The death of Redwillow had not been revealed, yet. The gathering was tonight and Maplepaw was going to confront her murder. It was also leaf bare now and it felt like a normal new leaf even though it was leaf bare. The solar apocalypse was at a pause at last.

ThunderClan arrived last at the gathering due to last minute kits from Blossomfall and the father, she wouldn't mention.

Mistystar gave a disapproving look at Bramblestar. "I thought ThunderClan was always first." The RiverClan leader remarked.

"kits." Bramblestar hissed. "We have three new apprentices, Maplepaw, Azurepaw and Nightpaw. Lionpaw is now a warrior named Lionclaw and Blossomfall had 3 kits, Clearkit, Pinekit and Twigkit." Bramblestar stepped back onto a lower branch and Onestar leaped onto the top branch.

Onestar growled at Blackstar. "There are prey stealers! Like always ShadowClan has been on our territory hunting!"

"That is a false accusation Onestar!" Snarled Blackstar. "ShadowClan is strong so why would we want your disgusting rabbits?"

Shocked gasps and hisses rippled across the gathering island. Onestar looked furious at Blackstar and demanded a battle at sun rise one moon later. The ShadowClan leader immediately agreed and quickly exchanged glances with Bramblestar.

"Your mangy warriors won't stand a chance in the battle." Blackstar smiled. "Because we have allies."

Bramblestar announced that ThunderClan would stand in the battle on Blackstar's side. Onestar snarled at them and looked desperately to Mistystar. After a bit of thinking the RiverClan leader decided to join WindClan in the battle. Thick black clouds covered the moon to dismis the cats from the island. Mistystar and Onestar left first swiftly followed by the remaining two clans.

Azurepaw wasn't sure if she liked this idea of battling over a few rabbits but Maplepaw and Nightpaw seemed to be exited. Once they got back to camp Bramblestar told everyone to sleep early and wake up extra early to start combat training.

Nightpaw was dreaming about having kits with Lionclaw when she felt a stab in her back. She blinked her eyes open angrily and looked back to see who had disturbed her wonderful dream but no one was there, and Maplepaw wasn't in her nest!

Nightpaw got up as she decided to follow Maplepaw's scent. She sniffed, found Maplepaw's scent and followed it out of camp all the way to the training hollow and she gasped when she saw Ivypool teaching her slightly advanced moves already and Maplepaw aced them all in a few tries. Nightpaw felt jealousy burning up inside of her towards Maplepaw.

"I smell a cat." Maplepaw warned. Ivypool nodded slowly and looked to a clump of ferns where she saw a bit of black fur.

Ivypool's eyes softened when she realized who it was. "Nightpaw its okay to come out."

The black apprentice came out nervously and glanced at Ivypool. "I know I'm in trouble," Nightpaw murmured. Maplepaw panted heavily from her battle training and was too tired to argue with Nightpaw.

Ivypool looked from Nightpaw to Maplepaw, wondering if Nightpaw had the same potential that Maplepaw had. Ever since she killed Redwillow she had grown some what stronger and easily performed advanced battle moves even though she was just made an apprentice one moon ago. Her fighting style seemed familiar, as if she fought her before. Could it be... No, she's dead.

"Why are you training now? At night?" Nightpaw asked quizzically.

Ivypool purred. "Maplepaw wants to sharpen her skills so she woke me up."

Nightpaw never trained with Maplepaw before but was told that she could almost defeat a senior warrior. "Can I try fighting her?"

Ivypool nodded. Maplepaw didn't give Nightpaw a chance to react before she ran towards her right away. Maplepaw lashed out a sheathed paw and knocked Nightpaw to the ground with a hit to her head. She stumbled from the force but all too quickly her feet were shuffled from the ground. Maplepaw had performed an advanced tripping kick. Maplepaw pinned Nightpaw down quickly and mewed, "I win."

Nightpaw growled, "I'm still better at hunting." Maplepaw rolled her eyes playfully and suddenly stiffened as strange scent washed over them. Nightpaw had sharper senses than Maplepaw so she sniffed, the scent was coming from... Above? Nightpaw looked up and saw a grey tom and a black tom sitting on a branch above them.

"Smart little kitty huh." The grey tom chuckled. "I'd expect better from Ivypool though. Yes, I heard your names when you were talking."

Maplepaw arched her back and hissed, "Who are you and why are you on my territory?" Ivypool gazed proudly at Maplepaw for a moment and quickly returned her glare to the intruders.

The black tom held no emotion in his eyes the whole time and continued to stare at the clan cats until the grey tom nudged him. "I'm Duskbreeze, my father Ravenpaw has assessed us and taught us the noble warrior code. We are warriors made from Ravenpaw." The black tom answered.

Ravenpaw had been mentioned before as Firestar and Greystripe's best friend. What an honor, to meet his kits! The grey tom rolled his eyes and hissed, "You forgot to say that we're brothers and my name is Cedarstorm. We want to join ThunderClan."

Ivypool waved her tail for them to follow her into camp. She went into the leaders den and came out with Bramblestar a few moments later. The ThunderClan leader jumped onto high rock and yowled. "Ravenpaw's sons have decided to join us and call themselves warriors, Cedarstorm and Duskbreeze. The battle is tomorrow so we will test them before we can announce them as ThunderClan warriors."

"Cedarstorm will fight Dovewing," began Bramblestar, "And Duskbreeze will fight Maplepaw."

Cedarstorm ran towards Dovewing and hit her on her muzzle. Dovewing hissed and knocked his feet from under him, causing him to fall. Dovewing got on top of Cedarstorm and grinned at her victory. Her grin didn't last because Cedarstorm rolled out of her grasp and jumped faster than lightning on top of Dovewing, pinning her down. Cedarstorm won.

Bramblestar dipped his head, "Cedarstorm is now a warrior of ThunderClan."

Maplepaw slipped under Duskbreeze and struck out her paw at his stomach causing him to stumble. Duskbreeze growled, head butting Maplepaw causing her to stumble too. They were an even match at the end.

"Maplepaw is one of ThunderClan's best fighters, I'd be surprised if you could defeat her." Bramblestar chuckled. "Anyway, you have proven your skill, you are now a warrior."

"Duskbreeze! Cedarstorm!" The clan chanted.

Bramblestar silenced everyone with a tail flick and started talking about the upcoming battle which was to tomorrow morning. "Ivypool, Lionblaze, Berrynose, Maplepaw, Squirrelflight, Nightpaw, Dovewing, Cedarstorm, Duskbreeze and I will be in the battle. Clan dismissed."

This would be Maplepaw's first battle! The happy apprentice bounded into the apprentices den and was too exited to sleep. Nightpaw on the other paw was rather nervous and settled into an uneasy sleep. The battle is almost here...

The battle will be next chapter so remember to review in the meantime :J