Hero stepped out of the burrow and into the murky world around him. A thick fog had settled over the camp, blocking out most of the daylight.

"How long was I out?" Hero questioned.

"Oh, not too long," Whiteshadow revealed. "We found you in the middle of the night, and spent the rest of the time trying to clean out your pelt. I think it's almost midday now."

Hero flicked his ears in thanks. This smog seemed thicker, closer to the ground than what he usually saw in the city. Perhaps it was the absence of skyscrapers that made everything seem so close. 

Whiteshadow nudged him with a black and white paw. "Hey, Thistlestar is waiting for us! Stop staring at the sky like a lovesick she-cat." Hero let out a grumble.

"I'm moving as fast as I can!" Hero gestured towards his still weak leg with his tail. "Besides, I don't even know where the Great Oak is."

Whiteshadow rolled his eyes. "Maybe if you look around you'll notice it. It's not called the Great Oak for nothing."

Hero dropped his eyes from the sky and focused for the first time on the camp. Then, for the first time in a long time he felt dumb. The most distinctive feature of the camp was the huge withered tree that covered most of the area in the camp. It looked old but somehow not rotted, and the stump of the tree was still firmly attached to the ground, the roots from which he just exited strong and almost healthy. There were even some green leaves and buds coming from the branches though they looked ready to fall any minute.

The rest of the area was tree-free. Thick, grassy meadows stretched as far as the eye could see. The camp itself seemed to continue from the tree into a small groove in the earth, a hollowed out area that held many caves and dens. Hero could see curious eyes peering from inside the rocky clefts, and he realized that many of the Clan cats were staring unobtrusively, making comments to each other that were just out of his earshot. The long legged tom let it pass right by him. There were more important things to be done. 

"I thought we were in the Great Oak." Hero commented to his guide. Whiteshadow flicked his tail. 

"We have to go to the leaders den, which is actually on the other side of the tree," the black and white tom explained. "We just came from the medicine cat den. Our medicine cat, Harespring, is out right now otherwise you would have met him already."

"Alright," Hero acknowledged. "Lead the way then! Let's not leave your leader waiting." Hero knew firsthand why it wasn't good to leave authority figures to wait. The last time he did that, he almost lost a leg.

Whiteshadow led Hero around the tree to where a den was nestled between the roots of the tree. In front of it an elaborate layer of vines hung down to block the inside from the weather and immediate view. Whiteshadow stepped confidently up to the den and pushed his way through the vines. Hero hesitantly followed.

The inside of the den was comfortably cool. A plush moss nest sat in the far corner of the den, leaving open sandy dirt floor for the leader to converse with others in his den. Directly in front of them stood a pretty black and white she-cat.

"Thistlestar." Whiteshadow nodded his head to the leader. Hero noticed how their pelts were eerily similar in color and pattern.

"This must be the straggler. Welcome to our Clan," Thistlestar mewed.

"Thank you for rescuing me," Hero spat out. The words still felt weird on his tongue, but he was well aware of how these cats had saved his life. She flicked her ears graciously.

"Come, sit with me. Tell me, how did you get onto the plains. I would like to hear the entire story." Thistlestar mewed. Whiteshadow and Hero settled onto the ground in front of her, Hero letting out a little hiss when his leg throbbed as he bent it.

"Well, it all started yesterday night when I was exploring my home, the city. I was wandering through the streets when I heard the cry of another cat..." Hero began his explanation of how he came to the plains. Thistlestar asked a few questions here and there, listening intently as he described his interaction with the Faction. Hero knew that the Factions and the Clans had some history, but he wasn't sure of the specifics. Until right then he hadn't even been sure that the Clans were even real.

"...So when I ran away from Tags to the plains I didn't notice the wire around my leg, and by the time I finally did I was in the middle of those fiery plains and next thing I know I'm trapped with a useless leg and on fire. That's when Whiteshadow found me and, well, you know the rest."

Hero finally stopped his exposition, throat slightly parched. He licked his lips absentmindedly, watching Thistlestar absorb all that he had told her.

"Sounds like you had quite the adventure last night," Thistlestar commented. Hero licked his chest. "I'm sorry for what happened to you on our territory."

"It isn't your fault," Hero mewed, then his eyes widened. "Wait- that fiery death area is part of your territory? Why would you claim that as your territory?" A shiver ran down his spine at the thought. Whiteshadow nudged him, shooting him a warning look, but Thistlestar let the rudeness go with a little flick of her tail.

"How do you like the area so far?" she changed the subject.

"Well I think it's very nice. You know. Except for the fiery plains. They hurt." Hero snarked.

Thistlestar ignored him further. "I know how difficult life can be in the city. The Factions are a formidable bunch." She murmured.

"Yeah, I try to avoid them when I leave my nest in the city." Hero acknowledged.

"If you like, you can always stay here," Thistlestar offered. Hero's ears pricked up with general interest. "Many cats in AshClan are rogues and runaways from the city. You would be welcome here."

The light brown tabby tom let out a little hum of thought as he contemplated her offer. It certainly would be nice to get away from the stress of dealing with the Factions. But as he thought about the city, his mind turned to the huge skyscrapers, sprawling expanse of buildings and his cozy bed in the corner of the man's little workshop, and he felt a longing in his heart.

"Thank you for your kind offer," Hero began in a wistful tone, "But I love the city."

She seemed almost disappointed but she nodded her head in agreement. "Well in any case, I insist you stay here at least until you can walk properly. It is too dangerous for you to travel home right now, especially with those Faction cats out for your skin."

Hero and Whiteshadow exited the den after a heartfelt goodbye from Whiteshadow and a warm dismissal from Thistlestar. Hero was surprised to see that it was actually sunnier than when he'd entered the den. The smog had mostly dispersed and the ground was bathed in light.

"She was nice," Hero commented. 

"She's my mother, actually," Whiteshadow preened. "Don't you think she's a good leader?" Whiteshadow leapt forward excitedly before visibly restraining himself and padding back to Hero's side. "Do you want to see some more of the territory? I promise I won't take you to see the Burning Plains."

Hero blinked at Whiteshadow's spontaneity. As he mentioned the Burning Plains, a weird feeling curled in his stomach once more and a tingle in his hind leg grew. Just as suddenly as they came, they left and he felt strangely curious as to their origin. He shook his head to dismiss the feeling.

"Sure. Why not? Let's go," Hero agreed readily. The two walked side by side out of the camp, Hero happily indulging with the warm sun on his pelt. The large buildings in the city meant that he had to move to certain places at certain times of the day to get any sun. Right now, however, with the mostly flat territory there was sun speckling every part of the ground, and the air smelled surprisingly fresh and clean.

"I'm a little sad that you aren't staying," Whiteshadow mewed after a few moments of silence. 

"Why?" Hero asked.

"Well, I think you would be fun to have around," Whiteshadow said softly. "You seem like a genuinely nice cat, and I don't think we have enough of those in the camp. Well, not enough that don't just pretend to like me because my mother is the Clan leader."

The brown tom let his tail rest gently on Whiteshadow's back. "Thank you for saying so. I'm sorry, but I don't think I want to stay just yet." An awkward silence followed and Hero itched to break it. "Maybe you could show me the best parts of Clan life, and convince me?"

"I'd be happy to!" Whiteshadow jumped up and down like an errant kit, gesturing for Hero to follow him.

Hero was led through the grassland at Whiteshadow's heels, gazing at the bright lit meadows in wonder. After a ways of travel everything began to look the same to him. He turned around and was surprised to notice that he could barely see the Great Oak on the horizon.

"Where are we going?" he questioned.

"We are heading to the Spires. It's the rockiest area of our territory. I want to help you climb one. Just wait until you see the view from up there! I bet you can't see anything in your city with all the huge Twoleg nests in the way," Whiteshadow babbled.

"That's certainly true," Hero admitted. He admired the tall rock structures in the distance. Some rocks jutted out from the ground in curved off points. Others were stacks of small boulders that reached towards the sky. Some were almost the size of a small tree. They were clearly naturally made and that made them all the more fantastic. 

A quiet rustling seemed to catch Whiteshsdow's attention. "Oh look, its Foxspring! What is he doing out here on his own? I thought he had a patrol..." He murmured the last part to himself. Hero acknowledged a tiny, mottled ginger tom approaching them. His pelt blended nicely in the swaying grasses and Hero was sure that any other cat from the city would not have spotted him at this distance.

"Hello Foxspring!" Whiteshadow called out. The ginger tom seemed to hesitate before trotting his way to their side, and Hero immediately noticed the tom's nose scrunched up in disdain.

"What are you doing out here?" Foxspring said unkindly.

"I'm just showing Hero around the territory," Whiteshadow replied. "He's new. He just came from the city."

"Oh, is he joining the Clan then?" The ginger tom said, almost accusingly, yet looking bored as he asked his question.

"No," Whiteshadow began slowly, "But he is staying for a little while. He says he likes the city more! I'm going to prove him wrong," Whiteshadow finished with a little wriggle of excitement.

"The city? That dreary old place? No decent cat would want to live there," Foxspring sneered, "Just where a silly kittypet like you belongs."

"Quite frankly, I didn't ask for your opinion," Hero quipped, "But please, feel free to share more unimportant thoughts. I'm all ears."

The ginger tom seemed to take a new interest in Hero at the remark, examining him from head to tail.

"Go back to the city, kittypet. We don't want you here," Foxspring dismissed. Before Hero could open his mouth to retort, Whiteshadow sprang out in front of him.

"I want him here. He is ten times the cat that you ever will be!" Whiteshadow defended. "I like him more then I will ever like you, and I've been Clanmates with your ungrateful hide for a few moons."

"Who asked you, Whiteshadow?" Foxspring snapped.

"Go scurry your scrawny self back to camp, or I'll tell Thistlestar that you've been skipping patrol duty again." Whiteshadow threatened. Foxspring huffed and lifted his head pompously, but he scurried back towards camp with an entitled swish of his tail.

"Thanks for that," Hero mewed, the word still tasting unfamiliar. He licked Whiteshsdow's ear in awkward gratitude. The black and white tom nudged him in return.

"Anything for my new friend. Now lets go! The spires are really close."

Hero gasped as they finally reached the spires. The rock structures seemed to spiral towards the sky of their own accord. Some were almost touching each other, and formed intricate arches above his head. Buildings in the city stood straight, specifically structured to be their own blocks of nests in neat little rows. These were wild and formed haphazardly, almost appearing to have grown that way.

"Welcome to the Spires! No fire here, just really tall rocks! Do you like it?" Whiteshadow cheered. Hero touched one rock with his paw and was gratified by its cool, hard touch. It reminded him of the hard city pavement that he was used to having under his paws, but more jagged.

"They are very nice," He commented.

They began walking, the spires casting shadows on the wandering cats. A cool breeze blew through the rocks, carrying the scent of grass, granite, and... something else?

"Help! Help, please!" A faint cry was carried on the breeze. And his ears swiveled in the direction. Fearful, innocent - like a kit. It sounded like a kit.

"Do you hear that?" Hero asked, twitching his tail to get the other tom's attention. Whiteshadow had stopped to listen. As he did, the cry sounded again, even more distressed than the first.

"Somebody help me!" 

The two toms looked at each other, eyes wide.

"That's Stormkit!" Whiteshadow exclaimed, "We have to save him. Come on!"

A/N: Chapter by Blaze! I hope you enjoy the territory and all the new cats being introduced. I think a lot of this book is going to be new characters and settings. It is quite interesting though! Tell me what you think! (Many thanks to Frawst for editing!)