Autumn tucked Moon closer to her, sighing. The memory of her kit being stolen still burned in her mind. What if Dark and his Clan came back to take her again? What if they took Night Sky, or Wild Wind, or anyone?

I can't protect them all. At least, not without breaking the laws of the Dynasty. The only way to protect them is to fight Dark but we can't fight. The laws don't allow it.

Autumn paused, caught up in her thoughts.

I suppose the rules can be bended a bit, she let out a mischievous purr.

Gathering her thoughts together, Autumn quickly left Moon with Violet and her kits and leapt onto her favorite rock. Upon seeing her, the Dynasty turned to face her, and she began.

"As you all know," Autumn started a little nervously. "Dark is a major threat to all of us. He took Moon and disobeyed the rules of the Dynasty."

"Hear, hear!" Wild Wind called supportively.

"This is why I believe we should..." Autumn hesitated before sighing. It had to be said. "I believe we should bend the rules of the Dynasty and learn to fight."

A shocked silence met her words before a cat spoke up. It was Deer.

"I don't disagree with you," Deer mewed purposefully. "But I don't want to be on Truth's bad side."

"No, me neither," Autumn agreed. "But I feel like Truth would want us to do this. We wouldn't fight all the time, just until Dark is gone."

Deer still looked troubled. "Can we ask Truth?"

"I'm not sure," Autumn admitted before yowling loudly. "Truth! Hear me out! I do not wish to break your rules, but I know Dark is a threat to us. We have to drive him out. White for yes, black for no. Tell me what to do!"

Nothing happened and Autumn lowered her head, feeling a little embarrassed. That was when a bright white light shone on her. She ducked her head while the cats below cheered. A warm feeling settled in her heart and she raised her voice to speak.

"Truth has spoken!" Autumn caterwauled happily. "This means, we will learn to fight. Now, does anyone here know how to fight a cat?"

Only a few cats stood up. These cats were Night Sky, Deer, Fawn and Shadow. Autumn gave a nod. "Alright. I want Fawn to take Talon, Flash and Oak out into the forest. Practice some skills there. Shadow can take Violet, Mountain and Sky to the stream. Ripple, Wild Wind and Storm will go with Night Sky and Deer to the cliffs. Violet, you will take your kits with you. They might be forced to fight as well, even though they are young."

All the cats gave her dips of their heads and swishes of their tails. "I will go with Fawn's patrol. Like Violet, Moon will come with me. We will be learning how to fight on all terrains." Autumn fixed her sharp gaze on the cats. "Everyone will learn."

Some cats grumbled as they set off, namely Oak, Sky and Ripple. Autumn followed Fawn towards the forest.

"Alright," Fawn mewed. "Find a partner."

Autumn paired with Violet, Flash with Oak, Fawn with Talon, Thorn with River and Swift with Moon. Once all the cats were ready, Fawn demonstrated a move.

"This is a basic move that I learnt a couple moons ago," Fawn explained before concentrating on Talon.

Fawn darted forward, extremely low to the ground. She clawed Talon's paw, forcing the brown tabby tom to take a few steps back. Fawn then shot up and leapt onto his back and raking her claws down Talon's back.

Fawn stepped backwards, pleased with her results. Talon's thick fur was dotted with blood and was clumped messily. Autumn winced before clearing her throat to speak. "Shouldn't we sheathe our claws? We could get badly wounded before the battle."

Fawn let out a sharp hiss. "I was taught that pain helps to kill mistakes," she retorted. 

Autumn twitched her ears, nervously eyeing the kits. What if Moon is injured?

Fawn caught her glance. "Alright, the kits will sheathe their claws," she grunted.

I don't mind a little pain. I want to kill Dark.

Fawn taught another move, this one a defensive move.

"It's easy, really," Fawn purred. "But if you find yourself to be pinned down, just nip your opponent on the hind leg. That will stop them from reaching for your throat, as they'll be trying to figure out what happened. While they are confused, you should kick them off and claw them."

This time, Fawn didn't demonstrate the move. Perhaps she was listening to Autumn's words.

"I won't hurt you too much," Violet blinked sympathetically at her.

Why does she care?

"Shut up," Autumn snapped. "I didn't ask for your sympathy!"

Violet flinched back; her eyes filled with unease.

I don't want my cats to fear me...but if Dark had feared me, he wouldn't have taken Moon. Excellent. Fear me!

While Autumn had been thinking, Fawn had evidently told the cats to start. Violet darted at Autumn, clawing her front paws lightly before jumping back. Autumn let out a screech of anger and leapt at Violet, using her sharp claws to catch the larger she-cat's fur, ripping it off. Violet stumbled back in pain and raised her paw to block Autumn's volley of sharp, clumsy, untrained blows.

Autumn tuned in with her instinct, biting, clawing and ducking at the right times. Poor Violet simply could not keep up and lay on the mossy ground, a dozen wounds on her flank and bite marks around her body, exhausted.

Autumn shook her head, clearing some kind of fog that had taken control of her. She examined Violet's body and to her horror, the she-cat was unconscious and bleeding heavily.

The Dynasty can't see what I've done. They'll chase me out!

Uncertainty clouded her judgement and she closed her eyes and brought her claws down onto Violet's neck, imitating a fox's strikes.

I shouldn't be doing this. I'm killing my fellow cat!

Autumn paused before a thought drifted into her mind.

They will chase me out if they know. I can't let them know. I'll have no home. The Dynasty is everything that I've known. Moon and Night Sky won't come with me. They'll abandon me. Wild Wind will leave me. Help me, Truth!

To her surprise, a white light drifted onto her. Perhaps it was a trick of the sunlight, or it was really Truth telling her it was the right decision, but Autumn gave in and let her rage at Dark take hold of her. She brought her claws down onto Violet's neck, killing the she-cat in one, swift blow.

A loud gasp made her spin around guiltily. Deer was standing there, her jaw open as she took in the scene.

It must be really suspicious. I'm covered in Violet's blood and she's dead in front of me.

"Did you...kill her?" Deer's voice was shaky, and her eyes were fearful.

"I'm sorry!" Autumn wailed. "I couldn't control myself!"

Deer's gaze darted around nervously. "I won't tell anyone if you don't kill me," she trembled.

Autumn felt hopelessness and she fell to the ground. "Alright," she mewed bitterly. "Why have you come?"

Deer struggled to speak as she recounted what had happened. "When we got back, we couldn't find you two. So, we went to look for you. And here I am. I found you..."

"Look, I promise not to kill you. Please don't tell anyone," Autumn pleaded.

Deer gave a curt nod, her eyes cold. "From this moment on, we aren't friends anymore."

"We shouldn't be." Autumn whispered.

---

Two moons later...

Autumn stretched, padding out of the nursery. Thorn, River and Swift were already wrestling around on the stones, practicing and showing off their skills. The cats had crowded around them, cheering them on.

Autumn couldn't join them.

Guilt had haunted her in every waking moment and in every dream. In her dreams, all she could hear was Violet's voice, tracking her down. A flash of silver claws would appear then she would wake up. While she was awake, Autumn could almost hear Violet's soft voice calling to her.

Auutumnnn...

Auutumnnn...

"Autumn!"

A loud, real yowl shook her awake. She snapped to reality, raking her gaze over the camp. To her horror, Dark and his friends had snuck in. A battle had already started, and Autumn launched herself into the midst of it, searching for Dark desperately.

"Where are you, you thieving, cowardly fox-heart?!" Autumn yowled.

The black tom sneered at her; his claws covered in blood. Autumn could smell whose it was. It was Night Sky's.

Terrified, Autumn searched the battle until she found Night Sky's body. The tom was still alive, and Storm was dragging him to the healer's den. Autumn helped the healer before joining the battle again.

No time for fear. Time for anger.

Autumn found herself against Pounce. The calico she-cat was fast, darting in and out before Autumn could use her strength to claw her. The arrogant she-cat kept taunting her and Autumn was reminded of the day when she had killed Violet.

I taunted her...didn't I?

Without knowing, Autumn had already caught the small she-cat, her claws tearing her pelt to shreds. With a glimmer of satisfaction, Autumn snapped Pounce's neck, dropping her limp body to the ground.

It's just one kill. I'll be fine. I'm not a murderer. Autumn told herself, trying to rid herself of the guilt.

I was happy that she died...

"RevengeClan! Retreat! It's not worth it!" Dark's yowl sounded over the ravine.

"You better not be back!" Autumn flashed her teeth.

"I won't until I've built myself an army!" Dark caterwauled before disappearing into the tunnel.