know thy enemy [closed]

The dust had settled somewhat since Beecloud’s injury, but Thrushnose, for her part, hadn’t been able to push it out of her mind. They could have killed him. Him and Ferretnose both, in broad daylight, before almost every warrior in ThunderClan. Just like they’d killed Pinefrost. That realization sealed it: Thrushnose was done being powerless. She couldn’t bare her claws at Asylum, not when they knew exactly who they could hurt to get to her—but someday, surely, ThunderClan’s discontent would come to a head. When she’d heard whispers of her hunting assessment, she’d dedicated half a moon to preparing for it, patrolling at odd hours, stalking anything she came across, whether squirrel or frog. This was no different.

As she padded stiffly through camp, her gaze landed on a familiar fox pelt. Not the first cat she would’ve picked—he’d played his own part in what Asylum had done to Beecloud—but he wasn’t Akhlut or Eris, and better, he was unoccupied. Thrushnose took a deep breath before she padded over, eyes lingering on the fox that covered most of the tom’s face. “What would you say to a spar?” Then, because that seemed strange to say out of nowhere: “I got the idea from the games your cats set up. No claws, no pelts, and we can stay close to camp.” Just in case. Asylum had ears across the territory; it only seemed fair to keep this within yowling distance of Thrushnose’s allies as well.

Stag had been sitting down and observing the Thunderclan camp though the head of his fox pelt, as he would if he wasn't out and about, either watching patrols or joining them himself. It made him happy to know that there was a few cats who were willing to speak to him without using a sharp tongue. Especially Buzzardpaw, he was the first cat to speak to him kindly in this camp. He fell into thought, his eyes slowly falling as well. It wasn't as if it was sleep weighing down his eyelids, but it was the urge to think without the distraction of cats moving around the camp.

It wasn't long until a voice shook him from his thoughts. His amber eyes flickered open with surprise- not that the cat who approached him could see. Looking down, his eyes met those of a lighter colored brown tabby, whose expression Stag couldn't quite read. What did this cat want to spar with him for? Shrugging it off, he stood up and stretched before responding to her offer, a cheerful smile beginning to form on his exposed muzzle. "Sure thing! I suppose it would only be fair to take off my fox pelt." With that, he pulled the fox pelt from his head, shaking out his long fur once it had been revealed. He quickly cast the pelt off to the side, focusing on Thrushnose. "I'm Stag, by the way." He said, following the she-cat to where they were going to spar.

Once they had arrived at the spot, he looked around, observing their surroundings. It was always good to get a feel for where you were going to fight. Looking back toward his opponent, he spoke with a polite tone. "Would you like to go first or shall i?" He could feel the excitement pricking at his pelt. It felt like ages since he was last able to spar with some cat. Even if this cat seemed like she didn't like him too much, he would still be kind to her and give this fight all he had.

To Thrushnose’s surprise (and not-insignificant relief), the Asylum tom shed his fox skin without complaint, revealing the rest of the dark brown tabby beneath. He looked younger than she’d expected. Friendlier, too, considering how abrupt with him she’d been. “Thanks.” She glanced at the pelt, limp where it had fallen. How do they see in those? Had it been Griffon, she might have asked; as it was, she merely turned back to the tom as he introduced himself. Stag. Partway to a Clan name. “I’m Thrushnose.” She left it at that. “We’ll go to the Stony Hollow.” Close to camp, fairly open, and more well-traveled than ever now that the water that made it so dangerous had frozen over, not to mention the lack of snakes—she’d chosen the Hollow for a reason.

Outside the stone structure, she gave Stag time to get his bearings; living on a territory for a few short moons wasn’t at all like growing up on it, and she couldn’t call this practice if it wasn’t fair. Besides, she needed a chance to size up her opponent. Though he was taller, Thrushnose suspected she had the edge in experience. (Hoped, really, though at this point, it wouldn’t have been surprising to hear Asylum put kits on the battlefield.)

After a minute, Stag spoke up. Even without the games’ structure, he apparently wanted to do this right. The tension in Thrushnose’s voice eased as she answered, “I’ll start us off.” With that, she began to circle him, getting a feel for the slippery ground beneath her paws. Midstep, she froze, whiskers twitching—then kicked off of the ice and shot toward Stag at full speed, careful, of course, to angle herself so she wouldn’t bowl him directly into the stone. After all, she didn’t want this to end in anything worse than bruises.

Thrushnose used Jumping Strike, dealing 12 damage and using 20 stamina.

Thrushnose
60/60 HP
180/200 SP (-20)

Stag
63/75 HP (-12)
200/200 SP

After receiving a response from Thrushnose, Stag dropped into a battle crouch, amber eyes pinned on his opponent. He had to admit, he was quite curious to see how this spar would turn out. The Asylum's battle tactics differed from many other cats that he had come across, so surely that included the clans. Even so, they couldn't be too different, right. They were both large groups of cats, but there was no doubt that the Asylum's battle moves were superior, especially considering how they were able to keep the clans from overrunning them. Not to mention how they have an entire faction dedicated to learning and mastering the art of battle. He himself could confirm that the training was brutal, and the attacks were even more so.

When Thrushnose abruptly turned toward him, he noticed the movement and pulled himself from his thoughts. Even so, it wasn't enough time to prepare himself, as he was immediately charged into, causing him to stumble backwards a few fox lengths. Eventually he regained his footing, shaking his head. "Mouse-dung! I should have been ready for that!" He cursed under his breath, loud enough for only himself to hear. Walking back toward the Thunderclanner, he wasted no time to crouch into another battle pose, hoping to fool Thrushnose into thinking he was planning a low attack. He rushed forward, but at the last second he reared up and lightly batted at the she-cat's face, making sure to not hurt her.


Stag used Upright Front paws on Thrushnose, dealing 14 HP and costing 20 SP

Stag
63/75 HP
180/200 SP [-20]

Thrsuhnose
46/60 HP [-14]
180/200 SP

Upon making contact, Thrushnose untangled herself from Stag, scrambled out of swiping range, and whirled around to face him once again in mere heartbeats. Never turn your back to an enemy. Nettlestar had taught her well. Not that it had mattered here; Stag was too busy finding his balance to retaliate. But the spar was far from over. Soon enough, the Asylum tom regained his bearings and stalked forward. As he crouched, Thrushnose did the same, protecting her belly from what she was certain would be a low swipe. He charged. She dodged to the side, only to realize he hadn’t stretched outward at all. Suddenly paws clattered against her face from above, and she staggered with a snort.

No claws, as promised. She needed to give this cat a little more credit.

Shaking off the last of the blow (even a light bop on the nose was still a bop on the nose), Thrushnose straightened up and met Stag’s eyes, her own a shade brighter. “Good one.” The second word had hardly left her mouth when she darted forward. Stag’s height, nothing but an advantage so far, made it easier to slip beneath him. She flipped onto her back and gently kicked upward, then rolled to her feet before pushing herself to relative safety, tail swishing wildly.

Thrushnose used Half-Turn Belly Rake, dealing 13 damage and using 20 stamina.

Thrushnose
46/60 HP
160/200 SP (-20)

Stag
50/75 HP (-13)
180/200 SP

Jumping back, Stag kept his eyes on Thrushnose. He was a bit shocked when the Thunderclanner complimented him, it was something he wasn't very used to. Back when he would be in Nightstriker training, compliments were something few and far between. His expression soon melted into a smile. "Thanks!" was all he managed to say before his opponent rushed beneath him, lightly kicking up on his belly. Not hard, but enough to make him let out an "oof!" and stumble backwards.

Trying his best to compliment Thrushnose like she did to him, he gave her a awkward nod. "...Nice." His words came out just as awkward, but he tried to brush it off by readying himself for his next move. Jumping forward, he stretched out his paw and lightly hit Thrushnose's shoulder.


Stag used Front Paw Strike on Thrushnose, dealing 12 HP and costing 10 SP

Stag:
50/75 HP
170/200 SP [-10]

Thrushnose:
34/60 HP [-12]
160/200 SP