Early morning came and Commander Moon was ready to find Lucky and Mouse Floyd to get some answers. As she was heading towards the camp entrance, she stopped when a soft voice mewled, "Where ya going?"

Turning around, Blacky was giving a shy smile as he approached his Commander. "I need to find Lucky and Mouse Floyd," she explained. "They might have some answers for me."

"Can I come?" Blacky asked.

"Why not?" Commander Moon purred. Having some company might ease her mind about the events of last night. As the two left camp, Commander Moon still wondered how she got out. Could it have been Shining Skies?

Outside of camp, Blacky took the lead. "I know where the two live," he meowed sounding confident. What had gotten into him?

Commander Moon stayed silent as she followed the Trainee. She studied how he walked and held his head up. It's been a while since she last spoke to him, but he obviously was a lot more confident today. Did Trainee Fire help him out behind the scenes? I can imagine his brother doing self-confident training nights.

As they treaded on, Commander Moon was glad they were taking a path through the trees that nobody claimed. She didn't even think it led to anywhere but Princess Grape's shady house was in the middle of nowhere. Perhaps there really was another neighborhood around that area.

"Where do they live?" Commander Moon asked.

"Oh, in Bluberry," Blacky meowed. "I usually come this way as there's a Portal that leads to Lightvale at the entrance of Bluberry." His purple eyes started shining.

Commander Moon purred. "I'm glad to see you're not as fidgety anymore."

Blacky turned to face her while smiling. "You can thank my brother and his friends," he meowed.

When Commander Moon stared at him, he continued a bit nervously, "I told him I was going to leave for good, but Cody suggested I stay as a half member," he explained nervously. He stopped to give a sheepish smile.

"A half member?" Commander Moon questioned. She never thought of that. Did her other allies think of themselves like that?

"Um, I like being in a house at night," Blacky went on. He was starting to sweat. "A-and I like traveling to other places..."

"So, you don't want to fight?" Commander Moon asked.

Blacky stared at her in silence. "I'm sorry," he meowed. His eyes started to tear up.

Commander Moon stood beside him and patted him on the back. "It's fine, not everyone needs to fight," she meowed. When Blacky started smiling, she continued. "Now, let's go find those boys!"

"Yes, ma'am!"

***

The sun was halfway in the sky when the two made it to the village in Bluberry. Clouds surrounded it but not enough to cover all its light. Even if it rained, it's not like it would affect Commander Moon's mission on getting answers. She would've asked Trainee Will, but he was sound asleep this morning.

Commander Bear must've worn him out, Commander Moon thought. She still hadn't told Riverbird about it but hopefully Trainee Will felt better knowing that his Commander trusted his word about the Dark Realm.

"What's going on, you two?" Mouse Floyd asked when he opened the door to the hut he lived in. Commander Moon was surprised how the families living here could even fit inside these things.

Commander Moon stood tall. "I want to know more about the man in the robe," she meowed getting to the point.

Mouse Floyd stared at her with his mouth open. "You mean Barathi?"

"Why is he there? Why do these cats think it's right to bully him?" Commander Moon questioned. She stepped closer to the dark-skinned boy as she poured out her questions to him.

Blacky lowered his ears. "That sounds horrible," he meowed.

There was a sigh from Mouse Floyd as he folded his arms. "From what I can tell, his student wrecked all of Barathi's work and banished him to the Dark Realm," he explained. "Shortly after that, a small war happened as the Geman were outraged by his evil student's harm."

"Geman?" Commander Moon echoed glancing at Blacky.

"Humans that come from gems, I believe," Blacky meowed blinking. "My owner mentioned them before."

Nodding her head, Commander Moon pointed her attention back to Mouse Floyd. "Why can't we save him?"

Mouse Floyd just gave a shrug. "His soul is bound there until the contract is up," he explained.

Commander Moon lowered her head. I really hope he lives until then, she sighed in defeat. Unless that student of his made sure of it when he banished him there.

"Thanks for your help," Commander Moon purred.

"No problem," Mouse Floyd chuckled. "I need to get ready; my cousin wants to do some sparring here soon."

Commander Moon flicked one ear and left with Blacky. At least I found some information.

***

As the two headed home, Commander Moon and Blacky stopped when they heard someone talking. It sounded like Trainee Gray and... Iceflame? Both exchanged quick glances and followed where the voices might be coming from. From what Commander Moon could tell, it was coming from the area where they trained at.

They approached the area that was filled with vines that made out a circle, perfect for practicing battle moves and self-defense. When they entered past the bushes, they found Trainee Gray eyeing Iceflame warily. In front of the ginger tom, three kittens who looked almost like Trainees stared at the rose tabby with wide eyes.

"W-who is he?" Black stuttered. He twitched his nose. "He smells odd."

Iceflame glanced at Blacky but said nothing as he faced Commander Moon. "Long time no see, friend," he purred.

"Who are the kittens?" Commander Moon asked pointing her tail at them.

"Kittens? Oh! This is Light, Aqua, and Orange," explained Iceflame. "They need a safe home for the time being."

Trainee Gray snorted. "You say something now that she's here," he growled. He spun around and dashed off, leaving Commander Moon and Blacky alone with Iceflame.

After he was gone, Commander Moon stood in front of the three kittens. There was something off about them, but she shook it away. After all, kittens are innocent and don't have intentions on hurting nobody. "We'll make sure they're safe."

Iceflame smiled. "Thanks," he meowed. "Don't be afraid to call me for help after Bluestep is gone."

"Huh?" Both Commander Moon and Blacky exclaimed. They stood there when the ginger tom waved his paw at the two of them. There was a small light before a necklace with an odd symbol appeared on both cats' necks.

"What is this?" Commander Moon asked.

"Just click on it when you need me," Iceflame purred as he walked away.

Commander Moon frowned a little. Why is this guy so strange?

***

Once they returned to camp, two elderly cats were lying in one of the caves that was saved for the Seniors. In front of the cave, Sochi and Stray Dog were hopping up and down in excitement. "Are these new members?"

"Darkfur and Flowerpelt need a place of rest," Stray Dog barked.

Darkfur opened his eyes and smiled at Commander Moon. "The last group abandoned us as we are too old to fight," he rasped.

Typical, Commander Moon thought. Bluestep in no way appeared as a guy that would care for elderly cats in the slightest. Still, it appears he’s forming a group of some sort that could be real trouble for the Families if they don’t step it up. “What is this group planning anyway?”

Flowerpelt kept her eyes closed as she mewed, “They are certainly bloodthirsty for Moon Family and Misty Family.”

“We need a lawyer,” Sochi piped up. All the cats and dog fell silent to give Sochi a sideways glance as if he grown another pair of eyes. A lawyer? How was that related to their problem?

“Young whippersnapper, where do you intend on finding one?” Darkfur rasped before coughing.

Sochi folded his arms with a confident smile. “Cynthia Hugs is a well-known lawyer in Tropical Land, she’ll be great in confiding with Bluestep,” he explained.

Commander Moon placed a paw on her chin. “I’m willing to give it a chance, lead the way,” she purred.