"The following cats will be coming with me to the gathering tonight, Brambleclaw, Rosepetal, Bumblestripe, Ravensong, Graystripe, Sandstorm, Brackenfur, Brightheart, Lionblaze, Cinderheart, Wingpaw, Ashpaw, Moonpaw and…Owlpaw." We leave now.
Wingpaw's wounds had healed up nicely in two days. He wasn't nearly as sore he had been and Jayfeather had grudgingly agreed Skypaw was well enough to attend as well. Moonpaw was walking and talking excitedly with Ashpaw. Wingpaw remembered how his brother had flushed when he asked him about the she-cat.
He waited patiently while the cats jumped on to the tree ahead of him and then gestured for Skypaw to go ahead of him. He followed close behind. She was doing fine until a Shadowclan cat jumped roughly on to the tree. She slid and clawed at the bark but it was slick with water. Wingpaw dove forward and snagged his teeth in her scruff. He felt his paws slipped and dug his claws in. Ashpaw, who had been just in front of them, turned cautiously and leaned forward to grab hold of her as well.
The she-cat hissed as his teeth cut in to her but she stayed still. Back on the branch she crept low against the tree, her claws leaving marks in the bark. She jumped down and nudged Ashpaw in thanks and then leaned heavily on Wingpaw. Her whole body quivered but she relaxed shortly after.
"You all ok?" Tigerheart asked. He touched his nose to all of their noses as he waited for a reply. Scorchfur bounded forward on to the island and amused gleam in his eyes.
"We're fine." Wingpaw said a little harshly but Tigerheart knew it wasn't directed at him.
"The Clan's meet in the center, just through there." He pointed with his tail. The followed him until they were with the other Clan's and then separated to mingle with other apprentices. The leaders talked about kits, apprentices and warriors. They all hid any problems behind the same 'prey's running well' line and then the gathering was over. The highlight for Wingpaw was calling out Ferretpaw's new name, which he had indeed heard straight from him moments earlier. Ferretwhisker had sat proudly in the clearing listening to cats call his name.
"Brambleclaw!" Wingpaw and Ashpaw looked up from where they sat with their father. Their fur stood on end as they heard the fear in Bichfall's voice. Dustpelt slipped from the warrior's den to see what was wrong with his son. The cat's legs were quivering and his fur hung in clumps. "We came across the fox that chased the apprentices. It has a mate and kits. They were guarding them. We didn't know!"
"Who was on the patrol?"
"I was with Berrynose with Echopaw, Daypaw and Dewpaw. It was only a hunting trip!"
"Ok, Birchfall, I need you to lead us back to the foxes. Wingpaw, Ashpaw, you two come. Mousewhisker, Thornclaw, Cloudtail, Squirrelflight, come with me." He turned to look at Dustpelt. "Guard the camp. Moonpaw! Go and find Firestar's patrol near WindClan. Bring them here."
They raced through the forest. Ashpaw kept up well with Brambleclaw. Wingpaw raced alongside Cloudtail, determination set on his face. His scratches had been fine but were clearly visible. Now he would simply be getting more! Squirrelflight's eyes glowed with anger at the thought of her friends being clawed. Mousewhisker looked anxious. His fur fluffed up despite the wind blowing at them
Birchfall was running as fast as he could, his breathing becoming harsh and labored. There was no way he would be fit enough to fight once they got there. The patrol put on an extra burst of speed as the sounds of fighting filled the air. Birchfall reached the clearing first. Claws fully extended he flashed past a fox slicing in to it's fur. The patrol hit full force.
Ashpaw left his father's side and raced over to the apprentices. Daypaw was on a low branch swiping at the fox cubs. One of his ears was torn and he had a nasty looking bit on his leg. Echopaw was standing over Dewpaw snarling fiercely at the male fox, his claws scoring across its muzzle. Berrynose had been fighting the female. Honestly, Ashpaw was surprised to see them alive!
He jumped forward and immediately he sensed his brothers go in to action. He slashed the fox's ear and it turned to snap at him only to get clawed from behind by Wingpaw. Echopaw ran under its belly and battered fearlessly.
"Echopaw!" Daypaw's frantic meow came. The ginger tom spun around to see Daypaw collide with an angry fox cub. The other two racing to Dewpaw who still hadn't moved. He bared his teeth and ran across over to intercept one. Brambleclaw broke away from the female fox and collided with the other fox cub. Cloudtail rammed him body in to the male fox and cat's swarmed him.
As soon as it began, it ended. The male was dead; the female took her cubs and ran. Squirrelflight, Cloudtail and Mousewhisker gave chase. Birchfall gingerly lay down and Berrynose sat with him. Brambleclaw was sniffing Dewpaw his expression dark with worry.
"Can everyone else walk?" He asked never looking up. The meek replies of yes filled the air gradually and he lifted Dewpaw by her scruff. The other cats were back. Mousewhisker ran forward to help carry Dewpaw.
"What happened?" Sandstorm yowled as they came in to the clearing. Birchfall collapsed halfway in the camp and only the rise and fall of his sides showed he was alive. Berrynose's tail dragged along the ground and Wingpaw was limping heavily, his old wounds sore on top of his new ones. Sandstorm's pelt was puffed up with fear.
"Fox." Ashpaw said as he exhaled.
"Foxes!" Daypaw corrected. He had walked home on three paws; the fourth held close to his body and dripping a slow trail of crimson. "We won."
His voice was heavy with pride as he gave a short purr. It didn't last long though. Owlpaw shoved past him to get to his sister. His growl showed just how much he thought of the winning.
"But at what price?"
"Your sister will be glad to hear we won when she wakes up." Daypaw meowed softly. He let his tail tip brush Dewpaw's stiff shoulder.
"If she wakes up." The tom growled, his fur rising in anger.
"She'll wake up." Echopaw said padding forward. His body was covered in scratches, none severe, and his fur was missing a few patches but nothing big. He crouched before the tiny she-cat and gently licked her muzzle clean. "Dewpaw, you can wake up now. The foxes are gone."
His voice was gentle and teasing. The worry for his den mate well hidden behind his joking words. Amber eyes were glowing as he continued. "Me and Daypaw kept you safe just like we said we would. Wake up Dewpaw."
"I saved your tail." A low reply came. It was hoarse but audible. "The fox almost had you."
"Yes, you did." He purred. Squirrelflight shared a look with her mother, happiness making her eyes bright. "Now come one, eat these herbs Skypaw has so you can get better."
"How bad is it?"
"Well, darling, you look a mess." He teased.
Ashpaw looked around in the dark forest. He had no idea where he was and he could smell nothing. Nothing moved. He padded around carefully and then slid in to a small grove. He sprung to his feet at the sounds of laughter. He ears pricked and his body stiffened. Before him were cats he had only heard stories of! Tigerstar and Hawkfrost.
"Welcome Ashpaw." The apprentice was tempted to dip his head because if these cats had been true to the code they'd be the best warriors ever to walk the land. A memory of their blood lust stole over him and he held his head high. "I am very happy to meet you."
"I can not say the same."
"Ah, but I can train you. Train you with skills you can only imagine. Give you the path to greatness." Ashpaw studied the cat. He wanted to be great and prove his clan mates wrong. Working alongside Tigerstar was not the way to prove he was loyal though. However, this was a dream, right? His clan mates would never know. "You could be the greatest leader to ever come to the clans."
"Ashpaw! Where are we?" Wingpaw asked coming from a bush. He looked around confused for a second. It was obvious he hadn't smelt any of the cats. He only knew his brother was there because he heard him. His eyes stretched wide when he saw the traitorous cats.
"You are in the Dark Forest. I am your grand father and this is your uncle." Tigerstar said. Wingpaw's fur rose.
"Ashpaw what ever he's promising is a lie!"
"Oh, but it's true! How else did Brambleclaw become deputy and Lionblaze learn to fight so well? I help my kin." The cats eyes flashed but the young cats had no way of knowing how false his comment was or how real.
"You're lying!" Wingpaw said his claws sliding out. "Longtail and the other elders told us the story about StarClan's prophecy for Brambleclaw to be deputy."
"StarClan is weak!"
"Ashpaw, let's leave. Please." Wingpaw was crouched low as if ready to spring. His fear scent was beginning to fill the air as he realized they didn't know the way out. Ashpaw stepped closer to his brother.
"My faith is in StarClan, my loyalty to Thunderclan, regardless their loyalty to me."
"Well spoken young one." A cat spoke. He walked forward his entire body shinning with stars. Whitestorm's entire pelt glittered with sparkling light. Hawkfrost sank away from the StarClan cat but Tigerstar eyes him levelly. "Let's go, time to wake up."
Tigerstar launched himself at Whitestorm. The white tom was bowled over, caught off guard. He swiped at the massive tabby with a full paw of unsheathed claws but the blow never fell. Hawkfrost bounded forward and in to the fray. Ashpaw wasted no time in hesitation but tackled Hawkfrost off. The dead warrior was too much for him but at least Whitestorm had a fair battle with Tigerstar now. He felt claws dig in to his shoulder and hissed.
Wingpaw shook himself and made his choice. He flashed a paw out catching Hawkfrost on the throat. Blood spurted but the wound wasn't deep enough to kill a living cat, never mind a dead one. It did catch the tabby by surprise and his blue eyes showed it. Another cat was running forward, her scent tasting of stars.
"Yellowfang!" Whitestorm hissed. "Get the young ones."
As soon as Yellowfang sent Hawkfrost rolling Whitestorm broke away from Tigerstar and together all four ran. They crossed the border in to StarClan's territory but the brother's never saw it. They woke up panting in their nests.