Dust in Your Pocket {OPEN - WC PLOT TOPIC #4}

Ploverpuddle let out a yelp as he felt claws sink into his side. Yellow eyes going wide at the pain and in surprise. The tom broke free of the she-cat's grasp. Shock settling into his system. Who? What had attacked him. Yellow eyes met yellow eyes. "Who-?" The rest of his words got caught in his throat. This wasn't a predator. This wasn't a fox. This wasn't anything they had faced this last moon. What was this? What was going on? He didn't understand..

He felt his back run into the wall of the tunnel. His eyes glancing to the side, there wasn't anyway he could lead this creature to the false tunnel and trap it could he? This creature, this cat... He didn't know who it was, but something in it's attacks felt familiar. Similar to the Badger from the other day. What was going on? Fear flared in his chest as his mind raced trying to figure out what needed to be done, what he needed to do. All he could do was take a moment to recollect himself even if it meant leaving himself open in his panic.

Relief flooded the tom as the familiar pelt of his mentor flashed into his field of view. The others were at his side, He wasn't alone. He didn't have to fight this cat alone. He heard her words of wanting to get to Crowpaw, wanting to get to her son, but they had to get rid of their enemy first. The cat that stood in their way of getting back to the others. He had to trust that Clovertwist and Barleytuft were keeping his apprentice safe, until they could reach them again.

Ploverpuddle is no longer stunned.

Facing off against the gray tom, her eyes sought out something - but it didn't find what she was looking for as she slowly started to approach. She lurched to a stop, about to throw herself at the warrior when another cat came charging. She silently turned her head to stare at the she-cat as the claws met her pelt, blinking when she saw it - recognition. Terror. She lowered her head as she took a small step back, a voice faintly escaping her maw. "He-Help me..." she murmured quietly, her voice barely heard among the wind as she shook in her pelt...Before allowing her eyes to slide back onto the tom as she leapt at him again with a moan.

Puddlepaw used Jumping Strike on Ploverpuddle, costing 20 stamina and dealing 14 damage.

Puddlepaw:
58/75 HP
160/200 SP (-20)

Ploverpuddle:
16/45 HP (-14)
160/160 SP

Goldengale:
60/60 HP
180/200 SP

Her opponent took a staggered step back, head lowering as two pitiful words dropped from her jaws. Freezing in horror as the tunnel walls absorbed the words, the meaning behind them chilled the warrior to her core. Help me... Oh stars, what had happened to Puddlepaw? What had she done to deserve this fate? It was cruel, she was undeserving of this. How? Why? For what reason? The questions filled her head, the walls seeming to tighten around her with each heartbeat.

Which way was up? Which way was out? She didn't have a grasp on her thoughts enough to determine, or remember. The air was stagnant, thick with the smell of blood. Darkness surrounding them, Goldengale couldn't help but feel as though she were struggling to breath. Had the tunnels been collapsed? Was that why there seemed to be no air to breath? "StarClan help us." The she-cat gasped, raising both unsheathed paws to claw at the cat's back as it attacked Ploverpuddle once more.

Goldengale used Upright Front Paws, dealing 13 damage and costing 20 SP.

Goldengale:
60/60 HP
160/200 SP (-20)

Puddlepaw:
45/75 HP (-13)
160/200 SP

Ploverpuddle:
16/45 HP
160/160 SP

In such a small group, he couldn’t go unnoticed for long, whether he chose to hang back or not. Barleytuft’s eyes found and left him without comment. The relief had barely begun to sink in when Dappleshine approached him. Raventail’s mouth twitched as she licked his cheek, his own sense of purpose mirrored in her eyes. He hadn’t yet asked whether this place had started to become her home; whatever her answer, she planned to fight for it. Of course, he loved her for that—but it scared him, too. He’d buried capable cats before.

Not tonight, he reminded himself, and stood taller to hear Barleytuft’s directions. Rank and experience didn’t always correlate. All Raventail truly knew of battle was how to rush in, and while that had its place, it wasn’t here. Not unless he wanted to get his Clanmates killed. No, tonight, they hunted foxes; to do that, they needed to follow the plan. Stars knew he’d memorized the tunnel traps’ locations for a reason. With an answering swish of his tail, the dark tom set off alongside the rest of the moor-runners.

Once they reached their assigned positions, they sank into the grass almost as one. Though Raventail twitched violently as Finchstar called his name, he didn’t move otherwise. Just the sound of his friend’s voice getting fainter as he disappeared into the earth set the deputy’s fur on end. As the grueling wait began, he had no choice but to submit to it. Seconds ticked into minutes. The stars watched from their lofty places, cold as ever.

No signal.

Suddenly, a choked-off cry rang from below. At this distance, it sounded like nothing, but Raventail jumped up despite himself, not knowing what to do but certain he had to do something—and a fox burst through the night toward one of the youngest moor-runners. Once it had Crowpaw in its jaws, it shook him around like a piece of fresh-kill. Like a dog shaking a RiverClan warrior and leaving him dead on the shore. Around him, the rest of the moor-runners leapt to the apprentice’s aid. Clovertwist and Barleytuft charged almost instantly. Dappleshine placed herself between Crowpaw and the fox, bristling in defense of a cat she hardly knew. This was what he'd come back to, who he'd come back for. Raventail wheeled around and with all the lumbering fury of a badger slammed against the fox’s side. No uncertainty lay within him now; the battle had begun.

Raventail used Run-and-Tackle on Fox, dealing (13+3) damage and using 10 stamina.

Raventail
100/100 HP
270/280 SP (-10)

Fox
17/75 HP (-16)
180/200 SP

Barleytuft
100/100 HP
255/280 SP

Clovertwist
40/40 HP
95/120 SP

Crowpaw
5/20 HP
80/80 SP

Dappleshine
80/80 HP
225/240 SP

Crowpaw shook his head, trying to clear his vision as he rose to his paws. His scruff ached, but the sight of the other four cats, his Clanmates, fighting so bravely to defend him and their Clan, made him stand up. His tail lashed, as he prepared to rejoin the fray, sore and injured but ready to fight for those who fought to defend him.

Crowpaw is no longer Stunned.

The moment Finchstar dipped away to where he was supposed to, Grousefrost led the charge into the tunnels. His silver and white pelt flashing as cats following him made it into the tunnels clear. His claws raked over the newly churned ground as he stopped long enough to watch for his clanmates to enter behind him. The darkness that enveloped him was a comfort. His breaths silent as he scented carefully for Goldengale and Ploverpuddle.

All at once, there was yowls, the scent of blood… and all at once, Grousefrost could tell the plan had gone horribly wrong. He spun around, darting towards the source of the noise. His eyes widened at a scent achingly familiar, but … enemy. Puddlepaw… the apprentice was attacking his own clanmates! A snarl rose in his throat as he forced himself to run in the tunnel, rocks spraying out from under his claws as he slid against the dirt and reached his claws out for Puddlepaw. The scent of Goldengale nearby driving him to attempt and push the dead she-cat away from her clanmates.

“What is going on? Puddlepaw… is that you?” He asked, trying to use his body to block the tunnel defensively. To keep Goldengale and Ploverpuddle in a safe place that this… apprentice? Former apprentice? What could he even call it?

Grousefrost used Leap-and-Tackle on Puddlepaw


Puddlepaw:
33/75 HP (-9 + -3)
160/200 SP

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

Ploverpuddle:
16/45 HP
160/160 SP

Goldengale:
60/60 HP
160/200 SP

A growl left Ploverpuddle as he was attacked once again. The words of the creature in front of him leaving him stunned for a moment longer. Long enough for Goldengale to attack again, and for Grousefrost to join the fight. What concerned him the most was the fact that they recognized the cat that was attacking him. Puddlepaw? Was that really the old apprentice he heard bits and pieces about? Wasn't she dead? What in Starclan's name was going on?

It felt as if the tunnels were closing in on him. Fear gripping his heart tightly. Who was this cat and why were they pretending to be a dead apprentice? Or was it actually the dead apprentice? The only question that remained in his mind was how? How had this one creature cause so much trouble for everyone? If this creature truly was the apprentice they knew from before then how had the 'paw come to know such experienced moves? Questions raced through his mind, as panic settled into the tom.

Clumsily the tom moved forward, his claws lashing out at the apprentice before him. His mind still overthinking everything but the only things he was sure of was that this apprentice attacked him, and was intent on causing harm. Making the creature in front of him his enemy that needed to be chased out.

Ploverpuddle used Rear Up to Slash plus Swift Strike dealing a combined 15 damage, -25 SP

Puddlepaw:
18/75 HP
160/200 SP

Grousefrost:
45/45 HP
150/160 SP

Ploverpuddle:
16/45 HP
135/160 SP

Goldengale:
60/60 HP
160/200 SP

A large, black figure struck the WindClan deputy with the force of a monster. A dog, pelt as dark as a starless night and twice as cursed, growled a low, fierce growl with an edge of spilling excitement. It would have whined in sheer joy if it weren't busy snapping and clawing at every soft piece of flesh it could tear into on Raventail's smaller body. The black dog had tasted many varieties of live prey, but it found cat to be the most invigorating - perhaps tied with the bloodied flavor of other dogs. Its massive form overpowered Raventail quickly. The second canine was oblivious to the damage sustained by its companions in the wake of the injuries it was dealing to its next meal.

The black dog used ????? on Raventail, costing 20 stamina and dealing 15 damage. Raventail is stunned for one turn.

Black Dog:
75/75 HP
180/200 SP (-20)

Raventail:
85/100 HP (-15)
270/280 SP

As another cat struck her, she started to back up slightly...Turning her head at the older's tom voice, a name being spoken in a soft, terrified whisper. Puddlepaw? She recognized him in the dim light that filtered in from the tunnel's entrance. Her mouth opened for words, head bent low as she shook in her pelt. A soft noise escaped her maw as she took a couple steps backwards. "Help me...Please," came her voice, shaking her head violently as she pressed herself against the wall. With a sudden growl, she leapt forward and slashed at the gray tom...Before halting and started to take steps backwards deeper into the tunnel as her head snapped toward the other three cats as she held her body low to the ground. "I don't...Help..."

Puddlepaw used Front Paw Strike on Ploverpuddle, costing 10 stamina and dealing 13 damage

Puddlepaw:
18/75 HP
150/200 SP (-10)

Grousefrost:
45/45 HP
150/160 SP

Ploverpuddle:
3/45 HP (-13)
135/160 SP

Goldengale:
60/60 HP
160/200 SP

Crowpaw turned to see Raventail being assaulted by a massive, black dog. The dark tom growled, launching himself at Raventail’s attacker. Ducking and slipping under the dog’s belly, he flipped himself over, clawing at the soft flesh as he rolled before springing back to his paws on the other side, readying himself to spring away or forwards, depending on what the dog did next. If this battle were going to be his first and last, he wanted to die fighting, die defending his Clan, die with claws out.

Crowpaw used Belly Rake, dealing 7 damage and costing 10 Stamina.

Crowpaw:
5/20 HP
70/80 SP

Black Dog:
68/75 HP
180/200 SP

The sound of her mate's voice was soothing to her ears, but the words that they formed were the opposite. She wasn't just seeing things that weren't there, this was Puddlepaw. Grousefrost wouldn't say something like that if it weren't the case. As he charged into the creature's side, it backed off, cowering against the wall of the tunnel. The shivers ran from her spine down her legs as the voice came again, begging for help. A violent shake of the head was followed by the flash of teeth and claws finding their mark on Ploverpuddle once more.

Her responding slash faltered once again as the cat immediately lowered herself to the ground, backing away deeper into the tunnels. Her mind flit to whatever was happening above ground, and the concern and fear for her son's well-being clung to her mind like dew on the gorse. She needed to get up there, to protect him... She had to. But first, she needed to ensure they wouldn't be snuck up on from behind.

Goldengale used Upright Lock on Puddlepaw, dealing 14 damage and costing 25 SP.

Puddlepaw:
4/75 HP (-14)
150/200 SP

Grousefrost:
45/45 HP
150/160 SP

Ploverpuddle:
3/45 HP
135/160 SP

Goldengale:
60/60 HP
135/200 SP (-25)

As the dead, formerly dead? Apprentice attacked Ploverpuddle, Grostfrost watched as Goldengale brushed past him to attack. He forced himself forward in the cramped tunnel, his body crashing into the roof as he felt himself stumble over a riot as he slashed.

It brought his claws down harder than intended, but it was worse. He felt dirt land on his head in tiny amounts, as a low rumble seemed to echo in the cavern. His blue eyes widened as he recognized the signs. He shoved Goldengale towards the entrance of the tunnel, trying to scent Ploverpuddle as the weakened walls gave way. The darkness that he had grown used to, suddenly becoming tight and heavy.

There was no use yowling. His first thought was to conserve his breaths if he wanted to live, but as pain made sparks in his vision, he thought of his family. Blue eyes covered by the cave in as they closed with a final thought.

‘I’m sorry.’

The tunnel had collapsed.

Grousefrost used Rear up to slash on Puddlepaw. Puddlepaw is KOd. Grousefrost is KOd by tunnel.

Puddlepaw: KO
-7/75 HP (-11)
150/200 SP

Grousefrost: KO
45/45 HP
150/160 SP

Ploverpuddle:
3/45 HP
135/160 SP

Goldengale:
60/60 HP
135/200 SP

OoC: Sorry for the confusion. The fox has not fleed until this post.

The fox grinned, the surge of the cats fighting back thrilling her to the core. "You didn't like my gift?" A low whine turned into gurgled, bloody words. She slashed out at faces, unearthly growls and yips piercing through the air. Her large, bulky claws tore flesh, her k9 teeth barred. As another cat tackled with her, she allowed it, rolling with the momentum. "Poor Finch!" A loud, piercing and ear shattering whine came from the fox as she laid on the ground. Growls as a dark dog joined the fight and the fox yipped in glee. Standing back on her feet, dripping and drooling saliva blood oozed out of her mouth, where it was clear her bottom left fang was missing from her maw. With the presence of the dog, the fox took advantage. The black kit had his back to a tunnel, and with a flash of sudden movement, the fox lunged and grabbed the black apprentice by the scruff. Teeth dug in, an iron grip. Within seconds she was scrambling backwards, dragging the prey into the hole. Allowing him to scream and screech. The fox scrambled backwards and stopped by a stick in the wall, spitting out the black prey cat like a maggot ridden piece of meat… But a thick black paw held him down. Forbidding him from moving but free to scream.

Jarred by the force of his own charge, Raventail stumbled sideways. Crowpaw had found his feet. As far as Raventail could tell from his posture and the look on his face, he was already preparing to launch back into the fray. There was something admirable in that. Terrifying, of course—but admirable. The deputy regained his balance, planning to follow Crowpaw’s example, and was promptly knocked aside by a blow so strong it turned the entire moor to stars.

He couldn’t see. Blood, WindClan, the enemy. Heather poking into his side. He had to stand up. Claws scraped down his exposed flank, leaving a set of hot, bleeding lines and tearing a sharp yowl from Raventail’s throat along with flesh and fur. No matter how deep into his mind he’d pushed them, some memories didn’t fade with time. This dog sounded as savage as those on the shore. With a blind swipe that hit nothing but air, he scrambled to move even a tail-length out of range, but everywhere he turned, something sharp nipped, slashed, drove him back. A high-pitched growl sounded from nearby, Crowpaw coming to help him with the reckless courage of an apprentice. He was gone by the time Raventail's vision cleared. The fox, too, had vanished. Into the night, into the tunnels; regardless, he couldn't follow.

Distantly, the earth rumbled.

Raventail is no longer stunned.

Raventail
85/100 HP
270/280 SP

Black Dog
68/75 HP
180/200 SP

Spotpaw stared in horrer as the battle raged on. 'I have to do something!' Spotpaw thought.

Spotpaw ran towards the tunnels without a second thought.She imeaditly ran in to find a fox attacking Crowpaw. It was clear that that he was weak. Spotpaw wouldn't let him die. She knew how much her mentor Goldengale loved Crowpaw and that Goldengale would be put in a deep depression. Spotpaw wouldn't let the fox kill Crowpaw. Spotpaw ran towards the fox and bit down on its tail.

Spotpaw used tail yank, costing 10 stanima points. Fox is stunned
Spotpaw
20/20 HP
70/80 SP

Fox
17/75 HP
180/200 SP