"Badger!" Redstripe gasped. Dovestar tasted the air. A pang of alarm shot through her. If they were to meet a badger, would they be able to fight it off? The patrol only consisted of four cats: Dovestar, Redstripe, Ivytail, and Ivytail's apprentice, Sparrowpaw. Especially because Sparrowpaw was a new apprentice, they wouldn't have enough cats to chase off a badger. As the patrol continued, every cat was alert and tense. When Sparrowpaw accidently stepped on a twig, all four cats jumped with alarm. They headed away from the Twolegplace, knowing that the badger would get as far away from the Twolegs and Thunderpaths as possible. They were determined to find the badger's set. Ivytail's startled mew interrupted Dovestar's thoughts.
"There!" Ivytail flicked her tail toward an ugly, striped face with a disgusting scent flowing from it appearing from the brambles. Dovestar unsheathed her claws, preparing for a fight. The others did the same. Dovestar was about to attack the badger when she realized that if they were to fight, they wouldn't be able to chase it out of MoonClan territory. If it injured the cats so badly they couldn't chase after it, it could find the camp and attack the queens, kits, and elders with hardly any warning.
"Sparrowpaw," she ordered. "Go back to camp. Get more cats. Hurry!"
Dovestar knew her small patrol couldn't handle the huge badger, and that even though Sparrowpaw was young, it was a risk to let him go. But she needed more cats. She was about to pounce on the badger when she heard Bramblepelt's voice.
"Dovestar, stop!" her deputy howled. Dovestar whirled around. With Bramblepelt, there were Heavyclaw, Graywhisker, and Owlheart.
"We must all attack together. What were you thinking, about to take on a badger before you had a strong patrol?"
Dovestar felt her fur grow hot with embarrassment. But there was no time to feel ashamed. Bramblepelt yowled the battle call. Within seconds, the patrol was on top of the badger, twisting and clawing at the huge creature. Snarling with rage, it lifted a claw and battled Owlheart off. The young warrior went flying into the brambles.
Without a second thought, Dovestar snapped at the badger, growling angrily. It bit Dovestar's tail, and she yelped, stung by the pain.
Suddenly, Owlheart appeared from the bushes. He's so brave, Dovestar thought. Owlheart had only just recieved his warrior name. Mentored by Redstripe, Owlheart had always shown excellent battle skills. The tabby tom was limping, but was determined to chase off the badger. Yowling, Owlheart sank his teeth into its flesh.
Please check back another time, I will post more to this chapter!