Thrash or Prance: ThrashClan ClanGen Story

by purdysage

A dark ClanGen story challenge. ThrashClan are junkyard band of cats who have formed a culture around public battles and competing- sometimes to the death. Scars are a badge of honor in their eyes and show that you've been up against a powerful foe. However the old ways were fading and it takes a sudden challenge to ignite the tradition anew.

5. Chapter 5

CW: Violence, character death, fighting ring, drowning

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MOON 9: LEAF-BARE

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Winter was here. The season for Thrashing.

Brightmoon's kits had reached apprentice age now.

Hickorystar chose to take on Cloverpaw, but looked tense during the ceremony. She appointed Tornpaw to Turtlehaze and the burning look in her eye more or less confirmed what she had on her mind. Taking Cloverpaw to the side, Hickorystar explains; "There's a chance one of you will need a new mentor soon."

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Meanwhile Badgersky keeps Ferntail company while he thinks of a name for his new kitten "I think I'll call him... Palekit."

Badgersky and the original Palekit blink. "Er... You know my son is already named that, right?"

"Yes well," Ferntail licks the snowy colored newborn on the head, "It fits him a bit better, don't you think?"

"I..I suppose..?" Badgersky shuffles uncomfortably. He glances at his son for his reaction.

The ginger Palekit smiles. "Its a good name! Lots of cats could have it!"

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Sometime after that strange exchange, Badgersky goes on patrol with Lightning and their apprentices. Despite Honeypaw's boldness with his stories yesterday, he seems nervous. His brother Nectarpaw looks gloomy as well.

"Hey, liven up kids, what's with you?" Lightning meows.

Nectarpaw says nothing and kicks a pebble. Honeypaw shuffles his paws. "I dunno, something's off."

Badgersky drapes his tail over the apprentices comfortingly. He lifts his head. "That is a strange smell..." He murmurs, flattening his ears slightly.

Lightning huffs, but seriousness crosses his face.

"I'll check it out." He mews. Carefully he stalks through the trees towards the smell.

Suddenly a rustle makes the apprentices jump.

There's a flash of silver and Lightning chases after. He yowls and tackles towards the sounds, crashing into another cat and rolling down the hill. When they hit the bottom, he glares at the cat he had pinned, but his expression swiftly changes when he sees who it is.

"Its you!" He gasps, and laughs in shock and relief.

"I thought I'd never see you again!" The silver tom exclaims.

Badgersky blinks. "Friend of yours?"

"Yeah!" He laughs again and presses his muzzle.

"Hey, let me up, punk." He chuckles, nuzzling him back before shoving him off.

"This is Silver!"

Badgersky smiles warmly at the two tom's obvious affection for eachother. "Well bring him by camp, he can meet the others.

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Ferretpaw is a menace on patrol and runs ahead despite Turtlehaze and Ferntail trying to wrangle her.

"Hey cut it out, don't drink that!" She huffs, pulling her away from some colorful twoleg water.

"Blegh.. feels bad." Ferretpaw complains, sticking out their tounge.

Bloompaw snorts. Maybe that'd teach her for being such a squirrelbrain.

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(( Quick question, should apprentices be able to fight leaders / deputy even though they can't become the deputy if they win? VOTE check ✅ for yes or x ?ￂﾠ for no! ))

(( hmm ill roll on this so we can get to the battle vote))

:0

Coin flip result

siiince apprentices cant become leader i will give them different death roll; roll d3; 1 they die, 2 they become a medicine cat, 3 theyre spared ))

(computer shut down unexpectedly and deleted my draft hang on /3)

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The hour of the Thrash had fallen. Hickorystar hops up on the scrap heap to to gather her clan.

"Since some of you are new," Hickorystar meows, peering at Silver and Lightning, "Let me lay down the dirt for you. Tonight is the start of Thrashing season. ThrashClan is a clan of fighters, and as leader, I'm here to show you that Thrashers do not turn down any challenges. We need our strongest warriors to show they are ready to face any danger head on and put their claws where their mouth is. It's too cold not to get the blood pumping, eh?"

Bloompaw's eyes gleamed at the speech, listening in excitement.

Hickorystar continued, now almost exclusively staring at Turtlehaze, who met her gaze. "If any cat wants to challenge me, this is their time to do it. I won't turn down any fighter, so don't hold back." She says, flexing her claws.

Turtlehaze steps forward and opens her mouth to speak, but another voice pipes up before the deputy can get her words out.

"Alright, I'll have a go."

Turtlehaze freezes, turning to see her apprentice Ferretpaw zip in front of her.

Hickorystar blinks and sputters a bit, "You..? Er... Ferretpaw, you're a bit young for this..." She says awkwardly.

"So?" Ferretpaw lifts her head up in contempt, "You scared? So much for fighting anyone."

Turtlehaze twitches her tail. "Ferretpaw, I was going to challenge her..." She murmurs.

"Too slow!" Ferretpaw sticks out her tongue. "Not that it matters. She won't do it."

A murmur ripples through the crowd before being broken by Hickorystar's bark of a laugh.

"You've got spirit kid. Alright, I'll keep my word. Are you sure?"

Alderpaw's eyes grow round in dread. Was this really happening?

Badgersky shakes his head, trying to dissuade her.

Ferretpaw sniffs and rolls her eyes. "Duh."

"Alright then..." Hickorystar takes a deep breath, "I accept your challenge. Show me what you're made of."

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Vote Fox Emoji to cheer for Hickorystar to win, OR Vote Smiling Face With Horns Emoji to cheer on Ferretpaw to win!

We have a tie so coin will decide! Heads for Hickorystar or Tails for Ferretpaw!

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Hickorystar lunged down at the little gray apprentice, easily knocking the wind out of her. She winces at the sound of Ferretpaw's shuddering cough.

"Woo, go Hickorystar!" Bloompaw cheers.

"F..ferretpaw get up!" Nectarpaw squeaks.

Hickorystar was reluctant to seriously hurt her. She was so young, and Buzzardfur's kit.

Ferretpaw interrupts that thought with a swift kick to her snout, sending the speckled leader reeling back with a bloody nose.

Hickorystar shakes her head and regathers her senses. Ferretpaw rolls back to her paws and swiftly crouched into a basic fighting stance.

Her determination makes Hickorystar chuckle. "Not bad, not bad." That was what these Thrashes were for after all, showing off each other's skill. There was no harm in letting the apprentice attack her a few more times, before defeating her. She didn't have to kill Ferretpaw to win after all. This would make Ferretpaw stronger, just like Buzzardfur always wanted.

The older cats in the crowd started to relax a bit as they realized Hickorystar would never kill Ferretpaw. She always had a soft spot for kits. The fight settled down looking more like a training session than a true thrash.

With each attack from Ferretpaw, Hickorystar had some notes.

"Hold your tail straight."

"Aim lower if you want to knock me off balance!"

"Don't try and use your weight against a larger opponent."

Ferretpaw's tail twitched more in frustration with each blow. Eventually, the gray apprentice takes a few step back, glancing around the junkyard.

"What's the matter, giving up already? Attack me." Hickorystar goads.

"No... you attack me!" Ferretpaw grins, suddenly darting off away from the main clearing.

"Wh- hey, get back here!" Hickorystar chased after her, she was climbing up the pile of scrap metal.

Bloompaw had been sulking a bit but perks up at this sudden change of pace. "Get her, Hickorystar!" She cheers.

Hickorystar huffs and climbs, though Ferretpaw wasn't making it easy. Occasionally she'd kick some scrap of debris in her face to slow her down.

They were climbing so high up the pile, it was harder and harder for the crowd to keep up enough to watch what was going on. Only Nectarpaw and Bloompaw dared to get closer.

"R..run sis, run!" Nectarpaw shouts.

Hickorystar snarls in frustration despite herself. "Thrashers don't run away!"

Ferretpaw skids to a stop by an oily puddle. "Looks like you're running to me." She snorts.

Hickorystar yowls and lunges at her again. With a yelp, Ferretpaw ducks out of the way and Hickorystar hits her face head first on a pipe. The collision makes a horrible thunk, followed by a splash.

Ferretpaw snickers and pounces on Hickorystar, leap frogging off of her to climb on top of the pipe and look down at her.

"Hey, don't drink that!" She laughs.

Bubbles escape Hickorystar's mouth and she pushes to stand up in the water. But she gets up too quickly and hits her head on the pipe again, tearing open her old scar and losing her balance. She gurgles under the bloody, oily water, heavy fur getting caught on some old twoleg rubbish.

Bloompaw's ears flatten in dismay. "That's enough you brat- help her!"

Ferretpaw rolls her eyes. "Uh, Im fighting her? You help her."
Bloompaw growls and swipes at Nectarpaw without claws. "Come on, you too."

Nectarpaw squeaks and hurries to the edge of the slimy puddle, trying to help Bloompaw pull Hickorystar back to air. It was too slick and Hickorystar's long fur soaked in too much water- she was heavy and it was hard to get a good grip.

Turtlehaze manages to climb to the top to help them, but by then it was too late. The slump that was Hickorystar lay unmoving.

"You... you won..." Turtlehaze breathes in disbelief.

Ferretpaw grins, raising her tail excitedly. "I did? Yeah! Ha, of course I won!"

There was a tense silence. Turtlehaze stares in dread of what her apprentice had done, and Bloompaw in pure hatred.

"C..congrats Ferretpaw!" Nectarpaw smiles shakily.

Ferretpaw purrs and stretches. "Now what?"

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"I..I guess... I'm picking the new deputy?" Turtlehaze mews uncertainly.

"Aw, you're not the deputy anymore?" Ferretpaw tilts her head.

"I'm the *leader* now, Ferretpaw." Turtlehaze huffed. This is not how I pictured this going at all! She thinks.

"Ohhh." Ferretpaw wrinkles her nose a bit. "Are you going to pick Badgersky?"

Turtlehaze felt a wave of dread wash over her, she knew her apprentice didn't like him. Would she kill him too? "I..I'll have to think about it."

The idea of her and her lovely Badgersky ruling the clan together had been nice before but... that was when she thought she'd be the one in control of how she earned the position. If she followed the custom, then there'd be a chance she would have to fight him anyway. There was no way she wanted to do that now. She wouldn't be like Hickorystar, she couldn't kill her own mate!

Her other options for deputy though... She honestly didn't know any of them that well.

Ferntail, was the oldest, and nice enough. He was a bit of an airhead from what she could tell.

Lightning she knew a little better. He was rather young to put in a position like this. She thought she understood him the best out of her other choices, besides Badgersky. He was a bit hotheaded, and had snapped at him after Buzzardfur's death. Perhaps it was only fair she give him the chance to challenge her... She couldn't lose to him though, no matter the fondness she'd grown for him.

And then there was Silver, the newcomer. She knew very little of him at all, just that he was an old friend of Lightning's. It would be.. kind of irresponsible to put him in charge so soon. But then again, he didn't know anyone, and would probably have the least issue with Ferretpaw if she decided to fight again this season.

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Turtlehaze was in a tricky position becoming leader so early in the Thrashing season. Other cats would have all winter to potentially challenge her. All things considered she thought her best choice would be...

DEPUTY ELECTION! Vote "Badger" for Badgersky, Vote "Herb " for Ferntail, Vote for "Lightning Bolt " Lightning, or Vote "Silver Medal " for Silver.

And I now have 1/13 strike to lose for not having a scarred leader anymore RIP Hickorystar lol

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MOON 9 ALLEGIANCES

THRASHCLAN

LEADER

HICKORYSTAR - Large gray furred molly with white speckles, green eyes, and a sizable scar across her back, and a fresher one across her face. Lonesome, smart. APPRENTICE: CLOVERPAW

DEPUTY

TURTLEHAZE - White she cat with bright blue eyes and ginger tabby patches. Empathetic, excellent fighter. APPRENTICE: FERRETPAW

MEDICINE CAT

ALDERPAW - Amber eyed tortishell molly. Altruistic.

WARRIORS

BADGERSKY - Plump, longhair tom with cream colored fur and golden eyes. Compassionate, very smart. APPRENTICE: NECTARPAW

KITS: PALEKIT

FERNTAIL - Golden tabby tom with dark blue eyes. Altruistic. Formerly a loner.

KITS: LOSTKIT, PALEKIT (2)

LIGHTNING - Golden and white tom with hazel eyes. Confident. Formerly a loner. APPRENTICE: HONEYPAW

SILVER - Silver speckled tom with amber eyes. Confident. Formerly a loner.

APPRENTICES

ALDERPAW - Amber eyed tortishell molly. Altruistic. FORMER MENTOR: HICKORYSTAR

BLOOMPAW - Black molly with furless patches on her muzzle and paws, golden eyes. Strange. MENTOR: FERNTAIL

HONEYPAW - Pale gray longhair tom with a lighter muzzle and amber eyes. Responsible. MENTOR: LIGHTNING

NECTARPAW - Cream tom with dark blue eyes. Bold. MENTOR: BADGERSKY

FERRETPAW - Pale gray molly with hazel eyes. Fierce. MENTOR: TURTLEHAZE

CLOVERPAW - Black and white molly with ginger tabby patches and green eyes. Clever. MENTOR: HICKORYSTAR

TORNPAW - Cream tom with a black nose and green eyes. Careful. MENTOR: TURTLEHAZE

KIT

LOSTKIT - Tortishell molly with dark blue eyes. Troublesome.

PALEKIT - Ginger tabby tom with a pale muzzle and pale green eyes. Daring

PALEKIT (2) - Snowy white tom with a brown 'mask' marking and striped tail. Green eyes. Daring.

ELDERS

MUMBLELEAF - Light brown tabby with green eyes and white chest and paws.

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STARCLAN

STARCLAN GUIDE

IVYGORSE - (I never made note of their appearance unfortunately.)

DIED IN MOON 1

ASHSTAR - Lean, pale gray molly with furless patches on her snout and paws. Golden eyes. Bloodthirsty, fantastic teacher. Thrashed by Hickorystar. (Bled out)

HAREFUR - Shorthair white tom with a red nose, a brown patch on one ear, and dark blue eyes. Troublesome, strong connection to StarClan. Thrashed by Hickorystar. (Neck wound)

DIED IN MOON 3

FLOWERPATCH - Plump calico molly with green eyes and a brown tail. Compassionate, great storyteller. Died of old age. 181 moons.

CLOVERBLINK - Eldery tom with dark gray, almost black fur, furless patches on his face and paws, and green eyes. Fierce, excellent hunter. Died of old age. 197 moons.

DIED IN MOON 5

SNIPKIT - White molly with ginger tipped ears and tail. Dark blue eyes. Insecure. Died of contagious disease.

BRIGHTMOON - Shorthair cream molly with hazel eyes. Strange. Formerly a loner. Died of contagious disease.

DIED IN MOON 7

BUZZARDFUR - Pale gray molly with a lighter muzzle, notch in her ear, and dark blue eyes. Cold. Formerly a loner. Unexplained death.

DIED IN MOON 9

HICKORYSTAR - Large gray furred molly with white speckles, green eyes, and a sizable scar across her back, and a fresher one across her face. Lonesome, smart. Thrashed by Ferretpaw. (Drowned)

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Original Vote Counts

Ferretpaw VS Hickorystar

1:1 - determined by coinflip.

Deputy Election

2 Votes for Ferntail : 0 For all other canidates