Dustflight looked around the clearing where warriors were in constant motion to create fortified thistle walls to prevent cats from running into the camp in a coordinated attack.

The fortifications were good enough to keep cats from entering camp through the sides, but they should've made an escape route in case the entrance is blocked.

"How are you Dustflight?" Limethroat, a former Thunderclan prisoner, asked in a rasping voice that sounded dry like sandpaper.

"I'm fine. Just watching how everyone is getting really prepared. Shadowclan and Riverclan would've never been this prepared!"

Limethroat looked out at the warriors, deputies, and even medicine cats helping out with preparations.

Dustflight looked at the golden tom sadly, "This is what we are a part of. We've helped with fortifications. And we aren't even staying here. We are leaving the lake..."

"I know we are. But that doesn't mean we will stray from Starclan and the warrior code. We are just looking for a new home." Limethroat reminded Dustflight.

"I know Limethroat. Let's just hope we get to new home safely..." Dustflight sighed.

~^~

Storm was looking around the forest for prey. She was still ticked off that Lionstripe and Somflow were making fun of her.

"You feeling okay?"

Storm turned around sharply only to see Echostorm, "Yeah. I'm fine. Just looking for prey." Storm lied.

Echostorm wasn't easily swayed, "You sure, cause your eyes tell me you're a little angry."

Storm just sighed, "Yes, I am mad, but I need to focus on hunting cause it keeps my mind off the anger."

"That sounds like a good idea. I do that whenever Somflow frustrates me." Echostorm twitched her whiskers in amusement. Echostorm is rather similar to me. I think we would be great friends.

"Well do you want to join me?" Storm asked. Echostorm seemed to ponder the request, "I guess I will." Echostorm agreed.

Storm smiled and began to smell that something was off. It almost smelled like, fear.

~^~

Redstar was not pleased with the situation. He had learned that Adderstripe had betrayed him. Shadowclan was beginning to doubt his judgement. The morale was very low for Shadowclan and Riverclan especially since Dovewing managed to escape with the medicine cats he and Froststar both suffered from sickness. Froststar was close to death. He could tell. All it took was him killing her and the deputy and both clans would be his. The only issue was that he too was nearing his last life, and Froststar was a leader and warrior longer than he was. She was much more experienced compared to him.

Then an idea came to his head. Kill her while she is asleep! Of course that's what he needs to do! And once the deputy sets out to become the new leader of Riverclan, he'll just have his closest followers kill the ginger tom! Oh that plan was perfect to become sole ruler of the two clans. And soon all the clans!

Redstar also felt proud with his choice of a successor. Flowerfur was a formidable enemy in battle and Redstar now considered her his closest follower after Adderstripe's betrayal.

Redstar left his den as it was morning out. Today was the day that the only apprentices that survived the hardcore training he had the apprentices to go through, remained.

"Dear Shadowclan! Today is a good day as we are making new warriors out of these fine apprentices before us! They have completed their warrior assessments and will, therefore, become warriors in turn!"

Right as Redstar was about to tell Jaypaw to come forward, he was cut off by a battle yowl that rang across the forest.

~^~

Bumblestripe couldn't help but stare at Dovewing as he helped Amberclaw, Sorrelstripe, and Cinderheart get the elders and queens ready for if Shadowclan and Riverclan were, somehow, prepared for their invasion.

"Why are you consistently looking at Dovewing?" Cinderheart asked, "Back at your old roots, hmmm?"

That made Bumblestripe's face grow hot with embarrassment, "U-uhmmm n-no!"

Cinderheart just laughed, "Just go talk to her already! Better now than trying to hold it back..."

Bumblestripe understood where she was getting at. There was a chance that cats would die, "You should also talk to Lionblaze and your kits as well. I'm sure Amberclaw and Sorrelstripe could handle a few grumpy queens and elders."

Bumblestripe could see from his peripheral vision that Mousefang, Dappledtail, and Frosttail stared at him with intense eyes, "But you are right I should get going!," Bumblestripe then whispered, "Also cause the queens overheard me say that..."

Cinderheart just twitched her whiskers in amusement as Bumblestripe walked in the direction of Dovewing.

Bumblestripe could hear that Quakepelt took advantage of the situation to take his place so she could spend time with Sorrelstripe. Bumblestripe just smirked at thinking about those two.

Bumblestripe soon walked up to Dovewing as she was carrying what looked like 50 pounds of moss, "You need help with that Dovey?"

Dovewing lowered her head to see who dared to call her Dovey, "Dod jew joost call me Doovey?"

"Ha! Yes I did, but do you seriously need help with that?" Bumblestripe asked trying not to laugh.

"I goos. Coonda hoovie." Dovewing said with a mouthful of moss.

Bumblestripe went to grab some of the moss, "I'll get those off your paws! And viola!"

Once Bumblestripe got the moss he asked Dovewing, "Soooo...Where are we bringing this moss too?"

Dovewing looked at Bumblestripe, "We are taking them to the queens." Dovewing responded matter-of-factly.

Bumblestripe felt all the color drain from his face, "Uhmmm...I guess I will just talk to you as my last moment of my life."

Dovewing just stared at Bumblestripe, "What did you do?..." Dovewing sounded as if she didn't want to know, but looked like she wanted to know. Her bright eyes gave it away.

Bumblestripe acted and made it look like he was genuinely afraid to say anything, "I may or may not have called the queens grumpy when we were on the subject of those we had talked to recently."

Dovewing looked at him dumbfounded, "You called queens of all cats, grumpy?! That is a massive rookie mistake that an apprentice is supposed to make!"

All attention was put on them. Bumblestripe could see Lilyheart, one of the queens, slit her eyes.

"Was that really necessary to yell out?..." Bumblestripe asked.

"It was indeed."

"..."

"I'm kidding! It wasn't and I am incredibly sorry!"

Bumblestripe sighed with relief, "That's good. That is good..."

Dovewing just laughed, "Well be careful once we get to the new Queens and elders den. They may not be very nice to you."

"I know, I know."

"Alright."

And then they got to the queens den...

~^~

Lionblaze looked in the direction of the queens den and saw one of the best moments he had ever seen. He saw Bumblestripe getting completely ambushed by all the queens and Dovewing laughing her rear off at the scene! Now that was something he would die to see again.

"Well how is Thunderclan's best warrior doing?" Cinderheart asked.

"I'm great! Now how is Thunderclan's best tracker and hunter?" Lionblaze teased.

Cinderheart's blue eyes looked as if they were dancing, "I'm fine, just taking last minute time with my mate. Especially since Dawnstar told me that I have to stay here."

"I wish I could just stay here with you." Lionblaze whispered

"I know you do, but the clan needs you to fight. You are the best fighter out of all the clans and they need you out there. Especially since Lionstripe isn't here..." Cinderheart whispered back.

"Did someone say my name?!" A voice yelled into the camp of Thunderclan.

~^~

"Did someone say my name?!" Lionstripe yelled into the clearing. It felt great to be back!

"What are doing back?" Jayfeather questioned.

"I had to do preparing. And I couldn't do that with everyone around me. Also cause I'm not as mad as I was when I was accused of what happened...Oh and I brought along a friend! Well more like he just showed up behind me and followed me here."

Once Lionstripe said that, a ginger and black tortoiseshell tom appeared, "The name's Somflow."

Lionstripe felt piercing gazes fixated on him. He looked up at the highrock to see Dawnstar, Runningstar, Violetstar, Volefang, and Leafshade, "Welcome back Lionstripe! I knew that you would return!" Dawnstar meowed with excitement.

"It feels great to be back!" Lionstripe meowed back.

"And is Somflow here to join?" Dawnstar asked.

"No, I'm just here cause my sister went hunting with someone Lionstripe here met on the second day he left Thunderclan." Somflow replied.

Dawnstar nodded her head, "And I am guessing you will go back to your sister?"

"No need for that!" Echostorm yelled out.

Storm followed suite, "I smelt fear! Something or someone on Shadowclan territory is scared of something!"

Dawnstar looked at Storm, "You mean something may be happening? On Shadowclan territory? This may be the timing we need! Runningstar! Violetstar! What do you think?"

Runningstar and Violetstar chatted for a second with their deputies before making their decision. Runningstar, as per usual, was the one to speak first, "We have made the decision that this is cause to attack Shadowclan and Riverclan now! I doubt they are expecting us at a time like this! We are also heavily prepared for an invasion and have the numbers advantage!"

The Windclan, Thunderclan, and Skyclan warriors yelled their support.

Dawnstar's eyes wandered from cat to cat, "Then attack we shall do!"

Dawnstar looked at Lionstripe, "Now that you are back, you might as well get the battle patrols for Thunderclan done. The new apprentice names are Dovefeather, Silentstorm, Rockpelt, Pebblestream, and Dustclaw, and Ravenpaw is now known as Ravenwing. And as for you," Dawnstar looked at Storm, "Thanks for telling the clans this. This could be the advantage we need."

"No problem! Wait! Is there any chance I could join?" Storm asked.

Dawnstar seemed to have thought of the question, "I guess you can. You stay at the camp and help with the elders, queens, and kits. Once we return, I will talk with you personally about a possible name change."

Storm purred in gratitude and went to go to those that appeared to be the ones that are staying behind.

Lionstripe looked at the warriors in front of him, "I'm sorry that I wasn't around for the preparations, but I am here now, and I am here to separate everyone into separate battle patrols! Strikeclaw will lead battle patrol one and will consist of Ashfall, Stormcloud, Berrynose, Ravenwing, and Mousewhisker! The second battle patrol will be lead by Lionblaze and will consist of Dovefeather, Silentstorm, Hollyleaf, Dustflight and Pebblestream! The third and final battle patrol will be lead by Adderstripe and will consist of Hollytuft, Sparkpelt, Rockpelt, and I will join with it!"

Most of the Thunderclan warriors looked uneasy at Lionstripe suddenly jumping in to join the fight, but they didn't have the time to worry, and they had a good ally on their paws. It was an extra pair of paws to fight at least.

Lionstripe looked at Dawnstar, then at the leaders and deputies that already had their battle patrols ready, "It is up to you three to say when to leave and officially declare war."

~^~

Silentstorm was not only now a warrior, but his former mentor had returned! The only issue is that his mentor only returned for the three clans to be pulled into a war.

At least he is back! Silentstorm scolded himself. Silentstorm looked at Lionstripe, "Not that you've returned, you still got some battle moves you promised to teach me."

Lionstripe smirked, "You still remember that promise? Alright! But that's only for afterwards! We have a battle to fight! And also since I am doing you a favor, you will have to do me one whenever I ask okay?"

Silentstorm nodded his head in respect to the newly returned deputy, "Okay."

Silentstorm soon saw Strikeclaw confront Lionstripe, "Just cause you are back, doesn't mean you will just get everyone's trust back!" Strikeclaw spat.

Lionstripe just stared at the grayish-red tom, "I don't expect anyone too. I felt it was the right moment to come back, and I was right. Now I am back and you will have to deal with it."

Lionstripe soon walked off to the direction where Adderstripe, Hollytuft, and Rockpelt were.

Strikeclaw just hissed at the newly-returned deputy and walked away to the battle patrol he was leading.

Silentstorm knew that it would take Lionstripe a long time to get his trust back, but to Silentstorm, it was only a matter of time and when.

Dawnstar, Runningstar, and Violetstar each gave out the yowl that told the patrols to head out and it didn't take them long to near Shadowclan's camp.

Each patrol watched as Redstar left his den. Storm wasn't lying. A cat definitely was reeking of fear. Two cats actually. One was a white she-cat that was in a den with two guards, it appeared, at the entrance. The other was a grey tabby at the center of the clearing amongst some apprentices. Silentstorm noticed that some apprentices were missing.

"Dear Shadowclan! Today is a good day as we are making new warriors out of these fine apprentices before us! They have completed their warrior assessments and will, therefore, become warriors in turn!"

Before Redstar had the chance to name an apprentice, Runningstar yowled for the attack and Thunderclan, Windclan, and Skyclan jumped into battle.