Fadedstar shook his head, crimson hazing his vision. He felt the warrior's claws score his pelt, and hissed. He jabbed at her own eyes with his front paws, scraping his claws doen her cheeks. He knew he was losing blood. Fadedstar spun, kicking out his back legs into Nutwhisker's chest. While the warrior stumbled back, the white tom ran. He panted, turning behind him to make sure no one was following him.
Stupid.. stupid, stupid! He sunk to the ground.
I just.. want to sleep... Fadedstar opened his eyes, blinking at the pale, soothing light. He saw.. himself. The shadow-fadedstar dipped his head, and he heard a voice.
Asphodelkit? "Fadedstar! It isn't time for you yet!" Fadedstar shot up, back in the real world. His left eye was all he could see out of. The screeches of battle were far away now.
Witherclan! The tom ran towards his own home, his tail streaming behind him like a banner.
--
Woodpelt's vision faded in and out, her breath ragged. She though it was over. But she was wrong. All the breath was forced out of her body as the tom leaped upon her. Woodplet kicked out, meeting soft flesh but knowing it wasn't enough to win. The tabby closed her eyes in defeat.
--
Stormwind's gaze funneled as the strange tom stresked into camp towards the nursery. Witherclan didn't have any toms that looks like that.
Tumbleclan! His heart lurched. Stormwind had hoped he would never have to utter these words.
"Witherclan, defense formation!" He leaped onto the Highstump, yowling as loud as he could.
"Give 'em claws and frenzy!" His warriors echoed back the battlecry, their voices eerie on the wind.
Defense formation: every cat had a job. The two elders dashed out of their den, racing out of the camp, with Hawthorneclaw, Minnowsplash, and Cottonbush hard on their tails. Doveheart, Aldershine and Jackaldust broke into the nursery, hiwling their fury. Mikekit wailed as claws split his right ear into two. Fluffyberry had already been there, playing with Keykit. The four shecats unsheathed their claws, and Mistshade lashed her tail. Twiggy just wailed in panic. Mistshade picked up Smokeykit, Fluffyberry grabbed Keykit, Doveheart snatched Tigerkit and Twiggy carried her son Mikekit by the scruff. Aldershine and Jackaldust worked on keeping Badgertail back, allowing the shecats time to attempt escape with the kits.
Half the apprentices waited a few moments, then chased the elders. They were meant to protect the elders and their escorts from ambushes. Blisspaw, Eaglepaw and Avaricepaw waited for the queens; they were to do the same for them.
"Stormwind, let me fight!" Stryker mewed.
"No- go with the queens, keep your mate and kits safe!"Duskpaws, Cootfeather, Stripeclaw, and Cloudbelly hounded the medicine den, their job was to make sure the injured cats like Ravenpaw (or, regrettedbly, depressed Goldenpelt) and the herbs were protected.
Stormwind leaped down, raising his tail and nodding to Marblefur, Mallowgaze, Minkslide, Ravencoat, Badgerfang, and Tumblenight. And Witherclan unsheathed their claws. And the remaining of Witherclan charged into the fray to keep the entrance from allowing more cats in.
The elders and queens were to meet up at the Feather Willow; it was a sacred place to Witherclan, and no sane cat would attack them there. However, Sagestar was no sane cat, and Jackaldust directed the two squadrons towards their backup area. Witherclan's forest. The forest was small, but the undergrowth was thick and the trees were tall enough to climb if need be.
