Appleclaw's point of view
Appleclaw was up early in the morning today was the attack on The Kin and Appleclaw wanted to make sure that she was fully prepared for Kin warriors and Shadowmaw so Appleclaw was training with Flutterpaw and Oatclaw well they waited for Riverclan.
"Begin!" Oatclaw announced.
Appleclaw lunged forward but Flutterpaw rolled to dodge getting back on his feet the brown and white tom batted Appleclaw across the face Appleclaw withstood the blow retaliating by ramming into Flutterpaw knocking him over.
Appleclaw rushed over to pin Flutterpaw which proved hard even though he was still an apprentice Flutterpaw was only about a moon and a half away from his warrior ceremony.
Appleclaw struggled to hold Flutterpaw down with a sudden jerk Flutterpaw was able to break free from Appleclaw's grip.
"Alright you two I think that's enough training for now" Oatclaw laughed "Come on let's go get something to eat"
Inside Windclan camp was a buzz as the cats selected for a battle patrol were getting ready. The plan was for Riverclan and Windclan to travel through the tunnels and ambush The Kin from the left well Shadowclan Skyclan and Thunderclan would ambush them from the right from there they would push The Kin to and then out of the Thunderclan camp.
Leaftail and Slightfoot were getting in some last-minute training together with Featherpelt and Smokehaze well Harestar and Crowfeather were quietly talking with Gorsetail and Whiskernose.
From the camp entrance Appleclaw could here Whistlepaw whistling an upbeat tune as the gray tabby she-cat padded into camp with a mouthful of herbs.
"Oh, ha Appleclaw how Ya doing I was just out getting some more herbs for Kestrelflight"
"Good getting ready to go kick in The Kin's face for the 4th time"
"You know when you say if like that it makes it sound like The Kin suck" Whistlepaw laughed.
"That's probably because they do suck" Appleclaw started to laugh uncontrollably.
"I mean can you imagine if the dark forest tried that at least they were smart enough for it to be a one and done sort of thing"
"I mean there was that hole super big prophecy about it I think it was supposed to be a one and done thing"
The thought of the prophecy she received from Onestar and if there was any chance that Whistlepaw new about it she was a medicine cat and had been to the Moonpool with Kestrelflight multiple times and she had said it was only a couple more moons until she got her medicine cat name so it was possible but considering Onestar said she couldn't share it with anyone who didn't receive it she doubted Whistlepaw knew.
"Ra I'm goanna get you!" Runningkit squeaked as the pale ginger tom ran out of the nursery. Well, Appleclaw still found the kits annoying Runningkit and Owlkit were now old enough that they were able to play on their own.
"The big bad pike is goanna get you just like Troutkit said" Runningkit pounced on his sister "Oh come on Runningkit do you really believe what the Riverclan kits said" Owlkit taunted Crouchfoot and Larkwing watched on amused from the entrance of the nursery.
"Harestar! Harestar! Riverclan's here!" Fernstripe announced as she came into camp with Brackenstar, Icewing, Mothwing, and Willowshine.
Brackenstar and Icewing padded over to Harestar and talked amongst themselves well Mothwing and Willowshine went over to talk about herbs with Kestrelflight and Whistlepaw and the rest of the RiverClan warriors stood in the middle of the WindClan camp talking amongst themselves.
"Mabey if we're lucky Brackenstar didn't invite Splashpaw and Fogpaw" Appleclaw though hopefully.
"Hay Flutterpaw dude how Ya been" Splashpaw yelled in excitement.
"And nope their go's that idea" Splashpaw and Flutterpaw were both smart cats but put them together and it seemed like there intelligence just flew out the window mostly because they were both really good a convincing each other to do stupid things like crossing the bridge upside down because "The Skyclan apprentices can do that" spoiler Skyclan apprentices can't do that, and neither could they.
Appleclaw watched Flutterpaw and Splashpaw's conversation not sure what they were talking about she could see Fogpaw talking to Woodbeam and Songpaw thankfully Fogpaw seemed to be a lot more logical although being a few moments off from being dragged off by Shadowmaw probably helped with that.
"Everyone we're leaving" Brackenstar's meowed as the Riverclan leader and Harestar exited camp followed by their deputy's and medicine cats.
"By mom all see you after we're back" Breezepelt nuzzled Nightcloud as he went to join Heathertail. "By Breezepelt love you" Appleclaw could see that her father was uncomfortable leaving Nightcloud back at Windclan camp Nightcloud was the only cat that he spent more time with then Heathertail or Appleclaw and her siblings.
Appleclaw felt the cold sting her pelt as soon as she left the Windclan camp it was early morning and well it was a sunny day with no clouds in the sky it was still the dead of Leafbare and the freezing air clung to everything the cat's breath hung streamed out into the air above them.
"Augh I'm really not looking forward to go back into the tunnel's the last time that I was in there I was mauled by a bunch of stoats" Hootwhisker meowed.
"Oh, Hootwhisker don't be silly there's no stout's in there" Brindlewing responded.
"Actually, I think you mean ghost cat's"
"Ghost cats? why ghost cats?"
"When I was an apprentice, I was the first cat to see the stouts in the tunnel's not knowing what a stout was I told Onestar that I had seen ghost cat's"
"Ghost cats! of all the things that you could have used to describe a stout you used Ghost cat?" Brindlewing chuckled.
"Ya, I had no idea what I was thinking why I would use ghost cat when the word weasel was right there" Hootwhisker replied.
"I mean for Starclan's sake my father's name was Weaslefur you'd think that I would know the word" both Hootwhisker and Brindlewing laughed.
"Young love it's a thing of beauty" Leaftail said with a smirk on his face although Appleclaw could see a sense of deep lose behind his amber eyes Appleclaw knew that despite many she-cats showing interest in him Leaftail hadn't taking a mate since he lost his first mate and Crouchfoot's mother Sunstrike during the great battle.
"Oh Ya, I remember what that feels like" Heathertail gushed "The butterfly's the passion the way your heartbeats in weird rhythm's" Heathertail gave Breezepelt a playful shove that he reciprocated.
Appleclaw turned her head from listening to the older warrior's conversation about Brindle-Hoot to see that the tunnels were coming into sight their dark cavern's seeming to swallow all the light into them.
"Do we really have to go in there" Mistpaw said in disgust to her mentor Podlight.
"Come on Mistpaw don't be a scared it's just a tunnel" Frostpaw reassured her sister.
"Ya what your sister said there's nothing to be scared of if there was then Windclan wouldn't let us travel in them" Podlight added.
"Everybody follow me and Brackenstar" Harestar signaled with his tail heading into the darkness of the tunnel's.
Appleclaw took one last look at the outside as she plunged into the tunnels. Well, the tunnels we're warmer as they retained heat which Appleclaw appreciated the tunnels certainly gave of a creepy vibe the little light that came in barley enough to illuminate the dark brown walls covered in moss which despite it being the dead of Leafbare was still lush and green as if it was completely unaffected by the freezing cold above ground.
"Ewww oh my Starclan this is nasty" Nightsky squealed as she stepped into a puddle of water.
"Just be thankful that the place isn't flooded like it dose in the beginning of NewLeaf" Slightfoot replied.
"Sedgewhisker nearly drowned in here well she was a kit she's so scared to come back in here that her and Emberfoot both stayed back at camp" Featherpelt added as she hoped over a puddle "she warned me and Larkwing constantly as kit's not to go in there"
"Aa! oh my Starclan what the Dark Forest is that" Softpelt screeched as she flicked something across the tunnel landing in front of Appleclaw and Woodbeam.
"Softpelt it's just a rabbit skull" Woodbeam replied somewhat annoyed.
"Why is there a rabbit skull in the middle of the tunnels!" Harelight asked concerned.
"This is like its own little world separate from the outside it's warm year-round and plenty of moss" Oatclaw explained "Rabbit's frequent this place in Leaf Bare to find food and shelter, that also means that fox's and badger's frequent it to I've seen them drag kills down here to eat"
"Oh, that's just perfect not only do we have the Kin to worry about but for all we know a fox could just prance its tail down here just to make as a nice buffet" Softpelt mewed concerned.
"Everyone quite" Harestar ordered.
"Were here"
Wrenpaw's point of view
"Flamestrom? ware's Flamestrom?" Wrenpaw wondered as the Thunderclan and Shadowclan warriors arrived in Skyclan camp.
"Flamestrom? Flamestorm?" Wrenpaw called out to avail.
Then the conversation they had yesterday with Appleclaw about him and Myrtleflower going to look for Finchsong and Bayblossom came up in here mind.
"I should find Sparkpelt and ask her if she's seen him"
Wrenpaw looked around for the orange tabby she-cat but just like Flamestorm she couldn't find her.
"You looking for Flamestorm?" Wrenpaw turned around in surprise to see Eaglewing standing behind her.
"Oh, hi Eaglewing Ya I was looking for Flamestorm" Wrenpaw replied in surprise.
"So were we no one's seen him Myrtleflower and Sparkpelt since last night"
"Oh, well thank you Eaglewing"
"You're welcome" the ginger she-cat replied before going off to join Shellfur and Blossomfall.
"We're going to war we're going to war" Wrenpaw heard Kitescratch sing in a joyful tone.
"We're going to go kick The Kin in the face again" Turtlecrawl joined in.
"The Kin are gonna know who's the boss" Gravelnose chimed.
"Because the Kin don't stand a chance against the clans" all three sang in unison.
Wrenpaw sat watching in amusement with Shadowclan and Thunderclan's arrival the atmosphere in the Skyclan camp was very jovial many warriors were playfully practice fighting with one another.
"Were gonna fight The Kin and were gonna win" Hopwhisker and Flaxfoot from Shadowclan joined in the singing followed by Bristlefrost and Spotfur from Thunderclan.
It wasn't long until more warriors started to join in on the singing no real retheme or cohesion cats were just kind of following one another's tunes like a flock of birds chattering as they flew.
"Come on Wrenpaw join us" Needleclaw enthusiastically grabbed Wrenpaw and pulled her into the crowed of singing cats.
"The Kin are gonna see today that they should never have mess with clans when they had such a stupid plan!"
"Will crush the vile Kin hoard and take back the land of Thunderclan! The Kin will never know what hit them!" cats were running and rolling about in the snow some of the Skyclan cats were running and jumping of the sides of the pine trees in camp.
Wrenpaw danced around on her toes electrically with Needleclaw, Wrenpaw felt a since of joy dancing happily and to see Needleclaw so lively Needleclaw was normally super monotone and serious compared to Rootspring so it was nice to see letting herself have fun.
"Wo-ho Yah were gonna fight The Kin and were gonna win daaaa" Needleclaw sang before she slipped and fell on top of Spotfur both she-cats laughed at their mistake to her left Wrenpaw could see her parent's dancing together happily.
Wrenpaw saw that everyone in camp had joined in the impromptu festivity's even the clan leaders and deputies had joined in Squirrelflight was dancing with Ivypool Tigerstar and Cloverfoot with Dovewing and Scorchfur and Leafstar and Hawkwing with Harrybrook and Cloudmist.
"Ya we're gonna fight the Kin and the Clans are gonna win! Ya the clans are gonna win!" that seemed to end the song as everyone flopped into the snow with smiles plastered on their faces.
"Allright now that everyone has gotten their pre battle jitter's out let's get going" Tigerstar meowed amused signaling for the Shadowclan and Thunderclan patrol to follow him.
"Skyclan follow me" Leafstar ordered followed by Hawkwing.
"Everyone up here will travel through the tree's Leafstar jumped up straight forward landing on a tree branch.
Wrenpaw followed after the rest of the Skyclan patrol bounding up into the trees.
Appleclaw's point of view
"Were here" Harestar meowed as the light of other side of the tunnels came into view.
"Alright everyone quite" Brackenstar order as the front of the patrol slowly inched forward to the edge of the tunnel entrance.
"Any sign of The Kin?" Icewing asked
"Nope don't see anybody yet" Crowfeather replied.
"There going to by the base of the stream" Harestar pointed to the base of the empty base of the stream were a patrol of about 10 Kin cats we're standing talking to themselves.
"Did you guys smell cats I swear that I smelled a bunch of cats"
"Oh, don't be silly Kite we would've seen the clan cats coming there's nothing but open sky"
"But I swear Nettle I smelled cat's stupid Starling probably told them about us"
"Windclan get Infront we're leading the attack" the WindClan warriors lined up in front of the tunnel's entrance"
Appleclaw felt her muscle's tense up as her and Woodbeam stepped forward stalking slowly towards the edge of the tunnel.
"Ten Nine Eight Seven Six" Crowfeather started counting down Appleclaw felt her heart racing with each number.
"Five Four Three Tow One" Applepaw's muscles were shaking so much that she though they would explode.
"Now!" Crowfeather screeched launching forward with Harestar.
Appleclaw launched forward bolting across the snow as fast as she could run her gaze only focused on the Kin cat in front of him barley even noticing the pelts of Oatclaw and Slightfoot as they raced past her.
"What the! everybody attack!" one of The Kin cats yelled as the Kin cats turned and charged towards the Windclan patrol.
Appleclaw lunged at a pale gray she-cat already battling with Featherpelt and Smokehaze Appleclaw slammed into the she-cat as she was recovering from a blow landed by Featherpelt sending the she-cat tumbling into the snow. Before the she-cat could get up Appleclaw pounced on the she-cat slicing her face sending spurts of blood flying into the snow the she-cat squirmed clawing at Appleclaw slashing at her face.
Before the she-cat could land a direct blow Featherpelt and Smokehaze pinned the she-cat down by the legs. The she-cat flung snow into the three she-cats face allowing the she-cat to get on her feet and bound over the snowbank towards the forest looking behind her Appleclaw could see Brackenstar and the rest of the Riverclan patrol charging towards them giving chase as The Kin cats disappeared into the forest.
"Everyone stay close to each other were going into the forest" Brackenstar ordered as her and Harestar jumped into the bush's Thunderclan forest.
Wrenpaw's point of view
"Everyone very quiet" Leafstar ordered as the Skyclan patrol stalked through the tree branches.
Wrenpaw stalked quietly beside Nectarsong and Palesky right below them the heavy snow bound bush shook as the Shadowclan and Thunderclan patrols stalked through the undergrowth.
Suddenly a loud chorus of shrieks cut through the air off from the distance causing everyone to stop in their tracks.
"WindClan and RiverClan must have found The Kin" Hawkwing remarked.
"Will wait for the ThunderClan and ShadowClan take the lead" Leafstar added waiting for the cats on the ground to go Infront of them.
From there vantage point in the tree's Wrenpaw was able to see the edge of the Thunderclan camp come into view the place seemed to be significantly fortified and there seemed to be cats swarming around in the center of camp Shadowmaw's large dark mass could be seen.
"Looks like The Kin our moving out" Plumwillow pointed to the mass of cats moving out of the camp towards the ThunderClan WindClan border.
"Go! go! go!" Tigerstar signaled with his tail ahead of SkyClan Wrenpaw sat silently she could see the Shadowclan patrol getting closer to the approaching Kin cats she could feel Nectarsong and Palesky's pelt's bristling beside her.
Wrenpaw's heart froze as she heard the unmistakable sound of Shadowmaw crashing through the undergrowth.
With a sudden shriek the Shadowclan patrol burst out of the undergrowth catching The Kin cat's completely off guard they frantically tried to regroup only to be meet with the Thunderclan patrol behind them further throwing The Kin's ranks into disarray.
The rest of the Skyclan bounded through the trees directly above the battle. In the massive jumble of ShadowClan cat's ThunderClan cat's Kin cat's and Shadowmaw Wrenpaw had a hard time telling who was a friend and who was an enemy.
"Now!" Leafstar ordered leaping down the tree and landing straight on top of a silver-gray tom.
Wrenpaw leaped downward with Nectarsong and Palesky Wrenpaw landed squarely on a brown she-cat to her left she heard a loud thunk but didn't have time to see what caused it. The she-cat was caught off guard being smaller then her Wrenpaw hooked her claws onto her spine raking the she-cat multiple times.
The she-cat began to shake wildly Wrenpaw panicked as she felt her claws slipping Wrenpaw was sent flying landing a few feet away in a patch of thorns.
Wrenpaw began to panic not having a full view of the world around her when Shadowmaw was running around could end very bad. Wrenpaw frantically scrambled to her paws shaking the snow and thorns from her pelt.
Looking back at the battlefield the brown she-cat had been distracted by Stormcloud even with Shadowmaw The Kin were heavily outnumbered and even Shadowmaw appeared to be struggling running around wildly throwing cats of his back left and right picking up cats a tossing them into the shrubs Wrenpaw even saw her own mother tossed of Shadowmaw's back and into the snow.
Wrenpaw's blood ran cold in the middle of the battlefield Nectarsong sat wailing in pain with a horribly damaged foot.
Wrenpaw realized that she had seen Palesky land when they jumped out of the tree but hadn't seen Nectarsong.
Nectarsong landing had been the loud fud she heard.