nobody said it was easy [closed; solo]

She was always too late.

No matter how hard she tried, how fast she ran, or how much she prepared.

She was always a day late, a dollar short.

As if the world- no, the universe- were against her in every way.

Ivystar came skidding to a halt, a nasty sneer leaving her maw as she stared the snarling beast down, emerald eyes narrowed down to slits.

The piercing yowl she’d heard was indescribable. The shriek was filled with pain; unmistakably. Without pause, it had sent Ivystar reeling- she was on her paws in mere seconds, but it was simply too late. It was her job, her duty to protect her Clanmates. She’d failed.

Claws unsheathed, she readied herself, rocking back and forth on her haunches before pushing herself forward, tearing through the air around her with outstretched paws.

Contact.

She bowled into the large black dog, sending him rolling onto his side, struggling to comprehend the sheer force that the leader had come at him with. His attempts to free himself from her grasp were futile; her claws were latched firmly to his side, and she wasn’t going to let go. The crimson stained dirt caught her gaze momentarily, but she shook her head. She didn’t have time to linger on what had already taken place; the only thing left to do was ensure that this foul monster never got away with what it had done.

Ivystar used Run-and-Tackle, dealing -15 Health Points and using -10 Stamina Points.

Ivystar:
120/120 HP
290/300 SP [-10]

Dog:
135/150 HP [-15]
350/350 SP

Ivystar had underestimated the strength of the dog, wincing as it tossed her off with ease, bringing its large paw down on her side and nearly snapping her ribs.

She stood up quickly, facing it with an unnatural sense of confidence. It was far too late for this dog; Ivystar had made up her mind. It was never going to see another sun rise; it had crossed the wrong cat. She’d give up every single life she had before she let the drooling creature live another day.

The Dog used Heavy Blow, dealing -25 Health Points and using -20 Stamina Points.

Ivystar:
95/120 HP [-25]
290/300 SP

Dog:
135/150 HP
330/350 SP[-20]

Growling as she darted forward, Ivystar latched onto the black labrador's tail and yanked with every ounce of strength within her. It was enough for the dog to let out a shrill yowl, one filled with pain just the one she’d heard from her Clanmate, who was now lying unconscious, several fox lengths away.

This would surely give her an opportunity to get another attack in; one that would hopefully give her a fighting chance in this battle.

Ivystar used Tail Yank, dealing -10 Health Points and using -10 Stamina Points. The Dog is stunned for one turn.

Ivystar:
95/120 HP
280/300 SP [-10]

Dog:
125/150 HP [-10]
330/350 SP

With the dog waddling around with its tail between its legs, Ivystar took the opportunity without a second thought. Darting beneath the large dog, she slashed wildly with unsheathed claws at its belly, shaking her head as crimson colored blood dripped down and stained her coat. Rushing to get back onto her paws, she once again turned to face it with her gaze narrowed, daring it to attack her again.

Ivystar used Belly Rake, dealing -20 Health Points and using -10 Stamina Points. The Dog is no longer stunned.

Ivystar:
95/120 HP
270/300 SP [-10]

Dog:
105/150 HP [-20]
330/350 SP

Now recovered from the abrupt and painful yank of its tail, the dog barked and slowly approached Ivystar, bearing its teeth at her. It was like the black dog expected her to back away in fear, but her bravery was unwavering; she stood firmly in place, letting it get so close it nearly touched her nose. When the dog lashed out and attempted to bite at her neck, she swiftly dodged. That left the dog in a vulnerable position, and gave Ivystar the opportunity to lash out, clawing at the face of the vicious creature.

The Dog used Iron Bite, dealing -30 Health Points and using -20 Stamina Points. Ivystar used Dodge-and-Fight, reversing the -30 Health Points, dealing -9 Health Points, and using -15 Stamina Points.

Ivystar:
95/120 HP
255/300 SP [-15]

Dog:
96/150 HP [-9]
310/350 SP [-20]

Anger boiled in the veins of the heavy black dog as its attempt at an attack failed and then backfired, which left him with a flurry of claws scoring his face and leaving blood trailing from the scratches. Lashing out, it landed a forceful blow on the Ivystar’s back, a crack coming from the bones slicing through the atmosphere. No bones were broken, but enough damage was done to send Ivystar to the ground. Adrenaline kept her from staying there, however, and she could hardly feel the pain that she knew would cause her problems later. With what strength she still had after such a harsh blow, she batted at the dog’s face with unsheathed claws.

Ivystar used Rending Front Paws, dealing -20 Health Points and using -25 Stamina Points.

Ivystar:
95/120 HP
230/300 SP [-25]

Dog:
76/150 HP [-20]
310/350 SP

Blood dripped into the labrador’s brown eyes, blurring its vision. It could still make out the tense form of the she-cat posed before it, however, and now there was nothing she could do to prevent its next attack. Clumsily rushing forward, it clamped down on her front leg, forcing its teeth past her fur and hitting bone. Ivystar managed to throw herself free from its grasp before her leg snapped, but the dirt beneath her was still stained red as the holes where the dog’s teeth had been gushed blood. Spiderpaw had quite a job ahead of him.



Ivystar could physically feel her energy draining from her body as she tried to regain her footing, her paw shaking from where it had been ripped at by the dog. It was the first blow that had really done damage that would last, and it stung- Now, she wasn’t so sure she would leave this fight with all nine lives intact. Nevertheless, she planted her paws in the ground and faced off once again. When the dog didn’t make the next move, she took her chance and leapt forward, landing on the dog’s back and digging her claws into its shoulders. A hiss escaped her maw as her leg throbbed, but she didn’t let go.

Ivystar used Leap-and-Hold, dealing -15 Health Points and using -10 Stamina Points.

Ivystar:
65/120 HP
220/300 SP [-10]

Dog:
61/150 HP [-15]
290/350 SP

Now that she had the chance, Ivystar slipped a glance to the side… The deathly still grey and white tuxedo pelt of her dear friend lay nearly completely still; almost deathlike. The only movement was the very faint, slow rise and fall of her chest, and even that seemed labored. Shaking her head, she dug her claws in further and clawed at the black labrador’s back, keeping it pinned down as long as she could. The pain in her leg, however, was too much, and she leaped off before the dog had the opportunity to throw her off, which would put her at a disadvantage.

Ivystar used Leap-and-Hold, dealing -15 Health Points and using -10 Stamina Points.

Ivystar:
65/120 HP
210/300 SP [-10]

Dog:
46/150 HP [-15]
290/350 SP

Ivystar tried to take a moment to catch her breath, knowing that both she and the dog were nearing the end of the fight. Before she even realized it, though, the dog was upon her… Lifting its paw and bringing back down on her once again. For the first time in the entire fight, she let out a cry of pain. It sent her to the ground, and this time, she stayed there. Trying with all her might, she mustered all the strength that she could… Pushing herself to her paws with a great amount of effort. She’d have to really do some damage if she wanted to finish this off sooner, rather than later…

The Dog used Heavy Blow, dealing -25 Health Points and using -20 Stamina Points.

Ivystar:
40/120 HP [-25]
210/300 SP

Dog:
46/150 HP
270/350 SP [-20]

Bursting out in a fit of rage, she shoved herself at the dog, grasping it by the scruff and shaking the best that she could. The fact that the dog was skinny and had little meat on its bones helped, but to throw the weight of the dog around was no easy feat. Finally, though, she tossed it to the side, leaving it dazed- and giving her the chance to strike again.

Ivystar used Scruff Shake, dealing -10 Health Points and using -25 Stamina Points. The Dog is stunned for two turns.

Ivystar:
40/120 HP
185/300 SP [-25]

Dog:
36/150 HP [-10]
270/350 SP

Slicing at the dog, Ivystar brought her unsheathed claws on its head. Knowing with certainty that the fight was over, she simply stared the creature down with unapologetic eyes. It had picked on the wrong cat, and it had realized that far too late. With no mercy, she reared up on her hind legs, and brought her front paws down on the dog’s head- hard. A bone-crunching snap broke through the otherwise silent surroundings, and Ivystar looked down on the limp dog with her head hung low. She’d been too late for her Clanmate, but she’d given the dog what it deserved- but for her, that just wasn’t enough.

Ivystar used Front Paw Strike then Upright Lock, dealing -17 and -20 Health Points and using -10 and -25 Stamina Points.

Ivystar:
40/120 HP
150/300 SP [-10, -25]

Dog: K.O.
-1/150 HP [-17, -20]
270/350 SP

The member 'maple' has done the following action : Dices roll

---

'Effect Dice' : 5, 1, 5

In the rush of things, the fluffy silver leader had nearly forgotten why she was fighting; why she was so angry. And then she looked to her left… Her gaze fell immediately, and she quickly padded over to Mistleshine’s almost still body. Nearly crumbling as she got to her friend’s body, Ivystar buried her muzzle in the she-cat’s fur, the smell of herbs and blood mingling. ”M-Mistleshine… I…” Her sobs filled the air as she cried into the medicine cat’s fur, soaking her pelt. ”I’m so… So s-sorry… I was s-s-supposed to protect… It’s my f-f-fault...”

After several silent moments passed, Ivystar weakly got to her paws. Blood still dripped from what wounds she’d sustained, but she ignored them as she lifted Mistleshine’s unconscious body and, despite the throbbing, placed her onto her back. Camp was a long walk away… But there was still a chance that Mistleshine would live, and she wasn’t about to give up on her now.