QUEST TRIAL ROUND ONE (MOUNTAINSTORM VS GREYWIND)

[SpoodleDoodles]

HUNTING CHALLENGE
ROUND ONE - SWAMP
MOUNTAINSTORM VS GREYWIND
JUDGE: REDFEATHER

Mountainstorm

Not long after dawn, and the large black furry warrior was already at the place of competition, eager to get going as so many had been that morning. The first rounds were all set to go this mroning, and he had been paired up with young Greywind. The serious-faced warrior's muzzle split into a warm grin. He wasn't going to go easy on him today. His thick fur protecting him from the freezing cold, Mountainstorm cleared a patch of dry ground fromt he snow and settled down to wait, his green eyes glowing in anticipation.

He wondered how Minkfluff was doing, and his smile grew larger. No doubt she would be driving poor young Firebreeze in circles with her chatter by now. They'd be lucky if any prey was left in the forest at all. That was fine with him, because although he loved Minkfluff, he'd hate to have to face her in a challenge, as he no doubt would have to eventually, with this being only the first of five challenges.

"Have I gone completely blind or is that a smile on Mountainstorm?"

He whipped his head around at the voice, but relaxed as the thin form of the elder Redfeather scrunched across the snow, amber eyes dancing warmly despite the cold. His great-uncle was old to be doing this, but he had accepted the postition of judge happily enough. "Sure you're not too cold out here?"

Redfeather

As one of the chosen judges, the old elder had to be up out of his nice warm nest bright and early. Normally he would have waited for a younger cat to come and assist him to the first competition he was supervising, but he had felt so full of energy that morning he had left without saying a word, joining the stream of cats as many of the Clan headed out to watch the first rounds together, excited over something to distract them from their grief, something that gave them all hope again.

Ignoring the cold that stung at his paws and the blurred edges of his sight, the old blood-red tabby elder spotted his sister's grandson waiting in the snow,t he first to arrive. He called out to the tom, knowing the reason for the smile. No doubt Mountainstorm was thinking about that irrepressible she-cat that followed him around like a lost puppy. The relationship had the whole Clan gossiping. Serious Mountainstorm and crazy Minkfluff? Surely not!

He grinned at Mountainstorm, surprised as always that the big furry hulk of a cat looked nothing like Redfeather's delicate tabby sister Silvermist. "If you and Greywind hunt like you snore, I'll be home before I freeze to death!" The words were warm, but there was a twinkle in those old amber eyes that warned Mountainstorm he would get no favoritism today.

[Fleet]

The grey and white Greywind had barely slept, ever since the day where Flightwind had been snatched away from him he had not been sleeping properly. He also taken to avoiding Flightwind's family for he was well aware that some of them blamed him for what had happened to the timid young Riverclan warrior and Greywind had found himself agreeing with their views. It was his fault that Flightwind had been taken, he had upset him, his best friend, his closest companion and now he felt isolated, alone within his own clan. He had continued on as normal though, for despite the pain life always moved on and he worked hard so that his own pain was less noticeable. For when you were kept busy hunting or patrolling your mind was kept busy so could not fix on the one thing that would drive the pain further into you. That was what he hated about the night, it was the only time he could not distract himself from his thoughts and stop the misery from taking hold. But in preparation for the challenges he had worked himself until he had been falling asleep with exhaustion, though he still woke up in the middle of the night when his body did not feel the warmth of his best friends back at his own back. He had been up early that morning, patrolled with the dawn patrol and was now keen to begin the challenge. But someone unexpected had slowed him down, a member of Flightwind's family had stopped him as he was leaving to go to the challenge area and made him wait for them. Now he found himself walking with the rather mischievous Feroxwind, who kept trying to flick snow up into his face with every opportunity.

Greywind felt odd, why was Feroxwind not mad at him like the rest of his family? It was his son that had been taken after all. But the way Feroxwind acted, it was like he did not care, his mis-matched green gaze glinted with mischief as he bounded ahead at the sight of Mountianstorm and Redfeather. Greywind watched him go, his grey ears flickered as Feroxwind spoke"oooo...Aye, aye... Whats this I hear you saying?... Mountianstorm smiling? What is this strange new miracle?" At that Greywind felt amusement swirl in his stomach and he managed a small smile as his dark, green gaze fell upon both Redfeather and his opponent, Mountianstorm. He padded up to the slightly larger tom saying"Good luck Mountianstorm..." Before fixing his gaze upon Redfeather as he asked"We are going to be starting shortly right?" Even as he asked Feroxwind sat and raised a white paw to his muzzle, licking his paw clean as he watched with twinkling, mis-matched green eyes.

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[SpoodleDoodles]

Mountainstorm

He blinked warmly at his great uncle, his thoughts again flicking to Firebreeze, Redfeather's own grandson, and the only one of the old elder's kin that resembled him even remotely. Along with the ginger fur, Firebreeze had the old warrior's amber eyes. The sound of approaching pawsteps heralded the arrival of others, and while Greywind was the main cat he wanted to see, his emerald gaze flickered to the cat that had accompanied him. The smile flickered automatically off his face at the jibe from Feroxwind, but his emerald eyes still twinkled. "Aren't there other poor creatures for you to charm?" He managed it with a completely blank face and his usual serious tone, though he had to shift his gaze back to Greywind to stop the smile that threatened again. Minkfluff had changed the walking furry hulk forever.

"Good hunting, Greywind."

His ears pricked as Redfeather spoke, starting them off with a remarkably clear yowl for so old a cat. Mountainstorm rose to his massive paws, now towering over all the other cats clearly, before stalking off silently in the direction he had been told to take. Thoughts of the competition were out of his head, for a cat bred so clearly for battle he had to concentrate hard on hunting land prey. Fishing he could do easily, but for a cat of his size a stalk quiet enough to fool a mouse required a master's degree, which he certainly did not have. All the same, he would do his best. Here mousey mousies... I sound like Minkfluff!

Redfeather

While his sight was becoming more blurred and less focused each season, his hearing was not so impaired. He heard the approaching cats at the same time Mountainstorm did, and while he had turned to look it took him longer to recognise both cats then his far younger companion. His tufted red ears twitched in welcome towards Greywind, but his old amber eyes narrowed at Feroxwind. The entire Clan knew what had happened between Feroxwind and Redfeather's daughter Sunstorm. The blood-red tabby elder didn't blame the youngtser for what happened, however as a father himself he couldn't fathom how Feroxwind treated his sons. Here he was, joking with the cat that was the direct cause for one of his own sons disappearing, and yet without a care in the world for the three sons still in the Clan.

He was distracted by the words between the competitors, and with his joints aching fiercely from the cold, he rose to face them both. "Young ones, these days, always so impatient." He recalled the words he had discussed earlier with Shorestar, Leafslash and Fleetfoot, and spoke them aloud now. "Mountainstorm and Greywind, you have one hour to catch what prey you can amid the swamp. Prey must be brought back here to me to to be counted, and you must not steal from each other. I will signal the end of the hour with a yowl. Do you both understand?" Signalling both young toms to face opposite directions, Redfeather took several steps back. "Good hunting to you both, you may start on my yowl..." For an old cat, he still had a decent voice, and the yowl echoed out as both cats left to start their hunting hour.

[Fleet]

The large grey and white tom noticed the greeting he got from Mountianstorm, he dipped his head slightly at the other cat. His ears flickering at the conversation around him, Mountianstorm was quick to quip a retort back at Feroxwind who grinned widely in response but said nothing. Greywind himself noted how Redfeather's eyes narrowed at Feroxwind and suddenly the warrior felt guilty despite the fact he had done nothing wrong. Feroxwind should be watching his son's... Showing them some sign that he still loves them.... But he never loved them.... Did he? He glanced briefly towards Feroxwind whom either had not noticed the look he had received or did not care as he continued to lick his white paw clean. His ginger ears flickering as Redfeather called the competitors together. Just as Redfeather called them together Greywind's grey ears flickered to catch Mountianstorm's words about hunting and he allowed a small smile to reach his lips then as he responded quietly"Good hunting to you also Mountianstorm..." He moved over to join Redfeather, so as to hear the instructions they were to be given and found himself getting his first sense of nervousness in his stomach. But he forced that aside, it would be best for him if he just treated this like any other hunting trip and not to worry about the competition. To treat this like it was just a bit of fun.

He nodded to show Redfeather he understood before turning as told, to face in the opposite direction to his competitor and he dropped into a crouch, preparing to leap off into the undergrowth upon Redfeather's command. He could almost hear his hearts nervous pounding as he waited, his grey ears flickered as Redfeather wished them both good hunting and then the yowl came. He was off, darting into the undergrowth, only once he was in cover did he slow and start looking for a scent of some kind of prey. He took care to walk quietly, stealthily through the undergrowth and reeds which filled the swampy area of their territory. The tip of his grey tail twitched nervously as he continued to search for the scent of some kind of prey. His ears flickered at the sound of movement to his right, slowly he turned his head and was hit by the scent of a water vole. Instantly he turned, dropping into a hunting crouch and began to creep towards the unsuspecting prey. He was careful not to make a sound upon his approach, following the sound and scent the animal left behind until he could finally see it. Nibbling on something beside a wetter area of the swamp, now his approach was slower because he did not want to spook the creature before he was ready. After a few moments he was finally in position and he launched himself at the small creature, it attempted to flee but he had timed it perfectly. One of his white paws lashed out tossing the creature into the air and stopping its escape. It hit the ground with a thud and then he was upon it, killing it ready to carry back to the place where Redfeather was waiting. As he did so he wondered if Mountianstorm had caught anything yet.

Feroxwind meanwhile had remained in the small clearing, his mis-matched eyes of two shades of green glinting with good humor as he waited for the opponents to return with their first catch. He had not failed to notice how Redfeather had looked at him when he had arrived with Greywind, he felt Redfeather was perfectly within his right to glare at him. Since Sunstorm and her kits were his relatives. After all, he knew he had done many things wrong in his life Sunstorm and her kits were one of them. But he decided the best way to avoid a confrontation of some kind with Redfeather was to pretend he had not noticed the look and he was very good at pretending, his mis-matched green gaze flickered around the clearing. He paused mid cleaning his second white paw, his ginger ears flickering for he was sure he had heard one poor small animal loose the end of its life. He wondered who had caught it, Mountianstorm or Greywind.

[SpoodleDoodles]

Mountainstorm

Mountainstorm was not doing well at all.

The snow crunched loudly under his large paws, no matter how careful he was. He'd sent two voles and a mouse charging for cover, and his jaws were still empty. He sat down for a moment to consider the problem, knowing he was wasting precious time. His stealth was worth absolutely nothing when it came to mice. But perhaps his strength could be used for something else other then fighting. If smaller prey were out of his reach, maybe he should just focus on finding something larger. No doubt Greywind had already brought back a ton of mice to Redfeather. If he was going to win this, he needed a decent prize.

Following his nose in the still morning air, he picked up the scent of something nice and warm in the freezing snow. After going a little way over the frozen mucky swamp he came to a clear patch of deep, solid snow that had a set of tracks clearly imprinted on it. He knew what his quarry was now. Slowing down and taking his time, he placed each paw carefully. After several tail-lengths the paw prints had disappeared completely, save for a small hole in the solid snow. A smiled tugged at his powerful muzzle. His father Rockclaw had shown him this trick once.

Rearing back onto his hind paws, he came crashing down on top of the snow, powerful fore-paws first, followed by his strong muzzle. He felt fur and a struggling body beneath his paws, and he sank his teeth into the creature before hauling it out as it fell limp. Dangling from his jaws was a snow hare, its black-tipped ears the only colour on its leafbare-white pelt.

Half carrying, half-dragging his prize, Mountainstorm shot back to the original clearing, dropped his catch by Redfeather's paws, and took off again, judging he could at least make one other decent kill before their time was up. For such a large warrior, he certainly did have a turn of speed.

[Fleet]

He moved swiftly, carrying the mouse back swiftly, he reached Redfeather before Mountianstorm returned and placed the water vole before the older tom. Once the vole was placed down he moved off into the undergrowth once again, scenting the air and looking upon the ground for some sort of trail. His fluffy grey and white pelt, blew in the breeze. His body felt odd, the lack of sleep made it harder for him to concentrate but he forced himself on. It was quite by accident how he found the next piece of prey, he had been searching for some scent among the reeds when mere meters away a thrush landed and began to peck at the marshy ground, searching for some kind of food. Greywind instantly stilled, his deep, green gaze searching for some way forwards and he found himself moving slowly in among the reeds, wary of making any sound to scare it away. The grey and white warrior was a talented hunter, he had speed and stealth where others had muscle. He was glad the first event was hunting, it was something he actually stood a chance in and now he was nearing the bird, it was still pecking at the ground hungrily pulling up worms from the swampy ground. He judged the distance between himself and the bird, he knew he was now within striking distance and raising a white paw slightly he waited as the bird lifted its head, peering around itself. Before he suddenly leapt from among the reeds, building speed, the bird was trying to take off, its wings flapping wildly and a sound coming from its throat. The animal was just lifting off the ground when the large, grey and white warrior collided with it. There was a shrill, terrified peeping from it and then there was silence as the Riverclan warrior finished it. He looked down at the small bird and felt a little sadness stir in his stomach, the last thing Flightwind had eaten before being taken was a thrush. They had been joking about something trivial, just laughing and having a good time. Greywind shook off the sudden sadness and bent to pick the bird up, his grey tail flicked anxiously as he wondered how Mountianstorm was doing. The grey and white warrior considered the hunt he had just had as he carried the fresh-kill gently in his jaws, the bird had nearly escaped him, he had been lucky that he was quick enough, other cats would of missed the bird altogether. But then Greywind had speed on his side, thanks to chasing Flightwind all over the place so as to keep the younger tom out of trouble. But despite my speed I did not stop him getting captured.... I should of chased after him then to... But I didn't... I stayed where I was and stupidly allowed my anger to keep me there.... He thought bitterly as he walked with the thrush clamped in his jaws.

[SpoodleDoodles]

Mountainstorm

Hishopes of a second decent kill had been shattered. Nomatter how carefully he searched, he just didn't have the luck of the firstkill, finding no more recent rabbit or hare tracks to work on. In growing desperation, and imagining a pile of mice as high as Redfeather's head, the large furry warrior left the banks of snow and started slogging through the freezing brackish water. His emerald gaze was fixed on the dark surface of the water, looking for some large fish made sluggish by the cold. With his thick long fur, he didn't mind the cold or the wet, but he hoped that if he churned the water enough with his large paws he might disturb a sleeping fish into movement.

Rounding a bend in the swamp and half-climbing out of the water, the large warrior froze as a familiar and welcome sound caught his tufted ears. Slowly dropping down low, he followed the bend in the bank, only his eyes and muzzle visible above the water, his ears flattened tightly against his head. The sounds grew louder, a little more ruffled and unhappy, and Mountainstorm recognised the sound of unhappy birds. Pushing round a strand of new season reeds, his green eyes lit up with delight as he saw what waited not two tail-lengths away from him. A small flock of ducks, the ones that normally migrated during the winter, had taken shelter among a patch of reeds. From their unhappy calls and the way they beat their wings at the freezing water, they had migrated back far too soon.

Bad luck for them, opportunity for him.

Careful not to make the water ripple, he continued his approach, crouched under murky water, hardly daring to breath. The better approach would have been over the drysnow-covered bank and behind the reeds, but he knew he would be hearing Redfeather's yowl any moment now. One duck fluttered its wings nervously, the others madefurther unhappy sounds. From their head and wing movements, he knew they were about to take off.

But with one less from their number.

Just as he had done with Minkfluff not so long ago, Mountainstorm's hind legs propelled him forward out of the water powerfully, water and feathers flying as the ducks took off in terror, the hunter's fangs secure in the neck of one who would never fly again. Climbing out of the water, the muck pooling off his thick fur, Mountainstorm knew what Minkfluff would call him the moment she spotted all the mud and feathers stuck to his face and fur. It hadn't been a clean kill.

A rattled old loud yowl echoed out over the swamp, and Mountainstorm knew it was time to head back in. His ears lowered somewhat. All he'd managed to secure was a hare and a rather messy duck. He turned and began making his way back to the clearing, already resigning himself to Greywind winning, and preparing himself for Minkfluff's remarks when she saw him. No way would he be able to clear all the mud and down off his fur before she saw. There was no smile on his face, but his green eyes twinkled.

[Fleet]

Unlike Mountianstorm the large grey and white warrior did not stray far from the starting point, his thinking being it would be quicker for him to return what he had caught to be counted and that way he could catch more. He had put the squirrel for the older Redfeather to view, before heading back into the bushes around the edge of the swamp. He moved quietly, stealthily through the undergrowth with a curl to his tail and allowed the scents to wash over him. Happily he caught the scent of a bird not to far from here, so carefully he moved through the undergrowth and after a moment of silent walking his lime, green gaze fixed on a small blackbird pecking at the ground not far from his hiding place among the frost covered bushes. Lowering himself closer to the ground he used the undergrowth for cover, his paws silently guiding him forwards and yet he knew that this could turn into a failure if he stuck to much to the undergrowth, after all he was no Thunderclan warrior. His hunting style was not made for going through bushes, but so far he was doing better than he imagined he would and then he was within striking distance. He darted forwards, lunging out of the bush and straight at the bird which shrieked in alarm, trying to take off before he caught it. But once again the powerful grey and white warrior had caught his prey. Swiftly biting into its neck to kill it, he carried it back to Redfeather, placing his prey beside the squirrel and flicking his grey ears at his clan mates cheers.

He knew that his time was running out, but desperate to get another item of prey he moved off into the undergrowth, this time entering the swamp. He ignored the icy water that he had to tread through to get to the more reed covered area, desperately his lime green gaze searched for another piece of prey, his nose to the air. It was almost by accident that he caught sight of the large magpie landing in the reeds a short distance away. Instantly he stalked towards it, once again ignoring how the icy water made his paws feel like they were burning and stealthily he lowered himself closer to the ground as he moved through cover. Peering through the reeds he saw what had caught the birds attention, a dead fish splattered with the swamps mud, that it pecked at hungrily. Keeping low to the ground he stalked closer, but then he stepped into a more sticky patch of mud and their was a loud squelching noise. The bird let out a nervous sound, its head turning warily around and feeling his paw sinking further in he knew he had to pull it free else he would get stuck. But he knew he would lose the bird if he did, deciding his own need was greater than the hunt he tried to jerk his paw free, it came loose of the mud slowly but his action of pulling it free drew the birds gaze and it now cawed loudly. It had yet to take off though, Greywind wondered if he still had a chance and decided there was no harm in trying. So the moment his paw was free he darted forwards, splashing into the icy swamp water as he did, but seeing him coming the bird took flight. He launched himself into the air after it, but only managed to snatch a few tail feathers from it, crashing down to earth he spluttered, trying to rid himself of the feathers, as he did this a loud yowl came and he knew it was Redfeather. With an irritated flick of his fluffy grey tail he moved back towards the others, dripping wet, with a mud covered paw and feathers caught in his fur. As he emerged he saw Feroxwind's grin widen at the sight of him and shot him a look which clearly said Don't you dare say anything! To his credit the ginger and white warrior did not speak but he did dissolve into giggles.

(crappy post sorry)

[SpoodleDoodles]

Redfeather

The blood red tabby and white tom had his fur fluffed out against the cold, but it was still biting at him, stinging his paws. He could hear Firebreeze shifting around behind him, but he decided not to cause a confrontation with the tom. What was done was done, and Redfeather wouldn't hold it against him. Sunstorm had been at fault too. The first off the bat to catch something was Greywind, the youngster bringing back a decent water vole for him to inspect. He gave a friendly nod to the youngster, glancing skywards to mark the passage of the sun.

Mere heartbeats later, Mountainstorm charged back, hauling a snow-white hare with him, dropping it at the elder's paws before charging off again. Redfeather couldn't hide his smile as he watched the fading tail of his kin as he disappeared into the swamp. A short while later, Greywind returned, a thrush in his mouth, and Redfeather marked the time as over half way into the assigned hour. For quiet a while there was no further catches, and Redfeather's amber eyes watched the sky anxiously. Perhaps it was just too cold this morning for any decent prey to be around. He had marked them so far as fairly even.

Then Greywing returned with a blackbird, retaking the lead, and Redfeather watched his departing back with a warm smile. Several minutes later, there was an enourmos clamour as a flock of early ducks to the sky, fluttering the wings frantically and sending feathers and water flying every where. Redfeather's tufted ears pricked. Something had certainly panicked them... Towards the other side, a Magpie took off, calling angrily, and looking up at the sky Redfeather knew the hour was up.

Rising to his paws he yowled loudly, his voice cracked from the cold. Greywind returned first, feathers in his pelt and mud on his paws but his jaws empty, and his tally of prey consisting of a water vole, a thrush, and a blackbird. The had to wait a little longer for Mountainstorm to appear, and it occurred to Redfeather the large black warrior must have travelled a little further a field. He considered making a second yowl, but before he could there was his young kin, hauling a mangled looking duck back towards them. Greywind had been untidy, but Mountainstorm made a ridiculous sight. Covered in mud, his fur painted into spikes, with feathers stuck all over him, Mountainstorm hauled back his last catch and dropped it at the elders' paws.

Taking a moment to consider the catches, Redfeather blinked his amber eyes slowly. Greywind had caught three, but they were all fairly small. Mountain had caught just two, but they were larger pieces of prey and would feed more cats. He knew which one Shorestar would name the winner, and he agreed with that view. Looking at both cats, he spoke. "Well done, both of you, but there can be only one winner. Mountainstorm's catch would feed more of your Clanmates, and so I name Mountainstorm the winner. Make sure you are present for the second part of Round One this afternoon. Greywind, that was a valiant effort." He rose to his old paws, now shaking from the cold. "Let's bring your catches home boys."

[SpoodleDoodles]

Due to time constraints with the plot, this thread is now FINISHED AND LOCKED.

The winner is MOUNTAINSTORM, who will participate in the Hunting Challenge Final Round!

Make sure you post there to find out the winner for the first Challenge!