Remember, No Claws [c]

After learning Burningwing got another apprentice, Cicadapaw had been determined to spar with them when he had the chance. He was sure the gut reaction was just because he wanted to prove he was the better apprentice. Burningwing had him for longer, taught him the most, clearly he was the better choice... Yet, he knew his mentor well enough that there was a possibility he was teaching Nightpaw more controversial knowledge as well, and he wanted to know if there was another rogue-apologist in his clan or someone rational he could talk to. The only way to find out was to interact and see.

"I think this is a good spot," He declared, looking around the clearing. The moon above shined through the pine trees, illuminating the small clearing he found with areas of light and deep shadow. The ground below had a nice mix of mud and solid ground, just enough for it to be a boon or a bane depending on where a cat stepped. The perfect Shadowclan cat battleground. Surely any pureblood would excel in this environment.

He turned to face his companion, his tail flicking back in forth in anticipation of a scuffle. Not a real one, unless they made it so, but good enough for him. It got his heart pumping and adrenaline running all the same, regardless of if his claws were sheathed or not. "Do you wanna put in place any special rules or do you wanna just fight like proper warriors." Cicadapaw gave a cocky grin, the playful tone to his voice just enough to keep his words from being a jab. He could offer a little courtesy. No claws would be a give-in, but he would allow Nightpaw to be a mouse and ask more of him. Cicadapaw didn't subscribe to the idea that restrictions were important, claws were allowed in real battle so he didn't understand why they were taboo in training, but he could at least see it as a challenge to work around. "Your call."

"Sounds like quitter talk. Tch, special rules." Nightpaw rolled his eyes, "Other than the usual. I'd rather not scar my face more while I'm still young and handsome." Nightpaw joked, which was quite unusual of him, but he couldn't help but feel like getting fired up. Nightpaw had his pride on the line in this duel, Cicadapaw was Burningwing's other apprentice, but Nightpaw had grown fast and strong under his tutelage. He was, however, not very surprised when Cicadapaw had pulled him away for a bit of battle practice, Burningwing had suggested that they go paw to paw once before after all, so it was about time, though it was a shame that Burningwing wasn't there to watch. He'll just have to remember to tell Burningwing that he won after he gives Cicadapaw a proper battering.

Easing into his battle crouch, Nightpaw slinked around Cicadapaw briefly, sizing him up and evaluating him with sharp amber eyes. Nightpaw at this point had a special talent for leaping for things and fastening onto them so well is practically impossible to throw him off, hunting hares would do that to a tom. Cicadapaw was admittedly bigger, and bulkier too, but Nightpaw knew how to use his leaner frame to his advantage. He'd assume that Cicadapaw wouldn't think that Nightpaw would just throw himself at him, and instead from the side, but he was about to prove the calico wrong.

Nightpaw launched towards Cicadapaw, his claws out for traction on the ground and sheathed once more once he leaped. Nightpaw brought his paws up and forwards and fastened himself to Cicadapaw's head like a snapping turtle, the weight and power behind his leap, and the momentum presented with his body weight tossed the bigger tom onto his back, and Nightpaw released himself. Pushing off with his back legs, he slammed Cicadapaw into the mud and snow, before landing behind him gracefully.

Nightpaw used Jumping Strike, for 6 damage, with the first attack buff and Shadowclan passive buff adding +4 damage total. Nightpaw loses 7 SP.

Nightpaw:

HP: 20/20
SP: 53/60

Cicadapaw:
HP: 10/20
SP: 60/60

Cicadapaw's grin only grew wider as Nightpaw quipped back. It was always more fun when his opponents played back a bit.

He didn't move, allowing Nightpaw to get as much of an eyeful as he wanted. He wasn't afraid of some scrawny apprentice. He just kept his paws firmly planted and waited for the inevitable attack. Most cats would want to avoid teeth and claws, aiming for a much after target and going for his flank. His tense muscles prepared for that, ready to dodge and counter-attack. It was a better bet for a smaller cat like him. Yet, Nightpaw didn't seem to follow the script he had given him in his head.

Amber eyes widened in shock as the black cat flung himself at him, his paws unable to move in time to protect himself. The full weight of the young cat pushed him backward, his back legs slipping in the mud in his panicked scramble backward. Then, the whole world began to tilt. It felt like he had been upturned in less than a bink's time,  wheezing as he was thrust into the same mud that had betrayed him earlier. It knocked the air out of him, his head throbbing from the force.

It took a moment for his body to recalibrate, absorbing what just happened. He stiffly rolled back onto his paws, half his pelt heavy and dark with mire and we looked to Nightpaw, bewildered. This... wasn't how this was supposed to go. "Didn't think you would pretend to be a weasel." His words came as a sly hiss, trying to hide the bruised ego the other tom had just stomped all over. Winning this fight would mend it though. He launched himself forward, jaws wide to clamp down on the apprentice's tail. Enough to get a good grip but leaving the skin intact. Then, he gave a sharp pull. Strategy wasn't something Cicadapaw specialized in, but he knew a stunned target was an easier one, and easy targets absorbed more damage.

Cicadapaw used Tail Yank, costing 15 SP and dealing 7 Damage! (+1 for Night Finese). Nightpaw is now stunned for one round!

Cicadapaw:
HP: 10/20
SP: 45/60 (-15)

Nightpaw: Stunned 0/1
HP: 12/20 (-8)
SP: 53/60

"You insult me! I'm but just a pure-blooded Shadowclan cat!" Nightpaw hissed in turn, the triumphant, smug grin wiping from his face as his tail got yanked. Slipping into the muck, and landing heavily with a thump. But Nightpaw wasn't about to take it lying down, he wasn't mouse-brained and seemed to have inherited all the smarts in the family. Nightpaw lifted his feet and shoved Cicadiapaw off of him, just enough to get a bit of wiggle room. With his heart now thudding in his chest, he pulled himself up by what seemed to be sheer willpower of his own and fastened his teeth around the older toms' throat. Weasel would be a very correct analogy, as they were both finding out at that exact moment as Nightpaw used his jaws to their fullest extent once more.


Nightpaw used Random Recall! Over-coming his stun, while also using Snap for 6 damage(+1). Nightpaw uses 7 SP.

Nightpaw:
HP: 12/20
SP: 46/60

Cicadapaw:
HP: 3/20 (-7)
SP: 45/60

He purred, watching the dark apprentice tumble into the mud. He raised a paw to batter at the fallen tom only to falter as he comprehended what Nightpaw had just said. Pureblooded Shadowclan cat. Not many would feel the need to mention such a fact, not unless they felt it was important and honorable enough to mention. Perhaps he had found one of the few competent cats in the clan.

And clearly, Cicadapaw wasn't one of them, as his hesitation allowed Nightpaw to retaliate. He grunted as a harsh kick to the ribs, taking a few steps back on impulse and trying to get his breath back. Yet, jaws latching onto his throat haltered his progress. Why wouldn't Nightpaw just sit still?!

Anger boiled in his blood as he realized he was quickly losing this fight. Wheezing through his teeth, he snarled as he battered the tom's face and muzzle with a paw. While careful not to hit eyes, he was desperate to free himself from the other apprentice's grasp.

Cicadapaw used Front Paw Strike, costing 7 SP and dealing 6 Damage! (+1 from Night Finesse)

Cicadapaw:
HP: 3/20
SP: 38/60 (-7)

Nightpaw:
HP: 5/20 (-7)
SP: 53/60

Nightpaw stumbled back briefly from Cicadapaw's barrage, the sting of his hits making his head ring. But if he wanted to play that game, so would Nightpaw. Pushing against those paws, he raised onto his back paws and caught his paws against the attacking toms, stilling his motions for a vital moment. Nightpaw sneered at the calico, sparing the moment to add insult to injury as he reeled his head back and slammed it forwards into the older toms head. Nightpaw saw stars in his eyes, and one of his scars re-opened but by Starclan would that be worth it!

Nightpaw did his best to look as unaffected as possible as he got as much distance as he could from the older tom in case he decided to retaliate. Nightpaws vision still swam, stars dancing across his darkened vision, but he was more than confident that he had won this fight. He had proved himself to be the better of the two apprentices, despite their differences in age and experience. And if that didn't tickle Nightpaw's fancy and add a huge ego boost to the two hares and an owl under his name, then he didn't know what would.


Nightpaw used Headbutt! Costing 4 dmg(+1) and 5 SP! Cicadapaw is out of the fight!

Nightpaw:
HP: 5/20
SP: 41/60

Cicadapaw:
HP: -2/20
SP: 38/60

Cicadapaw didn't need that dreadful sneer to know he was about to be put out of commission, feeling salt get rubbed in the wounds of his ego as Nightpaw's head smashed into his jaw. Teeth cut into his own tongue as they clacked together from the blow, the faint taste of iron filling his mouth as he stumbled back and fell onto his side. The whole world was spinning, pangs of pain blossoming in his skull. Darn cat could hit hard.

"Foxdung, fine, you win!" He surrendered, picking himself up into a sit. He didn't trust himself to stand just yet. "I was going easy on you at first, took me by surprise." He grinned through his lie, some of his teeth stained red from his wounded tongue. "No cat would mistake you for anything other than pure Shadowclan blood, perhaps some true weasels should look to you for advice." Cicadapaw brought a paw up to rub and soothe his bruised jaw. He wasn't one to dole out compliments, but he felt Nightpaw deserved it. He better appreciate it.

"If only the whole clan could be like that. We'd be a clan no one messed with."

Cicadapaw is K.O'ed, he surrenders!

Nightpaw, now finally recovered from his stunt, decided to ignore the whole 'I took it easy on you' remark. Padding forwards now that he knew Cicadapaw didn't have any fight left in him, he offered one of his paws but looked away as if to conserve the older tom's pride. "It's under Burningwings tutelage that I've managed to utilize my blessings as well as I could, despite the constant vigilance of Frostgaze. Perhaps a few more cats could learn under him." Nightpaw remarked dismissively, though he wasn't really aware of what his statement implicated. "I believe that we as pure-blooded toms could fight as well as we could, those of our lineages, especially of my own, has their advantages." Nightpaw shrugged, whether his paw was taken or not, he used it to wipe the opened wound on his head and wiped away the blood. It had already stopped bleeding at least.

If he somehow could have less control over himself, he would have lept for joy when Nightpaw agreed with him. But he could keep his composure for now, quietly accepting the paw offered and rising to all four feet. "Good to hear that not every Shadowclan cat has their head on backward," he purred. "Of course a cat born from generations in the marsh and from fierce fighters would be adapted to that lifestyle. But some cats don't listen to reason like Frostgaze, making you feel bad for having your own thoughts."

"Perhaps we should stick together, you know? Since half the clan seems so star-bent on fighting against proper Shadowclan cats." He was sick and tired of having to hold his tongue, unaware of if he spoke his mind, he would get yelled at. If he couldn't set cats straight, he could at least find the rational ones and make bonds.

"I wouldn't really say that. Every cat of high ranking is of pureblood after all. And that includes Frostgaze, for better or for worse. But yeah, I don't really mind sticking together. Birds of a feather stick together after all." Nightpaw remarked, once more a bit dismissively. He was biased, but he wasn't totally unfair. Non-pure blooded cats could do just fine in Shadowclan, they just weren't the best of the best and never would be. "I don't think we're the only ones that think like this, and surely won't be the last. Though it seems to me that Ratpaw might think similarly. And who knows who else." Shrugging non-committedly, plopping into a sit as he conversed with the older tom. Despite how spicy Cicadapaw has proven himself to be, Nightpaw found him decent company.

Cicadapaw wasn't quite sure about Nightpaw's assertion. Sure, all the high ranks were pure now, but what about later? What about when Frostgaze or some other idiot brings in another gaggle of rogue kits? If they didn't grow up and dilute the clan with their blood, surely they would dilute their minds. What if they didn't honor Starclan or the clan that brought them in? What if they caused another Batglow accident? Being of rogue decent, they would probably be more inclined to let more rogues into the clan, only increasing the risk of danger to Shadowclan! After all that, how many pure cats would be left to take a high rank? But that was... a lot to dump onto Nightpaw at once, the accumulation of a whole life's worth of worrying. Not to mention he would probably sound like a paranoid freak...

He gave a nod, earning a new name that he should investigate. He had never had a proper conversation with Ratpaw, but now he had new reasons to seek him out. "Marshmallow might too. I haven't talked with her about her views and I'm not sure how much of Frostgaze's influence has gotten to her, but she seems like a reasonable cat. I might talk to her about it and see where her ideas lie." He shrugged. He liked their talks and banter, even if it could get intense sometimes. "But no, I doubt we are the only ones to have the safety of Shadowclan and its bloodlines in mind. And I'm sure a proper talk wouldn't bring a few more cats onto our side when they realize we aren't being unreasonable."

The question was how. Burningwing always seemed good at words. Cicadapaw was... not. He knew he had a tendency to yell when things weren't going his way, making him sound less and less convincing the angrier he got. But the security of his clan was the most important to him, he would have to learn to be convincing.

"Marshmallow? Don't get me wrong, she's all well and good. But that whole mess with the thunder path and my hare-brained brother? If she had any bias for blood, she would've helped my brother not walk onto the thunderpath and get struck by a monster. But instead, she just watched him get hit without doing anything." Nightpaw huffed, a sour tone colouring his voice as he considered the she-cat. "I don't know, do what you will, but I'm not entirely sure she should be trusted." If Cicadapaw wanted to seek her out, that was fine with him, he had no business in the matter as far as he was concerned. He wasn't sure if he wished to trust her or not, but Loudnose was at fault for his own mistakes ideally. But if he was stupid enough to walk onto the thunderpath and get hit by a monster, maybe he would share the same beliefs as him, Cicadapaw, Ratpaw, and Burningwing?

"Well, it'd be pretty funny if Loudnose had the same beliefs we did. Not like it'd be hard to find out." Nightpaw chuckled, thinking his thoughts aloud for once.

"She has... strange jokes..." He started, offering only a hesitant shrug for sympathy. "She asked me to fight a fox once, and I probably would have done it if I didn't realize it was joke. I'm sure she didn't think your brother would go on the path and it was too late by time she came to her senses to stop him." Probably... she was a hard cat to understand. Any jokes she made was in the same tone of voice she always used, nothing to differentiate sarcasm with a genuine request. The only tell he could see is if the request could kill someone, then it was probably a joke... He didn't have the full story, but part of him hoped she was better than to purposely get anyone hurt beyond a scratch.

Cicadapaw barked a laugh at the idea of Loudnose doing anything but accepting anyone with open paws. "I'm pretty sure he'd bring in a whole gang of rogues if they said they were hungry. He's a good cat, has a good heart, but he's more naive than a fledgling bird." He had talked with the tom a few times. He was one of the few calming cats he liked to talk to, it would be nice to have him on their side. "But who knows, maybe he might be interested if he doesn't believe already. It would be good to find out. The more cats we have on our side, the more likely we might be able to overrule the next time a bleeding heart tries to bring in another lost rogue."

Nightpaw couldn't help but chuckle, "I wish I could say I'd be mad if you insulted my brother like that. I'm afraid I can't deny the truth though." Nightpaw huffed with good mirth, taking a moment to shake the muck from his fur, careful not to splatter Cicadapaw with it. "I figure it's a good shot as any, but if you wanted to talk to other cats about this stuff, that's on you. Frostgaze is always breathing down my neck, it's suffocating. I've gotta sneak out everywhere I go just to do anything or talk to anyone really." Moving to stretch out his limbs before the practice fight made him too sore, Nightpaw huffed in displeasure at the thought. He really did have eyes on him all the time it seemed, but it supposedly came with the fact that a tom of his social standing would be kept an eye on regardless of who his mentor was. A leader's son was important.

Cicadapaw hadn't even registered the insult until it was out of his mouth and said. But then again, he wouldn't have changed his wording even if he had. "I said one good thing about him, it balances out."

He shrugged nonchalantly. "Yeah, I got ya. I'll pretty much be a free bird when my apprenticeship ends. If you think a cat might share our views later on, just let me in on it and I'll see what I can do. I don't have hover parents or nosy deputies on my tail." Or anyone really. He wouldn't admit that he was a little jealous of how much other cats seemed to care for Nightpaw, worrying so much that their suspicion was misplaced. But then again, he did like being able to get away with things, so he supposed he had the better situation.