AN: Finally I finished this chapter. It took me two days to write it all up, word from word. But I'm satisfied with it. It's the second longest chapter in this story, so enjoy it while you can :)

Chapter 23

Sunpaw was crouched beside Lionblaze when the mention of RiverClan had come up. She'd been watching the ShadowClan cats cautiously, monitoring their movements as they padded alongside the WindClan cats. Russetstar had been unhappy about working alongside WindClan. It was bad enough to have practically begged Bramblestar for help that could not be offered. The ShadowClan leader had spent her time away from the Clans as Bramblestar discussed the problems with Leafstar and Weaselstar. Once all four leaders were in agreement, it was decided to visit RiverClan. All of them would have to work together in order to convince Mistystar that leaving was the only option. Sunpaw had hoped that uniting would make her realize that it was wrong to stay. Their plan had to work in order for the Clans to survive.

"You'll be fine coming with us?" Lionblaze asked when he turned towards Sunpaw. She met his amber gaze with a glare. "I didn't think so," he muttered. A smirk suddenly fell upon his face—it was a look that Sunpaw had rarely seen until now. She stared at him in surprise until Cinderheart and Whitewing joined them. Her mother leaned forward to brush her muzzle against her own, while Whitewing just waited impatiently.

"This experience will be good for you," Whitewing meowed. "Make sure you understand the way RiverClan live. Study their hunting techniques, and don't let their wit get to you." Whitewing's eyes glowed for a moment, as if she was remembering a time when she'd taken her first mission. Sunpaw couldn't imagine the older she-cat as an apprentice, but she figured that all cats had their adventurous streaks at one point or another.

I'm not going to their camp to study weaknesses, Sunpaw thought with a flick of her tail.

She was lucky though to have been chosen. Among all of the cats that could have gone, Bramblestar allowed her to go. Snowstorm's eyes were narrowed when she passed Sunpaw on the way back from a hunting patrol. Mothdapple and Dewfur were whispering to one another as Sunpaw watched them. Even older cats were looking at her skeptically as she paced beside her father. They must have thought she was getting special treatment because Lionblaze, the deputy, was her father. She shook her head at the thought, wondering what sort of mousebrain would think that way.

Lionblaze brushed against her shoulder as Bramblestar emerged from his den. The dark brown tabby blinked when Thornclaw approached him. The senior warrior whispered something to Bramblestar before disappearing into the warriors' den, with Brightheart close by his side.

A sudden sense of unease washed over her after Bramblestar and Leafstar padded towards them. Leafstar's amber eyes blinked in sympathy when she glanced at Sunpaw. The smaller apprentice's fur bristled slightly as she tried to hide her unease.

Together all four of them headed into the forest. Russetstar and Weaselstar were already there, with a single warrior from their own Clan. Sunpaw recognized Tawnypelt, Bramblestar's sister, and Cedarclaw. The black and white WindClan warrior didn't bother greeting the approaching cats as he noticed her. For once he didn't say a word. Instead he turned pointedly and glared at a branch near the base of an oak tree.

The four leaders remained silent as their companions whispered to one another. Bramblestar's ears kept flicking back as Tawnypelt spoke to Lionblaze in low whispers. Sunpaw could easily hear what she was saying, and wondered if her bond with ThunderClan had never wavered.

"Is leaving really the only option?" Tawnypelt whispered as Sunpaw stepped in beside them.

"It seems that way." Lionblaze didn't mention the fact that Sunpaw had foreseen the destruction of the forest. She was thankful, for she knew that the other Clans would question the words of an apprentice, especially one from ThunderClan. "As far as I can tell, we haven't seen anything that will help us fight the Twolegs."

"But we've already faced the Twolegs before!" Tawnypelt's fur bristled. "Why can't we journey to the Sun-Drown Place like we did before?"

"Because that would take too long," Bramblestar replied over his shoulder. "We must make haste…before it is too late."

Tawnypelt stared at her brother in alarm until a glare from Russetstar stopped her. The tortoiseshell's fur was standing on end as she padded after her leader. Sunpaw could almost feel the tension that came off of the two. It was like a storm, waiting to clash between them. She glanced down at her paws as she tried to avoid the anger coursing from Russetstar. It was obvious that the ShadowClan leader wasn't fond of Tawnypelt.

The large group passed the mass expanse of Twoleg monsters. Sunpaw's eyes widened when she realized that most of ShadowClan's territory had been torn up by their massive claws. She glanced at Russetstar, suddenly aware that the ShadowClan leader would notice the damage caused by the Twolegs.

Birds were now a rare sight for the cats that were so used to hunting them. The silence was unnerving as the monsters rested beneath what trees were left.

Once they'd passed the Twoleg monsters, they were in RiverClan territory. The rich scent of fish filled Sunpaw's lungs as she opened her jaws to taste the air. Lionblaze was pressed against her as they traveled together. She could tell from the way he walked that he was uneasy with crossing the borders.

"Be careful," he murmured. "RiverClan are just like ShadowClan—they fight dirty most of the time."

Sunpaw couldn't help but nod at her father's words. She noticed that Tawnypelt's ears had flattened, but the senior warrior said nothing.

Streams ran in vast amounts as the large group reached the center of RiverClan's territory. She spotted a large bird circling over the water; it's shadow seemed to move along with the water as it searched for prey. She glanced at Lionblaze, suddenly wondering if the bird really was a predator they should fear. He was staring off into the distance as she waited for him to say something. It was Emberfoot who made a comment on the bird.

"That's a hawk," he explained. "It won't attack a large group, but caught alone you're fresh-kill."

A shiver coursed down Sunpaw's spine as she thought of cruel talons gripping around her back. She didn't want to imagine what would happen if the hawk attacked.

Shrieks of alarm suddenly erupted from beyond the streams. Sunpaw's ears pricked forward as cats streaked towards the large group. She glanced at the patrol worriedly, suddenly aware that a battle could happen if they were taken as a threat.

Five cats padded towards the group, fur standing on end and lips drew back in a snarl as they approached. Sunpaw took a step back, crouching beside Lionblaze at the opposing patrol that seemed content with startling the four leaders. A dark gray she-cat with amber eyes stepped forward, ignoring Bramblestar's gesture as she eyed the patrol cautiously.

"What in StarClan's name are all three of you doing here?" she demanded after her hackles were raised. "And who is that?" Her nose pointed towards Leafstar, who ignored her jibing comment.

"None of that matters at the moment," Russetstar replied before Bramblestar could. "We need to visit Mistystar. The news we bring her is urgent, and for her ears only."

The dark gray she-cat looked like she was about to argue when a light brown tabby glared at her. She looked away, hissing in annoyance as he gave Russetstar a wary look. It didn't take Sunpaw long to realize that these cats were dangerously thin. Just like the other Clans, they were thin because their prey had been scared off by the Twolegs.

Within heartbeats they were being led across the hill, towards a grove of willow trees where a stream ran into the lake. Sunpaw could hear the distant mewls of kits asking for their mother's milk. Elders were complaining about ticks in their fur. It was like any other camp, except it was farther away from the other Clans. She felt her heartbeat quicken as she realized that this was her first time at RiverClan's camp.

Back when I was in ShadowClan's camp, it was destroyed, she thought with a lash of her tail.

"Minnowtail, Mallownose, why have you brought these—" A voice broke off when the cat realized the three other RiverClan cats were with him. "Those are WindClan cats…and ShadowClan cats…what are they doing here?"

"ThunderClan cats are with us as well," Minnowtail replied without dipping her head in respect.

"Why are they here?" the tom asked his question once more, irritation creeping in his voice.

"We have come to speak with Mistystar." Bramblestar spoke up this time, ignoring the glare Russetstar gave him. "The news we have to share is for her ears only."

The tom was silent for a few heartbeats. Curious cats began to peer towards the camp's entrance as they realized they weren't alone. Sunpaw's ears flattened in embarrassment as she thought of the fact that she was the only apprentice in the group. They must have thought something was wrong with ThunderClan for allowing her to go.

For what felt like moons the tom finally agreed to let the group into the heart of his Clan's camp.

Cats of all ages watched the patrol emerge from the entrance through narrowed eyes. Kits were staring at them with looks of fascination, as if they'd never seen a stranger before. Sunpaw began to feel uncomfortable under their stares. It was like being surrounded by unfamiliar faces, in a different world that wasn't followed by the warrior code.

"Bramblestar…Russetstar and Weaselfur…what brings you to our camp?" A gray she-cat—Mistystar, emerged from a den surrounded by reeds. Her blue eyes glittered when she noticed Leafstar, who by now was pressed against Lionblaze. The elderly she-cat looked exhausted after traveling across the Clans' territories. Sunpaw felt sorry for her, knowing that this journey along with the journey she'd taken earlier had taken it's toll on her. "And who is this?" Mistystar only just noticed Leafstar after the Clan began to crowd around them.

"We need to speak with you privately…it seems as though an urgent matter has come up…one that involves the Twolegs and their monsters," Bramblestar explained.

Concern suddenly gleamed within Mistystar's eyes. She glanced at Reedwhisker, the black-furred tom that Sunpaw had recognized as RiverClan's deputy. Once their gazes locked, a mutual agreement seemed to open.

The RiverClan leader flicked her tail towards Bramblestar, who rose to his paws. Russetstar and Weaselstar quickly followed, exchanging glances as they did so. Sunpaw's tail dragged across the sandy ground as she thought about what this meeting would do to the Clans.

The blanket of reeds that concealed Mistystar's den was surprisingly roomy. Mistystar sat on a bed of moss and feathers, something that was normally used for the queens and elders. All cats that had come with Bramblestar and Leafstar sat in a semi-circle around the RiverClan leader. The gray she-cat was waiting for them to say something. Anything would have been better than the silence that followed.

"Would you mind telling us who this…stranger is?" Mistystar asked, breaking the uncomfortable silence.

"My name is Leafstar," the SkyClan leader rasped. "I am from…SkyClan."

Mewls of shock rose from the cats gathered in Mistystar's den. "SkyClan?" Mistystar's eyes widened in disbelief. "What sort of a Clan is that?"

"A Clan that your ancestors threw away." Rockfall, one of the warriors that Leafstar had chosen to come with her, snarled.

Mistystar's eyes narrowed into tiny slits, and even Leafstar glared at him. He flinched when his own leader glared at him.

"SkyClan left the original Clans when their territory was destroyed by Twolegs," Leafstar explained. "Ironically, the Clans themselves were forced to leave seasons later…it seems as though StarClan are trying to tell you something." A smirk fell upon Leafstar's face as Mistystar glared at her.

"If what you say is true than I…I apologize," Mistystar murmured. "But what I want to know is why you are here."

"We have come to ask you…." Bramblestar broke off for a moment, as if he was wondering how the situation as best explained. "To ask you to leave with us," he stammered.

The RiverClan leader stared at Bramblestar as if he'd sprouted wings. Both Russetstar and Weaselstar were nodding, while Leafstar stared at her paws. Reedwhisker's eyes were narrowed when he thought of what Bramblestar had said.

"Why should we leave?" Mistystar demanded. "We have plenty of prey, and with less Clans around to compete against us, we will have the entire lake to ourselves."

No! Sunpaw wanted to say the word out loud, but she dared herself not to. You're only endangering the lives of innocent cats! She knew Mistystar was stubborn like any other RiverClan cat. Whitewing had once told her that it took days for Leopardstar to change her mind. If what Whitewing said was true, than the Clans were doomed to fall.

"Please, you must understand the urgency of your decision." Leafstar's voice barely rose as she spoke up. "If you do not leave, the Twolegs will find your camp and destroy it. It has happened to our own."

Mistystar turned to face Leafstar with her lips curled in defiance. "Don't talk to me like I'm a kit!" she spat. "It isn't my fault you weren't able to protect your own Clan."

Sunpaw's eyes widened in disbelief, as did the other cats around her. Leafstar's fur stood on end, until she looked as though she was ready to lung at Mistystar. Lionblaze stopped her before it could happen. The elderly she-cat spun around to face him, amber eyes blazing with rage.

"You are in no condition to fight the whole of RiverClan," he whispered gently.

"Idiot mousebrain," Leafstar snarled. Venom rose in her voice, sending chills down Sunpaw's spine as she rounded on Mistystar once more. "Your Clan will fall, one by one if you don't listen to our warning."

The gray she-cat just blinked and stared at Leafstar. Reedwhisker whispered something to her, and she shook her head angrily. The RiverClan deputy's eyes were wide as Mistystar rose to her paws. Her tail lashed for one moment before she glared at the group of cats.

"Leave this territory at once," she snarled. "I will have none of your business…my Clan is safe from the Twolegs…they will not be harmed. StarClan watches over us."

"But the Moonpool was destroyed!" Sunpaw's ears flattened in shock when she realized that she'd spoken out. "How will you communicate with StarClan if there is no means of getting to their hunting grounds?"

That seemed to grab Mistystar's attention. The older leader stared at Sunpaw in surprise. She looked at Bramblestar and Weaselstar, who both nodded in agreement. Even Russetstar looked as though she'd agreed with Sunpaw, though she gave no clear sign.

"How can we trust the words of an apprentice?" Reedwhisker suddenly asked.

"Would you like to visit the Moonpool yourself?" Cedarclaw sprang to his paws. "I doubt you'll be able to survive with all those Twoleg monsters there." Weaselstar stopped him with a lash of his tail, signaling for silence.

"What the apprentice says is true," Weaselstar replied calmly. "He was with her when they discovered the Moonpool's disappearance. It was destroyed by the Twolegs and their monsters."

"Lies!" Mistystar glared at Weaselstar, ignoring the hiss of annoyance that came from Bramblestar. "Twolegs may be cruel at times, but they would never…." She broke off when Bramblestar glared at her.

"Don't forget that they captured you in the original forest," he hissed. "Without our help you would have been crowfood for the Twolegs…or worse, a kittypet."

This time Mistystar's head was bent in defeat. There was no way she could deny that the Clans had helped her in the past. Without the Clans Hawkfrost and Tigerstar would have taken over the forest. If another enemy had come up, one more dangerous than the Twolegs, the only Clan left would have never been able to defeat them. Mistystar knew this, and for once, couldn't argue with the ThunderClan leader.

Maybe now she will change her mind, Sunpaw thought. She has to, or RiverClan will fall, like Leafstar said.

"What will I tell the Clan?" Mistystar asked. "They think they are safe…I can't move them, not after all we have gone through to deserve this camp…."

"We will hold a daylight Gathering," Bramblestar decided. "With the word of all leaders, they will have to agree."

For what felt like moons Mistystar had finally agreed with him. A Gathering seemed to be the only way all the Clans would be convinced. The leaders were ready to leave, but their warriors may have had another word to say about leaving. Sunpaw sent a silent prayer to StarClan, hoping that they would help with making the decision to leave. One way or another, it was the only option. It was the only way the Clans would remain safe.

AN: Yep, Mistystar did get a little OC there. But I wanted to capture her emotions about leaving, and whether or not it was right. And like I said before, I will explain at the end of the story what the Twolegs are doing to the lake. I'm sure most people have figured it out by now, but there are some who just like the words of an author ;) Anyways, thanks WildCroconaw, TawnyheartOfWindClan, tufted titmouse AND XxBlazestormxX for reviewing!