Chapter 2

Duststorm followed Mistythorn and Silverheart on their border patrol.

"Have you thought of what Stormstar said at the Gathering last night?" Silverheart asked, looking nervous.

"Not really. I mean, he was obviously confused. I know that Cedarleaf and Oakstorm don't lie, so then Beechpaw didn't actually catch the rabbit on FrostClan's side of the border." Mistythorn said.

"Yeah, I know, but…" Silverheart said.

"But what?" Duststorm asked.

"I am worried they're going to…like…attack us—or something." Silverheart studdered.

"I'm sure there is nothing to worry abou—" Duststorm was cut off by a yowl that sounded like—

Oh no

Duststorm whipped his head around to see Stormstar, Thrushfeather, Lightshine, Mosswing, Addertail, and Fernsight leap down from the large boulders of the FrostClan border.

"FrostClan! Attack!" Stormstar yowled.

"Silverheart, go get help!" Mistythorn screeched as she swiped at Mosswing's face.

Silverheart ran full speed back to camp, returning a few minutes later with Sunstar, Fernmist, Redstorm, Grayheart, Cloudysnow, and Speckleclaw with Birchskip.

"AcornClan! Retreat!" Dustcloud yowled, supporting Sunstar on his shoulder as the frail leader limped from a giant bleeding gash on his shoulder.

"Victory!" Thrushfeather rejoiced.

"Not yet," Stormstar said. "This is the first of yet to come."

…

Duststorm tossed and turned in his nest. He couldn't sleep.

"For StarClan's sake, lie still!" Oakstorm said turning her head from her nest.

Duststorm ignored his sister's demands and carefully stepped out of his nest and padded outside, watching the moon slowly set beneath the trees. He sighed, unsheathing and sheathing his claws.

"Can't sleep?" Sunstar asked, padding out of his den and sitting next to his deputy.

"I'm just so worked up on what Stormstar said at the end of that battle. 'This is the first of yet to come'. I can't help but wonder…if or when he will attack again."

"I know. There's nothing we can do about what Stormstar thinks. I bet everything will turn out the way StarClan wants."

Duststorm shuffled his paws. "I know. It's just hard. I feel like…something bad is going to happen. I don't know."

Sunstar looked out to the first cracks of dawn. "You best get some rest before you have to assign the new patrols."

"Yes, Sunstar." Duststorm meowed. He quickly padded back to his nest, and closed his eyes.

…

"Sunstar! Sunstar! FrostClan…At the border!" Dawnpaw said, panting. Beechpaw was catching his breath next to her.

"Lightleaf, Redstorm, and Fernmist sent us. They need help!" Beechpaw breathed. "Almost all of FrostClan is there!"

"Okay. Mistythorn, Silverheart, Grayheart, Oakstorm, Duskpaw, Tulippaw, and Jayfang. Come with me. Duststorm, wait for Cloudysnow's patrol to come back, and bring them with you." Sunstar mewed, trying to sound as calm as possible.

"Okay," Duststorm replied, shakily. He watched the golden tabby tom rush out of the camp with his patrol of warriors.

It was sun high by the time Cloudysnow's patrol of Speckleclaw, Birchskip, Cedarleaf, and Thornpaw entered camp. Duststorm ran over.

"Come with me. FrostClan is attacking at the border! Sunstar is already there with a patrol. I want everyone else here to protect the camp if FrostClan comes farther into our territory." Duststorm shook himself, ruffling his fur.

"What are we waiting for, let's go!" Thornpaw said, already running out of camp. "I'm actually going to fight a real battle!"

"Wait for us!" Cedarleaf said, bounding after the large apprentice, the other cats following her.

When Duststorm reached the war, FrostClan had moved very far into AcornClan's territory. "Sunstar!" He yowled, searching for the AcornClan leader.

"I'm here!" He yelled from Stormstar attacking him.

Duststorm sighed relief. He had been anxious about whether or not the weak leader was okay.

Duststorm spotted Thornpaw struggling to fight off a FrostClan warrior. Despite her size, she looked like she was tired, and hurting. "Help!" She yelled when she saw Duststorm turning toward her. He ran for Thornpaw, slashing at the FrostClan she cat's muzzle. She yowled and ran back to FrostClan's territory, her tail lashing and ears laid back.

"And stay out!" Thornpaw yowled, her head held high.

At that moment, there was a loud yowl of triumph piercing through the air. Duststorm whirled around and saw Stormstar standing on top of Sunstar's body, the AcornClan's leader's back turned to Duststorm. "No," Duststorm whispered, screeching so soft that he thought no one, not even Thornpaw next to him, could hear him.

He ran over to Sunstar, not even bothering the scratches throbbing with pain on his back. Using all of his power and unsheathing his claws, he shoved the ruthless FrostClan leader off of Sunstar.

"Get off of him, you mangy piece of fox dung!" Duststorm screeched, dragging Sunstar over to Shadeflower and Ravenfur, who brought the frail leader back to the AcornClan camp.

"You," a low growl ripped through the air. Duststorm turned and stared down the gray tom. "You. How DARE you disrespect me! FrostClan! We will retreat this battle. And little deputy, here. Battle us in two days at the border. Bring all your warriors and apprentices. We will battle at sunrise. It will be the last battle of this war." The FrostClan leader stalked away from the battle.

"Sunstar…" Duststorm whispered.

…