HeatherClan Book: Chapter 9

Chapter 9: A Big Help

Lightningstar organized his warriors and apprentices."Bramblestripe, Brakenfoot, Oakstep, Iceshard, Toadface, Dustcloud, Fernstorm, Mousepelt, Flamepaw, Whitepaw, Eaglepaw, and Redpaw will help Brighshadow and I attack NightClan!" The chosen cats streamed out of their camp and were met by Graynight.

"I've gotten the kits back," he meowed breathlessly. "But we still need reinforcements!"

Graynight led the StormClan cats to the battleground, where the battle still raged.

Silverstar was still struggling with Darkstar, with Fernpaw darting in and out of his defenses, while Berrypaw, Dovepaw, and Willowpaw were all fighting their hardest against Icesoul, but they were evenly matched.

Goldenash and Flamefur fought against Sandpelt and Nightfall, and Graypaw had pinned Pepperpaw to the ground.

"Take that, prey-stealers!" Willowpaw hissed

Smokefoot bit Tigertail on the spine and he went limp. But Ashnose, who was fighting beside him, wasn't fooled. He landed some more violent blows on Tigertail's head until he crumpled. Then the two went on to fight Silentbush.

The battle wasn't going well for NightClan, and when they saw StormClan, they knew they were outnumbered.

Moonrain, Windflight, and Brightshadow defeated Voleface, while Lightningstar helped Sandpelt and Nightfall.

Somehow, Stripedpaw managed to sneak away and run back into the battle.

Many NightClan cats were wounded, but then, Flamefur and Blackpaw launched a savage attack on Fernpaw. One of her claws were torn out, and she got a huge gash on her shoulder.

Toadface and Dustcloud immediately escorted her back to the HeatherClan camp, where Spottedleaf and Jayfeather would help her. Right after that, Gracepelt fell with a yowl at Goldenash's paws.

The HeatherClan and StormClan cats still fought with all their might.

Soon, only Darkstar, Brokenear, Foxheart, Lostface, Bramblesun, Crookedclaw, Brightpaw, and Rockpaw were left in the fight. Darkstar finally called for their retreat.

"This isn't over yet!" he hissed. "NightClan needs more territory and prey, and if you don't give it to us, we will fight for it!"

"You can fight," panted Goldenfur. "But you will never win!"

"Oh yeah?" sneered Foxheart as he slinked away. "What will you do without help from your dear friends from StormClan?" He pointed to a pile of bodies nobody had noticed before with his tail. There lay Gracepelt, Oakstep, and Iceshard.

"No!" yowled Brightshadow. He ran over to Iceshard's body, for he had always secretly admired her. Then he examined Oakstep.

"Quick!" urged Bramblestripe. "Someone get the medicine cats!"

Instantly, Dovepaw and Eaglepaw darted away and came back with Spottedleaf, Jayfeather, Poppytail and Heatherleaf.

Spottedleaf tended to Gracepelt while Poppytail examined Iceshard. Jayfeather and Heatherleaf padded over to sniff Oakstep. Oakstep and Iceshard stirred, but Gracepelt didn't move.

Finally, the four cats declared that they were all alive, but that they would all need careful care, especially Gracepelt.

"We should dress their wounds here," decided Silverstar. "So we don't need to go so far. All of you, go back to camp. Except for the medicine cats, the hurt cats, me, Lightningstar, our deputies, and our apprentices."

All the heads nodded in agreement. Slowly, the cats who weren't hurt filtered off the battleground.

Then Jayfeather and Heatherleaf went off to get supplies, while Spottedleaf and Poppytail looked after the hurt cats.

"Goldenfur, Brightshadow, Willowpaw, Fernpaw, Flamepaw, and Gingerpaw, go gather as much moss and other bedding as you can," ordered Silverstar. Brightshadow, Flamepaw and Gingerpaw turned to Lightningstar for approval. He only nodded silently.

They set off immediately.

Jayfeather came back, so Spottedleaf told him to collect more cobwebs. He left too.

Silverstar padded cautiously over to Lightningstar. "Thank you for helping us," she meowed. "I'm sorry some your warriors got hurt."

"Injured and dead are two different words." Lighteningstar replied. At that moment, the apprentices came back with lots of moss.

"Put it around the patients," suggested Spottedleaf. The apprentices immediately obeyed. Soon, Gracepelt, Oakstep, and Iceshard all had nice comfortable nests.

"You can go back now," meowed Lightningstar to the apprentices. "You've had enough for today." Silverstar was glad to see that Lightningstar had recovered from the shock of having two of his warriors injured and at the brink of death.

Suddenly, Oakstep lifted her head weakly. "Did we win?" she asked.

"Yes," meowed Spottedleaf soothingly. "We did. Now rest. You are very weak, and we do not want your condition to get any worse than it already is."

"Eat these poppy seeds," instructed Poppytail.

Oakstep immediately complied and sank into a dreamless sleep.

Lighteningstar ordered the rest of the Stormclan to return to their camp.

Brightshadow hauled Iceshard onto Lighteningstar's shoulders, balancing her by gripping her scruff. Iceshard started groaning and moaning, and then she calmed, dropping into a sleep.

Then, Poppytail and Heatherleaf dragged Oakstep as gently as they could back to their safe home.