Trial By Water [ALL/READ SITE PLOT]

[The one, the only FEATHER!]

Hey guys here you go, this is the second trial.. Please post with your cats whether you are a judge, competitor or a spectator, I want this thread done by the 1st November that gives you all pretty much a week to post.

Competitors

Firebreeze
Greywind
Mountianstorm
Slashfaith
Synfeather
Tallwhiskers

Judges

Shockstar
Fleetfoot
Redfeather
Leafslash

Shockstar

Judge

The Tom secured his spot by the river side along the bank today was the day, to start the second trials. glancing across to the other side of the fast moving river the tom shared a gaze with fleetfoot who was in line with him to watch the sides to make sure there was no foul play glancing further down just a little ways down there was leafslash standing upon a leaning dead tree from there leafslash would out if a cat was out.. see if they swim beyong leafslash the cat would be out for the rest of the trial.. nodding his head the white dusty tom glanced upwards to the top of the selected river section Redfeather was in place watching up front making sure there was no cheating also, where a rock gave the eldery tom good seating. everything seemed to be in check and it seemed by the powers of starclan the river that day was extra wild.. Smiling the leader thought this would make it easy to see whom was strongest. Rising to his paws the tom turned around seeing some clan cats starting to gather round to watch.. deep down shockstar hoped it would once again help the clan to see a bit of life and fun. Waiting a bit longer for all cats to gather round and the competiors arrive. the tom glanced over the riverclan land even it was looking a bit gloomy these days, then a thought occured to him...his little ghost freind deathmoon hadn't appeared all morning had the pest finally left him for good?.. Soon all the competitors were there..it was time to start..

Standing in front of the cats shockstar went over the rules. " today's trial is by water, to be the winner you must be the last cat to be swimming in that section over there.. if the water drags you down past leafslash you will be out.. You must stay in that middle section there. There is to be no interfering with other competitors otherwise that means your instantly disqualified, no touching the water bed at all, this trial is to test your strength and stamina if your spotted doing that. again you will be disqualified.. am i understood?" The leader looked bwtween the six cats eyeing each of them. Before mewing again " right all of you do your best, you have one hour, now get into the water and line up when i sound the call you must start swimming. Turning around the leader walked back to his place standing watching as the competitors dived in swimming then standing in place awaiting for his call... ther ewas silence around the area except for the osund of rushing water clashing.. Without a further a do Shockstar let out the call. "MMMURRRRREEEOOOOWWWW!!!".

Synfeather

Competitor

The tom Watched the leader as he explained the rules, they had an hour to swim in the fast moving river... if they swam past leafslash they would be out.. glancing over his shoulder the tom looked down too where leafslash was. making a mental note the distance trying to find a land mark along the bank to signal to him when he was drifting to far back and soon be called out. The russet and white tom saw on the right side of the river bank there was hole for some prey more than likely, it was a good tail length from the out area. The warrior would use that as his guide, Flicking his ears to the rest of the rules. that was to be no interfering with others The young warrior nodded and took note. Shockstar then dismissed them, at once he went to the riverside bank, without hesitation the tom dove into the water. The cold water seeping into his fur swimming over to the middle the Synfeather stood up since he was tall he was able to touch the bottom just barely once all the cats lined up shockstar wasted no time to sound the call knowing some of these cats would have to start swimming to not drown. Once the call was sounded Synfeather began swimming kicking his legs up letting them dig threw the water It was only now that synfeather was focusing on the area surrounding him and the others. Looking up he saw redfeather and under the elder there was the top side of the river hurling down rough and strong sending waves towards them, today the water seemed very choppy not the usual rush and steady flow. Looking to the far side he saw fleetfoot watching them all, which jolted the warrior into looking forward as he began to focus channeling his energy for the later when he will need it the most.

Minkfluff

Spectator

Sitting down the queen narrowed her gaze watching the judges get into place, pouting the queen huffed a sigh she should be down there, she would give them a run for their prey for sure... though looking at the water minkfluff growled, at the moment she would float like a log surely be the first to be called out, this only added to her frustration... Minkfluff was always a happy cat but when she could not do the things she wanted to do she tended to be fierce cats tended to stay away from her, as the queens energy at that time was strong.. grumbling " he better not let me down the furball.." The queens blue orbs flashed to the black sleek fluffy tom listening to the new leader a smile came to her face and a spark dazzled in her eyes... though she could not join in she still cheer for her mate.. a cheeky smile came to her face, as the cats went into the water and shockstar sounded the call, standing upon her paws wagging her tail in the air she mewed her loudest. " GOOD LUCK MY MOUNTAINSTORMYBUTTTT!!!!!! SHOW EM HOW WE DO IT HONEY!!!" sitting back on her rump puffing and panting that took a bit out of her, but non the less the queen had a huge smile upon her face, looking down to her big stomach thinking i hope your cheering for your daddy in there?! before she glanced up watching her mate swimmming. Jaywind whom sat next to her was jolted out of her fur when the grumpy queen began shouting and the moment she had sat back down minkfluff rough breathing warned her friend as she mewed " Minkfluff you all right? you shouldn't exert yourself like that it will out pressure and stress on the kits and--" stopping herself the queen looked at her friend seeing her smile threw her panting looking at her stomach Jaywinds concern sort of died down seeing minkfluff smile reassured her that there was nothing wrong..though to be sure she really should get beewings... and another thought came across. where was mistygaze after being welcomed back into the clan she should be here to show her support worrying that her friend maybe in trouble The blue furred queen stood and began scanning the area.

[Fleet]

The large, powerful black and white elder stood on one of the riverbanks, his long fluffy black tail curling slightly at the tip as he listened to Shockstar speak. Behind him he could feel the gathering of the usual crowd, meaning the ginger and white Feroxwind with all his friends. The beautiful but now rather pregnant golden spotted bengal she-cat that was Brightspark was joking alongside the tom, providing Fleetfoot with an irritating yet amusing distraction from their leaders words. He turned to shoot them a glare every now and again only for Feroxwind to smile innocently at him while Brightspark giggled. Glancing across at the opposite bank he could see the brown and white pelt of Shrewdshade, the warrior was restless, Fleetfoot knew it was because he was so close to being fully healed yet each time he tried to get the all clear to return to duties Beewings would tell him that he wasn't ready yet, that it was still healing.

Fleetfoot was fairly convinced the medicine cat was trying to prevent the loss of a skilled warrior, to make Shrewdshade see he was needed here but he felt the grouchy warrior needed his release, he needed to go out there to seek out their missing family member and bring him home. Maybe later he would drop in on Beewings and let him know that they needed to let Shrewdshade go. But right now he had to focus on what was going on before him and he noted the grey and white Greywind watching Synfeather closely, before following after him to enter the water. It was then he noted the dark ginger pelt of Thornpaw crouched on the riverbank in the area Greywind had just vacated his amber eyes wide as he watched what was happening before him. An amused smile lit up Fleetfoot's face as he noted the fascination in the young ginger apprentice's face but then he turned his attention to the competitors once more, as they swam or waded to the area they were expected to swim in. He drew in a breath when someone moved alongside him and looking up he found the familiar form of Feroxwind alongside him, his mis-matched green gaze having gotten rather focused.

Brightspark did not follow he noted, preferring to hang back and lick at her chest fur before glancing around as if looking for someone. Fleetfoot knew instantly who she was keeping an eye out for, it would likely be her mate Tornleaf and shaking his head the elder's forest green gaze fixed on the swimming cats before him as they all began to swim against the current. Greywind had taken up a place near Synfeather, while at the same time keeping his distance, it was like he was shadowing the younger tom and Fleetfoot sensed maybe it had been happening for awhile, ever since the younger tom had chased his father briefly from the clan. He felt it nice that Greywind was looking out for the younger tom despite everything, and shook his head again trying to focus on what he was meant to be doing the tip of his fluffy black tail twitching.

Fleetfoot

(Includes Feroxwind, Brightspark/Duma, Shrewdshade, Greywind & Thornpaw)

((OOC- Will get to that thread between Ferox and Syn next time I have a free moment Feather, after all we do need to finish it up xD I say this cos I reference it in post here.... Also a post from Grey's POV will come next time probably...))

[SpoodleDoodles]

Ooc: So late..... gah sorry everyone XD

Mountainstorm

(Includes Firebreeze & Slashfaith)

He waited silently beside the other competitors, glancing once at the crowd to make sure his mate Minkfluff wasn't over-exerting herself or something else silly, though of course that's just hwat she'd be doing. He glanced at the other competitors, noting the look of determination on Firebreeze's face and the focused attention on Slashfaith's. He felt a slight tug against his conscious, in reality he could beat most of them when it came to stamina and endurance... but it was fair to hold the trial. Though he doubted someone as small as Slashfaith would hold up for long in the cold water, they were all RiverClan cats by heritage and so they were all born to be swimmers, great and small. It was a worthy competition.

Shockstar's voice called out and he listened, glancing down to where Leafslash was, and realising with concern that there were several other cats just beyond him, looking ready to drag any cat out of the river that couldn't make it out themselves. Beewings was there also, pacing the bank, eyeing the competitors and though the command hadn't been spoken, if Beewings forbade a competitor to continue for health concerns there was no doubt that competitor would be pulled from the race. RiverClan had lost enough warriors.

Glancing upstream as he waded into the water he spotted Redfeather perched on a rock, ignoring the cold and wet and his failing eyesight to judge. At least he'd bee able to see them clearly enough, all dark and wet pelts against the churning waters. He noted as they spaced out along the water that several were having trouble keeping still before the start signal- Firebreeze and especially Slashfaith were having to balance on their hind paws to keep their heads above water without swimming. He himself had to head out straight to the middle right away, his great size meaning even here he could nearly scrape the bottom of the fast-moving river.

The cold and wet seeped into his fur, weighing him down a little, but like all RiverClanners his pelt was water-proof and it would be a long while before it really encumbered him. Rather, it would keep him insulated and warm from the cold, while cats without his thick and fluffy fur would have a harder time of it.

Shockstar's call came and with a powerful leap he was into the deepest part of the river, others splashing in around him, and all he could hear was the rushing of the water, the panting of cats and the churning off his paws.... and the distant cry of his mate over the crowd. Of course.

It still put a smile on his face and energy in his paws though.

Tornleaf

He'd been late getting down too the competition area- some cats still had to do guard duty wether they wanted to or not- but now he was here he took in a moment to take in the scene. Competitors were already splashing in the water, showcasing the real skill of a RiverClan cat, and the Clan was gathered along the edges, cheering for the favourites or watching with mild interest. At least it had gotten nearly everyone out into the sun, even Beewings had briefly let his patients in another's care while he came to make sure the contestants didn't hurt themselves.

He spotted his father Leafslash on the downstream side of the river, and he was relieved to see several warriors with him also. Even from this distance, he could see the cough that racked Leafslash's frame every once in a while. If someone had to be fished out, it would be the healthy young warriors, and not his father that did it, and for this he was grateful.

Searching through the crowd he spotted a pair of green eyes he dearly wished to see, and without further hesitation he brushed past those in his way- carefully side-stepping the ornery Minkfluff who'd gotten worse with her pregnancy- until he was at Duma's - no, Brightspark's golden side. He sat down beside her and flashed her a warm smile, noting that for a moment there was an emotion on her face he couldn't read. "It's a good day to be out with everyone. I'm sorry I was running late."

[The one, the only FEATHER!]

*TIME SKIPP

SynFeather

From the start synfeather kept his swimming mid strength every now and then he would cast a gaze next to him, greywind, who had been swimming alongside him since the start, the tom looked like he was close to maybe going.. even himself felt like he might go at any minute. Even though he had been going steadily synfeather felt his muscles tighten and tire, though his head and heart pushed hard... synfeather wanted to win.. wanted to be of help to his clan. He knew he had the skills.. . Frowning Synfeather had lost track of time it already felt like it had been an hour.. casting another gaze to the side he saw mountainstorm.. beside himself mountainstorm, they were the only big tall fluffy cats in the trial, personally aside from his brother firebreeze, minkfluff who was scratched from the line up due to pregnancy mountainstorm was the cat he had to beat.

Looking forward Synfeather spluttered at a wave that shoved into his face, as he shook the droplets from his face, synfeather gritted his teeth together, then a voice sounded up above them all shockstar. " you have all done well, there is ten minutes left, swim hard and swim strong" the leader mewed motivationally, which had it's effect Synfeather seemed to have found life in his legs as they kicked with more power, a fresh drive into his body it was nearly over...

[Fleet]

*post coming, continue on as you please and I will take Grey out of the thread as plotted when I can post properly*

[SpoodleDoodles]

Mountainstorm

The cold and wet had finally penetrated his thick and water-proof fur, and it was weighing him down. Even now, though his paws were certainly tired and his muscles aching, he was confident he could continue to swim, and swim easily.

The competitors were no longer in the straight line they had been at the start. Those who fought harder against the running water to stay ahead of Leafslash had pulled ahead, struggling against the current urgently to keep aloft and to keep ahead. Being so large and strong himself he'd managed to keep a steady, even pace, and so he was close to the original starting point.

Icy cold and his lungs complaining he kept on, refusing to stop or rush, even when he heard Shockstar's call go out. Even he was surprised they were all still in this competition, RiverClan warriors through and through. But he could hear the sounds of cats really struggling, and a high-pitched breathing noise from ahead, though he couldn't see who it was. He heard some cat calling for Beewings... and then there were cries of shock and dismay, and bodies rolling in the water, and claws scrabbling in panic.

Water splashed into his eyes and he couldn't see, what was going on? His mighty stride faltered but he held his place, he could swim blinded if needed... and then something wet, feeble, and struggling hit him from upstream, colliding with him and nearly taking him down with it. By scent he knew it was Slashfaith, and something was terribly wrong. She was still trying to swim, trying to right herself in the water, but she was caught up with him and couldn't get her head up to breathe.

From further down river came Leafslash's clear yowl. "Tallwhiskers and Greywind are out!"

He heard panicked calls for both himself and Slashfaith and in that moment gave up winning the contest. His clanmate's life was far more important.

Still blinded but blinking away water as much as he could he grabbed her submerged scruff and hauled her clear, swimming powerfully for the main bank, taking himself out of the competition. But that was not his concern, his concern was for the barely breathing tiny warrior he dragged out with him. he dropped her on the shore and stepped away, shaking out sodden fur and rubbing at his eyes. "What happened?"

Slashfaith

How much time had passed? She did not know. Did she still have paws? She couldn't feel them. She knew she still had lungs, they ached and dragged every ragged breath down like it was the only food a starved weasel could find in leaf-bare. She couldn't tell where the others were, couldn't see if she was behind or ahead. Fear she had slipped to far back had kept her paws going even when her vision became blurry. She couldn't fail. She remember the stares and whispers of her clanmates as she, Gyrwing's daughter, had tried to help the Clan in the first trial and failed miserably. She couldn't fail here. She was worthy enough to be a RiverClan warrior. She could earn her place here, earn her fellow warriors' respect, and have her real mother forgotten. If only Waterwave had never told them all the horrible truth... but then she wouldn't understand how she felt now, she wouldn't understand why the sing of battle and the taste of blood affected her so.

And understand why she couldn't fail here.

She heard Shockstar's call, and keeping her nose barely above water she struggled on, sinking deeper, unable to hold her place, unable to think of anything except breath and hope she was still moving the paws she couldn't feel.

Distantly, Redfeather's alarmed yowl. "Beewings! Pull Slashfaith out, she's had enough."

"No!" The cry was a water-logged whisper and in her struggle to prove she could continue, it happened.

Her body finally gave in.

Darkness sank around her and she was numb, numb to the panicked calls on the bank, numb to the water filling her lungs, numb to the sudden mad scramble around her as other cats, too, succumbed at last to the cold. She wasn't the first, and she wasn't the only one.

Something went hurtling past her and then she collided with something that stopped her being pulled downstream. bubbles streamed from her mouth and she couldn't get past the obstacle, couldn't get her head above water, it was dark and cold and slimy and wet and dark....

Bodies, warm and dry, all around her... water pouring from her mouth and the feeling of being very sick and water-logged. But she could breath. She was alive. She wasn't in the water.... she wasn't in the water. Shame flooded her pelt. Someone had fished her out, she was sure of it. She feel her Clanmate's burning stares now and suddenly the warm bodies felt cold. She had failed, again. In front of everyone, with her proof of loyalty on the line.

Failed.

Firebreeze

There was no way he was going to loose this, not after loosing the first round to Minkfluff. Not loosing to his own brother Synfeather especially. The water was cold, his fur was now heavy with it, and his paws were having trouble keeping a steady rhythm going. But he wasn't going to loose, not with his father watching. The shame of the first round would not happen a second time. He was going to be the son his father would be proud off, give his sire a reason to finally look at him beyond something other then a mistake.

Something happened and his amber eyes blinked and the spray of water and panicked yowls. bodies went past him and churned up the water with their paws. Alarmed he tried to glance around but nearly lost his balance, and so returned to swimming valiantly, knowing his clanmates would have saved any one who had faltered.

He found himself side-by-side with Synfeather, and he shot his brother a glance. "Guess we're all that's left?" He found a smoother current and then shot Synfeather his signature determined smile. He wasn't going to give in. Never. "Come on then brother, let's show them."

Beewings

He was pacing the river bank, eyeing the warriors with growing concern. Not one had bowed out, not one had given yet. Not one. Even though some were having a hard time of it now, they still fought on. They still refused to give in. Taking a glance at the struggling cats Beewings turned and headed towards Shockstar, about to make the call that they were removed for safety's sake. After he turned he heard the call from Redfeather, who he knew would not stand watching his adopted grand-niece swim with her nose just above the water for much longer."Shockstar, we need to pull..."

And then there was a horrified shout and yowl, and cries from the water. Whipping around he was in time to see two bodies go past, and hear Leafslash's shout that those two were out. He saw the standby warriors leaping into the river to assist Greywind and Tallwhiskers, and knew they'd be fine for a moment. Panicked calls brought his attention back, and his fur bristled out as he say Slashfaith trapped as Mountainstorm proved to be as solid as his name. "Quick, fish her out!"

He was half way into the water himself when Mountainstorm seemed to give up the race, grabbed the drowning smaller warrior and hauled her promptly to shore. Beewings had never been more grateful to his cousin in his life.

Slashfaith was dropped on the bank, looking like a drowned rabbit, and Beewings set to work, pummelling her lungs with his paws until she coughed up water and breathed, roughing up her fur and arranging several of the nearby dry warriors around her to keep her warm. "She'll be alright, she's coming round... keep her warm, I need to check the other three.." As much as he'd rather stay by Slashfaith's side, he was the Medicine Cat and he had to check the others, now he knew she'd be alright for the moment, shredded pride aside.

[The one, the only FEATHER!]

Synfeather

Tallwhiskers and greywind are out... he heard the voices call.. Synfeather struggled to keep his head up he had determination burning in his eyes and his legs began to sting more and more as that short ten minutes went on, it seemed forever ago, Shockstar announced the time mark.. at least he wasn't the first to go, then he heard a commotion to the side, shockstar called slashfaith and mountstorm were out... as he tried to keep his routine swim he tried to calculate who was left then a voice seemed almost next to him. "i guess its were all thats left.." synfeather thought about that voice he knew it all too well.. his littermate, his brother firebreeze.. he took a moment to cast a gaze to the side and sure enough his brothers fiery soaked pelt was next to him, shooting him a daring, playful glare, as he mewed to synfeather to give it the best he got.

Synfeather's gazed narrowed as he looked forward, the challenging words sparked him... but he was too big, bigger than his brother with more fur that weighed him down... the tom could feel it in his legs... the pain that screamed he just couldn't do it any longer, he gazed one more time at his brother he smiled sheepishly " we wont be able to this time brother" a cramp came along in his back leg, which led to synfeather letting out a annoyed groan as the waves pulled him back behind his brother further to the line that shockstar had mentioned was out of bounds line, he angled himself to the side where some cats waited to lend a paw, but managed to reach the bank to drenched tom looked up to shockstar who watched him fall back.. shockstar gave him a nodd knowing his warrior was safe before raising his head turning his attention to all riverclan cats " we have a winner! Firebreeze has won this round! and will proceed to the next round.. " the cats roared in cheers as shockstar gave a favorable gaze to his brother which synfeather accepted..

Shockstar then mewed " in second place was synfeather, third place mountainstorm, and fourth place to slashfaith.. you three will also proceed to the final round!.. " Synfeather rose onto the banks as he listened to the names be called out, being second was ok even tho swimming wasn't his thing.. synfeather slowly walked over stretching out his cramped up back paw as he walked along the bank till he reached where his brother swam still holding out a paw to his brother to pull him in. " The final trial will be a battle between are four brave warriors who have come so far" a battle? a smile creeped on to his bright ginger maw.... as he gazed down at his brother... a battle now that was his thing...

[SpoodleDoodles]

Firebreeze

He was noted his brother accepted his challenge, though there was a look to his face that suggested he was every bit as tired as he himself felt. No cat, not even Feroxwind could claim they were worthless now.... they'd even beaten Mountainstorm and to be honest he wasn't sure how that had managed to work out. Yet it was down to just them too and Firebreeze, for one, was determined to not give in. Then something happened beside him, his brother spazzed in his stride and he heard Synfeather's ironic words. He glanced towards him in concern, watching in surprise as Synfeather drifted further and further back, and he realised with even deeper surprise his brother was about to be out of the race.

"We have a winner! Firebreeze has won this round! And will proceed to the next round.. "

Shockstar's call when it came set fire down his paws, halting the numbness for a moment. He had won. He had won. He had beaten his own brother, the live wire Slashfaith, the furry hulk Mountainstorm, and the ever-there shadow of Greywind!

He had won!

Slowly, wearily, he turned towards the bank and paddled to the secure shore, to the cheering, yowling crowd and the other waiting competitors. His brother waded out a little and offered a paw to help him out, a paw he gratefully accepted. He heard Shockstar's words and echoed his brother's grin. Battle, hmm? Then this would be fun... so long as he wasn't put against Mountainstorm... Arriving on the bank and shaking out his soaking wet fur, convinced he was impersonating a drowned rat, he shot a smile at the others. Synfeather looked just as ready to continue as he did. Mountainstorm was looking positively gleeful at the subject of the next round, and this from a cat that never allowed much emotion to show. Slashfaith, though... Slashfaith looked terrified, and he wasn't sure why. "Well then, bring it on."