Run Boy Run [Closed]

OOC: This topic happens shortly after this one: But You Were Always Gold to Me
Run Boy Run

It was a warm, starless night. The sound of birds was now gone, replaced by the quiet whisper of the breeze shaking the leaves from the woods. It was just like any other night for the rest of the world... but not for the two cats that were running through the woods. Cinderflame had offered herself and Rainpaw to join the last patrol of the day, right after she left Softfall her goodbye gift. As usual, they were escorted by a Dark Forest cat: Smokefang. They followed the usual routine of a patrol: search the territory for prey, hunting, all that stuff. But it was all a facade. When the two siblings reached the Owl Tree, they dug out the prey they had been storing for the past days and ran as fast as they could when Smokefang was distracted enough to not see them take their chance.

Now, both Cinderflame and Rainpaw were running for their lives, escaping from the place they called home, now taken by the undead. However, the young warrior knew they weren't safe just yet. They had to lose the Dark Forest cat and go to a place no clan cat would find them. If they failed to do either of these two things... they were gone. "We're almost there, Rainpaw! Once we reach the Thunderpath, we will follow it to the Twolegplace! Don't give up!" She shouted to her sibling, knowing that they were probably tired of the running. After crossing a wall of bushes, the dark-coloured path appeared in their sight. Never in her life, the warrior would have imagined being so relieved for being in such a dangerous place.

Rainpaw took the prey and ran, they couldn't look back. They couldn't stop moving. They had to keep running. "I won't, I haven't yet!" They yelled in reply, as they made it to the Thunderpath, a sense of relief and caution fell over Rainpaw, they were safe from the Dark Forest, yes, but the monsters would prove to be a challenge. All of their life, opinions on the Thunderpath were "Don't go on the Thunderpath!" "Avoid the Thunderpath!" And now.. They were at the Thunderpath.. It was strange, but they found comfort in it. They were almost to their new home, where they could wait for everything to stop, wait for everything to finally be normal, wait for Starclan to be seen once more.

ooc: why have i written an essay* about their emotions?
*i've found out it WASN'T an essay and more like two or three sentences

"Well well well.. What is this?" A dark voice called out.

Their short lived freedom was quickly dashed by the appearance of the misty dead warrior. Smokefang had felt something was up, and of course had been right when she stepped out of camp only to encounter these runners. Of course she intended to cut them off before they could get too far.. but there wasn't really any where these cats could run that the dark forest wouldn't follow.

"It seems we have some runners in Thunderclan.. After all we have done for you? It's a pity that you didn't want to stay. We could have made you stronger. I'm sure you have seen how strong some of the others have gotten under our mentorship." Every step she took closer to the two cats more mist seemed to fall off her body. It seemed like she was constantly dissolving, her form only being held together by spider silk. Amber eyes burned fierce as she glared down the two cats.

Cinderflame's heart froze when she heard the she-cat's voice. She quickly turned to face the ghostly creatures, her pupils barely visible black slits as she let out a deep hiss from her throat. The young warrior jumped between the Dark Forest cat and her siblings, claws unsheathed. The molly would be lying if she said she wasn't afraid... but this was her idea and if someone had to pay the cost of it, it was her.  "Your strength is nothing but a coward and dishonourable mentality that has nothing to do with being a true warrior of Thunderclanr You are not making Thunderclan stronger, you're corrupting us! You're corrupting my brother and you've killed my sister! We don't want your help and I'm not allowing any of you to keep hurting my family" Anger fuelled her, recalling what Softfall had become since their arrival and what had happened to poor Reedshine.

In a second, her hazel eyes looked behind her to meet Rainpaw's. She gave her a quick nod, a sign that they should run. Cinderflame then faced Smokefang and leapt towards her, claws unsheathed. Taking advantage of her small size, the warrior managed to land her whole body on the undead cat and quickly made her to her back. Hissing and clawing, the gray-reddish molly dug her jaws on Smokefang's scruff and pressed her claws on her shoulders, pinning the cat down. "Run Rainpaw! I'll meet you later!"

Cinderflame used Leap and Hold on Smokefang, dealing 8 damage and using 15 stamina. Smokefang is stunned for 1 turn
Cinderflame
40/40 HP
85/100 SP

Smokefang
92/100 HP
180/180 SP

The member 'Jay Bird' has done the following action : Dice roll

---

'Effect Dice' : 3

Rainpaw looks back at Smokefang and Cinderflame, eyes welling up with tears as they nodded and ran away. "..Yes!" they chirped out solemly, they didn't want to leave their sibling behind. But she asked them to go.. They went anyways, every step they felt more regret with their choice, but their thoughts just said 'You have gone too far to stop now.' It haunted them every step of the way, but they followed their head and continued quickly down the Thunderpath.

The misty warrior let out a growl. Of course the young warrior would strike first. After her moons of experience, she should have known better. Smokefang was quick to duck down in on herself, and twisted, trying to free herself from the grasp of the living. At her harsh movements, mist was coming off of her body in swells. She couldn't let the other one run away, but there was only so much she could do be herself.. even in her undead state. "Coward? No. I'm taking back what is rightfully mine. What should have been mine many moons ago. You are the coward. You are running away instead of sticking with your clan."

Smokefang used Duck and Twist dealing 6 damage, -5 SP. Failed to escape.

Cinderflame:
34/40 HP
85/100 SP

Smokefang:
92/100 HP
180/180 SP

The member 'Reaper King' has done the following action : Dice roll

---

'Effect Dice' : 3

If she could, Cinderflame would have let out a sigh of relief as Rainpaw started to get away from the two warriors. Despite having the same age, Rainpaw lacked battle training and she couldn't risk their life for her choice. However, she couldn't focus on her sibling right now. The mist coming out from the ghostly creature that called herself a cat freaked her out and even though she managed to keep her grasp on Smokefang when she tried to escape, the young warrior knew it wouldn't be enough. She was fighting a cat who was already dead and there was no certainty that killing her again would stop her from coming back to life.

Finally, the Cinderflame jumped off the Dark Forest cat, her hazel eyes looking at them with pure fury. "I'm running to save my family from the Dark Forest's influence, to get stronger without you beating us down each time we try to fight back. I'm not letting you kill anyone else from my family, as you did with Reedshine. I'm a true Thunderclan warrior who would rather die trying everything to save the clan of her ancestors rather than submit to you!" With a war yowl, the she-cat struck once again. With one unsheathed claw, Cinderflame slashed Smokefang face in an attempt to get her eye. Even if she died here... Rainpaw would live to continue the mission. If this is where she falls... Rainpaw was going to carry her hope to save her clan and home. They would tell Appledapple that she died fighting like a warrior...

Smokefang is no longer pinned
Cinderflame used Front Paw Strike on Smokefang, dealing 8 damage and costing 7 stamina.

Cinderflame:
34/40 HP
78/100 SP

Smokefang:
84/100 HP
180/180 SP

Softfall couldnt help pacing back and forth any longer ... Cinderflame and Rainpaw had left him a parting gift but he couldnt lose his only siblings now without at least a goodbye and seeing them one last time... they were the last of his kin and he couldnt just stand in camp... he knew he was not supposed to leave camp without supervision but he didnt plan to cause any trouble with Riverclan this was just about getting to hopefully say goodbye if he could still catch his 2 sisters.

Following Rainpaw's and Cinderflames scent trail he ran as fast as he could until he heard hissing and fighting... he feared the worst and when he got closer he knew that they had been spotted by a dark forest cat... He saw his sister and Smokefang engaged in battle. Where Rainpaw was he wasnt sure yet...

His mind raced... what could he do?? He had seen at the gathering what these dark forest cats could do... but then an idea struck him... At the gathering ... when he had killed beaverpaw... a decision he had come to regret more and more that haunted him every time he slept...

When he had done that act a dark forest cat had praised him over and over again about what a good loyal cat he was... at the time it meant the world to him and filled him with pride... now he wasnt really even sure what to think of it...

The point, was that the dark forest cats seemed to like it when the living did acts of murder... maybe Smokefang was the same... He didnt have a lot of time to think this over but it was the only chance he had... the only chance for his sisters to both escape and hopefully find a place far better than here.

He would have to take the blame back at home for this... He would have to lie... tell Smokefang that he hunted them both down and killed them... He would have to look stoatstar and appledapple in the eyes and tell them he "killed" them... He grimiced not wanting to but knew that there was no other way.

.... Even if he tried to help Cinderflame directly in combat he was not optimistic of their odds. The dark forest cats were simply too powerful... but with all their power they could still learn a little lesson in trickery which he would soon provide.

He wished there was any other way but time was short and there was no other viable option that he currently saw.

He needed to somehow let Cinderflame know he was not going to actually harm her... he would never hurt his kin but would she know that?? He had become a bit of a monster really and he saw himself a little as such but it was too late for him.

Thinking back to when Appledapple and them had been on a hunting competition he got an idea. During the competition which was one of his most fondest memories ... it was when they were closest to being a real family. During it, Reedpaw had fallen out of a tree... it was before the dark cats were around and something he could try and message Cinderflame through this information that only the two of them would know... this was gonna be a long shot he already knew it...

He took a deep shaky breath allowing fear to take hold for just one second before casting it out. He closed his eyes praying momentarly to starclan but knowing they were not there... had they ever been there??

When he reopened his eyes they were ice cold, focused and ready. He needed to summon his anger for this act and it was always ready to be used.

Stepping out from where he was into the open in view of both the cats who were locked in combat he let out a loud hiss.

"well... well ... well ... if it is not my sister turning traitor on her own clan!" he growled angerly.

if this plan was going to work he needed Smokefang to belive that he would finish her off for the dark forest and for Thunderclan.

... but at the same time Cinderflame would have to know he wouldnt actually hurt her... This was going to be tough and he really felt a bit of a fool for not having any better ideas. However, put on the spot this was all he could think of

he shook his head and rolled his eyes at Cinderflame
"I should have known... Ever since Appledapple's hunting compition when you fell out of the tree you had always been the one to cause trouble!" he hissed looking right at her with the smallest of nods.

That was the signal... would she understand it??? Probably not she would probably think he had lost his mind and or memory... He glared at her and he hated every second that he had to but this was all one big act for Smokefang who needed to eat this up like fresh kill...

He stalked closer towards them he shook with anger ... and he was angry but not at Cinderflame like he was leading Smokefang to believe he was angry at what the Dark forest had made him become... he had killed with their encouragement and his anger in general was constantly fueled by them.

He flicked his tail back and forth and smiled an evil grin best he could his fangs flashing in the moonlight as he looked at Smokefang.
"If you would be so kind.... Let me have the honor of dealing with this traitor myself?" he asked her

"This is a rather personal family matter... You see Cinderflame and I have always been the furthest apart from each other of all the siblings" he meowed with a stone cold face of a killer.

Internally it pained him so much to say these words... He loved Cinderflame so much and he and her had actually always been one of the closest pairings in the sibling group... He hoped desperatly that she would see where he was going with this.

Without waiting for a response he knew he had only one chance to make this work at all. He couldnt risk Smokefang saying no to his proposal.

He leapt out at Cinderflame with a yowl of anger and hate the same way he had at the gathering... Smokefang had to belive this or nothing would work and they would both be dead.

He hated having to use claws but knew that it was the only way to get her away from the true danger of smokefang.

Softfall used Leaping Strike on Cinderflame! Dealing 11 dmg and costing 7 sp


Leap at a distant opponent with outstretched paws and bowl them over. Does an additional 3 damage on a first blow. Applies only to your first move in a battle, if attacking first.

He had intentionally used this move to bowl Cinderflame away from himself and more importantly, away from Smokefang. As he crashed into her he growled in the lowest of whispers to her ear

"run" there wasnt time to say he would be right behind her. She would figure that out. He would have to chase her down and .... "kill" her and report back to Smokefang the deed... The dark forest she cat would no doubt praise him and probably parade him around camp as a loyal warrior ... the thought made him sick of having to answer to all of his clanmates and to keep up the lie for his own safety but it was this or lose his sisters which was not about to happen on his watch.

He shoved her hard away from both of them but made it look like an extra swing at her.

Giving her extra distance and head start. He held his breath...

...please run!!!! Dont fight Smoke or I.... he thought... he wanted to scream it so bad but knew he couldnt under the watchful eye of their real threat.

Before the Dark Forest could strike, another contender joined the battle: her brother. Cinderflame's eyes squinted at the sight of him and she was wary. Despite the love she had for Softfall, he knew how influenced he was by the Dark Forest's ideals. She didn't want to believe it but... there was a possibility he would choose the ghostly creatures instead of his family.

The spicy warrior let out a hiss when her own brother called her a traitor. Could it be true... that I lost him? She wondered, still indecisive whether she should attack or run. But his next words clicked on her head. Me falling from a tree? Does the Dark Forest corrupted him so much that his own memory had been manipulated? Or is this... a sign? Cinderflame took a risk. She would rather believe Softfall wasn't too far gone and that he still cared for them. The young warrior replied unsheathing her claws and lashing her tail violently, with her ears flattened against her skull. "I would like to see you try, mouse-heart! I knew I shouldn't have told you about this... You're not family, you're just a pawn of the Dark Forest!." She knew these were harsh words, but the young warrior didn't mean them truly. To her, Softfall was still her family despite their differences... she just hoped she could bring him back to the right path in time.

The grey-reddish molly yowled as passionately as before and when the tom leapt on top of her, she hissed and tried to claw him as he was an enemy. But due to his bigger size, the hit made her land a few paw-lengths away, closing the distance between her and the Thudnderpath. Softfall managed to take her breath out but still, the young warrior managed to stand up and when she did... Cinderflame understood his words from the motion of his mouth. A barely visible glimmer showed up on her sharp hazel eyes. You're still there, brother... The young she-cat hissed one last time and turned her body to run in Rainpaw's direction. She was exhausted but Cinderflame couldn't allow her body to fail her. This was the chance she was hoping for... and it was thanks to Softfall.

Cinderflame used Disengage, using all her remaining stamina
Cinderflame
23/40 HP
0/100 SP

Softfall stood panting for a couple of seconds making it seem like he was hit hard from their quick exchange of blows. In reality he was buying time for her to get ahead of Smokefang.

Turning to the dark forest cat he gave an evil grin "Not to worry ... its more fun when they make me chase them down before the deed anyways" he purred as if he was enjoying this.

"I will kill them both and report back to you soon" . He had to make her belive this so that the dark forest would never look to find Rainpaw or Cinderflame. The only way his sisters would truely be safe is if the dark forest thought they were dead.

Softfall ran after Cinderflame to fully fool Smokefang. In reality he wanted to speak with her alone...perhaps one last time... he hoped so much that they could meet again but he would not know if that would happen.


Once out of sight of the dark forest cat pursuer it felt like they had ran miles after miles he finally caught up to both his sisters and stopped next to them panting.

After awhile of catching his breath he looked at them both with sad wide eyes. "Cinderflame... I had to.... I had to make Smoke belive you were dead so they would never come after you again." he explained in a dry voice.


He fought back tears... the last of his siblings were leaving him and he didnt know if he would see either one of them again. He nuzzled into each of their shoulders for a couple of moments before he recomposed himself back to the more stern face taht he more regularly had.

"Go.... I hope you both find somewhere much better than here" he said looking at them each with a sorrowful smile knowing this might be the last time they were together.

"I... A part of me wishes I could go with you ... but our paths diverge here... for now at least."

He glanced behind them every so often making sure smokefang would not make any unwelcome drop ins...

" I will tell her that I killed you both... she'll belive me im sure... it should make it so they are not activly looking for you... even so stay off the main travel ways and ... be careful" he said the last part very quietly.

Looking at Cinderflame he added on

"Everything I said back there... was a lie... just an act." he knew that was probably pretty clear but his words had been harsh... even for him...

He gave her a playful paw on the shoulder "but you are still a mousebrain" he purred jokingly.

It was rare for him to joke around like this but Cinderflame and him had always been close and she had always seen the good in him even when there was little of it and everyone else in the clan could not. If this was to be their last moments together he would prefer that she remember him in this way... but that was probably wishful thinking.

Turning to Rainpaw he nodded "listen to her... shell keep you safe"

With that he turned slowly walking away from his sisters letting them go wherever they pleased.

Softfall is walking away but if either of you want to respond / ask him something you can call him back as well

Rainpaw looked back. They looked back to see Softfall and Cinderflame with each-other, they slowed down, nearly dropping the prey in their mouth in surprise. Softfall? I thought he was with the Dark Forest, I suppose he isn't.. They thought to themselves as they were given a soft shoulder touch, they returned it as Softfall continued talking, they sat for a moment, simply listening and nodding to most of his words. They paused as Softfall turned towards them and spoke, they thought for a moment before replying. "I.. I got it, thanks Softfall. I will, I promise. I hope I'll be able to see you again." They said, tearing up. It was time to go to their home, was it not? They shook out their fur before standing back up. "Well, shall we get going?" They asked, turning their head to Cinderflame.