The future's in your paws. Shape it well.Roleplay in a cat Clan of warriors. Based off the Warriors series by Erin Hunter. Takes place in an AU before the cats in the books existed.
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Greenleaf's weather began to bear down on Perchstar's well-insulated pelt as she moved to take the next pair of apprentices over. There was one of the newest apprentices, Duckpaw, to whom she'd seldom spoken. And then her own apprentice, Rookpaw. A cat who had learned and grown so much so far, but who still had even further to go. She would be lying if she said she wasn't rooting for her own apprentice slightly... so she would not say it either way. She was not allowing herself any favoritism. "Remember that I will be supervising you, so there should be no bloodshed or serious injury." She did not believe that any of them would, of course, but it was a warning of safety. "Ready--set--begin."
The dice determine who goes first. 1, 2, 3= Duckpaw. 4, 5, 6= Rookpaw. Dice rolling....
Duckpaw...Duckpaw was tired. They were barely holding back a small yawn as they gave their head a shake, trying to wake up. They had tried to go to bed early, they had been looking forward to this for a while but it had proven hard to stay asleep - it had been luck that they hadn't managed to waken any other apprentices with their tossing and turning. Their eyes flickered open to focus on Rookpaw as they heard Perchstar's speak - giving the signal to start. Duckpaw, however, was still a tad more sleepy then they would have liked - their reaction time was slowed...Giving Rookpaw the first opportunity to strike.
Rookpaw stayed at their brother’s side during the other spars, offering occasional commentary but mostly watching in silence. When Perchstar came, they left with a nod and a quick bump to Larkpaw’s shoulder before joining Duckpaw and their mentor, attention set squarely forward. They looked the other apprentice over, taking in their competition for the first time: Duckpaw had only recently been apprenticed, and so, could only have so much experience in combat; they looked tired as well, nearly dozing off already. Their restless thrashing had been bothersome to Rookpaw’s own rest. They bid a shallow nod of sympathy. They were often tired during the day, as well. Regardless of their commonality, Rookpaw set the assessment aside to hopefully put to their advantage.
Their eyes flicked briefly to Perchstar as she delivered the routine warning of safety. Rookpaw wondered if she had wanted anyone in particular to win the tournament; one of their daughters, they imagined, but they found themself hoping she was watching them for this fight if no others. Shaking themself out, Rookpaw refocused on their opponent, and shortly thereafter came the issue to begin. Rookpaw moved forward fast and as they imagined, Duckpaw hardly moved at all. Wordlessly, they pushed forward through their hind legs, driving forward to roll Duckpaw to the ground.
Rookpaw used Leap and Hold, dealing 6 damage and costing 15 SP. Duckpaw is pinned for one turn!
A yelp of surprise escaped Duckpaw's maw as suddenly they were on the ground - their breath leaving their lungs as Rookpaw had used their entire body to knock their paws from beneath them. A wince escaped them, blinking what little remained of their tiredness away - that that certainly been a wake-up call. With a huff of effort, they rolled onto their back and kicked out with their feet - hoping to force Rookpaw back to give them a moment to get to their paws and take stock of the situation - but they lacked the leverage for a powerful kick and grumbled as they were force to roll onto their stomach and try to raise to their paws as they spared a glance towards the still-close Rookpaw to see what they would do next.
Duckpaw used Duck and Twist on Rookpaw, attempting to break the pin and failed, costing 5 stamina and dealing 4 damage.
Duckpaw squirmed against the ground, rolling and kicking their paws, but they did not have enough room or the proper angle to deliver a blow strong enough to unbalance. When the younger apprentice twisted to look up at them, Rookpaw twitched an ear in a silent show of satisfaction. Their hold on Duckpaw was slipping, so there was not time for further study. Letting Duckpaw leverage their weight, Rookpaw slid backwards before they could be thrown to their paws; and, as they moved away, they twisted to sink their teeth momentarily in Duckpaw’s scruff.
Rookpaw used Snap, dealing 6 damage and costing 7 SP.
Duckpaw let out a soft hiss as they felt teeth sink into their scruff - not enough to break skin but it didn't feel great. They yanked away and spun - striking Rookpaw in the face with their fluffy tail. It was a risk - if Rookpaw was fast enough, they could sink their teeth into it but that was what Duckpaw was aiming to do. With Rookpaw distracted by the tail in their face, Duckpaw finished their spin and darted right past the apprentice - grabbing Rookpaw's tail as they went as they kicked out with their foot to knock their opponent to the ground. Duckpaw used Tail Yank on Rookpaw, costing 15 stamina and dealing 7 damage. Rookpaw is stunned for 1 turn.
The twist from Duckpaw was a surprise. Rookpaw hadn’t expected them to move so fast after an unimpressive opening. They recoiled from the tail whisking across their face, bridge of their muzzle wrinkling as fur stirred their nose. Then Duckpaw was on the move again, and though Rookpaw tried to spin out of the way, teeth caught their tail anyway. They closed their eyes for a brief moment to combat the dizzying jolt that ran through their spine and let their legs fold so they would not fall as messily when Duckpaw struck out a paw against them. Rookpaw could still feel the fizzle in their nerves from having their tail pulled, but they tightened their muscles and rolled back onto their paws. Sparring was an exercise they enjoyed, despite how exhausting it was. They would not stand to lose, especially not with Lark and Perchstar’s- and Sunpaw’s -eyes on them. The moment they were upright, Rookpaw lunged toward Duckpaw again, this time with a forepaw raised to solidly box their ears.
Rookpaw used Random Recall + Front Paw Strike, dealing 6 damage and costing 12 (7+5) SP.
Duckpaw winced at Rookpaw's quick recovery, backing up as paws batted at their ears - tail puffed. The energy of the fight was already starting to fade as the annoying tiredness started to seep back into their body. They stumbled on their paws, giving their head to shake to try to clear the oncoming fog. They raised a paw, giving Rookpaw a cuff of the ears but there was less energy behind it. Their tail drooped as they took small steps back, trying to think of any ways to try to end this fight sooner rather than later - of course, they didn't truly mind if they lost...At least they would be able to sleep.
Duckpaw used Front Paw Strike on Rookpaw, dealing 6 damage and costing 7 stamina.
The fight was tiring, but Duckpaw’s stagger betrayed more than simple exhaustion. Rookpaw’s whispers twitched, but they did not give their fellow apprentice a chance to recover or move very far. The weak returning blow did not deter their pursuit, and Rookpaw was quick to aim another strike at Duckpaw's shoulder— this time, putting more weight behind it to push them back to the ground. Rookpaw spoke for the first time when their paw connected, whispering, “Do not drag this out.”
Rookpaw used Front Paw Blow, dealing 4 damage and costing 5 SP.
As Rookpaw's paws struck out, the first words spoken between the two, Duckpaw's gaze flickered up to meet theirs...As they took a quick step back and ducked away, barely dodging the blow. A simple smile was spread across their face as they managed a soft, weak and tired laugh. "Sorry, Rookpaw - but I gotta at least try," they meowed before darting forward with what little energy they had left. Their energy wasn't enough as their paws gave out from beneath them, sending them crashing to the ground with a grunt. Their eyes flickered up, giving Rookpaw a sheepish, apologetic grin. "...Ah well. For the best, really - good luck, Rookpaw," they managed, holding back a yawn to not appear rude as they stretched out their paws, tilting their head towards Rookpaw to allow them to easily bat them one last time to truly end the fight.
Duckpaw used Dodge-and-Fight on Rookpaw, dodging the previous blow and attempted a counterattack! Duckpaw failed their counterattack, costing 5 stamina.
Duckpaw: 2/20 HP 28/60 SP (-5) Rookpaw: 3/20 HP 21/60 SP
Duckpaw shifted backwards just as they felt the brush of soft fur. Rookpaw’s ears lowered with surprise more than annoyance. They would allow unpredictability in the circumstance of a spar; Duckpaw, fatigued as they were, had been determined to combat their expectations. They could respect that, if nothing else. Rookpaw leaned backwards at the attempted counterattack, but the younger apprentice stumbled and rolled themself into the dirt. Blinking slowly, Rookpaw twitched their whiskers at the courteous surrender and nodded in return. Placing a paw on Duckpaw’s head, they pressed down gently, murmuring, “I do not need luck. Thank you.” before looking to Perchstar with another curt nod. “I have won.”
Rookpaw used Front Paw Blow, dealing 4 damage and costing 5 SP.
