Now That We're Equals:

"Thanks for agreeing to come hunt with your former mentor. You could've done anything else now that you're a warrior but you chose to keep me company. I'm not complaining though." Kestrelswoop purred with a playful tone as he addressed his current hunting companion, Cherrycloud. Seeing his apprentices grow and mature always made him feel good. He was very proud of both her and Starling. It always felt strange to patrol with one of his former apprentices since his instincts still told him that they were still mainly under his watch but that wasn't the case any more. He had to get that set straight. They were older now and honorable warriors of ThunderClan, his equals. Hopefully he'd get that through to himself soon.

The older warrior shook himself from his thoughts and continued on, "Let's try and catch two prey each and we'll call that a success. If you need me for anything at all, call for me. I won't be too far just in case. Let's meet back here once we're finished." With that, he gave Cherry the signal to begin then hurried away far enough as to not disrupt the she-cat yet close enough so he could keep an eye out.

Not long after, the tom had spotted an unsuspecting bird. He grinned to himself and crouched down. Carefully he inched closer and closer and paused only when he was at a leap's distance. He waited a few beats to check if it had spotted him them in a blink of an eye, pounced. He needed to get it before it flew away.

Gotcha! He looked at his catch proudly before burying it and then proceeding to scent the area again. However, he kept his ears trained on the direction Cherrycloud was hunting just in case.
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Kestrelswoop was successful in catching a Bird costing 3 SP.

Kestrelswoop:
60/60[HP]
137/140[SP] (-3 SP)

The member 'Mysterious Middy' has done the following action : Dices roll

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'Hunting Dice' : 4

Cherrycloud ran after Kestrelswoop into the golden Leaf-fall forest. "No problem, I'm glad that we can go hunting together," meowed in response. It was nice to be able to spend more time with her former mentor. She watched as he hurried away and she padded off in a different direction. She pricked her ears and listened for any prey. She heard a mouse nibbling on some food and stalked toward it. She waited in the nearby grasses, getting ready to pounce. Cherrycloud leaped toward it and unsheathed her claws midair. She landed squarely on the mouse and killed it in one swift motion. She made her way back towards where they had spilt of and buried her catch.

Cherrycloud attempted to catch a mouse, it was successful!
77/80 SP

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

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'Hunting Dice' : 1

After he was assured that Cherry was doing well, the warrior proceeded to scout every which way as he walked. A flash of brown crossed his vision. Aha! A speedy squirrel! The warrior scented until he reached where it had gone to. It was occupied with some seeds it had found. Good. That should make things easier. He dropped into the hunting crouch and made his way over to some bushes near the creature. Noting that it still hadn't spotted him, Kerath took the opportunity to leap at it, paws ready.

As predicted, it had been an easy catch. The tom killed it in a swift mite to the neck and began to retrace his steps back to the rendezvous spot to wait for Cherry to meet back up with him. He was sure she wouldn't take long. She had always been a good hunter, like him.
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Kestrelswoop was successful in catching a Squirrel costing 3 SP.

Kestrelswoop:
60/60[HP]
134/140[SP] (-3 SP)

The member 'Mysterious Middy' has done the following action : Dices roll

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'Hunting Dice' : 7

Cherrycloud finished burying the mouse and spotted Kestrelswoop returning with a squirrel. She walked off into the forest and made sure to not step on any dead leaves. She carefully watched the surrounding area and soon found a bright blue bird. It was busy eating some seeds, so it didn't notice her creeping toward it. She kept her pawsteps light and quick, as to not alert it. She was soon within pouncing distance and got ready to leap. She got jumped at the bird, but slipped on a nearby leaf. She fell to the ground and the bird let out a loud squawk. It flew away before she could get up and she muttered under her breath, "Mouse-dung" She started to walk off, but was interrupted by a growl. She felt something grab her scruff and she was shook by the attacker. "Kestrelsw..." She tried to call for help, but her breath was knocked out of her. She landed heavily in a nearby bush and struggled to get up.

Cherrycloud attempted to catch a bird, but it was unsuccessful and a fox appeared! The fox used Thrash, dealing 10 damage and costing 15 SP! Cherrycloud is stunned for 1 turn!

Cherrycloud
20/30 HP (-10)
74/80 SP

Fox
60/60 HP
165/180 SP (-15)

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

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'Hunting Dice' : 10

At the sound of a struggle and his former apprentice's cut off call, the tom dropped his catches in an instant and raced toward the commotion, fear swelling within him all the way over. The tom's fears were confirmed when he made it to her only to see her get shaken by the scruff of her neck and thrown by a fox. "Cherrycloud!!" he yowled, eyes wide with fright. A sense of déjà vu passed through him in waves as he briefly remembered his second battle, which just so happened to be against a fox. He'd been in that exact situation but on the receiving end of the attack. Now he was feeling just how his father must've after seeing him get shaken around then discarded as if he were nothing. Cherry still seemed to be able to stand but not at that moment. During his battle, he was out cold. He'd been an apprentice but still, he had feared for Mink right before the darkness overtook him.

The warrior snapped out of his terror and fury burst through his body. Cherrycloud was injured and this stupid fox was going to pay for it!

"Hey! Stupid mange-pelt! Eyes on me!" he growled as he lunged at the beast and slammed against it with enough force to send it tumbling. 'Now that it's away from her...' he thought as he reared up on his hind legs and brought down his paws onto the fox's head. The predator yelped and stayed down. He knew it wasn't over yet but he could use this time to check up on Cherry.

The warrior hurried over to the fallen she-cat and carefully helped her up. He could tell that she was still dizzy but she couldn't stay on the ground. It wasn't safe. "Easy. I know you're still a bit dizzy but try to steady yourself. The fox isn't done yet and I need you to regain your strength. I'll do my best to keep it occupied. I need you to have my back and I'll have yours. Be careful when you do anything Cherry." With that, the tom stood in front of his former apprentice and took on a protective stance as he waited for the fox to get up. He needed to stay strong for them both.
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Kestrelswoop used Jumping Strike + Thunderous Stomp on Fox, dealing 14 (8 + 3 + 3) damage and using 17 (7 + 10) SP. Fox is stunned for 1 turn!

Kestrelswoop:
60/60[HP]
117/140[SP] (-17 SP)

Fox:
46/60[HP] (-14 HP)
165/180[SP]

Cherrycloud:
20/30[HP]
74/80[SP]

Everything was spinning for Cherrycloud and she couldn't tell up from down. She heard yowls and snarls, which she assumed to be Kestrelswoop fighting the fox. He soon approached and helped her to her paws. She hadn't fully regained her breath, so she just gave him a small nod in response. Some of the dizziness and confusion had left, so she was able to stand up relatively well.

____

The fox tossed the ginger cat to the side and another soon appeared yowling something. It slammed into him and knocked him to the ground. He started to get to his paws, but the cat slammed their paws down on his head. He let out a small yelp and fell back to the ground.

Cherrycloud is stunned! Fox is stunned!

Cherrycloud
20/30 HP
74/80 SP

Kestrelswoop
60/60 HP
117/140 SP

Fox
46/60 HP
165/180 SP

The older warrior could see the beast beginning to recompose itself. He couldn't let that happen without getting another hit in and buying just a bit more time for the she-cat behind him. He could also tell that she had almost regained her vision so that was a good thing.

Kestrelswoop rushed up to the fox and struck it across the face with unsheathed paws. That should keep it reeling just enough for them. The tom scampered back and resumed his position shielding Cherry from view. She had to stay behind him until she felt better. Once she did, she could assume a position next to him and they can take the mangy fox down together!
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Kestrelswoop used Front Paw Strike on Fox, dealing 10 damage and using 7 SP. Fox is no longer stunned!

Kestrelswoop:
60/60[HP]
110/140[SP] (-7 SP)

Fox:
36/60[HP] (-10 HP)
165/180[SP]

Cherrycloud:
20/30[HP]
74/80[SP]

Cherrycloud watched as Kestrelswoop lunged at the fox and slashed at its face. She hoped that he could keep it busy long enough for her to regain her senses. After a few moments, the fox got to its feet and started to lunge at Kestrelswoop. Not wanting to him to get badly hurt, she leaped forward and raked her claws down its side. She retreated back to where Kestrelswoop was and stood beside him.

____

The fox was getting to his paws once again when the tabby cat slashed at his face. He started to lunge for the cat, but the ginger one appeared and raked its claws down his side! He was starting to get frustrated with these cats. Every time he tried to attack one, the other would attack him! He snapped at the retreating cat as a warning and continued to go for the tabby. He went for one of its legs, trying to bite down as hard as he could.

Cherrycloud used Front Paw Strike, dealing 7 damage and costing 7 SP! Fox used Iron Bite, dealing 17 damage and costing 30 SP!

Cherrycloud
20/30 HP
67/80 SP (-7)

Kestrelswoop
43/60 HP (-17)
11/140 SP

Fox
29/60 HP (-7)
125/180 SP (-30)

The tom was glad to see Cherry had fully recovered and was now getting hits in on the fox. However, that also meant that the fox had also regained it's composure and was ready to take them on. The tom didn't get a chance to move when the predator lunged at him and bit down hard on his left foreleg. Kerath bit back a yowl and but let out a gasp instead. He'd almost forgotten how painful a fox's bite can be. He wasn't going to forget anytime soon after this was all over.

The warrior ripped his limb from the predator's jaws and wasted no time in rearing up onto his back legs and bringing his front paws down onto it's head. He made sure to put a lot of weight behind it so he could effectively shove the beast into the ground.

He could tell that it was weak. They needed to quickly work together to end this.
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Kestrelswoop used Upright Lock on Fox, dealing 10 damage and using 20 SP.

Kestrelswoop:
43/60[HP]
90/140[SP] (-20 SP)

Fox:
19/60[HP] (-10 HP)
125/180[SP]

Cherrycloud:
20/30[HP]
67/80[SP]

Cherrycloud's attempts to distract the fox failed and it continued to attack Kestrelswoop, grabbing his leg. Panic started to grow in her, but he managed to rip his leg from its grip. He brought his paws down on its head, shoving it to the ground. Cherrycloud took the opportunity to bite its flank before it could knock her away. Quick as lightning, she reared up and brought her paws down on its head. Hoping that would daze it, she ran back to where Kestrelswoop was.

Cherrycloud used Snap + Thunderous Stomp, dealing 9 damage (7+2) and costing 17 SP (7+10)! Fox is stunned for 1 turn!

Cherrycloud
20/30 HP
50/80 SP (-17)

Kestrelswoop
43/60 HP
90/140 SP

Fox
10/60 HP (-9)
125/180 SP

Pride was all that he felt at that moment as he watched Cherrycloud use the opportunity he gave and stunned the foul fox with a strong stomp to the head, as he'd done prior. It was over for it. The tom rushed to the downed creature and with a strike by his unsheathed paw, sliced it's throat and effectively put it down for good. Thanks to teamwork, they saved each other's hides and simultaneously rid ThunderClan of a dangerous beast.
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Kestrelswoop used Front Paw Strike on Fox, dealing 10 damage and using 7 SP. Fox is now K.Oed!

Kestrelswoop:
43/60[HP]
83/140[SP] (-7 SP)

Fox: [K.O!]
0/60[HP] (-10 HP)
125/180[SP]

Cherrycloud:
20/30[HP]
50/80[SP]
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"Great work Cherry! I couldn't of handled it all on my own. We make a pretty good team." he said with enthusiasm after a few silent moments of staring at the fox's body. Now that the adrenaline rush had faded away, the pain of his left front leg was making a return but he paid it no mind. He could walk it off for now. "I'm proud of how far you've come. You were always a talented apprentice but now that you're a warrior, your skills can truly shine. I hope you know how honored I was to be your mentor. You and my other former apprentice, Starlingflare, have exceeded my expectations and I'm more than gracious." Words spoken of the heart impacted the most. He wasn't one to exaggerate. He was definitely more than proud of his former apprentices. Here's him hoping that he'd be blessed with more young cats to train.