Chasing Ghosts [Hollyshine]

The trail of blood had led them along clan borders and eventually past Windclan's territory, to rocky landscape that Beechfang despised. Bits of gray rock peeked through bright snow, and she kept herself low to the ground. The pale, barren landscape lended itself well to hiding her own pale fur... And she was sure it would do the same for Dawnhawk, should they find him out here. She'd allowed herself and Hollyshine to rest for a little while, as the journey to get past highstones had taken all day, and then they were moving again as the sun rose behind a thick layer of cloudcover that promised snow.

"Stay close, stay quiet." Beechfang said, tone so soft that it didn't carry beyond herself and Hollyshine. "Remember, we are not engaging if we find them. As much as I hate admitting it, my littermate is experienced and knows what he's doing when it comes to evading being caught. And now he has numbers on his side." And with that, Beechfang started forward, yellow-green eye sweeping over the barren landscape as they moved on from highstones. Beechfang's shoulders had been tight with tension, but she kept her tail from twitching and her pace steady. She'd never had a reason to go beyond mothermouth and the moonstone, but now she did. They needed to keep their guard up.

The tom they had tracked had tried to cover his tracks, but it hadn't worked completely up till now. Hopefully they wouldn't lose it in the rocky landscape when they'd come this far. Her gaze swept over the landscape once more, searching desperately for signs of movement. Something, anything.

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

---

'Invasion Dice' :

”Be quiet. Right.” Hollyshine nodded seriously, remembering again to mind her step. Thankfully, she had practice navigating rocky, uneven terrain — when visibility was low, even — and she was light and steady on her feet. The part about not engaging, she got as well... even if the entire journey had her buzzing and bristling with anticipation. At what a rogue hideout would look like, and if they’d see anyone.

Hollyshine wasn’t an apprentice anymore, after all. I’ll tear them apart if they try anything. But her Aunt Beechfang — who always looked ready for a fight — told her to be cautious, and Hollyshine trusted her. That’s not our job right now.

They were spying for Bloodstar. Spy patrol, not battle patrol.

They continued walking tirelessly, side by side. She recognized part of the trail: toward Highstones. But they had traced it even further. It was only thanks to the strength of the scent, and how recently the rogue limped through, that they could. Hollyshine was... okay, a bad tracker. (Really bad.) But even she could follow a bloodied cat reeking of urine, as was Bloodstar’s ingenious plan. (If a distasteful one, but then again it was a filthy rogue, so whatever. His open cuts could get ugly and infected and gross; not her problem, even if the cat was so-called kin.)

(She did keep thinking about it, though. How gross. Did it burn?!)

But the trail was growing fainter. Has his bleeding slowed? she wondered, sharp-eyed for traces of it. She found the thought instinctually comforting, having recently been covered in such clawmarks; it certainly wasn’t fun. But then her tail stiffened in annoyance. Not that I care! Even if he might be my cousin, or something. Still a filthy, dirty rogue.

Perhaps she should have felt exposed, with her dark fur stark against the mountain, but Hollyshine wasn’t one to think about such things. (Not really.) But she had been told to be quiet, so she whispered, “Do you still smell it, Aunt Beechfang? The trail?”

Klaus had recoiled immediately when he smelled Ares coming. He revulsion turned to concern when he had seen the claw marks... awfully large clawmarks... on his son. Not even a full moment later, his concern had hardened into rage. His son had left a trail... the fool! After being briefed by Ares on what happened, Klaus knew he had little time to prepare.

Bloodstar letting an opponent go without killing him or maiming him? It was a trap. One hundred percent a trap. His father wasn't known for his mercy in combat, never had been, and Klaus severely doubted that he was suddenly softening in his old age. He tried not to be too harsh on Ares... how could he have known what Bloodstar was really like? But for everything else? The fool should have known better!

Klaus had organized the Order into ambush stations, desperately muddying some length of the scent trail that Ares had left in an attempt to maybe throw their pursuers off the trail. Once everyone had settled into their ambush positions, all he had to do was wait. Ares had been stuffed into a den and covered heavily with snow in an attempt to keep his reek under control.

Sure enough, two Skyclan cats came into view. Klaus inwardly cursed Ares once more for his carelessness. They would have to move, at least for a little while. Maybe they'd stay in the barn for a few moons until this all blew over.

Upon spotting Beechface (he didn't know her warrior name yet I don't think) and... whoever that was... his fur bristled. His sister would love to be the reason he and his family failed... He waited until they were both well inside their semi-circle of fighters ready to spring before he finally stood up out of his snow pile. The snow fell off of him in sheets, like a pale zombie rising from a frosty grave.

"Unless you have come to join us, my sister and... young molly... you will not be moving forward another step. Ever." Klaus growled. He had no intention of letting them join, but if he could get them to lower their guard for even a moment, he was going to take advantage. The rest of the Order had been given permission to emerge with a swish of his tail. If they decided to try to attack or hold either of them down, then oh well. He'd allow it.

Normally, with the idea of invasion on the horizon, Aoife would stay solidly at camp, and be the first to meet attackers at the entrance. However, she didn't want to put off a chance to prove herself. With the common success of the order, it was highly unlikely the battle would make it back to camp, and it felt like far too long since she had flexed her claws.

It had been a stupid move from Ares, but the she-cat couldn't really blame her brother. Everyone made mistakes, and depending on how this went, it was unlikely he would repeat this one. But if their camp location was known to even a few clan cats, that news could spread. The order was strong, but it was unlikely they would be able to face the united force of five clans. She followed Klaus through the snow, towards the two invaders that dare tread on their territory.

Although she made no move to attack yet, her stance remained poised to leap. She watched the confrontation carefully without saying a word, eager to somewhat meet her aunt that her father hated so much.

A pale form rose in front of her, and Beechfang's lips curled at the sight of her littermate. She swept her own tail in front of Hollyshine, barring her from stepping forward. Her claws itched to tear into his fur, to inflict as much damage on him as he'd done to her. The sweep of Dawnhawk's tail was a signal however, and Beechfang kept her paws firmly planted on the ground, gaze sweeping around to see that she and Hollyshine were very much outnumbered. Naturally. She'd expected little else, truthfully. His little group had been enough to attack Shadowclan, after all. She knew better than to charge headlong into a fight that was unwinnable... And Bloodstar's warning flashed in her mind. It was still frustrating, though. One day Dawnhawk wouldn't have protection surrounding him. Couldn't do that if she charged in and died here, though.

Join him? Never. She scoffed, eyeing her brother critically. Noting the whited-over eye and the new scars. Whoever had done that had missed his throat, rather unfortunate. "Careful brother, you're starting to look more like me with each passing season. Almost as ugly on the outside as the inside. Almost." Beechfang spoke, noting each cat that was visible from where she stood. The she-cat she caught sight of definitely looked like she could be Dawnhawk's daughter. Poor kit likely had no idea of what her father had done, was probably loyal to him. Sickening. Perhaps a little education was in order... Though she'd need to be quick about it. Knowing Dawnhawk, he wouldn't take kindly to it. "Niece, I presume? Has your father killed any two-moon-old kits recently? Maimed defenseless elders? Or does he keep you in the dark about the atrocities he's committed against his own kin?"

"Anyways... One of yours left quite the trail from Skyclan territory. Dad wanted me to make sure he got home safely. I figure he has, if you've been laying in wait. We'll be leaving. Now." She added, deliberately backing away. Every sense was on high alert, if any of them tried to attack, and she wouldn't put it past Dawnhawk at all, she and Hollyshine needed to run.

It wasn’t long before they saw someone. Hollyshine felt it in her fur, too; a shiver of something… like they were being watched in turn. But there’s no sign of a camp, just some stupid cat. And only one.

He… did look eerily familiar, though. Pale, reddish fur, long and sweeping. As the figure stepped closer, her eyes widened in startled recognition. He looks like mom. And, even more strikingly, he looked like Dawnfeather — if one blue eye were whited and blind, her fur lost its stripes, and Hollyshine’s sister started frowning and being kind of creepy.

“You’re Dawnhawk?” she blurted from behind Beechfang. For some reason, Hollyshine had pictured him taller. (And with more heads.) “My uncle?”

He did look like that; like he would fit perfectly mingling amongst her family. But their kit stories of evil were like... definitely exaggerated. There were no triple rows of sharp teeth, or extra eyes. (Not that she really thought that! She’d just... well... had some idea in her head, that he’d look as horrible as cats spoke of him. But he looked normal, in a warrior way. Well. Maybe not normal — he did kind of look scarily fierce, if you squinted. But he didn’t look like a deadly monster who crawled up from the Dark Forest.) Has he really killed, like, hundreds of cats?

Maybe like… one, she’d believe. Sort of. The young calico had to curl around aunt Beechfang to keep her fascinated stare, who had immediately stepped in front to snarl at him. It was as her aunt’s eye flicked to the side that Hollyshine finally noticed a second one.

A niece? Hollyshine’s green eyes — as vivid as Bloodstar’s — narrowed. A rogue niece. And her fur bristled. There are more! In the wind, she scented several others… behind them?

Hollyshine’s battle-awareness flickered to life, because they were definitely not friendly, and she became hyper-conscious of her aunt. “Yeah, we’re leaving,” she said boldly, muscles tensed.

There was a curious look on Aether as he padded out to join his father. He was scanning the pair of intruders, taking in their appearances, but for the most part, he didn't seem all that aggressive. And when they said they were leaving, he even looked sad. "Aww please don't go! Not yet! We could have some fun together! Wouldn't that be nice?"

One might have even thought that he was not a threat, until he looked up at his father, his eyes just as wide and innocent. "Can I have one of their pelts like you and ma did those ShadowClan cats? The tortoiseshell reminds me of the one I fought, could I wear her? please?" One wouldn't be able to tell what was worse, the fact that the thought crossed Aether's mind, or the fact he genuinely didn't see it as bad, but it seemed either way the tom would be trouble, no matter how innocent he seemed.

Klaus didn't react to the insult. It was so typical of Beechface to do it that he expected nothing less. He only stared as unblinking as a snake. Only once the other molly that he didn't know began speaking did he move, and that was only his eye to fix her in place. She seemed surprised that he was who he was... That at least got the corner of his lip to twitch once in amusement. Another niece? Probably not Beechface's but she had surprised him before. It wouldn't be her first kit.

"Old news. Try to come up with something new. The Order doesn't care about transgressions against clan cats. Oh by the way, I heard your daughter is dead, Beechface. Were you aware? Poor Birdsong... she seemed so sweet. I understand if you would want to see her again. I can make this quick." He grinned and his tail lashed with excitement. Aether began to speak as well, and he couldn't help but snort.

"If you really want to. I'll help you skin her... but you have to kill her first." His eye focused back on Beechfang... and that was the end of the conversation. He kicked off of the snow bank and lunged straight for her. That should have been all the signal that the Order needed to attack.

Klaus used Jumping Strike on Beechfang, dealing 13 damage and -7SP

Klaus
65HP / 123SP (-7SP)

Beechfang
32HP / 90SP (-13HP)

Hollyshine
40HP / 100SP

Aoife was taken aback when the grey warrior dressed her, using every last but of her will to keep her face unaffected. She tried to ignore Beechfang's words, tried telling herself that they were all lies. Clan cats were like that - they all hated Klaus so much that they would say anything to sweep his followers away. But somehow some of them didn't surprise her. As much as she wanted to to agree with her father, and to remind herself that actions against clan cats didn't matter here, her aunt's words still buried deep in her brain.

She still didn't dare say anything, terrified that all she would be able to ask for is more answers. Knowing Skyclan, this could be her only chance. But that could easily end very badly for her.

And she had a cousin as well. This was quite the family get-together. She surveyed the calico warrior carefully, trying not to take notice of how she had the same eyes as her. All of Aoife's life, family had meant so much to her. Could that ever extend to those she would have to battle against? Whilst she had a split-second to consider, Aether had reminded everyone how much of a filter he lacked. To the guard, killing was acceptable only when needed (however lonely that could be justified), but after the battle with Shadowclan, the idea of wearing another's pelt made her feel sick to the stomach. What if someone had done that to Apollo? or Aphrodite?

However, she had to join the fight. If anything, it was just to put up a strong front, and maybe, if she was lucky, it would push away the doubts Beechfang had caused. She leapt for the calico - who had her eyes - with claws ready, the battle taking over her, making everything easier.

Aoife used Jumping Strike on Hollyshine

Aoife
50/50 hp
113/120 sp [-7]

Hollyshine
29/40 hp [-8, -3 (first blow)]
100/100 sp

Aether grinned with joy as Klaus had accepted his request, even offering to help skin her! He was so happy at the prospect, but then Aoife attacked the molly. That made him upset. That was going to be his pelt, why couldn't she get her own?

With a growl, he attacked the molly whom he planned to wear, claws flailing as he struck at her. Although he glared at his sister. "Back off! Papa said I could have this pelt! Get the other one if you want one so bad!"

Aether used front paw strike and dirty trick, dealing 14 damage and costing 14 stamina.

Aether
50/50 HP
106/120 SP

Aoife
50/50 HP
113/120 SP

Holly shine
15/40 HP
100/100 SP

She could see the doubt in her niece's eyes... Good. Hopefully her words would make her think, at least a little. Dawnhawk had too many offspring that were blindly loyal, they needed the cobwebs ripped off. Surely they weren't all bad cats like him, if she could convince them, maybe she could weaken his support before a large-scale fight even broke out.

Hollyshine's words made her scoff, but her gaze remained fixed on Dawnhawk. Another cat spoke up... Family? But of course, he wanted her pelt. "Of course your taught them Asylum's filthy ways... You don't want my ratty pelt."

"You don't even try and deny it? You're evil, Dawnhawk." Beechfang spat. She didn't bother correcting him about her name, there was no point. And- Birdsong, dead. No, no she wasn't. She couldn't have... Dawnhawk was using it as a distraction. Too late, she realized, claws sank into her fur and Beechfang hissed, her own paws flashing upwards wildly, aimed for Dawnhawk's face and neck.

"Hollyshine! Follow!" She barked out. They were outnumbered, and under orders. Maybe if there had been a chance at winning, Beechfang would've stayed and fought. But there wasn't, and if they died here, Skyclan would never know. They needed to get back to camp, needed to bring this information to Bloodstar. While Dawnhawk was recoiling from her blows, whether they hit or not, Beechfang whirled and ran. His eye injury looked recent... Hopefully he wasn't yet used to the awful changes in depth perception that she'd been living with for over a season now.

Beechfang used Fight and Flee for all remaining stamina, dealing 10 damage.
Beechfang has fled! (and ordered Hollyshine to do the same)

Klaus
55HP (-10 ) / 123SP

Beechfang
32HP / 0SP (-all)

Klaus ducked out of the way of Beechfang's claws enough that they only scraped the top of his head, still not interested in hearing what she had to say. Old news all of the time. It was all she ever had and she belonged to be just as much history as it was. He struck out once with his claws in an attempt to give her one last smack on the way out, but his claws only caught open air. He debated chasing her but... he didn't. Let her go... let her go report back to Bloodstar that their base of operations might be in this area. It wasn't like she had actually found their camp or anything, just got close enough.

He had a plan to mitigate this. That said... his children were working on the other molly. What if they brought her down? He made haste to assist. Maybe if she went down he'd keep her with them for a bit. An execution in front of the other clans for later? Maybe...

Klaus used Belly Rake, dealing 0 damage, taking 5 damage recoil and -25SP

Klaus
50HP / 98SP (-5HP for recoil) (-25SP)

Hollyshine
15HP / 100SP (-0HP)

OOC: Doing another dice roll since his dodge and fight was illegal. New one is for belly rake success or fail

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

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'Effect Dice' : 3

Hollyshine shivered as he spoke, and revised her earlier statement. He’s... definitely killed cats before. It was an eerie knowing, but like that Thunderclan molly, there was something in the eyes... like they could. Are all of his kits killers too? A third one had appeared, and with a cheerful — wait, what was that mangy tom talking about? “Wear—? You mean me?”

...oookaaay, then. That one’s not all there. He looked like an ugly raccoon, too, and she meant to tell him so — but then suddenly, as quickly as a snake, Dawnhawk leaped for her aunt. Hollyshine flinched in surprise (screeching maybe more than necessary) and then rushed to help — but then was hit herself, and tumbled forcibly into the dirt.

“Aunt Beechfang!” she cried, alarmed and half-choked, at the same time as she kicked the rogue off viciously. It was her rogue-cousin; the one Beechfang was talking to. She looks surprisingly like me. Little rivers of blood trickled down her shoulder, though, making Hollyshine snap, “Hey! You didn’t see me trying to claw you!”

Beechfang yowled then, and Hollyshine shivered; they had to go. With a lash of her tail, she only gave her cousin a brief lingering look before spinning to follow. But then the third rogue caught up to her, his ruddy brown fur flashing by her side — raking claws into her flesh and taking them down in a tangle of fur. Stupid, foxing—he’s still talking about my pelt?! Hollyshine snarled, gripped his tail fiercely and yanked. The interaction lasted a few moments, and she then got up with fire in her limbs— “Mangy foxface! Aunt Beechfang, I’m—”

Only to see Dawnhawk, blue eyes a breath from her own.

“—coming.”

Hollyshine froze, paw hanging in the air. But as soon as he lunged, she came to life — scrambling out of reach of his claws. If barely. Oh Starclan, that was close! But her leg twinged, and he… he was between her and...

“Aunt Beechfang...?” she meant to call, but it only came out a whisper, as Dawnhawk rose.

Hollyshine used Tail Yank on Aether, dealing 8 damage and costing 15 stamina.

Klaus
50/55 | 98/130

Hollyshine
15/40 | 85/100

Aether [stunned]
42/50 | 106/120

Aoife
50/50 | 113/120