Cold, thundering rain slammed down onto open fields as lightning split the sky. The wind was so strong that mice were getting buffered down the hills against their control, and the many streams were overflowing rapidly. Yet the rain did not block out the thrumming of paw steps across the sodden grass as cats of all shape and color streamed from the rising flood water in panic. A sturdy golden tom, his fur now darkened and plastered to his pelt, yowled atop a tall ridge. The rest of the cats stopped listening with bated breath as the wind grew ever stronger. "Cats of Riverclan! Is everyone here and accounted for? We must make our way to the Windclan borders hills to escape the floods!" Dawnstar yowled with a strong, reassuring voice, despite the fatal situation. "Wait! Where are Dunestep and Frondcloud? Frondcloud's kits are nearly born!" Ferretmuzzle gasped, looking around frantically for his sister. Minnowleap put her tail on his shoulder comfortingly. Ripplepaw and Cedarpaw huddled near their parents, frightened and shivering. "Dawnstar, we have to find them!" Silverflash mewed in alarm. "We can't. I'm so sorry, but the flood has almost reached us. We have to move," Dawnstar meowed solemnly, dipping his head. Ferretmuzzle gave out a wail, bringing his sons closer to him. "May StarClan keep them safe," Dawnstar murmured. The clan quickly repeated his words. "Now move!" he ordered racing along the hills towards springy moor tops. Riverclan hesitantly followed after their leader, Minnowleap had to force Ferretmuzzle to run along with the rest as the flood water engulfed their paws. - "Frondcloud, go up in that tree!" Dunestep meowed fiercely helping her up as the flood grew wider. They had lost the rest of their clan in the pouring rain, and to complicate things further, Frondcloud's kits would arrive any day now. Frondcloud whimpered in the dark depths of the hollow cavity of a sycamore, waiting for her mate to return. A few seconds went by of waiting when the golden tom didn't return. "D- Dunestep?" Frondcloud called, her meow spiked with worry. No answer. The soft brown she cat curled up sniffing, her tail over her swollen belly. A sharp pain pierced her stomach. The kits! She started to panic. They can't come now, not in this flood! A spasm crossed through her body and she screamed. The pain was unbearable. Wild thoughts raced through her head. Dunestep is probably dead. The flood water is rising. RiverClan was gone, and my kits are coming. Her breath came in gasps as a sac plopped onto the oak wood. She fumbled to grab her son and nipped the sack, licking his fur backwards to warm him. Everything around her faded away as her new son was born before her. Happiness flooded her from head to toe, before reality came crashing down. Water, cold, cruel water, had reached the tree nook. She gave out a gargled scream pulling her only kit closer to her. "M-Mudkit... please be safe..." She had decided that name in a split second, knowing she wouldn't live to raise him. She sobbed quietly, grabbing a chunk of bark and placing her mewling kit on it. It floated atop the flood water. Frondcloud hoped with all her heart that he would reach the rest of her clan. This is the end... be safe, Mudkit. I love you, she thought as her lungs began to burst under the water. I'll see Dunestep again soon...
Cover art by me Written by me The chapter is written in instructions box Premise: https://scratch.mit.edu/projects/757759045/ Next: https://scratch.mit.edu/projects/757767792/
