Shattered Clans- A Warrior Cats Fanfiction

Chapter 20

Hi! Not much to say. Enjoy the chapter. ;D

Cranefrost's p.o.v

Acornpaw was full of energy. When they'd touched noses at her apprentice ceremony, Acornpaw's eyes were wide with excitement and disbelief. Despite her kit-like behaviour, though, Acornpaw was a very skilled hunter and fighter. She fought with determination and always managed to impress Cranefrost.

It was dawn and Cranefrost was tucked in her warm den, dreaming about-

"Cranefrost! Cranefrost! Cranefrost! Cranefrost!" Get up! Redstar said we could join the dawn patrol!"

Usually, Cranefrost would've been annoyed if a cat woke her up, but she'd gotten used to the small apprentice. Cranefrost purred and got up.

"Okay, let's go then. On the way you can hunt."

Acornpaw bounded up and raced across the camp. She then found a spot next to a small group of patiently waiting warriors- the dawn patrol.

Finding a burst of energy inside of her, Cranefrost sprinted after Acornpaw, skidding as she stopped abruptly in front of the group. Rushstalk, who was leading the patrol, flicked her tail in the direction of the forest and meowed, "Let's go!"

Snowstone, Nightspring, Thistlestrike, Cranefrost and Acornpaw accompanied her as they set towards the Windclan border.

The forest was almost silent, except for the occasional chirping of a bird. Cranefrost shivered as the wind blew through her pelt. It would be leaf bare soon, and prey would become very scarce. The temperature would drop and sickness would threaten the camp. Cranefrost couldn't wait for it.

"I think I smell something." The urgent sound of Acornpaw's voice broke Cranefrost out of her trance. Acornpaw turned her head to catch the scent better.

Cranefrost froze as she caught the scent too.

"BADGER!" She yowled, causing Acornpaw to jump into the air and yelp. Her fur was bristled and her eyes were wide in fear and shock.

The bramble bushes in front of her exploded and a huge black and white beast revealed itself. The rest of the patrol sprang at it, including Cranefrost.

Everything was a blur as she blindly swiped her unsheathed claws.

"Please, let Acornpaw be safe," Cranefrost prayed, hoping Starclan was listening.

Finally, the snarling and hissing and spitting stopped, and everything fell still.

Cranefrost stepped back to see the huge badger dead, frost and ice strewn through its fur.

Suddenly, a stinging pain shook Cranefrost's body, and she felt like she had been set on fire. She realised she had gained injuries and scars that she hadn't felt before.

Cranefrost caught her breath and turned around to face Acornpaw, who was gaping at her. It was the only time Cranefrost had actually seen her stand still.

"... The elders told me about your powers... but I thought it was just a story..."

"Are you hurt?" Cranefrost asked, ignoring Acornpaw's dazed question. Did it really matter how she killed the badger?

Acornpaw seemed to recover from the shock as she answered, "No, but Juniperclaw is. I'm not sure he's going to make it..."

Cranefrost turned around to see Nightspring, Thistlestrike and Rushstalk all crowded around a lifeless body. As Cranefrost approached, Nightspring dug her head into her mate's fur and then wailed, "he's dead!"

Cranefrost could now see how badly wounded the senior warrior was. The left side of his face was bare- the skin and fur had been ripped off. It was a terrible sight- flesh and blood. His pelt had claw marks through it, and blood flowed through them to make a large pool on the floor.

"Come on, let's bring the body back to camp." Cranefrost suggested quietly after moments of silence. She gently nudged the heart broken warrior, and Nightspring nodded weakly.

Their return was done so in silence.

Cranefrost ignored the looks of horror as the four injured warriors and jumpy apprentice returned to camp, miserably dragging the limp body of their former clan mate.

"Juniperclaw is dead!" Nightspring announced, choking on the last word. Every cat in the clearing stopped, and Redstar emerged from his den, his eyes wide with urgency.

Songpaw and Aldercoat raced over, carrying bundles of herbs, but there was nothing to be done.

"We were attacked by a badger," Nightspring went on. "It was killed, but so was Juniperclaw. He saved our lives."

One by one, every cat in Thunderclan bowed their head down, remembering the noble warrior that had protected his clanmates so loyally.

Three of Ryebrook's kits bounced into the clearing, aware of the tragedy. Ryebrook shooed them out, and Redstar stepped forward.

"Juniperclaw was a well loved warrior of Thunderclan. He fought with his life to protect his clanmates. He will be remembered. We will sit his vigil at dusk."

Suddenly, Snowfall stepped forward boldly next to Redstar.

"This cannot go on! Our warriors are dying and soon we won't have any cat left! We have to learn to defend ourselves better!"

Nightsprings head snapped up to normal position and her eyes blazed with anger. "Juniperclaw was the best fighter I've ever known! He knew how to defend himself!"

Snowfall gazed down at Nigthspring kindly. "I know, but he could've learnt battle moves even better." She looked at Redstar. "May I?"

Redstar nodded, like they were having a silent conversation.

"Warriors, queens, apprentices, medicine cats. Gather around. For about a moon, Snowfall and I have been making up and practising new battle moves that the Dark Warriors and other enemies won't expect."

Cranefrost knew the truth- Snowfall was a spy for the Dark Warriors, and she had been teaching the battle moves that the rogues had taught her, so that when they met in battle, Thunderclan would know the counterattacks.

Cranefrost paid close attention as Redstar and Snowfall demonstrated new fighting techniques and the counter attacks for each.

The clan worked in harmony; Snowfall and Redstar would act out the move, and then the rest of the clan would repeat it with a partner.

This went on until the sun was setting and it was time to eat and start the vigil. Cranefrost told Acornpaw that she was done for the day.

The almost full moon shone through the darkness. Much to her dismay, Cranefrost had not been chosen to accompany Redstar and the rest of the warriors to the gathering. Redstar was probably being extra cautious after what happened at her last gathering...

Sorry for the terrible ending, I was rushed. Thanks, everyone! Don't forget to vote.