Life of Flamestrike

Chapter 10: Podzol

A few days have passed since Tigerfang was allowed to go back to his normal duties. By this point, the RiverClan camp was effectively under siege, with near daily attacks on the camp by the rouges. Flamestrike would go out on daily patrols to find the rouge camp and survey their potential attack routes. On one of these patrols, near the border, he was accompanied by Cinderfeather and Minnowtail. Suddenly, two rouges jumped out at the group.

The group quickly started fighting the rouges. The battle was fought like every other battle in the guerrilla war until Cinderfeather got hit hard by one of the rouges attacks. "Cinder!" Flamestrike yelled, bowling the rouge attacking her over. "Are you okay?" He asked. "Yeah." She responded. "We can take them. I don't want you getting hurt out here." Flamestrike said. Cinderfeather agreed and ran back to camp. Huh. I jumped to her aid faster than I do with any other cat... do I...? Flamestrike sighs, while helping to fight the rouges. I love her. He realizes. I hope she's okay.

The group kept fighting the rouges until another one showed up and attacked the other two rouges. "Wha..? Why is he helping us!?" Minnowtail yowled. "I don't know, questions later!" Flamestrike responded, running around the rouge he was fighting and clawing him relentlessly. Eventually, after a while, the two rouges retreated. "Whew, that was a tough one." Flamestrike said. "So, you." He says walking over to the loner. "What are you doing here in RiverClan? And who are you anyway?" He asked.

"I'm Podzol. I was just exploring." He says. "Well, okay. For future reference, don't cross the border again without permission. You want to rest at our camp before heading out? Since you helped us." Flamestrike purred. "Why did you help us anyway?" Podzol's tail flicked. "Sure. I helped you guys since from what I can tell, the rouges are attacking for no real reason." They start walking back to camp with Podzol. "Who are you, if I can ask?" Podzol asked. "I'm Flamestrike and this is Minnowtail." "Hi." Minnowtail said. They enter camp.

After a while, Podzol walks over to Flamestrike. "Well, I wish I could stay, but I feel like I should go." "Ok, but you could join the clan if you want to stay." Flamestrike said. "Well... clan life isn't really for me." Podzol replied. Flamestrike sighed. "Okay, but you're always-" Suddenly, the leaves started to rustle. "What the-?" Flamestrike says, unsheathing his claws. "Who's there!?" He called.

A rouge walked out of the bush. "Hello." He said. "Who are you and how the hell did you get into camp?" Flamestrike challenged. "Blackjack. I sneak into camps all the time, just for fun." The rouge says. "How haven't you been caught yet!?" Flamestrike says, surprised. "I don't know, honestly." Blackjack shrugged. "Well, you need to leave. NOW." Flamestrike hissed. "And if I don't?" "I'll attack you."

"Really?" Blackjack said. "You think you can beat me?" "Did you get trained?" Flamestrike asked. "Nope." Blackjack shook his head. "Yea... I think I can beat you in combat." Flamestrike says, hissing. "I've been trained." "I DIDN'T MEAN TO KILL THEM, OK!? IT WAS AN ACCIDENT!!!!" Blackjack suddenly shouts. Flamestrike is taken aback. Meanwhile, Mistypaw walks over. "Get out of here!" She hissed. "Um.. what?" He turned to Podzol and Mistypaw. "Did you guys say something about killing someone? Cause I didn't say anything." He says, confused. "Um... no?" Podzol said, equally as confused. "STOP BULLYING ME!!! I LOST MY PARENTS!!!!!" Blackjack breaks down. Flamestrike can't help but to laugh. "WHO IS MENTIONING THIS STUFF!?!?!?!? WHAT!?" He says, dying of laughter. "STOOPPP!!!!" Blackjack yells, crying.

Flamestrike stops laughing. "Okay, seriously. Try looking for your parents if they are-" "YOU DESERVED IT!!" Mistypaw suddenly yells. "Mistypaw, not now." Flamestrike gives her an angry look. "Anyway, try looking for them. You won't find them here, near the clans." Podzol walks up, continuing where Flamestrike left off. "I'll go with you if you want. I don't really belong here." "Yeah, he's really only here because he helped us earlier." Flamestrike says. "SHUT UP. YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT'S IT'S LIKE TO LOSE YOUR PARENTS!! Mine are probably dead anyway." Blackjack says. 

"Really? I never even HAD parents!" Flamestrike said, getting annoyed. Owlfeather walks up. "What's going on?" The deputy asked. "This cat-Blackjack-is in our camp and won't leave. He's not a threat, but he's REALLY annoying. The other one is Podzol. He helped us fight off a rouge attack, so I welcomed him here." Flamestrike explains. Podzol dips his head. "Oh, well, Podzol, for future re-" Owlfeather starts. "Yea, Flame already told me that I shouldn't cross the border again. Sorry about that." Podzol interrupted. "As for Blackjack..." She turns to face him before unsheathing her claws. "Leave. NOW." She says menacingly. Blackjack quickly leaves.

"Was that really all it took?" Flamestrike said, surprised. "Well, you're too nice to be really scary." Owlfeather purred. "Well... thanks? I guess?" Flamestrike said, unsure of how to take that. "Well, I'm going to go now. Bye guys!" Podzol said, leaving. "Bye!" Flamestrike said, watching him go. "Well, I need some rest." Flamestrike said. "I can take you off dawn patrol if you want." Owlfeather offered. "Um... sure...." Flamestrike says carefully, surprised that he was offered to be taken off patrols for the day. "Well, see you guys." Flamestrike said, relaxing for the rest of the day.