Even Beetles Can Fight[C]

Tawnyshadow led Beetlepaw to the clearing of her choosing: large enough to have a spar with demostrations, but the uneven ground will allow Beetlepaw to get used to fighting on unfamiliar ground. The she-cat turned sharply to face the apprentice. "One of the most important skills a warrior must have, though not put into practice as much as hunting, is fighting. You'll need these skills to protect your clan from enemy clans, rouges, and predators, as well as your own life," She began, making sure that her voice was serious enough for Beetlepaw to understand that this was no laughing matter. They could very well need these skills in the near future should they ever find themselves in a situation where they have to fight for their life.

She distanced herself two fox-lengths from the apprentice. "Watch," She ordered, then raised a front paw to slash at the air in front of her. "That's called a front paw strike, though if you're not tall enough to hit your opponent you'll need to rear up. If you rear up, you have to be quick, because your belly and neck will be open to enemy attacks," She explained, then reared up and swiped her paw again while keeping perfect balance.

Dropping back to her paws, Tawnyshadow nodded at Beetlepaw. "Now you try," She instructed.

Beetlepaw felt at ease as they walked alongside Tawnyshadow, they'd left camp for what they assumed to be training. The trip was filled with absent-minded chatter, about the weather, the sound of frogs singing in the underbrush, what they had dreamed about, mostly from Beetlepaw's end. They felt much more comfortable in the warrior's presence now, enough to feel secure in babbling absent-minded passing thoughts to her.

Suddenly, Tawnyshadow turned on them, successfully gaining their full attention. They nodded along to her words with wide eyes, breaking their silence to ask a question. "Do you think I'll have to fight someone? for real?" The thought was almost intimidating, but they supposed they'd have to unsheathe their claws at some point or another.

Beetlepaw's eyes followed as Tawnyshadow crossed the clearing, demonstrating a move before returning to them. "Am i supposed to try it on you?"They asked, lifting an eyebrow. "Wouldn't that hurt? I didn't think I was supposed to fight clanmates." Still tentative about fighting Tawnyshadow, they opted to try the move out in the air first, like Tawnyshadow had when she was demonstrating it.

Stepping forward, they raised an unsheathed claw and swiped the air, bringing their paw down with the force of their body weight.


Beetlepaw used Front Paw Strike, costing 7 SP.

Beetlepaw:
53/60 SP [-07]

Tawnyshadow nodded in approval at Beetlepaw's attempt. "Keep your weight on your haunches so that you don't fall easily," She suggested, gently nosing the brown cat into a better stance. Regarding the apprentice's questions... she'll start with the easier one.

"You will have to fight your clanmates in what we call 'spars'. Everyone keeps their claws seathed during sparring sessions, so no one gets hurt," or should get hurt, "And these skills won't only be used to fight other cats. You will also have to use them to defeat predators that are trying to kill you or your clanmates." Tawnyshadow explained to the best of her ability. It was good that Beetlepaw was asking questions, she thought to herself, it meant they were trying to improve.

"Next, I'll show you how to dodge. It is a key skill that even cats like Leopardsun or Pineblossom still use, so watch closely," Tawnyshadow continued. Imagining enemy claws flashing at her, the warrior dropped and rolled away, springing back to her paws within heartbeats and whirling around to face the "enemy". "You have to be quick for this move, and time it just right so that your enemy doesn't have a chance to adjust to your new position," She explained, straightening up and flicking her tail to ask Beetlepaw to try.

OOC: In the next post, if Beetle gets the move right, Tawny will have a mini "spar" with him. He is encouraged to "think of his own moves" so feel free to use moves other than just Front Paw Strike and Dodge And Fight

Beetlepaw didn't say anything as Tawnyshadow corrected their form, only shifting under her touch as she nudged them into position. They moved only their head when Tawnyshadow answered their questions, remaining in the same position. "Oh, alright, yeah. That makes sense." They were relieved that they wouldn't actually have to harm their clanmates while practicing. "So, you've had to fight enemies before? Have you ever had to kill a cat?" The last part was spoken tentatively, although was a genuine question from the apprentice. If they had to kill a cat, they wanted to make sure it was something they could prepare for.

Once again, Tawnyshadow parted from Beetlepaw to demonstrate another move, which Beetlepaw observed. Dodge... that was reasonable. They always figured that it was just something that came naturally. Preparing themselves, they pranced in place, getting their muscles prepared. "Alright, I'll try it..." They backed up before jumping forward to face whatever imaginary enemy had shown up. Then, they suddenly moved backwards, imitating what Tawnyshadow had done. Then, when they were a few fox-lengths away, they sprung forward and regained their composure, ready to take on whatever the imaginary enemy was about to throw at them.

Looking over to their mentor, they rested their stance. "How was that?"

Tawnyshadow thought about Beetlepaw's next question. "I haven't been in a real battle yet, or fought any cats seriously, which is a good thing since that means that there hasn't been trouble in Shadowclan recently. Well, at least until now..." She muttered the last part, the gathering flashing through her mind. All the more reason for Beetlepaw to train their battle skills; they might need them very, very soon. "So no, I haven't killed any cats, and I hope I never do. It's against the Warrior Code, after all. I have however fought and killed many predators like foxes," She concluded.

She stopped talking when Beetlepaw began to try out the move for themselves. It was surprisingly good; she had expected to need to remind them about their smaller size and quicker speed, but it seems the apprentice was already clear about that part. "You're catching on very fast," She praised, "I think we can try sparring now. Remember to keep your claws seathed, and that even if you lose it will be a valuable lesson in the future. In the heat of battle, your standard moves might not always fit the scenario, so feel free to improvise on the spot."

With all that said, the tortoiseshell moved back a few paces to allow Beetlepaw some space to attack.

Beetlepaw knew what the brief period of silence following Tawnyshadow's words was alluding to. The announcement from Windclan's medicine cat made them nervous to attend another gathering. Even if the announcement was only a one-time thing, it would be tense. Windclan didn't like them, and they knew it. "Are foxes hard to kill? Or are they easy, since you know how to fight n stuff?" They opted to focus on the ladder of Tawnyshadow's answers.

Tawnyshadow's praise made Beetlepaw's tail flick with excitement. So they were doing well after all! "Oh, okay. I'll make sure not to unsheathe them. If uh.. I hurt you, tell me." The apprentice was certain that their mentor would win, they were larger and far more experienced, after all, but they didn't mind losing. As Tawnyshadow had said, this was for training, to be a valuable lesson.

Lowering their stance, Beetlepaw dashed forwards, raising their sheathed paw and bringing it down on Tawnyshadow, but not with much force. They were still worried about hurting Tawnyshadow despite their inexperience.


Beetlepaw has used Front Paw Strike on Tawnyshadow, dealing 6 HP and costing 7 SP.

Beetlepaw:
20/20 HP
46/50 SP [-07]

Tawnyshadow:
44/50 HP [-06]
120/120 SP

Tawnyshadow felt the blow land on her. It had strength behind it, good, but it was also incredibly slow. Beetlepaw would have to improve if they wanted to be a decent fighter in the future. Wishing to give her apprentice a chance to succeed, there was barely any force behind her next blow. It was, however, quick. What use was teaching an apprentice how to dodge if they wouldn't be able to practice it?

Tawnyshadow used Front Paw Blow, dealing 7dmg and -5SP

Beetlepaw:
13/20 HP(-7)
46/50 SP

Tawnyshadow:
44/50 HP
115/120 SP(-5)

Beetlepaw flinched under their mentors weak blow. Raising their head once it hand landed, they stood taller, feeling that the infirmity of Tawnyshadow's action gave them a fair chance of winning the fight. Now in close quarters with their mentor, they dashed around, ducking beneath their mentor and attempting to land sheathed blows at her belly. However, they ended up getting trampled on, having gotten stuck under Tawnyshadow's paws. "AUGH! Sorry!" They meowed, eventually managing to free themself.


Beetlepaw has attempted Belly Rake on Tawnyshadow, costing 25 SP! Attempt was unsuccessful, dealing 5 HP to themself!

Beetlepaw:
08/20 HP [-05]
21/50 SP [-25]

Tawnyshadow:
44/50 HP
115/120 SP

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

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'Effect Dice' : 2