The sky was beginning to darken, shades of pink and red rubbing against the sky. Scarlet was just beginning to head back from the training session, with Ravenpaw and Firepaw in tow. Firepaw was still squabbling about how he managed to pin the gray apprentice down, triumph in his mew and he proclaimed he could now beat any warrior. The ginger-furred she-cat tried her best to block out her friend's apprentice.
"Why don't you battle me, Scarlet?" Firepaw meowed, eyes wide with excitement as he bounded up to her. Though he was annoying, the warrior couldn't stay mad at him forever.
"Save that for another time. You still have a lot to go before you're ready for us big cats." She joked, waving her tail. "Now what did we learn again today?" She asked, and before she could even pause, Firepaw rushed on.
"How to defend yourself while being pinned down!" He boasted, shooting a I'm-smarter-than-you look at Ravenpaw.
"Right, but how?" She countered, and Ravenpaw answered this time.
"By clawing at their exposed spots. Most likely their belly." He said calmly and refined, as always.
"Great job. Now go and get your share of food. Remember, you can have mine and Amber's tonight." She purred. She was used to this kind of hunger. Though she had a big band of rogues, food was still hard to come by.
"Thanks!" They murmured, Firepaw already spreading the story of how he pinned Ravenpaw. Deciding that it was better to not dwell on her thoughts of prey, she receded to the warriors den, where Amber was. "Feeling better?" She muttered as she curled into her own nest, just a few away from her friends.
"Yeah." Amber said, her paws curling over her nest nervously. Scarlet sighed, knowing there was something Amber wasn't telling her.
"Spit it out." She said, drawing a paw over her ear.
"Icestar's been acting weird. He kept on muttering something like, "Oh, you'll all know soon." And he's been acting like Jet is running the Clan now. What's happening? What is Jet planning?!" Her voice trailed a little at the end, and it looked as if she was mostly talking to herself.
"Amber, I already told you, don't worry about it. Icestar is surely the leader of this Clan, and Jet is surely the deputy. If anything is happening, they can handle it perfectly fine." Though she could tell Amber didn't believe her, she quickly dismissed the so called 'problem' and nested her head on her paws, willing sleep to take her. But before it could, a yowl sounded outside the den. Someone was calling a meeting. Amber's head shot up, much more faster than Scarlet's. "Come on, let's see what's happening." But Amber was already out of the den, trotting to the Oak Branch.
"I have an announcement to make." It was Jet, as usual. He was the one making the meeting's now. "I have decided that this territory has proven to be too small for our growing Clan, and we should begin to expand it." Before he could continue, Goldenbreeze called out from the crowd.
"And how do you plan to do that?" She challenged, and many cats murmured in agreement, waiting for the answer.
"We plan on attacking StellarClan." Before cats could cause an uproar, he continued. "They would be too focused on DuskClan, and I'd say it's getting rather tiring have them two bicker all the time. It would be for the best, and most beneficial towards us." There were many yowls of disapproval, but a fair share was agreeing with the rogue leader.
"It would make sense. Why do we need them around here anyways?" Shadowsplash called out, and many nodded towards her. Goldenbreeze's fur was ruffled on her shoulders, and she looked towards Icestar.
"You agree with this, then?" She meowed, anger in her voice.
"Yes, fully." He meowed, as if he expected nothing else. The golden tabby opened and closed her mouth, for that was not the cat she had once knew.
"Fine. Though I do not agree with this." She challenged, and Jet's eyes flared.
"You don't have to." He growled. "But I am deputy of this Clan; and what I say goes." He raised his head. "Though I do wish to get this over with, we must still train until we are ready. The time will come soon, but for now, I want the day to be focused on training for battles, and nothing more. A patrol can be sent out and moon-high for hunting, I suppose." He waved his tail, and that was it.
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Shadowsplash bristled with excitement. She didn't realize how much she would come to like Oakclan, especially now that Jet was in charge. Her pale eyes looked over Icestar with contempt. He's nothing but a puppet now. The dark calico she-cat was eager to train, so she padded to Copper. "I'd like to practice that killing jump you showed me."
ReplyDeleteClawpaw sat beside Duststripe as he watched the meeting. He noticed how distant Icestar seemed from the clan. He barely spoke, barely gave any orders or advice. What was he to these cats now? The little calico tom glanced up at his mentor wondering what he was thinking. I'll fight whether or not he does or doesn't. Clawpaw saw his mother pad over to one of the rouges and grimaced. She certainly is taking advantage of this...Maybe she'll forget about her plans for me.
Ravenpaw sat close to Scarlet. He wanted none of this. It wasn't right to steal another clan's territory, especially to attack them behind their back when they've already been weakened by fighting. The black tom's amber eyes flashed as he saw his mother speaking to one of the rouges. She spent all her time with them now. Ravenpaw barely heard a word from her and their secret training sessions had ceased. She's forgotten about us for now... He was glad. "Scarlet, what will we do?" He looked to his mentor, knowing how highly she held Jet in regard. Ravenpaw had heard her and Amber argue before.
Badgerpaw completely forgot about her mentor. She was racing to her mother's side in a heart beat, claws unsheathed and fur bristling. "I want to train to!"
Amber felt her breath quicken. As a tribe cat, it was an utmost crime to steal another cats territory. Each tribe was made for where they were born; to take it from them was to defy the ancestors. The ash gray she-cat could hold back no longer, she found herself marching up to Icestar and in his face within a heart beat. "What is wrong with you???" Her ears flattened. "Aren't you the leader of this clan? Don't you know this is wrong?" Her long fur bristled with irritation. Her anger at such a crime out-weighed her like for the handsome tom.
Copper nodded. He had taken a liking for the once-Queen, and so had Jet. She would prove to be valuable when the time of battle came. "Very well." He gave a side glance to Badgerpaw. "I suppose she could come too, if she is ready for such things." Kit. He scoffed.
ReplyDeleteScarlet's throat tightened. Another one? She was used to these sorts of things; for Jet had towered above other rogue groups, and conquered territory frequently. But with the Clans... She didn't know. "I suppose we wait..." She glanced at the others, for most seemed excited and willing to fight. There isn't much we can do, other than that...
"What's wrong with me?" Icestar snarled, rising to his full height. Fire was in his eyes - a cold, dark one. "I'm doing what's best for this Clan - eliminating an enemy. And if you don't like that you can go crawling back to your mountain cats for all I care."
Jet nodded approvingly, for everything was coming into place.
Shadowsplash pricked her ears with narrowed eyes. She barely side glanced at her kit, who was standing tall with her little tail raised. "She's ready. Shall we?"
ReplyDeleteBadgerpaw blinked happily at her mother. She wants me to come!
Ravenpaw saw the apprehension in Scarlet's eyes. "What do you think about this whole thing?" He asked in a hushed voice, amber eyes looking over Jet suspicously. I don't like him..Nor do I like Icestar, for starclan's sake Clawpaw would make a better leader!
Amber felt fire spark inside her. "How is putting fighting above hunting and healing whats best for your clan!" She lashed her tail, wishing she could vanish and reappear back home with Eagle of Reflecting Water. A melancholy feeling rose inside her. I can't go back... "Icestar, you can't possibly think we'd win this battle anyway. Look at your Warriors!" She cast a paw at the skinny, wounded cats. "All this unsheathed battle training has taken its toll, and they haven't eaten a good meal in days!" In the tribe, as a future Star Teller, Amber always had the right to speak out. Now, she didn't realize the disrespect she was committing. The ash gray she-cat looked up at those cold, dark eyes and wondered what had made him so cruel. She had only heard good stories about the loyal cat.
Icestar bared his teeth. "You're speaking to a leader, Amber. You have no right to speak here." His voice was an icy calm. Casting his eyes over his Clan, he looked on with contempt. Riverfang was asking a rogue on how to easily flip an opponent onto their back, Shadowsplash & Badgerpaw were going to have a training session with Copper, and warriors mingled around a group of rogues, eager to witness their mock battle. "I think my warriors are plenty prepared for battle." He purred, his eyes sparking. "Now I suggest you stop this "discussion" now, or else there will be consequences." He said lazily, drawing a paw over his ear.
ReplyDeleteCopper nodded, signaling to Cliff and a few other cats, Clan and rogue, to follow them. "We might as well get a training session together. More claws the better." He meowed, his eyes gleaming malevolently at the thought of battle.
"I've known Jet my whole life. Whatever he is planning, I'm sure he is only doing it for us." Scarlet insisted, still not daring to believe what was wrong with her beloved leader. "And most cats agree with him; look." She shifted her paws uneasily, not knowing what to say. "Come on, before we get in trouble. Why don't we practice with one of your brother or sister? Duststripe seems like a good mentor to work with."
Amber wanted to continue, but she feared what she might say if she did. She forced her paws away from her leader, and out of camp. She had to clear her head. Icestar isn't who I thought he was...He's so blind to the great crime's being committed here! The clan about to be attacked would already be weakened...Their territory would be stolen! It was so wrong...Amber reached the border, looking out sadly. The sorrow in her amber eyes changed to a fire. Yes, Icestar. Your leader of Oakclan...But your not my leader! The ash gray she-cat raced across the border after a moment of hesitation.
ReplyDeleteRavenpaw flattened his ears at the mention of his siblings. I have to get over it. "Yeah...sure." He pricked his ears and forced a brightness to his amber eyes.
Clawpaw heard his mentors name, and saw him pad over to the other mentor. The calico tom followed hesitantly toward his brother. The two tom's glared into each other violently; amber to amber eyes.
(I hope what amber is doing is okay with your plot.)
(It's fine Primy :3 I mean, as long as she doesn't go crazy or something xD And I'll play Duststripe for now; since Echo hasn't commented yet ^^)
ReplyDeleteScarlet nodded, knowing that the young tom deserved at least a small break from Firepaw. She knew that Amber would be okay training with someone else for a few times. Where was she anyways? I saw her run off after the announcement.. I'll check in with her later. She promised herself, knowing she could get through to her friend. She inclined her head towards Duststripe. "Do you have any moves Clawpaw hasn't gone over yet?"
Duststripe shook his head, and looked at Clawpaw. "Anything in particular you want to work on?" For as far as he was concerned, Clawpaw was doing fine. He was quite strong, even for a new apprentice. He wondered if Ravenpaw was the same.
Clawpaw flicked an ear, still eyeing his brother. "Trust me. I know any move you could show me."
ReplyDeleteRavenpaw flattened his ears. "Your very modest too, Clawpaw."
"I can prove it. Why dont we have a mock battle?"
The two young cats bristled.
Scarlet tilted her head. This seemed much more than sibling rivalry. "Now now, no need to get hostile. It's a training session, not a real battle." Seeing Clawpaw's attitude, she realized he probably wasn't joking, and was a bit too stubborn to choose something to work on. "Well, if you two want, we could do a mock battle. But remember, claws sheathed. I want no injuries, you hear?" She warned, glancing at Duststripe to get his approval.
ReplyDeleteDuststripe nodded, a bit embarrassed of how his apprentice was acting in front of another warrior. Well, apprentices will be apprentices... Hopefully Scarlet understands. "Let's go, shall we? Copper is probably going to go somewhere else for his session, since of his large group, so I believe the training hollow is free."
Ravenpaw glanced at Scarlet. I wont unsheathe my claws...but you can't be too sure about him The black tom waited for his mentor to lead.
ReplyDeleteClawpaw's glare slid to Scarlet, but he nodded. Without waiting for anyone he proceeded to pad out of camp. If I keep up this attitude, they'll never make me a Warrior. He glanced to where Shadowsplash had padded out with Copper. I'll never get the chance to go through with her plan.
Feeling confident now, the young ginger furred she-cat lead the way to the training hollow, pausing just once to sniff the air, hopeful for prey. No scent was found. Shaking away her worries, she turned back to the group as soon as they entered the hollow. "Now, using the moves that Duststripe and I taught you, create a mock battle. Remember, landscapes can be quite helpful in the time of need. Try to use them to your advantage." She nodded one last time before saying, "Start once you're both ready." And went to sit beside Duststripe.
ReplyDeleteClawpaw looked around carefully, but nonchalantly. The drifting sun was cutting sharply through the branches of the oak trees. He crouched, circling Ravenpaw.
ReplyDeleteRavenpaw glanced around, his ears flat as he thought. Clawpaw and him were the same size, so there was no advantage there. They both knew all the same moves, except Clawpaw was always good with improvising; he would be very unpredictable. The black tom followed Clawpaw in the circling, neither wanting to expose their backs. Too late Ravenpaw realized Clawpaw's motives in the deadly dance. The sun hit his eyes and he was blinded.
Clawpaw leaped the moment he saw Ravenpaw squint. His soft paws met his brother's shoulders gently, but he made sure to bowl him over with such power that his back slammed against the grassy ground. "Oof!" Ravenpaw fought for air as he was winded. Clawpaw held him down with his teeth bared. "Give up?"
"N-Never!"
"Clawpaw certainly has good tactic skills." Scarlet observed, watching the mock battle. "And he takes after his mother's strength. I've seen Shadowsplash fight a few times. But Ravenpaw I'm sure has a few things hidden up his sleeve - so don't think he's out of the fight just yet." She warned, not meaning any harm.
ReplyDeleteDuststripe dipped his head. "Of course. Clawpaw does tend to underestimate his enemies, though. I've been trying to teach him how to evaluate others skills set - hopefully this will be one of the times he listens."
Ravenpaw went limp as Clawpaw pinned him down. Clawpaw sneered at his brother, eyes gleaming with humor. "You really think I'm going to fall for that?" Ravenpaw winced as the calico tom pushed even harder with his forepaw's onto his shoulders. He felt Clawpaw's hind paws lift slighting.
ReplyDelete"You just did."
With a mighty heave, he kicked Clawpaw in the belly sending him clear over his head. On his paws in a second, he caught Clawpaw over the head with a powerful paw. Both brothers paused, panting slightly.