Erin Hunter - The First Battle

Thunder eyed the queen. “We have enough orphans already,” he told her grimly.

“They won’t be orphans.” Gorse Fur lifted his chin, his gaze flashing as it caught Wind Runner’s. “She will not die today. I won’t let her.”

Wind Runner’s eyes glistened as she stared at her mate. “Thank you,” she murmured.

Thunder pricked his ears. Paw steps were thrumming away over the moor. Hawk Swoop and Lightning Tail were already leading the others toward the battle. “Come on.” He dived into the heather. The bushes shook around him as Gorse Fur and Wind Runner followed.

As he burst out on the far side, he saw his camp mates already crossing the slope toward the hollow. Their pelts moved like shadows over the grass. He pushed harder to catch up. They had to meet Clear Sky and his rogues side by side and fight together if they were to stand a chance of winning this battle. At his side, Gorse Fur matched him paw step for paw step; just in front, Wind Runner’s lithe body moved easily over the grass.

Ahead, Hawk Swoop reached the top of the slope first. Lightning Tail, Rainswept Flower, and Shattered Ice pulled up beside her and waited motionless in the starlight. Acorn Fur and Dappled Pelt scrambled to a halt and paced around their camp mates while Frost peered over the edge. As he neared, Thunder could see that the white tom’s pelt was bristling.

His heart lurched as he strained to hear sounds from the hollow. It was silent. Had the battle already been fought? He swallowed back dread. What if he reached the top of the slope to find the bodies of Tall Shadow, Gray Wing, and Jackdaw’s Cry—plucked from their perch and slaughtered in the clearing?

He scrambled the last few paw steps and slowed, weaving past Lightning Tail and Hawk Swoop. Holding his breath, he stared down. Where are they? Clouds swallowed the moon. Flanks heaving, Thunder strained to see over the ferns. He narrowed his eyes. Beneath the branches of the oaks, he could make out the great rock. Three figures sat like stone at the top. They’re alive!

“Welcome back, Thunder.” Clear Sky’s yowl rang from below.

Thunder froze. His father stared at him from the middle of the clearing.

“I can smell your fear-scent,” Clear Sky sneered. Ripples of amusement sounded from the cats collected behind him.

“I’m not scared of you!” Thunder’s tail bushed with anger.

“ Really? ” Clear Sky padded to the bottom of the slope. “Then why did you bring so many cats?”

“We’re here to rescue Gray Wing and the others.”

Clear Sky lifted his tail. “Then come and get them.”

Thunder glanced at his camp mates . “Ready?”

Hawk Swoop met his gaze grimly. “How many cats does Clear Sky have?”

“More than us,” Thunder told her.

Lightning Tail squared his shoulders. “We have to save Gray Wing, Tall Shadow, and Jackdaw’s Cry.”

Shattered Ice glared into the hollow. “We have to show Clear Sky he can’t tell us what to do.”

Growls rumbled in the throats of his camp mates.

Frost showed his teeth. “Just let me get my claws into him.”

Thunder drew in a deep breath, fear darkening his thoughts. Clear Sky’s cats were ready for them. We’re ready for you.

“Attack!” He plunged down the slope, crashing through the ferns. Fear turned to energy fizzing in his paws as they hit the open clearing.

Pelts swarmed toward them. The air stank of the carrion scent of rogues. Didn’t Clear Sky care who fought for him? Shrieks seemed to claw at the night air as the moor cats raced among the forest cats.

Matted brown fur flashed at the edge of Thunder’s vision. He ducked as Snake leaped at him, dodging beneath the tom’s belly and slashing out with his forepaw as a tabby reared up. His claws pierced Snake’s fur, digging into flesh as he raked the tabby’s cheek.

“This is a battle you can’t win!” Snake hissed. “You’re outnumbered—and we’ve been training for this.”

“At least we know what we’re fighting for !” Thunder glanced at the great rock, relieved to see Gray Wing leap down into battle. He landed squarely on Dew’s back. The rogue she-cat yowled, eyes lighting with rage. Jackdaw’s Cry thumped onto the ground beside her. Tall Shadow slid into the sea of writhing pelts.

Pain sliced through Thunder’s muzzle. Snake had caught him with a vicious jab, and now blood sprayed the earth. He dodged low and sank his teeth into Snake’s forepaw, gasping as jaws clamped his neck. His heart lurched as he felt Snake bite down. Mind whirling, he tried to twist free before Snake could crush his spine like he would crush prey.

“Get off him!” Lightning Tail yowled. And then suddenly Snake was gone. Thunder leaped to his paws and saw Lightning Tail hauling Snake backward. The rogue’s hind paws churned the air as Lightning Tail lifted them off the ground, his claws hooked into Snake’s flanks. With a grunt, Lightning Tail heaved Snake away. Snake staggered backward and disappeared into the mass of writhing pelts.

“Are you okay?” Lightning Tail crouched beside Thunder.

Thunder straightened and shook out his fur. His scruff was wet with his own blood. “Yes,” he growled.

“They’re fighting to kill!” Lightning Tail’s eyes were wide.

“So will we.” Fury pulsing beneath his pelt, Thunder scanned the battle. Dappled Pelt reared to meet the slashing blows of a long-furred rogue. Shattered Ice struggled beneath a mottled brown-and-white she-cat. Wind Runner tore at Quick Water’s spine-fur with punishing hind claws. Gray Wing backed into the shadow of the great rock. Dew slashed at him, eyes slitted. Gray Wing fought back with a flurry of blows that sent the she-cat staggering, blood welling at her muzzle.

As he drove Dew toward her camp mates, Petal darted forward. The small yellow she-cat’s eyes flashed with hatred as she barged past Dew. “This one’s mine!” Hissing, she threw a hefty blow that caught Gray Wing on his ear.

He flinched.

“That’s for my brother, you murdering snake-heart!” Petal leaped onto Gray Wing’s back, sinking her teeth into his tail as she pounded his head with her hind paws. “You had no right to kill Fox!”

Dew lunged and bit Gray Wing’s forepaw. He stumbled and fell, Petal clinging to his back. Dew lunged again, claws outstretched, and raked Gray Wing’s flank, opening long, scarlet wounds in his pelt.

Thunder dived forward, shouldering his way between thrashing bodies. “Gray Wing!” Panic pounded in his ears. He reached out and dug his claws into Dew’s thick gray fur. Snagging flesh, he pulled her backward and tossed her to one side. She landed clumsily at Shattered Ice’s paws, eyes wide with surprise. Shattered Ice glanced down at her, then rearing, he slammed his paws hard into her exposed flank.

Thunder backed away as Gray Wing stretched onto his hind legs. Petal clung like a burr to his back. He twisted, snapping at her hind leg and she shrieked as his jaws clamped down on the bone, releasing her grip and thumping onto the ground.

Thunder leaped in beside Gray Wing. Tails to the rock, they faced the battling cats.

“Thanks,” Gray Wing panted. Blood streamed from his flank. His ear tip hung, torn and loose.

Thunder could feel his own pelt matted with blood. The air was rich with its stone tang as the screeching cats fought. “We’re not finished yet.”

“You’re not finished until Gray Wing’s dead!” Petal reared in front of them, claws glinting in the half-light. A tabby rogue slid in beside her and glared at them. As Petal dove for Gray Wing, he lifted his forepaws. Thunder reared as the tabby leaped at him. Together, he and Gray Wing met their attackers with a flurry of blows, batting them backward, step by step. Gray Wing knocked Petal away with a swinging blow that sent her reeling. She collapsed onto Gorse Fur, who turned and met her with another swipe.