SapphireClaw does NOT own Fullmetal Alchemist or Warriors in any way. Both belong to their rightful owners. This story is not meant to violate any copyright whatsoever.

Chapter 25: Prepare

(kitteh chapter!)

POV: Edward

The next few weeks flew by quicker than I hoped. The cats learned new drills and what to do in situations like the earthquake.

They were all to quickly exit the camp at the slightest sign of a tremor. Two of the fastest warriors stay in the camp until everyone is outside in case anybody falls. I am one of those warriors, but it depends on who is available at the time.

The chaos that took place four weeks ago was almost unnoticeable. The rubble had been cleaned up and the dens repaired. Any loose rocks that were broken from the outer walls and had fallen into camp were rolled away and disposed of or used to reinforce dens.

Dovepaw has kept a sharp eye on me and the camp ever since the earthquake. She's worried that she might loose her friend again. I assure her that I'll be okay, but Dovepaw persists.

It's odd... Dovepaw seems to know what I'm doing even if she's not around... Is she stalking me? I'd better be careful when practicing alchemy, she might be watching...

Present time:

I gazed over the clan from atop the hollow's edge. It was a busy day, leaf-fall was approaching and the gathering was tonight. The clan hurried to prepare for both winter and an earthquake drill.

Thunderclan never attended the last gathering, it was the same day the earthquake hit. Firestar believes that the other clans didn't go either, that earthquake was too violent. The clans would have had their own problems to deal with.

The elders were napping on the new "sunning-rocks," as they call it. It was made from the same boulders that had tumbled from the camp's exit, and the same ones that had nearly killed me. I avoided that spot regularly, it just didn't feel right. As if I should have died there... But survived.

Poppyfrost and her kits were playing in the sunny spot outside the nursery. The tortoiseshell queen threw a ball of moss at Molekit. he squealed and caught it, passing it to his sister Cherrykit. I smiled and watched them play.

Ever since I saved her kit, Poppyfrost became very trusting. Cherrykit and Molekit were allowed to play with me, even encouraged to. Cherrykit liked me most. Molekit was fun but was also lazy. But That little ginger Cherrykit was always so eager to learn and was super energetic, she reminded me of Al and I when we were younger.

"hey Ed." said a voice.

I returned to reality, pulling myself from my thoughts. I turned and smiled at Dovepaw, she seemed to be everywhere at once!

"How come you gotta follow me wherever I go?" I sighed.

Dovepaw flicked my ear with her tail, "Because you get into trouble so easily! And I can't always be there to bail you out!" she fretted.

"I guess..." I sighed.

Me and Dovepaw watched the bustling clan below in silence.

"Hey Metalpaw, what causes an earthquake? I've been wondering what it was and if it is possible to prevent it." Dovepaw asked.

I shook my head, "It can't be prevented or predicted." I answered.

Dovepaw flicked her ear, "Alright, but what ARE they?" she persisted.

I sighed and started to trace in the dirt with my claw. A rough map of the world soon took shape, the continents divided into pieces.

"What's that?" Dovepaw asked.

"This is the world from above. These sections here," I said, pointing to the jagged pieces on my map, "Are what scientists call tectonic plates. These plates move slowly on the earth's surface, at about one claw's length each couple seasons." I explained.

"but if they are moving that slowly, what do they have to with the earthquake?" Dovepaw asked.

"Good question. But no matter how slow the plates are moving, they are still massive and full of energy. If two plates collide, then one will dip below the other and melt. If one of the plates puts stress on the other, it builds and builds over time until it breaks."

"This break causes a massive shift in the earth that takes a ripple affect. like a stone splashing in a pond makes ripples that spread, earthquakes spread tremors, shaking and trembling all in it's path." I finished.

Dovepaw seemed intrigued. "how do you know so much about the earth and stuff like this?" she asked, looking at me with curious eyes.

I laughed nervously and scratched my chest with my paw, trying to think of a way to explain.

"Uh... The military I came from had a division of scientists who study this stuff... I was interested in this kind of stuff so I looked into it." I rambled.

Dovepaw nudged me back to reality. "Huh? Oh... Sorry..." I apologized.

Dovepaw smiled and flicked my ear with her tail. "Your fine. How about we go and see if we can be of any use?" she meowed. I followed the light grey she-cat down into the camp to talk with firestar.