Warriors: Rain

Prologue

The moon bounced off the surface of the still swamp water, a crisp zephyr blowing over the mucky land. Tall, leaf stricken trees loomed over the marsh, moss clinging to the moist bark, waiting to be picked. A disturbance made the beautiful scene turn dark, ripples running through the water, yowls piercing through the calm air. Mud covered cats slithered through the water, eyes darting, watching, seeing all. Their opponents hid on the muddy ground nearby, deep in the bushes, waiting for the opportunity to strike. Now.

"Frogleap!" Robinchest, StormClan's deputy, hissed out, watching the bright-eyed feline crawl out from behind his hiding place.

She stood, water and mud running down her pelt, and puffed out her chest, glaring at the RainClan deputy. "You know as well as I that we need this piece of land." Robinchest seethed, her patrol of cats moving forwards. "Our cats are dying."

"It's all about you, you, you, isn't it?" Frogleap retorted, fur bristling, the bushes shaking as more cats came out, eyes shining in the moonlight. "We, too, have dying cats. Gullheart's kits are sick, and our Medicine Den is full. We lost an elder last night."

"You think you're the only cat who has lost family?" She spat, unsheathing her claws and flicking her tail. "Leave before more lives are lost."

Frogleap arched his back, lashing his tail. "Bring it."

Felines burst from the bushes, water and fur flying into the air, unrecognizable cats going for the other's throats. The disturbing sound of snarls and shrieks replaced the calming buzz of insects and the gentle rustle of leaves. Robinchest went straight for Frogleap, barrelling him over and raking at his belly with her hind paws. Frogleap rolled and kicked at her stomach, a loud yelp escaping her. She pushed him off and scrambled to her paws, jumping on him and bringing her claws over his face. Blood gushed out of the deep claw marks, three going right over his mouth and nose, blood flooding into his eyes. Yowling, he thrashed blindly, kicking her off and hopping to his feet, lifting his paw and striking down onto her head, hitting her chin into the mud. He continued to hit at her face and ears before she darted under him, standing up and knocking him over in a flash. Another muddy cat sprang out from nowhere and finished the job, ripping his claws through Frogleap's side.

"Retreat! Rainclan retreat!" He wailed, kicking the other off and skittering back, a pack of cats quickly following.

Silence, then chaos, yowls of victory filling the air. "Take that, fox-hearts!" A cat chirped, followed by other nasty insults and celebratory cries.

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"Dimstar?" A quiet voice piped up, tiptoeing towards the Leader's den and peaking inside. "Are you awake?"

"What is it, Russetfoot?" He replied with a small yawn, wiggling out of his den and taking a seat, bringing a paw over his ear. "This had better be important. I had the juiciest mouse right in my grasp." Dimstar chuckled softly, folding his tail over his paws.

"This is important, Dimstar, please understand that this is no joking matter." Russetfoot whispered quickly, eyes wild and full of fear. "Starclan came to me tonight. I don't know what they're saying." He continued, turning his crazed gaze to his own feet, shifting them nervously. "I think something big is coming, Dimstar. Something we're not ready for."

Dimstar tilted his head slightly, frowning, expression turning serious. "What do you mean?" He inquired, whiskers twitching.

"I don't know!" He cried out, quickly shutting his mouth and lowering his head again. "Sorry. Uhm, the-they didn't explain anything to me. It was quick and brief." Russetfoot shifted again, doing a quick scan over the sleepy camp. "An unknown sickness will come, threatening all those living in the forest. An unknown anger will come, and some shall fall, no mercy was shown for she wants to kill them all." He paused, swallowing hard and visibly shuddering. "A leaf shall set the sky on fire, the flames burning the clouds, and the ground alike. There will only be hope in the paws of an enemy. The fog shall choke the fire, giving those similar feelings of desire. The fog will split before peace can hit."