Mapleshade took a deep breath as she got her cats together. She was furious about Bramblestar being back and taking her place as leader. She had done some things to help hurt his clan but nothing was leading up to this. Her personal army of dark forest cats were gathering around her, ready for the next training session. Mapleshade smiled as she saw how many followers she had.
"Okay, first we'll practice the killing bite!"
"I wan't Twilight and Fluttershy to each lead a hunting patrol. Spiderleg, I wan't you to do a border patrol near Windclan territory." Brightheart said, a high note of authority in her voice.
The three cats nodded and started to take their pick of warriors and apprentices. Bramblestar smiled with satisfaction as he saw two of his pony friends leading a patrol. After the clan found out Purdy was okay they started to relax. He sighed as he remembered Mapleshade's last words that day.
"I have not done anything to make my clan weak or fall apart." He thought angrily.
Octavia padded up to him, a slight smile on her face.
"Would you like to join Spiderleg and I on a border patrol?"
He got up and nodded. As they headed out the entrance he took one more look around to see all the cats busy. Outside of camp seemed to be just as busy as the inside. Animals were running about, not even noticing the cats. His paws itched to catch the easy pickings but knew he was on a border patrol, not a hunting patrol. They started to head for the Windclan border, when a black tom came out. Bramblestar recognized him as Crowfeather. His pelt was ruffled and he had blood dripping from a gash on his flank.
"Thank goodness you're hear Bramblestar! We need your help! The dark forest is invading again!"
Bramblestar gasped but shook his head so he could think clearly. He turned to his patrol.
"I want Spiderleg to come with me to Windclan camp. Octavia, I want you to head back to camp and collect as many warriors as you can!"
She nodded and ran. The two toms started to follow Crowfeather into Windclan territory. When they got to the camp it was in complete chaos. The most injured were being treated by the medicine cat while the battle raged on all around them. The fighting warriors were trying to beat down the army but were losing fast. Bramblestar jumped into battle, clashing with a dark forest tom. He dodged his claws as they came towards his throat, then bit the cat's neck. He held on tight until the body went limp. More of his warriors flooded into the camp, overpowering the dark army.
"Help!"
Bramblestar looked to see a queen being attacked by a large ginger she cat. He leaped towards her, only to be knocked out of the air by Mapleshade. He hissed in rage, raking his claws on her muzzle. She pinned him down and clawed at his exposed belly.
"No one will save you now!" She spat.
Just then Applejack leaped at her, causing Mapleshade to lose her grip. He got up and looked for the queen but she was nowhere in sight. Fluttershy screamed and he headed towards her. She was trying to defend a small kit against the same ginger she cat. The queen he had seen earlier was lying dead near the nursery. He hissed and leaped at the she cat.
"You will pay for harming a queen, you piece of foxdung!"
He clawed a large gash in her throat, then released her. She only got a few tail lengths away when she collapsed dead. Mapleshade gave a loud yowl.
"Retreat!" She screeched.
All the cats ran out of the camp. Onestar headed over to him.
"I'm, I'm so sorry I killed you.....I thought you kept stealing pray." The leader said, with a bow of his head, usually for lower ranked cats.
"I forgive you. Now, if you would excuse me, my clan and I need to go home."
The leader nodded. Bramblestar gathered his clan and headed out the entrance and towards his own territory.
"How much more of this can we take?" He thought to himself sadly.