Warriors: Bumblestripe's Insanity

Chapter Seventeen: The Real Battle

Just as I was about to crawl out of my hiding place, a blur of color swept by, not noticing me. A parade of warriors charged into the camp and hurtled through the thorn tunnel. I blinked in surprise as the ShadowClan cats were dragged away from their victims. Lionblaze was the only one who wasn't bloody and battered and lying on the ground, unable to get back up. Bramblestar was completely motionless so I assumed he was losing a life.

Realizing I would look suspicious if I came back unharmed, I raced into the midst of the warring cats and pushed my way through the crowd until I spotted him. Tigerheart.

The dark brown tabby was fighting Blossomfall. She leapt backwards, out of reach, as he sprang into the air and tried to land on her back. I came closer as Tigerheart struck her on the head with a forepaw and she tumbled to the ground.

He planted a massive forepaw on her chest as she writhed beneath his grasp. His amber gaze locked with hers. I saw myself in his eyes, that crazed, wild look. His breaths were ragged and uneven. Blood seeped out of a long wound on his side.

I couldn't have my deputy die at my least favorite ShadowClan cat's paws, could I?

I dashed towards the tom and barreled into him. He went flying off of Blossomfall and onto the ground. He hit his head on a rock.

Everything happened in slow motion. For once, I hadn't intended for this to happen.

His head twisted at an unnatural angle and a sickening crack echoed around the camp. The next thing I knew, Dawnpelt's claws were tearing chunks of fur out of my spine. I gritted my teeth to hold in a yowl of agony.

"Turn and face me, so I can slit your throat! You coward! You murdered my other brother!" she hissed.

I blinked, noticing the battle had halted. "I didn't mean to! It was an accident! I swear by StarClan! I was just protecting my sister and when I knocked him off of her he hit his head the wrong way on that rock!"

"Lies!" I felt Dawnpelt's teeth sink into my tail.

Suddenly, I whipped around and sliced my claws across her cheek. She snarled with fury and lowered her head, ramming it into my chest.

Gasping for air, I felt my body hit the ground. I tried to move but couldn't. I was completely frozen like the lake in the middle of leaf-bare.

And then over and over again. My brain couldn't process the agony. Her claws raked across my stomach so many times. I felt weak and dizzy as I saw my blood soak the grass. I screamed as the pain took over me. My vision blurred and the world was covered by a haze of red. Dawnpelt just laughed as I cried out in pain.

Nobody moved to help me. I could tell they wanted to, but just like me, they were rooted to the spot. Perhaps it was fate. Was StarClan punishing me for murdering Icecloud, Dovewing, Squirrelflight, and Tigerheart?

Dawnpelt chuckled as she prepared for the death blow. "Say good-bye, murderer!"

So this was it. There was nothing I could do as her paw swung down towards me. My life flashed before my eyes. Playing with Briarlight and Blossomfall as kits. Becoming an apprentice. My warrior assessment. Briarlight's accident. My warrior ceremony, overshadowed by grief. Dovewing. The Great Battle. And then the murders I had achieved.

It was over. It had taken an eternity and a single heartbeat at the same time but I had witnessed my whole life again.

It was the worst feeling in the world, complete and utter helplessness. Then a strange peace set in. It was comforting. I braced myself for the pain that would come and waited for death to take me.

Dawnpelt's released her tight grip on me as someone knocked her away. Wait, was that Blackstar pinning her to the ground?

The world melted away as I blacked out.

A/N: Sorry it's short hope you enjoyed anyways!