Heartstorm stumbled blindly towards where he thought Bumblepaw was. His leg dragged behind him. He tried to move it but it refused to do as he said. It twitched and sometimes made small movements but never what Heartstorm wanted. Still, Heartstorm pushed through the wet grasses. The rain beat down on him harshly. He heard some growls and snaps. Heartstorm felt the world blur around him. He staggered forward. Bumblepaw. He had to save Bumblepaw. He broke out of the tall grasses. At the top of the hill was Bumblepaw. Lightning flashed in the sky, illuminating the scene. Facing Bumblepaw was a small lean cat. Heartstorm recognised him immediately even if he had never seen him. Blizzardkit. Or Blizzardpaw. Goldenheart's kit. Stormpelt's son. Heartstorm's brother. Heartstorm's throat burned. He winced but continued to move forward. Bumblepaw had blood dripping down his sides and Blizzardpaw had a small scratch on his face. Heartstorm only knew one thing. He had to save his kit. He would fight Blizzardpaw to death. But he would not let Bumblepaw die. Bumblepaw paw's eyes flickered to Heartstorm. He looked shocked. Fear pulsed through him. 

           "Bumblepaw, run," croaked Heartstorm. He struggled forward but his leg had given away. He was dragging dead weight. His eyes were sharp but his whole body was weak. 

            "Oh hello big brother!" came Blizzardpaw's taunting voice. 

            "C-come and face me!" rasped Heartstorm angrily. 

            "Sorry, no can do. I'm going to kill Bumblepaw," grinned Blizzardpaw. Bumblepaw gave a small terrified squeak. His father was in a terrible state and he didn't know how to fight. he wanted to rush down and save his father but he knew that Blizzardpaw wouldn't let that happen. Heartstorm groaned in pain. But still he hauled himself forward. Then, his strength gave away. Heartstorm collapsed to the ground. His feet wouldn't move. His chest was on fire. His stomach and guts seemed twisted. Heartstorm turned his head, trying to see Bumblepaw. He could see the two young cats perfectly. But he couldn't move. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't move. He could only lay there and watched. Blizzardkit smirked at Heartstorm. 

          "Not as strong they said," he laughed. Thunder roared in Heartstorm's ear. He willed himself to get up. Anything to save his son. But his body wasn't listening. He couldn't get off the mud. Bumblepaw gave a small growl and lashed his tail. He was soaked through and his bones could be seen poking out. 

            "Mmm, this is great. I get to kill you and your father can watch," said Blizzardpaw coldly. He lunged. Bumblepaw wasn't ready. And even if he was, he didn't know what to do. Bumblepaw was pushed to the ground. Blizzardpaw sunk his teeth into Bumblepaw's ear. Bumblepaw snarled and managed to throw Blizzardpaw off. Blizzardpaw circled Bumblepaw. Fear and adrenaline pumped through Bumblepaw's veins. Blizzardpaw lashed out his front paw. Bumblepaw managed to dodged at the last second but he lost balanced. Blizzardpaw pushed him to the ground and slashed his shoulder. Blood trickled out. Bumblepaw weakly rolled to his feet. He kept his eyes on Blizzardpaw but it was obvious who the stronger cat was. This time, when Blizzardpaw approached, Bumblepaw tried attacking as well. He jumped forward not very strongly and sunk his teeth into Blizzardpaw's shoulder. He had never done that before. it felt weird. Bumblepaw tasted blood on his mouth and felt the tendon moving. He grimaced and let go. Blizzardpaw shook it off as if was nothing. He was even smiling. He tripped Bumblepaw who rolled to the ground near Heartstorm. Then he took him by the scruff and dragged him back to the top of the hill. Bumblepaw struggled and lashed out. he caught Blizzardpaw on the side but only managed to grab some fur. Blizzardpaw shook Bumblepaw angrily. Finally, Bumblepaw managed to break free and stumble back. He kept his eyes on Blizzardpaw. He didn't know what to do. He had to save his father. He wanted to run away. Bumblepaw lashed out. He managed to give Blizzardpaw a small scratch on the cheek. Bumblepaw's sides were hurting and he felt as if he was going to pass out. 

            "Is this your best?" taunted Blizzardpaw. "I understand why Stormpelt disowned Heartstorm. He didn't want to be related to mouse dung like you." Bumblepaw didn't answer. Heartstorm lurched forward in agony. He took a deep breath. Anger burned through him. The two apprentices leapt at each other and wrestled on the ground. All the time, Heartstorm could only watch. He felt something break in him. The two apprentices broke apart. Blizzardpaw had a nasty gnash on his back but Bumblepaw had blood pouring down his forehead and front paw. Blizzardpaw lunged. 

            "Run!" Heartstorm tried to scream but his words were lost in the storm. Bumblepaw didn't run. Instead, he kicked out his right foot. Blizzardpaw was surprised and stumbled slightly but then he was on top of Bumblepaw once more. Bumblepaw clawed at Blizzardpaw's stomach and finally rolled out of his reach. He staggered back. His breathing was ragged. Blizzardpaw swiped out his front paw and Bumblepaw fell to his knees. With a chuckle, Blizzardpaw grabbed Bumblepaw's ear and tugged. Bumblepaw felt his ear being ripped. He cried out in pain. Heartstorm let out a deep, sorrowful sob. Bumblepaw stumbled back, disorientated. His left ear hung limply on the side of his head. Sounds were different. They were mixed and blurred. Blizzardpaw didn't even care. He just shrugged. 

          "Oops," he said sarcastically. "Did I tear off your ear?" Bumblepaw gave out a pitiful wail. He wasn't strong enough. He knew it. He knew he wasn't made for fighting. He was a disappointment. Heartstorm was just there, lying almost dead. And Bumblepaw couldn't even help him. 

           "Crying for your mommy?" jeered Blizzardpaw. "Or your pathetic father, lying there watching me beat you up? Well guess what? You're alone. You're going to fight this battle all alone. And you're going to lose." Bumblepaw bit his lip. He let out a small sob. He couldn't do it. He wasn't made for this. He was going to die. And it would be his fault when Heartstorm died as well. Blizzardpaw made a lazy swipe. It caught Bumblepaw on the cheek. Blood spurted out. Blizzardpaw went for a front paw blow. It caught Bumblepaw on the head. He felt his head spinning. He tried to fight back. He meekly lunged. Blizzardpaw intercepted him. He hauled him off and threw him to the ground. Bumblepaw rolled slightly down the slope then stopped. he stayed there motionless. 

           "Get up coward!" yelled Blizzardpaw over the angry rain. Bumblepaw slowly stood up. Blizzardpaw wasn't even trying anymore. He was like a predator playing with his prey. He was going to give Bumblepaw a slow death. With a powerful jump, Blizzardpaw threw himself into Bumblepaw. Bumblepaw gasped for breath. He felt claws dig into his shoulder. He felt his skin breaking. He felt his fur getting pulled away. Blizzardpaw rolled off Bumblepaw and let him get up. Bumblepaw staggered to his paws. He could barely get up. His world was swirling. His body weak. 

          "You're so boring," sighed BLizzardpaw. "It's like you're not even trying." Blizzardpaw yawned. Then mercilessly he lunged. Bumblepaw was pushed to the ground. Blizzardpaw pinned him down. Bumblepaw didn't even struggle. He knew it was over. there was no point in fighting. He gave out a low ragged breath. 

          "Sorry Heartstorm," he weeped softly. Blizzardpaw grabbed Bumblepaw's neck between his mouth. Then Blizzardpaw swiftly turned his neck. There was a snap. Heartstorm heard it ringing in his ears. Loud and clear. Blizzardpaw trotted off Bumblepaw. Bumblepaw lay there. His neck snapped back in an unnatural position. Heartstorm let out a low, terrible wail. Then he closed his eyes and let go.