Swiftstar's War

by Acornleap of MoonClan

It has been many moons since there were four clans. Only two remain, i.e, Moonclan and Sunclan. But, things are stirring in Moonclan. There are warriors, and Mountain-chasers (Cats who specialize in mountain terrain). Mountain-chasers never become leaders, until Swiftstar. This is his story. And his war.

1. Prologue

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Swiftstar's War

Alliances

Moonclan:

Leader: Skystar- Handsome white tom with a scarred muzzle

Deputy: Lightningfang- Black and golden she-cat

Medicine cat: Poppyleaf- Tortoiseshell tawny she-cat

Apprentice: Webpaw- small black and white tom

Warriors: Owltail- Mottled brown tom

Willowbranch- Slender dark she-cat

Apprentice: Wolfpaw- Dark gray tom

Firesong- Orange tabby she-cat

Flightfur- Brown tom

Hawkfeather- Golden tom

Apprentice: Snowpaw- Very pale gray tom

Cinderclaw- Smoky gray tom

Waspwing- Brown and white striped tom

Larkwing- White she-cat

Apprentice: Hollypaw- calico she-cat

Leafheart- Light orange she-cat

Mountain-Chasers: Quicklight- Heavy-set gray tom

Stormwater- Dark gray tom with white underbelly

Birchpelt- Black and white tom with a long scar on his flank

Crowwhisker- Black tom

Apprentice: Pebblepaw-Silver she-cat

Ebonystep- Dark gray she-cat

Queens: Flowerheart- Tawny light brown tabby- expecting Skystar's kits

Eaglewing- Dark gray, almost black she-cat- mother of Stormwater's kits: Swiftkit and Stonekit

Echospirit- Gray tabby- expecting Hawkfeather's kits

Elders: Nighthollow- Black tom with white underbelly

Ivypool- Silver she-cat- the oldest she-cat in Moonclan

Jayfeather- Blind gray striped tom- the oldest cat in Moonclan

Sunclan:

Leader: Blossomstar- Ginger she-cat

Deputy: Fishclaw- Blue-gray she-cat

Medicine Cat: Flintfur- Black tom

Warriors: Thunderheart- White tom

Apprentice: Lionpaw- Pale ginger tom

Shelltail- Orange and white she-cat

Nightwhisper- Thickset black tom with a white ear tip

Ashwhisker- Dark gray tom

Apprentice: Snakepaw- Brown and black striped tom

Fernlight- Brown tabby she-cat

Amberleaf- Golden-brown she-cat

Apprentice: Pigeonpaw- Gray and orange tom

Hareflight- Tawny tom

Emberclaw- Black and gray she-cat

Mousetail- Dusky light brown tom

Cedarnose- Dark ginger tom

Apprentice: Hickerypaw- Silver and white she-cat

Appledawn- Orange and white tortoiseshell she-cat

Fallowstep- Tan tabby she-cat

Badgerstripe- Black and white striped tom

Dawnheart- Golden tom

Queens: Lichenpelt- Dappled gray tabby- expecting Nightwhisper's kits

Foxpelt- Mottled orange she-cat- mother of Thunderheart's kits: Leafkit, Shrewkit, and Cloudkit

Elders: Smokewhisker- Gray tom

Bronzefire- Golden tabby she-cat

Cats outside the clans: Luna- Sleek light gray she-cat

Leopard- Slender tabby with unusual spotted fur

Leap- Black tom with a missing ear

Adder- Blue-gray tom

Horizon- Yellow she-cat with one eye

Pepper- Speckled brown tom

Puddle- Brown and white she-cat, with deep scars

Prologue

Skystar stumbled down the Meetingstone, his missing claw throbbing again. He had known Sunclan were plotting an attack, ever since they had crossed the border, again. He scanned the camp nervously, watching his clanmates fighting for their lives. He had already lost six lives since his leader ceremony many moons ago, and he knew if this fight continued he would have none left. "Skystar!"

Skystar glanced down at Poppyleaf. She was panting, many scars and scratches made her neat tawny pelt stand on end. She had Eaglewing crouched next to her. The young queen had been expecting for moons, but no one suspected her kits would come in a battle. She yowled in pain, and Skystar leapt down, ordering, "Get her to the nursery. I'll help you."

He hardly had time to nudge Eaglewing into the nursery, before Blossomstar attacked. She clawed his back, and screeched, "Surrender Fox-dung! You'll never survive!"

Skystar backed onto his haunches, and launched himself into Blossomstar with a roar. He tackled her easily, and knocked her into the bushes. He turned back to Poppyleaf, and demanded, "Where's Lightningfang?"

"Over by the Elders' den." Poppyleaf panted, and shoved her way into the nursery.

Skystar barged his way through the throng of warriors, and found his deputy slashing her long claws down Nightwhisper's flank. Skystar growled, "Tell the Mountain-chasers to get to higher ground. Maybe we can lure the Sunclan warriors there."

Lightningfang didn't argue, but instead chased Nightwhisper away. Skystar was grateful for the Mountain-chasers. They were warriors unique to Moonclan that they specialized in combat and hunting in rocky terrain. He glanced in relief as he saw Quicklight, the senior Mountain-chaser, lead Stormwater, Pebblepaw, Ebonystep, and Birchpelt towards the stone hills. Skystar yowled, "Now!"

He spotted Blossomstar stumbling out of the brambles she had fallen into, and he taunted, "Too weak to fight me?"

She spat, and streaked towards him. Skystar nimbly leapt over every stone in his path, desperate to reach the mountains. He heard Blossomstar yowl, "Warriors! After Skystar!"

The other Sunclan cats screeched in reply, and followed their leader. Skystar couldn't help but feel a wave of relief. He sped over the ragged ground, and felt claws snag his hind leg. He gasped, but to his astonishment, a giant rock began to tumble down the mountainside. It landed just between him and Blossomstar, and the Sunclan she-cat retreated in shock. Skystar waited, and the Mountain-chasers flew onto the scene in frenzy. Blossomstar spluttered, "Retreat!"

Her clanmates raced after her, and vanished back down to the marshy fields. Skystar watched his warriors smooth their fur, and run back to the camp triumphantly. He followed with ease, and relief. Stormwater slowed to speak with him. "You had a brilliant idea!"

Skystar dipped his head, "Everyone should be proud. I just hope Eaglewing is alright."

Stormwater pricked his ears at the mention of his mate, and asked, "Why wouldn't she be?"

"She just kitted."

"What!"

The warrior flew into the camp, his smooth tail bushed up. Skystar followed nervously, worried what it would do to Stormwater if she died. He reached the camp, and found Poppyleaf pushing her way out. The medicine cat sighed with relief, "She's fine. She had two healthy kits."

Skystar sighed, "That's good. The clan needs new kits."

"They certainly do." Called a voice behind them.

Skystar turned, and saw Flowerheart pad delicately towards them. She purred, "I'm going to have kits."

Skystar felt a surge of love and pride. He nuzzled his mate, and whispered, "I'll always protect you. And our kits."

Stormwater squeezed out of the nursery in high spirits, and announced, "Two toms! Swiftkit and Stonekit."

Quicklight, Stormwater's father purred, "Congratulations! You'll be a fine father."

Skystar was about to pad over and congratulate his friend, when he noticed Poppyleaf stiffen. Her pelt spiked, and her eyes glazed. She relaxed, and whipped her head around, "A cat born in a battle will bring peace. A cat born in peace will bring war."