The Apprentice Games [For All of Skyclan]

OOC: This is mostly for fun and will all be run IC as a friendly competition. All of Skyclan is welcome and encouraged to join

This CAN count for requirements. Hunting system will be used. So, we can make this count for a hunting patrol or assessments, please indicate in your post which one. It CANNOT be used for both and you must pick one. In the event a predator appears, we will attack it as a clan and continue on. But, it can then count for a battle. Again, you can only use this for one slot, though. This is a good way to get your requirements in without the staleness of your usual such topics and we can all do it at once ;) remember to indicate what you are using it for at some point in the thread!



IC: Everything had been thought through and decided. The sun had risen and set a couple times before it was time. Today, the entire clan would come together for an event, unlike anything that they had done before. Rippedsky made sure he organized the patrols to keep someone watching the borders all day. Instead of hunting patrols, Skyclan's apprentices would compete for the title of most skilled hunter and fighter. Everyone would be brought together and the skills of their future warriors would be testing. He was grateful for the fact the idea had come to him. It seemed like a wonderful time. Mentors and apprentices were already out at the chosen clearing they would start at and temporary nests were made for the elders and older warriors to lounge in. That only left the rest of the clan.

"Cats of Skyclan, the time has come! Gather your kin and your kits, the apprentice games will start shortly!" The deputy let out a jubilant yowl to their clan before padding to the entrance to wait for them to join him. Once a majority of the clan was there, he began to lead them the short distance to where this all would happen. One of the warriors had been instructed to stay behind and held the queens shepherd their kits. It must have been excited for the little ones to see the territory outside of the camp before they were quite old enough to be named as warriors themselves. He could feel the excitement buzzing from the cats around him. The excitement was palpable and contagious. This would be a day to remember. Even if harsh times came with newleaf, which would be unexpected, he hoped they would all remember the good times. They had made it through a harsh leafbare and come out well.

The black and white tom leaped up onto a rock that stood slightly other than the cats in order to easily be seen by all, "All apprentices will start by competing in a hunting competition. The first one to catch three pieces of prey will win this round. Warriors will be out scenting what is nearby and assign an intended catch for that apprentice, who must then go after that prey. Dandeliondapple and Russetpelt will be the ones to make the decision. I will be watching, of course." His tail flickered to call the apprentices forwards. As soon as they were ready and all accounted for, he would yowl the starting signal and this would be under way.

***
Mumblefoot had been preparing for this day. No, he was now too old to participate, but he still had a role now, keeping track of Drizzlekit. She was getting closer and closer to her own ceremony, yet was still a little ball of energy. His ear flicked worriedly as he thought about losing her in the forest. The promise of play flights for kits run by the warriors, him being one, would hopefully keep them all distracted while they were waiting for the apprentices during the hunting mission. He padded towards where the kit would either be sleeping, or already bouncing around, and padded in, "It's time, Drizzlekit. You get to see the forest for the first time." His little nose nudged the kit after the gathering crowd. His father certainly had an interesting idea here and he hoped to watch it play out while. Once they made it out to the clearing and settled down near the kits and queens, his orange-brown eyes focused on the deputy to listen intently.

Amberpaw padded out of the apprentice den, her wounds had healed enough that she was back on doing her normal apprentice duties. What was better than going to some fun and games? She was tired of shunning Sedgepaw, and just wanted to let loose.

Echo that Strides Through walked over to the others. The apprentice games sounded fun. Even if she wasn't a full apprentice, she still wanted to do this, even if it meant her name was changed or something like that. Besides, she wanted to test out a hunting technique she thought of, combining the techniques she learned from both clan and tribe.

Sedgepaw stalked out of the apprentices den at Rippedsky's call. He puffed his chest out proudly at the idea of a hunting competition. A chance to show just how great he truly was,... until he caught sight of Amberpaw. He flinched, guilt gnawing at him as he tried to be proud. To look like the fearless and great warrior he was going to be. He looked haughtily at Rippedsky, then sat down to wait for his order. He refused to look at Amberpaw again, refused to see the error of what his recklessness had caused and the pain it had brought her.

Blazingpaw walked out after Sedgepaw and looked at Rippedsky. He was excited but a bit tired. Once they began, however, he would be more cheerful and competative like always.

Redkit exploded out of camp at top speed, his bushy tail streaming out behind him like a fiery trail on a shooting star. The crimson coloured kit skidded to a halt at Rippedsky's feet having darted away from the warrior in charge of the Kits, "Can I hunt too Rippedsky?" He mewed excitedly, wide green eyes gazing up at his adoptive father with something akin to awe, "Come on you know I'll win!"

Tigerpaw followed the other apprentices to the spot where Rippedsky was waiting. Her bold yellow eyes sparkled with excitement at the thought of the challenge before her. She couldn't help but look at the cats around her, wondering how skilled each cat was. She was definitely going to give her very all. Maybe, just maybe, she could be the winner.

Brokenpaw meandered towards the edge of the other gathering apprentices. Oh good, he thought sarcastically, a chance to show how dedicated I am to being a warrior. Maybe if it hadn't been Rippedsky who announced the games he could have gotten away with just hiding in a tree and watching the other apprentices be competitive.

Ripplepaw sprinted to where the cats were gathering, quickly settling down and gazing with full attention at Rippedsky. Her tail twitched a little impatiently. She couldn’t wait to get out there and win!

ooc: it tried to autocorrect rippedsky to Rippedstar xD

Blossomheart stood behind Ripplepaw. "Remember all of our training, Ripplepaw. Get out there and win it!"

Mintpaw's tail twitched with amusement as she watched the apprentices' reactions. Whether it was excitement, nervousness or pure amusement, she almost missed the time she had spent in the Apprentice Den. Her own den was cold and empty in comparison. Mintpaw kneaded the ground, a grin growing on her maw as she stepped forward, her murky green eyes sparkling. "Not this time, Redkit." Her smile was audible as she gently nudged the red tomkit. The little tom's obvious excitement made her smile fade. She would have to be there, of course, in case of injury. Even if she wasn't certain she needed to be, there was no way Rippedsky wouldn't let her. Warrior apprentices were awfully reckless, after all.
The Medicine Cat Apprentice hitched a serious expression onto her face, looking Redkit in the eye. "You could get hurt." Mintpaw paused for a moment, her tail twitching thoughtfully. "But, you can come with me, if you'd like. I'm sure I could use a bit of help if someone gets hurt out there."
Mintpaw gave Rippedsky a small nod, but any leftover seriousness quickly faded. All her friends would be competing. Mintpaw had half a mind to get her berries and do a quick bit of painting, although she knew it would be a hassle to get the stains out of their fur afterwards. Besides, it was nearly starting.

Redkit, his youngest adoptive son, was at his paws in no time asking to compete. His whiskers twitched in amusement at the little tom's excitement. Redkit had so much energy and he hoped that while he was busy with this, Mumblefoot and the others would be able to keep everything under control. Before he could meow a response, Mintpaw jumped in with an answer. He gave her a quick nod, grateful for the response. Then, he meowed, "Next time, Redkit. You have to go beat the other kits in battle right now." The deputy said a quick farewell to the pair before standing at the front of all of the cats. It was about time to begin.

As the clan gathered, he nodded for the apprentices to come join him and stand at the base of the rock. Noticing both of his apprentices were there caused a smile to come onto his maw. Cats still wondered in and gathered around as he had expected. But, they needed to get things underway if this competition was to be over by the end of the day. Russetpelt and Dandeliondapple, already aware of their tasks, had been sent just out of sight to follow the apprentices around. As soon as this started, he too would disappear into the treetops. The thoughts of being able to measure the progress of all of the apprentices was certainly appealing. His tail tip twitched as he patiently waited for everyone to settle in.

"Apprentices... your first task is to each catch a squirrel. They're becoming more common as the forest thaws and shouldn't be difficult to find. You may search anywhere between here and the Thunderclan border. After you bring your catch back here, one of the three of us will assign you your next catch. We will be watching." He began to rattle off the explanation and rules he had thought of over the past couple nights. Rippedsky paused again, letting them prepare for a moment before raising his maw to the sky and yowling, "Go!" As they sprang into action, heading in all different directions, the black and white tom hesitated a second to give them space. Then, he set out on his own. The rest of the clan waited eagerly behind as they shared in tongues and watched the kits play.

Ripplepaw ran away as fast as she could, suddenly wishing she had the speed of a WindClan cat. Quickly, she sprung up onto the nearest tree, her hooked claws sinking into the trunk, as she wound her way up. She was going as fast as she could, using her tail to balance as she scrambled further up. She found a branch, decently high up and thick enough to support her weight. She crept to the end of it, bunching up the muscles in her hind legs and springing on to the next tree, trying her hardest to keep silent. She was a SkyClan cat, and proud to be, as she leaped quietly through the trees. After a little while, she spotted a red, bushy tail disappear around the edge of the next tree. A squirrel! She prepared herself to jump again, excitement and adrenaline pumping through her veins. She sprang onto the branch, happily finding she made no sound. She gripped the trunk tightly, crawling around until she could see the squirrel. She licked her lips and pounced, her claws sinking into the flesh. It didn’t have enough time to cry out before the apprentice nipped the back of it’s neck sharply, ending it’s life. She picked it up gingerly in her jaws. It seemed decent, and she was very, very proud of her catch. She turned around sharply and began leaping back onto the other tree. She was ready to show off her prey!

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

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'Hunting Dice' : 4

OOC: Hope i'm not too late! ;-; Lb and I were busy! He'll post later today.

IC: Snowpaw ran to go search for a squirrel when they were dismissed. She spotted one. It was on a low branch! She could catch this! The apprentice leaped and attepted to throw it out of the tree. She was sucsessful and grabbed it when it was on the ground stunned. She killed it and brought it back to where Rippedsky was with the other warriors.