Hi there! This is my first real fanfiction that will have more than one chapter, so it's very exciting for me! This actually has a website that I post it on, and if you'd like to visit it to become more accounted with the Clans and the cats of this story, please do! There is even a map of the territories! .com

Anyway.

I do not own warriors (sadly). But I DO own the characters, and the BadgerClan. So THERE! Yup. Well, please excuse this horrible prologue – really, the first chapter is great! But you have to read the prologue to understand later in the story and yes…Enjoy!

-Junipershine

Prologue: Bad Beginnings

The clear mountain air swam with the scents of fresh grass and new leaves. It blew from the InnerLands, where all was peaceful and wonderful and safe. It was not like this place, where the Sun was never seen for more than a few hours, and where the cold cut through the night like a claw through water. It was not like the place where prey was poisoned before it could be eaten; where Twolegs nested everywhere, bringing more of their kind with them every new moon.
No, the InnerLands were not at all like the OuterLands.
The moon was high in the starry blanket of a sky, but it cast almost no light, for it was only the tiniest sliver of silver. In this dark time, a meeting was being held in a shaded hollow of trees.
Low grumbling echoed the clearing as shapes filed in from every direction. Flashes of white rippled in the pale moonlight before turning to the shadows once more. Snarls and rough voices hurled insults at one another as old enemies sat together to become united.
Suddenly a voice called out to the gathered creatures;
"Listen!" he called. "Listen to why we have come."

The noise in the hollow slowed and quieted until there were only a few quiet murmurs that were quickly hushed by others waiting to start the meeting. It seemed as if even the trees had silenced their branches; leaves held sill by great suspense.

"You know that this Snow-Time has been harsher than any before, with hardly any food, and ―"

Angry growls broke out from the animals before her could continue.

"There's no prey anywhere!"

"We have been starving and freezing for moons now. It's a miracle that we are even alive!

"The air is harder to breathe so far up in these mountains."

"My babies died of frostbite!"

One voice rose above the rest. He sounded tired and worn out, like he had spoken these same words many times already.

"Yes, yes," he grumbled, turning his nose to the sky. "We're all so very cold and hungry, very good. But what are we going to do about it?"

No one answered, every eye fixed on him as they waited for him to answer the rhetorical question. Snorting, the old animal continued.

"What I mean to say is, were we not perfectly safe and full and warm in our previous home? Did we not rule the forest like no other kind? Are we not strong anymore? Why must we stay here in these horrible mountains? Why can we not return to our forest and rule once again? Who is to stop us; some scrawny felines? Why not take them down?"

A prolonged silence met his words as the stunned crowd took in what he was suggesting. Finally the one who had been first call the meeting broke the gapping quiet.

"The Cats of the Clans, you mean?" he inquired. "The ones who stole our home from us so many seasons ago?" He sounded awed, as if returning to their old territory had never occurred to him. As he spoke, hope flitted into his words, like he new the answers to all. "Yes…yes! Here is what we shall do. We shall send scouts to inspect the situation, and prepare for the journey. We shall pray to our Watchers. We shall sharpen our claws and practice our battle moves."

His eyes gleamed menacingly in the on-existent light of the moon as the gathered animals flexed their claws in hope and impatience. There was a new twinge to the air that now mingled with the fresh scents of New-leaf ― revenge. The lead badger lifted his nose to the sky and cheered.

"The time of the Clans in ending. The Badger Guard shall thrive once again in the forest of the InnerLands! Our time has arisen ― long live the Badger Guard!"

Duh duh duhnnnn!!

PS-Sorry it's so short….