Rising Sun

**Rising Sun** is the first book in *The Paws of Stars* arc. It features many cats and the start of a new dawn of clans, with heroes, villains, and many stories and their long-affecting consequences.

## **Events**

### **Major Events**

SunClan has been formed. EagleClan has been formed. AntlerClan has been formed. DriftClan has been formed. AntlerClan has allied with DriftClan. The first gathering takes place. The first half-moon gathering takes place. The first gathering of all four clans takes

### **Gatherings**

At the center of the Crossroads, the moon shining high, Sunstar and Eaglestar look at each other, each of their deputies, medicine cats, warriors, and apprentices behind them. The tension is palpable, but they both climb the high rock in the center and call the cats to attention. Valkyriecatcher couldn't help herself, despite Prancepelt saying nothing had happened in SunClan recently, she didn't want to be on the same level as her, so she blurted out she and Cresspelt were mates; Prancepelt was happy for her, but when Valkyriecatcher told Cresspelt about this back at camp he in a flirting tone said they could try to be fake mates to Valkyriecatcher's fluster and embarrassment.

Larchweb wanted to explore around the Crossroads till he was slammed to the ground and saw an angry Mudspots hissing, telling him to stay away from Pinepath; Larchweb ran and yowled that Mudspots couldn't control him. In the crowded clearing, Goldenleaf asked Frozenpool if he would be interested in restarting the Half-Moon meetings at the Moonfall, to which he readily agreed. Sunstar was having a relatively peaceful gathering, but he was still agitated from losing his first life, and it didn't help when Frostheart came to talk to him; she tried to apologize and ask about their daughter, but Sunstar told her to go away still hurt from her leaving to which she hisses as him and leaves.

Amberfoot seeing the exchange of hisses and insults from Frostheart and Sunstar, hopes to make Frostheart feel better, and she finds a squirrel, quickly catches it, and awkwardly gives it to her, making Frostheart smile in thanks. Wolfpaw seeing Sunstar storm off from the center of the gathering, decides to catch a lizard, giving it to him and feelings pride as he thanks her and praises her skill. As the moon passes its highest and the cats of SunClan and EagleClan seem to honor the peace of this ancient tradition, Sunstar and Eaglestar agree that the gathering has gone smoothly and that the tradition is officially revived, and that they will have gatherings every full moon from now on.

Low growls and hisses can be heard as the SunClan and EagleClan cats sit on opposite sides of the clearing, and only the apprentices Lightningpaw, Foxpaw, Summerpaw, and Winterpaw stick together. Wanting this gathering to happen, Eaglestar starts speaking about as the only two Clans in the valley, peace must be maintained, until Driftleap, Antlertail, Salmonheart, Maplepelt, Quillsmoke, and Buzzardcry appear from the bushes and Driftstar proudly says there aren't two Clans. The Cats, smelling of forest and fish, trot into the clearing, all sitting around, mixing up the former places cats were sitting as many see kin and friends they thought lost Driftstar and Antlerstar climb onto the stone Sunstar and Eaglestar are on with their deputies and medicine cats going to sit next to the other deputies and medicine cats, as Driftstar proudly yowls it is now time for the gathering to begin!

Once the leaders finish speaking, the Cats of the Clans move around to speak with each other, eager to talk to new cats, reunite with family, and catch up with friends. Quickly, the children of Mossfang and Marigoldspirit reunite with Timberfang and Pinepath showing off their scars to each other as they tease their brother for not having any, after he walks off to talk to other cats Timberfang privately tells Pinepath of a tom she likes, she feels is ignoring her with Pinepath saying not to give him any time of day. Winterpaw and Summerpaw spent the entire gathering talking as Winterpaw admitted the thick shrubbery and tree-climbing ways of SunClan felt weird. Summerpaw also said having such freedom in open plains makes nights way colder than before as they laugh.

Lightningpaw and Foxpaw quickly look around till they see Torrentpaw and Sandpaw of DriftClan talking, quickly walking up to them. Torrentpaw gives an annoyed growl, but Sandpaw puts her tail over his muzzle and greets them and is overwhelmed by the many questions they ask about DriftClan, apprentice life, and their backgrounds to Torrentpaw's laughter as Sandpaw answers slowly and awkwardly. Before they can continue with the questions, Fallenstreak drags her kits away, calling out Quillsmoke, who is shocked by greets his sister amicably as he is introduced to Lightnngpaw and Foxpaw, who are surprised to meet their uncle finally. Still, Quillsmoke is way more surprised to find out their father is the large Brambleheart, and picturing him and his sister having kits is weird.

Icemask walks around the crowded clearing, wondering who to talk to until she bumps into Stormdusk, who greets her as both were apprentices from the old Clans. Stormdusk brags to her about how he gave Pinepath his injuries, while Icemask brags about how she enjoyed making Pinepath retreat at RiverClaws, both laughing to Pinepath's annoyance, who can hear them loud and clear. Ibiswing has a calm chat with Appleblaze of AntlerClan, both appreciating the fact that there's another cat here who is level-headed, and Appleblaze wishes Ibiswing good fortune with his mate and kits. Mudspots yowls Maplepelt's name and happily greets his old apprentice, happy to see how he has grown, and both share a laugh about how Maplepelt finally had kits and a mate whom Maplepelt already told about Mudspots. Mudspots then yowls for Ligthtningpaw, who rushes over, and Mudspots proudly introduces his former mentor to his apprentice. Maplepelt is proud of Lightningpaw, who is awe-struck, but Maplepelt is shocked when he learns Lightningpaw is Brambleheart and Fallenstreak's kit.

Frozenpool quietly walks up to Driftstar who is talking to Shiveringfur. The sons of Waterheart begin talking with Frozenpool, expressing his happiness that Drifstar and Shiveringfur seem content, both him and Driftstar not knowing of Shiveringfur's sinister schemes. Elmflight walks to Buzzardcry, nuzzling his sister who is happy to see her brother who tells her he is mates with Morningsky, who is expecting his kits Buzzardcry says she can't wait to be an aunt while she also tells him she sees two of Maplepelt's kits have potential to be medicine cats as Elmflight proudly says he beat Eaglestar and Buzzardcry scoffs at why Elmflight still has a grudge on their younger half-brother who seems way calmer.

### **DriftClan**

Despite the fall of the Clans, their hunting in the pine forest, their participation in the severance, and their leaving of EagleClan, Driftleap, Salmonheart, and Lavenderswoop had not forgotten who they were, RiverClan. They vow to build a new clan to honor their old home and unique ways. After a long travel, they took over the marshes and beaches, forming DriftClan with Driftleap as their chosen leader and Salmonheart appointed deputy. Still, they need more members and a medicine cat.

Driftleap plans to be more united but decides to go on a solo search for new members, finding in the marshes Lobsterpaw and Quillsmoke agree while the latter agrees to take the role of a medicine cat. He also convinces Pike, Minnow, Torrent, and Sand to join but feels dissatisfied with the number of cats. He travels to the forest only to be found by an AntlerClan patrol. After talking to them, he tells them his intentions and Antlerstar believes him but tells him he will need an escort at night to the Moonfall, Antlerstar personally offers to.

He convinces a she-cat named Willow to join and then proceeds to travel to the Barn, surprised to find his brother Shiveringfur and his brother's apprentice, Icepaw. Both agree to join "Revive the Glory of RiverClan," and the three travel to their new island home. Driftstar smugly looks at the horizon; the water of the island tidepools makes him smirk, and he has no doubt he will be the coolest leader ever! Despite every cat knowing who will be deputy, the ceremony is still held to honor tradition. So, Salmonheart rises among the cats below the Bayrock, confirming his place as deputy.

Icemask looks calculating, with a cold glare knowing she long deserved this as she is named Icemask for her persistence and strength. Lobsterpaw looks at his mentor, Salmonheart reunited at last; looking at his proud smile, Lobsterpaw hears his mentor yowl his new name, Lobstersplash, in honor of his wit and individuality. Willow looks up at Driftstar, standing calmly still as her new clanmates wonder how she is being so calm; they yowl her name, Willowbrook, for her integrity and unity, and she can't help but break a smile. Pike is somewhat cautious of these new cats, but no time is better than the present, and he tries to hide his suspicion as he is named Piketuft in honor of his caution and nobility. Minnow can only think of what she will do on her first day, caught up in her thoughts but pays attention enough to hear her new name, Minnowdream in honor of her imagination and hope.

Torrent is trying not to let his fur bristle as he is still getting used to trusting cats, but he accepts the name Torrentpaw and feels honored when Driftstar touches Noses with him deciding to train him. Sand can only think of the many journeys she can go on now, a whole territory she can explore, but she keeps these thoughts to herself as she is named Sandpaw and apprenticed to Piketuft. Lavenderswoop feels a flurry of emotions as Quillsmoke tells her she's expecting kits, and she can't wait to raise her kits to be great warriors, to be safe, and to get to rest more she moves into the nursery and knows Salmonheart will be happy to know about this.

Driftstar feels power and strength surge into him after receiving his nine lives; he convinces Antlerstar to form a defensive alliance, and both decide to stay hidden and not attend the first gathering and have plans for the Riverclaws. However, his mind reels from the prophecy StarClan has given him, and he hopes he will understand in the future. As the night lingers, Shiveringfur dreams in the Place of No Stars, venting and ranting to his father about how his "destiny" has been stolen, while Waterheart calms him down. They plan a way to get rid of Driftstar, and Salmonheart is planning to tell Icemask of his plan.

In the early morning, while trying to calm talk to Icemask, Willowbrook hasn't yet discovered Icemask's hate of mornings and gets hissed. Driftstar decides to take Torrentpaw and Piketuft with apprentice Sandpaw to the Frogplace and plans to have Torrentpaw catch his first fish, Piketuft wants to battle train as a precaution with Sandpaw. Sandpaw struggles to pick up on fighting skills, but Piketuft's careful explanation gets some blows on him. She returns home happy as she catches a minnow, her first catch. Driftstar sees how much Torrentpaw struggles to fish, and stays late into the day, encouraging Torrentpaw to keep trying with both mentor and apprentice proud but exhausted when Torrentpaw catches a frog, the first thing he has ever caught.

Shiveringfur and Icemask back from fishing at the Coastal Reef talk of his plan in the quiet of the warrior's den; he plans to drown Driftstar at the Coastal Reef and send an angry badger to kill Salmonheart on patrol with leaf-bare being the season to do this. He then plans to threaten Quillsmoke into making him Clan leader, but when Icemask refuses to betray her Clan in such an evil act, they get into a fight, with Icemask beating Shiverinfur. Hissing, she tells him out of respect for him being her former mentor, she won't say anything, but if he dares hurt Driftstar, Salmonheart, or any of her Clanmates, she'll stop him herself before cutting ties with him.

While walking to his nest, Willowbrook hisses at Shiveringfur when she smells blood on his fear and angrily ignores her. The moment he hears about the kits, Salmonheart rushes to Lavenderswoop liking her fur, looking down on their two tom kits. While they are weak, they will grow into strong warriors with their love. Lobstersplash here's a cat moaning in pain and scratchy mews; thinking it may be Tanglepaw, he follows the noise, ready to see his love and his newborn kits, except all he finds is her cold body next to four kits, three unresponsive. His grief almost causes him not to notice the weak but alive she-kit; vowing he will protect the last piece of his love he has, he takes his daughter back to camp. After Quillsmoke makes sure the kit will survive, Lavenderswoop offers to foster the kit with her sons Reedkit and Splashkit or give the kit milk until she can eat prey which he agrees to, the latter naming her Coralkit, in honor of the beauty of her lost mother and her siblings to give her strength to survive.

DriftClan captures Riverclaws, but Driftstar tells Salmonheart only to reveal their identity if Sunstar is in the battle, which he was not, so it stays a secret. Minnowdream has been trying for moons to get Willowbrook and Piketuft together, finally teasing her friend enough and getting Salmonheart to put all three on patrol. Minnowdream skillfully leaves to "check the border" and looks giddy as Willowbrook starts clumsily trying to flirt with Piketuft and his surprising reciprocation to Minnowdream's delight for her friend. Back at camp after a long day of hunting, Piketuft called for Willowbrook, dropping at her paws a baby crocodile shocking her with the catch, both laughing lovingly as they share it. As they share the crocodile, Willowbrook sees Minnowdream in the distance giving her eyes and telling her to ask him. Finally, she looks back at Piketuft, putting her paw on his, and asks if he would share the rest of his life with her, which he says he felt like he already had, nuzzling her nose happily.

At night, as hail hits the island, Quillsmoke wakes to a curious Splashkit looking at the herbs, asking him all about what type of herb each herb was. Quillsmoke's eyes shine, realizing he may have just found himself an apprentice as he begins telling young Splashkit about each herb. In the morning, Quillsmoke brings the idea up to Driftstar, who says the idea is fine as long as Quillsmoke asks Salmonheart and Lavenderswoop, which he quickly does, and they accept. Quillsmoke goes to Splashkit privately, asking him if he wants to be his apprentice, Splashkit readily agrees as he has been dreading being a warrior.

### **AntlerClan**

After resting for the night, in the morning, Antlertail and Buzzardcry begin the search for Maplepelt, who they finally find. Maplepelt isn't convinced to come to join SunClan, and seeing the unclaimed territory, Antlertail asks Buzzardcry and Maplepelt if they will help her find her Clan, which Maplepelt reluctantly agrees to but is happy to be with his sister again. Buzzardcry decides to go to the barn to find recruits for the Clan, while Maplepelt plans to convince cats nearby to join. In the forest, Maplepelt introduces and helps Antlertail convince other cats around the area to join these cats being Cinder, Apple, Twig, and Timberpaw. Just before leaving, however, Antlertail hears rustling in the bushes and finds a young silver-blue tom, a kittypet talking to him. Seeing his reluctant curiosity, she convinces him to join her clan. While at the barn, Buzzardcry recruits two cats, Hydrangea and Rabbit, while agreeing to a vow of protection and safety with the barn cats.

Antlerstar stands tall ready to lead her Clan with peace and prosperity and sees someone who, in her youth, standing beside her will now choose Maplepelt as her deputy. Timberpaw has waited her entire life for this moment, and she tries to keep still but can't stop crying in joy as her clan mates yowl her new name Timberfang, in honoring her prowess and loyalty. Still new to the ways of a clan, Apple wants to strive and prove himself to his new leader, and he is so happy to take the name Applebaze for his optimism and neatness. Cinder can't help but bounce around the entire time, ready for a settled life, and cheers her own new name, Cinderfrost, for her kindness and enthusiasm. Twig looks around at his new "clanmates," not knowing he can trust them, but the happy and warm faces they give him make him feel at home, and he reluctantly calms down after being named Twigpounce for his identity and ferocity.

Hydrangea had helped many of her new clanmates throughout the day, winning the friendship and adoration of many in the Clan and takes the name Hydrangeablossom with a smile as the clan erupts in booming cheers as she is honored for generosity and empathy. Rabbit stands calmly in the clearing and questions the system of adding another part to a cat's name but keeps it to himself as he is named Rabbitstrike for his intelligence and curiosity. Bluey looks up at the stars, still reluctant about this whole clan thing but whips to attention when he hears his new name, Bluepaw, and is shocked when Antlerstar herself steps up as his mentor; she leaps down from the rock towards him a claw out, but only to remove his collar and touches noses with the starry-eyed apprentice.

After every ceremony, Antlerstar goes to get her nine lives with Buzzardcry and her new apprentice Bluepaw to make the tradition of visiting the Moonfall for apprentices. Antlerstar looks on after receiving her nine lives, ready to die for her Clan nine times over to protect them, but Yellowfang's last words still haunt her, are they true? Despite the dense fog in the early morning, Antlerstar believes it's the perfect environment to see if he can catch his first piece of prey, to his reluctant agreement. Maplepelt and Hydrangeablossom go hunting in the Barn and mark their border at Twin Trees after she offers to go with him. Despite not catching something on the first day, Bluepaw is proud of his progress and plans to prove himself to the rest of his Clan.

Instead of leaving the barn, Hydrangeablossom and Maplepelt decide to stay and talk at the barn. At night, Hydrangeablossom and Maplepelt go to the Moongaze Hill, pelts pressed against each other, cleaning each other's fur clean, and both look eye to eye, knowing there is no reason to have to say what they both know. Antlerstar has agreed to a defensive alliance with DriftClan and not attend the first gathering, which would reveal themselves to the other Clans. Hydrangeablossom feels happy and somewhat annoyed knowing she is expecting kits; of course, she's gonna love them with all her heart, but she'll have to deal with all their arguments and fights, feeling drained from seemingly having to keep everyone cat in AntlerClan's tail from falling off; she at least decided to rest in the nursery early and even with her annoyance she can't wait to meet her little ones.

Maplepelt, tired, nervous, and overjoyed enters as calm as he can in the medicine den, shocked to see four little kits bundled next to Hydrangeablossom, who calls him forward; he nuzzles her head, purring and almost passing out with Hydrangeablossom when it's mentioned all four kits are she-cats. As the day grows bright, Antlerstar worries about the litter of four kits and fears her clan may not survive leaf-bare; she is surprised to see Rabbitstrike, who calms her nerves and asks her to go hunting to calm her mind which she kindly thanks him for. As the rain begins to fall, Bluepaw wonders if he shouldn't go back to camp after marking the border, but before he can think, he is picked up by a twoleg immediately recognizing his old twoleg, screaming, kicking, and yowling, his cries are drowned out by the rain as he is taken away.

The rain has turned to thunder and lightning, and all of AntlerClan worries that Bluepaw has not returned, Antlerstar worries and fears that he is gone, but seeing the weather plans to search for him tomorrow herself. Rabbitstrike nuzzles and cleans Antlerstar's fur as she worries for her Clan; she asks him if he will stay by her side till the end, which he promises on StarClan themselves. While going to the drinking pool, Timberfang hears barking, and before she can do anything, a dog attacks her; she fights barely, but her face is mauled. As Timberfang loses hope, Twigpounce jumps in, hissing and yowling as the dog runs away; he spends the day watching over Timberfang.

### **EagleClan**

Eaglestar stands proud as he leaves StarClan, ready to make his Clan the strongest in the valley. Eaglestar receives a prophecy but shakes it off, feeling it won't affect him. Eaglestar sees there is no better choice than to make Frostheart deputy. Driftleap, Salmonheart, and Lavenderswoop leave EagleClan. Eaglestar's sister Tawnyshade and two cats, Ibis, who is Tawnyshade's mate; Cresspelt, a former WindClan warrior; and Amber, and wanderer. Stormpaw looks confidently at Eaglestar, pride radiating from like stars on his pelt as he is named Stormdusk for his courage and power. At first, Eaglestar doesn't mind Owlpaw until he keeps asking if they're at the location to train repeatedly when the ceremony finishes.

Ibis is still new to his whole Clan thing and needs to get the naming system even as Tawnyshade tries to explain it to him but solemnly accepts the name Ibiswing for his pragmatism and independence. Amberfoot sits still as Eaglestar announces her new name, Amberfoot, for her hunting skill and silence.Owlpaw is still learning the basics of hunting but at least manages to catch a stag beetle, which Eaglestar sees as a good start. Eaglestar, not wanting to be oblivious of the events of SunClan, takes Frostheart and meets Sunstar and Fallenstreak at the Riverclaws, where they agree to have gatherings again at the Crossroads every full moon.

The morning sun wanes in the sky as an owl passes by, EagleClan Owlpaw looks up, smiling from side to side as his mentor names him Owlswoop in honor of his rationality and social personality with Owlswoop cheering for himself even though he can tell his name is to honor Eaglestar himself. Winterkit had been waiting so long for this, yet outwardly, she looked calm and solemn as she was named Winterpaw, moving to touch noses with her new mentor Amberfoot, who could sense her true excitement. After Winterpaw's apprentice ceremony, Frostheart talks to Eaglestar, telling him she misses her other daughter and wants her back. Eaglestar reluctantly agreed that they would get more members and agreed to attack the SunClan camp, but not today.

Amberfoot decides battle training should be what an EagleClan apprentice should learn fighting and is happy to see how fierce Winterpaw is in battle and while she failed to catch a womrat she pleased her mother and mentor by catching a garter snake. Tawnyshade takes Eaglestar and Ibiswing a few ways outside the camp, seeming way more excited than usual, as they are far enough, Eaglestar asks his sister what's going on, her responding that their family will be increasingly cheering as she tells them both she's expecting Ibiswing's kits to his happiness and Eaglestar's shock but secret happiness.

EagleClan scent fills the air as Owlswoop enters, charging and rolling over Mudspots as more warriors, Ibiswing, Cresspelt, Valkyriecatcher, Stormdusk, and young Winterpaw with Frostheart and Eaglestar himself there as well. Quickly, chaos erupted. Lightningpaw sprinted through the clearing, now a battlefield, to find Sunstar and the others. Mudspots easily beats Owlswoop, being more experienced and angry at the attack, he starts mauling the young warrior, and only by the grace of StarClan does Owlswoop limp away. Eaglestar rushed the older but smaller warrior Snowspeck next to a shocked Wolfshard, who attempted an attack before being battered away like prey by the leader. Ibiswing, surprisingly is fended off by Larchweb, who will die defending his new home, but neither is injured as Ibiswing, soon a father, doesn't feel like truly fighting this battle. Brambleheart fights Frostheart, who uses her smaller size and claws and strikes at him, but he gets one lucky bat that sends her crashing into the bush walls of the clearing.

Winterpaw charges the nursery, finding Morningsky protected by Foxpaw whom she bats and draws blood from, but all three reel back as they hear Cresspelt fighting and hissing with Fallenstreak, who is being slowly pinned. Valkyrecatcher had always believed she was the stronger and better sister, but as she and Prancepelt grappled, her sister tears at her face while she raked her neck, and both pulled away were drenched in blood. Pinepath finds Stormdusk challenging, and one lucky move sees him attacking her leg. She tries to stop, but he claws one of her eyes, and she yowls in pain and tries to kick him off. Out of the bushes, Lightningpaw, Sunstar, Elmflight, Goldenleaf, and Summerpaw rush into the clearing, shocked and trying to help around. As Eaglestar is distracted analyzing how unnecessary this battle is, his half-brother Elmflight dives on him, clawing and surprisingly pinning him down, yowling and clawing, refusing to let go.

Goldenleaf attempts to drag the heavily injured Wolfshard into her den but is followed by Frostheart, who attacks the medicine, clawing her back. Something strikes Frostheart off Goldenleaf, for a second she thinks she sees Roaringlight back from the grave only to realize it is Sunstar enraged she dared attack his sister and clawed at her belly as she clawed at his face. Winterpaw charges into Sunstar's flank, trying to get the leader off her mother; Summerpaw, the leader's daughter, pounces on her, and as they are about to strike each other, both Sunstar and Frostheart move and stop them. Eaglestar finally pushes off Elmflight and yowls the battle is over, he exposes the truth of Summerpaw's and Winterpaw's parentage being the kits of both Sunstar and Frostheart, to the shock of Foxpaw and Lightningpaw, as well as any cat who joined after the Severance. He offers an ultimatum, Summerpaw will stay in EagleClan for a few moons being mentored by Frostpaw, and Winterpaw can stay in SunClan for a few moons. if either one likes SunClan or EagleClan more or decides to go back to their original Clan after their first gathering, they could go. Sunstar doesn't know how to respond, but Eaglestar can tell through his eyes that the leader agrees.

Eaglestar sighs and tells Summerpaw to follow them.

### **SunClan**

While in pain and shock after the Severance events, Sundream announces what StarClan told Goldenleaf and proceeds to make the correct ceremonies. A clan needs firm strength, which must be given, so Sunstar names Fallenstreak as the first deputy of SunClan, who decides to do her duties from camp as she cares for her kits. Mudpaw stands tall, a new conviction in his eyes to be the greatest warrior ever known, a dream though lost at the fall of the old Clans back again, and raises his tall smugly as Sunstar names him Mudspots in honor of his strength and courage. Pinepaw simply stoically watches as Sunstar only changes a word in her name, yet it is what she had wanted her entire life and still feels a sense of pride as she takes the name Pinepath in honor of her resourcefulness and skill.

Morning had never planned to be a warrior but stands in the center as she is named Morningsky for her kindness and grace. As Wolfpaw looks for her mentor after the ceremony, she proudly unsheathes her claws and asks her mentor Sunstar when they can begin training. For her first day of apprenticeship, Wolfpaw practices battle training with Sundream while also catching an adder, her first prey. Goldenleaf receives another vision from StarClan, who leads her to the Moonfall to give Sundream his nine lives. Sunstar stands nervous, worried if they can truly defend their clan but has a strong conviction in his heart promising to protect SunClan with every life he has. Sunstar receives a prophecy during his ceremony, which he cannot wrap his head around.

As the chill of leaffall grows closer each day, Elmflight asks Morningsky to talk to him before a patrol; as she looks at the morning comes back with roses and blushing tells her how sweet and kind and happy she makes him feel, and he hopes she feels the same way, but before he can say the final world she nuzzles into him and accepts happily as they look at the rising sun. Sunstar is ambushed by a fox at Elder Pines, fighting the creature off, and while he gets slightly battered, he mauls the fox just in time for Prancepelt and Morningsky to come to his aid and send the fox running as he chases after it.

However, before Morningsky and Prancepelt can catch up, they scatter as a twoleg tries to pick up Morningsky. A patrol of Brambleheart, Elmflight, Pinepath, Mudspots, and Wolfpaw is surprised to find "rogues" at Riverclaws and are beaten back with no major injuries, not understanding why they saw Salmonheart there or why they some two former apprentices there. While hunting at the Twin Trees, Sunstar smells an unknown scent marker and worries about what this means for his Clan.

In the silence of the leader's den, Sunstar and Fallenstreak discuss the events of the day, the leader venting his worries of rogues invading, predators attacking, and twolegs wandering around, all this to the watchful ears of his deputy, who tries to hide her worry. They decide to have extra border patrols at twin trees and decide that the "rogues" who took Riverclaws should be dealt with after the first gathering, allowing their warriors to recover and look strong at the gathering. While trying to clean up the warrior's den, Sunstar yowls in pain as a snake slithers away, and he collapses, seeing Fallenstreak and Goldenleaf rush towards him as his vision fades. He wakes up told by his sister he lost his life and the snake bite will scar him; he needs to rest in the medicine den for a few days, and Fallenstreak takes over camp duties till Sunstar regains his strength, still reeling from the venom and the shock of dying.

The night before, Fallenstreak and Sunstar agreed to send a warning about the rogues to EagleClan and agreed to send Wolfpaw, who Fallenstreak had to tell in the morning after he was bitten by a snake a lost of life. Wolfpaw is somewhat hesitant, but knowing her mentor is injured and that it's a good way to prove herself, she agrees. While hunting, Pinepath rushes forward when she smells a new scent, only to might a prideful-looking intruder who quickly explains some cats had been talking about groups of cats living weirdly and had been interested in joining. Playfully, Pinepath takes him back to SunClan camp, and while Fallenstreak reprimands her for putting the kit's lives in danger agrees a new warrior would help.

While on her journey to EagleClan, Wolfpaw encounters a raccoon and, showing bravery, scares it off. Sunstar is proud of Wolfpaw as she explains she told Eaglestar, who shrugged it off as the rest of the Clan returned just in time. Weakened from the loss of his life but not foolish, Sunstar announces the arrival of the newcomer, Larch, who awkwardly tries to understand the ceremony but feels happy and confused when named Larchweb for his dignity and power. With Lightningkit, Foxkit, and Summerkit close to apprentice Fallenstreak decides to return to her warrior duties, with Morningsky offering to take care of them till their apprenticeships.

While at the Muddy Fields, Sunstar and his patrol see Snowspeck and Spiderwhisker. While Spiderwhisker runs, Snowspeck stays and agrees to join SunClan. While playing with a rotten log at the camp entrance, Foxkit is attacked by a fox; quickly, Elmflight charges the animal, saving the kit as the fox runs off. While hunting on the RiverClaws, Larchweb is attacked by Shiveringfur, being helped up by Pinepath as she runs to tell Sunstar. Sunstar taking Brambleheart, Wolfpaw, and Prancepelt to back up Fallenstreak confronts the "Rogue group" Only to find out they are a Clan living in the marshes and beaches, which quickly leads to a battle SunClan wins after Sunstar defeats Driftstar himself.

Sunstar calls the Clan victoriously, he talks about the Clan's strength, promising to fight for Riverclaws and his Clan's right to survive, starting with new warriors; he calls up Wolfpaw, eyes shining, and sees tears for the first time fall from her eyes as she is named Wolfshard for her endurance and tenacity. After the meeting, Mudspots takes to Larchweb and apologizes for attacking him at the gathering and Larchweb reluctantly forgives but keeps his distance.

The cold rain of the leaf-fall night isn't good for any cats who like sleeping late, and Prancepelt finds herself dragged to the medicine den by Goldenleaf when it becomes clear the rain has given her a chill despite the she-cat begging to not be given herbs. Lightningkit can't stop jittering and Foxkit seems like she's about to burst, Sunstar chuckles at the young kits and names them Lightningpaw and Foxpaw, giving Lightningpaw to Mudspots and Foxpaw to Pinepath, both quickly touching noses and with Lightninpaw falling over going to his mentor as they both look at each other and then rush to their parents. Summerkit looks a little nervous but when she sees the pride and joy in Sunstar, she sees her father is proud of her and stands tall as she is named Summerpaw. She is surprised when she gets Elmflight as an apprentice but trusts that her dad made a good choice smiling.

Shortly after the apprentice ceremonies, SunClan split into patrols and shared tongues. Sunstar heads out with Elmflight, Summerpaw, and Goldenleaf to collect herbs and let Summerpaw get some practice. Elmflight, while noticing Summerpaw isn't the best fighter, even as he carefully explains, respects how hard she is trying and slightly improving. Lightningpaw and Foxpaw argue about where to go on their first apprenticeship day as their mentors look on until a battle cry is heard. EagleClan scent fills the air as Owlswoop enters, charging and rolling over Mudspots as more warriors, Ibiswing, Cresspelt, Valkyriecatcher, Stormdusk, and young Winterpaw with Frostheart and Eaglestar himself there as well.

Quickly, chaos erupted. Lightningpaw sprinted through the clearing, now a battlefield, to find Sunstar and the others. Mudspots easily beats Owlswoop, being more experienced and angry at the attack, he starts mauling the young warrior, and only by the grace of StarClan does Owlswoop limp away. Eaglestar rushed the older but smaller warrior Snowspeck next to a shocked Wolfshard, who attempted an attack before being battered away like prey by the leader. Ibiswing, surprisingly is fended off by Larchweb, who will die defending his new home, but neither is injured as Ibiswing, soon a father, doesn't feel like truly fighting this battle. Brambleheart fights Frostheart, who uses her smaller size and claws and strikes at him, but he gets one lucky bat that sends her crashing into the bush walls of the clearing.

Winterpaw charges the nursery, finding Morningsky protected by Foxpaw whom she bats and draws blood from, but all three reel back as they hear Cresspelt fighting and hissing with Fallenstreak, who is being slowly pinned. Valkyrecatcher had always believed she was the stronger and better sister, but as she and Prancepelt grappled, her sister tears at her face while she raked her neck, and both pulled away were drenched in blood. Pinepath finds Stormdusk challenging, and one lucky move sees him attacking her leg. She tries to stop, but he claws one of her eyes, and she yowls in pain and tries to kick him off. Out of the bushes, Lightningpaw, Sunstar, Elmflight, Goldenleaf, and Summerpaw rush into the clearing, shocked and trying to help around. As Eaglestar is distracted analyzing how unnecessary this battle is, his half-brother Elmflight dives on him, clawing and surprisingly pinning him down, yowling and clawing, refusing to let go.

Goldenleaf attempts to drag the heavily injured Wolfshard into her den but is followed by Frostheart, who attacks the medicine, clawing her back. Something strikes Frostheart off Goldenleaf, for a second she thinks she sees Roaringlight back from the grave only to realize it is Sunstar enraged she dared attack his sister and clawed at her belly as she clawed at his face. Winterpaw charges into Sunstar's flank, trying to get the leader off her mother; Summerpaw, the leader's daughter, pounces on her, and as they are about to strike each other, both Sunstar and Frostheart move and stop them. Eaglestar finally pushes off Elmflight and yowls the battle is over, he exposes the truth of Summerpaw's and Winterpaw's parentage being the kits of both Sunstar and Frostheart, to the shock of Foxpaw and Lightningpaw, as well as any cat who joined after the Severance. He offers an ultimatum, Summerpaw will stay in EagleClan for a few moons being mentored by Frostpaw, and Winterpaw can stay in SunClan for a few moons. if either one likes SunClan or EagleClan more or decides to return to their original Clan after their first gathering, they could go. Sunstar doesn't know how to respond, but Eaglestar can tell through his eyes that the leader agrees.

Eaglestar sighs and tells Summerpaw to follow them. She is shocked, and as she looks at her father, she only sees remorse in his eyes as they leave the shocked and blood-soaked camp. Fallenstreak organizes the Clan, telling those injured to see Goldenleaf, but Pinepath refuses, saying she must train her apprentice on her first day and doesn't care if her wounds scar, thinking they will look cool. Fallenstreak orders a patrol of warriors to check the border and ensure EagleClan leaves while sending her kits and their mentors to Riverclaws and then asking Snowspeck to patrol the twin trees solo. She then, as Prancepelt tries to cheer a broken Sunstar while she goes with Winterpaw to the rotting tree and tells the rest of the Clan that she will be her mentor until she returns to EagleClan or permanently.

Sunstar looks at his nest, tears in his eyes, until Prancepelt approaches him, and they start talking. Throughout the day, she brings his strength back, telling him to talk to his daughter and be proud of his clan's strength as both grow closer. Fallenstreak talks to Winterpaw, telling her she can understand how stressful a broken family can be but promises to train her to the best of her ability. Fallenstreak believes the Rot Tree will be the best thing to start Winterpaw; if she's going to live in SunClan, she needs to know how to climb trees, and while she struggles at first dodging the squirming rats, she quickly succeeds to Fallenstreak's praise.

As a snow's rage, Elmflight spots another twoleg at the Elder Pines and when the twoleg spots them, Elmflight convinces Larchweb and Brambleheart to go to the Shadowglade instead. Purring Morningsky tells Elmflight just before the gathering that she's expecting his kits and that they can finally start a family, Elmflight nuzzles his mate secretly happy as he can continue his part of the bloodline, not Eaglestars.

After talking to Maplepelt, Mudspots sneaks from the gathering, meeting up with Wolfshard, whom he had promised to meet up with. He expressed his remorse she had to stay in camp and didn't get to meet Maplepelt but Wolfshard says it's fine. As both look up at the sky, Wolflshard says she wonders what StarClan has in store for the Clans with the SunClan and EagleClan conflict and Sunstar's family, Mudspots says he doesn't know, but whatever he wants to face with her as she blushes both nuzzles into each other happily.

### **Ex-Clan Cats**

Sundream and Goldenleaf explore the pine forest at the valley, settling at a grotto in the cliffs. While hunting, Sundream if attacked by Frostheart, who decides to join their group. Frostheart fights a dog. Goldenleaf, Sundream, and Frostheart agree to recruit new cats. Goldenleaf and Sundream recruit Antlertail, Elmflight, Frozenpool, Fallenstreak, Lavenderswoop, Salmonheart, Eagleswoop, Pinepaw, Morning, Mudpaw, Owl, Wolf, Valkyriecatcher, Buzzardcry, Brambleheart, Prancepelt, Driftleap , and Stormpaw. Fallenstreak becomes mates with Brambleheart, and Frostheart becomes mates with Sundream.

Eagleswoop hisses at and scares Mudpaw when he accidentally bumps into him. Wolf hisses at Frozenpool, Goldenleaf finds the Crossroads, and Buzzardcry helps build the nursery. The patrol runs from a twoleg. Mudpaw chased off wrong while on a hunting patrol with Morning, Pinepaw, and Prancepelt. Fallenstreak is expecting kits but has decided to keep doing her warrior duties. Eagleswoop leads a patrol to the Riverclaws, far away from other cats of this new group. Understanding that Sundream will most likely become the leader of this new clan and with his father in his ear, he convinces cats who believe that Sundream would be a weak leader to the first Severance meeting. These cats include; Driftleap, Salmonheart, Lavenderswoop, Stormpaw, Valkyriecatcher, Owl, and even Sundream's mate, Frostheart.

They Plan to leave the group once Sundream is announced as leader ad form a clan in the aspen moor and form a clan. They decide as this is Eagleswoop's great plan that he would be leader, with Frostheart as deputy and the clan called EagleClan. They plan to meet outside the camp every night. Driftleap doesn't trust Eagleswoop, and he and his friends want to return to a clan that swims and fishes. He, Salmonheart, and Lavenderswoop plan to join EagleClan and leave to form a clan under Driftleap's leadership. Goldenleaf finds the crossroads, which connects the four main territories of the valley; evergreen forest, deciduous frost, aspen moor, and the marsh beaches. Frostheart is shocked as she discovers she is expecting kits but plans to keep doing her warrior duties.

That night, Goldenleaf is visited by StarClan of the future to come. Specifically, the five founders of the former clans, Thunderstar, Riverstar, Windstar, Shadowstar, and Skystar, give Goldenleaf a prophecy of dire warnings, "The Cycle of the Rising Sun and Falling Moon will bring a black night or a new dawn." Goldenleaf sees and hears them through a waterfall with four stars around it, which tells her who must be the leader of this new group and clan. Eagleswoop visits Mudstar in the Dark Forest, discussing his plan to form EagleClan, which his father agrees to do.

Goldenleaf wakes up Sundream in the morning and tells him that Starclan has chosen him to lead this new clan which he, after a few moments, accepts and plans to tell the others about this later, not noticing Stormpaw's eavesdropping. After this, Stormpaw tells, Frostheart, then Eagleswoop announces an emergency meeting at the twin trees. Every cat is in attendance except for Frostheart, as the strain of expecting kits is taking its toll oner her, so Eagleswoop decides that with the confirmation of Sundream being the leader instead of leaving when Frostheart's kit is old enough to hunt but to leave immediately after Frostheart gives birth and to settle in the aspen moor.

Brambleheart waits impatiently as he hears meowing and walks into the den seeing two kits bundled up next to Fallenstreak, who invites him closer. They both nuzzle and look at these, vowing to protect them with their lives before Brambleheart reminds her jokingly they forget to think of names. Frostheart, exhausted, looks at her kits with Sundream by her side, purring loudly at their little as they both name each kit of the two kits for each other; Frostheart can't help but feel a sense of dread as she sees Eagleswoop looking outside the nursery signaling for the Severance to begin.

After three moons of planning, as Eagleswoop and his supporters refuse to have Sundream as a leader, they rebel against Sundream, causing a split and breaking families apart, now known as the Severance. Frozenpool decides to leave with EagleClan so that they can have a medicine cat to help them, while Frostheart lets Summerkit stay with Sundream, being fostered by Fallenstreak before they leave. Antlertail and Buzzardcry leave but in good faith to stay as wanderers, apparently in the oak forest.

After a long journey through the pine forest and the barn after the Severance, Antlertail and Buzzardcry have reached the deciduous forest. Both cats hope this journey of leaving SunClan wasn't for anything, and both hope they can find Maplepelt and maybe others.

### **Outside The Clans**

Duststreak has had a litter of kits in the marsh with Laurelflame. Snowspeck had a litter of kits with a kittypet in the unclaimed lands, while Spiderfrost had kits with nettle in the unclaimed lands.