Warrior Cats: SkyClan Returns #2

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Sandystar watched over her Clan from the Low-Branch. Berrycloud's kits were chasing a leaf around the clearing. Lilypatch and Fernpelt were sunning themselves outside the nursery. There had been unseen tension amongst the warriors since she announced that Brookshine was staying. Brookshine and Snowtail had been hunting all morning, and Sandystar guessed it was to avoid the scorn of their Clan mates.

A strange scent met Sandystar's nose. ThunderClan! She stood up as the bramble tunnel rustled. A young grey she-cat burst into camp, her pelt spiked. Dewbelly?

"Help! ShadowClan are attacking!"

She shrieked. Sandystar hopped off the branch.

"Mintstar sent me to ask for help. They're attacking our camp!"

Dewbelly wailed. Mintstar needs help? Sandystar thought. Cats were gathering around them now. Sandystar dipped her head.

"SkyClan will help,"

She said. Dewbelly's eyes glimmered with relief.

"Thank you,"

She breathed.

"I know ThunderClan would do the same for us,"

Sandystar meowed, looking at the assembled cats. It's probably good that Brookshine's not here, she told herself. ShadowClan nor ThunderClan will be happy if they find out I allowed a murder to stay.

"Stoneclaw, Hailforce, Ashleaf, Cherrysong, Hazelpaw, Spiderweb, Barnfeather, Sleekfur, Robinclaw and I will go,"

She said, nodding to Dewbelly. The grey ThunderClan cat raced out of camp, and Sandystar and her cats followed. What if we're too late, Sandystar fretted silently. She shook the thought away. I have to help Mintstar. She quickened her pace.

Loud yowls pierced the air as the neared the hollow where ThunderClan's camp was located. Dewbelly swiftly lead the SkyClan cats to the entrance.

Sandystar spotted Mintstar almost immediately. The ThunderClan leader had a black ShadowClan tom pinned down beneath his paws atop a high ledge. Sandystar recognised the cat as ShadowClan's deputy, Needlewhisker! She watched in dismay as Needlewhisker surged upward, throwing Mintstar off. Sandystar gasped as he stumbled sideways, falling from the side of the ledge. He sunk his claws into the ledge just in time, but Needlewhisker wasn't done. He sneered as he stood over Mintstar.

"Call yourself a leader?"

Needlewhisker hissed, swiping an unsheathed paw over Mintstar's muzzle. He needs help! Sandystar began to climb up to the two toms.

"Call yourself a cat?"

Mintstar retorted, trying to heave himself back up. Needlewhisker bit down hard Mintstar's leg. The tabby tom winced in pain. Letting out a yowl, Sandystar leapt at Needlewhisker. The black tom snarled.

"Had do call on a bunch of rouges to defend your Clan did you, Dungstar?"

Sandystar raked her claws along Needlewhisker's flank and sunk her fangs into his shoulder. Out of the corner of her eye, Sandystar saw Mintstar pull himself back up. Needlewhisker twisted, shaking Sandystar loose. He sunk his teeth into her scruff and forcefully pulled her towards the ledge. I'm going to fall! Sandystar thought in despair. Needlewhisker kicked Sandystar hard with his hind legs. She wailed as she plummeted toward the ground, landing with a painful thump.

•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~

Sandystar blinked her eyes open. With hazy vision, she could see the battle raging on. What's happening? She thought. A familiar ginger figure appeared, in focus, rather than her blurry surroundings.

"Suntail?"

She gasped. Suntail dipped his head. His pelt was starry and well-groomed.

"Be calm,"

Suntail soothed, looking compassionately into Sandystar's eyes.

"You are losing a life. But you will rejoin your clan mates soon enough,"

Sandystar blinked. It was as if he could read her mind, answering all the questions she was thinking. Another starry shape appeared. Sandystar gasped again.

"Doveheart?"

She asked. Doveheart dipped his head.

"I gave you your seventh life. It is only fitting I be here to see it end,"

The grey spirit-cat meowed. Sandystar's heart raced. I only have 2 lives left, she thought.

"Now, return. Your Clan mates need you,"

Suntail told her. The two StarClan cats faded away, and the ThunderClan camp came back into view.

Mintstar was standing over Sandystar as she blinked her eyes open.

"You're back!"

He exclaimed, helping her to her paws. Sandystar blinked thankfully.

"I lost a life, but I'm alright now,"

Sandystar assured him. She turned to face the battling cats, Mintstar by her side. Brookshine and Snowtail burst into the hollow. Sandystar watched as Brookshine leapt at two ShadowClan cats. Snowtail bowled into another cat as they leapt at Brookshine. I was right to let her stay, Sandystar thought. And I was right to bring SkyClan here. This is what being a Clan is about. She glanced sideways at Mintstar. And maybe I've found something for myself...