The faint scent of the battle above lingered in the air as the cats entered the front entrance to the camp. Fleetheart looked through the hole in the wall far above the steps. The search lights still blocked her view of the crescent moon.

The sirens had stopped wailing and the thundersticks had ceased their attack. The main floor was busy with cats darting in and out of camp, making up for lost time. The fresh kill piles were small, and only offered mice and rats as usual. At the back entrance near the medicine den, two cats dragged in a thunderstick with a fake-claw attached to the front. Yellowstar pulled her head back when it came into view.

Fleetheart waved her tail at the other medicine cat. "Littlescent should've already told the others about your visit, so let's just go to Longstar's den."

Yellowstar looked at the thunderstick. She noticed it was not shiny like the others, but dulled and covered in dark spots.

"So I see Bonbon's influence on Sharptooth is still strong. I never liked her battle tactics. They are far too efficient at killing, with no capture possible."

"Me neither," Fleetheart responded. "He always goes 'just in case' whenever Longstar says they have enough. Sometimes I think he won't have enough until he has one to drop on every wildcat. And if you think that's bad, we have some who are trying to learn how they work. 'Just in case' he says."

Yellowstar quickly walked away from it. "Wielding the power of lightning is something I believe no cat should, or could, control. I have always instructed my clan to stay away from them."

The cats in the camp began to take notice of the bright orange cat against all the greys and browns around the camp. Many of them stared at Yellowstar when she walked near them. Some dipped their heads in respect.

"No offense intended but this place seems kind of… bleak," Yellowstar whispered.

Fleetheart's ears perked up. "Oh, none taken at all. It's the only Twoleg nest around that doesn't look like it'll fall over or is completely hollowed out from the sky monsters… doesn't help that we're mostly grey and brown cats. But don't worry. We have the blue Panzer to keep our spirits high!"

A cat walked down the steps towards the pair, while a brown and white tabby stayed halfway down them, looking at them.

"There's Sharptooth. Hi, Sharptooth," she shouted as she waved at him with her tail.

The old leader sighed.

"I look forward to Panzer's impending rant about using the medicine of our ancestors to heal my cats."

"All I'm saying is why grass? There's better."

The entrance was mostly closed, the hole in the wall offering all the light the cats would need. Longstar was sitting across from Yellowstar, Sharptooth and Panzer sat at each side of him, Panzer waving her paw in Yellowstar's direction. Littlescent sat staring out the hole, ignoring the argument along with the rest of the cats.

"This stuff's proven. It works a whole lot better than leaves and weeds," Panzer said, jabbing her paw in the BreezeClan leader's direction.

"It is not 'leaves and weeds'," Yellowstar said. "They are potent herbs that treat a multitude of illnesses and injuries—"

"Better description, 'it tries and fails'," Panzer hissed. "I've offered some of this stuff every moon and you never take it. Thought you breeze cats were supposed to be the smartest of us."

Yellowstar shook her head. "Our Stars provide us with the herbs we use. The techniques are of our ancestors, yours and mine. This 'stuff' you use can poison a cat if not used correctly."

"That's why you use it correctly," Panzer said. "I've been healing cats with this stuff before your clan ever existed. You were probably one of my patients during the war. Maybe you did something stupid, like trying to use the medicine yourself in a vain effort—"

"I would prefer to get along with this very urgent meeting. It could potentially mean—"

"It could potentially mean I was right because you want to end the argument? Ah, who am I kidding? There was no argument to begin with."

Yellowstar tried to narrow her eyes at the older medicine cat, but it was no use. Panzer just stared right back at her, unmoved and unimpressed. Yellowstar just looked away after a while.

"Don't question me, orange one. Twice your age, twice your knowledge with medicine, and twice your brain power. Probably twice your strength, too, and twice your field experience. And obviously, twice your amount of saved cats!"

"Enough Panzer," Longstar said, tired of the argument. "We didn't come here to insult our guest, and a leader at that. Try to show a little respect."

"A little," Panzer responded.

Longstar glanced at the rest of the group, regaining their attention.

"Alright then," he said. "I've been made aware of a plan to evacuate all the pets from the inner part of this place, beyond our Upper Territories. This in response to LeafClan cutting off the only safe escape route they normally have."

Yellowstar glanced across the entire group. Longstar motioned for her to speak.

"There are many cats still living in the unsafe area beyond your territory. Their only safe escape route, through a previously unpatrolled part of LeafClan territory, is now occupied and dangerous, in light of a recent incident at the border. After speaking to Mousetail earlier tonight is safe to say Wolfstar will have no pets move through his territory.

"Your Upper Territories are patrolled by LeafClan cats on occasion. I feel a dangerous incident may occur if we were to move them in plain sight of the wildcats. They could feel we are challenging their leader's authority and fulfilling the prophecy they received before the war between your clans so many moons ago. For them, that could be worth another war, especially since they now outnumber our clans two to one, at least.

"That is where StoneClan comes in. The only way for them to reach our camp now is to move through your Lower Territories, now occupied by Burn's rouges. We have only four warriors who are ready for combat, and he would certainly drive us out. But he would never stand against your clan. With your help, we can fend his rouges off and save every last pet."

The other cats began whispering amongst themselves, exchanging glances with each other.

Fleetheart turned towards Littlescent. "Sounds like they like it," she whispered. "I knew they wouldn't turn down a cat in danger."

Littlescent looked out the hole in the wall behind her, concerned on what more Panzer would have to say about her plan.

"Okay," Longstar started. "Say we agree to this and it does work, where does that leave both our clans with LeafClan?"

Yellowstar addressed everyone. "Assuming everything goes as planned, the relations between our clans will remain unchanged."

"Hah! So the Stars took your eyes, again." Panzer said, stretching her back. "From what Littlething over there told me, things weren't all moonlight and flowers at the meeting. You basically told Mousecat you don't care what her clan thinks. You're just going to do it anyway. Didn't seem to make that wild apprentice of hers too happy when you said you would help her clan hunt."

The BreezeClan leader faced Panzer. "While Flyfoot did seem a bit hostile towards my intentions, Mousetail said she would speak to Wolfstar about them.."

"She also probably told you that he wouldn't listen," Panzer responded. "That's true, he won't. Take it from me. I know him, his personality. To him, you are a small clan of roaming cats who takes orders from the absent Stars. Your actions insult him."

"They may be silent now, but the last message I received from them was clear. We cannot just abandon—"

"And when was the last time you got any sign from the Stars?" Panzer stared hard at Yellowstar. "Some of our cats here haven't even been alive to hear from them. Over eight seasons I think."

Yellowstar hesitated, trying to remember her last conversation. "It was after the time I took my oath as BreezeClan's leader."

"We were still at war with the wildcats then. Your whole idea of playing 'savior' to a bunch of kittypets is based on a message that you heard before the sky-monsters were ever a problem."

"I am not trying to play 'savior'," Yellowstar scoffed. "I am trying to rescue cats in danger. And just because the message was received some time ago does not make it any less true. StarClan cats do not speak lies."

"They haven't been speaking much of anything recently," Panzer said. "And that should be bothering your zealot clan more than it bothers me."

"It does. Nonetheless I have my instructions. And it is about time I carried them out. The will of StarClan must be done."

Panzer shook her head and glanced at Longstar. "Just send her and her little star-brained ideas of running a clan on their way. I don't like it, and I don't support it." Yellowstar's eyes were fixed on the StoneClan leader; he remained motionless, waiting for others to speak.

"Yellowstar," Sharptooth started. "How exactly do you want our help with this plan of yours?"

Her eyes were still on Longstar. "I figure I send a patrol of my cats to alert the pets of their chance to leave the inner areas. You would have a large group of warriors throughout your Lower Territories, intimidating the rouges long enough to allow them to get to us."

"And what of the cats after that?" Sharptooth continued. "How will you care any injured who want to come? And what of the cats who refuse clan life? More importantly, what's stopping the rouges or wildcats from raiding your camp for food when it's full of useless kittypets?"

Yellowstar appeared confident. "I doubt the rouges or LeafClan will attack our clan after the process is complete. However, I am prepared to call upon your clan's support for protection. The cats who refuse clan life will not be compelled to stay, and can leave whenever they want."

"Okay, what about food?" he said. "That's pretty important. I know your clan is struggling with that, and a swell to your numbers could do more harm than good."

She looked away. "Well, I hate to call on you for so much support but… your Lower Territory makes prime hunting ground when the rouges are—"

"Oh don't even think," Panzer hissed. "You stop there. You will bring in as many cats as we have, more than five times your clan size! They'll hunt it clean. The kittypets would ruin all of us."

"Panzer, please just try to show some respect," said Longstar, watching the blue-coated cat brush herself with her paws.

"No way," she responded. "There's hardly enough mice and rats around to feed all our cats. We save your kittypets. We feed your kittypets. We protect your kittypets. We have lost territory and cats in the past few moons. You have a nice view of the ruins of our old camp from your current one if I'm not mistaken."

Yellowstar was anxious now, glaring at Panzer. "We are talking about cats in danger here. With your aid, we can have this whole situation finished by—"

"I expected better from you," Panzer hissed. "To think you came here to offer us a paw in some broken little rescue attempt influenced by an old 'hero' order from the Stars who haven't spoken to our 'most faithful little she-cat' and her clan of brainless tail-chasers since Twolegs started dropping fire on us!"

"That's enough, Panzer," Longstar said, staring straight at the old she-cat. The others continued to look on as the meeting broke down. "Just try to—"

"Do not question my following of a direct order from StarClan," Yellowstar hissed at Panzer. "We all take our orders directly from them, and they have never misguided us before."

Panzer shook her head. "Please. You're in a completely different territory with that kind of logic if you think a bunch of silent dots hold power over everything. Last I checked the sky-monsters attack when the Stars are at their brightest."

Yellowstar's eyes went wide. "How… how dare you insult—"

"How dare I? More like how dare you! Wanting to put your tiny clan at risk with something foolish like this."

The leader's paw slammed onto the floor. "We are ready to move on to StarClan itself if means obeying their wishes and saving lives. We will never let one of their orders go unfinished, no matter how old."

"Right, and while you sit over there in your little dream the rest of the clans are off trying to survive without the help of the Stars." Panzer whisked her tail back and forth.

"Only reason BreezeClan still exists right now is because it's small and can leave its territory. We have nothing behind us, wildcats ahead of us, and monsters above us. Things aren't so good right now, and you of all cats should know that."

"Our duty must first come from the Stars, then to ourselves."

Panzer's eyes went wide. "Are you… it's like you're ignoring everything around you! You know what? You've just made my list of cats who are that dumb."

The BreezeClan leader narrowed her eyes. "Am I supposed to care about your opinions?"

Panzer returned Yellowstar's glare. "For a medicine cat and a leader, you're pretty stupid. Healer to healer, it's generally not a good idea to lead your patients to early deaths. Then again, you've been doing it with those weeds and flowers you call medicine. But who am I to judge the methods of our ancestors, right?"

"That's it," Longstar said glaring straight at Panzer. "We clearly have your opinion, so please wait outside. This is turning into a pointless argument. We will consider your points while we—"

"Yeah, yeah, no need for the speech." She stood, stretching as she made her way to the entrance.

"I'll just leave. Speak up, young ones. If any of you have half a brain you'd reject this suicide plan and send the blind Star-chaser on her way."

Panzer stared right back at Longstar, unmoved by his own disapproval. As he looked away at Yellowstar, she left through the entrance, out of the view of the group.

Yellowstar looked out the hole in the wall and away from the entrance, taking a deep breath as she shook out her fur.

"Such a disruptive one. From what I hear, she would be the last one to abandon cats in need… well then shall we continue with our meeting?"

"Yes," Longstar responded. "But… Panzer made some valid points, Yellowstar. They must be considered."

Her eyes widened. "What? But she was not even thinking about the Stars or the well-being of the pets at all! She would rather see them die than involve your clan in this."

"Well, not exactly," Fleetheart started. "I'm around her all the time. She seems all harsh and mean on the outside, but the last thing she wants to see are StoneClan cats getting hurt. She's probably afraid that the plan will go wrong somehow."

Littlescent glanced around the room at her clanmates, all who seemed to be against Yellowstar and her plan. This isn't right. Her plan has great intentions. It just needs to be presented better.

"Further," Fleetheart continued. "We don't know exactly how the wildcats will react to this. Panzer always warns me about them. And earlier, at the meeting, I really saw a reason to be worried. For the first time, I was actually scared of what they might do to us. Mousetail is gentle enough but, from what I keep hearing from Panzer and our warriors, the rest of them aren't."

"Well said, young one," Sharptooth said. "Yellowstar, your plan makes sense. Adding cats to our clans would be a wise move. One litter of kits isn't exactly desirable. And from what I hear, your clan has no queens. But to do so at this moment… the wildcats are already agitated and hungry. It's only a matter of time before they come over and start hunting our territory in force.

"If what Mousetail says is true, then they've pretty much hunted everything that isn't our territory. Just as Panzer said, we can't go back but there is no forward. We must protect what we have without risking any more than we have to. For all we know, our camp could be destroyed by sky-monsters again."

"And such an attack could bring about the death of countless pets." Yellowstar glared at Sharptooth. "Cats that could have been saved."

"Along with the death of many of our warriors," he said. "I don't think you understand what has to be done to go through with your plan. The rouges will not back down unless we literally line their path with warriors. Otherwise they could wander off, be ambushed, get killed by debris, or even other strays. Worse, the wildcats notice us and act as Fleetheart says they will."

Longstar stood and shook out his fur as a cool draft blew through the den. He looked out the hole in the wall at a group of cats moving around on the path below. Yellowstar and Sharptooth ended their discussion and looked in his direction.

"Is something wrong?" Sharptooth asked.

"I agree with Yellowstar," Longstar responded.

"What? But her idea isn't even—"

"Her idea is exactly what Bonbon would want us to do," the leader said. "She's right. It goes beyond the food, the territory, or LeafClan. It even goes beyond StarClan. She didn't need them to tell her to help a cat in trouble."

Sharptooth sighed. "But we don't have the stuff to help the pets after they are in our territory. It's literally destroyed in most parts, and our food supply is moderate on good nights. But what I'm most concerned about is the danger this plan poses to our cats. A LeafClan raid or a sky-monster attack… there's just too much risk."

"To minimize one of those risks, we have Littlescent."

The group cast their eyes on the small tortoiseshell cat who had not yet spoken. She folded her ears back at all the attention.

Longstar locked eyes with her. "I only want to do this if you're absolutely certain about helping the pets. If you agree with Sharptooth and Panzer, I'll reject the plan right now. It will be high risk to you."

Littlescent returned Yellowstar's gaze, her wide eyes almost pleading. She glanced at Longstar, who's relaxed and soft eyes reflected his mood in the matter, as it always did.

So the decision falls to me, she thought. I hate it when that happens.

"Longstar," she started, "I want to help but… what exactly did you have in mind when you said 'minimize the risks'?"

"I understand your concern for… well, your own life," he responded. "I would never want to risk my cats any more than they already do, but you're different. Even wildcats can't detect you. Staying near destroyed nests would help mask any scents your fur has picked up."

Sharptooth looked away from the small, senior warrior and back at Longstar.

"That's fine, but what about after this is all done? Wolfstar has patrols everywhere, even in our territory. He would eventually figure out that we have gone against Mousetail's warning. He might strike, thinking her old prophecy is beginning."

"I'm not concerned about that," Longstar said. "But the wildcats do patrol our territory, and we can only drive them off if they are trying to hunt and not hide. If caught moving the pets, there will be a fight. But if Littlescent sneaks to them through the Upper Territories, she can move them through the Lower Territories. Many of our warriors can keep them away, and search for wildcat patrols. The pets can be moved away after that. LeafClan doesn't have to know."

Littlescent nodded her head in agreement. "So what you're concerned with is avoiding a fight with LeafClan?"

"They're starving," he said. "They will fight the second they learn we are going against the wishes of their leader. They still vastly outnumber us while our own numbers keep shrinking. We can't afford another war, not while things are like this. But at least we can help the pets who might be worse off than us."

Sharptooth looked over at Yellowstar, whose eyes were wide at the StoneClan leader's idea. He stood and let out a yawn before speaking.

"I still don't think we should go through with this. It's still too great a risk to our Pact with them. What if one of their hidden patrols spots our move by accident? Might as well throw the Pact out and prepare for war even faster.

Yellowstar met Sharptooth with her firm gaze.

"So you're still on Panzer's side then?"

"Yes," he responded. "She did make some good points about what would happen after this all ends. Some might stay, most might stay. Integrating them into either of our clans could be more problematic than it's worth, especially if LeafClan notices."

He turned to Longstar. "We can't do this to our clan. Even with your way of doing this, I think we should hold off and wait for the wildcats to make the next move first. Going against their wishes could anger them, and their clan is about to starve. They'll have to solve their problem very soon, or come to us for help."

"It could take too long for Wolfstar to act," Longstar responded. "What if he manages to sustain his clan, somehow, until it's too late for the pets?"

"I don't think he would," Sharptooth said. "To him protecting LeafClan comes before following the Pact… I urge you to rethink this. I've been gathering all those thundersticks in case war does happen, but you of all cats would be the last one to have to order me to use them."

Longstar looked away from his deputy and out of the hole in the den. The pale light showed the actions of the small groups of cats below. Some were bringing back food, some were leaving out on patrol. Three large cats were pushing a stone piece from a broken Twoleg den towards the entrance as the dim beams of the search-lights panned back and forth.

"You might be right," Longstar finally said. "I don't want to risk our relations with LeafClan just for something like this. I would rather—"

"Just for this?" Littlescent narrowed her eyes briefly at the grey and black tom, taken back by her sudden interruption. She glanced around, though, and quickly retracted her scowl and looked away from the group. "I just… don't think you should reject this plan. I don't think it's what Bonbon would've wanted."

"She would've wanted me to put the clan first. Times have changed since her death, and I don't want to put the clan in more risk than it is now.

"Even if it means pets have to die in the process?" She thought about what she said for a moment before eyeing the others. Yellowstar did not look surprised. Sharptooth just stared right at her.

"Well then what do you propose we do, little one," Yellowstar said as she casually brushed her ginger fur.

Littlescent thought about what the others had said, and about the wildcats.

From what I saw, they looked pretty desperate at the meeting earlier... is this really worth it? Would they outright raid our territory if we succeed? But are the pet's lives any less valuable? There are almost twice as many of them as us…

Something nudged her shoulder. Fleetheart looked directly at her in confusion, nodding her head towards Longstar again.

"Say something," she whispered. "You're probably losing them."

Littlescent took a deep breath and shook her fur. She knew what she had to do.

"Longstar… I'll do it myself if I have to. Even if I have to bring them out one by one. Our clan is important, and our cats' lives valuable, but so are theirs. Eight seasons ago, StoneClan took a chance on a small and weak runt in my mother's litter. Panzer said I deserved a chance, and so did you. Just as they all deserve a chance at life, if nothing else."

Longstar took a deep breath and turned to whisper to Sharptooth. Yellowstar and Fleetheart looked on as the two discussed Littlescent's last statement. A gust of wind blew through the large hole, the first to not carry the scent of smoke.

"I think I will go with Littlescent," Longstar said. "While the risk of provoking LeafClan is high, assuming she doesn't get caught we might be able to pull this off with minimum risk to our own clans. You may do as you wish with your plan, Littlescent. And you have the full support of our warriors. StarClan orders or not, Bonbon would've done it."

"There was no talking you out of this, was there?" asked Sharptooth.

"You almost did," he responded. "I was about to send Yellowstar home, until Littlescent said something."

"Then as deputy, I follow you. What Panzer says is still true and we need to think about what to do with them after this is done."

"I thank you for your clan's assistance," Yellowstar said. "With Littlescent at our side, we should have no problem saving those pets."

Longstar stood, moving closer to the hole in the back wall.

"Well if there's no more business, this meeting is over. Good luck, Littlescent."

Longstar and Sharptooth stayed to further discuss the plan. Yellowstar stood and stretched her hind legs before pushing the entrance back towards the wall, enough to see down the hall. Littlescent and Fleetheart followed.

"Now I do not want to waste any time," she said. "We need to alert the pets of our plan to give them time to prepare to leave, or decide if they even want to leave. I want you to do that while the moon is still out and the pets are roaming. Is this possible for you?"

"Yeah." Littlescent responded with enthusiasm. "That's the easy part."

"Good, because our clan needs time to get ready to relocate so many cats. For now, this plan is just you and BreezeClan."

Yellowstar moved ahead of the pair towards the steps to the ground floor when she saw a faint blue cat lurk out of the shadows from the roof steps. Yellowstar stopped as the old medicine cat angrily glared at her. Yellowstar looked back at her briefly, then haughtily held her head high and whisked her tail as she walked down the steps.

Panzer waited until she was halfway down the steps to begin speaking.

"That orange ball of dummkoph has no idea what she's doing. It'll be her fault when we're tossing her whole clan into a pile of dead cats. Worst of it is she might have convinced Longcat to go with this idea. What a joke…"

Littlescent and Fleetheart glanced at each other briefly. Panzer was not amused.

"What did your two do?"

"Well," Fleetheart started, "Littlescent convinced Longstar to go along with—"

"Fleetheart!" Panzer shouted. "Of all the cats in there, I at least thought you'd not trust the Star-eyed one."

"Now, now, we're not going along with her plan. You see, Longstar asked Littlescent to go along with the plan his way and just use her to rescue the pets, but then Sharptooth convinced him otherwise. And Littlescent spoke up and actually persuaded Longstar; she even argued and interrupted him! We can move the pets and relocate most of them without LeafClan ever knowing. I'll tell you about it!"

Panzer slowly turned her furled cheeks towards the small tortoiseshell. "So it was you. I should've known. Both you and Longone have too soft a spot for kittypets."

"Actually," stated Littlescent, "I thought you'd be more open to this plan… It was you who told Longstar about me while I was still part of a stray litter."

"Is that some kind of insult?" she responded. "You think I'd go along with this so easily?"

"Well… yes. Since you did for me."

Panzer stared straight into the warrior's bright green eyes.

"Well for you it was different. I took only you, and one nursing stray is a lot less dangerous than a swarm of sky-monsters or a wildcat patrol. You wouldn't have been much use to anyone as queen-then-crow-food… it was more or less worth it."

"So why can't we give these pets a fair chance at life?" Littlescent said. "Like you did for me?"

"Look around." Panzer's tone became serious and low. "Things are hard, wildcats are angry, and the Stars quit. No one else was at risk but me with you. If those kittypets had any sense they would've left by now. Nothing's stopping them. There's rouge groups all over Hamburg. Pick one, show your worth, and stick with it is what I'd say."

Panzer turned to walk up the steps leading to the roof of the camp. She turned back towards the pair as she began her ascent.

"The Stars be with you, Littlebrain. Whatever's left of them."

As she walked around the corner of the steps and left the pair's sight, Fleetheart began wagging her tail in excitement.

"What is it this time?" Littlescent asked.

"You just got a compliment from Panzer! It took many moons after I became an apprentice to get one of those."

Littlescent raised one of her brows. "That was a compliment?"

The medicine cat's tail was swirling. "Yep, it was in there. That's great news! And here I was thinking she really hated you… well, I should get back to the medicine den since she's taking a break. See you later, 'Littlebrain.'"

The light grey she-cat quickly darted down the steps to the first floor, leaving her friend alone in the near dark hall, the moonlight shining through a hole over her head.

So, it looks like it's on me now, she thought. The pets will be safe as long as I succeed. Yellowstar and Longstar can relocate them, Panzer won't be mad, and LeafClan won't find out. Simple as that, I hope... like Sharptooth said, they wouldn't attack us directly unless things get that bad over there. But Mousetail made it should like they would. Poor cat looks like she hasn't eaten anything... I wonder if Horsepelt can tell me how bad things are, if I can ever find him again…

…

Panzer didn't regret saving me… did she? I just can't understand if what she says is serious sometimes. I honestly need a Fleetheart for that…

A large, black cat poked his head over the edge of the steps and looked right at Littlescent.

"Yellowstar's downstairs. She wants to see you right away." He dipped his head back down the steps and disappeared.

Well, when she meant 'right away' she really meant it.

Littlescent took one last look through the dark passage that lead to the top of the camp and padded down the steps herself.