Chapt 46

Lionblaze followed Leafstar to fetch the battle patrols. It was finally time for the battle with the Dark Forest, and strangely he was eager for it to start. The sun was barely over the horizon, casting blood like rays on the camp. Hopefully, that was not an omen of the battle to come. A few gray clouds floated over the sky, threatening to brake. It felt too warm, even in leafbare for snow, but the air was cold and crisp that morning.
Lionblaze poked his head into the warriors' den. A few of the warriors who did not wake up to Dovepelt's arrival were still sleeping. Sharpclaw padded in after him.
"Wake up. It's time for the battle," The deputy mewed loudly. The warriors razed their heads, the bolted up as Sharpclaw finished his sentence. Every cat was going in this battle, except for the elders and Echosong, but they too would accompany them to Thunderclan territory and help those who were hurt.
"Everybody go and eat, share as much fresh kill as possible, and then report to Leafstar," Sharpclaw instructed. The others shook their heads rapidly. Lionblaze nodded politely as Sharpclaw walked out. Lionblaze followed him. He saw Echosong leaving the camp with Sparrowpelt at her side.
"Where are they going? Don't they know were about to have a battle?" Sharpclaw hissed.
"Gingerstep is hurt in the forest somewhere, they are going to find her," Dovepelt retorted, she was walking up to Leafstar. Sharpclaw narrowed his eyes, but didn't say anything.
"Come on," Lionblaze mewed hastily,"Leafstar is organizing patrols." The ginger and white leader was putting the clan into three groups; her patrol, Sharpclaw's patrol, and Lionblaze's patrol. In his patrol was Woody, Tinyfoot, Chestnutfur, Rockfur, and Waterpaw.  Each patrol was five cats, and Lionblaze guessed Dovepelt would be with him. Heathertail was in Leafstar's patrol along with Sparrowpelt, Sagewhisker, Patchfoot, and Clovertail. Then Sharpclaw was in charge of Cherrytail, Petalnose, Fernpaw, and Robinpaw. Leafstar's patrol would lead the clan into battle, and when the signal came, Sharpclaw's patrol would enter along with Lionblaze. Lionblaze looked up to the cloudy sky and wondered if any Starclan cats would join their attack today, but the vast grayness gave no answer.
Lionblaze turned when he heard a cat entering the camp; it was Sparrowpelt dragging a ginger clump of fur, Gingerstep! She looked horrible, blood smeared on her body, her fur wet and sticking up in clumps, and her one paw was twisted in an awkward angle. Only the faint rise and fall of her chest reassured Lionblaze that his friend was alive. He ran up to Echosong as she entered the camp behind Sparrowpelt.
"How is she?" He murmured.
"Her paw is dislocated and broken, but it will heal. For now I need her to lie down and eat some poppy seeds."
"But what about the battle?" Lionblaze protested.
Echosong sighed,"That's what I've been worrying about. If she wakes up, I'll need to tell her that I won't be here. I'l leave her a few simple herbs, like poppyseeds and goldenrod poultice, but I can't do anymore," Lionblaze nodded, this was the best an medicine cat could do. He left her to clean her up and try and wake her.
"Cats of Skyclan," Leafstar's voice rang above the camp,"We are about to depart for war. I don't want any of you to worry, we have Starclan on our side. These, these vermin that call themselves cats, are our prey. Kill them, so we don't have to lay our eyes on them again." Lionblaze had a sudden fear, if these cats went straight to the Dark Forest, couldn't they just come back again? This war would go on forever, farther than even when Lionblaze was dead and long forgotten. None of the other cats seemed to have this fear, or atleast they didn't show it, so Lionblaze kept his mouth shut. Like Leafstar said, they had Starclan on their side.
"Gather the patrols, we leave now," The clan burst into cheers and Lionblaze led his patrol of of the safety of the camp. The frost that was on the ground the night before had melted in a slush on the forest floor.
"Lionblaze wait, I have an idea," Dovepelt called up to him.
"What is it?" She came up to his side, her gray pelt dulled and bones sticking out of her wiry frame.
"There is a tunnel, leading into the medicine den that Hollyleaf and her crew don't know about. That's how me and Gingerstep got out. But I think we could use it to attack." Dovepelt murmured.
"Go on," Lionblaze encouraged.
"Well, if this patrol hid there before the battle started we could get into the camp easier. When Leafstar's patrol is in the camp, the Place of No Stars cats would be guarding the entrance. We could-"
"Attack from all sides," Lionblaze finished. This was brilliant! "Take the lead, show us where to go," Lionblaze mewed warmly. He couldn't believe that only a few seasons ago, Dovepelt was his apprentice, now she was a confident warrior, and a queen no less. He almost purred with affection if it weren't for the growing doom of battle. The final rays of the sun flew over the horizon.
"We have to hurry, they'll choose who they're going to kill soon," Dovepelt mewed bluntly. Lionblaze looked back, his patrol was moving slower than he wanted.
"Come on! Let's go!" He encouraged, and gradually broke into a sprint. The river was coming up ahead, flowing freely without the ice. The patrol ran towards the stepping stones, barely feeling the drops of water on their fur as they glided through the trees. The pine forest was now behind them and they were in the middle of Thunderclan territory. Making sure the Skyclan cats were keeping close, he sprinted faster, slowing as they neared the camp.
"Is there anyone there?" Lionblaze hissed to Dovepelt. He waited for her to cast out her senses.
"There are three cats leaving the camp, but I think they're heading towards Windclan territory. Leafstar's patrol is nearing Thunderclan territory. Heathertail should be able to find the way back to the camp. Sharpclaw seems to be with them." Dovepelt looked back up to him, eyes sparkling. Lionblaze nodded.
"You take the leader, we need to get to that tunnel," Lionblaze panted. Dovepelt ran to the front and swerved away from Thunderclan's camp for a ways. Lionblaze could smell Thunderclan cats, even though he was steering away from them.
"Here, thats the tunnel," Dovepelt stopped beside what looked to be an old badger set below a boulder. The opening was barely big enough for a cat, about a tail length high and a tail length wide. But fresh air told Lionblaze that there was an opening on the other side.
"Careful, there are rocks and steep slopes as we go down, but it leads right into the medicine den," Dovepelt warned. She waved her tail towards it and Lionblaze entered first. Darkness engulfed him, he had to use his whiskers to guide him down the bumpy trail. His sides brushed the walls as the tunnel got narrower, he stumbled once on a large rock, hurting his front paw. The other cats behind him were doing no better, Waterpaw let out a hiss as she tripped over the same rock.
"Only a little further," Dovepelt murmured quietly. Lionblaze pressed on. Finally he could smell the fresh air and a gust of wind blew his fur to the side. The scent of rain carried on the breeze, but the air was heavy with something else. A curve in the path led to a rock wall, Lionblaze slipped around it, and suddenly he was in the medicine den.

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The medicine den was full of bustling cats at the front of the den. No one noticed the new arrivals, and Lionblaze wasn't sure what was holding their attention up front. He pushed his way to the front of the crowd, but stood behind a large tabby, Bramblestar. Hollyleaf was standing in front of them, fury glazing over her eyes.
"Where did they go?" She spat angrily,"Where did those fox hearted clan mates of yours go?" She looked down at a young brown tabby, Lionblaze's own son, Mountainpaw.
"You," She snatched the apprentice,"Where is Dovepelt and Gingerstep?" She shook him by the scruff.
"I don't know," He mumbled quietly.
"What? You don't know? You don't know?" She hurled Mountainpaw at the medicine den's stone walls, but he fell short and landed in a bush.
"If this is how it's going to be, I'm going to kill two cats today, end everyday until they come back," Hollyleaf hissed. Her emerald gaze slid over the crowd.
"Ivyshade and Breezepelt," She hollered over her shoulder,"Choose wisely." Hollyleaf walked away from the group, and two sinister looking cats stood in front of them. Breezepelt; Lionblaze's own half brother, and Ivyshade; Cinderheart's old apprentice.  Breezepelt flicked his tail resentfully in front of the clans.
"You first," Ivyshade growled. Breezepelt nodded.
"Crowfeather, I choose Crowfeather," Breezepelt spat. Two black cats pushed their way to the front of the crowd. Crowfeather walked past Lionblaze, gasped a little when he saw him, but said nothing and gave only a proud nod to his son. Nightcloud was following him, and for a spilt second Lionblaze thought she was going to help her son kill her former mate. But as Crowfeather padded up to Breezepelt, Nightcloud started hurling words at her dead son.
"Traitor!" She spat angrily,"Killing your own father because of some petty grudge! I raised you better! Now your nothing but a crow food eating foxheart who take orders from a cat with thistle down for brains! You could have been great, a leader if you put your mind to it!" She stared down her son. But he didn't flinch.
"No, Mother, it's you who has thistledown for brains. You could have been with us, joined our army and lived with me. I could've taken care of you. But now you are just another fool standing in that medicine den." Nightcloud returned his burning gaze. Lionblaze could feel the tension in the air.
"You could have been a great warrior for Windclan, a great son. Maybe if you were than Crowfeather would have praised you like he praised his other sons." Nightcloud ventured, even though Lionblaze could see it hurt her to mention him and Jayfeather. Now Breezepelt looked utterly hurt. His fur was fluffed up twice it's size since she mention his half brothers.
"Your no longer my mother. And Crowfeather never wanted to be my father." Breezepelt pinned his father down by the throat and unsheathed his claws to attack. Nightcloud ran out into the clearing and pinned down her own son, attacking him furiously. Ivyshade just watched her den mate, flicking her tale occasionally. Crowfeather had joined the brawl, but it was over as soon as it started. Skinny Nightcloud was no match for her well fed, muscular son. She had deep gashes on her shoulders and flanks. Crowfeather had a torn shoulder, and Breezepelt had a few scratches down his side and a bite mark on his ear.
"You!" Breezepelt turned to Crowfeather,"Go back. I'll deal with you later," Crowfeather slunk away back into the medicine den. Nightcloud was still alive, barely breathing on the cold ground. Breezepelt walked over to her, looked down at her, and killed her with a single unsheathed claw. Lionblaze thought he saw regret flash in his eyes just for a moment. But he limped over to the warriors' den and slid into the darkness.
Lionblaze's attention turned to Ivyshade who had stood their quietly. Finally she spoke.
"Leopardkit," She mewed with no emotion in her voice. Lionblaze tensed. He would not let this piece of fox dung kill his precious daughter.
"Someone get her," Ivyshade mewed with an edge on her voice. No cat moved.
"Fine. Everyone move, I'll get her." Ivyshade pushedd through the cats. Lionblaze moved to the side, and his behind Bramblestar again. Where is Leafstar? Lionblaze thought fearfully. He knew he couldn't start the battle with the reinforcement of Skyclan, but his precious daughter was going to be slaughtered. The gray sky was growing darker, and clouds blocked out the sun. Ivyshade came out with a small spotted bundle in her teeth. A gray she-cat was chasing after them. Cinderheart!
"Leave my kit alone! She didn't do anything to you Ivyshade!" Lionblaze's mate hissed furiously.
Hurry up Leafstar! Lionblaze thought impatiently again. He searched the tops of the cliffs for any familiar shapes, but only Dark Forest warriors roamed around the camp. Ivyshade was ignoring Cinderheart's calls, instead she was laying Leopardkit on her back, and held her down with one paw. Lionblaze took a deep breathe and launched himself at her.
"Attack!" Lionblaze caterwauled. Confused, the cats in the medicine den were delayed for a heart beat, then they attack full force. Dark Forest warriors streamed out of their dens and from outside the camp. Lionblaze was battling Ivyshade still, and he stood over Leopardkit protectively.
"I thought you were dead," Ivyshade hissed.
"That doesn't seem to stop you!" Lionblaze retorted angrily. He swatted at her ears and bit her shoulder. He was much too powerful for her, she was never a really good fighter. He bit her throat and waited for her to return to the Dark Forest. It seemed that a cat had to stay in the Dark Forest for a while before returning to the real world. Lionblaze looked up. Even though the clans and the tribe were fighting like all of Starclan, they were losing. But Lionblaze pressed on. He saw Darkstripe up ahead, fighting with Hawkfrost against Thornclaw and Cedarclaw. Thornclaw was limping pitifully and Cedarclaw was fighting like a Lion. Lionblaze joined in and attacked Hawkfrost.
"That little fox heart lied to us! She said you were dead!" Hawkfrost hissed angrily. Lionblaze ripped his claws down Hawkfrost's tabby pelt. Hawkfrost hissed in fury and jumped on Lionblaze's shoulders. Lionblaze tried to shake him off, but Darkstripe was biting his legs. Cedarclaw was doing his best to nip at Darkstripe's hind legs. Lionblaze growled in fury as Hawkfrost dug his claws into his skin. He fell to his belly and rolled on his back, dislodging Hawkfrost. Lionblaze whirled around and sliced his claws across Darkstripe's eyes, blinding him. Lionblaze didn't know if Darkstripe would regain his vision once he entered the Dark Forest, but the golden tabby hoped he didn't.
Leaving Darkstripe to squirm on the ground in pain, Lionblaze flew at Hawkfrost. Rain pattered the hard ground and lightning split the air. Their claws met in each other's fur and tails lashed furiously. Lionblaze clawed at Hawkfrost's back, trying to gain power over him. Finally, he was able to get a grip on the tabby's fur and flip him onto his back, exposing his delicate underbelly. Hawkfrost hissed in fury. Lionblaze held him down with a paw on his throat. Hawkfrost tried to kick him off with his hind legs, but he was growing weaker. Lionblaze put him out of his misery with a long, deep cut from chin to tail. Blood pooled around his dead body. Lionblaze looked up, they were still losing.
Skyclan where are you?" Lionblaze yowled in his mind. The rain had turned to sleet and was pelting down at the cats in camp, making the battle that much harder. Lionblaze was soaked to his skin from the cold precipitation. Turning, Lionblaze saw Bramblestar fighting off two cats at once, but they were smaller and slower than he was. He saw all the elders fighting off a Place of No Stars cat, the kits and apprentices were also attacking two cats. He saw his own son leading the group.
"Honeykit and Flamekit, bite! Foxkit and Waterpaw tackle. I'll get him onto his back and Twigpaw and Leafpaw you can hold him down until me and Rainpaw kill these foxhearts!" Mountainpaw commanded. All the cats swarmed around the two cats,who were startled by the ferocity of the younger patrol. Lionblaze looked for a car who needed help, and his eyes landed on Stormfur and Brook. They were fighting against four other cats while protecting their three kits. Lionblaze launched himself across the clearing and landed on a tabby she-cat who was nipping at Stormfur's haunches.
"Thank Starclan your here Lionblaze!" Stormfur murmured in his ear while helping him attack the cat. Lionblaze ripped at the tom's shoulder which sent him screaming away in pain. Brook was hissing furiously while standing over her three small kits. The three other cats, a tom and two she-cats, were circling her and biting her when her attention was on the one in front of her. Lionblaze joined her around her kits and swatted at the tom's ginger ears. Stormfur was tussling on the muddy ground with one of the she-cats and Brook was confronting the other. Lionblaze kept one eye on the kits while he dodged the large tom's paws. One knocked him on the head. He was strong but not quick and Lionblaze was able to flip him over his own paws. He ripped his claws into the ginger tom's throat, blood pulsed out and turning the slush beneath him pink. Lighting shook the air, the clouds were so thick it was as if it was night, and against the lightning's burst of light, Lionblaze could see a figure silhouetted on top of the highledge. At first he thought it was Crowfeather, but the eyes were green, not blue like his father's. The cat had a strange twinkle in it's eye, and was gazing fondly at the cats below. It looked towards Lionblaze, then stopped dead in its track when the two locked eyes. All it's happiness disappeared, and replaced by shock and fury. It padded to the end of the highledge, still holding Lionblaze's gaze. Lionblaze couldn't figure out who this cat was in the sleet and ran coming down.
"Stop!" The cat yowled, Lionblaze realized it was his sister, Hollyleaf. But why was she stopping the battle?