When Violence Matters [C]

Darkspirit had been preparing Lichenpaw for this day for several weeks. Hunting was fine and all, but fighting was just as important. He'd taught the apprentice several things, but without actual practice, the kid would never truly grasp the concepts. Darkspirit lead him to the Owl tree before he turned around and faced the younger tom. "I'm not going to send you to the medicine den, but I'm not going to just sit here while you attack me anymore. You can have the first move. I want to see if you actually remembered what I taught you." Darkspirit spread his feet evenly apart and lowered his chin to his chest. He pinned his ears back and narrowed his eyes while he curled his tail around the inside of a hind leg.

As the sun began to climb higher into the sky, the warrior waited for his apprentice to make a move. He didn't expect Lichenpaw to win this spar, that would be incredible, but he did expect him to at least put his best paw forward.

There was little conversation between Lichenpaw and his mentor as they made their way to the Owl Tree, but the smoky tom didn't mind. He was a quiet cat... mostly because his attention span was rarely long enough to participate, much less carry on, the dialogue required. He wasn't interested in talking, usually, or listening, or even hunting... but he was interested in fighting - really fighting, and that's what Darkspirit had brought him here to do.

For once, Lichenpaw was at rapt attention as Darkspirit spoke, drinking in every word... they'd had spars before, but this was different. This time, he had to make an impression. Then, maybe, Darkspirit would put in a recommendation for him to be a warrior. He was ready.

So, when his mentor had finished speaking, the gray kit nodded, taking a relaxed stance as he looked over Darkspirit's positioning. He was ready, the apprentice could tell... and he figured nothing he could do would be a surprise, so, might as well just have at it, right? At the absolute last second, without changing his body language at all, Lichenpaw exploded forward. He didn't feint left, he didn't feint right, he simply charged straight in, throwing his full weight into Darkspirit's chest and turning his head to set teeth into the older warrior's shoulder. He released, and his claws followed where his fangs had marked before he pushed off of the other tom and skidded backwards with the momentum, sinking down into a crouch, belly almost touching the ground, tail lashing. Ears flat, eyes narrowed, Lichenpaw opened his mouth and hissed a challenge. Come get me, old man.

Lichenpaw used Snap, and Desperate Blows, for a combined 10 damage, at a cost of 14 SP.

Darkspirit:
50/60 HP (-10)
140/140 SP


Lichenpaw:
20/20 HP
46/60 SP (-14)

Darkspirit stared as the apprentice approached. Impulsive little guy wasn't he? He took the attacks without flinching. After a moment of awkward staring to drive the point home, Darkspirit darted to the apprentice's right, then his left, then came at him head on... only to reach over him and yank him up briefly by his tail.

"Don't ever let your opponent know what you're doing Lichenpaw. Battles are not won with honesty." Nor honor, for that matter. That was one thing he'd learned from his dad, but he didn't let the thoughts linger for long.

"When you're done feeling sorry for yourself, come at me again." Again to prove a point, he had no intention of letting the apprentice strike first a second time. He needed to learn, and this was how Darkspirit intended to teach him.

Darkspirit used Tail yank, dealing 9 damage and - 15SP

Darkspirit
50HP / 125SP (-15SP)

Lichenpaw
Stunned for one turn
11HP / 46SP (-9HP)

His mentor had barely flinched at his attack, and as Darkspirit stared him down with an unfazed expression, Lichenpaw almost felt a flicker of doubt. Almost. But rather than dwell on it, he lashed his tail once more and darted to the left as Darkspirit feigned right, then leaned to the left as the other went right... and finally squared his shoulders in preparation for Darkspirit to come right at him... only for his mentor to finally make his move from above. Lichenpaw snarled in surprise and struggled to find his footing as Darkspirit moved off a bit. His tail hurt, but he barely felt it over the thundering of adrenaline in his ears.

"I'm not feelin' sorry for myself," he said, slicking back his ears again. But he had underestimated how fast Darkspirit was, and he did need a minute to regroup.

Lichenpaw is stunned for this turn.

Darkspirit
50HP / 125SP

Lichenpaw
11HP / 46SP

Lichenpaw didn't make a move. Darkspirit took his chance to drive his lesson home. He lurched forward suddenly and aimed to crack his skull right up against Lichenpaw's. "I told you honesty doesn't win battles. You shouldn't have believed me that I would actually stand here and wait for you to fight back." His tone was neutral. He would be patient with a cat this young, but that wouldn't fly at all when Lichenpaw became a warrior. Darkspirit wouldn't hold back on his verbal attacks once that was the case. Did Lichenpaw assume his training was over after he earned his warrior name? Would he assume he would be rid of Darkspirit after that? Think again!

The duo-toned tom would make absolutely sure that his apprentices received training even as warriors. They would be vigilant and they would be ready, come the Dark Forest or another flood.

Darkspirit used Headbutt, dealing 7 damage and -5SP

Darkspirit
50HP / 120SP (-5SP)

Lichenpaw
4HP / 46SP (-7HP)

Stars danced across Lichenpaw's vision as Darkspirit's skull slammed into his own, and he staggered backwards, swaying on his paws for a moment. Through watering eyes, the apprentice saw Darkspirit's mouth moving, but he couldn't hear the words over the ringing in his ears. His blood boiled beneath his skin, a rare anger seizing the young tom. He didn't get mad easily, but Darkspirit wasn't being fair, and something about that stroked a trigger.

Surging forward, Lichenpaw tried to slam with all his might into the older cat, lashing out with claws that weren't quite as sheathed as they could have been.

Lichenpaw used Front Paw Strike, dealing 6 damage at the cost of 7 stamina.

Darkspirit
44HP / 120SP (-6)

Lichenpaw
4HP / 39SP (-7)

Darkspirit wasn't about to let the apprentice get any form of upperpaw... not that he could. The tom of sunlight and ashes dodged to one side and lashed out, shamelessly taking full advantage of his apprentice's anger.

"A cool head is just as important as deceit in a battle!" He stated loudly, hoping this lesson would stick. It is said that the most important lessons were taught through pain. Darkspirit kept his claws sheathed, but his blows were only just barely softened. Luckily, Lichenpaw was just out of his reach. Darkspirit's eyes narrowed, hoping that Lichenpaw would take advantage of his mistake. Come on... come on! You can do it!

Darkspirit used Dodge and Fight, dealing 0 damage and -7SP COUNTER ATTACK FAILED

Darkspirit
50HP / 113SP (+6HP for dodge) (-7SP)

Lichenpaw
4HP / 39SP

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

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'Effect Dice' : 3