The Flood Of Power Book 1: New Moon

Chapter 9

It was the morning of the attack on the foxes. RiverClan was gathering in the camp. All of them had eaten and rested well, now all that was left was to wait for Tigerstar's order to leave for ThunderClan territory.

The RiverClan leader emerged from her den, looking regal and proud. She leaped on top of her den and called to her warriors. "Today is the day of the battle against the treacherous foxes invading ThunderClan territory. Our participation in this battle will restore the peace between the Clans once and for all. Those who wish to go battle beside me, tell me how excited you are!" Deafaning yowls broke out around the camp. Skypaw joined them, raising her head to the sky. Her sisters sat beside her, showing their support.

"Nutflower, Leaopardleaf, Reedflash, Codheart, Orangefur, Salmonwing, Wolffeather, Pearpelt, Brightcloud, Ashfern, Flamedawn, Riverpaw, Skypaw, and Onepaw, come with me!" Tigerstar leaped off of her den and ran out of the camp, her warriors streaming behind her.

Skypaw and her sisters found themselves in the center of the patrol. She grinned at them. "Those foxes won't know what hit them!"

"Yeah, they'll be fleeing for their lives once they see us approach." Onepaw agreed.

"That would help us a lot. Then we wouldn't have to actually fight anything." Riverpaw mewed nervously.

Onepaw looked at her. "Are you scared of a battle? We're warriors, we live for battles."

Riverpaw leaned in closer to them. "Yeah, but we've only been training for two moons! The chance we die is much higher."

"Don't worry, there are going to be tons of warriors there to protect us if we need help." They slid into the Four Rocks hollow and were racing up the other side within moments.

The RiverClan cats slowed to a walk once they entered ThunderClan territory. As they caught their breath, Skypaw looked around at the tall trees. This territory was very unlike RiverClan and ShadowClan territory. The ground was damp from yesterday's rain, but it was much firmer than the marshy terrain in RiverClan.

"It smells weird here." Onepaw observed.

"Yes, that's because we're in both a forest and ThunderClan territory. The scents you're picking up are the scents from the trees and ThunderClan cats." Orangefur meowed, stating the obvious.

Onepaw glared at her. "Yeah, I knew that. I was just saying that it smelled weird."

Orangefur rolled her eyes and hurried ahead to walk beside Salmonwing. Skypaw had noticed that the two rarely left each other's side. She wondered if there were going to be more kits in the Clan in a few moons. It was probably going to be quiet in the camp for a few moons once Winterkit, Mossykit, and Splashkit became apprentices.

We have to make sure Orangefur survives the battle. She might be carrying RiverClan's future. Skypaw thought.

They reached the ThunderClan camp, which was a shallow hollow surrounded by thick brambles. A tunnel made of brambles served as the entrance. Tigerstar led them in, calling, "RiverClan is here."

Skypaw pushed herself through the tunnel and found herself in a clearing that was filled with cats. The three other leaders sat on a large stump on the far end of the clearing. Tigerstar pushed her way to them and leaped up beside her fellow leaders.

"Clan cats!" Mousestar yowled, catching the attention of the warriors. "This is our time to fight! Together, as one united entity. Today, the cats beside you are no longer your enemies, but your companions and fellow warriors. We will drive away the foxes and be at peace once more."

Cheers echoed around the clearing, louder than the ones back in the RiverClan camp.

"Follow me!" Mousestar leaped from the stump and pushed through the crowd, the other leaders behind him. They led the way out of the camp and through the forest. At the edge of ThunderClan territory was a tall barrier of brambles that smelled strongly of fox.