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[á£Îmaý---♫♥]

{Heronpaw, Lightningpaw, Goldenpaw, Littlepaw and Thunderpaw. The BeachClan deputy is meeting with Hawkstar}

In all simplicty, Heronpaw was annoyed. He had been undermined by his sister in front of an apprentice whose favour he desperately needed to win. He was not prepared to return to Burntstar empty-pawed. Not only that, but Goldenpaw had proceeded to take control of his patrol. He was not prepared to stand by and let such a thing happen.

"Welcome to our camp," he announced with all the enthusiasm of an executioner. "While your deputy is talking with Hawkstar, I thought we can have a play fight." Heronpaw tilted his head at the BeachClan apprentice and smiled. He hoped it was a friendly smile althought the truth was far from it. Frowning came more naturally to him. He glanced at Lightningpaw, hoping his the black and white tom was following his plan. If they could demonstrate their aquired skills, perhaps Thunderpaw would be interested in joining.

However, there was the problem of Littlepaw and Goldenpaw to deal with. He did not want them joining him.

[heartnet]

Lightningpaw followed behind the two, rolling his eyes and not saying a word. Better let Heronpaw act like he was in charge and the best cat there than get in trouble later with him. He sat down, wrapping his tail around his paws. He was looking up at the sky, kinda daydreaming when he caught what Heronpaw said last and caught his gaze. Oh, so that's what he was up to. He grimaced, but nodded slightly back to him to show he understood. "Yes, we could use the training and it'd be a good way to spend the time. You and Heronpaw can go first...I'll join in to face the winner." He said quietly, smiling kindly to Thunderpaw before glancing back to Heronpaw. He'd play along because he had to, but he was going to participate his way. He glanced to the apprentices den, wondering what Littlepaw and Goldenpaw were doing.

[Lexie]

Goldenpaw walked out of the apprentice's den. "Come on slow poke! I want to watch Thunderpaw beat Heronpaw." She meowed. The she-cat pranced over and sat next to Lightningpaw. "Hello Lightningpaw! Do you think I could face the winner after you fight? I want to try." The dark yellowed she-cat put a huge grin on her face. She had a new list of things she wanted to do. One, become friends with her brothers. Mostly Lightningpaw more than Heronpaw. Two, figure out how her brothers learned how to fight so gracefully ending without one blow. Goldenpaw was interested how both Heronpaw and Lightningpaw knew a lot more moves that weren't as easy as the ones their mentors would teach. Goldenpaw tilted her head to the side and rapped her tail around her paws. Waiting to ubserb.

[heartnet]

ooc: Did you mean observe? xD

Lightningpaw's ears pricked and he turned to look at Goldenpaw, smiling warmly. It was his sister after all, he should try to keep his sibling relationships friendly, since his and Heronpaw's was disintegrating. He shrugged, tail flickering back and forth calmly. "That's alright with me...dunno if Heronpaw will agree." He said, glancing to their brother. She might be facing Heronpaw after all...He would go easy on her but Heronpaw definately wouldn't.

[Tiger]

Thunderpaw grinned and winked at Goldenpaw. "You won't be disappointed." Turning to Heronpaw, he lifted his head and puffed out his butterscotch-colored pelt in a display of hotheaded arrogance. "Sounds great. I love battle training. It's so much more useful than hunting. " The last word passed from his lips with disdain, as though the task was better off left to the incapable and the young apprentices. Pursuit of glory, to him, was a more noble, commendable task than mere hunting. He typically thought like this, with success prioritized over survival. As a mere apprentice, he did not understand that this philosophy tended to lead its followers astray--although if he did, he would follow it anyways.

[á£Îmaý---♫♥]

Littlepaw sighed and followed his sister. He paused briefly to stretch his legs. He had been enjoying his nap and hadn't expected Goldenpaw's interruption. Yes, he was proud she had stood up to Heronpaw but the tom was dangerous. He sat a small distance away from the gathered group. He didn't want to be involved in any sort of play fight. Littlepaw was often told by Heronpaw that he was too small to fight and should stay in camp with their mother; Orchidtail. It was an insult and so it was with hope that Littlepaw watched the fight. Thunderpaw might just be skilled enough to put Heronpaw in his place.

Heronpaw scowled at the tabby she-cat. Had he not made it clear she couldn't play with them? What was wrong with Sootpaw's or Littlepaw's company?
As Thunderpaw talked, he felt more confident in his choice of apprentice. This young warrior would make a good friend. He grinned and began circling. "Then this is going to be fun," he meowed. His tail was flicking from side to side. He was the predator and Thunderpaw was his prey. Although young, with time and Burntstar's training it was clear he was going to become a formidable warrior. This was someone you wanted on your side.

[Tiger]

"For sure," Thunderpaw meowed, twisting his head to follow Heronpaw's movements. His objective was to keep his green eyes on the other tom at all times; one of the most important facets of battle was to never let your opponent out of your sight. If you had no idea where they were, then you were essentially at their mercy. The apprentice raised his muscular body off the ground and bent his legs, ready to spring. He continued turning and hoped this stalking would end. Although he relished battle, the only part he really cared about was the actual fighting part, fierce tooth-to-claw combat. Of course, these weapons were not used in a play fight, and he felt that Heronpaw was his type of cat -- finally. A real warrior, like himself.

[Lexie]

Goldenpaw smiled at Littlepaw when he approuched. "Came just in time." She purred. The dark yellow coated she-cat cocked her head to the side as she watched the two toms circle eachother. Go Thunderpaw! Kick Heronpaw back into the nursery. She didn't like being against her clanmates, better yet her sibblings, but she had no emotion for Heronpaw. She felt he had dispised her ever since birth. His loss. Goldenpaw shrugged at the thought of her brother.

[á£Îmaý---♫♥]

Had this been anyone other than someone Heronpaw seeked to impress, he would have used his claws. There was many the times when his 'playfights' with Lightningpaw led to drawing blood. It also tended to scare Littlepaw away, something he was thankful for. True warriors fought to draw blood and not play. But sadly, Heronpaw could not risk loosing Thunderpaw's approval. It would have to be done with sheathed claws. His blue eyes flickered away, breaking his gaze with the older apprentice. It seemed something had caught the younger's attention. It was mere bluff for with brute force he launched himself forward, pushing his paws into onto Thunderpaw's shoulders. Heronpaw then heaved his weight sideways, hoping to topple them both. He would win this fight.

[Tiger]

Thunderpaw's feet gave way underneath him and he fell to the ground. Instinct--and the result of training--forced him to thrash upon impact, with the goal of forcing Heronpaw off. He writhed and tossed his furry, light brown body on the floor, getting stray pine needles and other bits of StarClan-knows-what embedded in his pelt. Tigerstripe would throw a fit if she saw him like that, but he didn't intend to return home right after the fight was over. That would be silly and it would absolutely ruin any chance he had to talk with the RiverClanners.

[á£Îmaý---♫♥]

Without the use of claws, Heronpaw was struggling to keep ahold of Thunderpaw's thrashing body. He could not even get near the tabby's neck to bite down onto the scruff of Thunderpaw's neck. Heronpaw was forced to leap back and off his opposition. His fur was bristling down his back and haunches in severe annoyance. The BeachClan tom had been writhing about like a fish out of water. He had to admit, it was a useful technique but only for playfighting. Had they been warriors on a battle field, he could have used his claws to push Thunderpaw's head down and expose the throat. All Heronpaw would have needed was a decent grip and the fight would have ended there. "Do all BeachClan cats act like fish? Thrashing about on the ground like prey?" Heronpaw taunted. He was crouched down, tail flicking from side to side. Thunderpaw could make the next move.

[Tiger]

Instantly, Thunderpaw scrambled to his feet and stared Heronpaw down like a bird of prey whose meal had been snatched away by another overzealous hunter. His pelt stood up and his lips were pursed but he could not think of a retaliation for the insult so he decided to talk with his actions. For a moment, he sized up his opponent, and then he struck. The apprentice sprung forward from his hind legs with surprising force; probably the result of his size more than his momentum. His trajectory poised him to land at an angle just behind the other tom's shoulders, which--if his aim was true and Heronpaw could not get out of the way fast enough--would help him in his endeavor to pin him down.

[á£Îmaý---♫♥]

Heronpaw attempted to side step out of the tabby's path but he lacked the speed and agility that Lightningpaw possessed. He was all brute force and it appeared Thunderpaw had some weight behind him too. The grey tom was knocked backwards, his shoulders pinned down. He could feel the strength in the tom's legs and shoulders but this could be attributed to the age difference and experience. Heronpaw knew that he had found the perfect opponent. He needed someone just as skilled as him, if not more, and wasn't afraid to hold back. This BeachClan apprentice was more than he could find in his own Clan. Heronpaw had been knocked down and onto his back, leaving him in a perfect position to attack Thunderpaw's exposed stomach. He brutally kicked out with his hindlegs, mustering all his strength. RainClan warriors naturally had stronger muscles in their legs from dealing with their uphill territory. Navigating the thick undergrowth of the forest also meant that you had to have the strength and persistance to push yourself through. Thunderpaw could expect some bruises. Heronpaw snarled louder and lashed out at Thunderpaw's muzzle, claws sheathed. In a position like this, the older tom had the advantage due to his exposed throat.

[Tiger]

A rush of air flew from Thunderpaw's throat as he was kicked in the diaphragm. It sounded like a cough but harsher and shorter with a faint expression of pain. For a fraction of a second, his mind blanked and he had no control of himself flying backwards. Reflexively, he jerked his head backwards to avoid the muzzle hit and flopped down on the ground, landing uncomfortably on his back. He twisted over and unfolded his legs, rising to his feet, keeping in a low crouch so he could move as quickly as possible. Heronpaw was the best fighter his age he had encountered--and probably a better one than half our warriors, he added mentally. The next move to try was not clear to him, so he decided to bide his time and catch his breath before an idea came to him or Heronpaw attacked again; whichever came first.

[á£Îmaý---♫♥]

Sucess. The older apprentice had been knocked back and Heronpaw had happily noted the look of pain. He rolled onto his feet, shaking himself. His lips curled back in a sneer and he paced around Thunderpaw. "You're good," he told him. "But that move always leaves your stomach unprotected. What in StarClan do they teach you in that pine forest of yours?" Heronpaw laughed and pounced forward. He stopped short, just teasing the other tom.

[Tiger]

"They teach us how to fight, that's what!" Thunderpaw snarled, only half acting. He paused, analyzing his next move. That was usually not part of his general tactic but now seemed like a good time to follow the think-before-you-attack strategy. Quickly he resolved not to do anything at all that exposed his stomach; that seemed to be Heronpaw's favorite way to mock him. He decided to try to jump on Heronpaw's back, which he thought would pin the other tom down without leaving his belly open for attack. Of course, he wasn't quite sure what he would do after that, but decided to take it a step at a time. With a determined gleam in his green eyes, he lunged forward, hoping for the best.

[Lexie]

Goldenpaw watched the two toms fight with wide eyes. She studied the moves and didn't remember Heronpaw's mentor teaching him any of these moves. They usually trained together even though it lead to bickering. Goldenpaw watched each paw step and tried to remember every move happening. If I learn some of these moves, maybe I'll have a chance of beating Thunderpaw. The golden tabby she-cat looked at Lightningpaw. Then back to Thunderpaw and Heronpaw. Maybe, if I use speed and swiftness, i might be able to pin him if he doesn't have much agility.