The cats steamed over the hill, keeping stride with each other as if they were part of single living creature. Dozens of bright eyes trained on the gleaming streams of metal embedded in the gravel, illuminated by the light of the quarter moon.

The formation broke slightly as they reached the tracks, the majority of the group hanging back as the four cats who had taken the lead left its ranks, stepping further towards the distant city walls.

"I don't like it," Silverstar expressed, though it wasn't exactly clear what she was referring to.

Hawkstar managed to hold his tongue when Thistlestar issued him a warning glare.

"None of us like the prospect of battle," Thistlestar replied evenly, and Duststar dipped his head in assent, having been noticeable quiet for the duration of the trip. It was nearly moon high, and the Clan cats behind them were beginning to grow restless, though they had only just arrived. "Duststar, is there something you wish to speak about privately?"

The tom blinked back at her, then drew a shaky breath, lifting his chin as he faced the three leaders. "No, what I have to say if for all ears," he murmured, and Silverstar frowned slightly as all three cats turned their attention towards him, "I've been a leader for countless moons. MossClan has done well at avoiding conflict - perhaps too well, even, and it's a miracle that I've lived as long as I have. I don't want to retire and live the rest of my days in an elder's den."

"What are you saying?" Hawkstar questioned, sounding almost accusing of the older tom.

"I expect to die in this battle," Duststar clarified, then before the tom could interrupt again, "I have two wonderful daughters, and Rabbitflight will make an excellent leader. I will be leaving my Clan in good paws. But if I am to die, I want to do it fighting for everyone and everything that I love. This cause may not be our own, but I do not see why it shouldn't be."

Thistlestar nodded wordlessly, and both Silverstar and Hawkstar had fallen silent. "The cats of the city may not follow our codes and traditions, but they are our kin all the same. I will gladly fight on behalf of our brethren."

"I will fight," Silverstar agreed, light dancing in her eyes as she looked upon Thistlestar.

Hawkstar lashed his tail in determination. "I will fight."

"As will I," all four cats turned as Hero approached them, his head briefly bowed in respect before he raised it to further address them, "I hope I'm not intruding."

"Not at all," Thistlestar shook her head, then stood again, turning to face the swarm of cats gathered at the base of the hills. "Thank you all for joining us. It is nearly moon-high now, the East Faction will be arriving-"

"Thistlestar!" 

Yet again, a cat approached the group, though this one at a much faster pace than Hero had been going. 

Thistlestar smiled politely. "Ah, Snowpaw."

"It's Snowfeather now," Snowfeather reminded her, and the black and white she-cat looked momentarily confused before she recalled his naming ceremony, "And we've got a bit of a problem - or, well, not so much a problem as a concern. Foxspring and I discovered something interesting on a perimeter patrol."

Hero and Thistlestar both shared a look, then excused themselves from the group as Snowfeather proceeded to lead them along the tracks, the three cats receiving brief greetings from the Clan cats assembled on the foothills. They soon spotted the mottled orange form of Foxspring in the pale grass, and the tom gestured for them to continue.

"What exactly..." Hero began to ask, then as a series of lights from across the plains caught his attention, he seemed to find the answer to his own question. "Oh."

The distant pinpricks of yellow light belonged to dozens of cars, all arranged in single file lines along the drab grey strips of asphalt that led away from the city. The roads had never been a concern for the Clan cats, though they did pass fairly close to WildClan's territory, but the sheer number of vehicles Hero could pick out from the darkness was astounding to say the least; and from what he could see, all of them were headed away from the city.

"The ground trembles," Foxspring murmured, sounding genuinely afraid, and each of the cat's expressions grew more perplexed. "A few days ago, when Harestripe was being exiled, he leaned towards me and whispered something into my ear before he was escorted from camp. He said, 'the ground trembles', and he looked me dead in the eyes, and that was it. Just those three words, and then he was gone."

Snowfeather's eyes had gone wide. "What if StarClan-"

"It's called an earthquake," Hero jutted in, as he suspected Snowfeather was about to collapse into somewhat of a divine paranoia, "The earth shakes, and sometimes buildings can collapse. Humans seem to be able to detect it even before cats can. They must be evacuating the city."

"This could be a blessing from StarClan," Thistlestar pointed out, a counterargument to Snowfeather's previous assumption, "The battleground will be cleared for this fight. Perhaps this is an omen. Perhaps, in a sense, the city is meant to be ours."

"I like that better," Snowfeather admitted.

"We should get back," Thistlestar decided, glancing at the moon as it finally reached its peak in the sky, "Our cats are waiting for us."

< —————— >

"Good evening, madam," Hero greeted mockingly as Tags emerged from the shadows, a group of varied but intimidating Faction cats following at her heels. She only scrunched up her nose at him in disdain, marching herself up the wooden plank that served as a path onto thee abandoned train car where Hero had been stationed. "I suppose this is the special team I was promised, then?"

"It's bad enough that I have to share an equal rank with you, Timekeeper, I don't need you thinking you've got claim to my cats. I've got the Factions, you've got the Clans, we've got a battle to win."

Hero nodded, his amused smile melting away as he adopted a more serious expression. "Alright. Both the Clan and Faction cats have agreed to create a small, individual team, composed of cats with unique talents and abilities to go on an offensive strike," he explained, the other cats in the train car nodding though they had already been briefed, "And stop calling me Timekeeper."

Tags smirked. "Whatever you say, partner."

Hero rolled his eyes at her, though otherwise didn't acknowledge the remark. "Right, well, if we're all prepared, we might as well-"

"Hold on," Tags scoffed, cutting off his statement, "You're going into battle like that?"

He blinked back at her. "I don't have anything on."

"Well, yeah, that's sort of the point," she retorted, flicking her tail emphatically, "Armor? Weapons? What, do the Clan cats just go into battle completely unarmed?"

It was obviously a rhetorical question, but Tag's entertained grin quickly faded away when she noticed the confused glances that the Clan cats seemed to be sharing.

"Yes..?" Snowfeather murmured in answer.

"Oh, you've got to be kidding me," Tags growled, glaring at Hero pointedly as he flicked his ears backward in a mockingly defensive stance, "Alright. Kilter, how much additional armor and weaponry do we have left?"

"Enough," came a the prompt reply from a bengal tom seated across the room.

"Good. Caprice, Author, Prentice, Meridian, Paradigm, Aurelian, fetch our remaining supplies to give to these idiot plains dwellers."

"Hey!" Hero objected.

Tags nodded shortly at the six cats who got to their paws, obediently exiting the train car in an orderly fashion and heading off across the train yard. Hero was trying to think of a good counterargument to Tags' insult, when a single she-cat took the place of the  cats who had left. Thistlestar walked confidently, though as she sighted Hero and Tags, she let her tail sweep low against the ground in a gesture Hero wasn't quite familiar with. Tags, on the other hand, puffed up her chest with pride.

"Tags has sent for some weapons and armor," Hero notified his leader.

"I assumed, we had a similar issue," she laughed quietly, then lowering her voice as she leaned towards Hero, "I certainly hope these Faction cats aren't all bark and no bite. Looks that way at the moment."

Hero nodded in agreement, trying to hide his own grin when Tags narrowed her eyes at them, obviously having overheard the leader's remark. Thistlestar smiled, it was clear she'd meant for the Faction cat to hear it.

"So, it seems you're our resident strategist," Thistlestar began, turning back to Tags, who hastily plastered a smile onto her features, "Are you ready to present your battle plan?

"I am," Tags responded readily.

The group of cats filed out of the train car, heading towards where the majority of the Clan and Faction cats remained in the foothills. Smokewhisker and Jayflight had taken up positions on either side of Hero and Thistlestar, who were walking side by side, and Hero wasn't quite sure whether or not them acting as personal escorts was serious or a joke entirely. Either way, he felt flattered. 

Hero watched as, one by one, the cats took their seats at the edges of the crowd, the Clan and Factions cats being careful to remain closer to their own leaders. They had formed a semi-circle in front of a large, overturned storage container, which Hero supposed was to be used at a sort of stage. He, Thistlestar, and Tags remained standing.

Sunshine, upon spotting the three across the milling throng of cats, gestured for them to approach the makeshift stage. Tags trotted forward after her leader, and Hero found himself looking at his. "I don't want to go up there," he murmured. He hadn't realized it until just then, but the churning in his stomach had only grown, testing the limits of his own confidence. It had never occurred to him that he might be afraid of addressing a large group of cats - it had never occurred to him that he might be afraid of anything.

Thistlestar frowned at him, noticing the restless swishing of his tail. "It's perfectly normal to be nervous about something like this."

"I've got it," volunteered a cat behind them, and Hero met the gaze of Lilypool, whose icy blue eyes seemed to instill an instant feeling of calm. Thistlestar nodded to her, and started towards the storage container, where Sunshine and Tags had stopped to discuss something. "Hero, you can do this."

"I don't know-"

"I'm not done," Lilypool stopped him, and Hero blinked at her before recomposing himself. "You can do this. This isn't something you're 'meant to do', you aren't here because of some prophecy or because you feel you have a duty to repay to the Clans, do you understand? You're here because you have to be. You're here to save your city."

"There might not be a city left to save," Hero muttered to himself, recalling the earlier incident where he had discovered that the city was being evacuated for an earthquake warning.

"What?"

"Hmm? Nothing. Thank you for your words of encouragement."

Lilypool furrowed her brow in confusion, but by that time, Hero had already flashed her a smile and was heading over to meet with the other leaders. He heard another set of paws following behind his own, and while he briefly assumed Lilypool had gone after him, he soon recognized the deliberately careful stride of Smokewhisker.

Hero flicked his ears. "You still intent on being my bodyguard?"

"Yessir," Smokewhisker replied good-naturedly, and fell silent when Sunshine turned towards the two toms. Hero quickly identified all four leaders among the small crowd, many joined by their deputies, and Sunshine with both Tags and Thug waiting for his command. Russetfire nodded politely at them both as they approached.

Hero quickly noticed an additional cat - easily distinguishable from the group, considering he looked exactly like his mother. "I was wondering if you'd ever show up," Whiteshadow teased, standing to meet Hero while Smokewhisker went to sit beside Thistlestar.

"So was I," Hero sighed, kneading the ground anxiously with his paws. "It's good to see you."

"We saw each other this morning," Whiteshadow reminded him.

"I mean, it's good to see you," he repeated, then paused as he realized that didn't make his meaning any clearer, "Here. Like this. With your Clan."

Whiteshadow looked at Thistlestar over his shoulder, smiling happily. "I know what you mean."

Sunshine wasted no time in signaling the cats that it was time for their announcement, and one by one, they climbed up the stack of wooden crates that had been conveniently arranged on the side of the storage car. Smokewhisker gestured for Hero to ascend ahead of him. 

"I'll be here if you need me."

Hero rolled his eyes, halting his progress to stare down at the grey tom. "No, you won't," he argued, stepping towards the side of the crate to make more room, "Because where I need you is up here with me.

Smokewhisker hesitated briefly, then huffed, and hopped up onto the crate next to him. 

A few more leaps and they reached the top, the galvanized metal cool against the pads of their paws. Sunshine had positioned himself at the forefront of the container, a few paces ahead of the other cats who had situated themselves a bit further back, though they still remained in view of the cats. 

For a few seconds, Hero could barely move. He'd known how many cats there would be; he'd had to run the numbers in his head several times to assure himself that they stood a chance against the South City Faction and its allies. But now, his eyes scanning the crowd, it seemed impossible that there was even a definitive number of cats. The bright pairs of eyes that trained on him flickered in the moonlight, their darkened forms fading into the distance and melding in with the night.

Approximately three hundred and fifty cats even with the addition of the second Faction who had yet to appear, and their enemies had even more.

They were so screwed.

"Greetings, cats of the Clans and of the East Faction," Sunshine yowled, his voice full of authority as it rang out over the crowd. The ambient murmurs instantly faded away, and the hundred of pairs of eyes focused on the black tom, who looked as if at any moment he could melt into the shadows completely. "We are gathered here tonight-"

"Our cats have been briefed on the situation," Silverstar cut in sharply, as the tom appeared ready to launch into an explanation, and it seemed that every cat within earshot could detect the irritation that laced her words. "If yours haven't, then that's an oversight on your behalf."

Thistlestar flinched, but otherwise didn't move.

"My cats know why they are here, and they know who their allies are," Sunshine responded, putting an emphasis on the last part of his statement in what Hero supposed was an attempt to reassure the she-cat as to their alliance, but by the way Silverstar clenched her jaw it was clear she hadn't gotten the well-intended meaning of his message. 

"I'm sure they do," she growled, at which point a few of the cats began to share glances, "Where are the West Faction and their mystery leader, anyways? Shouldn't we at least know who we're dealing with before we race into battle beside them?"

Sunshine clenched his jaw. "I am not at liberty to give information which is not mine to give."

The fur along the back of Silverstar's neck began to bristle, and Thistlestar made as if to step in the middle of the two cats, while Sunshine continued to ignore the conflict entirely.

Hero nearly jumped when Smokewhisker nudged his shoulder, motioning towards the distant winding train tracks. Before Hero could ask what he was supposed to be looking at, he identified a pale silver and white cat outlined against the landscape. 

"Thistlestar?"

The she-cat pricked her ears, turning in Hero's direction. "Hm?" 

"You think you're so high and mighty," Silverstar hissed, as now Sunshine had whirled to face her, "Well, let me tell you something-"

"Oh, both of you, hush!" Thistlestar snapped, walking between them as stepped towards the edge of the container. More murmurs spread throughout the crowd of cats as one by one, each looked in the direction of the train tracks. The graceful she-cat appeared over the edge of the hill, her silver fur catching the moonlight. Beside her, a large white tom with black tabby stripes kept pace, his long tail swishing behind him.

Like a tidal wave, the cats of the West Faction came streaming over the hill, their lithe frames making their movements look so effortless that Hero's breath caught in his throat. They threaded through the crowd, each taking their position in any space available. The two tabbies continued towards the storage car, and the she-cat scaled the crates with the larger tom in tow. "I apologize for keeping you all so long," were the she-cat's first words to them, and she promptly took a seat at the edge of the group, dipping her head customarily. "We'll have time for introductions later. I believe one of your cats has as battle plan to present?"

Silverstar sat back down between Hawkstar and her own deputy, Wolfsong, and the cats returned the West Faction leader's gesture. "Two of them, actually," Thistlestar corrected.

Tags and Hero took that as their queue, Hero's heart fluttering in his chest as Sunshine took a step back to give the two cats center stage. 

"You ready for war, Timekeeper?" Tags simpered at him.

His claws dug into the rusted metal beneath his paws, and he exhaled. "Don't call me that."

Tags shook her head and laughed quietly, and both remained standing, following Sunshine's earlier example. Hero could still hear the faint honking of the traffic headed away from the city, he could still close his eyes and imagine that none of this was real.

Often, when he had done so, he would think back to the quaint little workshop he'd spent so much of his life in. He'd remember the warmth of the windowsill where he'd spent so many of his days, safe and comfortable, shielded from the dangers of the outside world.

Yet, all at once, he realized that he no longer thought of that place as his home. If he'd learned anything at all, throughout all of his adventures, it was that his home was wherever he made it.

Tags opened her mouth, and she began to speak.

HAH YOU THOUGHT THE BATTLE SCENE WAS GOING TO BEGIN BUT YOU WERE WRONG

NO PLOT FOR YOU

i srry

~Frost