ResX- Thanks and dont worry I noticed the other ResX wasn't actually you.
Warning: These last few chapters of the book, there will be some major character death. (Not really, but these characters were major to me and I made them as such unlike in canon.)
Once again if you've already read the book, you probably already have an idea about what's going to go down.
Thunder watched as Skystar paced up and down the clearing. His shadow slid over the grass, sharp and long under the full moon. Thunder tried to catch his eye, but his father was deep in his own thoughts.
What was he thinking about?
He cast a look around and spotted Gray Wing by his kits' side, looking worried and sorrowful.
Was he thinking of Turtle Tail? Or Thistlestar?
Thunder hoped they were both focusing on the meeting.
Owl Eyes sat staring blankly into the distance while Sparrow Fur brushed her claws gently through his fur. Pebble Heart's yellow eyes looked up at his father worriedly. Cloud Tail had moved away to talk with Fire Heart, who sat by a worried Raven Hope.
"Are you ready?" Tall Shadow's voice made Thunder jump.
"Yes," Thunder said. His father had refused letting the apprentices come in case something went wrong, but Leaf had convinced him they were all mostly grown and soon-to-be warriors.
"No offense, but I hope Gray Wing will do more of the talking," Tall Shadow murmured. "What if Skystar makes Thistlestar mad?"
"Won't they be mad if a whole group of us comes?"
"Well, we have to meet his standards," she hissed. "I bet he'll bring his whole Clan." Thunder knew she was right from his own time in ThunderClan, remembering how he'd been the only one left in charge as the whole Clan went to attack WindClan.
"I know." Thunder narrowed his eyes. Oh, how he knew.
"When do we leave?" Hawk Swoop asked, padding over, and flexing her claws. It was clear she wasn't thinking of a peaceful meeting at all.
"Now, I assume." Wind Runner padded up. Rainswept Flower had rounded up her and Petal's kits.
"What? You can't go!" Thunder exclaimed.
Wind Runner tilted her head. "Why not?"
"What if a fight breaks out? Your kits need you! We already have so many orphans!" His gaze found Birch and Alder and went to Turtle Tail's kits as well as his sisters and brother.
Sure most of us have our fathers…but losing one parent is like already being an orphan right away.
"She'll come back fine because I'll protect her," Gorse Fur meowed, stepping up. "It's time we see Thistlestar get a talking to. He's bothered us for way too long!"
"So who'll stay with the kits?"
"Jagged Peak, Cinder Flower and Raven Hope," Skystar meowed, stepping up to him. "And Cloud Spots. I don't think the former ThunderClan cats should be there if their families will be. And Jagged Peak can help keep them safe."
"Are we ready?" Gray Wing asked as Skystar started out the entrance. Everyone nodded and started towards the tunnel.
"Gray Wing!" The gray tom paused and so did Thunder. His kits had raced up to them. They weren't going to be at the battle even if they were apprentices. They were far too young and didn't know many battle moves yet.
"Promise you'll come back?" Pebble Heart asked, eyes shining with worry.
They're thinking of Turtle Tail…
"And promise to bring Fire Heart back too," Cloud Tail added.
"Of course," Gray Wing purred and touched noses with each of them. "We'll be back soon. Stay here and guard the camp."
Thunder followed his uncle, last out of the camp. When he turned to glance back once more, he saw Pebble Heart, looking scared.
Will we ever come back? We're acting like we're walking into a death trap instead of a meeting. But it's Thistlestar. What should I expect?
He closed his amber eyes and took a deep breath to quell the fear he felt and turned to follow his Clan to Four Trees.
Graystripe looked down upon Four Trees. It seemed they were first. Beside him, Swiftclaw actually looked excited and it made him sick.
Brackenfur stood nervously by his littermates and Mistyfoot stood by Cricketpaw, whispering something to her daughter.
"I see them!" Darkstripe, who was keeping watch, hissed. Graystripe followed his brother's gaze to see the black form of Tall Shadow slinking around.
Thistlestar flicked his tail for the sign to ambush and they all got into position.
Graystripe didn't.
The SkyClan patrol neared the hollow of Four Trees from the opposite side of where ThunderClan lay hidden. Thunder walked between his sisters. Ivy Breeze was trembling but Ash Blaze looked confident.
"Don't worry," she said upon seeing their downcast faces both for two different reasons. "I'll protect you both."
Acorn Fur was pressed against her brother, also trembling as the Clan stopped a few fox-lengths from the rim of Four Trees hollow.
Thunder looked around at the rest of his clanmates to see what they felt. It's just a meeting, he told himself. No need to be afraid. But when he looked at each of his clanmates, he only saw the faces of fear or determination as if they were heading into a battle for sure.
Skystar and Gray Wing, his father and uncle, stood looking grim as always. It was their first go-to expression and it made him uneasy.
Dappled Pelt stood by Yellowfang and Frost all of them looked uncertain. For what? Maybe if Thistlestar would agree to a truce. What made it worse was the look in Dappled Pelt's eyes. Like she knew for sure a fight was going to happen.
Tall Shadow and Shattered Ice stood side-by-side, gazes flickering around as if expecting the enemy to appear out of nowhere.
Rainswept Flower and Quick Water held their heads high as if confident, but Thunder could see the brown tabby's tail trembling.
Hawk Swoop, Falling Feather and Fire Heart stood behind the apprentices, the former, looking the most ready.
Ready to get revenge probably.
Leaf, Fircone and Nettle shuffled their paws whether from impatience or anxiety, Thunder wasn't sure.
Air Leap stood by Gorse Fur, Wind Runner, Thorn and Dew, the last few cats on the patrol.
We've brought our whole Clan pretty much…this won't look good to Thistlestar.
He ran up to his mentor's side and the black-and-white tom turned to him, eyes soft. He touched his nose to Thunder's head and the ginger tom realized he was bigger than even Leaf now.
"Are you ready?" He asked.
Thunder shrugged, unsure of what he had to be ready for. He kept telling himself the meeting would go well, but…he knew that was a lie. He knew ThunderClan like they were his own Clan.
"I-I guess," he finally managed to rasp.
Leaf brushed his tail over his flank. "It'll be okay. And if a fight does break out just stray clear. Or stay by my side."
Thunder smiled at his mentor. I could never ask for a better teacher, he thought.
"I'll sneak ahead to see if they're here," Tall Shadow said and stalked off. Thunder wished they'd stick together. He had a feeling it was a trap.
A sudden thought struck Thunder as he looked at Dappled Pelt's expression again. What if this is the warning she got? About the battle! What if this is that battle where cats died?
He took a deep breath and shook himself. Tall Shadow returned.
"He's there. I think there are other cats with him."
Thunder gulped. Had he brought his whole Clan too?
"Let's go," Skystar meowed and headed into the clearing. The others hesitantly followed.
Skystar looked all around and Thunder looked too, but couldn't see any ThunderClan cats.
But he could smell them.
Why isn't he coming?
And then suddenly a yowl rang out and cats burst out of the bushes and poured into the hollow.
Jackdaw's Cry dragged himself out of his crevice. The camp was quiet and almost empty except for the elders and queens.
But instead of the elders suntanning or the queens gossiping they all huddled together exchanging anxious whispers. Only the kits acted normal, playing around.
Where is everyone else?
Jackdaw's Cry stumbled forward and Goldenflower spotted him first, eyes wide. She nudged Speckletail and the pale tabby narrowed her eyes at him.
"You should stay in your nest," she said.
"You're not my mother," Jackdaw's Cry shot back. He stumbled from hunger and exhaustion.
Brindleface, who was digging through the fresh-kill pile, picked up a vole. "Do you want some?" She asked.
"Oh, now you care to ask whether I'm hungry or not?" He snapped. "I've been starving!"
He was surprised when none of them stopped him as he crouched by the vole. But before he could take a bite he heard Smallear mention something about 'ambush' and snapped his head up.
"You said what…?"
They stopped their conversation and exchanged uneasy looks.
They're fighting them? They said they would meet PEACEFULLY!
He jumped to his paws, forgetting his hunger and charged towards the camp entrance. Goldenflower jumped in his way and without thinking he slashed out at her.
"How dare you?" Speckletail stormed over and stood by her daughter's side.
"Sorry," Jackdaw's Cry said and dodged around them.
He raced all the way to Four Trees, surprised he didn't collapse and without pausing he plunged into the hollow below filled with fighting cats.
Thunder ducked as Tigerclaw swiped at him, dodging between the tom's legs and tripping him. He could remember the days when the deputy would treat him like a son–which kind of creeped him out. Now he was trying to kill him over nothing.
"You won't win this battle!" Tigerclaw growled. "We've trained for this."
"At least we know what we're fighting for!" Thunder glanced at the Great Rock. Gray Wing had leaped onto Bluefur. The she-cat screeched as he tore at her back. Tall Shadow joined him when Willowpelt had raced to her clanmate's aide.
Suddenly, there was a flash of black that wasn't Tall Shadow and Thunder gasped. Is that Raven Hope? A closer look told him it was Jackdaw's Cry.
He's escaped!
The black tom immediately raced over to Fire Heart, who was in between Brackenfur and Thornpaw, warding off both brothers.
"Jackdaw's Cry?" Fire Heart yowled happily, catching the attention of Hawk Swoop nearby battling Mossflower.
"Jackdaw's Cry?" She echoed.
Jackdaw's Cry hailed them with a tail wave before tackling Brackenfur, leaving Fire Heart to battle his bigger brother.
Pain slashed through Thunder's face as he was distracted. Tigerclaw had got a cut on his cheek from his horribly long claws. It stung so badly and felt like his skin had been ripped off! His blood dripped down his face onto the ground below. He dodged low and grasped Tigerclaw's foreleg, taking him to the ground. Tigerclaw gripped his shoulders. Thunder wriggled away just before Tigerclaw could rip at him.
"Get off him!" Lightning Tail shouted, bowling into the ThunderClan deputy. Thunder jumped up and saw Lightning Tail dragging Tigerclaw away which was a surprising feat. Tigerclaw was way bulkier than the slim apprentice.
"Are you okay?" Lightning Tail asked Thunder.
Thunder nodded, although blood was running down his face. "Yeah," he said.
"They'll fight us to the death!"
"Obviously!"
Dappled Pelt was on defense against Darkstripe. Shattered Ice had been pinned by Whitestorm. Wind Runner and Quick Water fought side-by-side against Stonefur. Gray Wing was backing away from Frostfur, who slashed at him. He fought back and sent the small she-cat tumbling.
Gray Wing turned and jumped on a young blue she-cat, who Thunder recognized as Cricketpaw.
The young apprentice, looked panicked as Gray Wing backed her up against the rock, holding her own, but still being put down by the more experienced fighter.
Mistyfoot suddenly appeared and darted for Gray Wing. The she-cat's eyes flashed with panic as she caught Gray Wing in the side with her claws.
"Back off!" She hissed, pushing herself in between Gray Wing and her daughter.
Bluefur raced forward to help. She raised a paw, claws extended, ready to bring it down on Gray Wing's chest. His weak spot.
Thunder dived forward. "Gray Wing!" Panic pounded in his chest. He grabbed Bluefur's tail and yanked her back. She landed clumsily in front of Shattered Ice, who glanced down at her, then raised both paws to slam down on her.
Thunder backed away as Gray Wing threw Mistyfoot off and stood.
"Thanks," Gray Wing said. Blood was dripping from the claw marks in his side. He had a cut over his eye that was bleeding into his vision.
Thunder knew he himself was covered in blood and wounds. The air was rich with the stench of blood and the screeching of battle. "We're not finished yet."
Clearly, Mistyfoot wasnt done with Gray Wing and jumped at him again. Runningwind joined her side. Together, Thunder and Gray Wing fought off their attackers, gaining the higher ground. Gray Wing knocked Mistyfoot down with a sharp cuff. She staggered into Gorse Fur, who turned and delivered a harsh bite.
Thunder's muscles burned with effort as he tried to stand his ground against Runningwind. Finally, he lost his balance and fell back. The light brown tom dropped heavily onto him and Thunder screamed in agony as the warrior raked his flanks with thorn-sharp claws.
Gray Wing heaved the tom off, wrestling him to the ground. Beyond them, Rainswept Flower was fighting off Longtail and Dustpelt who were much bigger than her, being driven back.
He moved towards her, but a shout of agony made him turn.
Wind Runner!
Tigerclaw had pinned her to the ground, raising his long claws for a killing blow.
"NO!" Gorse Fur threw Mistyfoot to the side and raced for Wind Runner. He ran straight into Tigerclaw, knocking him across the clearing with a thump and shout of pain. Wind Runner jumped up beside Gorse Fur. Together they drove Tigerclaw to the edge of the clearing. The deputy howled in annoyance and ducked past them and back into the riot.
Suddenly, Thunder felt someone shove him. He turned to see Thornpaw. "Stop!" He snapped at the other apprentice. He remembered him well, too. Arrogant like Swiftclaw, but a better fighter.
"Don't think you're innocent!" Thornpaw shouted. Why did they always say that? What had Thistlestar been feeding their minds with? "We'll fight to the death to drive you out!"
"We have as much right to be here!" Thunder argued. "StarClan called us!"
"StarClan doesn't care about you." Thornpaw lashed out, catching Thunder's chin.
Thunder backed away. How had Thistlestar persuaded his Clan it was alright to be ruthless? He remembered how hesitant most of them had been.
He caught Graystripe at the edge of the clearing swatting at Acorn Fur, but his claws were sheathed and his blows weren't heavy. He always knew Graystripe could never be rough. He was a good cat. So why was here?
Ash Blaze suddenly appeared between them, shoving Thornpaw away. The young tom's eyes were wide as Ash Blaze jumped on him. Thunder froze, watching in horror as his sister pinned Thornpaw to the ground and dug her claws into his chest, raking down.
Thornpaw screamed in pain, then fell still.
"NO!" Frostfur wailed and charged towards them and the two siblings stumbled back as Yellowfang took her on. The fierce warrior was covered in many wounds and her eyes shone with pain, but she didn't back down until she sent Frostfur running.
Thunder stared at Thornpaw's body. "You killed him?" He trembled. Thornpaw was just badly influenced. He could have had a chance.
I could have saved him. I should have stopped him.
"So? I said I would protect you," Ash Blaze snapped, but she looked sorrowful as she stared at the ThunderClan apprentice's body.
"Thank you." Thunder pressed his nose to his older sister's. She had only been defending him, not murdering in cold blood.
Rainswept Flower was on her back, Swiftclaw pinning her shoulders to the ground. Thunder prepared to help, but Air Leap was already there, charging into the tom and bowling him over. Rainswept Flower jumped to her paws.
Lightning Tail screeched and Thunder felt his fur bristle in horror. Darkstripe had him pinned, jaws locked around his neck, preparing to snap it.
Thunder's heart pounded as he dashed forward, afraid it'd be too late.
Fortunately, Lightning Tail managed to twist out of the way and sunk his claws into the side of the dark tabby's neck.
Darkstripe screeched and let go.
Frost yowled from across the clearing. Thunder turned to see the big white tom pressed against an oak tree, blood welling from his mouth and covered in many wounds as Stonefur slashed him over and over. Finally, Frost ducked and tackled Stonefur. They rolled around, wrestling.
Thunder willed Frost to win.
Stonefur had kicked Frost off and jumped on him, pinning him to the ground. He slit the tom's throat. Frost jerked once before falling limp, blood streaming from the wound in his throat.
No!
Stonefur stared in horror, regretting what he had done.
A yowl sounded and Ash Blaze raced over, shoving the big tom to the ground and biting down on his spine hard. Stonefur howled and scrambled away.
Ash Blaze trembled as she looked down at her mentor's dead body.
Falling Feather was chasing Brightpaw, her eyes full of hatred. She leaped at the young cat.
She was going to kill a young cat! Thunder tried to stop Falling Feather from making a mistake, but Thistlestar got there first.
Thunder wanted to rush to her side, but Mousefur barged into him. He easily pinned the small she-cat when Mossflower rushed to her clanmate's aide and dragged him off.
Falling Feather screamed in horror as Thistlestar bit down on her spine. Jackdaw's Cry lunged at him but Graystripe appeared and grabbed him and pulled him away.
"Thunder!" Gray Wing yowled. "Get help!"
Without thinking the ginger tom took off out of Four Trees onto the moor. Who could he ask? He got his answer when he spotted WindClan's camp in the distance.
"Stop him!" He heard Thistlestar yowl.
Thunder heard pawsteps behind him and risked a glance to see littermates, Runningwind and Mousefur charging after him.
Runningwind outpaced his sister, his longer legs allowing him to catch up. He was faster than Thunder's shorter, sturdy complexion.
StarClan, help!
Suddenly, a yowl sounded and he turned to see Jackdaw's Cry slowly but surely chasing after his pursuers. He managed to tackle Mousefur and Runningwind forgot about Thunder, turning on the black tom to help his sister.
Thank you, Thunder thought.
He turned, spotting a hole in the ground and plunged down into the darkness of one of WindClan's many abandoned tunnels.
Cliffhanger...but it's already looking bad anyway. We're almost done with this book.