The Warrior Games

Chapter 2

Runningpaw from WindClan followed Ratleg towards the Dark Forest. Harefoot stood by her side. Runningpaw and Harefoot had been picked as the Warriors Games tributes of WindClan. Runningpaw thought he had a chance of winning, since she was fast and speedy and Harefoot was clever. Runningpaw was a dark brown tabby apprentice. Harefoot was white furred.

Runningpaw gulped as they entered the Dark Forest. Harefoot nuzzled him, "Don't worry. Don't be afraid. I'll stay with you until the end." Runningpaw's heart continued to beat fast.

Ratleg, the Dark Forest warrior they had been following, looked at the two of them and sneered, "Staying together won't do you much good." The black scarred warrior spat, "You should focus on running while you can." He sneered, "I bet you two won't make it three fox lengths."

A growl rumbled in Harefoot's throat but Ratleg pretended not to hear it and kept walking. Soon they three of them entered a large clearing. There were cats filing into the clearing and Runningpaw knew that they were cats from the other clans. The clan's scents were mixed here so she could hardly tell them apart. As they walked towards the clearing, Ratleg shoved her and Harefoot towards the group of cats. There were 10 other cat tributes there. They were being lined up in a row. Some of the cats stood proudly, some looked worried and had fearful expressions on their faces.

Runningpaw and Harefoot lined up at the end of the line.

The Dark Forest cats, and cats from the clans that had come to watch the ceremony, stood silently watching.

Suddenly a large tabby tom passed through the crowd of watching cats. That must be Snakestar. Thought Runningpaw.

Snakestar padded up to the cats, lifted his heads and began to speak loudly,

"My name is Snakestar." He called and let his voice echo before continuing. These are the tributes from the six clans;

From ThunderClan, we have Brambledust and Snowpaw.

From ShadowClan we have Darktail and Silverflower.

From WindClan we have Harefoot and Runningpaw.

From RiverClan we have Rabbitpelt and Mossheart.

From SkyClan we have Lionclaw and Ivyfall.

From BloodClan we have Scorch and Fang.

This is the Warrior Games! And may the odds be in your favour."

Snakestar nodded as he ended his speech.

The Warriors nodded as they split up, ready to be trained for battle. Runningpaw hurried over to Harefoot.

"Stick with me," Harefoot hissed at him and the two of them padded towards a cat named Duststar, the most recent WindClan Warriors Game winner. For a second, Runningpaw considered that he could win. Then he shook his head, sadly, thinking about the vicious BloodClan warriors who nearly always won the Games.

* * *

Rabbitpelt's silver fur shone in the dark trees. He hissed as he stepped in a thorn bush, then reared back as a reddish she cat slithered out of the bush,

"My name is Russetwhisker." She meowed, "And I am the winner of the last Warriors Games." She bowed her head, solemnly.

"Wait." Mossheart slipped in beside Rabbitpelt, "If you really are a RiverClan warrior, then why don't we see you in camp?"

Good question. Thought Rabbitpelt and felt a rush of pride for her littermate.

Russetwhisker hissed but answered the question, "I live with these Dark Forest warriors now. I have chosen that my path is with them." Before they could ask anymore questions, Russetwhisker turned tail and stalked off, signalling for them to follow. Rabbitpelt and Mossheart obeyed and followed. They weren't as afraid about the Games as most of the cats because they were littermates. Rabbitpelt has Mossheart and Mossheart had Rabbitpelt. Rabbitpelt had been shocked when his sister had been called out as tribute straight after he was. He promised himself he would look after his sister no matter what happened.

After they had followed Russetwhisker, the reddish she cat turned around to face them, teeth bared.

"If you are to win the Warrior Games, you must be prepared for anything!" She hissed in their faces. Without warning, she leapt at them, claws outstretched and fangs bared. Rabbitpelt immediately jumped in front of his sister and took the blow. Russetwhisker was on top of Rabbitpelt, baring down at him, but Rabbitpelt was ready, he struck Russetwhisker's belly with his hind claws and dug them in to throw her off. Once he had thrown her off, Mossheart leapt to his side and they both began to slash and slice the reddish warrior. Suddenly. Russetwhisker's body went limp. Rabbitpelt stared down at her body. Had he killed her? How could he? She must have faced worst then this when she won the Warrior Games!

Then the reddish warrior flipped backwards, unexpectantly. Rabbitpelt gasped as the breath was knocked out of him. Suddenly he was pinned down, Russetwhisker towering over him, sneering.

"You actually thought you could beat me?" He hissed, "Let's hope you do a lot better in the Games." He got off Rabbitpelt and looked at his sister. Mosshearts fur began to rise up, was Russetwhisker going to attack her too? Russetwhisker crouched down ready to pounce.... Rabbitpelt didn't give him the chance. Almost immediately, Rabbitpelt sprang on Russetwhisker and ripped his claws so far into Russetwhisker's fur that he thought he touched bone. Russetwhisker screeched in agony and he tore his leg away from Rabbitpelt. But the RiverClan warrior wasn't finished yet. He yowled and gripped Russetwhisker's tail hard in his jaws until the reddish shecat begged for mercy.

Rabbitpelt finally let go, glaring at Russetwhisker. The reddish shecat looked at him, but slowly began to nod in approval.

"You did well there, warrior." She said, "Let's practise that move again."