Warriors: Bound To Stars

Chapter 8 || Storm Clouds

Batchaser could tell something was wrong from the minute he awoke. Dark clouds rolled into the sky, lightning flashing between the cracks, no light filtering through to StarClan. The usual soft breeze turned into a hard, blowing wind, taking the leaves off of trees. The rivers were crashing with waves, the grass in the meadows swirling like a hurricane.

⠀⠀Chaos.

⠀⠀The black tom had never seen StarClan like this; every day was full of sunshine and calmness, happy rainbows and such. But today was different. Batchaser knew that something was going to happen, and he was growing quite anxious about it.

⠀⠀His heart pounded in his chest as he staggered to his paws. The tom made his way toward the Gathering Grounds, blue eyes flickering from side to side to spot any other cats. It seemed to just be him.

⠀⠀Any blue sky left was covered. Batchaser felt as if he were in the Dark Forest; maybe he was. Maybe his dreams of StarClan were all in his mind. But he knew better than that. This was real. This was happening. They must know. Everyone knows what you did...

⠀⠀When he exited the tree line and scanned the terrain, his eyes widened at the sight before him. Hundreds of cats were crammed together in the meadow, yowling and bickering echoing off of them. He angled his ears forward, furrowing his brows as he picked his way through the tall grass. What are they arguing about?

⠀⠀He eventually made it to the large group, squirming and squeezing through the bodies packed together. Every cat he saw had their lips curled into a sneer, eyes blazing with anger as they glared and snapped at the cats around them. Batchaser wondered if everyone was somehow rubbing off on him. He didn't know StarClan cats to be cruel and angry; he knew them to usually be collected and mature. But this? This was madness.

⠀⠀The tom, lost in thought, accidentally ran right into a fully white she-cat. She rounded on Batchaser, a hiss making its way out of her jaws. "Hey! Watch where you're going, idiot," she spat.

⠀⠀The former ShadowClanner narrowed his eyes. A hiss wrenched from his throat as his claws dug into the ground below him, tail lashing like an angry adder. "How about you don't order me around?" he snapped back. "Don't act so high and mighty."

⠀⠀"Hah! Like you'd know anything. What are you even doing here?" she snorted. "I thought all you did was doze around in the forest."

⠀⠀"I don't!" he growled, baring his teeth.

⠀⠀"Yeah you do!" she responded mockingly.

⠀⠀Before Batchaser had time to reply, a familiar voice jerked him out of his conversation. "Batchaser! What are you doing here?"

⠀⠀He quickly spotted Jackalstar, who was running toward him, worry evident in the way she moved. Annoyance sparked in his blue eyes. "Why is everyone asking me that?"

⠀⠀She shook her head. "Follow me." Batchaser flashed a cheeky grin at the white she-cat and quickly followed his friend. Friend? Friend.

⠀⠀"Sooo, what's going on?" the black tom asked as they made their way from the swarm of StarClanners, heading toward another familiar white cat - Shellstar.

⠀⠀"We'll explain when we get over here.." she murmured, ears flicking back.

⠀⠀"Hey!!! Wait!! Batchaser! Jackalstar!"

⠀⠀The two snapped their heads to the side in unison, watching as a small gray tom stumbled over to them. His copper eyes held excitement and interest, but also a hint of worry.

⠀⠀Rushingpaw.

⠀⠀"What do you want?" Batchaser snapped, the words immediately tumbling out of his mouth. Jackalstar shoved the black tom away and stared down at the apprentice, cocking a brow.