eternal placeholder. [battle training]

[Rose]

[ I did not forget and remember and re-forget and re-remember this like ten times Meshing you two into one because I didn't want to repeat the same post twice ]

Lostspark
She/Her | Purrks Overlook

Two apprentices she had picked out. One her own kin and the other who lacked this basic fighting training. Lostspark had been the 'apprentice enforcer' for a good portion of her career - what was to say she was not going to continue with this? More time on her paws equaled just that (though time was a loose term, and not one to be trusted).

Having led Lionpaw and Quietpaw out into the territory after rousing them from her slumber right as the sun had even begun to peek up from the horizon, the former Medicine Cat turned to face them. "We'll go over these battle moves quick, so that you can move along with your training."

---

[ Cranial Blow ]

"Cranial blow." She began simply, amber hues fixed on the apprentices. Lifting her paw, Lostspark swung it sharply towards Lionpaw's head, but she softened the impact at the last moment and instead aimed to tap her paw against the side of the tom's head. "A cranial blow is a great way to disorient your opponent. It gives you a moment to plan your next move or get away. You can hit the side or hit the top and swipe down. Both ways are effective, but you have to hit hard."

[ Front Paw Strike ]

"I'll show you the front paw strike next. It's similar in fashion to the cranial blow, but for this one it makes more sense to keep your claws out." Lifting her paw, Lostspark gestured with one tap each to Quietpaw's shoulder, side, and hip. After a beat, the Enforcer moved her paw to skim the apprentice's chest and throat. "All these places are targets for your claws. You can cause damage, make your opponent bleed. But be wary of moving any higher than their chest unless you want a death on your paws. Which, honestly, nobody cares if you kill an opponent while we're in a battle. Go wild. Try it on me, come on."

[ Biting ]

"While this next part may sound funny, it's another great way to defend yourself; Biting." She inclined her head and tapped her paw against the ground before pointing to her own tail, ear, leg, and scruff. "Your fangs -- your canines, they are a weapon. Really, work hard enough, and every part of you can become a weapon in it's own right. Biting any of the areas I motioned to tends to distract your opponent long enough to get you an advantage. Biting hard enough on the ankle or paw will disable your opponent long enough to plan your next move, or simply win the battle." Lostspark inclined her head and flicked her tail, holding it aloft so Quietpaw and Lionpaw could view the bitemark there. "Here's an example for you."

[ Belly Rake ]

"Belly Rake." She began, scrutinizing the apprentice a moment before continuing. "Since I can't exactly show you this one, I'll just explain it. It's usually a fight-stopper. If your trapped or pinned down under someone, rake your claws across their underbelly as hard as you can." Miming raking her claws against thin air, Lostspark inclined her head. "It'll likely put you back in control of the situation."

[ Leap-and-hold & Drop-and-roll ]

"Next, we can practice leap-and-hold. I'll let you try it on me." Offering her companion a small smile, Lostspark dropped into a defensive crouch. "When faced with a bigger warrior - or opponent - you can use this move."

"Unsheathe your claws, don't worry about inflicting me any hurt." With a nod, the scarred feline dropped into a defensive crouch. "Spring onto the opponent's back and grip with unsheathed claws. Now you are beyond the range of your opponent's paws and in the position to inflict severe body wounds. You can try it."

After giving each of her apprentices the go-ahead to jump on her back as practice, Lostspark gave a moment before talking again. "Make sure to watch for the counter-move, which is called drop-and-roll. You'll need to hop off before your opponent drops into a roll to crush you under them." Giving herself a gentle shake to let her companion know that they could let go, the lithe grey feline executed a roll to finish the demonstration.

Once that was done with, Lostspark moved on.

[ Play Dead ]

"Playing dead is another way to get out of a tight situation. When you're pinned down, let's say maybe you're too weak to perform a belly rake, or your opponent isn't reacting to the injuries at all. Stop struggling, go limp. It might not work all the time, so don't rely on it too much. If they think they've won, they'll let you go and you can push yourself up explosively to catch them off guard."

Tail flicking, the heavily scarred feline inclined her head, and then dropped in the ground to demonstrate going limp, before she surged upward in a burst of speed and straightened back onto her paws. "It'll put you back in an attacking position."

[ Scruff Shake ]

"This one." She paused a moment to level the apprentices with a look. "Is called Scruff Shake. It's most effective against rats, which are small enough to throw. A strong throw will stun or kill them. Secure a strong teeth grip in the scruff of your opponent's neck; then shake violently until she or he is too rattled to fight back. Don't try it unless you're certain you'd be able to pull it off."

[ Upright Lock ]

"Upright Lock. Final, crushing move on already weakened opponent. Rear up on back legs and bring your full weight down on opponent." Rearing up, Lostspark brought all her weight down to the ground in a loud thud, paws slamming into the ground. "If your opponent does the same, wrestle and flip him or her under you. This move makes you vulnerable to the belly rake, so it requires great strength and speed."

---

"Go ahead, you can try them on each other. If you haven't grasped something, ask me." The Enforcer offered, and then took a step back to clear them to make their moves.

[ @Ladiebugg - Lionpaw / @Morrigan - Quietpaw ]

[Morrigan]

Quietpaw
Shadowclan apprentice
Purrks: Mind reader(permanently active) and Shadow fiend(inactive)

Truth be told, Quietpaw was quite surprised when Lostspark had stolen her away for battle training...along with some other unimportant apprentice, of course. Mother usually ignored her and focused on her noisier siblings so this was an uncommon bit of attention. What did she do to deserve such smothering. How suffocating. She truly couldn't catch a break from this oh so unconditional parental love. She really needed to tell all her lovable kin to stop being so clingy with her.

Enough with the internal sarcasm. Trotting after her mother in the early hours of the morning, with a stoic composure. Sleep had been shaken off quickly, as she had learned that the best time to train was the golden hour. No idea why but was there a reason to argue about such a trivial thing? No. No there was not. The only thing she wanted from this was knowledge, nothing else.

Sparing the enforcer a brief glance as she faced them, the paw awaited the lesson to start. The wait was short, just as Lostspark had said. Cranial blow. Quietpaw listened closely and mentally noted it down. The demonstration was helpful, but, she felt a twinge of disappointment that she didn't get to see the damage it did in person. Oh, well. She'd get to try it out in the next battle.

Goodie, she was the next example. Front paw strike. Uneasiness grew in the apprentice's stomach as the grey molly gestured towards parts of her body. There was no doubt in mind that violence would actually used against her, but she didn’t like being so close to her mother. Her trust hadn't been earned yet. Resisting the urge to snap at Lostspark's paw as it brushed the hairs in her neck and chest was easier said then done. The end of the demonstration was the best part. Though the opportunity was present, she had to pass up the chance to claw her mother. She had ad enough of her at the moment.l

Biting. Wow, how advanced. Still useful, though. Disabling an opponent would definitely come in handy. Intrest piqued at Lostspark flaunting of her scar. She hid her curiosity as she peered at the bitemark with an indifferent mask. How did she earn that? Mother had lots of scars but, to be honest, Quietpaw had no idea from whom she recieved them. But she would not goggle with kit like wonder. One day she'd find out on her own.

Onto the next move: belly rake....and she wouldn't get to see this one...what a pity. Throwing back the scrutinising look that the enforcer gave her she stayed silent and watched on with mild apathy. How boring. But at least she learned how to shred someone's stomach open. Couldn't wait to try that out when she got the chance. That was not sarcasm.

Her attention was once again gained with the mention of a much more advanced move: Leap and hold. And she got to try it out on mother? With claws? How exciting. No way she'd wait now she got the chance. Talons extended, like instructed, the splotched apprentice gathered her haunches and attempted to leap onto the enforcer's back. If successful would be quite annoyed at when she had to be shaked off but, seeing as there was no other way to hang on without being crushed.

Rasping her tongue quickly over a stray tuft sticking up on her shoulder, Quietpaw perked her ears for the next part of the lesson. Play dead. How drull. But apparently useful as well. Go motionless then became alive again, surprising your opponent. Easy enough. Though, not to be used too often as the older she-cat suggested. Welll, the more you know the more prepared you'll be. That was the most important thing.

Scruff shake. Worked best on rats. Wonderful, Quiet knew many so she'd definitely try it out on them. Pull it off? At the moment, her main rival(if that insolent rat was even worth giving such a title) was quite miniscule so she was pretty sure she would be successful if she tried to chuck them over the border. Ah, wouldn't that just be lovely. If only she could rid all her nuisances.

Uptight lock. Crushing move, used to finish cats off. Risky, though. If they fought back, then there'd be a wrestling match or so mother said. It was doubtful that if she wanted to try this move then her opponent wouldn't have enough strength to put up much of a fight. * Sigh* Some cats were full of surprises, she supposed. Now to test what she'd learned. Looking at Lionpaw witn subtle challenge, she got into a defensive postion and awaited the brawl to begin. Quietpaw wouldn't take no for an answer.

@Rose @Ladiebugg

[Ladiebugg]

LionPaw
LionKit

10 Moons | She/Her | Unknown

ShadowClan Apprentice

___

@Morrigan - QuietPaw | @Rose - LostSpark

___

LionPaw yelped as the enforcer swung her paw at the apprentice's head. She relaxed as the blow turned into a tap. She purred quietly as she listened to the explanations.

After LostSpark gave them the go ahead to try the moves on eachother and she saw QuietPaw's challenge, she swung her paw at the other apprentice's head, her claws sheathed.

[Morrigan]

Quietpaw
Shadowclan apprentice
Purrks: Mind reader(permanently active) Shadow fiend(inactive)

How boring. The first and easiest move was the one that Lionpaw decided to use? No wonder Quietpaw always felt like her life was dull. Reacting in a second as a paw swung at her head, the apprentice ducked and inched a bit to the side until her head was on the other side of the danger and then snapped around, aiming to clamp her fangs down on the swinging paw while it was still airborn. Quietpaw didn't care for kitten games, if Lionpaw wanted to be soft and sheath her claws so be it, but she would not show mercy.

@Ladiebugg @Rose

[Ladiebugg]

LionPaw
LionKit

10 Moons | She/Her | Unknown

ShadowClan Apprentice

___

@Morrigan - QuietPaw | @Rose - LostSpark

___

LionPaw hissed in pain as the other apprentice bit her paw. She backed away a few steps, letting her claws slip out. She acted as though she would hit QuietPaw but at the last second bunched the muscles in her other legs and sprung, aiming to land on the other cats back.

___

Rolled a Natural 20!