Monster || War

[tunnel]

Fallenkit poofed, feather duster tail lashing behind him. The strange mew had startled him at first- but not it infuriated and shamed him, sending adrenaline pouring through the young tom’s strongly built body. His blue eyes flashed, but not with any of these emotions. Confusion. Despite what his body portrayed, he expressed only confusion. He could barely remember the events that led him to this point in time. He just knew, now, that he was staring harshly into eyes so green, he feared blindness.

The cat before him crawled over the dead leaves, crunching all the way. Obviously, he had not been here long enough to know that a quiet step was a must all times of the day, not just while hunting. Let alone other things; things which now had the brown cat’s fur on end. He let out a hiss, but the silvery cat just kept coming forward, tail lashing back and forth with vengeance.

“It has to be you. He looked just like you..” Fallenkit puffed, letting out yet another hiss. He was fighting for words, but could think up none to counteract the insane claims. This whole scene was so preposterous, so disturbing, so.. True.

He was frozen. He could not move. He couldn’t even close his eyes and shut out Reedclan’s new arrival. Dark forms crept along his damaged eye; black shadows with sinister faces, bringing tidbits of the past and threats of the future. In the middle, a shadow that was not black, but white- not translucent like the others, but fully of this world. Shiningpaw. The name was turning to venom.

“It.. Isn’t me.” Finally, he was able to croak out some words, chipped and, surprisingly, emotionless. He could hear none of his inner turmoil echoing in his voice; Fallenkit sounded neutral, as he ought to be in this situation. How he ought to feel. But, no, he felt like his dark beginning had suddenly taken turn and was threatening to become a dark future.

There was no more room for coming closer; the Russian Blue had stopped, poised, and fluffed out his short, shiny fur to its full extent. He looked vicious; much more vicious than the black pointed tom, who looked a mixture between his constant neutral and bewildered. Neutral and bewildered. It was not acceptable. Not to Shiningpaw. This murderer ought to be showing emotions. Begging forgiveness.

Of course, Fallen did not. He just remained there, stunned but not looking stunned. Shiningpaw snapped; letting out a yowl of injustice and lashing out, lethe body like a spring launching into action. A sharp, angry, yet poorly trained spring; he flung at Fallen with an unnatural speed, but did not hit; the dew-clawed cat had dodged almost instantly out of the way.

The next thought wasn’t one that was thought and commanded, per se, but one that just happened on it’s own as a combination of defensive impulses and his general confused emotional state. He pounced. Kit or not, apprentice or not, Fallen and his massive size put the skinny silver cat to shame, and he landed both massive paws squarely on the other’s side. Shining didn’t even have time to cry out in shock; he was falling away, gone over a rise, and spiralling down the dip into a muddy ditch a foot down.

It was Fallen who had time to stare in horror. Without realizing it, he had unsheathed his claws; all six of them on each paw. He couldn’t see Shinging, but he could see the blood from the scratch; on himself.

Silence fell. Fallen thought he was going to vomit, finally.
“Shi-shining..?” Nervously, he took a few steps toward the rise, and bent to look over. This was when he was the one met with perilously shark claws; digging right into his chest and hauling him down into the pit.

“Murderer..You..Will…PAY!”

[Wargrace]

Where was Fallenkit?

One moment in camp like a good kit, the next, nose-to-the ground, marching towards the entrance. Technically, he was an apprentice -- just not named yet. Six moons old. Anticipating his ceremony; with Fallenkit, of course. His dearest of friends. But where was the brown kit, now? The scent seemed to lead towards the entrance. And straight on out. Without even telling him first? It was a bit hurtful. But, really, Fallenkit probably needed time without the grayscale one's constant following. ..Butstill.

To the entrance, and he paused -- Raccoonkit halted nonchalantly, sniffing around; bright green stare flickering carefully over the camp as he did so. No signs of any warriors, or worse, Tricklestar. She, undoubtedly, would not approve -- and he didn't like disapproval from those he picked as role models. Oh, and no Shadowglimpse, either. She'd certaintly give him a good tongue-lashing if she saw him slipping out. Seeing no one, and no one directly outside of the camp, the lengthy kit was out in an instant, sliding through carefully. No need to leave his scent all over.

Out of camp, now, Raccoonkit paused a bit again, straightening up. Undoubtedly, he'd grown a good bit. Not bulky, not tall -- sleek, long, and somewhat low. Not out of proportion, though, really. He was even starting to loose that kit-fluff. Quite fast, really. A maturing little cat. His personality was maturing, too! .. A little. Hehe.

Ears sharply forward, eyes skimming, he trailed the scent, prickling faintly. It was over-lapped with another scent. One he vaguely knew to be Shiningpaw. Fallenkit was out of camp with an apprentice? Why? Or was it coincidence? Regardless, he kept moving, quickly, and more determined. Head up, listening, then nose to the ground, sniffing. Moving ever closer the scent. Wait -- blood? Did he smell.. blood? Not Fallenkit's. What was going on?

In an instant, Raccoonkit had picked up a sort of trot-jog, motions quick and fluid as he went towards the scent, drawing to a stop. The scent trail was nearing a ditch, now. And he caught a fleck of blood on the ground. "Fallenkit? Fallenkit! Where are you?" Nearer the ditch he moved, posture straightening tensely.

[tunnel]

Eyes the green of pond slime.

That was the thought that popped into Fallenkit’s head, staring into the raging apprentice’s eyes, claws dug deep into his shoulders, the dark, dark, ditch coming closer, closer. He hit the mud. A wicked splash of sickening, scummy hit his face, his body, all of it. Yet, that was not the noise he heard; the noise he heard primarily, was the white body smashing to the bottom below him. He remaining standing there like a dead weight, shocked, until the apprentice started to lash again.

It seemed like a long time of shocked stillness, but really it was barely a second. He was flung off, slipped in the mud, and soon found himself face-first into the rise he had been dragged off of. He spluttered, hacking out some of the mud that had found it’s way into his throat. Amazingly, he could hear a voice. A famililiar voice, that still confused him for a second until he was able to pear up and spot another pair of green eyes. Nice green. Plant green. Warm green. Not the icy green of the cat that had assaulted him.

He choked. “Ra-coon-kit?” A creepy silence had fallen. Long, everlasting, yet not lasting at all. Behind him, the greyish white cat had spluttered back to life, too. Shiningpaw was driven by the need for revenge- despite being landed on by a kit larger than he, he was already up, also hacking the mud off himself. Despite being waist high in mud, his fur outside of the mess was miraculously clean. Like a member of Starclan, come to seek revenge for a wrong doing.

He swung around, searching frantically for Fallenkit, the one he believed the murder of his beloved sister, Blizzard. He found him not far off, and hissed lowly, completely oblivious to Raccoonkit. “You…will pay..”

[Wargrace]

Closer to the edge, and he peered over, eyes wide with interest as he skimmed the mud below. Fallenkit was there. Splattered with mud, and rattled looking; coughing on mud. What had happened? Had he.. fallen? Ignoring the pun. Then, Shiningpaw was spotted. The kittypet-turned-apprentice was also muddied, but savage-seeming. What..? Automaticly, the grayscale kit started to bristle, blinking down at Fallenkit. He bristled more. Fallenkit -was- rattled. And Shiningpaw seemed the only source.

'You will pay'. The words rang in the should've-been apprentice's ears, into his mind, and struck a cord of anger. Undoubtedly, fitted to rival the ex-kittypet's. What exactly was Fallenkit going to pay for? What right did the newcomer have accusing Fallenkit, threatening him, about anything? None. Absolutely none. Gray fur steadily rising on end, he bared his fangs a bit, hissing sharply. How dare the barely-established, barely-accepted apprentice behave that way to a clan-born kit, with moons more time in the clan than him?

It wasn't tolerable.

Unnoticed? Likely not for long. With another hiss that rose steadily to a screech, the raccoon-esque kit backed up a few steps, then darted, launching off the ledge, into the ditch below without hesitation, aiming to splash into the mud infront of Shiningpaw -- between the apprentice and other kit, fur on end, fangs bared. "Stay away from him," Happy-go-lucky, charismatic, friendly, affectionate? Not right now. The near-snarled words sounded venomous; dripping with icy, crippling poison.

Claws unsheathing, flexing into the mud, he eye'd the other grayish cat; own green eyes shining with wrath. Oh, how dare this kittypet! Going near his friend. The warning was spat. Don't dare disobey it. Raccoonkit wouldn't tolerate it.

[tunnel]

Fallenkit hacked again, clearing his throat at last, and squirmed forward. He wasn’t sure where Shining was, but he was sure he was coming; he heard the words. "No-wait, I.." He tried to cough out sense, but it was uselessly. He couldn’t even see the silver tom apprentice.. Or, at all, really. Mud had splattered into his face, dowsing his good eye, and temporarily leaving him with only the distorted sighted, scarred-one to navigate with. To safety. Safety? Where was that, exactly..? Toward Coon. With Raccoonkit as back up, he could no doubt talk some sense into the new apprentice.

Or, not. He saw the flash of darker grey blow past him, haulting him in his hair-raised tracks. Oh, no, what was 'Coon doing!?

At that moment, Shiningpaw froze; seeing the same thing as Fallenkit, but at a much closer range. Vision one moment, none the next- a tidal wave of muddy water washed him head to toe. On end, his coat did less of a good job keeping endlessly clean that it did otherwise. He felt the wet sink right down to the skin. “SSSs!" When the wave was gone, a hiss erupted- directly in Raccoon’s face, as that was what he was now staring at. “This is none of your business!” He didn’t recognize 'Coon..But that was fine. He didn’t need too. This was not Ashpaw, nor was it his damned father- Thus, it was none of his business.

Letting out another hiss of frustraition, the shining cat tried to bolt around Raccoonkit; using his sleek, long body well in comparison to the more lengthy and slim kit. Conversation and others later- This cat had murdered his sister. He would not get away with his crime..

[Wargrace]

Fallenkit, for a moment, was ignored at the gray tomkit launched and landed, splashing into the mud, green eyes blazing as he sunk his paws into the mud, stabalizing himself quickly; posture tense, ready. The mud settled again, and he was face-to-face with Shiningpaw. As intended. Older or not, Shiningpaw would not terrorize Fallenkit. Not now, not ever. He'd ensure it with a hellfire.

Claws flexing into the mud, fangs baring, the raccoon-marked six moon old eye'd the apprentice distastefully, fur ruffling more as he was told it wasn't his business. Not his business? Ha! "It is my business; he's my friend and clanmate. You're nothing but a kittypet who has no right threatening a born clan-cat!" The usually warm voice rippled with a snarl, steadily raising the longer he spoke. Hateful, threatening. He wouldn't attack Shiningpaw without reason -- but he wouldn't tolerate Fallenkit being attacked. No. Fallenkit was his -- his clanmate, his best friend, his favorite companion. He wouldn't be hurt.

So, when Shiningpaw dared to move, Raccoonkit was more-than-ready. The apprentice shot forward. For a moment, he thought it was an attack -- until the apprentice's path curved to the side, to instead pass him. After Fallenkit again? "How dare you!" A furious snarl, and Raccoonkit set into motion, too. Shiningpaw couldn't go past him and harm Fallenkit. He wouldn't let him.

The kit turned himself also; long body arching as he did -- the young cat shifted into a near-sit, haunches pressing down into the mud at the peak of his turn, body twisting towards the other gray tom -- coiled like a spring. If he could turn himself quickly enough, Raccoonkit would launch from his position for the apprentice's side. He didn't use his length to launch, however -- instead, he held his limbs close, keeping more compact. His strength was low; and so, he tried to focus it and put his weight -- although not much -- into his attack.

He'd aim to crash into the silvery tom's side, claws snagging for a grip in it, and muzzle opening to chomp in, too. An enraged snarl rose from the kit, tail lashing as he attempted to stop the apprentice. No, no, no -- he wouldn't get near Fallenkit!

[tunnel]

Finally able to move, Fallenkit swung around; eyes as wide as disks as searched frantically for his attacker and Raccoonkit. He was so confused. The scene infront of him did not help that confusion..

Raccon face-to-face with Shining. And then shining gone, as fast as a slippery fish, and heading his way. He could help but squeak out in fear at the anger-driven eyes set on him. Not one of his more manly moments, by far, but he would not complain in this instant. Instead, he swung around, that squeak still ringing out, and flung himself as far as his strong body would throw him; not that far. He felt grass reach his claws, and dug straight in, kicking crazily at the mud-soaked earth in attempt to get out of the mudpit.

Shiningpaw had his eyes trained on Fallenkit. Raccoon kit had no matter in this. No matter in this at all. That didn't stop him from snarling out his own hate-filled words. But of course, Shining wasn't listening He would get revenge..

The body that hit him was small in comparison with the other two cats. That didn't stop it from knocking him sideways with a cry, hit similiarily to an unexpeccted bullet. So, that was what he wanted, was it? To stand up for a murderer..? These clan cats- some where good, some where very, ver nice.And others. They were simply corrupted.

He let out his own war-cry, coiling his body in on itself as it hit the mud, cutting off in time for his head to once again go under. On his side; a bad position, open for biting- but he would not let it rest that way long, swirling frantically until he could get his paws dug into the sediment. When, or if, he did, he would thrust his entire strength in the direction of Raccoonkit, trying to knock him off and away.

All the stories about Marshclanners being the fowl ones..But, here he was, in his own Reedclan, being attacked by someone who was defending a murderer?

[Wargrace]

A glimpse of Fallenkit -- standing, then fleeing, trying to get up the side of the ditch. Good. Up, out of Shiningpaw's reach. Then, all he needed to do was keep Shiningpaw down here until the problem was dealt with. Not that hard, right? He'd have to keep close enough to use his own weight against Shiningpaw any time the apprentice attempted to leap or climb out. Sure, Shiningpaw could probably escape the ditch with more ease than a kit; but if he was attacked every time he tried, could he?

Fallenkit presumably out of the way, Raccoonkit's focus went deadset on the apprentice. "How could Fallenkit have done anything to you? He's not even as old as you!" Fangs bared, the kit spat the words venomously, before making his attack. Crashing into Shiningpaw's side with the fullest of his force, he felt a spark of victory when the apprentice was sent down. His course was broken, splashing into the mud with a vicious cry.

As Shiningpaw fell into the mud, he'd propel himself forward more, putting his force into slamming the apprentice thoroughly to the ground. Force he didn't really have -- nontheless, it seemed the surprise of his attack had done the job for him. Claws and fangs readied, he'd sink them in as deeply as he could. If Shiningpaw wanted him off, damnit, he'd have to loose a good bit of flesh to do so, then! Or perhaps not -- Raccoonkit changed his mind, sharply recoiling, but not releasing.

Trying to take fur and skin with him, before actually releasing and letting Shiningpaw throw his weight whatever way. Perhaps, if timed right, Shiningpaw would succeed at making himself unstable once more? Regardless, Raccoonkit was back into motion, lithe form thrown forward again, and to the side; aiming to block the apprentice, if the apprentice was back to his paws. Least he make a run for Fallenkit again.

[tunnel]

The next moment, Shining was free. Free, but he could hear himself wail; an angry cry of pain, splintered with both the pain from the scars and the insurmountable rage. Raccoonkit was gone; darting off to block his path once again. Unnecessarily, for the tom had recoiled; talking a few steps back in the filth, tail weighted down by mud that finally, after all this time, stuck. The sun still made his fur shine in the parts that where not covered. It also made the blood shine; the claws of Raccoonkit, which where now dripping, and the unintended grazing from Fallenkit's large, hooked paws.

He hissed, in a painfull crouch, but hauled himself back up, glaring hatefully at the grey cat. He looked less white or silver than ever, now- streaked with mud and blood. That didn't seem to change his attitude any. "You're sick." He spat at Raccoon, then turned on Fallen..In gaze only.

The brown tom was frozen, up at the top of the rise finally, look of pure horror on all his features. Dear god, look at this- they where mud-streaked, wound striped, and venomous looking. How had this all happened..? His mind, buzzing as it was, still wasn't making things connect. That was why, when Shining began to back away, that he felt his heart race once again as if the cat was going to jump and miraculously fling himself all the way over here, on top of him.

Instead, Shining stood there, hissing lowly under his breath, and stared at Raccoonkit. He was stronger, and generally more able than Raccoonkit, but his skills where poor. He hadn't been born here, was right, and the kit no doubt had more skill than he. He would win. He would get Fallenkit..But not today.

After more glaring, he took another few steps back, sent a look at Raccoon, and then trained on Fallen.

"You will not get away with this..You Monster!"

[Wargrace]

Still as a statue, now, the kit froze himself in one position, deadset on watching the apprentice. He'd backed up a bit; and the kit almost moved forward to match -- but, instead, he decided remaining firmly in place was the best option. He felt malice; stronger than he ever had. Even his unpleasant father didn't strike so much disdain. Course, his father had never went after Fallenkit -- or anyone the grayscale one cared for; only treated Raccoonkit himself poorly.

Fur on end, Raccoonkit finally moved -- tail slashing like an angry snake behind him. The only motion, however. Sick? No. Furious? Yes. He didn't understand -- but he didn't need to. Fallenkit wasn't a troublemaker, he had done no wrong. The kittypet-turned-'prentice? He knew nothing about him. He may very well have been trouble. For now, he was an enemy. And likely wouldn't find redemption from that status. The friendly, charismatic, affectionate kit's first enemy.

Shiningpaw looked to Fallenkit. He had no right to. He had no right to speak to Fallenkit, even -- calling him a monster! With a snarl, the kit lurched forward, a paw swiping out, aimed quickly for the apprentice's face. Not eyes, of course. Face; muzzle in particular. Aimed to rake across quickly, warningly. Fangs still bared. Oh, how he felt right now -- so viciously enraged. Fallenkit had done no wrong.

"You won't get near him unless you get rid of me, first. Go ahead, Shiningpaw. Try it. I dare you." Venom? Clear, crisp, dripping. A polar opposite to the usual attitude of the cat. It really wasn't fitting of a kit, just turning apprentice; but perhaps an enraged warrior, ready to shred the enemy if needed. A step forward. "Do you want Fallenkit? Go ahead, then, try it."