"Do you want to watch us do battle training?" Stormwing asked Commander Moon. He was standing with his Trainee, Will, Maxfire, and Trainee Blue.

Commander Moon shuffled her paws. "Maybe another time, I'm waiting for Windglide to come," she mewed.

Stormwing dipped his head and left camp with Trainee Will, Trainee Blue, and Maxfire. After they left, Commander Moon watched Riverbird showing Trainee Feather how to treat the wounds that were still on some of her Clanmates.

It must’ve been a rough battle, but Lostleap would not give all the details of it. He would only tell that Bluestep has rallied up some rogues and wild animals to fight against the Families. It made her antsy, but she took what she was given.

She snapped out of her thoughts when she felt the wind blow into her face. Getting up, she walked out of the Nursery to find Windglide at the entrance looking impatient. What was wrong with him today? He looked as if someone ruined his morning.

“Greetings,” Commander Moon meowed. “How is the recovery going?”

“I’m fine,” Windglide growled. “In about two months, those cats can return home.”

Commander Moon purred. “Sounds like you’re making progress fast!”

Windglide only flicked one ear. “Don’t get too comfortable,” he hissed.

Offended, Commander Moon scowled. “What do you mean?”

“The darkness you face now is nothing like the darkness you’ll be facing soon,” Windglide warned. And with that, he whipped around and left camp to leave a bewildered Commander Moon sitting in the middle of camp.

Who’s worse than Bluestep and that Porphyry guy? Commander Moon wondered. She decided to keep that warning in the back of her mind as she raced over to the pit behind the Nursery.

Down in the pit, Commander Moon found Braveleaf and Lillian chatting while their kits were sleeping. Despite receiving training, Sakura and the others barely wanted to take part in it. Hearing her pawsteps, Braveleaf and Lillian stopped look up at her.

“Howdy,” Lillian greeted.

“Windglide has informed me that you’ll be able to return home in two months,” Commander Moon purred.

“Thank Shining Skies,” groaned Sakura. He fluffed his teal-colored coat. His ear was swatted by his mother.

Braveleaf smiled. “We thank you for your hospitality,” she meowed.

Leaving the two to continue chatting, Commander Moon decided to take a walk. She wanted to clear her head and maybe see how battle training is going since Stormwing offered her to come. Since her kits have gotten bigger, they would be fine with Lionpool.

Beautiful colorful leaves danced around as they fell from the sky. It’s been quite some time since autumn began and Commander Moon was enjoying the cool weather. However, something seemed off when she left camp. There wasn’t anything off by far she could tell.

It was only when she started hearing voices. “Commander Moon…it’s a pleasure to meet you.”

Who’s talking? Commander Moon asked looking around. It didn’t sound like Bluestep or Porphyry. “Hello?”

“You see nothing…you are blinded by the light inside you…”

This must be some kind of trick, Commander Moon realized. This can’t be Shining Skies talking to me, or is it?

“Do not be confused, for we have noticed the light your Family is trying to bring to Misty Family.”

“Are you working with Bluestep?” asked Commander Moon.

Laughter followed her question. “No, we are merely using his darkness for our own uses.”

“Show yourselves!” Commander Moon demanded. She needed to know what opponent she was coming up against.

“Soon, Commander Moon, we’ll meet,” the voice said.

In a matter of seconds, Commander Moon realized that the clouds were suddenly in the sky and had covered up the sun. What just happened? Was this what Windglide had warned her about?

“Commander Moon!” She swiveled her head to Maxfire charging at her, eyes wide.

“Did I miss something?” Commander Moon asked.

“I couldn’t find you! Trainee Blue is missing!” Maxfire cried. “She ran off to find you when she heard you hissing!”

Commander Moon lowered her ears, a bit frightened. Why was she not visible to her own Campmates? They could hear her but they for some reason could not see her. That voice might’ve done something.

“Let’s track down her scent,” Commander Moon suggested.

The two wandered around Moon Family territory trying to find Trainee Blue’s scent. It wasn’t helping that the smell of upcoming rain was starting to clog her nose, making it almost impossible trying to find Trainee Blue.

Where are you, Trainee Blue? Commander Moon thought frantic.

Soon, rain started pouring down on them masking almost all scents. “I didn’t think there would be a downpour!” Maxfire roared. He and Commander Moon stuck close when it was starting to thunder.

As they walked towards the Fire Family border, Commander Moon hoped that the young Trainee didn’t walk into rival territory. She stopped when she saw a red tom with green eyes.

“Commander Lava? What are you doing out in this weather?” Commander Moon asked when they got closer.

Commander Lava stood up. “Well, it randomly started raining but I wanted to give you some news,” he chuckled.

“Have you seen one of our Trainees?” Maxfire asked.

“Ah, yes, the poor scamp looked horribly injured,” Commander Lava mused. “I was just bout to fetch Swiftheart when a young human child picked her up and ran off.”

Commander Moon lowered her gaze. “Which direction did she go in?” The Fire Commander merely pointed his tail north where Commander Moon could see a two-story house on a hill.

“Thank you!” Maxfire meowed.

“Do be careful, I feel as if some unnatural force is causing this weather,” Commander Lava meowed.

Commander Moon and Maxfire just smiled before bounding off. All this reminded Commander Moon of the time when Trainee Ice was taken in by a human boy. It seems our Trainees love to attract children…

Mud puddles have formed almost everywhere as the rain continuously fell faster. It wasn’t going to stop Commander Moon from finding her missing Trainee. If no fire starts, they would be as good as gold.

Trekking through the mud puddles and the rain in general was becoming more tedious as the two’s fur coats were getting soaked by the rain that made them heavier. If only they could find some alternate path but as far as she could tell, there were mud puddles everywhere.

Walking a bit slower, Commander Moon and Maxfire made it over to the hill. Both were out of breath and didn’t feel particularly keen on climbing up a hill with their now heavy coats. Taking a closer look, Commander Moon saw a small pathway made of stone.

That doesn’t look too hard to climb up, Commander Moon thought. She flicked her tail at Maxfire for him to follow her on up. It was a bit of a slippery climb but the two managed if they went slow.

Once they made it to the door, it swung open and a human teenage boy with gold hair that was a bit curly walked out. He looked quite pleased to see them and Commander Moon wondered if they should run in case they are taken in as house pets.

Maxfire jumped in front of her and bared his teeth at the teenager. “Easy now,” the teenager spoke. “You two are here for Trainee Blue, correct?”

At once, Maxfire calmed down and Commander Moon nodded. “Great! Trainee Blue, your friends are here!”

The sounds of small paws scurrying across the floor could be heard before Trainee Blue was right at the doorstep with the teenager. “Thank you, Dionis, thanks to your family, I’m alive,” she purred.

“No problem just take it easy for the remainder of the day,” Dionis told her. He slowly closed the door as she padded out.

“We’re so glad you’re okay!” Commander Moon purred placing one paw on Trainee Blue’s head. There were bandages around her throat indicating that the wound was right there.

Trainee Blue flinched back. “I’m not a kit, okay?” She gazed around the area. “It was sunny when I was looking for you.”

Commander Moon and Maxfire gave each other nervous looks as they remembered Commander Lava’s words. “What happened to you?”

“Pineclaw attacked me without second thought when I crossed the border,” Trainee Blue hissed. “He wouldn’t even let me explain my reason either.”

“Let’s just go home,” Maxfire roared softly.

Trainee Blue snorted but she followed her mentor with Commander Moon following behind slowly. Why would Pineclaw attack a Trainee for accidentally crossing the border? Hopefully Hawkwing was still doing okay. As they got farther away from the house, Commander Moon’s lowered her ears when she heard the same deep voice.

“You are quite interesting, Commander Moon,” The voice spoke in her mind. “My father is quite interested in that bright light of yours.”

Leave me alone! Commander Moon snapped back. I’m already focusing on getting rid of Bluestep and his allies.

“We’ll allow that to pass,” The voice continued. “Afterwards, we’ll initiate our plans.”

The presence was gone, and Commander Moon gave an inward sigh. She didn’t really want to get rid of Bluestep if she was going to have to deal with a possible enemy that speaks to her constantly. But on the other paw, she didn’t want Misty Family to live in constant fear.

Bluestep first then this freak, Commander Moon told herself. She hoped to take a long nap after this.