Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“Haha, I’ll be fine. Cinderpelt said it should only take a few days to recover” she said with a casual chuckle, trying to put off his worry, looking down at the gash she had received, covered with cobwebs and leafs, Leafpaw’s handywork no doubt. She smiles up at him, her eyes tired and drowsy “You run along now, don’t be worrying about me, you have duties to attend to” she ruffles the fluff on his head.

“Alright, love you mom” he purrs, though worry still tugs at his heart.

“I love you too sweetie” Goldenflower purrs, resting her head on her paws as she laid in the nest in the medicine den.

Brambleclaw smiled at her words, before he left to attend to his warrior duties. He had hunting to do alongside Dustpelt, Cloudtail, and Squirrelpaw.

That was 12 days ago

She had been getting better for a while but then suddenly she wasn’t. Intense headaches, nausea, an increasing state of anxiety; all of those were things that the three patients were experiencing.

It had been a routine hunting patrol where she got her injuries, Shrewpaw, Rainwhisker, and Goldenflower. The three had rushed back to camp in a bloody state. From Shrewpaw’s frantic explanation, a particularly aggressive fox had rushed the patrol, sinking its fangs into Shrewpaw. Rainwhisker didn’t fair much better against the canine. Being the fiercely protective molly she was, Goldenflower fought off and landed the killing blow on the animal, though not before taking a painful bite on the shoulder.

The symptoms only got worse from there, Shrewpaw seemed to be in a state of delusion, babbling incoherently. The agitated shrieks of Rainwhisker would regularly wake the camp in the dead of night. Cats had stopped being allowed in the medicine den to visit them, the three even being quarantined In a separate section of the den. Leafpaw could only fret as Cinderpelt seemingly had no idea what was happening, this wasn’t something Yellowfang had ever taught her to deal with. Barkface from Windclan, mudfur of riverclan, and Littlecloud from Shadowclan had even payed a visit at Cinderpelts request to assist with the strange illness. “White mouth” was what they dubbed it, from the foam that frothed from the infected cats maws as they rapidly deteriorated, that seemed to be the distinctive symptom of the ailment.

Brambleclaw was getting increasingly worried for his mother. Firestar had been his shoulder to lean on, his mentor comforting him through his worry as things got worse.

That was 4 days ago.

Rainwhisker and Shrewpaw had bolted out of camp, the now aggressive apprentice digging his teeth into Mousefur’s shoulder and pulling off a chunk of flesh on the way out. Frostfur took a nasty bite to her forearm from Rainwhisker. The shrieks as the maddened clanmates sprinted into the dim night had put the clan on high alert. Goldenflower looked so different than when he was last able to see her as she prowled out of the medicine den. Her once beautiful golden pelt now disheveled, her body skinny malnourished, foamy white dripping from the sides of her cheeks, a constant uneven growl building in her throat; her eyes were unfocused, empty yet full of madness and hunger. She lunged at her son, powerful jaws aimed for his throat. Brambleclaw didn’t have it in him to react, luckily Firestar was quick to protect his former apprentice, delivering a blow to her face before she could lay a claw on the shocked brown tom. The orange tom grasped her scruff in his jaws, throwing her across the clearing. The queen stands, ready to continue her assault, but a brief moment of realization flashes in her strained and frenzied eyes before she turns to bolt out of camp.

That was today.

The sun had risen a few hours ago, it was doubtful that any cat returned to sleep after the nights interruption. Brambleclaw felt like his world had collapsed, tears falling down the soft fur of his cheeks while Firestar had his tail draped over his back comfortingly. The leader was struggling to calm the confused and on edge clan, it wasn’t everyday three of your clanmates up and left after mauling whoever got in their way. Brambleclaw was adamant to go searching for Goldenflower, but Firestar ordered him to stay in camp, sending out another patrol instead.

Leafpaw was in the medicine den, having recently patched up Mousefur’s shoulder. It was a gnarly wound but she would live, Leafpaw was getting really good at treating those wounds. She watches Cinderpelt’s pet snail idly as it slowly slithers around the herb stores. As guilty as it made her feel, a part of her was glad that the three had fled, the medicine den had felt unsafe with them in it. She’d even resorted to staying in the leaders den at night, nestled safely between her mom and dad.

Cinderpelt padding into the den shakes her from her thoughts, the medicine cat had been discussing with Firestar last she saw her. She inspects Mousefur’s tended wound before smiling at her apprentice, “you’re getting better” she comments with her signature kind smile. “Firestar sent out some patrols to find them, though with the condition those cats were in I doubt they’ll have any luck” the black furred she cat informs Leafpaw. “Why don’t you go give some Brambleclaw some thyme, he’s still pretty shaken up” Cinderpelt gives her something to do, a simple task to take the apprentice’s mind off of things.

Leafpaw nodded, she still remembered the events of the last few hours very vividly. It was something out of a nightmare the panic and pained voices of cats being attacked can only be top with the anguish of the infected, their growls and guttural noises they made, she had never heard anything like it. She approached the shakey Tom who was being tended to by her father. Firestar gave her a nod seeing her approach slowly. "Here Brambleclaw. This should help you relax a bit." she said leaving the bundle of herbs in front of the tom. she sat beside her father who encouraged the younger tom to eat the herbs.

Brambleclaw blinked away some more tears and did as he was told. Chewing the herbs slowly his mouth felt dry from all the panic and stress. He laid his head back down quietly and prayed that Starclan would look over his mother and Rainwhisker and Shrewpaw. He should have stayed with her he thought. He should have insisted with Cinderpelt. Now they are Starclan knows where.

Squirrelpaw did as her father said and did not go with the patrol but she went out edge of camp and peered out as far as she could without leaving the Thunderclans camp. After sometime of not seeing anything she sighed and marched back to the medicine cats den seeing her sister and father doting over the tabby warrior. She slowly padded in and took a seat on the side opposite of her father. She lightly brushed his back with her tail. She hated seeing the cat she loved suffer like this. Whatever was going on she prayed that Cinderpelt and Leafpaw would find someway to help the three runaway cats.

"You didn't even try to sleep did you?" Firestar asked Squirrelpaw

"I didnt leave the camp... They are gonna find them right?" She asked him

Firestar was unsure of what to say he only glanced toward Cinderpelt who was busy going through her herb stashes she herself didn't know what to do but she would do her best to help.

Meanwhile a small patrol comprised of Greystripe, Ashfur, Sorreltail, Dustpelt and two new apprentices padded through the surrounding woods in search of the cats

"Goldenflower! Shrewpaw! Rainwhisker!" Greystripe called out at the annoyance of Dustpelt and Ashfur, they felt like searching in the middle of the night would do them no good. Luckily Ashfur began striking up conversation with the new female apprentice Lilypaw, young pretty thing who has soft cream colored fur with amber eye, very firm tight body she's almost as mature as Sorreltail.

"If anything pops out at us just stick close to me huh?" he whispers in her ear

The apprentice just smiles "S-Sure." being polite to the warrior, Sorreltail rolled her eyes knowinf the sleezy tom was doing and hated how he could just be so perverted at a time like this. At least he wasnt doing it to her... though a part of her missed it when he did... she realized how messed up that was and focused at the task at paw.

Brambleclaw is at least a little comforted by the three cats surrounding him, Squirrelpaw’s unusually gentle brushing of his back combined with the herbs finally kicking in are enough to sooth the dread that had been building seemingly endlessly ever since the incident. His eyes are strained and red from crying, if it wasn’t for the circumstances he would’ve been embarrassed to be seen like this.

Firestar doesn’t miss the frantic way his medicine cat sorts through her herbs, her forepaws shaking. She was just as unsure and on edge as the rest of them, even if she was good at hiding it. “They’ll do their best” is the best answer the leader has for his daughter, he wishes he could say more but he still didn’t have a decent grasp on everything that was happening.

“I need to go sort out the clan, I want you three to stay in here alright?” Firestar speaks, giving Brambleclaw’s forehead a gentle lap to lull him as he seems to be dozing off. He knows his feisty daughter isn’t one to just want to sit around so he levels himself with the short apprentice, “keep an eye on them, alright. Other than that, I want you to rest, same for you Leafpaw” the stressed leader meows. Squirrelpaw perks up a little, “I will papa!” She purrs, curling her fluffy tail around brambleclaw, at least as far around as she can on the large cat. “That’s my little warrior” he smiles gently, giving each of his daughters a lap on the forehead before padding out of the den to check up on the clan.

Cinderpelt works at sorting through their stashes, trying to figure out what herbs might help with the infection. Their herb cache already wasn’t looking too good, they weren’t very stocked up even before the infection showed up. He had intended to send Leafpaw out again for more, but it was bad idea now with the state of things, especially with the increased presence of trespassers that patrols had started scenting even if they hadn’t ran into anyone yet.

The dark gray she cat eyes the red tinged berries that were tucked away in the medicine dens stores. The death berries a last resort that she fretted she would have to utilize soon if the infection continued spreading, with how much it deteriorated the poor cats inflicted. She’d order for Mousefur and Frostfur to be moved into the den to be quarantined in the back, with their wounds patched up from their clanmate’s frenzied escape Cinderpelt could only hope that whatever they had wasn’t contagious and speed to the two warriors.

The older medic meows to Leafpaw where she was huddling by her sister and Brambleclaw. “Leafpaw, could you dispose of and replace the nests in the back, I want fresh ones put in for Mousefur and Frostfur. Be careful with them, we don’t know they’re contaminated or not” Cinderpelt tasks her apprentice.

Out in the forest, the patrol had traveled pretty far into their territory in search for their sick clanmates. The warriors were able to pick up on feint traces of the missing cats’ scents only to lose it, it seemed they ran wildly possibly even splitting up. They didn’t particularly have a good strategy to bring them back or quell their agitation if they were still out of it, but they would cross that bridge when they came to it.

Dustpelt sighs with frustration, “I swear they were going this way, but it just seems to stop” he looks around the area, how could cats that were just on their deathbed be so hard to track down. The search party has ended up close to sunningrocks, vague traces of Goldenflower’s sickly scent around the rocky area.

The soft swooshing sound of the river is audible to the cats as the water flows along as usual. What wasn’t usual was the almost completely absent scent of Riverclan at the border, it seemed they hadn’t bothered with marking their side as of late, and did the water seem darker than usual?

Lillypaw looks a little nervous given the tension in the air. Ashfur brushes up against the small females side, their fur rubbing together. “Don’t worry, you’ve got me here with ya” the ashy tom smirks, acting like a strong protector for her to lean on.

“Hey, up ahead” Graystripe calls out, the deputy’s ears perked, “I think I heard something” the fluffy tom looks into the treeline around sunningrocks. There’s an audible rustle in the foliage, alerting the search party.

The warriors brace themselves as rushing pawsteps approach the treeline, Ashfur standing in front the apprentice. Within a few seconds pops out a panting silvery blue furred she cat, her pelt unkempt and her eyes wide. Graystripe’s stance lessens as he looks at her, the molly almost leaps to latch onto the deputy.

“Feathertail? What’s wrong?” Graystripe asks as his daughter practically buried herself in the safety of his fluffy chest. “What do you think you’re doing on Thunderclan territory!” Dustpelt demands with a growl, watching her suspiciously.

The molly catches her breath, “I-I just… I had to get out” her lungs burn and her paws tremble, “P-please, dad, let me shelter in Thunderclan” she asks with a shaky voice. “Hey, shh, you’re alright” Graystripe comforts her, “what’s happened? Where is Stormfur?” He questions, worry prickling in his stomach, something was clearly wrong.

“We-I… we got separated, we were fleeing with Hawkfrost and Mistyfoot and a few others, I think he ended up heading into Shadowclan territory” Feathertail explains quickly, huddling closer to her father. “Fleeing? What’s got you so spooked?” He speaks softly. The way his ears pin back gives away his unease, proud warriors like Hawkfrost and Mistyfoot wouldn’t leave Riverclan without good reason, had something big happened? Was that why their borders were left ignored?

“I don’t know what it is but everyone’s acting strange, we-“ she’s stops talking as loud splashes of water sound from the river, multiple in rapid succession along with twisted growls, “n-no! We-we have to go, now!” Her voice grows high with panic as her gorgeous fur bristles and her muscles tense up defensively.

Dustpelt growls, “Riverclan! That fucking whore set us up!” The brown tom prepare to attack Feathertail but stops, his face contorting with surprise as he spots the cats writhing in the water coming towards them. Six unkempt Riverclan cats are locked onto the search party as they swim towards the riverbank, their eyes empty and hungry, their pelts thin and ragged some sporting injuries no cat should be able to move with, their jaws hitched open as they snarl and bite at the air. All of them resembled the sorry state of the three cats they had been searching for, Graystripe can recognize Mudfur amongst the horde, the usually passive medicine cat hissing with rage as he latched his claws to the bank pulling himself up. A rustle from the tree line brings their attention to two familiar twisted faces as Shrewpaw gargles, clawing his way out of a fern he got caught in, and Goldenflower shrieks with a hungry rage that’s loud enough to startle birds from the tops of the trees, the massive queen stomping her way to her clanmates with a very obvious intent to harm.

Ashfur suddenly doesn’t feel like standing his ground in front of the apprentice, backing up slowly. Dustpelt and Sorreltail look intimidated by the sheer number of cats hostile to them, claws unsheathing as they watch them approach. “What in the name of Starclan do we do here? Should we run, they look like they want to kill us?” Sorreltail steps back, looking to Graystripe for orders. The gray tom narrows his eyes as they swarm of cats claw their way closer, yowling and snarling, his daughter still looks winded from presumably running all the here. “Ashfur, take the apprentices and circle around back to camp. The rest of us need to take a detour, we can’t risk leading them right to camp!” He shouts, tail lashing with adrenaline. “To the treeline, run!” He orders before grabbing Feathertail by the scruff and carrying her like a kit as him and others bolt into the forest, the frenzied cats following the larger group into a deeper part of the territory away from camp, leaving Ashfur and the apprentices a chance to slip away.

Chapter Text

*Sometime Before*

Springfur a handsome riverclan cat has been hold up in a small cave with some cats from riverclan. Their leader Leopardstar refused to believe Mothwing that there was something wrong with the drinking water. She wouldn't fucking listen. Now people are scared to step outside of camp for any reason. The medicine cat den is over capacity and is even turning away cats even kits. Cats are desperate while Leopardstar tucks herself away in her den with all the food she could need. She says anyone who tries to leave will be charged with exile or worse.

"Hey come on its time to eat." a female Riverclan cat called to Springfur.

"Coming-" he said but as he was about to leap from his guard post he swore he heard something that sounded like screams coming from the medicine cats den and cats began pouring out running and fighting... the screams echo... the blood

it was only a matter of time before the infected spread out seeking any non infected. Those who did not run did not survive.

*Back to present*

Springfur who was once a young handsome tom was now morphed into an unreconisable monster. His fur matted his fur sunken in and veins bulging out his spine popping out his back tearing his skin and fur yet somehow he moves even with one of his paws facing the opposite direction he ran full sprint with a similar looking groups of cats with a bestial hunger in their expression.

Greystripe led the other cats toward the thunderpath trying to lose the feral cats chasing them. Hearing their hisses and growls gaining on them. He did not want to hear this he couldn't believe this is happening. He's never felt his heart pump this fast in a long time the group of cats scattered trying to lose their pursuers within the dense foliage and grass. Greystripe pushed his daughter in an opening in a tree where they both hid catching their breaths. Slowly hearing the hissing and scrambling getting farther for now.

Ashfur did as they said a led the two apprentices flanking to the left with the two young cats. The choir of feral hissing and growling get louder and louder. It's like the gates of the shadow-forest had opened wide for all to hear. The other cats did as Greystripe ordered them to do and took a detour towards the thunderpath to try and lose the feral cats. He didn't know what was going on all he knew was the cats were not acting like normally would... a planned out ambush would not have gone down like that. He was actually feeling scared... he heard a scream from Dirtpaw the dumb motherfucker tripped and fell Lilypaw stayed close to Ashfur and was about to go to help Dirtpaw but some of the feral cats followed them and were closing in Ashfur said to Lilypaw

"Get in the bush and hide... I will help him."

she did as she was told and got into a nearby bush. The grey warrior approached the downed apprentice who said

"Please help... I cant run anymore..." He panted and reached out grabbing Ashfurs foot. Ashfur rolled his eyes but then saw the approaching feral cats and knew what he had to do... or more-so wanted to do... He looked down at the hopeless apprentice said

"Let go of me... DAMMIT FOXDUNG I SAID LET GO!"

and stomped his face several times till his nose started bleeding, Ashfur then ran ahead and joined Lilypaw in the bush as the zombies descended on the apprentice and started devouring him ripping him to shreads his screams of terror filling the night air... Lily looked on in horror seeing her friend be murdered she felt the warmth of Ashfur pull her close and hold her

"Shh shh it's alright... I got ya...." He knew it wasn't the best time but if there was a chance he was going to die... he might as well do what he wants. He licks the apprentices neck and straddling her, she squeaked but he growled in her ear

"Stay quiet or else we are both dead."

Meanwhile back in camp

Brambleclaw has finally calmed down and fallen asleep with Squrrielpaw watching over him. She felt so bad for the tom. She always said he was annoying but that was far from the turth, she was crazy about the tom. She would do anything for him but shed never tell him that.

Leafpaw was doing as her mentor said being extra careful with the moss and leaves and taking the remains outside of the den and burying them as deep as she could while she dug and dug she heard the shrieks of dark terrors in the forest and swore amongst it she heard someone begging for help...

"Who.... That sounds like..." she couldn't recall his but she feared the worst. She bounded back inside the medicine cats den and began working on setting out fresh moss out for the warriors. After she was done Mousefur anf Frostfur were brought to their fresh beds thankful to the young medicne cat apprentice for being so attentive. Leafpaw then padded next to her mentor and whispered

"Cinderpelt. I heard something in the woods. It... it sounded like screams.... Should we..."

"Don't even think about it.... Just focus on your work here... whatever is going on tonight I fear it will take more than a few herbs to solve." Cinderpelt sighed not looking away from her work.

——

Stonefur had been a noble warrior, a model tom that all of Riverclan’s apprentices aspired to be like. His corpse had now lay under a shallow grave, had it not been for a few sympathetic true clanmates his body would have just been left to rot to carrion out in the open for the vultures and flies to feast upon. The worms had gotten lucky it seemed as the huge tom layed beneath the shallow earth and sand, the water from the river he grew up by leaking into his tomb. While much of him rotten away, there were still enough of him left to be recognizable, enough tendons unrotted to move his putrid body.

But that was preposterous, he had been gone for seasons, a mourned clanmate and brother that now resides with the stars; there was no way that his broken body would ever see the light of day again. That was what the cats of Riverclan would assume before his decayed self had joined the onslaught on the camp, along with dozens of other maimed and rabid like cats. Something had changed, a true anomaly occurred when the mad water seeped into his body and tainted his resting flesh. As his muscular arms clawed his way out of his early grave his decayed mind and ravenous eyes were set on only one thing, and the Riverclan cats knew that well as their fearful gazes bore back at his as they fled from their ruined home.

——

Graystripe held his daughter close, hoping that the tree will provide enough shelter to catch their breath. The others had seemingly bolted away from the ravenous cats, taking cover on the other side of the Thunderpath. The pavement rumbles as some of the corpse like felines stood on the path, their hollow gazes searching for their prey. Graystripe hadn’t even registered the piercing wail that struck through the air on a repetitive loop, his daughter’s ears pinned back at the harsh noise but their pursuers seemed keen on focusing their attention on the loud sound.

From further down the Thunderpath a strangely proportioned monster sped forward, sporting a variety of red and white on its metallic pelt. The monster’s shriek pierces the air, over and over again like mewling kitten. It radiates a flashing red and blue light that captures the infected cats’ full attention. The beams of concentrated light that spew out of the fowl smelling beast’s eyes highlight one of the twisted cats, the vicious feline cocking its head towards the towering figure rolling towards it faster than a windclan moor runner. Before Graystripe can even blink, the cat is flattened as the monster soars past, leaving only fleshy red streaks of viscous behind. Feathertail stifles a squeak of horror at the nauseating sound heard under the monsters wailing, burying her face in Graystripe’s neck fluff to shield herself from outside world. As fast as it came, the monster went, its noise drawing away the rancid cats pursuing them.

What ghoulish cats hadn’t been crushed into a fine past under it’s rubbery round paws were sent flying away into Shadowclan territory, if they hadn’t died from the impact they were certainly maimed. The ragged horde hissed and yowled with their strained vocal cords as they follow the monster into the distance, one of the cats struck directly by it dragging its mangled body down the path. Graystripe can see one of the cats he recognized well, Goldenflower’s massive form, standing on the path. The queen doesn’t seem to give into the chase like the majority of them, instead stomping her way back into the forest with a degraded snarl.

Time passes as they hear all the noise dwindle further away until everything is quiet, the two holding their breath as if any modicum of sound would bring the world down on them. Normally no less than a few minutes would pass between monsters storming their way down the Thunderpath, but it seemed completely empty now aside from the large one that distracted the horde, something was definitely off.

“Come on, I know it’s scary but we have to get back to camp. I promise it’ll be safe there” Graystripe reassured his kit. He didn’t have the energy to scruff her this time, instead nudging her along as he started to lead her back to Thunderclan camp now that they lost the threat. Both of them tried not to think of Stormfur, they could only pray to starclan that the tom was fairing better than them. Graystripe could scent Dustpelt and the others ahead, they must’ve lost the ambushing cats as well. The two sped up to regroup, their ears perked as they could hear the shouting on the other part of the forest. Graystripe knew it best not to investigate the yowling, regrouping with the others and getting Feathertail to safety was his top priority.

——-

The trembling apprentice stiffens in Ashfur’s controlling grasp. She can’t tell which is more frightening at the moment, the fleshy tearing of her friend being cannibalized by those deranged cats, or Ashfur’s opportunistic groping of her and the way he excitedly breathes down her neck, ruffling her well groomed fur with warm puffs of air. The gray tom’s heart beats fast, the adrenaline still pumping through his system. Her smaller body tenses up as Ashfur eases his hips forward into her, a rough forepaw moving to cover her lips to muffle her noises of uncomfort.

Dirtpaw’s yowls had since gone quiet, the only noise Lilypaw could focus on was the sick tearing of flesh and her clanmate’s perverted breathing. Ashfur went back and forth between whispering sweet nothings and barely concealed threats into her soft ears as continued his motions. Her hind legs quiver, tail trying curl between them, but Ashfur just swats it away and continues violating the apprentice.

His increasing grunts and growls are muffled as he nips her scruff, the sheer thrill of doing something so wrong in such dangerous circumstances giving him an ecstasy he hadn’t felt in a long time. Lilypaw whimpers as she bites her lip, terrified that the tom’s sounds would draw their assailants. His forepaw curls tighter around her muzzle as his motions grow unsteady and hasty, ending in a muffled yowl into the nape of her neck as he finishes inside her.

“See, that wasn’t so bad was it? I just had to take the chance, you know? Since we could die and all that” He whispers into her ear, letting his tongue glide along her fur. At least if he was going to die today he would die getting his rocks off. He lays next to the apprentice, still holding her muzzle silent as they watch the figures outside the safety of their bush. The ashy tom keeps the apprentice between him and the enemy cats, if they found them she would make a decent distraction for him to get away.

“Nice and still, just like that” his voice is as low as if he was stalking a mouse, “just wait for them to run off and we’ll go back to camp” his ear twitches as he hears the deranged cats tear a particularly large piece off of the apprentice they were bundled over. “It should be obvious, but don’t tell anyone about what I did, you won’t live long if you do” he adds threateningly.

——-

Hawkfrost hissed as specs of loose dirt dribbled down onto his pristinely groomed pelt, the howl of the moor lands wind echoing throughout the underground tunnel we was being led through. Self preservation was a powerful motivator, he had no second thoughts about breaking away from the remaining Riverclan cats as they fled for Shadowclan once more of their crazed clanmates charged them. He had regrets about leaving his sister behind, but she would be just fine in Shadowclan. Taking refuge in Windclan was the better bet in his eyes, the wide open fields would allow him to see those damned freaks better than the thick pine forest in Shadowclan, not to mention that he knew cats there that could be convinced to take him in, or rather one cat that would.

The Riverclan warrior twines his tail with Mudclaw’s as the bulky tom leads him further underground, the Windclan cat tensed but didn’t seem to mind the gesture. When he had arrived at Windclans camp he was surprised to find it empty and hastily abandoned by the warriors, it wasn’t until Tallstar and Mudclaw found him lurking about on the surface that they explained that the clan had retreated into the old tunnels for safety and invited him in when he mentioned the situation in his home clan. From what the two cats had explained they were experiencing a similar outbreak of the of the same affliction wreaking havoc through Riverclan, though they seemed much more capable of dealing with it.

“You’re a guest here, but you’ll still be expected to pull your weight given the circumstances. We lost some good warriors and we need all the able hunters and fighters we can get right now” Mudclaw explained ushering Hawkfrost into a larger cleared out area the Windclan cats were using as an underground camp, many anxious looking warriors, elders, kits and queens huddled around, a few of the senior warriors were spending their time vigorously digging to expand their new sanctuary.

A new voice joins their conversation.

“Soon I’ll be a big tough warrior like you and I’ll be able to hunt and keep the clan safe!” A young voice squeaks determinedly, Hawkfrost spots a young looking tom skip up to them seemingly not phased or aware of the cloud of unease that hung over the rest of the cats. The Riverclan tom’s icy keen eyes spot the faintest trace of a smile crease Mudclaw’s lips at the eager apprentice’s bright demeanor, like the naive tom brought a sense of normalcy to the dreadful situation. It was rare to see the warrior’s demeanor soften like that.

“I’m sure you’ll train to be proud warrior Gorsepaw, but I’m afraid your training is going to be delayed for a while” Mudclaw knew that with everything going on Tallstar wanted the inexperienced apprentice away from all the danger that now seemed to be stalking the moors.

“Now run along now, I’m sure the elders could use a ‘paw” he dismisses Gorseaw, the young tom letting out a little whine before padding over to where the few remaining elders layed, his attitude peeking up again. Mudclaw and Hawkfrost sat by the tunnel that lead them to the new camp, there was no need to show him around and give him a tour of the camp like a usual newcomer, it was cramped enough to see where everyone had settled in from the entrance.

They could see where Tallstar had moved to address a few warriors, most likely organizing a hunting patrol. The prey pile had been near constantly empty since cats started falling ill with whitemouth, with most hunting patrols returning little yield at best or being scared back underground by infected. It wasn’t the only kind of patrol Tallstar wanted to organize, the leader had been wanting to get Barkface to the moonstone ever since the other medicine cats showed up seeking help with the same illness, Starclan surely had answers for them. Mudclaw nudges his friend towards the leader, planning on volunteering them both to support the clan.

“I told you, I’m fine. And so what if they see me, my days are numbered anyways. The more cats we have out there the less our kits go without prey. I’m more of threat staying here with them, I should be out there with what time I have left!” Deadfoot argued against his leader as the two approached, Tallstar was adamant that the ill deputy stayed in camp. Deadfoot had gotten bit days earlier while protecting his patrol, they knew there wasn’t much time left before he started showing more severe symptoms. Barkface had some death berries stored away with what little herbs he had, prepared to ensure that the deputy had a peaceful passing compared to some of their more unlucky clanmates when the affliction first started. Despite his concern for his deputy Tallstar was starting to relent, objectively it made sense and he knew that Deadfoot was one of his most competent cats.

Mudclaw took a breath, he knew he had to start preparing himself to take on Deadfoot’s responsibilities. Tallstar had pulled him aside the previous day, confiding in him that he was next in line after the inevitable end of their current deputy. He knew it was going to be challenging especially during all of this, but he was willing to step up for his clan. Losing clanmates, chased out of their camp, it reminded the mottled tom of life after being chased out by Brokenstar’s Shadowclan. Hawkfrost could feel the larger tom tense up besides him and rests his fluffy tail on his friend’s shoulder in reassurance, he could be nice sometimes.

——-

Leafpaw could see warriors working intently with an urgency she hadn’t seen of them before. The cats gathering tough plants, bark from trees, and anything else they could use to fortify their home. She tried not to think of the noises in the usually comforting forest, she dreaded the idea of going out to gather herbs with how tense everything felt.

By the time the sun was beginning to lower in the sky the patrol had returned to camp, Brambleclaw one of the first cats to pad up to them. Graystripe sighed as he solemnly shook his head at the young warrior’s questions about his mother’s whereabouts, Brambleclaw’s tail drooping in return. The large tabby chirps in alarm at the tail that suddenly rested on his shoulder before realizing it was just Firestar reassuring him, his kind green eyes full of pity for his apprentice.

“What happened Graystripe?” The leader meows inquisitively, glancing at the Riverclan molly tucked by his deputy’s side.

“More cats are acting strange, just like Goldenflower and the others. We almost got done in at the Riverclan border. We lured most of them away from camp before doubling back, Ashfur led the apprentices back, he should be back by now” The fluffy gray tom explains.

By now more cats were starting to gather around them, listening intently to their deputy’s report. Cinderpelt had limped over with Leafpaw right behind her.

“We ran into Feathertail as well, her clanmates also had the affliction” Graystripe turns to his kit, pressing his nose to her forehead fatherly “can you tell us what happened in Riverclan?” He asks, tail curling around her.

Feathertail takes a few tentative pawsteps forward, bringing her gaze up to meet the leader’s. “It.. um.. it started with the water we think, cats that drank from the river started falling ill. Mudfur thought it was just a stomach bug making the rounds but then they started getting worse, started acting different. Leopardstar starting exiling cats as they got sick, patrols would encounter them violent and unkempt. T-There were so many of them when they attacked, even cats we didn’t recognize were there. There was so much yowling and screaming, I didn’t know what to do until Leopardstar called for an evacuation…” the molly explains her story, her voice shaky as she presses closer to her fathers comforting pelt.

“We were running for Shadowclan territory, but we stopped, Mistyfoot was arguing with Leopardstar, trying to go back for the kits and elders. I didn’t even realize they were left behind” Feathertail sounds guilty, “we stood around while they had a headed argument, me and Stormfur were trying to keep Mothwing from running off to look for her brother. We must have stayed in one place for too long because more of them found us, grabbing and tearing at anyone they could get their claws on. I swore that… that Stonefur was one of them, he practically tore a warrior in half on his own”

“There were so many cats that I just ran until I found you, I think Stormfur got away but.. I can’t be certain” her voice is low, “it sounds crazy, but I’m telling the truth” she concludes, her tail twitching uneasily as she relived the days memories.

The cats gathered around looked on with wide eyes and bristles fur at the tale of Riverclans experience. Many questions were shouted out, fear and panic taking hold as if they thought their clan was next.

“I-It’s in the water? How are we supposed to drink safely? What if it’s in our prey as well”

“She could be infected, we should throw her out!”

“How do we know this isn’t some Shadowclan scheme?!”

A commanding yowl from Firestar silences the crowd. “Enough, stay calm and we’ll handle this situation reasonably. Feathertail can stay here for the time being, she’s an excellent warrior and knows more about what’s going on than us” he announces, the authority in his tone seeming to calm his clan, “Once the camp is more secure I am going to journey to the moonstone to seek guidance from starclan; until then, I don’t want anyone leaving camp alone for any reason, especially at night. Furthermore, there will now be two cats guarding the camp at night”

Leafpaw listens to her father as he addresses the clan, setting every cat at ease as much as he can. “I hope Mudfur and Mothwing are okay” she murmurs out to her mentor, she was fond of the medicine cats and felt a pit in her stomach at the thought of them in such danger.

—-

The ringing and chaos of the hospital were enough to drive anyone crazy. But for the last day and a half, it was hell. People came flooding in with similar symptoms. One of the nurses on staff, Lucia Morales, just started here last week. She sat in the break room, rubbing her forehead. The doctors are at each other's throats, looking for solutions to treat these new patients' illnesses. High fever, vomiting, swelling. Lucia recalled this small girl she was treating could not even speak as she tore her vocal cords, coughing up so much blood. She got up, walked over to the break room counter, and began pouring herself a cup of tea. Before she could take a sip, her eyes looked up at the breakroom TV, and there was a news report; apparently, some forest ranger was doing a special on some local wildlife as part of an education program.

The forest ranger, a somewhat handsome man named Quinn Carney, was trudging along by a river. He wanted to observe some bait he had left out earlier and see if any animals were eating it. Quinn's happy-go-lucky expression shifted from delight to terror when they reached the outlook.

"Tom, get back..." Quinn whispered. The cameraman, who at this point still had the camera on, asked back, confused, "Why, what's the matter?" As he turned the camera, he revealed a deer that had been mauled and eaten by a pack of smaller animals that slowly turned their heads toward the cameraman, the glow of their nocturnal eyes hauntingly beaming into the two men.

"Are those fucking cats?" the cameraman asks.

One of them, this larger one with golden fur, twisting muscle, and veins popping from its body, stood atop the carcass of the once mighty creature and let out a feral sound, something no normal forest predator would make. The cats began chasing the TV men, but the cameraman tripped, dropping the camera. The last image we see is of Tom being swarmed as he begs for Quinn's help before the news station stops the broadcast. Lucia drops the cup out of shock. Before she had time to clean it up, another nurse burst into the break room.

"Lucia, we need you out here. We have patients going hysteric." The nurse says, clutching her arm where some blood trickled down.

"What the fuck happened?" Lucia asked as she grabbed some wraps from a nearby cabinet and patched up her co-worker.

"That little girl, she fucking bit me. It took three other nurses to get her restrained, and she's not the only one." the nurse explained; after getting bandaged, the nurses ventured down to the main atrium, where they were holding all of their new patients. Lucia paused, seeing the girl she was helping; what was once a sweet child now looked like a demon from hell; her eyes almost popping out of her head, veins bulging as blood streamed from her mouth, only covered by a gag the faculty fashioned to keep her from biting people. She strained and struggled against her bindings with the strength of someone more than triple her size. She jumped as someone grabbed her shoulder, seeing it was her fellow nurse.

"Focus Morales. We need your head in the game. We got an ambulance inbound go and help them bring in the new patients." she said. Lucia nodded, getting to work, and rushed to the front. Outside, she helped people who had just arrived at the hospital on foot or who drove themselves. Seeing the ambulance bound around the corner like a bat out of hell, she watched it come closer and closer with no signs of slowing down. Her eyes widened in fear as she screamed, "MOVE! GET OUT OF THE WAY!" to any nearby patients. The ambulance slammed into a car crossing an intersection by the hospital, causing it to drift out of control and flip on its side, hitting Morales, launching her to the ground, and blackout.

—-

Leafpaw awoke from her nightmare. She had no luck sleeping. She had woken up two times already. She thought about going back to sleep beside her parents but knew she had to be brave; Cinderpelt needed her, and so did the rest of the clans. So why can't she stop shaking? What was her nightmare trying to tell her… her head felt like it would explode trying to think about it. She looked over at the two wounded warriors. Their breathing was calm for now, but if they were anything like Shrewpaw, Rainwhisker, and Goldenflower, then it only be a matter of time before they started acting rabid.

She got up with a stretch and a yawn; it seemed her mentor was also fast asleep, no doubt exhausted from yesterday's events and the aid of sleeping herbs. The medicine cat apprentice padded out of the den. The sky was still dark and starless. Dustpelt has been putting the apprentices and any warriors he could to work reinforcing the barriers around the camp. Perhaps they will keep out whatever those cats became. During her walk, she heard some weeping, and following it led her behind the warrior apprentice den. Lilypaw apprentice, who returned with Ashfur, was huddled, clutching at her sides.

“Lilypaw?” Leafpaw asked

Lilypaw jumped and sighed, seeing it was only the medicine cat apprentice.

“Thank Starclan, it is only you… why are you up at such an hour, leafpaw? We need you medicine, cats at your best.” she grimaced, hiding her aches.

“Well, I couldn't sleep. What's wrong? I heard you weeping.” Leafpaw sat on her haunches

“It’s nothing. Just some stomach pains.” She chuckled

“Are you sure?” The medicine cat asks, taking a closer look at the warrior apprentice; she could see matted spots on her fur she had clearly been roughed up.

“Listen, Lilypaw, if you-”

“Hello, girls.” Ashfur appeared from the shadows like a phantom, standing a few feet from Leafpaw. He slowly approached the two as he continued to speak: “Being some naughty kits, I see? Firestar is gonna need you tomorrow, Leafpaw. You need your sleep..”

Lilypaw shrunk in on herself, terrified of the tom. Leafpaw just replied cautiously. Sandstorm and Cinderpelt always said to stay clear of toms like Dustpelt, especially Ashfur. “I couldn’t sleep… Lilypaw was making sure I stayed safe.”

Ashfur smiled. “Well… how nice of her.”

“Why are you up, Ashfur?” Leafpaw asks

“Patrol duty. It's getting really dangerous. It's a shame about what happened to Goldenflower and the others. Even that poor other apprentice, what was his name again?” Ashfur asked Lilypaw

“Dirtpaw,” Lilypaw answered, looking to the ground in shame.

“Right, it's just been such a tense evening for even a warrior such as myself. I am feeling emotional distress,” he said with faux concern. Maybe if he played his cards right, he could get both apprentices to find comfort with the image in his head that made him flex his claws in enjoyment.

“Well… I’m sure a good walk will do you fine Ashfur. It did me wonders… come on, Lilypaw.” Leafpaw started to walk away in the opposite direction of Ashfur. The other apprentice looked up in confusion but understood the pleading look on the medicine cat apprentice's face and nodded and quickly followed. “Goodnight, Ashfur.” the medicine cat said as she-cats quickly padded away before the warrior could say anything else.

Ashfur scowled, kicking some dirt in frustration before going back to his patrol. The she-cats retreated to the medicine cat's den.

“T-thank you. I don’t know..” Lilypaw says with a shaken breath

“Of course… listen if you need something… for your pain, I could-” Leafpaw asks.

“N-No… Not when we need them for whatever is going on…” She grimaced, clenching her sides

“Just give me a moment.”

“But-”

“Just let me do this… Give me a moment.” Leafpaw said, sneaking back into the medicine den to grab something for the warrior apprentice. It wasnt long till Leafpaw came back outside with some herbs for the other apprentice to eat.

“I…thank you.” Lilypaw says graciously taking the herbs given to her.

“Don’t mention it.. If you ever need anything just stop by anytime… Do you need to talk about anything?”

“N-No… im sorry, just… not right now..” Lilypaw looked over her shoulder, scared of something.

“Ok… would you like to stay in the med den tonight?”

“Can I?”

“Do you mind sharing a bed?” Leafpaw asks, leading the other apprentice in for a more comfortable night's sleep.

Meanwhile, the clan deputy was up in his den, watching the Feathertail sleep. It took her a while to calm down and assure her that her brother would be found. Greystripe, in truth, was worried about his son. He knew Stormfur was clever, but nothing could prepare any warrior for this. The way his clanmates accused his daughter made his fur stand up in anger, but would he think the same if it were any other Riverclan cat? He and Firestar had a hushed conversation after the clan was dismissed for the night. Tomorrow, Firestar will take a small group to Moonpool to converse with Starclan. Greystripe felt his heart beating; thinking of what he saw and heard out in the woods, he prayed that Starclan would have answers the clans desperately needed. He finally laid down close to his daughter. He didn't realize how tired he was. He was worried he was getting out of shape, but with all that running, he surely was in decent shape. Closing his eyes was just a trick of his brain, only seeing those deformed cats chasing after him and his clanmates. He hoped Starclan would have answers in the morning.

Chapter Text

The mud is thick, it’s almost like he’s swimming in the dirt itself. Pawstep after pawsteps he trudges through the swampland, pelt bristled and ears perked. His lungs burned, how much longer were they going to go?

“Come on, you can’t afford to fall back. We have no idea how far behind they are” Mistyfoot pants, gazing back at him with exhausted eyes.

The feral yowling behind them echos through the tall pines, the unwelcoming trees blocking out much of the light as they loom over them.

“Do you think they’re still on our tail? Where in starclan is Leopardstar?” He asks, hopping over a branch to catch up with the deputy.

“I don’t know, and I don’t know. Keep going forward!” She hisses, sounding almost breathless.

He’d never heard Mistyfoot sound so conflicted, not since…

Stormfur shook his head, now wasn’t the time to be dwelling on the past. They needed to get to safety, to regroup with what little remained of Riverclan. Surely they were still alive, at least some of them. He scoffed, it wouldn’t be that easy to get rid of Leopardstar or Blackclaw, the world goes to hell and yet they’re the ones who got to live while many of their clanmates fell. It felt like a bad joke, like Starclan was jeering down at him.

His thoughts drifted to his sister while he dogged trees and mud piles, did she make it out? The question nagged at him, countless scenarios of her replaying in his mind. No matter what, his thoughts drifted to the worst. How could they not with how bloody it had been, how many cats lost their lives. She couldn’t leave him, not like this, she had to be safe.

“This way, I think I can pick up their scent” Mistyfoot calls, she didn’t bother to wipe away the tears that streaked down her face. He couldn’t imagine what is would be like to see her brother again in that state, as the clan fell apart. He couldn’t imagine seeing Feathertail like that, all decayed and ripping anything apart in her path, the thought made him shudder.

He knew it was even worse for her that Reedkit had been left behind, he could see it in her pelt that the guilt was eating her up. Thoughts of what the kit’s end was like, poor Reedkit mewing for his mother, terrified as the heavy chaos and screaming overwhelmed him. They both knew that the poor kit was already dead by the time they left camp, when Blackclaw fled instead of grabbing him like she ordered, there was no way a tiny kit stood a chance against all of those bloodthirsty things.

“It’s Mothwing!” Stormfur yelled ahead to her, catching the familiar scent of one of his more bearable clanmates.

His legs ache but he keeps going, they could hear the splotching of the mud somewhere in the dense pines behind them, growing more distant as the rugged forest held back their aggressors. Soon they could see the golden pelt of their Medicine cat crouched over a limp warrior.

Mothwing jumps at the approaching footsteps, turning with her claws unsheathed and ready to attack but her fur flattens when she realizes they’re friendly.

“Stormfur, Mistyfoot” the medicine cat meows in relief. “thank goodness, I thought I lost everyone” she looked down to the warrior, his neck torn out, his esophagus visible through the gash in his throat. “one of them got to him, I tried but the bleeding was too much” she sighed, her lips tight like they were the only things holding back a wail.

“We don’t have the time to bury him, we have to go now” Mistyfoot orders, pressing her tail tip to the medicine cat.

“We should go back, Feathertail could be in trouble, Hawkfrost too” Stormfur blurts out what’s been building in his mind this whole time.

Mistyfoot chokes down a noise of despair before locking her dulled gaze to his, “damn it Stormfur, we can’t, you know that. We’ll just die or worse. Feathertail’s a resilient cat, have faith in her wits” he could see that she was just as worried for his sister as he was, he knew that him and Feathertail were like kits to Mistyfoot, but she had to put the clan first.

They had to get a move on, they were staying in one spot too long and they could feel the horde catching up even with the vigorous terrain slowing them. Mothwing is first to bolt at the approaching hungry wails, Misty and Storm following with haste.

They had to be getting in range of Shadowclan’s camp by now, the fresh scent of some of their clanmates was close, they had went this way. Mothwing stopped ahead of them, neck raised as she scanned the treeline.

“Mothwing look out!” Mistyfoot screeched, turning to run towards the golden she cat.

A blur springs out from the pines and he recognizes it as the form of a cat, albeit a very wounded cat with a pelt lathered in tears and crimson. Mothwing can’t even manage a yelp before she’s barreled over, the claws in all four paws digging into its pelt as she tried to keep it off. Its jaw snaps inches away from her face as she pushes at its neck with her forepaws, her ears deafened by its wild screaming and violent gargled snarls.

Mothwing’s grip slips and a frantic wail escapes her muzzle as the frenzied cat’s jaw opens wide ready to close around her throat.

“Get off!” Mistyfoot slams against the sick cat with all the force she could muster, its sharp teeth clacking in the air as it missed Mothwing’s soft flesh.

The medicine cat scrambles back as Stormfur rushed in front of her, the fur on her chest and belly bloodied as she panted shakily.

The cat is quick to rise again, it’s neck twisting to gaze at the two warriors with an unending hunger and rage. With a bloody hiss it launches itself towards them with its infectious claws aimed towards the deputy. Mistyfoot growls, leaping to the side as it fumbles past her before turning to leave a heavy claw on its side.

The gaunt molly lands on its forepaw wrong, the front leg snapping as it bent sideways. Even with a wound that would make even the most stoic warriors fall to the ground crying it seems to not even fathom that it’s been hurt, turning back to her with a hateful snarl and sick glare.

Seeing his chance, Stormfur pounces, landing on its back digging his claws in wherever they could find. The cat screams like a dying animal, craning its neck back to bite at him while Mistyfoot swatted at its exposed neck.

Stormfur yells as he starts to lose grip from its twitchy thrashing that not even the most powerful of trouts could match, being sent to the ground taking a long trip of the cat’s flesh with him.

The sound of approaching pawsteps suddenly becomes noticeable for the tom, was this really it?

The molly they’d been fighting flings itself at the deputy, but a flash of tortoiseshell fur intercepts it.

The scent of Shadowclan fills his nostrils as he realizes that the cats he heard were uninfected, two other warriors backing up the tortoiseshell.

With force the three warriors drag its snarling form to the ground on its back, Tawnypelt he now recognized, straddling it as she held her forepaws to the sides of its head. With rash forceful movements she pulls it up before slamming its head down, over and over and over again.

Dark red stream from behind it as a stone in the dirt cracks open its skull, it movements becoming more twitchy as its eyes roll back until it’s body goes limp all together.

“Disgusting” is all Tawnypelt hisses as she dismounts the bloodied corpse, shaking blood off of her paw.

She turns her attention to the three Riverclan cats, “come on, your clanmates are in our camp. Blackstar has granted Leopardstar permission to stay”

The molly’s words spark hope in his heart, they had fell behind the rest when they got separated maybe Feathertail had gotten ahead of them and was there waiting for him.

Mistyfoot exhales, forcing her paws to stop shaking. “Thank you, we’re in your debt”

Tawnypelt shakes her head with friendlier look than most Shadowclan cats wore, “it’s no problem, despite what many of my clanmates may say”

Tawnypelt turns her head to Mothwing, narrowing her eyes at the blood in her pelt. “Did it bite her?” She questions, taking a few steps towards the medicine cat.

Mothwing looks up from frantically combing through her pelt, “no, NO! It’s not my blood, it barely even scratched me” she defends quickly, biting back her tongue at the natural urge to clean off the blood.

Tawnypelt eyes her suspiciously, “Littlecloud can have a look at you in camp, there’s some places nearby you three can wash off as well” she meows, “Whatever ones were pursuing you likely have gotten lost, but we’re just sitting ducks staying here, let’s go” the molly announces, the other warriors nod in return. She must have been in lead of this patrol.

“You’re just going to take her word for it, she’s clearly been infected. We should just get this over with now” one of the shadowclan warriors argues with a hiss, glaring at the medicine cat.

The shaken Mothwing hisses defensively, “Back off, she’s not infected” Mistyfoot steps to her defense.

The other warrior steps in front of the golden molly, “he’s right, why are we even bothering with this when she’ll turn soon enough anyways”

Mothwing startles, taking a few tentative steps back, her eyes fixed to their unsheathed claws. “I-I’m not…” panic and adrenaline are still pumping through her veins, everyone starts to look like an enemy. With that she turns tail and sprints into the pines, her clanmates calling after her.

Tawnypelt hisses at her fellow warriors, “what did I say, damn it. You two are going to be responsible for looking for her and bringing her back, got it!”

The pairs ears flatten and they nod reluctantly, an order they’re clearly not pleased with. “Go! Now” Tawnypelt snarls at them. One hisses as they pad off after the panic stricken she cat, away from the group.

“We have to go after her, she shouldn’t be alone right now” Stormfur argues, tail lashing.

“You two are in no condition to go parading through territory you clearly aren’t accustomed to, you can barely stand with how exhausted you are” Tawnypelt stops him, “they’re fox hearts but they’re decent trackers, they’ll bring her back”

Stormfur pads up to Tawnypelt as the group follows her lead to the camp.

“Tawnypelt, is my sister-Feathertail-at your camp with the others?” He asks, waiting with bated breath for an affirmation.

The Tortoiseshell shakes her head solemnly, “I’m sorry, she wasn’t one of the ones we took in” her words make his heart feel like it’s dropping off of the gorge.

Mistyfoot presses against his flank, “We’ll find her, Mothwing too” she promises, but they both know it’s one she can’t keep.

————

“I’m impressed, I didn’t think a Riverclan cat would be able to catch something that isn’t a fish” Mudclaw comments with an amused snort as Hawkfrost slinks out of the tall grass with a hare snatched between his jaws.

The Riverclan tom drops it to the ground with a dull thud, burying it to retrieve later. “Was that a joke?” He scoffs, “I didn’t know you were capable of one of those” he finishes with a grin.

A third tom limps over to them breaking up their friendly banter, “infected” Deadfoot warned, pointing his tail over to the horizon where a few shambling silhouettes were wandering aimlessly around the moors.

“We should take what we caught and head over to the other side of the territory, we can surely get a little more before returning to the clan” Mudclaw suggests, crouching low behind the grass as Hawkfrost digs up his prey with an annoyed look after just having buried it.

The hunting patrol was not going as well as they hoped. Mudclaw, Deadfoot, Hawkfrost had set off on one patrol while Onewhisker, Crowpaw, and Tornear went another direction. Prey was lacking, it seemed in the wake of the infection most of the small game had gone into hiding or been torn apart by the diseased cats, at least it felt like that with how unlucky they were getting. Mudclaw had gotten the upper paw on a distracted crow while Deadfoot chased a hare right into Hawkfrost’s paws.

“There’s been an awful lot more in our territory lately, I don’t even recognize the cats anymore” Mudclaw mutters, amber gaze scanning the horizon as they padded away further into the territory.

“They’re coming from elsewhere, must mean wherever they came from is out of prey” Deadfoot sighs, they all knew what that meant. No survivors.

“Going to the Riverclan border is practically a death sentence now, no chance the hunting there is worth it” Mudclaw lashes his tail, he hated how their territory was being lost to them.

Deadfoot tisked, “Tell me about it, that’s where I got bit” the dark furred tom looked down at the scarring gash he revived not long ago, he seemed to be coming to terms with his fate, or at least he was putting on a very good facade.

“Oh right” Mudclaw felt a little guilty for bringing it up, “sorry”

Hawkfrost digs his claws into the dirt, “It was a complete bloodbath when I left, completely crawling with those things” he mentioned his clan with a lash of his tail.

Mudclaw rests his tail on the shorter tom’s back, “I’m sorry to hear that” Deadfoot meows with a respectful nod.

“You mentioned your clanmates were heading to Shadowclan right, why there?” Mudclaw asks with his nose to ground as he scented out prey.

Hawkfrost shrugs, “Leopardstar and Blackstar are close, plus the pine forest is dense enough to lose them in” he answered. “Would’ve been a good escape plan if Leopardstar actually bothered to coordinate it, Mistyfoot basically got the camp out of there all on her own” Hawkfrost internally hissed at himself for accidentally saying something positive about the deputy, but then again it seemed like his goal of becoming deputy one day had been squandered by the outbreak.

“I did a lot too of course, took out a few of them while helping everyone out of camp” he added with a proud look. It wasn’t entirely a lie, he managed to break the neck of one of them before running.

The three travel in silence for a few moments with the sun bearing down on them before the scent of prey pricks their noses.

“Rabbits, a few of them by the smell of it” Mudclaw grins.

“That could feed the clan for a few days” Deadfoot purrs, feeling a twinge of hope that his clanmates, his kit, wouldn’t have to go without eating.

They bury what they were carrying and stalk towards the scent, Deadfoot whispering orders before Mudclaw and Hawkfrost split off in either direction.

It doesn’t take long to find four hares in the center a sizable patch of tall grass, nibbling at the grass without a care in the world. Deadfoot creeps closer and closer, his twisted paw not hindering him in the slightest in his pursuit of prey. Just a little closer…

He springs with his hindpaws pouncing into the air and landing on one before it even knew he was there, a swift chomp to its neck secures his catch.

With one of their numbers down, the other hares bolt away with a reaction time he envied. One runs for a patch of tall grass, looking back at the cat that caught it’s other, when it turns its head back Mudclaw is there with a raised paw and sharp claws swiftly cut across its neck. The third runs right past Hawkfrost who puts in the effort and outruns it before it leaves the circle of grass, killing it with a skillful pounce.

“Good catch” Mudclaw purrs, carrying his hare over as the three regroup.

Hawkfrost makes a show of stretching, “I might just be becoming one of the best rabbit hunters in clan territories” he purrs with a pretty grin.

“Don’t get ahead of yourself” Mudclaw can’t stop the small crease of a smirk on his lips at the tom’s antics.

The fourth rabbit had gotten away, but none of them really expected to be able to catch it. Deadfoot peeks his head out of the grass, watching as it fled farther and farther out of Windclan territory.

Wait… there was something charging at it from the side, moving fast, very fast.

Squinting his eyes in focus he could make out the torn up pelt of a cat rush it down, grabbing it with its boney arms before digging in. The deputy shakes his head, sucking back into the grass as another figure runs towards the squealing meal. Was he fated to become one of those things?

Deadfoot turns back to the other toms who are now almost muzzle to muzzle in their conversation. “Things are getting heated out there, just saw another cat. We should get going back to camp” Deadfoot announces, “We have a lot to carry” he adds with a purr.

“Certainly, I’d say todays patrol went swimmingly” Hawkfrost purrs, icy blue eyes gazing at the gathered prey proudly.

“There should be a tunnel nearby, we can take it closer to camp” Mudclaw suggests, leaning down to grab the scruffs of most of the rabbits in his muzzle.

No, he trusted his clanmates to put him down before he was that far gone, still the thought haunted the back of his mind like a tic on his back just out of reach.

“Onewhisker’s patrol should have caught some as well, the clan will eat well tonight” Deadfoot meows, picking up Mudclaw’s crow, “Lets just hope they haven’t been encountering as many sick cats as we have”

With that the three cats slink away to the closest tunnel, retreating to the safety of the underground that remained untouched by the disease. After sometime crawling through the tight pathways and following scent they find the camp safe and secluded as always. Cats seem to light up at the sight of fresh kill, warriors and queens padding over to congratulate the patrol on their catch, Hawkfrost standing proudly at the praise thrown his way.

—-

With the underground well of clean water they dug into and the heavy bounty of prey the three brought back the clan was full of purrs and full bellies, every cat was lounging about and engaging in pleasant conversation. Mudclaw and Hawkfrost layed together with half of one of the hares between them, the two enjoying their hard earned meal.

The patrol had gone perfectly, no direct encounters with any of their turned clanmates, or any other cats for that matter, plenty of prey as well. Though something was still gnawing at him, things had worked out too well today hadn’t they?

Mudclaw felt his cross clan friend press against his side, the tom’s fluffy pelt soft against him.

“Can’t you sit still?” The future deputy growls, though there was no real discomfort to his tone, if anything Hawkfrost could feel the purr building in the bulky tom so he leaned closer into his larger frame.

“Nope” Hawkfrost purrs with a charming grin, leaning down to take another bite of the rabbit before continuing, “what’s on your mind? You’ve had that look on your face since we got back”

Mudclaw grunts, pawing at the rabbit for a moment before answering as he glances at the opening of the tunnel that served as the entrance to camp, “It must be getting dark by now, no one else has come back yet”

“Oh right, Deadfoot mentioned there were others out there with us” Hawkfrost shrugs, “don’t you get any ideas of going out there now” he warns, curling his fluffy tail around the Windclan warrior’s. Truth be told, Mudclaw was. His brother was on that patrol.

Their ears perk at the sound of Tallstar and Deadfoot talking in the corner of camp, it seemed they weren’t the only two noticing the absence of three cats.

“Onewhisker’s patrol still hasn’t returned, it’s almost dark” Deadfoot reported, Tallstar sighs curling his long tail around his paws.

“Do you want me to gather a patrol to go searching?” Deadfoot asks respectfully, Tallstar shakes his head.

“You know what going out after dark entails, if they haven’t returned by now we can only pray to starclan they found somewhere safe for the night” Tallstar meows solemnly. The leader took no pride in his decision, he hated potentially leaving clanmates to die if they weren’t dead already, but sending a group out at night no less would be dangerous and irresponsible of him.

Tallstar clears his throat, “if they haven’t returned come dawn, send out a group to find them” he orders, Deadfoot nodding in response.

The deputy’s heart sunk at the thought of his son out there in the dark without him. Tornear and Onewhisker were formidable warriors, but he knew from experience that all the training and skill a warrior had to offer could be thrown right off the gorge when face to face with even one of the relentless sick cats. The deputy whispers a quiet prayer to the stars, if they could even hear him under all this dirt.

Unaware to the leader and deputy, some cat overheard their conversation from the floor stuck rock he laid behind. His ears perked at the notion that his clanmates were in trouble and his leader couldn’t help them.

——-

Untangling himself from Morningflower’s sleeping protective grasp, he snuck past the guard watching the tunnel as the warrior broke away to report to a restless Deadfoot. He had been thinking about this all evening as his mother snoozed curled around him, kneading his paws in the air as he thought it out.

His pads tingled with anticipation and anxiety, he was doing something big and brave. He imagined Tallstar assigning him with the task, calling his name proudly and smiling down at him, his clanmates cheering his name as he embarked. Morningflower teary eyed with pride watching her little warrior set off. His imagination makes him smile as he creeps through the dark tunnel to the surface. Maybe he would even be made a warrior when he came back with them. He stifled a kit like giggle at the thought.

An innocent smile perks his lips as he breaches to the surface, the cool late night air ruffling over his pelt. It felt like it had been awhile since he last got to leave camp.

The small apprentice eagerly pads off into the night, towards the part of the moors Deadfoot had mentioned his lost clanmates were assigned. The moon beaming down at him as it lit his path. His clanmates had to be out there somewhere, in trouble.

Gorsepaw was going to find them.

Chapter Text

“Brambleclaw? Brambleclaw.” Firestar's voice snapped the tabby warrior's attention from the treeline he had been scanning for any signs of the clanmates that ran off, especially Goldenflower. Sitting beside the warrior, the leader sighed, “I need you focused today. You are one of my best fighters, and if it comes to it, you may have to…”

Brambleclaw turned his eyes to meet the green of his leader. The tension at the end of that sentence caused Firestar to give up on what he wanted to say. Brambleclaw turned his head back to the tree line and then said, “I’ll do my best as usual, Firestar.”

“That’s all I ask… Come on, the others should be ready.” The ginger tom got up, flicking his tail for the warrior to follow. After a few more desperate seconds of scanning the treeline, Brambleclaw followed.

Firestar initially wanted Cinderpelt to come to Moonstone, but Leafpaw could see how shaken she was from yesterday's events. Leafpaw was scared, too, but she reasoned that if the worst happened, Cinderpelt could be here to help if the cats in the medicine den got worse. Dustpelt did a great job organizing the construction of some boarders around the camp perimeter, which were constructed using sticks, rocks, and mud, and set up the entrance of the camp to be gated with two larger logs. The group, now comprised of Firestar, Brambleclaw, Leafpaw, and Feathertail, ventured out toward Moonstone. Even with the safety of the light, the cats were cautious and even more careful of their surroundings.

With every dry leaf or lose twig that snapped and crunched beneath their paws their unease grew, Feathertail kept freezing at any sound like a clans worth of cats would come down on her at any moment. Noise didn’t just mean scared prey any more, they missed those days where a missed catch was their only concern, now it meant that any one of those sick cats could be lurking close and find them.

They were nearing the Windclan border by sun high, Firestar didn’t even bother to stay out of their territory. The tall grass of the moors felt safer than traversing near the dense pines trees of Shadowclan that seemed to be watching their every step. Windclan scent was faint if there at all, they hadn’t marked their borders in a while. While a part of Firestar wanted to detour to their camp to see if things were alright, he knew that their current task was the priority. Tallstar was an experienced leader who would surely have gotten his clan to safety.

“I almost wish a patrol would approach us, it feels so empty” Brambleclaw comments, scanning the wide empty fields.

“Do you think they’re alive? I hope they haven’t encountered this illness” Feathertail comments softly, worry pricking her pelt.

“Barkface is a good medicine cat, maybe he found a way to treat it?” Leafpaw tries to keep an optimistic attitude, but they all knew with how stale the scent was that they were far from unscathed.

Their unease is warranted as they spot a few shambling bodies further into the moors. Firestar orders them to stay quiet for the remainder of their travel in Windclan as they crouch through the cover the moorland grass provides.

They arrive at the fence to Barleys farm after some time of anxious walking, signaling the end of Windclan territory. They were grateful that they hadn’t encountered any infected head on, maybe this journey would go smoothly after all.

The group didn’t have the time to pad over to the secure looking barn, as much as Firestar wanted to check up on his friends he knew that they didn’t have the time, if they were lucky it would be nightfall by the time they finished with their task. Surely Ravenpaw and Barley would be relatively unscathed from all of this in the safety of their sturdy barn.

Thunderpaths had not been an issue at all on their journey, if there was any positive to whatever was going on it was near total lack of twoleg monsters patrolling the hard surfaces. Some seemed to linger, inactive and still in various positions, some with their muzzles smoking as if there were a fire blazing inside them. They were passing by the outskirts of the twoleg place now and things were not looking good. Tall plumes of smoke streaked high into the sky deeper into twoleg territory, shots of thunder seemed to crackle through the air every few minutes. Even though they couldn’t see above the tall fences, they could hear guttural yowling coming from within along with many other unpleasant noises.

Firestars about to comment but jumps back instinctively as a cat leaps over one of the fences nearly on top of them. The little jingle that follows with their neck movements makes them easily identifiable as a kittypet. Brambleclaw and Feathertail stance up for a fight with wide eyes and unsheathed claws, their pelts bristled with uncertainty.

The fluffy calico kittypet jumps back with a startled caterwaul, wide terrified eyes full of life, they weren’t one of those things.

“Please don’t eat me!! I want to live!!!” The cat runs off as quickly as they came shrieking with their bell jingling with every movement and their fluffy tail tucked between their legs.

“Hey wait, we’re not going to hurt you-“ Firestar tries calling out but to no avail, the kittypet was too scared to think straight as they ran out of sight.

“That bell’s going to get them killed” Brambleclaw hisses, eyes trailing off to the brush where the cat escaped into.

“It might get us too” Leafpaw squeaks alerting the group to the clawing coming from the other side of the fence.

Dozens of growls and scratches can be heard pushing and clawing at the fence, wether they were trying to climb it or break it down didn’t matter since a particularly lose board was starting creak as it wobbled in place.

“Come on, run before they see us!” Firestar is quick to order.

The group follows his lead hastily, bolting away from certain death. Feathertail glances behind them after a few seconds, gasping as she watches the wood splinter as desperate bodies claw their way through. They can only hope to have ran fast enough to avoid their hungry gazes.

The four cats push into some close by brush further away from the fence, the warriors rushing into a dense spot of foliage before crouching low and doing their best to stifle their heavy panting. Firestar curls his tail his around his daughter in a silent effort to comfort the medicine cat…

Wait that’s Feathertail beside him.

Where is Leafpaw?

The leader frantically looks around, hoping that she was just hidden behind Brambleclaw’s massive frame, but no, she didn’t make it with them. His heart began to sink.

——-

Leafpaw shook with a terror she’d never felt before as she ran through trees and bushes desperately looking for her clanmates. They were there just a second ago, she swore they were.

The small she cat stops and cranes her head around, her ears perked high. Maybe she passed them? No they were faster than her, she must’ve just fallen behind.

Her pelt bristles like she could be jumped on at any minute by one of those things, her worry made even worse by the growling and pawsteps getting closer.

She does the only thing she can think of and keeps running, tripping over branches and her own four paws in her desperate attempts to get away. The forest seems to swirl around her becoming a maze of trees and green, no end or clanmates in sight. She can’t tell how close those cats are to her, it feels like if she looks back they’d be right on top of her.

Wait, what was that up ahead? There was a fluffy brown striped tail poking out from behind a tree up ahead.

“Brambleclaw” she calls out with barely any breath left in her inexperienced lungs.

Her legs feel like could buckle at any moment and her heartbeat thumps in her ears, but she finds the strength to keep running. She rounds the tree ready to duck behind the warrior-

Her muzzle opens in a yowl, the cat front of her gored and rotten, it’s beady eyes lock onto hers without blinking as it snarls. Before her scream fills the air she’s being grabbed from behind by something strong, a heavy paw clasping over her muzzle. Her yowls for help are muffled by paw pads while she flails and kicks her legs wildly, tears welling in her eyes.

“Shh, it’s me, it’s me” a familiar voice whispers into her ear, while she’s being dragged backwards.

It’s.. Brambleclaw’s voice, hushed as he drags her into a dense bush.

It’s now that she notices that the one in front of her must’ve been a kittypet, it’s decorated pink collar snagged on the bark of the tree keeping its writhing form in place as it shrieked and struggled to get to the two clan cats.

“Quiet, not a word” Brambleclaw whispers to her, waiting for her to nod before slowly taking his forepaw off of her muzzle.

She presses into his secure frame, burying her face in his fluff as dozens of approaching pawsteps littler the forest. Leafpaw could see one of them through the plant leafs they hid behind, it’s crooked face, how it’s skin seemed to almost be peeling off as it snarled and sniffed the area while dark red drooled from its hanging jaw. She whimpers, squeezing her eyes closed while the warrior holds her close, his tail wrapped around her protectively. He already lost Goldenflower, he wasn’t going to lose his medicine cat as well.

They hold their breath as the walking carcasses linger for a few moments before a loud crackle fills the air coming from the twoleg place. They shriek before sprinting towards the noise. Even when they’re gone Bramble and Leaf don’t move, just staying huddled while they tried to stop shaking from the close encounter.

An orange figure slinks into their small secluded space, “you found her? Thank starclan” Firestar rushes over and covers her with worried laps, Brambleclaw couldn’t imagine what it must’ve been like to think he lost a daughter.

“Thank you Brambleclaw, I had no idea what I would’ve done if I lost her” Brambleclaw can see tears shining in his eyes as the leader pulls away from his kit briefly to press his nose to Bramble’s forehead in gratitude.

Feathertail was not far behind him, pressing her muzzle to Leafpaws fur, “we were so worried” she mews with relief.

The moment of calm and relief can’t last forever though, Firestar pulls away, giving Leafpaw one last pat on the back before standing. “Come on, let’s get out of here before more come around” he states, pressing out of the bush.

He almost immediately bristles at the sight of the torn up kittypet gurgling and snapping in their direction, one of its bloodied arms raised with its torn and hanging claws unsheathed. It’s collar holds it tightly to the tree unable to escape, it’s neck bleeding from how much force it put into trying to pull its towards the group. The poor kittypet’s jaw clacks as it snaps shut while making bites at the air.

“Just leave it, it’ll probably forget it saw us soon enough” Firestar orders with a grimace, his eyes squinting as a tear of rotted flesh that clung to the cat that was caught on a branch pulls off with its thrashing.

Feathertail gasps as they pass it, arching her back to put her body as far from it as she can. Brambleclaw uses his fluffy tail to shield their medicine cat from its hungry desperate bloodshot eyes.

They leave with more unease and a growing dread of having to pass through on their way back.

—-

They finally made it to high stones as the sun was starting divot downward. Firestar breathed a sigh of relief, surely those things wouldn’t be heinous enough to intrude in this sacred place.

The ginger tom purred as he was reminded of his apprentice days coming here with Bluestar and Graystripe and Ravenpaw, he hoped he would meet the previous leader again, surely she would have some wisdom to share with him. Starclan knows the clans needed it.

The rocky walls of the cave felt safe and secure, like they didn’t have to watch around them for the first time in this whole journey. Cold stone chills their pads as the move towards the moonstone, the shiny rock greeted them though it seemed duller than he’s ever seen it before.

“Come on Leafpaw, it’ll be just like when you’re here with Cinderpelt” Firestar meows softly, crouching in front of the stone while Brambleclaw and Feathertail kept watch.

“Just like with Cinderpelt” she repeats, she had never been here without her mentor before but her father’s proud gaze on her gave her confidence.

She curls up next to the leader, pressing her nose to the stone with him and…

——-

Firestar opened his eyes to find himself in the familiar spectral fields of Starclan, but there was something different. There were no glimmering stars coating the endless sky, no happy spirits of his fallen clanmates enjoying their afterlife frolicking in the grass, it felt colder than usual.

“Firestar, you’re here” a familiar voice greets him from behind.

It was spottedleaf…

“Firestar..” her eyes shone with an apologetic look, “I know what you came here for, but I’m sorry. We don’t know what’s going on, or how to fix it”

She looked around almost anxiously like they were going to be caught by someone.

He would’ve almost been grateful for her cutting through all the cryptic foxdung Starclan cats usually gave him and giving a clear answer if her answer wasn’t so alarming.

“Spottedleaf, what do you mean? You have to know something, you’re starclan” Firestar argues.

Looking around the dream like landscape, it looked different than the other times he had visited. It felt different too. Almost empty and without warmth.

“Something’s wrong here too” he states, looking to her for answers.

“We looked into the pool, and… and what we saw was so much worse. The future is bloody, more than we’ve ever seen before. Our home destroyed and ravaged by this plague, much more than our home in fact, this runs further than the clans. We saw… how it ends. A flash of light more powerful than the sun, with enough force to topple all the trees in the forest. Everything, everywhere, reduced to ashes” her voice grew unsteady as she warned him.

“What..? I don’t understand, Spottedleaf” Firestar tilts his head, his pelt pricking with unease at the hopeless tone his apprenticehood crush had.

She stands there in silence contemplating her next words.

“There has to be something we can do, I-I just need some guidance. Where’s the others, Bluestar, Yellowfang?” The ginger tom presses.

Was starclan just as powerless to stop this madness as he was?

“Firestar” she sighs regretfully, “they’re not coming. I’m not even supposed to be here right now talking to you” she meows with a defeated look.

“Spottedleaf?” Is all Firestar can manage, his heart sinking as his wort thoughts came true. Starclan couldn’t help them.

“This infection doesn’t only ravage a cat’s body, it breaks their spirit as well. Some of those that caught it and were put down made it to Starclan like any other death, but others.. didn’t have it as lucky. One of our own was even ripped from his place here when his body came in contact with contaminated water” she explains, “When a leader gets their nine lives they have a nearly unbreakable tie to those nine cats who gave them their lives, if a leader where to contract this illness we have reason to believe that not only would they become something unrecognizable and dangerous, more so than the others, but the cats who blessed them would fall to it as well. After much discussion we have decided that we can’t risk it.”

His body trembles, she didn’t have the strength to say it directly but he knew what she meant. Starclan had abandoned them.

“No.. you can’t-you don’t mean that” he speaks in denial.

“We can’t take any chances I’m sorry” was all her barely composed voice managed.

“Come on, don’t do this. There has to be something you can do, anything that can help us” he pleads, but she remains stone cold on her position.

“Stop, just stop. There’s nothing that I can do at this point” she meows firmly, “the best thing you can do is outlast it, make sure the clans survive no matter what. Then, maybe Starclan can be convinced to come back”

She presses her muzzle to Firestar’s forehead, “If anyone can lead Thunderclan through this it’s you” she manages a weak purr that puts his tension at ease.

She stops him as he tries to speak again, “your time here is running out, before you go I can at least inform you what we know about this disease. The water is tainted like you already know, but bites spread it just as well. Scratches seem to have mixed results from what we’ve observed, some cats got lucky while others didn’t. It also seems like they get particularly aggressive at night” the calico explains, “I wish I could tell you more but we don’t know all that much ourselves” she confesses, tail drooping.

“Thank you spottedleaf” Firestar murmurs, feeling like the weight of the whole clan had settled on his shoulders.

“Now wake up Firestar, the moonstone is no longer safe. You wouldn’t want one of them catching you asleep” with those last words and a touch of their muzzles his green eyes flutter open with a gasp. His attention immediately settled on the two warriors and his daughter, they were safe at least, and with that he could take a sigh of relief.

Leafpaw is quick to perk up from her spot nestled next to the two warriors. “That took a long time, did you reach them. I tried but I couldn’t get anything” Leafpaw questions him, padding over to press into his fur. Not being able to reach them like she usually could put a seemingly endless pit in her stomach.

“I..” he takes a moment to consider what to say. How would the others, the clan react to knowing their ancestors abandoned them. It could cause a total collapse in moral and ultimately their clan. Firestar clears his throat after a moment, “this needs to stay between us, okay?”

The three cats share an uneasy glance but nod regardless.

———

Feathertail curled her tail around her dainty paws, shaking while lost in thought. Leafpaw had started crying. Brambleclaw hissed and spat in denial. Telling them hit about as hard as it did when he learned about it as well.

“No! They-they can’t do that” Brambleclaw

“Maybe Spottedleaf was wrong?” Leafpaw sniffles, the molly padding back over to the stone.

The moonstone had lost its mystical shine and she no longer felt welcome in its presence. Leafpaw crouched and put her nose to it softly, closing her eyes like she always did with her mentor.

…

Nothing

She pressed harder against it until her nose started to hurt.

“Come on work!” She cried out in desperation.

The stone had lost its unusually cool temperature, its ghostly chill gone as it felt as mundane as any other rock.

A sturdy forepaw rests on her shoulder as her back shakes with quiet sobs. “This isn’t the end, we’ll get through this I promise” her father’s comforting voice fills her ears and she ditches the hard stone for his soft fur.

It takes some reassuring and warm embraces but the apprentice eventually calms down. Feathertail had snapped away from her own thoughts to confide with Brambleclaw, the two seeming to find some resolve if even a little to regain their composure.

From the opening at the top of the cave Firestar could see faint moonlight trickling in, great, they needed to get back to safety of camp sooner than later.

“Come on” he pats her back softly, “it’s not safe here anymore we need to get back to camp” the ginger tom meows loud enough for the other two to hear.

After a few more moments of regaining their composure the group is ready for the uneasy journey home.

——-

“Maybe we could stop at the barn, she said they got worse at night, right?” Feathertail spoke up after awhile of silence.

“Yes, that’s why we need to stay quiet. We should just try to make it back to camp” Brambleclaw responds, a tension in his whisper as he looks around the now dark area.

They were walking along an empty thunderpath taking a route around the twolegplace, Firestar estimated it would take longer to get home than going the way they came but none of them wanted to go back to that place. If just trailing the outskirts almost got them swarmed then they didn’t want to know how bad things were further in.

The world felt eerily silent, like anything still alive knew the danger that lurked in the wild. The silence only seemed like it was interrupted by the shriek of an infected in the distance or the crackle of what sounded like thunder in bursts coming from the direction of the twoleg place. Thankfully they hadn’t encountered many so far, they had spotted a few infected cats far off the Thunderpath a while ago, and had passed by some obviously infected twolegs trying to break their way into a dead monster, but other than those tense sightings they were making good progress.

“I really don’t feel safe out here” Leafpaw mewed, sticking close to the center of the group. Even the crickets had stopped chirping.

“I know, we just have to keep going though. We’d be in more danger just sitting put” Firestar responds, touching his tail to her.

“Im just saying, maybe the barn wouldn’t be a bad idea. Shelter and prey, and we’d be able to go back in the morning” Feathertail brings up again, obviously shaken to make the whole trip at dark.

“I agree with Feathertail, I’m tired” Leafpaw supports meekly.

Brambleclaw scratches the pavement, he admittedly wanted nothing more than to get out this unnerving darkness to curl up somewhere safe and take a nap.

“Firestar, what do you think? We’ll be passing it soon when we get to the Windclan border” Brambleclaw asks, but their leader doesn’t seem to be paying attention.

Their leader had stopped, emerald eyes narrowed looking upwards to a tree. What was he looking at?

…

Oh…

Perched on a branch above the Thunderpath crouched the large unnaturally gaunt form of a cat. To the tree above it, another one. Their eyes seemed larger than they had any right to be, reflecting what little moonlight wasn’t covered by the darkening clouds. Their claws on their decayed forepaws seem to go on for a few inches too long, digging into the bark leaving deep scratches.

“What… they barely look like cats anymore” Feathertail whimpers, fur fluffed up anxiously.

Their pelts have mostly been replaced by the deep red of exposed muscle and flesh with patches of fur sticking out around various parts of their ruined bodies. They just crouched there, watching them with wide focused eyes. A sick intelligence lingered in their gaze as if they were studying them, planning for the right moment to tear them to pieces. As quickly as the group noticed them, they leaped further into the forest out of sight, a deep growl being the only sound they made before leaving.

Brambleclaw hisses at the treeline, maintaining a defensive posture.

“What were they doing, why aren’t they attacking us?” Leafpaw wonders, was it just dumb luck or were those things smarter than they appeared?

“They’ve been following us since we left the moonstone” Firestar speaks, glaring into the treeline, “I thought I saw something in the corner of my eye several times, they’re stalking us like we’re a plump mouse”

“What do we do? Are they going to attack?” Feathertail ponders, looking to the leader before averting her gaze back to where those things went.

“We can’t go to the barn, we’d just lead them there and put Barley and Ravenpaw in danger” Firestar sighs, he looks around as if not sure what to do before settling his gaze further down the road, “there, let’s go” he flicks his tail to grate on the side of the Thunderpath.

“Me and Graystripe found Windclan in one of these further into the twolegplace, they go under the Thunderpaths, we should be able to get around under there” the ginger tom explains as they rush over to it, beginning to hear rustling in the bushes.

Feathertail slinks in first, a splash of shallow water being heard by the others as she lands. “It looks safe enough, come on down” she calls.

Leafpaw is next, her legs shaking as she nervously makes the leap into the darkness.

Then Brambleclaw, nearly landing on the two she cats.

Firestar can see one of those things stalk its way onto the pavement not far from them before he takes the jump.

Everything seems to echo down here, the sound of water rippling as they move around. The Thunderclan cats hiss as their fur wets, Feathertail doesn’t seem to mind much. A muffled yowl is heard from above them, more bloodcurdling than any infected they’ve heard so far, followed by another one.

“I don’t think they’ll follow us down here, we should be safe. There should be an exit by Shadowclan territory, I know they use it to cross into our territory to get to gatherings, that’s how we get back home” Firestar plans, his clanmates meow their agreements.

Trudging through paw deep water was just another hurdle to go through, they were so close to get back to camp. Firestar gazes back at the silhouettes of his group, they all handled themselves well and he couldn’t be prouder. Even if all of Starclan disowned them he would still be proud to lead them through whatever hell was to come next.

—-

The group padded their way through the dark and dank tunnels. They occasionally heard a swarm of unnatural growls from the surface above them. Leafpaws ears fall flat, shutting her eyes and praying they would not be discovered here. She wanted this nightmare to be over and to wake up and have her biggest problem be Cinderpelt’s long lectures about herb management or having to take care of the elders. Now, she’s trudging through dark tunnels and repulsive waters. What could have tainted the water so that it would turn them into abominations? She looked back at Firestar, and for the first time, she could not see the aurora of thunderclans fearless leader; she saw her father, scared and unsure of his ability to keep his clan safe.

Feathertail and Brambleclaw led the way. She hated having to run, how weak she felt being carried by Greystripe like a helpless kit with Starclan gone. She would need to find resolve in her bravery and strength. The silver she-cat thought about her littermate, Stormfur. She hopes somehow he made it somewhere safe, Barley's farm perhaps?

“Still thinking of Stormfur?” Brambleclaw uttered softly, his amber eyes fixated on the she-cat

“Yes… Do you worry about Tawnypelt and Hawkfrost?” She asks

He chuckles. “Hawkfrost and Tawnypelt? I’m sure they are kicking their feet up somewhere warm and safe with all the juicy vole they can eat. Stormfur is clever, and I am sure he’ll be fine.”

Feathertail smiled with the tom before seeing a crack of light in the tunnel ahead. The cats all gathered by the exit. Feathertail was the first out, taking a look around. They were now to the side of the thunderpath in the pines, shadowclan territory. She breathed as quietly as she could, but they were not far from where she first encountered Greystripe and his patrol and where they were chased by what remained of some of her clanmates. She looked back at the group and nodded. They all padded out and started marching towards the Thunderpath to cross.

A cat leaped out, tackling Brambleclaw the cats hissing and scratching at each other. More cats emerged from the dark encircling the thunderclan cats.

“You made a grave mistake coming into our territory! Shadowclan will not be so easily attacked!” the cat hissed before being kicked away by Brambleclaw; the thunderclan cats gathered close together.

“Stop!” a she-cat stepped out from the shadows to get a better look at the intruders. “Brambleclaw? Is that you? What are you doing here?”

Brambleclaw focused on the voice, spotting his sister Tawnypelt. The two stepped closer, but hostility hung in the air around them.

“Tawnypelt, we just need to get to Thunderpath; we had to take the twelog tunnels to get here. We mean you no harm.” Brambleclaw explained

“You couldn't harm us if you tried.” a deeper voice said from behind the group. Blackstar, a large white-furred tom, strutted towards the group with long strides before sitting on his haunches with a confident smirk and lash of his tail.

Firestar spoke to the leader of Shadowclan. “Blackstar, something is happening that-”

“You are right. Thunderclan is trespassing on my clan. You must either be very confident or foolish… or both.” He snorted, flexing his claws

“We were visiting Moonstone to seek assistance with the recent goings-on. Surly, your patrols have encountered the abominations lurking in our territory?!” Fiestar explained

“Pfff, of course im aware. But that still doesn't mean I must let you cross into Shadowclan territory… unless your clan couldn’t handle defending yourselves, and you are trying to seek sanctuary? Sorry, but we already have our fair share of desperate guests, and I have no room for self-righteous imbeciles in my clan.” he huffed

The white-furred tom flicked his gaze toward the medicine cat; meeting his gaze, she looked away.

“But perhaps I could find a spot to squeeze in some of you. It’ll be… tight.” his smirk soured as Feathertail stepped in front of Leafpaw protectively, scowling back at the tom.

Firestar hissed. “We don’t have time for this. The clans need to be working together now more than ever.”

“Of course, Firestar... That's why I have graciously allowed Leopardstar and her lackeys to stay with Shadowclan for the time being, so Feathertail, if you want to come back to our camp, I’d love to have you again.” He explained, tail lashing expectantly

“Never. Now, let us pass. We don't need to draw any of those things' attention to argue like this.” Feathertail hissed.

The white-furred tom padded around the group towards his clanmates “Very well. But don’t expect the same treatment if we catch you trespassing, regardless of whatever Starclan told you.”

“Blackstar, Starclan is abandoning the clans,” Firestar blurted out. Silence held the air around him. Blackstar blinked a few times, looking towards Tawnypelt to confirm what he had heard.

“I... I don’t… What game are you trying to play with me, Firestar?!” Blackstar growled.

“It’s not a game! We have just come from Moonstone. Spottedleaf spoke to me and told me they were scared of the abominations. They also risk being pulled from Starclan, so… They’ve left us.” He explained the sting of Spottedleaf words echoed through his own.

“He’s telling the truth…I got no answer from them when I touched the stone. It felt colder, like touching ice.” Leafpaw's voice mewed, peering around Feathertail to chime in but slowly moving back, not liking the gazes aimed at her when she did.

Blackstar glared at Firestar. He couldn't believe the leader of Thunderclan would make a blasphemous statement like this. But those eyes, those damn green eyes. He wasn't lying… No, it couldn’t be true.

“Get out of my territory, and don’t let me catch you here again.” He hissed and stalked away, his entourage following close behind him.

Tawnypelt and Brambleclaw share a look. She sighs and says, “Good luck Brambleclaw.”

“You too, Tawnypelt.” Before the group could leave, Feathertail stepped forward to Tanwypelt and asked.

“Tawnypelt… Could you please tell Stormfur that I’m ok in thunderclan?”

Tawnypelt sizes up the riverclan cat for a second and then sighs, “Very well. I’ll let him know.”

“Thank you.” Feathertail smiles

Tawnypelt turns and leaves, following her clan mates back to camp. Feathertail watched her leave. The idea of her brother alone in Shadowclan territory horrified her, but hearing he survived the initial escape brought her some comfort. She took a deep breath and turned to follow the thunderclan cats back to their camp.

The journey across the thunderpath was quiet, almost scarily so. Firestar never thought he would have loved to hear a monster roar from them, but nothing. Once across, the group made a straight shot for the thunderclan camp.

Brackenfur was on gate duty with Dustpelt. The two were sharing small banter to kill time while sitting on the logs blocking the entrance to the camp.

Dustpelt flicked his tail, asking, “Ok, ok. So, you have three options. Fuck, mate, or kill.”

“What's the difference between fuck and mate?” Brackenfur asked

“Fucks a one-off and mates a long-term thing.” Dustpelt explained

“Gotcha, gotcha.”

“So you got three cats. You got… hmmm…. You got Sorreltail, Cinderpelt, and uh… that new girl what’s her tail.”

“Feathertail?” Brackenfur clarified

“Yes, sure. Anyway, what do you say?”

“Well, Cinderpelt is a bit of a stiff, so guess kill her…”

“Sorreltail.. seems like a nice girl.”

“Like nice enough to…?”

“Yeah, I’d be her mate.” Brackenfur answered

“Well, this is a pleasant surprise. I'm not saying she’s not nice; I just wasn’t expecting that. So I guess that means you’d…”

“Yeah, I’d fuck- Feathertail?!” Brackenfur hissed

Featherail and the group of thunderclan cats emerged from the brush toward the gate, causing Brackenfur to jump and hiss, not seeing who it was. Dustpelt could only laugh, seeing how frazzled Tom became. Eventually, both of them composed themselves, seeing their leader wait expectantly, and pushed one of the logs out of the way enough for the cats to squeeze through before sealing it back.

“Good to see you back ok. Did you make it to Moonstone?” Brackenfur asked

“We did… I will share what news we collected in the morning.” Firestar replied

Brackenfurs tail lowered in disappointment. “of course, sir.”

Firestar walked away from the barricade with the cats he had just traveled with and whispered, “Remember, not a word to anyone. I’m not sure how I can gently break this news. Thank you all for your help. Go get some rest; you all earned it.”

The group dispersed, with Feathertail and Brambleclaw heading towards the warriors' den and Firestar walking towards the leader's den. He stopped hearing small footsteps following him and turned and saw Leafpaw following him.

“Can I stay with you and Mom tonight?” Leafpaw meowed

Firestars tired expression softened, and he flicked his tail with a smile, gesturing her to follow him as the two walked into the leader's den to see Sandstorm and Squirrelpaw sleeping but quickly walking up, hearing the two enter.

“You’re back! Thank you, Star Clan!” she said, welcoming them both back with caring licks. “What did you learn?”

“We will talk in the morning. I’m too tired even to think.” Firestar admitted padding into his nest, his mate and his daughters following right with him.

Sandstorm and Squirrelpaw were usually the ones to press for details and were relieved they both returned home safely.

Meanwhile, Brambleclaw and Feathertail chatted, returning to the warrior's den.

“Thank you… for coming with us. I know you were looking for your brother, but I appreciate your company nonetheless.”

“You're welcome. I’m just relieved to hear he made it out. I wish he were here; he’d probably try to make me laugh and keep my mind off things.” Feathertail explained

“Well… I’m no good at jokes. But if you ever need anything, lemme know.” Brambleclaw assured her

Feathertail ears perked in interest “I’ll hold you to that.”

The two cats smiled before entering the warrior's den and finding their nests to sleep in for the night.

Chapter Text

“Are you sure it will be safe?” She asked tentatively taking only one nervous pawstep towards the kitty door.

“It’s only just a few yards, I-I think we’ll be fine” he responded uncertainly, his own fear filled words doing little to calm down his friend.

“Did you hear any of them on your way over?” She questioned, backing away from the door with her claws tensed.

He did, many in fact. They sounded like they were everywhere miles around. The city had devolved into a chorus of screams and shots from all over, Smudge had taken the chance to sneak out his kitty door and run to Princesses house to check up on her and see if she wanted to go with him. It was a terrifying run the whole way, even without directly seeing what was happening.

“Yes-no-well they didn’t sound close enough to see me, maybe we’ll be fine if we just stick to the tops of the fences?” Smudge suggested, “we really have to go soon, my owners leaving soon”

In the beginning of the outbreak his twoleg had fortified up his house, wood over the windows, Smudge’s favorite cat tree had been reutilized to block the front door along with most of the other furniture. Now during the week his twoleg had spent all his time in the garage, wielding and upgrading his car into a beast all preparing for today. How it all worked was alien to Smudge, but the little tom knew that he was escaping from the city and Smudge wanted his best friend to go with them.

“But.. maybe they’ll come back? I have to wait for them” Princess looked behind her at the empty houses front door.

He had found out that her twolegs had left and haven’t came back almost a week ago, their car still motionless at the front of the house. Even a kittypet as naive as Smudge could tell that they were dead or gone… or worse. The result was the same, they weren’t coming back.

“I’m sorry but we can’t wait for them, they might’ve just gotten somewhere safe. I’m sure they miss you” he tried to reassure her, pressing his tail to her flank.

She stays quiet for a moment, the low boom of a loud sound in the distance filling the silence, “I don’t want to go outside” she shakes.

Smudge is quick to press himself to her side comfortingly for the both them, “I know but we won’t be out there for long, and then we’ll get to go someplace safe” his paws tingled with anticipation to go back to the comfort of his owner.

“Alright” she mews after a minute, “just promise you won’t leave me” she whimpers, eyes wide.

“I promise. I would never” he swore to his friend.

Smudge felt a pang of guilt that while he was so well protected and taken care of his best friend was here scared on her own.

“Come on, we probably don’t have long, though I doubt he’d leave without me” Smudge says, nudging her towards the kitty door.

“On the count of three, ok?”

Princess nodded, steeling herself for the run “okay”

The world seemed to slow as the two kittypets crouched down, muscles tensing as they prepared to run.

“Three”

“Two”

Smudge peeked his head out the little flapped door, clear enough.

“One!”

They bolt out, the door flapping behind them in the dust with the fence as their destination, sprinting through Princesses grassy yard. They crouch a moment before leaping high over the small patches of catmint growing and claw their way to the top of her fence. What was once an average experience for them was now feeling like life or death.

“Alright alright, just a few houses down” Smudge shakes, just being outside felt like he was in the crosshairs of something horrid.

They cross yards while balancing on the top, screams and snarls were still common in the distance but they were lucky enough not to be spotted by anything yet, that they were aware of.

Princess halts a moment, “What about Henry, he might need some help too” she looked at the house connected to the yard they were crossing by.

Through the cracked window they could see the structures inside, one twoleg stood in place twitching occasionally, a deep red spilling from its lips.

“I don’t think we should, his owner isn’t looking very good. Maybe he got out in time?” Smudge tenses up looking at the infected.

“I hope he’s okay…” Princess murmured.

“Me too” Smudge agreed, “we should go before it sees us, come on” he says with a hushed voice.

They try to avoid looking into the yards after seeing one of the neighbors dogs ripped to pieces and devoured, some of them worse for ware than others. One of the cats they met after Rusty-Firestar left for the forest, Eggnog, had a large break in the wood paneling that lined his yard, his owners den broken into as well. Though it seemed the fence was broken outward as if he was chased out, bloodied claw marks lining the shattered wood.

Smudge meowed with relief as they finally hopped down into his yard. The neighborhood still alive with chaos and all kinds of noises that make his ears fold. Though one new noise makes his heart skip a beat.

The loud roar of an engine rumbles from his den, oh no, his owner must be leaving right now.

“Come on, hurry. Maybe he’ll see us” Smudge runs, bursting through the kitty door, “there’s no way he’d leave me behind”

Princess stays right on his tail as he lead her through the den, to the garage where…

The fortified black monster shrieks as it made a drifting turn onto the road, it’s engine howling unmuffled into the air, likely heard by most of the neighborhood.

“No! Wait” Smudge cried at his owner as if he could even understand his meows let along hear them, “we’re here!”

Smudge’s breathing grew heavier as his owner didn’t stop likely not even aware that his cat had returned home and was begging him to stop for him. The car roars as several corpse like twolegs are sent flying as they’re run down by its newly wielded bumper. It doesn’t stop no matter how much Smudge cried, it’s small black form growing smaller as it sped down the road until it was out of sight, the view of his owner blocked by wrecks and infected that littered the street.

“We were too late” Princess gasped, backing up slowly into the wide open garage, “wh-what do we do now?”

Smudge sniffled, his tail quivering “he left me…” his voice cracked, “I don’t know what to do”

His house was safe, was. With the garage now left open anything could just walk in, and by the approaching shrieks and growls attracted by all the noise, that was just what was about to happen.

“Oh I’m so sorry, if I didn’t chicken out we could’ve gotten here faster” Princess apologized, guilt aching through her heart at her best friend’s cries.

Smudge backs up into the house, looking around frantically, his black and white pelt fluffed up almost covering his little bow tie collar, “should we go back to your house?” He suggests uncertainly.

“I don’t think it’s safe there either” she responds as they retreat to the yard, hopping back onto the fence.

“What about Firestar, maybe h-he can help us?” Smudge suggests, looking from his neighboring yard where rusty once lived then to the forest that loomed ahead of them.

“I-I don’t know, this has been going on for more than a week now, would the clans even still be alive?” Princess gazed out wearily towards the woods, her heart aching for her brother and son who were out there.

“Sure they are, they’re tough remember?” Smudge could’ve smiled at the thought of how much Firestar grew since he had first met him, from just a house cat like him to one of the most well known forest cats, surely he would help them in their distress.

When the shatter of glass breaking startles them coming from his house, the decision is clear.

The two leap down from their fence and run into the forest away from their crumbling old life and towards what they hoped was a better safer future.

———

Everything was so quiet, peaceful. The sound of the mourning dove cooing in the trees above camp, the light breeze of the wind against rock of his den. His forepaws tighten around his mate, brining her sleeping form closer along with their daughters between them, Leafpaw at least was curled up between them, Squirrelpaw was sprawled out using them as a nest. He wishes they could stay this way forever, close and safe beside him.

The thought of the upcoming clan meeting that needed to be held weighed on his mind heavily, constantly weighing on his choice to lie to his clan. The stress of the sickness spreading like a wildfire in addition to the revelation of their ancestors he feared would cripple their will. Was he really doing the right thing?

Sandstorm’s soft sleeping breaths blow against his chest fur, he leans his muzzle over to press it into the fur on her head, his heart swelling at the contact with his mate. He spend what felt like hours rehearsing what he was going to say in his head, how his clanmates might react to what he said. He knew he should get it over with before Graystripe set out the dawn patrols.

“Sandstorm, my love” he wakes gently, his mate scrunching her face with a sleepy mumble as she twitches.

Her eyes fluttered open, taking a shortened breath before sitting up. “Firestar? Hmm is something wrong?” She looks at the dens entrance as of anticipating an attack.

Firestar touches his tail to her soothingly, “no no, nothings wrong. I’m going to call the clan meeting in a few moments” he laps at her raised fur.

“Oh, I’m sure the clan has been eager to hear what you’ll have to report” she replied, nudging their daughters awake gently.

After a quick grooming and a little morning conversation the family pads out of the den, Sandstorm and their kits hopping down with the rest of the clan while Firestar climbed up to the top of the highrock.

He stands tall with his head held high as he gazed down on his clanmates, many of whom were eating a quick breakfast from the kill pile or dazing around after just waking up with their fur still ungroomed.

“May all cats old enough to catch their own pray gather beneath the high rock for a clan meeting” he called out gathering his clans attention.

Cats slink out of their dens to gather beneath the rock, meowing amongst themselves in anticipation of the meeting. Many wondering what the results of their leaders mission had been.

Once all of his clanmates had gathered bellow him, Firestar opens his muzzle to speak.

“Im sure you are all curious to know what we learned on our journey yesterday. I’m afraid that..” he had to consciously stop himself from telling the truth, “I’m afraid Starclan didn’t have much more of an idea of what’s going on than us. But they shared what they did know and they will guide us through this like they always have, Thunderclan will survive” he announces with a clear voice, standing proud even if he didn’t feel like it.

Murmurs sound from the gathered cats below, he can spot Brambleclaw biting his lip as he sat next to Feathertail who had her eyes focused on the ground beneath her paws. Leafpaw pressed herself closer to Cinderpelt, the elder medicine cat raised an eye before draping her tail over her apprentice’s shoulder comfortingly sensing her unease.

“They’ve shared their guidance, thank goodness” an elder sighs with relief.

“Surely they’ll share more wisdom with Cinderpelt, a cure perhaps” another warrior meows.

“We’re gonna be alright” Brackenfur cheers.

Relief flooded over the camp’s occupants after the leaders reassurances that Starclan was watching over them, that their ancestors would bless them during this rough time.

Questions rose from the crowd of curious clanmates.

“What should we do now?”

“Did they say how it started?”

Cloudtail rolled his eyes at his clanmates blind following of Starclan.

“What else did they say?” questioned Mousefur at the front of the crowd, clearing her throat.

Firestar filled the clan in on what Spottedleaf had told him, minus the part of Starclan abandoning them. How the infection spreads through bites and tainted supplies, how they get more aggressive during the hours of the night. Unease was apparent on many of his clanmate’s faces when he mentioned the ones that stalked them on the way back.

“We are to prepare for anything the best we can and ensure we have enough resources to outlast this plague. Brackenfur” he calls the warrior who straightened his posture, “I need a report on the camps defenses, we need them at top shape more than ever”

Brackenfur spoke up, “Firestar, the camp walls are holding well but we’ve heard and scented a few sick cats lurking around in the dark. They just slumped against the walls for a moment before stumbling off into the forest. I know there wasn’t that many but if more come in even larger numbers there might be an issue”

The leader contemplated before ordering, “set up additional defenses, make sure our camp walls are sturdy; I’m sure there’s tons of small branches and logs you can use to add on to it. Dustpelt, Brackenfur; I want both of you to focus on the camp full time”

The two warriors meow their acknowledgment to the leader before he continues, “we are to stay in camp as much as we are able to, patrols will only go out for hunting or emergencies. If we can avoid the infected and with some luck, this whole thing might just blow over”

“No cat is to drink from the river, or preferably even go near it. We are to only to drink from rain water puddles, it should be safe. If anyone encounters these sick cats they are to report it directly to me, Cinderpelt, or Graystripe” Firestar announces, the clan listening intently, “and no cat whatsoever is to go out at nighttime”

These were decent guidelines for his clan to follow, he hoped it would help to keep his clanmates safe from the pestilence looming over the forest. He knew that just waiting it out wouldn’t be easy, not even counting the many infected wandering the territories prey and water were going to be a problem.

Water was going to be quite a large concern indeed the more he thought of it, the last rainstorm was days ago and he could assume the puddles near camp had already started to dry up if they haven’t dried already.

Brambleclaw leans down to Feathertail, his breath tickling her ear, “it sucks I know, keeping this secret. But I trust Firestar, if he says it’s the right thing” the tom whispers.

The two quietly whisper as Firestar finishes his announcements before Graystripe picked out the cats for a hunting patrol.

Brambleclaw and Feathertail perked as their names were called.

Feathertail scratches at the ground sighing, “I can’t promise I’ll be any good at hunting, I’m so used to catching fish”

“I’m sure you’ll do fine” he purred, tapping her shoulder reassuringly “now come on let’s go make sure the clan’s fed”

…

That was three days ago.

…

Wheezing coughs now filled the medicine den, nearly four of their warriors were sick with the telltale sign of green cough. Mousefur lied shivering in one of the few moss nests to spare, Longtail and Thornclaw layed sick as well. Ferncloud let a whimper escape her as she pampered Cinderpelt with anxious questions.

“Damn it, I’ve got it don’t I?” She hissed at herself, a twinge of fear in her eyes.

“Don’t get ahead of yourself, it just looks like greencough. Some catmint and you’ll be right as rain” Cinderpelt did her best to reassure.

“Are you sure? What if I accidentally got scratched-or-or if the moss water was tainted” the she cat stammers out before breaking into a rough cough.

The dark furred medicine cat puts her forepaw on the queen’s shoulder firmly, “Ferncloud trust me, I wouldn’t be mistaken on something like this”

The older medicine cats tone seems to put the queen at ease even if only for a moment. Cinderpelt meows over to Leafpaw who was sorting through their dwindling storage, barely enough left to treat one cat let alone all the ones that were now occupying the medicine den.

She sighs scrapping together a small mixture with her paws, “we won’t make it another day at this rate” Cinderpelt spoke solemnly.

Leafpaw could see the dread in her mentor’s usually cheery eyes, a sight that only made the pit in her stomach grow further.

“I could see if there are any warriors available to go out and help me gather some” Leafpaw offers, it felt more useful than just sorting the scraps they had left and tending to their ever increasingly paranoid patients.

Cinderpelt managed a weak smile, “always so eager to help. Take someone trustworthy, and thank you” the mentor pressed her nose to her apprentice.

“I’ll try to bring back a lot, nip this in the bud before it becomes an outbreak” Leafpaw promised.

Outside the medicine den she spotted a group of warriors preparing for a patrol, Firestar reminding them how to handle encounters with the plagued cats. She figured them too busy to bother and settled her gaze on the deputy.

Brackenfur and Graystripe were by the camp wall, discussing with each other. Brackenfur was taking his appointed task with Dustpelt very seriously, informing his old mentor on every addition and planned renovations to the camps defense.

She took a moment to gaze at the thick brambles that acted as walls around camp, now reinforced and built up with stacked together sticks held firm in place by vines and brambles. Any living warrior would struggle to get through it, though the unrelenting determination of the infected would be a problem if they decided they really wanted in.

Brackenfur chirps as the short molly approached them, the deputy turning his head and greeting her kindly.

“Leafpaw, what can we help you with?” Brackenfur asks as she approached the two.

“We’re low on herbs, can you two come with me to gather some? I know Firestar wanted us to leave camp as little as possible but our stocks won’t last another day” Leafpaw politely asked them, sitting neatly in front of the two.

Graystripe frowned apologetically, “I need to help organize hunting and water patrols with your father, and Brackenfur here needs to stay focused on the camp”

Leafpaw’s posture shrunk, though a mix of relief rushed through her at his decline. A part of her was still completely worried to leave camp after everything that happened the last time, though at the same time she knew how badly they needed those herbs, Mousefur’s condition was getting more dire.

“Sorry Leafpaw, it’s going to have to wait until the patrols get back” Graystripe spoke, his gaze shifting behind her as a dusty brown tom padded over.

“I can take her out, I’m sure a little herb run won’t be an issue. Promise to keep her safe” Dustpelt meowed, confident smile on his face.

“You sure? It would be better to have multiple warriors out with her” the deputy spoke.

“It’ll be fine, we won’t be gone long, just grabbing a few herbs and coming right back. I’ll make sure our darling medicine cat doesn’t get so much as a scratch on her pretty pelt” Dustpelt promises, “the clan could really use those herbs, right?” He looks to Leafpaw.

“Yes, we’re almost out” she pipes up instantly.

Graystripe sighs, he wanted to keep trips out of camp as limited as possible, “alright, but be quick and if you hear any infected abort and come back to camp, got that?”

“Got it” Dustpelt affirms, nodding respectfully at his peer.

The brown tom glances down at Leafpaw, “come on kit, let’s get going before we waste anymore daylight” the warrior nudges her flank with his tail.

Once a few cats open the entrance for them they slip out the camp and off into the forest.

—-

“So we need some thyme, cobwebs are always useful, some burdock roots, and most importantly-catmint” the medicine cat meows off a list of a few of the herbs they were low or out of.

“But of course we should probably just focus on the catmint today” she realized she was getting ahead of herself, it was best to focus on what was most urgently needed. The rest could wait until Firestar set up a proper patrol to gather the rest.

“Mhmm” Dustpelt hums affirmatively, “I’ll see if I can’t catch a mouse or two for the prey pile while we’re at it”

The two keep a brisk pace for a while, Dustpelt leading her along, taking a strange path towards the river. She can’t help but keep glancing behind her as if the two huge monstrosities from a few days would still be there following her.

“Are you sure there aren’t any nearby?” She asks the warrior, sounding more unease than she wanted to.

“Yes I’m sure, if there were we’d have turned back by now” he responds sounding annoyed.

“Well I just want to be sure we’re safe, those cats are dangerous” Leafpaw’s voice softened.

“Are you going to keep asking the entire trip? For the last time, we’re fine” Dustpelt spoke sternly like a fed up queen.

Leafpaw bites back a response to the curt warrior, choosing to simply follow behind him silently.

“You’re seriously going to trust that tom?” An older voice spoke as if directly in her ears, “sure seems like a bad idea to me” it seems to echo around her

Leafpaw whips her head around only to be met with empty forest, her muzzle agape in surprise. Dustpelt’s ears flick, “what now? There’s nothing out there” the tom grunts unamused.

“You didn’t hear that?” She mews, tail curling anxiously.

“No, your minds just playing tricks on you. A delicate little medicine cat like you just can’t handle these rough times we’re in” he speaks with a tone of condescending and dismissiveness, “now come on already, you’re just holding us up”

She pouts at his dismissive tail flick as he continued along, just because he was warrior didn’t make him so superior. Her muzzle opens to argue but a voice cuts her off.

“you were better off waiting for those other warriors”

She spins around, nothing greeting her eyes yet again. Her pelt bristled, a soothing chill washing over her as if she was standing face to face with the moonstone again. It almost reminded her of how she felt when she was able to visit Starclan, under their protection.

The small molly mews in surprise as she realizes she’s being left behind by her escort before running up after the brown warrior.

——

“Hey, we should be going the other way right?” Leafpaw mewed, her gaze on the trees around them, weary as if they could be jumped at any time.

Dustpelt doesn’t respond, simply carrying on like knew just where to go.

“Riverclan border is that way, we need catmint remember? Unless you want to go to the twoleg place to get it” the molly argued, but wouldn’t dare to leave his side knowing the dangers that were in the territory.

She gazes in the direction towards the enemy territory, her and Mothwing had a deal cut where they’d allow access to each others herbs. It had worked out well enough but now Leafpaw wasn’t feeling particularly confident to face her peer’s infected clanmates. With Feathertail’s recounts of the state of Riverclan she wasn’t even sure if the clan would ever recover.

The warrior finally stops, halting her with his bushy tail.

“Here’s a good of a spot as any” Dustpelt finally spoke, a glint to his eye that she couldn’t recognize as he turned to her.

She looked around, dense brush and trees made it feel safe from the infected but there were no herbs to be found. Leafpaw pressed her nose to the ground sniffling for any trace of the catmint her mentor trusted her to find but no, the area was devoid of anything worthwhile.

“What do you mean, there’s nothing here-“ The medicine cat squeaks as the warrior pins her to the ground on her back with one swift and skillful motion.

“Dustpelt! What are you doing?” She shouts, tensing up beneath the heavy warrior.

“I coulda sworn I saw some catmint around here while hunting the other day” he shrugs, “must have been mistaken”

“I was going to do this anyways though, I have to admit I’ve been thinking about it for a few days now” he purrs, not leaving his position on top of her.

Leafpaw huffs, squirming against his weight, “stop, this isn’t funny” her protest seemed to have effect on the warrior.

He traces her belly fluff with his forepaw, admiring her pristinely soft fur. It felt like a treasure just to touch, a forbidden pleasure all for him to indulge.

“I’ve always known Ferncloud was a mouseheart, but lately she’s just been worthless to be around. I’m a tom, I have my needs you know? But she’s just refusing to put out” he complains, rubbing over one of her nubs, “oh what if they hear us? I’m sorry darling I just can’t tonight with everything going on” he mocks with his best attempt at Fernclouds soft voice.

The medicine cat feels something hard poke against her belly fur while he rants and glares at him.

“Come on, I’ve been so stressed out lately, and you’re a medicine cat it’s your job to make your clanmates feel better” Dustpelt meows looking down at her with grin, “isn’t that right?”

——

Not too far from the clans of the forest, a twelog made hold of the earth with carved layers of fine stone caverns makes it a perfect nesting spot for cats to congregate. Before the dead started to rise, some warriors and apprentices who wanted a break from the strain of the day-to-day work of the clans would come here with the rogues to forget about their responsibility for a night. When the world around them went tail up, the cats of the quarry banded together and formed a safe haven or a functioning slave den once a certain band of ruthless rogues turned up from far away lands.

Cats who did not belong to the kin and resisted the change in leadership were either forced out, enslaved, or killed.

It didn’t take long till more cats wandering looking for help ended up in the clutches of the quarry cats. One of these refugees is the former Riverclan medicine cat Mothwing. When Leopardstar and her entourage were making a break for Shadowclan she made a split-second panicked decision and ran away from the clan territories. She didn't make it far before running into a patrol of cats who captured her and brought her back. She was brought to the cavern on the very top of the quarry. It was defendable, and there was only one path leading up to it: a cold set of metal stairs leading up to the massive fortress these cats had inherited for themselves, she was brought into a well-decorated den with padded floors. A pillowed throne sat a hulking figure coming into the light his pale blue eyes shined like sapphires amongst his black and white fur.

The cats who brought Mothwing shove her down before the figure before he spoke.

“Well, well… a clan cat… this one’s not bad on the eyes. You ever been here before?”

“N-no. But I heard of it.”

“That’s good… then you should know what we offer here, yes?”

“Drugs?”

“Well, yes… but also entertainment. Lots of cats here need a good companion for a night, and well, would you know it, we have a couple of openings. My talent scouts who brought you here thought you’d be a perfect fit, and looking you over, I’d have to agree…” the tom explained.

“N-no, wait, please I-“ the she-cat begged from her crouched position

“Ooh, sorry, can’t talk for long. I gotta go see my injured and sick real quick. Boys, show our new employee where she’ll be staying till someone’s ready for her.” he smirked

The two Tom’s approached her, but Mothwing resisted pushing up and growling.

“You said you had sick and injured!? I can help!”

The tom stopped in his tracks and turned to Molly, padding toward her, his massive figure reminding her of her brother.

“Is that right?”

“I am… was… the medicine cat for my clan. I can help your sick and injured.”

The black and white tom nudged his head at his guards “Give us some privacy.”

The two guards did as instructed and left, leaving Mothwing alone with the massive tom.

“I like your bite, girl. Not many would get in my face after i made a decision…But you read me like a book. You say you can help my injured; you follow through on that, and well… I’ll see of keeping you out of the slave pits.”

“I can. I just need certain herbs.”

The tom helped up mothwing. His black fur covered the top of his face, almost like he was wearing a mask.

“Oh, you’ll have all you’ll need. Come on, I’ll take you to the med bay right now… where are my manners? We never got properly introduced. What's your name?” he asked with a smile.

“Mothwing,” she answered.

The huge tom lowered his head in a polite bow before speaking.

“Nice to meet you, Mothwing; my name is Darktail. Welcome to The Quarry.”

Chapter Text

Morningflower’s nest had grown colder, empty without the presence of her darling kit. The she cat remained still, her chest gently rising and falling in blissful sleep. Her tail remained curled as if her son remained by her side, not noticing the lack of the apprentice beside her.

One cat had noticed the naive toms disappearance though.

“I’m going out to look for him” Mudclaw growled, packing back and forth in front of his cross clan friend’s nest.

“It’s extra dangerous out there at the moment if you have forgotten” Hawkfrost pointed out while taking a moment away from grooming his pristine fluffy pelt.

“All the more reason to go and get him” Mudclaw meowed back, “stay here if you want, but I’m going with or without your help” he added with determination.

“Do you really want to put our lives at risk like that?” Hawkfrost argues quietly, still not standing from his nest, “he ran off on his own, your not to blame for his mousebrain decision”

Mudclaw hissed at him, “he’s a young apprentice, the kit doesn’t know what he’s getting himself into. I’m not letting a clanmate walk into their own death. There’s a whole patrol lost out there as well” his muddy brown tail lashed across the ground.

“So what, you want to go parading around in the dark looking for all of them? I hate to say it, but their chances-especially the hunting patrol’s-are not good” Hawkfrost meows calmly like he’s stating a simple fact.

“I’ll risk everything for them, wouldn’t you do the same for your clanmates?” Mudclaw’s gaze turns serious.

Would he?

Mothwing, Feathertail, Stormfur; all cats he considered himself close to, yet he chose to leave them behind for his own safety taking advantage of Windclan’s hospitality without much of a second thought. Would he leave them behind too if it came to it?

The Riverclan tom felt a pinch of guilt prick at his heart, perhaps he wasn’t the clanmate he could’ve been.

“Morningflower would be devastated if anything happened to him. He’s her only surviving kit” the mottled tom sighs, glancing over at the sleeping queen.

Hawkfrost sighs before standing, he touches his tail tip to Mudclaw’s cheek, “Always with the reckless heroics” the pretty tom stretches before stepping towards the entrance, “I’d better come with you, some cats gotta keep you from getting yourself killed out there” he couldn’t believe he was agreeing to this.

With as smooth of a tongue as Hawkfrost’s it was easy to distract the guard as Mudclaw padded out, Hawk joining him moments after. The two cats leaving the safety of camp to go out into the deadly night.

——

A pair of restless eyes watch as the two warriors slink out of camp, Deadfoot had a clear view of the entrance from where he curled up with his mate. They weren’t sneaking off to relive themselves or fool around like some disobedient apprentices, they were on a mission. Mudclaw had a determined look in his eye and Deadfoot could tell by it just where they were going.

The scent of his clanmates, how his mate’s heart beat in his ear as he rested his head on her, it almost made him salivate.

He dug his claws into his arm, putting sharp pressure into wounding his skin until the burst of adrenaline cleared his scornful thoughts away.

His eyes burned, head pounding like these intrusive thoughts were trying to tear their way out of him, he knew deep inside that his time was coming to an end.

He pulls away from Ashfoot as gently as he can, watching as she mumbles at the removal of warmth and curls her tail around herself in her sleep in his place. He leans down to press his lips to her forehead, “I love you” he muttered so softly. He takes in her peaceful sleeping face, admiring her beauty one last time before forcing himself to pad away.

The camp guard lets him pass, accepting his excuse of using the dirt place as he made his way into the tunnel system from camp. Not much time before he was a mess of a cat, trembling and vomiting confined to a nest barely able to move in bouts of weakness and delusions before his clanmates would have to put an end to him before he turned on them.

Crowpaw was still out there, Deadfoot could do one last thing before all his will faded and his mind became focused on only one terrible thing. He followed Hawkfrost’s easily noticeable Riverclan scent and Mudclaw’s familiar one, he knew the two mousebrains were doing the same as him.

———

“There, I can pick up his scent trail he went this way” Mudclaw announced, his voice low as the two toms padded along together in the darkness.

Their way was lit only by the brief glints of moonlight between the dense clouds. Hawkfrost padded close to the larger tom, staying as close as possible to the only one between them to know the ins and outs of the territory.

“I don’t smell any rot, that’s the first good thing going for us tonight” Hawkfrost commented dryly at the lack of one of the telling signs of infected in the area. It wasn’t a certain way to know, especially for cats that were more recently turned, but ones that had lingered with mangled wounds for awhile were very easy to detect.

“I wouldn’t count on scent alone, keep your eyes and ears peeled” Mudclaw grunted, half focused on maintaining the apprentices trail.

The moorland grass bends beneath their paws as they creeped further and further away from camp, no turning back now. The crickets chirped their little tunes, the chilly night wind washing over their pelts, had there not been such a territory wide emergency going on it would have just felt light a normal night. Stars Mudclaw missed those quiet moor nights, laying in their old camp staring up at a clear star scattered sky, the late night conversations with his clanmates as they gazed up at the cosmic beauty.

Perhaps someday they could return to normal, he thought hopefully to himself. Perhaps Hawkfrost would be there too by his side, to gaze at the stars with him.

The mottled warrior gazed over to his comrade who was padding so close that his fluffy pelt brushed against Mudclaw’s thick fur. It was an unlikely friendship, especially with Mudclaws known aggression towards Riverclan or other clans in general.

Hawkfrost caught his gaze, returning a warm glance despite his icy eyes with a charming smirk. The Riverclan tom had been the one to spark off their friendship, causal banter at a particularly boring gathering had turned into routine chats and greetings at gatherings and border patrols, even a few nighttime meetings at the Riverclan border.

The Riverclan tabby’s pelt suddenly bristles as his ears perked as his gaze turned upwards to the black sky.

A whirling howl cuts through the silent night air as the roar of a metal bird flys over them in seconds, speeding its way towards twoleg place with its near deafening hum roaring over the moors. The two warriors flinched but straightened up just as fast, they couldn’t see it in the dark sky but they could sure hear it as its sudden noise cut through the quiet night and the force of its speed ruffling their fur. It was a somewhat common occurrence now to see them flying around, usually in pairs around the twolegplace, patrols regularly reported to Tallstar about sightings of the strange birds.

The two remained in a tense crouch as a light bright enough to be seen from how far away they were flashed in the twolegplace where the bird had flown towards, a boom echoing from it sounding dull from their distance to the event.

As quickly as it happened it ended, silence returning to the moors once again. After a moment of tension Mudclaw shares a glance with Hawkfrost and the two resume their travel.

“I hate those things” Mudclaw growled, “never seen them before all this started”

Hawkfrost tilted his muzzle upwards as if he could see into the sky, “Mothwing thought they were twoleg monsters, just ones that could fly” he recounted.

“Oh great, flying monsters” Mudclaw meowed, his gruff voice thick with sarcasm, “lets just hope they stick to the twolegplace”

The muddy brown tom huffs before continuing towards Gorsepaw’s scent. They were getting a good distance from camp by now, though the apprentices scent was beginning to grow fresher.

“Who knows how long the kit has been out before you noticed his absence” Hawkfrost pondered, scouring the sunless fields as far as his keen eyes could see, “Must’ve been gone an hour at the least judging by his scent”

“We haven’t seen any infected cats, there’s a chance he hasn’t either” Mudclaw meowed sternly as if he knew Hawkfrost was thinking, shooting down implications of the young cat’s death, “it’s not the first time he’s beaten the odds with his dumb luck” he trails off.

The Windclan warrior’s mind drifted to earlier times as the two navigated through the grass, of how Gorsepaw had narrowly escaped a brush with death when Tigerstar had the kit in his sights. The apprentice still had scars of where the massive tabby dug his claws in, and nightmares of what could have happened. Mudclaw almost missed the normalcy of those days, when Shadowclan was their prime threat and his battles felt simpler.

Warriors could be cruel and calculating, with hate and disgust in eyes for them, goals to purge the forest of them like they were nothing but vermin. Even with that he could comprehend them, understand them enough to despise them. He’d never thought he’d miss the hostile glare of an enemy warrior, but it was better compared to the dull hungry and unrelenting gaze of the cats that now littered their home.

“You seem to care a lot about the kit” Hawkfrost commented as the two slowed to a stop for a moment, “are you his father?” His icy blue eyes sparkled curiously.

Mudclaw almost jumped back as his eyes widened at the question, “what, no! Me and Morningflower never..” he trailed off, his cheeks burning and embarrassment in his voice.

Hawkfrost chirped with amusement, “What’s wrong with Morningflower? She seems like a fine molly” he raised an eyebrow as he smirked.

“Nothing, I never said that” he growled, “I just..” he groaned as he trailed off, clearly embarrassed by the direction of the conversation.

Stars his buttons were so easy to push.

“You just?” Hawkfrost made a circular motion with a forepaw urging him to continue.

You like toms?

“I never took a mate, not that there was a lack of willing queens, I’m just.. not into mollys” Mudclaw confessed, his expression cringed as he said it out loud. “Gorsepaw’s like a son to me, and I know he looks up to me. He was one of the only kits that survived Brokenstar driving us out, I sort of grew to feel responsible for him”

“Hey don’t try to change the subject on me” Hawkfrost playfully scolded, only adding to Mudclaw’s embarrassment, “you never told me you had an eye for toms” Hawkfrost teased, the Riverclan tom knew since meeting him, he was terrible at hiding in the closet.

Mudclaw growled, “you’re one to talk, you practically raise your tail for every tom that looks at you”

“I do and I own it” Hawkfrost winked at him, “now quit it, shame’s a bad look on you. I’m sure your clanmates have no judgment, I mean just look at Tallstar” Hawkfrost flicked his paw in a flamboyant gesture as he said the leader’s name.

Hawkfrost had scooted closer during the conversation, brushing their fur so close it made Mudclaw blush furiously. Hawkfrost suppressed a chuckle, it was so easy to make the Windclan hunk flustered.

“We have an apprentice to search for, can’t you save this conversation for later?” Mudclaw grumbled, glancing away. Though he didn’t pull away from the other tom.

“Maybe I want to have it right now, we can talk and walk” Hawkfrost purrs cheekily, invading Mudclaw’s personal space.

Mudclaw looks like he was about to say something before a noise alerted the two, now suddenly aware that they weren’t safe again.

They had stood still for too long, something was tailing them, the grass shaking and bending as it followed their trail. They could hear pawsteps getting closer, dry grass crunching.

“Down, now” Mudclaw ordered quietly, putting a strong forepaw on the top of Hawkfrost’s back and pushing down to force the tom into a crouch aligned with him.

A dark scrawny tom pushes out of the grass, his nose pressed to the ground, he must’ve been following their scent. Mudclaw eyes dilated in recognition from their spot in the grass.

It was… Deadfoot?

The deputy coughed harshly before clearing his throat, his experienced eyes trailed the ground before settling right on their hiding place “I can see you two, you can come out now” he rasped.

Mudclaw sighed in relief that it wasn’t an infected that caught them, but a prick of worry filled him that they might be ordered back to camp by the deputy.

“Deadfoot” Mudclaw quietly greeted as he stepped out, ushering out his fluffy companion with his tail.

“Mudclaw, Hawkfrost. You’re out here looking for them” it wasn’t a question.

“Yes” Mudclaw answered almost instantly, “I believe we can find Gorsepaw before he runs into anything dangerous”

Mudclaw eyed his superior respectfully, the deputy looked worse for ware; he looked out of breath and his eyes exhausted. Still the determined deputy kept up his posture and his unbreaking focus in his task.

“We’ve been tracking his scent, he’s been through here” Hawkfrost spoke up at Mudclaw’s side.

“We haven’t scented anything following him, we need to keep looking” the mottled tom spoke.

“You’re supposed to stay in camp” Deadfoot coughed.

“And what exactly is it you’re doing out here?” Hawkfrost butted back.

Deadfoot was silent for a brief moment before chuckling, “doing the same thing you two are doing”

——

Gorsepaw padded happily across the territory, head forward, eyes full of wonder. The dark obscured the vast moors but he was still enthralled to be able to see his home again after being stuck underground.

He was a little scared at first when he realized just how dark it had gotten, but his mother would surely be proud seeing how brave he was being. He kept going further into parts of the territory he wasn’t particularly familiar with, even so, he had a skip in his step.

“Onewhisker!”

“Tornear!”

He shouts into the dark to his senior warriors, his hight pitched voice sounding out over the fields.

No one responded back, but it didn’t dissuade the apprentice. Gorsepaw kept walking with his eyes peeled, until something caught his attention.

A beautiful moth had flew by him, landing on the dainty petal of a flower growing on the moor. Gorsepaw felt a playful urge and smiled to himself as he leapt into a crouch, stalking closer to the little bug.

Springing with his hindpaws, he leap into the air and missed entirely as he sprung passed the flower and rolled onto the ground.

He giggled as he recovered, watching as the little moth fluttered away into the night. He almost forgot how fun running around the moors was, even if Crowpaw never shared that same enthusiasm with him.

The cold scent of his clanmates caught his attention.

Oh! He almost forgot why he set off in the first place.

The scents of Onewhisker and Tornear were evident in the flattened grass, though Crowpaw seemed to have branched off from them. The small tom’s nose wrinkled, it smelled like something was rotting nearby.

Gorsepaw took a pawstep towards the path his fellow apprentice took before stepping back. He set off along towards where he thought the warriors went, the two older toms would know what to do.

He felt a tingle of excitement bristle from his stomach; they would be so impressed he came to find them all on his own!

He walked for what felt like a couple minutes, he could hear the muffled roaring of the waterfall from the gorge that separated them from Riverclan. A dangerous area with a fall that he knew to avoid, the violent water would sweep away any cat and that’s if they survived the trip down.

As he pressed on further, a rustling in a patch of tall grass across a few tail lengths from him snapped him to attention. It stopped as soon as he swiveled his head to look at it, one of the taller plants left swaying for a moment before becoming as still as the other foliage.

He stood there for a heartbeat, curiously watching the area as the wind gently blew over him. Then suddenly the grass shook harshly, moving rabidly away from him.

“Woah” he muttered as he watched the top stems of the grass shake, moving away at an impressive speed.

Tornear and Onewhisker’s scent were close along with a third distinct scent that he couldn’t put his paw on, they were becoming clearer which only made him more eager to press onward. He could see the tall standing figure of a tree not far from him, an uncommon structure in Windclan territory, and that’s where the little tom decided to go.

He could see a large cat pacing around the base of the tree, its glossy red pelt standing out as it clawed at a small hole in the ground towards the base of the wood. Tornear’s scent was strong, he had to be over there by the small tunnel entrance, but Gorsepaw didn’t recognize the cat prowling around.

“Hello..? Are you alright mister?” Gorsepaw politely asked padding towards the wounded cat, it certainly didn’t behave like the infected described by warriors.

His heart skips a beat when he got closer to it, realizing in a snap moment that the distinct red pelt wasn’t a pelt at all, rather a near complete lack of one. Only shreds of skin and fur hung from one of its paws and parts of its back as if it had out grown it, only overgrown muscle tissue remaining.

The yellow tinged white of its skull protruded through the overstretched muscles on its head like a crown. Its jaw looked twisted in a permanent snarl as it fixed its hunger glinted eyes on him, the whites red from bursted capillaries. A phlegmy hiss sounded from its throat as it stood to its full overbearing height, now entirely focused on him entirely.

In the time it took him to blink it had bolted towards him with a twisted yowl, it moved faster than any rabbit he had seen while out training, and it was coming right at him. Gorsepaw yelped and turned to run, sprinting as fast as his legs would take him.

It wasn’t enough to make it to anywhere safe, he barely made it a few feet away before it caught up to him, it’s growling breaths getting closer and closer. He could barely manage a squeak as he was barreled over onto his back, his breath knocked out of him. Gorsepaw shivered and coiled into himself as he could feel it’s blood wet exposed tissue tense as it held him to the ground.

With it right on top of him he can make out its face with newfound detail, it’s intelligent predatory eyes that held rage and hunger in them unbreakingly locked with his, it’s drooling muzzle that showed off dozens of sharp fangs. Its red exposed muscles rippled and tensed, along its neck he could see the glint of a bell from a collar that the mutated muscle had seemed to grow around.

It leans in so close that Gorsepaw’s cheek fur almost brushes against its bare face muscles, it’s wild eyes locking deathly with his as it opens its wide mouth in a snarl. The tiny apprentice whimpers at the sight of its malformed jagged teeth, recoiling at the stench of rotting meat that rolled off its breath.

Gorsepaw can’t move, fear paralyzing his body as his heart thumped heavy in his chest, the large claws of his attacker pricking at his chest ready to eviscerate him any moment now. He can’t manage anything more than a whimper out of his shaking throat, no matter how hard he tried to yowl for help.

The massive cat raises its head up, opening its grotesque maw in preparation to lunge into a bite on the defenseless tom. It lunges its neck down, jaw open and ready tear into his meal.

Time seems to slow as a deep sense of regret pooled within him, he never said goodbye to his mom, he thought he would come home unscathed. He was about to something’s prey, feel his skin pulled off and be devoured alive. The only thing he could do is watch with wide terrified eyes as the unnaturally strong cat’s disgusting jaws got closer.

…

Like a flash, a muscular brown furred arm speeds across his vision, sending his attacker back with a heavy uppercut. He finally regained control of his body enough to shuffle back on shaky paws that struggled to keep grasp of the ground.

A familiar scent comforted him as he saw who the arm belonged to, Mudclaw stood protectively in front of him, the muscular tom lashing his tail and growling so low it rivaled the infected he stood against. Two more sets of pawsteps rushed up to his sides, Deadfoot and Hawkfrost.

The deputy scruffed him, pulling him to his feet. Gorsepaw shakily stood, eyes trained on the skinless monstrosity that was regaining its balance, its gazed now fixated entirely on the mottled tom.

“Gorsepaw” Deadfoot breathed a sigh of relief, ushering the apprentice behind him.

“Alright we got the kit, do we run?” Hawkfrost called out, standing tensely with his eyes trained on it.

“I think that thing can outrun us easily” Deadfoot denied, glancing around for any path out of this.

“Then we fight” Mudclaw muttered as he unsheathed his claws, preparing as the infected growled at him.

It stances up and stood at its full height, taller than any of the windclan cats, with a newfound rage in its eyes as it locked gazes with Mudclaw. It let out a violent shriek that pierced throughout the night as it charged the tom. This was going to the most dangerous battle any of them have faced.

Chapter Text

Piercing shrieks and yowls echoed through night shrouded moors as the fight raged. Mudclaw, as bulky of a tom as he was, was thrown to the side as if he was a newborn kitten, his claws scraping deep trails into the dirt as he skidded across the grass.

Gorsepaw stood speechless, his fur fluffed up, Deadfoot refusing to let any fear get to him as he stood up to the beast.

Sinking his fangs into its exposed muscle was enough to get its attention away from his clanmate, the monster of a cat snarling as rotten blood stained his teeth, rich like iron.

The infected settled its gaze on Hawkfrost who returned it a disgusted glare, the cat barely paying attention to the deputy that cling to its side as it prowled towards the fluffy riverclan tom and the shaking apprentice that hid behind him.

The force of its lunge shook off Deadfoot, one of his claws as well as it was left sunken into dense raw muscle.

Hawkfrost leaped to the side, incidentally barreling over Gorsepaw with him. It lands on its paws and lunges again with barely any recovery, its jaw clacking when it barely misses Hawkfrost’s flesh, ripping out a tuft of his soft fur instead.

Just as it was reeling back its head for another strike two furious yowls cried from behind.

Mudclaw had pounced into its back, tearing into its shoulders as if it was a piece of prey and not twice his size. Deadfoot wrapped his arms around its leg, pulling with all his might to throw it off balance.

It shriek and hissed, shaking and bucking with a fury and with that Hawkfrost saw an opening and dashed into the fray, ignoring the tugging feeling he had to just run.

His swift claws raked down its thrashing head, narrowly missing its eye and slashing a trail of claw marks down its cheek.

It really didn’t seem to like that, screaming into the air while wriggling against Mudclaw’s grip. One of its kicks landed, hard, sending Deadfoot into the mud with the breath knocked out of him. Rearing on its hind legs it let out a bloody snarl before falling to its back, Mudclaw crushed underneath its fleshy weight.

It rolled off quickly before Hawkfrost could get in a swipe at its belly where it’s intestines looked just a claws swipe away from spilling, leaving Mudclaw groaning as he laid in the grass.

Gorsepaw took a few feeble swipes at its form but it didn’t even react, only turning around to Mudclaw and batting him like a dead mouse across the area.

Mudclaw coughed as he hit the ground, his vision blurred, barely having time for recover before it leap towards him.

It was done playing with its food.

He rolled out of the way of it’s boney paws just in time before it repositioned and went in for a strike to his neck.

Time seemed to freeze for his companions, Gorsepaw squeezing his eyes shut, Deadfoot making a fruitless charge towards him, Hawkfrost yelling his name, all as the cat’s claws swiped at his vitals.

A gray form had leaped into its side, ramming it off the mottled cat as it joined the battle.

Mudclaw had gasped in relief as he recognized the cat that had emerged from the hole in the ground. It was Tornear, his brother, now digging his claws into the cat’s tough layer of muscles.

“Tornear, you’re alive” Mudclaw called, his sides aching.

His brother returned a nod, before being flung off of the monstrosity with a rough shake.

It shrieked with fury before lunging again, striking out at whatever cat was closest to its reach.

They ducked and dodged, avoiding the frenzious blows and bites. With the addition of a fresh warrior they were able to keep up an offensive, batting and clawing at it when they could.

They were in rhythm with each other, attacking in tandem just as one of them distracted it. With claws, bashes, and bites its muscles were tearing and what was left of its pelt sagged, countless spatters of blood painted the grass yet it still stood strong.

“Come on don’t let up, it’s gotta drop dead sometime” Deadfoot snarled in an attempt to boost morale.

All of them were panting heavily, the strain of the battle building.

“Break its neck, won’t be able to move without a spine” Hawkfrost hissed coldly, seemingly growing more annoyed at the infected as every purposeful slash stained his pretty fur.

“Easier said than done” Mudclaw grunted, wrestling with one of its muscly fore paws.

Its eyes darted back and forth between the four attacking warriors and apprentice, something akin to fear flashed in its wild gaze, if it was even capable of feeling such things anymore.

It leaped back, keeping the group at bay with a violent snarl and a lash of its fleshy tail. It raised its muzzle straight to the sky and opened its jaws.

The shriek it let out shook the group to the core, Gorsepaw trembling as he hid behind Hawkfrost’s fear bristled fluff. It almost sounded like the cry of a scared kitten, but amplified tenfold and nearly gargled.

It cranes its head to glare back at them as its yowl trailed off into a fierce bloody snarl, sending speckles of crimson onto the grass around them.

“What in the name of Starclan is it doing?” Tornear hissed with panicked confusion, holding a paw to his ear.

Hawkfrost’s usually composed gaze had widened, shaking as he looked to the horizon as it finally made sense.

“It’s calling for back up”

A chorus of screams blended together in the distance echoing over the moors, as if they were announcing that they were descending upon the warriors. Dozens of silhouettes in the distance moved towards them, down the hills, from the grass, it seemed they came from everywhere, practically tripping over each other at the prospect of tearing them apart.

The huge cat’s bloodshot eyes locked with Mudclaw, and it looked like it was ready to get back into the fight.

Mudclaw tensed, no matter how hard he steeled himself, it’s studying gaze cut right through whatever wall he built up and cut straight into his heart. He knew that sundown was dangerous, even heard whispers from warriors who had returned to camp late of demons that stalked the dark, but he was skeptical of them. There were only whispers, theories and gossip; probably due to the fact that most patrols that stayed out late past dark ended up missing.

Now, facing one head on, he understood why. A patrols worth of seasoned warriors, cats that would be considered some of the best in their respective clans, and they were being batted around like nothing. If one of these things found its way into camp, it would be over… and they were crawling around everywhere at night.

In his thoughts Mudclaw had been left open, the thing’s wide open muzzle lunging for his throat.

“Mudclaw!” Deadfoot shouted with worry, throwing all of his body at the warrior to knock him out of the way.

With adrenaline flowing freely through his veins he managed to force Mudclaw’s bulky body out harms way, but now he was right in the path of its snapping jaws.

Deadfoot yowled as large jagged teeth dug right into his side, squeezing a pained cry from him as he was lifted with ease by the hulking monstrosity. Mudclaw snarled at the infected and dug his own fangs into its leg but a sharp kick sent him flying, Tornear swatting it with his claws before running to his side

Deadfoot screeches in agony as he’s shook in its powerful jaws, jagged teeth sharpened by the bones of many meals digging into his pelt. His flesh gives way and his body is sent flying, a large chunk of muscle tearing off remained trapped between its sturdy fangs.

His yowl pierces the night, strained and furious. His body felt like it would collapse at any second, blood trickling from his slacked muzzle. He already accepted that his life would end tonight.

As his eyelids grew heavy Gorsepaw’s cries rang heavy in his ears, the little tom having tried to run over to his side yelling his name. Hawkfrost had held the young cat back, holding him back by the scruff as Gorsepaw cried out to the deputy.

His blurry vision he could see the terrible beast’s bloodlusted gaze shift towards the apprentice.

No…

He forces his eyes to stay open, his mind to stay awake, and his heart to keep beating. Deadfoot stands shakily as it eagerly swallows the piece of him it ripped off, he’s bleeding and exhausted but will not relent, snarling as he faced it once more.

He turns his head to Mudclaw, “take them and get out of here! I’ll lead it away” he hissed his order, pain tingling throughout his entire body.

Mudclaw’s expression soured with realization, eyes glossed with tears as he stared at the tom he looked up to. The mottled warrior looked like he wanted to argue, but Deadfoot’s order was absolute.

There was no time, within minutes they’d be swarmed.

The recognition hit Mudclaw like a truck, If the group was to live, to make it back to camp, to save the naive Gorsepaw from a gruesome fate.

Someone would have to die.

“I said run!” Deadfoot snapped, signaling his successor to usher the rest of the group away from the scene, every cat turning tail and fleeing.

Gorsepaw looked back, meeting the deputy’s gaze gratefully one last time as they left him for dead.

“Don’t look back” Hawkfrost growled, quickening his pace as dozens of bodies closed in on the area behind them.

The hulking cat was too focused on its challenge to notice the group turning tail, eyes locked into the wounded Deadfoot.

“Come on you damn freak, I’m the one you want!” Deadfoot shouted, barely getting words out before he coughed.

It obliged, with ferocity.

Heavy, vile, weight threw itself at the injured tom with a vicious snarl, no intent or capability to show mercy.

Deadfoot narrowly threw himself out of its way and scrambled to his paws before bolting away once he was sure he had its undivided attention.

He ran opposite of his clanmates, towards the Riverclan border, snarls and yowls melding on his tail as they all converged on behind him.

He looked over his shoulder, feeling some sense of ease even in the chaos as he saw the group running away, only a few twitchy bodies pursuing them. His eyes widened as he turned back to all the hungry eyes after him though, dozens and dozens of bloody and ruined cats clawing over each other to get to him, yowls and screams drawing closer and closer. At the front of the pursuing horde, the huge mutilated cat they were just fighting was sprinting towards him with an unwavering determination to not only devour its meal but to tear apart one of the cats that had bested it.

Deadfoot felt his lungs burning so intense, he’d never pushed himself so hard in his life but he couldn’t stop now.

Just a little further…

The roaring of rushing water filled his ears and the tear in the earth of the gorge grew closer.

His failing body could barely keep going, a willful spirit could only get him so far.

One wrong step close to the edge and he had given the cats enough time to sink their claws into him, endlessly hungry fangs gnawing into his flank.

The huge infected cat overshadowed the others its intense weight pressing down on him, even swatting away some of the others that got in its way.

Its rancid breath heaved heavily into his ear as it growled lowly before snapping its jaws around the dark tom’s ear.

He could feel his muscle pop as his ear was pulled off, claws digging into his back. Multiple sets of teeth sinking themselves in wherever they could reach around the massive mutant.

So many growls and snarls surrounded him, he couldn’t even hear himself scream over all of the noise.

Everything hurt, he couldn’t tell his throat was aching from screaming or if something had torn into to it.

With the last bit of strength he could muster he wrapped his arms around its huge lean body and pulled with everything he could muster, yowling furiously.

It gnawed and spat at him but he pushed onwards, digging his hindclaws into the ground even as teeth bit at his ankles.

Pushing with his hind legs and assisted by the pile of ravenous cats that pushed at the huge one’s back, he managed to send it-and himself- tumbling over the edge. The cliff side grew further and further away as he fell, he could see dozens of fumbling cats blindly leap after them, but even with the skinless cat clinging to him and digging its jaws into his neck all he could feel was peace.

He had succeeded at giving them a fighting chance, protecting his clanmates.

His eyes fell empty and closed before they had even breached the raging water.