Thief! (Closed for JJ)

It was a beautiful afternoon. Sunlight dappled through oak leaves, warming Applepaw's tortoiseshell pelt as she ran through the territory. She was just hunting alone today, since she'd already finished her patrols and cleaned out the elders' den. Best apprentice in ThunderClan, coming through! The light, happy feeling that ran through her from nose to tail-tip had only been growing since her recent talks with Minkstar. She was progressing nicely, and maybe she would even get her assessment sometime in this next moon! Even better, her anger had been far more under control lately. As infuriating as her siblings could be, she'd managed to get back at them in smaller ways that wouldn't ruin her reputation, especially in the leader's eyes. But now here she was, running through the forest, hot on the tail of a squirrel that had nearly escaped her paws. But she was chasing it down, and it was almost hers! Just a little more-- And then, her prey ran straight into someone else's paws.

Apprentices weren't supposed to be out alone, Pigeonpaw knew that... but the hunting patrol that he'd been out here with had all gone their separate ways to find prey, and then he'd been walking, and hunting - already he'd cached a mouse and a sparrow, mother would be so proud! - and eventually, he just... got lost. He knew that he should know the territory better by now, but everything looked the same, and smelled the same, and... and he'd only been an apprentice for a little while, so how was he supposed to remember so much information?

Panic rising in his chest, Pigeonpaw slinked through the trees, nostrils flaring. He smelled something - something distinctively non-SkyClan, and curiosity drew him forward, to what appeared to be a border-marking... what was this? He inhaled. RiverCl- no! ThunderClan! He remembered that from the Gathering, this was the ThunderClan border! Proud at himself, Pigeonpaw smiled, careful not to cross it, but then, movement! A squirrel! Without thinking, he pounced for it, landing deftly on top of the little rodent's back and quickly killing it with a single bite. Three pieces of prey in one trip! "Yahoo!" he yowled in victory, and then a thunder of pawsteps made him whip around, the appearance of a ThunderClan apprentice startling him so badly he dropped the squirrel and backed away, heart thundering in his chest. "Oh," he breathed. "You startled me. Hi, I'm Pigeonpaw! Did you see me catch this squirrel just now? Got it my first try!" he boasted.

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

---

'Hunting Dice' : 4

Applepaw dug her claws into the dirt, in order to stop herself from hurtling over the border after the squirrel. Frustration rising in her, she watched it scamper off-- however, it was stopped almost immediately. By another apprentice. SkyClan. He absolutely stank of the same scent that was all over Dandelionpaw from the Gathering. Normally, she would have nothing against this cat who had just innocently happened upon her. However, he caught her squirrel. Her squirrel! She was going to take that back to ThunderClan and gloat over how she'd run it down! And he'd stolen it!

All the rage that she had slowly been siphoning off over the past moon suddenly came to a head, and her common sense completely disappeared. Her previously sparkling gray eyes became hard and blank, and her pelt spiked up on end. Hackles raised. Applepaw saw only red. "You took my squirrel!" she screeched, leaping onto him and pinning him down with her claws. She didn't care that she crossed the border. She didn't care what this cat's name was. All she cared was that she needed to make him pay for stealing her rightful catch.

Applepaw used Leap-and-Hold on Pigeonpaw, dealing 6 damage and costing 15 stamina. Pigeonpaw is stunned for 2 turns.

Pigeonpaw:
14/20 HP
57/60 SP

Applepaw:
20/20 HP
45/60 SP

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

---

'Effect Dice' : 4

The ThunderClan apprentice wasn't nearly as impressed as she should have been. In fact, the anger that shone in her eyes was enough to make his own hackles raise, his feathery tail swishing uncomfortably. Pigeonpaw was about to just excuse himself, and take his squirrel back home. He couldn't wait to show his mother all he'd caught after all. But then the other apprentice accused him of stealing. Affronted, Pigeonpaw frowned at her, "No, I-" but before he got the chance to even try explaining that this squirrel had been on SkyClan's side of the border, the other apprentice leaped at him.

He felt her claws prick his skin, and, instantly, the SkyClanner was in fight mode, too. Mountainheart hadn't done too much combat training with him yet, but some things just come instinctively, and this was one of them! Pigeonpaw writhed beneath her, an angry yowl bubbling in his throat, and twisted, trying to unpin himself.

Pigeonpaw used Duck and Twist to try to escape, it is... unsuccessful, but still deals 3 damage at the cost of 5 SP.

Pigeonpaw:
14/20 HP
52/60 SP

Applepaw:
17/20 HP
45/60 SP

oops, dice

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

---

'Effect Dice' : 1

The SkyClanner's words of protest fell on deaf ears. Applepaw was normally a kind and friendly cat, but when anger took hold of her she was almost unrecognizable. Her sharp claws dug into the other apprentice's shoulders, and her eyes burned with unbridled, unreasonable rage. He tried to twist away from her claws, but she leaned her weight down. She was definitely small compared to him, but her ferocity kept him from escaping. This was no longer about the squirrel... it had become mindless violence. She would claw at him until he stopped moving, or managed to turn tail and flee far enough that her emotions ebbed.

Applepaw continued to use Leap-and-Hold, dealing 6 damage and costing 15 stamina. Pigeonpaw is stunned for one more turn.

Applepaw:
17/20 HP
30/60 SP

Pigeonpaw:
8/20 HP
52/60 SP

No matter how hard he tried, Pigeonpaw just couldn't get from under her. He twisted and he flipped but her claws struck true, and the more he struggled, the deeper they gored. Anger and panic warred for dominance at the forefront of his mind. What was wrong with this she-cat? All he'd done was catch a stupid squirrel that was on his side of the border!! If she needed it that badly, he would have given it to her!

Finally, winded by his fruitless struggle, Pigeonpaw just collapsed on to his side, chest heaving, exhausted.

Pigeonpaw is still stunned for this turn!

Applepaw:
17/20 HP
30/60 SP

Pigeonpaw:
8/20 HP
52/60 SP

Still blinded by rage, Applepaw dug her claws out of the pinned apprentice's shoulders in order to strike at him again. Somewhere that would hurt. Somewhere that would remind him not to ever cross her again. Spitefully, she clawed at his ear, leaving a visible nick half-across it-- not slicing it off, she wasn't cruel, but causing a permanent tear. Not so confident now, huh? Satisfied now that the apprentice had been defeated, she backed away... and her anger faded. As quickly as it had come, the all-consuming fury vanished, leaving in its place a stunned confusion. Had she really just attacked an apprentice? On enemy territory? What would Minkstar think of her?!

Panic entered the she-cat's eyes for a brief moment, then she suppressed it. This was just a SkyClan apprentice, who was a wimp anyways. He'd never tell the leader, and if he did, nothing would come of it. Nothing would happen. She'd make sure of it. Applepaw stepped back up to the tom, glaring down into his eyes with her own gray gaze that was no longer mindless, but now calculating, and still fierce. "You will never tell anyone about what happened today, or I won't be so merciful next time," she hissed, pushing her face close to his so that he got the message. It was just one apprentice. He'd never tell anyone. They'd never know. She'd become a warrior and deputy and leader and he'd never tell anyone. She had to leave before the guilt got to her... Silently, the apprentice grabbed her squirrel and walked away, planning to rub the SkyClan scent off of her before returning to camp with her rightful prize.

Applepaw used Fight-and-Flee, dealing 10 damage and costing all remaining stamina.

Applepaw:
17/20 HP
0/60 SP

Pigeonpaw:
K.O.

Cats were supposed to be merciful when they'd beaten their opponent, and the rakes and mars that scored Pigeonpaw's coat - and the distinct lack thereof on the she-cat's form - made it clear who had won this battle. Still, though, she was cruel, and he felt heat at his ear as she tore there, too, before threatening him with more violence if he ever told anyone.

Pigeonpaw nodded, still stunned and winded, and his wide eyes never left Applepaw until she disappeared. He climbed gingerly to his paws, flicking his ear and wincing as the contraction caused pain to radiate all the way down to his skull. He was sore and tired all over, but worst of all... he'd lost. He was ashamed, and his head hung low as he began to move back further into SkyClan's territory. He would never tell anyone about this... not unless it would break the code to keep the secret.