We Rise Above [Phase Two Gathering]

The air was dead still in the clearing by the lake, undisturbed by anything but the occasional gentle laps of the putrid waters. The sky could not be seen, and the trees in the distance looked like claws reaching out to drag any cats passing by in, luring them into the maze of roots and branches. Not a sound was heard, not a creature nearby.

Until one by one, clan cats began appearing the in the clearing...

A patch of dense, stinking fog began to coalesce on the banks of the lake, shifting and swirling until it faded away. In its place was a she-cat, curled on the ground in sleep. A creeping wave lapped at Fogheart's tail, jolting her awake."Is the camp flooding?" She thought before recognizing the damp scent she knew too well. They'd already beaten Starclan. Were they going to tell them their next step? Her heart quickened with excitement. She couldn't wait to begin.


Two fireflies blazed into life not too far away. They let out a soft amber glow, fluttering to stay balanced as the log they had been resting on twisted and writhed as it gained a new shape. The two began sinking into the wood, fluttering in panic as it moved over them. A small breeze rustled the thin, bare branches overhead, and Pineeye woke. The trapped fireflies were now his eyes, and he used them to calmly gaze around the clearing. He knew where he was already. Creaking trees like quiet wailing told him that he had woken in the Dark Forest, a place where he had been promised the returned pride of his clan. Their next plan was being formed.

Webtail felt the cold mud dampening his fur, he slowly stirred and woke up, looking around the vast landscape before him. The fimiliar mood of the Dark Forest welcomed him as he took in a breath of the foggy air. They were growing strong and fast.

Lionpaw had never been here before. She had not even been to the regular gathering place for a Gathering of peace. Peace wasn't much to Lionpaw anyway. As she continued deeper into what she awoke in, she came to a lake. Other cats where there, muling around. Her blue eyes scanned and made note of the appearance of each cat. Chocking them down to irrelevant to her, her gaze landed on Fogheart. Fogheart? What was her mentor doing here? With narrowed eyes the apprentice sulked her massive body up to the warrior, stopping to stand in front of her and stare into her eyes like she always did. Lionpaw didn't say anything, just waited for Fogheart to supply the conversation.

Briarpaw padded close to the dead pool, he had hoped to see Robinpaw, afterall he needed something to do while he was waiting for his training to continue.

Tulippaw seemed scared out of her skin "I don't see any trees" she said quietly

OOC: Tulipkit's ceremony is pending so i want to add her in now

Aspenpaw awoke near his sister, cold water lapping at his fur. He didn't like it, and realized he was nowhere that he knew. What is this pl- His thoughts silenced as he saw the bodies of sleeping cats, littered around the area. He found his sister and Fogheart, running to her. "Lionpaw? Do you know where we are?" He asked, no nervousness hinted in his voice, though.

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Pebblethorn awoke to see the Dark Forest again. What have they brought me here for? Can't they tell I'm sick of this? Her pelt bristled, and she barely noticed the groggy water around her. This area... Was new.

--

Palepaw's eyes opened slowly, and jumped at the sight of cold water around him. He shivered in fright, curling his tail around his body in some sort of protection reaction. "What is this place?" He breathed nervously.

Sedgeclaw trudged into the clearing, glaring sideways at the other cats- especially Pebblethorn. He stood, fur on edge and claws unsheathing as he spotted unfamiliar cats. "Why are we all gathered here tonight?" he asked gutturally.

Nettletail woke up in the Dark Forest, surprised to see other Clan cats there. She didn't recognize many of them. She smelled ThunderClan and WindClan, however. Why are they here? Intentionally avoiding Pebblethorn, she sat by Sedgeclaw, feeling secure with him. Though he probably was indifferent towards her. "I don't know," she meowed, "but it must be important. "

Lionpaw flicked her tail to Aspenpaw. Oh so chipper. [Color=#00bcff]"I know as much as you." She snapped, keeping her gaze on Fogheart.

Jaypaw had appeared in some sort of misty dark place where the moon and stars were not shown, he had scented other cats as well but not from his clan. Some were yes but most were unrecognizable. He blinked Were am I? he thought, realizing the deputy was here. Jaypaw padded over to the she-cat "Do you know where we are?" he murmured.

Frostfall had appeared in the dark area just like all the other cats except the white tabby seemed to stick out a ton in the dark. She looked around noticing her aunt Fogheart, and two of the other apprentices in her clan. She approached the group of cats looking around at them. She didn't say much. She just kept her eyes looking around, looking for any sign of some Dark Forest cat coming to get them or something. Though she wasn't fond of so many cats being here.

Crowstar blinked at what was in front of him. He remembered coming here as a deputy, and he hadn't returned since. He wasn't really to fond of this place but he was curious as to why he was here. He had heard there whisper at the gathering, and he wasn't sure if this was a good thing or a bad thing. He needed to make a choice, should he go forward with what they are planning, and get stronger? Or she he back away he keep to Starclan's side, but Starclan was gone now? Right? The black leader stuck to the back of the group keeping some distance. His fur helping him blend in. He didn't really want to be noticed.

Pebblethorn's thoughts raced when she heard a familiar voice below her. Jaypaw... Well, she realized where she was- the Dark Forest. She did not want to speak of this place, but noticed even Crowstar was here. She turned to him. "You... Don't want to know." She said, ears pinning against her head in fright of what was to come- would Starclan truly be gone forever? Was the Dark Forest coming to kill them all?

Jaypaw's mind changed, what really was this dark place? He didn't want to know by the fact that even Pebblethorn wouldn't tell him.

Amberclaw lifted his paw to see the mud dripping slowly, the thick consistency looked disgusting but he brushed it off and went to join the others, "Dark forest... from the gathering, are they going to kill us?" He said out loud sternly.

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Treestep heart raced as she awoke in this area, the immediate thought that she would die filled her head, once she saw the other cats from different clans she calmed herself. Maybe this place wasn't going to kill them, "Why would this place kill the strongest warriors but also little apprentices, maybe they want us to help them?" She thought aloud "Well, i'm not sure anyway... don't count on me though no one ever does." She added sinking her head, anger filling her once again.

Tulippaw looked around for her mother and father with a prickle of dissapointment as they had not come, she was in pure discomfort here and she wanted to run back home