Not so Different [Closed]

Him and apprentice. It was him and an apprentice on this simple hunting patrol. He would have been completely fine with it if it was just a normal Thunderclan apprentice, but it wasn't. It was one of the Riverclan fishfaces. He would have complained the second he was assigned this patrol, but he wanted to keep up appearances. Plus this was a good way to make sure that their bond or attachment to Riverclan was broken completely. Only time would tell though.

"Come on Mintpaw." He told the apprentice as he stood by the entrance of camp. "We have hunting to do." At least the apprentices were useful. He didn't think he has seen the queen lift a paw once other than to stuff her face. He could feel his mouth wanting to draw back into a snarl but he ignored it as he walked along. He would take his time on this patrol, find something to catch, no matter how much he didn't want to.

He paused after a little bit of walking, turning to the apprentice. "Okay, this is a good spot as any. Let's try to catch something."

Starlingflare was a large, grizzled grey warrior, missing an eye; Mintpaw was still growing, but even lanky as she was, she didn’t totally meet his eyes. Still, he seemed tolerant enough — far from friendly, but not angry either. I’m glad it’s him. The thought of the fiery, hateful eyes of Appledapple made her shiver. Mintpaw grew up in a nursery full of kits and queens — ones that were kind to her — and she wasn’t used to… that kind of reception.

Relatively serious, Starlingflare stayed quiet during their walk. And when he stopped, indicating they should hunt here, she nodded hesitantly. I told Minkstar I could hunt, and I can, but… Minnowfin hadn’t gotten to showing her how to hunt in Thunderclan territory yet.

Sniffing — the scent of trees and earth, mostly — and angling her ears, Mintpaw tried to sense prey. She even followed a hint of it for a while... but before long, she realized she was just pacing. There was nothing. Fishes. With a flick of her ear, she glanced back at the direction of Starlingflare, deciding to try and watch him. I’ll have to learn myself. Maybe Thunderclan prey smelled different? Mintpaw surely smelled something—

And then something came up from behind her. It was only the sudden impulse to turn that saved her: Mintpaw saw a flash of ruddy fur, the white of teeth, and dove out of the way. It’s breath was hot and filthy, and Mintpaw’s heart seized in fear at the size of it. Starclan! With a cut hiss of fear, she tried to slash it across the muzzle — but missed!

It recoiled, at least. Skidding backwards, she yowled, “Starlingflare!” — but in her panic it came out as a strangled whisper.

Mintpaw used Dodge-and-Fight on the Old Fox, dealing 0 damage (FAIL) and costing 7 stamina.

The old fox was hungry... so very hungry. It had been searching all day, and found little — even in it’s well-known places. It knew that... perhaps, this winter was its last. In the many seasons of its life, it has never been so cold, or the forest as barren. When would it find food? After sniffing and searching, till it’s own bones creaked with cold, it finally scented something. Cat. Stilling, the aging fox eyed the direction of the scent.

It was a young cat. Small, yet still — thin. It sniffed once more, safely downwind, and watched carefully as the thing walked. With a slight hobble: it was lame. Hidden behind the foliage, the fox considered it. It was not fond of killing such creatures, and much less of eating one. And they kept in groups here. But this one... it seemed alone. And there were few options, for a lone fox like itself. As thin as this cat was, and lame... perhaps it was kind to end it now.

Creeping low, and quick, the fox lunged at its turned back, aiming to kill it with one, swift bite.

Old Fox uses Iron Bite on Mintpaw, dealing 17 damage and costing 30 stamina.

Mintpaw
15/6 (-17/-0) (-0/-7)

Old Fox
60/60 | 150/180

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

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'Hunting Dice' : 8

Mint’s dodge and fight roll

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

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'Effect Dice' : 3

He scented it before it showed it's ugly face, his attention quickly turning to the apprentice to warn her of the incoming danger, but as soon as he did the old thing showed up lunging at the apprentice. At least she had enough sense to move, to preserve herself from the danger, that he was ready to jump in and block.

He didn't know if she had built up enough energy yet to take on a fight like this so he needed to take the Fox's attention and now. Using a little of what he learned with his training, he charged the fox. The hard part of his shoulder hitting the fox right in the ribs, watching as it stumbled backwards.

"Are you okay? If you are, do what you can, otherwise stay back. I will handle this." He informed her. As much as he hated the riverclan cats, he didn't want to see them dead. The apprentices were vital to his plan, and at least this one was determined to help.

Starlingflare used Dishonorable Charge dealing 9 damage, -20 SP. Old Fox is stunned for 2 turns!

Mintpaw:
15/15 HP
13/20 SP

Old Fox:
51/60 HP
150/180 SP

Starlingflare:
55/55 HP
80/100 SP

The old fox staggered, snarling weakly. It knew they weren’t alone!! And this cat was far bigger. Breath knocked savagely from its lungs, it collapsed on the snow with a whimper — temporarily paralyzed.

Old Fox is stunned for turn 1/2!

Mintpaw felt sharp relief at the sight of the warrior: fierce and as strong as the fox. Or stronger — Mintpaw watched with wide, startled eyes as Starlingflare ran like a force of nature and crashed into the fox. But instead of rounding to retaliate — the collision had almost knocked it over — the fox just... buckled, and let out a wheezing whimper. Was that what Thunderclan warriors could do?

But when the warrior in question turned to her, seemingly unscathed himself, Mintpaw’s felt steady enough to mew, “I’m okay. I... it didn’t get me.”

She felt... not strong, but adrenaline rushed through her — keeping her upright — and her claws unsheathed. Do what you can. Right. The fox seemed stunned but it wasn’t dead, and she keenly remembered the stink of its jaws beside her head, snapping shut. If I hadn’t moved... if Starlingflare hadn’t been here... She turned to fully face the creature.

Her ears pinned to her skull. Before she lost her nerve, and with narrowed eyes, Mintpaw dashed in to strike it from the back with all of her strength. Claws raked through it’s fur, even if with less conviction; her claws couldn’t dig in properly, for her shaking. And then she staggered back.

Mintpaw used Front Paw Blow, dealing 4 damage and costing 5 stamina.

Old Fox
47/60 | 150/180

Mintpaw
15/15 | 1/20

Starlingflare
55/55 | 60/80

He admired her spunk that was for sure, to have the strength to get and there and do damage, despite how weak she was. She was willing to put her life on the line, and he respected that. "Alright don't push it too far, just settle back, let me handle this. Once we are done we will head back to camp." He told her. This would be quick. He just had to weaken it enough to chase it off.. If it persisted, then he would do what he had to do.

The gray tom closed the gap, taking full advantage of the winded Fox. He dug his teeth into the fox's shoulder tearing a chunk out as he pulled back.

Starlingflare used Snap dealing 10 damage, -7 SP

Old Fox:
37/60 HP
150/180 SP

Mintpaw:
15/15 HP
1/20 SP

Starlingflare:
55/55 HP
73/100 SP

The old fox cried out, it’s snarl strangled. The lame one was close by, and weak — but the larger one was strong. It staggered to its feet, snapping at the one who should’ve been it’s prey.

It stumbled, though, and bit into nothing but air and hunger.

Old Fox is still stunned, turn 2/2!

Mintpaw winced and flinched back — the creature’s teeth were stained horribly, and stunk. And far, far too close. “A-all right,” she agreed reluctantly — and let herself limp behind Starlingflare. The warrior kept his eye trained and sharp on the fox. I can’t be of any help right now.

The fox was recovering, if still bleeding from one side. But could Starlingflare…? Then she remembered the way he stunned it, quickly and with a brutal blow, and her fur settled. Starlingflare would handle it.

Mintpaw is out of usable SP, and can no longer fight.

Old Fox:
37/60 | 150/180

Mintpaw:
15/15 | 1/20

Starlingflare:
55/55 | 73/100

Starlingflare made sure to keep Mintpaw in his vision, at least somewhat. He didn't need the fox dashing past him to go for her, or to have yet another predator show up and get her. He would keep her safe, and he was resolute in this.

He circled around the fox just a little to get himself in the perfect spot before he lashed out once again, claws slamming into the fox's front, and side. Digging into anything they could snag on dragging more blood out of the fox. They would have a pelt to line nests with after this.

Starlingflare used Front Paw Strike dealing 10 damage, -7 SP

Old Fox:
27/60 | 150/180

Starlingflare:
55/55 | 66/100

The old fox limped, if barely so, as it gathered its wits. It was a cunning, sly creature — for it had to be — and it eyed it’s adversary warily. So did the feline: gray and fierce, if one-eyed. Half-blind. It clearly did not mean to let the old fox flee, and it felt likewise — if with some regret. They circled, for a moment, before the gray one leaped ferociously. It grunted in pain, lips peeled back, but allowed them to collide — if, only, to allow for the right grip.

Allowing its head to fall — on the cat’s blind side — it suddenly grabbed for its forepaw, and gave a vicious, gleeful swing.

Old Fox used Thrash, dealing 10 damage and costing 15 stamina. Starlingflare is stunned for 1 turn.

Mintpaw kept back, muscles still tense, as she watched. She felt weary and shaky — and certain the fox could kill her, if she tried to help. But if Starlingflare needs it, I can run for help.

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

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'Effect Dice' : 3

He knew that it would only be so long before he got hit with something from the Fox. Of course it tried to stun him. Even with his momentary daze from the action, the warrior overcame it with ease. He wasn't going to let a fox best him.

As soon as his daze was gone, the warrior lashed out again, claws digging in to fur and skin, aiming for spots that were already hurt, but if it didn't land there then some fresh wounds would do just fine too. The more damage done the better.

Starlingflare used Random Recall and Front Paw Strike dealing 10 damage, -12 SP

Starlingflare:
45/55 HP
54/100 SP

Old Fox:
17/60 HP
150/180 SP

With a snarl, the old fox cursed the feline — and whatever resilience allowed it to immediately return to claw deeper into it’s bleeding shoulder. It lit up in agony, hardly registering where, and just reacted with a savage bite. If the one-eyed creature couldn’t be thrown off, it would make it bleed.

Old Fox used Iron Bite, dealing 17 damage and costing 30 stamina.

Starlingflare:
28/55 | 54/100

Old Fox:
17/60 | 120/180

——

Mintpaw watched with sharp eyes; Starlingflare fought with a ferocity she hadn’t seen before. With a shaky breath, her claws dug into the icy earth. I need to be that fierce.

She felt a flicker of alarm as the fox bit back, tossing him with a vicious thrash, but the Thunderclan warrior recovered instantly — and struck back. There was no subtlety to it: just claws raking again through ruddy, mangy fur until blood spilled red and dark onto the snow. It wasn’t four times their size and with teeth the size of mice, like the dogs she’d grown up fearing... but she wasn’t sure it would matter to Starlingflare, either way.

He seemed fearless. Or... no. Just determined.

A rumbling growl escaped the warrior as he felt teeth sink into skin and fur. His teeth clinched tightly as he shook himself free of the grip. He quickly rounded the fox, grabbing it by it's tail and pulling hard. If this worked on cats it would work on foxes. He needed every opening he could get, and if he had to make them himself then so be it. If he played it right, it would just take a little bit more before he killed the fox. Just a little longer then they would be safe.

Starlingflare used Tail Yank dealing 9 damage, -15 SP. Fox is stunned for one turn!

Starlingflare:
28/55 | 39/100

Old Fox:
8/60 | 120/180