"Echopaw wake up!" Sparklefeather snapped. Echopaw refocused her attention on her mentor. Sparklefeather was teaching her how to fight. Echopaw yawned and got back into a defensive position. Sparklefeather immediately lunged at her. Echopaw dodged and watched her mentor land before immediately spinning and running towards Echopaw. Echopaw jumped into the air, just barely missing a swipe from Sparklefeather. When she landed she immediately spun to see Sparklefeather grooming herself. Echopaw frowned,

"Aren't you going to attack me?"

"No, I feel like you're skilled enough to survive the battle tomorrow,"

"But I've only had one day of battle training!" Echopaw stared at her mentor in shock,

"Whether you've only had one day of training or not Yellowstar wants you to fight in the battle tomorrow," Echopaw frowned

"Fine," she said

"Good because you have no choice either way," Echopaw narrowed her eyes. That didn't sound right. As far as she knew there was no reason to fight ThunderClan. The last bad leader they had was Firestar the terrible. His deputy Brambleclaw had started out his leadership like Firestar but eventually learned to stop trying to control the other clans. After Bramblestar came Moonstar, then Thornstar, then Stormstar, then Lillystar, then of course the current leader Snakestar and his deputy Spottedtail. The large number of leaders since Firestar had essentially rendered his entire story to legend and not even the elders could say if he had really existed in the first place. So why did Yellowstar seem so focused on wiping out all of ThunderClan. Even going as far as to kill elders, queens, and kits.

One of Echopaw's first memories was her mother reciting the Warrior Code to her when she wouldn't sleep. What Yellowstar was doing went against three of those rules. Echopaw dropped into a crouch, and narrowed her eyes at Sparklefeather. Defend your Clan, even with your life. You may have friendships with cats from other Clans, but your loyalty must remain to your Clan, as one day you may meet them in battle. Sparklefeather lunged, Echopaw sidestepped and spun to meet her. Do not hunt or trespass on another Clan's territory. When Sparklefeather charged again Echopaw jumped up into the air and twisted so she was facing Sparklefeather. Elders, queens, and kits must be fed before apprentices and warriors. Unless they have permission, apprentices may not eat until they have hunted to feed the elders. If any warrior or apprentice is sick or injured, they may eat while the elders, queens, and kits are eating. They circled each other, this time it was Echopaw who made the first move, she lunged over Sparklefeather's head and managed a swipe at her exposed back before landing behind her and spinning. Prey is killed only to be eaten. Give thanks to StarClan for its life. When Sparklefeather spun to meet her Echopaw dodged back around her instead of facing her mentor's, sheathed, claws. A kit must be at least six moons old to become an apprentice. The two stared each other down, Echopaw was panting, Sparklefeather looked like she was taking a leisurely stroll. Newly appointed warriors will keep a silent vigil for one night after receiving their warrior name. The two began to circle each other again, Echopaw paused when her back was to the sun and lunged. A cat cannot be made deputy without having mentored at least one apprentice. Echopaw slid under Sparklefeather and got a few swipes in before coming out from under her and jumping onto Sparklefeather's back. The deputy will become Clan leader when the leader dies, retires or is exiled. But as she wasn't allowed to use her claws Sparklefeather shook her off easily. After the death or retirement of the deputy, the new deputy must be chosen before moonhigh. Echopaw lay winded on the ground as Sparklefeather approached. A Gathering of all four Clans is held at the full moon during a truce that lasts for the night. There shall be no fighting among Clans at this time. Echopaw pulled herself off the ground and looked at Sparklefeather, Sparklefeather lunged. Boundaries must be checked and marked daily. Challenge all trespassing cats. Echopaw dodged but was too slow and was thrown to the ground. No warrior can neglect a kit in pain or danger, even if the kit is from a different Clan. Sparklefeather pounced on her and Echopaw attempted to use her momentum against her. The word of the Clan Leader is the warrior code. Claws sheathed, she raked her hind paws at Sparklefeather's underbelly. An honorable warrior does not need to kill other cats to win his/her battles, unless they are outside the warrior code or if it is necessary for self-defense. Sparklefeather twisted Echopaw's hindquarters in such a way that Echopaw was laying on her side. A warrior rejects the soft life of a kittypet. Sparklefeather open her jaws and began to lean down. Each Clan has the right to be proud and independent, but in times of trouble they must forget their boundaries and fight side by side to protect the four. Each Clan must help the others so that no Clan will fall. Sparklefeather paused, about to bite, and stepped off of Echopaw.

"Better, You could probably hold your own against an apprentice less then half way through their training, for a while, but you need to practice going on the offensive, alright?" Echopaw nodded.

"Take a breather for a moment," Echopaw plopped down and stared up at the sky. After a few moments Sparklefeather spoke.

"Again," she barked. Echopaw groaned, it was going to be a long day.