A Misty Path (A Warrior Cats Fanfiction)

Chapter 13

"Sandpaw! What're you - "

"No time," replied the pale ginger tom, hauling back the ShadowClan intruder. With one heave, he threw down the trespasser, and Mistpaw leaped up, pinning him down. He growled in fury, but he could tell he was beaten. Sandpaw stood beside her, guarding her from the ShadowClan warrior's allies. She loosened her grip slightly, and he bounced up, leaping to his paws. But, as his eyes scanned the situation he was in, he acknowledged defeat and turned away, running out of camp.

"Coward," spat Mistpaw. "I barely scratched him!"

Sandpaw snorted. "All ShadowClan cats are cowards." He turned to his fellow apprentice and beamed at her, and with a jolt, Mistpaw realised how beaten-up he was. His fur was streaked with red, and his eyes were dull and tired.

"Are you okay? What happened? Where are Perchscale and Mudpaw? And where's Dewspeck?"

"I don't know where Dewspeck is." Sandpaw's green eyes filled with mourning, and he looked as if he was about to burst into tears. But he brightened up. "But Mudpaw and Perchscale, and Shellwing, are all fine. We were forced to retreat. But we're back now."

Mistpaw sighed. "I'm glad." She flicked her tail. "Speckledpaw and Mistlefrost are out of camp; I don't know where exactly, but they can't be too far. They've got medicine supplies, you should go there to be taken care of - "

"Are you crazy?" Sandpaw's eyes were wide. "I can't run away, not now! I have a duty! A duty to my Clan to protect them until my last breath!" He narrowed his tired green eyes. "I intend to fulfil that duty."

"But you'll die!"

Sandpaw twitched an ear. "I'm still standing, aren't I?" He pressed his muzzle into her fur. "I promise you, Mistpaw. When we triumph against these trespassers, I will be here to celebrate with you." And with that, he whirled around and darted off, springing on top of another intruder. Mistpaw looked around, her heart beating. Where was Mudpaw, then? And Perchscale? If Sandpaw was here, then surely they must be! And where was Cloudpool? She could only hope her mother was on patrol, but she would've gone alone if so. Maybe she's just injured, and was carried away by Speckledpaw and Mistlefrost, she thought.

She shook her head. Right now, she needed to fight! She ran forwards, sprinting at an unfamiliar pale gray tabby. She whirled around as Mistpaw approached, and scoffed: "I'm not fighting you, kit."

Mistpaw bared her fangs. "Get out!" she screeched, leaping forwards and raking her claws along the cat's fur. The she-cat, who stank of ShadowClan, hissed in fury and easily shook off the young apprentice. Mistpaw growled low in her throat; she wasn't going to let this intruder get the better of her! She pounced again, but the tabby dodged her effortlessly and padded calmly away. Mistpaw raced after her, but stopped as a flash of white caught her eye.

She turned her head, her heart lifting, and sniffed back a relieved tear. "Cloudpool!" But her joy was cut short. Her mother was breathing hard, blood leaking out of wounds in her pelt, her amber eyes dull but burning with furious fiery light. Pacing around her was a ginger tabby tom, his unusual eyes ice-blue. His pelt too was coated in dark blood, but he stood proudly, his lips curled in an eager, twisted grin. Behind him, Beetleshell lay unconscious. Mistpaw's pelt prickled as she recognised his bulging muscles and cool eyes: the ShadowClan warrior Sparkfang!

"Finally." His voice was low and quiet; Mistpaw could barely pick it up. "You're all alone, now."