Chapter 11

Lionblaze lead his patrol through the dark forest to the Windclan border, the bears, Kallik, Toklo, and Lusa trampling behind them. Onestar was waiting, his pelt silhouetted in the moonlight. He gave him a terse nod, and the two clans ran as one toward Riverclan. Mistystar was pacing along the border warily. When she caught sight of them, she stood still, her pelt glinting in the starlight. If Lionblaze hadn't known any better, he would have mistaken her for Bluestar.

"Onestar, Lionblaze." Mistystar's greeting was polite. Her eyes flickered through the patrol. "Where is Bramblestar? And Squirrelflight?"

Lionblaze dipped his head. "He stayed behind to protect the camp."

Onestar grunted. "Typical."

"Bramblestar is not a coward!" Lionblaze growled.

Onestar shrugged. "I'm not here to argue. But where is Blackstar?"

The Shadowclan leader slinked out of the shadows, his patrol right behind. "Here."

Mistystar nodded. "Are your clans ready?"

They all nodded.

"Then let's go."

The bears' scent lead them deeper and deeper into Shadowclan territory. Lionblaze began to grow uneasy. The bears were supposed to be heading toward Riverclan. Why did the scent trail lead them toward another place: Thunderclan?

The realization hit him like a wave of cold water. "They're targeting the Thunderclan camp!"

He began to run, the other leaders following him step for step. Lionblaze didn't care about making noise now. He crashed through the undergrowth, finally crossing the Thunderclan border. Even from the distance, Lionblaze could hear sounds of battle; claws scraping against the stone walls of the camp, Bramblestar's yowl of defiance, the thunderous growl of brown bears.

He crashed into a full-fledged battle. Yakone was cornered against the stone wall, paws slashing at the four brown bears blocking his way. His pelt was stained red with blood from wounds on his back. Cinderheart and the kits were huddling inside a rocky outcrop, while Bramblestar and Squirrelflight yowled orders at the remaining cats, barely holding off the bears. Lionblaze felt a surge of panic. "Cinderheart!"

Mistystar let out a yowl and charged into the camp, the others behind her. Kallik shoved Lionblaze from behind, leaping to her mate's defense. Toklo roared and charged into the mayhem. Lusa ran to the medicine den and helped Jayfeather evacuate with Firekit, Ashkit, and Robinkit. Lionblaze's mind raced. Where was Cinderpelt? Her gray pelt had disappeared in the confusion. He scanned the crowd as the clan cats rushed in behind him. He caught a glimpse of gray, but it was only Ashfoot. Finally, he saw her, fighting side by side with Dovewing and Bumblestripe. He bowled into the battle and fought his way through the battle toward his mate.

"Lionblaze!" Cinderheart gasped at him, panting as she slashed at the brown bear's haunches. Dovewing and Bumblestripe battered the bear, keeping its attention while they nuzzled each other. "Thank Starclan you're here!"

"Watch it!" Lionblaze pushed her down as the brown bear's mighty paw swung over their heads.

"You attack from the right, I'll do it from the left." Cinderheart leapt at the bear with such ferocity, the bear backed up uncertainly and swiped at her. Cinderheart dodged it. "What are you waiting for, mouse-brain? Attack!"

That jolted him. He leapt at the bear, scoring his claws over its belly. It roared in outrage and slapped him into the rock wall.

Dazed and stunned, he saw Cinderheart through a haze of pain, yowling at the sky as she attacked again and again. Dovewing and Bumblestripe were occupied with another bear now, not noticing Cinderheart's distress.

Lionblaze struggled to his paws, wincing. He dashed over and butted the bear. It lost its balance and fell, paws flailing. Immediately, Lionblaze dug his claws into the thick fur, while Cinderheart swiped at his muzzle. The bear growled something, probably an insult, and pushed himself to his paws. Lionblaze slashed at him, back paws slamming into the bear again and again. "Never—hurt—my –Clan—Again!"

The bear was backed up near the ledge now, giving Lionblaze an idea. "Let's drive him off the cliff!"

Cinderheart nodded, and the two of them attacked as one. Claws flashing, they drove the bear toward the cliff. When Cinderheart gave a final swipe, Lionblaze butted the bear. It roared in surprise as it found only air under its paws, and fell to the ground with a sickening thud.

Stunned, Lionblaze leaned against CInderheart, his head spinning. "You okay?"

Cinderheart nodded. "Just a few scratches. Ready to go back now?"

Lionblaze shook out his pelt. For once, he felt a glimmer of hope. Two of them had defeated a brown bear. Surely they stood a chance!

Suddenly, he heard a triumphant roar, and, more horrible, Kallik's cry of distress. "Yakone!"

A massive brown bear turned to face her, his teeth bared in a grin, standing over a motionless Yakone.

Shoteka.