The Last Hope

Ratscar narrowed his eyes. “Stoatpaw,” he murmured. “You wanted a chance to practice your attack moves.” He nodded toward Lionblaze. “Go on. Try them.”

Stoatpaw’s whiskers twitched and the skinny ginger apprentice dropped into an attack crouch. Not him! Lionblaze bristled with frustration as the ShadowClan cat hurled himself forward. He reared up and batted Stoatpaw away. Who’s going to believe I was beaten by an apprentice? While Stoatpaw scrambled to his paws, Lionblaze glared at Ratscar. “Does ShadowClan send its apprentices into battle first?”

Ratscar drew back his lips, showing stained, yellow teeth.

Lionblaze pressed harder. “Do you want me to finish him off before I start on you?”

With a screech, Ratscar lunged toward Lionblaze.

“Help him!” Squirrelflight darted forward but Graystripe trapped her tail under one of his front paws.

“He started this fight,” the warrior growled. “Let him finish it.”

“No!” Lionblaze yowled as Ratscar hit him. Lionblaze lifted his paws to shield his face from the worst of the blows, but he didn’t attempt to strike back; they rained hard and fast and Lionblaze could feel clumps of fur being ripped from his cheeks and shoulders and flanks as he ducked down. Don’t fight back! Don’t fight back!

When he could feel blood running through his fur, he rolled over and thrust Ratscar away with his hind paws. They mustn’t think I let him win. Aware of his Clanmates watching in horror, Lionblaze swept out a paw and hooked Ratscar’s paws from under him in a classic battle move. But Ratscar was no fool. He leaped in time and Lionblaze caught nothing but leaves.

Claws pierced his pelt, reaching deep until Lionblaze screeched out loud. Is this what it feels like for other cats?

“Get off our land.” With a mighty heave, Ratscar shoved Lionblaze backward, sending him staggering over the border.

Teeth grabbed his scruff. “Enough!” Graystripe was pinning him to the ground. “Hold him!” he ordered Squirrelflight and Cloudtail.

Lionblaze felt their paws press him down. His muzzle scraped leaves as he struggled to see what was happening.

“I’m sorry.” Graystripe faced Ratscar. “We had no orders to cross into your territory.”

“Don’t ThunderClan warriors understand discipline?” Ratscar scolded. His eyes flashed with satisfaction.

“Tensions are running high in all the Clans,” Graystripe reminded him.

Dawnpelt flexed her claws. “In that case, you should go home.”

Stoatpaw paced the border, fur bushed. “Unless you really want a battle.”

Graystripe backed away with his ears flat. “Come on,” he growled to his patrol. “Let’s go.”

Lionblaze felt the paws lift from his spine and he jumped up. Pain seared beneath his pelt. It filled him with satisfaction. I don’t have to be invincible! Limping, he followed his Clanmates away from the border. I can choose my destiny!

“Tell Firestar that there will be a real battle if any more ThunderClan cats cross the border!” Ratscar yowled after them.

Graystripe stiffened, but kept his eyes fixed ahead. Lionblaze glanced sideways and caught Squirrelflight’s shocked gaze. They must think I’ve turned hare-brained. He lifted his chin and padded silently after his Clanmates.

“What in the name of StarClan did you think you were doing?” Graystripe suddenly turned on Lionblaze.

Squirrelflight wove between them. “He crossed the border deliberately.” She searched Lionblaze’s gaze. “Didn’t you? You were covering up a ThunderClan scent, weren’t you?”

Graystripe nosed Squirrelflight away. “He didn’t have to start a fight.”

Lionblaze pushed past the gray warrior. “I’m sorry, okay?”

Graystripe growled. “Let’s see what Firestar’s got to say.”

The patrol walked on in silence, tails twitching. Lionblaze winced with each paw step. Blood dripped into his eyes.

Cloudtail padded beside him. “Lean on me,” he murmured.

Lionblaze shook his head and quickened his pace. He was first back in camp.

“Lionblaze!” Sandstorm’s shocked mew greeted him as he wriggled through the thorns.

“What happened?” Spiderleg bounded across the clearing. Berrynose and Poppyfrost crowded around.

“ShadowClan patrol,” Lionblaze muttered.

Poppyfrost stared at him in amazement. “But you’re our best warrior.” She blinked as the rest of the patrol emerged from the barrier. “The ShadowClan patrol must have put up quite a fight.”

“Lionblaze?” Cinderheart’s mew made him turn to the fresh-kill pile, where she had been depositing a thrush. Lionblaze blinked the blood from his eyes and gazed at her.