May Gathering 2020 [Sitewide Plot Finale]

Clouds brewed in the starlight. Empty, ruinous clouds they were, and yet, they carried no rain and no lightning. It was all the Righteous Ones could muster. A storm by another name would take its place; the thunder would be in the pawsteps of the warriors, the lightning would be their cries, and the raindrops would be their blood. Badgerstar paced at the pool as Morningpaw recruited leaders for her childlike games, staring down at her with disdain and a note of pity. Treason, tyranny, lawlessness… all of the things he had sought to avoid, now running rampant in a disobedient forest. As he struggled to keep StarClan in line, more had slipped through the cracks, infecting his warriors, infecting the forest, infecting feeble-minded moor-running apprentices in far over their heads. They had warned her, and nevertheless, she persisted. Morningpaw was spreading her venom to them all. WindClan, above else, was venomous. They had tried to cut off the head of the snake, but, like a hydra, Finchstar’s death had served to create more vigilantes.

No more. He would not be silenced again. He had tried to be diplomatic. He had tried to be political, sauve, honey-tongued, and graceful. Badgerstar’s efforts had been fruitless, and there were too many ants in the hill to squash one by one. His yellow eyes burned holes in Galestar’s ears. “You are too soft,” he hissed. “And I was a fool to believe peace and altruism would protect the holy laws of these lands. Suffocate the forest… and StarClan will fall in line. There is no more room for pity in this sky. We will end this rebellion.”

Flicking his tail, he addressed the remaining members of the group. “Owlstar, Vixenstar, rally the masses. Tell them that the rebellion in the stars can wait. The war on the ground takes precedent. Brackenstar…” He swallowed, hard, before smiling at his ruffled-looking and fiersome ally. “Given the chance, kill for our cause. Let us go. The forest awaits.”

---

Clouds swept over the moon, swirling, depriving Fourtrees of the dim light it provided. Out of the shadows, five figures stepped, and the Righteous Ones were upon the living once more.

“YO-O-O-W-L!”

Badgerstar’s shredding voice cut through the thick air, silencing the owls and the crickets.

He sauntered to the center of the clearing. His ears flicked. His eyes narrowed.

Badgerstar shook out his fur, shedding starry mist. He cleared his throat.

“My friends,” he hissed through a serpentine smile, “Bring me the WindClanner Morningpaw! If you heed my directions… She will face no harm. I come as a diplomat. I assume this little ‘uprising’ has some demands, hm? Ah, and I hope you don’t mind, but we’ve brought a bit of an entourage…”

Behind the five leaders, starry cats of all kinds began to enter the dismal clearing.

OOC: Righteous Few NPCs may post. Do not start any battles. You will be given a clear signal to fight.

As the murmuring in the clearing was promptly silenced, Lavenderbreeze stalked out of the shadows, slowly weaving her way through the crowd with a devious grin. Malice glinted in her eyes, evident to anyone she locked eyes with, relishing in the fear and discomfort that her presence caused. A lingering gaze here, a tail drawn over a back there. When she passed by the group of cats that were seemingly in mourning, her gaze showed that she knew exactly why. A blink, and she was on her way, drawing closer to the Great Rock. Precise and meaningful pawsteps brought her ever closer to Morningpaw and the group of authority that clustered around her, and she bared her teeth in a menacing smile. Opening her mouth as she stopped in front of the group, she drawled, words dripping with poison,
"I told you we'd meet again."

---

Olivestone's fur stood on end and her ears flattened as a yowl silenced every voice in the clearing and demanded Morningpaw. She stood and moved forward, baring her teeth as she moved to shield her apprentice, tail lashing and stance defensive. She said nothing as the StarClan-forsaken gray tabby Lavenderbreeze sauntered up to them and spoke.

---

Cherryblossom said nothing else as a cat smelling of WindClan and herbs showed up, spouting off words at a pace she could hardly keep up with. She simply curled up next to Dappleshine and sat there in silence until a yowl split the clearing. She promptly sat up, head swiveling around as she searched for the source of the noise, and her heart dropped as an entire entourage of starry pelts melted out of the shadows.

---

Redwolf's head snapped up as a yowl split the clearing, and she immediately felt her fur stand on end as she saw the starry cats appear out of the shadows and start making their way towards the center of the clearing, towards the Great Rock. She jumped to her paws, muttering an apology to Goldenpaw and Briarpaw, and she began to follow those starry mange-pelts.

---

ooc: olivestone has dibs on lavenderbreeze when the battle starts, and cherry wants to go after vixenstar, while red'll take anyone she can get her claws on!

Before either cat had the opportunity to respond to Ivystar, a splitting yowl sliced through her ears, which were now pinned to her skull. For a moment she wondered which of the Clan cats were howling now, but before she even had a chance to call out to them Badgerstar appeared in the center of the clearing, followed by a mass of star-pelted cats. Immediately, her lips pulled back in a snarl. Dropping to a crouch, she moved in front of the apprentice and beside Olivestone. Despite having just met her, Ivystar wasn't about to let some star-forsaken fool lay a claw on her, WindClan or otherwise. "She'll face no harm regardless." She hissed, unsheathed claws digging into the ground below.

Willow paw was about to speak again, when suddenly she heard and ear splitting yowl. Turning around, she spotted the Righteous Few...and they had happened to rally a whole group of StarClan cats. Her claws slid out instinctively, and she hissed. “Swan song...be careful.” She resisted the urge to arch her back, but she really wanted to sink her claws into something soft, preferably one of those cats.

As soon as she heard the yowl, Streampaw shivered. “The Righteous Few are here...Applefang...” She huddled closer to her friend. When Badgerstar demanded to meet the WindClan apprentice, she hissed. They were not going to be hurting an apprentice her age. Morningpaw had started a rebellion, sure, but she didn’t deserve to get mauled or killed.

Ebonypaw, still slightly mad, turned around to see a crowd of cats, being lead by the Righteous Few. Eyes widening, her claws almost sliding out. Looking around, she saw tense and angry faces. She moved back slowly, blending into the shadows. If a battle started, she would have the chance of a possible surprise attack...

Galestar had been silent, head bowed as she regarded the clans in the pool below. She tried to hide the glimmer of pride that shone in her eyes as she regarded Morningpaw, but it seemed as though she was unsuccessful as Badgerstar's hiss reached her. "And you are blind, but I wasn't going to say anything Badgerstar." She had been torn, ever since Finchstar's death at her nose. She had thought what she was doing was for the good of the clans, for WindClan, but hearing the dismayed cries of her clanmates and listening to their speeches of rebellion had turned her head. Morningpaw.... You mouse-brain. They'll kill you without hesitation, dear. She shuddered as Badgerstar spoke to Brackenstar, a sense of foreboding overcoming her. Was what they were doing right? She didn't know anymore.

---

Badgerstar led then into the Gathering, and while he charged forward Galestar hung back, silent and watching. As he spoke, her ears perked as her hackles rose, maw curling into a silent snarl at his demand. She still hated the demands made of her clanmates, but at this point... She was too far in to turn back, wasn't she? Besides, this was the best for WindClan, wasn't it? As she looked around at the gathered faces of all clans, a tingle ran up her spine again. They didn't belong here... She didn't belong here.... Why were they here? The good of the clans... But what good were they bringing? Her tail flicked absently as she warred with herself.

With each paw step that brought Vixenstar further from the shadows, her devious grin grew. Her gaze wandered slowly across the clearing, letting contact linger with those who'd sabotaged the Code. Her gait was slow but held a powerful air, her feathery tail billowing out behind her. Stars cascaded down her pelt as she walked, circling around the clearing once before coming to a stop beside a rather familiar grey-pelted WindClanner. Her cheeks were wet with the tears of grief, heart heavy with the knowledge that her daughter had been slain by her very own ancestors. After pushing her way past several cats, she settled down next to Dappleshine, curling her tail around her and resting it on her shoulder. Surely, she didn't know that Vixenstar had been the one to coordinate and carry out the deed- but soon enough, she would. "Sweet Dappleshine, hush your cries. It'll all be over soon enough, and the same claws that brought about darling Dacedream's demise will bring forth your own." Lifting her paw to examine her claws, she waited for the former RiverClan queen to realize what she'd implied. Vixenstar's grin grew wider as a rather evil laugh escaped her, and she winked at the traitorous WindClanner next to her. "The fun is about to begin, dearest."

Flintstar was relieved that Ivystar was willing to stand with them. He had expected nothing less - they had made their lines clear to each other the night they had agreed to the alliance and now it was clear that their Clans were in jeopardy. He listened as Morningpaw rattled on about her plans, ears twitching at the rather...Long talk and was about to try to find the words to respond when the sky grew dark...And and a splitting yowl echoed across the clearing. The leader jolted, glaring hatefully at the rock that backed him as it made the sound so much worse. Before a silky voice he recognized from the last Gathering spoke up...

And he turned to see that The Righteous Few had arrived. He grew still as the tom demanded Morningpaw be given to them, but his eyes scanned the crowd looking for his Clanmates, for his family. If things were to turn sour, he hoped that they were okay, that they would be safe. His face darkened as he glanced back at the tom as more cats stepped from behind them. So...They actually had some allies, so it seemed. His eyes strained to count how many cats there were but his attention was drawn away as one approached, hissing at the small group and seemed to be somewhat...Familiar with somebody among them. Ivystar quickly wasted no time in shielding the young apprentice as Flintstar circled to the other side, keeping his muscles tensed as he remained ready to pounce just in case...

His eyes soon tracked another cat breaking from the crowd of StarClan cats - one of The Righteous Few leaders had split away and was heading towards... Dappleshine. His heart skipped at the sight of his sister being circled by one of those corrupted cats. He had already lost Thornstar and Dacedream to these foul cats, he didn't wish to lose another of his family... But... He could see that she was surrounded by others, others who would jump to her defense with no doubt he imagined as they had looked to be comforting her. With a soft growl, he stood his ground and glanced back at the main grouping of StarClan cats. For now, things were...Peaceful even if he didn't expect it to last despite what the tom said. But there was little he could do but wait for the perfect moment to strike - he wasn't about to make things worse until lives were truly at stake this night.

--------------

Honeytongue didn't dare move from where she laid next to Dappleshine, her tears having steady dried up as she simply basked in her sister's presence. She could hear some cats comforting them - or...Well, comforting Dappleshine. They didn't know her, she wasn't as important to them, she understood that. So instead, she zoned them out and simply focused on the steady breathing of Dappleshine as she rested her head on her side. It was almost starting to be peaceful...

Until a yowl shattered it. She jolted, fur standing on edge as her lips quickly curled into an automatic snarl. What was... Her shoulders dropped as she shock overtook her at the sight of five cats she didn't recognize stood among them...But she knew who they were from the tales she had heard from the previous Gathering. These were the cats that had killed her father. Had killed Thornstar and Finchstar... That had killed Dacedream. She swallowed as she pressed herself to Dappleshine, sparing a glance toward the Great Rock. She could see Stormbringer among the deputies, and Ivystar was...On the ground with Flintstar at her side and two she-cats with them that she didn't recognize - one of which looked to be an apprentice. What was going on?

She spared a glance toward Dappleshine, suddenly feeling torn. She...She didn't want to leave her sister's side but she had told Stormbringer that she would rush right over to the rock if anything happened. Did...Did this count as something happening? One of the cats demanded a 'Morningpaw' and Ivystar quickly moved to shield the apprentice, Morningpaw, Honeytongue supposed. And slowly...More cats started to appear from the shadows and her heart sank. "I don't...What is going on?" she gasped as she slinked backwards, torn between wild fear and an anger that still burned within her at the weight of what these...These monsters had done to the forest. The fear was starting to win...That was until one of the original five cats stepped from the line and headed straight towards them. She opened her mouth to say something, her fur starting to rise but the she-cat paid no mind to her...And focused only on Dappleshine.

She wanted to pull away and get away from the slimy she-cat as she curled around Dappleshine's other side but Honeytongue forced herself to stand her ground as she glared at the she-cat...Then, then she spoke. The words sent chills down Honeytongue's spine at the callous mention of Dacedream. That Dappleshine was going to... With that, the fear was gone and only anger burned in its place. "How dare you!" she snapped suddenly as she spun to glare at Vixenstar, a growl rising in her throat as she dug her claws into the ground to prevent herself from throwing herself at the StarClan cat and making everything worse. "How dare you speak her name like you have any right you...You fish-gutted beast! Dacedream didn't deserve anything like what you...You are terrible, terrible cats thinking that you are...Righteous after what you have done! You all deserve to rot in the Dark Forest an-And I won't let you lay a claw on Dappleshine o-or anybody here without a proper fight!" She fumbled over her words, trying to think of whatever scathing remarks she could manage but it was hard - she didn't...This all felt weird and fear started to rise in her again. But...Dappleshine didn't deserve this. She never deserved anything of the terrible things that kept happening and Honeytongue was ready to fight like she never fought before to make sure that Dappleshine would be okay.

Creekstep had been preparing for this day for a while. The blue she-cat appeared out of the shadows, an sickeningly sweet smile upon her face. Her eyes glinted with maliciousness as she eyed the cats. The rotten code-breakers! Today everyone would come to justice. She watched her leaders, the true ones, not the puny living ones, ready to commence. She would rip apart those filthy cats with her claws. And the clans would face the wrath of the clans.
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Cedarheart leapt up angrily. ”You cats thing you are helping us, but all you are doing is ripping us apart. You killed Dacedream!” she yowled. ”I will fight every one of you to bring justice to her, and to the others you killed.Bring it on.” mewed the brown tabby, gazing at the Righteous Few defiantly. If she was gonna die tonight, it would be bringing justice to those cats.
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Daisybloom’s eyes lit with fear. Her claws started to dig into the ground, and she, unknowingly, pressed against Mossbloom. She was scared of them, of what they would do. She watched her clanmate speak out, and wished she had that kind of courage.
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Applefang growled as they came back. He didn’t understand why they were hurting anyone. Why couldn’t they just leave them alone? He looked around, making sure his family was safe before watching what would happen next.

"GET AWAY FROM HER!" The furious hiss came from beside the dappled gray she-cat, from the ever soft-spoken medicine cat apprentice. But not any longer. She was taking a stand, and she was taking one tonight. "You won't lay a whisker on her, not if I have anything to say about it! You murderer! You have no right to claim the name of a leader! You're Vixenstar, aren't you? No- you were Vixenstar. I think Vixenheart fits you better. Fox-hearted as you are."

She was about to speak more when Morningpaw was threatened, and a gray she-cat obviously out for revenge ran over, back bristling as she gazed as Vixenstar with the most never-ending hatred. Looking around, she met Galestar's eyes, and, on a whim, made a beeline to her. Would this work? She didn't know, but she had to try. "Galestar! Please! You can't let them kill her! She's only an apprentice! You spared me when I made a stand, spare her! Every cat involved involved themselves voluntarily! You can't blame her! Please, I'm begging you! I'd do aything, just don't hurt anyone else. Too much blood has been shed already!" The pale cream she-cat pleaded, her eyes leaking, even though they were set ablaze with determination.

---

Vixenstar. She was here. Oh, she'd finally have her revenge. Stormpaw charged straight towards her, with the intent of attacking, when she caught the evil she-cat's word. This was.... This was Dacedream's mother. And this cat just threatened to kill her!Undisguised, unending, raw hatred bubbled and overflowed and her back arched as she stared up at Vixenstar, angrier than a fox with its tail stuck in a twoleg trap, battling a wolf to protect its young. And that was pretty scary to imagine.

---

To say Ivylight was conflicted was an understatement. Part of her agreed in reluctance of bloodshed, however.. She'd pledged her loyalty to Badgerstar. And she'd die again before she broke that promise. She padded in alongside the other starters of the Righteous Few, and, despite herself, admired the loyalty of the WindClan cats for refusing to surrender Morningpaw.

---

The cool, marbled gray and brown she-cat carried herself regally, sauntering into the clearing with an heir of dignity. As such, Whinchatswirl always conducted herself this way. "Nicely done, Wolfcall. You refused the blaze of rebellion. I'm proud you are deputy of our elegant Clan, as I once was. If only your mate wasn't so keen on joining Morningpaw. Oopsie, did I tell a little secret?~ Well, I must be on my way, it truly was a lovely chat." She purred, voice smooth as silk, creating drama among the young couple, before walking away with her tail held high, sitting amongst the other heavenly cats.

Clovertwist nodded, curling his knotted tail slightly and smiling as he regarded Morningpaw at the head of the crowd. Yeah, she really is something else, he thought, half proud and half amazed. Finchstar would be so proud of her. He turned when Cedarheart looked to him, ears flicking at her question. "I have an apprentice right now," he answered proudly, and he took a breath to begin telling the ThunderClan she-cat beside him about Eaglepaw; however, he was interrupted by another sudden yowl - louder and more jolting than the one that had come from Dappleshine. Once more he jolted, but this time a greater sense of foreboding set his pelt bristling on end. Clouds had swirled over the moon. He realized the yowl had come from behind the leaders. Clovertwist's eyes widened, and he hissed, "They're here!"

His eyes narrowed in on the dark tom who referred to them with a poisonous voice as "friends", but then once again widened in shock at the mention of Morningpaw. "Foxdung," he growled. "These stupid mange-faced badger-hearts... The only thing they've done right is show up like everyone figured they would." He glanced aside to Cedarheart as she leaped up, yowling in fury at the starry cats. "If you want peace..." he began, quoting what Morningpaw had stated at their gathering, and he finished silently, Prepare for war. His eyes turned back to the starry shadows beginning to weave through the crowd, narrowing in disgust.

---

The sound of the ThunderClan tom's piercing yowl echoing through the trees sent a shiver of a thrill up Larchneedle's spine as his thick-furred russet form crept through the brush at the edge of Fourtrees awaiting the signal. Brackenstar, near Badgerstar, had not been leader in the warrior's lifetime, but Larchneedle was more than willing to devote his loyalty to the bold ShadowClan leader who called himself one of the Righteous Ones. They understood what the forest needed: true devotion. Loyalty. Purity. Real warriors who understood the code. To a different cat it might seem counterintuitive to break the code while trying to force the forest to obey it, but to the Righteous Ones - including, of course, malleable, moldable, gullible, Larchneedle - he understood that it just had to be the last resort. The Clans had already turned down every other opportunity to make it right by casting out the impure cats who poisoned them.

The round-faced tom-cat stalked towards the base of the Great Rock, his green eyes glittering as he examined the cats around him: he curled his lip at anyone who wasn't ShadowClan and spat with disgust at any of the code-breakers and Clan-hoppers who'd soiled the forest. Larchneedle stopped beside the medicine cats, glittering eyes raking over each of them individually as if sizing them up and taking note. "Evenin', gentlekitties, did you know we were comin'? You've got a nice seat for all the action," he sneered at them.

---

---

Morningpaw looked up at Ivystar with grateful eyes, dipping her head in respect to the leader as she mewed a gentle, "Thank you," to the RiverClan cat. That Ivystar was willing to lend the support of her Clan so willingly spoke volumes; she had seen Wolfcall turn away, either in outright support of the Righteous Few's crimes or simply (and more likely) in a desire to protect SkyClan- but it seemed like, just as Flintstar was, just as Raventail and Olivestone were, Ivystar was willing to fight for the cause of peace. She gave a firm nod at the reminder of keeping warriors at the front, replying; "I was thinking some of ThunderClan and SkyClan could climb the trees, and drop down where they're needed, help push through and link up to the Great Rock- we'd be flanking them from-" --and she paused, trailed off, her fur bristling as she looked up to the sky, empty clouds covering the moon like the curtain closing over the final act of a dreadful, bloody performance. It was not for the first time in her life that she dreaded the stars, and it would most certainly not be the last- but Morningpaw murmured, "They're here-- they're here already," as she stepped closer to her mentor. And when the Few came down from the stars above, their claws and teeth gleaming in the cloud-covered moonlight, their pelts studded with the stars they claimed to represent- she finally understood the fear that had trickled down Sunflower's legs at the last Gathering. She'd have liked to say she wasn't afraid, but... no, Morningpaw was terrified. How could she not be? She had been terrified ever since they struck down Finchstar before her, ever since Olivestone warned her of their crimes, ever since she had even heard of the watchful ancestors who ruled with an iron claw- she was scared, yes, but as the Righteous Few descended from the skies, spitting fire and fury cloaked in words of peace and diplomacy, she stood firm. Even as Badgerstar himself called her out by name, the eyes of the Gathering turning to her like thorns tickling her fur, she remained steadfast. And a part of her wondered- How did they know?. Maybe they truly were omnipotent-- maybe she was wrong. Maybe if they were all-knowing, they were all-powerful, and this was pointless from the beginning; but even if that were the case, to stand up would still be the only move. (The thought that her ranks had been betrayed never crossed her mind. She trusted everyone at that meeting with her life, and with the lives of the other cats- and who would side with those who called for unjust murder over those who sought peace?) So with her tail flicking behind her, and her green eyes ablaze with purpose, she whispered, barely more than a breath, "It's okay. I'm not about to back down now," and took a step forward- past Olivestone, past Ivystar, past the protection of the Great Rock's inhabitants- and spoke.

Moonpaw flinched when a loud yowl reached her ears. Instinctively, she pressed her back against Willowpaw's, seeking comfort in her best friend's warmth. "It's the Righteous Few..." she whispered, her eyes wide with shock. They were here again? And this time they came with backup... Her claws slid out and she imagined what the StarClan cats would do if a battle started. Surely they wouldn't slaughter everyone, even the ones with pure blood... "Willowpaw," she mumbled, "what's going to happen to everyone?"

---

Ashpaw's head whipped around to find five starry cats enter the clearing. The Righteous Few, she thought. "It would feel great if I could claw the life out of one of them," she mused out loud. With Ebonypaw getting on her nerves, this was the perfect opportunity to release her fury... if a battle occurred, that is.

---

Aspenleaf padded into the clearing, head held high, as she followed her superiors. Their starry pelts shimmered in the moonlight as they emerged out of the shadows. A malicious smile played on her maw as she scanned the cats attending the gathering. There would be no longer be any more impure blood contaminating the clans, not after today. She would attempt to do anything for her clan, even to the point where she would commit murder to make what she believed was right come true.

Cherryblossom could hardly believe her ears as one of the Mangiest Few stopped beside the little group that had clustered together in grief, and the fox-heart herself admitted to murdering her mother. She hardly registered the words of the others as she saw red, digging her claws into the ground to keep herself from wiping the smug grin off of Vixenstar's face herself. A low growl escaped her, and she spat,
"Oh you're so proud of yourself, huh? Proud of tearing a family apart just to further your own ideals? You're a monster! A vile, mange-pelted, fox-hearted monster!"

---

As Redwolf saw the sheer volume of cats that had shown up, she took a moment to think, an turned to return to her family, standing in front of them, ears pinned and fur fluffed out.

---

As Morningpaw stepped forward to speak, Olivestone also took a step forward, to stand at her shoulder. She may not be as good with words as her charge was, but she was a deputy, and she was going to use her position to support Morningpaw. She fixed Lavenderbreeze in a cold stare, and growled, "So we have."

Willowpaw pressed closer towards Moonpaw, their black and white pelts contrasting. Her brown tail tip twitched in worry. “I don’t know...I really don’t know...hopefully, none of us gets killed. Maybe just severely injured. Maybe, they won’t attack. Oh, who am I kidding, of course they’ll attack.” Willowpaw shuddered, noticing that she had a huge disadvantage in the fight. She was an apprentice, about to fight dead cats that were supposedly untouchable.

ooc: Cedarheart is very angry, she’s probably gonna join Cherry with taking on Vixen, if that’s alright with the 2 of you. I can change it otherwise. Applefang is down for whoever, but someone will have to initiate the battle. Creeksplash can fight anyone, hopefully someone that broke the code or supports the breaking of it, or just in RC


Cedarheart soon saw Cherryblossom approaching Vixenstar, and hissed at her, joining her clan ate. Dacedream had been a good friend, and although they weren’t related, she was very fueled to fight on her behalf. ”She’s right! You are all cowards! Fox-hearted cowards, too scared to admit their own mistakes and back down.” she growled. Her green eyes locked on the she-cat, her agitated pelt rising. She wouldn’t stand for this. Not any longer.

Daisybloom shuddered as the tom neared her. She let out a small, scared gasp as she saw him. She shook a little bit. She was desperately scared. She couldn’t fight, she wouldn’t! She didn’t want to be attacked. She didn’t want anyone to be attacked. Why couldn’t they all just get along?