"Come on, Ravenpaw. We need to start your training right away," Mudclaw snapped.
"Wait, now?" Ravenpaw squeaked. "What are we going to do? Tour around the territory, hunting practice?"
"I thought that you could practice battle moves with Weaselpaw and Owlpaw."
"But they're a good three or four moons ahead of me!" Ravenpaw protested.
"The best training is trial and error." Mudclaw growled. "Plus, if you're as good as every cat says you are, you'll be fine."
"But…"
"Don't argue! Claws will be sheathed anyway. You've got this."
"Okay, Weaselpaw will attack Owlpaw. Ravenpaw, you watch. Try and pick up some skills. Easy battle moves today you two."
"Aww, why Webfoot?" Weaselpaw whined.
"Because. It's better to practice moves that are simple and easy to forget."
"Don't have them hold back because of Ravenpaw," Mudclaw commented.
"We'd like to keep the apprentices unharmed, Mudclaw," Tornear responded.
Ravenpaw watched keenly as the two apprentices circled each other. Owlpaw, the smaller apprentice, darted forward, nipping at Weaselfur's ankles, attempting to unbalance him, but Weaselpaw was using his size to his advantage. He was shoving Owlpaw around like he was a kit.
I'm smaller than either of them, she thought. I just have to be fast and unbalance, then chase them off.
"Okay, Ravenpaw, your turn." Mudclaw signaled with his tail.
Ravenpaw walked out to face Owlpaw. Owlpaw smiled and waved his tail. "Don't worry, I'll make it easy on you the first time."
"Don't go easy, Owlpaw! She'll learn quickly." Mudclaw shouted.
Ravenpaw smiled back. "I'll be fine. Go ahead."
Owlpaw nodded, then leaned back on his haunches and leaped.
Ravenpaw had planned to dart to the left, but she must've been showing it, because Owlpaw was slightly to the left in his jump, because he landed squarely on her back, knocking the breath out of her. She twisted in his grasp, but couldn't move and sat trying to breathe.
"Get off, Owlpaw." Tornear snapped. "Mudclaw, this isn't a good…"
"No," Mudclaw hissed. "Try it again. Both of you. Ravenpaw, move quicker, and make sure you don't show your plans. It was so obvious!"
This time Ravenpaw darted straight forward. She missed Owlpaw's original leap, but when she whirled around he was ready. She tried to dart in and nip at his ankles, but missed, and once again got pinned to the ground.
"Come on!" Mudclaw growled.
Once again, Owlpaw ran forward. Ravenpaw leaped and met him in the air, but messed up once again, underestimating Owlpaw's weight. He didn't expect it either, because when he fell, he cried in pain.
"My paw!"
Tornear rushed forward and looked at his paw. "It's probably sprained. I'll get you to Barkface. You guys go ahead and carry on." The pair of cats limped off.
Mudclaw nodded, and Ravenpaw swore she heard him mutter, "Weak."
"You get in now, Weaselpaw." He nodded.
Weaselpaw didn't waste a second. He darted forward snarling. Ravenpaw leaped straight up, landing on his back, and the bigger cat bucked her off, ramming her into a fallen log. She screeched in pain.
"Easy!" Webfoot scolded.
"He's fine, she'll toughen up." Mudclaw growled.
Every fight Ravenpaw got another bruise or scratch. Her pride was at its lowest. She'd lost all dignity.
"Come on, Ravenpaw!" Mudclaw yowled. "Get up and fight!"
Ravenpaw took a deep breath from where she lay on the ground, trying to hide her tears. She was so frusterated.
"C'mon, you can do it!" A voice came.
Mosskit?
"You're faster, Ravenpaw. You'll be able to out run him, you have this down."
Tallstar too?
Ravenpaw struggled to her feet, and walked over to the circle. The other cats seemed to have no knowledge of Tallstar's and Mosskit's voices.
Weaselpaw looked at her nervously as Mudclaw gave the order to attack. Weaselpaw leaped.
Ravenpaw raced forward and crouched, quickly sliding around to face him. Before the larger apprentice could turn, she was on his back, digging in with her teeth and claws. All that was in her mind was she had to win.
Weaselpaw bucked and yowled.
"Claws sheathed!" Webfoot called the reminder.
Weaselpaw eventually wrestled her under him, but she batted roughly at his stomach until he leaped off. She gave him a powerful kick from her hind paws and the apprentice went flying, then collapsed on the ground, panting.
"That was great!" Webfoot shouted.
"Next time don't let him get you under him, he almost had you beat," was all Mudclaw said before padding towards home.
Ravenpaw's vision was blurring. She hadn't had anything to drink nor a moments rest since she'd become an apprentice sunhigh, and now it was nearly sundown. She wobbled on her paws with fatigue.
"That was great, Ravenpaw! Especially on your first day as an apprentice…" Weaselpaw walked over, concern lighting in his face. "Ravenpaw?" He asked worriedly. "Ravenpaw!"
Ravenpaw collapsed to the ground. She vaguely heard Weaselpaw calling Webfoot's name.
Then she blacked out.
Oh no, Ravenpaw D:
Poor cat, she's had her tail worked off. At least she did good, right?
Anyway, Imma hurry and write this so I can get another chappie posted.
(Those badgers I lied about, they'll come along soon, I promise. xD)
Baiiiiii x3
Please add re to view and leave a review! Pretty pwease!