𝙄𝙣𝙙𝙞𝙜𝙤𝙥𝙖𝙬𝙜𝙖𝙯𝙚𝙙𝙖𝙩𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙗𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙗𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙝𝙚𝙨surrounding her as they sat motionless, waiting for a breeze to stir them. The blue sky peeked behind them, and the sun climbed gradually toward the tops of the trees. She relished the cool, calm air around her, appreciating it much more than the howling wind that had kept the Clan up all night in fear of broken branches and damaged dens. But that was sunrises ago, and even the snow began to melt slightly in the light of the sun.
"Indigopaw, pay attention!" Flutterstorm cuffed her around the ear in frustration.
Indigopaw ducked but couldn't avoid the blow, shaking her head. "Right, sorry," she mumbled. She was in the Sandy Clearing, learning a new battle move: the upright lock. However, Dawnpaw and Russetpaw were the ones demonstrating the move. Flutterstorm had asked if Indigopaw wanted to train with them even though they had a moon's worth of more experience than her. Indigopaw was going to protest, but Flutterstorm argued that it would be good practice for her.
Indigopaw reluctantly watched Dawnpaw and Russetpaw as they gave her dirty looks, repeating the battle move they had just demonstrated. Firespark and Aspenheart exchanged glances on the other side of the clearing. Russetpaw lay on his side, pretending to be winded. Dawnpaw reared up beside him, focusing her entire weight onto his shoulder. Russetpaw let out a grunt as the breath was stolen from his lungs. He staggered to his paws as Dawnpaw stepped away, sitting back on her haunches arrogantly. Russetpaw winced a little as he sat up beside her.
"Alright, Indigopaw, it's your turn to try. You can test it on Dawnpaw," Firespark meowed.
Russetpaw padded away to sit beside Aspenheart. Indigopaw dragged her paws in the snow as she made her way to the center of the clearing. Dawnpaw had a mischievous glint in her eyes.
"Remember that this technique is intended to crush a weakened opponent, but they might not be as weak as you think and could counter your move," Flutterstorm advised from where she sat behind Indigopaw.
Indigopaw widened her stance as Dawnpaw lay on the snow before her. In the blink of an eye, Indigopaw reared up on her hind legs, ready to force her weight down on Dawnpaw. But the she-cat bolted upright, bowling into Indigopaw's belly. She fell backward, the gasp of surprise that tried to leave her jaws gone as the air left her body.
Before she could retaliate, Dawnpaw had her pinned with a paw resting on her shoulder. "You're not even ready for this move, let alone able to catch a mouse," she jeered as she stepped off Indigopaw. She could hear Russetpaw chuckle momentarily before being hushed by a warning look from Aspenheart.
