Bumblestripe sighed. It had been half a moon and there was no sign of Ivypool, Hollypaw or Fadedeye. He wondered if they'd been caught and killed after all.

Dovewing refused to tell anyone anything she knew, in case it leaked to DarkClan, as some cats had been calling Spiderleg's group. Or in case the other Clans wanted to interrogate any ThunderClan cats. But she had told Bumblestripe that cats were gathering in WindClan territory, practicing battle moves and doing strategic training. "I'm pretty sure Ivypool sent them." This gave him hope.

Within the Clan, many cats were on the verge of giving up altogether. Cherrypaw was unhappy that she was still an apprentice. Firestar felt bad, because he knew that her ceremony should've taken place after the dog attack, but he had been too distracted. "As soon as this is over, you'll be getting your warrior name." He promised.

Violetkit and Hickorykit were restless too. They were nearly seven moons old. Hickorykit was already learning the basics from Jayfeather, but he was disgruntled that he hadn't been able to be an official apprentice.

Breezepelt was growing more angry and abusive than ever, and now Onestar kept him away from the ThunderClan camp altogether, which most cats liked. Many WindClan cats were becoming more friendly, although they didn't show it when ShadowClan was around. RiverClan was the same way, and Bumblestripe could tell that Mistystar was torn between her trust in Firestar and the potential danger to her Clan.

But Bumblestripe was most worried about his sister, Blossomfall, who had just learned she was having kits. "I don't want my kits born in a world like this!" She wailed. She stayed with Jayfeather, who was now allowed outside of camp to gather herbs. Toadstep, the kits' father, was distraught too. They were even discussing giving the kits to RiverClan when they were born, to be raised as real warriors, rather than stuck in a slave trade. This broke Bumblestripe's heart, and he realized that their situation was getting desperate.

One day Onestar came into camp, fur bristling with fury. "Rowanstar!" He growled. "Where are you?"

The ShadowClan leader trotted over, his eyes narrowed. "What is it, Onestar?"

"I think it would be in your best interest if you kept your warriors out of my territory!" Onestar hissed.

A flicker of amusement flashed in Rowanstar's eyes, as if this were only an apprentice angry at a mentor. Then it disappeared and was replaced with anger that Bumblestripe assumed was fake. "My warriors have been working the hardest, hunting the most, patrolling the most, and sometimes we don't have time to go back to ShadowClan. Besides, that's where the queens and elders are fed. Would you want to deprive them of food?"

Onestar lashed his tail. "That's completely mouse-brained! RiverClan has the decency to go back to their territory and hunt, and they're on the other side of a lake! And the queens and elders managed when all of ShadowClan was hunting in the territory. Our elders and queens cannot spare our food for the sake of greedy, fox-hearted ShadowClan cats!" Shouts of agreement came from ThunderClan, RiverClan, and WindClan. It was clear that Onestar had the favor.

Rowanstar growled. "Fine, but if our elders and kits suffer, it's all on you!" He turned and stalked out of camp, all ShadowClan cats following.

Mistystar rested her tail on Onestar's shoulder. "Well said. But I have a feeling that there's more you're not telling." She said gently.

Onestar slumped slightly. "My prey is becoming scarce. I don't like taking from ThunderClan territory, but I feel as if there won't be any choice left soon. My elders and queens are starving." He said softly. "I haven't eaten in days, I give all my food to the queens."

Firestar, who had remained silent, rose to his paws. "Onestar, if you allow my cats to leave the camp and hunt with other warriors and give them some level of normality again, I will allow you enough food to feed your queens and elders. But not a piece more," There was an edge in Firestar's voice. "While your Clan has been kind, you've still imprisoned us. So don't expect us to roll over and give you whatever you want. And if you abuse this gift, then I will find some way to get back what is rightfully ours." He growled, and ThunderClan cats nodded in support of their leader.

Mistystar nodded. "I believe that Firestar's proposal is completely fair. Except…Dovewing and Lionblaze must stay in camp, guarded."

Firestar looked at his deputy, who nodded. "All right, I'll agree with that."

"Than I accept your offer and thank you." Onestar meowed. "With more ThunderClan patrols, my warriors can hunt for WindClan more."

"And to lessen ThunderClan's burden, RiverClan will feed the elders of your Clan." Mistystar added kindly.

ThunderClan cats cheered. "We get some freedom!" Rushkit jumped in the air happily.

"I can become a warrior!" Cherrypaw gasped.

"And I can become an apprentice!" Violetkit cheered.

Mistystar looked at Firestar. "I want to tell you that I regret doing this to your Clan. But you must understand, I put my Clan first. If there is a danger to them, then I must do what I can to protect them."

Firestar nodded. "I can understand that, but I wish you could also understand that these cats are no threat. They will be our saviors."

Onestar took a step forward. "I feel the same way as Mistystar. You've always been a friend to WindClan. But StarClan has sent no sign about these cats. So for now we must assume that they are a danger. But your Clan as a whole…I see no reason they cannot go on as usual."

Firestar twitched his ears. "I suppose I should thank you, but allowing my Clan to do something it should've been doing all along is not a favor, but a realization of what's right."

Onestar and Mistystar's heads drooped slightly. "The other Clans will remain in your territory and in your camp, to make sure you don't try to escape." Mistystar said.

Firestar sighed and nodded. "I suppose we will oblige to that. For now." He stood and strode proudly to the high rock, jumping to the top. "Let all cats old enough to catch their prey gather here for a Clan meeting!" A wave of ThunderClan cats pushed past the guards and gathered in the clearing, staring up at their leader. "ThunderClan is free once more, and I promise you that one day, we will rule our territory again as we once did, and as we will for endless generations!" Cats howled in agreement. "We have allies, WindClan and RiverClan. With their help, we will gain our freedom. But for now, I want to do a few things that should have been done a long time ago. Cherrypaw and Molepaw, come up here." The two cats jumped onto the high rock, their tails fluffing with excitement. "I, Firestar, leader of ThunderClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on these apprentices. They have trained hard to understand the Warrior Code, and I commend them to you as warriors in turn. Molepaw, Cherrypaw, do you promise to uphold the Warrior Code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?"

Both the apprentices nodded. "I do!" They meowed together.

"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Molepaw, from this moment you will be known as Moleclaw. Cherrypaw, from this moment you will be known as Cherrypelt. StarClan honors both of you for your courage and determination." Firestar rested his muzzle of Moleclaw's head and the newly named warrior licked his shoulder. Firestar did the same with Cherrypelt.

Cats from all three Clans cheered and called the names of the new warriors.

"Cherrypelt! Moleclaw! Cherrypelt! Moleclaw!"

Firestar raised his tail for silence. "Violetkit, Hickorykit, come up here." The two kits scrambled to the top of the high rock. "Millie," He called. "You are ready for an apprentice. You have face much loss and sacrifice, and this has ultimately made you stronger. Pass this on to your apprentice. The strength-" He added, "Not the suffering."

Millie, who looked pleasantly surprised, twitched her whiskers with amusement and touched noses with Violetkit.

Jayfeather jumped to the top of the high rock. "ThunderClan! I have decided to take on Hickorykit as an apprentice. He will take the path of a medicine cat."

Firestar raised his head proudly. "Until they receive their full names, they will be known as Violetpaw and Hickorypaw!"

"Violetpaw, Hickorypaw!" The Clan chanted happily.

"As we receive new warriors and apprentices, this shows that ThunderClan will grow strong once more!" The Clan cheered. "And now, with this newfound freedom we can reclaim what is ours, with the help of our allies." Now cats from all three Clans were cheering. "Now, with the will of StarClan, and our warriors, we will strive!"

Cats jumped to their feet, yowling their support.

Firestar stood and jumped down from the high rock. "Graystripe," He called to his friend. "Until Lionblaze can resume his duties as deputy, I'd like you to fill in."

Graystripe nodded. "All right, Firestar." He looked around at the excited cats. "That was quite a speech there."

Firestar nodded. "Let's just hope I didn't get their hopes up for nothing, and that our cats from StarClan bring us what we need to get through the dark times ahead."

"Dark times ahead?" Graystripe echoed. "Haven't we just gotten through the dark times?"

Firestar shook his head. "Oh no, before there is peace there will be much worse for ThunderClan to see. I just hope I can guide them through it."

**Pretty happy chapter, kind of a dark ending though.