Warriors: Into Darkness

Chapter 6

Hawkpaw's heart raced as she charged into camp. Plunging inside, she was shocked to see the scene unfolding around her. Dozens of ShadowClan cats were attacking everywhere, claws flashing as they pushed back ThunderClan. She saw Lilyflower and Owlpelt guarding the entrance of the nursery from two burly toms, working in unison to push them back. Hightail was struggling against the cat she recognized as Sandfur while Fallengaze was grappling with a dark tabby tom. Stunned, Hawkpaw stood stiff at the entrance until Snakepaw barreled into her.

"Move it, you got to fight!" He hurried over to the queens with Rabbitpaw. Hawkpaw shook her head, this was no time to be scared. With a battle cry, she lunged at a gray tom. She landed on his back and sunk her claws into his flesh, making him howl with pain. She began churning her back paws while she bit into his shoulder, holding on tighter when he tried to throw her off. Finally, he bucked her off and pelted towards the entrance and back into the forest. Hawkpaw looked around to see if anyone needed assistance. The other elders joined Hightail, matching their blows paw-by-paw to fight back. Her littermates were with the queens and Flareheart was locked in a one-on-one battle with Amberfeet. Her mother and Raindapple were taking on Brindlespots and Goldenclaw, and her father was becoming overwhelmed by Longtooth and Berrypelt. She was about to race over to Fallengaze when Maplepaw leapt in front of her.

"Hey, remember me? This is going to be fun, you snake-tongue," she spat. Hawkpaw flattened her ears and bared her teeth, anger surging through her. She swiped her claws at Maplepaw but she ducked and executed a series of violent forepaw slashes on her. Claws raked Hawkpaw's muzzle, then her ears and her cheek. She tried to fend them off by returning the blows, but the flurry of paws was becoming too much for her. Her hind legs began to weaken from standing up for too long and her muscles were screaming for her to stop. Maplepaw was too fast and relentless, and Hawkpaw collapsed when the she-cat ducked and bit her leg. She pinned Hawkpaw down and started raking her exposed stomach with her claws. Blood roared in her ears and red tinged her vision. No! Come on, think! You can't lose to her. Suddenly, she had an idea. Hawkpaw let herself go limp, pretending to be beaten and she felt Maplepaw's grip loosen as triumph lit her eyes. She pushed against her with all her might explosively, throwing her off and staggering up onto all fours. She didn't hesitate to jump onto the cat and bite her shoulder, blood welling up in her mouth. Maplepaw whimpered as she pressed her claws into her throat.

"Get out of here, mousefodder." She released Maplepaw and she stood up glaring before fleeing back to her territory.

"ShadowClan, retreat!" Inkstar's cry echoed around the stone hollow and ShadowClan warriors pelted away into the night. Victorious yowls rang into the sky, but Hawkpaw didn't join in. Before her very eyes, seeming to happen in slow motion, she saw Berrypelt sneak up on her father and bite the back of his neck. Fallengaze dropped to the ground and the red warrior licked his lips, blood staining his teeth. He then retreated back into the woods after murdering the gold tom, his yellow eyes meeting her's before he disappeared.

"Nooo!" She ran over to Fallengaze's side, burying her nose in his side. "Dad! Get up, dad!" Her vision blurred and grief swallowed her weakened heart. Her littermates slowly walked over and joined her, Sorrelbreeze hanging back.

"F-Fallengaze?" She lurched forward, crumpling on top of him while her body shook with sobs. Hawkpaw blocked out the voices around her, her heartache an insatiable fire that was burning strongly, suffocating her.

A shrill shriek rang out then, "Morningstar!" She glanced up to see her leader sprawled out on the floor. Brighteyes nudged him earnestly until his eyes snapped open. "Are you alright, my love?"

He groaned as he got up slowly, "Yeah, I'm okay. Just lost a life."

Brigheyes stared wide-eyed, "that was your sixth."