This was the first time it happened. Two Clans merged as one under force. RiverClan and ShadowClan had united before, but Tigerstar had used persuasion. And the four Clans had banded together many times: to defeat Scourge the rouge, to make the Great Journey, and to fight the Great Battle. But these were not desperate times like before; this was just tyranny.

Onyxshade was still finding it hard that they could just walk around on RiverClan territory anytime, any day. RiverClan cats were even allowed on ShadowClan land on occasions, but Foxstar had feared they would explore the territory and use it against ShadowClan, so he'd only allow the senior RiverClan Darkness warriors like Foamwhisker, Redstorm, Gartertail, and Brightgorse. Onyxshade felt uncomfortable around these cats; they reminded him of Foxstar and Flintfire, always mean and arrogant.

Aspenheart had been made in charge of RiverClan, and Onyxshade only constantly wandered onto the wet marshland territory to see his former mentor.

"Hello, Onyxshade." Aspenheart sounded tired as Onyxshade made his way to RiverClan camp. Swiftfoot was standing in the clearing, giving orders.

"Hi," Onyxshade greeted. "What's up?"

"I was going to retire," the reddish tom sighed, "and become an elder. Foxstar wouldn't let me…said he needed me at his side."

Onyxshade narrowed his eyes and looked closer at Aspenheart. For the first time, he noticed gray hairs mixed in with the sleek red fur, and the dullness of age in his former mentor's eyes. He was weak-legged and he was breathing rather heavily.

"Why don't you just tell Swiftfoot?" asked Onyxshade, alarmed.

Aspenheart shook his head. "And give away information to the enemy? No way."

"Go rest with the elders," Onyxshade suggested, "I'll take it from here."

Aspenheart nodded. "I give you permission to run RiverClan," he meowed, and hobbled away. "Thanks."

Onyxshade blinked after him and turned his head to the bustling camp. It had gotten like ShadowClan camp: a blanket of nervousness hung in the air. Cats padded in, dropped the prey onto the pile, and looked around awkwardly. The Darkness warriors seemed carefree, but the others were unsure and tensed.

"Where's Aspenheart?" asked Swiftfoot, padding up.

Onyxshade angled his ears towards Aspenheart. "Over there resting. I'm in charge for now. What do you want?"

Swiftfoot narrowed her eyes. "How is he?"

Onyxshade tilted his head, wondering why a RiverClan cat, especially a leader, would be concerned. "Fine. Why?"

Swiftfoot shifted her gaze towards her former Clan. "We are four Clans sharing one forest. It is hard to ignore the natural hatred and rivalry we have towards each other. Yet, this is what binds us together. We are the four Clans that constantly fight for food. Occasionally, we band together. That is what makes warrior life so exciting. Yes, there are risks and bloodshed, but it's worth it at most times. And now, I sense that this adventurous life is coming to an end."

Flintfire listened as Foxstar rattled off tactics and strategies for next moon's WindClan battle. They weren't even supposed to be talking about battles and war; it was a Gathering night. And tonight, the other Clans are going to know about the Shadow-RiverClan. Foxstar had named the joining FoxClan, after himself, of course.

It was a very hot day; it was summer time, and the sun was up high. Flintfire wished he could shed some fur. Up ahead, Scorchwhisker and Slatefoot were huddled up together. Flintfire narrowed his eyes at them; it was weird, seeing two male cats together, when it wasn't even cold. They weren't brothers, either.

"The cats going to the Gathering will be Aspenheart, Flintfire, Onyxshade, Jaggedleaf, Raggedlion, Wolftail, Hawksplash, Kinkwhisker, Scorchwhisker, Owlshadow, Fallenshadow, Slatefoot, Vixenclaw, and Littlesage.

"From RiverClan, Redstorm, Brightgorse, Rockblaze, Gartertail, Splashfoot, Breezetail, Spottedpelt, Tawnyhawk, and Frozennose. Frostfurze, run to RiverClan and alert them of that."

Frostfurze nodded and left, pelting out of the camp.

"This meeting is dismissed," drawled Foxstar, and leapt off the Tall Oak. He quickly padded out of camp and headed towards RiverClan. Flintfire returned his gaze two Scorchwhisker and Slatefoot, whose heads were now pressed together. What was up with those two? Sure, he had seen them casting glances at each other across the clearing, but now what was this?

Flintfire followed the stream of warriors to the Gathering spot. Padding cautiously behind Slatefoot, he saw Scorchwhisker teeter a bit ahead of Slatefoot on the fallen log.

"Careful," Slatefoot murmured. "You don't want to fall in."

"Why are there only three leaders?" asked a WindClan tom.

We're going for you next, thought Flintfire nastily.

"Yeah, where's Swiftstar?" questioned another WindClan warrior.

"Silence." Foxstar's meow rang throughout the clearing. The cats quieted down, though many of ThunderClan and WindClan looked around, confused. The ShadowClan cats held their heads up high and proud, but the RiverClan warriors, mostly Darkness warriors, bowed their heads and refused to look up in shame.

Beetlestar stepped forward, eyes narrowed. "Where is Swiftstar?"

"She could not come tonight. I am here to represent both my Clan and RiverClan, which we have now decided to call FoxClan."

Hushed gasps rippled throughout the other two Clans. RiverClan had fallen to ShadowClan.

"What is the meaning of this, Foxstar?" demanded Adderstar of WindClan. "There have been four Clans and there will always be."

"Swiftfoot has agreed to step down," Foxstar meowed calmly. No one dared to shout out. He turned back to the audience. "FoxClan is doing better than ever. We—"

"This Gathering is not complete without the fourth leader!" interrupted Adderstar, his eyes blazing with anger. "WindClan, we are leaving! This is not the will of StarClan!"

Flintfire, like every warrior, glanced up to the sky. The moon was still shining.

"Have the clouds and stars not made it clearer, Adderstar?" Foxstar asked quietly, the burning intensity returning to his fiery amber eyes.

Adderstar, too, glanced up. "Then it is the will of StarClan for WindClan to leave." He jumped down from the Great Oak and his Clan followed him silently.

"I think we will leave too," growled Beetlestar, and lead ThunderClan away.

"Then we will head back also," Foxstar meowed calmly. He called out. "From now on, there will be no more Gatherings."

Beetlestar and Adderstar turned to look at him, anger burning in both pairs of eyes.

"Agreed."