Warriors: Beetlestar's Path

Chapter Seventeen

     TreeClan cats overflowed the camp. Their shouts and threats filled the air and buzzed in Beetlestar's ears. WaterClan cats emerged from their dens at once, confused and enraged, while those who had been resting around camp joined the fray.  

     Panic set in immediately. How did they find our camp? Did they follow scent trails? Did someone tell them or did they already know? His paws refused to move and Beetlestar shook himself wildly. The TreeClan warriors had already begun moving towards the dens, and WaterClan met them at the entrances. "Beetlestar!" Swiftcreek hissed. "Come on! We have to fight!" She refused to wait for him and leapt into the fold. 

     Beetlestar snapped out of his stupor and fluffed out his fur, running towards the first TreeClan warrior he saw. He launched himself onto the back of a black cat named Spotnose and sunk his claws into his spine. Spotnose howled and his legs buckled beneath him, and as he fell, Beetlestar used him to springboard away and dart back towards the warrior. He lashed out, raking his claws across Spotnose's flecked nose.  

     Claws sunk into his own flank and Beetlestar twisted and swiped at Grayfoot. The fierce molly let go and jumped back to dodge, and when she found an opening, she tackled Beetlestar to the ground. Beetlestar yelped as her claws raked his chest and he jerked his head up and locked his jaws into her shoulder. Grayfoot clawed again, more forceful this time, but Beetlestar simply chomped down harder and pulled. He felt skin and muscle tear between his teeth and tasted blood as it ran across his tongue. 

     "Let me go you smelly fish-mouth!" Grayfoot hollered. She struck a hard blow to Beetlestar's neck and he cried out in shock, unlocking and allowing Grayfoot to escape. Spotnose was nearing him once again and he hauled himself up to his feet. The claw marks on his chest burned, fur torn away in streaks, but he refused to back down, snarling wildly at the enemy. 

     "Get it of my camp!" He threw himself at Spotnose, taking him by surprise and wrapping his paws around the tom's neck. The two teetered on their hind legs as they tried to unbalance one another, and Beetlestar snapped at Spotnose's muzzle until the TreeClan cat finally let go. He scurried backwards and then retreated into the swarm of warring cats. 

     Pushed by adrenaline and pure anger, Beetlestar tore after him. Dust flew up around his paws and settled in a cloud amongst the two Clans. With Spotnose in his sights, he weaved between cats, determined to drive out the tom. A shriek split the air and Beetlestar came to a halt and searched the battling mass for the source. He sped off in the direction of the sound, towards the nursery, and found two large cats exchanging blows. Rippletail and Badgerpelt fought inside the woven nursery tunnel, wrestling and throwing each other with ease. 

      "Stay away from my sister before I rip out your other eye!" Badgerpelt screamed, grappling Rippletail by the neck and hauling him back. The deputy snarled and fell over on top of her, winding her and leaping away. 

     "Get out of my way!" 

     Beetlestar peered past Rippletail and into the shadows of the nursery. Acornpelt stared pleadingly back, terror evident in her glowing eyes. One could barely make out the shapes of kits behind her, and Brownspots moved closer towards her. 

     The sight of the frightened queens sent streaks of hate through Beetlestar; hate for Rippletail, and for TreeClan, for leading an attack on their very camp itself. And to go after the queens! Without a second thought, he rushed Rippletail, noticing a glint of surprise in the deputy's eyes, and Beetlestar slashed across his side and twirled. But Rippletail was quick, biting into Beetlestar's tail and yanking him back. A screech escaped Beetlestar and he tumbled to the side and swiped at Rippletail's face.