Book 1 - Warriors: The Shadow Outcast

Chapter Thirty-Eight

I told you to fight! Bravestar hissed, though there was more frustration in his voice than anger. Why can't you? I feel the fear, but can't you get over it? Mudpaw screamed as the pain suddenly came rippling toward him, his legs stiffening with more fear.

I physically can't fight! Mudpaw yelled to Bravestar, closing his eyes and gritting his teeth as Wolfheart grinned. My body just freezes, and I can't move anything! Help me! Mudpaw prepared for the death blow as Bravestar seemed to be thinking quickly.

I've never heard of someone doing that, Bravestar murmured. Well, there's always room for learning.

Suddenly Mudpaw's body moved. His suddenly powerful back legs pushed Wolfheart off him, and then he stood up, panting heavily as his wounds continued to bleed out. Wolfheart looked as if he'd seen someone from the Dark Forest, giving Mudpaw another advantage.

He was no longer controlling his body, and he was no longer controlling his expressions or emotions. It was nothing, really, but pure determination that was the only thing that seemed strong enough to overcome the fear running through his body. So, as Mudpaw swam in the shock and fear, Bravestar used his determination to protect Robinwing, whose first kit was getting closer and closer.

Bravestar, what's going on? Mudpaw asked, panicking as he seemed to be going deeper and deeper into his mind. The noble leader didn't answer, leaving the small brown apprentice to do nothing but watch helplessly as his body was being used for fighting a full grown Warrior.

Wolfheart lunged for Mudpaw, but his body made a quick jerk that created an evasion from the attack. Bravestar continued to stay quiet as he used Mudpaw's fragile body to fight Wolfheart, all the while the brown apprentice was struggling to keep himself there, as if Bravestar was taking over.

This wasn't supposed to be happening. This fighting. . .it meant nothing! The war shouldn't have started, because all fighting did was kill. Bravestar should understand that, but after asking him, Mudpaw found complete quietness. He felt alone as he gasped for air.

Bravestar leaped toward Wolfheart using Mudpaw's body, flexing out the barely used claws and crashing into the massive deputy. Mudpaw felt the pain, doubting Bravestar did at all, and screamed, but that was a mistake. His lungs filled with a sticky liquid that nearly made him drown. But something was keeping him alive. Something was making sure that he lived through the agonizing battle.

Wolfheart slashed open three scratches on Mudpaw's face as Bravestar forced his body to rake his claws down the grey tom's soft exposed belly. Mudpaw's vision blurred as he watched the battle. Wound after wound, scream after scream, battle cry after battle cry. . .would it ever stop?

StarClan, make this stop. . .

Wolfheart kicked Mudpaw in the belly, forcing Bravestar to retreat to the far side of the den next to Robinwing. The large RiverClan deputy stood up, an angry look on his face. Mudpaw knew that Wolfheart had realised what had happened. Mudpaw knew that Wolfheart had figured out about Bravestar.

StarClan, make this stop.

Robinwing wailed as Wolfheart lunged for Mudpaw's recovering body, sending both of them crashing into the back wall of the den as the kitting mother was pulled out of the way. Bravestar obviously couldn't control any of the battle after that, because Mudpaw's body ended up being the one pushed into the sharp brambles that made up the outer layer of the den.

StarClan, make this stop!

Wolfheart watched as Mudpaw's exhausted body slumped down to the ground unable to move from the shock that even stumped Bravestar enough to give up. The massive leader jumped onto Mudpaw, bringing all of the air out of him, and then raised his paw, once again ready for the death blow.