Chapter 1
The battle roared around him. Thornflash was surrounded by FlameClan cats. He backed up until his dark tabby rump hit the edge of the cave wall. Hissing, he slashed at the nearest cat, his thorn-sharp claws ripping through the delicate skin of the cat's ear. Blood spurted onto Thornflash's muzzle as the scrawny she-cat yowled in pain. Thornflash felt a jolt of satisfaction that soon turned to dread as the she-cat turned on him, eyes wild with anger. Thornflash tried to fight back but there was hardly any room to turn in the narrow cave. He braced himself for the pain but before the she-cat could lay a claw on him, there came a dreadful yowl from the clearing.
"Mysticstar is dead!" Thornflash gasped. He can't be dead! He just can't! Pushing his way through the FlameClan cats frozen in shock, Thornflash raced to his leader's side.
"Mysticstar?" Thornflash nudged his leader with his muzzle, desperately searching for any sign of life. The powerful leader's body was quickly turning cold and his eyes were clouded over and blank. Thornflash's head dropped in grief. He felt a gentle tail on his shoulder and looked up to see Willowmist, Mysticstar's sister. The beautiful silver she-cat looked at him with trusting blue eyes.
"You must lead us now," Willowmist meowed, her voice sharp with pain and loss but her head and tail held high. Thornflash shook his head.
"I can't. I was only made deputy two sunrises ago!"
Willowmist watched him, her eyes glowing.
"Mysticstar thought you could do it. Your clan thinks you can do it." Her voice grew soft. "I know you can do it."
Thornflash swallowed back the desperate yowl rising in his throat and heaved himself slowly to his paws. He raised his dark tabby head and looked around at the FlameClan cats still in the hollow.
"You have invaded our camp on false pretenses and destroyed our dens. You have injured our warriors, scared our queens and kits, and you have killed our noble leader. We will never forgive you. SpiritClan and FlameClan will always be enemies. Leave us now to mourn in peace!" Thornflash glared around at the FlameClan cats with fiery green eyes filled with anger, pain, loss, and unimaginable hate. The FlameClan cats all looked to their leader, Ashstar. The old gray tom looked straight at Thornflash, his amber eyes challenging. Thornflash held Ashstar's gaze, his chin held high. Finally, Ashstar gave the smallest of nods and raised his tail. The FlameClan cats all streamed out of SpiritClan's camp after their leader. Only one paused at the exit and looked back, a beautiful light brown she-cat with white and cream patched fur. The cat hesitated and caught Thornflash's gaze. The deputy pointedly turned his back on her. The she-cat's eyes filled with hurt and she turned quickly and disappeared into the forest after her clan.