A/U: *Rips out eyes* How could I have made so many mistakes in the alliance list? First off, Cinderfoot is a female. She didn't get any gender changes like the characters do in the real series. I didn't even add Warriors in the ShadowClan section. I must have been super tired while writing the alliance...

Shmancy-Fancy-Kitteh - I've actually got the names of their kits planned. They were planned long before this story even became a possibility ^^" I may use Featherkit though in another litter. Believe me, this series is far from over. Thanks again for you review!

As for everyone else, thanks for reviewing. You all get...Crowfeather plushies!

-Chapter 1-

Crickets chirped in the evening air as the moon began to rise. Rain had fallen earlier, causing the air itself to feel damp and musky. The moon itself was little more than a clawmark in the sky. It shed pale light over the gorge as Sablepaw laid in his nest. He let out a sigh as he stared out of the den.

It felt like moons had passed since the group of cats had arrived at the gorge. Much to his surprise, only a couple of days had passed. Now the Clan was bickering over what they should do about the group's decision. Apparently the Marked wanted to form a Clan of their own. Sablepaw thought the idea was a good one. It would provide good competition for the cats of SkyClan. Sparrowstar had announced that their camp was hidden in a grove of trees by the abandoned warehouse.

He sighed and arched his back. There was no point in thinking of what could happen if he joined them. His Clan needed him more than they did.

. . .

The tabby moved silently through the sparse undergrowth that covered the ground. A pair of amber eyes gleamed through the darkness as they scanned the territory. The tabby knew that there were other cats lurking in the shadows. She could scent their markers as she passed them. Her movements were swift and careful as she slinked along the ferns and grass.

Her eyes widened in fear when she heard a twig snap nearby. The tabby glanced around until she spotted a dark shape sitting on a pile of branches. Piercing blue eyes met her amber ones as the cat became visible in the faint moonlight. The dark figure loomed ominously over her as she dropped into a crouch.

"Leafpool, do you know what this means?" he asked as he emerged from his hiding place.

The skinny tabby stared down at her paws, feeling the slightest hint of hope rise in her heart. "Yes, I do," she replied. "The Marked want to form a Clan of their own...Perhaps they would be willing to accept us."

It felt like seasons had passed since she left the Clan that was once her home. Her decision to leave the Clan had left an empty hole in her heart. The only reason she left was because of Firestar's death. She knew that Bramblestar would have never accepted her as a warrior or as a medicine cat. Her tail lashed as she thought of the bitter sorrow she felt when the Clan discovered what had happened.

The dark gray cat shivered in what Leafpool assumed was excitement. She was well aware of the fact that the three of them were tired of living their lives as rogues. Yet she was grateful that Squirrelflight had chosen to stay by her sister's side. The two of them were in this together, no matter what would happen.

"Why don't we go tell Squirrelflight," he meowed after realizing the uncomfortable silence that had fallen.

When Leafpool didn't argue, he led the way back to their hiding place. It was close to where the Marked had built a temporary cave. Leafpool thanked StarClan that the warriors of SkyClan hadn't found their own secret den. The last thing she wanted was for unnecessary fights to break out.

. . .

Daylight filtered through the apprentice's den. Snowpaw opened her eyes a little as she heard the voices of cats outside her nest. She knew that her Clanmates were discussing what would happen to them now that there was a new Clan forming. Some had been furious when they learned what had happened. Others agreed that it would be a good idea to provide competition for them.

Snowpaw rose to her paws and padded out of the den. Sleep had been difficult to come by over the past couple of days. Most of the apprentices avoided sleeping next to her because she couldn't control her powers. Only Blackpaw had spent a little time with her, and even he had a hard time putting up with her icy cold pelt. She longed to seek out others who were like her. Cats who wouldn't judge her because of something she couldn't control.

The young apprentice shook her head as she was greeted by passing cats. Bouncefire had organized the patrols already. Now he was speaking quietly to Rockshade and Tinycloud, his siblings. She spotted Lionclaw peering out of the medicine cat's den through narrowed eyes. The ginger tabby was Bouncefire's son, and Cinderfoot was Bouncefire's daughter. Mintleaf, their mother, was no where to be seen.

"Hey Snowpaw, ready for some training?" Tinycloud had left her brothers behind as she joined her apprentice.

When Snowpaw didn't argue, the small warrior led her out of camp. Ivorypaw had already been awake when she left. She guessed that he was at the training clearing as well. The sun was still low in the sky as they padded across the sandy ground. Snowpaw welcomed the warm light as it bathed her pelt.

Tinycloud stopped midway when they reached the training clearing. Sure enough, Ivorypaw and Shadepool were already there. Shadepool looked up in surprise when she spotted Tinycloud approaching. Within the next heartbeat Ivorypaw had launched himself after Shadepool, who merely dodged to the side without a word. He landed on the ground with a thud as she let out a low purr of amusement.

"I still have an eye on you," she meowed after he rose to his paws. "Here for some battle training?" she asked when Tinycloud approached her.

"Snowpaw needs to practice her front paw swipe," Tinycloud explained. "Her balance is good, but..." Shadepool nodded in understanding.

Snowpaw flicked her ears from side to side as they spoke to each other. She knew that her battle skills needed improvement. She was more of a hunter than a fighter. That realm was within her brother's grasp.

I could freeze my enemies if I wanted to, Snowpaw thought as she sat down. Ivorypaw stood a little further away from her. She could see how uncomfortable he was just by standing beside her. His ears were flattened as Tinycloud discussed what moves they should try. Snowpaw lifted her muzzle as she thought of what could be done with her powers.

"Right." Shadepool suddenly rose to her paws and stood in front of her apprentice. "Ivorypaw, why don't you act like the intruder. Snowpaw and Tinycloud will be the warriors this time." Her voice was stern as Ivorypaw opened his mouth to argue. She glowered at him before he could say a word.

A flicker of amusement gleamed within Tinycloud's eyes. Snowpaw watched warily as her mentor stood by her side. Tinycloud's muscles were tensed together as she waited for the opposing pair to make their move. Shadepool nodded to Ivorypaw, who skirted towards the edge of the clearing. When Snowpaw tilted her head in confusion, the dark gray she-cat lunged forward. It looked as though she was aiming for Tinycloud with her claws sheathed. Snowpaw gasped in surprise when she felt paws scrape across her fur. It took her a few heartbeats to realize that Ivorypaw had made a dash forward.

Don't get distracted, she reminded herself as the apprentice raced to the other side. She caught Ivorypaw making another run for it as he was given an order by his mentor. Shadepool herself had launched after Tinycloud, who was looking around in confusion as sand was kicked in the air.

Panic threatened to grip Snowpaw's chest as Ivorypaw tripped her. She rolled over in a yowl of surprise. The older apprentice held his paw on her chest as he waited for the sand to clear. Snowpaw's teeth gleamed as she bared her fangs defiantly at Ivorypaw. She wasn't about to let him win because of her distraction.

Slowly she felt her powers rise, until the icy touch reached her chest. Ivorypaw leaped back in a wail of shock as his paws felt the freezing grip. His eyes narrowed dangerously when Snowpaw struggled back to her feet. She spotted Tinycloud crouched in front of Shadepool, who continuously swiped at the older cat when she had the chance. Without a moment to lose, Snowpaw lunged forward after she regained her posture.

Ivorypaw could only stare at her in dismay as her paws knocked him to the side. He let out a grunt before hitting the ground. Snowpaw beamed down at him before yowling triumphantly. Her first training session that had ended successfully. Now there really was a reason for her to celebrate.

Tinycloud had finished off Shadepool just after Snowpaw defeated Ivorypaw. The pair of warriors had been rolling around in the dust for some time now. Snowpaw felt a purr rise in her throat when she saw the dust that now covered Tinycloud's pelt. After having been defeated by Tinycloud, Shadepool rose to her paws and licked her chest in embarrassment.

"Well done," Tinycloud mewed when she joined her apprentice. "Your skills are getting better."

"I took it easy on her," Ivorypaw grumbled.

Snowpaw stuck her tongue out at him before she was cuffed around the ears. The four of them returned to camp soon after the sun had begun to sink. Their training had ended peacefully, despite the annoyance Ivorypaw felt at being beaten by someone younger than him. Snowpaw knew now that she could easily defend herself if she needed to. She wouldn't need to rely on her brother for protection any longer.