Sword of Destiny [Tara]

The moon wasn't quite full as Swiftspirit slipped away from camp, having finally given up on sleeping in her nest. The night was warm and somewhat humid, and while she had shorter fur, it hadn't helped her get comfortable. A couple restless hours of tossing and turning as her clanmates snored and grumbled in their sleep, and she'd had enough for the night. Running along the moors was a better outlet for her energy, and would be the only way she'd get any real sleep once she got back to camp... Though even that wasn't much.

Of course, her paws found their way in the direction of fourtrees before she knew it. Something drew her back to this old hollow, and Swiftspirit couldn't quite put words as to what kept drawing her to the ancient hollow.

As seemed to be the norm, fourtrees wasn't empty when it should have been. "You know, every time I come out here I find the same tom. Why is that, Bearspirit?" Swiftspirit smirked as she spotted the pale marbled tom already in the hollow. Her words were far from a complaint, as Swiftspirit knew there were worse cats to run into while roaming the forest at night. The Riverclanner wasn't a bad sort, after all, and Swiftspirit could admit to enjoying his company. Perhaps more than one should enjoy the company of someone who wasn't from their own clan, but that part of the Code was archaic, anyways.

Bearspirit had been out late already, catching more fish than he would have ever been able to eat on his own. He piled them high enough that if anyone wanted to be lazy in their hunting and fishing for tomorrow, they certainly had the option. The warrior had grown restless. He was happy to have been accepted into Riverclan and proved himself to be a good warrior... but there was still that one piece of him missing... Bearspirit forced himself to stop catching fish and left the massive pile in the freshkill area before he bounded off. He would return at some point for sleep, but for the time being, he needed to be left alone.

Or so he thought... until he found himself traveling to Fourtrees and spotted Swiftspirit at about the same time she spotted him. His tail tip twitched and an involuntary smile spread across his face. "Clearly, I am being stalked." He answered. He began to walk in her direction, his eyes sweeping the trees for owls.

"How are you? How is Windclan?" He asked her. Once he was close enough, he gently butted his head against her's in greeting. It was at that moment he realized that he might smell like fish... actually he definitely did. Now he was self-conscious and braced himself for what Swiftspirit might end up saying to him. She smelled of the moor and the flowers that grew there... what did he smell like? Fish. Riverclan grease.

No wonder he was single. Nevermind his gawky, adolescent-like build still despite being an adult now. Would she notice? Would she care?

---

The two kindred spirits were not the only ones near Fourtrees that night. Moonshine was out and about too, unable to stay within the confines of Shadowclan territory for now. It was nothing personal, but as she had not been born in Shadowclan, she missed the ground not being squishy under her feet sometimes. The pale she-cat at first heard voices on the wind and dropped into a crouch, uncertain as to what she may be stumbling upon. Despite being bright, Shadowclan had taught her well how to hide in the shadows and remain hidden if she wished.

She crept slowly around one of the Great Oaks and her eyes landed upon two cats. A tom and a she-cat... both from different clans from what she could smell. Riverclan... fishy kitties... and the scent of moor flowers on the other. A Windclan she-cat. Well well... what is going on here? She didn't care much for the part of the code that forbade cross-clan relationships, so if this was what she thought it was, she wouldn't be the one to rat them out. Feeling a bit guilty for eaves-dropping... Moonshine made her mind up that she would make her presence known...

... After a few minutes...

Swiftspirit's whiskers twitched, a laugh escaping her at Bearspirit's words, her posture relaxed. "Maybe it's the other way around. I just wanted to avoid my clanmates' snoring. Instead I find you here, so there goes my plans of peace and quiet." She joked. If Swiftspirit had been a believer, she might have said their seemingly constant running into each other was fate. The way that they'd become warriors on the same day with such similar names, after having each joined the clans as outsiders had to be more than just coincidence, surely?

Or maybe it was just that- coincidence, and nothing more.

"Well enough, the rabbits practically jump into our paws while hunting this time of year." He smelled of fish which... made sense, he was Riverclan after all. She managed to not wrinkle her nose, however. It was strong and... fishy, but Swiftspirit found herself not pulling away from Bearspirit. "I suppose the prey in Riverclan is running well? Err... Swimming well?" She asked, a faint teasing glint in her eyes.

Bearspirit rolled his eyes in a joking manner, but the smirk on his face said everything. At the mention o rabbits jumping into their paws, he wondered briefly if he could catch such a creature. Probably not... but it might be fun to try one day. Riverclan prey swimming well... oh yes, she definitely smelled the fish. He wished he'd rinsed at least... not that it would have done much good on second thought. He didn't even get wet when it rained. The droplets of water slid right off of his pelt as if he were made of duck feathers.

"Yeah I guess the fish are spawning right now so there are tons. The frogs are laying eggs so there are tadpoles everywhere too. Should be an easy summer in Riverclan." At the mention of frogs, Bearspirit spotted one. He couldn't help himself. With a mischievous smirk, he pounced for the frog... and if he caught it... well... Swiftspirit would find out.

Bearspirit attempted to catch a frog! It was Unsuccessful! A Dog has Appeared! -3SP

Bearspirit caught movement on both sides of him and startled. The frog hopped away from his paws. He snapped his attention towards the white flash first, spotting a she-cat that pounced on a toad. How... how had he missed her approaching??? She didn't seem threatening, albeit mischievous.... So his eyes snapped to the left... Teeth came right for him and he gasped sharply before leaping away from the jaws. A dog.... A dog. A dog. Adogadgoadogadog!!!

"SWIFTSPIRIT MOVE!!! He couldn't lose anyone else! No more... not to a dog again! The moonlight caught the side of the dog's face just right and... he recognized the scar over it's eye. The dog was black as the night around it and it's eyes were glowing reddish orange in the limited light. It was tall and sleek with muscle.... just as Bearspirit had remembered it. His heart raced and a growl rumbled in his chest. It was him.... it was the dog that Mocha sacrificed himself to to let Mikael get away and find Riverclan. It had followed him here.... the stars-cursed thing actually followed him. WHY???

Dog used Iron Bite on Bearspirit, dealing 30 damage and -20SP

Bearspirit used Dodge and Fight, dealing 5 damage and -15SP

Bearspirit
45 HP / 142 SP (-15SP) (Damage negated)

Dog
145 HP / 350 SP (-5HP)

---

The frogs indeed were laying eggs and the population in Shadowclan had also been quite high. Moonshine debated coming out of the shadows at this point, upon the realization that this, for now, was just two friends who happened to meet up here. A toad was spotted in the clearing as well and Moonshine smirked. She waited for it to hop closer to Bearspirit before she finally decided that she would make her presence known. With all of the training of a Shadowclan cat, she flitted between the breaks in the shadows and the moonlight glinted ever so slightly off of her white fur. Bearspirit leapt for his frog... and she lurched from the shadows around them to catch her toad.

Moonshine attempted to catch a toad, it was Successful! -3SP

Her paw slammed down on her toad as Bearspirit missed his frog. She felt guilty for just a moment, not meaning to actually mess up his hunt... but she never had a chance to apologize. She spotted the dog way before they did. He yelled for the Windclanner to move. Moonshine didn't bother doing anything else except to leap forward and try to stop the dog from reaching either of the cats. The cat had barely seen her, so she doubted the dog had any clue she had ever been there to begin with.

Moonshine used Shadowed Ambush, dealing 11+ 2 (Night Finesse) damage and - 15SP

Moonshine
60 HP / 182 SP (-3SP from hunting, -15SP from attacking)

Dog
132HP / 330SP (-13HP)

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

---

#1 'Hunting Dice' : 10

--------------------------------

#2 'Hunting Dice' : 4

Rolling for Dodge and Fight

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

---

'Effect Dice' : 6

She couldn't help a smile at Bearspirit's words, but Swiftspirit kept quiet as he turned to stalk after a frog. Disgusting creatures, really, but it wasn't her place to judge. He leapt... And then a pale she-cat with faintly mottled points slipped from the darkness, paw coming down on a toad. Swiftspirit hardly had time to react before she caught the scent of dog, and Bearspirit was calling out a warning, hastily dodging. The Shadowclanner moved to attack, and Swiftspirit didn't hesitate in joining. The Shadowclan warrior wasn't someone she recognized beyond the vagueness that came of seeing a face once or twice in a crowd, but right now she was no enemy.

Swiftspirit lunged forward with a hiss, ears pinned back against her skull. The dog had been preoccupied by going after Bearspirit and the strange Shadowclanner jumping in to attack as well, but Swiftspirit didn't intend to just sit and watch. She didn't enjoy fighting, but Bearspirit was a friend and she'd rather not see him hurt. A flurry of claws, and Swiftspirit was moving behind the dog, not really wanting to be anywhere near those fangs while her claws sliced through flesh.

Swiftspirit used Run and Tackle for -10sp, dealing -9+3 damage on dog.
Swiftspirit used Swift Strike for -10sp, dealing -4 damage on dog.

Swiftspirit
45 / 45 hp
140 / 160 sp (160 - 20)

Dog
116 / 150 hp (132 - 9 - 3 - 4)
330 / 350 sp

The dog had been trailing after his target for months... but it knew better than to charge into a clan's camp. He thought for sure he would have finally killed the one creature that was left to destroy as per his training, but his jaws snapped closed around empty air. A flash of white followed by pain... then another cat was hastily striking away at him. He'd encountered "fighting cats" before... He spun on his last attacker and went in for an attack, hoping to crush a cat's spine between his powerful jaws. Then he'd go back to focusing on the marbled target.

Dog used Iron Bite on Swiftspirit, dealing 30 damage and -20SP

Dog
116HP / 310SP (-20SP)

Swiftspirit
15HP / 140SP (-30HP)

---

Bearspirit's heart raced behind his ribcage as he took in the sight of the familiar dog. The giant black beast suddenly whipped around and his jaws went straight for Swiftspirit, who had chosen to attack instead of flee. "NO!" He kicked off of the ground and leaped upon the dog's back, burying his claws deep into it's neck and his teeth found purchase on his scruff. "No more! You'll not hurt one more soul!" Bearspirit snarled fiercely through the stinking dog flesh and sleek short fur. Images of his uncle flashed through his mind... the crunching of bones and the warmth of blood followed his trail of memories...

I'll kill you, monster! You will pay for your crimes with your life!

Bearspirit used Leap and Hold, dealing 9 damage and -10SP

Bearspirit
45HP / 132SP (-10SP)

Dog
Stunned or Two Turns
107HP / 320SP (-9HP)

---

Moonshine had been focused on what she was doing, but noted how fast the Windclanner struck out with her claws. A brief flash of both admiration and jealousy went through her, but it was gone the instant the dog's teeth enclosed around the she-cat's body. The Riverclanner yelled something... he'd encountered this dog before? It must be trouble then. She would assist these two, as dogs were a common enemy to all clans. She would ask questions later.

Moonshine used Rending Front Paws, dealing 13 + 2 (Night Finesse) damage and -25SP

Moonshine
60HP / 157SP (-25SP)

Dog
92HP / 320SP (-15HP)

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

---

'Effect Dice' : 5

So the dog had noticed her clawing at it, lovely. Swiftspirit twisted out of the way as it turned on her, having no desire to wind up in the medicine den or worse if it managed to get those large fangs around her neck. She lashed out with her claws, and before she could do much else Bearspirit was leaping on top of it. He'd be able to do some damage, and the dog wouldn't be able to do much with his weight on its' back. From his words, Bearspirit had encountered this one before? Now wasn't the time for conversation, though Swiftspirit had to admit she was curious. Dogs were always trouble, and if this one had been smart enough (or stubborn enough( to follow a cat here, it needed to be dealt with.

Swiftspirit used Dodge and Fight for -15sp. Counterattack failed.

Swiftspirit
45 / 45 hp (damage negated)
125 / 160 sp (140 - 15)

Dog -pinned 1/2-
92 / 150 hp
320 / 350 sp

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

---

'Effect Dice' : 3

Bearspirit held tightly to the dog, hoping that he could distract it long enough from hurting the others that it might get discouraged and run.

Bearspirit continues Leap and Hold, dealing 9 damage!

Bearspirit
45HP / 132SP

Dog
83HP / 320SP (-9HP)

---

Seeing a chance to dive between the dog's forelegs, Moonshine rolled swiftly and slashed at it's soft underbelly. Before it could squash her with it's big paws, the she-cat rolled out of their reach. These other two warriors weren't half bad... she ought to get to know them better once all of this nonsense was over with.

Moonshine used Half-Turn Belly Rake, dealing 13 + 2 damage and -20SP

Moonshine
60HP / 137SP (-20SP)

Dog
Stunned for One Turn
68HP / 320SP (-15HP)

Swiftspirit flitted behind the dog once more, rearing up onto her hind legs for another quick flurry of strikes. The dog couldn't be held much longer by Bearspirit's grip, and while she hoped it would flee, Swiftspirit wouldn't hold her breath waiting for that to happen. Still, if it came down to it, she'd continue to fight. Whoever the Shadowclanner was, she fought well, and Swiftspirit would be glad if they all managed to walk away from this in one piece.

Swiftspirit used Rear-Up to Slash for -15sp, dealing -11 damage.

Swiftspirit
45 / 45 hp
115 / 160 sp (125 - 15)

Dog -pinned 2/2-
57 / 150 hp (68 - 11)
320 / 350 sp

The dog finally gave the cat on it's shoulders one good buck and felt it's claws scrabble off of it. Still, the distraction of other cats attacking it had it rethinking it's decisions. It couldn't hunt the marbled cat again if it lost it's life here, as embarrassing as it was to run from cats. Anymore embarrassing than to be lead by one? It shook the thought out of it's head. Unfortunately, it's moment of hesitation might be it's last.

Dog is no longer stunned and can attack next round!

---

Bearspirit finally lost his grip and slipped off of the dog. He flipped to his feet in a way only cat's could do and came at the dog with claws, teeth, and a divine fury. There was a part of his brain that wanted him to run away... but he silenced it. Running was an acceptable excuse as a kit... but not now. Not as a Riverclan warrior.

Bearspirit used Rear-Up to Slash for -15sp, dealing -11 damage.

Bearspirit
45HP / 117SP (-15SP)

Dog
46HP / 320SP (-11HP)

---

Moonshine gasped when Bearspirit fell off of the dog, but luckily the dog was either distracted by something else or... something. He was on his feet and fighting again before she could really do anything. At least he hadn't gotten bit. She assisted him in their assault, hoping this would be enough to drive the dog away.

Moonshine used Upright Lock, dealing 14 + 2 damage and -25 SP

Moonshine
60HP / 112SP (-25SP)

Dog
30HP / 320SP (-16HP)