Dawnpaw clambered onto the shore and shook her fur, her aching muscles screaming for rest. It had been a long swim from the edge of the lake to the island. I really hope this is worth it, Dawnpaw thought. Silverpaw climbed up from the water next to her, and sprayed her with water as she shook her pelt.

"Come on," Silverpaw whispered, alert. "This isn't just any random gathering." Dawnpaw bit back an retort. I know. I'm not a fishbrain, she thought, agitated.

"Coming," she muttered. Dawnpaw treaded carefully around the trees as she finally settled down behind a large oak tree, safe from sight. A large gust of wind blew into her eyes just as gathering started. Blinking painfully, she resisted the urge to rub her paw in her eyes.

"Cats of all clans!" Yelled Thistlestar. "Prey is plentiful, and we have made two new apprentices, Swamppaw and Needlepaw!" All the cats cheered for the newly-made apprentices, who puffed out their chests. Thistlestar continued after the clans calmed down. "The war against RiverClan has ended. Instead, we have made an alliance with RiverClan at the cost of two of our brave warriors, Puddlestripe and Shadowheart." He paused again, the clans erupting in whispers. Silverpaw glared at him.

"Brave warriors?" She hissed. "More like blood being spilled to satisfy his greedy pelt."

"I know," Dawnpaw replied. "This isn't fair! And he didn't even mention about Emberstar." Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Troutsplash and Bramblefang stiffen. I know how you feel, she thought. This foxhearted piece of dung should pay! She cleared her thoughts and returned her attention to the ShadowClan leader.

"...and we thank RiverClan for graciously giving us a piece of their territory," Thistlestar concluded, before sitting back down and giving a crooked smile to Lighteye. Dawnpaw looked away.

"I...I can't stand this nonsense!" She snarled. "Generous! As if we willingly gave it to them."

Swiftstar rose up from her branch. "WindClan has had a very eventful moon," she announced. "Prey has been plentiful, and we have had three new kits, Bouncekit, Breezekit, and Whisperkit. Two new apprentices have been made, Heatherpaw and Rabbitpaw!" The clans all yowled in celebration.

"Prey has been plentiful as always, and our warriors and apprentices have almost mastered the art of fishing," Runningstar yowled. RiverClan cats jumped up, protesting.

"Fishing is exclusive to RiverClan!" Silverpaw whispered furiously. "And it's not even an art- it's a skill that we need to survive!"

"Be quiet!" Minnowtail yelled. "If ThunderClan wants RiverClan and ShadowClan on their tails, it's their problem."

"We never said we would help, Minnowstar." Thistlestar scolded her, tone mock friendly. Wait. Minnowstar? She wondered, I thought Ivy had taken over. Minnowstar glared at him.

"I'm sorry," she said sarcastically. Thistlestar silenced her with a powerful flick of his tail, and Minnowstar looked down reluctantly.

"RiverClan has had a lot of prey in the past moon, and as Thistlestar said, the war has ended and we have formed an alliance. Unfortunately, this came a large cost for RiverClan. Our beloved leader, Emberstar, has passed on to the stars, along with Eeljaw, Carppelt, Waterheart, and Softwing," Minnowstar said sadly.

"What?!" Dawnpaw stuttered. "They...they what?" Silverpaw hung her head, flattering her ears.

"They killed Softwing," she growled. "They killed our mother, that's what." Paws trembling, Dawnpaw looked back up at Minnowstar.

Minnowstar gritted her teeth and continued. "And in addition to this, when the alliance between RiverClan and ShadowClan was being made, two of our apprentices, Dawnpaw and Silverpaw, tried to attack the ShadowClan apprentices," Minnowstar's eyes flashed dangerously, but she remained calm. We did not do that! Dawnpaw thought indignantly.

"Ivy's probably forcing her to say that," Silverpaw murmured to herself.

"They are now wanted for treason against both RiverClan and ShadowClan," Minnowstar stated. "If you see any of them, please bring them to either the ShadowClan or RiverClan camp."

"I knew it," Dawnpaw snarled. "Ivy's forcing RiverClan to help ShadowClan. That piece of mouse dung. Actually— not just Ivy. They're all fox dung!" Dawnpaw and Silverpaw stepped into the twoleg den. Dawnpaw's nose twitched, and a scent filled her nostrils. Her fur stood on end as she unsheathed her claws.

"What is that?" Dawnpaw whispered. She poked her nose deeper into the darkness. Thoughts of what it could be flashed through her mind. It could be a badger, ShadowClan, a rogue, a loner, a kittypet, another Clan cat—

"It's a-" Silverpaw was picked up off the ground by a huge reddish-brown animal. She swung by her scruff, silver paws churning.

Fox! Dawnpaw thought, finishing Silverpaw's sentence. Dawnpaw ran to the larger animal and tried in vain to stun the fox into releasing her littermate. The fox slammed a paw into her ribcage and she flew backwards into a wall. Dawnpaw fought to keep her eyes open.

I guess this is where it ends? she thought. She slumped over, her pelt welling up with blood. I'm sorry, Silverpaw. I'm sorry, StarClan, and RiverClan. I guess...I guess I just didn't try hard enough.

I'm so sorry.