(Tag FLAMEY & JAY? +ANYONE) Cautionary Tactics

[Amber]

A sleek she-cat padded smoothly over the rough terrain, her cool gaze devoid of emotion. Step after she step she continued on, unwavering, in enemy territory. Muddy blue eyes turned this way and that to observe with surprising clarity her surroundings. "Hmm," Flightstep murmured to herself, sitting down and bringing a dainty paw to her maw. "This isn't a part of RageClan that I remember." She licked at her toes, blinking innocently and glancing about.

AshClan? came the thought. A smile flickered upon her jaws. Suddenly a blur of tabby orange hurled itself upon her. Knocked off of her feet momentarily, she lay stunned upon the soot-covered earth, expression puzzled. Fiercestep snarled at her and placed a forepaw upon her chest, keeping her still upon the ground. "What are you doing in AshClan territory?" the tom-cat hissed, eyes flashing dangerously.

"Dunno, really. Got a little bored," was the offhanded reply. With a vicious growl the RageClanner found her slender body pressed down into the dirt even harder. Now she could feel the blood welling up where his claws dug in. "Stop that." Surprisingly enough, he did, stepping back to allow her to stand and defend herself.

She turned to face him, taking a deep breath as if about to explain.. and then lunged straight towards him, paws wrapping firmly around his neck. Her ivory claws scored long lines down his pelt and she could feel his body convulse in agony and shock. Flightstep's normally beautiful face was contorted in a fearsome snarl as she tore through his flesh, gaze sparkling with glee at the gore that proceeded. Then she dropped him, watched him fall to the ground, and watched the blood pool out of his wounds. "H..he-help..!!" the tom managed while Flightstep looked on in quiet interest.

[Flamey]

Coalpelt was passing by the AshClan border, carrying freshkill back to camp, when he heard something. A small, almost inaudible voice that needed help. Almost at the same time, he scented......"RageClan." he hissed, fresh kill forgotten. He charged towards the border, not bothering to tell anyone else about the intruder, since camp was too far away, and his clanmate needed help. Now. The thought prompted him to run faster, until he was only a few tail-lengths away. Gathering power on his haunches, and using the momentum from his running, he launched himself at the she-cat, paws outstretched, claws unsheathed, fully prepared to kill the trespasser.

[Amber cant loginschool]

Flightstep blinked as a dark form hurtled towards her, making her step back with a slightly shocked expression. "AshCl--" Her words died in her throat as powerful paws made contact with her pelt. She could again feel the blood welling up along the newly-made scratches.

"Get away from me!" she shrieked, flailing her limbs wildly. She reared up on her hind legs, paws twisting to batter at her attacker. Then with one fluid motion she lunged backwards as if about to crush Coalpelt to the ground. He would have no choice but to de-attach (whut?) from her or get smothered under the she-cat... Hopefully he would choose the former, freeing her.

Fiercestep cracked open weary eyes to peer about curiously. The intimidating presence he had felt before had vanished. Though his vision was afflicted by blood loss, he thought he could make out the dull gray pelt of his brother tussling with the RageClanner. "Coalpelt..?" his voice sounded raspy and frail. With a grunt of effort the tabby tom managed to stand, taking a few menacing steps towards Flightstep. He couldn't risk attacking and accidentally hitting Coalpelt...

[*-*Riku*-*]

[ooc: can I join?]

Riku, who had been running at full-pelt all the way from Dream Falls with the heavy news he was carrying, heard the cry for help as well when he was just inside the AshClan border. He heard the cry for help and switched direction quickly. The silver long-haired tom charged across the rough terrain and barreled into the side of the she-cat's attacker with all the strength he could muster after his breathless run, he did not, however, have the strength to fight and after toppling over the darker grey tom, he laid on his side, panting.

"AshClan... RageClan...!" He panted hard, trying to get his breath back. "W-wolves! Wolves are coming!" He said, Getting to his paws and licking his ruffled pelts. "You should not be fighting, but you should be spreading the word!" He growled, flicking his tail. "RageClan." He turned to the she-cat, he did not know her name, and he had no time to find out. The wolves would be here in 2 days and he had to warn the other Clans. "Go back to your leader and tell him what I have told you. Wolves have overrun my home at Dream Falls. You need to prepare for a battle, the likes of which these clans have never seen before."

Riku's brilliant turquoise gaze rested on the AshClan cats. "The same goes to you too." He said, before he got to his paws, his breathing regular again.

[Flamey]

Coalpelt quickly made the most obvious decision, letting go of his hold on the she-cat before she crushed him. He was about to twist around and deal another blow to her when... "Oof." He felt the breath knocked out of him, as another cat barreled into him. " Did she bring reinforcements? He hadn't scented any." he stood up and turned to face his attacker, when he spoke. Wolves? What was this loner talking about? He'd never heard of such things before. "Why in the name of DreamClan would we believe a loner? Besides, whatever these wolves are, AshClan can handle them. Just like I'm handling this trespassing RageClan filth who attacked my clanmate." he growled, turned around, remembering his clanmate, and was surprised to see that it was Fiercestep. He was at his side in an instant. "Are you okay?" He asked, his anger replaced with worry, then almost immediately turned into rage again. He turned back to the she-cat, eyes narrowed with renewed fury as he launched himself onto her once again, completely ignoring the loner.

[/size]

[*-*Riku*-*]

As Riku left the territory to warn the other cats, leaving behind the strength of his fear-scent on the air, the breeze pick up into a light gale, bringing with it an unfamiliar scent. It smelled a LOT like dogs, but blood replaced the taint of twolegs that dogs normally carried. The wind dropped for a moment just long enough for them to pick up the loud, distant howl of an animal on the hunt. Whatever it was, it was coming here. Fast.

Suddenly, over the rise came... a dog? That was not a dog. It was too huge. The hot smell of death and danger crept over them as it panted, it's tongue lolling out. The animal looked like a dog, but where was it's collar? Why was it alone, no twolegs in sight? And why on earth did it have such long legs, big paws, and sharp teeth? The animal standing someway off, had it's nose to the ground, snuffling the plants as if it were tracking something, so it had not noticed the cats standing there... at least not until it raised it's head to look around. It was taller than any dog the cats had ever seen, it's muscles were broader than a badgers and it had mud on it's coat as if the creature never bothered to wash itself. This one was grey looking, with a reddish tinge to it's thick, fox-like fur. It's cold, intelligent yellow eyes rested on the cats and it immediately lifted it's black nose to the sky and let out an earsplitting howl so loud the creature's voice seemed to echo off the rocky terrain for miles. Almost at once another voice was raised in harmony some way off. The wolves were here.

[Flamey]

Coalpelt lifted his paw, about to rake it through the she-cat's pelt, when he heard the earsplitting howl. But... he didn't scent any dogs around? He disentangled himself from the she-cat, fight completely forgotten. Scanning his surroundings, he turned his head spotting something a few ways off. It looked like a dog. In fact, it looked a lot like a dog. Except for its razor sharp teeth, ungroomed fur, and its massive size. He sthingyinized his soon to be enemy, thinking of the best way to attack, when he heard howls farther behind the first... thing. Many more howls. What had the loner called them? Wolves? Yes taht was it. He had to warn the clan. If they really were as dangerous as the loner said, they needed to be prepared. He made a move to head back to camp, when he remembered Fiercestep. " Come on Fiercestep, we've got tow arn AshClan."

[/size]

[*-*Riku*-*]

The wolf had finished calling it's pack and now it was stalking towards the cats, it's hackles raised, it's lips drawn back to expose the sharp, dripping fangs. It's breath escaped it's maw with a loud, vicious snarl. Dog's did not snarl like this. Dog's only chased cats for fun, normally chasing them for only as long as their twolegs allowed them to. This wolf snarled with a real lust for blood in it's tone. There would be no twoleg coming to save these cats now from this monstrosity. No angry voice to make the wolf submit, no collars, and no leases.

As the wolf moved ever closer at a deadly slow pace, more shadows began to appear over the rise. More wolves came into view, until the cats could count nine of them. There were 4 others with the same coat color as the first, a reddish tan, a white, and 2 blacks. All 9 of them had strong long legs, gleaming yellow eyes, and fatally sharp fangs that glistened in the sun. Their snarls were enough to scare the life out of a cat. As they advanced, they split into 2 groups, encircling their prey- ready to run if the cat's bolted.

[Amber]

Flightstep's breath caught in her throat as the scene unfolded before her eyes. These .. wolves were approaching menacingly, causing a shiver to ripple down the she-cat's spine. Frozen for an instant, she blinked in shock and then exhaled suddenly, trying to snap herself out of the haze. Whipping around, she growled out a quick, "We can finish this later!" - although her voice wavered and sounded altogether frail and frightened. The pretty she-cat turned on her heel and then shot off across the border, running as if the whole of AshClan was at her heels. She had to go back and warn her Clan.

Fiercestep dipped his head towards his brother, steeling himself on his paws. Although he was slightly weak from the large wound across his neck, he managed to push it from his mind for the moment. "Could these be anything like the Empties the elders tell stories about..?" he wondered out loud, coc.king his head for a moment. Then, sensing the looming danger, he swiveled his head in time to see the wolves coming dangerously close. "C-Coalpelt!" he yowled, unsure if his sibling had seen - it was hard not to.. "Oh, DreamClan, help us! There's too many.." Olive green eyes flashing with unknown emotion, he took a couple of steps backward.

[*-*Riku*-*]

As she she-cat bolted, 3 wolves gave chase instantly. It was clear when they ran, that even though they were bigger than badgers, they were nowhere near as clumsy or lumbering as the black and white creatures, and they're long, big paws seemed to tear up the ground as they ran with more speed than a DreamClan cat. The leader of those three wolves seemed to be snapping at her tail, it's hot breath, would fill her nose with the stench of rotting flesh and blood. With an extra burst of speed, the wolf drew level with her side and then drove it's head down to snap it's fangs together on the base of her spine.

Meanwhile, back with Coalpelt and his brother, the remaining 6 wolves seemed to be watching the chase and their breath came out in huffs... as if they were laughing. 2 of the wolves, bigger than the others and by their smell, they were a female and a male, turned their attention back to the other two, the female flicked her ears as if in signal and the other wolves melted into a formation, encircling the cats.

[Amber]

Flightstep felt the ground rumbling beneath her own sprinting paws. The vibrations in the earth told her, without even looking backwards, that some of the wolves had given chase. She had expected as much, but the she-cat would have rather gone unhindered on to her camp. In a moment or so she could suddenly feel warm breath on her back, causing a shiver to ripple down her spine. The RageClanner turned her head in time to see the 'leader' bend down, jaws parted, ready to bite down into her soft flesh.

Panicking, she swerved desperately in an attempt to escape the powerful fangs. Her plan would have worked... if only she had gone the right direction. In her state she ran towards the outstretched muzzle. She managed to get her bearings and slip directly under it to emerge on the other side, but not without acquiring a reminder of her troubles. A huge gash now wound itself around her back, exposing scarlet color. Screeching, she stumbled as pain overtook her and then launched herself up, paws poised and about to snake around the leader's furry neck.

Meanwhile Fiercestep had turned to face the mob approaching them, eyes alight with some unknown emotion. "Coalpelt!" he hissed, "Go back to camp!" Quieter, he added, "Keep Redfur safe..?" He knew their sister had been unwell lately, and the news of the wolf attack might further her state. Sighing and ignoring the matter for the moment, he unsheathed his claws and stood his ground as the wolves came closer. "I can hold them off. Don't worry.. I won't get hurt. Badgertooth will watch over me.." The reference to his father gave him the courage to rush forward, yowling out a battlecry. The tom flung himself upwards towards the large female, stretching out his forelimbs - ready to wrap around her face and cling on for dear life.

[*-*Riku*-*]

The she-wolf dodged nimbly to the side and her mate, the male as big as she was, snarled and lunged forwards as the female gained her footing again and then joined in the attack. The other 4 wolves were crouching down on their forepaws and snapping their jaws viciously with excitement. "Raaarf! Rarf rarf!" sounded their furious snarls, the clip of their teeth snapping together. The male wolf leaped backwards as the female rejoined the attack and snapped her jaws down on Fiercestep's shoulders. The strength in her jaws snapping down on his spine nearly snapped the bone beneath the fur and muscles in his neck. She lifted him up in the air like a helpless kit and shook him furiously. The male turned to the others that had run off and let out a barking growl.

Of the 3 that had chased Flightstep, the one in the lead had swerved around in order to snap his jaws down on her spine and slide to a halt, the other 2 wolves swerved around his form as he lifted up the frightened she cat, one of the wolves snapped his jaws down on her tail, while another grabbed one of her flailing legs. Almost the moment all three had her in their teeth they began to play tug-of-war with her as the rag, stretched between then as they threatened to tear her apart. The agony of their sharp fangs in her pelt seemed to be the only thing in the world during this heart-stopping moment.

At that moment, the male leader barked at them with a strange, growling command, and the 3 wolves instantly dropped her and turned to lope back to their leader's side. They had left her to bleed to death now that her tail was shattered, as was the bones in her leg. Her shoulder muscles were torn to shreds by the first wolf's teeth.

[Flamey]

Coalpelt hissed fiercely at incoming wolves. He could feel adrenaline pumping through his veins, filling him with a sudden burst of energy, preparing to fight. At first, he didn't quite understand what Fiercestep had said, because of the blood roaring through his ears. "I can't leave you!" he growled, both to his brother and to himself. But he knew it would be pointless if both of them died right then. There wold be nobody to warn AshClan. The life of his brother for those of his clanmates.... and he only had a second to make the decision.

With a frustrated yowl, he turned around, running as fast as he could towards the direction of camp, but not fast enough to miss the sight of the wolf shaking Fiercestep around like he was some kind of chew toy. He hesitated, pace slowing. He had to help his brother, but he didn't see how he could without risking the lives of his other clanmates. His pace increased once again, his paws a blur beneath him. If Fiercestep was going to die, he wasn't going to die for nothing.

[/size]

[*-*Riku*-*]

Riku hesitated as he heard screeching cats, the sound of pain in their yowls. He turned to see the she-cat get dropped and the wolves run back to their leader. Every hair on his spiked pelt stood on end as he saw one of the toms get shaken around like a toy. Yowling in rage and terror, Riku raced back over to the wolves. He got there in time to leap up with a furious battle yowl. His thorn sharp claws scored 5 red lines down the side of the she-wolf's head. Kissing fiercely, he bit into her eyelid and forced her to drop her victim with a pained yelp.

Before the male could come to help her, he dropped to the ground and shot underneath her legs, the male, who was too intent on the cat to pay attention, dove under her legs, his jaws snapping a whisker away from Riku's retreating tail. The movement unbalanced the female and she fell on top of the male in a furry, snarling heap. Riku watched them struggle to disentangle themselves from each other and stand up. Turning to the tom, he narrowed his eyes. "The wolves are vicious, but they're sense of smell is 10 times better than ours. Confuse it with your scent, and you can defeat it. The only thing really terrifying about these creatures is-"

Riku didn't finish his sentence as the male wolf had finally gotten to his paws and was bearing down on the two tom cats. The female was circling around to attack his back. Riku reared up and slashed at the male's muzzle, slicing open the wolf's nose with an enraged hiss before kicking his hind legs against the ground and launching himself into the air to whirl around and land on top of the female's muzzle. He dug his claws into her ear and shredded it. The she-wolf let out another yelp and another wolf came to snap at him. Riku let himself drop to the ground just in time, the wolf's jaws snapped down on her neck and she let out another yelp. Riku flashed out from under their paws as both wolf's fell over in confusion. "-They fight in packs!"

He yowled in agony as he miscalculated his surroundings and the male lead wolf grabbed him by the tail, lifting him up off the ground. Pain shot through his back and legs and set his mind on fire. Riku twisted around, trying to sink his claws into the wolf that had a hold on him. Before he could another wolf grabbed him by the scruff and started pulling him in the opposite direction. Riku spat and fought vainly to free himself, agony was pulsing through him in waves as he felt his body strain. "Help! Help me!"

[Amber]

A savage growl rumbling in Fiercestep's throat, he crouched lower to the ground and flattened his ears. For a moment it looked as if he was not going to attack, but he bunched his muscles and then released, sending his body flying towards the wolf that had a hold on Riku's tail.

Ivory claws snaked through the air to latch onto the tender skin around the eyes. As hind paws landed to dig into the wolf's muzzle, he steadied himself and then tore his front claws down the flesh. It was very apparent that he was aiming for the eyes of the creature, but the difficulty made his blow slow (although deeper.)

The RageClan she-cat let herself go limp upon the ground, eyes squeezed shut. She couldn't see the extent of the damage, but her entire body was numb - the pain had been too much for it to bear, she supposed. Flightstep heaved a shuddery breath and then wailed softly. She couldn't die here! Her Clanmates might never find her.. and there would be no one to warn them...

Opening her eyes but keeping them focused straight ahead, she forced herself to stand, wondering where she got the strength from. Then the she-cat staggered away, leaving an obvious trail of crimson red in her wake. Her broken bones were evident in her limping gait, but she fought on.

(OOC: Flightstep will die, but someone needs to warn RageClan, so she'll keep going until she hits a patrol or camp to warn them xD ..? Are these wolves going to continue to be a problem in other threads? =D)