Ebonywind paced the camp. They had just gotten back from the Gathering and shared their news and the whole Clan was in a panic.

"We must prepare!" Luckystar ordered. "Goldenperch, organize some fight training patrols at dawn tomorrow. Pineleaf, Skyheart and Snowfall, go keep a watch on the ShadowClan border. I'll send some cats to replace you at dawn."

The three cats assigned for watch dipped their heads before exiting the camp.

Goldenperch leapt onto the Highledge quickly for everyone's attention. "Ebonywind, would you mind teaching us some of their techniques? This is a strategy that we used during the Final Battle and it worked very well."

"Sure," Ebonywind called.

ShadowClan won't win. I won't let Rowanstar win.

Ebonywind purred to herself as she looked at her training group. It was a small group, yet nonetheless powerful. Luckystar and Goldenperch had agreed that when they fought, there would be smaller patrols that would stick to their patrol. They wouldn't abandon their patrol unless it was an emergency.

Ebonywind had the pleasure of having the two new warriors; Whitefur and Leafsong, Goldenperch and Frogfern. Frogfern's eyes had flashed with unease as he heard about the war, as it was his mate, Echoflight, that was currently in the nursery. Goldenperch was to lead their group, but Ebonywind would be overseeing the training techniques.

"What techniques shall we use, Ebonywind?" Whitefur asked eagerly.

"We have two new warriors in our group," Ebonywind said slowly, trying not to anger them. "I believe we shouldn't use too many advanced techniques."

"That's not fair!" Leafsong complained, her ears flat. "We're warriors now!"

"I don't want to make any big risks," Ebonywind hissed. "But don't worry. The techniques will still be powerful."

Goldenperch gave her a discreet nod of approval.

"The first technique that ShadowClan adores is the method of partners. This is why we are in groups; to fight off the partnering. In ShadowClan, lots of warriors have a partner they do everything with. Their fighting is twice as powerful; they hunt twice as quickly." Ebonywind told them.

"How do we fight back then?" Leafsong asked, Ebonywind noticing a trace of irritation in her voice.

"By working as a team. By outsmarting them. By not letting them have the advantage of surprise." Goldenperch answered.

"That's right," Ebonywind purred. "Over the next few days, or even moons, until we win, we will be practicing both hunting and fighting together, as a team. And only as a team. Each team will have unique defensive and offensive movies and will be like a second family."

"Alright...that does sound interesting," Whitepaw admitted lowly.

"What will we learn then?" Frogfern spoke up, his white tail twitching.

"The easiest way to block two cats that are coming towards you at once," Ebonywind said immediately, "is to raise your paws to protect your face. Your group will be there soon to help defend you, but it is vital not to go on the offensive when you are outnumbered. Very few cats could do that."

"Firestar could," Goldenperch sighed, remembering the deceased elder.

"Let's practice," Ebonywind tried to lift the mood. "Goldenperch, you go with Whitefur, and Frogfern, you can partner with Leafsong. I'll be the third member of the patrol on Frogfern and Leafsong's side, so Goldenperch and Whitefur, you're ShadowClan."

Goldenperch nodded and she and Whitefur rained blows upon Leafsong, who was looking a little lost, standing a couple fox-lengths away from Ebonywind. Leafsong quickly brought a paw up and none of the blows landed on her head.

Seeing his partner was in danger, Frogfern bounded over to her, using a front paw to thump Whitefur on the head gently. Goldenperch retaliated by swiping her sheathed claws at him and Ebonywind bowled into the golden tabby to stop the claws from hitting their mark.

While the four of them were battling, Leafsong recovered quickly and made the winning hit. She raked her paw over Whitefur's belly, winding him so much he fell to the ground.

"I'm...glad...you're on my...side," the white tom wheezed. "So lucky...you had...your claws...sheathed."

Ebonywind straightened from her crouch happily. "Good job, guys. Next tactic..."

They gambolled around and practiced until sun was beginning to rise. "It's late, and we're all tired," she told them. "Let's go back and have some rest."

Luckystar met them at the camp entrance, her head alert as she stood watch. Dawnmist stood next to her. "How was it?" the golden-brown she-cat asked quietly.

"We're going good," Ebonywind started when Whitefur lifted his head.

"What's that smell?" he asked hesitantly.

Luckystar flicked her tongue out then recoiled immediately. Hastily, Ebonywind copied her to smell a burning scent.

"I'm not sure," Leafsong replied hesitantly.

"Leafsong, Whitefur, go get the senior warriors." Luckystar said, her voice choked and harsh.

"Why?" Leafsong demanded.

"Go!" Luckystar growled at them.

Scared, Leafsong and Whitefur darted into the camp.

"What's wrong, mother?" Ebonywind asked, panicked.

"There's a fire." Luckystar breathed. "It smells like its coming from WindClan territory."

Ebonywind took a sharp breath before turning around to see Rosepetal, Poppyfrost, Foxleap, Goldenperch and Duskpelt coming to meet them.

"Let's go," Luckystar said without delay before leading the patrol towards WindClan territory. "Ebonywind, you come too. Dawnmist, you tell everyone else what's happened."

Soon, Ebonywind's eyes began to water as the smoke became thicker. She could hear cats scrambling and yowling in fear.

"We have to save them," Luckystar coughed. "Rosepetal, Poppyfrost and Duskpelt, go patrol around. Foxleap, you, Goldenperch and I will go into their camp."

Ebonywind led the way from there, knowing the WindClan territory pretty well due to visiting Ravenflight. Her heat beat faster as she felt afraid for her sister.

"There!" Foxleap saw the fire first, racing towards it. Luckystar beckoned for Ebonywind and they followed.

"Help!" Ravenflight came out of the smoke suddenly. "We don't have enough herbs to keep the whole Clan in the territory!"

Ebonywind nuzzled her littermate before going to help Luckystar look for cats. After dragging out Breezepelt, Hawkclaw and Gorsepelt, they did a check of the area before meeting up with the rest of their patrol.

"I think that's it," Luckystar panted, letting go of Heathertail's pelt.

"Where's Crowstar?" Ravenflight asked.

"Fox-dung!" Heathertail cursed, coughing slightly. "He's still inside the smoke!"

Foxleap's eyes widened and he plunged into the fire at once.

"No, Foxleap!" Luckystar yowled at him. She turned to Heathertail. "How many lives does he have left?"

Heathertail looked nervous before admitting he was on his last life.

The WindClan and ThunderClan cats stood together at the border of their territories, waiting for Foxleap and Crowstar. By sunhigh, no cat had emerged. The smoke almost all gone, Luckystar led some cats into the aftermath.

Ebonywind wrinkled her nose at the smell of burning grass; the stench of smoke in her nostrils. Then, Luckystar let a strangled yelp. She looked ahead to see Foxleap's body unmoving next to Crowstar's.

---

Two sunrises later, Ebonywind stood at the emergency gathering.

"It was horrible," Acornheart choked out.

Heathertail hadn't survived her burns and had just enough breath to name Acornheart deputy before passing.

"We grieve for Heathertail, Crowstar and Foxleap." Luckystar said solemnly.

"Heathertail, Crowstar and Foxleap," the cats echoed.

"Stonetail has talked to me, and he is retiring and becoming an elder," Acornheart dipped her head to the black tom.

"This is unnecessary," Rowanstar sneered suddenly. "We have preparations to make. But if we must share, ShadowClan is going very well. We had no deaths and some new apprentices. Willowpaw and Blazepaw are now apprenticed to Robinstrike and Jaggedstrike!"

"Fine!" Luckystar snarled. "ThunderClan, let's go."