The Striker [c]

It had been a few sunrises since her newest apprentice was named to her, and so far, she was greatly impressed. The young tom was full of energy and life and it was refreshing to have such a force around her. It gave her hope for the future of WindClan, and it was up to her to shape the tom into the ideal cat for that job. Coyotegrin stood at the entrance to the camp, waiting for Adderpaw to join her for his first fight training. Additionally to the spar, Coyotegrin wanted to start to assess if he would make a good addition to the future tunneling team.

Adderpaw had settled into apprenticeship well, surprising mostly to himself. He knew he would've been more than capable as an apprentice, though he hadn't expected to find so much joy in it. Flutterpaw had been right, though, as he often was. The world beyond camp was vast, but it was beautiful, not so imposing as he'd always imagined it to be. But what intrigued him more than their rolling moors was what lay below; maybe it was just a product of who had been assigned to mentor him, but he couldn't help but eye the earth when he ventured into the territory, looking for the yawning opening of the fabled tunnels. He wanted to see them for himself, worm his way into them and... and he wasn't sure what came next. But see them, he knew he wanted. Shaking himself out, the ruddy tom pushed himself to his paws and, holding himself as tall as he could, padded over to his mentor, giving the slight she-cat a nod. There was no time to think about his fantasies of tunneling. Today, they were learning to spar. "Hello, Coyotegrin," he mewed, steady and composed. "I'm ready when you are."

Coyotegrin nodded and started to pad to the best place to spar above ground. Her paws padded lightly on the moor, and she found it amusing to herself about how her life has so drastically changed. When she was Adderpaw's age, she was convinced she would be a Moor Runner, Deputy (and then Leader) and looked to for her swift speed. But now, she was the Tunnel Captain and not chosen for her most coveted dream of Deputy. She was on Shrikestar's council, sure. And she supposed the title of Tunnel Captain was prestigious enough. Yet, Coyotegrin knew how she'd be Deputy; she was worming around in darkness both physically and metaphorically as the Tunnel Captain...

Shaking away those thoughts, Coyotegrin glanced down to Adderpaw. Aside from her children, he was her current pride and joy. At least this part of her life's plan was true; apprentice after apprentices to teach and guide. And Adderpaw would shape up the best yet, she could feel it. Two apprentices under her belt gave her the wisdom she needed. "I'm sure you're smart enough to know, but remember not to use claws while we spar or any other WindClan cat. But, don't worry. Translating the paws to claws in an actual fight is almost much easier in my opinion. It gives you more grip on your opponent." That sounded more aggressive then she had intended, but it was the truth.

Slowing to a stop, Coyotegrin paced in a circle to show Adderpaw where they would be working at before taking a battle stance with her tail slightly in the air and her head lower. Almost as if she was stalking prey- Coyotegrin was ready. Her fighting style was like the wind; there one heartbeat and gone the next. In her limited experience of the tunnels, that nimbleness was lifesaving. "Attack." She said simply, her eyes focused on Adderpaw.

Once he'd arrived, Coyotegrin wasted no time in stepping out onto the moors, and Adderpaw found he had to trot to keep up with her. She wasn't a particularly large cat, and yet so far he'd remained smaller than her, not quite grown into his legs yet. So he hopped along at his mentor's side, periodically looking up at her, wondering if she had anything to say. She was quiet, though, passing most of their walk with a thoughtful look, so the apprentice remained silent in turn.

Eventually, the silence was broken; first, by Coyotegrin looking down at him. Her stare was hard and focused, but Adderpaw thought he saw something softer in her expression– either way, it nearly made him jump from his own pelt. Second, by the instruction not to use claws. And the mention that he would have no problems digging his claws into another cat when the time came. Experimentally, his toes flexed, pressing into the springy heather underpaw... he couldn't imagine it, raking his claws through another cat. Maybe it was just something that came with practice. Then it was just a few more steps forward, and his mentor whirled on him, body low and tail arched high. In the back of his mind, he knew this was just training, but she looked so ready to leap he felt more like a rabbit staring into a wolf's teeth than a warrior apprentice.

And she had no further instruction from him, either. "But– attack? I don't know how to fight." He started to protest, but as he spoke he knew arguing was useless. Coyotegrin wanted him to fight, so they were going to dance around until he bit his tongue and did it. Circling around her, the small tom's tail flicked back and forth, slight agitation in his posture. He was going to be beat, and soundly, he knew it. Once he'd made nearly a full circle, Adderpaw shook his head and gathered his muscles, throwing himself clumsily at Coyotegrin. He attached himself to her back– barely, hind paws flailing in an attempt to keep himself balanced –and he was a little sad that he hadn't rolled her over into the dirt, but at least it felt like he'd hit with some force. The breath he'd lost crashing chest-first into her told him so, at least.

Adderpaw used Jumping Strike, dealing 8 (6+3-1) damage and costing 7 SP.
Moor Runner is active for this fight!

Adderpaw
20/20 HP
53/60 (-7) SP

Coyotegrin
42/50 (-8) HP
120/120 SP

Coyotegrin braced herself for Adderpaw's attack, and was pleased with his first move. Though, a cat of his size should go for the legs, it was an honest try. "That was a good attempt, however," She shook off the apprentice and took a few steps back. "You are small and fast; you should go for the legs versus the back. You don't have the weight advantage against most cats. Hawheart, for example, would do well with that attack. Shrikestar, too. But you and I? Legs are where we go. Dart in and out, confuse them with your speed. Try it." She cocked her head in her trademark fashion, before nodding for the apprentice to begin his next attack.