The Confrontation [solo]

Hunting, fighting, hunting, fighting... That was all warrior life seemed to be. A constant cycle of death, never to even bat an eye towards life that crept not far behind. Sure, each fight brought with it the continuance of life, but it seemed like a perpetual game of take, take, take, and never any give. The tom grew sicker and sicker to his stomach each time he had to think about it, and no longer did he enjoy the idea of messing around with it all. Myrtlepaw had to turn off his mind to be able to see past it all, and nerves crept at the apprentice's paws as he pushed through the barrier to camp.

Simply catch something, and you can return to keeping the queens, kits, and elders comfortable. He thought to himself, his tail hanging flat and low as a symbol of general distaste.

It was the sound of large wings that caught his attention, snapping his head in the direction of its origin. His tail flicked in irritation, but also curiosity, as he moved towards the sound. A large bird, a hawk, tending to its talons as it seemed to have just finished a meal. Defenses pricked at the nape of Myrtlepaw's neck, and he knew there would be no avoiding a confrontation - as such, the tom recoiled back, only to launch at the predator with a hiss.

His claws snagged the wing of the bird, and it let out a piercing shriek to signify its dissatisfaction at the conclusion to its meal. An angry yowl sounded from the apprentice as the bird's talons found their way to his shoulder, swiping at it angrily and causing blood to quickly seep in its place. They were engaged in combat, and the tom wasn't about to let the bird get away. He had a Clan to protect, and such a large bird existing around the camp would only inevitably lead to more issues.


Myrtlepaw used Jumping Strike!
Myrtle: 20HP / 53SP -7SP
Hawk: 31HP / 125SP -9HP

The Hawk used Talon Strike!
Myrtle: 13 HP / 53SP -7HP
Hawk: 31HP / 115SP -10SP

Pained shrieks of the hawk continued to pierce the young tom's ears, and each one was just a reminder of the damage he caused, was about to cause, and would sustain. He hated it, and the blood now staining his paws only made the pit in his stomach rise to the back of his throat. Shaking his head, he had to continue. As a tom, he had pride to uphold. If he couldn't fight and defend his territory, he would be nothing. But at the same time, part of him wished to be nothing. To not have to cause the damage that occurred.

He didn't get time to ponder such luxuries as the bird went to attack him with talons yet again, and this time the sharp claws connected just behind his ear. A loud yowl echoed from the tom in pain, and he thrashed his own claws as desperately as he could to tear at the bird's wings even more. It would have to give up the fight if it couldn't fly.

Myrtlepaw used Front Paw Blow! The Hawk used Talon Strike!
Myrtle: 6 HP / 46SP -7HP, -7SP
Hawk: 25HP / 105SP -6HP, -10SP

As the young apprentice's paws grew tired from digging at the wings of the large bird, he had to disengage to take a moment to breathe. His head felt light with some odd sensation, his body pleading with him to flee. But he simply couldn't. The bird seemed stuck as well, the wings of it having been torn to shreds to a point it could no longer escape even if it desired to. A low growl hummed as the tom continued to announce his displeasure with the situation. Why did he bother engaging with the bird? There was simply no point in it. He would have to kill this bird for the suffering he had inflicted upon it to end.

Sending a quick prayer up to Starclan, Myrtlepaw lept onto the bird's back. He had been taught as much as to how to end another creature's life, and this was a situation that he had to for reasons other than finding a meal. Closing his eyes for a moment, the tom sunk his jaws into the sides of the bird's head, hearing its last shriek fill his ears. He didn't let go until he knew the life had gone, finding peace in another realm.

Myrtlepaw used Killing Blow! The hawk is dead!