Snatch a star, you can reach [c]

Stormdance walked beside Willowpaw as he led the way to a spot he often used for spar practice. With Windclan pushing the boundaries on their territory, and especially what recently happened to Drizzlepaw, it was more important than ever to equip his apprentices with the skills they needed to fight. Stormdance was of course hoping to ensure they wouldn’t need to for a long time yet, but it was better to be safe than sorry.

Still, Stormdance was trying not to think about that right now. He enjoyed the cool Newleaf breeze ruffling their fur, and the pretty sky above them. The temperature was cool without being unpleasant, making it a perfect day for heavy exercise like a spar.

“Here we are,” He says as they slow at the sandy clearing he liked to use for such spars. He remembered spending sunny days burning off excess energy with Brookstone here when they were still young warriors, as well as all the hours spent training various apprentices over the moons. It was a good place. Turning to face his apprentice, he gave her a small smile and a nod. He shook out his fur and settled back onto his paws.

Willowpaw was straightforward and to-the-point just like her mother, and so Stormdance tended to hop right into things with her. “I’ll let you take the first move, whenever you’re ready.” Stormdance said, looking at Willowpaw evenly. “Show me what you’ve been learning.”

Willowpaw

Willowpaw breathed evenly as she walked alongside her mentor to the spot that they can spar together. They had done plenty of hunting, and she was good on that front. She was not as confident in her ability to fight. Stormdance had shown her a few things here and there, but that was different from a full battle. She knew that Stormdance was much better than her, and she tried to tell herself that she was not going to win. If she could learn to take a few blows or maybe do something to impress him, then she would call it a fulfilling day.

She stopped and took a deep breath when Stormdance addressed her. She nodded and lowered herself in preparation. Willowpaw ran through a few scenarios she could do to begin their fight, and narrowed it down to a specific idea.

Willowpaw suddenly leapt at Stormdance. She was much smaller than him and it would not knock him over as it would if she were battling someone closer to her size, but if she had claws out, it would have done a fair amount of damage.

Willowpaw used Jumping Strike, dealing 9 [6+3] damage and costing 7 SP.

Willowpaw
20 / 20 HP
53 / 60 SP [-7]

Stormdance
61 / 70 HP
160 / 160 SP

RiverClan • Apprentice • She/Her • 20 | 60 • #6abcde

Credits: code inspiration - 1 2 | image 1 | image 2 | image 3

Stormdance grunted as Willowpaw leapt into him, not falling over as he would if he was facing an opponent closer to his size, but it still made him stumble. Righting himself once more, Stormdance shook out his fur and turned to face her once more. “Good!” He praised with a firm nod. “Speed is often just as important as strength. If you can get an opponent down faster than they can retaliate, you win the battle.”

He moved as he spoke, moving in and cuffing over Willowpaw’s ears with a swift blow, careful with her smaller size, but still creating a good challenge. He’d gotten plenty of experience with how to fight with apprentices in a way that gave them a challenge without hurting them. “Now, you’re facing a much stronger opponent,” He said. “Show me how you would get the upper hand in a situation like this.” He gave her an encouraging nod as he leapt away and back into a defensive position.

Stormdance used Front Paw Blow, dealing -7 damage and costing -5 SP.

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

Stormdance
61/70 HP
155/160 SP (-5)

Willowpaw

Willowpaw’s body tingled as she remained on her toes. Despite her twitchiness during their spar, she was still inexperienced and did not see the quick blow coming. She blinked rapidly when she was knocked, but then focused on Stormdance’s instructions. How to get an upper hand…Her eyes glanced around, taking in their surroundings. She saw all the wet pools around them as part of their territory and an idea went off in her head.

She darted forward at Stormdance and feinted before springing up at him. She was not big or very strong, but any cat would suddenly crash down if there was a cat that launched onto their head. She pushed Stormdance down into the ground, getting his face soaked in one of the puddles of water. Willowpaw scrambled back and stared with wide eyes. Was that what Stormdance meant?

Willowpaw used Underwater Clinch, dealing 7 damage and costing 10 SP. Stormdance is stunned for 1 turn!

Willowpaw
13/20 HP
43/60 SP (-10)

Stormdance [STUN 0/1]
54/70 HP (-7)
155/160 SP

RiverClan • Apprentice • She/Her • 20 | 60 • #6abcde

Credits: code inspiration - 1 2 |  image 1 | image 2 | image 3