where our lives once were, in a pile of ash [closed - plot topic]

Time passed slowly, and quickly all at once, but his paws never stopped feeling like they were stuck in mud. To a point, they literally were, with each cursed second that he stood in Riverclan territory. But there was something else, nagging at his pelt and pressing him down into the earth constantly. Redfall's gaze raked his pelt in passing. Their interactions had never gone beyond a glance but he could tell. It hadn't been on his mind much until the name had parted from his leader's maw. A direction, a command, and yet somehow still a question. Wrenspring was to lead a scouting patrol back to Skyclan territory to assess the damage. His former friend was to accompany them.

Wrenspring flexed his claws into the earth as he lead them towards Skyclan territory. Despite the searing in his forepaw, the tom ignored it and strode forward with a powerful and practiced gait. He'd been a warrior for some moons now. Even with the lax personality and outgoing persona, the seasons and changes had shaped him. The most pressing weight across his back now padded at his hindquarters. But above everything, above all else, the warrior found himself in a sense of duty to his clan. So much time had been spent sulking and licking his wounds. It was time to step up and help bring the clan back to where they belong, to bring them home, even if all he could start with was leading this patrol.

Before they'd left, Wrenspring had asked Smokefeather to gather Bloodstrike and Redfall. The tom had briefly vanished to swallow a mouthful of poppy seeds in Riverclan's medicine den; there he had also collected Sagelight, their elder medicine cat who had given him the seeds. As he padded now, clear past the river and water-logged territory and through the scorched remains of his home, he realized now that he didn't need the pain relief. Everything here, he wanted to feel and to soak it in. Tiny buds poked through the rocky territory in small symbols of healing. That miniscule hope drove him forward. It didn't heal the wriggling discomfort in his chest at seeing the trees like this; the sparse greenery was more barren than ever before. He swallowed away the emotions that trickled up.

"We'll head to the camp next, assess what the repairs will look like and report back to Spottedstar." Wrenspring said, decidedly, "If you see anything noteworthy, let me know. We want to see if our clan can truly come back... honestly, not just if we want it." The broken tail behind him flicked as he glanced at the other warriors, and Redfall, over his shoulder. It was obvious why Smokefeather and Bloodstrike were here, this task deserved warriors with experience. And Sagelight, a precaution, no doubt. But as his eyes briefly drifted to Redfall, mind was a blank. The only answer was that Spottedstar was testing him. It had indeed been a question whether or not the deserter could join the patrol. Wrenspring wasn't about to perpetuate old feuds and even with the ants crawling through his pelt, there was nothing that could come from striking claws against stone.

These thoughts drifted away as he looked ahead once more. The boulder wreathed camp where the lot of them had been born and grown...

Skyclan Camp; A pile of ash.

Wrenspring had asked her to gather up Bloodstrike and Redfall, so she did so without complaint. In truth, she'd rather have left Redfall in favor of... anyone else, really. Someone who hadn't so violently turned on their clanmate and supposed friend, for one.

The rest of the patrol was much preferable company, Smokefeather thought as she fell into step beside Bloodstrike. They'd both been avoiding staying in Riverclan's overcrowded camp as much as possible, it felt like, and Smokefeather had practically jumped for joy at the prospect of a patrol to scout out Skyclan's territory. To get out of the overcrowded camp, away from the scent of fish and Riverclan.

The knowledge that they might finally get to go home sooner rather than later had put a spring into her step despite her own tiredness. Part of that tiredness was the patrolling and hunting, but part of it was that Smokefeather felt... old, almost. Two of her kits earning their warrior names, Smokefeather couldn't have been prouder of them, truly. They'd trained hard, and had been the first warriors the clan had seen named since before the fire. Yet she remembered them as kits curled up at her side, little more than scraps of fur. Now they were grown, as capable as any other in Skyclan. They had probably spent less of their lives in Skyclan territory than they had in twolegplace and Riverclan, now. Smokefeather had to wonder if their paws ached for the familiar rocky terrain and tall, sturdy trees as much as hers did.

Ash coated the ground as the patrol made their way through the burnt trees, the onset of leaf-fall and the aftereffects of the fire that had ravaged the territory seeming bleaker the farther they went. The occasional spot of green struggling through the only sign of life so far as Smokefeather could tell. Aside from their pawsteps and Wrenspring's quiet voice, the forest was oddly quiet around them. Were it not for the scent of smoke that still lingered and the ashen landscape, it could've been a peaceful silence, however now it was eerie, making the fluffy she-cat's gaze narrow slightly as it swept through the trees and rocks in the direction of their camp.

An ear flicked in acknowledgement of Wrenspring's words. When last she'd seen the camp, the bushes and foliage they'd used for dens had been on their way to being engulfed by flame. They would see how much of the camp was intact soon enough.

Bloodstrike had come willingly, though he had been nearly silent since he'd witnessed Spottedstar's return. There was a weight in his chest that didn't belong. He struck up little conversation with others, aside from one brief interaction with Streamtail. He had done nothing but patrol, patrol, patrol. His wounds were completely healed from the fire, though he now had jagged scars of varying lengths on his face from his father and a lightning-shaped burn scar down his back. Although Bloodstrike seemed to be alert and looked around, observing the area around them with all of his senses, his eyes were just as cold and lifeless as they had been since they shared Riverclan's territory with them.

Though his coat looked a little less greasy and unkempt than it did at Dawnhawk's warrior ceremony, there was still a lot of maintenance it could use. Sure, the forest cats had their share of scars and no doubt had fleas and ticks, but Bloodstrike's appearance went even beyond just "an outdoor cat". All he'd need at this point was neurotic behavior and some foaming at the mouth and he'd look rabid.

"I could be walking on Mistrain right now..." He thought to himself as his heavy paws stirred up the ashes of his home beneath his feet. His airway temporary cut off as he forced back fresh waves of emotional agony and swallowed his tears. He didn't want to be here. He wasn't even sure he wanted to go back to this place where there were too many painful memories of the home he used to have and loved ones that no longer lived.

Yet... Bloodstrike continued forward and allowed no emotion on his face. He would be as hard and as strong as granite in front of the others and about as emotional if he could help it. He barely even recalled Wrenspring and Redfall having their fight. As far as he was concerned, it was their own business. They had much bigger problems now and he couldn't care less what it had been about. They seemed fine for now and that was all that mattered.

"Give me an example of noteworthy, and I will go find it if it exists." Bloodstrike said simply, intending to go off alone for a bit. Even his own clanmates were starting to feel like a crowd. He'd been nearly absent in Riverclan camp, but for reasons other than it's foreign smells and scenery. He didn't feel alright. He felt like he was a branch caught between two broken trees, barely holding them both up, but he was drying out as the days wore on. One day... he was going to snap and the trees were going to fall...

Sagelight was quiet as the group made their way back into familiar territory, plodding after the four warriors. He was the oldest one out of them all, more experienced with tragedy and loss than he would have liked. As the SkyClanners stirred up ash and dust beneath their paws, nearing where their beloved camp once was, the older medicine cat couldn't help but be reminded of the terrible flood that washed away the clans many moons ago. This journey back home, it felt...similar. The sense of sadness and longing to be someplace familiar and knowing that what you once knew was no longer the same as how you left it... The pointed tom was a bit lost in thought, but he kept an eye on any herbs that may be poking through the blackened earth, a sign of new life to come.

The patrol neared the boulders that once surrounded SkyClan camp and Sagelight willed his old, tired legs to move a little faster. Camp was...not much more than black ash and debris. He found himself pausing in what once was the entrance to camp, a heavy sigh of sorrow escaping his maw. It would take a lot to rebuild. Eyes clouded with grief at what his Clan, his family had lost, the medicine cat picked his way carefully to the medicine den. It was made mostly of stone, so the den itself was relatively unscathed save for dark scorch marks, but anything that was left inside was no more. Sagelight regarded it with a furrowed brow, a lump rising in his throat. He did his best to force it back down.

It could be salvaged. The Clan camp could be salvaged, surely it could. There were already signs of life emerging through the rubble, that gave him hope. Inhaling deeply, the tom turned to face his companions, stepping out of the remains of his den. "It's promising that there's already some plants coming back," he meowed, looking at each of the warriors in turn. "I'm not sure where the fire stopped in its destruction, but...I think, if we're able to find enough foliage and brush to build up walls and dens again...we'll be okay. It would be enough, at least. It may take some repairing from time to time, but..." He was doing his best to remain hopeful, flashing a weary smile at the others. "I think it'll work. I...I hope it'll work. I don't think we have any other options."

There was every reason for Redfall not to be chosen for this, and yet, he was. Only one explanation was possible: he was being tested. With Wrenspring at the head. He hadn’t gotten the chance to talk to Wrenspring privately yet - he was pretty sure the tom was avoiding him. With Sagelight, Bloodstrike, and Smokefeather around, this was impossible to talk about. At least it was a break from RiverClan’s camp, which was rancid with the stench of fish. Redfall spent little to no time in the camp, getting little sleep each night and spending time hunting over anything. He wasn’t trusted to patrol and he felt uncomfortable around the watchful eyes of RiverClan cats and his Clanmates.

The walk was uneventful. Redfall’s steps were dragging, head held low. He didn’t make any noise as he followed the others. Everyone in the camp had a reason to hate him; these cats weren’t any different. He thought of his kits and Sienna, but for the most part those were too painful to dwell on.

He payed the rest of the patrol little to no mind as he gazed at their charred surroundings. The russet warrior picked his way through their camp. He hadn’t seen the place for seasons. It was full of ashes and rubble still. You could tell where the dens had been, but there was a lot of work that had to be done. It would have to be better than RiverClan, I think. He nodded at Sagelight’s words, which had somewhat mirrored his own thoughts.

Wrenspring shot Bloodstrike a look, his expression faltering slightly, worrying into a flicker of a frown. Although the response was a valid prodding, the elder tom found his tail flickering at the meow. It had been a poor choice of words; he knew that. There wasn't much in the way of noteworthy that was true. But they had to report back something. He glanced to seek out Smokefeather, finding reassurance in their budding friendship. It wasn't until Sagelight chimed in that his green gaze darted away. He nodded towards the medicine cat, thinking over their options as his paws stirred the ash and he padded further into the ruins of camp. Difficult as it was to tell where things had once been, the ring of boulders loosely formed the shape of home.

"We could ask Riverclan for some loose foliage... maybe if we can hunt at the edges of the territory. It's not ideal but at least we wouldn't be living on their territory anymore. Besides, I'm sure all vows will be off in leafbare." The thought wasn't directed towards any cat, rather something to remind himself of later. Their report wouldn't be an extraordinary one, that was certain. Wrenspring breathed in the cool air, letting the chill of the wind and the scent of ash scald his lungs. He'd expected some joy at returning back to Skyclan territory, perhaps nostalgia of all the times he'd frolicked about the camp, or the many ceremonies performed atop the branch that now too was blackened. Instead, the warrior felt his ears fall. Hope has been in short supply since his fight with Redfall, moons ago.

The final moments he would have had to see their territory with some of it's former beauty had been robbed. Wrenspring had stared at the grey stone of the medicine cat den, when his eyes had managed to open. He let out a heavy sigh, releasing the breath into the cooling air around them. He glanced at Redfall but simply shook his head before padding forward. There would be time for such worries later, when he was back among the clan and looking after the litter of kit's his friend had brought back. After news had been returned to Spottedstar and the clan was decided on moving home. For now, it was time to check the conditions of the dens. He planned to scout the territory a bit more after and see what foliage they could scrap together.

He was interrupted but a low snarling. The warrior's eyes snapped to the side, just around the corner of the den he'd poked his head into. Under the soft rays of light he caught sight of a bright orange pelt. Great Starclan. Three pairs of angry eyes stared back at him. There was a flash and Wrenspring was bowled over. Claws dug into his shoulder and the rancid breath of the enemy saturated his nostrils. Gnashing teeth snapped just near his throat but instinctively, the tom thrashed. Another snap and his side was searing with pain. Wrenspring turned his head to glance up. The other fox was heading straight for Sagelight, "No!" Hindlegs stretched, tearing at the underbelly of his opponent as he struggled to get away.

Three foxes have appeared!

MC Defending Buff Activated, +5 HP

Fox #1 used Iron Bite on Wrenspring, dealing 30 damage and using 20 stamina.
Wrenspring used Belly Rake, dealing 14 damage and using 10 stamina.

Fox #1
HP: 76/90 (-14)
SP: 260/280 (-20)

Wrenspring
HP: 55/80 (-30)
SP: 230/240 (-10)

The second fox, the largest of the trio, broke out in a run towards the medicine cat. Similar to its sibling, there was a clang of teeth as it snapped and snarled at it's target. There was only a moment before Sagelight was caught between an oversized pair of jowls. The beast picked up the tom and threw it's head back and forth, trying to shake the life out of the cat.

Fox #2 used Thrash on Sagelight, dealing 20 damage and using 20 stamina. Sagelight is stunned for 1 turn.

Fox #2
HP: 90/90
SP: 260/280 (-20)

Sagelight
HP: 30/50 (-20)
SP: 120/120

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

---

'Effect Dice' : 2

Smokefeather followed her fellow clanmates into camp. At Sagelight's words a brief flicker of a smile crossed her face, only to die quickly. There were sporadic bits of greenery, but leafbare was coming. They wouldn't last long.

Dull gray-green eyes swept around the decimated camp, grimly making notes of the extensive repairs that would need to be done.

"Maybe we can-" She had begun a suggestion, but her words ended in a hiss as her fur fluffed out. She'd seen the three pairs of glowing eyes in the den, just as Wrenspring had.

Instinctively, she launched herself at the fox that had attacked Wrenspring, claws flashing.

---

The third fox watched as it's brethren attacked the gray and white cat who'd approached, and a nasty semblance of a smile twisted its' maw as his companion went after the oldest-looking of the cats. They were tired, weak... Easy prey, in a forest where there was precious little prey to be found.

The fox's gaze landed on the largest of the warriors. His unkempt pelt did little to hide the bulk of muscle beneath, and so it was this cat the fox went for, knowing that a larger opponent would be troublesome. The cats might have made this their home once, but their scent no longer remained and the foxes had denned here for weeks. The cats would pay in blood for their trespass.

Fox #3 used Iron Bite on Bloodstrike, dealing 30 damage and using 20 stamina.

Smokefeather used Leap and Hold on Fox #1, dealing 11 damage for -10sp. Fox is pinned for 1 turn.

MC Defending Buff Activated: +5hp while MC's health is above 0.

Bloodstrike
35 / 65hp (65 - 35)
200 / 200sp

Smokefeather
65 / 65hp
190 / 200sp (200 - 10)

Fox #3
90 / 90hp
260 / 280sp (280 - 20)

Fox #1 -pinned for ONE turn-
65 / 90hp (76 - 11)
260 / 280sp

---

Smokefeather's claws sank into reddish fur, slashing furiously. The other two foxes had charged past her, leaving their denmate to seemingly fight alone... And then she saw why.

Starclan no! She thought, heart sinking as she caught sight of Sagelight and Bloodstrike.

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

---

'Effect Dice' : 3

Bloodstrike met Wrenspring's look with one of his own. If stares could burn holes through physical bodies, Wrenspring wouldn't have had a face anymore. It had only been for about two heartbeats before he closed his eyes and inhaled deeply, trying to keep himself calm. He had nowhere for this ferocity to go, hadn't for moons. He was beginning to not handle it very well. When he opened his eyes however, there was flashes of eyes, teeth and red fur. Bloodstrike watched Wrenspring take a nasty hit, followed by Sagelight. He didn't have time to assess the damage until a fox came at him as well.

A sinister smile crept across Bloodstrike's and he chuckled, revealing his teeth. The fox lunged for him, and he debated whether or not he should move. He certainly had time to do so. In the end, Bloodstrike stood still and even turned his shoulder so that the fox could land it's mark. The fox's teeth buried into his meaty shoulder, and if it had been expecting a recoil of some kind, it didn't get it.

Bloodstrike leaned his own face into the fox's, meeting it's eyes with his own as blood ran down his leg and pain ravaged his body. Once Bloodstrike knew the fox's eyes and his own were locked, he let out a long, drawn out hiss into the fox's face. Only when it ended, did he rip his flesh away from the fox's grip and decide to attack as well.

The hot wetness running down his leg and the explosion of pain from removing himself from the grip had adrenaline rushing throughout Bloodstrike's entire being, a feeling that gave him such a euphoria that he hadn't felt for so long, he actually cackled like a deranged crow as he launched himself up into the air. As he came back down with his claws aimed for the fox, he intended to be taking home a part of this adversary as a trophy. Maybe an ear.

Bloodstrike used Leap and Hold on Fox #3, dealing 11 damage and -10SP
Fox is stunned for 2 turns

Bloodstrike
35HP / 190SP (-10SP)

Fox #3
Stunned for TWO turns
79HP / 260SP (-11HP)

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

---

'Effect Dice' : 6

Sagelight was only half-paying attention to Wrenspring as the younger tom spoke, spending the other half browsing around the charred camp searching for any familiar remnants. There was a burst of activity all of a sudden, however, and the medicine cat yowled in alarm and agony as a pair of strong jaws clamped down around his midsection. His muscles and skin burned with sudden pain, teeth now stabbing into the soft part of his underbelly. The rank scent of fox and fear filled his senses as he was thrashed about by the beast, leaving him dazed, head spinning. The fox's grip tightened and the older cat let out another weak cry as something inside cracked under the pressure.

His head felt as if he were underwater. He could hear and see muddled activity around him, more foxes, perhaps? But all he could do in response was to try and struggle painfully out of his attacker's grasp.

Would...would he die here? No, he couldn't...

Sagelight is stunned.
MC Defending Buff is active. (+5 HP)

Sagelight
30/50 HP
90/90 SP

“Watch out, I smell-” Redfall’s warning was cut off by a sharp snarl. He was sniffing at the edge of a pile of ash, pawing at russet fur sticking out of it. He jerked upright as three foxes appeared. His instinct was to help Wrenspring, but he had to force himself to think. Wrenspring was injured, but Smokefeather was there. Bloodstrike was coping fine at the moment, and Sagelight... it was sickening to see the largest fox’s work. The russet predator had teeth clamped onto the medicine cat, and was shaking like a wet dog. A shaky breath from Redfall morphed into a hiss rivaling that of the fox’s. He hurtled forwards. All of his anger over the past moons came out on the fox as he slammed into it with pure force. It was knocked off of Sagelight and seemed dazed.

The ginger tabby’s breath caught in his throat and he padded almost nervously towards Sagelight. “Are you alright?” He was hurt, clearly badly. Redfall swallowed. “Will you be alright?”

Was I too late? Did I fail my Clan again?

Redfall used Run and Tackle on Fox 2, dealing 11 damage and costing 10 stamina.
Redfall
85/85 HP (+5: MC buff)
190/200 HP [-10]

Sagelight
30/50 HP
90/90 SP

Fox 2
79/90 HP [-11]
260/280

The warrior had writhed furiously to pull himself out from under the enemy. It was not the easiest feat with the raging pain in both his side and heaving paw, but both seemed to be dulled by a mixture of adrenaline and the previously consumed poppy seeds. Of course there were foxes. He gritted his teeth. Eyes darted to the side to find Smokefeather and when he met her gaze, he offered a quick and grateful blink. Her involvement in the struggle was likely what had allowed him to be free instead of ending up being chewed to shreds by the beast. There was no time to think over these things and it was back into the fray for the warrior.

Out of the corner of his eye, he caught Bloodstrike taking on a fox on his own. The other warrior was certainty a comparable size to their enemy and possessed the brutish strength to do so. Even with blood drawn, he caught the expression of his clanmate and swore it looked like the dark tom was enjoying it. Wrenspring flicked his tail at the thought before seeking out the rest of their patrol. Sagelight was the most vulnerable member of their patrol. Thankfully, Redfall was at the medicine cat's side, and he wasn't fighting on the side of the foxes. It seemed like a breath he hadn't realized he was holding was released from the sides of his clenched maw. Once they drove this fox back the pair would be free to protect their medicine cat. One thing at a time.

Wrenspring rounded the predator, staring into the rows of snarling and snapping teeth. His uninjured forepaw lashed out with a practiced force, swiping right at the fox's nose. It grew even more furious, shaking Smokefeather about in an effort to dispel her but it was a futile effort. Her grip might have been sway but it did not meet the goal of throwing her off.

Wrenspring used Front Paw Strike on Fox #1, dealing 12 damage and using 10 stamina.

Wrenspring
HP: 55/80
SP: 220/240

Smokefeather
HP: 65/65
SP: 190/200

Fox #1
HP: 53/90 (-12)
SP: 260/280

The other fox had been joyfully shaking about the limp cat in its jaws before a weight was flung into its side. A yelp broke from its maw and it dropped Sagelight as it was thrown to the side. Rage burned behind its eyes as he regained its footing and faced Redfall. There was hardly a moment's breath before the wretched teeth were sinking into the russet warrior's shoulder.

Fox #2 used Iron Bite on Redfall, dealing 30 damage and using 20 stamina.

Fox #2
HP: 79/90
SP: 240/280 (-20)

Redfall
HP: 55/85 (-30)
SP: 190/200

Sagelight
HP: 30/50
SP: 90/90

Smokefeather's claws raked furiously across the back of the fox, but her grip hadn't been firm this time. It was trying to shake her off, and the fluffy warrior scrambled furiously, trying to inflict as much damage as she could before jumping to the ground. She reared up, raking at the fox from behind.

She wished she could go for the fox that had attacked Sagelight, but it seemed as though Redfall had gone after it. It was good that he seemed to be on their side for this battle, though Smokefeather wasn't sure if she trusted the red warrior at all after everything. Smokefeather risked a quick glance at Sagelight, confirming that he was safely out of the beast's jaws at the moment. Bloodstrike had been bitten, but as ever her mate seemed to be dealing fine with his opponent for the moment. The fox thrashed wildly beneath him, snapping and snarling, but Bloodstrike's claws had a firmer grip, preventing the fox from doing much.

MC Defending Buff Activated: +5hp while MC's health is above 0.

Smokefeather used Rear-Up To Slash on Fox #1, dealing -13damage and costing -15sp.
Fox #3 is pinned and can't attack!

Bloodstrike -using LAH-
35 / 65hp
200 / 200sp

Smokefeather
65 / 65hp
175 / 200sp (190 - 15)

Fox #3 -pinned for two turns-
79 / 90hp
260 / 280sp

Fox #1
40 / 90hp (53 - 13)
260 / 280sp