-:Cause Tragedy Thrills Me:-

[Bane]

Part vampire
Part warrior
Carnivore and voyeur
Stare at the transmittal
Synched to the death rattle__x

His fur still dripped from the rainstorm that had recently fled the meadow - his orbs stared carelessly, fearlessly, burning for the feel of vengeance as a heart was crushed between his jaws, a jugular crushed underneath his paw. Some called him heartless - others said he cared for nobody but himself. Then why oh why was he putting his head on the line in order to save one kitten, and not even his own! He cared for those that deserved caring for - fools and idiots could go die, and seeing as they seemed to run the current feline population, he got called heartless. Heartless my furry black butt.

His shoulders moved broadly, muscles flexing dangerously underneath his matted pelt - yet he still held some handsome features upon his muggings. His scars seemed to glow with anger - the three across his eye, and the one implanted on his cheek by none other than Twistedrose. Not even a cruel grin did accompany his glowing orbs - he was too pissed off to smile at this occasion. Members of BoneClan followed obediantly behind him - he had a good army of cats, all willing to die for him. It gave him the best feeling ever, the feeling of power. They'd kick Kestrels ass, no matter what.

Though it didn't help that he had yet to find out Risingclan's camp. They didn't know there's, so there was a bonus. As he assumed they had passed the RisingClan borders, he stopped, observing the ground around him - he knew the meadow well, but not well enough to know his current position. A low snarl made his lip curl, revealing bloodythirsty fangs.

"Search every part of this territory! If you find a cat, you demand our kit back! They are denying a cat the right to motherhood, remember that! If anyone attacks, or refuses to give us the kit, you kill them! Got it?"

His voice was loud and powerful, showing authority despite the situation. His task was to find Kestrel, as it seemed the two needed to do a little bit of.. talking. The tom would wait to see his cats start moving before himself charging headfirst into enemy territory. The fury burnt inside him...

So let the bodys roll.

x__Vicariously, I
Live while the whole world dies
Much better you than I.

[/size]

[Crisp]

Oh, what Clan-like life had he gotten himself into? He began to doubt his choices. Why had he decided to become loyal to one Clan, to die for them? Why follow one cat?

All of these questions were racing across his mind, trying to find the answers. Only a few were matched - "Why follow one cat?" - Kestrel was an amazing leader. She was fair, but fought like hell. Why shouldn't she be leader? But now Bane's black figure came into view, rippling with muscle. It was like looking at his father from the hot, sticky Thunderpath - the ground now burned beneath his paws. Anxiousness made his stomach turn upside down.

So this. This...this was Bane. So the stories were true...he immediately struck fear into Crisp's heart, just by his huge muscles and long, hooked claws - claws that had amazing potential to kill.

Cats were most likely following him, but Crisp did not look back to check. The strong reek of BoneClan - the murderous lot of them - wafted into his black, leathery nose. What was this? This loyalty he felt for Kestrel. Nothing could stop him from fighting this fight; nothing could stop him from being so loyal. His heart pounded one million beats a second, but it felt so right...the fire of battle burned brightly in his amber eyes.

[sassy]

Yes...this was her calling.

A brown paw parted the grass just behind her leader, followed by the beige leg. The brown face came through, bright blue eyes full of determination. Her muscles trembled with excitedness - she had never fought a real, fair fight before, but she had been trained. Hard.

The life had almost been sucked out of Sassy; the fun, the humour. But now her heart beat like a drum - battle was near. Anxiety made that heart go even faster. Like that of the mouse - her prey.

[Kestrel]

|ooc| I like things that match, so for this one post, I'm using this format. I'm borrowing it from Bane because I wanted both leaders to have similar posts ^^ Then I'm back to the regular Kestrel posting style.
Just a note.

---x---

// Where do I begin?
The choices are endless
My art, my redemption, my only salvation
I carry the gift that I have been blessed with
My soul is adrift in oceans of madness
Repairing the rift that you have created
I am not alone, brothers, give me your arms now //

Bane. The name roared in Kestrel's mind, and she could feel her passionate rage rattling the chains that held it once more.
She heard his shout, saw his powerful form ahead.
He and his warrior. The sickness; the infection.

Kestrel bounded silently down the hill, the wind whipping her fur. She took pleasure from the softening earth beneath her paws and the howl of the gale building in her ears. Her smooth speed was incredible; it was terrifying, rocketing along with the ground blurring beneath paw; it was liberating.

Her mismatched eyes, one bright electric yellow, the other deep sea blue, flicked briefly to Crisp, and a smile twitched her lips. Crisp would die to save his clan, she knew.
She could trust him, she knew.
Good, good.

She was feeling very good.

Despite the bloodshed that awaited them, Kestrel felt strong, confident. At peace with herself and the world and the whole twisted situation.
She would come down the hill and spring, launch herself right into the battle as is began. She felt no hesitations; she was faster than Bane, she was sure, and she was skilled.
She would fight Bane claw to claw, for that was how it always was: the leaders of warring Clans would meet in the dust and chaos of battle and draw each other's blood. That was how it went, in legends.

And as Kestrel flew across the RisingClan land, she felt something mythical unfolding before her. This battle would be remembered.
It would live in legend. She would make it so.

If RisingClan emerged victorious today, the power, the glory, would be hers to take is she so desired. Her power could, and probably would, grow.
But she was not like Bane. She did not need what he needed.
She did not do what she did to steal power.
Her eyes flashed, but her face remained still, composed.
She was ready for this battle.
Ever strong in her convictions, Kestrel knew she was ready.

A fury blazed within her that more than matched Bane's.
As she raced along, recklessly, she idly wondered what scars would mar her pretty face when she returned from battle.
If she returned.
And what lives would be lost or ruined. Scars on the inside and the outside; today was a Day of Scars.

Kestrel slowed, paused for one slow moment, then vaulted upwards and forwards.

Silhouetted against the clouded sky, Kestrel looked magnificent. A queen of old, a powerful ruler born of the Clans, straight from legend.
She flew, like her namesake, fast and true.

Kestrel landed at the base of the hill, her paws spread, her long, hooked claws unsheathed.
She watched the BoneClanners, apart from them but in full sight.

She was not afraid. She said nothing.

// It seems so clear now what I must do
You're no immortal
I won't let them d-e-i-f-y you //

[/size]

[Pinedark]

Deepcreek padded up quietly next to Crisp, just behind Kestrel, tail lashing back and forth. So they'd come for their kit. And there would, undoubtedly, be some heck of a battle. The dark warrior stood absolutely still, watching the Boneclan cats draw nearer. Her heart thudded a bit nervously. Her confidence did not extend to taking on giant cats with sickle claws without a worry in the world. Not that she was going to let on she was nervous. Oh no.

"So it begins," she muttered quietly, never taking those deep blue eyes off the other crowd of cats. Then she stepped forward, following her leader down the hill.[/color]

[Crisp]

So it begins.

The words rang in his ears. Had he been human, sweat would have poured down his clammy face in buckets. He nodded shakily in agreement. He wasn't afraid - anxious, perhaps, but not afraid. But whether he lived or died would depend on this battle.
It would be the battle of a lifetime.

"So it begins," he repeated. Cats would go home with ugly scars, or even lost relatives. One Clan may go home with a lost leader...and if that event occurred, hopefully, that Clan would be BoneClan.

Kestrel flew over his head - she was magnificent. Her flight was that of the bird she was named for. Watching Deepcreek pad down the hill, Crisp followed. Who would win the battle? What would be the outcome? He felt a sudden rush of confidence - RisingClan would win the battle.

[Kestrel]

|I am the child of blood and tragedy|

Fallingsky, RisingClan's youngest and newest member, arrived gracefully despite her anxiety.
She watched her leader plunge downward and land near the BoneClan warriors with her heart in her throat. And so it begins, yes indeed.

The sight of Bane gave her a jolt. The ebony-furred tom with the scarred pelt and the snarl was undoubtedly him; she knew that by reputation and rumor; but she would have known him anyway.
Bane.
Fallingsky's dark father.

|My blood is p-o-i-s-o-n|

[Crisp]

How strange it must be for Fallingsky...fighting against her own father. Crisp wondered how she felt about Bane - did she think of him as "a good father"? Did she hate him? Oh, Crisp knew how it felt to hate your own father. But he had a good reason. Crisp's father had left him to die on a hot, sticky Thunderpath when he was barely old enough to move.

"You girls think we'll do awesome?" the black tom muttered to the she-cats beside him. Deepcreek was a strong fighter, and if Fallingsky was passionate enough, she could kill her father instantly. And Kestrel, their leader. Kestrel would always be stronger than that Bane, no matter what the murderer thought.

[Kestrel]

You'll never ^take _me alive

Kestrel glanced over at Crisp, humor in her mismatched gaze. "We may, Crisp," she said softly, one of her rare smiles flickering on her pretty face. "We very well may."

Fallingsky? Kestrel had almost forgotten she was the daughter of Bane.
No matter, she thought almost triumphantly. Blood is blood. She is a good cat, and what a shock it will be for them, to see the daughter of ther leader fighting for us.
She believed firmly in Fallingsky's loyalties, and she could use surprise as a weapon, now couldn't she?

^I'm alive

[/s][/u][/color][/font][/center][/size]

[fallingsky]

|I am the child of blood and tragedy|

Fallingsky was not so sure. Her father was strong; as she watched, he seemed to grow bigger and bigger.

StarClan grant me the strength to fight this battle, she prayed silently.

Glancing at Crisp, she merely nodded noncommitally and returned her gaze to Bane.

She was very nervous.

|My blood is p-o-i-s-o-n|

[Pinedark]

Deepcreek grinned at Crisp, showing white teeth. Then she glanced at Fallingsky. And Kestrel, before looking back at the tom.

"Of course," she purred smoothly. Her tail flicked slowly back and forth. Well, maybe they wouldn't do awesome. But as long as they won and all lived to tell about it, well... she could live without awesome.[/size]

[Featherstar]

Night's black body slid out from the shadows as the BoneClan she-cat moved over next to her leader. Not quite next to, slightly behind him, watching the RisingClanners. Fools.she thought, How dare they think they can take a BoneClan kit and get away with it? Night knew that if her cannibal friend were here, she'd rip the thieves to shreds. I'll just have to help her out. And she waited for the first cat to strike.


OOC: Sorry I haven't posted you guys.

[Juniper]

Dogclaw looked around him at the cats lined to face the evil that was BoneClan. It's time to make up for all the horrible things I ever did in the Council's name, he thought. He fully unsheathed his claws, reinforced with dog teeth just like the legend said. He turned to Kestrel. Now listen, Miz Kestrel. I ain't sayin' that you're not good at this, but still: don't be afraid to fight dirty with this Bane fellow. Kick up dirt in his face, attack when he's not lookin', whatever. He wouldn't hold back for you. It would be a shame, he thought, If she died today. With a fine leader like that, RisingClan could go far. He spoke again. Also, if I don't come back from this, well... just tell Juney that she was the best friend I ever had. Final request made, he turned back to the enemy.

Today, he shouted into the wind, is a good day to die!

[midge]

The wind buffetted the she-cat's snowy fur, red and brown tail held like a banner, showing that she too had arrived to defend her new Clan. She lept down a steep hill, landing and continuing her run until she stood among her new Clanmates. Midge looked out over the land, BoneClan was gathering in the distance...even a blind cat would notice their presence for their strong odor. It made the petite cat wrinkle her nose for a moment.
She turned to an old cat, his claws gleamed and looked as though they were from the mouth of a dog.

This is the beginning of the end for some clan.

Her voice held foreboding and worry, but she was ready.

[Juniper]

Pride

"So it begins.."

"The beginning of the end..."

"...a good day to die!

Catalyst stood side-by-side with his clanmates, cats he had barely met. But that didn't make him any less willing to defend his new home and family. The words of the other cats echoed in his mind. All are true, he thought, and I intend to remember them as long as I live. He steeled himself at the sight of the BoneClan warriors slinking through the grass. ...if I live very much longer at all! But he was not afraid of death. He would do whatever it took to protect the family. His voice sounded quietly, low and surprisingly strong for his age of only six moons. Cats of BoneClan... he hissed, Prepare yourselves!

In the blood legacy
Prepare yourself

[Amberstar]

<sub>The battle cry sounded across the valley, sounding like thunder. The orange and white tabby shot into the midst of the battle, fangs bared. He looked fierce, moreso than he'd ever.. Not even when he fought Bane, not when Amberstar chased him from her boundaries. No, it was sheer hate what shown in his bloodthirsty gold eyes.

You are depriving the right of fatherhood to a cat... Namely me. Give me my kit, or I'll bring hell from the heavens like rain.. I'll send it from below the earth to your Starforsaken clan! He yowled at the opposing enemies, tail flashing in pure hatred.. Pure anger</sub>

[fallingsky]

|I am the child of blood and tragedy|

How can she stand there like that?
Fallingsky watched Kestrel. Her leader stood, calm, composed.

Fury raced like fire in her veins, her birthright. Fire to light the poison of her blood, fire to burn it all to the ground.
No longer able to contain herself, Fallingsky leaped forward, her furious voice bursing out of her like a live thing, clawing its way up, throttling her: "Is depriving a cat of the right to live any better? Your paws are stained with the blood of innocent cats, and if you deny that, I'll tear you apart! Because it's the truth! A cat who takes lives so easily does not deserve the right to give life! You don't deserve that innocent kit! You will not corrupt her!"
She had a strong resemblance to her mother, but at that moment, there was something not unlike Bane in her face and in her raging words.
Fallingsky was beyond mad, she was pissed, she was beyond even that; where the anger came from she could not fathom; it took over--

And then there was a paw on her chest, holding her back; unsheathed claws so deadly sharp just touching her skin drew pinpricks of blood; a warning. Fallingsky looked up and there was Kestrel, her eyes bright and fierce. Fallingsky was confused and she stumbled back, pushed by Kestrel's paw, tasting the bloodlust for the first time and liking it; yes, it was her birthright...

Fallingsky fell back and regained her balance, feeling slightly dizzy; the aftertaste of her fury was bitter.
She was shaking, just a little. How did she let her anger get away from her like that? And where did it come from?

She kept it close to her heart, like her father did.

|My blood is p-o-i-s-o-n|

[Brighteye]

Dogclaw looked sideways at Fallingsky. He knew who she was; he could see it in her eyes, in the way she moved. Plus, there were hints everywhere if you looked and listened hard enough. Steady gel, he muttered at her. You ain't nuthin' like him. Nuthin'. He hoped he was right.

[Bane]

ooc| I was hoping some more would reply, but if not, I can't resist replying now =D Baney gets to see another of his darling children =P

As BoneClan gathered by his side, Bane merely stared as RisingClan did the same close by. They'd made it easier for BoneClan, it seemed. Instead of hiding and waiting for BoneClan to find them - an almost impossible task it seemed, as RisingClan was a strange land for them all - they showed themselves instead. Bane's eyes were fixed on Kestrel, who looked on defiantly as if they were the good guys. Well sorry kitty, but in this story, everyone's bad.

Goldenblaze's appearance made Bane grin. The pathetic kitten that Bane had once fought now stood beside him, a fierce and loyal assassin - a fierce and loyal father. The BoneClan leader said nothing as Goldenblaze hissed furiously, his true anger at the loss of a kit showing through. Anger was good; it fueled adrenalin, and adrenalin fueled your skill in battle.

Then another spoke against Goldenblaze. A young she-cat, a pretty one. In her voice she held something that made Bane's spine tingle. Could it be? Oh, how Darkangel would laugh if she could see her dear sister now. It was a shame Darkangel couldn't join the fighting - she was somewhat, preoccupied. But the next battle that reigned across these lands, Darkangel would no doubt be leading herself. Bane stared at his daughter, seeing parts of both mother and father duel within her. And when she had finished... Bane stood.

"Dear she-kit, I never slay innocent lives. Innocent is a word that does not exist - you think you are innocent, yet guilt flows through your veins, and you can feel it. All of you have sinned just as much as I! You're just in denial, is all."

As he spoke, eyes were fixed on his daughter. Most of BoneClan would most likely not know that Bane had kits, other than Darkangel. Only those who truly knew Bane would see his blood within that angry young she-cat. Bane snorted in amusement, then turned his attention onto Kestrel.

"The fact is, Kestrel, is that the blood of a BoneClanner is within that kit. You a doing a far worse sin than murdering; you are going to make a mothers life misery, knowing that her own flesh and blood is not by her side. I do not want to fight for that kit - too many lives will be lost on both sides. But I am prepared to talk of a fair trade I can offer."

Bane stood bold and proud, knowing now that none of RisingClan could say Bane was not a heartless assassin. He cared for those who followed him, and was prepared to give anything for a single young kit, and the thrill of seeing Heartless's face when her clan arrive, kit clutched in jaws. Battle was not the only way to resolve issues, it was the final resort. Bane waited for Kestrels reply, hoping she was intelligent enough to accept.

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[Juniper]

Pride

Catalyst unsheahted his claws into the ground and dragged, tearing tiny furrows in the dirt. Surely Lady Kestrel didn't mean to bargain with this monster? In his family, the list of crimes that Lady Kestrel had elaborated to him would not even allow Bane an honorable suicide. Justice would be swift and merciless. But whatever option his leader chose, Catalyst was sure it would be in the clan's best intrest, and he would back her unfailingly.

In the blood legacy
Prepare yourself