No More Final Words [SkC Camp Raid]

IC:

Dawnhawk had known that Skyclan would be leaving at some point to go after Windclan. He knew his clan better than anyone. In his fury, the white and gold tom fled the moor as Lilacstar had asked. He raced across landscapes, letting his burning rage carry him forward. He was practically a ghost after he rolled in the mud to hide his scent. The pale tom eventually made his way to the edges of Skyclan and Shadowclan along the Thunderpath, again covering himself in mud to stay hidden. The Asylum had taught him well... and he wasn't about to abandon the knowledge they'd given him. He watched for the Skyclan patrol, gambling on the fact that they would have to take the Thunderpath to Windclan territory to avoid crossing borders with other clans. He knew his hot-tempered father and grandfather were unlikely to request permission from another clan to pass through, especially if they wanted to surprise their adversaries.

Dawnhawk had guessed correctly. It took almost an entire day to finally see some movement from Skyclan territory, but that was fine with Dawnhawk. He'd had a chance to rest and refuel as Skyclan had. The mud was dry on Dawnhawk by the time the war party moved out. If he tried to move, it would have easily flaked off of him, so he stayed in a crouched position as he watched them all go under the cover of darkness. Monsters ran by several times, but their acrid stench covered whatever scent Dawnhawk may have had escape from his muddy armor. The Skyclan patrol grew smaller and smaller on the horizon until they were gone from sight completely. Dawnhawk waited and watched, curious to see if anyone would chicken out and go back... but he saw no one.

Cautiously, he rose from his crouched position. His heart hammered in his ribs as he crossed the Thunderpath into Skyclan territory. Cats were going to die today. All of the ones left in Skyclan camp, if he could help it. That would be a nice thing for the bloodied and battered warriors to come back to. Why was Dawnhawk doing this? Because he wanted to send a message. First off, he wasn't going to be caught unless he wanted to be. Secondly, chasing him was fruitless and came with bloody consequences. The first time they had tried to hunt him, Dawnhawk had split Tigersong from groin to chin. Apparently that wasn't enough of a message for the stubborn Skyclan cats.

Now everyone left behind would die, starting with Smokefeather. As Dawnhawk stalked silently through his old home and made his way to camp, he had time to think about how he was going to leave the camp when he was done working. Should he have Smokefeather's skinned pelt hanging from a tree limb as they enter? Should he have kits and elders in one pile or separate ones? The corners of his mouth twitched up into a small but sinister smile. His only regret would be that he wouldn't be able to watch Skyclan's reactions. The look of shock and crushed defeat would be more sweet than any young freshkill meat.

Dawnhawk's fur bristled once he neared the borders of Skyclan camp. What a sight for sore eyes this place was. For just a moment, there was a shock of fear that chilled his spine. A moment of doubt. What if they hadn't left to go raid Windclan, as he suspected they might? What if they had only gone looking for him, knowing he had run, and would return soon? Dawnhawk shook his head a bit, forcing the doubt and irrational thoughts to leave. He was already here. He was committed to doing this, regardless of the outcome. If he was wrong... well... everyone's got to die sometime. With his resolve renewed, Dawnhawk entered the camp and inhaled deeply through his nose. His mouth parted, picking up every scent that he could while ignoring the memories that threatened to flood his brain. He needed to stay focused, or all could be lost.

He neared the elder's den and he was almost afraid the old bone bags in the den would hear his heartbeat. It nearly deafened him in his own ears. Dawnhawk took in one silent breath... then charged inside.

A flash of white to his left.

"Dawnhawk??? What are you doing h- ackk!" Cloudmane had been awake.... The knowledge of the battle raging on without him and kept the tired warrior up. Dawnhawk had taken his claws and slashed him swiftly to silence him.... right across his throat. The white, fluffy warrior back-pedaled in surprise as blood poured from the gash in his windpipe. All the noise he made now were just sputters and choking. Dawnhawk's blood roared in his ears and his heart beat wildly in his chest. He turned his focus to the other elders in the den.... but the one he didn't see was what enraged him the most.

"Where is Smokefeather???" He growled, his voice more high-pitched than usual as adrenaline roared through his veins. Dawnhawk then turned his claws on Foxfire to his right. Whatever happened after that was a blurr. Dawnhawk thought he felt sharp claws and pain along his sides and shoulders, but he pummeled the elder anyway, warmth and wetness covering his paws. Foxfire eventually, and more quickly than Dawnhawk expected, collapsed to the ground and appeared to be shrinking back against the wall. If Foxfire said anything to him at all, it fell on deaf ears as there was another movement to Dawnhawk's left.... Wrenspring.

Leaving the two defeated elders for now, he turned his focus onto Wrenspring. Unlike the other two, Dawnhawk feared that Wrenspring might actually still have some fire left. He needed to be more on his guard with him. He lashed out with his claws immediately with every intent to do lethal damage.

Dawnhawk used Front Paw Strike on Wrenspring, dealing 11 damage and - 7SP

Dawnhawk
70HP / 163SP (-7SP)

Wrenspring
49HP / 80SP (-11HP)

Foxfire was curled up in his nest, paws covering his eyes as he tried to sleep but it just wasn't coming to him. His heart was hammering in his chest, fear for all the cats who had left to go fight WindClan. He hated it, the fighting, the bloodshed...Losing cats. He didn't like the pain it brought and so the elder pitifully attempted to pretend that everything was fine, everybody was in camp and there was no fighting happening... Then Cloudmane spoke up, uttering a name and a few words before it was brutally cut off. Foxfire head shot up to see a familiar pelt standing over the downed form of Cloudmane, wet crimson staining his white fur. "Dawnhawk," the tom uttered - ignoring the sharp question that the exiled warrior questioned... And in an instance, was on his paws darting toward the tom.

White hot fire of rage burned in his chest, seeing only red as he relived the last moments he had seen his mate alive - and the smug tom who had taken her away from him. But as he hit the rogue and Dawnhawk turned on him, in a moment of clarity...Foxfire realized he had made a mistake. A flurry of claws struck the tom as he let out a cry - barely able to defend himself as the sudden movement made him remember how poorly his eating had been recently - and how weak he was. Finally he was forced to pull away, if only because he was bleeding heavily and he wasn't sure what more he could take - if he would survive this. Blood splattered the ground as he stumbled backwards, collapsing against the wall of the elder's den as he spared a glance toward the entrance. He had to warn...He reached out a paw, but his strength was already failing him and a weak laugh escaped him.

Warn who? The entire camp was gone - hunting a tom that was right here in the camp. He closed his eyes, barely managing a whisper. "I'm so sorry, Flowerthorn...I couldn't avenge you..." He weakly turned his head, staring at where Cloudmane had fallen, seeing that the tom wasn't moving. "...I'm sorry as well, Cloudmane. I'm so sorry..." he whimpered, head falling to the ground as he laid there - faintly aware of the sound of Dawnhawk and Wrenspring fighting. He had been so scared of not seeing any of his Clanmates return...But perhaps, he would be the one not surviving the night...

He hoped not. He had wanted to try to live for Flowerthorn for even a little while...

Dawnpaw lay alone in the apprentice den, a turtle shell without its turtle. The den was too big for one cat, especially one who still had her kitten fluff. It had taken her a long time to fall asleep, and her sleep was precarious, combining elements from the waking world with her happy dreams. Moma and Dawnpaw were fighting off wicked rogues all by themselves, protecting all of SkyClan! Smokema suddenly appeared in Dawnpaw’s dream and proceeded to beat the mess out of a rogue that dared attack her kit and grandkit. Dawnpaw gave a victorious yowl as the three she-cats fought off waves of evil rogues.

In the waking world, Dawnpaw let out a mew and turned over, purring loudly. The sounds of fighting from the elders’ den were incorporated into her dream. Once they stopped, however, keen ears would easily pick up on the noises she made as she slept, purring loudly and kicking the moss around. Her sleep grew lighter as the noises grew louder, but for the moment she was still in the happy land of dreams.

The camp was empty, as empty as he could ever remembering it being outside the cool gathering nights. But there was something condemning about the way the moon bathed their camp in silvered light. Wrenspring's mind had become a churning mass of worry. He hated how inept his felt, unable to fight at Beechface's side. There was a desperate and hopeful plea that she had not already thrown herself into the thick of battle but there was a sick writhing in the pit of his stomach that told him otherwise. Not only was the she-cat he loved off engaged in battle, but his kin, friends... and kits.

He'd been prepared to rise to his paws and pace through the moonlit camp, to beg the stars to spare those that he could no longer protect. But it seemed that Starclan wasn't watching over Skyclan on this night. Perhaps they had turned a blind eye, or maybe they were looking diligently after his clanmates on the battlefield. Regardless, it seemed the dim twinkling of starlight had been swallowed whole by the navy skies and dashed away by the moon's pallid glow. Wrenspring was alone, he had to be, and he'd never felt the feeling gnawing so strong as he watched the scenery become bathed in dark crimson hues.

Cloudmane's lifeless frame was matted with blood that had barely started clotting by the time that the attacker had begun ripping into Foxfire. A slow recognition washed over the former warrior's face, a recognition that caused him to want to fall into the ground. Dawnhawk was here - he wasn't even at the battle field, he was in their camp. The white and gray patched elder wanted to yowl, to scream, to curse whatever chain of events had lead to this happening. Previously, he found little anger burning in his stomach at Windclan; he had never been a creature of hatred and was drawn in only by sympathy for Beechface and Smokefeather. But now, with the carnage under his nose, Wrenspring's maw twisted into an uncharacteristic fury.

From confusion, to dream, to unbridled anger... his scarred face became a snarling mass. Dawnhawk wanted Smokefeather and the tom was grateful his friend had departed from the den. If there was to be one blessing tonight, it seemed to be that. There was a glancing blow of claws across his maw, raking at old scars, also committed by a previous clanmate. There was some twisted irony in that fact somewhere. Adrenaline pushed him forward, deafening the pain of the heartless rogue's claws. His crooked tail lashed as he shot forward, trying to knock over the slender tom and pin him. If Dawnhawk couldn't move, he couldn't hurt any other innocent cats. And, for once, Wrenspring's own claws lusted to draw blood from an opponent.

Despite the fact his injured paw lurched in protest, the former warrior managed a solid hold, fueled by the torrent mounting inside, "You shouldn't be here, Dawnhawk, you shouldn't have come. Why can't you just leave this place?"

Wrenspring used Leap and Hold, dealing 6 damage and using 15 stamina. Dawnhawk is pinned for 2 turns.

Wrenspring
HP: 49/60
SP: 65/80

Dawnhawk
HP: 64/70
SP: 153/160

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

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'Effect Dice' : 5

Dawnhawk was actually surprised with Wrenspring's swiftness. He toppled the pale tom over, and Dawnhawk curled his hind legs in to defend his belly. Wrenspring even stopped fighting a moment to speak to him, for reasons beyond Dawnhawk's understanding. The words that came out of his mouth forced Dawnhawk to unleash a growl of rage through bared teeth.

"Why can't I just leave this place? Are you kidding me Wrenspring??? I have been gone for moons! Your leader and his deputy can't stop hunting me! I just wanted to be left alone, but that's not going to happen for me! Your leader is obsessed!" And with that, Dawnhawk attempted to roll Wrenspring off of him. He ground his paws back on the ground and tried his best to slam the elder against the walls of the den and get him to release his grip.

It worked. Dawnhawk sprung to his feet and regained his battle stance. His chin tucked low and he fixed his opponent in his icy blue gaze. "Now stop talking. You're not getting out of this!"

Dawnhawk used Duck and Twist, dealing 5 damage and -5 SP

Dawnhawk
No Longer Stunned! Duck and Twist Successful!
64HP / 148SP (-5SP)

Wrenspring
44HP / 65SP (-5HP)

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

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'Effect Dice' : 4

Maplepaw awoke, and she awoke to bloodshed.

Maplepaw had no idea what truly awoke her. It could have been the noise, the desperately gasped question by Wrenspring and Dawnhawk’s hateful answer. It could have been the gurgling of Cloudmane’s last breaths. It could have been Dawnpaw, tossing in her restless sleep. But, when she raised her head to peak through the den, all she could see was blood. Pooled in thick, dusty puddles on the hard packed dirt, flung across camp- blood was all there was to see. Feeling sick, Maplepaw rose to her feet, carefully stepping out of the den to only come face to face with Cloudmane’s lifeless body. Fur wet with blood, eyes glazed over in a thousand yard stare- Maplepaw turned her head. She couldn’t look. All that did, however, was have her gaze meet Foxfire. He was breathing, Thank the Stars, but barely. Maplepaw didn’t want to stay to watch the life leave his body.

Creeping as slow as ever, Maplepaw followed the sounds of growls to the elders den, where she carefully inched her head to look inside.

A cat Maplepaw didn’t recognize was pinned under the elders paws, hissing and spitting in rage. Though she had no true idea of what the rogue looked like, it took no time to make a connection; this was Dawnhawk. The Dawnhawk, who murdered dozens in cold blood, who maimed his own mother, who shows no mercy to anyone. Who hid in WindClan, just where SkyClan couldn’t reach. Who won’t leave SkyClan alone until it’s painted red.

Maplepaw swiftly turned her head back, silently gagging over her own bile. Dawnhawk had raided SkyClan camp, killed and maimed its elders- were the kits and queens next? The apprentices left behind? She had no love for SkyClan, wouldn’t care if it burnt to the ground, but she did care for innocent lives. Lives that could be lost to this monster.

Maplepaw forced herself to turn back at Dawnhawk and Wrenspring. She should help, rake her claws down the rogues back, but she was frozen to the spot.

She was totally useless. She sobbed.

"This forest!" Wrenspring gasped, as his opponent wriggled out from underneath his claws, "This forest! You have the whole world at your paws, the chance to run away from all the things you've done! It seems you're drawn to Skyclan as much as we are to you. Wolfstar, Bloodstrike... your kin... we all just want to be free of the death that comes at your paws." He glanced at Cloudmane and winced, silently willing the rogue to do the same. It was a futile thought, as fleet as it was, but there wasn't time for dwelling on it or thinking of the many lives that Dawnhawk had taken; Wrenspring needed to drive off this threat to his clan, to end it here.

As he regained his footing, trying to press all four pads into the earth, the twisted forepaw screamed once again. There was a reason he no longer fought as a true warrior and hadn't gone with to the battle, the reminder was painfully jarring now. Wrenspring clenched his teeth. Not only was the pale tom younger, but also in much better physical shape, lacking the twisted ailments of Skyclan's newest elder. All he could do was keep pushing forward and keep fight. With as much force as he could muster, the gray and white tom lashed out with just enough speed, clawing at Dawnhawk's twisted expression.

Claws split his former clanmate's ear with a sickening sound. Immediately, crimson blood began to leak from the v-shaped tear. Moonlight flicked through the wound where a perfectly intact ear had once been. The blow did little to still his pounding heart or quell the blood pounding in his veins. At some point he'd caught sight of an apprentice in the background and Wrenspring willed himself to no look in an effort to prevent the feral tom's eyes to fall on the fearful young creature. Keeping his claws unsheathed, Wrenspring let out a low hiss, a prying jab, "You've always prided yourself on your pelt, right, Dawnhawk? It would be a shame if my claws happened to score deeper."

Wrenspring used front paw strike, dealing 6 damage and using 7 stamina.

Wrenspring
HP: 44/60
SP: 58/80

Dawnhawk
HP: 58/70
SP: 148/160

"Are you still talking Wrenspring? Maybe you wouldn't be in the elder's den if your feet moved as your mouth!" And then a flash of claws that Dawnhawk hadn't prepped for. A hot slice on his ear followed by a wet warmth. He back-pedaled, his eyes wide and his chest heaving with his panicked breath. He'd cut his ear... only his ear... but his ear nonetheless. Dawnhawk pinned them flat to his head, ignoring that it made the injured one bleed a bit more. That wasn't going to happen again.

"I've never tried tearing stupidity from someone's eyes, Wrenspring, but I'm going to try it!" Dawnhawk lunged forward... but his claws went for Wrenspring's throat and chest, not his eyes. How dare this dried up, twisted-pawed bone bag cut his ear?! The last thing he wanted to resemble was Beechface. He would not!

Dawnhawk used Front Paw Strike on Wrenspring, dealing 11 damage and - 7SP

Dawnhawk
58HP / 141SP (-7SP)

Wrenspring
33HP / 58SP (-11HP)

As he hoped, the vanity in rogue's pelt was an overwhelming and driving force. Wrenspring didn't let it show across his features but there was some delight that came from seeing Dawnhawk overwhelmed by such a blow. But what was disheartening was the fact his hits weren't as damaging or powerful as before. In his youth, this would have been an easy match, he was certain of it. However, the ease of a win was never what had driven him to action. The tom still had a warrior's fighting spirit; another scar on his worn fur meant nothing. Fire lit his gaze as he rounded to try and get in a decent position.

Another heavy-pawed blow drew an exasperated hiss from the elder. Dawnhawk aimed for his chest, knocking the air from his lungs. He sucked in a deep breath and struggled to gain what strength he could from the night air. Crooked tail lashed as he face his opponent, "You'll have to fight harder than that. I might be in the elder's den but that never stopped me from being a warrior. Tell me, Dawnhawk, when did your warriorhood end? Was it when you attacked Wolfstar or slayed your own kin?" Wrenspring's features were hardened, betraying nothing, as he sought to bait the other tom.

There were limits to his power and he knew it, but buying time and keeping the focus of this vicious loner would do far more than claws or teeth. Yet, this was still a fight. As soon as the question fell from his tongue, Wrenspring leaped to the side, feiging a lunge and snapping his teeth at the air next to Dawnhawk's still sodden ear. At the same moment, he lashed out with his claws, catching the side of the handsome loner's cheek, clawing down the side of his jaw and neck. More blood welled up from the deep wounds. Satisfied, he leaped back. This was exhausting and he could feel his strength fading but the fight was far from over.

Wrenspring used Front Paw Strike, dealing 6 damage and using 7 stamina.
Wrenspring also used Desperate Blows, dealing 7 damage and using 5 stamina.

Wrenspring
HP: 33/60
SP: 46/80

Dawnhawk
HP: 45/70
SP: 141/160

Dawnhawk wasn't about to answer, but it didn't matter. There was just as much fascination with Wrenspring's fighting ability as there was intent to destroy him regardless. Dawnhawk had a thought cross his mind... one very similar to the one Wrenspring had. If this old goat had been in his prime when they fought... if he was fighting like this as a crooked-pawed old toad... Dawnhawk wasn't sure he'd be the victor here.

Claws.

His face.

Blood on his neck.

A horrible crunch and the sound of soaked velcro echoed loudly in Dawnhawk's ears. He hadn't been able to back away, as the wall of the elder's den prevented it. In that moment, the pale tom cursed himself for giving away his only advantage. In his blind fury to find and kill Smokefeather, he had forgotten that he needed space for his style of fighting. He didn't have that right now.

In his shock and panic mixed with fury, Dawnhawk unleashed an owl-like screech with the full volume of a feline's caterwaul. It bounced around the elder's den and echoed through the forest, a shrill, piercing call that should never have been produced by a cat. He knew by the sound how deep he had been cut. Dawnhawk had scarred many cats... and skinned many things as well.

The pale tom jumped swiftly away from the corners of the elder's den, crimson soaking and staining his ivory and gold fur. His sides heaved with his breath as fury burned so fierce inside of him that it streamed from his eyes. His eyes squinted into slits, his nose wrinkled like paper and his lip curled to bare pearly white fangs.

"You... I was only here for Smokefeather... but you have condemned this entire clan to my wrath until Skyclan is no more!" Dawnhawk's voice was hoarse and shook spastically. Dawnhawk leaped.

Dawnhawk used Leap and Hold, dealing 10 damage and -15SP

Dawnhawk
45HP / 126SP (-15SP)

Wrenspring
Stunned for 2 Turn(s)
23HP / 46SP (-10HP)

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

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'Effect Dice' : 5

Dawnpaw’s dreams had been of crows and ravens, slaughtering each other in the night. A cold, unearthly call caused her eyes to snap open. The cry of a cat, pained, furious, disbelieving, terrible. She suddenly realized she was awake. This was no dream. Shaking, she rose to her paws, and slowly, slowly, slowly, fearful of what she would see, looked out.

A trickle of red was at her paws. She lifted paw and gave it a lick- and shrunk back, terrified. It was the warm, thick, metallic taste of blood, and something told her this was not the blood of prey. Her eyes slowly followed the trickle to its source at the elders’ den. Somethingmane lay slumped upon the ground, red trickling from his fur…

Dawnpaw crouched down, sick to her stomach. Still covered in kitten fluff, she was right outside the apprentice den, the fearful call ringing in her ears. She was too stunned to fight or flee, an easy target for the raging monster inside the elders’ den.

Maplepaw watched in abject horror as the elder and the rogue tousled, yowling and screeching out obscenities. Dawnhawk had Wrenspring pinned- he was going to kill him. Maplepaw had to do something. 

Breaking out of her frozen state, the apprentice thought for a split second on what to do. Should she run and scream for help? Go and help evacuate the remaining clan members? Fight Dawnhawk? She may hate her father with a passion, but she still had his blood in her. She couldn’t run from a fight. 

That just wasn’t her. 

“As the deputy’s daughter I demand that you stop!” she yowled, Running into the elder’s den. She swiftly inserts herself into Dawnhawk’s range of vision, just so he can see the fire in her eyes as she tears at his face and eyes. Her claws were small and dainty compared to his, but they could still do damage.. 


Maplepaw used Front Paw Strike, dealing 6 in damage and costing 7 in stamina! 


Maplepaw:
20/20 HP
53/60 SP (-7)


Dawnhawk:
39/70 HP (-6)
126/160 SP


Wrenspring: 
23/60 HP
46/80 SP