Esquisse of Violence [WAR] // Lionize

Beartooth had not wanted to fight another clan's battle but his opinions were as silent and stoic as he was. Not once had he sought to question his former mentor's wisdom. Instead, he helped to prepare the Thunderclan cats, his kin, to a fight a fight that wasn't theirs. However, it was likely for the best. Whatever reasoning their leader had must have been good, especially given Oakstar's adversion to such matters. He followed after with pawsteps of a not so silent nature. There was no reason to hide his weight, his strength, today. This wasn't a secret attack. No, the other clans were there, awaiting righteous justice.

He padded up behind Oakstar obediently, glancing back and finding himself catching Ferretnose's eye. He offered her a nod. Hopefully she understood that simple gesture held much more than an acknowledgement of her presence. The tom would be watching her during whatever battle would come. Beartooth hoped she would remember their training to help compensate for her poor vision. Although he would have dwelled on concern for his clanmates, there was another matter. Shadowclan's unruly deputy was present. Already at the gathering he had caused a scene with his lose tongue. In the Thunderclan warrior's life, he seldom held disdain for other cats, but the ignorance of this youthful soul bothered him. Few cats knew of Oakstar's personal attachment to Shadowclan but Beartooth was certain even in his unwavering allegiance to Thunderclan, roots were not easily forgotten.

Staring after Lynxscar, the bulky tabby stepped up to Oakstar's side with one short, rumbling statement, much like before, "Show some respect."

The member 'SpOwOky OwOky Karikinz' has done the following action : Dices roll

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'Effect Dice' : 5

Dustcloud really didn’t even want to go... But as the code said, the leader’s word was law. Besides, SkyClan was in a time of need, and even if it meant war... She would stand by Oakstar’s choices, as a warrior by his side and as his mate. All she got from the conversation unfolding in front of her was that ShadowClan was being particularly hostile, and even if they had good reason to be, it was unnecessary. She was sure that a peaceful solution was possible, if only both sides would cooperate to reach it. She took a step back when Thornstar leaped towards, Spottedstar. She was ready to jump in if she was needed, but for now it seemed she wasn’t.

Beanpaw was trying to keep his whiskers from trembling as ShadowClan lined up opposite from SkyClan and ThunderClan. He was standing closest to Sunflower, near the back where, hopefully, Lynxscar couldn’t see him. It became evident to him that he was clearly visible when he stared directly at him, speaking to Thornstar as he lashed his tail.

Oh StarClan.

He was hardly even listened as the trio of leaders as well as Lynxscar (and at one point Foxfire) spoke back and forth, chills running up and down his spine. When Thornstar mentioned him, directly pointed him out, Beanpaw froze. It felt like all of ShadowClan was staring him down, and somehow, in that moment... his fears vanished. Spottedstar wouldn’t let them hurt him, right? Oakstar, even? No, it wouldn’t happen. He would be fine... right? The warrior deserved what he got, didn’t he? Maybe it was a little overboard... Oh StarClan.

Oakstar turned his attention to Thornstar, patiently waiting as he thought about it. That type of death… it made him shudder, but he took a breath, readying words that he hoped would help soothe the ache.
"The forest mourns the loss of Redwing, Thornstar. It is never easy to lose a clanmate." He spoke, his tail flicked in Beartooth’s direction, but he kept himself steady. "Truthfully, there is no true justice here until the true offenders have a chance to speak their peace… and they are not in the forest."

He was certain of it. Spottedstar had no reason to lie… to want his warriors to go into a battle with a recently wounded deputy. He glanced over at Foxfire, then returned his gaze back to Spottedstar.
"There are reasonable trials we can have right now, for Flintshard’s maiming, Lynxscar and Foxfire’s injuries. If all parties are present, it’s what we have in our paws to offer." He concluded, but cut off as Thornstar began her attack.

The duel was on, and all Oakstar could do was watch in calm quiet.

Flowerthorn stood by the group. Remaining on the outside so that way she had a clear view of the Shadowclan cats. A low growl coming from her throat. She didn't like what Lynxscar was saying. Acting like Shadowclan had no hand in this. Skyclan was willing to help them, but then they turned around and maimed Foxfire with no cause, and now they expect to get so called 'justice'? No. They didn't deserve it.

The pale she-cat wouldn't let anyone touch her leader, her deputy, or her medicine cat if she could help it. She couldn't help another rumbling growl escape her as Thornstar accepted the duel. Every fiber in her being telling her to shoot forward and claw the Shadowclan leader again like she had done a moon or so ago. She shouldn't let her leader fight on his own but it was what he wished for. So she remained by Foxfire's side. Her dull blue eyes locked on the fight in front of her. Claws dug into the ground. Ready to spring forward and attack if something went wrong.

Ravenmist took a step forwards, a little ways behind her leader and deputy, where she could still listen. Lynxscar made sense, he was justified. She felt a small glimmer of pride when her deputy mentioned her name, in the battle against Spottedstar, where he had run off. Her claws outstretched, anxious, eager to fight. She wasn’t sure exactly when the events unfolding had angered her enough to begin wanting to take revenge, but she wasn’t about to back off from it. Not until it was finished. Not until her Can had been revenged. So she sat, frustrated, tail twitching, as Thornstar began the duel. She wanted to help, wanted to feel blood on her claws. But she couldn’t. Not yet.

Salamander stood proudly on the Shadowclan side, watching the streaks of light in the sky go down with anticipation. Even over the long time he had spent with the night-clad clan, he had only recently begun to realize that not every clan cat was evil. They were simply carving out a niche in the harsh world, and most meant to harm to him. But Skyclan was the exception. At least to him. The odd-named calico didn’t even know if he ever met a Skyclan cat, but the bodies were enough. They were killers, liars, and apparently manipulators, judging by the extra clan they dragged in.

Salamander watched intently as Thornstar enacted the duel. While he was a mere bystander, a bit of extra muscle in a war beyond his control, he imagined himself in the dark leader’s place and felt invigorated. This was his chance. He had failed (or he believed he failed) so many times before- failed to stop his father Burnt from killing, failed to save innocent Night and Copper, failed to blend into society. But if he proved useful in this battle, even just by a little, maybe he’ll finally feel content.

Spottedstar openly rolled his eyes at Lynxscar. Deep in his core, the ShadowClan deputy was merely a kit trying to disguise his begging for pity as bravado; he must have thought he could make Oakstar think that ShadowClan was completely innocent. Spottedstar made his desire for justice crystal clear. Lynxscar made his interest in revenge equally as apparent. The objectives were mutually exclusive, and Spottedstar's was obviously more appealing to the ThunderClan leader. Lynxscar would be a truly horrific leader and the spotted tom considered that perhaps somebody should kill him before he burned ShadowClan to ashes and took the whole forest with them. He remained silent in the face of the deputy's bold and exaggerated bragging. Insulting a neutral party was a good way to ensure that they didn't stay neutral, and he was only making a fool of himself.

"This is why there have been so many problems! Your story changes every time you tell it! First my warriors had no cause to attack yours and now you admit that your cats crossed our border first. You keep forgetting that you delayed news of Redwing's death - we didn't know until the offenders were long gone. ShadowClan is personally responsible for the miscommunications plus tensions caused by the attack on my deputy and starting most of the border skirmishes Lynxscar constantly whines about - including the ambush he set up when he crossed my border to attack me without cause. It sounds like ShadowClan is struggling to get their facts together since they're so busy trying to win Oakstar to their side." They accused SkyClan of hiding offenders as if SkyClan didn't have the right to accuse them of the same. His gaze found Beanpaw among his own cats. His presence here was supposed to be a precursor to his warrior ceremony, not an impromptu trial. Spottedstar didn't even know he was involved in ShadowClan business and would have kept him back at camp had he known after getting his side of the story - clearly ShadowClan's loudmouthed deputy thought killing Beanpaw would solve all of their problems, and the SkyClan leader sidestepped to keep himself between the enemy deputy and his apprentice. Beanpaw and Spottedstar had a poor track record, but he'd defend him to the bloody end if it came to it. He leveled his disinterested, half-lidded gaze at Lynxscar. "As for your warrior's injuries, I don't know anything about that. I received word of a confrontation on this night and that's all. You don't know the meaning of 'fair' and justice is a foreign concept to kittens like you."

Those short sentences were all he had to say to the young tom. Any retort went unheard as he fixed his angered gaze on Thornstar: bigger, meaner, uglier. Spottedstar didn't care. If he had to get skinned alive to make her get lost, he'd do it. StarClan had a plan for SkyClan. The ancestors called them home from the mountains, guided them, protected them from ThunderClan and WindClan's ancient onslaught, and held them accountable for their actions - honorable or mistaken. ShadowClan got chased out by traitors and begged at the paws of RiverClan without a second glance from StarClan. They deserved it. Anyone with brains knew better than to accept Lichenmask's demonic kits. Spottedstar would only be a defender in the eyes of his clan, and that's all he wanted: their safety and to have their trust that he would lay down his lives for them. Lynxscar and Thornstar's opinions were dirt beneath his paws. His claws scored the ground beneath him.

The attack was expected, but not the sheer power; the ground disappeared beneath him as the bigger leader shook him violently by the scruff, leaving him dazed and unsure what was happening around him.

He was glad he left his kits at camp. He had plans for this fight that he didn't want them to see.

Spottedstar is stunned for one more turn.

Spottedstar
108/120 HP
300/300 SP

Thornstar
120/120 HP
275/300 SP

The tom couldn't take it any longer. Seeing how his leader was fighting against the Skyclan deputy while the rest just stay put, wishing for the best. This wasn't the justice that Shadowclan should have. This whole issue did not only involve the two leaders, but it also involved everyone. And he was sure... that he was not the only one who wanted to take revenge on Flintshard and Redwing by his own claws. His green eyes suddenly turned to the orange-furred deputy, seeing how similar his scars were to his. A subtle smirk showed up in his face before he suddenly rushed forward for the attack. "THIS GOES FOR EVERYONE WHO HAS BEEN HURT BY YOUR SCUM OF A CLAN!" He shouted before sinking his fangs on the tom's scruff and shaking him violently. He wasn't afraid. This was their moment. Shadowclan had to react! They had to fight for the sake of all the fallen ones! For their honour!

Lynxscar used Scruff Shake on Foxfire, dealing 8 + 2 (Night Finesse) and costing 25 stamina. Foxfire is stunned for one turn

Lynxscar
100/100 HP
255/280 SP

Foxfire
90/100 HP
280/280 SP

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

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'Effect Dice' : 3

Asterstrike narrowed his eyes at his opponents, his tail lashing slowly back and forth behind him. He couldn't help but snort in crude amusement when he saw a few ThunderClanners approach to SkyClan's side. Those cowards. They didn't have the strength or numbers to face ShadowClan on their own, so of course they had called for another Clan to help them fight their battle. The battle that they started by killing Redwing.

Even so, he stood where he was, watching in awe in spite of the circumstances, as his powerful mate initiated the scuffle with Spottedstar. But then, when Lynxscar gave his own battle cry, he launched himself into battle, following his deputy’s lead. He would avenge Redwing, if not for ShadowClan, then for his brother. He would make SkyClan regret ever killing her, and he would make ThunderClan regret sticking their noses in places they shouldn’t be.

Suddenly, in the flurry of fur flying all over him as cats dashed around to fight their opponents, Asterstrike found himself staring down the ThunderClan leader himself. Oakstar was a powerful opponent -- every Clan leader was -- but he could be just as powerful as any leader when he needed to. With a screech, he launched himself at the brown tabby and grabbed for his scruff, shaking hard to try and dizzy the ThunderClanner.

Asterstrike used Scruff Shake on Oakstar, dealing 8 damage and costing 25 stamina.

Oakstar is stunned for 1 turn.

Asterstrike
95/95 HP
225/250 SP

Oakstar
112/120 HP
300/300 SP

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Poppyheart felt nothing but a dark fury that seemed to consume his very soul. He snarled at the SkyClanners and ThunderClanners as they stood against him and his Clanmates. Those flea-bitten rogues were going to pay dearly for what they had done to his mate. He could feel the entirety of TigerClan’s power running through his veins. They would grant him strength. They would help him have his vengeance.

These cats took his mate away and drove away his only living daughter.

For breaking his heart, he would break their necks in return.

He watched as the ShadowClan and SkyClan leaders fought for a brief while before the sound of Lynxscar yowling and launching himself into battle caught his attention. The russet-and-white tom dashed forward after his deputy, ready to fight. He wanted to sink his teeth into any of those cowardly tree-climbers, he didn’t care who. All he knew was that he needed to use one of them as a scratching post. Quickly finding a tom that smelled strongly of ThunderClan, he launched himself at him with a caterwaul and knocked him to the ground before grabbing his scruff tightly in his teeth and shaking his head furiously.

Poppyheart used Scruff Shake (+Night Finesse) on Beartooth, dealing 7 damage (+2) and costing 25 stamina.

Beartooth is stunned for 1 turn.

Poppyheart
80/80 HP
215/240 SP

Beartooth
91/100 HP
180/180 SP

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This would be Sparkfire’s first massive battle. Her very first war. It filled her with so much excitement. She couldn’t wait. It was only too bad she couldn’t be battling alongside Flintshard, Frostpaw, or Nightpaw. At the very least, she was able to fight alongside her mother, father, and uncle. SkyClan had completely destroyed her uncle after they killed his mate, the former ShadowClan deputy. She had never seen him so depressed before, and even though she found him to be quite annoying most times, she still didn’t wish him any ill will of any kind. Plus, he was family, and no one messed with her family.

All of her Clanmates began rushing forward at the cry of their deputy, moments after staring at her mother duking it out with the SkyClan leader, and she followed suit, looking for her first opponent. She came across a skinny white tom, and she bared her teeth in a grin. He looked strong, but she always liked a challenge. She pounced at him and shoved him over onto his back, digging her claws deep into his shoulders and baring her teeth down on his chest.

Sparkfire used Leap-and-Hold (+Night Finesse) on Sunflower, dealing 9 damage (+2) and costing 10 stamina.

Sunflower is stunned for 2 turns.

Sparkfire
45/45 HP
150/160 SP

Sunflower
69/80 HP
240/240 SP

Lightpaw matched Lynxscar’s mood rather than Oakstar’s- Angry, ready to fight. But instead, only the leaders moved, leaving everyone else in the dust. No one fought. All cats just watched. Lightpaw was itching to attack. She unsheathed her claws, dragging them across the soft ground. What good would this do? When Thornstar won, who said that would stop Skyclan? The entire clan needed to be taught a violent lesson. Suddenly, cats around her broke into fighting.

“Finally.” She hissed under her breath, and broke into a sprint towards a white she-cat with dusty ginger markings at the tips of her face, tail, and paws. Lightpaw leapt on top, digging her claws in viciously. She was determined- Determined to prove herself to her clan. Determined to make these mangepelts pay for what they’d done to her mentor. Determined to win.

Lightpaw used Night Finesse, adding 2 damage to every attack the entire fight!
Lightpaw used Leap-and-Hold on Flowerthorn, dealing 8 damage and using 10 stamina! Flowerthorn is pinned for 1 turn!

Flowerthorn
32/40 HP
120/120 SP

Lightpaw
20/20 HP
70/80 SP

Dice

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

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'Effect Dice' : 1