Scorchfur reared and clawed at his ear. Lionblaze felt only a distant prick of pain. Power was stirring beneath his pelt. Strength rose from his belly, flooding every muscle. Around him the battle seemed to slow down. The cats fought as if in water, each blow an arcing sweep of paw, each lunge a dragging leap that Lionblaze could watch unfold moment upon moment. Around him, the shrieking seemed to fade, and yet he saw crses billow from snarling jaws. He saw Snowbird face Rosepetal, her green eyes betraying every thought as the flitted like butterflies, assessing Rosepetal's position, moving to fix on her strike point, half closing as she bunched her muscles and prepared to jump.
"This is to easy." Lionblaze strode forward, flipping Owlclaw from his path, knocking Redwillow backward as the warrior attempted to lunge. Lionblaze saw Rowanclaw's gaze fix on him, heard the breath gasp form his mouth as he crouched for the attack, felt the rush of air as slowly the warrior flew at him, his teeth barred. Lionblaze had only to rear up and raise a paw to bat him backward into his clan mates. The noise of the battle suddenly flooded his ears; the screeching mayhem crashed into his consciousness like a wave breaking. A yowl, deep and terrified, sounded at the edge of the clearing.
"You killed Blackstar!" Owlclaw's wail split the air. Lionblaze scrambled to his paws and turned to see Ivypaw next to a fallen branch. Underneath the branch was a white pelt.
"Blackstar." Lionblaze gasped. Lionblaze watched in awe as Owlclaw and Russetfur lifted the branch off of the mangled leader.
"I-I didn't mean..." Ivypaw cried. Lionblaze walked over and placed his tail on her shoulder.
"Shadowclan! Retreat!" yowled Russetfur as she hefted Blackstar onto her shoulders," This battle was not worth the blood that has been spilt." As Shadowclan slumped back to their camp Thunderclan bowed their heads and turned to head back home.
Lionblaze watched as Russetstar leaped onto the gathering stump to start the meeting. With a yowl, she began her long rein.