Chapter 4: The Attack

Shadowpaw, Nightpaw, and Smallpaw woke up earlier than the other apprentices for they heard a soft noise outside of their den. The more timid one, Smallpaw ventured first, then Nightpaw followed. But Shadowpaw stayed in the den, then raced out when she heard yelping.

Spottedpaw and Leopardpaw woke also, and hurried out. Lightningstar had awoken, and so did Snowstorm. In fact, all of the wolves in the Clan were outside of their dens.

Then Shadowpaw saw her brothers being carried away by two strange wolves. Mooncoat jumped onto the back of the dark brown wolf. Then Rogueear appeared and slammed into the tan she-wolf.

"Let them go!" Mooncoat growled. The dark brown wolf let go of Smallpaw, but attacked Mooncoat. Then more wolves poured into the clearing, attacking the ThunderClan wolves. The dark brown wolf and tan she-wolf had disappeared, but Shadowpaw scented them easily.

Cries came from the other wolves as they were injured. "Bring back the pups!" "Let them go!" "ShadowClan will pay!" "Get out of our territory!"

Shadowpaw charged into the clearing, landing on the back of another wolf. It kicked her, but she was persistent. She bit his foreleg, causing him to yelp and run. "That's right! Run away!" she barked triumphantly, puffing out her chest.

"Shadowpaw!" Suntail cried from across the clearing. Shadowpaw crouched, ready to spring, but was caught off guard as another apprentice rammed her in the shoulder. She looked at the other wolf, eyes burning with rage, but realized it was Rainpaw, her old friend.

"Rainpaw," she whispered. The other wolf's eyes softened, and he nuzzled her. But their reunion was cut short when they heard a sharp cry. It was Smallpaw. He had been caught by another she-wolf and had been injured badly.

"Smallpaw!" Shadowpaw screamed. She scrambled over there, Lightningstar close behind. She pressed her head against his chest, searching for life. Lightningstar touched his muzzle with hers, her eyes clouded with sadness. "Smallpaw," Shadowpaw whimpered.

His breathing stopped just after dawn. "Shadowpaw, it will be all right," Lightningstar whispered. "Smallpaw is with StarClan now, a better place." ShadowClan had left after Shocktail had been chased away. The clearing was now filled with injured wolves that were staring at them.

"Dewleaf, Snowstorm, I need to speak with you," Lightningstar called.

Once inside Dewleaf's den, away from the Clan, Lightningstar spoke. "You two I trust with my lives. And you trust me the same way," Lightningstar began, "but I have held a secret from you since Shadowpaw, Nightpaw, and Smallpaw were born."

Snowstorm and Dewleaf listened intently, taking in every word their leader said. Then she spoke again, this time, sounding more grave.

"Tornstar and I were seeing each other, then stopped when I was going to have pups. I gave birth to seven of them, but four of them died from Tornstar. He was angry that I had pups, so he wanted to kill all of them. Fortunately, I saved three of them."

She paused to take a breath. "Shadowpaw, Nightpaw, and Smallpaw are my children." Snowstorm and Dewleaf made no sound as she finished. After a long pause, Dewleaf spoke.

"You broke the warrior code," she murmured. Snowstorm shook his head. "Why, Lightningstar?" he asked. She looked up at him. "Tornstar was my true love, but he became a traitor. I had to save my pups," she whispered.

"But their true home is with ShadowClan. And since Nightpaw is kidnapped, he might die there, just like Smallpaw," Dewleaf said, never taking her eyes off Lightningstar. "They belong there."

Lightningstar looked at the ground. "I know. If Nightpaw dies there, then I know that he will be a warrior in StarClan. And Shadowpaw will be an even greater warrior," she sighed. "And then a leader."

Brightfoot paced outside of Dewleaf's den. When Lightningstar emerged, she wasted no time to tell her what had happened. "ShadowClan took all of my pups!" she blurted out.

Lightningstar's eyes widened. "Did you see them?" she demanded. Brightfoot shook her head. Snowstorm appeared, looking almost angry. "ShadowClan took an apprentice's life and kidnapped another. They will pay!" he thundered.

"Yes they will," Lightningstar agreed. "Yes they will."

Tornstar now had what he wanted. He took Nightpaw away from the rest of the Clan, and brought him to the edge of ShadowClan territory.

"Nightpaw," he growled, "do you know who I am?" The frightened apprentice nodded, then shook his head. Tornstar chuckled. "I am Tornstar, leader of ShadowClan. And I am also your father. It looks like Lightningstar has not taught you about me."

Nightpaw began to tremble, his paws stirring the leaves beneath him. "Y-y-you're m-my f-f-father?" stammered. "A-a-and L-Lightningstar is m-m-my m-m-m-mother?"

Tornstar snorted and smirked evilly. "W-w-what a-are you going t-t-to do t-t-to m-me?" Nightpaw stuttered. Tornstar growled, bringing his face close to the apprentice's. "Kill you," he said simply. "Like your dead siblings."

Swiftstar heard the weak howl of pain echo through the forest, but didn't listen. His Clan needed food, and quickly. All of the wolves, including the pups, were dangerously skinny. A small, golden she-wolf bounded up to him.

"Breezefoot," Swiftstar greeted, dipping his head. "Swiftstar, we spotted enemy patrols by the Owl Tree. What should we do?" Breezefoot panted.

Swiftstar looked past her, his gaze falling on the patrol. "Rest. Then tomorrow, at the Gathering, we will ask Lightningstar if she could spare some prey." Breezefoot nodded, then trotted away.

The moon shone brightly on the wolves of ThunderClan, making their coats appear different colors. As Lightningstar chose the wolves she wanted to accompany her, she saw an apprentice come walking into the clearing.

"Shadowpaw, you can also come to the Gathering," Lightningstar said softly. Shadowpaw nodded, then proceeded to walk over to her mentor. Suntail greeted her with a lick behind the ears, then looked over at Rogueear, who was sitting alone.

"Rogueear?" Suntail called. He glanced up at her, but made no other move. Shadowpaw looked at Mooncoat, who's eyes were just as cloudy as hers. She walked over to him and pressed her body against his.

His ears swiveled. "Mooncoat? Do you think my brother will be at the Gathering?" Shadowpaw asked. He shook his head slowly. "Oh." She got up and went to sit by Rogueear.

"Hi, Shadowpaw," he squeaked. "Rogueear, do you think Nightpaw will be at the Gathering?" she asked.

He nuzzled her. "I don't think so. I'm sorry," he whispered.

Lightningstar returned from Dewleaf's den and Snowstorm joined them. When Lightningstar was ready, they set off, their paws never making a sound.