"Beautiful," Riverbird mewed. She was smiling at the three kittens curled next to Commander Moon. The oldest was a purple-gray tom with a white ear, the second was a pink molly, and the youngest was a gray tom with white paws.

"What are their names?" Sean asked his light blue eyes sparkling.

"We decided on Storm, Peach, and Yoshe," purred Stormwing.

He and Commander Moon were purring in delight when the ground started to shake. Dr. Riverbird flattened her ears and hissed, "That smells like Jeremiah."

Commander Moon wrapped her tail around her three kits in case Jeremiah was after them. Was he here because of Porphyry? "What do you want, you no-good reptile?" Riverbird hissed.

Jeremiah stomped one foot on the ground. "I'm looking for three kits," he roared.

Commander Moon lowered her ears while Blue, Feather, Lily, and Sean all gasped in fear. The Commander had a feeling Jeremiah was referring to her kits but there was a good chance that it could be the other kittens who were in the nursery. The four kits shrieked when the leaves covering the entrance opened to reveal a green reptile that looked a lot like Jeremiah Jr.

Lionpool and Dovetail stood in front of Commander Moon and bared their teeth at Jeremiah. "Stay away from the kittens!"

"Just give me her kits and I'll leave," Jeremiah growled before baring his teeth in pain.

On the outside, a gray sheep dog with white hair fluffed on her head was biting down hard on Jeremiah's tail and shaking it. "OW! STOP THAT!"

"Never!" The sheepdog growled. She tried to pull Jeremiah back and was soon helped by Sparrowclaw, Trainee Crow, and Riverbird. After ripping him out of the nursery, the three mothers sighed in relief until Jeremiah snorted.

"C'mon! I was paid for this!" Jeremiah roared. "Can't I just take the kittens and get my money?"

Commander Moon glared at the reptile, not moving from her kits who were mewling in fear. "Why would you do such a thing?" Jeremiah only looked away.

"Who pays someone to kitnap?" Sparrowclaw muttered.

Jeremiah jumped up and crossed his arms. "I'll find some other way to get my money!" He stomped his way out of the camp while damaging the entrance tunnel. Some of the cats scowled at the messed-up tunnel.

The sheepdog tilted her head at Commander Moon. "Are your kits alright?" She didn't move closer to look.

"Just frightened," Commander Moon mewed. "Who are you?"

"Sheep," the sheepdog barked. "I was visiting Villie when I heard Jeremiah plotting to take your kits."

"Do you want to join?" Commander Moon asked her eyes starting to droop. 

Sheep nodded. "Can Villie join along with us?" 

Commander Moon nodded. Sheep smiled and promised to be back by tomorrow morning.

***

When morning came, Villie, a pale rose tabby molly, joined with her four six-month-old kittens: Cinder, Willow, Thorn, and Gray. Commander Moon was staying in the nursery until her kits were two months as she would feel comfortable leaving them in the nursery. She didn't know she overslept until Brightpool's energetic roar filled the air.

"Commander Moon, we have a request from a rogue!"

"Coming," Commander Moon yawned and made sure to tuck her kits in before leaving the nursery.

Once outside, she spotted a pregnant indigo molly and a teal color molly with three kits. "New members?" Commander Moon asked looking a bit surprised.

The indigo molly shook her head. "We need help. Our home was overrun by creepy bone monsters and my kits are going to be born in a moon," she cried.

Lostleap went to stand beside Commander Moon. "Is it on our territory?"

"No," the teal-colored molly meowed. "We live near Bluberry but none of the Families will help us."

Oh-no, Commander Moon thought looking nervous. She wasn't sure what to do. These two obviously don't want to join but they could become help against that villainous leader if they helped them out with their problem. "We'll help. In the meantime, you can sleep in the nursery or outside of camp if you don't want to stay inside."

"Thank you for your hospitality," the indigo molly purred. "I'm Braveleaf by the way."

"I'm Lillian and these are my kits Sakura, Jacky, and Baby," the teal-colored molly meowed. The two guests didn't stay in the nursery but instead slept in the pit that was behind the nursery as they didn't want to take up space.

"We'll be sure to check out their home," Lostleap told Commander Moon.

***

A month passed and none of the scout patrol has gotten close to Braveleaf and Lillian's home. They reported of a mysterious dark energy radiating from the area causing them to go numb or feel nauseous. Commander Moon was attending to a patrol where a couple of the Trainees were wanting to show off the skills they learned.

Commander Moon noticed Trainee Fire stop in his tracks and sniff the air. "You got an excellent nose, Trainee Fire."

The orange tom ran off the path and off into the field. Surprised, Commander Moon followed the Trainee to see where he was going. A small black tom with a gray-blue collar looking around lost was sitting in the field. She was going to call the young tom until Trainee Fire tackled him.

Don't kill him! Commander Moon shrieked on the inside until realizing that Trainee Fire looked happy.

"Blacky!" purred Trainee Fire. "What are you doing so far from home?"

The young black tom kept his gaze low. "M-my folks w-went to go see Sloane's toddler," he mumbled. "I strayed too far when I smelled your scent..."

"Is there any way we can get you back?" Commander Moon asked.

Blacky jumped when she asked him a question. "If y-y-you can swim to the island..."

"You can join the Moon Family and be with me!" Trainee Fire shouted.

Blacky's eyes widened in shock. "N-n-n-" Too late as Trainee Fire pushed his brother back to camp without getting Commander Moon's opinion.

Maybe he'll like the Monthly Meeting, Commander Moon thought remembering that the meeting was tonight. Although, she didn't think Blacky was going to stay here long but at least he can come and experience a meeting.

***

"Ah, I remember Monthly Meetings, you'll love them," Braveleaf meowed to the still nervous looking Trainee Blacky.

Ever since Blacky came, Lostleap kept giving Commander Moon worried glances. She returned them as if to say, "Trainee Fire wanted him to join." The group coming this time was Riverbird, Lostleap, Trainee Fire, Trainee Blacky, Trainee Tiger, Littletail, Michaeltail, and Sheep.

"Hopefully we can attend," Trainee Tiger growled referring to what happened last month.

"Yes," Commander Moon replied feeling nervous.

They all reached the island and came on the log bridge to find Commander Gray and Bluestep glaring at them. "Look who came back," Commander Gray growled.

"They can attend since they came back," Commander Pink nudged Commander Gray's side. She gave welcoming eyes to Commander Moon who smiled nervously.

As the Moon Family members came onto the island, cats greeted them that made the group relax a bit. Commander Moon headed to the white tree where the other Commanders sat in front of. That's pretty, she thought as she sat beside a red tom with dull green eyes.

"It's nice to see you join us," Commander Lava meowed.

"Yes, we're happy to be accepted," Commander Moon meowed.

Loud growls rose and the two Commanders looked to see Trainee Fire standing in front of a frightened Trainee Blacky while snarling at Bluestep. "Don't hurt my little brother!"

"How does one pick such a pitiful cat to join," Bluestep sneered.

"Leave him alone," Commander Moon said in unison with someone else. Her and Commander Lava looked confused but went to go shoo Bluestep away.

"C-C-C-Commander Moon," yelped Trainee Blacky as he dashed right behind her. Trainee Fire looked ready to fight Bluestep, but Hawkwing was already nudging the blue-gray tom away.

Why is this guy always picking a fight with us? Commander Moon thought catching Bluestep glaring at her. She followed Commander Lava back to the tree with Trainee Blacky sticking close to her. 

The other Commanders gave Trainee Blacky sympathetic glances before facing the rest of the cats that stopped talking to look at them. Commander Moon gave her report on the new members joining the Family and mentioning weird auras near Bluberry. 

Commander Pink stood up and looked at the cats. "My own cats have reported strange auras as well as bone monsters jumping out at night. Other than that, we have two new trainees named Trainee Foggy, Trainee Rocky, and Trainee Grassy." She looked at the three young cats who resembled her smiling wide.

After everyone spoke, Commander Moon noticed Trainee Blacky talking to a young red and white molly who she heard was named Lavacloud. She bumped into a ginger tom with blue streaks on his side. His lavender eyes gazed at her curiously. "Looks like your new Trainee found a new friend."

"Thank goodness," Commander Moon sighed. "What Family are you from?"

"I'm only visiting," he chuckled. "I'm Iceflame or that's what Commander Goose calls me anyway." He flicked his tail to a white tom with red legs and a long tooth coming out the center of his mouth. "He's a little crazy..." He laughed again.

"I wouldn't know," Commander Moon pointed out. 

Iceflame grinned. "I know. Um, about that aura you and Commander Pink spoke of. When did it start?"

"A month ago, it infected Braveleaf and Lillian's home causing them to flee to us," Commander Moon explained.

"He was right," Iceflame whispered before smiling again. "A friend of mine will inspect it and recommend the best option for your guests." He blinked and padded away.

"Who was that?" Littletail asked.

"Iceflame, a guest from Darkness Family, I guess," Commander Moon gave a small laugh. Littletail's face shown disinterest in Darkness Family. At least we'll get answers for Braveleaf, Lillian, and the kits.

***

When it was afternoon the next day, Lillian was pacing around camp while waiting for the inspector. Commander Moon was watching the kits with Peachclaw helping her. Today, Peachclaw was a lot sadder as if something happened while the group was out for the Monthly Meeting. Sparrowclaw looked sad too, but he always came back with items such as peaches or sparkly stones to Peachclaw.

None of the campmates looked sad so what happened. Lionpool explained to Commander Moon about a tragic event but didn't went farther as she left for a patrol to stretch her legs. I wish I knew, she thought.

"Finally, he's here," Lillian squealed. Commander Moon left the kits with Peachclaw so she could join Lillian, Braveleaf, and the three kits. A pale purple tom with blue-gray eyes, black claws, and a sword attached to his side walked into camp. He looked at all the members with weary eyes before settling his gaze on Lillian and her friend.

"Greetings, I'm Windglide, I was called to inspect your home," the pale purple tom greeted.

"Is it fixable?" Braveleaf asked with concern.

"Yes, give it about 3-5 months for my pals and I to clear the dark energy so it's safe to go back," Windglide explained giving a small, worried smile.

"Five months?!" Sakura shrieked. "We have to stay in this dump for that long!"

"Sakura, manners!" Lillian screeched facing her son. "Commander Moon has been so kind in letting us stay here."

Why is he so mad? Commander Moon thought. She guessed the small kit didn't want to be in an unfamiliar place filled with different creatures.

Windglide gave Sakura a grave look. "If I were to let you go back now, you would be corrupted with Dark Magic. Show some respect to those who have given your family kindness." Sakura only sighed and went to sit with his siblings.

Commander Moon put her paw to her chin. "Maybe Porphyry casted some spell on the home."

"He did hang around our territory for some time," Braveleaf hissed. 

Windglide flattened his ears. "Porphyry? What's a Spellcheer doing here?"

Commander Moon almost explained but stopped herself. Trainee Fire didn't want her to tell anyone of what Porphyry was talking about with Bluestep. "I think he hates cats."

Windglide didn't say anything and waved his tail to say goodbye before leaving camp. Commander Moon glanced over at the Trainees' cave to see Trainee Fire giving her a nervous smile for not telling Windglide anything. It was for the best right now.

What is Porphyry and Bluestep planning anyway? In fact, is Jeremiah part of their group or is he being cheated into this? I wonder if I can find someone with answers..., Commander Moon thought sighing.