HUNTING COMPETITION/ RC SPECIAL EVENT

IC: The group was gathered and every apprentice that decided to join the competition was there. Jaystar looked around the clearing he had chosen for them to gather and now, the tall leader smiled at those young cats who wanted to prove their worth to the clan. After all the messes that had happened lately, Riverclan needed time to chill and just live in peace. To celebrate that they weren't in war anymore now that Shade a Lichenmask were gone for good. With a quick lash of his tail, he asked for silence. It was time to start the first competition of hunting that Riverclan had ever known. "Welcome to all of you! We're about to start the first event of the end of leaf-fall and you've all been gathered here to show Riverclan who's the best hunter in the clan. Rules are simple: don't cheat or steal the prey of another rival. Warriors will be watching over you, hidden in the reeds. You must bring here three pieces of fresh-kill and each of them will have different merits. Those that are harder to find on our territory will be will be the most valuable ones so keep that in mind." Jaystar mewed with a loud and cheerful voice.

"Me, Silverfang and Scorchclaw will be here to count each of your fresh-kills so don't forget to bring it here as soon as you can. This will be also considered as an evaluation of your training and if you do it well, then you'll be a step closer to be warriors, young ones. Now... the competition will begin in one... two... three!" With a final movement of his feathery tail, the Riverclan leader gave the start for the event. He then proceeded to sit down on his muscular haunches and smile to those who already starting rushing to the forest in search for prey to catch. May Starclan be on your side today, apprentices...

Sparkpaw's pale green gaze, normally dull by nature, were unnaturally dim. Since Starlord's departure from the clan, things had felt off. He wished for the days before when everyone was together and things were okay. He could not help the deep seeded worry that their adoptive father would be lost forever. His mind was still wrought with this worry as the competition was set to begin. Only the companionship of his littermates and Finchstream. It was their urging that had pushed him to join the hunting event. Normally, his paws would have been itching with excitement but instead, he found himself hesitant for the hunt. Looking up at the clan leader caused a current of uneasiness in the pit of his stomach. How could a cat he loved so much hurt him so much? There was no anger within him nor betrayal but rather a sense of hurt and mounting sadness.

After only a moment, he had to flick his gaze away. Like when he'd been a kit, the calico apprentice longed to curl up with Jaystar and forget the worries. But it was hard when every time he looked at the leader all he could see was Starlord standing opposite him, all he could think was of how his father figure had been banished by the other tom he loved in the same way. It caused an irreparable ache deep within the cavity of his chest. The words that addressed all of them seemed distant, far away. Finally, when the countdown began he was able to bring himself to focus. The sensation was similar to diving into the ice-cold river like he had to rescue Beepaw. All of his senses were shocked at once and his mind became zeroed in on the one thing. He would do this for Finchstream, for the clan.

At the final call, he hesitated for a second before darting forward after the other apprentices. However, unlike them, his paws carried him closer to a more foresty section of the territory. Fish were his specialty but perhaps there would be something larger, more suitable for feeding the clan's many cats here. A flash of brown fur caught his attention and he leaped forward without hesitation. The rabbit's fur and flesh snagged his claws and surprise crossed his expression as he pinned the creature to the ground and finished it with a swift bite. This was his first rabbit! He couldn't wait to tell Starlord. Starlord. Mousedung. Old habits were hard to break, especially in one's thoughts. Sparkpaw shook his head and gripped the creature by its scruff, dragging it back as quickly as he could manage while hauling such an unnaturally large carcass. Fish were far easier to carry. Upon return, he dropped the rabbit at Scorchclaw's paws and flashed Jaystar a weak smile before turning to continue the hunt.

+30 points to Gryffindor Sparkpaw

ooc: i am shocked and awed the odds were in his favor. this literally never happens to me.

The member 'Reindeer Ripped' has done the following action : Dices roll

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'Hunting Dice' : 2

Berrypaw's eyes shone with excitement since the moment they left the camp. Unlike his siblings, he held no grudge against Jaystar. His mentor warned him about that coming and as the Riverclan warrior he wanted to be, he accepted. There was nothing more to do about it and Starlord would always be his family, even in the distance. Now, it was time to work and be the best he could.

As soon as Jaystar gave the start, the golden-furred tom ran as fast as hare to the forest, ready to catch the best fresh-kills he could find. At least, he hoped he would make it to the final round... That would be enough for him... for the sake and memory of Firepaw, who helped him to improve his hunting technique. Just as he taught him, he tracked any scent in the air and searched for footprints. Slowly but surely, the tom walked to a weird scent. He couldn't go for a simple water rodent or fish. He had to catch the more special types of prey! And he soon found what he wanted: two squirrels leaving their den in search for food. Those animals were more common in Thunderclan so it would surely give him so advantage! He soon trapped into his claws with movement and killed them swiftly with two bites on the neck.

He then proceeded to follow bigger footprints; tracks he had never seen before. His green eyes soon gazed the white, fluffy tail of a rabbit, a prey he had only seen dead sometimes in the fresh-kill pile. With a small smile, the tom leapt forward for the animal and caught its scruff. He shook the animal violently until it stopped moving and finally, returned to the place where he buried the other two preys.

The member 'Jay Bord' has done the following action : Dices roll

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#1 'Hunting Dice' : 3

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#2 'Hunting Dice' : 3

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#3 'Hunting Dice' : 2

Ivypaw's challenging glare was fixed pointedly towards her two brothers, Berrypaw and Sparkpaw. No way she was letting them win this competition, not now. She had to prove that she wasn't just some Rogue from the Twolegplace, and now was a better time than ever. There would be Warriors watching, and her successes would be shown directly to RiverClan's higher ranks. There wasn't a better time for her to show off her skills! When Jaystar's voice rang out, she took only a moment to watch where her siblings were racing off to, and made sure to turn the opposite direction. She was going to become a Warrior soon- and Starlord would be there to see it. She'd make sure of that.

As soon as she was a good enough distance from her Clanmates, she slowed down to a mere trot, which eventually tapered until she was standing completely still, pink nose sniffing the crisp air around her for whatever prey she could manage. The faint smell of what she imagined was a vole wafted past her, and immediately she crouched, scanning the area to where she finally saw it... Creeping along the ground at a slow pace. This would be an easy catch. Pouncing on the small creature, she easily snapped its neck.

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

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'Hunting Dice' : 4

All the distinct illumination in her gaze that had exhibited her distinguishing conceit had now dwindled. Ever since Spotfur's demise, Featherpaw's demeanor had morphed, once again. A tempestuous blizzard rampaged relentlessly within her, the turbulent seething of ice interminable and unhinged.
Nothing was right.
Everyone was in a state of blithe jubilation. Lichenmask was gone. Shade was gone. Who in the name of StarClan was one to persist on being reclusive and withdrawn? Everyone was joyous. She needed to be, too. After all, it was just an elder that had passed, right?

Releasing the restricting strain, the apprentice adapted a decisive stance. An escalation of vanity was abruptly visible in her position, the accustomed expression of haughtiness sweeping in. Tawnyfang was the most supreme mentor and cat could ever be gifted with, and she'd had the remarkable priviledge of being assigned as her apprentice. Featherpaw would make her proud.

As Jaystar commenced the round, her eyes pinched into slits, reflecting her adamant determination. With the other competitiors, she hastily, but seamlessly, streaked into dense and impenetrable foliage. A glimse of Berrypaw and Sparkpaw charging into the forest aroused a sense to direct herself another course. An inaudible hiss slithered off her tongue as she skidded to hurtle the opposite way. She had spotted Ivypaw pelting another direction, so now it would be guaranteed that no disturbances or impulsive recklessness would plague her chances.

Further into the vegetation, Featherpaw halted her sprinting and softened her paces. StarClan, this was stupid, she had observed by now that no prosperity crossed her path when pursuiting land prey. A fish would be mundane to the eyes of warriors in this competition. But still, no reluctance could be displayed, and the silver-slate tabby recognised that it was imperative that she obtained prey that was better than satisfactory if she desired to succeed. As she crawled along the bank of a rivulet, her steps precise and heedful, she percepted the plop of a sizeable fish beside her.

After using all her skill to effortlessly acquire a considerably colossal trout, Featherpaw glimsped another scaly creature. It was better to catch as much as she could, so while she there, she crouched, still as stone, and darted her paw in to hook the fish flawlessly.
She slid by to a willow's roots and buried her two fairly magnificent catches, then returned by the banks, the reeds whispering to her as she assumed the Hunter's Crouch. As a more experienced apprentice, Featherpaw positioned all of her limbs and her plumy appendage into the ideal stance subconsiously, tail frozen and suspended for minimum faults, and headquarters prepared to pounce.
Then she scented it.
It was unmistakable.
A rabbit!

Barely resisting a grin, she headed in the direction of the creature, weaving between cattails and flitting over rustling strands of grass. As she diligently sprung over a puddle, she spied the rabbit, settling itself in a brittle but rather more unkempt patch of land. What were the rabbit's best senses? Featherpaw had observed that she had to maintain sly and inaudible, mutely creeping forward with gliding paws. She was spectacular at staying hushed.
So she slithered forward, all muscles tensed with upmost wariness. The most indistinct quiver of reeds could ruin everything. Gusts were buffeting at her face, casting trickles of sand and dust into her eyes, but the rabbit would have a miniscule chance of realizing its looming doom. This was the most faultless chance she had! Featherpaw had already absently adjusted her location, so no shadows would slink over her prey. She had already fixed everything else that any sensible apprentice would do. All the conditions were perfect. Were the warriors spotting her exemplary vigilance and prudence?
The moment had arrived. She pounced, wishing and praying that this capture would be error-free.
And it was.
Feather had grasped the rabbit, promptly shifting all weight off her hindlegs and into her front paws to reduce the excessive squirming of her prey. The apprentice conflicted a decisive bite to the neck, inwardly squealing all her blithe thanks to StarClan. Surely she would win now?

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《ooc》
I'm so sorry for taking forever to edit (and for the really rushed ending)! I ran out of time again ;;

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

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'Hunting Dice' : 7, 6, 2

The rabbit was only the first catch. In order to complete the challenge, Sparkpaw would need to catch a couple more pieces. Out of the corner of his eye, the tom caught his siblings making catches. Ivypaw's energy seemed to drive him on. With a sharp intake of breath, the calico felt his drive rising up within his chest. He turned and darted away from the clan's leadership in order to head out in search of prey once more. A splash near the banks caught his attention and the tom managed to quickly catch a frog. Not long after, the surface of the water was disrupted by a fish. With a quick dart of his paw, Sparkpaw fished it out of the waters. When he was done, he brought the prey back to where Jaystar and Scorchclaw were.

The member 'Reindeer Ripped' has done the following action : Dices roll

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#1 'Hunting Dice' : 9

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#2 'Hunting Dice' : 5

After burying her first kill near the roots of a short tree, Ivypaw moved forward. Lifting her nose to the air to catch a drift of where the best prey might be, she looked around with a hopeful glint in her eyes. The slight breeze felt wonderful against her thick coat of fur, but she was even more delighted as it brought along the amazing smell of a rabbit. Crouching so that her shoulders were bunched up, prepared to pounce as soon as she saw the swift creature, she slowly moved forward. When her eyes caught just the slightest glance of movement, she leaped onto the brown rabbit, quickly snapping its neck before it managed to get away. Proud to have caught an animal so precious and hard-to-get, she buried it next to her previous kill and moved along.

There was no way in StarClan's name... A hare! The slight disappointment she'd felt with her first catch was completely erased now, a giddy feeling beginning to form in her chest as she lowered her body to the ground, seeking out the grey-brown pelt of the creature that would help her win this competition. Green eyes narrowed... And then she pounced. The wind was almost knocked from her chest as she landed... On the ground. She didn't waste a second, for the hare had already run and she was going to give chase. Causing a great ruckus as she skidded to the side, she was close on the hare's heels and already baring her teeth when she leaped once more. This time, she didn't miss. Descending directly on the back of the hare, she bit into its neck and let out a sigh of relief as the metallic taste of blood infiltrated her senses.

Carrying the hare to where she'd buried the first two catches, she laid it down as she uncovered them. Gripping all three pieces of prey in her jaw (which was not easy, considering her own size) she padded back to where she knew that Scorchclaw and Jaystar would be waiting. Panting and out of breath, she dropped her load at their paws and grinned. So, the training had paid off, after all.

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

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'Hunting Dice' : 1, 2

IC: Time was up and each apprentice caught three pieces of prey as he required. After analyzing the results with the other warriors, the leader finally made his way to the four apprentices and smiled at them, proudly. "All of you have done an amazing work today. You all hunt like you were warriors! Yet, sadly, there can only be one winner. The ones who would get to compete in one last competition are... Ivypaw and Berrypaw! Congratulations to both of you." He purred to both of his kits.

"Now, if you can follow me, please..." The leader with the rest of the group walked to the river which was not far away from their initial position. Once all of them were settled, he talked once again. "For this part, you will have to make use of Riverclan's special hunting skill: fishing. You can take all the time to catch the largest fish you can find and bring it here. The one who gets the biggest one will be the winner and considered the best hunter of all the apprentices." The leader mewed the rules, who were easier than the last ones. The event was slowly coming to an end and soon, one of the two cats would be the winner. Whoever it had to be, Jaystar was already so proud of them. Riverclan apprentices were strong and skilled... the future of his clan was in safe paws.

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Berrypaw was surprised by the catches of his siblings. He looked at the prey Ivypaw had caught with widened eyes. "Wow, Ivypaw! That hare is huge! Where did you find it? Oh, you're going to win for sure this round, sis. And you three caught a rabbit too! That's great!" He purred playfully to the rest of the apprentices after nudging her smaller sister playfully with his shoulder.

When Jaystar made the final decision, his smile grew wider and he looked back at the silvery she-cat who also won. "Congrats, Ivypaw! I can't wait to compete against you." He mewed with a playful yet defiant tone, in a brotherly way. He followed Jaystar's steps and nodded when he gave the rules. There was no time to waste! The large, fluffy warrior entered the river and started searching for the biggest fish he could find. When he saw one, he waited patiently and then snapped the water, tossing the fish to the shallow part of the river. Soon, he sunk his fangs into it and brought it back to the leader. Would Ivypaw's prey be bigger? He wondered as he waited for her to come back as well.