May's Gathering 2016

As the flash of lightning cut through sky, from the darkness of the bushes, three cats slithered out. The first cat was a pretty dilute tortoiseshell she-cat, she walked out quietly, her paws making not even the faintest of sounds as she walked towards the gathered cats. Her blue eyes were quick to lock onto Nettletail, her precious apprentice. She gave a little nod to the SkyClan warrior before walking over to the nearest warriors. She let them smell her sweet scent, running her tail underneath Flashstorm's chin flirtatiously while her pretty blue eyes were locked onto Jayflight. "You can trust, Morningstar. He only wants what's best for all of us." She purred.

The next to approach the clans was silver tabby tom. He had a jagged scar that ran through one of his eyes, leaving the once yellow colouring cloudy and murky. His other eye had a sad look about it, a broken look that contrasted sharply with his massive, viciously looking body that made him look like a killing machine. He didn't say anything, just watched the apprentices and she-warriors with a sort of tired wistfulness.

The final cat was an apprentice. "Heya!" She called out to the apprentices below with a giggle. It had been so long since she was allowed to be around other cats who weren't the Dark Forest. StarClan tried to keep her away, but she was here. The calico nudged the silver tabby warrior, and meowed. "Sunwhisker, don't be such a downer. We're tryin'a make 'em join us."

Vixenpaw stared at Morningstar with fear. The crackling of the thunder had startled her, and the comment about StarClan not being powerful enough startled her even more. Wasn't StarClan the dominant Clan? Didn't StarClan watch over all of the living Clan cats? She padded up to stay close to her mentor, Ant drop.

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Wishpaw stared at the cats who had come out of the shadows, and she was horrified. With fear, she stared at them. All four of the strange cats. She wished Cloverpool, Sunpelt, or Miraclepaw was here.

Blizzardpaw was experiencing what could only be described as a strong mix of fear and curiosity. She didn’t knew these cats, and by the looks most of the other cats were giving at them it was obvious that they were on the same spot as her. Yet, some of the cats were clearly nervous or excited with their arrival, what only made her feel even more confused. The mention of StarClan not being strong enough, of them abandoning them, that only made tilt her head, she had heard a lot about the clan of the cats that no longer were between them, that lived between the stars and watched over them like a mother would watch over their kits, but from all what she had heard nothing pointed at StarClan being weak or willing to just abandon them.

She listened carefully to the cats that entered in the clearing so mysteriously, from Morningstar to the apprentice. Yeah, they for some reason made shivers run down her spine and the fur on her tail stand on end, but her curiosity, as always, won over fear. When power was offered she just let it slide like water over a rock at the bottom of a river, she never had been a cat that desired power or anything related to it. However, when protecting her clan was mentioned she immediately perked her ears with interest.

As the mysterious cats interacted with each other, her gaze traveled all across the clearing once more, and when she noticed the she-cat looking at Jayflight she couldn’t help but look at him, her eyes reflecting her confusion and the questions that roamed across her mind. Her father knew the she-cat? From where?

Crowstar stared at the cat before him. This was the cat he swore his allegiance to. One of the many cats that promised to make his clan great again, and if their help helped him achieve that then so be it. The strong ones would survive, and Skyclan needed to survive. The black leader scanned the crowd seeing their reactions, and then looking to the rest of the leaders. His yellow eyes locked onto Morningstar, and he nodded. The leader moved to stand by the big tom. "He is right." Crowstar said. "Join us, and you will be safe. We will be strong, and the only way to do that is to side with them." Starclan allowed his clan to get driven out, and attacked numerous times when they were weak, but not anymore. A fire burned in the leader's yellow eyes as he looked down on his clan mates, and other clan members.


Smokefang let out a small laugh as she entered the clearing for the first time in ages. It had been far too long. "Come on guys, what is with all the fear?" The smokey tabby asked in a light hearted tone. "We just want to help you, and make you stronger. Starclan let far too many bad things happen to you. We can make you strong. No small clan would have to fear their bigger neighbor anymore." Smokefang worked her way among the Windclan cats passing by Cedarfur, not bothering with his outburst.


A beautiful ginger tabby appeared next to Widlfang. "Normal? No. Wonderful? Very. This is a great opportunity for us all. We can all work together and become stronger!" Sunclaw was very joyful about this. They were going to finally achieve what she worked hard for when she was alive. They had so much power now, but they still needed more clan cats on their side. "Join us." She said with a purr towards the Shadowclan warrior.


Zeno sat among the Thunderclan cats. His original clan. Granted he was a Dark Forest cat now it was nice to being among his original clan. Though he was bit mad that they were driven out, but if they joined they wouldn't have to stay in that barn any longer. They could be strong like he was! The bulky gray tom looked around trying to judge the looks of the clan members.


Another White tom appeared among the clan cats. His eyes scanned the crowd and settled on Cedarfur as he spoke out against his leader. Hopefully the flea brained Windclan would notice their numbers and stepped down from his outburst. Whitefur swore he would go after that tall brown tabby if a fight broke out. He wanted to crush any sign of rebellion.


Next to the big white tom stood a smaller apprentice. Stormpaw looked around, practically giddy at what he was seeing. The fear, and the excitement rose from different cats. The dark gray tabby decided to split from his former mentor and go over to some apprentices to join them, and try to convince them over to his side. He padded over to Blizzardpaw, and her small group. "Come on guys, don't you want to be strong? They teach many amazing things. I have been with them for a while and I'm still learning! The things they teach you will never learn with your clan." He knew he could never be a warrior, but he was happy constantly learning. And he would happily pass on his skills to other apprentices.


Maplepaw was relived to be back among the other cats. It was nice to be seeing how she had been so alone. She sat among other cats not really caring what clan they were from. "Please don't leave us alone and stranded again..." She spoke to the cats hoping they were listening. "I don't think I can handle be alone again.. If you don't join us.. I will be forced to be alone again."


Sootclaw sat among the Riverclan cats not saying a word. It seemed the others had it covered. She was just here for intimidation factor, and a warrior if needed. She would be peaceful as long as Morningstar needed it. Once he gave the word she would lash out at anyone who dared to stand against them. Hopefully their words would get through to the cats, and they would have even more on their side.

Another Silver Tabby tom Padded in behind them, he seemed most intrested in the skyclan,riverclan, and shadowclan cats, swiveling his torn ear

As the lightning flashed in the sky, Thrushstar would admit that it made him jump. His claws dug into the stone underneath him before an unfamiliar scent reached his nose. Turning around just before the large leader who appeared on the rock spoke, the Shadowclan leader let out a fierce hiss but dared not to move. He wanted to rip his fur off right then and there, knowing exactly what the leader was talking about as soon as he spoke. "How dare you!" he hissed with his bad voice. "What... makes you think you can come... here and tell such lies?" However, Thrushstar stopped suddenly when he heard Crowstar speak up. Suddenly his stomach dropped. Crowstar had joined this Dark Forest? Who else had? It had now become clear that this wasn't the first time they had met with the leader. Who else had they spoken with? 

Without another word, Thrushstar glanced around the clearing seeing several cats afraid and confused while others looked... calm? Not to mention that the longer he looked around, the more unfamiliar faces began appearing among the clan cats. All of them seemed to have a coldness about them. It was obvious almost instantly that most of them couldn't be trusted. For the first time in a long time, the Shadowclan leader looked around speechless. This had become much bigger than he had imagined. Another first for the leader was fear. It was an emotion he had hoped he'd been able to successfully block out of his life for good after his clan was almost decimated so many moons ago, but here he was standing on Great Rock at almost a complete loss, but he couldn't show it. He had to stand strong. "I will never... join you! Starclan might have gone, but... they will be back!" Be strong for the clan.

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A few laughs echoed through the clearing as three more cats strolled in, looking as confident as ever. Icestep gracefully pushed her way through the sea of cats below the rock, her eyes setting on Morningstar gleefully. It was finally happening. The day had come and she was able to walk among the living again. This was their time to show just how strong they were. "I love your sense of humor Thrushstar of Shadowclan," she meowed loudly. "They're gone! They're not coming back. They've given up." Sitting calmly among the cats, she took her place next to a bunch of unfamiliar clan cats.

Dustclaw padded in with his head held high. The scars that lined his body gleamed in strike of lightning in which they appeared and his yellow eyes pierced the night. He said nothing and sat close to the back of the crowd in the clearing. He wasn't too great with words so he let the others do it and he would be crowd control. 

Blacktail nervously walked in, her eyes quickly shifting around the crowd of cats, her skittish behaviors rather strange. She had no idea who would turn on her here, especially among cats who would disagree with their train of thought, but she had to come. She was determined to stay with her leader and take advantage of Starclan being gone. She was ready for the dark forest to take over and finally do something right that Starclan could ever accomplish.

With everything happening so fast, Mudfoot couldn't process what was happening. The gathering had been going fine and now these strange cats were in the hollow, demanding everyone to join them? What next, the sky would fall on top of their heads? Noticing cats emerge from the darkness, Mudfoot stood up, his fluffy fur bristling and unsheathed his claws. Looking up to Thrushstar, he was relieved to see that at least the ShadowClan leader was sane, unlike Crowstar. How could he join with them? He wondered, looking around. The scent in the air was strange, and although they seemed calm, he wouldn't let these weird cats seduce him.

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Smokepelt stood next to Cedarfur, shocked that his brother actually spoke up. "Are you crazy?" The grey tom hissed to his uncle, but the taller cat ignored him. Fleebrain! All of these cats don't look very nice, glancing around, he noticed that there were even more cats now, and they were all coming closer and closer. What ever you do, don't let them get the better of you. Smokepelt reminded himself, praying that Ashwing wouldn't make the same mistake at the SkyClan leader.

~~~

What? His father was with these cats? "How could you!" He yelled, to his father, not like the leader would really hear him over all the commotion. He didn't really know who or why all these cats were here, but the way they walked and talked didn't give them a very good first impression. All his life, Crowstar had been his role model, but now, Antdrop was having second thoughts about his father.

The one-eared silver tabby circled a Riverclan apprentice "Join us.." He Said

Oakpaw was horrified that she saw Dark Forest Cats "Never!" She growled to the silver tabby with one ear

Briarheart Seemed To Be Jumping In His Fur With Excitement "I Will Join You!" He cheered.

OOC: @Error Your post is pure irony to me since i have a starclan plot cat stormpaw XD

Blizzardpaw was surprised when Crowstar decided to talk in favor of the dark cats, she didn’t need to be a genius to start to understand what was going on…come on, she may had been an apprentice for less than a moon, but it didn’t took her long to piece everything together, aided by the reactions and words of the other cats. The Dark Forest had arrived, when they got enough power to do that? Would StarClan come and help them? Where they really one?

She wasn’t sure if she should say something or stay silent. She wanted to act, she wanted to help, she wanted to give her opinion, but if even the leaders were scared and hesitant to talk, she wasn’t sure if she should do it. She was pulled out from her train of thought when she heard an unknown voice at her side, turning around to see a dark gray tabby that had the same spooky aura that the new cats that were slowly arriving to the meeting.

She looked at the Great rock once more, half listening, half thinking. It was obvious from her slightly distracted gaze that many thoughts and questions were running across her mind “Just…how we know we can trust you, when we all know that you ended where you are right now because you betrayed those that once were your clan, your own kin, your own family, past beyond the point where even StarClan would forgive you?” She asked, hoping that she could be heard over the voices of the other cats. She didn’t want to sound rude or judge the cats that had arrived even if they were from the Dark Forest. She just wanted to know if they had changed for the better, maybe all that time of solitude and darkness was enough to make them reconsider? Or…Maybe not? She was trying to be optimistic, but under these circumstances, even that was hard.

With the commotion in the Gathering continuing, a black, dark furred tom appeared among the ShadowClan cats as he settled with his former Clan. Familiar with his surroundings, he felt an emotion that he had not felt in a long time, an emotion that reminded him of his beloved mate: happiness. However, this emotion didn't last long as he remembered their betrayal. "Hmph," Silentfang huffed as his amber eyes scanned the ShadowClan cats, finally looking towards the gathered ThunderClan cats with hatred. This is the work of StarClan. How weak ShadowClan became. "ShadowClan was better than this," he mewed quietly, out of earshot from the cats further away from him, "but we can make you stronger than your ancestors." Filthy ancestors, Silentfang was tempted to call them. The rejection of StarClan really tore his heart into two, as the tom felt a belonging with the Dark Forest, with Morningstar.

After taking a glance at his leader, Silentfang sat up and began to tread lightly, weaving through the ShadowClan cats in a creepy manner. "Don't be scared," he whispered through their ears, "we will guide you. We will show you power." With his words, the tom unsheathed his claws as the dark tom felt ready to shred their tails. He padded slowly towards the rock where Morningstar and the other leaders sat, gleaming his dull amber eyes from the reflection of the moon as he looked towards ShadowClan's deputy Leopardfang, then to Thrushstar. He smiled in amusement as he spotted Crowstar, a Clan leader that successfully joined their ranks. We will overthrow StarClan. They will learn, he thought proudly as his face reflected the look of death, watching the ShadowClan cats with hope.

Ashwing hissed at the strange cats that smelled of death and darkness. The very idea that someone would suggest the death of StarClan was absurd and a total lie. She saw warriors of all Clans starting to fall away. No, no, no! Someone had to stop this! To stand up for StarClan! "StarClan is still here; I know they are! Who gave Crowstar his nine lives, traitor though he is? Who inducts medicine cats, leaders, warriors? Who do you thank for every piece of prey you catch? Who guides the Clans through their every pawstep? StarClan has always been there for us, and always will be!" Her hackles raised, she glared at Morningstar, unsheathing her claws. "I don't know who you are," she snarled, voice low and threatening, "to waltz into this Gathering and announce that StarClan has left. No matter whether we can see them or not, StarClan is watching over us, and if we need it, they will give us the strength to defeat you." She looked around at the crowd of Clan cats. "I don't know if you're listening to the lies of these cats, but don't pay them any attention! StarClan is here for us! They will never, ever leave us. These cats, cast from StarClan because they broke the warrior code beyond repair and forgiveness, promise you power. Their promises are lies. Don't listen to them! Any loyal warrior would stand with StarClan. You remember when you were made apprentices, or warriors? You warriors, you took an oath to protect and defend your Clan. No matter what Clan you are, StarClan is for every loyal cat who follows the code. If you follow these cats, you are traitors, and no longer true warriors."


Nettletail smiled triumphantly as Lost and the other Dark Forest cats came into the Gathering. Their time was here at last! She was confused to see that Crowstar was part of them, but a little pleased. They had a leader on their side- no one could refuse them! She scoffed at the few who spoke up at the crowd, but was almost ecstatic to see how many were willing to join them. They- she- would be strong! Then, the WindClan deputy spoke up. Of course, it would be WindClan- the power hungry mouse-hearts that had destroyed her life in the first place. It was almost ironic to hear the brainwashed she-cat ranting about how the silly dead cats would never desert them. The part about warriors almost made her laugh. "No," she called out, "the only true warriors are those that side with us. We will rule this forest, and no one will ever go hungry. The strong will prevail, and those of you who are smart and strong enough to be with us will see benefits larger than you've ever dreamed of!"


Frecklepaw was truly confused by all the madness, and more than a little scared. So this was what Leopardfang had been talking about. "No," she whimpered, "no, no, no. StarClan can't be gone!"

"What did ya think the stars all being gone meant, sweetheart." The Dark Forest apprentice teased, slinking over to Frecklepaw and bopping her on the head playfully. The calico was a mean gleam in her eye, but she played it off like it was all just a big game to her. "StarClan's long gone. You're best off sticking with us. Frecklepaw." She dramatically purred out the she-cat's name. Oh yes. They knew every cat that was in this clearing by name.

To Blizzardpaw, who seemed uncertain of the Dark Forest, Sunwhisker came over to reassure her. He spoke in a low, calm voice, though it shook slightly with moons old grief. "I didn't betray my clan. I didn't kill anyone. I didn't steal. I didn't harm a single soul. I was loyal. So was my mate. Yet she was killed by dogs. No warning... I prayed to StarClan for days and nights, bring her back to me. But StarClan never answered back. I joined the Dark Forest so never again, I would lose some cat I loved. What use are ancestors who sit back and do nothing? We're no monsters, little one. We're clan cats who questioned the will of StarClan, and paid for it."

Blizzardpaw looked at the tom that approached to her, it took her a bit of effort to remember the name, as she had been listening to many things at the same time since the cats started to arrive, but after a bit of thinking she managed to remember it Sunwhisker…she hoped he was Sunwhisker, she didn’t want to mess up and offend anyone by calling them by the wrong name.

Even if she was sure that many would’ve advised her to do otherwise, she decided to keep an open mind and listen to his words. As he talked she couldn’t help but feel sympathy for the ancient warrior. She never had been forced to go through the death of a loved one, she tried to imagine it, losing one you love so much…she felt a lump on her throat, but was sure that it didn’t matter how much she tried to imagine it, she would never feel the same that this cat did in his time. She tried to understand his loss of faith and not prejudge, she wasn’t sure if any amount of praying would return a dead cat to the world of the living though, she never had heard of that happening before…but then again she knew she still had a lot to learn.

She nodded with his words, taking a couple of seconds to let everything settle in inside her before daring to speak “Maybe…not all Dark Forest cats are as bad as the stories say” She said almost to herself, if this cat was speaking with truth, then maybe he would’ve even ended in StarClan if he hadn’t decided otherwise after his loss of faith “Thank you for sharing your story with me, Sunwhisker, and I’m terribly sorry for what happened to you. No cat deserves such a cruel fate” She looked at him with a small sympathetic smile, hoping that maybe one day the cat would be able to find peace, who knows? Maybe StarClan can forgive Dark Forest cats under the right circumstances? She hoped that he would be able to see his mate again, someday, maybe she was waiting for him between the many cats that no longer were between them.

This chat, however, put her in a position she never thought she would be in. She no longer felt that all Dark forest cats were the bloodthirsty traitors that the stories always talked about. Maybe they were between them, yes, but if more cats like Sunwhisker were also part of the Dark Forest, then maybe they deserved a second chance after all…but listening to the cats around them, their experiences with cats that once betrayed them, their belief on StarClan, a strong belief that even she had…

Before the chat, she would’ve been willing to fight for StarClan and banish the cats from the Dark Forest for once and for all along her clanmates…but now…she had no idea of what to do anymore…of which path was the right one…

Wildfang stared at the cats, his fur raised just slightly. Fear and curiousity clouded his eyes as he stared in horror. We're these... Dark Forest cats? Wildfang shrank down a bit at the mention of Starclan and he blinked coldly. What was going on?? Wildfang nearly jumped out of his fur as the Dark Forest cat spoke. The muscular Shadowclam warrior recoiled slightly and stares at the She-cat. Join me.. Wildfang shook his head to clear the words.
"I don't see any good reasons to join you," Wildfang hissed. He cleared his eyes of the fear, pushing it down and replacing it with a cold stare. He wouldn't join these evil cats. He still trusted Starclan was out there, and they'd return!


Dreamleaf stood up quickly and backed away as the Dark Forest cats entered the clearing. The medicine cat gasped and her Amber eyes widened with absolute horror.
"You have no rights to be here! This is a sacred place!" Dreamleaf cried out in outrage. The fluffy medicine cat scooted back a bit. This was horrible!


Flashstorm flinched when the she-cat brushed his chin. He scrunched up his face in disgust. Flashstorm was speechless about this whole thing. W-What was going on? Starclan had... abandoned them. The tom risked a glance to the sky and blinked. Had they really? Flashstorm looked down then over at Crowstar in disbelief. How could a clan leader side with the Dark Forest? The Windclan tom then turned his head to Cedarfur and winced.

Appearing amongst the WindClan cats, Eveningsong began to purr.
"Why are you afraid of us? We only want what's best for you! Power beyond anything you can imagine...join us, and you will unlock the strength that StarClan could never give you."
The frightened looks on the Clan cats encouraged her to scare them more. The lightning and the thunder cracking and booming overhead gave her more motivation, and it made her sound louder. The beautiful she-cat scanned the crowd of WindClan cats, smirking.

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The shock of these strange cats made Vixenpaw physically shiver. But the shock of her own leader choosing the side of these evil cats made her hiss with rage, fear, and sadness. She barely ever hissed. This was her first Gathering, and it had turned out to be a disaster already. She stared at the cats appearing in the clearing. Were they all former Clan cats? Vixenpaw wanted to believe that StarClan was still there, but it seems as if they had disappeared...just like the odd cats had said.

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Various emotions seemed to cloud Wishpaw's vision. Confusion dominated all of the other ones. She didn't know what was going on here. A once peaceful Gathering had broken out into chaos. Wishpaw had come late, but she wished that she had not even come at all. What confused her the most was when Crowstar announced his loyalty to the strange cats. Did that mean that they were good? Certainly a Clan leader wouldn't leave StarClan and join evil...right?