The bright half-moon shone on the big smooth granite boulders, turning them silver. All was silent except for the ripple of water in the swift river and the whisper of leaves. There was a stirring in the shadows and from all around, lithe dark shapes crept stealthily over the big granite boulders. Unsheathed claws shined in the moonlight and wary eyes flashed in the darkness. Then, as if there was a silent signal, the wolves leaped at each other and the boulders were alive with screeching wrestling wolves. At the center of the frenzy of fur, teeth and claws, a massive dark colored beta pinned a small lithe silver beta to the ground lifted up his head triumphantly.

Prologue

"Silverbreeze, how dare you enter our territory? Sunny rocks belong to the Booming Thunder pack!" The wolf growled fiercely "After tonight Tigerfang, this will be just another Clear River pack hunting ground!" Silverbreeze spat out. Suddenly, a warning yowl shrill and anxious came from close to the shore "Look out! There are more Booming Thunder wolves coming!" Silverbreeze turned to see a dozen sleek wet bodies sliding out of the water and onto the rocks. The drenched Booming Thunder pack wolves padded silently up the rocks and then hurled themselves into the battle without even stopping to shake the water out of their fur! Silverbreeze glared up at the dark wolf "You may swim like fish, but you and your pack do not even deserve to be close to the forest!"

The dark wolf then drew back his lips and showed his long yellow fangs to the struggling cat under him. The desperate yowl of a Clear River wolf rose above the clamor. A plump  Booming Thunder subordinate pinned the red subordinate to the ground and lunged toward the neck with water still dripping from his swim in the river. Silverbreeze heard the cry, gathering all her strength, she tucked her hind legs and kicked Tigerfang off. She raced toward the Clear River subordinate and knocked the Booming Thunder subordinate off of the Clear River subordinate. The Clear River subordinate dipped his head in thanks and leaped off into battle.  The moment the Clear River subordinate left, a pure white wolf raced towards Silverbreeze. "Silverbreeze, we can't keep fighting.

 There are way too many  Booming Thunder wolves. Moonstar would not want Clear River subordinate to try endlessly in an already lost battle." Silverbreeze hesitated for a heartbeat "Your right, Snowstorm. Call all the Clear River wolves back." "Retreat Clear River pack !" Snowstorm yowled. At once, all Clear River wolves wriggled and  struggled free away from their opponents. They back towards Snowstorm hissing and snarling. The  Booming Thunder wolves looked confused for a heartbeat or two. How was this battle so easily won? Then, Tigerfang yowled a jubilant cry. As soon as the  Booming Thunder pack heard him, they raised their voices and joined their beta in their howling of victory. Snowstorm looked down at the Clear River pack wolves. Then a massive gray wolf leaped at Silverbeeze, slitting her throat open.

With a flick of his tail, he gave the signal and the Clear River wolves raced down the far side of Sunny rocks and disappeared into the forest."That should teach her a lesson." In a deserted clearing, an old gray wolf sat alone, staring up at the clear night sky. All around her in the shadows, she could hear the breathing and stirring of sleeping cats. Then, a small tortoiseshell cat  emerged from a dark corner, her pawsteps quick and silent. The old wolf dipped her head in greeting. "How is Mousetail?" She meowed "His wounds are very deep, Moonstar." Answered the tortoiseshell, settling herself on the night-cool grass. "But he is quite young and strong; he will heal quickly." "And the others?" "They will all recover." Moonstar sighed. "We are greatly lucky to not have lost any cats this time. You are a very gifted healer."

She tilted her head and studied the stars. "I am greatly troubled by tonight's defeat. The Clear River pack has not been beaten in its own territory since I became leader," She murmured "These are very difficult times for Clear River pack. Newflora has come late, and fewer pups have been born. For the Clear River  pack to thrive, we need more cats." "But this year has only just begun." Spottedflower pointed out quietly "There will be more pups when Sunflora comes." The gray wolf  twitched her ears “Perhaps. But training our young to become true wolves takes time. If the Clear River pack is to defend its territory, we must have new wolves as soon as possible." "Are you asking the Tribe of Sparkling Stars for answers?"

Spottedflower asked gently, following Moonstar's gaze and staring up at the swath of stars glittering in the night sky. Spottedflower asked gently, following Moonstar's gaze and staring up at the swath of stars glittering in the night sky. "It is of times like this when we need the ancient cats to guide us. Has the Tribe of Sparkling Stars spoken to you?" Moonstar asked "Not for some moons, Moonstar." Spottedflower whispered sadly. Suddenly a ice covered shooting star blazed above the treetops. Spottedflower's ears and tail twitch and the fur along her spine bristled. Moonstar's ears twitched but she remained silent as Spottedflower continued to gaze upward. After a few heartbeats, Spottedflower lowered her head and turned to Moonstar.  "It was a message from the Tribe of Sparkling stars." she murmured.

Spottedflower asked gently, following Moonstar's gaze and staring up at the swath of stars glittering in the night sky. Spottedflower asked gently, following Moonstar's gaze and staring up at the swath of stars glittering in the night sky. "It is of times like this when we need the ancient cats to guide us. Has the Tribe of Sparkling Stars spoken to you?" Moonstar asked "Not for some moons, Moonstar." Spottedflower whispered sadly. Suddenly a ice covered shooting star blazed above the treetops. Spottedflower's ears and tail twitch and the fur along her spine bristled. Moonstar's ears twitched but she remained silent as Spottedflower continued to gaze upward. After a few heartbeats, Spottedflower lowered her head and turned to Moonstar.  "It was a message from the Tribe of Sparkling stars." she murmured.

Amber was sitting on a post that marked the limits of her garden. Beyond the garden, she could see the magnificent woods. Trees towered over small shrubs, beautiful flowers and mysterious herbs. Deep in the shadows, she spotted a flicker of movement. "A mouse!" She mewed excitedly, but quietly. She nimbly leaped off the post and raced towards the forest. When she reached the forest, she crouched down and slid smoothly across the forest floor, not making a sound. When she was only a few tail lengths from the mouse, she leaped up but she landed short, again. The mouse gave one terrified look at her and scurried away as fast as it could. She sighed and sat down heavily.

Chapter 1

7 moons later...

Suddenly, a silver tabby she-cat padded towards Amber. "Hi!" she mewed cheerfully. Amber looked up at the tabby. "Who are you?" Amber mewed warily. "Oh, I'm Silverpaw!" She meowed cheerfully. "And these are my friends." As if on cue, two cats the same age as Silverpaw leaped down from different trees."Spottedpaw," Silverpaw mewed, angling her ears towards a white cat with tortoiseshell patterns on her face, except for her muzzle and tortoiseshell patterns on her back and on her tail and bright green eyes. “And Ivypaw.” Pointing to a silver-and-white tabby she-cat with deep green eyes. “You could have caught that mouse if you strengthened your haunches.” Spottedpaw mewed. “You mean you’ve been spying on me?” Amber mewed suspiciously. “Whoa, whoa whoa!” Silverpaw meowed

“We were escaping from a big lake where we used to live, that is now destroyed. And we saw you. We knew you were the cat our healer, Echosong was talking about. Fire and ice will save the world!” “Legend says that no one has seen a red and white cat since the wolves left Earth.” Spottedpaw mewed “I mean it's a pretty big deal! Legend says that a cat of fire and ice can open the portal of another world, and we think you are that cat!” “We know exactly where that spot is.”Spottedpaw mewed “And we would like you to take us there!” “I guess I could open it for you. I mean try to open it for you." Amber mewed, still suspicious. The three friends looked at each other and smiled. “This way!” Silverpaw meowed, and the three friends sprang off racing through the woods. Amber sighed and stood up slowly.

She bunched her muscles and sprinted after them. She followed them over rivers, scrambled over logs, and narrowly avoided trees and shrubs. After what seemed like forever of running, they arrived at the most beautiful place Amber had ever seen.  Tall cherry blossom trees and beautiful willow trees of all colors circled the clearing. Flowers of all kind were scattered everywhere. The most stunning sight was the big magnificent waterfall that flows into a beautiful lake. Ivypaw jumped onto a big nearby rock “This is where legend says Moonstar, the last wolf alpha opened the portal.” Ivypaw mewed excited“And you should be able to open it here.” Amber leaped onto the rock and next to Ivypaw.  "Imagine a world, like Earth, except with no humans. This land is called Florina. Florinia is made up of 8 floating islands.

Each with a different environment. They are connected by big sturdy wooden bridges. The biggest island belongs to the 8 wolf packs with cats living with each pack. It is bigger than the biggest place on Earth! The other 7 belong to mythical creatures. Fire and ice birds, magical cats with wings and different abilities, produced from a gem on their forehead, winged bunnies with horse tails, cats that have fish tails and can breathe underwater. Also, cats with different patterns,often swirls and the ability to shrink and grow, water wolves, wolves that can breathe underwater and swim, and cats with dragon wings." Ivypaw meowed mysteriously. Amber concentrated, imagining a world just like Ivypaw described. of a world like that. In a few moments, a large portal appeared.

Silverpaw gasped excitedly. “I am going to make sure it’s Florinia.” Silverpaw meowed, excitedly. She padded towards the portal and poked her head through and back out. “It leads to Florinia!” She meowed happily. The friends cheered with joy.  Spottedpaw, and Silverpaw jumped through the portal. Ivypaw stared at the portal for a few moments, and leaped down the rock. She padded slowly at the portal. A heartbeat later, Silverpaw poked her head from out of the portal.  “Ivypaw, come on!” she mewed impatiently. Ivypaw stared at the portal blankly for a few moments. "I'm not ready to leave, Silverpaw." She mewed slowly. “Well then, we are staying with you until you are ready.” as if on cue,  Spottedpaw  jumped out of the portal. “Yup. Wherever you stay, Ivypaw, we go. Cause we are a team!” Spottedpaw meowed positively.

Silverpaw nodded in agreement. Ivypaw stood up smiling happily “Thanks guys.” Ivypaw meowed gratefully and nuzzled them affectionately. Then Ivypaw turned to Amber “You should close it now.” Ivypaw mewed. “Oh, right.” Amber mewed. She stood up and stared at the portal for a heartbeat of two, and the portal closed. Silverpaw looked at Amber closely, studying her eyes. “You want to join us at Florinia right?” She meowed. “How did she know?” Amber muttered, then she looked up “Yes?” “Meet us here tomorrow, same time to come to Florinia with us, Ivypaw should be ready to leave tomorrow.” Amber nodded and stood up. “I will think about it. Um, I am going home to think about it though. See you guys tomorrow.”

In the deserted neighborhood, Amber sat on a fence post, staring into the shadows of the forest. Suddenly, a twig branch snapped. Alarmed, Amber leaped up and spun around multiple times, finally spotting the maker. “Rusty! You scared me!” Amber mewed to a ginger cat with green eyes “Sorry.” Rusty mumbled "Why are you staring at the forest again like a creepy old lady?" He complained. "Because I am thinking if I want to go to a place called Florina." Amber mewed quietly. "Well think quickly because you know I can't sleep with out you." He mumbled. "Fine." Amber grumbled. She leaped off the post and padded after Rusty. They slid through the cat flap and padded towards their bed.

Chapter 2

 Rusty hopped on, rolling in the bed for a few moments and curled up into a small ball. Amber padded onto the bed, circled her side for a few moments and curled up. She closed her eyes and fell asleep into the world of dreams. It was very dark. Amber could sense something was very near. The young she-cats eyes opened wide as she scanned the undergrowth. This place was unfamiliar, but the strange scents drew her in, deeper into the shadows. Her stomach growled, reminding her of her hunger. She opened her jaws slightly to let the warm scents of the forest reach the scent glands on the roof of her mouth. Musty odors of leaf mold mingled with the tempting aroma of a warm furry creature. Suddenly, a flash of gray raced past her. Amber stopped  still, listening.

It was hiding in the leaves, a few tail lengths away.  Amber knew this was a squirrel-she could feel the rapid pulsing of a tiny heart within her ear fur. She swallowed, stifling her rumbling stomach. Soon, her hunger would be satisfied. Slowly, she lowered into position, crouching for the attack. She was downwind of the mouse. She knew that the mouse was not aware of her.  With one final check on her prey's position, Amber pushed back hard on her haunches and sprang, kicking up leaves on the forest floor as she rose. The squirrel dived for cover, heading towards a nearby tree. But Amber was already on top of it. She scooped it into the air, hooking the helpless creature with her razor sharp claws, flinging it up in a high arc, onto the leaf covered ground. The squirrel landed dazed, but alive. 

It tried to run but  Amber snatched the squirrel again. She tossed the squirrel once more, and this time, a little farther away. The squirrel managed to scramble a few paces before Amber caught up with it. Suddenly, a noise roared nearby. Amber looked around, and while doing so, the squirrel was able to pull away from her claws. When Amber turned back, she saw the squirrel dart up a tree. Furious, Amber gave up the hunt. She spun around, her green eyes glaring,  intent on searching out the noise that had cost her kill. The sound rattled on, becoming more and more familiar with each heartbeat. Amber opened her eyes.The forest disappeared and she was inside a hot airless kitchen lying curled up in her bed. Moonlight filtered through the window, casting shadow on the hard smooth floor.

The noise had been the hard, dried pellets of food as they were tipping into her dish. Amber had been dreaming. Lifting her head, she rested her head on the side of her bed. Her collar rubbed uncomfortably around her neck. In her dream,  she had felt the fresh air ruffling the soft fur where the collar usually pinched. Amber rolled onto her back, savoring the dream for a few more moments. Amber could still smell that delicious, juicy smell of that squirrel. From in her bed, she could smell the bland odor of her food. Her owners always refill Rusty’s and her bowl first thing in the morning and before bed. She lifted her head and spotted Rusty fast asleep, and snoring a little. The dusty smell chased away the warm smell of her dream.

But the hunger rumbled on in her stomach, so Amber tiptoed out of the bed, stretched the sleep out of her limbs and padded across the kitchen floor to her dinner. The food felt dry and tasteless on her tongue. She reluctantly swallowed one more mouthful. She looked at the food, wondering if she should taste another mouthful of the pellets. She turned and looked longingly at the cat flap and turned away from the food dish. She padded towards the cat flap and slid away through the flap, hoping that the scent of the garden would bring back the feelings from her dream. Outside, the moon shone brightly and tiny raindrops landed everywhere. Amber stalked down the tidy garden, following the starlit gravel path, feeling the stones cold and sharp beneath her paws

She made dirt behind a bush with thick, shiny, weird shaped leaves with small, showy flowers. The sickly sweet scent cloyed the damp air around her, and she curled her lip to drive the smell out of her nostrils. Afterward, Amber settled down on top of one of the posts that marked the limits of the garden. It was Amber's favorite spot, for she could look into the neighbor's gardens as well as see the beautiful dense green forest from the other side of the fence. The rain stopped. Behind her, the cross chopped lawn bathed in the moonlight, but beyond her fence the forest was full of shadows.  She stood up, bored of staring at the forest and leaped off the post. She padded across the lawn and slid through the cat flap. Amber saw Rusty still sleeping soundly, so she tiptoed across the floor and slid onto the bed and fell asleep.

"Rusty?" Amber mewed softly. "Wha?"Rusty meowed drowsily "Wha do want Amber?" "I've decided I'm going to Florinia." she whispered "Well then I'm coming. Cause twins stay together." He mewed, suddenly awake. "Well when are we leaving?" "Now." Amber mewed, feeling very sue of her self. The two twins slid through the cat flap. They leaped onto the fence and leaped down onto the other side. The padded through the forest for awhile, but Rusty got bore, so he raced ahead. “Bet you can’t catch me Amber!” Rusty teased. He hopped over logs like a baby rabbit, he swerved around trees, narrowly missing them. Amber smiled. She bunched her haunches and pelted after Rusty. She jumped gracefully over logs and smoothly avoiding trees.

Chapter 3

Finally, they arrived at the clearing, and Rusty was still running at full speed. He crashed into Ivypaw and was still running, and they eventually landed in the lake. “Oops. Sorry.” Rusty muttered, embarrassed. Ivypaw stood up and gave herself a good shake. “It’s ok.” She meowed good naturally “Accidents happen.” “Ya.” Rusty muttered , stomping onto the shore. “Now are we going or not?” Spottedpaw asked after a few moments. “Oh, ya right.” Amber mewed and leaped onto the rock. After a few heartbeats, the portal opened. "Come on." Silverpaw mewed. She walked calmly through the portal, followed by Spottedpaw, then Ivypaw, then Rusty, and finally, Amber. Before they knew it, they were falling from the sky. "Ahhhhhhhh!" They screamed. Ivypaw quickly directed her feet to point to the ground, and she landed perfectly.

Rusty followed, but instead of landing on his paws, he landed on top of Ivypaw, squishing her to the ground. The rest of them fell on top, like a cat pyramid. Amber stood up and leaped off. Then Spottedpaw, then Silverpaw and Rusty rolled off. Ivypaw stood up, shaking dust from off her fur. “Like I said, Accidents happen.” Ivypaw mewed with a hint of annoyance in her voice. “Sorry.” Rusty mumbled again. Suddenly, two wolves leaped from trees, and two cats padded silently out of some bushes. They circled the four friends, growling and hissing.  “How dare you enter Clear River pack territory!” A silver she-wolf with blue eyes growled anger sparking in her eyes, and her fur bristling. “I’m sorry!” Amber yelped, terrified.   “I just opened a portal to Florinia and we landed here, with my friends and I’m sorry!”

“You opened the portal here? Great! Now Earth and his army have access here unless someone from the outside closes it.” The wolf barked furiously. Then a young cat tumbled down a tree. “Sorry  I did not get out of the tree in time, Moonstar.” The cat mewed innocently. “Moonstar?!” Ivypaw, Spottedpaw, Silverpaw and Rusty meowed shocked at the same time. “Yes , I‘m Moonstar.” The wolf woofed suspiciously.  Suddenly the shone brightly on Amber and Rusty’s pelts. Their pelts gleamed like a fire in the sun, blazing through the forest, and the white on Amber’s fur sparkled like ice. “Fire and ice can save the clan.” She murmured, she looked at the two cats again and cleared her throat.  “I have an offer for you, all of you. I’m inviting you to the Clear river pack.”

“What?” The big white wolf next to her growled “Are you out of your mind? What about closing the portal? Haven’t we “adopted” enough cats?” “Calm down Snowstorm.” she woofed softly “I have a feeling about these cats.” Snowstorm glared at her for a heartbeat and sighed “Ok, Moonstar.” he growled and looked again at the friends suspiciously. "Leopardheart will come and pick you up tomorrow at the same time." she woofed, turning to a small dotted cat. "Border patrol finished. "she barked, and the five of them raced into the forest. "So..." Spottedpaw mewed after forever “Are we going to explore? I mean we’ve got until tomorrow at sun high.” Silverpaw and Ivypaw looked at each other excitedly.

“Come on!” Silverpaw mewed excitedly and she raced off, followed closely by Spottedpaw, Ivypaw, Rusty and Amber. They jumped over logs, circled smoothly along trees and finally, they arrived at a big wooden bridge. “This is the bridge between the foxes and the wolf and cats!” Ivypaw squealed “I always loved the legend of the foxes!” “Well then let’s get going.” Spottedpaw mewed  “So we can explore the land of foxes. I heard they are not territorial, just live with families and are quite peaceful.” “Well then let’s get going.” Grumbled Rusty impatiently “And what are we doing here in the first place again?” The she-cats looked at each other, hiding smiles of amusement. “ Oh I forgot too.” Spottedpaw mewed, sarcastically. Ivypaw rolled her eyes. “Let's just go already.” she mewed.

Ivypaw padded towards the bridge, followed by Rusty, then Spottedpaw, then Silverpaw and Amber.  They crossed the bridge slowly, because if one fell, they would meet their doom. After what seemed like forever, the friends arrived at the fox island. They were greeted by a friendly green fox with flowers all over her fur. “I’m Spring!” She said “And I’m a spring fox belonging in the seasonal class. You’re here to explore right?” “Yes.” Amber mewed suspiciously. “Well you should explore tomorrow. After all, it’s almost night. I can bring you to the guest village, if you would like." Spring turned around, beckoning the friends to follow her. After a while, they arrived at a big village, with treehouses and bridges connecting them. There were all the creatures Ivypaw had told her about.

In a big lake, water wolves and water cats were swimming along, pushing through seaweed stalks and examining oysters. Some little ones were trying to pry open a ginormous clam about 600 hundred years old, if Amber’s calculations were right. Little cats with cool mesmerizing patterns were picking some berries from a tree with leaves bigger than anything the friends had ever seen. Cat dragons, and small colorful cats with wings flew around, occasionally picking a berry and dropping it in the patterned cat’s baskets. Strange birds, of red and gold and birds of white and blue, sat on perches cocking their heads at different animals and sometimes even stealing a berry or two and giving it back. Each different species was being supervised by a different fox.

For the water cats, they had an orange and brown fox mixed with some kind of sea dragon watching them, while the water wolves were being supervised by a green fox that looked somewhat similar to the orange one. Supervising the patterned cats was a white fox with black paws, and ears. On its forehead was a quite noticeable moon, and in a little bowl, sat a blue flame, which seemed like a crystal ball. On a high perch sat a light blue and white fox, with stunning wings. It’s watchful gaze was focused on the small colorful cats with wings. Watching the cat dragons was quite a strange fox. It seemed to be half kingfisher and half fox. Watching the birds were one white fox and one orange and yellow fox. Both had two tails. The white one had a moon pattern on its forehead, and the other one had a sun. “Stunning, isn't it?”

Spring woofed. “It’s beautiful.” meowed Amber in awe. The others nodded in agreement. "What are those birds called, Spring?" "They are called Pheonixes. We take in visitors and we have an orphanage here.” She woofed proudly. She trotted towards a nearby treehouse. This is where the wolves and cats are welcome to live. Although no wolves or cats have come here for centuries now.” she woofed sadly. Sitting under the tree was a pure white fox with a leaf laurel and next to the fox lay a small lyre. In the middle of the laurel, was a star pattern. She stood up as they approached. "I'm Melody." She woofed politely “I’m quite excited to guide you at your time here since, as you know, there have not been guests since centuries ago. So you are my first guests, and my last step to becoming a tour fox!” “They're all yours.” Spring

barked “Well, I better go home. My parents will ground me again if I don’t come home on time.”with that, she raced off. “So..” Melody woofed “Are you guys hungry?” “Mhm.” Rusty mewed, licking his lips. “Well then follow me.” she slowly climbed up the ladder, one paw after another. Finally, we reached the top. Inside the treehouse was stellar. There were 3 rooms, with bunk beds. The mattresses were so bouncy and comfy. In the main room, there was a big carpet, and a little fire, with a cooking grate. “I’ll find food.” Melody arfed. She trotted toward the deer skin flap and disappeared. A few minutes later, she returned through the deer skin flap with four mice and some berries. “These are pecha berries.” she woofed, setting them on the ground with the mice. “And I assume you know what mice are, correct?” The friends

The friends nodded their heads. She picked the mice and dropped them on the cooking grate. She sat there, waiting for the mice to cook. After a while, Melody got bored and started playing the lyre. Finally the mice were finished cooking. She grabbed a pail of water with her teeth and poured the water quickly over the fire. She grabbed the mice gently and dropped them in front of the friends. Amber opened her mouth to say something, but nothing came out. Amber opened her mouth to speak but was interrupted by Ivypaw. “That was some beautiful music, Melody.” She mewed politely. “Why thank you Ivypaw. “Melody woofed sweetly. She then grabbed the berries and placed them in front of each cat. The hungry cats devoured the meal right away. Melody sat in front of them, watching them eat.

After a few moments, she stood up to speak. “Get some rest now and tomorrow you can stay here and play or explore.” Melody barked. She led them to the hallway. "You guys decide where you want to sleep. I'm going to be sleeping next to the fire. Good night cats." She woofed. Then she turned around and padded towards the fire, and curled up next to the fire. "I want my own room." Rusty said stubbornly. "Sure." Silverpaw meowed "I'm sharing one with Spottedfpaw." Spottedpaw and Silverpaw turned around and padded to a nearby room. Rusty trotted to a room and Ivypaw and Amber padded into a room. "Do you want the top or bottom?" Ivypaw meowed. " I think I'll have the top." Amber mewed in reply. "Ok." Ivypaw mewed. She hopped onto the bottom and curled up. Amber climbed the ladder, slowly and carefully.

She finally reached the top and curled up on the fluffy mattress. "Good night, Ivypaw." She mewed, and with that, she fell asleep.

It was very bright. So bright the light could blind her. Suddenly, the light dimmed. In front of her were clouds. Mice, and squirrels and rabbits eating the clouds,the peachy pink clouds. She nibbled on the cloud she was standing on. It was amazingly sweet. Like the pecha berries Melody brought and the fluffy candy her owners child brought her. Her stomach growled with hunger. Only the she realized that this would satisfy her hunger. She looked up and decided to hunt a nice juicy rabbit. She crouched down and glided over the soft fluffy clouds. She got as close as she could to the rabbit, and finally leaped. She landed onto of the rabbit, but instead of a normal rabbit squeal, it meowed. "Get off of me Amber!" It meowed. "Huh?" Amber meowed in confusion. She blinked her eyes.

Chapter 4

Suddenly the clouds disappeared, the prey disappeared, and the rabbit turned into Ivypaw. "Eek!" Amber yelped she leaped off of Ivypaw. "Sorry, Ivypaw. "Amber mewed, embarrassed. "It's ok. It's time for our morning meal. We have squirrels with oran berries." Ivypaw meowed calmly. Amber sniffed the air. The air had a hint of squirrel. Amber licked her lips. She had never tried squirrel. "Let's go." Amber mewed, her stomach growling. Ivypaw nimbly leaped off the bed while Amber had to climb down. Ivypaw and Amber padded down the hall way and arrived at the fire. "Morning." Spottedpaw and Silverpaw meowed at the same time. "Morning." Rusty grumbled. "Good morning." Melody woofed, obviously not paying much attention.

"So what are we going to do today, other than meet Moostar and tell her if we want to join Clear River pack?" Ivypaw asked once she settled down in front of her squirrel. "Maybe get to know the other creatures." Amber suggested. "Sounds good, but what about exploring the other islands?" Silverpaw meowed. "Nah, I heard only the foxes are very friendly." Spottedpaw mewed, with a piece of squirrel in her mouth. "Can we just sleep through most of the day?" Rusty grumbled. "Let's vote." Ivypaw suggested "The options are sleeping, exploring, and meeting the creatures here. Lift up your tail for sleeping." Rusty lazily lifted up his tail. "Ok. Exploring." Silverpaw and Spottedpaw lifted their tails. "And creatures." Ivypaw and Amber raised their tails. "Exploreing and creatures are tied." Silverpaw and Amber sighed.

"A tie?" They meowed angrily. "Come on." Ivypaw sighed. "How about which ever one Melody wants to go to is the one we will go to." Amber, Silverpaw and Spottedpaw cheered. Melody Tapped her claw to her chin for a moment. "I say spend the time here and meet the creatures. You can make new allies, since you said you might be joining Clear River pack. The more allies the better. Because the packs are know for their disputes so allies are going to be willing to help you. " "Are you an ally of us?" Amber asked, curious. "Yes, I am. " She woofed smiling. "Now eat up, and you can make some new friends." The friends wolfed down their meals and raced outside. Melody followed, smiling. They leaped down from the tree and headed in different directions. Amber went towards the water cats, Ivypaw to the patterned cats,

Spottedpaw to the water wolves, Rusty to the cat dragons and Silverpaw to the colorful winged cats. Amber sat at the lake, hoping that a water cat would be interested in talking to her. Suddenly, a green water cat leaped from the water and landed nimbly next to Amber. "I love this place. Don't you?" it meowed "Ya, I love it to." "I come here every time I have a vacation time at my school. By the way, I'm Ocean." Ocean meowed. "My name is Amber." Amber mewed, grateful that a water cat was actually talking to her. Ocean then cuffed her gently on the ear. In return, Amber gently tackled her. The two cats tumbled and tussled with each other and claws sheathed. They batted at each other playfully, finally becoming true friends. After a long play fight, Ocean had Amber pinned to the ground.

"Surrender and give me all your beautiful precious things." she mewed playfully. "Never!" Amber meowed. She batted at Ocean's belly, trying to throw Ocean off gently. "You don't stand a chance." She mewed playfully, batting at Amber ears. "Ok! Fine I surrender." Amber mewed sadly. Ocean got off looking very proud. "Not!" Amber meowed leaping on top of Ocean. Ocean landed on the ground with a big oof. "You surrender!" Amber mewed "Ok." Ocean meowed reluctantly. Amber hopped off and started to groom her fur. Ocean stood up. "You fight pretty good, for a kittypet. " Ocean meowed teasingly. "For a kittypet huh?" Amber meowed looking up from her grooming "Well I'm to tired to fight you again. Why not we pick some pecha berries?" Amber mewed. "Sure and after I can teach you how to swim."

Ocean meowed mischievously. Amber sighed "Fine." she meowed. They padded towards the patterned cats area. They climbed the ladder to where Ivypaw was picking berries with a small blue cat with black swirls. "Hi Amber!" Ivypaw mewed cheerfully. "Do you want to pick some pecha berries with your new friend?" "Yes!" Amber mewed. Soon they where standing on their hind legs picking pecha berries. After a while later, Silverpaw, Spottedpaw, and Rusty came up to them. "It's sunhigh." Spottedpaw mewed. "Let's go." Silverpaw meowed impatiently. "Bye Ocean." Amber meowed. "Bye Sky." Ivypaw mewed. The friends then climbed down the ladder one by one and raced toward the bridge. They crossed it carefully and raced through the forest. They finally arrived at the place where they met Moonstar.

A few moments later, Leopardheart padded from the bushes. "Welcome." She meowed "Can you see if there are any other animals with me?" the friends sniffed the air cautiously. "You are by yourself." Silverpaw meowed confidently. "Correct." She meowed. "Now come with me and I will take you to Clear River pack camp." Leopardheart beckoned them to follow her and they did. A while later, they arrived at a bramble wall. Leopardheart ducked through small opening. The friends followed slowly and cautiously.

"This is Clear River pack." Leopardheart meowed proudly. The pups and kittens were playing some games. The adolescent wolves and cats were sitting under a tree, whispering and casting teasing looks at the kittens. Some adults were talking and sharing prey, others grooming their fur, and others sunbathing and watching the young wolves and cats. "Our ancestors came here a very long time ago and built our camp, traditions, and our very own name." Leopardheart padded to a big den made out of brambles woven together. "This is where we raise our young. We call this the nursery. If you listen very carefully, you can listen the young kits mewling." She turned to a den very close to the nursery. "This is apprentice den.

Chapter 5

When the kittens or pups are old enough to start training, they become an apprentice and sleep here." She padded to the other side of the clearing and leaped over a stream. She padded over to a ginormous den. "This is subordinate den. Most adults sleep here." She turned her head to a small den. "This is beta den. Our second in charge wolves and cats sleep here. Including me. " She walked over to a stone den. "Healer den." She mewed. "Like their name, they heal." She flickered her tail to a big tree. "Looks like a tree right? Nope. It's Elders den. Because they are old, we give the most clever den. This tree shelters the elders and also grows pecha berries." She raced towards a big stone rock. She padded towards a opening covered with vines. "Moonstar? They came." She meowed. Seconds later Moonstar emerged.

"Good." She woofed. "The kittypets did quite well on the journey despite their puny size." Leaopardheart meowed. "Then it's decided. They shall join Clear River pack." She bunched her muscles. With a mighty leap she landed on the bug rock. "Let all animals old enough to catch their own prey gather at Great Rock!" She howled. All apprentices, betas and subordinates gathered around Great Rock. "Today we have five new apprentices joining Clear River pack." She barked. The animals looked at each other confused and started whispering and casting looks at the playing kits and pups. "Rusty, please come onto Great Rock." She woofed. Rusty scrambled up the rock. "From this point until you become a subordinate, you shall be known as Flamepaw. Your mentor shall be Snowstorm."