with white chest and paws and green eyes

Freezing Water (Ice) - small white she-cat with pale green eyes

Resounding Call (Echo) - dark brown tabby she-cat with green eyes

Kits: Smoldering Embers (Ash), Splintering Tree (Branch)

Rising Ice (Blizzard) – white she-cat with gray flecks and blue eyes

Kits: Approaching Claws (Talon), Tangling Bush (Bramble)

Prologue

The moon cast an eerie speckled shadow on the forest floor, its weak light peaking through the thick trees with little difficulty. The undergrowth was wild this close to the Dark Forest, a signal from Skyclan that it was the edge of the Earthclan territory. A small shape slipped through the undergrowth, keeping to the shadows as the creature weaved its way to the edge of clan territory. Its eyes glowed like two leaves reflecting the sunlight, green and glittering brightly. The creature stepped into the moonlight, pausing on the soft and damp grass.

The tom opened his mouth to breath in the air, his green eyes focusing on the dark trees before him. The Dark Forest was easily distinguished from the clan forest. Its trees stretched high to the sky, the lowest branches well above a cat's head. The air even this close to the border felt thick and moist, and it was difficult to see anything beyond the thickness of the undergrowth. The tom turned his head slightly as he watched the other cat slink out of the thick bushes, their pawsteps silent.

The first tom dipped his head in respect to the larger newcomer, his green eyes shining with wisdom and authority. "Ending Rocks," the tom greeted him with a calm tone. His gray pelt glowed silver in the moonlight while Ending Rocks' dark brown pelt seemed to darken.

The new tom spoke in a low rumble, his voice and yellow eyes reflecting his clear disdain for the other cat. "Graystar. What have the clans decided?"

The gray tom flicked an ear in acknowledgement, his eyes flickering with annoyance. "The clans have considered your proposal and have decided to reject your offer."

Ending Rocks took a step forward, crossing the border to tower over Graystar. "Rejection was not an option," the large tom hissed, his tail lashing. "You must join us in the Forest's Awakening or the Forest will have Its water run red with clan blood."

Graystar scoffed, standing tall and proud despite being easily outmatched by the other cat. "We will not turn our backs on Skyclan," he growled, unsheathing his claws and digging them into the ground. "We will fight you if we have to," he added in a hiss. His body relaxed slightly before he continued. "We have a proposition for you."

Ending Rocks lashed his long brown tail, his eyes narrowed with disgust and hatred for the clan cat. He remained quiet, intrigued by the spark in the gray tom's eyes at the mention of a deal. "What is it?" the large brown tom growled.

Graystar hesitated for a moment, knowing fully well what he was offering to the tom and his group. "The clans will provide you with a peace offering once every six moons." He flicked the tip of his tail as he continued, "The offering will be that of your choosing."

Ending Rocks leaned back, his eyes focusing on the tom as he thought over the proposal. An offering would suffice for the Forest to tolerate the clan cats long enough until Its Awakening. Besides, Ending Rocks' group was in constant dire need of more cats. "The clans must provide one she-cat every six moons to join the Living Forest Cats." He narrowed his eyes. "She cannot be older than four moons."

Graystar's back fur rippled at the idea of giving a kit to the enemy. "You want a kit?" he hissed.

"A kit will be accepted into the group more than a cat," the brown tom retorted hotly. "She will also be more accepting to the truth than an older cat."

"Why a she-cat?"

Ending Rocks flicked an ear dismissively. "To provide more cats for the Forest's Awakening." He glared at the clan leader and growled, "Do we have a deal?"

...

Graystar padded slowly down to the lake, his eyes clouded as he focused on the soft marsh under his paws. The gray tom looked up slowly when he neared the large body of water, making his way to a group of three cats settled in the tall marsh grass. He sat down in front of them, curling his tail around his paws before nodding in greeting.

A small black and white she-cat stood up as he sat down, her green eyes wide with concern. "Did they accept?"

"Yes," Graystar replied weakly. "They agreed to an offering of one she-cat no older than four moons every six moons."

A ginger tabby leaped to his paws, eyes flashing with rage at the idea of giving a kit to them. "Those foxdungs cannot be serious!" he yowled. "Why would we give them a kit of our own?" The other leaders murmured their agreement. None of them thought the peace offering would be a cat, let alone a kit.

Graystar shook his head roughly. "A kit will not know the difference between themselves and the group. They will be raised as their own and see us as enemies."

The black and white she-cat let out a low growl. "What did you say to this?"

Graystar looked at each of the leaders solemnly, causing each of them to go silent in shock. "You agreed?" The ginger tabby growled, his hackles raising.

"We are to protect our kits!" The black and white she-cat yowled, her fur bristling in anger. "It is in the warrior code!"

"Enough," the third cat- a dark tabby tom- rasped. "We all agreed to Graystar representing the clans. If it means the clans are safe, then we must do it."

"Emberstar! You cannot-"

"I believe that it would be best to chose a newborn kit," the dark tabby continued as if the she-cat had not interrupted him. "It will be easier to say she died than have her run away."

Graystar nodded, his eyes filled with sorrow. The other two leaders fell silent before the ginger tabby spoke quietly. "We cannot tell our clans about this. They will choose to fight the Living Forest cats before handing over kits."

"And the clans will be no more," Emberstar agreed. "May Skyclan guide us."

"May Skyclan forgive us," Graystar murmured as he watched the other leaders make the trek back to their own territories.