The Death of an Old Cat

[Squid]

Coyotehowl sighed, sitting by the border of MeadowClan, looking up at the sky. She was old now, but felt like a kit, having to sneak out because Elder's weren't allowed this far from camp. She hardly talked in camp, even to her own kits, or her grandchildren, though she occasionally greeted them, and was grealty proud of all their accomplishments. Coyotehowl looked back at her paws Stallionspirit, I wish you were here...

[Amber]

OOC: Stallionpaw will never remember who she is til he dies, but anyway, he'll be here and witness it and try to help and can Coyotehowl remember Stallionspirit when she sees the way Stallionpaw fights? And also, his tail will be ripped off before she dies (Stallionspirit lost his tail in a fight) and that could make her believe its him, but then she dies?

Devilsoul padded along the borders, making a steady trail of markings. After a moment he scented a MeadowClan cat...Coyotehowl? She was much, much, older than him, in fact, he was pretty sure Foxstar had announced her retirement a Gathering or two ago. He padded a few steps across the border to peer over. He spotted her on the open moor and smiled slightly. She was proof old did not mean bad. Then suddenly a voice in his head made him jump and his heart sink. Hello, Devilsoul. He growled to himself, but before he could block the 'old friend' out, Fury had taken complete control and sprinted off towards Coyotehowl, jumping and tackling her effortlessly and sinking ivory fangs into her neck.

A golden blur streaked through the meadow to reach his grandmother. A yowl of fury erupted from the apprentice as he sprung, flying towards the attacker as if he had wings. He landed harshly on Devilsoul's back and dug his claws in, making Devilsoul release Coyotehowl and yowl as he tried to shake Stallionpaw off.

[Squid]

Coyotehowl hadn't expected anything, only just as she turned, the old she-cat noticed Devilsoul just as he leaped. She let out a yowl that sounded like a coyote's howl, which is where her name comes from, and tried to throw him off until she saw a gold blurr streak over and force Devilsoul off her. Coyotehowl stood up, little trickles of blood coming from her neck, and she felt like having a heart attack when she thought she saw Stallionspirit, only then realising it was her grandchild Stallionpaw. For a moment she stood frozen, but shook her head and leaped for Devilsoul, sinking her razor claws into his neck, trying to bring the BeachClan cat to the ground

[Amber]

Stallionpaw jumped off just in time as Devilsoul crashed down after avoiding the claws that threatened to pierce his neck. That very jerk to get away had caused his fall. Stallionpaw growled, jumping onto the much bigger cat and attempting to pin him down. At this his foe chuckled. "Foolish apprentice..." Then with another chuckle he sprung up, sending Stallionpaw soaring through the air much like before, except without the graceful landing. He landed hard on his side and lay, winded. Meanwhile Devilsoul dove again for Coyotehowl's neck.

[Squid]

Coyotehowl stumbled away when Devilsoul dodged her claws. She was about to run to Stallionpaw when he was flung off, but turned and stood on her hind legs, aiming her front claws straight for Devilsoul as he leaped. "I may be old, but I can still fight!" She pushed off with her hind legs and slammed right into Devilsoul "Leave my grandson alone!"

[Amber]

Devilsoul hit the ground and twisted around onto his belly, closing his eyes. He fought back against Fury and succesfully regained control. His eyes opened and showed their natural green color. "I'm sorry! He's...he's back!" was all Devilsoul could get out before squeezing his eyes shut and trying his best to keep Fury from taking over. After a moment, he let out a cry of sorrow and his eyes flew open to reveal they were red again. Face twisting in rage, he jumped up and sped towards Coyotehowl with a battle yowl.

Stallionpaw shook himself and staggered to his paws, dazed. He watched as Devilsoul jumped for his grandmother again and without thinking, sprung forward, all dizziness forgotten. He collided in midair with the huge black tom and sent them both crashing to the ground, where they rolled until Stallionpaw stopped, pinning Devilsoul down. He bared his teeth at the tom and growled angrily, but Devilsoul did not reply. He was lying limp, eyes closed and chest not moving. Shocked, Stallionpaw got off and backed away, turning to Coyotehowl with astonishment in his eyes. But it soon turned to pain as Devilsoul leapt up and latched onto his tail and grinded his teeth down, cutting flesh and even deeper. Yelping in pain and surprise, Stallionpaw writhed in the air, causing him to fall with nothing to support him...and lose his tail. He cried out in utmost pain and turned over on his back to stare at Devilsoul in horror.

[Squid]

Coyotehwl go ready for Devilsoul's attack, until she saw Stallionpaw leap at him, sending them both crashing and tumbling. Coyotehowl let out a yowl and took off for Devilsoul, skidding to a stop, frozen in terror when she saw Stallionpaw's tail ripped off, memories of her mate flashing through her mind, making her most vulnerable at that moment

[Amber]

Stallionpaw gulped in air as he saw Devilsoul drop the thing that used to be his tail and begin to lower into the pouncing position. The shadow loomed over him and he gulped again, scrambling to get away. But he couldn't move. Much to his surprise, Devilsoul leapt straight over him, and he rolled over to look. The huge black tom was soaring through the air towards Coyotehowl as she stood frozen, eyes glazed. Stallionpaw closed his eyes and turned away as he collided, shivering now though not from cold - from blood loss. The stump that used to be his tail bled freely, and Stallionpaw went limp, panting. He was still alive and conscious, but lost the power - or the will - to move.

Devilsoul grabbed Coyotehowl's throat and planned to rip it straight out for a quick kill. But as they hit the ground he was pulled away from the force, bringing with him just a tiny strip of flesh and fur. He hit the ground running back towards his target before she could flee and jumped onto her back, digging in his claws and yowling in triumph. He dug in farther, farther, past the skin...then Devilsoul regained control just for a moment, jumping off and whispering, "I'm so sorry Coyotehowl! Its...not...me...!" Then he was Fury again, leaping for her throat. Grabbing hold and not letting go til he hit bone. Then he released, back to Devilsoul. Staring in horror, he turned and sped off, vanishing on the horizon.

Stallionpaw let out a grunt of pain as he stumbled to his paws, his body screaming in protest. He staggered, swaying left and right, to his grandmother. As of now she was still alive, and he could possibly say sorry he couldn't save her. He walked around to do just that, tears welling up and falling freely down his cheeks. He collapsed next to her, fur up against hers, body shaking. "I'm so sorry....Coyotehowl...." he murmured just loud enough, "I wasn't good enough....to save you...." His eyes snapped open as he stood up unevenly, craning his neck and shouting to both her and the heavens as he forced back his sobs, "I AM A FAILURE!"

[Squid]

Coyotehowl didn't even come back from being frozen until she was half-dead. She had little strength, and was dying fast, but tried to tell Stallionpaw it wasn't his fault, and that he had tried and did well, but when she tried to speak, more blood welled up from her neck, and she died there, in a puddle of blood.

Foulstep was out hunting, and about to catch a rabbit when he heard a shout. Recognizing his son's voice, Foulstep took off in a sprint to where it had come from. Upon getting there, he stood frozen for a moment at the sight of his mothers batted, bloody body, but padded to his son. Foulstep was still a good del bigger than Stallionpaw, and looked down at him "It's okay Stallionpaw, I know you tried to save her, I'm proud" He could tell Stallionpaw had fought, by the fact that his sons tail was missing.

[Amber]

Stallionpaw shook his head. "No, no, no, no...." he mumbled, "Its all my fault..." He didn't even look up as the newly renamed Foxstride, well, strode up and then faltered upon the sight of his nephew and mother. He struggled to speak before uttering, "What happened?" Stallionpaw shook his head again. "Devilsoul.....he said....that Fury is back...." Before the exghausted apprentice passed out, he turned to them both. "Who's....who's Fury?" Foxstride gulped. "The spirit that controls Devilsoul and almost killed your aunt and DID kill your grandfather. In fact, your grandfather was a lot like you..." Stallionpaw blinked, and then quite suddenly collapsed on his side next to the body of his grandmother, his own blood adding to her pool. His breathing slowed and he fell in unconsciousness.

[Squid]

Foulstep listened intently, then turned to Foxstride when Stallionpaw collapsed "Foxstride, go get Lavendersong, and Goldencloud please, I'm going to see if I can't find some cobwebs to help him" He had no right ordering his brother around but Foulstep was a bit desperate at the moment to save his son from dying of blood loss, plus, they needed atleast two more cats to help get Stallionpaw and Coyotehowl to camp

[Amber]

"You can't really honestly order me around, can you?" Foxstride meowed, but his voice was not angry. He rounded and sped off, returning moments later with both she-cats in tow.

[Squid]

As soon as Foxstride had came to get her and Lavendersong, Goldencloud had felt like dying herself, knowing that her mother was dead. She followed Foxstride all the way to the MeadowClan borders, helping Foulstep get Coyotehowl's lifeless body "Foxstride, Lavendersong, will you get Stallionpaw?"