It was a reckless decision. I was fully aware that it was a dangerous and life-threatening situation and moreover, I had absolutely no battle training whatsoever. Reading guide books was one thing and actually fighting was another.

I should have been more rational, but the thought of losing my mentor so soon scared me, and I was determined to prevent that from happening.

I rushed out of camp and angry yowls sounded behind me, but I didn't care. I continued running, silently hoping that I would be fast enough.

Woodspots' patrol had already set off, but the scent was still strong. I followed it like a blood hound, ignoring my growing fear and doubts and focusing on the task.

The horrifying sounds of battle became louder with every step I took. It was starting to crush what little confidence I had as I involuntarily shivered.

I was very close now. I braced myself to pounce into battle and slice every single enemy that stood in my way.

"Frostpaw!" A loud hiss stopped me in my tracks. I whipped around, shocked to see Stormpaw staring back at me with terrified eyes.

"Get back to camp, you will only get hurt," I hissed back.

"I can't let you fight ShadowClan on your own!" Stormpaw growled. "Either I'm coming with you or both of us get back to camp!"

His words made me stop and think. If I insisted on going, both of us may get injured, which would make me feel extremely guilty. However, if I return to camp with him, Streamripple's life may be in danger.

"I'm going," I mewed stubbornly, pouncing into battle.

The area was filled with screeching, slashing cats. The two Clans fought fiercely, each one not giving in to their enemy.

My eyes darted around to locate Streamripple. A broken heap of brown and white fur was at the other corner of the battlefield. It looked like Streamripple, and she looked badly hurt.

I ran towards her, only to be thrown off balance by a smaller, fiercer cat. His lip curled into a snarl as he struck me again, sending me rolling across the clearing.

"Be prepared to face death by the mighty Snakepaw's claws!" he announced with triumph.

"Not a chance, kit!" I snarled, climbing to my paws and readying myself to fight.

Stormpaw caught up with me, looking flustered. "What do we do?" his eyes were wild.

"We fight," I growled and charged towards Snakepaw.

Surprisingly, the ShadowClan apprentice was fast and he dodged my head on attack, causing me to crash into the bushes. Ow... I winced.

By the time I pulled myself out from the bushes, Snakepaw was advancing on Stormpaw with a vicious snarl. Stormpaw cowered under Snakepaw's threat and braced himself for the attack.

I jumped forward and barrelled into Snakepaw. I unsheathed my claws and slashed his face and he retaliated with a frontal blow.

Pain shot up my jaw and I was stunned by the pain. While I tried to recover from that attack, Snakepaw struck again.

I fell down hard. My bones felt broken - I'm sure that was not the case though - and panic surged up my body as I struggled to stand.

To add oil to the fire, another ShadowClan apprentice joined Snakepaw. Stormpaw and I could barely handle one and now we have to face two.

"Let's teach those kittypets a lesson, Darkpaw," Snakepaw meowed to the other apprentice.

Darkpaw nodded and they advanced, their claws reflecting the sun's light. I gulped and prepared for my demise with guilt written all over my face.

Out of the blue, a dark figure landed in between us and the two ShadowClan apprentices.

"Bramblefang!" Stormpaw gasped, relieved.

The ThunderClan warrior batted both Snakepaw and Darkpaw away without much effort. They realised that they were outmatched, but their pride prevented them from running away.

With a furious yowl, Snakepaw launched himself at Bramblefang, who sidestepped, causing him to land onto hard ground.

Darkpaw hesitated and decided to flee, knowing that he would end up like Snakepaw if he stayed and fight.

"Leave," Bramblefang meowed.

Snakepaw got up, growling. "I will be back!" With that, he fleed.

However, the battle was still raging on. Bramblefang led us back to camp, keeping a watchful eye on me as I tried to walk properly.

"Streamripple is still back there," I mewed, my voice worried and anxious. "We need to turn back."

"Blackfur brought her back to camp," Bramblefang responded, his voice deep and slow. "She will be fine with our medicine cats tending to her."

Relieved, I continued walking beside Stormpaw, who looked ashamed. He hung his head low as if he did not want to meet any cat's eye.

Bramblefang stopped abruptly. Unexpectedly, his expression was of shock.

"ShadowClan has invaded our camp."

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