Ok...it felt kind of nice to NOT write 2020 LMAO. Welcome to 2021! To kick off the brand new year, we're introducing a round of updates, including new bio and forbidden romance rules, our Secret Santa reveal, OTM winners and nominations, our monthly patrols, and a fun new infectious disease! So make sure to check out the January Announcements for all of the new content! As we leave 2020 behind us, we hope everyone is able to put themselves first this year and practice self-care! Here's to another one! Let's write some cats!
The Apostles is a warrior cats roleplay based in northern Wisconsin. On Lake Superior, the wild cats have made the Apostle Islands their home. It is on these islands - Rocky Island and South Twin Island - that the clan and tribe cats have lived in a peace and harmony that ebbs and flows with the tide.
But as the tides turn, so does the truce that binds them to one another; and as the water raises, a darkness follows, an evil that will end in bloodshed and violence.
oudstorm we need to talk," Finchstar approached the lynx point tom. The tabby and white leader appeared solemn, and Loudstorm straightened in concern. The conversation which ensued was one the warrior had never expected to have. Finchstar took Loudstorm to his den where they were joined by Redfox. The deputy had recently moved to the nursery to give birth to her and Finchstar's kits. The royal couple outlined a plan for an attack on LichenClan. Loudstorm's blood boiled with anticipation, but his stomach rolled in fear. "Loudstorm," Redfox tacked on at the end "I want you to stand in my place as deputy until my kits are weened." A fear of a different kind washed over Loudstorm then. A fear of a responsibility he never sought. But what could he say? With a nod the pale tom accepted the duty placed before him.
The moon, a mere sliver of a crescent in the sky, was nearing its apex. But a thick cover of looming storm clouds fringed the horizon. As if to further enhance the looming atmosphere the low rumble of thunder echoed through the air, a flash of distant lightening illuminating the horizon for a split second. Loudstorm crept through the underbrush, his gaze focused ahead of him. Behind him trailed the rest of the Redwood patrol. Warriors, family, cats Loudstorm cared for. He was leading them to danger. With LichenClan, no, with Minnowstar, extending her tyrannic reach Finchstar had called his clan to action. It was time to fight back. When Orchidshade had returned from the half moon barred from the cave their ancestors had visited over the generations, it had become apparent that RedwoodClan could not remain passive any longer.
As the patrol moved across the border between LichenClan and RedwoodClan, Loudstorm's mind pulled forward and image he carried close to his heart. Dawnlight. He had gone to her after his discussion with Finchstar. Just her presence was enough to calm the nerves that riddled his body. As the patrol gathered together, Loudstorm looked back one last time, taking in the scene of Dawnlight sitting in the middle of camp. I'll come back. And I'll bring everyone back safe as well. He was here now, he would do everything in his power to keep that promise.
The crash of waves on the cliff-side grew louder. The patrol was within sight of the Moon Cave now. Finchstar, Loudstorm knew, was situated in the back of the patrol. Finchstar had placed Loudstorm in the lead, and Loudstorm was quite aware of the trust this placement put on him. He flicked his tail, signing the patrol to stop behind him in the bushes. The wind was blowing toward the patrol of forest cats, masking their scent from the guards stationed at the mouth of the cave. Two silhouettes were visible on either side. The scent that blew toward Loudstorm was familiar. As another flash of lightning lit the sky, beckoning the storm closer, Loudstorm recognized Sandbriar. The other cat was not recognizable to Loudstorm, but if they weren't careful when they approached one of them would be able to escape to call reinforcements. With a deep, steadying breath Loudstorm looked over his shoulder. His fellow warriors, and some apprentice, and his leader, all stood behind him in anticipation. His voice low, but audible to those behind him, Loudstorm spoke. "Steady." Honeysnap stepped beside Loudstorm and he whispered to her "Watch the silver one," Swansong was the name that crept into Loudstorm's mind.
"Stay hidden for now, wait for my signal," The patrol had been prepared for the cave to be guarded. But Finchstar had wanted to make a statement. So, Loudstorm would move in alone at first. One of the guards would be allowed to get reinforcements, and then the real battle would begin. Without hesitation Loudstorm stepped from the shadows, gaze focused on Sandbriar. Loudstorm placed a smile on his face. "Good evening, Sandbriar, lovely night for a stroll isn't it?" He knew his clan-mates waited in the shadows, waiting to appear. The lynx point tom stopped a few fox lengths from the two LichenClan warriors, keeping himself appearing relaxed to post pone the battle Loudstorm knew would be inevitable. "I don't want to fight you, but I will. You know LichenClan is wrong to be keeping us from the Mooncave like this. So how about you just give up?" He flicked his tail towards the cave, and he felt the tension rise as the rest of the patrol stepped from the bushes. Loudstorm knew they would wait, their presence was the threat they needed to motivate one of the she-cats to run.
1. Loudstorm vs. Sandbriar 2. Hemlockheart vs. Finchstar 3. Minnowstar vs. Tigerpool 4. Ravenfeather vs. Ashfrost 5. Creekpaw vs. Gullheart 6. Windpaw vs Rosemarypaw 7. Riverpaw vs Ruefeather 8. Petalshade vs Shrewfur 9. Swansong vs Honeysnap
∙ cinderface ∙ mistflower ∙ fog that hangs in air ∙ loudstorm ∙ sun that shines above ∙ aspenpaw ∙ aster ∙ eaglefang ∙ leafdapple ∙ orchid that blooms by night ∙ sparrowheart ∙ frostkit ∙
She hated the fact that she had been put on guard duty of the Mooncave, but what could she say? If she argued Minnowstar was likely to nearly drown her in the moonpool for her sin. So she agreed and joined Swansong in protecting the sacred area. She never felt like this was what needed to happen. Yes Redwoodclan could lose the attitudes but Lichenclan was also mildly at blame. Couldn't the leaders just get their heads out of their own butts and talk things out like civilized cats? She sighed and flicked her ears realizing she had been pacing. She paused and looked out of the gathering storm and frowned. That was never a good sign.
Seeing movement from the corner of her eye she turned her hed and narrowed her eyes as the cream tom that stepped that way. Of course he would be the one to show up. She lifted her tail fmto motion to Swansong that she would handle him but to be ready. She moved a but forward her ears flicking. "A but far from your normal route for a casual stroll, Loudstorm," she commented evenly, "not out badger hunting again are you?" As he continued to talk Sandbriar narrowed her eyes some. The implications were too real. She flicked her tail. Swansong needed to go get help. As the bushes behind Loudstorm rustled, she guessed they would need a lot.
The fur on her neck rose and she placed her glare on Loudstorm again her teeth bared some. "Minnowstar did as she thought was right. We will protect our territory. And for not wanting to fight, you are rather tense...friend." The tan she cat bared her teeth and yowled and strange forward at the tom providing the distraction Swansong would need to get away and get help. She might be fighting several cats at once but right now her territory was attack. It didn't matter who was doing it. She had been given orders. She would protect...that didn't mean she ad to arm. She knew she had given Loudstorm more than enough time to avoid her attack. Maybe he would understand.
Attack move: lunge and Face slash Attack Roll: _3mNxyU31d20+2 Damage Roll: 1d12+2 Character HP: 60/601d20+2·1d12+2
Had it been any other night, Swansong may have called out Sandbriar on her pacing. The shuffle of her paws had been comforting at first, almost meditative, but as the clouds began to roll in, it was clear that there was a tension in her clanmate's step that made the silver molly nervous. The very air felt electrified, and it was clear that orange she-cat had something on her mind. But who was she to tell Sandbriar what to do? Could she really offer her any comfort? Especially when she, too, was feeling the unease that was building within their borders? When she, too, was internally struggling with the decisions that Minnowstar had been making of late?
So Swansong sat in silence, preferring the quiet to idle chatter, eyes focused on the incoming clouds. The moon's gentle glow did little to calm the butterflies in her chest; her tail twitched and her stomach churned. A storm is coming...
As if on cue, Loudstorm's approach seemed to confirm their shared unease. Swansong held her position as instructed. A storm indeed...in more ways than one. With pinned ears, she listened patiently to the exchange, lowering herself into a slight crouch, ready to fight if necessary. His words could not be trusted.
The movement in the brush behind the tom prompted Swansong to raise her hackles. Of course he was not alone. At her companion's tail flick, the bengal spun and sprinted for camp, long legs soaring over the ground in leaps and bounds, scattering rocks and sand in her wake.
The rocky cliffs were difficult to navigate at such speeds, but her footing was true, despite the sting in her toes from her training battle days before. Her concentration was at its peak, narrowed to this singular task -- to run and report. To get help. Her claws grated against stone more than once as she slipped, skidded, slided down to the vast tunnels that LichenClan called home, but not once did she pause, not even when she tripped and banged her chin on a small outcropping, sending a hailstorm of pebbles careening down into the waves below. Every mistake was immediately corrected, every fall merely a launching point into another stride.
The silver molly charged into the camp entrance, her wild breathing like thunder, echoing through the cave system, alerting the entire clan at once. "RedwoodClan is here!" she gasped, hardly finding the air to expel her words. At once, her eyes locked with Hemlockheart, her pupils lit by the flicker of war, though her heart felt torn with uncertainty. The molly blinked hard. No. She must stand resolute. For Minnowstar. For StarClan. "They have come for the Moon Cave! We must hurry!"
Perhaps it was wrong of LichenClan to claim their holy place -- but she was not about to question her leadership tonight.
Attack move: Leg bite Attack Roll: 9|zzNlp41-20 + 3 = 23 Damage Roll: 1-12 + 3 = 4 x 2 = 8 Character HP: 60
The distant roar of thunder seemed to reverberate through the caverns that LichenClan called home. The whiskers along the deputy's blue limbs tracked the tremors in the cave walls, the vibrations seemed to calm the deputy. Where most cats cowered from the treacherous sounds, the feline relished in it's familiarity. It's turbulence matched the trials of clan-life, something Hemlockheart found great passion in.
But even louder than the rumbling skies were the paws of a rapidly approaching feline. On instinct, his long ears pricked and the electricity ran down his spine. What is it? The vibrations of swift footsteps grew more evident. At moon-high?
Hemlockheart was soon on his paws, spinning around to face Swansong with questioning eyes. The silver and white molly came bursting through the cave walls and the lynx-point tom immediately knew what she had to say. "It was only a matter of time." He growled, long antsy claws scraping against the cave floor. I just didn't expect Finchstar to move so soon. Yet the deputy felt no fear, only the familiar rush of adrenaline course through his veins at the prospect of this battle. The little bird may have grown a spine, but if he thinks he can take what is rightfully ours, then he is a fool.
Hemlockheart met the gathering cats with urgency, scouring the clan for warriors that could secure their victory. "Ashfrost, Rosemarypaw, Creekpaw, and--" He paused, recognizing the fervent green orbs of their leader "and follow Minnowstar through the eastward caves. Swansong, Petalshade, Riverpaw and I will come from the west. Enclose them, and push them to the shore! Drown them for all I care." He spat. Then with a flick of his tail, he was off. The patrols dispersed and the deputy galloped swiftly behind Swansong.
It was only a matter of moments before the seasoned cave-dwellers came bursting through the holes that surrounded the moon-cave, the hisses and caterwauls echoing through out the holy cave. Hemlockheart wasted no time, immediately gaining on his target. He wove through fighting cats, flying towards Finchstar with outstretched claws. He saw no other cat worth challenging, Finchstar needed to know that LichenClan would not be messed with.
Like a flash of thunder, the agile feline dove under the leggy leader. His lengthy inscissors met flesh and bone, yellowed fangs wrapping around the leaders left hind leg. Hemlockheart pulled himself through, leg still in tow. He could just barely see the blood dripping on the cavern floors. "I'll drag each and everyone of you heathens out of here myself."
The darkness enveloped her like the warm, comforting belly of a kit-mother, her stomach sweet with milk, her fur, feathery and familiar like home. Eyes closed, the disheveled she-cat listened to the distant thunder, her claws methodically sheathing in and out into the weathered rock, torn and tattered beneath her moons incessant needling. Her den reeked of mildew and waste, scattered fish carcasses strewn in the shadows like muck kicked up from the mouth of the lake. Minnowstar’s mind was slipping, and only time was making it worse. Ever since Cinderface’s ominous dream, the ragged she-cat, her coat more twisted and gnarled than ever, slept little. She dreamed of herself, stomach severed like a chasm, her innards spilled, red and bloodied, over the shore as gulls scavenged and shrieked.
The island was filled with demons. Black shadows from the tunnels themselves, summoned by that beast, that child, that kit, the one who materialized moons ago at the gathering. Starclan had chosen them to cleanse the island, but how? Minnowstar wondered as a flash of lightning illuminated the cave walls outside, flickering like flames beneath her eyelids. How does one purify those too entrenched in sin? Too damned to save? Her eyes leapt open as the sudden sound of paw-steps, claws scrambling over the rock, resonated against her walls. The she-cat's maws curled into a venomous snarl. So, the time has finally come, huh? She sneered, raising to her feet.
As Hemlockheart shouted his orders, the disheveled she-cat appeared in the darkness, her green eyes meeting his with a nod. Tonight, she would fight. Tonight, she would cleanse the island of their sin. The silver she-cat bounded from the tiered ledge, her paws hitting the ground with a resounding thud, and then she turned, facing the gathering warriors with bared teeth. “You heard him,” she barked, tail lashing. “Move!” And then Minnowstar motioned with her shoulder toward Ashfrost and the two apprentices, signaling for them to follow her through the tunnels.
With a screech, the leader turned on her heels and raced toward the east corridors. The tunnels that snaked beneath the cliffs to the Mooncave were perilous for those who didn’t know their twists and bends, but Lichenclan warriors, those free from sin, knew the winding tunnels as well as their own hearts and lungs, their paws able to navigate the caves better than their very eyes and noses. As Minnowstar descended into the shadows, the breaths of her subordinates hot on her tail, she was diligent to bark consistent reminders, so the others could follow her voice as they leapt and turned without even the moon to guide them; and then, like a comet, the Lichenclan warriors burst from the tunnels, their stares as luminescent as the stars themselves.
As her band exploded from the darkness, Hemlockeart and his crew materialized from the other side, his massive chest heaving from his run. The disheveled leader met his gaze for a second, and then chaos erupted as cats turned on cats, the holy walls filling with the sounds of caterwauls and blood-curling screams. Instinctively, her eyes searched for his immoral coat, brown and white fur, but Hemlockheart found the sinner first, dragging the tom down to the earth with a crack as he snarled Finchstar’s leg with his teeth.
She would end him later, the leader decided as her eyes whipped around the cave for another, sinful face. Her gaze met blue, and the she-cat barreled forward, her ears flattening over her crown, her sweeping claws aiming for the massive tabby’s feet. She met flesh with a hiss, her talons scouring into the tom's forearm as she collided into his muscled mass. Her hit rocketed the tom back a bit as her hind-feet smashed back into the rock, and she skidded across the sacred earth, whirling to face him in a offensive crouch. The white fur around her face bristled like the brilliant sun and her teeth flashed with the moon. "I don't think we've met before," she snarled. "But then again, all you sinners look the same to me." And then the she-cat dove forward with a screech.
The tabby tailed the patrol carrying the heavy embrace of reluctance. It weighed on him like an extra pelt to which his body dragged and hovered begrudgingly alongside each obstacle on their journey. Tigerpool faced the walk with a veil of silence.
none of this would be happening if Redwoodclan would have just focused on their own affairs, the words lingered as his eyes narrowed on Finchstar’s tall, willowy body. It padded behind them, camouflaged by the pelts of the generous patrol. The fellow tom failed to pair the gaze that he returned, with any sort of telling expression. He knew the warrior’s disdain. This was nothing new. Tigerpool snorted and continued with a lash of his tail. He stalked after the patrol and hastily quickened his pace. Regardless of what was the right call moons ago, Lichenclan’s ego had grown inflated and they ventured as far as to seize the mooncave for themselves, alone. For a brief moment, the tom thought of his own family, and previous mentors, who have since been seemingly shut from communicating with Orchidshade. Tigerpool wasn’t entirely sure how medicine cats communicated but he did know that this move in itself was a hungry, vociferous step towards an even greater power move- and, concerning spirituality, the Lichenclan cats had gone strait for the jugular.
The tom’s pale gaze darted across the horizon lines where inclement clouds billowed. They rolled across the wind fronts and promised nothing but the elegiac cloak that seized the terrain. Or, perhaps more. A clap of thunder swiveled his ears as the rest of Tigerpool remained apprehensive in poise, though unchanged.
And as they traveled the sound of turning waves filtered through his ears. They crept with eerie crawls until their crashing, calling pounced. The seemingly familiar rocky floors of the moon cave’s mouth came into sight (though Tigerpool rarely had a reason to go and could likely count on one paw the number of times he had ventured these lands). He stopped with Loudstorms command.
Of course, Loudstorm was their fill-in deputy. It would be just like their feeble spirited leader, to appoint someone who never resisted his makeshift decisions. His own ears began to flatten, until, Tigerpool noticed he at a matching pace with Ravenfeather. The large warrior turned to his former apprentice with a soft smile, a sense of camaraderie and pride replenishing his sinking spirit. “Nervous?” He whispered with a genuine twinkle of his eyes. Perhaps, it was easier to be stronger for others. “Don’t get caught up on the little details, you’re the best battler of your generation. Easily. But also- don’t get too cocky and do something stupid,” he purred prodding the apprentice’s chest with the flats of his head. The smile rolled off Tigerpool with another lash of thunder, and he maintained his post in stasis."Am I helping yet?", he smirked with a wink.
But it all happened so fast. Words were exchanged, briefly, and before Tigerpool could make a break towards the pelt he wanted to shatter most, Hemlockheart b-lined for Finchstar with a relentless pursuit. Tigerpool meant to pivot, to tag after him, but was soon met with a screech. Behind it, a pale green gaze.
Her fur fanned in an offensive bristle. The she-cat's tail lashed with a sway of potential energy, its movement fluid and seemingly diluted with malicious spirit. Tigerpool shuttered, but did not let his gaze waver. But like the lightning, she struck, and Tigerpool’s leg was seized by the misfortunate grasp of stone-whetted claws. His exhale mixed with an aggressive holler as the tabby made his distance. Quickly, he darted his gaze to glean the damage. Not much, but the she-cat had broken skin and his blood bubbled in an unwelcome showing.
Tigerpool recognized the she-cat small, whose fur was un-telling with its heavy feathers that built upon her frame. “Minnowstar?”, Tigerpool echoed with a soft sneer, just now fitting together the pieces seemingly scattered by the adrenaline of war. He had never met the she-cat himself, or if he had, it was long before her rise to power.
A frustration rose in his belly, as she too was almost as much to blame for the woes of their clan- if not more. With a fake, the tom pushed towards his right but darted to the left to barrel his body into her frame with a slam against the rocks.
Ravenfeather drew a steadying breath as he tried to focus himself. The whole time they had been on the way to the mooncave, the young warrior had been at Tigerpool’s side, trying to draw courage from the presence of his former mentor. He had left Mousesong back at camp and, for perhaps the first time, felt nervous about whether or not he would return. His heart felt like it was about to burst from his chest. He was nervous, yes, but he was also excited. This would be his first battle as a full warrior of RedwoodClan and he was determined to do his Clanmates proud. His long black tail swished slowly behind him as he watched Loudstorm approach alone.
He followed Tigerpool out from their hiding spot on Loudstorm’s cue and remained rooted to the spot as Swansong bolted for LichenClan’s camp. This is what they had meant to do, send a message. And what felt like just an instant later, Sandbriar lunged for Loudstorm. The black tom took an uncertain step backwards. His Clanmate could handle that fight alone and the rest of them had to stay alert for reinforcements. And they didn’t have long to wait.
LichenClan warriors materialized from every side. Ravenfeather wasn’t sure at first where to look, but his confusion was short lived as Minnowstar herself came flying towards him and Tigerpool. Unassuming and young as he was, he wasn’t the target, but on instinct he crouched to help the tabby. But before he could interfere, something solid collided with him and sent him skidding backwards. His claws sank into the earth to stop his sliding as he turned to face the gray tom that had knocked him away. With a hiss, Ravenfeather pinned his ears back and arched his back.
Rearing onto his hind paws, Ravenfeather brought his weight down, claws extended to drag at the gray tom’s ears and face on the way down.
[attr=class,punkisaintstop] The ruiner's your only friend
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well he's the living end to the cattle he deceives
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540 WORDS
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Tags we're tags we're the tags[break][break]For Gullheart, forgot to tag two :x
[attr=class,punkisaintscontent] The panicked voice that echoed through the cave walls was enough in itself to stir Creekpaw from his sleep. He’d had dreadful thoughts of the past for what seemed like decades now, just when he thought it could all be buried. He hadn’t been able to look his brother in the eye since, and yet… he still felt unsafe. He raised his head in alarm, ears swivelling towards the shouts of an older cat. [break][break] RedwoodClan… RedwoodClan... [break] The Mooncave. [break][break] Those words stuck with him, the young soon-to-be warrior running his claws against the colder stone by his side. Another battle with the tyrants of the forest. He could do nothing but stare through the cave’s entrance with bated breath as the alarm was raised, wondering who would be joining the battle this time. What unlucky sap would be barrelling their way through the tunnels at this hour? [break][break] Him, of course. Head poking out into the open moonlight of the open cave, he caught sight of his scraggly-furred leader and the deputy who had led him into that danger in the first place. He caught eyes with the she-cat who had raised the alarm, pale green eyes wide with surprise as Hemlockheart ordered for his presence once more. Minnowstar needed him, it seemed, and once again he’d be thrown right into the middle of danger. Too bad a cat was much smaller than a fox, and that his ferocity had built over the moons. [break][break] The spotted tabby darted after his leader at the order, for the first time praising the exhausting races the deputy had put them on. The one good thing about this was the time away from thought. He had to focus on strategy, on whoever his target would be. The Mooncave… Bet they don’t breathe too well under water. They had the opportunity to attack from multiple ends, which was a relief. They’d need all the strategic advantage they could manage. [break][break] And then, they encountered their opponents. Chaos abounds. The caterwauls of battle rang in the lilac tom’s ears, his blood boiling at the sound. Unlike some of his comrades, Creekpaw paused to study his opponents. As ready as he was to battle, to seek out revenge on some other poor soul he could manage to overpower, he hadn’t lost that cunning streak. Their opponents were fierce, eager to take what Minnowstar had claimed as LichenClan’s, and all seemed as though they’d be able to topple a smaller cat like him in moments. [break][break] Well, one didn’t seem like the rest of them. He seemed to hesitate as well, his figure somewhat softer, though the tom still larger than him with a striking, dark tabby pelt. Being smaller in comparison, there was only one way Creekpaw would be able to gain his advantage. [break][break] The lilac-furred tom remained silent as opposed to his shrieking brethren, crouched in preparation for his attack and staying alert for any other ambushers. His opponent was open, ready for the taking. Without another thought, claws extended, Creekpaw leapt onto the larger tom’s back and dug his claws in as deeply as he could. Only then did he hiss ferociously in his opponent’s ear, baring his fangs against the RedwoodClan tabby.
Post by wolfiedemon on May 17, 2020 15:58:04 GMT -6
Ashfrost
LichenClan Warrior
Ashfrost couldn't believe his ears when he was informed that Redwood was attacking them. For what of all things - access to the Moon Cave. If it was up to him, he didn't care what they did. They could piss in the waters if they wanted. The blue tom followed after Hemlockheart, a small smirk on his face at what he thought of the sacred waters. As he instructed the groups on how to proceed, he was surprised to be named first in the group that would also contain their leader. Maybe his fight with Snowfeather some time back had impressed the Deputy. Even though all he did was bloody a fellow Clan Mate...
Ashfrost followed after his leader along with the two apprentices. Apprentices... This was not a battle that they should be a part of in his opinion but they were close to becoming warriors. If they died in this fight, their blood would be on Hemlockhearts paws, not these intruders. The tunnel they were traversing was dark, the only way he was able to not get lost was the sound of Minnowstars voice giving commands to them. As much as he hated it, it was a blessing for he was having difficulty staying caught up with how fast she was moving.
The scene before him was complete chaos. Hemlockheart's team had already reached the intruders. Not surprising since they took an easy route. He followed after Minnowstar as she ran at a pair of warriors. His eyes locked onto the one with black fur. Black fur.... His eyes flashed with anger as his mind went back to Nightclaw. The black tom was crouched, readying himself to jump to the aid of his Clan Mate as Minnowstar started to attack the tabby before her.
Ashfrost jumped at the black tom, his body colliding into the smaller toms body. His paw slashed out and racked against his face. Ashfrost let out a snarl as he returned the hit with one of his own. "Aren't you too young to be out here?" He snarled at him through gritted teeth. "Shouldn't you be home suckling on your mother tit?" From what he could tell, this tom hadn't been in too many fights. He started to move, circling the tom. Keeping one of his ears swiveled on the off chance another cat decided to attack him.
Her heart thundered in her chest, a pulsing beat that ebbed and throbbed down to her paws. The very ground seemed to breathe beneath her, fueling the adrenaline rushing through her veins. The fighting had yet to even start, and already Windpaw felt drunk on the chaos she knew was to shortly ensure. There was a quiver in her step and she struggled to remain toward the back of the patrol. She was the only apprentice from her clan picked for this battle and she tried not to think to hard about that.
She had earned the right to be here. Out of everyone here, she had perhaps the most riding on this on a personal level. She had a lot to prove, to her leader and superiors, and to herself. The claw marks that spanned her left ribcage like a spider web were still a bright red from the badger attack, scarred tissue still soft, unformed callouses. Orchidshade had proclaimed her fully healed, at least physically, but Windpaw felt like she'd been uprooted. Her thoughts raced constantly and she was plagued by phantom feelings.
She would not fail this test, for she knew that this was just that.
She didn't pay attention much to the words being exchanged. Her blood was boiling, and when Minnowstar leaped onto the scene, her clan in tow, Windpaw latched on to the first opponent that instinct said go for. With a furious shriek, Windpaw leaped into the path of an oncoming calico she-cat. Instinct pegged her as an even match, of equally short stature with perhaps a slightly less muscle mass to her shoulder's than Windpaw's own massive ones.
two hundred eighty four | oh man, i hope the dice are nice to her | stags
Rosemarypaw was lounging around the caves, just resting for the time being. Her long, calico fur billowed out around her as she laid on the cool stone. Eyes closed, she attempted to relax just for this moment. Any day now, she would be recieving her warrior name. She deserved it. Nothing had failed her so far in her apprenticeship and she wasn't a disgusting piece of shit like her sister.
Paws came thudding into the room and her eyes flew open to Swansong yelling about the heathens of RedwoodClan attacking their holy water. Immediately she was on her paws, waiting for any orders to come. Of course, like the perfect warrior he was, Hemlockheart barked orders. With a nod, Rosemarypaw took off after Minnowstar, her sharp order not even registering as the glee of Hemlockheart wanting her to fight set in. In seconds, she was there and ready to fight.
Her breath nearly left her body as she slammed into a body that dashed in front of her in the blink of the eye. "What the fuck?" she hissed, as the two skidded from the momentum stored in Rosemarypaw's run towards the fight. Claws scraped stone as the two skid on the smooth stone. The space was not large where they were attacked, the edge of the pool only a few inches away and this dawned on the apprentice as...
Cold water wet her fur as the pair tumbled into pool seconds after the collision. Panic rose in her chest. They were fighting in holy water! This stupid heathen had forced her to do this! Rosemarypaw just knew it was intentional... But words Hemlockheart came back to her. "... drown them...." She would. On that same train of thought... They had entered the waters. They must confess! Would it count if they were fighting? Minnowstar fought just a few tail lengths away. If she did not confess, she was a sinner and Minnowstar would punish her. This was not a risk she could take.
When the pair resurfaced, Rosemarypaw gasped for air as the water rippled around them. Growling, she lunged forward and using her front paws she shoved the RedwoodClan apprentice's head down below the waves briefly. It was a halfhearted attempt, as she fought to keep her head above the water and she screeched the first secret in her mind. "I love Hemlockheart!" One of the two thoughts always on her mind. In the heat of the battle, she couldn't come up with a lie. If she lied, StarClan would know too.
Gullheart followed his fellow clan mates, keeping close to Finchstar towards the back of the patrol. A low rumble in the distance brought an uneasy feeling in the pit of his stomach as they neared the sacred Mooncave. He warily eyed the darkening sky, noting the storm clouds creeping towards them. Gullheart’s jaw clenched, attempting to calm his nerves as Loudstorm had them halt as he pushed foreword alone. Gullheart strained his ears, hoping to pick up any snippets of the conversation between the respected warrior and the two dark figures that guarded the entrance, but to no prevail.
Gullheart took a deep breath as his body trembled with adrenaline and the heavy air seemed to crackle in anticipation for the inevitable. Then, in a blink of an eye, they were moving. Redwood swarmed towards the cave as Lichen stood their ground. Before long, the cave was filled with bodies and blood curling yowls echoed off the walls.
Pale green eyes scanned the battlefield to seek out an opponent, when suddenly his legs gave out from underneath him. Gullheart hissed in pain as his foe dug their claws deep into his back, ripping into the skin from under his pelt. Panicked, Gullheart pushed to his paws and rolled onto his back. The tom’s large frame crushed his opponent enough to escape from their hold and for him to square up against the Lichenclan warrior. Only to blink in surprise at the small figure that laid before him. Did an apprentice almost get the best him?
Swansong's panicked gasp barely allowed her to spit out the warning, but once the words had left her maw, once they had echoed off every cave wall around them, the weight of what they meant struck like thunder. Deep, dangerous. They roused Petalshade immediately from where she had been picking tensely at her meal. Alarm prickling at every hair in her body, she rose, pushing her way through the gathering crowd to first look at Swansong herself- and then came the voice of reason above it all, the deputy, Hemlockheart himself, barely having to breathe before he had a plan and had barked out his orders.
Good, she thought, strong, quick-minded warriors like him are difficult to come by.
So she was to accompany him with Swansong and Riverpaw. A good, strong garrison from the west, a pincer manoeuvre. A soft smile curled her lip as he spat his comment about drowning. Perhaps the infidels could do with a closer taste of the holy waters. Either way, she followed with a graceful gusto, her long legs affording her a trotting gait for a large part of the journey to encircle the battle.
When she arrived with the rest of the splinter patrol, most had already leapt into action. She came to a stop, just to observe for a moment. Ah, it had been too long since she had heard such a clamorous battle, and all in the name of Starclan! An apprentice's cry caught her attention, briefly- Rosemarypaw. Her nerves pricked once more. What kind of foolishness- She shook her head to tip her focus. Pupils narrowed, she scanned the tussling cats for someone with the wrong scent, something she could dig her claws into. She was positively aching for it.
Target sighted. A tall, dark tabby molly heathen, not too far away. Perfect, Petalshade thought, touching her tongue to her lip with a low growl as she stalked a little closer, though not close enough that it might be mistaken for a lunging attack. No, she would not make the first move. Not yet, at the very least. Prey must be toyed with.
"You know, Redwoodclanner," the dilute calico molly called over with a sly chuckle, "this would all be so much easier if you would kindly repent and begone. Your kind don't know what's best for you, and what's best for you is that this cave remains under our protection." She flexed her claws against the stone ground. "Go ahead and confess your sin, and I'll let you go unscathed."
Finchstar's vision bled white as his head collided with the floor. There was a sharp sting rising in his back leg as he collected himself from the stone ground. The tabby leader steadied himself in a stand before a full recovery, completely aware of the danger that targeted him. And as his starry gaze settled, there was the brute himself. Hemlockheart. His icy gaze told all. Finchstar was locked onto his sights, and there was no way he was going to let him escape.
The leader had wrangled the back of his patrol specifically for camouflage. He wanted Minnowstar alone. And after discussing with Redfox on a cat they could trust most to serve her replacement as deputy, somehow they landed on the same cat: Loudstorm. They couldn't help but pin his old friend as the lead this battle patrol as well. Not as a test of proof, but as a proof of trust. And as they marched on toward the precious moon pool, scouring LichenClan land in their wake with proud claws, Loudstorm's tactical maneuvering was a clear sign that the tom knew what he was doing. He never failed to impress.
But as he stood there, preparing his next move as LichenClan's own infamous deputy calculated his every breath, there wasn't a doubt he failed. Again. Was he really truly fit for leadership?
Finchstar didn't have time for pity. He needed to move. He needed to find Minnowstar. Ignoring the waves of pain that called from his back limb, he went in, his trademark back and forth weave picking a side before attempting to clash with Hemlockheart in a desperate attempt to knock him and escape, letting a claw slice through the air to catch an ear or cheek. "You can't be this heartless. Gain perspective, Hemlockheart."
