The Forgotten Clans~ Black River

Chapter 6

Brambleflash grew uneasy as they took a secret route into the sewers and Halfpaw leaned against one of the cats, blood trickling down his legs. Brambleflash was the only warrior and felt responsible for any cat who was wounded. He tried several time to reach Halfpaw and Willowpaw but his guard wouldn't let him move. The roaring of twoleg monsters filled the tunnel as they moved above.

The cats padded out the awful smelling tunnel and emerged into a long alleyway where countless numbers of cat stared and hissed as they walked by.

"Look how well feed they are!" A scrawny she-cat whispered.

"I bet they stole prey from us." Brambleflash winced as each comment was thrown and slashed into him.

"Raven is going to tear them apart!"

"I wonder if he will take over their clan?"

"Is that the silver cat Trespass was talking about?" One cat hissed as Silverpaw walked beside the black tom, her tail dragging as cats hissed and spit at her.

Brambleflash snapped with shock and veered quickly from the guard to stare at the dirty calico cat who said it. "Silver cat? What did he say?" His voice was edged with panic. The calico's eyes widen as every cat stared at them and she slunk away under the burning eyes of everyone.

The black tom stepped forward and glared at him. "What do you think you're doing?"

"What was she talking about?" Brambleflash demanded, his fur tingled, desperately wanting the many cats to look away but they stared.

The tom, Brambleflash guessed was Raven, flicked his tail thoughtfully. "I will tell you after the fight." He said then nudged Silverpaw harshly back into place beside him. "After I kill her" Brambleflash hissed as his gaurd came back, followed by another so he wouldn't run away again.

There was a fat tabby that stood in the way of an open clearing and the group paused as the tabby circled them. Brambleflash saw Willowpaw stir but Fernpaw was silent and still. A wave of fear washed over him and prayed to Starclan she wasn't dead and they would get out of her safely.

Brambleflash saw the tabby stop in front of Silverpaw and bristled his fur. "I think this is the one."

"For what?" Willowpaw moaned and slid off the cats back and hissed when any cat came near her.

The tabby ignored her and looked at Halfpaw. His gaze traveled to Fernpaw then to Brambleflash. "Put them in the best seat. They would want to see this."

Brambleflash wanted to fight. He wanted to run away but all these ally cats, there was no way of escaping. He hissed at the tom as the large cats leading them to a dumpster and leaped up, getting a perfect view below.

Cats flooded the area around them and looked into the arena. There was no way Brambleflash could save her. Willowpaw was held back by two cats and Brambleflash had three while Halfpaw and Fernpaw were two weak to do anything.

"I, Trespass, call a fight between our undefeated champion: Raven!" The tabby said loudly.

Yowls of joy and pride rang in the alley as cats watched as Raven leaped out, being showered by praise.

"He cat who fought 29 and killed every single one!" Trespass meowed as Raven trotted around. "This will be his 30th"

Brambleflash's heart sunk and knew Silverpaw couldn't survive this. His tails and ears dropped as they forced her in the circle. She was looking down but when she raised her head, her eyes were glazed with hope and the light of battle was in her eyes.

A spark of hope kindled inside him but extinguished when he saw Raven's long claws slide out. Why was he so mad?

"And the opponent." Trespass said in disgust and trotted to Raven then whispered something in his ear then leaped up beside Brambleflash with a heavy thud.

"Begin!" He yowled.

Raven waited for Silverpaw to make the first move. He sat patiently, but fire raged his eyes. Silverpaw studied him.

"Hurry up cat!" He finally leaped to his paws after a while.

Silverpaw stared walk around him, cautiously looking at all his attacking places. He lunged and slashed her across the shoulder and Silverpaw crumpled to the ground as a yowl of happiness sounded.

Silverpaw dodged his next blow and leaped over him as he tried to grasp her. There was a small shock of surprise from the cats as they stared. She hissed and swiped him across the face then leaped to the side as he tried to launched forward.

He yowled with rage and flung himself at her, this time, catching her and leaped at her and they went down in a tumbling mass of spitting and hissing.

Silverpaw gave a furious yowl and Raven rolled across the dusty alley floor. Silverpaw leaped on top of him. Pinning him down. "You've never fought a clan cat before."

Brambleflash looked at them with hope. Silverpaw was winning. He edged closer trying to hear what they were saying. He could barely hear but managed to listen.

"Just warming up." Raven whispered. "To see you skills and all you do is dodge!" He spat in her face and raked his hind claws across her underbelly and she scrambled off with a gasp of pain.

"Silverpaw!" Brambleflash yowled as Raven leaped on hand closed his jaws on her throat.