When Thunder Roars… [c]

It was a beautiful morning… to Dawnfeather, at least. Most cats would’ve grumbled at the cloudy sky that threatened rain, but… it was so many shades of grey, streaking across the sky, and she didn’t mind rain, if it happened. For now, at least, it seemed to be the calm before a storm- the winds had died down, and her patrol was quickly checking the ThunderClan border. It reminded Dawnfeather of the nice ThunderClan cat she’d met, Thrushnose. What was it like, living in a different Clan? Did they ever think about it? Or did every Clan assume they were the best? Dawnfeather was consumed with her thoughts as they neared the Fallen Oak.

Pricklepaw was not enjoying this. There was nothing impressive in a simple border patrol. Especially when it might rain any minute now. What was the point? Yes, yes, he knew Robinloft’s killer and all that, blah blah blah. The tabby kept a neutral look on his face for the benefit of the other cats in his patrol, but was inwardly complaining the entire time. Whyyyyyy? Why him? Why couldn’t they choose Applepaw for this? He was much too smart for this… border patrol. Whyyyyyyyy? Aaaaargh. He stomped along, muttering under his breath. They neared the Fallen Oak, but he didn’t so much as glance at it. However, the hint of fresh SkyClan scent caused him to glance sharply over. Was that a pelt moving in the underbrush?

Though dark clouds threatened to close over the last patches of open sky, Thrushnose trotted onward. She’d abandoned thoughts of finding Briarthorn herself—negotiations came first, and she trusted her father would steer them away from war if he could—but the Fallen Oak needed more ThunderClan eyes nearby. There would be no night ambushes. There would be no secrecy. If SkyClan chose to escalate, she wanted to know. Assuming that of them so early on may not have been fair, but it never hurt to brace for the worst, even while hoping for the best.

…That, and the border markers really did need to be refreshed. Thrushnose glanced over her shoulder at her patrolmates. Even if nothing came of this, it’d be good experience for Pricklepaw, and give Waterlily and Quail a chance to stretch their legs. She turned back, inhaled, froze. Fresh scent. “SkyClan,” she murmured with a snap of her tail. Maybe this patrol would be something after all.

Quaildock followed after Mermurr, clearly enjoying himself. Border patrols had become a favorite past time of his, and he always looked forward to them. Plus, with how the sky was looking, the rain would be a nice refresher from the blazing hot sun his dark pelt usually had to endure. The fallen oak soon came into view, as his paw ached to jump onto it, like he was a young apprentice again. Quaildock refrained himself from it though. What kind of example would be setting to Pricklepaw for goodness sake?! Though then again, the apprentice might be feeling the same way Quaildock was feeling... Guess he'd never know.

His paws then slowed to a stop, as a fresh scent hit his nose. The fresh scent of Skyclan. "What are you planning on doing Mer?" He asked his sister in a hushed voice, barely loud enough so just the rest of the patrol could hear, his fur spiking up.

Dandelionpaw trotted through the forest, enjoying the cool air before a storm. It was much better than the normal hot, muggy days. She had been sent to patrol the ThunderClan border, and she got to go with her friends! Dandelionpaw was enjoying being able to explore the forest. While she was walking along the border, freshening the scent markers, the strong stench of ThunderClan made her pause in her tracks. She pricked her ears in the direction of of where she thought the cats might be and heard the sounds of pawsteps. I should probably tell someone. Hmm, I guess Ashstorm, she’s the experienced out of us. She quietly made her way to where Ashstorm was patrolling and mewed, “ThunderClan cats are patrolling the border, too.”

Waterlily walked with the other warriors and Pricklepaw to go mark borders.  She had been on a patrol with Pricklepaw before and was interested to learn more about the apprentice.  She didn't really know what to think of him.  But Waterlily was always one to give someone the benefit of the doubt, so she assumed that the young tom was a good cat.  She was happy to be out with the others as well even though she didn't know them that well.  When they were walking towards the Skyclan territory, she began to smell the scent of other Skyclan cats.  She paused for a minute, but then kept walking on.  She was thinking that they might run into them.  She expected the best, yet prepared for the worst.

Ashstorm smelled some Thunderclan cats coming near to them.  Because she was the most experienced cat there, she felt like she should do something, but honestly she didn't really know what she could do.  "Yes," she responded when Dandelionpaw informed her of the Thunderclan cats coming this way.  "I just noticed them as well."  She looked at the other two cats in the patrol and raised her voice slightly so they could hear her.  "I feel like we shouldn't attack, unless they do, then we should in self defense."  She knew that she didn't really have much of a right to tell them what to do, which made her feel bad a moment later because she hoped that's not what they took it as.  She was more trying to give good suggestions, but didn't know if they took it differently.

With a storm forming Olivepaw was in a great mood that morning, silently wishing for rain. Even without the sweltering heat that had been attacking the forest she loved the fresh, wet feeling of it, and it's smell. She was going on a border patrol with her friends, Dawnfeather and Dandelionpaw, as well as Ashstorm. The four of them were at the Thunderclan border when something caught Olivepaw's eye. She turned her head and walked up to a bush of small purple flowers, five petals and yellow insides. She grinned, about to call over Dawnfeather to look at them as Ashstorm spoke. Shouldn't attack what? The fur on her back spiked in alarm. Are we fighting something? She quickly took a deep breath and realized there wasn't a predator. She felt her shoulders relax but then recognizing the scent as Thunderclan. She tensed up again, just not as panicked as before. She understood they were somewhere near the Skyclan cats, but not fighting yet. The ragdoll apprentice padded back closer to the patrol and kept in mind the direction of the Thunderclan scent. "Should we carry on?" she asked the group.

Dawnfeather had been rather ahead of the rest of her patrol, and she only sped up once they neared the Fallen Oak. With a happy purr, she sprang onto it, hoping to see the nice ThunderClan cat! She thought she saw her tabby pelt through the underbrush… so she smiled and waved her tail, making sure she didn’t look threatening or anything. “Hello!” She called happily. “It’s me, Dawnfeather, I got my warrior name!” Even if it wasn’t Thrushnose, maybe this cat could tell her? She peered into ThunderClan territory, trying to see through the underbrush.

Pricklepaw slunk ahead of his patrol, trying to get close enough to the Fallen Oak to see it… what the StarClan? A pretty molly was sitting on it, yowling to the forest. He scrunched his face up with confusion… she was on the border, but she didn’t look like a threat…suddenly, he noticed something. Her pelt. Her pelt. It was… prettier than his. No. No no no. This… this couldn’t be true. She couldn’t be better than him. Not some SkyClan rat! A red mist covered his vision and he leapt at her, a guttural yowl emerging from his throat. He bowled her over and began to claw at her face, snarling. They were both technically on the border now, as she lay sprawled on her back on the Fallen Oak.

Dawnfeather was dazed as a brown and orange tom appeared out of nowhere and charged her. Panic set in as he began to claw at her face… her face… not the eyes not the eyes! Fueled with fear, she kicked him with her hind legs, sending them both off the Fallen Oak onto SkyClan territory. The ThunderClan tom landed with a thud and sprawled on his stomach- Dawnfeather’s powerful hind legs had done their job. Dawnfeather had landed on her paws and now surged forwards, keeping the tom pinned. He’d been the first to attack, after all! At least she could still see… the scratches were bleeding heavily, but all face wounds did that. She struggled to keep him down, letting out a yowl for help.

Pricklepaw used Jumping Strike, dealing 7 (4+3) damage and costing 7 stamina! Dawnfeather used Leaping Bound, dealing 4 damage and costing 10 stamina. Pricklepaw is pinned for one turn. The skirmish has begun.

Pricklepaw PINNED
16/20 HP (-4)
53/60 SP (-7)

Dawnfeather
23/30 HP (-7)
70/80 SP (-10)

Judging by her patrolmates’ sharp expressions, Thrushnose hadn’t been the only one paying attention. Quail turned to her with a question, and at once it hit her that she had authority here, not only as patrol leader, but as deputy. That didn’t change her answer. “Nothing yet.” She raised her voice to reach the two warriors and Pricklepaw, who’d roamed ahead. “We won’t start a fight unless they give us a reason to. Pricklepaw, get back, we’re not giving them a reason either—”

A figure appeared on top of the Fallen Oak, waving her golden tail. Thrushnose emerged from the underbrush to verify what she’d already known: “…Dawnpaw?” Dawnfeather, apparently. Good for her. She’d been so excited about her training, it wasn’t a surprise she’d raced through it. For a second, cheerful recognition was the only feeling that registered. Then Thrushnose remembered she wasn’t alone this time, and Pricklepaw was closing in on the trunk at an alarming pace, and she didn’t have time to decide between a warning or an admonishment before Pricklepaw threw himself forward. “Foxdung.” It came out somewhere between a sigh and a hiss. There was no salvaging this now.

She hesitated long enough to take in the full patrol on SkyClan’s side of the border; though she couldn’t (rather, wouldn’t) go after Dawnfeather, she could stop the others from piling onto Pricklepaw. Her gaze locked onto what looked like the patrol’s only other warrior. At least it would be a fair fight. Thrushnose threw herself at the warrior paws-first, claws still sheathed, hoping to knock the more experienced cat off course.

Thrushnose used Jumping Strike on Ashstorm, dealing 9 damage and using 7 stamina.

Thrushnose
80/80 HP
163/170 SP (-7)

Ashstorm
61/70 HP (-9)
160/160 SP

Quaildock's gave a brisk nod, before turning his gaze towards the Fallen oak, to see a Skyclan cat. She looked relatively friendly and even recognized one of them. Quaildock was pretty sure that it he wasn't him though, as he was pretty sure had never seen her at all in his life. Thrushnose seemed to recognize her, but that might be because she shared a name with a famous murderer. Huh. Seems like Skyclan cats are bad at naming things. Maybe he could share that with some kits later, and maybe a tale about how he saw the first friendly Skyclan cat.

His thoughts of storytelling came to a close though, as Pricklepaw suddenly attacked Dawnfeather, with seemingly no rhyme or reason. He knew that apprentices were a bit brash and foolish sometimes, though apparently not as much as Pricklepaw. Welp, guess the only way out of this is a battle. Quaildock thought, unsheathing his claws as his gaze transferred over to the rest of Dawnfeather's patrol. He noticed that Thrushnose had already taken the warrior, and he was left with having to fight with one of the two apprentice looking cats. Have to go easy on them then! Quaildock thought, as he leapt towards one. He scratched her side with his claws, making sure that she's able to fight back.

Quaildock used Frontpaw strike on Dandelionpaw, dealing -8 HP and costing -7 SP

Quaildock:
40/40
93/100 -7

Dandelionpaw:
12/20 -8
60/60

Ashstorm did know what to do. Not attacking them unless they attack us makes sense, much more than attacking for no reason, Dandelionpaw thought. She trotted back over to where she was patrolling. She had continued remarking the borders when a battle screech made her turn around and run back. There was a ThunderClan apprentice attacking Dawnfeather! She wanted to help, but another Warrior started to attack Ashstorm! A sudden pain on her side startled her, and she spun around to see her attacker. Okay, he’s a warrior. This fight won’t be the most even, so maybe I should try and pin him? Dandelionpaw’s mind raced as she leapt forward knocking the warrior to the ground. She wasn’t as strong as a warrior, so she wouldn’t be able to hold him down for long.

Climber’s Grasp grants 1+ chance to stun an enemy
Dandelionpaw used Leap-and-Hold dealing 6 HP and costing 15 SP and stunning Quaildock for one turn!

Quaildock:
34/40 HP (-6)
93/100 SP

Dandelionpaw:
12/20 HP
45/60 SP (-15)

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

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'Effect Dice' : 2

Ashstorm felt like maybe she should stop Dawnfeather from making their presence very well known.  Although, talking to other cats was completely fine and she realized that talking to Thunderclanners wouldn't be bad.  So, she padded up toward the border faster, to introduce herself as well.

Then she saw a cat attack Dawnfeather.  Ashstorm began to run towards Dawnfeather.  The cat fighting her seemed to be young, probably an apprentice or a young warrior.  It should be easy to get them to stop.  A sharp pain that she wasn't expecting made Ashstorm yelp.  She moved off course.  She had seen this cat kind of.  If she remembered correctly, it was the Thunderclan deputy.

Almost without thinking about it, she grabbed the scruff of the deputy in her teeth and shook it.  "What was that young cat thinking?"  She hissed, not exactly meaning to say that out loud.

Ashstorm used Scruff Shake, dealing 8 in damage and using -20SP.

Ashstorm
58HP / 70HP (-3 because she wasn't focused on Thrushnose)
140SP / 160SP

Thrushnose stunned for one turn
72HP / 80HP
163SP / 170SP

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

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'Effect Dice' : 1

(OOC: sry its really short I didn't have much creativity and I didn't want to hold up the topic)
Olivepaw watched as cats attacked her clanmates, she didn't know why but she knew what she had to do. She saw Dandelionpaw fighting a warrior. Knowing it was an unbalanced fight the large ragdoll sprung onto the tom, tearing her teeth into his shoulder.

Olivepaw used Jumping Strike on Quaildock, dealing 4 damage (+3 for not focused) and costing 7 stamina.

Olivepaw:
20/20 HP
53/60 SP (-7)

Quaildock:
27/40 HP (-7)
93/100 SP

Dandelionpaw:
12/20 HP
45/60 SP

OOC: pls try not to double-team if there are enemy cats not fighting anyone, thank you!

Dawnfeather held the ThunderClan cat into the ground with everything she had, heart pounding. With a wince she unsheathed her claws, trying to tell the other cat hey, this is SkyClan, please don’t hunt here thanks! She felt bad for making him suffer… but she was just trying to make sure no one ended up suffering in the long run. Her grip was starting to weaken… she couldn’t keep him down for much longer. With a rush of adrenaline she pressed him into the dirt, looking around wildly. Everyone was fighting. Her gaze caught a familiar green gaze for a millisecond. What? Why was Thrushnose attacking? Was she missed something? She’d been so nice? Maybe… maybe Thrushnose had an identical sister! After all, she’d only seen her for a moment before she’d been forced to focus on this apprentice. Dawnfeather’s grip was weakening… she wouldn’t be able to hold on for much longer…

Pricklepaw was seething under the SkyClanner’s grip, seeing red in fury. Not caring for the safety of the patrol, he bucked and twisted, seeking to throw the warrior off. He was Pricklepaw, he wasn’t going to be pinned by some SkyClan nobody! Her grip was weakening… with a smirk he positioned himself to break it.

Dawnfeather continued Leaping Bound, dealing 4 damage and costing 10 stamina. Pricklepaw is pinned.

Pricklepaw
12/20 HP (-4)
53/60 SP

Dawnfeather
23/30 HP
60/80 SP (-10)