-❂-

With night approaching, the sun began to sink below the distant hills of the horizon. A cool breeze roamed through the lands and stimulated the trees branches to swivel in response. Shadows stretched and crafted immense towers of darkness suffocating the surface. Crickets began to play their melodies softly, others following along to the tune. The earth appeared honey-soaked, especially against the rolling hills of the moor on the other side of the border.

The sky grew dimmer but vivid rays dispersed from the horizon. Clouds began to fade in thin air and the moon started to reveal itself in the sky. Shadows loomed over the cats gathered at the border who stared up towards the night sky, their ears perked and their eyes locked onto the sighting. It was as if they were awaiting something, maybe even a sign from the Star Realm that they were safe. Safe from the clutches of their changed leader and safe from anymore grief.

Their hearts could only take so much sorrow. So much loss.

Lynxpaw lay with Hawkpaw and Fawnleap, the molly sharing tongues with her kin for what felt like the first time in moons. Her medicine cat duties usually kept her separated from them back in RidgeClan, but now the current events seemed to have driven them further apart. Now prone with her mother's tail drifting over her and her brother's gaze locked onto her, she still felt as if something was missing.

The spotted mollies ears perked towards the commotion a few foxlengths away. Nightfrost was speaking with a disheveled Redpaw, the apprentice's face shadowed over with grief and anger. Nightfrost had been speaking with the tom for a while, a stern expression hinted with a touch of sympathy held by the medicine cat. Lynxpaw could only hope though that he wasn't demanding for Redpaw to forgive her and refrain from blaming her for Foxpaw's death. Redpaw had the freedom to follow whatever he wished to, for Foxpaw was his sister in the end.

Her gaze skimmed back over to Hawkpaw and Fawnleap, her mother laying in between the both of them. Fawnleap's gaze was distant but fixated on the distant horizon in HeathClan's direction. Every cat was wondering when a patrol of theirs would come, for it had been a whole day without a single sighting or s whiff of a HeathClan patrol's scent. Lynxpaw's stomach boiled with concern. Did HeathClan have something terrible going on as well? After all, Galewhisker did inform her that something perilous was going to devastate both of the clans.

"It's nearly night time. Why hasn't HeathClan sent a patrol yet?" Hawkpaw suddenly spoke up into the silence.

Fawnleap's gaze scanned back over to them as Lynxpaw searched for a reply, nearly stumbling over her words as she began. "I don't know... but maybe they have something going on as well," Lynxpaw murmured.

"Last time I checked, Mousestar was fine. Their Clan was thriving. But then again... Cottonstar was fine," Fawnleap sighed in reply. "Lynxpaw could be right, as much as we don't want to believe it."

"That can't be right," Hawkpaw mumbled, his paws barely audible. His gaze locked onto his paws that flexed, worry visible across his expression. "HeathClan has always been flourishing and strong. I'm not saying RidgeClan has never been but HeathClan is filled with cats fixed on following the code and their morals. It's hard to believe that something that happened to our Clan would also be happening to theirs also, unless Cottonstar was allied with a HeathClan foxheart. What a scrap of dung..."

Lynxpaw's teeth gritted at Hawkpaw's words. She knew more than Fawnleap and Hawkpaw understood, and she knew rhat HeathClan was most likely in trouble as well. Galeflower had warned her so and although it might not be the same treacherous events that transpired for RidgeClan, HeathClan was still in danger.

"Nothing can possibly surprise me anymore... at this point," Fawnleap grumbled, the light brown she-cat laying her head on her paws.

Lynxpaw frowned at her mother's response, but she knew all too well that it was accurate for the molly. Fawnleap lost her closest friend, Heroncall, and nearly lost her son as well. Cottonstar's devastating change in behavior was as shocking as her pelt turning to thorns to Fawnleap and Marshleap's death being revealed as a murder was alarming. The fawn-colored she-cat had grown up alongside most of those cats and now they were all gone, except for Hawkpaw.

"Hopefully a patrol will come soon," Lynxpaw replied, her face twisting in doubt. "Cottonstar and his followers must have found out that Leafdance was a distraction from us. Whether he got away or...or..."

"I'm sure Leafdance is okay," Hawkpaw reassured, planting a smile across his face. "He's one of the fastest cats in RidgeClan. I'm sure he could even beat a HeathClanner in a race!"

Fawnleap groaned out and her mood changed, as if to mirror a reality she sought for. "I remember when that tom really beat me in a race when he was still an apprentice," Fawnleap snorted. "He is so agile and Flareheart is so intelligent. They are definitely a duo any cat would hate to mess with."

Even though Lynxpaw wished she could alter her perspective as much as Fawnleap and Hawkpaw were able to, she found herself drowning in a sea of doubts. Salt stung her eyes and waves crashed brutally against her form. Nothing could possibly pull her out, especially with the possibility of more visions and death clinging to her paws.

Suddenly, a hushed yowl shocked the three of them. They all turned to eye Featherkit stared off across the border, yowling out as her mother attempted to silence her. Her yowls then became comprehensible, and Lynxpaw, Hawkpaw, and Fawnleap leaped to their paws.

"HeathClan! HeathClan!"

Lynxpaw bounded over to stand near Shiverbee and her kits, Hawkpaw and Fawnleap following her. Her eyes widened and a flicker of hope ignited in her chest at the sight of four cats padding towards the border from the rolling hills of HeathClan. All of the former RidgeClanner's gathered, and the earth beneath their paws finally felt a little lighter.

Mousestar was visible in the group of cats, the small leader's expression serious as she approached them. For a smaller molly, she was a daring leader and was never afraid to do as she needed for her clan. Two unrecognizable, HeathClan warriors accompanied her as well, but the familiar presence that walked alongside her stimulated the flicker of hope lingering inside of Lynxpaw to grow and spiral.

Flareheart rushed towards the front of the group, halting and observing the scene before them. An immense grin wielded onto their face as they recognized the tom that walked alongside Mousestar. Their eyes lit up like a million fireflies gathered in an open clearing and euphoria nearly made the tabby stumble over their own paws as they raced towards the tom.

"Leafdance! Leafdance!"

Leafdance beamed at the sight of his friend and bounded forward, the two meeting on the border. Flareheart rumbled with a clamorous purr as they nuzzled their friend, grateful for his returning presence. The two continued to embrace as Mousestar and the two HeathClan warriors stepped to their sides.

"Thank the Star Realm you're okay!" Flareheart exclaimed, their eyes twinkling as they pulled away from Leafdance and examined his untouched form. "How did you get away? How did you make it all the way to HeathClan?"

Leafdance chuckled and batted a paw over his friend's ears. "I managed to make it to the abandoned twolegplace near the edge of RidgeClan territory and lost them. They went searching the place as if they were a swarm of vultures so I managed to sneak away. I figured you guys would be heading to HeathClan but I arrived there before sunfall and well... no sight of you all."

"Luckily, he managed to convince us to check near the border for you all before it became too late," Mousestar added in, her gaze scanning over the group. "I apologize for the rash behavior of Cottonstar. It would be HeathClan's honor to assist you all and take you in. My Clan has been informed of the situation, though I ask for more thorough details. We had little time to discuss everything since your friend here was begging us to help as soon as possible."

Nightfrost stepped forward, dipping his head to Mousestar. "Thank you, Mousestar. We are so thankful for your kindness."

Mousestar grinned at the medicine cat, dipping her head to him. The leader then maintained a serious tone, her tail swaying back and forth slowly behind her. "Just because we come from opposite clans doesn't mean we shouldn't help one another, especially when the other is in danger," Mousestar stated. "HeathClan will treat you just as if you were one of us. You are free to eat as long as you share and take place in hunting patrols from time to time. Before I even attempt to state how much I can truly provide for you all though, I must have someone discuss with me what exactly happened within RidgeClan."

"I can, but not without my apprentice, Lynxpaw," Nightfrost responded, casting a sideways glance towards Lynxpaw. "She has just as much, if not more, information to provide."

Lynxpaw shivered under Mousestar and Nightfrost's gazes. She knew just as much information as Nightfrost did, what else could she possibly provide? Oh Star Realm, does he want me to mention the meeting with Galeflower? Lynxpaw thought, her paws kneading anxiously at the grass below her. Maybe even my visions. I've barely even spoke to Nightfrost about those, he must want to know more himself.

"That is fine, as long as everything is explained to me," Mousestar replied, flashing Nightfrost and Lynxpaw a thankful look. The molly then turned and nodded to her two accompanying warriors. "Head back to camp and prepare everyone for their arrival. Ready some prey for them to share and tell Robinwing to prepare to inspect them for wounds."

The two warriors nodded and whirled around, sprinting off towards camp. Mousestar glanced after her warriors before she turned back to address the former RidgeClanners. "I promise you that I will try to help as much as I can, but I am not necessarily sure if I will be able to afford a battle against Cottonstar and his followers," Mousestar informed, her gaze wandering for a moment as if the she-cat was boiling with a sense of guilt. "I am open to providing you temporary residence within HeathClan though."

"Thank you once again, Mousestar," Nightfrost meowed in response, the leader smiling softly at his thanks. "We will never forget your benevolence. It means so much to us after all that has happened."

Shiverbee nodded, speaking up from the crowd. "I'm sure my kits will grow up telling tales of you," The queen purred, motioning to Featherkit and Thicketkit who beamed at the sight of Mousestar.

Mousestar released an airy chuckle, but she quickly returned to her serious stature, head held high and ears pointed towards the sky. "No need to thank me. Now, let's head on to HeathClan before it gets too late," Mousestar suggested, turning and beckoning the group forward with a flick of her tail.

The group followed after her with no hesitation, desperation for safety pulling them forward. Lynxpaw moved forward to pad alongside Nightfrost, Leafdance and Flareheart murmuring to each other beside her. Lynxpaw couldn't help but glance over her shoulder as they crossed the border into HeathClan territory, her ears folding back as she felt her heart drum against her chest. She wanted to go back home, to living in the mountains and staring down at the dense forest below her.

Now everything was changing, like leaves at the arrival of leaf-fall, and she felt as if she was growing crooked fangs and a scraggy, differently patterned pelt. It was almost as if she was taking on a new identity, and the idea of it stabbed at her brain leaving bruises of reminiscence for the past.

"Do you mind if I ask some questions along the way?" Mousestar meowed in questioning as the padded along. She glanced over her shoulder at the two medicine cats, her muzzle twitching to showcase her eagerness. "For example, how was Marshleap murdered? Leafdance mentioned something about his murder being the trigger for the sudden spiral of events."

A bolt of electricity weaved down Lynxpaw's spine at the mention of the senior warrior's name. Vivid memories of her vision that transpired before his death replayed in her mind. Before Nightfrost could manage to answer Mousestar himself though, Lynxpaw felt the urge to answer and beat him to it.

Afterall, his death was her fault.

"A deathberry was hidden in his prey," Lynxpaw replied, her eyes wandering towards the earth below her as she repeated the events in her mind. "Every cat believed it was my brother, Hawkpaw, since he was the one to deliver the prey to Marshleap, but my brother is no murderer. If anything, some cat decided to hide a deathberry in a piece of prey to kill off any cat who feasted upon it."

Mousestar hummed as she pondered on the story, staring back ahead. "Did you two ever find out who did it?" She asked.

"No. We were never able to," Nightfrost retorted, bowing his head as he spoke on. "Cottonstar was so fixed on exiling Hawkpaw that even when Heroncall objected to it... he... he murdered her."

Lynxpaw noticed the fur along Mousestar's spine bristle at Nightfrost's words. "He killed Heroncall? She was such a sweet... amazing deputy. Why would he do that?" Mousestar murmured in question, her voice rough.

"It was almost as if the tom was bitten by a rabid fox over night," Nightfrost huffed, Lynxpaw glancing towards her mentor as he continued. "Cottonstar was so generous and empathetic. Suddenly, he was spitting at RidgeClanners as if we were scavenging rogues on his territory. It's as if the Dark Realm took control of the tom's mind. There's no actual explanation for it... unless the events truly drove him to madness but even then I doubt a murder would drive Cottonstar to the edge that quickly."

Mousestar's ears twitched and swiveled, the wind dishelvling her pelt. She spoke in a low voice that sounded as if she was a Star Realm prophet granting them a warning of utter peril. "Anything can happen, and sometimes you'll never find an explanation to it. But it still happened regardless, and Cottonstar is no longer the leader you need and deserve. He is destructor of the code and morals. He is dangerous."

Lynxpaw shuddered at the thought of her former leader being considered dangerous. What if he was already plotting to attack HeathClan? HeathClan did have a few more in numbers, but RidgeClan had a prodigious advantage in combat. Cottonstar was ruling over RidgeClan with bared fangs and sharpened claws, and who knew how many cats stayed behind only because they believed they would've been hunted and killed if they left. Was Mossflower satisfied with the turn of events or was she regretting taking Cottonstar's side? Was Echobird plotting to run away and was Cloudstream hiding from the disaster he believed would transpire if he betrayed Cottonstar's rule?

"We'll continue the rest of the discussion once you are settled. We're nearly there," Mousestar stated.

Lynxpaw glanced ahead to eye HeathClan camp coming into view. She had never visited HeathClan before, but she knew their camp would be a life-altering change for the former RidgeClanners to adjust to. It was a an immensely sized scoop taken out of the side of the hill, as if a massive bear had ripped its claws through the surface. It was surrounded by shrubs and tall grass that kept it hidden from those who watched from a fair distance. Despite it being so open and not very secluded, Lynxpaw knew that if Cottonstar was to ever plot an ambush the RidgeClanners would have a terrible time battling on HeathClan soil.

As they entered the camp, Lynxpaw peered around with wide eyes, admiring their simplistic set up. There was designated burrows as dens for the apprentices and warriors, while the other ranks had dens weaved of grass, roots, and moss. A small mass of dirt and skulls lay on the opposite end of their camp, but the sight didn't phase the observing Lynxpaw. She knew from sharing tongues within RidgeClan and at gatherings that that was where HeathClan's leader would stand to hold clan meetings, and the skulls were merely the remains of the prey they ate.

Cats emerged from the borrows and dens, muzzles uplifted and eyes scanning over the newcomers. Lynxpaw half-expected them to cast jeers and odious statements their way, but the HeathClanners instead dipped their heads towards them and painted warm smiles across their faces. Lynxpaw felt comforted by the welcoming presence of the HeathClanners and even as they stood amongst a new camp with cats of different backgrounds, everything still felt a little more at home.

Lynxpaw still wished the other RidgeClanners were here, or that she could still be resting peacefully in the cavern of her old home. She missed the peaceful days at RidgeClan, where all of them would share tongues and prosper serenely for the day. Even the days when some cats argued, only just to settle their disputes and chuckle about the ordeal afterwards. Perhaps she would find that aspect amongst HeathClan, but with only a few RidgeClanners at her side and the difference between the two clans extremely noticeable, Lynxpaw knew it would be a challenge nearly impossible for them.

Mousestar bounded forward to the heap of dirt and bones, the small molly pouncing to the tom. All eyes turned to fix on the leader, her presence radiant and leaving the RidgeClanners with a surge of confidence. They know had a stronger, yet more patient and reliable leader to look to, and now Cottonstar was simply a mistake written in the sands of their path.

Holding her head high and fixing her gaze on the former HeathClanners, Mousestar welcomed them. Lynxpaw felt a smile twist onto her face and for the first time in what felt like moons, it was stimulated by an ounce of hope and no longer forced.

"Welcome to HeathClan!"