on fire within [o]

OOC Note: Because there are potentially so many people in this topic, we will not be following traditional posting order once everyone who is in the topic has arrived. Post when your cat has something to respond to, much like at a Gathering! The idea is that everyone's going to be paired off to train together while Sun watches/gives advice, but we will play that by ear depending on who posts. :)

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A line of apprentices sat in front of Sunfire. They varied in age from freshly apprenticed, like Brackenpaw and Honeypaw, to nearly warriors, like Rosepaw and Bearpaw... but they all shared one thing in common: they were SkyClan, and they were in danger. Well, maybe that was two things... but they were in danger because they were SkyClan, so it counted. The yellow tom flicked his gaze from one of them to the next, until he'd laid eyes on every single one... some of them were his brother's kits, some were his own, and some shared no blood at all.

He tried, and failed, not to feel Ploverpaw's absence as he looked at them.

Snapping himself out of that line of thought, the tom finally spoke for the first time since arriving. He didn't have time to be sad - any moment now, ThunderClan could come charging into their camp, demanding reparations... and every single one of these cats before him would have to be ready. He would make sure they were ready. "I know you each have your own mentors," he began. "But this training session is something a little different. Today, since it's our first time doing something like this, and I haven't seen you all train... I just want you to show me what you can do. Everyone pair off with a partner - Rosepaw, Bearpaw, for now, you two should be a team since you're both older and larger. Honeypaw, you come to me." He met her eyes and tipped his head to indicate that she should come sit beside him, and then waited for the others to do as he had bid.

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There was a moment of peace as the apprentices began to move as he'd asked, and Sunfire watched Honeypaw rise and pad towards him. The she-cat, he believed, wasn't quite ready yet to practice with the more aggressive apprentices, and he knew if she paired off with one of her brothers, she wouldn't get anything out of it. He'd already seen them training together, and noticed the developing dependency on her siblings. Allowing that to persist would ensure Honeypaw grew up to be a useless warrior.

She needed something more, a more of a one on one with someone experienced, who could get her to the same level as the other apprentices, or... try to, at least. Honeypaw was his brother's kit, and so he would give her the benefit of the doubt, he would try, but the irritating fear-scent and the absolute terror in her eyes when she met his gaze disgusted the warrior to his core. Honeypaw was nearly at his side, and Sunfire lifted his gaze to check on the rest of them... until Shatteredpaw stepped forward, cutting off his sister's path and staring at Sunfire with a challenge in his eyes.

The yellow tom's tail flicked once, and he stared down at his nephew, whiskers twitching with amusement that was belied by the chill in his stare. "Alright then." If he insisted on being made an example of, Sunfire would oblige. He turned his back to Shatteredpaw, trotting several paces away and then looking back. "Gather around us instead, all of you. Shatteredpaw has volunteered to teach you all something." He locked eyes with the aforementioned apprentice and flicked with his tail towards the center of the meadow.

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Sunfire was unsurprised when Shatteredpaw did, in fact, follow him to the center of the meadow, but he couldn't help wondering what, exactly, the apprentice was trying to prove? Did he truly think that Sunfire had chosen Honeypaw for some cruel, unkind reason? That he planned on asking her to spar him? There was a war within him raging between insult and amusement... because he was tickled that he appeared so fearsome to even his own clanmates, but the idea that he'd harm one of them was an abhorrent one. SkyClan's apprentices didn't trust their own warriors, even ones who have and would go to great lengths to protect the clan. That was a problem.

He stared at his nephew, unmoving, until he had taken his position across from him.

When Shatteredpaw surged forward, Sunfire dropped his shoulder, absorbing the hit at the last second with a single low grunt. The only thing the apprentice had held back was his claws... so the strike was hard, it almost hurt. But regardless of the force behind it, and regardless of the apprentice's drive, he had little experience, and it was easy enough for Sunfire to side step and catch Shatteredpaw before he could retreat. A heavy white paw slammed down between the small tom's shoulderblades, firm but only enough to pin him to the ground.

He turned to look at the rest of the apprentices.

"What you see here is a cat who defied direct orders from a senior warrior and brashly stood up against an opponent he could not possibly hope to defeat." He released the pressure from Shatteredpaw's shoulders and allowed him to stand, curling his tail across his nephew's back for a second. "What I see is a cat who is willing to risk anything to protect his clanmates, even when the odds are stacked against him."

He let that sink in. "What Shatteredpaw just demonstrated to you all are the most valuable traits that a warrior can have, because your first and most important job as a warrior is to protect your clan and your clanmates, with your life." He swished his tail, looking over at Honeypaw for a moment.

"What he - and perhaps some of you - failed to realize, however, is that there is no need to protect yourselves from me." Sunfire met each of their gazes in turn, resting on Shatteredpaw as he continued. "I intend to train individually with you all in addition to these group sessions. I chose Honeypaw first, because she needs it the most."

He wasn't going to cushion any of them from the truth. If they were weak, he would tell them so... because they couldn't improve without knowing where they were lacking in the first place. If they were willing to put in the work? Then they'd become warriors worth being proud of. If they weren't, well... he'd cross that log when he got to it. Sunfire rolled his shoulders back, tone taking a serious edge. "Now. Let me make one thing perfectly clear to you all: there is not a thing that I will ever ask you to do that will be to your own - or SkyClan's - detriment. My purpose here is to mold you into warriors SkyClan can be proud of, warriors that the other clans will fear, and respect."

Eyes narrowing slightly, the tom continued. "That being said... I will not force you to be here. And I will not waste my time with an apprentice who doesn't take me seriously, or doesn't trust me. If you want to leave, go home. If you want to be here... find a partner. Honeypaw, you are with me." Another steely glance at Shatteredpaw told him: It's not up for debate this time, but he followed it with a nod of approval. This had been a good lesson for them to learn early on, and he was grateful the young tom had given him the opportunity to teach it.

Sunfire has used Experienced Steps, choosing to do 0 damage to Shatteredpaw but stunning him for one turn at the cost of 10 stamina.

Shatteredpaw
20 HP / 53 SP

Sunfire
61 HP / 150(-10) SP

For once, Brackenpaw hadn’t moved to do the impulsive thing. He had laid out his pride having asked for a training session like this, and for Sunfire to oblige his request the faintly brindled tom did not plan on messing it up. Though, Brackenpaw wouldn’t deny the anger he felt boiling up at the fact his uncle hadn’t chosen to spar with him, Honeypaw at least had a mentor that would have shown her some training. Foxtrot was neither here nor there for the young apprentice’s training. Several insults were brewing in the back of his throat, ready to be hurled at his uncle, but for the sake of Brackenpaw’s thick hide Shatteredpaw for once made the more mousebrained move. Brackenpaw cocked his head, had his brother seen Sunfire as a threat towards Honeypaw? His brother lacked logic for once and Brackenpaw snorted loudly, which turned into a full on laugh when Sunfire put Shatteredpaw in his place.

Once the example was over, Brackenpaw padded towards Honeypaw, not offering his usual comforts. “Sunfire is our uncle, and I asked for this training. He didn’t even hurt Shatteredpaw that bad, he won’t hurt you.” his blue eyes travelled to Sunfire regarding him, the anger he felt at being disregarded earlier simmering. “Next time, I will spar with you.” he meowed a demanding tone in his voice. He didn’t wait for Sunfire’s response before sauntering to the heap that was Shatteredpaw. Brackenpaw’s eyes twinkled with amusement. “Unfortunately for you, you’re stuck sparring with me.” he meowed tauntingly “You can regain your breath if you’d like, i’ll allow you that.” he stepped backwards, curling his bushy tail over his paws, and watching Honeypaw and Sunfire begin their own spar as he waited for Shatteredpaw to recover.

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Brackenpaw jumped backwards with a hiss, feeling Shatteredpaw’s paw collide with his head. His pelt stood on end, and his claws unsheathed. So much for chivalry. “What is wrong with you?!” he snarled, sensing the edge in Shatteredpaw’s actions. The heaving of his brother’s chest, and that wild look in his eyes, it was a challenge. A growl rode up in Brackenpaw’s throat. Shatteredpaw was challenging him, trying to prove himself. Brackenpaw had more to prove, anyone could be watching them, and he knew this time he was the under dog. Not that it would stop him. Brackenpaw fixed his brother with a gaze that matched his wilderness with fierce determination. Sliding back into a familiar fighting stance, Brackenpaw began to circle Shatteredpaw, his ears flat against his head. “You will not humiliate me again.” he spat, his temper having risen with the charged air that had befallen the cats gathered to train.

The aprrentice was crouched low to the ground, belly almost dragging through the dirt, storing up power in his muscles and ready to unleash it all on Shatteredpaw. So what if they were siblings? Examples had to be made, and the pact the two had made didn’t include protecting each other. Things got heated in battle, and if Shatteredpaw ended up the more bunged up of the two… Well, that’d be a happy accident today for Brackenpaw. “I’m going to make sure you know where your loyalties lie, maybe if you would stop being so mousebrained and think you wouldn’t have shamed yourself before.” he hissed, voice quivering slightly for Shatteredpaw’s shame was also his. His brother had acted out of line, had embarrassed him when he asked for this favour. Mistflower was a good warrior, but she wasn’t great. She lacked compared to Sunfire, and even if Brackenpaw liked Mistflower on a personal level, he had already decided Honeypaw would not get the battle training that would keep her alive from a cat that was softbellied.

Brackenpaw’s feet shifted, and suddenly the slow crawl he had been circling his brother with had become a leaping attack. He slammed into Shatteredpaw, large paws connecting with his chest and slammed his brother into the ground. Blue eyes glared down at Shatteredpaw as he continued to struggle beneath him, and Brackenpaw snarled applying extra pressure and slamming him back down again, sure his brother would remain pinned.

Brackenpaw used Leap and Hold on Shatteredpaw dealing - 6 HP and costing - 15 SP Shatteredpaw is stunned

Brackenpaw
14/20 HP
45/ 60 SP (- 15 SP)

Shatteredpaw
14/20 HP
46/60 SP

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

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'Effect Dice' : 2

Rosepaw had been looking forward to this training session from the moment Sunfire had told her he was organizing it. Granted, she was much older than all of the other apprentices, and if not for her long absence, she would be a warrior by now, but Rosepaw didn't mind. Training was for the betterment of the clan, not just the individual, and she'd had more than enough personal training during her ordeal. Besides, this was simply too good an opportunity for Rosepaw to get to know the other apprentices for her to want to miss it.

Rosepaw was beyond shocked as she watched Shatteredpaw's dealings with Sunfire. For any cat, let alone an apprentice, to speak to her mentor that way... still, it was satisfying to watch the cocky apprentice put in the dirt. Perhaps the brash young tom would learn a lesson, and if not, Rosepaw was sure that Sunfire would be happy to teach it again. Hopefully Honeypaw would see that Sunfire only wished to help. It would be good for her to grow from her obvious dependence on Brackenpaw.

With Shatteredpaw's dramatics over, Rosepaw turned to her sparring partner, Bearpaw. Rosepaw knew very little about him, except that he was the medicine cat's apprentice and Sunfire's son. Even a short look told Rosepaw that he was a cat who would rather be anywhere else. She couldn't exactly blame him; he'd been clearly working his tail off combating the sickness that still stormed through camp. Perhaps if she showed extra enthusiasm, she could boost the tom-cat's spirits.

Rosepaw took a step towards Bearpaw, tail held high. "Shall we move over there and begin?" she meowed in a tone she hoped sounded inviting, gesturing to a spot a short distance away from the other pairs.

Sunfire didn't miss the way Shatteredpaw batted his tail away, or the hot anger that was simmering behind the apprentice's stare as their gazes locked, blue on yellow. Nothing he knew of his nephew's personality had led him to believe he'd be easy to train, but this was unexpected. The warrior didn't blink until Shatteredpaw looked away, and if Sunfire had been a cat prone to unease, it might have raised his hackles.

With the brothers now occupied in sparring, Sunfire turned his attentions back to Honeypaw. She seemed eager... excited, almost, and the tip of his tail twitched with interest. Perhaps he'd make a warrior out of her, yet.

"Very well." He turned and led her further back into the clearing, away from the already-sparring pairs. Turning to face her now, Sunfire crouched, assuming the typical battle stance: straight, weight spread across all fours, but ready to move in any direction at a moment's notice. "See this position I'm in? Copy me, to the best of your ability."