Everlasting Love (Stormwind)

Ember Leaf tried to kick out his hind legs from underneath him but at this awkward angle her kicks didn’t have any power in them.

The additional benefit of pinning Emberleaf on her side instead of on her back in this situation was that it would be difficult for her to recover once Sterlingflight got his weight atop her, which the deputy quickly did, as the crowd began to count, eagerly watching to see if the younger warrior could break free.

Emberleaf squawked, flailing as she was pushed to the ground. She struggled, squirming in his grasp.

Sterlingflight ducked under Emberleaf when she pounced, having seen it coming this whole time, and once she landed the calico tom leapt onto his daughter’s back, putting all of his strength into dragging the she-cat down onto her side.

Emberleaf appeared bewildered by his wild blow but she took the ‘chance’ presented by it and lunged for him.

Sterlingflight knew his daughter was just biding her time waiting for an opening, so he pretended to give her exactly what he wanted. He lashed out with a wild blow that went nowhere near her but left the tom off-balance and vulnerable, at least seemingly.

Emberleaf jumped back from her father’s attacks, dancing around him as she did her best to evade his blows, searching for an opening.

Sterlingflight gave the She-cat a slight smile in reply, but as the fight started it was wiped off of his face, replaced with determination. The tom really wanted to win this and advance to the final round, and so he worked quickly, delivering a flurry of blows right off the bat with his forepaws.

Graycloud stares at the former Rogue warily, who stared back steadily, and Emberleaf beamed at her father.

Rainstar counted down to three in her head and then gave a yowl to start the fights.

(LOL!)

Fortunately for Graycloud, she would actually be up against Streamfire next, whereas Emberleaf would be facing Sterlingflight. The deputy eagerly padded up to his clanmate and dipped his head to her, waiting for his mate to signal to start the fights this time. All they needed was a nod or a yowl.

Graycloud grimaced at the thought, already envisioning her humiliating defeat.

Duststorm rolled back to his paws, meeting Graycloud’a gaze again with his head at the strange angle he had to hold it at to keep someone in the clear part of his vision. “Well done,” huffed the tom, smirking as he playfully warned “But good luck beating Sterlingflight.”

Graycloud got off of Duststorm once the countdown hit seven, looking confused as if she hadn’t expected to win, which she hadn’t.

Duststorm wasn’t able to get up, and sighed softly as he was defeated, glancing off to the air as the countdown hit 7.

Graycloud was thrown off balance by the sudden move but this time she didn’t let go.

Finally, Duststorm stopped struggling.

“Five!”

“Six!”

At the last second he could, Duststorm threw all of his might upward into Graycloud, an all or nothing gambit to get free.

Graycloud was having trouble keeping the larger and heavier tom pinned, having to shift her grip every time he squirmed.

Duststorm growled, squirming beneath Graycloud, and the countdown began. It was a little more subdued this time since it was the Loveclan cat that was in dire straights, but Puddlepaw was surely counting it down excitedly.

Graycloud spun around as soon as she landed, tackling the tom.

Duststorm tried to lash out at Graycloud as she flew over him, but she managed to clear a height he couldn’t reach with his outstretched forepaw. The tom quickly turned to face Graycloud, finding himself backed into the corner now.

Graycloud tensed and leaped, straight up and over Duststorm. It was quite the impressive leap.

Duststorm kept his expression neutral and his gaze focused squarely on his opponent, analyzing every movement and twitch of her body to try and anticipate her next move. He had The she-cat right where he wanted her. It was now only a matter of pinning her.

Graycloud bristled a little as she was backed into a corner.

Duststorm continued to lash out with his paws, backing The she-cat up further and further until they were nearly at the edge of the clearing, where the Dimclan warrior would be unable to retreat any further.

Amber rolled to her paws and dipped her head respectfully to her opponent. It looks like I still have a lot to learn.

Oakfoot cheered Emberleaf’s name loudly as he sat beside Willowheart, staying close to his friend on the opposite side of her from her bundle of emergency herbs.

Emberleaf let Amber go once her victory had been called.

Graycloud ducked and weaves around his blows, eyes narrowed in concentration.