Move Knight to Checkmate [C]

Iceheart

They were finally home. Everyone was given a day to relax and become reacclimated to their territory. The old fresh kill pile was cleared out of crowfood and the wet muddy areas of the territory were padded down with foliage, and dens cleared out. It would take a lot to rebuild, and Iceheart was confident that Nightstalker would delegate all of the duties. For now, Iceheart had free time, and that meant that she was taking Honeypaw out with her for the first time in a couple of moons.

They did not go far, with the territory still wet and full of sticky mud. But far enough away that they had some space. Iceheart turned to him. “You are going to be a warrior soon,” she declared. “You’ve been an apprentice for far longer than others. You’re nearly ready to take on your full warrior name.” It was something she would have to speak with Nightstalker about soon. “However. In all of your time as an apprentice, you have not run into a predator. Despite that, there will come a time where you do face down a predator, or an enemy cat, and I want you prepared. Nothing teaches better than experience, but training is the next best thing.”

Iceheart lowered onto her paws. “We’re sparring, Honeypaw. If you can at least put me out of breath, then I’ll say you’ve passed. You can get the first move.” She would not go easy on her apprentice, who was more than skilled by now, but she did wan this to be a teaching moment. She’d spent the last two moons terrified that something had hurt Honeypaw and she had not been there to help. Now, Iceheart would do everything she could to prepare him.

Honeypaw

Honeypaw brightened up as Iceheart talked about him being a warrior. He lifted his head high, puffing his chest out a tiny bit. It was true he had been an apprentice for an awfully long time now, longer than most cats. He didn’t mind too much, all things considered. For a while he was too worried if he was worthy of being a warrior to be fussed over when he became a warrior. His clan had dealt with many troubles during his apprenticeship, slowing down his ability to actually get training done.

But he had grown big and tall, and hopefully had the skills to show for it. Even if he hadn’t fought any other cat or predator for real during his apprenticeship, he had been working hard to keep his skills as sharp as his claws. As Iceheart spoke, he gave a determined little nod, resolving to show to his beloved mentor that he’d been doing just that. “Yes ma’am!” He said with a goofy grin and a swish of his tail.

The bubbliness didn’t last for long though. Honeypaw crouched down, a focused gleam entering his eyes and a determined look on his face. He took only a few seconds to use his position as the first to go to his advantage, taking in what would be best to do against Iceheart. He was bigger than her now, sure, but he knew that she was far, far more skilled. Still, he would use that size to his advantage.

A few seconds later and suddenly Honeypaw was bunching his paws beneath him, leaping forward with his paws outstretched and moving to bowl Iceheart over, hoping to gain an advantage by knocking her off balance. While he was, of course, careful with his claws and where he was aiming so he wouldn’t actually hurt his mentor, he didn’t hold back either, determined to show her he’d grown strong. There was no way he could beat Iceheart headon, but that’s okay. He would give it all he had regardless.

Honeypaw used Jumping Strike, dealing -9 damage [+3 for first attack] and costing -7 SP.

Honeypaw
20/20 HP
53/60 SP (-7)

Iceheart
51/60 HP
140/140 SP

Iceheart

Iceheart watched Honeypaw carefully. He was confident, which was good, and she hoped that that confidence was not overblown. It didn’t seem like it for a moment, as he leapt at her. She took the hit, and was bowled over, but she landed back on her paws. Without missing a beat, she raced forward, her head down and prepared to ram into Honeypaw and knock the wind out of him. She was not going to hold back on him, and would pull out all the stops she could against him.

Iceheart used Dishonorable Charge, dealing 9 damage and costing 20 SP. Honeypaw is stunned for 2 turns. Cannot be Random Recalled!

Honeypaw
11/20 HP (-9)
53/60 SP

Iceheart
51/60 HP
120/140 SP (-20)

Honeypaw

It was instinct that had Honeypaw moving just in time to avoid being hit, Iceheart rushing past him in a blur of brown and white. For a second his eyes were wide and he didn’t move out of shock- he had never seen another cat move that fast!

But just as quick as he was startled, he shook himself out of it too. He had to focus. He darted forward while Iceheart was turning around to face him again, moving forward to swipe his paw at her to hopefully get a hit of his own. He gave a breathless grin when his paw made contact.

Honeypaw used Dodge and Fight! Counterattack successful! Honeypaw dealt -5 damage and it cost -7 SP.

Iceheart
46/60 HP (-5)
120/140 SP

Honeypaw
20/20 HP (+9)
45/60 SP (-7)

Iceheart

Iceheart simply smiled when Honeypaw dodged out of the way and swiped at her instead. It was good that he could already dodge such a quick move from one of his senior warriors. She got an idea to try a riskier maneuver, but she figured that if Honeypaw would manage to not get hit by it, then he would show even more reason to be ready for actual battles when he became a warrior.

She turned swiftly towards him and ducked to throw him off his balance. She tried to pin him and simulate raking against his belly with her hind legs—without actually using claws, of course. Honeypaw seemed to see it coming, as she didn't even get a single hit against his belly before she was thrown off and skidded away a bit in the dirt. Iceheart grinned at him. "Good! Keep up your defense."

Iceheart tried to use Belly Rake! Attack unsuccessful! Iceheart took 5 damage and -25 SP.

Iceheart
41/60 HP (-5)
95/140 SP (-25)

Honeypaw
20/20 HP
45/60 SP

Honeypaw

Honeypaw tensed as Iceheart nearly got him pinned, knowing the vulnerable position he was in. He moved quickly to get out of her hold and escape the ‘danger’ of her paws, twisting out of her hold just in time to avoid being hit. He gave a breathless grin at the praise, feeling warm at her approval.

But that doesn’t mean he’d let down his guard. As long as Iceheart could get him he was in trouble, she was a much more powerful warrior than him, but if he could hold her down, he’d at least prolong the inevitable. As he danced away from her he got down into a crouch, then leapt forward once more to tackle Iceheart and pin her down, once again using his large size to his advantage. “Ha, gotcha!” He purred.

Honeypaw used Leap and Hold, doing -6 damage and costing -15 SP! Iceheart is pinned for 1 turn.

Iceheart
35/60 HP (-6)
95/140 SP

Honeypaw
20/20 HP
30/60 SP (-15)

Iceheart

Iceheart gave a startled meow when Honeypaw pinned her. He was far bigger than her, and it reminded her of when she sparred with Nightstalker. He’d been deft at such a thing as well, but he was not built as sturdily as Honeypaw was. Where Nightstalker was swift and lean, Honeypaw was strong and sturdy. It would be a difficult task to break out from under him, but Iceheart still tried to throw her weight to one side and hit at Honeypaw with a paw to try and knock him off balance.

It seemed to do the trick, as she was able to move just enough to slip out from under his paws and hit him in the process, marking the first solid blow she'd managed on him the whole fight. He must be getting tired, and Iceheart would use that to her advantage. She meowed, "Didn't quite get me. Now try something new!"

Iceheart used Duck and Twist and was successful! -7 HP and -5 SP.

Iceheart
35/60 HP
90/140 SP (-5)

Honeypaw
13/20 HP (-7)
30/60 SP

Honeypaw

Honeypaw panted as he danced away from Iceheart, trying to get out of the way so he didn’t get hit as easily again. Honeypaw gave Iceheart a challenging grin. Something new, something new…

Honeypaw was getting tired. He didn’t think he’d be able to take Iceheart down, at least not before she got him, and so he might as well go out with a bang and a risky maneuver. He spent a few seconds catching his breath, and then dived for Iceheart again. This time, he attempted to slide underneath her and repeat her earlier move of attacking her soft underbelly, hopefully this time with more success.

To his delight, he succeeded, actually managing to bunny kick against Iceheart's soft fur before rolling away again. The effort of the attack left him panting and exhausted, but a triumphant grin appeared on his face.

Honeypaw attempted to use Belly Rake on Iceheart, and succeeded! It dealt -10 damage and cost -25 SP.

Iceheart
25/60 HP (-10)
90/140 SP

Honeypaw
13/20 HP
5/60 SP (-25)

Iceheart

Iceheart didn’t expect Honeypaw to use the same move as she tried to use against her—and succeed at that! Honeypaw was much bigger than her and so it was easy to wrestle her to the ground even as she struggled, and hit his back paws against her belly. Iceheart was getting out of breath too. She hadn’t expected Honeypaw to be able to hold his own so easily against her—and frankly, it made her proud. But there was also a bit of personal pride in wanting to prove that she was not completely incapable.

She didn’t get up from the ground, as though she were too exhausted to even move. Iceheart waited until Honeypaw got closer to check on her, and then she lunged at him, giving him a couple of quick smacks.

“Alright,” Iceheart panted with a small grin. “That was wonderful, Honeypaw, but let’s call it here. No need to work until one of us actually passes out.” She sat down heavily and began grooming her shoulder. “That was great work, Honeypaw. For someone who has not had much practice in fighting outside of our lessons, you’ve retained your training very well. You fight better than some warriors do.” She lifted her gaze to smile at him—an action that was becoming less and less rare.

Iceheart used Play Dead, dealing 10 damage and costing 5 SP.

Iceheart
25/60 HP
85/140 SP (-5)

Honeypaw
3/20 HP (-10)
5/60 SP

Honeypaw

For a moment, Honeypaw was really worried that he had genuinely hurt Iceheart. He certainly didn't mean to do that, and he moved closer as worry hit him. He leaned down, about to ask Iceheart if she was alright, when he got bapped.

He gave a bit of an overdramatic gasp of betrayal, before relaxing and dissolving into giggles. "Rude. I cannot believe you've done this. Betrayal of the highest order." He said, though he was clearly just being dramatic for her amusement. He gave his mentor a broad grin, and nodded as she instructed him to rest. He was more than happy to flop over, dramatic as ever and puffing up dust that settled into his thick fur. He yawned, stretching out his now sore muscles and tilting his head up to enjoy the sun filtering through the leaves.

As his mentor spoke again, he turned his attention back towards her, blinking a bit sleepily. Then a huge smile broke out across his face and he couldn't hide his delight at her words. "Heh, you really think so?" He asked with a happy purr. "I'm glad. You had me worried there for a minute!" He laughed and shook his head. "But I'm happy... I want to make you proud."

Honeypaw looked upwards again, but not before he caught the smile on Iceheart's face. Though they were becoming more common as the days being home passed, Iceheart's smiles were still a rare treat that made him feel warm from the inside out when he got to enjoy one. He loved Iceheart so much, and he loved seeing her happy and content. Not for the first time, Honeypaw reflected on how Iceheart's name really didn't suite her at all. Her heart was anything but icy. Her heart was warm and full of kindness he doubted she would ever see in herself. He wondered if he could ever help Iceheart see just how much she did for the cats around her... A small idea entered the back of Honeypaw's mind, and he set it aside to discuss with Nightstar another time.

He stood up, but only long enough to flop down on top of Iceheart with a rumbling purr. "In case I haven't said it lately, Iceheart, I'm happy I have you as my mentor." He said, voice uncharacteristically soft but full of warmth, and he nuzzled her fur briefly. "And I'm happy I'm home, and that we're both safe. Just... just so you know. Thank you. For everything."