Chapter 3
Inside Leopardstar's den, Sandstorm and Mistyfoot told her everything; how Firestar and Graystripe got taken by twolegs because Mistyfoot and some of the other cats became trapped in the first place, and their plans to leave the forest with the other clans. When they were finished, Leopardstar was surprisingly shocked.
"Leopardstar, we need to leave this forest immediately!" Sandstorm yowled urgently.
Leopardstar contemplated their words carefully.
"I understand your concerns, Sandstorm, but Riverclan is far safer here than if we leave the forest." she meowed.
"Plus, we can't just up and abandon our own camp in one day!" Hawkfrost added.
"Leopardstar, our camp is gone, Windclan's prey is getting poisoned, and I'm pretty sure that Shadowclan is losing their camp and prey. It's only a matter of time before your clan suffers as well." Sandstorm argued.
She was getting annoyed and bared her teeth. It was clear that Sandstorm was losing her patience.
"Leopardstar, do you remember when you ignored Stonefur's warnings about Tigerstar?" Mistyfoot asked.
"Yes, I do." she meowed.
"Look what happened to our clan afterwards, Stonefur was killed and Riverclan suffered under Tigerstar's rule because you chose to collaborate with him." Mistyfoot harshly reminded her.
Leopardstar flicked her ear in shameful annoyance, it was clear that it was still a painful memory and a reminder of that awful day. Leopardstar still felt partially guilty about that and it was clear that there was some lingering discomfort within Hawkfrost.
"Do you know how I got captured, I got caught when I was chasing a windclan warrior out of our territory. The trap was literally at our border, it's only a matter of time before more cats get captured, only next time, we may not be able to find or save them in time." Mistyfoot meowed.
Leopardstar contemplated and thought about Mistyfoot's words long and hard. After a few minutes of thinking, Leopardstar looked at Mistyfoot.
"Mistyfoot, are you sure about this?" she asked.
"Yes, I'm sure, Leopardstar." Mistyfoot nodded.
"Very well. Sandstorm, where is your clan now?" Leopardstar asked.
"They're at the Windclan camp, Windclan's getting ready to go as well." she meowed.
Leopardstar nodded and turned to Hawkfrost.
"Hawkfrost, gather the clan, please." she meowed.
Hawkfrost knew where this was going and he wasn't happy about it, but he didn't question it. Hawkfrost sighed, nodded, and left the den. Leopardstar, Mistyfoot, and Sandstorm left the den afterwards with Leopardstar walking out of it, followed by Sandstorm and Mistyfoot. Riverclan had already gathered and were waiting for Leopardstar.
"Cats of Riverclan, as you all know, Mistyfoot has returned. However, she has also given me grave warnings about the increasing twoleg presence in the forest. It's clear that the twolegs aren't going to leave and they're planning to destroy the forest." Leopardstar announced.
"Leopardstar, why is Sandstorm here?" Swallowtail asked.
Other Riverclan cats started to wonder that as well. Cats whispered and murmured among themselves.
"Yes, why is Sandstorm here?" Blackclaw repeated.
"I'm here to convince Leopardstar that Riverclan should leave the forest with us." she meowed.
Leopardstar stepped aside to allow Sandstorm to speak.
"Cats of Riverclan, I was part of a patrol, led by Firestar, to free some of our missing clanmates, including your missing deputy, and several non-clan cats out of the cages they were held in within a twoleg monster. However, by the time the last cat got out, Firestar and Graystripe were trapped instead, resulting in the two toms being taken away by the same twoleg monster that contained the cages." she explained.
Riverclan were horrified, cats were looking at each other, shocked, and whispers were heard. Sandstorm flicked her tail for silence.
"With the support of Thunderclan, I have taken over as acting leader of Thunderclan. As its acting leader, I've decided that Thunderclan will leave this forest along with the other clans, including Riverclan." she announced.
Riverclan was bewildered and confused. Cats looked at each other, wondering if they were hearing this right.
"I'm sorry, are you wanting us to abandon our camp and leave the forest?" Mosspelt asked.
"Yes, that's exactly what I'm saying, Mosspelt." Sandstorm meowed.
Leopardstar stepped forward.
"I have decided that Riverclan will leave the forest." she announced.
The clan gasped, everyone was shocked. Cats looked at each other and frightfully chattered amongst themselves.
"We have to leave now, Leopardstar?" Swallowtail asked.
"Not until we are prepared enough, Swallowtail. Gather the prey, traveling herbs and get everyone ready to go." she meowed, strictly.
The crowd nodded and got to work. Cats started gathering prey and getting everyone ready to go. Mudfur and Mothwing went to get the herb bundles.
"I'll help swallowtail and our medicine cats to get everyone else ready, Leopardstar." Mistyfoot meowed.
Leopardstar nodded as Mistyfoot jumped off from the highrock while the former turned her gaze towards Sandstorm.
"Sandstorm, will you stay and help?" Leopardstar inquisitively asked.
"Yes, of course, Leopardstar." she nodded.
Leopardstar nodded back in gratitude and both cats jumped off from the highrock and went to help the other riverclan warriors gather prey.
Meanwhile
Brambleclaw and Brackenfur headed towards Shadowclan territory. They had just passed what was left of fourtrees and were near the Shadowclan border.
"Thanks for coming with me, Brambleclaw." Brackenfur meowed.
"No problem, Brackenfur. Do you think Sandstorm will meet us in Windclan?" he asked.
"She should. Cloudtail said she and Mistyfoot were heading to Riverclan." Brackenfur meowed.
Brambleclaw and Brackenfur reached the Thunderpath and looked both ways. They sat down and waited for a patrol. After a few minutes, Brackenfur and Brambleclaw were getting impatient and knew they didn't have a lot of time.
"Should we just enter?" Brambleclaw asked.
"I don't want them to think we're intruders, Brambleclaw, but I think it would be best if we wait for them on the other side." Brackenfur meowed.
Brambleclaw nodded, he and Brackenfur looked both ways again before crossing the Thunderpath. When they got to the other side, Brackenfur and Brambleclaw waited a few more minutes. Then, Brackenfur got up, and walked deeper into Shadowclan territory. Brambleclaw followed him.
"Let's try going deeper." Brackenfur suggested.
He and Brambleclaw continued walking until the were near the Shadowclan camp. Suddenly, they ran into Rowanclaw, Nightwing, Ceadarheart, and Oakfur. The Shadowclan patrol became hostile, they bared their teeth and unsheathed their claws.
"What are you two doing here?!" Rowanclaw asked.