RC TEST TRIALS HUNTING FINAL ROUND! (ALL!)

[SpoodleDoodles]

Competitors:
Mountainstorm, Minkfluff, Shockstep, Slashfaith

Judges:
Shorestar, Leafslash, Fleetfoot, Redfeather

Location:
Small rise overlooking Swamplands

RULES:
The competitors have one hour to catch as much prey as possible. Spectators may sit on the rise to watch, and are allowed to cheer on their favourites, but they must not interfere with the competition. Judges are to follow competitors and watch from cover their hunting techniques. Competitors are not allowed to leave the Swamplands. They are not allowed to interfere with each other (I'm looking at YOU, Minkie!!!). All manner of prey may be caught and all methods of hunting (except teaming up) may be used.

Judges:
Leafslash & Redfeather

They waited together on the small rise over-looking the Swamplands. The starting point had been chosen because of the view, allowing the spectators a chance to watch and cheer on their favourites' hunting efforts. The location of the swamplands being the final place for the hunting competition had been a subject of hot debate, but as it offered the chance for all kinds of hunting it had eventually been agreed upon. There was water deep enough for swimming and for fish, there was brackish pools and muddy hollows for frogs. There were reeds and willows for bird life and scraps of dry ground for terrestrial animals. In terms of fairness, every kind of hunter was on equal footing, as long as they didn't mind damp paws.

Both waited, Redfeather patiently and Leafslash a little less patiently, for the crowd and the competitors to settle down, allowing the trials to begin. The elder Redfeather's aging eyes noticed he could not see his grandson Firebreeze among the crowd, and he guess the young tom didn't want to face the shame of losing in the first round just yet. Leafslash's leaf-green gaze was fixed on the nervous looking Slashfaith, his own granddaughter, and he gave her an encouraging nod. But both judges refrained from offering an further encouragement; though they had their own favourites they would judge fairly this day.

Competitors:
Mountainstorm & Slashfaith

They looked out of place beside each other, one a massive hulking black shadow, the other a small ginger-and-white nervous looking mite. But in both sets of eyes was a rather proud gleam, pleased they had made it to the Hunting Challenge's final round despite tough opponents in the first round. All around them their Clanmates murmured and shifted excitedly, both feeling their pelts burn as they heard their names mentioned.

Mountainstorm looked over his bulky shoulder more then once, searching for the first warning signs of Minkfluff. He loved her, but she drove him and nearly every other cat up the camp walls with her brand of crazy. And it would be just like her to try sneaking up on him in a crowd like this. Though he was pleased she'd passed her first trial with flying colours, he now found himself faced with the unsettling notion of having her being one of his own opponents. He knew it would have come up sooner or later, but he had hoped it wouldn't be so soon.

Slashfaith huddled down beside the great furry shadow of Mountainstorm, wary of the closeness of the crowd. She could hear her name being whispered, and while she told herself to ignore them, she couldn't help but feel they were talking against her. She knew none of them wanted her to win, none of them wanted the blood-crazy warrior representing the Clan on the mission of hope for the sick. But then her leaf-green eyes flashed and she sat up a little straighter. Her brother Pinewave was among the sick, and he had faith in her. Her grandfather Leafslash did also. Taking a deep breath, she made herself focus, shutting out the sound of the others all around her.

Spectators:

Among the crowd were the many relatives of the competitors, ranging from the quiet Medicine Cat Beewings to the quick and nervous-pacing Whisperstream. Beewings was up near the judges, prepared to act as Timekeeper for the trial, with a small bundle of herbs beside him in case anything should go wrong. Spottedheart, his daughter, had taken a moment's break from the nursery to watch, though she probably wouldn't stay long after the trail started, not wanting to leave her kits alone while they were still so young. Though at the rate they were growing, the kits would probably be allowed to come out and see the next challenge round. Whisperstream was on the very outside of the crowd, a thousand times too shy to come any closer, and only her desire to watch her sister Minkfluff in action keeping her around.

All were waiting and watching, eager for the trial to begin.

[Fleet]

The black and white elder was sat alone, his deep, green gaze unreadable as he waited. His long, fluffy black tail twitched slightly at the tip and he rose up, peering towards the ridge where two of the other judges sat. His forest, green gaze went to Leafslash and Redfeather, watching them for any sign that they were anywhere near starting. His black ears flickered as the sound of paw steps came behind him and glancing over his shoulder he caught sight of Greywind, his dark green eyes held an exhaustion in them. But the grey and white tom managed a small smile asking"Hey judge... Have they started yet?" To which Fleetfoot flashed him a small smile in return, before shaking his head in response. His gaze returned to the other two judges he could see, as Greywind came and sat beside him in silence. Most of his family were currently on bad terns with Greywind due to the fact they blamed him for what happened to Flightwind. Fleetfoot did not bother taking a side in the argument, but if truth be told he disapproved of his families treatment of Greywind, though he understood it. He had tried to keep his distance from it, but clearly Greywind thought by staying out of it Fleetfoot could be a friend, the elder wondered if Greywind would speak, but then a voice came behind him"Hey Fleetfoot! Look who I got all the way out here!"

Glancing around again he saw Feroxwind emerge from the undergrowth, helping the wounded Shrewdshade limp towards them. Fleetfoot flashed them a cheerful smile, glad to see Shrewdshade out and about, though Shrewdshade shot him a dark look. He ignored the dark look and spoke"I am glad you came out here Shrewdshade, this should be quite the event to see... Though I do wonder, did Beewings' give permission for you to come all the way out here?" At that that the brown and white tom snapped at him"Don't you have better things to do than try and get me back to camp Fleetfoot? Because you know, your an old foogey, maybe you shouldn't be out here either!" At the surrounding cats tensed, then Greywind spoke"That was a little uncalled for Shrewdshade-" At that the brown and white tom spat"You can shut up! Stay out of family business because no matter what relationship you once had with Flightwind.. You are not our blood... And besides, I heard what you did-" At that Feroxwind spoke sharply"Enough! Stop bickering all of you! We've come out here for a fun time... Now Shrewdshade, where do you want to sit?" Fleetfoot watched as Feroxwind guided Shrewdshade towards a mossy patch of ground nearby, a sadness in his heart. Shrewdshade was a broken tom, his injuries and his cousins kidnapping had destroyed him, twisting him into a dark hateful creature.

As soon as Shrewdshade was settled Feroxwind bounded back saying"Sorry about that... Don't take his words to much to heart... He's not who he once was..." Fleetfoot simply nodded, returning his gaze to the other judges, as he did so he spotted Spottedheart in the crowd and spoke"Your mates over there, why don't you take Shrewdshade over there and go join her?" To which Feroxwind snorted saying"What? Take old grumps over there... I'd rather not ruin her day thanks Fleetfoot..." The elder shrugged in response, before noting someone else padding up to join them, a beautiful, golden bengal she-cat who had recently received her warrior name, Brightspark. Fleetfoot thought it fitted the she-cat perfectly, he saw Feroxwind bound up to her cheerfully saying"Come to join the fun?" At that she grinned before responding cheerfully"I thought I'd come see what the fuss was about now I am no longer Duma... But a proper clan cat... Though has anyone seen Tornleaf? I need to talk to him..."

Fleetfoot

includes Greywind, Feroxwind, Shrewdshade & Brightspark (Duma)

[TIGERYPOO]

A silver she cat with black stripes and white patches padded out to watch the trials. Her head held up high, each stride long and graceful, she oozed confidence with every breath she took and every move she made. Not only was she watching these trials but she would also be participating in them later. Tallwhiskers had unfortunately picked up early symptoms of sickness so Shorestar decided to retire him from the trials and put her in his place. Words could not describe how excited she was. This would be her chance to show off her skills, and maybe perhaps win a round or two. This was the perfect opportunity to show everyone her skills.

But for now Blueflame took a seat near the other spectators eager for the trials to start. Dark blue eyes blazing confidence and pride, she looked at Mountainstream and Slashfaith pondering who was going to win. She hoped it was Mountainstream who won and narrowed her eyes at Slashfaith. She didn't trust her. Her mother was the traitor Gyrwing and she had inherited her mothers blood crazy tactics. With a mother like that, and inheritance from her, why would anybody trust her? Some actually still were fine with her which Blueflame thought was completely fish brained. But whatever. She intently stared up at the two cats deciding she would especially want Mountainstream to win and especially keep an eye and ear out for Slashfaith to see what she would be doing. Who knows? She might just run off and try to recruit rouges to attack RiverClan or something. You never knew with a traitor like her.

[The one, the only FEATHER!]

The two cat were so odd in color it wasn't funny one was a russet pink and a dusty white yellow tom. the two stood next to each other waving their tails to the spectators where they sat Minkfluff puffed out her chest proudly when she saw her sister came to watch her without even a single thought the she-cat waved her tail hugely at her sister mewing loudly " Whisperstream wish me luck ok?!" her bright blue eyes watched her sister for a moment to see what her sister would she loved her sister with all her heart and if any cat hurt her the clan would the minkfluff dangerous side. Turning around minkflufff eyes landed on a particular tom black and strong she bounded over to behind him her eyes blaring they looked like river pools themselves. She brushed her fur along his rubbing her face along the toms shoulder before her eyes flashed lightly at slashfaith.

Minkfluff and mountainstorm weren't exactly out in the open about what happen a couple weeks ago but to mink it didn't matter she whispered in the tom ear as she purred " have good hunting mountainstormybutt" at that her blue pools sparkled with cheekiness as she jumped away playful as she mewed " but you won't be able to beat me furrypelt" at that the she-cat dashed to her starting line position.

Shockstep looked to the crowd of gathering clan mates he saw synfeather sitting with the she-cat jaywind not far from whipserstream and her pacing his eyes cold and deadly like loosing was the first time for him shockstep smirked then he saw his apprentice banepaw who was excited chatting away to other apprentices bragging that shockstep was going to win. shockstep straighten his posture he can't let his apprentice bragging down his eyes scanned for shorestar though for some reason he wanted to catch her eye glimpse before he started he didn't know why.

OOC; POST INCLUDES SYNFEATHER,BANEPAW, JAYWIND

[SpoodleDoodles]

Leafslash & Redfeather
Judges

The ginger-and-white Leafslash noted that Fleetfoot was looking impatient, along with several others, and he exchanged a glance with the elder Redfeather. They both knew Shorestar had been feeling under the weather lately, perhaps it would be best to start the competition before any of the Clan realised it was Shorestar they were waiting for? Catching Beewings' concerned look he knew it was time, and he signalled with his tail for Fleetfoot to join them. Rising to his paws he faced the gathered cats, leaf-green eyes bright. "Competitors, line up on the edge of the rise." He waited a few moments as they did so, the gathered crowd falling quietly to let the old warrior speak. "You have one hour to catch as much prey as you can. You must not interfere with each other, and all hunting techniques except teaming up are allowed. At the end of the hour, Beewings will single you with a yowl, and you must stop hunting at once and return here with your catches." He paused to make sure they understood, before curling his tail over his back in signal. "Good hunting, and may StarClan light your paths today."

Beewings lifted his head and let out a deafening yowl for a cat of such a puny size, and the competitors left for the swamp, the judges following more sedately in their wake.

Mountainstorm & Slashfaith
Competitors

He heard her coming, and so he had time to set his features in their usual serious expression before she brushed against him, wishing him luck. Then she bounded away, teasing that he wouldn't beat her, and he felt his composure ruffle a little bit. More then likely, he was going to lose to her, and he would never live it down. Swallowing, he shot her a sideways glance, a grin reflecting in his eyes though it was not on his face. "We'll see." At Leafslash's remark, he rose and joined the others at the line, aware the tiny Slashfaith was moving with him. Unlike most cats, he didn't hold her parentage against her as she'd been raised by his kind aunt. But he could see her shaking as she glanced nervously in Blueflame's direction, aware of the hostility the other warrior held for her in her gaze.

As the starting signal was called, both leapt down the hillside, casting away thoughts of the crowd as they lifted their muzzles to the air and began tracking the scents of the Swamplands. Nothing mattered now except how much prey they could catch before Beewings' final yowl.

Whisperstream
Spectator

The shy golden she-cat with the black flecking watched her sister weaving easily through the crowd, unable to follow herself thanks to her inborn fear. Shyest of all cats, she wouldn't be here at all if it wasn't for her sister, and even then she was perched as far away as she possibly could, not daring to come any closer. Then Minkfluff had turned around and was calling to her, waving her plumy tail, and Whisperstream ducked low immediately as other sets of eyes turned in her direction. Unable to do anything else, she nodded slightly towards her sister, her yellow-green eyes wide and nervous, her claws digging into the ground. But she wasn't going anywhere.

Spottedheart
Spectator

Weaving through the crowd, I spotted my mate on the other side, looking like he was dealing between Fleetfoot and Shrewdshade yet again. I slanted my emerald eyes away from Shrewdshade, I couldn't stand to see the dark swirls of light that infected him any more, though I was glad to see he was out. And I knew I owed him, he was the one who had convinced Feroxwind to come to the nursery during my kitting, as I know he would never have come on his own. Thinking of my three kits and my adopted kit back in the nursery, I fidgeted slightly. I wanted to watch at least the start of the competition, but I didn't want to leave my kits alone for very long. After a moment's hesitation, I left my place and headed towards my mate, knowing I'd be comfortable somewhere near him. As I came up, I heard the newly named Brightspark asking for Tornleaf, and I hid my smile. Unlike all the others, I had a little clue as to what she needed to speak to him about, but I wasn't going to spoil it for her. Shooting her a warm smile, I sat down next to my mate, waiting for the challenge to start.

Tornleaf
Spectator

The ginger-and-white tom with scars across his face had been delayed, and so he had arrived late. A great crowd seemed to have gathered for the hunting final, and he hoped inwardly that their noise wouldn't scare off the prey for the competitors, though most cats had the sense to keep their voices down. Sensing a disturbance off to one side, Tornleaf headed that way, blinking his leaf-green eyes as he spotted Fleetfoot having a tense moment with poor Shrewdshade. But as usual, Feroxwind came to the rescue there and sorted them out easily. Tornleaf's ears flicked with amusement, glad his decision to find Feroxwind and return with him seemed so far to be the right one. Feroxwind even seemed to have a handle on helping his mate, though Tornleaf had yet to see him around the kits themselves. Speaking of mates... his ears pricked as he heard Brightspark, and immediately he slipped through the last of the crowd and came up to her, his tail waving warmly in greeting. "I'm here," he answered, ignoring the competition as it got under way.

Firebreeze
Eliminated Competitor

He had, at first, been unable to face the shame of loosing in the first round, and so he had nearly missed the last round of the first trial. Helping in the medicine cat's den, in was Pinewave who had finally convinced him to go, reminding him it was a chance to study his competition from higher ground. So here he was, sneaking through the crowd, trying to ignore the sympathetic glances some of the older warriors were shooting him. It didn't matter. He'd lost in the first challenge, and he knew his father would think he was even worse because of that. The last cat he wanted to see today was Feroxwind. Hearing his father's voice, his head glanced around, trying to make sure there were still at least a few cat between them. He didn't want to see the disapproving look on the face of the cat he'd tried so long and hard to please- with a crash he tripped into someone.

Instantly, he was picking himself up trying to apologise, when he looked up into brilliant blue eyes of the most beautiful RiverClan she-cat he'd ever seen. And as talking to females was the only thing Firebreeze failed at, his voice caught in his throat helplessly. Uh... Uh.. I... Uh..." He had been thrown completely off-balance, and he knew if anyone saw the normally determined, train-hard or die warrior tongue-tied like this, they would laugh their heads right off.

[Fleet]

His forest green gaze flicked over the cats who had joined him, before he turned his attention back to the other judges, watching them in silence. For a moment there was peace, a quiet settled over the group as they waited for things to begin but this peace was shortly interrupted by an intake of breath from the ginger and white Feroxwind. Glancing round at his grandson he noted Feroxwind's mis-matched gaze was fixed on something, he glanced towards what Feroxwind was looking at and heard him mutter"Ok... Now her day is going to be ruined..." He grinned as Feroxwind looked at Shrewdshade whose mis-matched gaze was on his white forepaws and spoke"Mr grumps is not allowed to ruin my mates day... No saying anything if you can't say anything nice..." At that Shrewdshade glanced towards him and scowled before responding in a sudden icy tone"Her day was ruined the moment she chose you to be the father of her kits..."

Fleetfoot waited for Feroxwind to respond to Shrewdshade's words, but his grandson ignored his cousin, seemingly forgiving him because he knew just how damaged and bitter Shrewdshade had become. Fleetfoot watched as Feroxwind instead turned to face his mate, moving forwards to cheerfully greet her, noting he was not going to answer Brightspark Fleetfoot answered"I have not seen him.." Before returning his gaze to the other judges as the starting cry went up, his fluffy, black tail twitching at the tip. The elders gaze returned to those around him as Tornleaf arrived, he dipped his head in greeting to the younger tom, before turning his gaze back to the challenge. Greywind moved closer to him, clearly noting that he was surrounded by cats who did not like his presence much these days. Fleetfoot flicked the young grey and white tom lightly on the shoulder before saying"They'll move on eventually... They'll have to if they want to help the clan..." Greywind said nothing in return but his gaze held a gratefulness for his words.

Brightspark noted Spottedheart's friendly smile and gave her a cheeky wink, before hearing the voice of the tom she had been looking for. Turning she faced him, her grin widening at the way his tail wiggled in greeting, others would of thought this silly, not her, she found the tail wiggle adorable and just wanted to hold Tornleaf close, protecting him from the cold world that was out there. He trotted gleefully forwards to greet him, lovingly nuzzling his cheek and as she did this Feroxwind made a weird hooting noise behind her. She turned to shoot her friend a dark look, before telling him"Go fuss over your mate furball, else I'll be shoving you in the river later..." He laughed at that, it was good to see Feroxwind laugh, he seemed to do it less here and silently Brightspark worried for him. She returned her gaze to Tornleaf and spoke softly"I need to talk to you... Lets wander over to that empty patch over there and talk... Come on ditzyboo..." She led him away from the others, her golden, spotted pelt seeming to glow with the sunlight.

Fleetfoot, Brightspark, Feroxwind, Greywind & Shrewdshade

[SpoodleDoodles]

Ooc: I know I'm missing some turns here but we gotta post people!

Mountainstorm

Competitor

As he started down the slope, he was aware Redfeather and Leafslash had gotten to their paws to follow, though it seemed Fleetfoot was going to stay up on the little rise with the rest of the crowd. Thinking about the age of all the current judges, he realised just how hard it would be for them to keep up with the four healthy young cats who were already charging down the hill. Again it hit him just how badly the Clan had been affected by the sickness, and how much they needed to choose the right cat to find the cure. He squared his shoulders a little and unsheathed his claws. If that cat was him, he was not going to disappoint everyone. He spotted Minkfluff and immediately changed direction. New "no interference" rules or not, he was not going to give her a chance to stalk him like she had stalked poor young Firebreeze earlier.

Crouching low he disappeared into a reed grove, taking care to not allow his great weight to snap reeds and give away his position. Shaggy thick black fur was not the best for hunting, though he would never trade it for a lighter, shorter pelt. It just meant he had to be careful, judging the gaps he passed through with his whiskers to ensure he would fit and make no noise. His ears were pricked alertly, listening for the minute sounds that would herald possible prey. He knew he couldn't count on more lucky finds like the hare and the duck that had won him the first round.

Hearing a tiny scrabbling, he paused, peering cautiously around a break in the reed bed. His emerald green eyes lit up with delight. A young squirrel- judging by its size and the stupidity of its current position- was investigating the edge of muddy pool of water. with a calculated eye he realised the puddle was too wide for even a squirrel to manage in one leap, and he knew he had the advantage. Creeping out his cover he approached, bit by bit cutting off the squirrel's only dry ground retreat. Some instinct must have warned it, for its head snapped around in alarm, but it was already to late. With a frightened squeak it made it split-second choice of trying to leap over the puddle, landing in the sticky mire and trying to struggle its way to the opposite side.

It was then just a simple manner of paddling across and clamping his jaws down on the unlucky prize, which he promptly did, pausing as he wondered if he'd just made the first lucky catch of the day.

Slashfaith

Competitor

The moment the signal was given, the small she-cat left the rise eagerly, not only to start hunting but also to get away from the accusing gazes of the crowds. She would show them, and herself, that she was not the monster they all thought she was. Her thoughts flickered back to her sick brother Pinewave, and her leaf-green gaze hardened. She had to win this. there was no choice. Remembering her success at fishing int he first round- and hoping it might win over some of her hostile Clanmates if she showed them she was a trained River-Clanner- she headed towards the purer sections of swamp water, the ones that drained straight off from the fast-moving river and were a breeding ground for sheltering fish and other water-life.

Settling down on a smooth stone near a deep pool, she postioned herself so she was ready to strike the moment a fish appeared under the overhanging sheltering reeds to her right. Hopefully, a fish would appear soon, otherwise she'd have too move along closer to... Her ginger ears pricked upwards immediately as a flash of silver entered the shadowed space. Her small white paw flashed out, hooking towards it, joy burning in her leaf-green eyes. If only she landed it, she would have made a good start to the day. She hoped in the back of her mind one of the judges was watching her, they would need no further proof of her prowess as a hunter after this.

Tornleaf

His mate came forward and nuzzled him, just as Feroxwind let out the loudest hooting noise he'd ever heard. He went to send him an annoyed glare but Brightspark beat him to it, her quip wringing a laugh out of the culprit. Then he was under the gaze of her beautiful eyes again, and his ears pricked at her request, though he raised an eyewhisker at the nickname, aware of several sCENSOREDs bursting out among the cats closest to them. Oh by StarClan. His thoughts became amused. He wouldn't change any part of Duma, not for all the fish in the world. Crazy names and all. "Ditzyboo? Seriously? That was the best you could come up with?" he shot her a warm smile, following her over to the empty patch of grass in the sun, noticing not for the firs time how beautiful she truly was, and reminded just how ugly he had been made by the scars across his face. But that didn't matter, not with Duma standing loyally beside him.