Leopardleap opened her eyes and found herself blinking away the blurriness. When she stood up, she saw the big green eyes of Mudroot, who watched her intensely.
"Are you okay?" he asked.
"Of course," she said. "Is everyone else alright?"
He nodded. "Darkblaze is jumpy. Hawkpaw is slower."
"Is anything wrong?" she asked.
"Darkblaze said it is normal. Darkblaze said Air is using power. A lot. Hawkpaw is tired. Lightning is using power. A lot. Darkblaze is tired." Leopardleap chuckled.
"Okay," she said. As she glanced around, she noticed it was already dusk. "How long have I been asleep?"
"Darkblaze said it was dusk when he woke. Darkblaze said time is different in the Elemental Field. Darkblaze said it was okay. Darkblaze said he planned that."
"As usual," Leopardleap said with a smile. "He sure knows how to think ahead. What's happening now?"
"RiverClan showed up. WindClan showed up. Darkblaze is talking to Fogstar. Darkblaze is talking to Duskstar. Darkblaze is talking to Streamstar. He is waiting."
"Waiting for what?" Leopardleap asked.
"He is waiting for dusk," Mudroot said.
"Leopardleap, you're awake!" Sunpaw exclaimed. "I was beginning to think Rain wanted to talk to you or something."
"No, everything's fine," she said.
"Brilliant," Sunpaw said. "Darkblaze wants us to get onto the stones now. We should probably hurry before he teleports to his stone."
"As if he could teleport," Nyka said with a smirk. "I'd love to see that trick!"
They nevertheless began walking toward the stones. Now, each with its own symbol, Leopardleap could not help but feel anxious, as if she did not deserve one of those stones. She had done nothing, really, to grant her the title.
You will soon, young one, Rain said.
"Er, if we get onto the stones, how is Darkblaze going to get on them?" Nyka asked. "I mean, he can jump pretty far, I know, but that's too high even for you, Leopardleap."
"We could help him up," Leopardleap suggested.
"That would make him look weak," Hawkpaw pointed out. "We have to wait."
"Well that sounds boring," Nyka said.
"Everything about this is boring to you," Sunpaw said. "Formalities isn't something you enjoy."
"You know me so well," Nyka spoke.
Leopardleap wasn't really listening to her friends' conversation. She was watching Darkblaze, who stood slouched despite his obvious authority among the three other leaders. She frowned when she remembered Pinepaw acted the same way around older cats.
Darkblaze eventually turned and trotted toward them as the three leaders faced their clans and gathered them closer. He hesitated as he got closer, but then went on without a word. He jumped first onto the rocks, then Nyka, then Hawkpaw, followed by Sunpaw and Leopardleap before Mudroot finally leaped onto his own stone.
There was no feeling of the element of water around her this time, but Leopardleap felt safer and stronger than she did on the ground all the same.
She squirmed slightly, for she was very wary of having a higher position than the deputies and the leaders of the clans. She suddenly wished the Gathering would come sooner.
"Tonight is the night we declare war on the enemy rogue clans," Darkblaze began. His voice was even, but loud enough for everyone to hear. It had grown increasingly stronger since Leopardleap had first heard him speak publicly a moon ago. "For many of you, this means the beginning of a sacrificial few moons which will not go unremembered, if only because of its brutality and unceasing struggle. Do not dwell on these things. This war and all of its battles will be fought because of our families. Think of those you wish to save. Your mother. Your father. Your kits. Your mate. Fight with them in mind, for if you lose, our foes will not honor the Warrior Code.
"I was chosen by the Elementals as your Commander, and I will honor their choice by providing you all with the leaders of war which will guide us all to victory. Those I have chosen have proven to me a strength in the body, and a strength in the mind. Some are leaders. Some are warriors. Do not grow wary because of this. There are some who are better at leading politically than in combat." Darkblaze took a small inhale.
"For WindClan, I have chosen Cloudheart to be the main leader of the warriors within that clan. Echostrike will be his main adviser. Ranks downward from this will be decided by Fogstar, Cloudheart, and Echostrike respectively." As he paused, the clans began to shout their names.
"Cloudheart! Echostrike! Cloudheart! Echostrike!"
When it quieted down, he continued on. "RiverClan, as you all know borders what is right now an enemy clan. Therefore, the clan must split to fight both fronts, and so two leaders and two advisers must be elected. To lead the ShadowClan front, I have selected Streamstar to be the leader. Leopardleap will be his main adviser. Ranks downward from this will be decided by Streamstar."
"Streamstar! Leopardleap! Streamstar! Leopardleap!"
Leopardleap shifted. Streamstar always seemed so important, even when she was a medicine cat. She hoped she wouldn't mess up around him.
"On the rogues' front, Nyka—Hailpaw—will be the the leader, with Hawkpaw as her main adviser. Ranks downward will be decided by both Nyka and Hawkpaw."
There were a few whispers as Darkblaze announced this. Nyka growled under her breath, and her tail lashed as her eyes narrowed. However, Darkblaze did not seem phased.
"In ThunderClan, there will also be two fronts," the dark Commander continued. "Duskstar is who I have chosen to lead the front with the rogues. Firestrike and Nightheart will be the main advisers for this front. Ranks downward from this will be decided by Duskstar and Nightheart."
"Duskstar! Firestrike! Nightheart! Duskstar! Firestrike! Nightheart!"
"And finally, on the ShadowClan front, I have chosen Brambletooth to command. Sunpaw will be the main adviser, and ranks downward from this will be decided by Brambletooth and Sunpaw."
Leopardleap saw Mudroot tense, which was odd for him. She had heard a few times of the bully-like qualities Brambletooth possessed, but also of his strength and intelligence. She wondered which side of the tom would win out in battle and prayed to StarClan Mudroot did not have to listen to him.
When the clan had stopped cheering, Darkblaze spoke, "Should death come upon any leader, it is up to the adviser to choose another. Should death come upon any adviser, it is up to me to choose another."
"May I speak?" asked one of the toms near Streamstar.
"Yes," Darkblaze responded.
"Why make it different for both ranks?" the tom asked.
"Leaders and advisers have different goals," Darkblaze told him. There was a pause, and then the dark warrior shifted his gaze upward to the rest of the crowd. "To leave it official, the Elemental Mortals fighting in RiverClan will be Leopardleap, Hawkpaw, and Nyka. The Elemental Mortals fighting physically in ThunderClan will be Sunpaw and Mudroot. ThunderClan will not be left out. I will be sending Lightning to fight for you if I cannot be there myself."
An electric eagle appeared beside him.
"If you see this, know that I am with you. I can see through this form, and I can speak to your leaders as well."
Darkblaze gave the clan cats a moment to take everything in. Then he took a deep breath, and continued, "For those of you who may have been wondering, I have decided on an age requirement in battle. Apprentices which are nine moons and younger cannot fight unless that particular front is in need of more cats." There was an outrage by the younger cats, and some of the older warriors, even.
"I know this may be alarming and nontraditional, but I believe war should not be experienced at such a young age," Darkblaze said. "More to the point, we need hunters. By creating this age line, we will have refreshed cats to hunt and find prey which will, despite the upcoming season change, be scarce. Minorly wounded warriors will also hunt until they are healed enough to continue fighting."
"What of the kits, Queens, and elders?" Fogstar asked.
"I have an evacuation plan should the rogues advance close enough to any of the camps," Darkblaze spoke. "During the war, these cats will be in charge of the upkeeping of the camps. It is a difficult task, and once again nontraditional, but these times are hard and different than what you have experience in the past. Furthermore, kits are prohibited to be outside of camp. I ask you to stress to them the danger they face if they—"
He stopped himself. His expression changed from a calm composure, to narrowed eyes.
"The rogues are coming," he said. "Take your normal positions, and let only the leaders and I speak."
Immediately, the clans shuffled and whispered and changed their places. The three medicine cats went to their spot near the tree, the deputies found their place on the rocks, and the the leaders leaped upon the tree as if it were just a normal gathering.
A few heart-beats after everyone was settled, Leopardleap could see a large black form, followed by three others, enter the island. Unlike most gatherings, it was completely quiet within the clans as the rogues came into camp.
"You sure have rallied the clans, brother," Nightfire spoke. "I am truly impressed."
"No flattery or other means of lengthening this gathering is needed, Nightfire," Streamstar growled. "Say what you mean to, and leave."
"Very well," Nightfire sighed. "Your time for a decision has ended. What is your choice?"
"Nyka wishes to stay with us," Streamstar said. "Whether that mean compromise or war, she calls the clans home now."
"After you kidnapped her?" Nightfire said. He wasn't angry, but amused. "I must seem like a rather unlikable tom if I am being pushed away because of you."
"I saw what you did," Nyka suddenly growled from her position. Her muscles were tensed, and her eyes were narrowed tightly. "I know what you do to cats under your control, and I want no part of it!"
"Seeing isn't everything," Nightfire spat as his tail lashed. "There are factors you don't quite understand."
Nyka hesitated, but then her expression set, and she said, "I understand enough to know I would never go with you and leave the only friends I've ever had."
"Very well," Nightfire said. "But you know what this means. War shall break upon you tomorrow at dawn, as I have warned."
"Do not expect surrender," Streamstar told him.
"I do not expect you to, with Dark as your Commander," Nightfire responded. "As a fellow Commander, I await you in battle."
Darkblaze tensed and did nothing more.
"I shall leave you to your gathering, then," Nightfire said.
He turned, and the three cats behind him followed obediently. Leopardleap noticed one looking longingly at the Great Oak Tree and wondered if he envisioned himself soon sitting upon it. She shivered at the thought.
He was gone as quick as he had come. For a moment, the clans did nothing, and as this moment drug on, Leopardleap noticed a small drop of blood appearing in the corner of Darkblaze's mouth.
Is he wounded? Leopardleap questioned.
Think, Leopardleap, Rain told her. Did you notice how controlled your Commander was compared to the gathering last moon?
Yes. . . Leopardleap spoke. Then she understood. Do you mean he injured himself, just to look strong?
We all have our ways of masking fear, Rain said. That amount of fear, however, cannot be masked by an emotion, or at least not the emotions he wished to appear. Pain seemed to be the only other option for him.
"Leave for your territories immediately," Darkblaze spoke. "Fight bravely, and strongly. Tonight sets the battlefield for the moons to come."
"Let us leave!" Duskstar called out as he landed upon the ground. ThunderClan, and the other clans, for that matter, seemed confused and whispered to each other quickly. "Come, let us go before the rogues reach our border!" At this, the clan followed its leader, and they were gone.
"Wait, Darkblaze, what in StarClan's name—"
"Nightfire plans to strike tonight," Darkblaze growled. "We must make haste. Sunpaw, Mudroot, catch up to ThunderClan."
"Leopardleap—" Mudroot began.
"Now!" Darkblaze shouted. Sunpaw hissed.
"You didn't give us time to say good-bye!" the ginger tom snapped.
"Then fight hard enough to say hello tomorrow," Darkblaze said. "I realize your anger, but I cannot deal with it at this moment. Do as I say." Sunpaw glared at the dark warrior for a few heartbeats, but eventually jumped down from his stone and chased after ThunderClan with Mudroot behind him.
"This conversation hasn't ended," Nyka growled. With narrowed eyes, she jumped off of her stone and joined RiverClan.
"I don't quite understand your reasoning," Hawkpaw said. "But I know it must have been for a good reason."
As Hawkpaw got off of the stone, Darkblaze gritted his teeth and said under his breath just loud enough for Leopardleap to hear, "It wasn't."
"Leopardleap!" Nyka called. "Hurry up!"
The tabby she-cat ducked her head, leaped down to the ground, and followed the stronger she-cat.
OOOOOOO
Sunpaw raced alongside Brambletooth, who followed his leader and deputy with a scowl on his face. No one spoke as they ran toward the clan territory, not even the tiny apprentices.
The ginger Elemental Mortal was angry. Darkblaze had ideas, and his plans usually worked, but there seemed to be no reason in Sunpaw's mind that Lightning's Mortal should have kept him from saying good-bye to the first good thing that ever happened to him.
His fury got him through WindClan quickly. Once they could see ThunderClan territory, Duskstar moved closer to them.
"Nightheart, take the younger apprentices to camp and let everyone know what is going on," Duskstar ordered. "Brambletooth, head toward the ShadowClan border. Keep them from moving even a pawstep, understood?"
The brown tom nodded.
"Good luck," Duskstar told him. "The rest of you! Prepare to separate! Make it even!"
As they ran across the ThunderClan border, they went their separate ways. Sunpaw dutifully followed Brambletooth and prayed the tom had enough sense to win the battle.
"Do you have a plan for the ranking?" Sunpaw asked.
"No," Brambletooth admitted. "I think they all understand what they must do. Watch everyone carefully—we'll decide who is better when the battle is over."
Sounds fair to me, Sunpaw thought.
"How stable are your powers?" Brambletooth asked.
"Stable enough to fight with," Sunpaw responded. "Do you think me going ahead to surprise them would be the best idea?"
"No," Brambletooth told him. "Fight normally—they shouldn't know who you are. If we're losing ground, start using your element."
"Understood," Sunpaw said.
Hey, this guy's got some intelligence! Flame said. I've been reporting to Lightning, and he hasn't said a word against his ideas!
That's good, Sunpaw thought. Has Snow said anything about Nyka?
So caring, Flame said. She said the battle hasn't started yet. Not many cats seem to be willing to listen to her, but they are for Streamstar's sake.
Hopefully that will change soon, Sunpaw said. What about Lightning and Air? Has their thing been settled?
In a matter of speaking, Flame spoke with a little chuckle. Air is pretty wounded and on the opposite side of the clearing right now. Lightning seems to be completely fine, though. He's given out orders just like the old days.
Have you forgiven him? Sunpaw asked.
Friends can't stay mad at each other forever, Flame said. Honestly, I'm surprised I held that grudge for so long.
At least now you're back to being—
"Darkblaze will come, right?" Brambletooth asked.
"It depends on necessities elsewhere and the need over here," Sunpaw said. "The reason he placed me here is because of my abilities. I can keep back a normally sized battle patrol, but if things go wrong and I am unable to do so, Darkblaze will realize this and come."
A yowl sounded out, forcing the two to become alert.
"How old are you?" Brambletooth asked then.
"About nine or ten moons," Sunpaw answered. "Why?"
"Just making sure," Brambletooth responded.
They stopped their conversation as the rogues came into view. Half of the rogue clan seemed to be there, and yet, there seemed to be more than the clan patrol. Sunpaw clenched his teeth and pressed on.
It seemed completely silent around Sunpaw for a moment, and then the battle began. Screeches yowls, and slices of fur could be heard, and the ginger tom paid no mind to it. He ducked as a cat swiped over his head and surged forward into his attacker's stomach as he reared.
A cat leaped upon him, and the two cats went tumbling forward. Sunpaw, however, managed to flip himself midair and landed on his paws as the other cat struggled to gain her footing. The Elemental Mortal lunged and sliced a gash in her side, forcing her to yowl in pain.
The she-cat lunged once more, and this time, Sunpaw sunk his teeth into her shoulder. She struggled, but could not get free. Soon, she was limp at his side. Breathing, but limp.
"Hold the line! Should any break it, send them running!"
Around him, Sunpaw could tell the Clans were struggling. The rogues were still stronger and faster, just less so, which had done its job. The rogues were shocked, and therefore, the battle seemed to be even.
"Get off of me, you fox-dung!"
Sunpaw whirled around and sprinted toward Brambletooth, who was being overrun with four rogues. He leaped onto one and sent the wind out of it. One surged forward to meet him in battle, and Sunpaw accepted by getting close and heating his pelt, which burned through the tom's skin and sent him running.
Just as Sunpaw turned to see how Brambletooth was doing, the ThunderClan tom pinned the last rogue as the other laid dead on the ground.
"Why didn't that work?" the rogue was asking. "You're be the Elemental Mortal! You're the leader of this front!"
"Do you really think Darkblaze would be so mouse-brained?" Brambletooth hissed with his tail lashing. Then he bent down and finished the tom off with a killing blow. When he noticed Sunpaw staring at him, he said, "If I didn't kill him, he would have told everyone."
Sunpaw gave a firm nod. "Understood."
"Thanks for helping me," Brambletooth said.
"I've got your back," Sunpaw announced. He noticed they were doing rather well, despite being out numbered. "Any more commands?"
"Keep doing whatever you doing," Brambletooth ordered. Just as he finished, the screech of a bird sounded, and they saw the electric eagle flying toward them. Lightning bolts sprang from it, and as they hit the ground, flames rose. Fear of the fire forced the rogues back.
"Commander Darkblaze," Brambletooth spoke as the eagle hovered over them.
"Your front is doing well," he said. "Make sure to keep the right side more defended as the camp is closer. Also, do not forget about the tunnels. If you can, use them to your advantage." The eagle flew a bit further into the sky, and the clan cats watched in awe. "Fight to protect your mates and your kits! Remember them, and give it all you've got!"
As the eagle flew off into ShadowClan, battle cries rose from the clan cats, and as soon as the fires died out, they surged forward as a group and fought with the extra fury in their blood.
"Your friend sure knows how to boost morale," Brambletooth chuckled, and then he lunged. Sunpaw rejoined the battle with him, and they fought side by side, as war brothers.
OOOOOO
Nyka sliced through the underbelly of the mouse-brain on top of her, and watched as he ran away yowling.
Serves you right, scum, Nyka hissed. A rogue leaped toward her. She moved to the side, and an ice spike formed from the ground where she had been. The white she-cat smirked as the rogue died.
"Nyka!" Hawkpaw hissed. "A little less killing and a little more commanding."
"Did you hear that?" Nyka asked, announcing it to the others. "Keep them back! Defend the right corner—push them to the left if you can and let Streamstar deal with them!"
"How does that make any—"
The cat who had attempted to speak was cut off by a rogue. Nyka didn't mind much that the army wasn't going to listen. She knew they would soon learn her orders were most likely the best they were going to get.
Nyka fought as hard as she could, though she kept the use of her powers to a minimum. No tree climbing, no ice spikes appearing from air, and no freezing anyone. She knew, after all, that such a display so early in the war would be mouse-brained.
She noticed only a small while later no one had listened to her. The right of the border was being over run, and they were being surrounded and forced to retreat step by step. Hawkpaw, being the bird-brain she was, forced gusts of wind and other strong attacks at the enemy, pushing them back, but not nearly far enough.
Well, this is turning out wonderfully, Nyka spat as she clawed at a rogue.
I'm not reporting to Lightning, Snow said. Not until we have no other choice.
I wasn't going to ask you to, Nyka responded. A rogue came at her, and she forced a tiny ice wall in front of her. However, the wall was not nearly as powerful as she had wanted it to be. What in StarClan's name is going on? Why is this all so restricted?
I'm not in my element, Snow said. That has to be it.
Well why aren't you? Nyka questioned.
Lightning wanted us near him so we can easily share information between all of us, Snow said. Of course, it doesn't affect his powers.
Can't you just leave? Nyka asked.
That would make him think there's something going wrong in RiverClan, Snow pointed out.
Last resort, then, Nyka muttered. Brilliant.
Nyka was suddenly forced to the ground because of an unseen rogue. They went tumbling through the snow and landed in what little snow was left. Nyka was on the bottom.
"Finally, one of you can give me a little challenge!" Nyka hissed before kicking the tom's stomach. The black rogue yowled, but released her all the same. And as he looked into his eyes, she recognized him. "You!"
"Yes, me," he spoke. "It has been a few moons, hasn't it?"
"Don't act like a friend," Nyka hissed. "You're a rogue, just like the rest of them."
"One of the best, I must admit," Panther sighed. "Enough to know you made a huge mistake, staying here in the clans."
"Not you too!" Nyka shouted. "I've got a battle to fight, and nothing you say will change my mind."
"Your father isn't as evil as you think," Panther growled. "He is a good cat who only wants you to be with him again."
"He's murdered several of these clan cats, and he's abused one of my best friends!" Nyka hissed. "How is that good?"
"That isn't him," Panther spoke. "That's the Monster."
"The Monster?" Nyka asked.
"He's changed since he was in the city," Panther said. "He used to be kind, and a good leader. But The Monster possessed him, made him mad. Insane."
So it is true? Snow asked.
Is he—? Nyka narrowed her eyes as a clan cat yowled in agony.
"This only a lie," she spat. She lunged for the black tom, who evaded her easily with his small size and speed.
"If you wish not to see it, then I will not force you," Panther spoke. He lunged at her, but was stopped by several ice spikes. Nyka dashed away and unsheathed her claws.
He surged around her, but before he got to her blind side, Nyka forced ice to form beneath him, and he slipped. When Panther got traction once more, he attacked. Once again, Nyka danced around his claws.
The fight went on. The closer he got, the more wary she became. Something about the look in his eye warned her to stay away, and so she listened. No matter how close he became, she stopped him.
Nyka was becoming tired, and with every moment fighting, she knew her army was retreating, failing.
"Nyka!" Hawkpaw screeched.
The distraction was enough to set Nyka's rythem off. She saw Panther out of the corner of her eye, but could do nothing about it. Soon, she was pinned on the ground.
"If you do not believe the Monster exists, then let me show you," Panther hissed, keeping her pinned with his strength.
Get to your—
Nyka's thought was cut off. She saw red smoke, and suddenly felt nothing. She didn't really understand it at first, but she soon remembered Leopardleap's explanation of Pinepaw's attack.
He's taking my element away. . .!
The white she-cat struggled and fought, but nothing came out of the burst of independence. She was pinned, and there was no way around that fact.
A screech came from the sky, and from the corner of her eye, Nyka saw the electric eagle soaring quickly toward her. In a heart-beat, Panther was off of her, unconscious, and without his ability.
There was a moment of hesitation before Nyka stood with her legs shaking. She saw, despite her numbness, the army of electric warriors slowly fighting the rogues into retreat. The clan cats cheered and fought harder.
Nyka had failed.
Well, this war isn't over, Snow said. You'll have plenty of time to prove yourself.
This isn't a simple matter! What if they won't trust me now that I've failed to command them? What if they won't follow me?
Then they'll start dying and afterwards begin to realize your orders actually make sense, Snow told her. Nyka sighed.
I hope you're right.
And she continued fighting to the best of her abilities.
OOOOOOO
Darkblaze caught his breath and unsheathed his claws into the ground. He forced himself to see nothing for a short while, allowing his strength to slowly disappear bit by bit until he relaxed. When his eyes opened again, RiverClan and the rogues were evenly numbered and fighting as ThunderClan was.
I've left the skies. You need to gain your strength back.
It served its purpose, Darkblaze told the Elemental. Did Snow retreat?
Unfortunately, Lightning said. Air has, too. Hawkpaw is not regulating her powers, and so she is weakening.
Brilliant. RiverClan is completely unwatched, Darkblaze hissed.
Not completely, Lightning spoke. Rain can still communicate with them if worst comes to worst. For now, let us worry about WindClan.
The rogues are advancing, Darkblaze growled. And how am I supposed to watch this clan as well? There are no Elementals!
Stay calm, Lightning said smoothly. They can take care of themselves as you recover. In a few heart-beats, I will return to my eagle form.
OOOOOOOOOOOO
Mudroot didn't like war.
Mudroot was confused. He didn't understand. The rogues were bad. The rogues were evil. The rogues killed cats. But they killed the rogues. They at least intended to. To kill the rogues. Was there a difference? They killed. The clans killed. The clans weren't supposed to kill. The clans never killed.
Mudroot didn't kill. He barely used his element. Mountain told him not to. Mountain told him to wait. Mudroot waited. Mudroot fought. He fought rogues. He hurt them. He didn't like hurting them. They ran away. The clan cheered. Duskstar fought next to him. Was he good? Mudroot didn't know.
A rogue came toward him. Mudroot lunged. They began fighting. It was hard. They fought for a long time. Mudroot was stronger. Mudroot was bigger. Mudroot won. The rogue didn't stop, though. The rogue kept fighting. Mudroot hurt him more. The rogue disappeared.
The rogues were tough. They fought hard. They fought until death. Or wanted to. They didn't succeed. They fled. Were they loyal to their clan? Mudroot didn't think so. Mudroot believed they were loyal to themselves. Like Darkblaze. Darkblaze had to learn to be loyal. Learning to be loyal seemed easy. Mudroot was loyal.
Duskstar became injured. These rogues fought hard. Mudroot did not see Nightfire. He did not see a commander of the group. He did not see any leader. He saw chaos. He didn't like chaos. Chaos followed no rules. Rules were good. Rules kept him safe.
Mudroot pressed on. The battle would be over soon. Mountain said that. Mudroot fought harder. When it was over, he would see Leopradleap.
Leopardleap.
He wanted to see Leopardleap.
OOOOOOOOO
The battle lasted until sunrise. The rogues eventually went back a few fox-lengths and called out a cease-fire, to which first happened in ThunderClan, and gradually made its way around to WindClan.
The leaders of each front began to decide ranks. Most were alright with the ranks chosen as they ate the fresh-kill their apprentices gave them. A few became rigid; fearful of the future. Some were blank and emotionless, deciding to feel nothing rather than make the choice of what to feel.
At sunrise, patrols took turns going up and down the new border, watching the army on the other line. The rogues followed suit. Each side was ready for another attack. Each was hoping that neither would be wishing to advance.
They had done well. Out of all of the clans, only seven cats died. Thanks to Nyka's philosophy on life, ten rogues were killed. Most had scratches and bore wounds which the medicine cats quickly healed. RiverClan fared the best on injuries, as Leopardleap healed them to their former state. Only three cats sustained wounds which forced them into the hunting cats.
WindClan began to realize their mistake. A few suddenly understood an advantage to an Elemental in their front. However, their leader, Fogstar, made a speech, and though it's importance was not close to that of elemental powers, those who searched for it knew WindClan was not going to have an Elemental Mortal at all.
The electric eagle appeared to every front at the same time. Despite the power it cost, their Commander was adamant about the message he had to send.
"This is your first taste of battle. Of real war. It will not end tomorrow, nor in a moon. This will drag on. Your friends die. But you cannot think of the future as death and destruction, despite the truth in it. You must look beyond that future, and to the future of the kits which sit in the nursery, and the Queens which protect them. You must look to the future which the clans have their traditions, the future which everything goes back to how you remember it as apprentices and kits.
"Not all was in vain today. The ShadowClan front in ThunderClan stands still, and has not changed. Our casualties are less than our foes, our injured are being completely healed in heart-beats. New-leaf comes, so these cold nights watching the border will become fewer as this moon drags on.
"The leaders of your front should always be available to you. If not, the advisors will be. Your concerns are notable, because there is our advantage. Nightfire takes into account only his own problems. I shall take into account all of your issues with as much effort as I can manage. You matter, because without you, this war would be over, and the rogues would own our clan.
"We can win this, and we will. Through our blood, huger, and pain, we will."
A/n :: I do not own Warriors.
Sorry I took so long. Writers Block and other issues have forced me away from writing. -.- I'm back now, though.
Alright, there are two main issues I would like to bring up. As you can probably tell, now, this is a war, not just a single battle. I had a bit of confusion with people believing it is only one battle when, er, it's going to be several. So, yeah, this book is not really close to finishing. I am aiming for 200,000 words, though I may fall a little short.
Another thing: Is Darkblaze a Mary-Sue? I've taken some tests and he's usually on the verge. I was also rereading a bit of my own story and decided he was a little. .. too perfect. What do you guys think? It's important to me, as Mary-sue's can ruin my career. I need to know now so I can fix it.
Anyway, I hope you all enjoy and have a Happy New Year! =D
{o} The Assassins Anthem, may darkness be with you.