Scorchstar walked from the sand onto the fallen tree that created the bridge from the shore to the island. Harewhisker was at his side, and Brambledusk was a little way's behind them. Scorchstar preferred to have more security with him nowadays, and Brambledusk was the other cat he trusted just as much as he trusted Harewhisker. The cats leaped onto the island, their paws making imprints in the sand, until they made their way into the clearing.

ShadowClan and RiverClan were already here, judging by the scents in the clearing until the foliage made way to show the amount of cats. ShadowClan had the smallest patrol, and as Scorchstar looked up at the Great Oak, he couldn't see Talonstar. Where is he? he thought. Dapplestar was on the highest branch, and the egotistical shine in her eyes made Scorchstar unsheathe his claws. I hate her so much. Scorchstar bounded over to the Great Oak and, with a massive jump, landed on one of the middle branches.

Scorchstar gave Harewhisker and Brambledusk a nod. Harewhisker walked over to the root of the Great Oak, while Brambledusk led the rest of WindClan into the clearing. From below Scorchstar, he spotted Nightfire's sleek, jet-black pelt, climbing the Great Oak. What? Scorchstar narrowed his eyes. Where is Talonstar? Nightfire landed on the lowest branch, wavering as he looked down.

"Nightfire!" Scorchstar called. Nightfire looked up. "Where's Talonstar?"

Nightfire's amber eyes flashed. "He's got a cold," he growled. "So I'm here representing him tonight."

Scorchstar frowned. He didn't buy a word of it, but it wasn't his place to pry. Nightfire wrapped his black tail around his paws, looking down at the clearing beneath him. Does he even want to be leader some day? Scorchstar thought.

At the entrance of the island, Rootstar was leading his patrol inside. From his face, a blossoming smile like the petals of blooming flowers, no cat could guess that just a moon ago, he had nearly lost three warriors. Sunfire was right behind Rootstar, and although he retained wounds that were wrapped in cobwebs, he seemed to be walking straight with his head high. So, he must feel better, then, Scorchstar thought. Then why is my sister still unconscious?

When Rootstar leaped on top of the Great Oak, Scorchstar jumped down a few branches to sit next to him. "Are your warriors all right?" he asked him.

"They are well enough to attend the Gathering," Rootstar replied. "How is your little wildflower?"

"Wildflower…?" Scorchstar echoed. What?

"Russetstripe," Rootstar said.

Oh, so you gave her a nickname while she was gone? "She's still unconscious." Scorchstar shifted his paws. "I don't get it. Your warriors, they look better. So why is Russetstripe still ill?"

"Little one, did Sunfire not tell you?" Rootstar asked, tilting his head in genuine confusion.

"Tell me what?" Scorchstar demanded, anger starting to sizzle in his pelt. Were the ThunderClan cats keeping secrets from him about his sister?

"They tell me that their prison was coated in poison," Rootstar explained, "and that, in one of their methods of torturing the prisoners, they put more poisoned branches in. Your little wildflower put herself in front of the three cats so the poisoned thorns punctured her thick fur. She said that it wouldn't hurt her, since her fur was so long."

"She lied." Scorchstar felt his jaw drop. "Sure, her fur's long, but that doesn't stop poison from getting into her skin!"

Rootstar gazed at Scorchstar steadily. "I am so sorry, Scorchstar. Your sister is brave and selfless. She put her life at risk to save her friends."

"But your warriors are alive and well, and my sister isn't," Scorchstar protested. He wanted to screech, but he couldn't risk Dapplestar overhearing their conversation. "She let herself get poisoned even more than the other cats, for what?"

"Because her honor told her it was the right thing to do," Rootstar said quietly. "What can I offer you to assist her healing? Do you need Frostcloud, perhaps?"

"There's nothing Frostcloud can do that Sedgefall hasn't done," Scorchstar said miserably.

"Little one, you must not give up hope." Rootstar met Scorchstar's gaze. "Russetstripe is a strong she-cat, and the moment you lose faith in her, is the moment you tell her you do not trust her anymore."

"It's been a moon, Rootstar," Scorchstar whispered. "My medicine cats are losing hope. How can I not?"

Rootstar opened his mouth to speak, but a shadow crossed the island, and when Scorchstar looked to see who it was, his blood froze. Rootstar glanced over his shoulder, his yellow eyes widening. Peartuft had just entered the island, with a group of rogues behind him. He lifted his head, his amber eyes calculating and malicious. He ignored the hisses that came from the WindClan and ThunderClan cats. Instead, he headed straight for the Great Oak, and just as he landed on the lowest oak, Scorchstar bared his teeth at him.

"You are no leader!" Scorchstar hissed at him.

"I am a leader," Peartuft growled. "Rootstar has bowed before me. I lead FierceClan. We are here, whether you like it or not. And we will continue to remain on these lands."

Scorchstar's fur bristled in fury. This cat had killed so many of his innocent warriors and held innocent cats captive! He was a menace, a traitor, an enemy to the warrior code and everything it stood for. Memories of Aspenstep, Sandfall, and Buzzardwing flashed through his mind. "Your paws are soaked with the blood of my warriors!" he screamed at him.

"Scorchstar, enough," Rootstar said, although his voice was tight, indicating that he didn't like this any more than Scorchstar did. "This is a full moon. Do not lash out any of your grievances when you know it will lead to more pain."

"Whose side are you on?" Scorchstar barked at Rootstar. "I cannot remain calm. These cats are trying to rip the Clans apart. They've already done enough damage to ThunderClan. To my Clan!" Scorchstar leaped to his paws, raising his hackles and flattening his ears.

"Enough," Rootstar growled, even though his amber eyes flared as he cast a glance at Peartuft. "Tonight is not the night to rectify it. The full moon is a night of peace, despite the circumstances."

"Let's just get on with it," Nightfire added, gazing flippantly at Peartuft. Nightfire clearly hadn't struggled with the gray tabby the same way Scorchstar and Rootstar had. "Some of us have places to be."

Scorchstar lashed his tail at Peartuft, whose amber eyes started to blaze. Rootstar's claws unsheathed, and Dapplestar chuckled loudly from above all the cats. Suddenly, the moonlight that had illuminated the island started to fade, and when the leaders turned to look at the moon, several wisps of clouds had blocked it.

"It's a sign!" Frostcloud meowed. "Oh dear, our ancestors – as well as I – are fed

up with your pesky arguing. As a personal favor to StarClan, how about you leaders report

your news and then send us home, so we do not risk angering StarClan – or I – any

further?"

"Fine," Scorchstar growled through gritted teeth.

"Why don't you speak first?" Peartuft offered silkily.

Scorchstar lashed his tail and turned his head to face the clearing. "Prey is running well in WindClan, and we have one of our apprentices here for his first Gathering. His name is Mintpaw. Our warriors are strong and healthy, and we are ready for newleaf to come."

Dapplestar reported new warriors in her Clan, alongside training apprentices. Rootstar's report included the apprentice ceremonies of Peartuft's kits, Mountainpaw, Aspenpaw, and Snowpaw. Nightfire talked about strong borders and loyal cats, and then, just when the cats were about to disembark from the tree, Peartuft spoke.

"FierceClan is doing excellently," Peartuft meowed. "We have strong warriors, strong allies, and an even stronger bond to one another. However, we are not quite content with our current position. We are facing a shortage of young cats. New blood in our ranks. That is the only way FierceClan can grow and prosper. It's time my kits came home."

Outraged howls rippled through the crowd of cats, growing louder with every second. Peartuft's claws unsheathed, and bloodlust tore through his yellow eyes. Rootstar bared his teeth and snarled at him, clearly having lost his temper, "You have no right! If they wish to leave with you on their own accord, I cannot stop them. But you will not take them!"

"If you won't give me what's mine…" Peartuft's yellow eyes gleamed. "…then I will take them by force." He flicked his tail towards the rest of the FierceClan cats, who had their claws unsheathed and their teeth bared, ready to plunge themselves into a fight.

I'm not going to lose another warrior! Scorchstar thought. He didn't care if this was a coward's move. He was not going to risk the life of his Clanmates, not anymore. If fleeing was what saved their lives… so be it. "WindClan!" he yowled. "Flee the island!"

"That's not such a good idea!" Peartuft laughed as Scorchstar got ready to leap from the Great Oak. "You'll quickly find out your precious tree bridge is covered in poison."

"Poison?" Hawkfire cried out in fear.

"Where did they get poison?" Mallowleaf squealed.

What?! Scorchstar stared at Peartuft, horrified from the words that just came out of his mouth. He wanted to snarl at Peartuft just everything he thought about him, but a shrill, piercing cry rang through the clearing and made Scorchstar's heart stop.

"Mintpaw!"

Scorchstar swung his head towards where the sound had come from. It was Skyheart, who was chasing after Mintpaw. The gray apprentice was fleeing the island in fear, heading straight towards the tree branch. A thorn bush blocked any cat from escaping. That wasn't there before! They must've put it while we were on the island. But Mintpaw didn't seem to notice, and he leaped through the bush, the thorns ripping his fur as he landed, face-first on the roots of the tree. Scorchstar watched in horror as Mintpaw's muscles convulsed, and then his body staggered, falling into the lake and disappearing beneath the waves.

No! Scorchstar jumped down from the Great Oak, racing through the group of cats, trying to head over to Mintpaw. But a big dusky brown tom leaped in front of him, stopping him from moving. Scorchstar peered over his shoulders, seeing a black tom and a brown-and-white tabby she-cat pulling Mintpaw out of the waves, with Skyheart sobbing.

"He was deaf!" Skyheart was crying out. "He couldn't hear the warning!"

Scorchstar felt his stomach convulse in horror and promptly felt like vomiting. Mintpaw was surely dead. Peartuft had taken his youngest, most vulnerable Clan member in an act of ruthlessness. And, in a second, the clearing broke into a storm of yowls and hisses. Blood splattered on the ground and onto the leaves, and cats leaped on cats. No! They were trapped on the island. There was no way of escaping unless they wanted to meet the same fate Mintpaw did. Scorchstar raced through the crowd, grabbing Skyheart by her scruff and dragging her away from the edge of the island, shoving any cat out of the way who tried to stop him.

The WindClan cats were cornered by the Great Oak, and Scorchstar gasped as he saw Brambledusk and Harewhisker fending off Peartuft's rogues that tried to get to the WindClan cats. Brambledusk slashed his claws at a golden tabby, while Harewhisker snapped his jaws at a gray tom. A familiar dusky-brown tom leaped towards the crowd, dodging out of the way when Brambledusk tried to slice his throat and crushing Harewhisker with a hard blow.

"Give me Scorchstar!" the tom yowled. "I need to bring his dead body as proof to Pearstar of my loyalty!"

"They want to get Scorchstar!" Harewhisker yowled. "Everyone, form a circle and protect him!"

"I'm right here!" Scorchstar yowled, causing the brown tom to turn around and glare at the ginger-and-white tabby leader. "If you want to fight me, fight me! Don't be a coward!"

"My pleasure." The tom's green eyes gleamed. "I am Dusk, a warrior of FierceClan, and I will bring your body to Pearstar!"

Pearstar… Scorchstar curled his lip and was ready when Dusk lunged at him. He leaped over Dusk, his muscles flexing as he raked his claws down the tom's spine. He heard yowls from the WindClan cats and looked up to see them rushing to defend him. But, just as they tried to launch themselves at Dusk… several FierceClan cats overwhelmed them, stopping them from getting to Dusk.

It was just Scorchstar and Dusk. No one was coming to their rescue. Scorchstar slashed his claws across Dusk's cheek, and blood splattered from the wound. Dusk slipped under Scorchstar's stomach, slashing his claws against his underbelly and emerging on his other side, just as Scorchstar dropped down to squash Dusk underneath his greater weight.

Wait! The knowledge came to Scorchstar just as Dusk escaped his grip and raked his claws down his spine. I have more lives left! If Dusk wants to bring my body to Peartuft, he's going to have to take all my lives. And that's not happening. Scorchstar swung around to face Dusk, looking into the eyes of a predator, a killer. In seconds, Dusk was at him again, ripping his claws down Scorchstar's throat. Oxygen was cut off, and a searing, burning pain spread through Scorchstar's throat and the rest of his body as a waterfall of blood streamed down the open wound. Dusk pushed Scorchstar to the ground, and he could hear his Clans' muffled cries for mercy. The last thing Scorchstar saw was Dusk's claws shining in the moonlight before he fell victim to darkness.

When Scorchstar opened his eyes, three cats surrounded him he had never thought he would see again. The bright ginger tabby fur of Buzzardwing, the pale gray tabby pelt of Aspenstep, and the light ginger coat of Sandfall, all stood around him, their eyes soft and welcoming. Aspenstep's tail was twined with Sandfall's, and there was a gentle, content look of peace on his face, as if he was finally where he belonged. And… Next to Sandfall, Scorchstar peered closer, and recognized Mintpaw's dark gray pelt as he nuzzled his muzzle into Sandfall's shoulder.

"Mintpaw!" Scorchstar gasped.

Mintpaw turned his head to look at Scorchstar. Did he…?

"Did he hear me?" Scorchstar gasped.

"I did!" Mintpaw chirped.

"Oh, Mintpaw…" Scorchstar felt an excruciating, painful groan escape him. "I'm so sorry, Mintpaw. I'm so sorry."

Mintpaw's blue eyes glowed softly. "It's not your fault," he said.

"Mintpaw is right," Sandfall meowed, stars glittering in her pale ginger fur. "None of this was your fault, Scorchstar. It's Peartuft's fault, and his only."

Scorchstar unsheathed his claws. "Sandfall…" he whispered.

"I don't want to hear any apologies," Sandfall told him. "It is not your fault that I died. I can't stress this enough."

"I also chose to make the decision to defend you, Scorchstar," Buzzardwing added from where he sat. "When we are made warriors, we make an oath to protect and defend, at the cost of our lives. That is what I did. And I don't regret it. But Scorchstar, you need to go back."

"To defend your Clan," Aspenstep added. "We did our part. It's time you do yours. Go back to them, Scorchstar. Lead WindClan in the fight against injustice and cruelty. Peartuft will not be your only enemy. There is another."

I know. Scorchstar felt the fur on the back of his spine prick as he blinked gratefully to the cats who had risked so much for him. When he came to, he could feel a heavy sensation on his throat, and for a moment, he wondered if someone was trying to choke him. But when he opened his eyes, it was Hawkfire who had her paws on his wounds, as if trying to staunch the blood. Worry was blazing in her green eyes, and a small, panicked cry escaped her.

"Hawkfire," Scorchstar rasped. "I'm here."

"Father," Hawkfire choked out. "Thank StarClan."

Scorchstar pulled himself to his paws, feeling his body shake. "Where's Dusk?" he asked, his throat sore as blood continued to drip into a puddle beneath him.

"Brambledusk and Harewhisker chased him off," Hawkfire whispered, pressing her body against her father's. "I was so scared. I thought you weren't…"

"I will never leave you, Hawkfire," Scorchstar promised his daughter. "I swear."

Hawkfire licked her father's shoulder roughly, and out of the corner of his eye, Scorchstar could see Mallowleaf, staring at them in horror. Scorchstar nodded to her, and she raced over to them, shoving her head into Scorchstar's chest. Scorchstar looked around the clearing. It was empty. RiverClan and ShadowClan were gone, and it seemed that FierceClan was gone, as well. The only Clan that remained was ThunderClan. Rootstar was walking through the clearing, examining the remaining cats. When Scorchstar caught Rootstar's gaze, Rootstar nodded to Sunfire and walked over to him.

"Are you all right?" Rootstar asked Scorchstar.

Hawkfire and Mallowleaf broke away from Scorchstar so he could speak to the ThunderClan leader. When they melted – albeit reluctantly – into the crowd of WindClan cats, Scorchstar nodded. "I'm fine."

"I don't think that's quite true, little one," Rootstar meowed. "You don't look fine."

"I lost a life," Scorchstar confessed.

Rootstar's amber eyes hardened. "Not by Peartuft?"

"No. By some cat named Dusk." Scorchstar let out a sigh. "They want you and I dead, Rootstar."

"We'll just have to prove we're hard to kill, won't we?" Rootstar's whiskers twitched. "I assure you, Scorchstar, we will not be defeated. Peartuft may think he is a formidable Clan leader, but you and I are cats of honor and righteousness. We shall defeat him, and whomever he chooses to ally with."

A sense of hope flickered inside of Scorchstar's sinking heart as he gazed at his new ally. The resolve that shone in Rootstar's eyes was contagious, and Scorchstar lifted his head. If he and Rootstar worked together, they would be able to defeat Peartuft and the torture his rogues were putting the Clans through.