Chapter 5

"Is everyone alright?" Ren asked the others as they caught their breath. They had just finished battling another group of Shadows, but they were closer to their destination now.

"We're fine. Let's keep going." Ivypool meowed. However, Ren shook his head, to the surprise of the others.

"Let's stop here for today."

"What? We're almost there!" Futaba meowed. "We can't stop now, Joker."

"We'll need all our energy for what we're going to face next. Who knows how many Shadows we fought to get here?" The black tom meowed. "Like we agreed on, the last thing Nightheart would want is for us to get hurt saving her."

"I guess you're right. All that battling has worn Aldie and I out. It would be the smarter move." Alderheart nodded his head in agreement.

"Foxpaw? Ivypool? Do you think we should leave for today?"

"As long as we save her tomorrow, it should be okay." Ivypool meowed.

"Right." With every cat's approval, Ren swiped a paw down and with a tap of his paw on the transparent screen, their surroundings began to fade as they left Nightheart's dream world.

When the group regained consciousness, they saw that they were in the same clearing they were at before when they entered, but now the sun began to set.

"We've been gone for this long? Won't everyone be suspicious?" Alderheart meowed.

"We'll have to think of some sort of excuse." Ren told them.

"That's a bit difficult considering we apparently were gone for half the day." Ivypool replied. "Honestly, I can't think of any excuse that will get us out of this one."

"I got it!" Futaba meowed. "We'll say that we went to look for Lelouch and the others to see how they were doing."

"I think that might work. It might get us in some sort of trouble with Bramblestar, but it's better than having no excuse at all." Foxpaw stated. "Great thinking, Futaba."

"No problem, bro." Ren looked over at the others.

"Alright, let's get back to camp."

When the five of them returned, Squirrelflight ran over to them, followed by Bramblestar.

"There you five are! We were worried about you!" The deputy meowed. "Are you all alright? We almost sent out a patrol to look for you."

"'Almost' is a bit of an overstatement. I believed that you five were alright. We can't be wasting warriors in this weather." The leader meowed.

"Sorry. We just wanted to see how Lelouch and the others were doing if we were able to find them." Ren lied.

"Did you?" Squirrelflight asked, the tom shaking his head.

"Did you five want to join them?" The possessed ThunderClan leader asked.

"Bramblestar! Alderheart's with them. He's our son!" The deputy retorted.

"R-Right. I didn't mean it that way."

"We're sorry for being out late." Foxpaw apologized. "Molewhisker and I did train before we went to search, though." Bramblestar let out a small smile.

"Excellent. You'll be receiving your warrior name soon, Foxpaw. You've been training as long as Swiftfrost has, after all. Maybe you could have your warrior assessment tomorrow?"

"No!" Ivypool blurted out. "I-I'm sorry. I just…wish Lelouch could be here to see Foxpaw get his warrior name. He's been waiting to see it happen, after all." Squirrelflight looked at her mate.

"We can let him at least come see that. It won't do any sort of harm." She meowed.

"They just said that they couldn't find him."

"B-But if we did, could my dad come see Foxpaw get his warrior name?" Futaba asked. The leader let out a sigh.

"Very well, but after the ceremony he has to leave."

"Yes, Bramblestar, thank you." Foxpaw dipped his head in thanks.

"You're welcome. I'm sure you all are tired from your impromptu search. Get some rest." The five nodded and made their way over to the medicine cat's den. They saw that Nightheart was now awake, the she-cat speaking with Jayfeather. At the sound of their pawsteps, she turned around, but immediately averted her gaze away from them, her body shaking.

"Nightheart…" Ivypool was the first to break away from them, pressing close to her daughter.

"Oh mother, I'm so sorry!" She cried into her fur.

"It's okay, I promise." She assured her. "You did it to protect cats that you care for dearly."

"So, is Nightheart alright now? Did you five do it?" Jayfeather asked.

"Almost. We'll rid her of her nightmares tomorrow." Ren told him.

"Can I tell Jayfeather what happened with Nightheart?" Alderheart asked.

"It's alright, Alderheart." The blind tom assured him. "You all were gone for so long, though. I was starting to think you went missing."

"Well, we sort of were, in a way." Futaba meowed. "We traveled into Nightheart's dreams."

"You walked in her dreams? Is that how your powers work?"

"Not in our world." The brown-and-cream tom said. "The way our powers worked in her dream was the same, though."

"Plus, it wasn't like how you were able to walk into dreams like Leafpool told me about. Our bodies were physically transported there. We weren't just asleep." Alderheart added.

"The powers cats from other worlds have get stranger and stranger every time new ones arrive." Jayfeather stated. "Hopefully you all are successful tomorrow. Nightheart was definitely shaking in her sleep."

"We will be, I'm sure of it."

In the middle of the night, Ren slowly got up from his bedding. He looked next to him and saw that Nightheart was fast asleep. I know I didn't tell the others, but right now would be the best chance we have to save Nightheart. Ren walked over to Ivypool and gave her body a small shake, causing the she-cat's blue eyes to slowly open.

"Ren? What happened?"

"I know this is sudden, but we're going to save Nightheart now."

"Are you sure? You weren't wrong when you said we needed some rest."

"And we got some." The tom quickly responded. It seemed like he wouldn't take no for an answer. "Can you wake up Alderheart and Foxpaw? I'll get Futaba."

"I'm already awake." The silver-and-white tabby meowed with a whisper. "I'm really not sure why, though. Usually I'd love to be sleeping. I guess I really want to save my older sister." Quietly, the three cats left the warriors' den and made their way to the apprentice's den where Foxpaw was sleeping. Futaba tapped on his coat with her tail, his violet eyes slowly opening.

"What's going on?" The apprentice wondered when he saw the three cats.

"We're going to help your sister now." Ivypool told him. "Are you still tired?"

"A little…but I care about Nightheart too much to let sleep get in my way." He replied. "We just need to get Alderheart then, right? How about Lionblaze? Should we bring him with us this time?"

"We should be alright." Ren assured him. The four of them made their way to the medicine cat's den, both Jayfeather and Alderheart sound asleep. Futaba walked over to the dark ginger tom.

"Aldie, hey, wake up." The medicine cat stretched his paws and let out a yawn.

"Futaba? Is something wrong?" He asked. He then noticed the others behind her. "What's going on?"

"We're going to finish where we left off. We're going to defeat Mapleshade." Ren stated. "Everyone's asleep, so now would be the perfect time to do it before I need to give Foxpaw his warrior assessment." The tom gave him a nod of understanding and got up from his bedding.

Together, the five cats left camp, Ren opening the MetaNav as soon as they made it to the same spot they were at yesterday. With a few taps of his paw, their surroundings began to change, revealing the area in Nightheart's dream where they left off.

"Futaba, how close are we to Mapleshade?" The black tom wondered. Futaba looked around until she obtained a strong reading from her goggles.

"Pretty close. I think we're just a minute or two away." She meowed. "Joker, was it a good idea to come here while Nightheart was asleep by herself, rather than from Foxpaw's Geass? What if she wakes up?"

"Does something bad happen if we're still here while she's awake?" Alderheart fretted.

"If it's anything like palaces collapsing, we'll just need to leave immediately." Ren assured them. The four of them noticed the tom now seemed hesitant. "Maybe this wasn't a good idea. I shouldn't have forced you all here if you still needed rest."

"We're fine, Ren, really." Ivypool assured the tom. "You were so confident before coming here, after all."

"That might be my fault." The five of them turned around when they heard a mysterious voice behind them. It was Molewhisker, the tom's body faded.

"Molewhisker? What are you doing here?" Foxpaw wondered.

"And you do sound like Ren, too!" Futaba stated.

"You sound like Swiftfrost. She's here, too."

"Where?" Ivypool looked around. Next to Futaba, they saw the silver and white she-cat slowly appear. "Swiftfrost! Thank StarClan you're still okay."

"Molewhisker and I are fine. There's nothing to worry about." Futaba removed her goggles and looked at the she-cat in shock.

"Why does she sound like me, too?!"

"No, you sound like me!" The ghostly silver-and-white she-cat meowed in surprise. "I guess it's kinda cool, in a strange, sort of way."

"D-Definitely." Futaba agreed. "Wait…if you and Molewhisker have been here the entire time, why are we just seeing you now?"

"Remember when I said it was my fault you five were here?" Molewhisker began. "I was mixing my own emotions with Ren's. That's why he was so willing to come here at night."

"That's why you were awake, too, Futaba. Sorry about that." Swiftfrost apologized.

"So, you both are actually somewhat still in your bodies in the real world?" Alderheart asked.

"I don't think so." Foxpaw meowed. "I saw Molewhisker and my sister stuck in crystal when I spoke with C.C. a while ago."

"Right. If anything, what Ren and Futaba experienced was me and Swiftfrost's desire to save Nightheart." Molewhisker explained. "We'll be here helping you all, even if you don't see us. C.C. told us we'd be bonded to these two until they've saved the Clans."

"Oh, so you're like our Personas in this world!" Futaba realized.

"It seems that way." Ren turned to face Molewhisker, the brown-and-cream tom greeting him with a small smile. "We'll save her, I promise."

"Right. I know my desire to save Nightheart is strong, but I know you want to save her as well, Ren. Thank you for that."

"You too, Futaba. I'm sure Nightheart appreciates what you're doing for her."

"You should see how she acts as you. It's almost like you're still in your body, Swiftfrost." Foxpaw told her.

"Really? Hopefully we'll be able to meet each other in the real world when all this is over. I think we'd get along."

"Y-You think so?" Futaba asked. "Sorry, I'm still getting used to the feeling of having new friends."

"Aw, well now save the Clans faster so we can meet each other already!"

"You heard her." Ren looked at the others. "Let's get going. Nightheart's waiting for us."

The five cats made their way through the snow-covered forest of Nightheart's dream world. As they were walking, Foxpaw felt his Geass suddenly activate. He looked through the trees and could see a massive dark aura radiating through them. Ren did the same, seeing the same strong aura as well.

"We're getting close. She'll be stronger than any of the Shadows we've faced on our way here." Ren warned them.

"Wait…is that…b-blood?" Futaba stuttered. As they made their way closer to the abandoned Twoleg den, the snow began to become speckled with blood. Every step they took saw the blood increase its presence, until it blanketed the white snow below it. Ivypool placed her tail on her shoulder as they walked to calm her.

"This is all Mapleshade's doing. Remember, this is all just a dream."

"R-Right." As they neared the clearing, Ren came to a stop.

"She's just through these trees. We have no idea what sort of powers she has, so the first thing we need to do is be careful." He told the others. "Alderheart, whenever one of us gets injured, focus on healing them. Try to stay away from fighting unless you see an opening. Futaba, you know what you need to do, right?"

"Buff, debuff, heal when Aldie's in a pinch." Ren nodded.

"Foxpaw, Ivypool, we'll be on the offensive. Just be careful out there, you two." With their plan now in place, the five crossed through the row of trees. They looked in horror at the sight in front of them. Blood still coated the ground, but now, there were bodies of dead cats all around the clearing, a Nightheart in the middle of it all.

"Please…stop…" The violet-eyed she-cat begged. Her fur was matted, blood dripping from her coat, the symbol of Geass in her right eye.

"Nightheart!" Behind Ren, Molewhisker appeared and called out to the she-cat. She looked over at the tom and let out a gasp.

"M-Molewhisker?"

"Is this why you told me to leave that day and forget about you?" He asked.

"Yes! I couldn't let you see your mate become a murderer. I didn't mean to make you forget about me as well!" She cried.

"I don't care what you did, Nightheart. I still love you, no matter what." Molewhisker meowed. The she-cat's eyes glistened at her mate's tender words.

"That's enough!" Mapleshade appeared in front of the she-cat, fury in her eyes. "All this sentimental talk is making me sick! You couldn't just let her accept the power her father gave her?" She growled. "No matter, once I kill you all, I'll be able to finally take control of her body and claim the Clans for the Dark Forest."

"Control her body? Just like Bramblestar?" Foxpaw meowed. "We won't let you! You've haunted my sister far enough. She killed those rogues because of what they did to Suguha and I, and she didn't want it to happen again!" The young tom spat. "If killing to protect those you love makes you a monster, then we'll all gain the same title if it means saving Nightheart!"

"Oh, nice battle dialogue, bro." Futaba meowed.

"Spoken like a real warrior, too." Swiftfrost added, appearing behind the ginger she-cat.

"S-Swiftfrost, too?" Nightheart let out a small smile when she saw her younger sister.

"Futaba and I are going to work with everyone else to save you, big sis, promise!" She called out.

"You can try, but I created this world! My powers surmount anything you all can do!" Ren, Ivypool, and Foxpaw stood in the front lines, while Alderheart and Futaba stood behind them.

"Go in you three, I got buffs coming your way!" With quick swipes of her paw, Futaba casted an attack buff on the group, a red light glowing under them briefly before fading. "Hit her with everything you've got!" The three leaped towards Mapleshade, the she-cat easily sidestepping them.

"She's fast." Ren meowed.

"Catch up with her then!" With another quick swipe, a green light now glowed under them. "Aldie, raise their defenses! You can do that, right?"

"It should work like healing does in this world, right?"

"Yes! Do it now!" The ginger she-cat commanded. Alderheart raised a paw up towards the others. I need to think that I want to protect them! The tom thought. He watched as a white light formed under the three. "Did I do it?"

"I think so. Keep it going, Aldie!" The three were now able to keep up with Mapleshade, but at the moment, they were on the defensive, dodging her attacks to the best of their ability. As they were, Foxpaw lost his footing, Mapleshade's claws unsheathed, ready to strike. Ren grabbed the tom by the scruff, turning around to take the hit for him as he tossed Foxpaw away. However, right when Mapleshade's claws touched him, the she-cat was suddenly repelled back, tumbling down on the blood-laden snow.

"You okay, Foxpaw?"

"Yeah. Thank you, Ren." The tom nodded and looked over at Alderheart. "Great shield, Alderheart!"

"That was from me?!" The medicine cat was surprised.

"Yup, you went even better than raising their defense stats. Now try your paw at some debuffs, too. Just follow my lead!"

"Right!" As Mapleshade got back to her paws, she suddenly felt herself becoming weaker. Her movements seemed slow as well.

"What is this?" She looked over at Alderheart and Futaba, their paws glowing as they continued casting debilitating spells on her. "You!" Mapleshade let out a yowl, a dark aura now emanating from her. She seemed to regain her speed, the she-cat now charging towards Alderheart and Futaba.

"Watch out you two!" Ren called out.

"Futaba, you can knock her away! Trust me!" Swiftfrost told her.

"I don't think I have a choice!" The she-cat's paws now had a golden glow around them. "Out of the way, Aldie, DPS coming through!" Futaba charged towards Mapleshade; claws unsheathed. The two began sparring, Futaba amazed at how she was actually able to dodge and attack at the same time. She quickly pivoted and kicked Mapleshade back with her hindlegs, but the she-cat was able to bite onto one of her legs and throw her aside.

"Futaba!" Alderheart ran towards her, Mapleshade turning her amber gaze towards the tom. She sprinted towards him, cutting him away from Futaba.

"It looks like you'll be the first to die!" Alderheart was frozen in place. He didn't know what to do. Right as her claws neared his face, Ivypool tackled the she-cat, pinning her to the ground.

"Check on Futaba! I'll hold her in place!" Ivypool moved her head as Mapleshade brought her jaws closer, trying to bite her. With all her Dark Forest training still in her mind, Ivypool knew what the she-cat was capable of, but that also put the same combat skills to her disposal as well.

"C'mon Foxpaw, let's get her while Ivypool has her pinned!" Ren meowed. The two black toms ran towards Ivypool and Mapleshade. "Let her go, Ivypool!" The older tom called out. The silver-and-white tabby leaped off of her, and once she got to her paws, Ren leaped on her back, clawing at her face.

"Get off of me!" Mapleshade slammed the ground with a paw, sending a shockwave of dark energy throughout the clearing, knocking Ren off of her and pushed the others away. Both Futaba and Alderheart tumbled towards a tree, hitting the base hard.

"Alderheart! Futaba!" Nightheart called out, worry in her voice. "Get up! Oh, StarClan please get up!" The she-cat begged.

"You have no cats to power you up now!" Mapleshade spat as Foxpaw, Ren, and Ivypool got to their paws. The aura around the Dark Forest cat was stronger than ever now. "Give up now, and I'll make sure to kill you last once I take control of Nightheart."

"N-Never." Ivypool responded, letting out a cough. "I'd rather die before letting you lay a paw on my daughter!"

"You were always so stubborn when training, but you were also the strongest, Ivypool. After betraying us, I had hoped that our paths would cross once again, only this time, it'll be the last time they ever cross!" Mapleshade ran towards Ivypool, leaping towards her, claws unsheathed. She was unable to get to her paws, taking the brute of the impact as Mapleshade pushed her into the snow.

"Mother!" Foxpaw cried out, running towards where Mapleshade was.

"Foxpaw, stay back!" Ivypool commanded, but it was too late. Claws made from the dark aura slashed across Foxpaw's body, knocking him away as blood flowed from his newly inflicted wound.

"Foxpaw! Mapleshade, please stop! I'll give you my body, just please don't hurt them!" Nightheart begged for the she-cat to stop. She turned to face the black she-cat, her paw pressing Ivypool's head into the snow.

"No…you did this to them, Nightheart. You couldn't live with your own choices. You're weak, Nightheart. All the power you've been granted only to be such a fragile cat."

"L-Let me go!" Ivypool struggled under the she-cat's grasp. Her blue gaze looking at Foxpaw. "Foxpaw…I'm sorry that I couldn't protect you…"

"You might as well join him as well." Ivypool let out a gasp as sharp claws pierced her coat.

"Mother!" Nightheart cried out as she watched the same dark claws emanate from Mapleshade's body toss Ivypool towards Foxpaw. Mapleshade let out a maniacal laugh as she looked around the bloodstained clearing.

"That only leaves one cat." Mapleshade's gaze turned towards Nightheart, Ren getting to his paws and standing in front of her. "Of course, the hero who's inhabiting her mate's body." Mapleshade slowly walked towards the two.

"Ren…just let her take control of me…please…"

"Not a chance." The tom meowed. "Both Molewhisker and I won't let her lay a claw on you."

"We're going to save you, Nightheart, we made a promise." Molewhisker told her.

"A promise?" Mapleshade scoffed. "I'm afraid its one that'll have to be broken. Her weakness will be your downfall."

"You're wrong! Nightheart isn't weak!" Ren spat. "I haven't known her for long, but I've seen what you've been putting her through. She's had countless nightmares because of you, but she still manages to get up every day and live with it all."

"Ren…"

"Right. Her being haunted by what she did to those rogues isn't a sign of weakness! Nightheart's one of the strongest cats in ThunderClan, and she would always put others in front of her own well-being, just like she's been doing by asking you to control her." Molewhisker added. "If wanting to sacrifice yourself is a sign of weakness, so be it…but you'll never get to her as long as we're still standing!"

"Molewhisker…" The tom turned to look at the she-cat. "I love you…so much…"

"I do, too. Just try to find the strength you're missing, Nightheart." He pointed his tail towards her head. "Remember who gave you that tiara and what she stood for." Nightheart took her tiara off and looked at it. Lucina's tiara. She fought for justice and to save others. I need to be as strong as her. If it can save them, I need to have the same resolve she always had! I need to accept what I've done.

"Your heartwarming speeches are only prolonging your death. Now come fight!"

"I got your back, Ren." Molewhisker meowed before he disappeared. The tom's paws were now covered in a light aura, Molewhisker's warrior prowess in combat now becoming his own. Ren charged towards Mapleshade, the tom sidestepping the incoming dark spikes sent by the aura surrounding her. Once he found an opening, he swiped his paws, claws unsheathed, towards her face. As the dark aura was about to parry the attack, it suddenly disappeared, Ren creating a deep gash on Mapleshade's cheek.

"W-What happened?" Ren watched as the dark aura around Mapleshade became weaker. Around them, the blood on the snow slowly began to disappear. He turned around and saw that it was Nightheart, a light aura now surrounding the she-cat. "You!"

"You may have created this world, Mapleshade, but you created it by invading my mind!" She spat. "The blood I spilled from using my Geass on those rogues will no longer haunt me again. I know that I didn't need to kill them, but if overcoming that memory means protecting the ones I care about, then I won't hesitate to find the resolve to abandon that regret!" Around them, the wounds every cat suffered by Mapleshade seemed to vanish, quickly becoming healed. "Ren, Molewhisker, let's finish this."

"Right." Ren and Nightheart charged towards Mapleshade, but the she-cat was unable to move her paws. Quickly, the two cats slashed their claws as they dashed all around her, leaving her body heavily wounded. The tortoiseshell she-cat could do nothing but take every attack the two cats were throwing at her. She panted for her breath once they both stopped. Nightheart walked up to the she-cat, her violet eyes filled with loathing.

"You'll never haunt any Clan cat ever again." Nightheart's right eye became encompassed with Geass. "Mapleshade…die!"

"No!" The Dark Forest cat cried out before Nightheart's Geass took effect. Once it did, she let out a devious laugh. "As you wish!" Claws unsheathed, Mapleshade created a huge gash along her chest, blood spilling on the snow below her as she slowly died. "You'll always be a murderer, Nightheart, nothing will change that!" Mapleshade's voice echoed out one last time before her body finally disappeared. Ren placed his tail on the she-cat's shoulder.

"You had every right to do that. She can't take control of any cat ever again." The she-cat let out a smile.

"Thank you, Ren…for what you and Molewhisker both said." She meowed. "He's still here, right?" Molewhisker appeared next to the black tom, Nightheart's violet eyes glistening. "I'm so sorry for using my Geass on you, Molewhisker. Can you forgive me?"

"I did once I regained my memory, Nightheart, you don't have to worry." He assured her. "You're going to have to wait a while before I can be with you again, though. Ren's not done being me just yet."

"I'd like to think I make a better you, anyway, Molewhisker." The black tom joked. "Seriously though, I hope we save Bramblestar soon. Just like Futaba and Swiftfrost, I think we'd be great friends."

"Yeah." Nightheart's eyes widened in shock.

"Oh StarClan, the others!" She ran over to where Foxpaw and Ivypool were, Ren checking up on Futaba and Alderheart. "Mother, Foxpaw, are you alright?"

"I think so." Foxpaw meowed.

"How about you? Are you okay, Nightheart?" Ivypool asked. Immediately, the she-cat cried into her mother's coat, Ivypool pressing her head close to hers. "It's okay. It's all over now. You did it, Nightheart."

"I'm just happy to see you both are okay! I was so scared when you both got hurt!"

"Um, hello? I'm okay too, even though I didn't technically get hurt!" Swiftfrost called out next to Futaba.

"Yeah, well you got me hurt! I don't think I want to be friends anymore, Swiftfrost!" The ginger she-cat complained.

"Right, sorry about that, Futaba. I really wanted to help Nightheart, so I thought we'd be able to fight Mapleshade together. I was totally wrong about that." The silver-and-white she-cat apologized.

"You okay, Alderheart?" Ren asked as he helped the medicine cat up.

"I think so. Thank StarClan for whatever sort of healing Nightheart was able to do when she regained control of her dream world." The ginger tom meowed. "But…we won't be so fortunate when we enter my father's dream world, will we?"

"Yeah. We were lucky enough to have Nightheart on our side at the end, but without her…I don't know if we would've been able to defeat Mapleshade. Unlike Nightheart, whoever's controlling your father will have complete control over his dream world."

"But if that's the case, can we even defeat them?" The medicine cat asked, worry in his voice.

"Spottedleaf wouldn't have brought Futaba, Makoto, and I here if that was the case. The answer might not be clear yet, but we'll find some way to gain the advantage." Ren assured him. "For now, let's get back to ThunderClan."

As the five made their way back into camp, they were approached my Squirrelflight. The sun had just begun to peek through the trees, making their sudden entrance into camp as surprising as yesterday's.

"We were looking for Lelouch." Ivypool lied. "Bramblestar said we could invite him to Foxpaw's warrior ceremony, after all."

"Right…but this early in the morning?" The deputy replied.

"We didn't want to waste any time." Foxpaw added. "I want my father to be here, Squirrelflight. If he can't, then I don't want to become a warrior yet."

"I understand completely, Foxpaw." The she-cat meowed. "I really don't know what's gotten into Bramblestar as of late. He's been lazy, and every time I try to set up patrols, he wants to push me away from it. I don't remember my father acting differently after losing one of his lives."

"W-Well maybe he'll get better, right? He's our leader, after all." Futaba stated.

"For ThunderClan's sake, I hope so." Squirrelflight seemed to gaze into the forest, but shook her head when she remembered she was still talking with the five. "S-Sorry. You five can go look for Lelouch again later. I hope you find him."

"Thank you, Squirrelflight." Ivypool dipped her head in thanks, the others doing the same. "Do you think that Squirrelflight would believe us if we told her that Bramblestar was being possessed? She can tell something's different about him."

"Maybe, but if she's with Bramblestar more often lately, then it'd be hard to speak to her without him overhearing us." Ren replied. "For now, we still keep everything to ourselves, Jayfeather, and Lionblaze." When the five entered the warriors' den, they saw that Nightheart seemed to be waiting for them. Ren quickly broke from the group and approached the she-cat, the tom immediately pressing his head onto the she-cat's shoulder.

"I love you, Nightheart…no matter what you've done." He told her, a blush forming on the she-cat's face.

"R-Ren?" The tom moved his head away from her and gave her a lick on the forehead.

"Um…that has to be all Molewhisker, right?" Futaba asked the others with a whisper. Ren noticed the embarrassment on Nightheart's face, his face now burning with embarrassment.

"Y-You're okay, right, Nightheart?"

"Yes…but are you okay, Ren?" She asked. "D-Do you actually love me?"

"T-That was Molewhisker, not me, I swear!" He assured the she-cat. "He told me he's able to transmit his emotions still in a way." Ren explained. "I'm glad you're finally free from your nightmares, though, Nightheart. That's coming from me." The she-cat let out a smile and gave the tom a kiss on both cheeks.

"One for both you and Molewhisker."

"I don't mean to ruin the moment, but what's going on here?" Twigbranch wondered.

"Yeah. Did I hear Molewhisker refer to himself as…well…himself?" Finleap meowed.

"O-Oh! Everything's fine, you two, don't worry!" Ivypool assured them.

"R-Right! I was just…" Ren struggled to think of an excuse.

"Just acting! Yeah, dad taught us about this acting stuff Twolegs do and we've been working hard at it!" Futaba quickly explained. "We called that, 'The Love Scene'. Pretty good, right?"

"I guess…but that still doesn't explain Molewhisker—."

"He's playing someone with two cats inside of him!" She added.

"That's…interesting." Twigbranch meowed. "It's really cute, too. I always love seeing how close Molewhisker and Nightheart are."

"Yeah, thanks for raising her expectations…ow!" Twigbranch gave Finleap a small shove. "Anyway, any luck on finding Lelouch? Bramblestar did say he could see Foxpaw's warrior ceremony, after all."

"Not yet…but I think we should be able to find him. He'd want to stay close to us, I'd hope." Ivypool meowed.

"I hope so. Finleap and I think what Bramblestar did was wrong. No cat should be exiled in this weather." Twigbranch stated. "He's even gotten a bit out of control with patrols, too. Finleap and I are the only other warriors here right now."

"Yeah. Usually he at least does some work, but he's just in his den all day!" The tom complained.

"Just try not to let him hear you complain. Who knows what kind of trouble you could be in." Foxpaw warned him. "Molewhisker, do you think we can go look for my father a bit more before my assessment?"

"Yeah." Ren stopped next to the others before he left the den. "We'll bring Lelouch back with us. Just get some rest." With Foxpaw behind him, the two made their way to the camp exit, but they were stopped by Bramblestar.

"Squirrelflight had just told me that you went out to find Lelouch. Any luck?" Both of them shook their head. "I see. You both must've gotten up really early if you had come back shortly after the other patrols left. Are you both heading out again?"

"I'm going to give Foxpaw his warrior assessment now."

"Really? You both aren't tired at all?"

"No, Bramblestar." Foxpaw meowed, causing the leader to smile. "That's the type of ethic I like to see. You both are ideal examples of what a warrior of ThunderClan should be like. Your Clanmates could learn from you two."

"Thank you, Bramblestar." Ren meowed. "C'mon, Foxpaw." As they were walking, Ren looked back at the tom. "So…any idea how this warrior assessment works?"

"You just leave me alone to hunt while staying hidden and watching me. There's also a fighting component, too."

"Sounds easy enough. I think this Bramblestar's keen on making you a warrior regardless, though. He was highly praising us, which is a good thing." He meowed. "We'll want to be on his good side for as long as possible. We can't let him figure out that we're on to him."

"Right. The time will come where we'll reveal the truth to everyone, but at the moment, we still can't." Ren agreed with a nod.

"Well, for now we'll just start your warrior assessment. I'll call Makoto afterwards and tell her that Lelouch can come see you get your warrior name." Foxpaw nodded and ran into the forest to begin his hunt. He didn't mind having Ren give him his warrior assessment, but it just didn't sit right with him. He had only been a cat for a couple of days, after all. I'm Suguha's apprentice, after all. It's not fair that she misses the chance to give her first apprentice their assessment. And what about the name Bramblestar gives me? Should I accept it knowing that the cat bestowing my name isn't my leader at all?

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

Makoto sat beside Lelouch near the entrance to SkyClan's camp, the two sharing a mouse with each other. Both of them really didn't eat much, so it was enough for them both. In their past days of being in SkyClan, there didn't seem to be anything odd occurring in terms of Leafstar dealing with code-breakers. She didn't seek out any in her Clan and just seemed to be performing her duties as leader normally. As she was about to take a bite of the mouse, Makoto's phone menu screen popped up, showing that Ren was calling her.

"Oh gosh, why now!?" The brown she-cat panicked as eyes around camp looked at her.

"Just go out of camp and answer it. I'll think of a lie before you get back." Lelouch assured her.

"Okay. Thanks, Lelouch!" Makoto darted out of camp so she could answer Ren's video call. When she was far enough, she answered the tom. "Sorry I didn't answer you fast enough, Ren. I was just eating and the screen just popped up."

"We really need a way to know when it's alright to call without alerting anyone." He told her.

"It's okay. Lelouch is thinking up some sort of excuse." She replied. "So, what's up?"

"We were able to use the MetaNav to save Nightheart. Apparently in this world it allows us to walk through the dreams of cats."

"Walk through dreams? I guess it's similar in a way to what we're used to." She meowed. "It's good news hearing that you saved Nightheart, though. Lelouch will be thrilled to hear it."

"You can also tell him that Foxpaw's getting his warrior name today and that he's allowed to come see it."

"That's great news! What are you doing right now, anyway?"

"Giving Foxpaw his assessment. Bramblestar made me his mentor to replace Suguha. I'm supposed to be following him, but I just wanted to call you first to keep you updated on everything, especially the MetaNav." He said. "Nothing new from Bramblestar's ghost in SkyClan?" She shook her head. "Thought so. Just let Lelouch know about Foxpaw's ceremony and that we'll pick him up afterwards. I'll call if anything new pops up."

"Got it. Bye, Ren."

"See ya'." Makoto closed the transparent screen in front of her and made her way back to camp. When she returned, camp seemed normal. No cats seemed interested in her, or where she went. Lelouch was still by the entrance, Makoto returning to her spot next to him.

"I just told them that you had a menu screen similar to Kirito, Asuna, and Suguha, but had no real powers yet."

"Well, that's sort of true." She meowed. "Oh, this is a lot of great news for you. Ren told me that he and the others were able to save Nightheart." The tom let out a sigh of relief.

"Thank God. I'll have to thank them the next time I see them."

"That should be today. Foxpaw's taking his warrior assessment right now. He said that Bramblestar's allowing you to come see him get his warrior name."

"Really? Who's giving him the assessment?"

"Ren is. I'm sure he knows what he's doing."

"This is…I'm at a loss for words, actually." It was one thing knowing that Nightheart was finally free from the nightmares tormenting her, but the fact that the cat possessing Bramblestar was actually letting Lelouch see his son's warrior naming ceremony was a gift in itself.

"Aw, you really do seem so happy." Makoto meowed, letting out a smile. "Ren said he and Foxpaw will come here after his assessment to get you."

"Great. I'll be waiting for them, then."

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/

"Foxstripe! Foxstripe! Foxstripe!" All of ThunderClan chanted the tom's new warrior name. He looked out into the Clan, warmth filling his chest when he caught sight of his father. For now, I'll accept my warrior name, but I think it'll be fair if I get reassessed when Bramblestar returns to his own body. Foxstripe thought. Once his naming ceremony was over, Foxstripe walked over to where his family was, every one of them proud of him.

"I know it might be strange getting your warrior name from this Bramblestar, but you were nearing the time of your warrior assessment with Suguha, anyway." Lelouch meowed. "I'm proud of you, Foxstripe." He gave his son a lick to the ear.

"I'm sure Swiftfrost is, too, by the way. Her happiness is probably mixed in with mine." Futaba told him. "So, now your name is Foxstripe now? Hopefully I don't forget about that."

"You can always still call me 'bro', Futaba. Swiftfrost usually does, anyway." Foxstripe assured her. As other cats came to congratulate Foxstripe, Lelouch walked over to Nightheart, the she-cat letting out a smile.

"I'm so happy to see you again, Father." The she-cat said, pressing her head below Lelouch's chin.

"I can say the same for you, Nightheart." He replied. "Ren told us your nightmares are finally gone?" She nodded. "I'm glad to hear that…" Nightheart noticed her father's violet eyes glisten with tears.

"Father…"

"S-Sorry." The tom wiped his eyes with a paw. "I just…I'm sorry keeping you alive meant giving you my Geass. I felt…so powerless when it came to trying to rid you of your nightmares. Seeing how frightened you'd be at times after waking up…and not being able to do anything to help you? I—." Nightheart pressed her head into her father's shoulder.

"You don't have to apologize about anything, father. I know if you were still in ThunderClan you would've helped everyone fight Mapleshade." The she-cat told him. "All I ask is that you stay safe until Bramblestar returns to his own body. We all worry about you every day, you know?"

"Right. I worry about you all, too, especially since you're so close to Bramblestar here." He told her. The two saw Ivypool approach them and turned their attention to her.

"I'm not interrupting anything, am I?" The silver-and-white she-cat asked.

"No, mother. It's okay."

"Good. Do you mind if I talk to your father alone, Nightheart?" The she-cat nodded, Lelouch giving her another lick to the ear before she left.

"I'm glad to see she's—."

"I thought we promised not to hide any more secrets from each other, Lelouch." The she-cat interrupted her mate. "Why didn't you tell me about what Nightheart did?" The tom stayed silent, avoiding the she-cat's blue gaze. "Lelouch!"

"What do you want me to say? When I saw what she did…I knew I couldn't tell anyone else."

"Even me?"

"Especially you!" He exclaimed. "I couldn't let you know what our daughter did because the fact that she has Geass is my fault." He averted his gaze from her own. "I didn't want to see you get scared or worried about her if I told you what happened. Her having one parent know what she did was enough." He brought his violet gaze back to her blue eyes. "I know we promised not to hide anything from each other, and I'm sorry that I broke that promise, but I wanted to protect you, Ivypool." The she-cat let out a sigh.

"Lelouch, she's our daughter. Whether you gave her Geass or not shouldn't matter when it comes to problems she's facing." Ivypool meowed. "I care about her just as much as you do. Honestly, I'm madder about you hiding this from me than you knowing where Dovewing was…but I know you're not lying when you said you just wanted to protect me." She told him. "I was scared when I figured out Mapleshade was causing her nightmares, but that's only because it's part of being her mother. I told Nightheart and Foxstripe the same thing when I found out he saw the dark aura around her." She explained.

"You're right. You have every right to be mad at me." The tom admitted. "I'm sorry, Ivypool." The she-cat gave the tom a lick to the cheek.

"Your heart was in the right place, Lelouch, I know that. It always is." The she-cat pressed her head onto the tom's chest and let out a loving purr.

"I don't mean to intrude…" Ivypool broke away from the tom and saw that it was Bramblestar. "…but you have to go now, Lelouch."

"Right. Sorry, Bramblestar." He apologized.

"It's alright. Actually, if you don't mind me asking: are you really staying with SkyClan?" There was no way for the tom to lie. Living in SkyClan obviously meant their Clan scent lingered in his fur.

"Yes. They took both Makoto and I in. We're working with them to find out how to deal with the code-breakers."

"I see. I'm glad to hear that you've found some sort of accommodation. However, that does mean this is the last time you'll set paw in this camp."

"What?!" Ivypool looked at the leader in shock. "You can't be serious!"

"I am. If he's living with SkyClan, he might as well be considered a SkyClan cat. He could be spying on our Clan for them."

"I would never betray the Clan that gave me a home for my entire life being here!" Lelouch retorted.

"I'd like to believe that, but I can't take any chances." He meowed. "I'll have a patrol lead you back to our border with SkyClan."

"Yes, Bramblestar." Ivypool looked at her mate, worry in her eyes. The ThunderClan leader summoned Bumblestripe and Berrynose to lead the violet-eyed tom off of their territory. Ivypool felt the ThunderClan leader's amber gaze fall on her.

"Do you want to go with him?" He asked her. "Do you value your mate over your own Clan?"

"N-No."

"Good." The leader meowed before leaving her. Ivypool lied. More than anything, she wanted to leave camp to be with Lelouch in SkyClan, but she knew that it wasn't what Lelouch would want. I have to stay here with the others and keep an eye on Bramblestar.

Foxstripe watched as his father was escorted out of camp, his ears falling flat. He wanted this all to end soon. He wanted to live alongside his father, he wanted to see Suguha and the others again. He heard pawsteps approaching and turned to see Bramblestar.

"Foxstripe, I know it must be hard seeing your father leave, but I'm doing it for ThunderClan."

"I understand, Bramblestar." The young warrior replied.

"You do? Excellent. Now, I know seeing Lelouch leave hurts, but maybe I could help mend that pain."

"Mend it?" The leader nodded.

"Yes. As I told you and Molewhisker before, you both are prime examples of ThunderClan warriors. That's why I'd like you to be the one setting up patrols in ThunderClan for the time being." Foxstripe looked at the leader in surprise.

"M-Me? Isn't that Squirrelflight's job?"

"Not anymore. She deserves to rest, don't you think?" He asked rhetorically. "Do you think you can do it, Foxstripe?"

"Yes, Bramblestar."

"Perfect. I'll go tell Squirrelflight the news." He meowed. "I know you won't let me down, Foxstripe." The silver-and-black tom watched as the leader left. Now what do I do? I'm one of the cats needed to stop Bramblestar, but now he's chosen to rely on me? Suddenly, a small, devious grin appeared on the tom's face. No, this is perfect. Placing his trust in me will be this imposter's downfall.