Brambledusk's amber eyes narrowed as he approached the two ShadowClan cats, feeling his tail twitch back-and-forth in barely concealed anger. Talonstar looked down at him, his amber eyes cold and calculating, while Shrewfur examined the camp with a much kinder albeit still frightening gaze. Brambledusk cleared his throat.

"What do you two need?" he asked, not in the mood for any pleasantries with ShadowClan cats.

Talonstar's ears twitched as he looked Brambledusk up and down. "Are we interrupting?"

"No." Brambledusk shook his head. "What do you need?"

"We would like to speak to Scorchstar," Shrewfur said.

Brambledusk looked over his shoulder to see Scorchstar trekking through the crowd of cats and approaching the two ShadowClan commanders. Brambledusk shrugged as he met Scorchstar's gaze, and Scorchstar gave the two toms a slight nod of his head. Brambledusk couldn't help but be intimidated by them – they wore a veil of pride, clinging to their massive figures as they walked through the camp, following Scorchstar to his den with their heads high and their muscles broad beneath their pelts. Brambledusk followed them, wondering exactly what they wanted.

Scorchstar led the two ShadowClan cats into the hollow tree that made his den, and Brambledusk squeezed in after them, taking his spot on Scorchstar's right. Talonstar examined the den with keen amber eyes. Shrewfur faced Brambledusk, his eyes calm but sharp. Scorchstar cleared his throat when Talonstar moved his gaze back to him.

"How can I help you?" Scorchstar asked.

"I'll just get straight to the point," Talonstar said, his striped tail flicking. "Dapplestar of RiverClan has come to my camp and asked me to side with her in attacking you. I agreed."

"What?" Scorchstar rose to his paws, his tail lashing back and forth as his hackles rose and his fur bristling. His claws unsheathed, but Talonstar didn't move, clearly not frightened in the least. Brambledusk narrowed his eyes. If Talonstar had agreed to attack WindClan with Dapplestar, then why was he here? Was he here to warn them?

"However, I've been thinking about it more," Talonstar went on after Scorchstar's snarl subsided, "and Dapplestar was the one who killed Toadstep, our old Clan deputy. Otterstar was the cat that killed Lionstar. Dapplestar is an arrogant young she-cat who thinks that the world revolves around her and she can manipulate it to her whims. I don't want my Clan to be allied with a Clan such as hers – she'll just bring RiverClan, and the Clans around her, to destruction. So I have come here to warn you about her attack, and I want to join your side in defeating her rather than joining her and attacking you."

Scorchstar's amber eyes burned. "How do I know you're not lying to me?" he snarled.

"A warrior's honor," Talonstar said.

"What honor you have by promising Dapplestar an alliance and then turning around and defecting," Brambledusk remarked dryly.

"It is for the sake of my Clan," Talonstar growled, shooting Brambledusk a burning glare. "If I ally with Dapplestar, I fear only destruction will come."

Brambledusk tilted his head. He remembered Swiftstar's meeting with Dapplestar – if Swiftstar took a liking to such a she-cat, perhaps Talonstar was right. The feral, untamed flicker in Dapplestar's eyes sent a shudder down Brambledusk's spine. Plus, she had been a force to be reckoned with in the previous battles WindClan had with RiverClan. Surely if Dapplestar attacked WindClan with ShadowClan on their side, they would completely destroy them? It may be better to side with ShadowClan. Just as Brambledusk glanced over at Scorchstar, he could see his Clan leader sharing the same opinion.

"If you're telling the truth," Scorchstar said carefully, "then both our Clans are at risk of being attacked. I don't think Dapplestar is dangerous. You're right that she's just young and arrogant. But I want to protect my Clan, and so I will ally with you against her. Just know this…" Scorchstar unsheathed his claws, and a shaft of sunlight that beamed through a gap in the tree outlined them. "If you're lying to me, I'll kill you."

"I have nothing to gain from lying to you," Talonstar told him. "Her attack is planned in two days from now. I don't know much else other than that, but keep an eye on your border. I'll attack her from behind."

"Thank you, Talonstar." Scorchstar gave the big ShadowClan leader a nod.

Brambledusk got to his paws. "I'll escort you out," he said.

"No need." Shrewfur shook his head. "We got here well enough on our own, and we'll get here out on our own."

Brambledusk twitched his whiskers. "If you say so," he said, watching as the two ShadowClan cats rose to their paws and leave the den, just as abruptly as they entered. Scorchstar's amber eyes were trained on them as their bodies disappeared from the tree, and he poked his head out to watch them cross the clearing towards the exit of the hollow. The two toms, with their brown fur blending against the pale moorland, climbed out the camp and disappeared into the distance.

"Ridiculous!" Scorchstar snorted when Talonstar and Shrewfur were gone. "RiverClan really wants to attack us? What became of Swiftstar liking Dapplestar?"

"At least ShadowClan is on our side," Brambledusk pointed out. "RiverClan will expect ShadowClan to be on their side when they attack, but if Talonstar is right and sticks to his word, ShadowClan will turn on them and they'll be surrounded."

Scorchstar nodded. "Talonstar said the attack is in two days. We've got to prepare ourselves. Brambledusk, can you send out patrols to scout the terrain? I'll prepare a battle plan while you're there."

Brambledusk gave Scorchstar a stiff nod. He wanted to remind Scorchstar of the promise he made to him – if one innocent life was lost because of inept leadership, Brambledusk would step down. But WindClan was in danger of being attacked, and although Brambledusk agreed with Scorchstar that Dapplestar wasn't as big as she made herself out to be, cats would die if they weren't prepared for the attack.

"Great. Thanks, Brambledusk." Scorchstar watched as Brambledusk got to his paws and exited the Tall Branch. Brambledusk contemplated the discussion between Talonstar and Scorchstar as he left Scorchstar's den and walked towards the clearing. The clamor from the warrior ceremony had died down, and Brambledusk could spot the three new warriors standing in the clearing. Harewhisker's shoulders were taught with excitement, while Briarsnow kneaded the ground and Seedfur's lips were pressed tight. At least Seedfur is serious about it. Brambledusk caught the sight of Lightningtalon gazing nervously at the nursery. The WindClan deputy walked over towards his brother.

"Worried about Waspberry?" Brambledusk asked.

"Yeah," Lightningtalon confessed. "I know I'm a young father, but I just can't help it. She's due any day now, and when I heard what Wildheart went through… well, I don't know if I can handle Waspberry going through it, too."

"She's going to need you," Brambledusk told him.

"I know." Lightningtalon nodded. "Sedgekit and Skykit are already three moons old. When do you think they'll be apprenticed?"

"Probably when they're big enough," Brambledusk replied. "Your kits will be fine. Sandfall's in there, she'll know what to do."

"I just hope Wildheart's kits don't bother them," Lightningtalon fretted.

"They'll be fine," Brambledusk repeated. "We've got something more worrying, now."

"What is it?" Lightningtalon leaned into Brambledusk, his white-streaked ears twitching.

"An attack from RiverClan looms," Brambledusk reported grimly. "We all must be ready in case they choose to attack our camp rather than our border."

Lightningtalon's ears flattened. "And to think that I wanted my kits to grow up in a safe world!" he snapped, lashing his tail. "Gods…"

"We have to make that world," Brambledusk told him.

"You told me you'd do it." Lightningtalon narrowed his eyes. "Are you, Brambledusk?"

"Of course I am," Brambledusk growled. "It's not easy when there are three Clans snapping at your heels, though."

Lightningtalon glanced at his paws. "Sorry."

"It's fine," Brambledusk said. "But I'm going to go check the border. I'll protect you and your kits, don't worry." The pale tabby gave his brother a curt nod, and bounded away from him, tasting the newleaf air with his mouth as he left the camp and ran through the moor. His paws skimmed through the grassland as the hills sloped down below him. Just as he reached the hill that led down to RiverClan territory, he skidded to a halt, his amber eyes narrowed into slits as he spotted the pelts of sleek, muscular warriors.

Brambledusk used the long grassland to conceal his movements as he crouched down and stalked towards their lines as close as he could without being spotted. Ever since Swiftstar led the patrol that took a chunk of RiverClan territory from them and claimed it for himself, that meant their territory bore into the marshland. I don't know why – we don't need it. The earth underneath Brambledusk's paws was boggy and wet, but he had to see what RiverClan was doing. He lifted his head, making out a few cats he could recognize – Redfern, Minnowpaw, Wolfheart, and the senior warrior Honeyheart. Redfern's dark ginger fur bristled as she sniffed the scent lines.

"Thank the gods we're going to get this back soon," Redfern remarked. "Leaf-bare was hard without this."

"As long as you fight well in the battle, then we won't struggle any longer," Honeyheart commented. "I don't know why WindClan wanted this in the first place. They don't use the streams that are here or the water voles that live in the marshes."

Agreed, Brambledusk thought. But you'll be attacking my Clanmates, and I can't have that. But now I know where they're going to attack, and I can use that for the battle plan. Brambledusk waited until the RiverClan cats turned away to complete their patrol, and just as their scent turned faint, he turned on his heel and pelted away through the marshland, heading towards the moorland. Brambledusk's heart pounded rapidly in his chest as he ran.

Just as he saw the camp in sight, Brambledusk slowed his pace and looked over the ridge. The battle with RiverClan was going to come, and it was going to come soon. This would not be an attack Scorchstar started – thank the gods – but it was something he would have to defend from. Brambledusk inhaled sharply and plunged down the camp walls, heading towards the Tall Branch. Just as he entered the hollow tree, Scorchstar lifted his head from where he was staring at the ground.

"I think RiverClan will be attacking the border," Brambledusk reported. "They want to take back the piece of territory we got from them so long ago. I doubt they'll aim for camp."

"Then that's where we'll meet them," Scorchstar decided. "Talonstar said in a couple of days, so I'll lead a battle patrol and wait for their arrival."

"Do you think Talonstar will keep his word?" Brambledusk asked.

"Something tells me he will," Scorchstar replied.

"You're relying on that 'something'?" Brambledusk frowned.

"What, do you think he won't?" Scorchstar leaned in to Brambledusk. "Tell me, Brambledusk. We need to keep an open line of communication between us."

As Brambledusk faced Scorchstar's gaze, all he could remember was the betrayal and agony in his eyes when Brambledusk and Adderstripe had attacked him, scouring their claws down his back and nearly killing him. Guilt gnawed at Brambledusk's heart. Why can't I forget that? Why can't I forgive myself? Brambledusk forced himself to shake away those thoughts and said, "I don't think he'll betray us, but we will need a plan in case he does."

Scorchstar lifted his paws and examined his claws. "What if we have a backup patrol? They won't engage in the main fight until Talonstar comes. If Talonstar crashes into our lines instead of Dapplestar's, the backup patrol will take him on and ignore Dapplestar."

"Sounds good to me," Brambledusk agreed. "Who do you want to lead it?"

"Is Lightningtalon able to?" Scorchstar gazed into Brambledusk's eyes. "He'll be a father, soon, so I know that he'll fight fiercer than a lion to protect his unborn kits and his mate."

"Like you," Brambledusk said.

"Yes." Scorchstar nodded. "I'm going into this fight everything I've got. If Dapplestar thinks she can place a single claw on my kits, then I'll show her just how wrong she really is."

So you really are a family cat, Brambledusk thought, staring at his leader, just like I am. I'd do anything to protect my family, too. I'll get to see just what you really are like in this battle. It would be Scorchstar's first fight as a leader. Would he show no mercy, like Swiftstar, or order suicidal attacks? Or would Scorchstar keep his Clan in mind when he fought? I'll just have to see.

"So, Lightningtalon," Brambledusk meowed. "How about he takes Cinderfall and Buzzardwing? He fights the hardest when he's with his kin, too."

"And then maybe Harewhisker and Briarsnow," Scorchstar added. "Harewhisker is itching to prove himself. Does that sound good to you? And if Talonstar doesn't end up betraying us, Lightningtalon can just lead them to attack RiverClan."

"Sounds fine to me," Brambledusk agreed. "So, will you be leading the main patrol?"

Scorchstar nodded quickly. "Yes. You're coming with me."

"That's fine," Brambledusk said, knowing that he'd fight for WindClan. "Who else?"

"Russetstripe, I think," Scorchstar meowed, tilting his head as he named the cats one by one. "Heathercloud, Dovewillow, Thrushwing, Seedfur, Lilystream. And maybe Songbreeze and Aspenstep."

"Those are all good cats," Brambledusk said. "Let's go warn the Clan, now. They deserve to know."

Scorchstar twitched his ears in agreement. The ginger-and-white tom led the way out of his den, and faced his Clanmates with striking resolve flashing in his amber eyes. Brambledusk followed him, noting the tension that sparked in the air between the cats. Clearly seeing Talonstar and Shrewfur in the Clan had set off alarms – and so it should have.

"Is everything okay?" Heathercloud asked the two cats as she approached them, a wry expression on her face.

"No." Scorchstar shook his head and leaped onto the Tall Branch. "Cats of WindClan! Gather underneath the Tall Branch, for I need your attention!"

Confused mewls rang through the crowd as the cats began to gather. Brambledusk could see Wildheart's head pop out of the nursery, but she was quickly urged inside by Sandfall. Russetstripe walked out of the medicine den, ointment slathered on her shoulder. Harewhisker and his siblings, who were supposed to be keeping vigil, looked over their shoulders but did not gather. Good, Brambledusk thought. They're taking this seriously.

Sunleaf and Cloverwhisker sat at the entrance of the elders' den, their eyes sharp and intrigued as they focused their gaze on Scorchstar. Brambledusk sat at the foot of the Tall Branch, anxiety pricking at his heart. Lightningtalon's paws were taking him to the nursery, but at Scorchstar's call, he stopped and turning his head. Buzzardwing finished off the rabbit he was eating and looked up. Seedfur brushed against Cinderfall as the two cats approached the Tall Branch.

"I have news to report," Scorchstar said. The day had gone by so quickly, Brambledusk thought. Scorchstar's kits had been born in the morning, Harewhisker and his siblings had been made warriors in the afternoon, Talonstar and Shrewfur had gave them grave news just before the sun dipped in the sky, and now that the black blanket of the sky draped in the night, the WindClan cats were about to see their first battle underneath Scorchstar.

"Well?" Thrushwing asked, his tail twitching back and forth.

Scorchstar gave the tom a glare that stopped him in his tracks, and then the ginger-and-white tabby spoke. "Talonstar of ShadowClan has informed me that Dapplestar plans to attack me, and together we have created an alliance to stop Dapplestar and defeat her. The attack will commence in two days from now."

Yowls knelled through the crowd of warriors, some with anger, some with fear, and some with hatred. Scorchstar let the cats rant their fury, and then he lifted a tail to calm them down. "Dapplestar is just a young she-cat whose arrogance is unmatched. She thinks too much of herself and believes she can take our territory with one swipe. But I say… let's teach her what WindClan cats are really made of!"

"WindClan! WindClan!" yowled a voice in the crowd. The chant was taken up quickly by the rest of the warriors. Brambledusk listened to them cheer, glad that they had found the energy and resolve to fight, but he knew that this fight would be a different one. It would be the first fight against RiverClan under Dapplestar and Scorchstar. How would these two leaders fare? Otterstar and Swiftstar had been bitter enemies and had clashed multiple times. All of it ended in bloodshed… and Swiftstar had proved to be the victor nearly every time.

Would it be the same this time?