New Moon [Final DF TOPIC]

Slivers of moonlight shuttered through the dark clouds that covered the sky, eating up the light and leaving giant patches of the great four oaks hidden in darkness. Shadows spanned over the the Great Rock, and the clearing looked murky and grimy, the dirt unusually damp for this time of the year.

OOC: Cleansed all the posts, I'll just double post and get this party started.

Saltpelt lead her clan out of the clearing, the she-cat's white pelt looking far too pale and dull in the moonlight. Her usual lustre was missing, leaving her looking gaunt and sickly as she approached the grimy clearing, her white paws being stained with brown in each step. When she finally pounced on top of High Rock, she looked dwarfed by the Great rock.

Crowstar looked as big as ever. He moved under the darkness practically blending in with it aside from his bright yellow eyes that reflected any light that managed to enter them. The skyclan leader didn't look back to the clan he was leading. He knew they were following him. When he saw the rock he saw Windclan. One of their long time enemies but joined under the dark forest. At least that is what he hoped. Who knew what was happening now? The fluffy leader made his way to the rock and jumped up joining the rather small white she cat.


Maplepaw followed Crowstar into the gathering. She silently hoped that nothing would happen, and she knew nothing would happen but she couldn't help but feel a little uneasy, like there was more darkness here than just the dark forest that she was used too. Maybe it was a bad idea to become part of this movement.. She didn't like the idea in the first place but she just wanted a place among cats again. Was that so bad to ask?


Frostfall was the next leader to arrive, leading in Riverclan. Her white pelt looked rather shiny in the dull light for some reason, though she wasn't getting that much food so she was slightly weaker than the last moon. Everything had been running so well.. What had happened to their food supply? She didn't quite understand.. But she still had faith. The dark forest would make things better. She had faith in them. Quietly the white tabby went to the rock and joined the other two leaders.


Reedfang followed unhappily behind his niece. He didn't like the situation he was put in. He didn't like the dark forest. Starclan was the only ancestors for him, and yet these dark dead cats walked among him, and shared a camp with him. He didn't like this one bit, but yet he was here. He didn't want to leave his family. Though Goosestorm, his only surviving kit, went missing recently. The brown tabby was rather disheartened.. but he still had Halfmoon. He took a seat away from other cats wishing not to mingle with them.


Sunclaw, the dead ginger tabby, followed in behind Riverclan. She was excited for this gathering. She hoped some more starclan followers could be routed out, and she could punish them or drive them out. She didn't know, but the thrill of a battle no matter how small made her excited.


Breezeheart followed her sister into the gathering. She was depressed this last few moons.. Cedarfur had been ignoring her.. He hadn't interacted with her all that much and she didn't know what to do. She loved the tom to death, but she had a feeling he didn't feel the same anymore. She found herself hanging out with her sister and her new kit more and more these last moons. She could always find comfort in her sister. The black warrior went and moved to sit near the rock, and near her sister. She didn't like the fact that she left Sootkit alone back at the camp but she was in hands of a medicine cat.. She had been sick lately. Her poor daughter.. She shouldn't have come but she was here now, and she couldn't leave.  


Sootclaw moved silently throughout the other cats following Windclan in. She had stuck with the clan for the last while, and she was rather impressed with how Saltpelt ran the clan. Well at least from the knowledge she had before she died. The only other thing she knew about leadership was from Morningstar. The dead cat moved and then sat with other cats.

Rippleclaw walked in with skyclan. It had been forever since he felt actual grass on his paws, he held a stern face and silently sat down next to Maplepaw.

Oakcloud followed Riverclan in. She stared dead at the floor since her mate had died two moons ago, not long after she had kits.

Gorsefeather followed behind Saltpelt, the former medicine cat looking unsettled as he stepped through the marshy ground to settle where WindClan would traditionally sit. He'd heard the dream as clear as day, StarClan calling for him to turn up to this gathering. Though he was old, the tom forced himself to venture here. His old bones ached, but he was ready to do whatever was necessary to place StarClan back in their rightful place. This state they'd lived in for the past few moons was unnatural. This was not living.

Ivyfall followed behind her daughter, fur prickled up from the unusual tension in the clearing. The WindClan leader looked frail, and everyone looked gaunt. It was hardly looking up for them all, and she worried that Dark Forest rule was fraying at the seams. She had no love for the Dark Forest, but her daughter was one of their most loyal disciples. If Dark Forest fell, she feared that her daughter would too. That was unacceptable. Her first litter. She would protect her, however she could.

Birchpaw strutted proudly as he took his place beside Rippleclaw, the black and white tom panning his yellow gaze over all the gathered clans. SkyClan looked strong, their leader Crowstar was mighty and dangerous as ever. Pride swelled in his chest at how the black tom overshadowed the other two leaders. He would follow him to the grave.

Lost settled near Rippleclaw as well, the sweet smelling she-cat chirping in greeting to anyone nearby. Her friendly demeanor hid a darker glint in her eyes.

Blossompaw bounded past all the RiverClan warriors, bumping into Ivyfall and rolling her eyes when the she-cat looked down at her reproachfully. She had better things to do than to entertain simpering apologises for weaker cats. She wasn't stupid, she saw that several RiverClan cats lacked true loyalty. They were weak, soft hearted from StarClan's rule. It was no matter though, with StarClan gone, they had all the time in the world. Eventually, these fools would see their way.

Fogheart followed behind her sister, Ivyfall, not out of closeness, but out of necessity, as the blind warrior was still unable to traverse the distance without another cat to go on. During the Dark Forest's reign she had become nothing but more agitated and snappish. They had not delivered her what had been promised. She was no stronger, no more powerful, and it certainly did not sit well with her that her niece was leading the clan. Why was she chosen? Ivyfall had been a much better fit. She would have been a much better fit.


Pineeye followed behind the rest of Skyclan, his mind filled with conflicting thoughts. These ghostly cats had made them significantly stronger, but at what cost? Prey was scarcer somehow, as if they had fled the forest along with the exiles. There was also this constant pressure given by the dead cats, even when they didn't seem to have their eyes on you. There was a sense to keep up a constant vigilance inside camp, lest something insignificant cause scrutiny. Questions and half-baked realities began to emerge. "What if I'd left?" Not much would be different, other than being with his other clanmates. He thought of Ghostpelt. Would things be different? Maybe. "What if I'd fought for Starclan?" One more warrior on the other side wouldn't have made a difference. He would've been exiled anyway. Still other possibilities ran through his head as he sat among his clanmates.

Fawnpaw followed behind Crowstar as they padded into the clearing. She could sense the tension between everyone else, but she couldn't help but be excited for her first gathering. Her paws shifted in excitement and nervousness as she looked around at all the cats from other clans, eyes wide in awe at how many there were. She watched admiringly as her leader climbed what she assumed was Great Rock and imagined what it was like to be up there and look down at all the others. She didn't really have many friends, but she did know Maplepaw a bit. So she made her way towards her and sat down, quietly wrapping her tail around her paws and gave her a friendly smile.

Willowbreeze padded into the clearing, close behind her mother, Ivyfall, and she couldn't help but search the crowd for Muddyfang and her kits that went to ShadowClan. They'd probably be apprentices now. She frowned slightly when she realized ShadowClan wasn't there yet so she took a seat in RiverClan's usual spot, while still keeping an eye out for them to arrive. She watched her mother sit where the deputies usually sit and watched as Frostfall leaped up onto Great Rock. Her tail tip twitched nervously, remembering the last, and her first, gathering. She really didn't know what was going to happen, if anything did, but the not knowing made her nervous.

Nightpaw followed Saltpelt with her head down. Her expression was mostly neutral, but under that mask she couldn’t help but feel disgusted. She was going to a gathering full of Dark Forest loyal cats. If her family hadn’t decided to stay she would’ve joined the exiled cats immediately. She had so many things to say, and not few of them directed to Saltpelt herself, she no longer saw her as anything else but a traitor, no longer her aunt nor her mentor. But after she got the scar over her eye by expressing her feelings out loud she had been more careful.

Moonlight followed Crowstar with her head and tail high and smiling. She was just so happy to finally be a warrior. Plus, she was actually feeling some curiosity about what the remaining leaders would say or do at this unusual gathering. She sat as close to the Great Rock as it was politely possible, not wanting to miss a single thing.

Webtail was last, leading in ShadowClan. He looked up at Highrock and took in a breath. The air seemd thin and made him feel cold occasionally. The shadows were thick and odd and the absence of stars made everything darker Nothing was inviting at night anymore. Not even for the ShadowClan leader. He made his way to the Highrock and jumped onto it. Nodding in acknowledgement to the other leaders before looking over the gathering cats. He had never seen the gathering from up here before. Now, he had a much bigger part to play. A part he still wasn't sure he wanted.

Morningpaw followed I'm after Frostfall and the rest of her clan. She noticed Fawnpaw and quickly parted from RiverClan in a feeling of urgency. The other cat seemed just as excited as she was despite the dreary feeling everyone else seemed to have.

After the encouraging words from his father, Lightningstrike stayed home in ShadowClan camp. There were still kits of his who hadn't become apprentices yet.

Tawnypaw padded into the Gathering quietly but confidently, her excitement of her first Gathering only visible in her eyes. She took a seat next to Willowbreeze and their mother, and looked towards the empty spot next to her. Maybe Toadclaw would have sat there, she thought sadly. He brother wasn't here, StarClan or otherwise. It didn't really feel like a proper gathering, without StarClan. She glanced around the clearing. Fourtrees was grimier than she'd remembered from that time with Willowbreeze and Muddyfang and the ground was damp underfoot. She decided not to question it too much, but peeked up at the thought she'd see her nieces and nephews in ShadowClan - Redkit, Ashkit and Hickorykit - though they'd surely be apprentices by now.

--

Sunpaw followed Crowstar into the Gathering, trying to be look inconspicuous. Did he deserve to be here? Sure, he'd passed his assessment with flying colours, but he was weak. What value would he have in the Clan, a warrior who could barely fight? Yes, he could hunt, but that was all. What was he doing at a Gathering!? Surely he wasn't worthy! But it was too late to turn back now, so he forced himself to sit down. Fourtrees seemed murkier that he'd expected, but it was alright, he supposed. Not that there was anything he could do about it. He tried to ignore the strange feeling in his gut that something was going to happen tonight, be it good or bad.

--

Redpaw strode into the clearing, shortly behind his leader and with his head held as high as ever. He had only been an apprentice for a few days, and couldn't believe he was already attending a Gathering - not that he was complaining. His eyes swept the clearing. Fourtrees, he decided, was alright. It could do with a little more light and some sprucing up, although the big rock in the centre - the Great Rock, he was told it was called - was nice. His thoughts drifted back to more important things - this would be one his first steps in becoming a warrior! No wonder he was here so early in his apprenticeship - he was the best, after all! He sat down next to a certain tawny brown RiverClan she-cat. Her scent seemed familiar in a vague way - but he couldn't pinpoint it. And next to her, an even more familiar scent, one he could pinpoint. Willowbreeze, his mother.

Willowpaw followed her leader into Fourtrees, her white paws barely making a sound and her green eyes surveying the area. Fourtrees looked very...different when it was occupied by cats from all five Clans. Her eyes slightly widened in surprise at the mere number of the cats present for the gathering. And she thought the number of cats her leader had brought into the Gathering was numerous enough!

The ShadowClan cats dispersed as they entered the clearing and she found herself being left behind and intimidated. A few paces from her, a ShadowClan she-cat greeted a SkyClan tom casually and settled down beside him (but not too close to him, Willowpaw realized). Willowpaw began shifting her paws awkwardly like she always did whenever she got nervous. She didn't know anyone here! And the other apprentices were already forming a big group, but she didn't know if she was supposed to join them. 

The silver tabby cat took a few steps forward, hesitated, then spotted Redpaw who had sat next to an apprentice who had RiverClan's fishy scent clinging to her fur. Relieved, she bounded over to him and sat down, wrapping her tail around her paws. "I'm glad I managed to spot you. There's just too much strange cats here." Willowpaw greeted.

Redpaw smiled. "Ah, there you are, dear Willowpaw! I didn't know whether you would be coming tonight! Good to see you here.....but you look nervous about the amount of cats here."

--------

Tawnypaw glanced over at the sound of the young ShadowClan apprentices conversing, and her eyes widened in shock. This was Redkit - Redpaw now- it had to be, with that unmistakable fur and ShadowClan scent, and he was talking to a unknown silver tabby. He was a large cat, but he only reached her shoulder - after all, he only looked like he was a kit a half-moon ago, and she was old enough to be a warrior. She wondered if he could remember her. It was unlikely, though, at best, he'd have a vague, clouded memory of her scent or voice. Maybe it was for the best. She turned away, hoping he wouldn't remember.

Treestep lead Thunderclan in warily with her head hanging high, she wanted to appear strong to the other cats among her but her weak physique was no help. "Greetings all." She said dipping down to show respect to the other leaders.


~~~~~~~~~~

Amberclaw padded in behind Webtail, he was a deputy now and defiantly did not mind showing it as he puffed up his broad shoulders, letting his golden fur shine bright in what little light there was. Amberclaw's cold stern remained on his face as he gazed among the array of cats. The Dark Forest's rule was working wonderfully.

Blackpaw's wispy blue gaze scanned the clearing, as he tread behind his leader, who appeared weak and solemn. He did not stumble or falter, as Blackpaw leapt over a rock, surrounded by tussocky grass. His pelt was oily with the effort of walking, since his ribcage jutted out. However, the look on his face remained stern and determined.

Blackpaw glanced around. Millions of eyes were watching him, and he returned their gaze with an emotionless one of his own. He was not frightened, as he neared to the cats who took up the rear of the group. His eyes were clouded with distress. He had never been to a gathering before.

Blackpaw spotted his sister, Featherpaw, yet he did not witness his mother attending. He gave up, deciding thoughtfully that he would find her misty grey frame later. "I'm here," Blackpaw encouraged himself in a silky tone. He gave a swift, yet delicate and respectful nod to the leaders.

Littlebrook padded in behind her kit, Willowpaw, and watched as she went to go sit next to Redpaw. She smiled and took a seat not to far from her. She wished Lightningstrike and their other kits could have come, but they weren't apprentices yet. So after a long discussion with her mate, and some input from Webtail, they decided, since the kits didn't need her milk anymore, that he would stay and she would go with Willowpaw. She usually wouldn't have insisted on one of them going so much if Willowpaw didn't go, and she had had this weird feeling in her gut that something was going to happen at this gathering. She didn't want her kit going through anything similar to how her first gathering went, alone, if anything did happen.

Willowbreeze purred as her sister sat down next to her, but frowned slightly as she noticed her looking at the empty spot next to them. She knew what she was thinking because she was thinking it too, and it made her heart wrench. She hated whoever or whatever it was that had killed her brother. She was about to try and cheer her up when she noticed a familiar, but bigger, red pelt coming their way. Her breath caught in her throat as Redkit, well probably Redpaw now, sat down next to Tawnypaw. She cast a glance filled with mixed emotions to Tawnypaw. She was happy she got to see him, but sad he wouldn't know who she was. She wanted to say something so badly, but as she saw a silver tabby pad up to him, she knew that she couldn't say anything, even if she wanted to.

Meadowpaw followed behind Treestep, careful to where she put her paws. She was so excited for her first gathering, but the only way you'd be able to tell was the glimmering of excitement in her eyes and the slight excited flick of her tail. She could sense all the tension and anxiousness and she tilted her head. She looked around at all the cats, trying to figure out what it was that made them so anxious. She thought maybe it was the ghostly looking cats because they made some of her clanmates back in camp nervous sometimes. She nodded her head, sticking with that theory and padded over to her brother, Blackpaw, and sister, Featherpaw.