[Newleaf Tears Topic] A Thousand First Steps

The pale dog would've run after the small cat it batted if not for a sudden, sharp smack that collided with her shoulder. The canine let out a startled yelp that quickly switched to an angry snarl. The floppy-eared dog whirled to face the dark cat that had struck it, but before it had the opportunity another pale striped appeared seemingly from nowhere and began to slash furiously at her thick fur. The dog tried to pull away from the painful attack, but more than that was the overwhelming desire for revenge. At first she had just wanted to maybe shake these cats around a bit, but that striped one? She wanted the furball for lunch now! The dog turned and snapped at the RiverClan cat, grabbing her tail before she could thrash it away and giving it a wild yank, shaking her head to jar the cat madly.

Pale Dog used Iron Bite on Coldgaze, using 20 stamina and dealing 30 damage.

Coldgaze
15/45 HP (-30)
145/160 SP

Pale Dog
133/150 HP
310/350 SP (-20)

Ravenpaw
20/20 HP
70/80 SP

As the canines thundered down upon the Clearing, Falconwing jumped forward, watching in horror as Mosspaw and Lilypaw joined the fight, and Flintfang was snapped up by the dark dog. Maw twisted in a snarl, she leaped to help Mosspaw with the darker dog, flipping her rear paws under herself and kicking, hard, with claws unsheathed. "Flintfang!"

Falconwing used Back Kick, costing 15 stamina and dealing 10 damage.

Dark Dog:
132/150 HP
330/350 SP

Falconwing:
40/40 HP
105/120 SP

Editing later with Ravenmist))

Against all odds (he hadn't been thinking optimistically when he'd attacked; honestly, he wasn't sure there'd been anything in his head at all), his claws found their mark. I hit it! he realized, yellow eyes going wide in disbelief. Ravenpaw's joy did not last long. Half of him had expected the dog to turn tail and run if he hit it hard enough; another part, approaching realism, had expected he'd at least daze it. As he'd only managed to reach its shoulder and hadn't done any major damage, neither of these things happened. The contact did have one effect, though: He'd gotten its attention.

Coldgaze joined the fight and, in doing so, distracted the dog long enough that Ravenpaw remembered what being brave felt like. It was much easier when the dog wasn't looking at him. Emboldened and bristling like a burr, he darted beneath the dog to claw at its underbelly, glad to have access to something that wasn't near fangs.

Ravenpaw used Belly Rake on Pale Dog, dealing 7 damage and using 10 stamina.

Ravenpaw
20/20 HP
60/80 SP (-10)

Coldgaze
15/45 HP
145/160 SP

Pale Dog
126/150 HP (-7)
310/350 SP

Fallowlight shook her head at Mosspaw's remark, feeling the emptiness in her stomach but not minding it. She didn't want to risk eating something, only to waste it by regurgitating it later. Something else had caught her attention, anyway. Her ginger tipped ears were perked and pointed towards the forest, where she heard the crashing of heavy paws against the forest floor. She looked to Amberdawn, trying to get an idea of what the younger she-cat was thinking. Then her eyes darted to Lightstep, a tom that she recognized from the battle with Lichenmask. Her suspicions were immediately confirmed by his yowl, and a panicked look set in on her features.

---

Ivypaw responded gently to Ravenpaw's question, a smile on her face. "I'm Ivypaw, from RiverClan." She tilted her head to the side, smiling at the new cat that had decided to join the two of them. "Hey." She murmured, quietly looking down at her paws as her stomach rumbled slightly. Her face fell completely when she heard the low thudding of paws, and Lightstep's cry following soon after. She hardly had a chance to react before she was batted away, swept off of her feet. Oxygen was knocked clean out of her lungs as she hit the ground, and despite the pain she managed to get to her feet long enough to scramble away from all of the commotion.

---

Her instincts seemed to take over completely when Dustcloud heard Lightstep's call, her eyes locking on the dark colored dogs pelt. She was a senior warrior- her friends and family depended on her; she had to protect them no matter the cost. She leaped into action, ignoring the nagging in her brain telling her not to. She approached the dog, standing on only her hind legs and using her claws to shred it's fur.


Dustcloud used Rear-Up to Slash, dealing -17 Health Point and using -15 Stamina Points.

Dustcloud:
95/95 HP
235/250 SP

Dark Dog:
115/150 HP
330/350 SP

All too soon, the movement that Barleytuft feared caught his vision. Two shapes broke through the shadows at the edge of the trees, shapes that lumbered while moving impossibly fast. Barleytuft identified them as soon as a white RiverClan warrior yowled, "Dogs! Everyone, look out!" The WindClan warrior did not need to be warned more than once. Immediately the tabby tom whirled back inside and raced towards where he had just left his mate as he cried in a strained voice, "Graybriar! There are dogs outside; we have to get those who can't fight to safety. Kits, elders, the sick cats..." He knew he was trying to keep her from the heat of the battle. He knew that, selfishly, he wanted to stay out of it too - for her. I'm not going to leave her alone. Not now. Not ever.

The thought was unrealistic, but it was how he felt. Barleytuft recalled the half-paralyzed RiverClan she-cat, Sunpaw, and wondered how in StarClan's name he was going to be able to get her to safety. On the ground of the twoleg nest the Clan cats had inhabited, those unable to fight were helpless as kits if the dogs were to break in. The WindClan tom's dark hazel eyes scanned the nest quickly before they fell on a thick series of parallel wooden planks. Though aged, he knew the entire place had been secured and checked for stability. That's our safest chance. Turning to Graybriar again, he said, "There - that ledge, and the one above.. I think we can hoist up anyone who can't climb up themselves. Anywhere is safer than the ground."

Outside the dogs had found targets, and a pawful of warriors and apprentices had leaped into action to fight off the assailants. Barleytuft's warrior heart ached to be one of them. What greater honor was there than fighting a predator away and defending the warrior way of life? However, he knew he must finish a different duty inside first. The slender tom made the leap onto the first ledge before turning to the rest of the abandoned shed, yowling, "We're under attack! Anyone who can fight, go and keep the dogs away from the barn! Those who can't, let's get you all on this ledge."

Barleytuft waited to help the sick and injured Clan cats climb to their desparate - and maybe false - safety.

---

Amberdawn had hoped desperately that Mosspaw, so recently recovered - and not even completely - from one intense battle, might run to the shelter of the twoleg shed before the dogs emerged. However, she wasn't sure why she would have expected that from the brave little she-cat. She knew she couldn't expect it once the massive dogs, one dark-coated and one light, charged from the treeline. The dogs immediately went to work hunting down the cats who had been caught so unfortunately unprepared. After all, they had prepared for a journey, not a battle. Amberdawn and Mosspaw both watched with horror as the darker dog made a beeline straight for Flintfang and the she-cat sitting near him. As soon as the dog's teeth made contact with the ThunderClan tom's neck, Amberdawn knew that Mosspaw would not be taking the herbs inside.

Amberdawn stared wordlessly back into the glassy, tear- and terror-filled eyes of her friend for just an instant before whispering, "Be safe." Then Mosspaw whirled around and flund herself into the fray, launching towards the dog that had targeted her father. Such was the life of a warrior, but Amberdawn's heart ached with sadness and worry despite the way which the apprentice skillfully twisted under the dog's body. Within moments a third cat had joined the fray - another ThunderClan she-cat who fearfully yowled Flintfang's name as she struck an attack at the canine.

Amberdawn's heart pounded in her chest, but over the sound of dogs barking and cats yowling she heard another sound: a twoleg shouting in its strange language. The golden tabby looked to where the dogs had emerged and out came a tall, slender twoleg in a pale colored pelt. The creature shouted something angrily at first. Then, its voice seemed almost angry. "T-Twoleg!!" the SkyClan medicince cat cried to those in battle. Twolegs were unpredictable; what would this one do? Fearfully, Amberdawn snagged the lamb's ear and ragweed bundle and charged towards the abandoned twoleg nest, hoping desperately - and somewhat shamefully - that the warriors would keep it from giving chase as she disappeared inside to see a WindClan tom trying to gather everyone onto a ledge.

---

Lightstep wasn't nearly quick enough to do anything for Ivypaw as the lighter of the two dogs swatted her aside like some insolent kit. The white warrior let out a cry of fear for the young she-cat, but Coldgaze and some other WindClan apprentice were already close and letting their claws fly viciously wherever they could reach. The dog's snarls of anger were interlaced with cries of pain. Lightstep spotted Fallowlight, frozen with fright, and called towards her, "Run to the twoleg shed - RiverClan needs you to return home!" Then he continued towards the pale dog, taking a flying leap at the creature. His slender body collided with a thud and the dog yelped and went tumbling for a moment.

Lightstep used Run and Tackle on Pale Dog, using 10 stamina and dealing 9 damage.

Lightstep:
45/45 HP
150/160 SP (-10)

Ravenpaw:
20/20 HP
60/80 SP

Coldgaze:
15/45 HP
145/160 SP

Pale Dog:
117/150 HP (-9)
310/350 SP

---

The young man was out of breath by the time he finally located his dogs, and what he saw and heard was mayhem. Both of his precious pets were being swarmed by rabid-looking feral cats! He let out a cry of anger and stopped at the edge of the clearing, reaching into the large pocket of his cargo shorts to pull out a slingshot. The cats had likely never seen one before, so they would have no idea what they were in for! He'd teach them to mess with his dogs. The man pulled out a marble and loaded it in the leather of his weapon before aiming at a cat [Falconwing] swatting furiously at his darker dog. "Get away from my dogs, you dirty strays!" he cried, letting loose.

The projectile soared through the air before hitting the cat square in the side.

Twoleg used Marble Strike [Front Paw Strike equivalent] on Falconwing, using 10 stamina and dealing 11 damage.

Twoleg:
200/200 HP
390/400 SP (-10)

Dark Dog:
115/150 HP
330/350 SP

Falconwing:
29/40 HP (-11)
105/120 SP

Green eyes narrowed as they scanned the horizon, blinking out of frustration. Flintfang found himself sighing, turning away from his spot in the mud and padding back towards Mosspaw. He was foolish to wait for his ShadowClan friends. He felt as if he was left out on a limb, hanging in the sun to dry. Soon the clans would travel back to the forest, and soon they would be separated by borders once again. But it doesn't have to be that way, right? The gray tabby was so wrapped up in thought, that he almost stepped on Ridgelight as she came to a halt in front of him. Blinking from surprise, Flintfang felt an old dread worm its way into his heart. He didn't want to talk to this cat, in fact he didn't want to talk to anyone. He needed to think. But it seemed as if a conversation was unavoidable. Ridelight began reminiscing about home, and the young warrior was almost taken aback by her openness. Never, would he ever dare share such deep thoughts with a cat he barely knew. Save for Burntstag… Maybe even Littlesun... But the young ThunderClan she-cat spoke with emotion, and Flintfang narrowed his eyes. Fine. If you can do it, so can I.

"It's not necessarily home that I miss... but a sense of stability would be nice..." The smallest bit of thought leaked from Flintfang's mind. And it was just enough. He had learned over the moons that letting it out was necessary, but he would rather let his feelings drip down as a trickle, then gush out like a waterfall. Unlike some cats...

The tabby tom turned to leave, when the eerie sound of distant barking broke over the hills. Flintfang felt his fur stand on end, and his head immediately swiveled the surrounding area for Mosspaw and Lilypaw. Where are they? Where are they? But before he had time to react, massive jaws clamped across his back, spraying crimson onto the shore. "AGH!" Flintfang yowled with pain, the metallic taste of blood rising in his throat. He was dropped moments later, fresh new wounds tearing at the recent scars he had received from a raccoon. But this was no raccoon, no. Flintfang knew what this beast was. A dog!! A red haze began to encroach on the tom's vision, threatening to pull him under. It would be so easy to give in to the pain. It would be so easy... to drift away. But the sight of a calico pelt pulled him from the abyss. Mosspaw had slid under the beast, ripping at his underbelly, and giving Flintfang just enough time to find his paws. The earth seemed to sway beneath him, but the warrior was standing, horrified. "Mosspaw! Leave! Get out of here!" The worry Flintfang felt for his daughter was more intense then the very wounds that striped his back. It gave him a new adrenaline, a new cause. Cats all around the tom were swarming to help. Falconwing was battling the dog now, yellow eyes shining just as bright as the day the two meant. Dustcloud swarmed in as well, fighting like all of LionClan. The gray tabby felt a drive stronger then ever before. He may not agree with the code, or its teachings, but there was one thing he had in common with these cats, he was a warrior. Flintfang let out a mighty yowl and rolled under the dark beast, letting his claws slide through the sensitive underbelly that Mosspaw had just wounded. Crimson blood spattered his face, staining his gray fur red. He stumbled to his feet, catching sight of Mosspaw once more. "Get out of here!" He yowled to her, before throwing himself back into the fray.

Flintfang used Half-Turn Belly Rake on Dark Dog, dealing 11 damage, and costing 20 stamina.

Flintfang:
HP: 15/45
SP: 140/160

Dark Dog:
HP: 104/150
SP: 330/350

---

Leafpaw, Ravenpaw, and another apprentice whom Leafpaw had yet to meet, ate in silence together. The brown tabby she-cat listened carefully to Ravenpaw's monologue, taking note of everything he said. It was a skill she inherited from Sunpaw, that silly white tom was so quiet, he listened to everything. She giggled to herself as Ravenpaw continued, flicking a black feather off her nose with a smile. "Whoops!" Leafpaw chuckled, giving the black tom a grin. "I must be turning into you Ravenpaw!" They continued eating when another apprentice padded up, he seemed very frustrated with Leafpaw's feather, and she whipped it away with her tail. This tom was tall and lanky, most likely another WindClan cat, if she had to guess. The brown tabby she-cat couldn't decide if she liked him as much as Ravenpaw, but decided she would keep an open mind. When she was asked her name, Leafpaw gave her biggest smile and mewed; "Oh! I'm Leafpaw! It's very nice to meet you! Are you a WindClan cat too?" She had hoped her attempted friendliness would win the tom over, but he seemed very set in his ways. They finished their prey, but the ground started to shake. Wait...something's happening... Last time the ground shook like this, SkyClan camp had flooded with water, and Leafpaw had been washed away to where she resided now. Fear started to claw at the apprentice's chest as she thought of more water. She flashed Ravenpaw a look of terror, but soon realized that it wasn't water that was coming, but beasts... Two huge, massive beasts soared over the hills, grabbing cats in their jaws and shaking. Are they... dogs? Leafpaw thought amidst the chaos, hoping to conjure up tales from Tigerleaf or Amberdawn. But soon she was alone in the clearing. Ravenpaw had bounded off to fight during that split second of contemplation. It took all of Leafpaw's willpower to tear herself from her frozen state. But she needed to fight for her friends. For SkyClan. I will make them proud!

While Ravenpaw ran off to fight the lighter of the two beasts, Leafpaw watched as Mosspaw took on the darker dog, claws shining in the light. "Mosspaw!" She yowled, sprinting over to her friend. She had last been seen with Amberdawn? Where was Amberdawn? Was she okay? Panic clawed at Leafpaw's heart, and she felt tears stain her cheeks as she charged into battle. I'm... I'm scared. But warriors didn't get scared. Warriors were brave. And if she ever wanted to be a great warrior, she would need to push her fears away. Swallowing the panic, Leafpaw reared up on her hind paws, and swatted the pale dog right on the nose, pressing into it, hoping her weight would barrel it over. Its hot breath fogged over her haunches, and she felt blood spatter her paws. StarClan… Help us!!!

Leafpaw used Run and Tackle on Pale Dog, dealing 6 (+3) damage, and costing 10 stamina.

Leafpaw:
HP: 20/20
SP: 70/80

Pale Dog:
HP: 108/150
SP: 310/350

Of course, it was too good to be true. The moment she heard the barking, Graybriar's blood ran cold. She knew exactly what it was. Dogs. More predators. First two raccoons, then a fox, now dogs... Did I attract these, too? Oh, StarClan! Fear made her eyes wide as she glanced at the beasts tearing through their makeshift camp, then back at Barleytuft. Her first instinct was to charge forward and protect him- before she felt the pain in her leg and remembered that she was the one who needed protection. "W-what are we going to do?" she whimpered, feeling as if her leg was being torn through all over again as she watched the dogs attack her fellow Clan cats.

If course, her mate had an idea. There were other cats like her here. They had to be helped. She saw the abandoned shed at the same time as Barleytuft, then nodded. It was everyone's best chance. "I'm with you." She was prepared to help hoist other cats onto the ledge, because she knew that the cream tabby couldn't do it alone- but then she remembered the RiverClan apprentice who was half paralyzed, and spotted her near the dog's battles. Someone had to help her! She glanced at Barleytuft, then back. Determination narrowed her eyes. "Wait here." Without giving him a chance to respond, the she-cat lifted up her injured leg so it wouldn't touch the ground, and galloped unevenly forward at a faster speed than she could have thought. She didn't think about what she was doing, which was unusual for her. She just did it. Seeing that the dogs were distracted, the injured WindClan tabby grabbed the smaller RiverClan cat's scruff (Sunpaw) and made a mad dash back to the Twoleg den, using the adrenaline rushing through her body to half-drag, half-carry the poor she-cat.

Swanpaw awoke to the sounds of distant barking, and as she pulled her head up from where it was nestled under her tail, she was surprised to find weak sunlight streaming through holes in the twoleg nest. Oh no, did I oversleep? Aren't we supposed to be leaving today? A yowl drifted in from outside, but she couldn't make out the words, her mind still fuzzy from sleep. Suddenly anxious, she leapt to her paws and trotted outside.

Where chaos confronted her.

She froze as snarling dogs and hissing cats tore into each other, the caterwauling growing louder as more warriors and apprentices joined the battle. her fur had fluffed out to its extremities, but she couldn't raise a paw as she watched a twoleg approach and hurl something at them with a strange device. What looked a little like a stone flew across and hit a brown she-cat as she struck at one of the dogs. Swanpaw watched with wide eyes as blood spattered across the ground, cats already wounded from the flood and other things bleeding out, a grey tom who already had bite marks on his back leaping back in as she watched.

Suddenly, a familiar pelt darted in, and she watched with mounting horror as Leafpaw slashed her claws across the pale dog's muzzle. A heat rose in her as the beast snarled, and she found her shaking legs, forcing them to propel her forwards. StarClan! I can't stay here! I need to... to help! Every hair on her pelt seemed to be fluffed out to its extremities, every part of her screaming at herself to turn back and find somewhere to hide. I won't leave them. An odd calm wrapped around the panic raging through her, and leaped under the dog as it recoiled from her friend's blow, almost seeming to move achingly slowly. Blood pounding through her ears, her unsheathed claws dug through its belly, blood staining her paws she hit as hard as she could. Long lines of red opened behind her paws, and she watched in revolted fascination as her own paws inflicted the damage. Suddenly, a leg kicked at her side, and she instinctively rolled out from underneath, scrambling as her sudden gasping breaths filled the air. "L-Leafpaw! Are you okay?"

Swanpaw used Belly rake on Pale dog, dealing 7 of damage and costing 10 of Stamina.

Swanpaw:
HP:20/20
SP:70/80

Pale Dog:
HP: 101/150
SP: 310/350

Scorchstar rose up from the bare, damp ground, feeling quite sore. He had no idea how important nests were until the time he and the other Clan cats had been stranded in this unknown territory. Of course, he wasn’t going to accept any fresh bedding from anyone, even if some of his Clanmates had tried to convince him otherwise. Kits, apprentices, and the sick and injured needed a comfortable place to rest their heads far more than he did.

Stumbling over to the assembling cats, he saw many of them were getting prepared and ready to leave after Amberdawn’s announcement of StarClan’s sign. He searched through the sea of multi-colored pelts to find the SkyClan medicine cat. She had been the one to receive StarClan’s message, therefore she probably knew the way back home — at least she’d have a better idea than he did. He wanted to ask her to lead the cats back home. She was probably going to anyway; after all, he was leader to only one fifth of the cats here, but medicine cats had more power over leaders in the right circumstances.

Before he could find her, however, he heard a RiverClan tom screech in alarm about oncoming dogs. Whipping his head around, he saw two large dogs, one dark and one pale, racing towards the group, and the majority of the cats leaped into action immediately to chase them away. He needed to join in as well, to defend those who were still too young or too injured to defend themselves.

Racing up to the darker-colored dog, Scorchstar reared up on his hind legs and extended his sharp claws as far as they would go, then slashed them hard across the brute’s muzzle.

Scorchstar used Rear-Up to Slash on Dark Dog, dealing 20 damage and costing 15 stamina.

Scorchstar
120/120 HP
285/300 SP

Dark Dog
84/150 HP
330/350 SP

---

The sounds of howling and caterwauling jerked Asterspark out of his slumber, where he was curled up tight next to Poppyheart. Dazed from sleep, he rose up his head and blinked his eyes multiple times to clear them, and outside the abandoned Twoleg den where they slept he saw many of the Clan cats fighting two large dogs. ”Whoa!... What’s goin’ on out there?”

Beside him, Poppyheart stirred and stood up rather quickly, already looking battle-ready despite the fatigue still plaguing his amber gaze. ”Asterspark, look! Coldgaze is fighting that pale dog! She doesn’t look too good, I think she was attacked!”

”Guess it’s a good think we’re pros at fightin’ dogs at this point, huh, bro?” Asterspark meowed, rising up to his paws as well. ”You get the front, I’ll get the back.” Racing out of the safety of the Twoleg den, he skidded around the dog, weaving past the fighting cats, and he reared up on his hind paws to mercilessly pummel the dog’s haunches with both sets of claws.

Meanwhile, out of the corner of his good eye, he saw Poppyheart slipping in quickly beside the cat next to him to slash its muzzle with his claws.

Asterspark used Upright Front Paws on Pale Dog, dealing 15 damage and costing 20 stamina.

Poppyheart used Rear-Up to Slash on Pale Dog, dealing 13 damage and costing 15 stamina.

Asterspark
75/75 HP
190/210 SP

Poppyheart
60/60 HP
185/200 SP

Pale Dog
73/150 HP
310/350 SP

---

---

Teeth connected with fur, and the darker dog clamped hard as soon as he realized he'd hit his target. He would have eagerly bitten right through the thing if not for a sudden pain that blossomed in his belly as a flurry of digging claws assaulted him. The dark dog dropped the tom cat and immediately reared up to try to back away, yelping and snarling at the smaller calico. An instant later a brown tabby cat joined in, slamming her hind legs into the dog's side. He went tumbling with a startled yelp but recovered quickly, scrambling up just in time for yet another dumb cat to swat her claws furiously at him. With a vengeful leap he bowled the she-cat [Dustcloud] over with a heavy paw.

His human shouting made him flinch for a moment, but then the man pulled out his weapon and he realized he was yelling at the cats. He took a shot at the other larger she-cat and it hit with a startling thud. Oh, good, the human thought the cats were bad and the dogs were doing their job! Which, of course, they were in their own eyes. The dark dog turned his attention back to the cats with a hungry glimmer in his eyes. immediately the first cat that the dark dog had attacked was upon him, twisting and turning and slashing faster than he could follow. Pain shot through his belly again and he yelped, trying once more to dance away from the painful claws.

However he moved, though, the dark dog seemed to end up right in more angry claws. Now that he was in the thick of the battle, he hadn't realized how many cats were truly in the clearing and the shed. The thought of tearing them all apart brought him joy, but immediately a large dark striped cat was upon him, slashing and raking with furious claws. The dog howled and yelped with pain and fury, hoping his human would save him.

Dark Dog used Heavy Blow on Flintfang, using 20 stamina and dealing 25 damage. Flintfang can no longer fight.

Dark Dog:
84/150 HP
310/350 SP (-20)

Flintfang: [KO'ed]
0/45 HP (-25)
SP: 140/160

---

Raking claws found their way through the pale dog's quick belly fur. With a snarl of pain the pale dog released the equally pale cat whose tail was now torn and bloodied, sending the critter scrambling for cover. The pale dog immediately whirled to the dark cat from before and was once again interrupted. Suddenly another small cat was in the beast's face, and she didn't even have a moment to snarl with a threat before the white-and-brown creature slammed its weight into her face. The canine's neck scrunched awkwardly and the dog toppled with a sharp yelp. Her nose was sparking with pain, sending lights shooting through her vision.

The arrival of her owner flooded her with conflicting feelings; she knew if she milked her injuries, he would give her anything she wanted. However, then she couldn't chase the cats anymore. A streak of light fur brought the dog back to the battle immediately. Of course she wanted to chase cats; they were the best goodie, even if the human didn't allow them. This might be her best chance, even if she got a couple scratches from the whole thing. The silvery she-cat got to the dog before she could get to the cat, and the little furry thing slithered under the dog's belly to rake her claws on the already tender flesh. The Pale Dog reared up and slammed one paw down, battering the light cat [Swanpaw] away just like the first small cat.

Two more cats were on the pale dog before she could even react, and her vision went red with fury as the bright ginger cat and the pale blue cat launched their assault, one battering her haunches and the other her muzzle. Was there nowhere she could turn that had no dumb cats?!

Pale Dog used Heavy Blow on Swanpaw, using 20 stamina and dealing 25 damage. Swanpaw can no longer fight.

Pale Dog:
73/150 HP
290/350 SP (-20)

Swanpaw: [KO'ed]
0/20 HP
70/80 SP

---

Barleytuft could see the growing fear on his mate's face as soon as he delivered the news to her and all the other cats who had been resting in the shelter while they recovered. His heart was pounding. He heard Graybriar whimper fearfully, "W-What are we going to do?" A moment later he had come up with his plan, and ffor a moment his mate's pale blue eyes were searching, too. They both spotted the shed, and Graybriar said in the voice that made Barleytuft's belly feel warm, "I'm with you." They made their way to the shed, but Graybriar didn't join him immediately. Instead, she glanced elsewhere, then at Barleytuft, and commanded he wait. The gray tabby launched herself at a speed Barleytuft hadn't thought she could reach. Admiration blossomed in his chest - as did fear - but he simply continued to try to call the sick and injured cats, kits, and elders to the ledge and help them to climb it if they needed.

---

A gray tabby raced past Amberdawn the moment she entered the Twoleg shed. The medicine cat's dark amber gaze followed for about half a moment before she recognized Graybriar, a WindClan she-cat she'd become somewhat familiar with during their time in the shed on the lake shore. With alarm Amberdawn recalled the rather deep leg injuries the warrior had. She's in no state to be fighting! the golden she-cat thought. She glanced up to see the worry on Graybriar's mate's eyes and summoned her own resolve. Amberdawn whirled and raced back out the shed. The WindClan cat was fast, even on three legs, and it took Amberdawn a moment to catch up to the senior warrior. "W-Wait, Graybriar, you can't risk a fight!" Amberdawn protested.

However, Grabyriar stopped and bent down to hoist something up. A vibrant tri-colored pelt caught her eyes and in an instant there was understanding. Amberdawn recognized Sunpaw, the half-paralyzed RiverClan apprentice. "Oh!" the medicine cat squeaked breathlessly, her dark amber eyes widening with fear. A short distance away, Swanpaw was slammed by a wide dog paw, and Amberdawn felt her whiskers trembling. Graybriar did not hesitate and worked to carry - and drag - the apprentice back to the shed. Gathering up her own courage, Amberdawn helped to carry the hind end of the apprentice so it didn't drag on the ground; after all, they'd travel faster that way.

The two tabby she-cats made it to the shed once more despite the chaos, and Amberdawn saw the WindClan tom waiting with relief blossoming in his dark hazel eyes when he spotted his mate. Amberdawn called, "She can't climb that; you'll need to reach down and grab her scruff!"

When the apprentice had been secured, Amberdawn backed up and stared hard at the WindClan she-cat, Graybriar. "I want to see you on that ledge," the tabby ordered, though her voice wavered with the discomfort of authority. "We've worked too hard on your injury to undo it all when your Clan most needs you healed and whole. You absolutely did the right thing going for Sunpaw - StarClan knows what could have happened to her otherwise - but now we need you here."

Amberdawn's words to her echoed in Mosspaw's ears as the dog had turned towards her, and she glared at the creature through narrowed eyes. Her ears flattened as its hot, smelly breath blew past her face, and it was only out of the corner of her eye that she saw Flintfang stand. Relief flooded through her, and while her mother swiped at the dog she pressed quickly against Flintfang's side, partly to help support him and partly to reassure herself. She flicked her tail to his shoulder at his words, responding in a hiss as she faced off against the dog again, side by side with both Falconwing and Flintfang. "I refuse to leave you. I'm not going to lose you, too."

She watched her father closely as he attacked, waiting for an opening to strike again herself when she heard her name. Turning her head, she could recognize Leafpaw's pelt through the chaos. "Leafpaw! Amberdawn is by the nest, with the others. Be safe." She touched her nose to her friends shoulder as she ran into the battle, praying that they all would keep safe... Leafpaw, Ravenpaw, Amberdawn, Lilypaw, Flintfang, Falconwing... There were so many. She couldn't stand to lose any of them. Resolve strengthening her, she turned to see that some others had joined the fight, including Scorchstar himself. Trying not to gape in awe at the power behind the ShadowClan leaders strike, let alone the idea that she was fighting next to him, she turned her attention back to the dog. Her eyes flit between the teeth and claws of the dog when time seemed to stop as she watched it raise a paw and bring it crashing down on Flintfang. A guttural yowl escaped her throat, and while the dogs back was still turned she sprang towards it, putting all of her force behind her attack as grief and fear shook her to her very core. Surely Flintfang was okay.... He wouldn't just give up, he has to be alright. He needed to be alright.

---

Mosspaw used Run-and-Tackle on Dark Dog, dealing 6 (+3) damage and costing 10 stamina.

Mosspaw
20/20 HP
60/80 SP

Dark Dog
75/150 HP
310/350 SP

Since the meeting, Ravenpaw had come to associate Amberdawn’s voice with important events on the horizon. Looking up to find her was a near-automatic response—but it wasn’t Amberdawn he saw first. Instead, his gaze landed on a creature that, true to its apparent name, stood on a pair of legs. He’d always been idly curious about Twolegs the way he was about many dangerous things; nice as it would be to know what they were and what they could do, he’d rather let his imagination fill in the blanks than risk tracking down a real one. Was this really one of them? The apprentice pulled up short, staring openly at the strange object in the Twoleg’s…paw?

Had it happened a moment earlier, his distraction might have cost him. Leafpaw charged in before it could, taking the dog’s eyes off him once again. Upon seeing her uninjured (and upon realizing it wasn’t his turn to be flung aside like a ball of moss), relief rushed over Ravenpaw so suddenly he stumbled. Renewed determination arrived on its heels. Flight was officially not an option; the dogs had strength and the Twoleg had a weird stick, but the shore cats had numbers, and however premature it may have been, he was growing more confident in their victory by the second. Besides, while the pale dog’s eyes had found him more times than he was comfortable with, they’d never stayed long. If he kept moving, he’d be all right. With a triumphant yowl, Ravenpaw struck the dog’s side with his claws.

Ever so slightly, his paws were beginning to drag. Maybe “keep moving” wasn’t as good a plan as he’d thought.

Ravenpaw used Front Paw Strike on Pale Dog, dealing 6 damage and using 10 stamina.

Ravenpaw
20/20 HP
50/80 SP (-10)

Pale Dog
67/150 HP (-6)
290/350 SP

The sounds of the dogs body crashing into their clearing was akin to thunder. Terror raced through her as she looked towards the massive beasts surged into camp, their bodies huge compared to the warriors that weren't ready for it. As the pale dog went for Ivypaw, Ridgelight felt the terror cause her body to go rigid. Once the dark dog attacked Flintfang, her terror turned into anger. With a furious screech, she lunged to the dogs. Falling in with other warriors determined to send the mangey mutts packing! She surged at full speed, slamming into the dog and raking her claws down it's side before she leapt away.

Ridgelight used run-and-tackle on Dark Dog

Ridgelight
40/40
110/120(-10)

Dark Dog
64/150 HP (-8 + -3)
310/350 SP

Grousepaw looked up from his conversation with Ravenpaw with a curious tilt to his head. As the dogs charged in, his spine bristled and he spat at them with furious hisses. He leapt in front of Graybriar and Barleytuft, but the pair didn't even see him. It was just as well, because the moment he did so, he realised how inefficient it was. There was no sense in defending the warriors. They could fend for themselves. Ravenpaw however, the moment the other tom moved he launched himself foward. Ignoring the twoleg that stumbled in afterwards and making a fierce attack on the pale dog, ramming into it and trying to divert and distract it's attention. Between the pair of them, they stood a chance. He hoped.

Grousepaw used run-and-tackle on Pale Dog

Grousepaw
20/20
70/80 (-10)


Pale Dog
58/150 HP (-6 + -3)
290/350 SP

---

---

The man let out a short, triumphant grunt before realizing that, despite his shot, the remaining cats were still attacking his pets. His panic began to increase as he heard the desperate, pained cries from the dogs. "Shoo! Shoo! Ssssss!" the human howled, waving his arms and stomping around at the cats. Whatever he did, however, it seemed that they were bent on traumatizing his dogs. With desperation he reached into his pocket and grabbed another marble. He loaded another shot and aimed for a small dark cat [Ravenpaw] who kept attacking his pale dog unprovoked.

Twoleg used Marble Strike [Front Paw Strike equivalent] on Ravenpaw, using 10 stamina and dealing 11 damage.

Twoleg:
200/200 HP
380/400 SP (-10)

Ravenpaw:
10/20 HP (-10)
50/80 SP

Flintfang watched with bleary eyes as Mosspaw went in for another attack, he yearned for her to run, but found he didn't have the strength to argue with her anymore. Crimson blood soaked the clearing, and rocks flew through the air, shot from the arm of an angry twoleg. The gray tabby ducked to narrowly avoid one, but felt his breath catch in his throat as it nailed Falconwing instead. "Falconwing!" He hissed, stumbling to her side. One look into her yellow eyes, and the tom knew he couldn't ever love her like she deserved, while he cared for her wellbeing, he was not the tom for her. "Get up, you're fine..." He hoisted the brown tabby back onto her feet, and felt his heart drop. What are we doing here... Scorchstar pounded to Flintfang's side with massive paws, swiping at the massive beast. Ridgelight appeared moments later, fighting along the two toms with a ferocity rivaled by none. We can win this! Flintfang thought hopefully, running up for another attack.

He dodged quickly around heavy paws, twisting and turning despite the gaping wounds on his back. But Flintfang's wits could only carry him so far, one wrong step, and the tom was on the ground, pelt smashed by the massive dark dog. He went to yowl but no sound came, his cuts and bruises flared like a wild fire, and mud and dirt clogged his senses. Flintfang's vision faded, he watched as Mosspaw continued to fight on, watched with horror as Falconwing fell. Helpless paws churned at the sand, but the wind left Flintfang long ago. The lack of air pulled him slowly into the darkness. "Eat...eat foxdung, StarClan…" A final wheeze fell from his mouth, and the darkness finally caved over the tom. Knocked unconscious, and torn away from the shore.

---

Mosspaw's words rang through Leafpaw's ears and she fell back on her feet. She watched triumphantly as blood sprayed from the pale dog's nose where she had struck it. Perhaps dogs weren't too terribly scary after all. But a worry for Amberdawn, as well as the rest of her friends, still swam in the brown tabby's mind. She glanced toward the tall twoleg nest, hoping to spot the familiar golden pelt. But a hard shape flashed across her vision, nailing a black tom in the side. Ravenpaw! Leafpaw watched with horror to pinpoint where the large rock came from, and spotted a large hairless creature not far off, another rock in its hand. A... A twoleg? She had never witnessed one before, but the tall lanky thing definitely fit the description of what Amberdawn had told her. Another wave of panic washed over the tabby, and she numbly raced over to Ravenpaw's side, wondering if all this is even real. "Ravenpaw! Are you okay? Are you hurt?" The brown tabby helped the tom find his paws, an obvious fear in her eyes.

But the pale beast was approaching, if she didn't do something, it would get Ravenpaw! Leafpaw watched as the dog writhed under another WindClan apprentice's grip, the same one who had teased her about the feather. I need to do something... Summoning as much bravery as she could muster, Leafpaw bolted to the pale dog's side, and let herself slide under it's belly, watching with satisfaction as her claws ripped long ribbons of red into its fur. "Stay away from my friends you... you beast!"

Leafpaw used Belly Rake on Pale Dog, dealing 7 damage, and costing 10 stamina.

Leafpaw:
HP: 20/20
SP: 60/80

Pale Dog:
HP: 51/150
SP: 290/350