Disclaimer: I don't own Warriors, I only own this story.
Prologue
"Mangy furballs!" Thistleclaw spat, glaring at the dead squirrel laying on the ground before him.
"How dare those fish-faces!" Adderfang hissed, looking across the border in pure contempt.
Stormtail, being the dignified warrior he was, at least held his tongue but his gaze told that he was not impressed.
The three warriors glanced across the border in the direction of the Riverclan camp.
Adderfang prodded a sharp stick that was lying nearby the lifeless body of the squirrel. He turned it over, muscles rippling under his mottled brown pelt.
Thistleclaw felt a stab a pride. These are definitely the right cats. He padded forward, placing himself in front of the small patrol.
"We should teach them a lesson. Thunderclan needs every single piece of it's prey." Thistleclaw growled furiously.
"Yes, we should attack their camp." Adderfang crouched down, his eyes glittering in anticipation.
"We'll form a small patrol of three." Stormtail decided. "After all, how great at fighting could all those overfed fish-faces be?"
The other two cats murmured in agreement. Stormtail's reasoning made sense. He wasn't a senior warrior and advisor to Sunstar for nothing.
Thistleclaw's features twisted up into an insane grin. This will be great. He couldn't have chosen better cats to go with him. Well, except maybe Snowfur. Her stupid sister had insisted that she stay in the camp. No matter, I can tell her about my victory later.
The small patrol wasted no time and quickly crossed the river. Thistleclaw felt his belly fur dampen in the river. Paws churning, he carefully swam his way across.
"This is enemy territory." Stormtail warned, his voice barely a whisper. The grey tom crouched down into a hunter's crouch and began to move slowly through the reeds.
"There's a patrol, let's go." Thistleclaw mumbled, his eyes hungry. Without another word, he dashed off.
"Wait! It's five against three, you'll lose for sure!" Adderfang hissed.
"It will be five against one if we don't help!" Stormtail whispered franticly and without another word, he drew himself out of the reeds. Muttering silently, Adderfang swiftly followed.
Thistleclaw sprang forward, claws unsheathed and gave the nearest cat, a ginger and white she-cat, Ottersplash, a nice rake across her face.
"Not so pretty now, are we?" He taunted, repeatedly dodging Ottersplash's attacks.
Thistleclaw felt a sharp stab on his back. Oakheart. The Riverclan tom had dug his claws into Thistleclaw's back, causing blood to pool around that general area.
Stormtail launched himself at Oakheart and battered him with sharp claws. He flipped Oakheart over and raked his belly.
"Nobody ever. Steals. From. Thunderclan." He puffed, with each breath taking the opportunity to claw him.
Without warning, Oakheart leapt up and clawed his ear, then his back and ripped out all the Stormtail's fur he could get. There was cold fury in his eyes. He finally lifted his paw and Stormtail dashed away.
Nearby, Adderfang clawed Shellheart with all his strength and Thistleclaw growled at Ottersplash.
Shellheart put a paw over Adderfang's windpipe. He pressed down, harder and harder. Adderfang gasped for air and made a silent plea to Shellheart. Spare my life.
Shaking his broad head, Shellheart sighed and removed his paw.
Adderfang took the moment to flee.
Adderfang caught up with Stormtail in the forest.
"Huh? Where's Thistleclaw?" Stormtail asked, confused.
"What? I thought he was right behind me!" Adderfang exclaimed, equally befuddled.
"You don't think he's…" Stormtail trailed off.
"Still at the battle!" They both reached the conclusion together.
The two warriors turned tail and raced back towards the Riverclan border.
Thistleclaw was in a lump, hidden amongst the reeds as the Riverclan warriors laughed.
"I can't believe Thunderclan would be as full of themselves to think that 3 warriors can take on a full patrol. I mean, three!" Shellheart laughed. The patrol padded out towards the camp.
Stormtail rushed forward. "Thistleclaw, are you okay? Thistleclaw, answer me!" He shouted frantically.
Thistleclaw's head was twisted in an odd way and there was a glazed expression on his face. Both legs were splayed out.
"Oh no." Adderfang whispered. "No."
Together, the two warriors carried Thistleclaw back to Thunderclan, each supporting one of his sides.
Thistleclaw screamed in agony every time they took a step. That seemed to be the only sound he could make.
Adderfang's shoulder was crying out but he was determined to help his Clanmate. Although, a little support would be nice, his evil little voice whispered.
The 3 cats approached the thorn barrier that wove it's way around Thunderclan's camp.
Stormtail rang the alarm.
"Thistleclaw!" He shouted. "It's Thistleclaw! He's wounded!"
