Stormcloud's Ambition

Stormcloud's Ambition Part 10

"Never take your eyes off your opponent," Sharptail meowed. "If you do so, there is a higher chance of missing."

Stormpaw narrowed his eyes as he focused on the other apprentice, his name was Everpaw. He was much more older, and his heart was confident that he'll win.

"You have done this before, Everpaw," Mothfur mewed. She had been a very successful and favored mentor, and she knew the best moves of fighting and went over it with Everpaw.

When Stormpaw lurched, Everpaw gave a snicker and stood like a statue. But at the exact moment when Stormpaw was a whisker away, Everpaw lashed out his claws and raked Stormpaw on the nose. Stormpaw gave a cry of alarm and rubbed his injured nose with his two paws, whimpering helplessly.

"Stormpaw, GET UP!" Sharptail growled sternly.

Stormpaw used his strength to pull his body from the floor. He glared at Everpaw, which was gloating over his good start.

"Remember what I told you about battles," Sharptail warned. "Remember what I told you."

Drawing back to that day, Stormpaw closed his eyes and replayed the whole scene inside his head. Impatient, Mothfur said: "Okay, Everpaw. It is time to attack."

Everpaw launched himself without hesitation. Stormpaw dodged skillfully to the side, but Everpaw expected that. Extending his left paw, Everpaw struck his opponent down and left Stormpaw gasping on the earthy floor.

But Stormpaw wasn't about to give up. He hauled himself up and dragged himself to a tree. This was a terrible move, for he was trapped. One blow and he would lose.

"What are you waiting for, Everpaw? Strike him now! This is the chance!"

A small gleam appeared in his eyes as he plunged toward Stormpaw. Sharptail didn't say anything, for he knew that his apprentice will lose this battle.

But he was wrong.

Stormpaw lashed out his right paw at the exact moment, and using all his strength, he wrestled the bigger cat until he got Everpaw pinned. Mothfur's eyes grew wide with a mix of amazement and disbelief. She turned toward Sharptail.

"Sharptail...! You've got the best apprentice ever!"

Sharptail was lost with words, as well.

"I just don't know... how that happened..."

Stormpaw puffed out his chest, even though he was wounded here and there. "How did I do, Sharptail?" he asked.

"You did a wonderful job," Sharptail purred. "Come, you will need to check the Medicine Cat for any serious wounds. Afterwards, you could take a break until the afternoon. You could go hunting with some of your friends."

"Thanks, Sharptail."

Stormpaw went into the Medicine Den as Rainpelt mended his wounds.