Peace And Love On Planet Fall Out Boy

But it’s too late, and he misses its bushy tail by a paw as it scurries away from him and straight into Otterpaw’s claws. “Good catch!” Doveshade mews. Pebblepaw scuffs a paw against the ground - sure, a good catch on Otterpaw’s part, but Pebblepaw had been so close to catching it himself.

“That was a good jump, Pebblepaw,” Snowstar says. “The squirrel was far away, but you leapt as far as you could. I know you’re disappointed you missed, but don’t fret. You’ll get stronger with training and age. I’m proud of you.”

“Thanks,” Pebblepaw replies, mood brightening. Snowstar’s praise warms him from ears to tailtip. He pushes down a purr, determined to be the mature apprentice he wants to be.

“What can you do in the future to-” Doveshade cuts herself off, suddenly alert and scanning the forest like the squirrel was moments ago. Pebblepaw looks to Snowstar, but hears the cries before he can ask the question.

Mistyfur bursts into the clearing. His breaths are short and quick and his eyes are wild, wide and unfocused. Doveshade is at his side in an instant, comforting her son. “Mistyfur, what’s going on?” Snowstar asks. 

“Dog,” Mistyfur whispers, trembling. “Big. Sharp teeth.” Pebblepaw presses closer to Snowstar, searching the undergrowth around them for snarling fangs and massive paws. The Twolegs usually kept them on leashes, but Pebblepaw had seen the massive beasts before. “My tail.” Mistyfur whimpers. 

The small clearing falls silent. Pebblepaw feels as though even the birds and the bugs are noticing that Mistyfur’s tail is mangled and bloody. He feels sick. Is this what being a warrior is? Red and sour?

“It’s coming,” Hyssopbloom says grimly. Pebblepaw can hear the rustling in the undergrowth, and realizes the dog must be following the trail of sticky blood Mistyfur left.

Snowstar nods decisively. “Hyssopbloom, take Mistyfur somewhere safe. A thorn bush, or a dense bramble. Doveshade, with me. Otterpaw and Pebblepaw, stay back. Don’t get too close, but try to get a few hits in while we draw its focus.”

Hyssopbloom begins hauling Mistyfur away, murmuring gently to him as the remaining warriors get into position. Otterpaw turns to Pebblepaw, eyes full of fire. “If I tell you to climb a tree, you climb,” the older apprentice orders. Pebblepaw nods. My mother is smoke and stone and light. The wind is her breath and the rustling leaves are her voice, and she will love me and walk with me until the trees fall and the mountain crumbles and-

The dog bursts through the undergrowth, leaping straight for Doveshade. She yowls and leaps for its eyes.

Pebblepaw often daydreamed of his first real battle, how he would feel strong and powerful. He thought it would be exciting. Instead, it was horrifying. The scent of blood fills the air and terror claws away any clarity beyond slashing out at dark fur when it comes close to him. The fight could have been a few moments or a few moons, but when it ends, Snowstar curls around him and Pebblepaw’s chest heaves.

“Who’s hurt?” Snowstar calls. Pebblepaw isn’t able to check himself for injuries well with Snowstar surrounding him, but he doesn’t feel any pain. Just a bone-deep exhaustion.

“Otterpaw has a scratch, and my ear was nicked, but we’re both okay,” Doveshade reports.

“I’m okay, and Mistyfur doesn’t have any further injuries,” Hyssopbloom adds, guiding Mistyfur back into the clearing. The two of them are covered in burrs, and Mistyfur looks about to collapse.

Snowstar nods. “Otterpaw, run ahead and tell Skystripe what’s happened. Doveshade, you and I will support Mistyfur. Hyssopbloom, you and Pebblepaw take the rear. Let us know if you hear anything - that dog likely won’t return, but we’ll want plenty of warning if it does.”

Otterpaw races off through the trees, and Pebblepaw begins walking next to Hyssopbloom. The journey to camp is quiet, tense, and slow as the group creeps through the undergrowth. Pebblepaw worries that every noise he hears is the dog returning, but Hyssopbloom is a comforting presence at his side. His paws feel heavy as he walks and his breath catches in his chest. He is caught between staring at the ground in front of him, to ensure he doesn’t step on a wayward twig or dried leaf, and frantically scanning the forest around him, terrified that the dog has found them once again.

It isn’t until the entirety of their group has crossed the stepping stones that some of the tension begins leaving his haunches. Skystripe gives them all instructions he doesn’t quite hear, but Hyssopbloom directs him gently with a tail over his shoulders. He watches Mistyfur collapse into a nest. The lake water had washed most of the blood off of his tail, and Pebblepaw briefly wondered if the red water would entice Bigmaw to their camp. He shudders at the thought of a beast so close to his home.

Skystripe comes and fusses over him, speaking quietly with Hyssopbloom as she checks him for injuries. None of their words are loud enough to hear over the buzzing in his head.

Skystripe sets a few leaves on the ground in front of him. “Pebblepaw,” she says gently. “Can you hear me?” 

Pebblepaw nods. “It was- it was so big,” he tells her. It’s the only thing he can think to say.

“I know, kit,” she replies, rubbing her cheek on the top of his head. “Eat these. They’ll help you calm down. Hyssopbloom is going to take you into the clearing so you can both have something to eat. Come back here if you feel unwell, okay, Pebblepaw?”

Pebblepaw nods, licking up the leaves in front of him. They don’t taste good, really, but they make his mouth feel as though he has just taken a sip of the cold mountain stream. Once Hyssopbloom is sure he’s eaten them all, she guides him outside. They pick a squirrel from the fresh-kill pile and settle down next to each other in a patch of sunlight. Pebblepaw shifts, unable to find a position in which his pelt doesn’t itch. 

After a few moments of him fidgeting, unable to focus on the meal, Hyssopbloom laughs. “Sorry, Pebblepaw,” she says, smiling. ‘I’ve still got burrs in my fur. Maybe you can help me clean them out after we eat?” 

Pebblepaw angles himself away from Hyssopbloom, and nods. A warm breeze ruffles his fur as he begins eating, and he finally settles back into himself. He’s still here. His Clan is okay.

He made it through his first real fight. Like a true warrior.

Notes

Skystripe reluctantly moves from the Healer's Den to the nursery. Pebblepaw always gives her his best catches.