Familiarity [c]

(Takes place right after Night and Swift's spat)

Where were they?

Where was Shadowclan?

Locust had delayed his return for moons, guilt and shame hanging heavy to his paws, refusing to let them take a step towards the marshy ground he called home for the majority of his life. The tom always declared himself the most loyal, the only Shadowclan cat with sense... but what loyal cat abandoned their clan? What loyal cat feared stepping back into their old territory? Not a good one.

He spent moons procrastinating, but when he finally got the courage to carry himself back to the familiar land... it was gone. All of it; altered into an unrecognizable muddy mess. The tortoiseshell kept his scarred nose to the mire, sinking down to his hocks, and in some places, more swimming than treading in the muck. The melting snow of leafbare's end only made the ground worse, only made the mud wetter. The entire territory had devolved to mimic the deep marshes. It was dangerous... Not the home he remembered.

Grime stuck to his fur in soggy clumps, but he couldn't stop; he had to search. A scent, a tuft of fur, anything to tell him where his clan had gone. Locust was frantic. He had waited too long to return home, so long he might not be able to return at all. Nightstalker, Swiftheart, Marshmallow, where were they? What if they had perished in whatever event caused this flooding?

It was clear that if Shadowclan remained close, they weren't here. He had to look for signs elsewhere. Shaky limbs carried the battle-worn tom around the outskirts, his head never lifting from the soggy dirt unless to scent a crisp gust of wind. His whiskers felt heavy, the long fur hanging from his cheeks collecting the grime below.

Plumes of vapor clouded around his mouth with each nervous exhale, each intake of breath freezing his teeth, his jaw slack to try and taste anything but the scent of mud.

There. Cat. Faint, carried by the wind, but it was something. Locust followed it like a starving mongrel. He didn't know when his frantic trot turned into a run, not looking where his paws landed unless he suddenly sunk into loose, wet dirt. The soggy ground soon grew more solid under his pads as he approached fourtrees, the scent growing stronger, but it wasn't alone. Shadowclan, Windclan, Skyclan. It was far too late for gathering scents to be this strong... It was near the end of the moon. What had happened?

He hadn’t quite reached the recessed clearing when a familiar scent gave him pause. A Shadowclan tom. Locust’s nose was overwhelmed with the scent of dirt and grime; he couldn’t pick up the subtle differences that would give him an identifier… but he swore it was at the tip of his tongue. He needed a deeper inhale to grasp it fully.

Anger simmered and roiled under Nightstars pelt like the infection that ravaged his back, hot and biting with gnawing and gnashing jaws. Air left his nostrils like smoke, as the tom ventured close to Shadowclans marshes but still found himself shrouded by the cover of the Four Trees. He had no interest in hunting, his rage, and grief too fresh and raw to allow him the focus needed to stalk something with sharp hearing and sharp eyes... - the scent of rogue crossed his nostrils - but a rogue would do.

His claws unsheathed, looking up from his own scent trail to see his very target and it was Nightstars black, night sky coat that prevented the enemy cat from spotting him as he slipped into the shadows and foliage. It had a calico or tortoiseshell coat, one familiar to him as he determined that perhaps this was Dawnhawks kin, excusing the familiarity of the pelt. Nightstar crept close, just as the tom stopped and seemed to concentrate, but all he knew, was that his time was up. His scent was surely caught, and he had to make his move now or lose the surprise.

He coiled and erupted from the brush like a hare as he slammed strong paws against the rogue cat's back with a shrieking yowl, his teeth bared as his jaws snapped close to vulnerable ears.

Nightstar used Jumping Strike, Dealing 10 base damage +3 first attack buff +1 Night finesse +2 Star Striker Damage and Costs him 7 Stamina

Nightstar:
80/80 HP
163/170 SP

Locust:
24/40 HP
100/100 SP

He filled his lungs with biting air, the scent rushing over his palette, but all his thoughts were canceled when a shrill caterwaul ruined the silence. The tortie barely had the time to twist his head towards the source when a heavyweight sent him crumpling to the ground. Weak with travel, exhaustion, and worry, Locust thumped against the chill ground with a growled grunt, the air forced right back out of his lungs.

NO! Not now! He didn't need this! Locust hissed out a furious, wheezing snarl, twisting onto his back beneath the cat's paws. Teeth snapped at his ears, the tom flinching when a canine snagged an ear and ripped at the fragile skin. The blood beading at the wound was a warm contrast to the cold air around them, the two toms huffing hot plumes of vapor.

He didn't spend long taking in the cat's shape, his legs back legs instinctively attempting to kick up against the tom's belly, his claws extended to rake into the soft underbelly. However, he struck wrong, his paws slipping uselessly off the cat's stomach and only allowing the stranger get get another bite on his ear, a stronger one. Locust shrieked when he felt a massive tug against the sensitive extremity, pain pulsing in his skull. He didn't need to see the damage to know that ear was gone now. Rage seared through his gaze, amber eyes locked onto his target with a wrathful vengeance.

He didn't know what he expected. This was what he deserved crawling back to clan territory.

Locust used Belly Rake for 25 SP but failed, taking 5 damage!

Nightstar:
80/80 HP
163/170 SP

Locust:
19/40 HP [-5]
75/100 SP [-25]

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

---

'Effect Dice' : 1

Blood was quick to spill and Shadowclans leader reveled in it, an ear nipped here, and another ear cruelly removed from its owner's head; but to him, it was well-deserved, as he felt the tom underneath his scrabble for purchase on his scarred belly. A growl pulled itself from his throat as he reared his head back and fastened his claws into the rogue tom's shoulders with a fierceness. He had no qualms about making this cat a red stain on the ground, colouring the snow around them a brilliant hue of holly when he was done. Rogue secured, Nightstar levered himself and placed all his weight into his shoulders as he brought his back legs forwards to churn the tom cats belly to slush.

But it seemed that perhaps the rogue had some luck on his side as Nightstar was thrown off balance when he had let himself panic briefly upon spotting the tom's own back legs coming up for another go while he himself was vulnerable. Pushing himself off, the black tom prepared himself for another attack, while he positioned himself to take any advantage that he could spot.

Nightstar used Belly Rake for 25 SP but failed, taking 5 damage!

Nightstar:
75/80 HP
138/170 SP

Locust:
19/40 HP
75/100 SP

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

---

'Effect Dice' : 1

Claws dug deep into the muscles of his shoulders, pulling another ragged cry from the lone tom. Stop wailing like a kit! Locust nipped his tongue, his eyes widening when he noticed the stranger mimicking his own movements, attempting a kick of their own. Frantic flailing of his back legs caused the tom the falter, the black-furred warrior making a strategic retreat off of his body, but not fleeing.

Locust hastily rolled back onto his paws, pushing himself up to his full height. With dirt clinging deep into his coat, his tortie pelt bristled in spiky clumps of wet fur, his lips pulled back in a snarl. All thoughts were drained from his skill, seemingly dripping down his cheeks like the blood leaking down his ear, marking red streaks over the shaggy tom's face. He didn't acknowledge the aching familiarity of the stranger, only the need to pummel the stranger into the snowbank, to prove himself just as strong.

With a yowl dripping with hatred and vitriol, Locust surged forward, raising onto his back paws to take swipes at the tom's face and muzzle. He needed to feel the cat's skin underneath his claws. Locust was still a warrior, still capable of battle; he just had to prove it.

Locust used Front Paw Strike and Desperate Blows, costing a collective 14 SP (7+7) and dealing 13 (8+5) damage (+1 for Night Finesse)

Nightstar:
61/80 HP [-14]
163/170 SP

Locust:
19/40 HP
61/100 SP [-14]

The aching familiarity ran deep for both the toms circling each other like they were rabid foxes, both sharing the deep intense need to kill each other. Nightstar stood his ground as the larger tom soared towards him, no time to move but enough time for him to brace himself against the attack. Claws ripped through his skin, his brow, and his muzzle, a pained hiss escaping his maw as he stepped back and away from the blows, blood blurring his vision and his senses.

Escaping from the barrage of slashes, a thought flashed across his mind briefly 'This tom fights like a warrior.' before it vanished into the consideration of his next attack. With the rogue open to another attack, Nightstar launched himself forwards, giving a wide berth before turning sharply and jumping and slamming his back paws against the bulkier toms side, sending him into the snow below. Nightstar was quick to pivot on his paws and fastened his claws and teeth into the rogue, teeth gripping its neck and each available paw pinning as many limbs as he could.

Nightstar used Leap-and-Hold, Dealing 10+2+1 Damage, and Costing 15 SP. Locust is stunned for 2 turns.

Nightstar:
61/80 HP
123/170 SP

Locust:
6/40 HP
61/100 SP [-14]

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

---

'Effect Dice' : 5

The stranger flinched backward as Locust cut into his face, his claws painted red with the blood of this warrior. Across his black fur, across his regal muzzle... Locust thought nothing of it. He had met many cats during his travels; any number of them could be similar to the stranger's appearance. It didn't matter he was familiar. He would be nothing but a ragged pelt by time his rage simmered down.

Locust surged forward for another attack, but the tom evaded his strike, leaping to the side before launching against his flank. The lone tom was sent tumbling, wheezing. Since when was it hard to breathe in the cold? Teeth gripped the loose skin of his scruff, canines hooking the flesh and paws fighting for control over his own. The tortie hissed in rage and panic. He couldn't be held down. The cat was swift, and stronger than him despite his smaller frame. They weren't thin, but lean, hidden muscle underneath their pelt. He couldn't be held down.

Eyeing a paw struggling just a bit too close to his hungry jaws, Locust snarled, lurching to capture the tom's wrist between his teeth. He clenched down savagely, tugging to offset their balance just enough for him to wiggle free of their hold. The taste of iron was thick on his tongue, as it should be for a warrior.

Locust used Duck and Twist, costing 5 SP and dealing 7 damage! Locust is no longer Pinned!

Nightstar:
54/80 HP [-7]
123/170 SP

Locust:
6/40 HP
56/100 SP [-5]

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

---

'Effect Dice' : 5

The tom under him writhed vigorously, and it was an error on his part to not be completely aware of where he laid his paws, a rookie mistake, and one he'd learn from when he felt the tom's teeth sink into his paw. Screeching with hurt, and anger, Nightstar stumbled off, ripping his paw from the rogue's jaws and, in a flash; brought his wound paw down and raked it deeply into the tom's muzzle.

Nightstar used Front Paw Strike, Dealing 10+1+2 Damage, and Costing 7 Stamina.

Nightstar:
54/80 HP
116/170 SP

Locust:
KO'd

Nightstar got distance once more, nursing his wounded foot as he glared down at the rogue before him. And in this moment of calm, as he waited for the tom to get to his paws, the familiarity became undeniable. Deniable kept his maw closed for a few heartbeats. But Cicadashriek was dead? This couldn't be his brother-in-arms that he had just torn to shreds? Uncertainty, and caution, held Nightstar where he was, but he spoke tentatively for once, "Cicadashriek...? Is that you my friend?" he mewed, ears pressed against his head.

His paws hadn't even steadied on the ground yet when a blooded paw flew down towards his features, splitting his lip right above his canine and sending him right back into the mud and snow. Starclan, everything hurt. Locust's protesting muscles refused to move where they laid. He wasn't getting up, he wasn't winning. All he could do was wait for a final strike, or at least for the warrior to tell him to scram.

Locust is K.O'd!

Yet, none came. His failure was followed by silence, the blood of his fresh wounds caking his fur. The wind ruffled his whiskers and his teeth felt cold where the black tom had cut into his lip, the enamel exposed to the elements. Then, a soft voice. A familiar one carrying an old name.

Locust visibly winced, glancing up at the 'stranger' above him. The familiarity he had been repressing came back with a vengeance, crashing against him like the floodwaters that had ravaged their home. Nightstalker. He had torn apart his closest friend in an effort for what? Validation? But his fellow clanmate had torn into his pelt too. Was he really that unrecognizable?

"Seems fitting you recognize me after you've beaten me. What's our score now? Three to nothing?" He croaked out a guilty laugh, tired and solum. This wasn't how he wanted to come back. "But no, I'm not Cicadashriek anymore. I go by Locust. It would be odd to go by a warrior's name when I'm no longer a warrior." The confession hurt like a rake to his side. No longer a warrior. He had yet to call himself anything but. He was a loner now, a rogue, but those words never left his lips for the moons he was missing.

"Tell me the clan's doing well, Nightstalker. I tried to find you and... it's all mud." He timidly fixed his posture, raising his head and tucking his paws underneath himself. He licked over his torn lip in a small attempt to clean the sanguine liquid staining his fur. More replaced it soon after. "Are they safe? Did Murkystar lead you all somewhere different? Have you been ok all this time?"

Nightstar could feel the tension grow so thick while he waited for some sort of confirmation that he hadn't just embarrassed himself. A myriad of expressions crossed the stranger toms face, the blood and grime obscuring them enough that there wasn't much he could glean from them like he usually could.

Relief flooded him when he heard the familiar timbre of his friend's voice, albeit coated with insecurities. Nightstars own scarred muzzle, old and now new though not as bad as the wounds he had just given his friend, quirked up in a small smile. "Yeah, three to nothing." The black tom let his friend explain, disappointment and a touch of annoyance colouring his gaze at the claim that Cica- Locust did not think himself a warrior anymore.

Locust then asked about Shadowclan, and called him by his warrior name- of course, he wouldn't know, gone for moons that had been the harshest for Shadowclan and its occupants. He'd address Locusts concerns about 'not being a warrior' later, there was a lot for him to get caught up on, for the both of them. "We are. Shadowclan has had some problems with flooding as of late. For now, we are residing at Highstones with Windclan while we wait for our territory to dry some more." At the mention of his mother, Nightstar's heart panged.

"For the most part, we are all safe. Some cats are missing, and some you have known are dead. Froststar, Murkystar, Mistyfalcon, Batglow, Ratrunner, Loudbelly, Basilbloom just a drop in the pond. " Nightstar prompted his friend to stand, beckoning his friend to follow.

"As for me, I was crushed under a tree, one sister dead- Harechaser, you never got to know her, - one sister missing - Roseburn, same thing -, one medicine cat - Fuzzybelly -, a kit, two apprentices, and several warriors, and one leader, - Nightstar -." Nightstar meowed, starting his pace slow as he started for Highstones, mindful of his newly found friends state.

Immediate relief followed his companion's reassurance that the clan was safe, not chased completely from the territories. Shadowclan was a resourceful and determined bunch, a flood wouldn't be enough to wipe them out.

However, that didn't mean Shadowclan was whole either. Nightstalker listed off numerous dead. Murkystar and Froststar most notably, subtly telling him that there were a completely new leader and deputy duo in the ranks. The news of Ratrunner and Basilbloom was also disheartening. He wasn't too close with either of them, but they were nice cats... He pushed himself to his paws at his friend's behest, following alongside the dark warrior with slow steps.

Locust listened silently, but it was hard to hide his flabbergasted expression when Nightstalker told him he had been crushed. Under a tree?! And he was still up and walking fine? There was a clear scar adorning the warrior's spine, it wasn't a joke... How did he manage to heal so well? His friend's next words were hardly absorbed, more dead and missing, but Locust was clearly stuck on Nightstalker's first notion before he brought up his last.

The ragged tom stumbled and choked on his own saliva in shock. "Wha... What?"

Nightstar. Nightstar. Locust blinked with wide amber eyes. "You're pulling my tail. Nightstar? You're leader of Shadowclan?!" He barked, excitement, confusion, and traitorous hints of jealousy all clouding his head. "No way! You went off and became deputy and leader while I was away? How dare you!" He playfully batted his companion's shoulder, ignoring how his own hissed and protested.

"Starclan, I should have been there" He should have... "Was it Froststar who appointed you deputy? He made a good choice. I always thought you'd make it, if I didn't make it first, of course." He grinned teasingly, but a part of him knew that wouldn't have happened. He was always loud and boisterous with his opinions, regardless of how controversial they were. Nightstalker- Nightstar -was always more thoughtful with his words.

He cleared his throat awkwardly. "But... I'm sorry for your losses. I doubt coming into leadership during... all of this wasn't exactly fun."