The Powers of The Swift-footed Warrior[C]

Tawnyshadow led the small patrol down to the Pine Grove, her ears pricked for the slightest of sounds. Behind her was Nightpaw's sister, Swiftheart. They hadn't really interacted before, except for that one time when she was a kit and Swiftheart tolf her the story of Deerleap's sacrifice. The story still warmed her heart, even after all these moons. Deerleap must have been an amazing warrior, to throw her life away for the sake of her clan...

That didn't change what was happening now, though. She hadn't been the most supportive of Nightpaw since his affair was revealed, while Swiftheart had pleaded for her brother. Would the older warrior hold grudges against her? Tawnyshadow risked a glance back at the warrior.

Swiftheart followed tawnyshadow on their patrol also keeping a close observance out for any potential threats as they went. She did not know twanyshadow a lot but swiftheart was eager as always to try and make friends. Swiftheart did not hold any grudge against he clanmate for what was said about her brother. Night was her brother and she would always be loyal to him no matter what. However, just because tawnyshadow had concerns about their leader did not mean that swiftheart was upset with her.

More than anything swiftheart valued the importance of the clan staying united as possible through all this. Holding a grudge against anyone seemed to be a bad idea and besides, it would go against her easy to get along with personality.


So she continued along in her usual good spirits: Still, it felt like maybe just a little twanyshadow was glancing at her almost in a catious nervous state. Swiftheart tried to give her nicest smile and friendly wave wanting to clearly indicate that she held no grudge for how things had gone. The punishment on her brother felt way to severe in her mind but there was nothing she could do to change such things.

Hmm have you thought about taking an apprentice one day? she asked in her usual talkative self. She wanted to break the silence up with something. Sure, warriors couldn’t directly get an apprentice without the deputy but it was mostly just to have an open ended question.

“Apprentices are alot of fun… she glanced away briefly thinking of her own first apprentice and how she often thought of deer leap from time to time . I think you would make a good mentor

OOC: Tawny already has an apprentice...

IC:
Tawnyshadow was relieved that despite everything, the older warrior was still as cheerful as she remembered. Swiftheart was easily one of the oldest cats in the clan, and yet her bright spirits were what lighted up the younger warriors' days. Her ear twitched at the white she-cat's question. She had only gotten Beetlepaw a few sunrises ago, so it was expected that in all that had happened it would be forgotten. "I just started training Beetlepaw. I hope my training has been valuable to them," She answered simply.

"About what you said about Nightpaw... do you truly believe that he is worthy of a leader? I was young when we had to evucuate the camp, so I don't quite remember what he did as a leader. The only thing I know is that he broke the Warrior Code," Tawnyshadow mewed. Truth to be told, she wanted to believe that Starclan hadn't been wrong when they gave Nightpaw his nine lives.

Swiftheard nodded blinking. Oh right, Tawnyshadow already had an apprentice. Time moved so fast. She felt a little bad for having missed that ceromony but it also seemed that Tawnyshadow understood that life was busy now.

"That is great, and I am sure that your training is valuable to Beetlepaw and that soon they will become a great warrior as well under your guidance" swiftheart purred positive as ever.

Swiftheart glanced over thinking about her question. "yes, I do think he is worthy of leader. The day of evacuating camp he put everyone else safety before his own and even lost a life from a falling tree because of it. She paused looking at her paws a bit

"My brother can sometimes be hard to work with at times and I think socially he sometimes has a hard time getting along with the other clan high ranks. Which sometimes lands us in some hot water. And yes, he did break the code with what he did with Thunderclan's leader. But every cat makes mistakes. It's alot easier to judge than to forgive and move on

Tawnyshadow listened to Swiftheart's words in silence. So that's how it was. But everything the white she-cat had said... was it not the minimum? Was it not expected of every clan cat to always get their fellow clanmates out of danger's way before themselves? Did they not swear it before Starclan? "Tawnypaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?" That was what Nightpaw had asked of her. What he asked of every warrior. But then again... every cat did make mistakes.

She shook her head. Why was it all so complicated? Tawnyshadow replied at last with a sigh, "The Warrior Code is not something that can be broken as a mistake. Breaking it is a crime. There were times when cats were exlied for taking a mate from another clan, wasn't there?" Yellow eyes flashed, and she turned to face the white she-cat with an almost cold expression. "If you truly believe what you say, that Nightpaw truly is worthy to be the leader of Shadowclan, then I challenge you to a duel. If you win, when Nightpaw returns to his position he will receive nothing but my fullest support. But if I win, not a word of praise for Nightpaw will come from you after. What do you say, Swiftheart?" Tawnyshadow declared. A fight for honor-- that she could accept. If this wasn't enough to make her forgive Nightpaw, nothing would. Now she just had to wait for the white she-cat's answer...

Swiftheart stopped in her tracks hearing her clanmate challenge her to a duel of honor.

She glanced at Tawnyshadow a bit suprised but after thinking about it for a little maybe it was not so suprising, Tawnyshadow respected the warrior code alot so maybe it made sense that she would respect a warrior who could best her in battle.


Swiftheart did not particularly enjoy fighting if there were other ways out of it... but then again this was not a real fight.  It was just a practice spar that had some terms attatched to it... if she lost she could not say any praises of her brother?  Hmm that would be tough since she did feel like she was the only one left to defend her brother.


She sighed but having Tawnyshadow's backing would be important once her brother was back in leadership.

She nodded "alright you are on. I agree to the terms of your duel" She got ready facing her practice opponent.

"I will even let you make the first move" she flicked her tail towards herself in a come get me motion.

Swiftheart had enough honor in her to accept the terms of the duel. Tawnyshadow couldn't help but feel a bit of admiration for the white she-cat; everyone knew that the first move in battle was always the most important, and for Swiftheart to willingly give it up... was it confidence or virtue that drove such a decision. Whatever the case, it was time for her to make her move...

Tawnyshadow darted forward, snatching the white she-cat's scruff in her jaws and shaking violently. She flung Swiftheart away after a few good shakes. Do you still have enough energy in you to fight, old cat?

Tawnyshadow used Scruff Shake, dealing 8dmg and -20SP
Swiftheart is stunned for 1 turn

Tawnyshadow
50/50 HP
100/120 SP(-20)

Swiftheart
62/70 HP(-8)
160/160 SP

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

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'Effect Dice' : 1

Swiftspirit could not get out of the way in time of the attack and got shook up a bit from the younger warriors first move.

After being shaken a bit she felt a bit dizzy but the fight was on! Tawnyshadow would get her duel.

Blinking she did her best to refocus the adrenaline helped with that.

Random Recall -5 sp no longer stunned

she snatched back at Twanyshadow getting her back for that.

Swiftheart uses snap 10 hp +1 for passive shadowclan ability and 7 sp

Tawnyshadow
39/50 HP (-11)
100/120 SP

Swiftheart
62/70 HP
148/160 SP (-12)

Swiftheart was fast, but that was to be expected of such an experienced warrior. Tawnyshadow had half a mind to just let the other she-cat win, but even she knew that if she didn't try her absolute best, any form of support from her for Nightpaw would be nothing but lies. It wouldn't be right. Besides, she was the one who had propused the duel, so slacking was not an option. Tawnyshadow returned the warrior's blows, trading swipe for swipe.

Tawnyshadow used Front Paw Strike and Desperate Blows, dealing 8(+5)dmg and -7(-7)SP

Tawnyshadow
40/50 HP
86/120 SP(-14)

Swiftheart
49/70 HP(-13)
148/160 SP

Swiftheart was caught off guard as her opponent got a couple more quick hits in and she stumbled a bit but kept her balance quickly after.  Tawnyshadow was proving to be a worthy opponent.

Seeing an opening however she took full advantage of Tawnyshadow's open tail.  Perhaps it was best that they were practicing.  It was better to learn in practice after all than in a real situation.


Swiftheart uses tail yank pulling Tawnyshadow off balance for 15 sp and 10 hp +1 passive damage for shadowclan ability.  Tawnyshadow stunned


Tawnyshadow
29/50 HP (-11)
86/120 SP

Swiftheart
49/70 HP
133/160 SP (-15)

OOC: I forgot about the shadowclan passive so I'll just add another -2 to Swift for Tawny's previous attacks

Tawnyshadow hissed as Swiftheart managed to get another hit in. She struggled to regain her balance, but ultimately pushed through to land yet another blow on the white warrior. I'm not done yet!

Tawnyshadow used Random Recall and Front Paw Strike, dealing 8(+1)dmg and -7(-5)SP
Tawnyshadow is no longer stunned

Tawnyshadow
30/50 HP
74/120 SP(-12)

Swiftheart
38/70 HP(-9-2)
133/160 SP

Swiftheart was suprised that her opponent was able to recover so quickly and also get a counter shot in as well. She panted a bit wondering if she had gotten in over her head. Somehow, Tawnyshadow did not even look tired yet.

She focused as best she could remembering that she had alot of battle experience and would have to rely on that in these long drawn out fights.


She didn't see an amazing opening yet so she just smacked at her opponent wanting to keep Tawnyshadow at bay for a while. She just wanted to wear her out and then look for the openings that she could get some big advantage on. As she smacked her opponent she was very mindful to only used sheathed paws.

Swiftheart uses Front Paw Blow for 7+1 dmg and 5 sp

Tawnyshadow
22/50 HP(-8)
74/120 SP

Swiftheart
38/70 HP
128/160 SP(-5)

Tawnyshadow winced as Swiftheart got yet another blow in. Spotting an opening, she darted forward to grip the white warrior's scruff yet again and shook her vigourously before throwing her to the side. It was obvious that Swiftheart was beginning to tire, and it wouldn't be long before the fight was over.

Tawnyshadow used Scruff Shake, dealing 8(+1)dmg and -20SP
Swiftheart is stunned for 1 turn

Tawnyshadow
22/50 HP
54/120 SP(-20)

Swiftheart
30/70 HP(-8)
128/160 SP

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

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'Effect Dice' : 2