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.
Welcome to WCC! Here are our latest announcements:
Activity checks take place on the 1st of the month. If you miss one activity check, make sure you do the next one!
Leaf-fall is finally here, and with it, the promise of colder, crueler, days ahead.
Gatherings take place on the 1st of the month; keep your eyes out for a staff member's post!
Please feel free to hit up any staff member if you have any questions!
Characters : [C]indersky, [W]olfpaw [D]aytrader, [R]yepaw Clan/Rank : RiverClan, T4 Deputy | ShadowClan, Apprentice| T1 Loner | WindClan Apprentice Number of posts : 543 Gender : They/She Age : 20
Subject: Re: September Gathering 2024 Thu Sep 12, 2024 6:31 am
Cindersky
I loved you...
Cindersky could smell them before they fell upon them. She would never forget the scent, as long as she lived. Mange scent, damp and rotting, thick with old blood smell and the fear they brought with them. She was getting to her feet, was stood and tensed to move when she saw them. The same large and haunting, muscular dark shapes that she remembered. And with it came the memory of their teeth, two terrified eyes looking back at her and a crushed white corpse not too far away.
Her vision only returned to Fourtrees at Poppystars shout. That's right. She was meant to be the deputy. And then Larkspring was speaking, and he had that same look in his eyes from all those moons ago that made her chest cold. "Come with me?" She asked, though it almost lost over the clamour. Poppystar did say to bring warriors.
She took a deep breath, gave Poppystar one last fleeting look (leaving her broke her heart) and spun on her heels. She dove around the approaching warriors, nudging kits, elders, apprentices alike as she went. She could not save them all if they dawdled. "Pair up!" She called to whatever group was beginning to form around her. "Leave no cat by themselves, unaccounted for!"
Her paws came to a quick stop beside Clovermottle, heaving her side against hers. "Lean on me," She meowed. "Deep breaths. We are not leaving you behind, I promise. We will move quick, clear of Fourtrees, and slow only when we can. Are you ready? I will not leave you."
Cindersky is aiding Clovermottle and trying to get the other kits, apprentices, and elders out.
Ryepaw was awake. He knew his smells, and that wasn't one he recognised, nor liked. Made his pelt crawl, brought a sickness to his stomach. Foxpaw nudged and pushed his side and in a second, he was standing. He had never seen them so frightened. His ever-present grin faltered, and he shoved his head into the crook of Foxpaw's neck.
"Go with Thistlepaw an' yer family," He said grimly. "Run. Don't look back 'til ye get to the moor. Gonna help get ye' time to run. Don' look back. Don' come back. If those things get back to camp, then the rest of WindClan 'r gonna wanna know. You can do that, Foxpaw, yeah?"
He did not want to wait to hear the protests. He could only be glad that Falconpaw was not here, and try and get Foxpaw and the rest of them outta dodge. He gave Foxpaw a heavy shove with his head to the chest and whirled around, bounding through the scattered, panicked crowds to give aid. Moonpaw. Nectarflower. Larchbreeze. Larchbreeze was trying to get Nectarflower to go back, for good reason of injury. With a furious spit, he threw himself at the wolf and sank his teeth deep into its leg and let out a low, rumbling growl.
"Nectarflower, go," He pleaded from between his teeth. "Thistlepaw, Foxpaw, and some other apprentices-- I told em' to go back to the moor. They need someone to--" The wolf thrashed. "--ta guide them."
Ryepaw used Bite on Wolf 1, dealing 6 DMG and using 5 EP!
Her mother was shaking, trembling. Stars above, Cloudjumper wished that Nectarflower could have been anywhere else. The queen didn't need to be here for the horror this gathering had turned into. Wolves... She'd heard of them only in whispers, and her mother's reaction to them was all she needed to know that they were very, very bad news. Even without, y'know, having grabbed two of the leaders as if they were no more than kits.
Sunpaw's words registered in her ears, but her sister was already turning and racing away before Cloudjumper could reply. She stared in shock as the apprentice barreled toward the massive beasts, her blood running cold. No. No no no. Sunpaw couldn't possibly think that fighting them was going to work. "Sunpaw! You can't-" Too late... And now the rest of her family joined in. Cloudjumper's head swung from Nectarflower, to her father, then back to Nectarflower as she struggled to make sense of what had just happened.
Foxdung, her paws felt like they were rooted to the ground. She had to move. She had to.
Cloudjumper stumbled slightly, the blood roaring in her ears drowning out the cries of the cats around her. She moved, eyes locked on her mother and sisters. She needed to help them. Or drag them away when they would inevitably tire.
Snarling at the wolf her mother was fighting, Cloudjumper reared back, claws slashing at the thick, shaggy pelt. There were other cats fighting around her, the wolf had the Skyclan leader in it's jaws, but her only focus was her family and the nightmare in front of them.
Cloudjumper used Claw on Wolf 1 for -5 ep, dealing -11 damage.
One moment, things had been peaceful. Scarletflare jostled her shoulder and Pigeonpounce laughed. She’d hummed thoughtfully and considered whether or not there was anything interesting to share--she was the most talkative of the medicine cats that routinely gathered near the Rock. They didn’t really share anything interesting amongst each other. But before she could gather her words to reply, a strange yet familiar scent drifted in with a stir of the breeze. There wasn’t long enough to react to it before a mournful howl split the air, rattling around the trees. It was hard to tell whether or not the second voice was another beast or just an echo of the first. But Pigeonpounce had her answer soon enough: like a specter, one wolf materialized suddenly into the clearing, leaping onto the rock in just a few bounds, and a second was quick to join in on the bloodshed.
Pigeonpounce’s heart leapt into her throat, heavy as a rock and beating hard. She suddenly couldn’t swallow around the knot. The night was clear, but she swore her pelt was wet and cold with lashing rain. Beside her, she could feel Scarletflare tensing, too. Without thinking much, she leaned her weight against him. A howled instruction from Poppystar echoed foggily in her ears, and Pigeonpounce understood enough of it to know she ought to stay out of the way, but it was Scarletflare’s voice that came through with clarity. Pigeonpounce blinked twice, slowly, then turned her head to meet mismatched eyes. Emotion flashed through her eyes and she finally willed herself to swallow her racing heart back into place.
”Y… yeah,” She agreed, voice warbling. Scarletflare had driven a beast like this off as an apprentice, saved her life, gotten her home--they’d been through this before. Pigeonpounce didn’t believe he would come back unharmed if he ran forward to fight, and she felt sick at the thought that it’d be worse than before--that if things were to go horribly wrong, saving him would be her responsibility--but her head bobbed in another nod. ”We’ll be okay.” She whispered back, then as Willowwisp was running by and calling him away, she added, ”Be careful, ‘kay?”
And then just like that, Scarletflare was gone with the rest of the swarming, screaming crowd, and Pigeonpounce was lost in it. What did she do? Stay out of the fight. But what did she [i]do?[i] Pigeonpounce looked around until she saw Cindersky trying to urge Clovermottle forward. Right--right. She could help until someone stumbled, bloody, away from the fight. She could do that and push her worry for the siblings she hadn’t seen among the crowd, Scarletflare, Poppystar--everyone--out of her mind. Pigeonpounce swallowed again, dry and uncomfortable, then wheeled backwards to move through the crowd, searching for any RiverClanners that needed an escort to the edge of the clearing. But if she lead them there, would she be guiding them to more teeth in the dark? Pigeonpounce shook her head. Terror made her dizzy but she pressed her paws against the ground and moved forward.
Pigeonpounce is looking for anyone that needs help out and on standby for the injured.
In an instant, the peaceful, drowsy night had been shattered. The air was suddenly split by a cacophony of musical howls and screams of absolute horror. Rookflight scrambled back to their paws, pale eyes widening as they watched a pair of wolves descend upon the gathered cats, mounting the Great Rock in a spray of blood. They wasted no time in racing after Willowwisp, though they did slow briefly to make sure they could spot Larkspring and Cindersky among the crowd. Only when he saw both of them, close by each other and far away from the writhing fight, did Rookflight drive their paws into full speed. Many cats already swarmed both beasts, clambering over them to bite and claw at whatever stretch of body they could. Rookflight found a place near one of them and sank his teeth into the wolf’s leg.
Rookflight used Bite on Wolf 1, dealing 12 damage and costing 5 EP.
Sageroot had been sitting quietly, not really in the mood for chatter. Now, though, adrenaline pushed her into emergency mode. “THUNDERCLAN!” she yowled. “Unless Acornstar tells you otherwise, warriors may fight the wolves if you choose. Apprentices, gather around me and be ready to leave if needed!” Sageroot has issued emergency orders.
Lighttail had been lurking quietly this Gathering, but now a silver blur leaped out of the shadows towards the wolf attacking Wolfstar. Lighttail uses Claw on Wolf 1, dealing 11 damage and costing 5 EP.
Lighttail 50/50 HP 136/140 SP (-5)
Wolf 1 206/400 HP (-11) 550/600 EP
Aspen Site Moderator
Number of posts : 1616 Gender : cryptid (they/he) Age : 25
i see the light that's shinin’ on me; it's been waiting for a long time for me to see;
It was Lightshine's first Gathering as a full warrior, and he was excited to meet and talk to some other warriors. He had definitely come out of his shell a bit, but he still hung around near Rookflight and Willowwisp; he preferred to keep Rookflight close by in case he needed anything from his former mentor. He took a seat nearby, content in the moment to listen to others' conversations around him instead of participating; he had not yet kicked the shyness from his kithood days. He was listening out for a good break in a conversation so he could insert himself politely, but before he could, the leaders on the Great Rock began their announcements.
It would be rude to talk over them, right? With a quiet sigh, Lightshine settled down into a loaf, not fully paying attention. It seemed things were going fairly well in the forest, which was good to hear overall. Several new young warriors and young apprentices had been named. Just as the WindClan leader finished his announcements, some commotion erupted in the clearing and two massive beasts ripped through the cats upon the Rock. Lightshine's short fur bushed out in alarm and he found himself on his paws in an instant. These creatures reminded him of the ones from the Lake. He felt faint with fear and he could hardly hear anything through the roaring of blood in his ears, but he managed to make out Poppystar's voice above the din. Available warriors must fight. That meant him. That meant Rookflight.
It felt as if everything was moving in slow motion. A flash of black and white caught his eye as Rookflight bounded past him and leapt for one of the wolves to defend Poppystar. Rookflight, his dearest friend. He would not allow Rookflight or Poppystar to fall in battle. Forcing his body to move again, he sprinted after his former mentor and joined the older warrior in battle. Cats swarmed the wolves, but he managed to find a grip on one of them and sunk his teeth and claws deep into the beast's flesh.
Lightshine used Bite on Wolf #1, dealing 8 damage and costing 5 EP.
Spiderpaw Just be true to The color that is hidden in you You can change it To how you like it, how you want it
Adultingishard
Spiderpaw listened to the announcements quietly, watching how the leaders held themselves and the way they spoke. Her gaze occasionally flickered to the cats around her, seeing their reactions. Some were invested, eagerly hanging on every word. Others seemed like they could care less. She reminded herself that this was just routine for some of these cats. They'd likely done this so many times that it had gotten monotonous. Even so, she found it interesting. This was her life now, and seeing so many cats not squabbling over territory or scraps of food while gathered in one place was almost surreal.
The forest cats really were something else.
After the final leader spoke, the cats began rising to their paws. So that was it huh? They just go home now? She looked to Wolfstar to be sure, but as her eyes turned in her direction a familiar sound turned her blood to ice. She'd heard that cry before, the hounds back home would howl like that at night. Even so, this one sounded... different.
Terrifying.
She watched in horror as the biggest dog she'd ever seen hurtled from the trees, ripping Wolfstar from the great rock along the way. No! Eyes wide and heart racing, it wasn't long before the forest cats around her leapt into action and another massive beast tackled one of the other leaders from their perch. Her body remained frozen and it seemed like forever before she finally managed to will her paws into motion. Once she had broken the ice however, she found herself racing toward the beast who had tried to make a meal of her mentor. Not happening! I won't let you!
Moving on instinct she leapt at the thing, raking her claws through its flank with her full weight behind them. She just found them, she wasn't about to let her clan die to this monster!
-
[Spiderpaw used Claw on Wolf 1, dealing 8 damage and costing 5 EP]
Spiderpaw 35/35 HP 75/80 EP (-5)
Wolf 1 190/400 HP (-8) 550/600 EP
name. Kari timezone. PST discord. polarantithesis code.tessisamess
Webpaw Swimming through the Milky Way I wanna break away and take the leap Since we’re falling anyway No moon to rise would be okay with me
constructedincongruently
Webpaw only faintly registered her sister's words. She didn't like it here. So, she simply opted to not be there. In fact, she spaced out so deeply that it wasn't until she felt Briarpatch dash away that she tuned back into reality...
Only to see that everything had absolutely exploded.
Eyes wide in shock, Webpaw could only watch as her sister threw herself at the creature standing over their mother's damaged frame. For a moment, Webpaw wondered if their mother would make it, but those thoughts were dashed as Leopardstar rose to her paws to return the favor to her assailant. Webpaw had been disinterested in combat training, so she hadn't made much progress in learning how to fight. It never occurred to her that she would have to so soon.
She didn't really know what it was that spurred her to attack, but it wasn't long before she found herself at her sister's side, clumsily biting at the monster before her. She didn't want them to die. She didn't like the thought.
-
[Webpaw used Bite on Wolf 2, dealing 6 damage and costing 5 EP]
Webpaw 20/20 HP 55/60 EP (-5)
Wolf 2 224/400 HP (-6) 550/600 EP
name. Kari timezone. PST discord. polarantithesis code.tessisamess
Her prey had the gall to fight back, and it wasn't long before her pelt was warm with her own blood. A snarl tore from her jaws as the stinging pain only grew more intense with each nip and scratch. They thought themselves brave. They thought wrong. Gaze fixed on the little beastie she had targeted first, the wolf raised one massive paw and swung, hitting a few strays along the way with the heavy blow. She glanced to her littermate, finding him to be just as bloodied. They would need to grab their meals and end this quickly. There were too many of them, but if they retreated with a prize or two they would be able to ambush the felines again later after they had restored their strength.
Convincing her blockhead brother of that, however, would be difficult.
She turned back to her quarry, growling a warning to her kin.
"Kill quickly! Too many come!"
-
[Wolf 2 used Front Paws Sweep on Leopardstar, Badgermask, Moonpaw, and Moldpaw dealing 10 damage to each and costing 30 EP.]
Wolf 2 224/400 HP 520/600 EP (-30)
Leopardstar 40/70 HP (-10) 195/200 EP
Badgermask 60/70 HP (-10) 195/200 EP
Moonpaw 10/20 HP (-10) 55/60 EP
Moldpaw 10/20 HP (-10) 60/60 EP
-
Moldpaw
Hey hey, what does this world look like I wanna know please tell me just how can I get there So if I'm ever lost Hey will you search for me once again?
Takemyhandandflyaway
Moldpaw glanced helplessly up at Tigerstar as her attempts at remedying the situation seemed to be in vain. She didn't want to cause trouble for him, but this cat seemed so very upset. What should she do? Her train of thought abruptly came to a halt however when a massive creature along with the damaged body of a leader landed right at her paws.
She couldn't help the terrified yelp that escaped her as she leapt backwards. What was happening? What was that thing? What should she do? People were getting hurt! A flurry of cats quickly descended upon the monster, a whirlwind of fang and claw. Should she join them? Should she fight? What should she-
Thistlepaw's command reached her ears just as she watched Viperpaw leap into the fray. Caught between obeying her brother and helping her sister and father, Moldpaw hesitated, trapped in uncertainty with frozen paws that didn't seem interested in obeying her at all. She didn't see the wolf's paw coming until it had already knocked her away, the breath in her lungs quickly escaping her as she lay stunned on the ground.
-
Moldpaw 10/20 HP (-10) 60/60 EP
Wolf 2 224/400 HP 520/600 EP (-30)
name. Kari timezone. PST discord. polarantithesis code.tessisamess
His previous question went unanswered as the Gathering descended into chaos. A large howl tore his attention to the leaders, his own terror roaring into his ears like a army of Monsters, loud and burning with rage. Two large beasts, creatures he had only ever heard before, had attacked the leaders, and warriors after warriors swarmed forth to attack the beast. Leopardwind felt a shiver run down his spine; Father was there, and from the chaos, he could spy Viperpaw rapidly closing in on the beasts as well. No! Father-- as much as he hated it-- had nine lives. His siblings had one. Thistlepaw was screaming for them to gather as well, and Leopardwind would have, really he would, but his clanmates were with the beasts, not running from them, and he belonged with his Clan.
Moonpaw and Sunpaw were racing off, Nectarflower close behind. What was the queen thinking? She would only cause more grief for her family. Ryepaw was rushing in as well, Creamlily joining Viperpaw and Larchbreeze coming in as well. Leopardwind whirled towards Thistlepaw, meeting his brother's gaze with a desperation that was foreign to him. "Take Foxpaw, Moldpaw, and as many clanmates as you can, and head for Camp. We don't know how many wolves there are, or if there are any heading for Camp right now. Stick with as many clanmates as possible, we don't want-"
His hurried instructions were interrupted with a scream, a sound that stilled the clearing and made his breath hitch. Moldpaw? The black warrior turned around, paniced gaze searching the mass of cats. There was the thick scent of blood in the air, and he was looking desperately for the cats he wished with all his heart had not been a part of the slaughter.
Leopardwind's gaze fell on Moldpaw. Bloodied, tortoiseshell coat, caught in the mess. No. He couldn't leave, not now, not when his sisters fell prey to these- these creatures. He spared Thistlepaw no other word, haring in after his clanmates with a howl of fury. He flung himself at the wolf, fangs sinking into it's thick pelt and tearing at it. It would pay for this. It will die. He would not let go until this creture was dead, it's head crushed under his claws.
Leopardwind used Bite, dealing 11dmg at the cost of 5EP
Creamlily did not usually entertain Viperpaw's taunts, but today... today was different. When the wolves attacked, brutes so large even the largest and strongest warriors looked like kits in their wake, she had planned to escape. It was natural to want to, and it was what everyone else was planning to do. But no, not Viperpaw. A furious hiss left the tabby as Viperpaw hared off towards the wolves, throwing words behind her to let Creamlily catch them. She let out a furious hiss, tail lashing. Had Viperpaw gone officially mad? There was no way she, an apprentice, could dream of surviving this fight.
And yet, Creamlily's paws moved, and she closed in on the wolf right behind Viperpaw. She didn't care about her mother or her leader. But Viperpaw-- they had things Creamlily had not done or said yet. Viperpaw would not get the chance to die, not yet, not until she was done. The tabby sank her claws into the wolf's flank, snapping at Viperpaw. "Fall back, this is not a battle you can hope to win." And yet, her own claws still flashed, matching Viperpaw's blow for blow.
Creamlily used Claw, dealing 11dmg at the cost of 5EP
I feel like I’m waiting for something that’ll never happen
Whatever he had to say to Rashoumon, it seems that it would have to wait. Quillsplash's head snapped upwards, attention instantly fixed upon the scene of- there was no other way to describe it but one of horror. He knew how wolves looked like, had only taken one chance to scent them, but once was enough to let him know now that he should be afraid. He did not forget his younger companion, the rogue who had so unfortunately stepped into this scene. He turned to the black tom, not wasting a moment to hiss out, "Run. Run now. Do not turn back. Head for the marshes, no wolf will chase you there." He certinaly hoped so, or he may be sending Rashoumon to his death.
But there was no time to think further about the topic. He hoped he would meet Rashoumon again soon, but that was for another day. Now, he was sprinting towards the fight, falling in beside Pineblossom with a hiss. He would not back down, not when he had cats around him that he cared about. The clearing erupted into chaos as the wolves fought back. No one he knew would be hurt... hopefully.
Quillsplash used Bite, dealing 13dmg at the cost of 5EP
Quillsplash 70/70 HP 195/200 EP(-5)
Wolf 2 200/400 HP(-13) 520/600 EP
I wish I could go back in time; not to change anything, but to feel a few things twice.
She knew she shouldn't have come to the Gathering. As blood mingled with the thick stench of wolf and screams echoed through the clearing, Juniperhunt stumbled with the writhing crowd, stumbling as she bumped into warriors rushing past her for the exit. What was going on? Where was her family? A whimper rose up in her; where was Willowpaw, Sablestrike, Swiftheart, Quillsplash, all of them? She could not see past the crowd, the taller cats blocking her sight completely so that all she could see was the black sky, vast and souless, and the occasional figure of a monster emerging from the chaos.
It was with relief that she stumbled into a friend, if they were even that. "Fernpaw!" A half gasp, half cry escaped her as she rushed towards the apprentice. "Where- what's going on?" She felt breathless, her fear ramming into her ribcage again and again.
______________________________________
Quillsplash | Bird / Tom / ShadowClan T5 Warrior / #802318 Leopardwind / Tom / WindClan T4 Warrior / #cc9900 Milkkit / Tom / RiverClan Kit / #dbc6ad
He was furious. So furious, in fact, that the needle-like claws of the little kitties hardly seemed to do anything but further enrage him. There wasnt much he could do to defend himself, though, with the gray cat still firmly clamped between his jaws. With a gratifying crunch, he snapped his mouth shut on her fragile bones and dropped her carcass, licking the blood from his teeth. One cat was dead, but there were still many, many, many left to deal with. Perhaps too many. Wind whistled through the trees, chilling him through his patchy coat. At the time, attacking them seemed like a good idea. Now that he was in the midst of a horde of tiny bodies, however, he was having second thoughts. They were still only pups.
The journey here had been hard enough...had it really been a good idea to ambush so many cats at once while they were so weak? Then, as teeny claws bore into his pelt, he snapped out of it. NO. No fear. There was no room for it right now. Pack leader would be disappointed if he learned he and his sister had ever fled from insignificant felines such as these. Snarling, he whipped around and struck out with a powerful foreleg, sending cats sprawling to the ground with pleasant little shrieks. Ah. Now this feeling, he liked. However, as his sister's voice echoed through the hollow, the red faded from his vision, giving way to annoyance. She shared his hesitation, but he knew better than to give into it! He wasn't done here!
Compared to them, these little creatures were but insignificant specks! He would rend them apart as to taste their bone, flesh and blood was his right! "I will not flee!" He howled back, spittle flying from his mouth at the words. "Pathetic little creatures! They cannot defy us, sister!" She would see. He would show her. There was nothing the felines could to against the two of them, young and inexperienced as they were.
Wolf 1 has killed Wolfstar with prior permission and used Front Paw Sweep on Acornstar, Larchbreeze, Viperpaw, and Sunpaw, dealing 10 HP and costing 30 EP
Wolf 1: 179/400 HP (-30) 520/600 EP
Wolfstar: KOed 0/70 HP 195/200 EP
Acornstar: (-10) 60/70 HP 195/200 EP
Larchbreeze: (-10) 40/50 HP 135/140 EP
Viperpaw: (-10) 10/20 HP 45/60 EP
Sunpaw: (-10) 10/20 HP 55/60 EP
______________________________________
[Nectarflower] T5 WC Permaqueen
[Hemlockfox] T4 WC Hybrid Medicine Cat
[Wiggleworm] T3 TC Warrior
[Firetreader] T1 SkC Warrior
[Lykaios] T1 Rogue
[Moonpaw] WC Apprentice
Last edited by GravisCordis on Fri Sep 13, 2024 11:25 am; edited 1 time in total
Subject: Re: September Gathering 2024 Fri Sep 13, 2024 1:15 am
Laurelriver didn't know what to do when the wolves attacked.
She had found herself frozen in fear, hoping in StarClan's name that she wouldn't get involved. She didn't know who was in the fight- but apparently Moonpaw was now, since she decided to run straight into the fire.
"Moonpaw!" she yowled, dashing right behind her. Stars, she hoped nothing happened to her against that thing. As the wolf swiped a giant paw at the cats, Laurelriver pushed Moonpaw out of the way, feeling claws slice her right side.
Stars, it hurt a lot more than she was expecting. But at the same time, she didn't want her best friend to get hurt, and it was more than worth getting injured for. "Don't run in the middle of a death beast!" To be fair, though, she did the exact same thing, so she couldn't really say she was any better.
Laurelriver used Block, taking all damage intended for Moonpaw and costing 10 EP.
Laurelriver: HP: 30/40 EP: 100/110
Wolf #2: HP: 200/400 EP: 520/600
Moonpaw: HP: 20/20 EP: 55/60
~~
Kitespring was barely present when the Gathering began.
With her tenuous emotional state, she was in no position to support Poppystar, and things somehow got even worse when the wolves entered the clearing, fangs bared and claws on the cats here. The warriors were supposed to fight this beast anyways... Usually, it would just make Kitespring terrified, especially because of the last time they faced them, but right now she was just... mad. She didn't know if she was mad at the wolves, or Poppystar, or herself, but it made it easy to stand and fight. "DIE, FOX-HEART!"
Slashing at the wolf with all the strength she could muster, the russet she-cat landed quickly on her paws, fur raised. She wasn't going to let it hurt anyone, least of all Poppystar.
Kitespring used Claw on Wolf #1, dealing 11 damage and costing 5 EP.
Kitespring: HP: 50/50 EP: 135/140
Wolf #1: HP: 168/400 EP: 520/600
~~
Rookfire saw the wolves fall down, and immediately jumped up to support Leopardstar. He had heard that she tried fighting one of the wolves a few moons ago when they had to leave to save Echomist, but Rookfire himself was just trying to get Sunflare out of one of the wolves' grasp.
As a WindClan cat pushed someone else out of harm's way, Rookfire used it as motivation to protect the cats he loved - leaping at the wolf and sinking his teeth into its flesh. He was not going to let go, not until he took a giant piece of wolf with him.
Rookfire used Bite on Wolf #2, dealing 11 damage and costing 5 EP.
Rookfire: HP: 50/50 EP: 135/140
Wolf #2: HP: 189/400 EP: 520/600
______________________________________ Rookfire, ShadowClan T4 Warrior: 60/170 Kitespring, RiverClan T3 Warrior: 50/140 Laurelriver, WindClan T3 Warrior: 50/140 Hollypaw, SkyClan MCA: 20/50
Subject: Re: September Gathering 2024 Fri Sep 13, 2024 9:30 am
Lighttail’s heart caught in her throat as she saw her best friend killed before her eyes — again. She couldn’t fight heatstroke, but she could make this wolf sorry it ever touched Wolfstar. With a raw, emotional screech, Lighttail caught the massive paw in her mouth and sank her teeth in as far as they could go.
Lighttail used Bite, dealing 11 damage and costing 5 EP.
Subject: Re: September Gathering 2024 Fri Sep 13, 2024 11:19 am
"Wolfstar!" Acornstar couldn't help but cry the leader's name as the wolf's jaws snapped on the leader - dropping her into a limp pile on the ground. Her fur prickled, knowing their time was limited - they had to keep the beast's attention from the leader so she could revive, if it tried to make a snack for her before StarClan could- Her panic thought was interrupted as the wolf spun, swiping out at her and a few other. There was a sickening crack as her paw slipped from the rock and hit the ground hard, her breath leaving her with a sharp pain.
She tried to take in a breath, but it was rattled - she couldn't properly catch it as the pain lingered but she shook her head as she leapt at the best. Her own pain didn't matter - she had to protect her, no, all of the Clans. There was an endless stream of cats circling the wolves as she pushed herself to her paws, but she shook her head and leapt back at the wolf that had struck her - claws at its neck.
Acornstar used Claw on Wolf #1, dealing 13 damage and costing 5 stamina.
Acornstar: 60/70 HP 190/200 EP (-5)
Wolf 1: 144/400 HP (-13) 520/600 EP
Badgermask could hear cats surging around her to help fight the wolf - her Clanmates, even cats of the other Clans. She didn't care, her eyes locked with the beast in front of her as if it was just the two of them. Her lip was curled back, teeth bared as her fur stood on edge. It almost looked like it was having second thoughts, her eyes glimmering as she was certain she caught the glimpse of fear in its eyes. She took a step forward, preparing to make another strike when it lashed out with its paws - catching her in the shoulder. She stumbled, hissing but she barely managed to keep her footing. Blood dripped down her shoulder and she was sure it had been wrenched from its place as hot, searing pain pulsed through her in a steady rhythm. Badgermask shook her head, but threw herself at the wolf again despite it - teeth sinking into the first bit of flesh she could reach.
Badgermask used Bite on Wolf #2, dealing 13 damage and costing 5 stamina.
Wolfstar's vision grew hazy as the beast dug those sharp fangs into her. Blood pounding in her ears and staining her pale fur, she was faintly aware of the yowls around her... Then that awareness and the pain faded. She never felt the ground that rushed up to meet her.
Wolfstar has lost a life.
Honeypaw saw Wolfstar dropped and discarded, as if she was no more than a piece of prey to these wolves. Fear and adrenaline made her heart race, but she had to keep fighting while her family was in danger. She flinched at a wide sweep of the wolf's heavy paw, managing to avoid it. Other cats weren't so lucky... That had to hurt. Honeypaw slashed at the wolf, hoping to do what damage she could.
Honeypaw used Claw on Wolf 1 for -5 ep, dealing -6 damage. 20 / 20 hp 50 / 60 ep (55 - 5)
Wolf 1 138 / 400 hp (144 - 6) 520 / 600 ep
Her mother dropped to the ground, the wolf's paw swung out and smacked her clanmate and a few others with a solid-sounding thud. Briarpatch grimaced. Webpaw had joined her, and Briarpatch wanted nothing more than for her sister to have run instead. They hadn't sparred nearly enough for her to be ready to face such a vicious foe... She would fix that, if they survived.
Briarpatch used Claw on Wolf 2 for -5 ep, dealing -10 damage. 40 / 40 hp 100 / 110 ep (105 - 5)
Someone had called out for Wolfstar, and Stoneheart risked a glance... A snarl bled from her lips at the sight of the fallen leader. She knew she could not go to her side however, these beasts were far too capable of doing damage, and she wasn't exactly a medicine cat. The wolf she fought with the others lashed out wildly, and Stoneheart was just grateful that heavy paw had missed her. She sank her fangs into the wolf's pelt as hard as she could.
Stoneheart used Bite on Wolf 2 for -5 ep, dealing -13 damage. 70 / 70 hp 190 / 200 ep (195 - 5)
Swandive grimaced as the wolf swiped at a few cats with vicious intent. She could hear the name of the Skyclan leader shouted, though paid it no mind. Her only focus was what was in front of her.
Swandive used Bite on Wolf 2 for -5 ep, dealing -12 damage. 60 / 60 hp 160 / 170 ep (165 - 5)
Cloudjumper slashed at the wolf in fury as it lashed out at several cats - her sister among them. Foolish, foolish apprentices... Why had they not run instead? Fear for their safety drove her strikes with unsheathed claws. The beasts would pay for touching her family.
Cloudjumper used Claw on Wolf 2 for -5 ep, dealing -11 damage. 50 / 50 hp 130 / 140 ep (135 - 5)
Wolf 2 130 / 400 hp (176 - 10 - 13 - 12 - 11) 520 / 600 ep
Hemlockfox’s question was expected. Silverhawk’s tail flicked, and he’d begun to hum, deciding which facet of the question he wanted to answer first. But, in the seconds he took to think, the clearing had exploded. The great, monstrous beasts that had chased them from the lake crashed into the clearing, making for the Rock. Each of them snapped a leader up in their teeth, and to his surprise, there was barely a flash of concern when Leopardstar was one of them. When Wolfstar was taken by one of the wolves, Hemlockfox was gone like a shot, racing into the fray.
Silverhawk was grateful he knew his siblings were not in attendance so he saw no reservations about running forth into the fray. SkyClan’s leader had turned into a limp heap by the time he reached the swarm, and his mind flashed first to Bubblebeam and then the more immediately present Hemlockfox. He shook his head and focused forward. Pineblossom was engaged with the wolf that had taken to Leopardstar, so Silverhawk threw himself forward near her side, raking his claws through flesh.
Silverhawk used Claw on Wolf 2, dealing 13 damage and costing 5 EP.
For the first time in her life, she was experiencing true terror. When they had attacked before, Lilypaw had been too sick and barely conscious to comprehend the situation. Yet now, as she saw the gathering descend into blood soaked chaos, all she wanted to do was cry. Cry. Was that her first response? She wanted to fight, like everyone else - where was everyone? They had scattered at the beasts’ unwelcome arrival, swiftly finding their roles. What was she?
She was terrified. That is all Lilypaw knew for certain. She couldn’t show it, though - she needed to be the warrior they demanded. The warrior that would have impressed her father. Her eyes flickered frantically over the bloodshed, lingering a little long on the blood - trying to pick apart pelts - until she saw the grey of her sister. The apprentice ran, skidding to a halt.
————————————
Sorrelmist had not paid much attention to the attendees of this moon’s gathering - aside from hoping to avoid one or two faces. Hemlockfox had asked questions last gathering…An interruption had taken the answers from him. She hoped he would not find her to seek them out.
As she thought a carcophany rang out, an all too familiar nausea swelling in her belly. Gnarling, disgusting beasts that towered above them had returned - storming into the gathering, snarling and gnashing their hideous jaws.
Grandma.
Hemlockfox.
Foxsnap.
Where were they? Sorrelmist scanned urgently, trying to desperately pluck out their pelts.
Lilypaw.
Firetreader.
Bubble...
There were too many names, too many bodies to account for all at once - she had come across these beasts once before, as an apprentice. She had watched her father fight them - unable to be of use in battle, she had helped Honeypaw in evacuating a queen and her kits. Now, she would not freeze or remain useless. As she turned to advance towards a wolf a golden pelt came hurtling towards her. The kit she had once rejected blinked away poorly disguised tears,
“Are you alright?” Sorrelmist breathed, met with a stern nod.
“It’s not my blood. I’ll make sure those creatures bleed, though!” The apprentice promised, turning to head into the chaos.
“Don’t be foolish, Lily!” The apprentice halted, snapping around,
“I’m going to help!”
“Help get yourself killed!” Sorrelmist yelled at her, “you’re the size of a warrior but not one yet!”
“B—“
Wolfstar!
The insignificant argument was cut off by a name that filled her very being with dread.
The beasts name had been cried out enough - the prefix did little to distract her. It was only when her grandmother’s name rang out did the grey she-cat’s head snap towards the direction of ThunderClan’s leader, desperately searching for Wolfstar. A call, perhaps, she hoped, wished, for her to look out - or to rally help for her. However delusional she wanted to be, it became all too clear what had happened. Her heart sunk at the crumpled body flanked by her brother.
Hemlockfox! Oh StarClan, he appeared unharmed. Sorrelmist hurried towards her kin,
“Grandma…” Sorrelmist whispered, her eyes wavering. It was too soon since Wolfstar had lost a life. Nothing had prepared her for the sight, for how it felt to stare, knowing she was no help to her. It was one life, but one life too many.
Tears could come later. With a growl the warrior turned and leapt towards the beast, sinking both claws and fangs into the flesh. At her side, Lilypaw leapt forward - bringing up a paw and slashing the wolf with a small purr in the back of her throat.
Sorrelmist used Bite on Wolf 1! -8 damage 30HP/75 EP (-5)
Lilypaw used Claw on Wolf 1! -6 damage 20HP/55 EP (-5)
Falconmoon's eye hardened at the sight of Wolfstar's body thudding to the forest floor. The wolf swiped at his clanmates and others, tumbling a few but they were otherwise fine. Falconmoon's jaw went to work, digging further into the wolf's flesh, inching ever so closer to the jugular. Bits of flesh began to break off, and determined to find his mark, Falconmoon made no effort to spit out the meat chunks.
He swallowed the wolf's flesh and blood alike, setting his jaws into a cutting motion to bury his snout deeper in. His entire face would be wet and glistening with crimson by the end of this, but by the end of this this wolf would be dead.
Falconmoon continued to use bite, working his way deeper into Wolf 1's neck. -5EP
Falconmoon 70HP / 190EP (-5EP)
Wolf 1 111HP / 400EP (-13HP)
Snowpaw's mind went numb and everything was in slow motion. Wolfstar's body fell lifelessly to the ground and the sounds of the hollow were muffled as if underwater. Where did the loud ringing in his ears come from? The apprentice refocused, barely processing any of what was going on around him. He claw shot out again, this time around the wolf's foreleg. He didn't know what to do... and he felt his body slowly becoming heavy as lead.
Snowpaw used Claw, dealing 6 damage and -5EP
Snowpaw 20HP / 50EP (-5EP)
Wolf 1 104 HP / 400EP (-6HP)
Sagefeather's ears were pinned back against his head and his eyes were narrowed with fury. The normally gentle tom felt a depth of rage, and desperation, he'd never experience before in his life. He jumped for the belly of the wolf, determined to annihilate.
Sagefeather used Belly Rake on Wolf 2, [SUCCESS] -10EP
Sagefeather 50HP / 125EP (-10EP)
Wolf 2 101HP / 600EP (-16HP)
Asmodeus's ear flicked toward the familiar voice of Nettleweaver. Perhaps it was the adrenaline of battle, but he responded in kind with a sneer and a low growl. "I'm not risking my life for anyone. Don't get it twisted. I just want to kill the beast for killing's sake. As for Shadowclan, they'd be lucky to have me, if I found myself so inclined to join." His mind focused back to the wolf and he leaped at it again, avoiding a paw swipe.
He hoped to sever the wolf's ear this time and keep it as a trophy.
