The sky was darkening even more behind looming clouds when Misty crept across the moor. There was hardly any place for her to hide and she remained alert for an approaching patrol. She hoped Dawnfrost would be there so at least she would meet someone she recognized. But Sootfur, he just scared her. She wasn't looking forward to being chased out like some scrawny rogue looking to steal prey.

She wasn't at all sure if she was even traveling in the right direction; the WindClan camp could be anywhere. But what she didn't want was to stumble upon it before any other cat saw her. She was nervous.

The sight of cats in the distance set her pulse racing, but she forced herself to stay as they approached. To her relief, she recognized the golden form of Dawnfrost, along with three other cats she did not know, one of them appearing young enough to be an apprentice.

"What are you doing here?" growled a mottled brown tom, his ribs showing through his pelt. "This is WindClan territory. Get out."

"I know, but it's urgent that I speak with your leader," Misty said, her voice small compared to the tom's.

"No loner speaks to Goldenstar," the tom spat in reply.

"Wait," Dawnfrost interrupted, narrowing her eyes at Misty. "I've seen her before, Stonepelt. Let's see what she wants first before we chase her out."

"To steal our prey of course," Stonepelt muttered.

"Not by the looks of her," the black tom behind him whispered. "She doesn't look starving."

"Shut up," Stonepelt hissed and the other tom flinched, falling silent.

"What is it you want?" Dawnfrost asked, her eyes kind and reassuring.

"I need to speak to Goldenstar," Misty said, trying to make her voice sound steady. "It's urgent, it's about an attack on Shadestar." That definitely got the warriors' attention. "Rainstorm sent me," she added.

"Okay," Dawnfrost replied at last, turning back to the patrol. "She comes with us back to the camp."

"But–"

"No," Dawnfrost cut off Stonepelt's objection. "This is important."

Stonepelt fell silent then, moving up behind Misty as Dawnfrost and the black tom took up positions on either side of the loner. The apprentice trailed behind. Misty was well aware of the hostility emanating from Stonepelt behind her. Dawnfrost cast her a friendly look and she tried to relax, but found it impossible to do so as they moved deeper into the heart of the territory.

There was a hollow up ahead and when the patrol entered it, Misty was awed by the sight of a real clan camp. Warriors shared tongues after an evening meal. Apprentices scuffled by their den.

Stonepelt peeled away from the group to join some warriors who were gathered in the center of the camp. He spoke a few words to a ginger tom who immediately turned to face the patrol. A gray tom nearby pricked his ears and looked also. Misty saw that it was Sootfur.

"What have we here?" Goldenstar asked as he approached.

"This is…" Dawnfrost trailed off, uncertain, realizing she did not know the loner's name.

"My name is Misty," the loner said, taking a step forward to address the WindClan leader. "I was sent by Rainstorm of ThunderClan to tell you it's time," she announced.

Sootfur narrowed his eyes. "Time for what?"

"Time to attack."

Rainstorm let his gaze wander amongst the ranks of cats, strong, battle-fit warriors from each clan. There was Willowstar, leader of RiverClan, with her deputy Ashwhisker, sitting beside the she-cat Swiftwind and her apprentice Dustpaw. Owlstar of ShadowClan sat boldly, her long-furred tail swept over her paws. Nightfur's brilliant green eyes narrowed, her head raised, as bold and arrogant as all the stories told of the ShadowClan cats. Then there was Goldenstar, silent, and his young deputy Sootfur, his expression revealing nothing, his light blue eyes staring ahead. Dawnfrost's and Stonepelt's fur crackled with anticipation. Other cats gathered around their leaders.

"This is it," Rainstorm said when all eyes turned to him. "We've lived in this darkness for too long, a never-ending leaf-bare. But that is about to change." He paused, glancing toward the WindClan cats. His eyes met Misty's and he held her gaze for a moment. The young loner gave a slight nod.

"You know by now why our last plan has failed," Rainstorm continued. "But this time it will not fail. The traitor has revealed himself and the time for secrets is over. We will confront Shadestar and drive him out, kill him if necessary, whatever it takes. This is our forest and we will take it back." The eyes were determined, grim, yet filled with hope. "And in seasons to come, long after we have joined StarClan, generations of cats will remember the events of this night. From the oldest elder to the youngest kit, they will remember. This is StarClan's will," he said. "This is our legacy."

Flamepelt was on guard outside the camp when they approached. He looked alarmed at the sight of so many cats, yet he did not alert the clan.

At a signal from Rainstorm, Dawnfrost and Stonepelt moved forward. Stonepelt snarled and rushed, tackling Flamepelt who made only a grunt, pinned by the heavier cat.

"Stonepelt," Goldenstar hissed to his warrior. "There's no need for that. They will be aware of us soon enough."

"Yes there is," Nightfur countered. "One less cat to fight."

Rainstorm brushed past them, leading the way through the thorn tunnel and into the camp.

"Wait," said a voice from behind him, followed by a growl. Flamepelt burst into the hollow, Stonepelt on his heels. "I wanna fight," the young ginger warrior said. "With you."

"No," Rainstorm replied, his voice low. "I've already dealt with one traitor and I can tell you, one's enough."

He swept past, leaving Flamepelt fuming.

"Shadestar!" Rainstorm yowled. If no other cat had noticed their arrival, they sure would now. He could see warriors emerging from their den, looks of shock etched onto their faces. They wouldn't have expected this. Lionpaw and his littermate, Patchpaw, stared, uncertain. Icewhisker's eyes widened even more when she noticed Misty at Rainstorm's side.

Finally Shadestar appeared from his den in the side of Highrock. He showed no surprise, just sized up his opponents.

"Shadestar, we've come here to reclaim our forest. You cannot abuse your power like this. You can leave the forest and never come back or we will drive you out."

"You think it's that easy, do you?" Shadestar queried. "I have no intention of giving up my leadership. To you or to any cat."

"This can only lead to war," Rainstorm said. "And you have no chance. We outnumber you.

Shadestar's eyes gleamed in the menacing dark. Thunder crackled overhead. "Do not trust what only the eye can see. Have you not learned?" he asked. "How do you think I've never lost a battle?"

And then the bushes parted, silent figures slinking into the open. They smelled of the Thunderpath and of crowfood. Rogues. An army of them, filling the hollow with ragged claws and gleaming, hungry eyes.

"You think I merely rule one clan?" said Shadestar. "I rule the entire forest."

Rainstorm tried hard to hide his dread. "You cannot win."

"We'll see." Shadestar let his claws slide out, his fur stood on end. "Attack!" he cried.

"Attack!" Rainstorm echoed and surged forward.

The camp exploded into fierce battle, filled with the screeches of many cats.

Shadestar bared his teeth, sinking them in Rainstorm's shoulder. Rainstorm screamed and lashed out, scoring his claws across Shadestar's muzzle. A paw flew through the air and he flinched away. More teeth dug into his flesh, persistent and this time he couldn't free himself.

At first he thought it was Shadestar again until he noticed the leader clawing at Stonepelt. He realized only after seeing those dark eyes that Rainstorm didn't know his adversary, but the stench of crowfood almost overwhelmed him.

Something shoved him away and the rogue's grip loosened. The cat let out a startled yowl as claws raked its flank. The cat fled.

"Still think I can't fight?" the hot-headed Flamepelt said before vanishing in a writhing mass of cats that had gathered around a struggling Swiftwind.

But Rainstorm had no time to feel gratitude as he leaped into battle with another rogue attempting to attack Misty. He was barely aware that by now he had migrated toward the elders' den.

Yellow eyes glinted from the darkness and then Brokenfoot lunged, landing on top of Rainstorm and knocking him off his feet. Teeth met in his ear and he spun, trying to dislodge his enemy. Another weight landed on him, driving the air from his lungs.

He scrabbled at the ground, his face shoved into the snow. Thistletooth's talons sank into his back and he gathered his strength, heaving upward. Thistletooth was thrown clear, but Brokenfoot hung on.

Rainstorm bit down on the old cat's hind leg, satisfied when he heard an agonizing scream. He reached up, clawing at the cat's neck, sending droplets of dark blood into the snow.

The weight left him and Rainstorm stood, watching as Brokenfoot fled. Nightfur, seeing this, charged to stop him, yowling "Coward!" as she bowled him over.

The camp was in complete chaos when Rainstorm turned. The apprentices had banned together and were surrounded by ragged, taunting rogues. Wrenpaw of WindClan batted at one of the rogues, ears flat. Not far from the Highrock, Bluefeather and Dawnfrost struggled with Thistletooth. Sootfur yowled as he wrestled with a broad-shouldered rogue. Rainstorm couldn't tell who was winning. Already a rogue and a RiverClan cat lay limp in the snow.

"Rainstorm, look out!"

Spinning around, Rainstorm saw Shadestar in the air, claws splayed, jaws snarling, eyes alight with fire. There was no way Rainstorm could escape.

Then the one who had called out, Raggedfur, lunged toward his former apprentice, his warning too late.

Shadestar came down on the two cats.

Claws scored through fur.