Pearpaw could taste all sorts of scents wafting from every direction as he walked through the luscious forest with his mentor, Oakfire, at his side. Vinestep and Rootpaw were a few steps behind them. Pearpaw focused his gaze on every branch, every rock, every ditch in the territory around him. This all belongs to me, Pearpaw thought, flicking his tail in excitement. It's up to me to defend this land until I take my last breath.

He watched with slight envy as Oakfire navigated through the forest with such ease, leaping over fallen branches without even giving them a second look. Pearpaw found himself stumbling from time to time, but Oakfire just stopped and waited patiently for Pearpaw to catch up. Oakfire continued his trek through the territory until they reached the training clearing, a small dip in the center of the forest.

Yesterday, Oakfire had taken Pearpaw out on a tour of the territory. He had learned about the history of ThunderClan and the most iconic landmarks in their territory, the best places to find prey. It had taken some arguing from Oakfire, but Vinestep had finally agreed that Rootpaw and Pearpaw were to learn some battle skills. Pearpaw could feel power pulsating through his front legs and he unsheathed his claws, imagining that he was swiping them through a fierce ShadowClan cat's ears.

No other Clan warrior better mess with me when I'm finished with my training, Pearpaw thought darkly, slipping down the clearing behind Oakfire. He could hear Vinestep and Rootpaw right at their heels, and when all four cats were in the clearing, Vinestep padded over to Oakfire and mewed a few words in his ear. Pearpaw angled his ears, hoping to make out Rootpaw's mentor's words, but to no avail. Rootpaw looked just as baffled as Pearpaw felt.

Vinestep's words were calm and collected as he meowed, "Before we teach you to fight, we're going to start teaching you why we fight."

"Why we fight?" Pearpaw echoed. "I know why we fight. We fight to keep invaders and enemies off our territory!" What kind of nonsense was Vinestep going on about?

The white tom regarded Pearpaw with a narrowed glare. "In a sense, you're right. But I believe the reason we fight is in hope for a day where we no longer need to."

Rootpaw was listening to Vinestep's words intently. Pearpaw noticed his brother's earnest look and shrugged – if Rootpaw was taking this seriously, maybe he should as well. He sat down and wrapped his thick tabby tail across his front paws.

Oakfire nodded. "As we explained to you yesterday, all four Clans are at war in hopes of uniting the realm. None have succeeded, and Flintstar is joining that fighting. He wishes to see an age where all Clan cats can live side-by-side in peace, and unfortunately, it seems that it takes fighting to get there."

"But why?" Rootpaw asked, confusion in his sun-yellow eyes. "Why are we fighting to gain peace? What's Flintstar's goal?"

"Flintstar's goal is to pacify the realm," Oakfire told Rootpaw. "If he thinks that the other Clans will see ThunderClan is the strongest Clan, they will stop their fighting and obey Flintstar, and he will be able to unite all the Clans together by being the most powerful warlord."

Rootpaw's amber eyes widened in astonishment. Pearpaw gasped. Flintstar had such a great ambition! Would he ever be able to achieve his goal? Would I be able to do it? he wondered briefly. He had heard of the wars that plagued the Clans, but he didn't know that Flintstar himself was trying to amass so much power to put a stop to them. He had assumed that the silver tabby was just focused on protecting his borders.

Vinestep took a deep breath. "The land is in chaos. We need to act to bring justice back to the world."

Oakfire nodded in agreement. "Someday we will conquer this chaos, someday our long-held dream will become a reality. That is where you two come in." He leaned in and locked gazes with Pearpaw. "You will be vital in fighting for peace for the Clans. There will be times when you will join ambushes and times where you will be forced to defend your Clan from invaders. For now, let's practice some defensive techniques."

"Defense?" Pearpaw asked, disappointed. "But—" His protest was cut off by Rootpaw, and he glanced at his brother, scowling. A warning flashed in Rootpaw's yellow gaze, and Pearpaw decided it was best not to start an argument. Oakfire waited until Pearpaw was silent, and then he nodded to Vinestep.

Vinestep circled Oakfire, a low growl in his throat. The white tom burst from his haunches and aimed for Oakfire, but Oakfire was faster and slipped away. When Vinestep landed on nothing but grass, Oakfire leaped onto his back and churned his back legs against his spine. Vinestep growled in irritation but was unable to dislodge Oakfire. Oakfire scrambled off Vinestep's back and gazed steadily at the two apprentices.

Pearpaw's breath was taken away by the fluidness of how the two warriors had fought, even though their claws were sheathed and there was no real force behind their blows. I wonder how much damage that would've inflicted if their claws were unsheathed and that was a real battle? He could only imagine how the battle would end. A shiver ran through his back and he realized that Vinestep and Oakfire were talking to them.

"Which one of you wants to attack first?" Oakfire asked.

"I will!" Pearpaw exclaimed. He wanted to try the move and he looked at Rootpaw, who nodded at him. I won't hurt you, he promised his brother. I just want to try it out!

"Very well." Oakfire nodded. "Do you want us to demonstrate again?"

"No, I think I got it," Pearpaw said. Their demonstration was still fresh in his mind. Rootpaw began to circle him, just like Vinestep had. But the tom kept circling him and made no move to attack.

"What are you waiting for, Rootpaw?" Oakfire snapped, echoing Pearpaw's own thoughts. Frustration flashed inside of Pearpaw as Rootpaw seemed to pay no mind towards attacking him. "In a battle, no enemy will wait for you to attack!"

Pearpaw kept his claws sheathed as Rootpaw leaped towards him. Pearpaw jumped out of the way, avoiding Rootpaw's flurry of paws, and when Rootpaw landed on the grass, Pearpaw leaped onto his shoulders. He grabbed onto Rootpaw's fur with the tips of his claws to hold on, and even as Rootpaw bounced around, trying to dislodge Pearpaw, the gray tabby held on.

Perfect! Pearpaw thought as his brother flailed beneath him. I did it exactly right! I'm going to be a great fighter, I just know it!

"You can get off him now, Pearpaw," Vinestep said. Pearpaw sheathed his claws and let go of Rootpaw's fur before scrambling off him. Rootpaw cast him a petulant look, but Pearpaw shrugged. If Rootpaw wanted to be frustrated that he was so easily beaten, maybe he should've tried counterattacking. Pearpaw arched his back and waved his tail, ready to pounce on Rootpaw.

"Your turn, Rootpaw," Oakfire told the black-and-white apprentice. Rootpaw nodded and stood still as Pearpaw circled him, judging the best distance to attack from. When he was sure he got it right, he lunged at Rootpaw, baring his teeth so the black-and-white tom could see he was there. But instead of leaping out of the way, Rootpaw remained frozen in place, and Pearpaw pinned him down easily.

Rootpaw stared up at Pearpaw, eyes wide. Pearpaw let out a low growl in his throat, frustrated with Rootpaw's lack of attention towards the battle moves they were supposed to be learning. Did he not understand they were training? Did he just ignore everything his mentor said? "You were supposed to jump out of the way!" Pearpaw hissed in Rootpaw's ear. Fury made his claws unsheathe as he pressed them into Rootpaw's skin. "What would happen if you were in a real battle, and a cat jumped on you?" Panic edged Pearpaw's voice. "Do you want to die?"

"Get off him, Pearpaw!" Vinestep yowled. "Sheathe your claws!" He bounded over to the two apprentices and roughly nudged Pearpaw off. Pearpaw sheathed his claws and scowled at Vinestep as he stepped off his brother.

Rootpaw scrambled to his paws and gazed steadily at Pearpaw. "I know you're just concerned about me," he said quietly. "I… panicked. I didn't know what to do."

"Jump out of the way?" Pearpaw retorted dryly.

"Stop that, Pearpaw," Vinestep snapped at the gray tabby tom. Me? Pearpaw felt his ears flatten as Vinestep went on, "This is just your second day training. You're not expected to catch on to things right away. And if you," he added, glaring at Pearpaw, "can't learn to keep your claws sheathed, then maybe you should take a step back and train alone."

Pearpaw almost felt his breath being taken away with how furious he was. Vinestep was reprimanding him when Rootpaw was the cat who had frozen in terror? I just wanted him to know that this isn't a game anymore! he thought, staring at his claws. He realized that they had tufts of Rootpaw's fur in between them. If I was an enemy warrior, I could've killed him! And I don't want that to happen to him! If he pauses in battle, he might die. And what would I do without my brother?

Oakfire stepped forward. "That's enough," he said quietly. He glanced up at Vinestep. "It is true that Rootpaw is a tad… absent-minded."

Rootpaw's black-and-white fur bristled with anger.

"But I don't think it's the best idea to separate them," Oakfire went on. "Apprentices need to train together, and the other apprentices have progressed too far in their training to be paired with Pearpaw or Rootpaw. So I say that we put this behind us, sheathe our claws, and continue to train."

Vinestep's tail twitched back-and-forth, as if he wanted to argue. But Oakfire held Vinestep's gaze steadily, and then the white tom snorted in disbelief. Pearpaw's fur pricked on the back of his spine. If Rootpaw was just going to freeze, then he wanted to train with the older apprentices! At least they would fight back and not stop like a cornered mouse. Pearpaw could feel the strength pulsing through his paws, and the need to fight was like a fire boiling in his blood. How could he progress in his training if he was with a doormat like Rootpaw?

"Very well," Vinestep said after a few moments. "But if I see your claws unsheathed again, Pearpaw, you'll find yourself on tick duty for the rest of the moon."

That is so unfair! Pearpaw bristled with indignation. Vinestep wasn't even his mentor, why was he threatening him? And all I wanted to do was to scare Rootpaw into not thinking this is a game anymore! Lives depend on fighting! He can't be the same cat he was when he was in the nursery, staring at flowers and playing with rocks. He's going to be a warrior, and he has to take it seriously, or else he'll die!

"If we're all quite done," Oakfire said, "then let's try that move again. Rootpaw, you need to jump out of the way when Pearpaw leaps at you. Imagine him as an enemy warrior."

Rootpaw nodded. Pearpaw made sure his claws were in their sheathes and cast Vinestep a cross glance. See? My claws are sheathed. Are you happy? Pearpaw eyed Rootpaw from the corner of his vision, and then leaped on him. This time, Rootpaw moved, but he was too slow to get out of the way. Pearpaw pinned Rootpaw by his tail and held him down so he couldn't move. Rootpaw mewled in irritation.

"It's not over!" Vinestep called out to Rootpaw. "Get out of his grip!"

Pearpaw narrowed his eyes. You can try, he thought. With an impressive show of strength, Rootpaw yanked his tail away from Pearpaw's grip and turned on his heel, leaping on Pearpaw's back. Pearpaw rose to his hind legs, feeling his tendons tremble, and tried to shake Rootpaw off. But Rootpaw held on tight. Panic started to bubble in Pearpaw's veins. He didn't want to lose! He had to think of some way to get Rootpaw off him. Pearpaw dropped down into a neat roll, bringing him and Rootpaw onto the ground. Rootpaw hissed in irritation as he hit the ground and he let go of Pearpaw, scrambling to his paws.

"You weren't supposed to do that," Rootpaw said sullenly as he pulled out some grass from beneath his claws.

"It wasn't the point of the exercise," Vinestep said darkly.

"But it also wasn't a foolish thing to do," Oakfire meowed with a glare at Vinestep. "We're practicing battle training, and Pearpaw was smart by coming up with a move to get his opponent off him."

At least some cat is defending me! Pearpaw thought with a flash of relief at his mentor. He wasn't going to argue with Vinestep – Vinestep was a senior warrior who had served his Clan for many years – but he was fed up that the ginger-and-white tom kept criticizing everything Pearpaw did to defend Rootpaw. Maybe Rootpaw should be Ashenhawk's apprentice.

"Try again," Vinestep said to Rootpaw. Rootpaw's yellow gaze was focused on the side of the clearing, and Pearpaw followed his gaze, scowling when he realized that Rootpaw's attention was absorbed in a blooming pink flower, sprouting alone in the walls of the hollow. Impatience flickered in Vinestep's gaze, showing Pearpaw that he wasn't as patient as he was appearing. "Rootpaw? Are you listening to me?"

Rootpaw glanced over at his mentor. "Oh, yes!" he said. He glanced at Pearpaw and nodded. "I'm ready."

"Sure you are," Pearpaw scoffed. He circled Rootpaw and was slightly impressed by the darkness shadowing his brother's gaze. It looked like he was actually focusing on his training. That's the brother I like to see! Pearpaw tensed his muscles and pushed himself off the ground, aiming for his brother's chest. With a swiftness Pearpaw hadn't seen before, Rootpaw was out of the way on the other side of the clearing. Pearpaw huffed as he collided with the hard ground. In seconds, Rootpaw was on him. But he was light and he wasn't holding on as tight as he was before. Pearpaw leaped up and rolled over, dislodging Rootpaw again.

Rootpaw shook the dirt off his black-and-white fur and glanced at Pearpaw. "He's able to throw me off because I'm not as big or heavy as he is," he said, echoing Pearpaw's thoughts. "So it wouldn't be a good move for me to perform in battle, unless I can claw and scratch and get off quick."

"Then try that," Oakfire said.

Again? Pearpaw thought. When would he get to leap on Rootpaw again? But he kept his mouth shut, knowing the mentors would keep wanting Rootpaw to repeat the move until he had it perfect. Just like I did on my first try. It was muscle memory at this point, when Pearpaw circled Rootpaw and leaped at him. Rootpaw jumped out of the way and hauled himself on Pearpaw's back. Pearpaw was about to roll him off but was surprised to feel Rootpaw pummeling his back with strong back paws. Pearpaw did not have to kick him off – Rootpaw jumped off on his own and landed onto the ground.

Pearpaw got to his paws and glared at his brother with a grudging respect. He had to admit, the move was clever. Rootpaw knew he would have just been thrown off again, and so he used that to his advantage. Pearpaw used his back leg to scratch his ear, taking out some dirt that had been embedded behind it.

Vinestep's green eyes glowed with pride. "Great job, Rootpaw," he told his apprentice.

I got it right the first try! Pearpaw thought sullenly. It took him three times! But he didn't want to dampen his brother's spirits – Rootpaw's eyes were shining with excitement. He nudged his brother's side and mewed, "Vinestep's right. You did great."

"Thanks, Pearpaw," Rootpaw meowed at his brother. "You got it right the first try, though." He sighed. "I might never be as good as fighting as you are."

"Then you'll just have to settle for being the best hunter." Pearpaw flicked some grass off Rootpaw's head with his tail.

Oakfire twitched his ears. "This is just your first day of battle training," he scolded both apprentices. "No one's perfect yet." He glanced at the apprentices. "You're both catching on well. Pearpaw, you're a natural, and Rootpaw, you clearly know how to use your strengths and your weaknesses. With a bit more work, we'll have you both into fine warriors by the end of your apprenticeship."

Pearpaw let out a purr. Oakfire's praise warmed him to his core. He didn't miss the fact that Oakfire's praise for Rootpaw wasn't as sincere as it was for Pearpaw, but that was Rootpaw's problem. He had Vinestep, and if Oakfire had as much hope in Pearpaw that was in his voice, then Pearpaw knew he would have no problem becoming a great ThunderClan warrior.

After another training match, Pearpaw's muscles were screaming at him to stop, and the sun started to set in the sky. Pearpaw looked up, narrowing his eyes as Oakfire called a stop to the match. Rootpaw was pinned underneath him, and Pearpaw stumbled off his brother. His head spun with exhaustion.

"I think that's enough for the day," Oakfire said. "Great job, Pearpaw."

"You did good, too," Vinestep added, nodding to Rootpaw.

Not as good as me, Pearpaw thought to himself as Rootpaw shook out dust from his black-and-white coat. Pearpaw touched his brother's shoulder with his tail and followed his mentor as Oakfire navigated through the forest and headed towards the ring of trees that surrounded the stone hollow. Ever since the high of the training session ebbed away, Pearpaw could feel hunger rumbling in the pits of his belly. Pearpaw pushed his way through the thorn tunnel and made straight for the fresh-kill pile.

Pearpaw picked up a magpie and headed over to the apprentices' den, where Stormpaw and Flamepaw were sitting outside, sharing a fat squirrel. Flamepaw arched an eye whisker as Pearpaw settled down with his magpie.

"Didn't I catch that?" Flamepaw quipped wryly.

Pearpaw bit into the magpie. "I don't know," he mumbled through the bird's succulent flesh. "Did you?"

"Give him a break." Stormpaw cuffed his denmate across his ear. "What did you do today in training, Pearpaw?" Pearpaw could see the rough muscles underneath Stormpaw's gray-and-white coat, and he wondered when the apprentice would take his final assessment. So I can be the strongest one in the den.

"Battle training," Pearpaw replied, licking his lips after he took another bite of the magpie. "I defeated Rootpaw easily." He felt a surge of satisfaction as he shot a glare at Flamepaw.

Flamepaw snorted. "You think that's an achievement?" he quipped. "Winterkit and Frostkit could probably beat him. You're not that great."

Fury burned in Pearpaw's pelt as he chewed the magpie crossly. Why was his denmate determined to get on his nerves? "I'm a better fighter than you ever could be."

The white-and-ginger apprentice arched an eye whisker. "Right," he agreed distastefully. Pearpaw turned his back on Flamepaw and snorted. Power pulsed through his paws. He could beat Flamepaw easily! Just because he was younger didn't give Flamepaw the right to walk over him. Pearpaw turned on the white tom.

"If you think you're so strong, how about you prove it?" Pearpaw taunted him, feeling his fur bristle.

Flamepaw's eyes glinted dangerously. "Don't make threats you're not sure you can follow through on."

Stormpaw rose to his feet, worry in his pale eyes. "Flamepaw, I—"

"Shut it, Stormpaw." Flamepaw's tail flicked in irritation. "If this mite thinks he can beat me, I say let him try." Without any warning, the white-and-ginger tom lunged himself at Pearpaw, taking the gray tabby's breath away as the young apprentice landed on the ground. Rendered still for a moment, he tried to rake his thoughts for any moves to counter Flamepaw with when a heavy weight landed over him. Flamepaw was staring at him, green eyes narrowed. Pearpaw thrashed underneath the tom's weight and pushed upwards with all his strength, but it didn't move the older apprentice.

Pearpaw spat furiously as he tried to remove himself from Flamepaw's grip, but Flamepaw held him down steadily, his claws pricking Pearpaw's skin.

"You brag too much," Flamepaw growled. "You're too overconfident. You think you're all that, but really, you're the same as the rest of the apprentices. It'll get you killed one day. You think you'll be able to take on some big WindClan warrior, until you realize they're stronger than you ever could be because they've been training longer, and they know more battle moves. This recklessness will cost you your life." With that, the white tom lifted his paws off Pearpaw's chest, turned on his heel, and joined Stormpaw. Stormpaw's gaze was unreadable. Pearpaw scrambled to his paws, feeling the blood pound in his ears.

Was Flamepaw right? Was he really not as strong as he thought he was? What if this was because of his confidence? Uncertainty pricked through Pearpaw's pelt, and the taste the possibility left in his mouth was disgusting. But I know it. I know I'm stronger than Rootpaw, and with a lot more training, I'll be the strongest in the den.

He walked away from Flamepaw and Stormpaw, anger fizzing beneath his pelt. There was no way he'd be sitting next to them, now. Even if Flamepaw had defeated him, Stormpaw did nothing to stop him. Pearpaw felt blood dripping from the scratches Flamepaw had given him, and the bruises from his training session today stung. He was wondering if he should go to the medicine den when a familiar scent drifted through his nostrils. He looked up to see Coalshadow walking towards him.

Coalshadow's gaze draped towards the scratches that adorned Pearpaw's short, gray pelt. "What happened?" his father demanded.

"Flamepaw attacked me," Pearpaw replied. It wasn't a lie.

His father paused. "Why?" he asked, his voice low. Pearpaw looked over his shoulder. Flamepaw was walking towards them, his amber eyes narrowed with rife irritation.

"Maybe you should ask Pearpaw why he attacked me first," Flamepaw snapped.

Coalshadow swung his head towards Pearpaw. Anger sparked in his pale blue gaze. "You attacked him?" The fury – and shame – in his father's voice made indignation prick in Pearpaw's paws. Why did Flamepaw have to be such a tattletale? "Why would you do that?"

Pearpaw felt his fur bristle with anger at Flamepaw's smug look. "He challenged me!" he defended himself. Why wouldn't his own father listen to him?

"So you attacked him?" Coalshadow's voice was a rumble in his throat. "I expected better of you, Pearpaw. I didn't think any son of mine would attack his own Clanmate." The disappointment in his voice sent a slicing pain through Pearpaw, and he swore he could hear Flamepaw chuckle. It took all of the gray tabby's self-discipline to not lash his claws out at the older apprentice. He looked up at his father, and flexed his claws, shooting a sour glare at Flamepaw as the older apprentice marched away.

All I wanted to do was prove I was strong, Pearpaw thought despairingly as Coalshadow shot him another cold, disappointed look. But all I did was disappoint my father – the one cat who I want to make proud, over any other cat.