The Hour of Justice [RC + WC BATTLE TOPIC]

Tawnystorm's fur bristled as she watched the conversation between the two leaders. She hadn't shifted from her defensive stance, but she scanned the crowd for her family. Ashpaw and Aspenpaw hadn't come today, and next to her stood Otterleap, standing tall. She was proud of her son, knowing how good of a warrior he was. To her other side was Smokeface, her first apprentice. After so many hours spent with the gray tom, she considered him one of her closest friends. And up front, Ivyfall - her mother, helping to lead the Clan with dignity. The whole Clan was like family to her, and at this time, seeing what WindClan had done to them made her blood boil.
She wouldn't lash out, not yet. Though it took all her effort to restrain herself from slashing wildly at Smokepelt, Tawnystorm pressed up against her son slightly, almost defensively. She would respect Fishstar's decision - and if they were to fight, she'd fight with all she had.

Though the deputy preferred to leave Fishstar to do all the speaking, the deputy simply was so astounded that she could not help but interject bewildered by the WindClan leader's response. "Are you deliberately making a mockery of us, Ashstar? Or do you simply think that we are that below you? You would keep that beast as deputy, without a single consequence. You ask us to pretend Shellwater isn't scarred for life or Frogpaw is simply accidentally injured. Prey? Medicine cats? We're not here because Smokepelt accidentally hit Frogpaw, we're here because your son, your chosen deputy maimed an apprentice and gloated over his body, 'This is what happens when you mess with WindClan!' he yowled over his maimed body."

She felt so lost, how could one that declared themselves a mother, a warrior of the code behave in such as manner. Was WindClan truly that broken, that removed from the code that they were savages beyond reason? Was she speaking to filth, only destined for the Dark Forest, to lurk in those gloomy depths without reprieve? "Do not pretend that you are higher than us, offering peace like a saint. You're a coward who cannot see the corruption that lurks in your very camp. It seems, Fishstar, she had no intention of reasoning with us. If you order us, we will bring you justice, for Shellwater and for Frogpaw."

The deputy unsheathed her claws, locking eyes with the other deputy Smokepelt. She would break his jaw, blind him, maim him. She was not above such things now, her paws were already stained with ThunderClan blood. She would do what her leader could not.

-

Otterleap pressed against his mother, Tawnystorm, taking comfort in her presence. Another time, another place, he would have frowned at his deputy interrupting a conversation between leaders, but Ivyfall was right. Ashstar was asking them to forget that anything ever happened. The bastard wouldn't even have to step down, Frogpaw would have to look across to WindClan every gathering and know that his maimer, Smokepelt was deputy and maybe would ascend to leader one day. It was wrong, disgusting. Lionfur, Smokepelt, they all deserved death and Fishstar had been kind with exile. He hoped that it came to a battle. That he could sink his teeth in those moorcats.

There was no honour to be found here.

Warriors were not kits to be scolded. This was more than just a simple mistake—Frogpaw and Shellwater would carry their injuries for the rest of their life. He'd watched Frogpaw's crippling with his own eyes, and he could still hear the WindClan deputy's yowls of triumph while his clanmate writhed on the ground. He'd seen Shellwater's scars and tasted the fear in camp when she'd came back coated in blood. Sleetpaw's glare flicked from the cat he'd raked at the Gathering, then to the WindClan deputy, how they both feigned innocence, fur bristling up his spine. That was outrageous! An insult! The fury radiated off of him as he crept closer down the sandy bank, his tail lashing behind him.

On the Great Rock, Ashstar had promised retaliation to any cat in her own Clan who would stoop so low. Her plea for peace now sounded as hollow as it did back then under the full moon. There weren't any doubts left, even if the other foxheart was innocent. Smokepelt's own clanmates had watched him do it. All this talk was useless, just like he'd said before. A kit for a kit. If WindClan couldn't survive without cats like Smokepelt and Lionfur, then they deserved to wilt away when leaf-bare approached.

It was only Ivyfall and Fishstar's stern presences beside him that stopped him from lunging forward with claws sheathed. A chill seemed to settle down over the grass-lined hollow, piercing through his glossy coat at Ivyfall's words. One word from his leader, and he would attack.

Duskpaw's glare met Sleetpaw's as he wondered what was going on in his head at that time. He needed Pantherlily to help him through the on coming battle. Whatever happened next he was prepared to die for his clan.

Amberpaw felt her heart sink as the prospect of a fight seemed to draw closer and closer to becoming an reality, her claws digging into the ground as her ears fell flat on her head. Despite the army of her Clanmates around her, she was terrified. Her eyes snapped from Fishstar, to Ashstar then finally to Ivyfall as each of the she-cats spoke in turn. When Ashstar refused, Amberpaw almost felt a snarl rise up in her. She would put her Clanmates lives under the life of her kin? A noble trait to be sure, but not a good one for a leader to have.

Ashstar was blind.

At least Ashstar's family was at peace while Frogpaw would have to live with the pain of his broken jaw - a jaw broken by a deputy who should have known better. Then who could forget what had happened to Shellwater - almost murdered on RiverClan's territory where the WindClan warrior that attacked her had no right to be! She spoke of RiverClan thinking that they were above the code but Ashstar was acting no better! Both injuries given to the RiverClan cats could have led to death - the attack on Shellwater being of the very purpose to take her life. That was not honorable, that was not right. If she claimed them both to be trusted after those deeds, then WindClan was full of nothing but rogues and scourges. Her eyes narrowed, forcing down all fear and terror she had for the upcoming fight as she refused to let WindClan get away with such disrespect for RiverClan and the Warrior Code.

Greypaw was behind her clanmates, leaving a trail if water with every step. It was a fight to be won, not lost. Courage ran through her paws as she followed Fishstar. Smokeface seemed angry enough to shout at another leader about Shellwater and Frogpaw. The Windclan warriors should be taught a lesson! She lifted her tail high and tried to not look scared like a coward, she will fight bravely for her clan.

Thistleblaze knew she needed to keep her mouth shut but she couldn't believe what she had just heard. Ashstar would risk Windclan's safety for her own son's? She was beyond angry. Not that she cared about Windclan anymore, but she knew her sister had kits, and Ashstar would risk those young lives for her crazy son?

"Do you not get it Ashstar? I was there when your deputy broke my apprentice's jaw. We kept the interaction peaceful until your crazy deputy decided to cross the border and attack my apprentice! Unwarranted! We do not dictate the code, but your deputy thought he did when he crossed that border for no reason! He broke the code! He maimed my apprentice!" The gray tabby growled. "You would risk your clan for the life of a code breaker? You really are a fool Ashstar."

Thistleblaze looked to Fishstar and Ivyfall. She would give Windclan the same treatment they have given Riverclan. She would hold no mercy for any of the Windclan warriors. "I'm ready when you are Fishstar." The warrior dug her claws into the dirt. "For Shellwater and Frogpaw." Thistleblaze said to herself, ready to dig her claws into these fish brains.

The Riverclan cat's words rang in Rippedpaw's ears. It was true. The deputy had attacked an apprentice. He felt ashamed in his clan. There was no way he could be behind something that broke the warrior code so far and was so unjust. His defensive stance faltered as the thoughts swam through his head. After a second, he was back in position, though. Hopefully, his leader would make the right decision. However, it was not his place to go against the clan leader. He stood behind Ashstar and would defend the rest of the clan with his life, even if he did not entirely agree with what she was doing, this was for his clanmates.

Squirrelpaw bounced forward almost directly up to where Thistleblaze was crouched tensely. Her tail was up, her eyes wide with excitement.

This wasn't to be confused with loyalty and pride for her clan; no, Squirrelpaw was curious. It was her first battle, and although she'd been aware of what had happened to Frogpaw and Shellwater, she hadn't exactly been close friends with them. She had nothing personal against Windclan, anyway, so it didn't particularly matter to her.
Her claws sunk into the ground, scattered here and there with tough grasses. It was nothing like her home, with soft dirt and water where she'd learned for the most part how to fight.
Psh. Doesn't matter. I can take 'em anyway!
Her green eyes blazed defiantly as she glared proudly back at the Windclan cats.

Morningfog looked at her daughter, fear and fiery determination for her daughter were clear in her hazel eyes. Leaving her mates side, she brushed Squirrelpaw and tried to gather the same warrior-like emotions. This was their fight to win. WindClan needed to be put in its place, their acts of violence would not just be brushed off, not after the mangled young lives she had seen affected by these moor cats.

Twistedpaw stopped paying attention to the kit's attitude and focused on the tension in front of her, all the cats half-hoping for a battle to unfold. She nervously unsheathed and sheathed her paws and shook the remaining pieces of bedding from her pelt. Starclan please don't send a battle now, she prayed as she desperately looked up to the cloudy skies. We don't want innocent cats injured or dead.

"My mate lost a battle with blackcough. My younger sister was killed suddenly by a mysterious stomach infection. My kits, all aside from two, were taken from me by a ravenous sickness that our medicine cat could not hope to contain. My first deputy, who is also my last littermate, was permanently crippled by ThunderClan. ThunderClan.. Your allies, may I remind you, who destroyed our camp for no reason and killed two of our apprentices in cold blood," the RiverClan leader spat, voice cracking with fury and fur bristling.

Ashstar's words didn't frighten her. It left Fishstar incredulous that she could defend Smokepelt's actions like this. If her son or deputy had done the same, she would have escorted them out of RiverClan. It would have been hard, yes, but that was the only worthy ounishment for something so horrible. The tabby hadn't heard anything this ridiculous since Spottedstar had been the leader of ThunderClan. "Now, Shellwater and my son will have to live with hideous deformities for the rest of their lives, all because of that fact that your son and one of your warriors couldn't contain their hare-brained bloodlust. If you will not punish your Clanmates accordingly, then I do not want your help. I do not want to work with you. I will not align myself with a Clan who so willingly accepts needless violence against young cats into its lifestyle, and who calls our long-time enemies friends. You have not a shred of honour in you."

Her eyes were reduced to slits. Her Clan knew what was coming, and they were ready. She could smell it in the air, and feel the tension rippling around her. Their anger only fueled her own. Fishstar's claws slid out. "You're the one who should have chosen wisely, Ashstar, but you've made your choice - the wrong choice. RiverClan, attack!"

Fishstar used Front Paws Strike, doing 19 damage and costing 25 stamina.

Fishstar
120/120 HP
275/300

Ashstar
101/120 HP
275/300

---

At his adopted mother's command, Stormpaw snarled and hurled himself at the nearest WindClan apprentice - Duskpaw. "For Shellwater and Frogpaw!" he bellowed, a competitive fire burning in his eyes.

Stormpaw used Front Paw Strike, dealing 6 damage and costing 10 stamina.

Stormpaw
20/20
70/80

Duskpaw
14/20
80/80

---

To be frank, Snakepaw was terrified of what was inevitably going to come, and when Fishstar's battle cry rang out, he nearly yelped in fear. However, as soon as Stormpaw launched himself forward, all of his fear was drowned out by annoyance. He was trying to show off again, by being one of the first cats to attack.

Well.. Here goes nothing. After taking a deep breath, Snakepaw focused on the anger he felt towards Frogpaw's attacker, bunched his hind legs up, and flew forwards. Claws outstretched, he charged into Rippedpaw.

Snakepaw used Run-and-Tackle, dealing 6 damage and costing 10 stamina.

Snakepaw
20/20
70/80

Rippedpaw
14/20
80/80

Thanking StarClan that his mother had denied Fishstar's "offer," he felt silly for not believing in his leader. She would never have let him go, not that easily. He knew his mother loved him and although he’d made a mistake that the RiverClan leader would never forgive him for, no one could just push WindClan around like that, he wouldn’t allow it. Listening to the she-cat, it pained him to listen to her speak about Sharppaw and Icestorm but he knew that they were watching over them from the stars above. He'd never forget his brother or father, and this battle would be for them, for their honor.

Upon Fishstar’s orders, the camp clearing burst into chaos and the tom let out a yowl of rage and partial excitement. If they wanted a battle, then they'd better be ready. "For WindClan!" the deputy yelled, his heart racing, claws unsheathed, teeth bared, and ready to battle. Running around the crowd of disappearing cats, the deputy avoided the ones who most wanted his blood and instead chose a smaller cat who he assumed would be easier to take down (Greypaw). Skidding to a halt, Smokepelt reared up, slashing his claws wildly at the apprentice’s pelt.

Smokepelt used Rear up to Slash, causing 17 damage and costing 15 stamina.

Smokepelt:
HP: 100/100
SP: 265/280

Greypaw:
HP: 3/20
SP: 160/160

~~~

Mustering up all his strength, Cedarfur ran towards the chaotic crowd of cats and grabbed the first RiverClan cat he could reach. His back hurt like crazy but knowing that this was for his clan, he pushed himself even harder. He may have been an elder, but that didn’t mean that he was going to sit around and watch his clan-mates fight. "For WindClan!" the low voiced cat echoed his nephew's words, trying to hide the pain he was in. Running towards a RiverClan apprentice (Amberpaw), Cedarfur charged at the young cat with all of his might and knocked her to the ground.

Cedarfur used Run and Tackle, causing 6 damage and costing 10 stamina. Caused an extra 3 damage.

Cedarfur:
HP: 80/80
SP: 90/100

Amberpaw:
HP: 11/20
SP: 80/80

Amberpaw shifted from paw to paw, kneeing it in nervousness as she waited on bated breath for the command to ring out. Her gaze flickered around the WindClan camp, attemping to decide on who she would attack. She crouched as the command split the air and her Clanmates rushed forward but before she could join them, a shadow fell over her and a war cry was uttered, Her eyes flickered up, her mouth half open in suprise. How did-? She didn't even get to finish that thought as a large tom barrled into her, claws digging to her fur as she was sent crashing to the ground. She yowled out in a mixture of suprise and pain, pulling herself out from the tom's grip before she quickly got to her paws and stared at her attack - a brown tom that loomed over her. She could of easily mistaken him for a warrior with how big he was but the force behind that first blow wasn't the strength she pictured a warrior to have. Either this WindClan warrior wasn't very strong...Or she was fighing an elder. And after studying the tom for just a matter of seconds, she decided upon him being an elder.

Her ears fell back on her head as she stuggled to come to a split-second discision. She wasn't expecting an elder to fight on the front lines - perhaps WindClan weren't as cowardly as she had thought. Anger burned in the old tom's eyes and she knew she had one of two choices to make - to fight or to run. She couldn't get pass him without a fight and would she dare turn tail on her Clan because her oppinent was an elder? ...For a second, she wasn't sure on what choice to make. She had not come here to fight an elder, she had come to fight fellow apprentices and warriors. She couldn't in her right mind fight the tom as if he was still a young, spry warrior but she couldn't be a coward because of her own sense of honor.

A strong feeling washed over her, yelling at her paws to turn and protect her dignity but she fought it off. No, she was a RiverClan apprentice - she wouldn't turn tail and run. She crouched, her eyes flashing as she decided upon what to do. She feared that she would lose this fight - this tom looked like he could take much more blows then she could and the first attack already left her weak as blood dripped down her sleek brown pelt. But if she distracted him, then her Clanmates could get pass and attack the rest of WindClan. A noble cause, she supposed. So be it. She narrowed her eyes as she leaped forward with a yowl, slashing at the elder's chest with her claws.

Amberpaw used Front Paw Strike on Cedarfur, dealing 6 damage and costing 10 stamina.

Amberpaw:
11/20 HP
70/80 SP

Cedarfur:
74/80 HP
90/100 SP