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

Sagelight crashed back down to the ashen ground with a pained wheeze, his whole body throbbing from adrenaline, fear, and pain. Slowly, gradually, he got back up to his paws, trembling at the exertion. One or more of his ribs had to be broken, and he had puncture wounds along his sides where the fox's teeth latched on to his body. The older medicine cat struggled to clear his head, his vision, but the din of the battle only left him confused and disoriented. He had gotten soft with age and he was very rusty on his battle tactics, but maybe he could scrape something out...

His vision focused for a moment on a flash of red, Redfall, going after the fox that had attacked the medicine cat. And then the warrior was approaching him. He could see the other tom's mouth moving, but couldn't quite make out the words...The pointed tom simply stared back at him, his breath coming out strained and tight. He did his best to offer a weak smile, however, and brushed past him to have a go at a fox. He'd never fought a fox before, they were nasty, ugly creatures.

While the beast was occupied for a moment with terrorizing Redfall, Sagelight limped up to it and struck at it with unsheathed claws, letting out a whimper of his own at the pull on his insides with every move. He had to do something, though. "L...Leave my C-Clan alone, you...ugly, carrion...breath,...sharptooth, disgusting...--"

Sagelight used Front Paw Strike on Fox #2, dealing 6 damage and using 10 stamina.
MC Defending Buff is active. (+5 HP)

Sagelight
30/50 HP
80/90 SP (-10)

Fox #2
73/90 HP (-6)
240/280 SP

Bloodstrike reveled in watching his opponent struggle. Typically, foxes didn't have much to fear from domestic felines, but this one did. Bloodstrike was far larger than the average domestic cat. His weight and his strength far surpassed those that were typically half his size. He glanced up to see what was going on with the other cats around him, noting that Sagelight looked... Sagelight might not make it... It was an odd feeling that stirred in Bloodstrike's chest. He never hated Sagelight, only his brother. To see the medicine cat in such horrible shape, and still fighting no less... Bloodstrike gained more respect for him in that instant. Sagelight was in no condition to fight, yet fought anyway. It was exactly how Bloodstrike would have been as well.

The fox writhed and snapped it's jaws in front of Bloodstrike's face and snapped him back to where he was. One fox at a time, then Bloodstrike would kill the one that attacked Sagelight next. He tore into his canine-like opponent with a new wave of fury. He intended to hook into and tear down every muscle and weaken every tendon within the fox's body. It had made a grave mistake going after him as it's opponent, but it was too late to take back what it had done now.

Bloodstrike continues his Leap and Hold, dealing another 11 damage.

Bloodstrike
35HP / 190SP

Fox #3
Stunned for 1 more turn
68 / 90hp (-11HP)
260 / 280sp

Redfall hadn’t been expecting the fox to immediately lunge for him, but it did. He felt a burning pain in his shoulder and looked down to see teeth clamped firmly into his flesh. Immediately the tabby jerked himself away. There was pressure at his shoulder for a moment and then the two tore apart. Redfall was aware of Sagelight doing his best to help. Although the effort was appreciated, it wasn’t doing much. The others were still busy with their own fights. He turned to the fox and reared up. He brought his paws down on top of the fox’s head, one and then the other, claws unsheathed. Hopefully some of the blood would get into its eyes. It would be an easier battle if the fox couldn’t see, or was at least distracted. He could feel the adrenaline racing through his body and sunk into a defensive position. The fight needed to be finished soon, or the effects of his wound would really take hold.

Redfall used Rending Front Paws on Fox 2, dealing 15 damage and costing 25 stamina.
Sagelight’s defending buff is active. +5 hp

Sagelight
30/50 HP
80/90 SP

Redfall
55/85 HP
165/200 SP [-25]

Fox #2
58/90 HP [-15]
240/280 SP

As Smokefeather's claws lashed out, the first fox felt the sting of worsening wounds. It became obvious how much the creature had been injured in its battle against the cats. Wild eyes darted around and sought out russet-pelted kin. The smell of blood was rank in the air, and it was more than just the sweet tang of cat blood. The gray and white cat rose for another attack but the creature knew that their temporary home was no longer safe, and this was a losing battle. It snapped at the air a few times before turning tail and racing through the front entrance of camp, not planning to return anytime soon.

Fox #1 has fled the battle.

Wrenspring, sides still heaving with effort, had been prepared to lash out once again after his clanmate struck their opponent. But before he could, the creature was racing away with its tail tucked. They'd fought back one of the beasts. He shot Smokefeather a relieved look before whipping around to race for the fox that Bloodstrike was battling alone. Redfall could handle the other fox; surely they could get rid of the rest of these monsters with only a few more blows.

With a snarl at the fox, the warrior turned to kick his powerful hindlegs into the fox, smashing them into it's maw and nose. There was satisfaction as the claws connected with red fur and soft flesh.

Wrenspring used back kick, dealing 15 damage and using 15 stamina.

Wrenspring
HP: 55/80
SP: 205/240 (-15)

Fox #3
HP: 53/90 (-15)
SP: 260/280

Bloodstrike
HP: 35/60
SP: 190/200


The fox that was fighting Sagelight and Redfall was growing increasingly agitated at the pesky cats that clawed away at it's fur. Of the two, the russet tabby seemed to be much stronger. It's sights had been set on that tom... until it's pale-pelted counterpart broke in with various blows and some hisses. Immediately, the fox knew it wanted to silence this cat, to end it. There was a vicious snarl as it turned away from the warrior and rounded on the medicine cat. Rancid breath stirred Sagelight's pelt and there was a flash of strong teeth, followed by the sound of a snapping jaw. Blood welled up from the wound, spilling onto the floor of the camp ground. It held tight until the life had drained from the body of it's target. One less cat to worry about.

Fox #2 used Iron Bite, dealing 30 damage and using 20 stamina... and killing Sagelight.

Fox #2
HP: 58/90
SP: 220/280

Sagelight
HP: KO'd
SP: KO'd

Smokefeather merely gave Wrenspring a grim nod as the first fox fled. But two still remained to inflict harm upon her clanmates, and Smokefeather wouldn't feel any sort of relief until they were dead or driven away.

Bloodstrike still had the fox he'd been fighting under control for the moment, and a brief, thankful look was thrown Wrenspring's way as he moved to help the other tom. A fallen branch was leaning against the husk of a bornt out tree, and Smokefeather leapt for it now, intended to drop onto one of the foxes from above.

Her eyes then caught sight of Sagelight... Sagelight was fighting the second fox, or at least trying to. Overworked, frail, exhausted medicine cat. He should've ducked away from the fighting as soon as it had begun, but no. Smokefeather had never known the old tom to give up on his clanmates, so why would he now? It made sense that he would fight, even as exhausted as he was. Any true Skyclanner would do the same.

The fox turned, and Smokefeather felt her heart sink as Sagelight was unable to avoid the snapping jaws. She shoved off the branch, claws viciously slashing at the reddish fur as the huge jaws had closed around Sagelight's form.

MC Defending Buff has been lost.

Smokefeather used Leaping Bound on Fox #2 for -10sp, dealing -9 damage.
Fox #2 is pinned!
Fox #3 is pinned!

Bloodstrike -using LAH-
35 / 60hp
200 / 200sp

Smokefeather
60 / 60hp
165 / 200sp (175 - 10)

Fox #2 -pinned-
49 / 90hp (58 - 9)
220 / 280sp

Fox #3 -pinned-
53 / 90hp
260 / 280sp

One final flash of teeth and Sagelight felt those strong jaws clamp down on his neck this time. The poor cat let out a strangled cry, a half-yowl of pain, but this time he didn't have the energy to struggle. The wicked teeth of the fox had pierced something vital, he could feel it, and instead of just snapping his neck and being done with it, the beast held on and waited.

The medicine cat could feel his life force draining away into the charred earth below, his breath coming in short, wheezing gasps. This time...this time, he was sure. He would die here. It was almost comforting, actually, to die in his beloved camp, even if it wasn't looking much like he remembered at the moment. Now that he stood here thinking about it in his final moments of life...Sagelight didn't think he would want to have gone to StarClan any other way. Here he was, protecting his Clan with his last breath, among strong warriors he had watched grow up. A burst of pride swelled in his broken chest for his family, his Clan. They would win this. SkyClan would recover, just as it always did.

He was feeling faint now. His sight was replaced by a growing black haze, his ears filled with cotton fluff. He could feel his heart trying, desperately, to keep going. It's alright, I can let go now. I've done my duties. They will continue on without me. Sagelight didn't even feel his paws give out from under him, nor his body being dropped to the cold earth. He was already gone.

Now, as he opened his eyes once more, he could see the entire camp below him, with the foxes. He could see his own battered and broken body. And, he realized with a joyous grin, he could see. He could hear. No longer did he have to squint to make out shapes in front of his nose, or crane his ears to hear what had been said. With a newfound spring in his now-youthful step, Sagelight took a moment, as long as he was allowed, to revel in his fresh senses. He sat by his body and watched the battle, willing them on. While he was a little upset that he wouldn't be able to see SkyClan's rebirth firstpaw, he would be able to watch from StarClan alongside his family. And, speaking of family...

The fallen medicine cat raised his head up to the heavens, pushing his intent and will as far as he possibly could. "Spottedstar, my dear brother...I love you. I wish I could say goodbye properly...But I will see you again in time. I'll be waiting! And, Beechpaw, if you can hear me...stay strong. I know you'll do great things." With one final airless sigh, Sagelight got to his paws. Now he was ready. As his spirit was lifted up to StarClan proper, he cast one final look around camp.

"Farewell, SkyClan...!"

Bloodstrike seemed to be handling the fox quite well on his own, but he could tell that the fox was begining to regain it's ability to slide out from under his paws and stand. It could be trouble after that. It eventually managed to push Bloodstrike off of it, just in time for Redfall to give it a horse kick to the ribs. Bloodstrike gave Redfall a trusting look and nodded, something that the red tom probably wouldn't see much of for quite some time given his transgressions. Once the fox was freed, Bloodstrike back-pedaled and readied for another attack. His eyes temporarily flicked over to see Sagelight fall limply to the floor, red staining the ashes around him.

Bloodstrike knew the instant he saw Sagelight's body go too still. He was gone. The dark tabby set his eyes on the fox responsible for the medicine cat's death. He'd be taken that fox's ear instead. He would deal one more blow to hopefully scare off the fox he'd been battling, then he'd move his attention to Sagelight's killer.

Bloodstrike used Rear-Up To Slash, dealing 13 damage and -15SP

Bloodstrike
35HP / 175SP (-15SP)

Fox #3
40HP / 260SP (-13HP)

Redfall's eyes went dark as the fox lunged at Sagelight. He tried to block the fox, but ended up hitting it after the damage had been done. He didn't know Sagelight was dead until the medicine cat breathed out his final words. The ginger tabby couldn't stop fighting the fox, though; it's intent was clear to kill him next. He couldn't dwell on death, on emotion, until this was over... as much as he would have liked to mourn a little, stopping meant death. He was powered by more rage now and dove under the fox's belly. Redfall flipped over and raked the fox's soft belly with everything that was in him. His back paws scrabbled on the ground until he was clear of the brute's range.

He stalked back towards Sagelight and sank into a defensive crouch. His head was reeling and he felt dizzy. Redfall's stare told the fox it would not have an easy time trying to kill him.

Redfall used Half-Turn Belly Rake, dealing 15 damage and costing 20 stamina.

Fox #2
HP: 43/90 [-15]
SP: 220/280

Redfall
50/80 HP
145/200 SP [-20]

Great Starclan.

Wrenspring had been immersed in the throws of battle, wanting to help beat back the beast that tried to tear into Bloodstrike. His claws had lashed out as he quickly turned to face it after smashing it's snout with his hindpaws. This time it was his foreclaws that connected with the russet pelt. It was this very moment that his paws his the ground and he caught sight of the horrific scene one of the foxes had left behind. Sagelight's pale coat was spattered with blood. His frame didn't move, not even the smallest twitch of his sides in the rise and fall of breath; it seemed that right had been stripped from his lungs.

The warrior sucked in a shaky breath. It was obvious what had happened and there was no way to deny it. This nightmare that their clan had lived lead up until this moment, culminating in the loss of one of their most beloved members. Wrenspring was not a creature of anger, nor of rage, and yet he found his paws seeking their target once again. This was for the clan and for the lives that were lost over the past few moons. A yowl broke from his throat, ringing with notes of agony and taking a moment in the heat of battle to mourn their loss. Clenching his teeth together, Wrenspring rose on his hindpaws and lashed out furiously. It wouldn't bring back Sagelight, but it would protect the rest of his clan in the future. That was all that mattered now.

Wrenspring used Rendering Front Paws on Fox #3, dealing 15 damage and using 25 stamina.

Wrenspring
HP: 50/80
SP: 180/240 (-25)

Fox #3
HP: 25/90 (-15)
SP: 260/280

Bloodstrike
HP: 30/60
SP: 175/200

Bloodstrike saw that Redfall very much had the situation with the fox that attacked him handled. If the fox didn't retreat, it would surely die soon. As for the fox that dared kill Sagelight... Bloodstrike galloped after the russet animal with full force. It was healthier looking than the foolish fox that thought it could handle Bloodstrike alone. That was about to change.

He brought forth all of his rage, his sorrow, his frustrations and his fears into one adrenaline fueled assault onto the fox that was currently preoccupied with his mate. Bloodstrike unleashed a yowl from his maw so loud and from so deep within the fiber of his being that his voice would likely be hoarse for the rest of the day, but he hardly gave it any thought.

As his claws came down with a fury, a sound like soaked velcro tore away from the fox's head. A single black, white and russet ear sailed from the fox's skull and landed with a wet plop onto the forest floor.

Bloodstrike had seized the prize that he wanted.

Bloodstrike used Upright Lock, dealing 14 damage and -25SP

Bloodstrike
35HP / 150SP (-25SP)

Fox #2
29HP / 220SP (-14HP)