Warrior Cats: Shadow Propechy (ENG VER.)

CHAPTER 22

Wolfstar was quick to choose the warriors that would follow. Upon hearing the apprentice's words, his Clan went into despair, everyone volunteering to leave towards the Shore.

Wolfstar calmed them, choosing Sharpear, Sludgepaw, Amberleaf, Tinypaw, Treestripe, Nightsky, Flamepaw, and, at Tundrapaw's request, Morningcloud.

They crossed the field at a run. Tundrapaw stumbled every now and then, but refused to give up. Wolfstar tried to ask several times who had attacked them, but the apprentice refused to reveal it, too anxious to even be able to speak.

They cross the Black River without any problems, heading towards the beach. As they advanced, the clouds in the sky began to gather, and soon, thunder could be heard, rumbling in the distance.

Wolfstar stared at the island in the distance, wondering how a leader with nine lives could have been killed so easily. I know Shellstar must have at least five lives left, he thought, looking back, meeting the worried eyes of his companions. What attacked her must have been four times her size.

The closer to the island, the more his heart was pounding. They stopped at the edge of the sea, the island just ahead.

"Can you swim?" Morningcloud asked, approaching the apprentice.

"Yes," He choked, breathing heavily. Tundrapaw faced the field warriors, determination in his eyes. "Can you?"

Wolfstar nodded, signaling with his tail. "Let's all follow Tundrapaw."

Everyone agreed, even with the obvious hesitation of crossing the cold sea. Tinypaw stepped forward, determined to face his fear. Tundrapaw slowly entered the cold water, his paws soon disappearing into the dark water.

The cats followed him, watching carefully the way Tundrapaw moved his paws, his body and even his tail. The sea waves ended up helping the cats cross faster.

Wolfstar dug his claws into the island's land, pulling his body out of the water. The wind that brought the storm made him grind his teeth from the cold, but he remained firm, guiding his warriors through the bushes.

Upon entering the camp, Wolfstar discovered how Shellstar died.

Lying in the camp clearing, surrounded by a tangle of fur that must have been Seagullwing, was Shellstar's small body, her three-colored fur now only one; red. Her paws were spread out in the same direction as her body, facing the entrance to her den, while her head was facing Wolfstar, practically decapitated.

Her neck, now completely open, was oozing blood, showing all those who looked at her the inside of her throat, as well as her bones.

As Wolfstar approached, horrified, he noticed that her neck, in addition to being broken and crooked, was still attached to the rest of her body, but only by a thin layer of skin and muscles. As he stopped next to Shellstar's brutally mauled body, Seagullwing stirred, lifting her head to try and catch a glimpse of the tom. Wolfstar noticed a huge gash on her side.

The camp leader looked around, looking for survivors. He saw Morningcloud and her companions walking around, checking each cat. Snailback was standing next to an injured elder, as he tended to his wounds. When the Shore's medicine cat turned towards him, Wolfstar had to hold back a meow of terror as he looked at Snailback's completely disfigured face.

Morningcloud approached, carrying herbs that Snailback had given her in her mouth. She dropped them next to Seagullwing and began to examine the deputy, trying to ignore the butchered body of the Shore leader.

Wolfstar stood still. That was a scene he wouldn't want even his worst enemy to see. Nightsky had Flamepaw and Tinypaw take care of the queens and kits, while Sludgepaw and Sharpear helped Snailback tend to the injured.