Chapter 19
Bramblepaw's eyes were wide in horror. It was the first time he had ever seen cats dying in a fight. He realized just how evil Tigerstar was, he wanted apprentices killed, just for being half-clan.
Darkstripe turned back towards Stormpaw and Featherpaw. "Let me kill them Tigerstar," he meowed excitedly.
Graystripe was about to spring forward, when they heard Tigerstar speak. "A prisoner defeats you, yet you think you can take on apprentices?" he criticized.
Darkstripe looked embarrassed.
"Let them live for now," announced Tigerstar. An evil grin came on to his face. "They might be useful for me."
Bramblepaw had a deep feeling that he was going to use them to lure Firestar into a trap.
They watched Tigerstar, Darkstripe and Blackfoot disappearing into the reeds. They saw Leopardstar stay behind and touched her nose against Stonefur's fur, clearly showing regret for letting him die.
Graystripe wanted to spring into action, but Firestar once again stopped him.
"Don't go rushing off," he warned. "We have to make sure all the cats are gone before we can rescue the kits."
"I don't care!" cried Graystripe. "If they try to stop us, I'll rip them apart!"
"There's no need for risks," murmured Ravenpaw. "The kits are safe at the moment."
"I won't have to worry about being seen," said Bramblepaw. "I'm Tigerstar's son after all, so they won't harm me if I go out there."
Firestar looked up, it was dark now and the scents Shadowclan and Riverclan cats were fading.
"They're gone," said Firestar crouching down. "This is our chance. We need to find where they're keeping the prisoners."
The four cats crept low, going along the stream where the rotting crowfood was. Bramblepaw heard Firestar muttering a complaint about wasting prey when leaf-bare was coming.
"We could roll in it to hid our scents" suggested Ravenpaw. Firestar nodded in approval.
"I won't have to," said Bramblepaw. "I'm Tigerstar's son, so I'm practically future leader of Tigerclan. So, they wouldn't attack me, and would do what I say."
Firestar knew Bramblepaw was right. Since Tigerstar named his son the future leader of Tigerclan, cats were expected to take orders from him. He pressed his fur against the pray and Graystripe and Ravenpaw followed. Bramblepaw wrinkled his snout by the smell, but did his best to ignore it as the crept on.
They came up to a den where they saw a ginger tom with thick fur guarding the dean.
"That's Jaggedtooth," whispered Bramblepaw. "Father told me that during his exile, he teamed up with some rouges to help him restore strength to Shadowclan."
"We've seen him before," said Firestar. "He'll recognize me and Graystripe."
"I could talk to him," suggested Bramblepaw. "Because I'm to be my father's successor, he'll do what I tell him because father expects them too."
"Except," jumped in Firestar. "He'll wonder why you're in Riverclan since you didn't leave with Tigerstar and I doubt your father would let you guard prisoners."
"I'll go," said Ravenpaw. "He won't recognize me."
Firestar wasn't so sure, but he agreed. "How will you do it?" he asked.
"I'll be fine" assured Ravenpaw. Bramblepaw noticed anticipation shining in his eyes, the same way it would with himself.
Ravenpaw walked out of the reeds casually, as if nothing were wrong. Bramblepaw crouched down in fear when he saw Jaggedtooth's pelt bristling. Firestar was getting ready to pounce if he had to attack.
Bramblepaw listened with interest. He told Ravenpaw he didn't know him. Ravenpaw replied that he had a message from Tigerstar. Jaggedtooth then complained about the awful smell of Ravenpaw's fur. Bramblepaw held back a chuckle when Ravenpaw fired back that he didn't smell too pleasant himself.
"Now do you want my message or not?" asked Ravenpaw.
"Get on with it then" sighed Jaggedtooth.
"Tigerstar wants to see you," said Ravenpaw. "He sent me to take your place."
"Only Shadowclan is allowed to guard them," declared Jaggedtooth in disbelief. "Riverclan cats are too soft. Why did Tigerstar send you instead of a Shadowclan cat?"
"I thought we were supposed to be one clan now," said Ravenpaw ignoring the tone of voice. "I guess I'll just tell Tigerstar you wouldn't come."
Jaggedtooth's ears twitched, Bramblepaw could tell the look of horror on his face. One thing he had known about his father was how he used fear to control cats and how angry he'd get if a cat didn't agree with him.
"Where is he?" he asked.
Ravenpaw pointed his tail in the direction of the Riverclan camp. Jaggedtooth then quickly headed off.
Firestar, Graystripe and Bramblepaw then came out of the reeds.
"You did well Ravenpaw," said Firestar.
"You three go into the den," said Ravenpaw. "I'll stay here and keep watch."
The three cats went inside down a long narrow passageway. At the end of the tunnel was Mistyfoot, Featherpaw and Stormpaw.
"Firestar!" exclaimed Mistyfoot. "What are you doing here."
"It's a long story," said Firestar. "But first we have to get out of here."
"What's he doing here?" asked Mistyfoot guiding her paw to Bramblepaw. "Isn't he Tigerstar's son?" Featherpaw and Stormpaw looked a bit timid at the dark brown tabby apprentice. They were old enough to be littermates, but he was strong and would put up a fight with them.
"Don't worry," explained Firestar. "He's the one who told us you were in trouble. We're going to take you back to Thunderclan."
He looked at Mistyfoot and the apprentices. "Are you sure you can make it that far?" he asked.
"I'll make it anywhere when I'm out of this hole" replied Mistyfoot determinedly.
"Yeah" agreed Featherpaw.
"I'm sorry we couldn't save Stonefur," said Bramblepaw sympathetically to Mistyfoot.
"Stormpaw and Featherpaw told me" said Mistyfoot sadly.
The all went back to the surface of the tunnel. It was all clear. Firestar led the way back through the forest. As the camp and the scattered pray became less, it was more relaxing that they'd soon be at the boarder between Thunderclan and Riverclan.
But then came yowling that broke the silence of the forest.
"The prisoners have escaped!"
They all knew that cats from Riverclan and Shadowclan found out that Mistyfoot, Stormpaw and Featherpaw had escaped.
"Hurry across the stepping stones!" cried Firestar.
The Riverclan cats were weak, so they needed help crossing the stones. Firestar helped Mistyfoot get across.
Stormpaw then started to cross. But then his sister called out "They're coming!" which made him lose his balance! Bramblepaw gasped, but then felt relieved to see Firestar and Graystripe helping him up.
Bramblepaw looked back to see Jaggedtooth, Blackfoot and several other cats running after them.
"Come on Bramblepaw," said Firestar. "You're coming with us."
Although Bramblepaw would've liked to go back to Thunderclan to be with his mother and sister again and be away from his father's tyranny. But he shook his head.
"I can't," he said softly. "If I stay in Thunderclan, father will think you've kidnapped me, and attack the clan. I don't want cats to get hurt because of me."
Firestar understood, Tigerstar believed his son was loyal to him. So he wouldn't believe Bramblepaw would join Thunderclan willingly. And Bramblepaw showed concern for the other cats. He nodded respectfully at the tabby apprentice.
"I should get back to Shadowclan," sighed Bramblepaw. "Father is probably looking for me." He looked back to see Shadowclan cats getting closer. "And before I'm caught with you guys."
With that he dashed into the shadows.
Firestar looked up to see the cats getting closer to Ravenpaw and Featherpaw. But luckily there was a battle yowling. He looked to see Cloudtail, Sandstorm and Thornclaw running towards the border.
Graystripe and Ravenpaw tussled with Blackfoot. Blackfoot lost his balance and splashed into the water. Swimming out embarrassedly, he called for a retreat and the cats left.
"What are they doing here?" asked Sandstorm pointing at the Riverclan cats. Firestar explained to them about Tigerstar holding them prisoners and how Bramblepaw came to get Firestar and Graystripe to help them as they walked back to the camp.
As they arrived at the ravine, Brackenfur came running up.
"Firestar! Firestar!" he cried. "Have you seen Tawnypaw?!"
Author's note; It's upsetting that Bramblepaw turned down Firestar's offer to return to Thunderclan. But don't worry, he will in the end. And we know where Tawnypaw went.