What Lurks Beneath the Dark [Newleaf Tears Topic/OPEN]

Spottedleap laid next to Firflower, not exactly asleep and yet not fully awake. Recent life had been tumultuous beyond his former experience; leaf-bare was unpleasant but the current situation was altogether bleak. Would there be no end to the clans' suffering? The ginger tom's stomach growled lowly. He'd forgone what little prey the two small clan remnants had been able to scrounge up so that the young and sick could survive another day. Spottedleap's mind, once racing with thoughts of how to improve their situation, had become numb and unfocused. They were out of luck. There would be no salvation, not for the clans trekking into the mountains and not for those left behind. As for all the warriors and apprentices lost in the flood... only StarClan knew. Hopefully they wouldn't suffer too much before the end. The SkyClan tom sighed, beginning to sink into the clutches of a melancholic slumber and hoping the next day wouldn't come too swiftly. His amber eyes shut and breathing slowed as he slipped off. It was jarring, to say the least, to hear a sudden din of dogs howling and cats screeching, each cry and hiss echoing off the stone that surrounded them all. He shot up to his paws, reacting late because of his tired stupor, and failed to move when he saw the slaughter of the cats around him. Spottedleap gasped, horrified by the sight, when he caught sight of Firflower charging into battle against one of the monstrous beasts. They exchanged blows until it caught her in its jaws, shaking her like prey about to be devoured. Panicked and filled with adrenaline, Spottedleap let out a caterwaul that was a mixture of fear and anger before he charged head-first at the offending dog.

Spottedleap used Run-and-Tackle on Dog #5, dealing (9+3) damage and using 10 stamina.

Spottedleap
HP: 45/45
SP: 150/160

Firflower
HP: 20/40
SP: 110/130

Dog #5
HP: 128/150
SP: 290/350

Frozenpaw rested with the rest of the WindClan cats, attempting to sleep despite her constant coughing. There was no doubt about it: her sickness was getting even worse. Her head throbbed in pain and her dark gray pelt felt like it was burning, and every little movement was tiring. It didn't help that she'd been thrown against the Tallrock during the flood. She was sure something else was wrong in her rib cage, but she didn't know what. It was difficult to tell the difference between sickness pain and an injury. Frozenpaw didn't want to speak up. What if there were no herbs because of her? What if others gave up their chance at life because of her weakness? Instead of allowing someone else to sacrifice for her, she did her best to hide her beaten, downtrodden state. Each breath was painful but she refused to wince. Moving was hellish but she went wherever Finchstar told her to go. But she couldn't keep this act up forever; she could sense her own end coming near with a sense of calmness that even she hadn't expected. Beyond her crushed body, Frozenpaw's emotions threatened to expose her to the rest of the gathered cats. Brindlestar, her mother, hadn't come back. And Finchstar received his lives... meaning she died. Her mother was gone. Her family was separated. The mere thought made her want to give up her soul to StarClan right there, on those cold, unforgiving rocks, but the apprentice knew her clan needed her. Now wasn't time, it just couldn't be.

She stifled another cough and rolled over slowly, trying to get comfortable in a new position. Movement in the distance caught her eye, but Frozenpaw convinced herself that she was imagining things. Nothing could have survived that flood. She closed her eyes, feeling the cold rock against her uncomfortably hot fur. She wasn't listening to anything except the weak pumping of blood in her ears. They shot open again when the smell of dog hit her like a monster, and she watched in terror as it went straight for their new leader. Her head whipped to the side as she watched a dog raise a large paw and crush her sister, Shellpaw. She let out a raspy whine, fear and grief making her chest ache more than it had already been. Cats all around were being torn up and thrown to the side. The apprentice couldn't sit around and watch any longer. She had to do something! Standing weakly to her paws, Frozenpaw stumbled towards Finchstar without hearing his shouted orders. Nothing else was going on her mind except that she wanted to make Graybriar proud, wherever she may be. And Brindlestar... she'd see her soon.

Frozenpaw used Belly Rake on Dog #2, dealing 7 damage and using 10 stamina.

Dog #2
125/150 HP
270/350 SP

Finchstar
20/120 HP
290/300 SP

Frozenpaw
15/20 HP
40/80 SP

OOC: AAAA! I meant to post sooner, but I couldn't get on a computer, and I have been grounded from my device

Foxspirit woke up to screams. Cat's getting thrown around, ripped apart by dogs. They were everywhere! Panicking, she looked around, trying to figure out what to do. Then, she saw Swiftstep. Barely hanging on, he managed to knock down the dog he was fighting. But the dog was getting up, and she could see the fire in it's eyes. No! Crying out, she rushed towards the dog, tackling it to the ground.

Foxspirit does Run-and-tackle on Dog #3, doing 10 +3 damage, and costing 10 stamana

Foxspirit
60/60
90/100 (-10)

Dog #3:
111/150 (-13)
290/350

Briarpaw yowled in pain as the dog attacked him. The few fragments of battle training he had received flashed before him, and he tried to grab on to it. Anything to keep him from being killed. He had to get away! He was no good at fighting. When the dog finally released him, Briarpaw slashed it across the muzzle before dashing away.

Briarpaw used front-paw-strike, dealing 6 damage and coasting 10 stamana

Briarpaw:
10/35 HP
80/90 SP (-10)

Dog #6:
144/150 HP (-6)
290/350 SP

The grayer dog dropped the queen after a moment, perplexed by her strange lack of yowling. They felt disappointed that the cat didn't make better sound, but a nearby noise that was rapidly growing louder grabbed their attention before they could return their attention to the first cat. No sooner had the creature turned its head than did a yowling ginger feline collide with them, sending them sprawling across the ground yet again. That had hurt, and when the dog stood this time a small whistling whine escaped it as its neck burned with pain. It glared at the cat that had wounded it and lunged forward, slamming one massive paw into whatever part of the cat it could.

Dog #5 used Heavy Blow on Spottedlap, using 20 stamina and dealing 25 damage.

Spottedleap
HP: 20/45 (-20)
SP: 150/160

Firflower
HP: 20/40
SP: 110/130

Dog #5
HP: 128/150
SP: 270/350 (-20)

---

The dark dog received his answer in just a moment: yes, this cat did fight marginally better than the previous ones had. The creature let out a tiny yip as the gray and white cat clawed him, but almost immediately the little furry thing turned tail and began to dash away. The dog barked with excitement and gave chase, but unbeknownst to them, the cat came from the fastest in the forest. In only a matter of seconds the WindClan cat had outrun them, and the dog stood bewildered and trembling with excitement. They wanted more scratches - what fun! It quickly found another small cat [Cloverpaw; RamenDoodle] and gave its tail a chomp.

Dog #6 used Iron Bite on Cloverpaw, using 20 stamina and dealing 30 damage. Cloverpaw can no longer fight.

Briarpaw: [fled the battle]
10/35 HP
80/90 SP (-10)

Cloverpaw: [KO'ed]
0/20 HP (-30)
20/20 SP

Dog #6:
144/150 HP
270/350 SP (-20)

Being pressed against the rock, his breath slowly began escaping him, but amidst the heavy feeling that grew from blood loss, panic that began to rise. Perhaps it was adrenaline that gave him enough strength to fight back, but even he didn't know. Wriggling his long body out from under the canine's grasp like a snake, Tinystar slid down the rock, leaving a streak of blood behind him. Listening as several cats called out to flee, the little leader watched as both clans raced out of the cave and up the hillside. Good, they would be safe the higher they got.

Turning his attention back to the dog, Tinystar let out a hiss and unsheathed his claws. His chances of winning were extraordinarily low, but he wasn't going to flee, not yet!

Tinystar is no longer stunned.

Despite freeing the tom's tail for a second, the dog once again closed his massive jaws around the lower back of the cat who was recovering from his confusion. Although cats were starting to flee the place, the alpha paid no attention to them. His battle was between him and Tinystar and he will end it no matter what. This place will be their new home and they will take it away from these pathetic cats.

Dog #1 used Iron Bite on Tinystar, dealing 30 damage and costing 20 stamina.

Dog #1
150/150 HP
270/350 SP

Tinystar
5/115 HP
270/270 SP

It was all a blur. Swiftstep yanked the dog down by its tail, the dog getting up with a furious speed, Foxspirit coming from seemingly out of nowhere the ramming into the beast with force. The dog was once again on the ground but beginning to get up. It seemed a bit dazed after the impact. Swiftstep hissed and reared up on his painful back limbs. He pummeled the dog's face with quick strikes. Just for good measure, he struck the brute once more but with even more power. The tom navigated to his clan-mate and stood with her, ready to defend her.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Swiftstep used Upright Front Paws and Swift Strike on Dog #3, dealing 23 (16+7) damage and using (20+10) 30 sp.

Swiftstep:
20/100
225/280

Dog #3:
88/150
290/350

Foxspirit:
60/60
90/100

The dog growled as another cat attacked it from behind, blindsiding him completely. His victory would have to wait. First he'd finish off his current prey, then turn to the smaller cat who'd unwisely targeted him. He swiped viciously at the brown prey cat, downing him for good, then turned to the new victim with a snarl.

Dog #3 used Heavy Blow on Swiftstep, using 20 stamina and dealing 25 damage.

Dog #3:
88/150 HP
270/350 SP

Swiftstep:
K.O.

Foxspirit:
60/60 HP
90/100 SP

Slashing a paw full of sharp claws at the dog's nose, he was soon released and dropped to the blood stained ground with a thud. 'Why StarClan, why?' he wanted to shout, but from the fear and the lump in his throat, nothing dared to come out. With the dog nearing closer and closer once again, he knew he had to at least do something, seeing as though he had claws for a reason, and that reason wasn't to just freeze in fear.

Letting out a hiss as the dog snapped it's jaws towards his neck, Tinystar attempted to stand up as far as his injured, stubby legs would let him, and lifting a little white paw, he brought it down onto the canine's head. Unfortunately for him, his efforts had been entirely in vain, for his blow did nothing more than create a small 'pap' noise on the edge of its' nose. Well, so much for that idea... curse his midget proportions!

Tinystar used Front Paw pap Blow, causing 15 damage and costing 5 stamina.

Tinystar
HP: 5/115
SP: 265/270

Dog #1
HP: 135/150
SP: 270/350

The dog struck the leader once more, slamming him into the stone with a massive paw. His orange and white tabby pelt was now stained crimson, looking more like a wild beast than a cat. The pain was now one, solid feeling. A numb hot fire that Finchstar had pushed into the back of his mind. His legs burned and seared, red streaks of crimson dripped from long slashes in his pelt. He was ready, he found his footing, and rose to the challenge once again. Finchstar stared down the dog with determined eyes, wanting to create an opening for his clan to escape. Frozenpaw appeared moments later, raking her claws down the dog's side. It seemed to distract the beast for a moment, and a moment was all Finchstar needed. With two bounds, the leader skidded to a halt by the dog's side, grasping its tail in his jaws and yanking hard, pulling backwards with all the force he possessed. "I appreciate your help Frozenpaw, but I suggest you run while you still can. I'll hold off the beast, find your denmates and get them to safety. Go!" The gray apprentice was skilled and thoughtful, and Finchstar was endlessly grateful for her presence, and only hoped she would get out of the turmoil safely.

With the dg downed for now, Finchstar bounded off to another section of the clearing, wanting to account for all the cats in the hollow. He spotted Swiftstep a ways off, fighting with another mutt, claws slashing like a warrior of LionClan. But to Finchstar's horror, the dog slammed the deputy to the ground, and this time, he didn't get back up. "Swiftstep!" Finchstar yowled, hobbling over to his friend. He nudged the brown tom with his shoulder, helping him find his paws. Thankfully, the senior deputy was alive. "We need to run Swiftstep, go to the mountains, I'll be close behind you..." Tinystar was the next to stumble, the small, white leader laid on the stone, bleeding out. Finchstar held mixed feelings about the tom following Sparrowpaw's message at his leader ceremony, but even so, it would be dishonorable to let him fall.

"Tinystar, find your paws, we need to leave..." He wedged his muzzle under the small tom's pelt, pulling him to his feet. All around them, cats were fleeing for higher ground, dragging the wounded behind them. It was chaos, blood spattered the rocks and grass, the thundering sounds of barking filled the air, accompanied by yowls of pain for their victims. Finchstar caved, feeling his legs waver. Brookclover... If only you were here... But he wouldn't wish this horror on his mate, if anything, he wanted to spare her from it. He wanted to save all of WindClan from the disaster that fell upon them now. But what was done was done. Scars had been cut, hearts had been broken. The only thing left to do was survive... and hope for better days.

"WindClan! Head towards the mountains! Leave no cat behind, today is not a day to die!" With one final yowl, Finchstar began to race up the hill, following behind SkyClan and WindClan, bringing up the rear, watching for stragglers. Every step that pounded over the stone tore him farther from Brookclover, farther from his fate. It felt wrong, to flee in such a manner. But no more lives would be lost in the name of hope, even if it went against Finchstar's very being. Forgive me, my love...

Finchstar used Tail Yank on Dog #2, dealing 10 damage and costing 10 stamina. Dog #2 is now stunned for 1 turn.


Finchstar
HP: 20/120
SP: 280/300

Dog #2
HP: 115/150
SP: 270/350

"Swiftstep!" Foxspirit yowled, seeing him collapsed on the ground. She rushed towards him as the dog turned towards her. "No...no!" She faced the dog, eyes brimming with tears. Emotions welled up inside her, a mix of anger, sadness, terror, and absolute hate towards this monster. She hadn't felt that way since... since Willowpaw had died. In that moment, she had felt helpless, knowing there was nothing she could do to help him. Not this time. She would never, ever let something like that happen to someone she loved ever again. Foxspirit rushed at the dog, Springing onto it's back and digging her claws into its flesh. For a moment, nothing else mattered except protecting Swiftstep, and destroying this vile creature. She raked its flesh with her claws again, and again, and again. She wouldn't just watch. Never again.

Foxspirit used Leap-and-hold on dog #3, dealing 11 damage and costing 10 stamina

Dog #3:
77/150 HP (-11)
270/350 SP

Swiftstep:
K.O.

Foxspirit:
60/60 HP
80/100 SP

Not getting much damage from the tiny cat, the dog returned him the hit by smashing its head with one massive paw before the other cat could come and reach him. It was clear the small white tom could no longer fight but he wasn't going to enjoy the feast yet. His pack still needed him and they were still thirsty for the blood of those who could still fight. The dog rushed away, not noticing that another cat was aiding the one he just fought and defeated.

Dog #1 used Heavy Blow on Tinystar, dealing 20 damage and costing 20 stamina.

Dog #1
150/150 HP
250/350 SP

Tinystar
K.O.

---

The dog rolled around, wounded and angry by the attack of the two cats. One of them got away from his jaws after biting his tail and even though the animal wanted to follow, there was an easy prey near that just raked through his belly. The canine pushed the small, young cat with his paws on her shoulders and not letting her a chance to escape, the brown-furred dog's jaws closed around the she-cat's neck.

Dog #2 used Iron Bite on Frozenpaw, dealing 30 damage and costing 20 stamina.

Dog #2
HP: 115/150
SP: 250/350

Frozenpaw
K.O.

Finchstar (fled the battle)
HP: 20/120
SP: 280/300

OOC: Stun/pin effect is not available when there's double-teaming so the dog is not stunned but got the damage anyways.

Knocked the ground one last time, Tinystar's jumped when a cat rushed over to him and began nudging him up. Vision blurred, he was just barely able to recognize the cat to be Finchstar. Pushing himself up with all of his might, the little leader was able to finding his footing and began to follow the others as fast as possible. Every step made him want to just stop and lay down even more, but he knew they had to go, and fast.

"Wait! What about the fallen?" he yowled at the top of his exhausted lungs to Finchstar as he ran behind the WindClanner, his voice noticeably raspy and coated with worry. Obviously they had to retreat, but were they really going to just leave the others to be devoured by the savage canines? What if there were survivors?

The alpha let out a deep howl, calling the attention of the brown-furred tom who just finished killing his prey. The one-eyed dog turned his sight to one of his dogs being attacked by two cats. He barked and rushed to one of the cats, hitting her head with one of his paws. The other dog followed him and did the exact same thing to the other and smaller she-cat.

Dog #1 used Heavy Blow on Spottedleap, dealing 20 damage and costing 20 stamina.
Dog #2 used Heavy Blow on Firflower, dealing 20 damage and costing 20 stamina.

Dog #1
150/150 HP
230/350 SP

Spottedleap
K.O.

Dog #2
HP: 115/150
SP: 250/350

Firflower
K.O.

---

Frozenpaw fixed Finchstar with an intense gaze, eyes full of weariness and yet youthfulness at the same time. She was eager to help him and proud to serve her clan even though it all seemed so hopeless. It was the least she could do for the cats she called her family. The she-cat watched the cats around her shoot off into the mountains like bolts of lightning before she quickly checked around her to make sure none of her denmates were left behind like Finchstar said. Frozenpaw’s eyes halted on the body of Shellpaw, though. The sight of her sister’s lifeless and mangled corpse was a second shock after having seen her be killed earlier, a grave reminder of her own mortality, and suddenly the heaviness of her sickness began to weigh her down like stones... or was that the emotion of fresh loss sliced open once more? Either way, her brief hesitation marked her end. Frozenpaw looked back up at the tails of her fleeing clanmates, prepared to join them despite her difficulty breathing, when the heavy paw of her forgotten enemy landed square between her shoulders and pinned her the cold ground. Frozenpaw, losing the composure she had so carefully crafted before, let out a shriek of fear before it was violently cut off when her neck broke from the force of the dog’s bite.

These cats didn't know when to quit, did they? The dog snarled in pain as the smaller female cat began slashing at him wildly, without an ounce of control. He retaliated immediately, grabbing her easily by the scruff and shaking her roughly, then slamming her back down on the ground. That would make it far easier for him. Honestly, these prey cats stood no chance.

Dog #3 used Thrash on Foxspirit, dealing 20 damage and costing 20 stamina. Foxspirit is stunned for 2 turns.

Dog #3:
77/150 HP
250/350 SP

Foxspirit:
40/60 HP
80/100 SP