Mangledstar nodded. “I’ll go.” The big tom stood up on his branch. “Fadedclan has been lucky this past moon. Blacklion has taken over the position of Deputy. Plus, we have three new Apprentices, Stripepaw to Blacklion, Woodpaw to Gingerfur, and Cavepaw to myself.” Quartzstar nodded. “Congratulations, Blacklion. I’m glad to see you and your Clan are doing well,” She turned to face the rest of the Clans. “Crystalclan is doing fantastic. I’ve gotten my Leader name. Rubystar is now retired. We now have three new Apprentices, Vixenpaw, Snakepaw, and Dangerpaw.” She smiled with pride as the Clans cheered the new names. Vixenpaw puffed his chest out with pride. Flutterstar stood up next. “Meadowclan does not have any new. Prey is running well. But, I fear that Leaf-Bare is almost upon us. Splashkit is interested in becoming a Medicine Cat, but Flytail is too young to have an Apprentice yet.” “Maybe he should just move to Crystalclan and take my place.” Whispered Bumblefern to the other Medicine Cats.

“Splashkit’s not moving to any other Clan.” Flytail whispered firmly. “It was a joke.” Huffed Bumblefern. He opened his mouth, but the Elder Leader beat him to his words. “Leafclan is doing great. We are excited to state Sunset is learning herbs and looks very promising. Love is in the air as my Deputy and Mushroomeye are now mates. However, we are sad to announce Ghostkit is not doing well.” Nighttail blinked. “What’s wrong with him?” Beedew spoke. “He gets sick early easily, has extremely sensitive eyes and gets hot easily.” She shook her head sadly. “Have you tried Feverfew?” “Yes. It only works temporarily.” “Hmm… Then I don’t know what to say.” “We’ll just wait it out.” Beedew sighed. “He might not live that long.”

She frowned. “I know. I’m aware.” “And you’re just going to do nothing?” “What can we do?” “Enough Medicine Cat chit-chat.” Manglestar said, standing up on his high branch. “Crystalclan has been going over our border into our territory!” “Do you have any proof?!” Quartzstar hissed. The big tom growled. “We do! Crystalclan scent has gone well inside our borders. When my Warriors told me, I hadn’t believed them, but two sunrises ago I went to the scent marks to see for myself, and it’s true!” Outraged yowls sounded from the Crystalclan cats in the gathered cats on the island. “I can assure you that your Clan is safe from us Crystalclan cats, we have no reason to be in your territory besides to help you!” Mintpaw glared at the new Crystalclan Apprentices. “I knew that Crystalclan was going to disrespect the borders at some point.” Vixenpaw stormed over, hissing. His long claws unsheathed and glinting in the moonlight. “Shut up, bug-brain!”

“Vixenpaw!” A light orange tom snapped over his shoulder. “Sheath your claws. This is a Gathering. There is a truce.” Flutterstar looked up at the full moon. There were no clouds covering it yet, so she kept quiet. “I don’t care.” Vixenpaw hissed, and jumped to tackle Mintpaw- But was caught by his mother. “Brisknose! Be a father and help me!” Yowled Jasperwhisker, shooting him a glare. Brisknose nodded to the other Deputies as he rushed over to her. “Don’t be so loud!” He murmured. “And you be good… Fake father.” Jasperwhisker hissed through gritted teeth, so lightly that it could barely be heard by Brisknose. “These kits look up to you. I hope you know that.” “Then they better not ever meet Shadowleg. Especially not Vixenpaw. And their Apprentices now, not kits.” He shot back as he picked up his fake-son by the scruff. Jasperwhisker shot him a glare. Dangerpaw winced, noticing the tension as her mentor held her even closer.

“Well,” Hivestar turned to Quartzstar. “You have your hands full. Mangledstar. Why do you suspect Crystalclan is invading your territory?” “Like I said, me and my Warriors have been smelling Crystalclan scent about three tail-lengths inside of our border.” “Could it be Mossheart and Emearldspeck?” Piped up Stingfoot. Mangledstar shook his head. “They wouldn’t even smell like Crystalclan.” “I can assure you that the last time us Crystalclan cats stepped foot in your territory was when we were helping you move inside, and during the fight with Rougeclan.” Quartzstar hissed. Blacklion rolled his eyes. “The battle with Rogueclan was in Meadowclan’s camp.” “And didn’t a few cats take safety there?” She shot back. “That doesn’t matter.” Flutterstar started. “But… It’s been a few moons since the battle, and Meadowclan is starting to have Crystalclan scent over our border, too.”

“We don’t have any need to go near your borders besides to check. We can hunt close and even inside our tunnels.” She hissed. “Have any of your cats seen my cats?” Everyone was quiet. “Exactly.” Quartzstar shook her head. “Then how can you explain the scent?” Mangledstar asked. “Maybe you two are lying?” Hivestar glared at the two, her old gaze going through their souls. Anger-filled yowls came from the gathered cats. “Why would two Clans be lying?” “I never trusted them!” “Crystalclan needs to stay in their own borders!” Hivestar glared down, a burning passion to protect her distant kin. “It could also all be a misunderstanding.” Clouds streamed over the moon. “This gathering is over!” Flowerfoot announced. Hivestar and Quartzstar exchanged silent glances, before they divided and began to walk home. “These younger cats won’t ever understand.” Hivestar whispered to Stingfoot. Orangedust joined them. “How would we know if they’re lying? Crystalclan is across the lake from us.”

“Crystalclan is content. They’ve never invaded territory before. I doubt Quartzstar would even allow her clanmates to go anywhere around their border.” “Things can change. Just because The Storm happened, doesn’t mean borders haven’t changed. But cats can.” “Don’t doubt me.” Hivestar quickened her pace “I, for one, believe Fadedclan and Meadowclan.” “Why?” She snapped her head back. “I just do. What about you, Stingfoot?” The orange she-cat asked. Stingfoot shook his head and looked down. “I don’t have any opinion.” “Why not? You have an opinion about most things.” Orangedust stifled an amused snort. Stingfoot hissed. “Not anymore, I suppose.” “Why? Because of Mushroomeye perhaps?” Stingfoot gently battered Orangedust. “Maybe! I suppose!” “You can’t let her change you completely.” “She isn’t. I’ll shred your pelt to show you.” Blackfoot padded past the three cats. “Clanmates don’t fight other Clanmates.”

“It was a joke.” Grumbled Stingfoot. Large droplets of rain began to thicken and splash on the cats. “Great.” The white tom mumbled. “Just what my old bones need.” He stalked away towards Leafclan territory. Thunder rumbled and lightning striked. Hivestar shook her head. “All Warriors stay inside the lower dens.” They rushed the rest of the way towards the camp. Hivestar sighed as she began to walk to her den- But in a second, a roar of thunder came, and lightning struck- Blinding every cat in the area. The next thing that could even be faintly seen was a branch, a large one that had supported many Warriors, laying flat, soaked, and a tuft of red-brown fur from underneath. No cat moved. They watched on in horror. “Hivestar!” Mintpaw yowled. Beedew quickly ran over. “Someone! Get a stick! Help her out!” She screamed.

Mushroomeye ran to the edge of the camp and dragged over a smaller branch. Beedew swiftly grabbed it, putting the end of it under the branch and the other under her. She pushed down on the branch, but her body weight alone could not bring up the larger branch. Mushroomeye helped, along with Sunset and Badgerbumble. Slowly, the bigger branch went up. The cats thrusted it aside. Swiftly, Beedew let go, and grabbed the squashed body of the Leader. She dragged her out to the heart of the camp. Hivestar laid lifelessly. “What now?” Mintpaw asked. “We wait.” Beedew looked down, a horrified expression drawn on her face. “You mean you won’t do anything?” “What can I do? Starclan is the only thing right now that can bring her back…” She grimaced. “But… She does have more lives, right?” “One more. A blow like this could have easily taken both lives.” “But she’ll come back?” “I-I don’t know.” She turned to Mintpaw.

Everything From Warrior's Thunder:

Chapter 15