A sleek spotted shadow raced across the dappled night forest scene. The navy sky was dotted with angry, purple clouds and rain slid down her smooth pelt as if it were duck's feathers. Dangling in her mouth were two tiny bundles. Several dark, striped, stocky shapes followed behind.
At last the first shape skidded to a halt at the edge of a steep cliff. She panted exhaustedly and rotated her head to stare at the unwelcoming woodland behind her. There was no sign of her pursuers, the gang of rogues who were former TigerClan warriors. Though she was weak, she was a leopard and could outrun the swiftest warrior in LionClan or TigerClan history.
But the rogues did not take long to catch up and corner her. The leader, a battle-scarred tom, grinned triumphantly and walked towards her.
"Shall I say," he purred gently, "that the game is over now, Featherpelt?" He stalked around her once. Then in a more unfriendly tone he demanded, "pass the kits over. Now."
"Never!" the leopard tried to snarl, but instead it came out as a wheezy moan. "Not for anything, Scarpath!" Leopardclan's medicine cat had received a prophecy several moons ago that her and Amberstar's kits were destined to become the most powerful cats. Scarpath was definitely going to use them to destroy the Clans. She dragged herself around her kits protectively.
Scarpath guessed her thoughts. "But think about it," he whispered, pressing his muzzle against Featherpelt's neck. She jerked away from him. "Though the Clans will be destroyed," he continued, "your kits will have great futures. I will teach them everything I know. They might even rule the forest one day."
"I said, not for anything," she growled. "You and your gang are nothing but mangy outcasts. And you know nothing but injustice and desire for blood!"
"Oh, what a sharp tongue our little sweetheart has here," he growled angrily. He signalled to his followers with his tail. "Take the kits, and teach her the consequences of messing with my temper."
Two young toms ran towards her, roaring. She glanced once at the approaching rogues and then at the deadly swirling currents in the gorge. There was only one option now.
"I'm sorry, Amberstar. But for the sake of the Clans…" without another word, she grabbed the kits in her mouth and threw herself and her kits into the river.