[eli]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=style, width: 340px; background-image:url(http://i56.tinypic.com/20gfl1v.jpg); padding: 30px; border: #2D2729 solid 30px; ] just keep following But in order to get to the heart, I think sometimes you'll have to cut through. Dawnpaw woke the next morning with excitement simmering under her fur. The night before she had spoken extensively with her Clanmates, and now it was time to start the first challenge as the team leader of LionClan. They all knew what they were to do, where they were to go...but she still felt anxious. She hoped she'd done the right thing for her fellow team members, but there was nothing she could do now but wait for the pieces of her plan to fall into place. Maggotpaw was primarily white in color and thus would do best hunting when obscured by undergrowth. Dawnpaw had suggested to her to hunt among the bushes and low-hanging branches of the maple so that her pelt would be obscured by their shadows and overarching branches. Littlepaw was better blended, grey and black and pale brown, and thus would hunt among the open ground under the tree where her blended fur would give her the best standpoint. And Dawnpaw? She was badly blended as well, and her best hunting was done several tail-lengths above the ground. She would hunt from the tree's branches, where its shadows and leaves would obscure even her bright orange patching. It was the best arrangement for every cat, and she tried to stop herself from berating the concept too much. If she thought it would fail, then it surely would. If she had faith in it, so would her fellows, and they would surely succeed. That was her theory as she summoned her teammates with her tail and made her way to their designated place: the Great Maple. Settling at the base of the tree, she turned to Littlepaw and Maggotpaw, her tone bright and friendly. "Do you remember where you're supposed to go?" she asked, more to reassure herself than really thinking they needed to be reminded. She twitched her long, curved whiskers. "Now we wait for Lionstep...and," she added, looking at them with excitement flickering in her pale blue eyes, "I know you'll both do well. We'll surely win this round, my friends, I just know it." the heartlines on your hands

[/td][/tr][/table]

TEMPLATE BY TRINITY BLAIR @ CAUTION 2.0 & ATF

[/center]

[Fawn]

[style=font-family:Almendra SC; font-size:54px;]Lionstep

So It Begins.

Lionstep could still smell the scent of wild flowers as he sped along through TreeClan's territory, his massive paws propelling him forward, mane-like fur along his collar shifting and swaying with the movement. He knew Dawnpaw would be able to lead her team well, that wasn't what he was concerned with. It was Littlepaw, actually, and Maggotpaw. If those three could become friends, or at least learn to rely on each other when they needed help, then he could consider LionClan a mission accomplished. They'll all do fine. Worrying about it won't do them any good. Besides, this is only the beginning.
If any of the teams failed to band together during the hunting challenge, then surely they would learn to get along for thefighting challenge in a few days. Not hunting together was one thing, but knowing you didn't have someone to watch your back when you were fighting? That was something else entirely. Duskpaw and Foxpaw, perhaps, might learn to get along, that two heads is better than one, but Noblepaw probably wouldn't accept help even if he was charging to his death.
Gah... Enough about TigerClan, however, LionClan too deserved his full and complete attention.

"Good morning," mewed the great golden deputy, his amber eyes gleaming with a kind, supportive strength as he nodded once to Dawnpaw, then to each of the other apprentices in turn.
"Don't be afraid to ask each other for help, if you need it. Even the strongest of warriors know when it's perfectly okay to rely on someone else. Good luck, LionClan. You have until sunset to catch as much as you can. May the prey run slow and may you all have the speed of LeopardClan."

OOC: START!
Posting Order: Dawnpaw, Maggotpaw, Littlepaw.

[Deleted]

I will never be afraid again
I will keep on fighting till the end

Maggotpaw[/center][/font]

The pale white and black patched apprentice had a hard time sleeping after listening to Dawnpaw's and Littlepaw's discussion about tactics. She hadn't said much but took her 'leaders' ideas to heart. She agreed with everything Dawnpaw had said and was ready to win this first round of the competition. When the apprentice finally made it back to her nest her thoughts kicked into overdrive. Would she be able to pull her weight or would she let her mentor and Dawnpaw down? Worried that she would make a mistake and drag her fellow Lionclan members down made sleep near impossible. The pale white apprentice tossed and turned for what seemed like ages before sleep overcame her. Her dreams where invigorating, some of them were of glorious victory and others turned into nightmarish defeat at the paws of Noblepaw.

When Maggotpaw woke it was still a while before sunrise. She rose, gave her fur a quick restless groom then set out into the clearing. She hovered around the fresh-kill pile feeling slightly guilty for being hungry but then as she remembered that the apprentices would be bringing back prey later. Picking out a appetizing looking sparrow she meticulously shaved the feathers away from it's cold skin before digging in. Surprisingly the small meal settled the nervous butterflies raging around in her stomach. Feeling much more optimistic about the events ahead of her Maggotpaw began to stretch. First her fore-legs, one after then other, then her hind-legs stretched out behind her until it became painful. With a hop and a shake of her medium length fur Maggotpaw was finally, truly, awake. Excitement burned in her eyes as she trotted out of camp. Her paws wished to race across the territory, to bring her flying straight up to the Great Maple, but reason slowed her paws. If she ran all the way there she would tire herself out before the competition even started. Her tail waved behind her, arching over her back in greeting as she strolled into sight of the massive maple tree. Dawnpaw was already their. Befitting for a leader Maggotpaw had to respect her determination. Maybe they would win this thing after all.

As Maggotpaw settled in a short distance away from Dawnpaw she flexed all her muscles making sure her body was prepared for the hunting challenge. Her ears flicked in Dawnpaw's direction as the spirited she-cat spoke. Her tone was sweet and friendly but the black and white apprentice couldn't find her own voice to answer. Instead she blinked once and dipped her head in acknowledgment. She would stick to the plan. She was best at hunting from cover anyway her blasted white fur shone like a beacon out in the open. Maggotpaw's icy cold eyes drifted over Littlepaw. She didn't stare really just gave the small she-cat a once over. How nice it would be to be able to blend in like she could. As Maggotpaw's thought wandered she missed Dawnpaw's comment about waiting for Lionstep. She refocused in time to hear the ginger and white apprentice's nice words about them doing well. Blinking slowly Maggotpaw found to her own surprise her jaws parting, her pale blue gaze fixating on Dawnpaw and Littlepaw with intensity. "Yes and you as well. . my friend" Her voice slipped between her fangs in a soft sort of wind-swept sigh. It probably sounded so strange from lack of use but Maggotpaw couldn't remember a time when her voice was more than a whispering sigh. Her tail flicked, her attention suddenly absorbed with the approach of what could only be Lionstep. Her ears perked, her muscles tensing in anticipation. 'This is it, it's starting! She dipped her head to the deputy in response to his greeting sitting patiently still as he encouraged them to ask each other for help and wished them luck. A slight smirk passed across her features as she responded with vigor unusual for her. "With all due respect sir. Leapordclan has got nothing on us. Arrogant yes but she didn't care she was in the mood to kick some Tigerclan tail.

[/blockquote]

[Phoenix]

Nervous excitement filled Littlepaw, distracting her from any serious thoughts on how she should go about catching the most prey. Ever since their conversation the night before, the she-cat had been unable to completely calm herself down. Sleep had seemed an impossibility, yet somehow she had managed to get some rest. A determined, confident feline had replaced the quiet and almost insecure she-cat whom the apprentice had befriended. The change had been subtle at first, no doubt a result of Lionstep's everlasting patience and encouragement, but after last night, Littlepaw had noticed a dramatic difference in Dawnpaw. It did not surprise her, of course; Littlepaw had always fancied herself rather perceptive, and she had seen the potential that lay in her friend. Dawnpaw had just had to find it for herself. And now she had.

Stalling for time as she tried to regain control over thoughts that flitted around in her mind like butterflies, she stretched upon exiting the den. Green eyes glanced around camp, watching as the warriors went about their normal duties as if nothing had changed. But everything had, and that's what scared her. Littlepaw had grown comfortable in her little world, safe and secure. She knew her place, she knew Leafscar and his teaching methods. She knew what to expect. The challenges had taken that all away, or so it seemed. Thrown into a competition against Noblepaw, Duskpaw and Foxpaw, all apprentices who seemed infinitely more capable and experienced than she, Littlepaw felt completely out of her league. And there was nothing she could do about it. She did not want to leave the competition, for that would put the odds even moreso against Dawnpaw and Maggotpaw. That wasn't fair to them, and it would only put a rift between them when the three of them had just begun to befriend each other. Besides, Littlepaw was almost scared to win. How badly would it ruin Dawnpaw's and Duskpaw's relationship as sisters? She did not want to take part in destroying such a valuable bond. Realizing that there was nothing else she could do, Littlepaw swallowed and strode purposefully from camp. She had to be confident and strong, just like her older friend.

And so, it was with that attitude that the young apprentice reached the Great Maple, the last of her team members. Upon her arrival, Littlepaw nodded to Dawnpaw and Maggotpaw, giving them a nervous little smile as she clung to the remains of the confidence which had slowly ebbed with every step closer she took. She could not find her voice, not now. On the contrary, the leader of LionClan seemed to be in bright spirits, ever encouraging and believing in their success. Forcing herself to speak, she gave a Dawnpaw what she hoped was a bright response, "I remember. Don't worry. And good luck to you two as well." Littlepaw turned her gaze to include Maggotpaw as well, giving the she-cat a small smile. The other two seemed excited enough, and it appeared to be somewhat contagious; she was conscious of the anticipation starting to grow in the pit of her stomach. It cut through her anxiety, a welcome distraction.

Approaching pawsteps signaled Lionstep's arrival, and Littlepaw turned to look up at the deputy. An ear flicked at his words, storing the information in the back of her mind for later. The warm encouragement in his eyes as he spoke to each of them revived her confidence, a small spark of light in the darkness of her uncertainty. Leafscar thought she could do this. Dawnpaw thought she could do this. Lionstep thought she could do this. Littlepaw swallowed. She didn't want to let them down. Green eyes flicked over to Maggotpaw, bright with amusement at the she-cat's witty response. Her newest companion had a quiet confidence to her as well, believing just as much as Dawnpaw that LionClan would come out the victor in this challenge. All she had to do was catch some prey. Just mice and maybe a squirrel, just like she and Leafscar had worked on. It would be fine. She could do it.