Faded Hope [Thunderclan Finale]

It was the full moon. Even in this state, the brown and white tom was well aware of the time, even though it slipped through his claws like sand. He couldn't face them. Stoatstar remembered all too well how he had stood before the clan and yowled at them - venting the pain and grief rippling through his chest. Thrushnose's image was fresh in his mind alongside the memory. Every lonely and deafening moment here, he swore that he could almost hear the echoes of both the former leader and his mother ringing... endlessly. It was equal parts comfort and condemnation.

He had finally drawn himself onto his paws and stumbled closer to the entrance. For a long time, the little brown cat stood there with his orange eyes staring into the distance. They looked at nothing, unfocused and unseeing. Stoatstar's breath caught in his lungs and tightened them in the most impossible way. What could be say to them? Revealing the truth of the coming season was impossible. Reassurance in death. He was supposed to be the loyal Dark Forest follower, a worthy leader in the eyes of the filthy. It had further sequestered him from the clan in a whole new way. And now... this.

Speaking to the few cats he could trust had provided little reassurance. Lives would be lost. His lungs gasped for air and he was shocked out of his thoughts to see light dappling the clearing. For so long, the stars had disappeared, leaving the clan exposed to a blanket of looming navy skies. Was this really happening? Stoatstar blinked once. Twice. The scene was still there before him. But that meant it was time. He immediately took a few steps forward. Dustcloud. And Morningsun? How had the kit managed to give himself up? Surely Starclan hadn't just stripped him of his life?

Stoatstar felt a fire pounding through his veins. He stilled looked a mess but the light behind his eyes was ignited just enough to propel him into the moment. Starclan was here. A battle was breaking out. This was what he had been holding out for. Closest to him was Softfall, whose claws were tearing into the pelt of a Dark Forest cat. It was an impossible mission and one he would have not dared to indulge where the stars not walking among them, were the entire clan not fighting as one. He would fight with them. And they would win. A yowl broke from his maw, echoing through the clearing, as he charged.

Stoatstar attempted to use Belly Rake, using 25 stamina. It was... successful! Dealing 22 damage (Star Striker bonus active).

Stoatstar
HP: 83/83
SP: 145/170

Softfall
HP: 29/50
SP: 113/120

Brokencreek
HP: 67/100
SP: 154/180

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

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'Effect Dice' : 4

Thornjaw hissed as claws pierced his back, and he wriggled and wrenched his way out of the claws of unknown origin. When he was freed, he spun on his attacker, a malicious grin stretching across his face as his eyes glittered with anger. An apprentice thought he could approach him? He would learn a swift lesson.

Thornjaw used Duck and Twist, it was successful, dealing 7 (+2) damage and costing 5 SP. He is no longer pinned.

Darkpaw
11HP / 45SP (-9 HP)

Thornjaw
94HP / 175SP (-5 SP)

The member 'Mosspelt' has done the following action : Dice roll

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'Effect Dice' : 6

Smokefang sneered when the weak warrior had tried to pin her. This certainly wouldn't do, she would have to show everyone here just how strong she was, and she would start with the warrior right in front of her. The mist shed of the she-cat in waves as she struggled to free herself from the other's grasp.

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

Mintpool:
29/35 | 55/70

Smokefang: [pinned 1/2]
92/100 | 175/180

--

Starlingflare looked around not knowing what to do. As much as he wanted to help the Dark Forest he couldn't. He couldn't risk his plan falling apart so he had to make the smart move no matter how much he hated it. He had to live for everything to work.

His single yellow eye scanned the camp, looking for the perfect opponent to attack, when he noticed his younger brother.. As much as he disliked the tom, he couldn't let him die. Not yet anyway. So he was quick to jump into action as soon as the Dark Forest cat freed himself.

Starlingflare used Snap dealing 10 damage. -7 SP.

Darkpaw:
11HP / 45SP

Thornjaw:
84HP / 175SP

Starlingflare:
68HP / 123SP (Defending Buff Active)

--

Dovefrost watched carefully, standing by with herbs at his side in case he needed to jump in and heal in a sudden situation. As much as he was itching to join the fight, it was better for him to remain where he was and heal when needed.

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

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'Effect Dice' : 3

Darkpaw was thrown roughly to the dirt. There was a moment of panic at this loss of control, but then Starlingflare of all cats came in to assist. Darkpaw growled, but kept his thoughts about Starlingflare to himself. Don't act like you're some hero now, you rat. I know the truth. Still, Darkpaw would accept the assistance for now. He bolted forward and plunged his teeth into the Dark Forest cat.

Darkpaw used Snap, dealing 6 damage and -7SP

Darkpaw
11HP / 38SP (-7SP)

Thornjaw
78HP / 175SP (-6HP)

Starlingflare
68HP / 123SP

The words Brokencreek spoke dug almost as deep as his claws and fangs...

"no ... no I wont become like you... I can change I will change." He said trying to convice himself as well.

Tears formed in the very edge of his eyes hearing about beaverpaw he fought them back and growled instead in anger. His mistakes haunted him just as much as these dark cats haunted his clan.

"I wont join the dark forest... I ... I can change" he said in a horse voice that sounded already defeated. His body ached and his wounds stung. he looked down his face downcast, he was tired of fighting... he just wanted his clan to be not on the verge of starvation and to have these dark forest cats controlling them and killing his family.

He felt the tide of battle was not going his way and was well aware he would lose this and that Brokencreek would probably kill him... still he tried to fight on. He was loyal to thunderclan and would defend it to the bitter end.




Softfall saw a flash of brown and white flash past and attack Brokencreek. He soon after recognized Stoatstar his leader, his mentor ... his father.
Softfall felt relieved as if a great weight was removed from his shoulders. "Dad!!" he meowed in surprise and relived tone.

He felt a new energy in him and a new hope. Stoatstar was here and Softfall would fight as hard as he could to help his father reclaim their clan from the oppressions brought by such darkness.

Softfall used the advantage that Brokencreek just had the heck scratched out of them with a solid belly rake from Stoatstar. He jumped out jaws biting into the enemies shoulder and he held on tight tearing away fur and making a big gash with lots of blood as his mouth felt the warmth of it all too familair to him

Softfall used snap

Stoatstar
HP: 83/83
SP: 145/170

Softfall
HP: 29/50
SP: 106/120 (-7)

Brokencreek
HP: 59/100 (-8)
SP: 154/180

Mintpool knew the Dark Forest cats were flesh: the gray warrior had watched them well, if carefully. Not even Smokefang’s misty form was truly insubstantial. But she was still surprised to feel fur and bone beneath her claws, when they sunk in.

As she did so, she realized it wasn’t smart. Brave, maybe. The only thing I can do. But it took everything in Mintpool to keep the molly down, all rage and fury and wisps of smoke. She grit her teeth painfully. I must kill her, somehow!

Mintpool is keeping Smokefang pinned, dealing 8 damage and being drained of 15 stamina.

Mintpool:
34/35 | 40/70

Smokefang: [pinned 2/2]
84/100 | 175/180

He hadn’t expected one of the younger cats to take a swipe at him. Sparrowtail made to turn around and box the apprentice’s ears, but found himself stuck in the dirt. “You little… are you blind? Get off me!” He writhed in Eveningpaw’s grip, more frustrated than anything. Wasn’t this scamp one of the more sympathetic ones? Still, the young tom’s claws felt like little more than thorns in his pelt at the moment. He could chide him later. And train him to improve his strength. The tabby tom gave a rough twist to dislodge the apprentice yet only managed to swing him around instead.

Sparrowtail used Duck and Twist! It dealt 4 damage and used 5 stamina. Attempt to escape pin unsuccessful.Sparrowtail will be pinned for one more turn.

Sparrowtail
HP: 94/100
SP: 175/180

Eveningpaw
HP: 19/23 (+3 from Defending buff)
SP: 45/60

The member 'Knight' has done the following action : Dice roll

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'Effect Dice' : 2

Pride swelled up Pebblepaw’s chest as he realized what Clouddream said was true-- they had both come a long way in the moons since they’d left RiverClan to find their true home within ThunderClan. He gave his mother a quick nod and an affectionate nudge. “You’re right. Let’s give these foxhearts a fight to remember. Stars guide your strikes, Ma,” he murmured to her before he pulled away to reassess the battle before them. His gaze found the familiar pelt of Mintpool-- thank the stars, she’s still okay. The Dark Forest cat she’d pounced on earlier in the battle was pinned, but judging by the look on Mintpool’s face as teeth kept tight grip on the squirming target beneath her, it wouldn’t be for much longer. Without a second thought, he bounded over to help. Flattening his ears to his head, he raised his paw to rake claws against the squirming shadow cat before she could break free.

Pebblepaw used Front Paw Strike on Smokefang for -7 SP, dealing 6 damage

Pebblepaw
18/18 HP
23/30 SP (-7)

Mintpool
34/35 HP
40/70 SP

Smokefang (Smokefang is no longer pinned)
78/100 HP (-6)
175/180 SP

[OOC: Edited and spruced up!.]

Brokencreek hissed when Softfall snapped at him and then glared when Stoatstar joined the fight. "Finally graced us with your presence, dear leader?" he spat. The leader had been useless from the moment they'd entered ThunderClan. It was a wonder that he hadn't curled up and died on his own, with how pathetic he'd been acting for the past two moons. "And here I thought that you were as pitiful as a kit. Or that you hated your troublemaker son." He scoffed and looked back at Softfall with a glare. This cat had been nothing but trouble for everyone involved, and so long as he was around, there would never be any chance of peace and relaxation. Every clan would be at their doorstep if he could get away with killing or attacking apprentices from other clans. Brokencreek couldn't stand it.

He lunged at Softfall, claws outstretched for Softfall's belly, wanting to pay back what Stoatstar had done to him. He pinned Softfall down and clawed against his belly with a delighted hiss. "Look at that--it seems your father has taught me more than you ever learned from him."

Brokencreek used Belly Rake! It was successful! Dealt 22 (20 + 2) damage and costing 25 SP.

Stoatstar
HP: 83/83
SP: 145/170

Softfall
HP: 7/50 (-22)
SP: 106/120

Brokencreek
HP: 59/100
SP: 129/180 (-25)

The member 'xaandiir' has done the following action : Dice roll

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'Effect Dice' : 6

Darkheart finally made the realization that there was fighting going on, he stretched and shook his fur and glared at the fighting cats. ''Well, I wasn't planning on making a scene, but it's about time I did something about this.'' He said in a calm manner, quickly sharpening up his appearance before getting ready for battle. ''Alright then, how about it, it's a swell night for a one-sided fight!'' He said jauntily, baring his teeth and claws.