Shadekit's POV:

Shadekit yawned as morning light filtered into his den and stretched his stiff limbs, opening his golden eyes. He was surrounded by warm fur on all sides. Pressed against his back was Darkkit, with Bluekit and Stormkit curled around his haunches. Flowerstream's fluffy tail covered the rest of the space, circling Shadekit in a comfortable warmth he never wanted to leave.

Unfortunately, Stormkit sneezed in his sleep, causing Bluekit to roll away from him. Shadekit forced down a whimper from the sudden cold that appeared at his haunches when Bluekit disappeared. Darkkit lifted her head with a yawn, also leaving Shadekit's side. Come back! He sighed despairingly, wanting to curl back into the warmth and go to sleep again.

Stormkit snored loudly beside him, and Shadekit rolled his eyes. He raised his head, yawning again, to see Blossomkit was not in the nest- or den. He narrowed his eyes and muttered. "Where's Blossomkit?"

"Out?" Darkkit shrugged.

"Let's go find her!" Bluekit squeaked, bounding out of the nest and to the nursery tunnel. "It'll be a fun adventure!"

Shadekit giggled and followed Bluekit, his tail flicking happily. Darkkit scrambled after him, pushing against his haunches with her nose. "Hurry up!" She squeaked.

"Hurry up Stormkit!" Shadekit called behind him as the grey dappled tom rolled lazily out of the nest.

"Slow down!" Stormkit muttered, stumbling to his paws with a tired grumble.

At last, all four kits made it to the top of the nursery tunnel. Bluekit meowed joyfully. "Now let's begin the search!" She trotted off in the direction of the medicine tunnel, her tail high in the air. Stormkit padded towards the Prison while Bluekit and Shadekit checked the warriors and leaders dens.

Shadekit circled around the leaders den, sniffing the air intently. There were no signs of Blossomkit. He sighed, growing mildly worried for their den mate. Where did she go?

"Everyone gather at the meeting clearing!" NoName's yowl sounded as the red she cat padded down the narrow pathway to commence a meeting. Shadekit pricked his ears in interest. What is she going to announce? He wondered, trotting after his mother eagerly.

He was the first into the clearing, except for NoName and Dime. Shadekit sat down in the shadows, watching as cats started entering. First came the Enforcers with Tyler and Strike in the lead. Flare, Zephyr and Mountain strolled in after them. The rest of the Dark Forest warriors streamed in and settled down in the clearing to listen to NoName. Huh, the prisoners aren't going to this one. Shadekit blinked, looking up at his mother as she started to speak.

"We have found some new allies." NoName began, her red pelt shining in the morning sunlight. "They will help us secure the clan cats from ever escaping." She lifted her tail, signalling the new cats to emerge. "Meet the Ghost Collective."

Four cats emerged, a dark furred tom in the lead. He had eyes like NoName, and a stern scowl written on his features. Behind him stalked a blue she cat with pure black eyes, a red she cat with black eyes padding beside her. At the back was a tortoishell tom, his tail flicking as he surveyed the gathered cats.

"My name is Spectre." The lead tom meowed. "This is Wraith, Revenant and Phantom."

Shadekit gasped. They look so cool! He watched the four cats as they silently sat down at the base of the rock. Where are the others? They have to see this!

As if on cue, Stormkit, Bluekit and Darkkit tumbled into him. "Whoa! They look awesome!" Stormkit gaped at the Ghost Collective.

"I love their names." Bluekit grinned. "So mysterious."

NoName's voice interrupted them, causing them to look back at her. "Dismissed. Go back to your patrols."

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