A/N: THERE WILL BE BONUS CHAPTERS AT THE END OF THE BOOK AFTER IT'S FINISHED! Also, this has been announced already but for those of you who don't know, after the completion of this story there will be the final third book, called Nightpaw's Identity. That will be the last book as this was always meant to be a trilogy(unless I get sentimental and change my mind). Anyhow on with the story! This chapter is leading up to the EPIC CLIMAX MAJOR BATTLE THAT GOES ON FOR LIKE FIVE CHAPTERS XD

Ratscar POV

Rowanstar was apoplectic when he learned that Bumblestar had attempted to kidnap and murder us. Graypaw didn't really understand what had happened, the magnitude of it all; he was quite oblivious to many things. But he was young and innocent. That is why I swore to protect him from the malevolent Bumblestar, who was clearly under of influence of the Dark Forest.

I knew how lucky I was to have escaped with my life, even more fortunate that my apprentice was alive and safe in the ShadowClan camp as well. I had a feeling Graypaw and I were not the first cats Bumblestar had attempted to kill. I suspected Bumblestar might have murdered Dawnpelt, who had disappeared moons ago with her scent trail veering down to the lakeshore near the ThunderClan border and abruptly vanishing at the water's edge. The moment I thought of the idea, the sinking feeling in my stomach confirmed that it was true. Did he have a patrol of warriors to help him like the patrol that captured Graypaw and I? Did he drown her? Had he just killed her with a swipe of his claws across her throat? Nobody would ever know, and unless her corpse was found, there was no real evidence to support it, nothing more than mere speculation.

Rowanstar was forming the battle patrols, listing my name among those about to head to the ThunderClan camp for a bit of retribution. I recalled the last time ShadowClan had sent battle patrols to ThunderClan and hoped this time would be different. I had been among those selected to stay behind and guard the camp last time, and was stunned when Blackstar's patrol returned dragging the unconscious, bruised and battered bodies of the other group.

Apparently, a tree branch on the Sky Oak had snapped and fallen upon his backup patrol, which was waiting for his signal to attack. The impact knocked the warriors unconscious. When the backup patrol didn't arrive, ShadowClan was forced to flee the stone hollow, and found them lying unconscious on the ground at the base of the ancient tree.

Rowanstar padded over to the tunnel leading out of the camp and waited for his patrol to assemble behind him. This time, there would be no trickery, just a contest of brute force. A ripple of excitement passed through ranks as the patrol started off into the forest of shadowy pines. I could feel the cool air ruffling my fur and the pine needles beneath my paws as I sprinted down the path, following Rowanstar as he raced onward. This was my home, where I belonged. I would defend it with my life if necessary. I was willing to fulfill the expectations of a true warrior. I would save the Clans from that tyrant, take him down in the battle.

We dashed across the border and stumbled across a ThunderClan hunting patrol shortly past it. The frog-brains blinked in confusion as we charged past them, dealing a few well-aimed blows as we breezed past but mainly ignoring them. I hurried past the Sky Oak, remembering the previous incident, and then skidded to a halt at the thorn tunnel.

Rowanstar turned to face us and spoke in a hushed whisper. "Take out the guards before they can warn anybody and then storm the leaders den. Bumblestar is your main target. Take out any cats who stands in your way or tries to stop you. At my signal, we attack."

"What about Foxleap?" Snowbird asked.

"Don't worry about him. All that's important is that Bumblestar is dead by moonhigh tonight!" Rowanstar hissed. "He must suffer for what he has done to our Clan!"

I unsheathed my claws and chuckled at the thought of revenge.

"ShadowClan, charge!"

Bumblestar vs. Ratscar, Round Two.