Chapter 1
Blackstar woke up. Six moons had passed since Breezestar had died, and he was now clan leader.
A lot of things had happened in between. Rosepelt and Fernshade had decided to move to the elders' den.
Some days later, foxes invaded the camp. Stonespots, Featherfur and Iceheart had died protecting the elders' den, and the elders Tawnyfoot, Rosepelt and Silverstripe had died too. Full of grief, Stonespots' littermates, Sandpelt and Brightfur, had decided to move to the elders' den, along with Blackstripe.
Blackstar's kits, Dapplepaw, Leopardpaw, Kestrelpaw and Blossompaw had become apprentices four moons ago. His half siblings, Wolfpaw, Softpaw, Dewpaw and Talonpaw, had become apprentices two moons ago, with Wolfpaw becoming a medicine cat apprentice. Specklepaw, Briarpelt and Scorchflight's only kit, had become an apprentice yesterday.
Shrewtalon, Sorrelflower, Cherrypelt, Paleshade, Birdwing and Birchfur had become warriors two moons ago.
Birchfur had had Shrewtalon's kits, Skyfur had had Beetleflight's kits, and Whitefur had had Timberclaw's kits.
Blackstar went towards his deputy, Adderblaze. He was with his apprentice, Dapplepaw.
"Adderblaze, tell me about the patrols you've planned," said Blackstar.
"Well, Shadowfur, Tigerheart, Swiftwind, Beetleflight and Specklepaw are going on hunting patrol. I have to make a border one now," replied the deputy.
"I want you to organize a battle training session with most of the apprentices," said Blackstar.
"Okay. I'll take Dapplepaw on border patrol along the RatClan border with Flameheart, Firetail and Timberclaw. You can take Leopardpaw, Kestrelpaw, Talonpaw and Softpaw with their mentors and Cherrypelt for battle training."
"Good idea," said Blackstar, and went to gather the cats. They were lucky to have many apprentices, but that made them have more battle training.
Leopardpaw started jumping around, with his best friend, Talonpaw, since they were going to train.
"Blossompaw and Dewpaw, you'll go and look for ticks in the elders, and if you're done, change their bedding. And don't forget to do the same in the nursery," said Adderblaze, looking at the two apprentices.
Blackstar, Cherrypelt, Brindleclaw, Piketail, Rowanpelt, Reedfur, Leopardpaw, Talonpaw, Kestrelpaw and Softpaw went to the battle clearing.
"We'll do groups. Brindleclaw, Leopardpaw, Piketail, Talonpaw and Reedfur will be AppleClan. Rowanpelt, Kestrelpaw, Softpaw, Cherrypelt and I will be LakeClan. AppleClan will be raiding LakeClan," said Blackstar.
The fake battle started. He launched himself on top of Piketail, and did a paw swipe which made Piketail back up. He saw Kestrelpaw was fighting Reedfur, so he went and helped him with and made Reedfur fall down. He saw Cherrypelt battling Leopardpaw and Talonpaw. He decided to go and help Softpaw and Rowanpelt with Brindleclaw, but when he arrived, they were already done.
"We won!," screamed Softpaw.
"LakeClan is the best!," shouted Kestrelpaw.
"Now, we have to test this for real. We will invade AppleClan tomorrow!," shouted Blackstar.
"Yes!," said Leopardpaw.
The battle practicing patrol went back to the camp. They would need more warriors to invade AppleClan, and the cats needed to eat something. Blackstar got a mouse and crouched next to his mate, Robinwing.
"Hi, Blackstar," she said. "Heard we're invading AppleClan."
"Yes, we are. Do you want to come?," he asked.
"Sure," she replied.
"Sorry, Robinwing, but I have to go and discuss techniques with Adderblaze," he said, looking for the golden tom.
"Bye, see you later!," she said.
Blackstar went towards his deputy and sat next to him.
"We need patrols for the raiding," said Blackstar.
"What is your idea?," asked Adderblaze.
"We need three patrols of our strongest warriors," said the leader.
"I'll organize them now," said the deputy, and went to the clearing.
"We need three patrols in our raid to AppleClan. First patrol will be of Cindertail, Stripedfur, Dapplepaw, Ashnose, Leopardpaw, Brindleclaw, Littlewhisker, Shrewtalon, Birdwing and me. Second patrol will be of Eagleflight, Blossompaw, Blackstar, Robinwing, Softpaw, Reedfur, Frostwing, Paleshade, Minnowleap and Finchclaw. Third patrol will be of Piketail, Talonpaw, Heatherpelt, Dewpaw, Scorchflight, Blackface, Daisycloud, Pineheart, Ravenwing and Jayflight," he said, and the cats nodded.
All the cats went on the border, and the first patrol started leaving the scent markers.
They saw an AppleClan patrol approaching, consisting of Liontail, Ashtail, Featherfang, Fallowblaze and Mistytalon.
"What are you doing in our territory?," asked Liontail.
"We are expanding our territory," said Adderblaze.
"Never!," shouted Ashtail, and jumped herself over Adderblaze.
The cats started fighting. The AppleClan warriors were badly outnumbered. But, sometime later, they came with the rest of the clan. Blackstar led the second patrol to the clearing.
Blackstar started wrestling with Willowfur. The tortoiseshell and white she – cat was stong, but Blackstar pushed her of easily.
Blackstar saw Dapplepaw fighting against a huge tom named Ryespeck, so Blackstar went to help her.
"Think twice before you fight my daughter," he said, pinning Ryespeck.
Ryespeck got up and raked Blackstar's belly. Dapplepaw scratched the tabby tom's back and he went running towards his camp.
"Great job, Dapplepaw!," said Blackstar.
"It was nothing," she replied.
As more AppleClan cats came, the third patrol joined the battle. Blackstar saw Adderblaze was being attacked by two AppleClan warriors, Liontail and Thrushheart. He went to help Adderblaze and got on top of Liontail. The two cats wrestled and Blackstar pinned the golden tom.
"Leave my deputy alone! I don't know how my father was able to be your friend!," he said, still pinning Liontail.
"Wait, you're Breezestar's son?," asked Liontail, looking confused.
"Yes, I am, and I'll send you to StarClan for messing with my best friend," he said, aiming at Liontail's throat.
"You have no courage! I don't know how Breezestar was able to recognize you as his son!," he said.
Blackstar bit Liontail's throat strong enough to kill him. The deputy's throat started bleeding, and he fled back to his camp.
The white warrior Tuftwhisker jumped on top of Blackstar and raked his muzzle, taking some whiskers.
"Leave my father alone!," screamed Tuftwhisker, aiming to Blackstar's ear.
Blackstar bit Tuftwhisker's ear and took a bit of it, but the white warrior continued fighting.
"Retreat! AppleClan retreat!," screamed Foxstar, the AppleClan leader.
The AppleClan warriors left and the LakeClan ones started setting the scent markers again, extending their territory.
"This is not over!," shouted the warrior Leaftail, as she left back to the camp.
"We won!," shouted Dapplepaw.
All the cats went back to the camp. Hailtail and Wolfpaw needed to treat the wounds.
"Dapplepaw has an open wound, that might get infected," said Wolfpaw, looking at his mentor.
"I'm fine!," snapped Dapplepaw.
"No, you're not. I'm your uncle and medicine cat; you must obey me!," replied the younger tom.
Dapplepaw sighted, and entered the den.
After they finished treating the warriors, Blackstar entered the den.
"Blackstar, you have a very nasty wound in your belly," said Hailtail.
Blackstar crouched in the den and let them look at his belly. He fell asleep.