The Moon Seems Bright Tonight[C]

Tawnypaw stopped for the fifth time since they set off from camp to scent the air; the cold was numbing her senses and she could hardly scent anything. Moonpaw was a tail-length ahead of her, the grey tabby not stopping to even look at the younger she-cat. It was some sort of weird idea, to have younger and older apprentices group up for battle-training sessions. She had thought Forestbreeze was joking when he told her about it; what could an apprentice possibly teach to another? But here they were, supposedly because Moonpaw was "closer in age" and "would understand her better".

When Iceheart and Forestbreeze had decided to have her spar with another apprentice, Moonpaw had agreed. And scoffed at the idea of it. What could she possibly have to learn from sparring with someone who wasn't even at her level in training? Maybe Tawnypaw would benefit from sparring with an apprentice who had as much skill as she did good looks, but Moonpaw wasn't sure what she was getting out of this. Other than wasted time. And beating a half-trained apprentice into the dirt, which wasn't going to be challenging at all, she was almost certain of it. How could it possibly be, when Moonpaw had been training already for moons and Tawnypaw... Didn't exactly have one of the best warriors in the clan to teach her, let alone the best family to learn from. Not that she'd say so out loud... To their mentors, at least. To the younger apprentice following a tail-length behind, the dark silvery tabby said nothing, green gaze fixed on the path ahead, high-stepping and careful where she placed her paws. They were going to spar, but there was no use in getting herself any more dirty than necessary.

It didn't take long for the two to reach a decent spot of flat, dry (relatively... Shadowclan territory seemed like it was never dry) ground, and Moonpaw finally looked over at the other apprentice, sharp green eyes assessing her opponent.

Moonpaw wasn't exactly impressed. "Are you ready to begin, or do I have to explain anything?" Tawnypaw's mentor should have explained everything she needed to know, but the other apprentice was younger and who knew what Shadowclan's other warriors were doing. Moonpaw had little cause to pay attention to them unless they were in her way.

Tawnypaw's eyes narrowed at Moonpaw's words. Of course, her denmate would look down at her, considering that she had only been training for a moon. But there was no need to be so open about it! The silver tortoiseshell crouched and sprang forward, her paws outstretched but careful to keep her claws sheathed.

Tawnypaw used Jumping Strike, dealing 6(+3+1)dmg and -7SP

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

Moonpaw
10/20 HP (-10)
60/60 SP

Tawnypaw leaped at her, and Moonpaw lashed out with a sheathed paw as she threw herself to the side. Oh no, the apprentice wasn't using that trick on her tonight. Moonpaw wasn't dumb enough to stand there for that. Her paw didn't connect with her opponent's flank like she wanted - Moonpaw had moved with a little too much momentum which could work against her just as much as it helped, but she turned to face the younger apprentice unscathed. You missed, her expression seemed to say, though she would not waste her breath on mocking someone in a spar.

Moonpaw used Dodge and Fight for -7 sp, negating damage. Counterattack of 5+1 damage was unsuccessful.

Moonpaw
20/20 HP (damage negated)
53/60 SP (60 - 7)

Tawnypaw
20/20 HP
53/60 SP

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

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'Effect Dice' : 1

Tawnypaw blinked as Moonpaw dodged to the side, her front paws hitting dirt instead of fur. Turning as fast as she could, the young apprentice found herself face-to-face with the grey tabby she-cat. Rearing up on her hindlegs, Tawnypaw lashed out at Moonpaw with a paw, satisfaction coursing through her as her paws came into contact with fur.

Tawnypaw used Front Paw Strike for 6(+1)dmg and -7SP

Moonpaw
13/20 HP (-7)
53/60 SP

Tawnypaw
20/20 HP
46/60 SP (-7)

Tawnypaw's next blow she wasn't fast enough to dodge, her paw connecting solidly with Moonpaw's dark fur, but Moonpaw wasn't going to just sit there and let that stand, either. She darted behind the other apprentice, gripping her tail and pulling back. She was careful not to break skin, but also put some force into her movement, hoping to throw the younger tortoiseshell off balance. If their mentors wanted Tawnypaw to learn something... She would learn.

Moonpaw used Tail Yank for -15 sp, dealing -7+1 damage. Tawnypaw is stunned for this turn.

Moonpaw
13/20 HP
38/60 SP (53 - 15)

Tawnypaw -stunned-
12/20 HP (20 - 8)
46/60 SP

Tawnypaw hissed as she felt teeth grip her tail. Forcing herself to keep her balance, the tortoiseshell aimed another blow at the older apprentice. Even if I lose, I will lose fighting with all I've got!

Tawnypaw used Random Recall and Front Paw Strike, dealing 6(+1)dmg and -12SP

Moonpaw
6/20 HP (-7)
38/60 SP

Tawnypaw
12/20 HP
34/60 SP (-12)

So the runt knew a few things, that was good. Moonpaw would allow her blow to land this time before swiping at her again. It couldn't hurt, she decided, to let Tawnypaw feel like she had an advantage on the older, better-trained apprentice, after all.

Moonpaw used Front Paw Strike for -7 sp, dealing -6+1 damage.

Moonpaw
6/20 HP
31/60 SP (38 - 7)

Tawnypaw
12/20 HP (12 - 7)
34/60 SP

Moonpaw was fast is her next blow, and Tawnypaw staggered from the weight of the strike. Narrowing her eyes, the apprentice quickly spotted an opening. Without wasting a heartbeat, she slid forward and gripped Moonpaw's tail in her teeth, careful not to break the skin. With a heave, Tawnypaw dragged the larger apprentice backwards.

Tawnypaw used Tail Yank, dealing 7(+1)dmg and -15SP

Moonpaw
-2/20 HP (-8)
31/60 SP

Tawnypaw
12/20 HP
19/60 SP (-15)

Tawnypaw, that little brat... Moonpaw grunted as she was pulled backward, finding her paws and turning to glance at the younger apprentice. "...Not bad, I suppose." She mewed, "Next time I won't go so easy on you, since you seem to have a grasp of battle tactics." More like she'd just copied the exact move Moonpaw had used, but that was okay. They all had to learn somehow. She'd let Tawnypaw win this time.

((I'm sorry, Moon's ego is out of control))

OOC: it's okay, Moonpaw is older after all and losing to an apprentice barely out of the nursery when Moonpaw herself is about to become a warrior must be tough. Besides, Tawnypaw absolutely adores her, considering her parents

Tawnypaw's eyes lit with with triumph as she realized that she had won. Quickly, she let go of Moonpaw's tail and scrambled back a few pawsteps.

"Next time I won't go so easy on you, since you seem to have a grasp of battle tactics."

Tawnypaw nodded, her paws still tingling. That's right, she had learnt how to take advantage of her foes! It couldn't be a better achievement for the Shadowclan apprentice, but she quickly remembered who she was talking to and dipped her head. "I wouldn't have won if you hadn't gone easy on me, and showed me that move," She admitted, eyes filled with adoration.

Moonpaw was almost as good as any warrior, and in the next quarter moon she no doubt would receive her warrior name. On top of that, the she-cat was the child of the deputy, Leopardsun! To be praised by such a cat when she had only been training for a moon...

Wait a minute... Was that... admiration in Tawnypaw's voice? Maybe... Maybe this hadn't been so bad after all. And her mentor hadn't taught her something so simple as pulling on a tail to make an opponent lose their balance? Were she and her siblings the only hope this clan had of producing effective warriors? Maybe she could use this to her advantage.

"We should spar again sometime." She mewed, "Though I guess we should probably start heading back to camp now."

Tawnypaw nodded quickly at Moonpaw's words. Yes, she would love to spar again with such an experienced she-cat! Though she was right; they both were exhausted and should be heading back to camp. "Of course! Thank you for taking the time to help train me, I'd be honored to be able to spar with you again!" She mewed.