AN. How do you like the new title? Good? Bad? Well, Enjoy!

Chapter Twenty One

The glittering moon was well high in the sky as Shadowpaw and the others waited patiently for Leer's return. Screech and Eagle acted as their guards and stood at the front of the cave. Chocolate stayed quiet, uncomfortable with all the wild cats she was around. Dawnstar too, remained silent throughout their anxious wait. The she-cat to Shadowpaw looked much weaker than she had last seen her. There were many open wounds on the ex-leader's pelt given to her by the rouges that were unattended to properly by a medicine cat. Shadowpaw knew not much on medical herbs. But she did know that being far from the forest soil meant that they were far from medical herbs to aid Dawnstar. How many lives did the leader have left?

She then saw Eagle and Screech spring to their paws, and then Shadowpaw scented cats heading this way. And Leer was indeed among them.

Interested, Shadowpaw heaved herself to her paws to a sitting position to see what Leer was doing. Dawnstar slowly positioned herself in the same way. Chocolate looked interested as well, hoping it meant a way for her to escape.

Eagle and Screech looked surprised, and soon, Shadowpaw found out why as Leer came to the entrance of the prisoner cave with a group of cats behind him, a group of familiar cats. Shadowpaw leaped to her paws, "Sunshaft!" she hurried over to her dear friend until they touched noses.

Sunshaft heaved a sigh of relief, "I was so worried when they took you away like that to be used for other ceremonies," he then hung his head in shame, "I should have done the same. I should never have left you to stand up to Bone alone."

Shadowpaw nuzzled him, "It's alright. I wouldn't have wanted you to get caught up in here as well. That would have done neither of us any good,"

Dovetalon and Stormtwist were also among the group and padded over to Shadowpaw, "We were all concerned, and all felt guilty," admitted Dovetalon.

Shadowpaw shook her head, "Please, none of you blame yourselves. All that matters is we're all here now, so what now?" she glanced at Leer. The group of cats he led up the mountain began to spread out within the cave. Then she asked, "And how did you all get up here so easily?"

Leer shook his head, "Easy is not the way I'd describe it. We snuck out of each camp. Luckily all the leaders and deputies were sleeping and appointed only a few guards with half at least being Clan cats. I explained I was going to round some Clan cats up and take them out on night patrol. I am still respected under the low classed rouges so they allowed me to go. I did that with every camp. Of course, after Dread Camp I had to take a different route up the mountain to avoid suspicion and accusations. And well, here we are,"

Shadowpaw was still glaring at him, "That all sounds easy to me!"

Leer chuckled, "You know what they all say, easier said than done,"

"Well why did you drag us all here?" questioned Rosethorn.

Leer gazed at all the gleaming eyes that watched him curiously, waiting for an explanation. "Of course, Bone's ways bring more harm than power and good. Even with both Clans banded together, you couldn't bring them down. They've weakened you by starving you and separating you." He carefully glanced around the area before continuing, "The future of your Clans rest in the paws of the cats that stand before me. You must all leave from these mountains and forest. You must all leave to seek help beyond here,"

"Seek help? Who would help us?" asked Emberpath.

"Anyone with a decent heart," replied Leer.

Everyone gave each other an uneasy glance. Shadowpaw lifted her head, "I'll do it. I'm gonna die if I remain here, so I'll go,"

"Well if you go, I'm gonna go too!" declared Sunshaft.

"Then I'm going!" exclaimed Dovepaw.

"And I'm with her!" added Stormtwist.

"If you guys all go, I'll go too!" stated Rosethorn.

"If Rosethorn goes, then I have to go," sighed Stoneclaw.

Shadowpaw observed the cats Leer was able to bring, it was easier with them all spread out; Sunshaft, Dovetalon, Stormtwist, Rosethorn, Firefang, Swanpaw, Emberpath, Stoneclaw, Moonclaw, Sightless, Bloodstripe, Lightningpaw, Pinepaw, Yarrowpaw, Bluepaw, Starrypaw, Greyheart, and Dreamwhisper. Leer was unable to bring others.

"We're in!" cried Lightningpaw, Pinepaw and Yarrowpaw in unison. Then Pinepaw paused, "But then, Birdpaw is still back at Camp..."

Leer sighed, "I definitely couldn't take every cat. It was difficult,"

The apprentices nodded in understanding and went to join the others who were going. Bluepaw and Starrypaw joined as well despite their brother, Spiritpaw, being left behind at Camp.

"I'll do anything to help my Clan, I'm coming," said Dreamwhisper, padding over to join.

"For my mate, I'm joining! And I need to look after my son," said Greyheart padding over to sit next to Sunshaft.

Emberpath seemed unsure, but ended up silently walking over to join as well.

Leer gazed over to the cats left to join, "Well? Care to join Redmouth?"

Bloodstripe fixed his stare at Leer, then nodded, "I hate to leave Ivyclaw, but I won't stand Bone's rule anymore!" He padded over to Shadowpaw to join.

Shadowpaw frowned, "Firefang, I would think you above all cats would be eager to come along,"

Firefang glanced over to Shadowpaw, "I, I don't know. Maybe we don't have to fight. I'm working my way to the top, to Bone's position. Then, I could turn everything back to normal!"

Leer stalked up to Firefang, "Is that what Shadowsoul said? Firefang, Shadowsoul would see to it that you don't. And if you did, how long would it take for Bone to die? You need to put all these in play when a plan is made. Seeking help is the best way to go,"

Shadowpaw nodded, "Yes, please come with us Firefang! We need you!"

Firefang gazed at the cats who joined, she studied them, then, began to stalk over to them, "I guess it would be more of an adventure huh?" she said with a grin.

Shadowpaw grinned back, "Thanks for coming,"

Firefang's grin widened and nodded.

Sightless sighed, "I'll be no use, I'm blind now. Shadowpaw, at least you have half a vision. At least you have some vision. What use will I be?"

Shadowpaw shook her head, "You may be blind, but that makes you a better warrior! You can still fight. You're not helpless! Sightless, come with us!"

Sightless cringed at her name.

Leer padded up beside Sightless. "I know I shouldn't be one to talk, but, I know that being blind means a whole new challenge. There are other ways to see,"

Sightless blinked at Leer, "How?"

"Feel the ground's movements, smell what's around you. Get to know what's around you. Hear the voices that echo around you. See with your mind. Act as though you can see. See it through your mind as you would see anything with your eyes. You are not helpless."

Sightless just sat there for a short moment, but, coming to a decision, got to her paws, and, joined Shadowpaw, saying, "For my Clan,"

Shadowpaw nodded.

All who was left was Swanpaw.

Shadowpaw padded up to her, "Come on Swanpaw! Isn't this what you wanted? To see beyond the mountains? To journey beyond the forest? Now is your chance!"

Swanpaw shifted her paws uneasily. "Yeah, but, I don't know, to, actually journey beyond,"

Shadowpaw nudged her gently with her paw, "We're going beyond the mountains, and we're going to need a medicine cat. Stareyes needs to stay here for everyone else. But, we need you."

Swanpaw gazed at the cats, the cats who were going to need her. Firefang rushed to her side, "Come on Swanpaw! We need you!"

Swanpaw nodded, "I do want to go beyond, and you do need a medicine cat, I'll go!"

Shadowpaw brightened, "Thank you!"

Then, remembering, gazed over to Dawnstar, "Dawnstar? What about you? We need a leader!"

But the she-cat shook her head, "No, I'm on my last life and dying as it is. I cannot come with,"

"But Dawnstar! Who'll be leader? We need a leader!" Emberpath pointed out.

Dawnstar paused for a moment. "A good question, when you travel you'll need a leader granted by StarClan," she went silent. Then, after a moment, spoke again, "In time StarClan will show you the true leader among you. But, for now, Shadowpaw, come forth please,"

Surprised, Shadowpaw stepped forward towards the leader.

"Shadowpaw, you had come from a Clan not my own, but, I am still a leader and I believe I still can have the privilege to grant you your warrior name." Dawnstar announced.

Shadowpaw gapped at Dawnstar, but said nothing as Dawnstar continued.

"I, Dawnstar, leader of WhisperClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this young apprentice. She has trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code and I commend to you a warrior in her turn,"

Dawnstar let her words ring in the cave for a small moment before continuing.

"Shadowpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan even at the cost of your life?"
"I do," Shadowpaw replied in a breathless voice.

"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Shadowpaw, from this day forth you shall be known as Shadowlight. StarClan honors you for your light in our time of darkness and you are welcomed as a full warrior of both HiddenClan and WhisperClan as you seek help to fight for what is right for both rival Clans."

"Shadowlight! Shadowlight!" the cats chanted, loud enough for enthusiasm but quiet enough not for other rouge to hear.

Shadowlight grinned happily at her new name.

Eagle raced to Shadowlight's side, "Congratulations!" she purred, "Oh! By the way I've decided to be coming with you,"

"Are you sure?" asked Shadowlight.

"Of course I am! I'll do anything to help your Clans. I'm about to claw my heart out with Bone's ways!" Eagle stated.

Screech sighed, "Well Eagle, if your going, I'm gonna have to go too. Somebody's got to keep an eye on you!"

Eagle scowled at Screech's comment but she was glad to have Screech come. Shadowlight turned towards Leer, "What about you Leer? Will you come? Surely you must!"

Leer shook his head, "No, I should best stay here and keep an eye on things,"

Screech looked at her brother with concern, "But Leer! They'll know you did this! They could do anything to you! Even kill you if they could!"

Leer sighed, "Who knows what'll happen, but I need to stay here and make sure Bone doesn't get too out of hand so long as I can prevent it."

"Please come with us Leer! There's no way you'll get out of this without anybody knowing it was you!" pleaded Eagle.

"No, and that won't change. You must all go."

Leer then turned towards Chocolate, "You can go with them. It's your only hope for escape and then you can go back to where you belong,"

Chocolate nodded understandingly.

Shadowlight then remembered something, "Wait! Dawnstar, could you do me a favor?"

Dawnstar looked puzzled, "A favor?"

Shadowlight nodded, "Yes, could you give Eagle a Clan warrior ceremony? She is now part of our Clan, Screech too!"

Dawnstar pondered for a moment, "Yes, of course,"

Eagle looked surprised. "R-really?!"

"Step forward Eagle," Dawnstar commanded.

Eagle did so a bit nervously.

"I, Dawnstar, leader of WhisperClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this young cat. She has worked hard to understand the ways of a Clan cat and for that I commend her to you a warrior in her turn."

Dawnstar paused for a moment of silence.

"Eagle, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend this Clan even at the cost of your life?"

"I-I do," stammered Eagle.

"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Eagle, from this day forth you shall be known as Eagleheart, StarClan honors your strength to become a Clan cat, and welcomes you as a full warrior of both HiddenClan and WhisperClan,"

"Eagleheart! Eagleheart!"

Eagleheart looked breathless standing there, finally a Clan cat.

Dawnstar turned to Screech, about to do one for her but Screech shook her head, "No, no. I like my name. I'll go with and be part of the Clan but no giving me some odd our of the blue name!"

Dawnstar grinned and nodded.

Eagleheart giggled a bit as Leer came up, "Congrats Eagleheart. I'm happy you finally got what you want,"

Eagleheart smiled, "Me too, now we need to get the Clans back!"

Leer raised his head, "Remember, the future of your Clans rest in your paws. You are now HopeClan, may StarClan go with you HopeClan and that you bring hope to the terror unleashed upon this forest,"

AN. That's it folks! For part one at least. The sequel will be out soon! Please keep an eye out for Seeking Dawn and review for this chapter!