reconcile // dismantle [territory dispute]

Dewlight's tail twitched, her eyes flashing in anger. "The real reason you brought a full battle patrol. The answer is no. We also need the hunting ground. Perhaps you've forgotten, but RiverClan had to battle dogs and twolegs all Greenleaf. While your clan grew fat on the abundance of prey Greenleaf brought, RiverClan starved slowly. We are barely recovering from that, just as leaf-bare looms over us. You say SkyClan took over part of your territory, why don't you fight to reclaim it, rather than turning to claim another clan's territory instead? Besides, WindClan did the same to us at the gorge. Jaystar's agreement to keep the gorge was taken back, as RiverClan has had many large litters, many losses due to the dogs that hunted us on our own territory, and significant lack of our main source of prey due to the twolegs and their antics. With all due respect, I will not allow my kits, of which there are seven, to starve because you asked nicely, Minkstar." Dewlight mewed, trying to keep her voice steady.

"You and your clan didn't help us as we were starving while fresh-kill rotted from sitting too long in your camp, and you dare come to ask us to simply give up territory? I'm disappointed, I thought higher of you Minkstar. You have your answer, this conversation is over. Now, you can either leave, or I can make my message even more clear. What will it be, Minkstar?" She growled, tail lashing now as she watched for his next move, her eyes unwavering from the ThunderClan leader's face.

Pointless. All of this was pointless. Trying to take a peaceful route was a waste of time, of course Riverclan wouldn't be willing to give up Sunning rocks. Starlingflare didn't even know why they were trying to discuss it. All she could talk about was their own struggles? She spoke of their own struggles and mentioned help in the same moment, and instead of offering to help Thunderclan in their time of need she just denied it? Starlingflare couldn't help the snort that escaped him.

Fine. If she wanted it to be that way, he would make it that way. He would make up for this loss of time right now. He noticed that her gaze was locked on to Minkstar so she wouldn't notice if he made a move. Perfect. His yellow eye flicked back to his clanmates giving a small nod to Appledapple. This land would be theirs. He would make sure of it.

The gray tom bunched up his muscles before springing forward claws out stretched as he tackled the deputy to the ground, trying to dig into every bit of skin he could. "Should have paid more attention." He sneered.

Starlingflare used Jumping Strike dealing 7 + 3 damage, -6 SP

Starlingflare:
45/45 HP
74/80 SP

Dewlight:
70/80 HP
170/170 SP


Dovefrost sat back, fear dropping in his stomach like a stone as Minkstar had given the signal for an attack.. Somewhere inside him he knew the peace talk wouldn't work, he wished it would have. Wished there was some kind of agreement they could reach. For now he sat back, ready to jump in if he was needed.

Dovefrost:
35/35 HP
70/70 SP

Stoatfur watched, intently staring after the enemy patrol. The she-cat's response wasn't a surprise - it was as he anticipated, every clan would be fighting for survival during the cold season. Given his own worry about feeding the clan's young, there was a small flash of sympathy. But sympathy didn't line warm bellies. She spit on Minkstar's offer of peace; while it was a futile attempt, it was an honorable one. He narrowed his eyes at Riverclan's deputy before moving to look at the rest of the clan's fighting force. There was recognition across his features as the tom saw Scarletriver - a she-cat he met at a gathering.

All friendly relationships were off when the moon wasn't full. There was no peace here. Claws had already unsheathed and he flexed them again in anticipation. It was almost time. Tension crackled in the air and he focused on his own breathing. Numbers were even, it'd be a fair enough fight. There was a flash out of the corner of his eye. Someone had broken ranks, charging into battle. He couldn't blame them... Stoatfur had chosen this patrol for a reason. Without hesitation, he threw himself forward, ready to support in the battle for territory. This was for Thunderclan, not just for his own peace but for the cats who relied on him.

His gaze landed on the dark-furred tom and he leaped, sinking his claws in and attempting to pin his foe to the rocks.

Stoatfur used leap and hold, dealing 10 damage and using 14 stamina. Jayshriek is held for 1 turn.

Stoatfur
HP: 65/65 (+deputy stats, -disadvantaged stats)
SP: 106/120

Jayshriek
HP: 40/50
SP: 120/120

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

---

'Effect Dice' : 2

Well, a battle was on their paws now. She returned Starlingflare's nod. Stupid RiverClan. They deserve this. We could have done this without bloodshed.

There was the signal. Appledapple leapt immediately after Starlingflare and Stoatfur, towards a smaller she-cat that she'd had her eyes on. If RiverClan wasn't going to listen to reason, then she had no intention of fighting fair.

Appledapple used Leap-and-Hold on Scarletriver, dealing 8 damage and costing 14 (15-1) stamina. Scarletriver is stunned for 2 turns.

Appledapple:
35/35 HP
56/70 SP

Scarletriver:
22/30 HP
80/80 SP

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

---

'Effect Dice' : 4

This was not going well. "I can hardly barge in to save RiverClan when the twolegs and dogs come out," He objected, struggling to keep his temper in check as she blamed his Clan for anything and everything. Problem was, he could actually see what she meant. That was how RiverClanners thought of ThunderClan. You only ever poke your self-righteous noses in when you need something from us. When you need to steal something from us. In a way, she did have a point. He could have offered assistance from ThunderClan, nevermind that Ivystar never would have taken it anyway.

And of course, now she was going to pretend SkyClan was as easy to confront as a lily on a pond. "Maybe you forget the toll SkyClan took on both RiverClan and WindClan," He returned, a hint of frost colouring his tone, annoyance picking away at the calm he'd fought so hard to keep. An annoyance that misted away to surprise at the mention of WindClan taking the gorge. Weren't they allies? Stars, he was doing more than they were to keep the peace, and their Clans weren't even friendly to each other at the best of times.

His resolve wavered in the face of the picture she drew of her Clan starving. They, too, had kits, but not that many. A distant part of him wondered if maybe she was exaggerating, the rest said it wasn't likely. And, like it or not, he knew the toll the twolegs could take on the river and its prey, along with the carnage wreaked by the dogs they brought with them.

Her jab at his Clan's supposed "plenty" during Greenleaf made his eyes narrow, the tip of his tail twitching, but when he spoke his tone was calm. She may have given him her answer, but he wasn't done trying yet. "You assume a lot about a Clan you've never been to. What I'm offering is a chance for us to work out a solution that could help both our Clans. Greenleaf may have treated us better than you, but it isn't stopping us from starving now. And like it or not, you could take back the gorge just as 'easily' as we could what SkyClan stole from us."

His tail flowed gently out low to the ground behind him in a neutral pose, the signal he'd given to the patrol for "ready."  A distant ache pulled at his chest, the hint of anger gone from his gaze as he looked up at the RiverClanners, face impassive. Being passive had cost him enough. No matter how much it hurt, he'd made his choice, and he would not go back on it. "The last thing I want to do is take food from the mouths of kits, but my loyalty is to my Clan. Not yours."

On the last word, the tip of his tail flicked, and the stone was cast.

There was no going back, now.

The patrol leapt into action, too soon to have not already come to same conclusion he had, and in a swift bound he darted lithely onto the rocks, memories of playing here with littermates and friends a ghastly counterpoint to the snarls and hisses that abruptly broke out. His unsheathed claws ripped through fur and skin in a sickening sensation he'd come to loathe. Even as it became ever easier. But the pain of doing so to a pelt so similar to his own hurt more than claws ever would.

Minkstar used front paw strike, dealing 12 damage and using 7 stamina.

Minkstar

HP: 95/95 (+disadvantaged stats)

SP: 144/150 (-6) [Buff from Medicine Cat active]


Bearspirit

HP: 58/70 (-12)

SP: 160/160

Bearspirit used Leap and Hold on Minkstar, dealing 10 damage and -15SP

Bearspirit
58HP / 145SP (-15SP)

Minkstar
Disadvantaged stats active
Pinned for 2 turns
85HP / 150SP (-10HP)

Short and bad, but I have to go to work like... 10 minutes ago...

Wolfblaze stood tall, taller than most of her clanmates. It was easy to see who she wanted to fight, someone who would provide a challenge. That one. A bobtail who seemed like he didn't want to fight. There was some experience in his stance, the form, it would make the fight fun. She also knew that Dewshine would refuse Minkstar's offer, though it was valiant of him to ask before simply trying to take. Even though it was rightfully theirs. She hadn't even been angry about that, but she started getting angry when there was talk of feeding kits. As if they were the only clan with kits. Her fur bristled and puffed out, making her even larger than she was.

Then Starlingflare leaped in, and Minkstar gave the signal. Well, no time like the present. Within heartbeats, with heavy, thundering paw steps, she rushed Turtlefur, flinging herself at him with her claws extended, a wild look in her eyes. "Thunderclan needs these rocks just as badly as Riverclan! Wanna see who wants it more?" She towered over the smaller tom, looking at him with an ambitious smirk. This'd be fun.

Wolfblaze used Jumping Strike, dealing 7 (+3 unfocused) damage, and using 7 (-1 Dovefrost) stamina!

Wolfblaze
45/45 HP
84/90 SP (-6)

Turtlefur
60/70 HP (-10)
160/160 SP

Dice roll... apparently is necessary

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

---

'Effect Dice' : 5

As soon as he drew blood with the first attack, the other tom whirled around and grappled with him, the gritty sand of the rocks digging into his back as they rolled across the boulders, the cold air of leaf-fall suddenly spitting with heat as the tension exploded. Twisting, he shoved at the other, snapping and twisting, his own pelt slicker than the average ThunderClanner's. Slipping out of the other tom's claws, he rolled away and leapt to his paws again, teeth bared and claws ready for the next move.

Minkstar used Duck and Twist, consuming 5 SP and dealing 5 damage. Passive Slippery Coat ability active. Attempt was successful!

Minkstar (no longer pinned)

HP: 85/95 (+disadvantaged stats)

SP: 140/150 (-4) [Buff from Medicine Cat active]


Bearspirit

HP: 53/70 (-5)

SP: 145/160

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

---

'Effect Dice' : 3

The tension was growing. Dewlight sidestepped Minkstar’s request for an audience with Ivystar and turned him down flatly. The ThunderClan leader and his warriors were upset, but Turtlefur couldn’t help but wonder how he thought this ‘peaceful’ meeting would go. Probably not well, considering the battle patrol Jayshriek and Dewlight bitterly called out. It happened in less than a heartbeat: the ThunderClan warriors crashed forward, landing the first blows on him and his Clanmates. Turtlefur felt the enemy she-cat’s claws rip through his long fur, and he met her hungry eyes with gritted teeth and narrowed pupils. He lunged, meeting her shoulders with his big paws, and forced her downward. He was shockingly strong, and he pushed her head into the shallows of the river without too much thought about it.

Turtlefur used Underwater Clinch on Wolfblaze, dealing 6 damage and using 10 stamina. Wolfblaze is stunned for one turn.

Wolfblaze
39/45 HP
84/90 SP

Turtlefur
60/70 HP
150/160 SP

Dewlight's eyes narrowed as Minkstar responded. Clearly he hadn't listened to anything she said. The milk scent still clung to her fur, her kits were mostly weaned by this point but she still spent most of her time in the nursery with them. Wasn't it obvious that she had just as many, if not more mouths to feed? "Yes, take back the gorge, and gain a treacherous hunting ground that drowns more prey than it provides. Well thought, wise Minkstar." She hissed as his tail flicked, and she let out a yowl. Minkstar moved, but she realized with a jolt that it wasn't at her. A flash of movement out of the corner of her eye made her head swing towards a new opponent, and as they tumbled she gripped his hind leg in her jaws and bit down, eyes narrowed with anger but careful not to bite too hard and risk breaking his leg... Yet.

Dewlight used Teeth Grip, dealing 8 damage and costing 15 SP. Starlingflare is gripped for two turns and can only use standard moves.

Starlingflare:
37/45 HP (-8)
74/80 SP

Dewlight:
70/80 HP
155/170 SP (-15)