Call of the Mountain

Call of the Mountain is the second part of the CrimsonClan series. It is written by 25NOVA and (anonymous person). Do not edit this page.

### Prologue

As Pandafeather woke up from his deep sleep, he sort of rolled to the fresh-kill pile, a common tactic used to preserve energy if alone and stranded. He was quite a sight to see. As he munched on his breakfast, a patrol of cats rushed into the camp. They were weak and severely wounded. As Jaystar and Nutleaf rushed out of their dens, the patrol whispered, “MountainClan…” before collapsing.

### MountainClan

“Goldenbreeze!” cried Pandafeather. She immediately rushed out of the den, and let out a horrified gasp as she checked over the cats. “What happened?” inquired Goldenbreeze. Jaystar gave her a look that clearly said: “I have no idea.”

Quickly, with the help of fellow CrimsonClan cats, they carried the trio-of-a-patrol over to Goldenbreeze’s den, which, unfortunately, was a considerably further-from-entrance part of the camp.

Sparrowpaw was still healing up there. He had regained consciousness and use of his three legs, but was still blind and unable to see. However, apparently, in his time without eyesight, his senses of smell, touch, and hearing heightened significantly, and immediately detected when the cats were brought in. However, he was tired and just returned to sleep.

Pandafeather insisted that a counter-attack was the best choice, to warn Hollowstar not to attack again. Jaystar, however, suggested that they wait a bit, to see what happened. “There are many possibilities to what might have happened. Perhaps those were ForestClan cats who rolled in the dirt of MountainClan to smell like them and aggravate us. Perhaps those were indeed MountainClan cats who attacked. Or, perhaps, the three cats who were supposed to be hunting trespassed on MountainClan’s territory.” elaborated Jaystar. Pandafeather nodded, but his deep fire, despite being a pacifist, was burning.

Jaystar once again called a clan meeting. “As most of you probably know,” Jaystar paused and looked at Berrypaw and Citruspaw, who, at the time, were busy sleeping, “just a few moments ago, a patrol came in with news that MountainClan had attacked them. Goldenbreeze is currently tending to their wounds. I know many of you will think that a counter-attack is in place, however, there are many other possibilities of what may have happened, not just Hollowstar demanding a straight-out attack. The patrol has not regained their consciousness, and we can not question them. Therefore, I will not agree to a counter-attack on the MountainClan camp. Many \*le gasps\* were heard in the crowd, and most were angry because that would make them seem cowardly. But many knew it was pointless to argue with Jaystar. Life went on, until four cycles later, when the trio regained their consciousness.

### Attack

When they woke up, Goldenbreeze was still sleeping. Unwilling to wake her up, the trio, Jaggerstone, Grayfur, and Bronzepelt crept out of the medicine den, but were noticed by a returning night patrol. The night patrol did not recognize them, and pounced. The trio, of course, did not notice the patrol in the night, so they bawled, expecting CrimsonClan cats to bound out to their rescue. And they did, just not really in the way they expected. They bounded over, all right, then started laughing. Monermist, Amethystfur, and Nutleaf arrived on the scene, laughing their heads off.

“Jaggerstone, thats Crystalpelt that you are wrestling!” said Monermist. Immediately, Crystalpelt disengaged and Jaggerstone let out a \*le gasp\* of relief. All the cats stopped fighting and exchanged semi-formal greetings. At sunrise, the trio told Jaystar and Nutleaf about what happened. It turned out that the MountainClan warriors who attacked them were indeed of MountainClan, and had warned them that more were coming. Jaystar was very much in disbelief.

Suddenly, they heard a large amount of cat paws and snarling. Then, massive toms jumped into the air, pouncing on the CrimsonClan warriors. The CrimsonClan cats let out a \*LE SCREAM\* as Goldenbreeze was clawed.

The deputy of MountainClan, Wickedteeth fought Jaystar one on one. Though Jaystar was the leader, Wickedteeth was ruthless and Jaystar was quickly overwhelmed. Thankfully, Jaystar had, or so CrimsonClan thought, 8 lives. However, nobody really noticed, since they were all busy fighting their own battles. Pandafeather was fighting Fierce-eyes, Crystalpelt was clawing Strongclaw, and Amethystfur was getting clawed by Hollowstar himself.

   It was then, a familiar cry sounded in the forest. Powerstone, a MountainClan senior warrior, cried a retreat order. ForestClan scouts saw MountainClan invading CrimsonClan and saw this as a perfect opportunity to attack the MountainClan territory. MountainClan cats knew that since they were so far away from their territory, it would be hard to defend in time, but they rushed back anyway.

It was a relatively short attack, but one that left a scar. As the cats inspected the camp, they heard a shrill cry from the nursery. It came from Haileymist, who was staring at her limp daughter, Hollykit. Pandafeather became extremely angry, and started pawing at the ground, a classic sign from him that he wanted revenge. No other cats lost their lives, except, of course, Jaystar, but all the MountainClan cats got away with it. It was undeniable. This was an act of war, something that Jaystar absolutely had to answer to.

### The Calm Before the Storm

   At sunrise, Hollykit was buried. Though there were severe losses, such as the rubble of what was the warrior’s den, CrimsonClan was still about 17 cats strong. Briardust was also pregnant with Nutleaf’s kits, who was due to give birth in thirty sunrises. She no longer had to complete any of the warrior’s duties, and could rest in the nursery, or at least, what used to be the nursery. MountainClan cats had raided the nursery too. It had not suffered severe damage, however it had been torn up considerably, and since it was mainly made of twigs and leaves, it was very fragile. However, also because it was mainly made of twigs and leaves, it was easy to fix, since twigs and leaves were in abundance during *Leaf-Bare*.

Soon the damage was repaired, but Jaystar was now planning a counter-attack. They did not know very much about MountainClan territories, except from stories when all the clans lived in peace, temporarily, before their ancestors split into clans and territories. They knew there were at least two caves, and that MountainClan cats had no permanent camp, but rather, a network of smaller camps within the caves. Most of the Great River was in MountainClan territory, but that was pretty much all they knew. However, Jaystar was sure that they staged their attacks from the caves. Stonehigher was the only cave in CrimsonClan territory, so that is obviously where they attacked from. However, a question remained in mind… how did MountainClan know where their camp was?

“That is a question that will be answered later.” said Nutleaf when Pandafeather asked about this. “For now, we must find out how to attack,” added Jaystar, “and from what I know, it is best to attack via the cave system, which is where they should all be. Stonehigher is where we will enter, and MountainClan will have small camps at all the caves, so no matter where we end up, we will find them. Pandafeather, you, Bronzepelt, Amethystfur, Jaggerstone, Grayfur, Crystalpelt, Berrypaw, and Citruspaw will accompany me through Stonehigher. The rest of the cats will stay here and guard the camp.”

### Spotted

Honeypaw was stalking mice in the barren lands of MountainClan. She was getting closer to the border as she smelled CrimsonClan scents. Then, she heard the quiet sound of paws. Immediately, she detected the smell of CrimsonClan cats, and rushed into the Thinfur cave. She navigated the tunnels, which were coated with smells of MountainClan, until she reached Openmouth, where there was a small outpost with approximately four MountainClan cats. “There are CrimsonClan cats in our territory! They are near Thinfur!” cried Honeypaw. Immediately, one of the cats ran through the tunnels into Bigcave, where the mass majority of the cats were. “Hollowstar, Honeypaw reports that there are CrimsonClan cats in our territory.” said the cat.

   A massive \*LE GASP\* was let out by MountainClan. Hollowstar spoke in a calm voice, “They are here for Sandpaw. Wickedteeth, take [number of cats] with you to Thinfur CrimsonClan, I will take 4 cats and intercept them from behind. We will make sure they never attack us again. We will use war as peace as they will never dare threaten us again. Most of all, they will not put my son at danger.”

### Combat

CrimsonClan was still sneaking around MountainClan, unbeknownst to them, their presence was already known, as they were not as stealthy as they thought they were. They scouted every single cave but it all led into a maze. Then they heard the growling of some other cats, and the CrimsonClan cats immediately detected Hollowstar’s scent. In rage of her deceased kit, Haileymist charged at Redfur, the one that killed her kit. The four MountainClan cats ran and Hailymist chased them. The other CrimsonClan warriors pleaded to her to wait but Hailymist didn’t care. Her kit died to these cats, she was going to make sure they were dead too. CrimsonClan chased after her urging her to come back. In a blink of an eye, MountainClan warriors popped straight up from their hiding spaces. Jaystar and his warriors were surrounded.

   “Surrender now Jaystar, it is over. You are surrounded by MountainClan. You will be held custody in our camp and we will take one of your lives. Somebody is looking forward to it actually, somebody you tried to kill.” Hollowstar said in a mocking tone.

   “I have no idea what you are talking about, Hollowstar. We have not killed or tried to kill *anybody* and I will certainly not go into your custody.” With those words, Jaystar sprang at Hollowstar and dug his claws into his skin. Blood trickled out of Hollowstar’s wounds.

   “This is not a battle you are going to win, Jaystar.” Hollowstar did a flip on the wall he was pinned on and slashed at Jaystar. It was a duel between the leaders.

   The rest of the warriors started fighting with each other as well. Pandafeather fighting Powerstone, Nutleaf fighting Wickedtooth and many other one on ones. There was no hope for CrimsonClan though, every single battle was losing. Half of the MountainClan warriors were just watching the fight, CrimsonClan was so heavily outnumbered as they had two thirds of their clan defending their camp. The remaining MountainClan warriors all pounced on the CrimsonClan warriors and pinned them down when they had the chance. CrimsonClan had lost.

### Sound of Falling Sand

CrimsonClan was escorted into the massive cave system. Then they saw something unexpected, it was Sandpaw. “Why did you try to kill me Pandafeather, why?”

   A \*LE GASP\* echoed through the caves.

“What do you mean Sandpaw, I never tried to kill you.” said Pandafeather, very confused.

   “LIES! Tell them father, tell them how I came here with scars in the exact scent of Pandafeather.” snarled Sandpaw.

   “My son speaks no lies. When he came here, he was limping, bleeding. When you came here to inform us of his exile, Sandpaw saw it coming, begged me to hide him so they could do no further harm to him. He was drenched in Pandafeather’s scent, it was undeniable that Pandafeather had tried to kill my own son. Sandpaw also said that Jaystar gave that command. I will only give the order to kill Jaystar since he has more lives. Pandafeather will be spared only by the kindness of us. Sandpaw, take one of Jaystar’s lives.” Hollowstar ordered.

   Sandpaw did as told and Sandpaw bit his neck and let the blood flow out of him. Jaystar had lost a life. MountainClan had struck fear over CrimsonClan, but they would not give up. For now though, they only could return to their camp and hang their heads in shame. It had been a massive loss, and Sandpaw was the only person responsible for this.

### Epilogue

CrimsonClan was escorted into the massive cave system. Then they saw something unexpected, it was Sandpaw. “Why did you try to kill me Pandafeather, why?”

   A \*LE GASP\* echoed through the caves.

“What do you mean Sandpaw, I never tried to kill you.” said Pandafeather, very confused.

   “LIES! Tell them father, tell them how I came here with scars in the exact scent of Pandafeather.” snarled Sandpaw.

   “My son speaks no lies. When he came here, he was limping, bleeding. When you came here to inform us of his exile, Sandpaw saw it coming, begged me to hide him so they could do no further harm to him. He was drenched in Pandafeather’s scent, it was undeniable that Pandafeather had tried to kill my own son. Sandpaw also said that Jaystar gave that command. I will only give the order to kill Jaystar since he has more lives. Pandafeather will be spared only by the kindness of us. Sandpaw, take one of Jaystar’s lives.” Hollowstar ordered.

   Sandpaw did as told and Sandpaw bit his neck and let the blood flow out of him. Jaystar had lost a life. MountainClan had struck fear over CrimsonClan, but they would not give up. For now though, they only could return to their camp and hang their heads in shame. It had been a massive loss, and Sandpaw was the only person responsible for this.