Spring quickly came and went and summer arrived hot as usual especially down in the south where Tanner had camped for a few days to rest after a large battle that gave him two hundred more members that seemed to like him more than the old member.

He sat on a rock watching his son who was playing with other young children and the new members who were trying to find a place with everyone else.

Savage was not really interested with the young ferret who was showing him a rock. So he just walked back to his father and sat near his feet sucking his toes.

"You are the cutest little thing," said Tanner who then picked up his son and started to play with his nose.

Midnight soon walked up to him with Nightwing in her paws and smiled a little at Savage even though she did not like him very much.

"Is Savage hungry at all?" asked Midnight.

"I'm not sure let me ask him. Hey Savage are you hungry?" said Tanner.

"Yeah me hungy," said Savage.

"Here you go then and don't give her more than him or anything," said Tanner in gruff voice.

"Yes honey," said Midnight who looked at Nightwing who was now poking Savage in the nose.

"Hey Nighwing, dat not nice," said Savage.

"Well you do it all time," said Nightwing.

"But not as hard as you," said Savage.

"Okay you two stop fighting and go eat what I left out for you two," said Midnight.

The two little cubs ran to a rock near the tent and found that they had cheese and crackers waiting for them. They both ate their food happily and once Savage was done he stole the rest of Nightwings food. Nightwing did not say anything because she knew that her father would hit her for not treating her brother right and just sat there and quietly whimpered.

The two cubs were then told to take a nap which they did while Midnight sat nearby talking to an old female fox from the new group.

Tanner had watched his two children eat and once they were asleep, he turned back to his members and saw a rat with a crooked tail, possibly from a fight, and a very raspy voice walk up to him.

"I'm sorry if I have not made my introductions to you but I am Crooktail and I must say that you are a fine leader seeing how everyone obeys your command," said the rat.

"I am pleased to meet you Crooktail, I have been leading for a long time, that is one of the main reasons for everyone obeying my command," said Tanner.

"Good, good, but I have one question. Have you ever considered trying to rule Salamandastron?" asked Crooktail.

"Salamandastone?" asked Tanner.

"No Salamandastron, it's an extinct volcano up north of here that has been ruled by badger lords for uncountless seasons. No vermin has ever been able to conquer it but seeing how well you fought my old leader, I can see you defeating a badger," said Crooktail.

"What happens if I conquer it though?" asked Tanner.

"You get to rule all of Mossflower and quite possibly that abbey that everyone talks about," said Crooktail.

"Hmmm sounds very good, so does only a badger live there and the leader of a vermin clan fights him?" asked Tanner.

"Oh no, he has hares too, sometimes hundreds of them, but what you can do is fight the badger while we keep the hares under control," said Crooktail.

"I like this plan so far, I am getting older and my son would probably make a great leader and rule a mountain. Why not, you know I can throw my dagger and kill in an instant. This badger probably won't stand a chance unless it is tougher than the other badgers I have faced before. But hey I am in the mood for a big battle, haven't really had one like that since I started leading a group, but of course I lost that one, that is why I only have one ear. Of course I am also more experience than what had happened those many seasons ago, so I think that it would be good to fight all those hares," said Tanner.

"I'm glad you agree with my thoughts sir," said Crooktail.

"And just for that, you get to lead some of the men," said Tanner who then jumped up on the rock and began to speak.

"Attention everyone, we leave for the north in the morning for Salamandastron to conquer and rule it. So get packing, if any one objects, I suggest you leave right now," said Tanner.

Everyone stood there in silence and Tanner nodded before climbing off the rock to be greeted by Burr.

"Are you sure you want to do this sir, you know how hard it is to kill a male badger," said Burr.

"Yes I do, but I am sensing that I can defeat him easily. I have my dagger, and my sword and if I need backup, I have four hundred of them," said Tanner.

"You have a good point there sir," said Burr.

"Well I am off to pack, you do the same and I will see you in the morning," said Tanner.

Burr nodded then walked to his tent to start packing.

Tanner walked over to Midnight who had heard the whole thing and was quite surprised.

"Do you want me to fight in this battle too?" asked Midnight.

"No, I don't want our Savage to become an orphan, you will be a nurse and take care of the injured, now help me pack," said Tanner.

Midnight nodded and began to pack, wondering if this battle would claim her husband's life and if it did, she would treat Savage the same way he treated Nightwing.

A/N: Uh oh looks like the battle is soon approaching. Who will win, only the author knows for sure. It also might be a while before I post the next chapter since I will start college next week and I might get a job there too, pray that I do because I really need one. Also pray that our house sells, it's been on the market for two months and no one has bought it, so please pray for that. Also please review and tell me how I did and I will read yours, have a great day.