Scorchstar let out a yawn as he left his den, stretching his paws as the morning sun dappled his ginger-and-white pelt. He watched as the camp slowly stirred to life, with warriors emerging from their dens, their pelts gleaming under the gentle rays of the spring sun. The air was fresh and vibrant, filled with the promise of renewal. Newleaf had painted the moor in lush, vivid hues. Flowers blossomed in colorful clusters, dotting the clearing and the forest with splashes of yellows, purples, and pinks.

Just as Scorchstar walked into the clearing, a light-yellow pelt caught the corner of his eye. Huh? Scorchstar looked up, not recognizing the fur. When he zeroed in closer on the pelt, he saw the yellow cat, leaning against the entrance of the camp, his tail wrapped around his paws and a light in his pale green eyes. The scent of ThunderClan flowed off him in waves. Gah…! How did he get in?

"You!" Scorchstar snarled at him. I've had just about enough of other Clan cats sneaking into my camp! He still wasn't over Runningflame sneaking into his camp – now there was a ThunderClan cat in here, too? "Who are you?"

"I'm Lionflight of ThunderClan," the tom introduced himself, as if he and Scorchstar were old friends.

"And how did you get in here?" Scorchstar lashed his tail.

"It was honestly easy." Lionflight drew a paw over his head. "Your guards fall asleep."

Scorchstar shot a glare at Redmoon and Hawkfire, who were snoozing on the job. Seriously? He sighed. "I don't think you're here for any ill will, but the fact that you snuck in here doesn't make me inclined to welcome you. So, what do you want?"

Lionflight let out a chuckle. "Is that any way to talk to your ally?"

Scorchstar unsheathed his claws. "You better tell me what you need if you don't want to be sent to ThunderClan with your ears clawed."

"Reinforcements have come," Lionflight said, not fazed in the least by Scorchstar's threat. "To aid in the fight against Peartuft and RiverClan."

"Reinforcements?" Scorchstar echoed. Even though the news should send him jumping up and down on his paws, everything that had happened over the past moons had changed him into a pessimistic cat who couldn't find the joy in anything. "Have the gods come down from the heavens themselves to fight our petty earthly wars?"

"Ah, it's not them." Lionflight shook his head.

"Then who are they?" Scorchstar lashed his tail.

"I could tell you, but it'd be much more interesting to show you," Lionflight meowed.

"I have no time for your riddles," Scorchstar snarled at him. "You're almost as bad as Rootstar."

"Well, I'll take that as a compliment," Lionflight said. "Come with me."

"All right…" Scorchstar scrunched his eye whiskers. He looked over his shoulder, seeing Harewhisker, padding towards the clearing. "Harewhisker!"

Harewhisker turned and bounded over to them. "Yes, Scorchstar?" His eyes widened in surprise as he looked at Lionflight. "Who…"

"This is Lionflight of ThunderClan," Scorchstar said. "He said there are reinforcements that arrived at ThunderClan. Let's go see what they're talking about."

Harewhisker nodded and followed Scorchstar as he led the way out of camp. Lionflight brazenly took the lead after, making Scorchstar curl his lip. Stupid young tom. He didn't say anything to him, though, too tired to start a fight. Lionflight bounded through the moorland until he reached the stream. He crossed it easily with a massive leap, while Scorchstar and Harewhisker preferred to use the stepping stones as they crossed the stream and ended up on ThunderClan territory.

Scorchstar followed Lionflight until he arrived at the stone hollow and squeezed through the thorn tunnel. Lionflight appeared on the other side, and Scorchstar entered the camp behind him. He looked around as the stone hollow spread for what seemed like miles on every side of him. He glanced at the center of camp to see the small, graceful figure of Rootstar. The black-and-white tom caught Scorchstar's gaze and walked over to him, giving him a nod. Sunfire was at his heels.

"Welcome, little one," Rootstar purred. Scorchstar flicked his tail in faint irritation. Why does he always insist on calling everyone 'little one'? But he didn't argue. Rootstar was his ally, and he didn't want to irritate him. Scorchstar dipped his head.

"Greetings, Rootstar." Scorchstar lifted his head. "Lionflight here tells me you received reinforcements."

"Ah." Rootstar nodded. "Yes, we did. Here they are." He stepped away to reveal a group of massive cats – cats that rivaled even the size of the biggest warriors in the Clans, Dapplestar and Shimmerwing. One of them was a long furred black tabby tom, with cold, calculating yellow eyes. The cat next to him was a brown-and-white tabby with soft, downy fur, and calm but keenly intelligent green eyes. In the center of them was a noble, graceful tortoiseshell she-cat who carried herself with poise and elegance. A yellow tom, similar to Lionflight's coloring, smaller than most of them but still packing a presence, wrapped his tail around his paws and gazed at Scorchstar, his gaze unreadable. And finally, at the end of them was a massive smoky-black tom with gentle yellow eyes, a serene smile on his face.

"Who are they…?" Scorchstar gasped, awestruck. Something told Scorchstar these were no ordinary cats.

"They're the Dragon Blood Guardians," Lionflight explained. "They were the cats Rootstar traveled to find a cure for the illness that spread through camp. Icefrost and Dewfoot traveled to ask for their help, and they agreed. They've come to help in the fight."

"There's hardly enough for an army. But I admit I'm curious to learn more about them." Scorchstar found himself walking towards the brown-and-white she-cat. She seemed to radiate power.

"Good morning." The brown-and-white she-cat, the one with the sharp, intelligent gaze, gave Scorchstar a low nod. "My name is Lord Mariven. I am the Dragon of Knowledge."

Dragons… Scorchstar thought. I can't say I've ever heard of them.

The black tabby tom's gaze swung towards Scorchstar. "Oh, what the hell? There are more of them? I thought we were finished with the damned introductions."

"Great introduction," Harewhisker grunted.

Scorchstar glared at the black tabby. Even though Lord Mariven had been kind to talk to, this cat's tone put his nerves on edge, and if he spoke to him in the voice he had originally had, he wouldn't get out of here with his pelt intact. "And who are you?"

"Lord Doomsayer," the dragon cat introduced himself. "If you need a cat dead, I'm the dragon for the job. After all, I'm not called the Dragon of Death for nothing."

All right, then, Scorchstar thought. Not sure I want anything to do with you, so I'll just ignore you. Unless you can kill Peartuft, of course. Scorchstar dragged his gaze to the small yellow tom next to Lord Doomsayer. "And you are?"

"I'm Fool," the yellow tom said. "No Lord, no Dragon. Just Fool. The chaotic evil of the Dragon Tree."

Great, just what I need. Scorchstar eyed the tom dubiously. "And the rest of you…?"

"I'm Lord Artemis," the golden tabby said. "I'm the Dragon of the Hunt. Since winter is here, I'm willing to help you with hunting, and of course, the fight as well." Her blue eyes glowed with confidence, and her sleek fur shone in the morning sun, illuminating every single faint stripe on her. Wow, she's definitely a sight for sore eyes.

Scorchstar lowered his head. There was another cat who had not yet introduced herself, and it was the cat who radiated the most power out of all of them. He looked up at the tortoiseshell she-cat, stunned into silence by just how majestic she was. Dapplestar radiates fear, Talonstar radiates strength, and Rootstar radiates kindness. But this cat… there are so many things coming from her…

"I am Queen Wyvern," the she-cat introduced herself. "You may call me Wyvern, though. It is a pleasure to meet you, Scorchstar. As your friend stated, we are here to help you in your time of need."

She's incredible, Scorchstar thought. One more. Scorchstar turned to look at the smoky gray-black tom. The tom gave him a soft smile, much like one Rootstar would give him. I'm sure they'll get along great. "I am Lord Nightstalker, the Dragon of Peace. You must be the dear friend Rootstar was talking about."

Scorchstar flashed a shocked glance at Rootstar. Rootstar called me his dear friend? Huh… He turned to look back at Lord Nightstalker. The question that was whirling in his mind burst out of his mouth. "How do I know I can trust you?"

Doomsayer snorted contemptuously. "You're kidding, right?"

"No." Scorchstar shook his head, not bothering to bicker back-and-forth with Doomsayer. Some other cat could take care of that, he was sure. "How can I know?"

Doomsayer flicked his tail. "We saved these damned cats before, and we made this horrifying—"

"It took two days," Mariven quipped, interrupting Doomsayer mid-insult.

"—trek here, leaving the most incompetent cat back to guard the Tree. We could just turn around if you want." Doomsayer sniffed, and Scorchstar's claws unsheathed at the cat's bad attitude.

"Ah, Scorchstar," Mariven chuckled just as Scorchstar raised his hackles. "Doomsayer may be rough around the edges, but he is correct, albeit I despair in saying it. We helped ThunderClan when you needed the berries to save your friends, and we have rescued your cats when they were in peril from enemies. We are willing to do it again."

"But why?" Scorchstar asked, puzzled.

"At the Dragon Tree, it is our job to protect cats who need help in protecting themselves," Mariven meowed. "This power extends farther than the Tree, though. Will you accept our help?"

"I will do whatever it takes to get rid of this filth… this garbage, that lives in our hillsides," Scorchstar growled. "And to bring down the cat who threatens every Clan by the lake with her endless hunger for power."

"We have only been informed about Peartuft," Mariven meowed. "That cat… Dapplestar, I believe, was her name… was mentioned. She was described, and I quote as, 'insane.' Is that true?"

"Insane doesn't even begin to describe her!" Scorchstar snorted. "She has destroyed an entire Clan. A strong Clan with a mighty leader. For what reasons, we can hardly begin to guess. And she claims she is trying to bring peace to the Clans and unite them under her power. We don't know which of us is next on her check list. But the day, without a doubt, is coming soon."

"Oh, Scorchstar." Nightstalker walked over to him, his gaze gentle and kind, captivating Scorchstar in his grasp. "I have seen that you have had a difficult time. I see that there are things that trouble you and prevent you from trusting others."

Scorchstar looked at his paws. I can't even begin to explain what happened. But how did Nightstalker know? He was about to open his mouth, but the squeal of a kit cut him off.

"Are these the rabbit-chasers?" a black kit meowed as he raced over to Scorchstar, sniffing him intently. Scorchstar stepped back, startled.

"Windkit!" yowled Sweetfern, who bounded over to the kit and pulled him back. "Didn't I tell you not to call WindClan cats that when they're in our camp?"

"Windkit," Harewhisker echoed, his voice soft and his eyes glowing as he focused his eyes on the small kit. "Like Windstar."

A small smile broke on Scorchstar's face. "I wonder why they called him that."

"Why?" Harewhisker asked Sweetfern, who was licking her kit's head furiously.

"To honor the help Sedgefall and Russetstripe gave us when they were here," Sweetfern replied, looking up to gaze at Harewhisker.

Scorchstar flinched. Yeah, and it's costing my sister her life. He looked away from Sweetfern, swallowing a lump in his throat. At that moment, Nightstalker's yellow eyes narrowed, and he walked over to Scorchstar. The tom loomed over him, but not threateningly. Scorchstar looked up at him, feeling like a kit compared to the tom's massive size.

"Scorchstar, my friend, we have much to discuss," the tom purred. "I have a feeling you need my help in particular. I have seen it, but I do not understand why. Do you?"

Um, no? "I don't know…?" Scorchstar half-asked, half-replied. "What can you do?"

A low purr rumbled in Nightstalker's chest. "I am a healer, and a seer."

"He's right." Sunfire walked over to Scorchstar. "Lord Nightstalker was the cat who knew that my eyes were injured, even without meeting me. He gave Honeyfeather and Frostcloud the ash that healed my eyes. I would've gone blind if it weren't for him. Plus, when Icefrost and Dewfoot came back, Icefrost was injured badly in the fight. He gave Icefrost some quick healing herbs, and right now, she's up on her paws already."

Nightstalker smiled softly. "It is my passion to heal cats."

Heal cats… Fresh agony tore at Scorchstar's heart as he thought about Russetstripe. "Perhaps you can be of some sort of help to me."

Queen Wyvern walked over to them, her ears twitching. "I see you are speaking to Lord Nightstalker. He has a gift. Is there someone in need of healing?"

Scorchstar gazed at the magnificent queen. Something in her – perhaps it was the kindness that came off her in waves, or the understanding or power – made Scorchstar want to tell her everything. He cleared his throat as he finally gave into the struggles that had been choking him for the last moon. "My sister, Russetstripe."

"Oh?" Rootstar walked over to them, tilting his head. "Has she not woken up?"

Scorchstar shook his head. "No. She was held hostage by Peartuft and Houndheart and tortured. Apparently she took the worst of the poison." He looked over at Sunfire, Honeyfeather, and Winterfall. All three of the cats looked at their paws, and Scorchstar realized that Rootstar had been telling the truth. He glanced back at Queen Wyvern. "She was in a deep sleep for several weeks, and all of us prepared to say our goodbyes. My medicine cats tried everything, but ultimately they could not heal the illness she had. Yet…"

"She still has not woken up," Nightstalker finished Scorchstar's sentence.

"Yeah." Scorchstar swallowed the lump in his throat. I know she's going to die soon. Sedgefall told me that. But maybe there's a way I can help her. If this Lord Nightstalker is a healer, maybe he can do something.

Queen Wyvern lowered her head. "I am so sorry that happened to you, Scorchstar. We would be glad to help you."

"I will go now with you to see your sister," Nightstalker said. "I think she needs our help most." He glanced at Rootstar, as if asking permission.

"Yes, of course." Rootstar nodded slowly. "Help the little wildflower bloom. She is needed."

"Shall we go?" Nightstalker asked Scorchstar. Scorchstar nodded enthusiastically. These cats are odd, to say the least, but if they're my last hope, then I have to try.

"Wha…?" Doomsayer's amber eyes were widened. "We're helping more cats?"

Artemis cuffed Doomsayer's ears. She hissed, "Quiet!"

"Ignore him," Mariven told Scorchstar, a smile on her face. "He was dropped on the head as a child."

Scorchstar glared at Doomsayer.

Queen Wyvern cleared her throat. "I will attend Nightstalker with Mariven, if that is all right with you, Scorchstar."

Scorchstar nodded. He glanced over his shoulder as Winterfall walked over to him with Sunfire and Honeyfeather behind him. Scorchstar scowled – these were the cats who Russetstripe was about to give her life to protect. Here they were, all in one piece. But Russetstripe wasn't. Maybe after this, though?

"Can we come see her?" Winterfall asked.

Scorchstar narrowed his eyes. He didn't like the soft look in Winterfall's eyes. "Why?"

"We were there with her when we were held hostage," Honeyfeather pointed out.

"She's helped us a lot," Sunfire added.

"We're her friends," Winterfall said. "We worried about her, too."

Scorchstar flicked his tail. He didn't want to argue – time was running out. He clicked his tongue and said, "Fine." He looked over at Rootstar. "I know they're your reinforcements, but…"

"Do not worry, Scorchstar." Rootstar shook his head. "I want your little flower to heal just as much as you do. I considered her one of my own for a while." His voice was warm with affection for Russetstripe.

Scorchstar bit his lip, not sure how to react to that statement. He lowered his head in thanks to Rootstar and gestured his tail to Harewhisker. I'm going to have to give my Clan a good explanation for so many cats in my camp, he thought. He bounded away from the stone hollow, every one of the cats hard on his heels. He was impressed how well the dragon cats were following him, as if they had lived in the forest their entire lives. When Scorchstar crossed the stream, the rest of his cats trailing him, the guardian cats seemed just as comfortable in the moor as they did in the forest. Scorchstar led them to the hollow that made WindClan's camp and slipped down the walls. The minute he entered camp, the scent from the guardian cats had gathered his Clanmates towards the camp entrance. Scorchstar lifted his tail, and the cats parted to let him through.

"Scorchstar, you're back," Wildheart gasped, bounding over to him and touching noses with him. Scorchstar purred loudly. Wildheart looked over his shoulder. "…With guests?"

"These are the Dragon Guardians," Scorchstar introduced the dragon cats behind them. "They've come from faraway lands and they're here to help our Clans."

"Greetings." Queen Wyvern dipped her head to Wildheart, and the resemblance between them – both dark tortoiseshells – was present immediately. Had it not been for Queen Wyvern's massive size, one may mistake the two she-cats for kin. "I am Queen Wyvern."

Nightstalker lowered his head. "I am Lord Nightstalker."

Mariven flicked her tail. "And I am Lord Mariven." She looked around camp, her ears twitching curiously as her sharp green eyes took in every inch of the hollow. "What an interesting home."

"It's been our home for generations," Wildheart said.

"So, why are you here, exactly?" Frostpetal asked the dragon cats, her green eyes shrouded with curiosity. Mariven glanced at Frostpetal before her eyes trained on Iceheart. She padded over to the silver-and-white tabby, and Scorchstar angled his ears to make out their conversation.

"Are you Iceheart?" Mariven was asking.

Iceheart nodded. "Yes. Why?"

Mariven lifted her head. "Gorseflight passes on a message. He says… thank you."

Gorseflight? Scorchstar gasped. Gorseflight lives at the Dragon Tree with them? Scorchstar had so many questions, staring at Iceheart as the long-furred tabby meowed, a little too softly for Scorchstar's tastes, "I hope he's well."

"He is a living cat again," Mariven replied. "Thanks to you."

Scorchstar shook out his fur. Questions would have to wait, even though they itched at Scorchstar's fur. He had assumed Gorseflight was dead, but at that point, it didn't matter. Russetstripe was his most important priority right now. He padded over to Nightstalker. "Let me take you to her."

"We'll wait here," Mariven said. Scorchstar gave her a quick nod. He led Nightstalker towards the rock that made Sedgefall's den. Russetstripe had been moved back to the medicine den ever since Blackdove had snuck Runningflame into camp. A knife of pain hit Scorchstar when he thought about that day, but he shook his head and watched Nightstalker squeeze through the entrance. Just as the two cats entered, Sedgefall was walking towards them, Mallowleaf behind her. Sedgefall arched an eye whisker curiously, while Mallowleaf's round eyes focused on Nightstalker.

"Greetings," Nightstalker said.

"Who are you?" Mallowleaf inquired, tilting her head.

"He's here to help Russetstripe," Scorchstar told Mallowleaf.

Sedgefall's eyes widened. She nodded to Nightstalker. "Any help would be much appreciated."

"Of course." Nightstalker nodded and shifted his paws. Sedgefall winced as the big tom basically pressed her against the walls of the den.

"We do not all fit in here," the pale tabby commented. "We will be waiting outside." She gave Nightstalker a nod before squeezing past him. Mallowleaf looked Nightstalker up and down and slipped out from the medicine den. Scorchstar watched them go. Nightstalker looked over his shoulder towards Scorchstar.

"I need to be alone, for this to work," he said softly.

Scorchstar wanted to protest, to argue that his sister needed him. But he was sure this cat knew better than he did. He nodded respectfully to Nightstalker and slipped out of the den.

The only thing he could do now was pray.

A/N: Happy June! I published this story almost a year ago. Honestly, it is complete, but I don't want to bombard people following it by posting a chapter every single day. There's still about 20 chapters left, so I'm not sure if I want to post that every single day or just keep posting one every three days. I think I'll steer towards the latter just to not force people to read a chapter every single day.

I currently have Talonstar's story up right now, but I wanted to know who you'd be more interested in next: would you be interested in me continuing to post the Talonstar/Birdflight story, or would you rather be interested in me posting the Rootstar/Peartuft story? Let me know!