A New Horizon Book 2: The Dying Forest {COMPLETE}

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"Tuck in your tail, Blair!" Echoheart instructed, watching as the black she-cat struggled to find a good form. "Any mistakes could get you injured, warriors fight to kill!"

"I'm trying." Blair insisted and tried to straighten out her body, tucking her tail as Echoheart had instructed. She had to admit that Blair certainly was trying, as were all the other rogues she had recruited for training. Along with all the ones that she and Flash had met, four more had joined. There was a long, thin brown named Weasel, a black tom named Ripple, a golden brown tabby tom named Talon and a former kittypet named Arrow. Despite being a former kittypet, Arrow was more skilled at fighting than Tola.

Echoheart had a formidable group of rogues at her side. Flash had already proved to be a deadly fighter as did his sister Lilac, she was like a snake, quick and deadly. Despite his fleas, Wolf had also shown to be quite the fighter. Quill, Moose, Sky, Tetra and Ripple had all shown to be very powerful fighters as well. The others were making great progress. I sense a very good battle, coming up.

These rogues were fighting for the most important things in their lives, food, and they would be a force to be reckoned with. Echoheart had been making many trips into SunClan territory, getting an eye on the camp and trying to figure out how many warriors they had. She had learned many things.

Snakewhisker was currently crippled by a broken leg, Bramblepelt had died and Dawnstar's daughter had chosen to become a medicine cat. They also had recently named three new apprentices, who wouldn't be hard to fight. Echoheart's only concern was how many healthy warriors they had. It doesn't have to be a long battle, just long enough to attack Dawnstar and her kits. Honeypaw will be unable to defend herself.

Echoheart looked at her rogues who were desperately training. If I lose a few rogues, who cares? These cats mean nothing to me, revenge means everything. With a flick of her tail, Echoheart dived back into training. But they have to be strong enough to last in a fight against Clan cats.

Echoheart had been training her cats for quite a long time, over a moon and they had all made great progress, even Tola. She was proud of the rogues for dedicating so much time to training. They'd be good Clan cats, too bad they're fighting for reasons they don't even know about. Echoheart found it hard to feel bad that she was leading them into a fight that many of them could die from, she was driven by one goal and one goal alone: revenge.

Even Graypelt had grown accustomed to having the cats around, he was opening up to the idea of attacking SunClan but Echoheart was worried that he had forgotten the real reason that they were attacking them. She also worried that Graypelt was getting a little too close to Tetra. His mate died so long ago and he lost three of the four kits that he had, with the last one being in AshClan, but now was no time for taking mates.

If Graypelt wants to go be mates with Tetra after that's fine, but I need them both to focus. Echoheart thought angrily. For a moment, Echoheart's mind drifted to her own kits. She knew that Nightpaw was being trained by Thornstar and she couldn't be happier. Maybe Nightpaw will side with me after all. After attacking SunClan, Echoheart had every intention of trying to attack AshClan in some way. Blackpaw is a lost cause, but Nightpaw... Echoheart had thought about visiting Nightpaw as well, she had been to AshClan only a few times. It was much farther than SunClan and much more dangerous.

I have no doubt that Riverstar would try and kill me if she saw me. Echoheart told herself, there had only been one death that Echoheart felt incredibly guilt for, and that was Moonwhisker's. Echoheart regretted killing her kind sister, but she knew deep down that it had to be done. She was going to get in Thornstar's way, I couldn't allow that to happen.

Shoving thoughts about Moonwhisker and her kits away, Echoheart returned to the few rogues that were waiting for training. Flash, Echoheart and Graypelt had all been the ones in charge of training as they were the best fighters and they trained in groups. Flash was currently training Blair and Tola, Echoheart was training Hoot and Poppy and Graypelt was training Tetra and Brittle.

She instructed Hoot and Poppy to fight each other, watching the display of brutality that the two cats shared. They were fighting with claws out and Poppy had scars lacing her pelt, as did Hoot. His already clumped and patchy fur was even more torn and he had several nicks in his ears. He may be a little mad, but it certainly makes him a scary fighter.

After a long training session, Echoheart sent the rogues home and settled down to clean her own wounds. Hoot had given her a nasty scratch on her leg. She cleaned it and ignored the pain as she fell into a deep sleep.

Echoheart woke in a familiar place, she was in the forest that Thornstar lived in. Her heart began racing with excitement and she began looking for her beloved. She sniffed the air, catching his scent as well as the scent of another. She padded through the trees until she saw Thornstar, but he was fighting with some other cat.

Echoheart recognized the sharp yellow eyes and white paws of Nightpaw. She padded forward, going to greet her daughter and Thornstar but quickly realized that Nightpaw couldn't see her. Thornstar met Echoheart's gaze and gave a quick nod before going in to attack Nightpaw.

Echoheart understand after a moment. He's showing me her training but doesn't want her seeing me. Echoheart sat down and watched the training session. Both Thornstar and Nightpaw were fighting incredibly hard, she could see a flash of fury in Nightpaw's yellow eyes. She's very skilled. Echoheart felt a rush of pride for her daughter. I'm so glad she's being trained by Thornstar, StarClan knows that Crowstep couldn't teach her to fight like this!

"Good fighting, tonight." Thornstar praised when they came to a stop. "I'll see you again tomorrow."

"Alright." There was a hint of uncertainty in her voice, but Nightpaw gave a nod and a moment later disappeared from the forest. Thornstar then turned to Echoheart, padding up to her.

"Good evening, Echoheart." Thornstar said kindly, Echoheart rushed up to him, her heart pounding in her chest.

"Hello." She purred. "I see she's made a lot of progress. She's an incredible fighter."

"She is," Thornstar licked a spot on his leg. "She wants to protect her Clan more than anything, she's dedicated." He stopped and met her gaze, his amber eyes making Echoheart feel weak. He's my one weakness. "I've also seen what you've been doing with those rogues."

"What do you think? I'm going to attack Dawnstar and SunClan."

"Just be careful not to get yourself killed." Thornstar insisted.

"I don't mind dying," Echoheart admitted. "It means I could be here with you."

Thornstar chuckled, his amber gaze turning to honey. "But you have a presence over the Clans that I don't. I need you alive for now." He touched his nose to hers, sending fire through her veins. "Soon enough you can join me, Echoheart."

Thornstar stepped back. "You're doing good, Echoheart. I wish Nightpaw could know how proud of her you are. I feel like it would benefit her."

"It would?" Echoheart tilted her head.

"Absolutely." He touched her nose once more. "I'll let you sleep once more, Echoheart. I'll talk to you again soon."

Echoheart opened her eyes and was back in he den in the twolegplace. The sun was starting to rise and Echoheart stood up, an idea clicking in her brain. She quickly left the den, turning towards the Clan territories.

"What are you doing?" Graypelt asked in a groggy mew.

"I'm going to visit my daughter."