March Gathering 2022

Bloodstar's death put a hamper to most resistance to the Dark Forest regime. Murkystar didn't give any signal on what to do yet, so the black tuxedo chose to hold his position. At the same time, there was so much commotion that he couldn't tell what was going on. Were his clanmates being attacked? He thought he heard wails from familiar voices. A familiar calico tom rubbing himself into Rookfire's fur caused him to look back in shock. "Smallbean? I thought- I thought you..." It somehow calmed Rookfire down, even though everything seemed to be collapsing all around them. The stars were gone, StarClan was overthrown by the Dark Forest somehow, and now they had to live with the consequences. And when he really wanted to fight the entirety of the Dark Forest by himself, he needed to calm down. "It's okay, Smallbean. We're gonna be okay. The Clans will endure. They always have. I remember stories about the Dark Forest taking over when I was young, and how the Clans fought them off. We'll do that again. I'm sure of it." Even when things looked dark, Rookfire had to believe that ShadowClan would survive.

For a split moment, things felt as if they were slowing down, blurring altogether. No longer stunned, the Dark Forest cat lunged for her, and a horrid yowl came out as she heard her crunch of bones— muscles, colliding against each other. "You horrid..-" She hissed, though, with her new injury, she struggled to attack back. Her body ached with pain as if refusing to work, and she stared at the cat in front of her, bearing her teeth.

Hollyleaf is stunned!

Hollyleaf (stunned)
28/40 HP
78/100 SP

Viperfang
84/100 HP
160/180 SP

---

"Something I would've done to any of you's a long time ago if I wasn't trapped by the Dark Forest."

The moment her claws left him, a horrific, glass-shattering scream broke out of the tom, and her ears flattened in disdain. Truly, Morningstar was right. Without their StarClan, these cats wouldn't be able to do anything. Though her claws itched to see the cat struggle more— Morningstar's call alerted her, and reluctantly, they sheathed. "Farewell.. for now, fuzz-brain," She sneered, giving the writhing tom on the ground a glare before padding away.

Vixentooth has left Webshadow and is following Morningstar!

Snapping out of her fear once again, Snowpaw padded cautiously forward and tapped Frostgaze’s tail. “What do we do now? ThunderClan and SkyClan have left.”

Momentarily, a look of mock horror crossed her face, pity glazing her eyes as the warrior plead his case. Immediately this was replaced by sheer indifference, choosing to lift a paw and flex her claws, admiring the way she could no longer see through herself, and appreciating the sheen of the moonlight on her claws. Drawing her attention back to the tom, she waved her tail around their surroundings, amusement glittering in the depths of her eyes, placing her paw back on the ground to begin stalking around him.

"Do you really think we need you?" Cloudjumper's voice was drenched in sarcasm, and she settled next to him momentarily, maw close to his ear. "Nobody needs you. You goody-two shoes StarClan loving cats are worth less than a flea. Killing any of you would be a pleasure," the molly's voice was full of anger, thinking of her wrongful admittance to the Dark Forest. She had only done what she deemed to be correct- why was she punished for an action, if not for StarClan's biased behaviours? Cloudjumper's attention was removed from the warrior in front of her as ThunderClan's leader jumped down, aligning himself with them, asking those who wanted to come with him to follow.

She snorted, turning back to Batglow, scorn visible in her features. "It seems our tactics worked. You're already changing sides."

--

His jaw dropped, eyes all but falling out of his head as she feigned shock, mind immediately bubbling with excuses or ways to turn it into an inappropriately timed joke. Relief immediately flooded his system as Scarletriver's features twisted to amusement, and she admitted her own connections to the situation befalling the clans at this moment. "You know, you really had me going there. Good one," the junior warrior huffed a little, returning his gaze to the gathered cats around them, listening diligently as she spoke- detailing her own mentor and experiences, echoing a lot of concerns he had once harboured before this had unfolded.

The other warrior chimed in with a quick innocence disclaimer, and he waved his tail. "Yeah, yeah, same here. No idea indeed," Aspenblaze's voice was filled with amusement, a stark contrast to the molly's serious tone. "But uh, the dreams? I thought I was just imagining stuff, you know. Until one morning I woke up with these," He gestured vaguely to healing scars on his shoulder, slowly being covered back over with fur. "That was hard to explain, to others and myself. Said I didn't know how it got there, which wasn't entirely a lie- just not the whole truth. Definitely confused me for a while though. I took my 'training' a lot more seriously after that, couldn't have Vixenstar marring my good looks too much," He finished with a grin, watching as Stoatstar called his clan and any followers, and Morningstar left to SkyClan's camp.

"Guess it's almost our time. I can't imagine Jaystar is going to be a very popular individual when we get home, that's for sure." He paused for a moment, thinking hard on his next words. "If it comes to it, will you support him against our clanmates? Will you stand up and support him, even against other warriors?" Aspenblaze let the question hang in the air a moment, thinking of his own answer. "I think- I know I will. Jaystar has all but raised me. I'm loyal to him. And besides, I think Vixenstar would have my head if I didn't," The ginger warrior snorted a little, eagerly awaiting a reply.

--

Her attention was split between the former Asylum warriors in front of her, fighting with an old foe who had re-emerged with her father, and the tom himself, interrogating a warrior in the clan she had recently taken up occupation in. Despite her distance to the squabble, Achlys was putting the pieces together disturbingly fast, the little scattered jigsaw pieces clicking in place as she looked at the queen's kits. The chimera one- what was his name again?- looked identical to her father, and by the way he had sought out the molly- her stomach dropped. Was her mother not enough? That's why Ata is here too... She felt a little sick. Everything truly was too much.

Stoatstar called all ThunderClan and ThunderClan-aligning Dark Forest cats to leave, and she had to force herself to follow. She needed to find Achelois and Atalante. She had to warn Achelois. That alone gave her determination to put one paw in front of the other, her pace picking up a little once direct motivation was involved.

Cloudjumper is still taunting Batglow!
Aspenblaze is chatting to Scarletriver
Achlys is going home to cry

Starlingflare had heard the call to leave from Stoatstar.. It seemed he saw some sense in following the Dark Forest. Thunderclan will be strong once again, and they were starting on the right path. He was about to turn and leave when a noise caught his attention.. His yellow eye turned to the source of the noise. An apprentice? Calling them out? What did that young cat know? His claws dug into the ground.. No one would notice right? If he just killed the apprentice..? There was too much chaos for sure.. right? Just as he took a step forward a misty form stepped away from the rock..

The misty she-cat seemed to have noticed the apprentice as well, and just as quickly as she noticed, she was on top of the apprentice, pinning him to the ground before taking a chunk right out of Burrpaw's throat. Smokefang smirked as she watched the body fall limp to the ground. Before turning her gaze to the cat that was about to take action.

Smokefang used killing Bite on Burrpaw.

With grace she stepped away from the body, using her misty back leg to shove it, giving one last sign of disrespect. She approached Starlingflare, a small smile on her face, before she spoke. "Not yet dear one. It's too soon." She said, her voice even and kind despite what she had just done.

Starlingflare nodded in response to what the dark forest cat said. His yellow eye never leaving her form. Would she do the same to him? Clearly she knew he was on their side. "Come on.. Let's get back to camp alright? We have some correcting to do in Thunderclan." The gray living warrior nodded, turning and padding side by side away from the gathering.

Smokefang, and Starlingflare have left the gathering!

Calypso felt relief when the warrior she had confronted had followed her orders. She would be safe. That would be one less death in this clearing. "I can't explain much, but it's better to comply." She told the gray warrior, azure eyes looking around at the clearing taking it all in with a shudder.. While she had killed herself.. This much death.. it seemed unreal.. unneeded..

The gold and white rogue perked up at the call from one of the leaders. Thunderclan was leaving.. Good, that meant this warrior could make it home safe. "Good.. Thunderclan is being smart about this. Which means you can make it home." She straightened out, giving a firm nod. "Don't act rashly and you will be safe, just follow your leader's example. Maybe I will see you again. I hope so, we don't need more death." She would make sure that this cat at least made it to the edge of the clearing before following after her own father. She didn't want to go back to Skyclan camp, but she would just for tonight, before returning back to the barn.

The Riverclanner lunged for him, and Whitesnake's whiskers twitched in amusement as he slid away from her, laughter bubbling in his throat. A glancing blow pierced his sodden fur, something dark and viscous seeping from the small cut as the shadows curled around him. "You are exactly like every overconfident clan cat I know." He countered mildly, water dripping continuously from his pelt. "Trying to fight something you have no chance against. Thunderclan over there is being smart, as are the others who are surrendering. You might learn something from them about picking your battles." The small she-cat leapt for him, and Whitesnake sidestepped, looking for all the world unbothered and amused, as if the two were a pair of kits he was playing with rather than trained warriors. 'Stay away from him!' The molly cried, and he snorted. "If he wants to go peacefully back to camp, that is fine by me. If not... Well, I can bring him back the hard way. I'm afraid I'm not going anywhere." He spoke about the tom as if he wasn't even there, solely addressing the small she-cat. That didn't mean he wasn't watching the tom for signs of movement, however. If he tried attacking again, perhaps he wouldn't be so forgiving...

Whitesnake continues playing with Moon and Tinypool.

Frigid tendrils of atrocious knowing bled freely from the simmering depths of Jaystar's imposing stare, an impassive pivoting sharpening into that oh so familiar vociferous glare; fixating upon the writhing clearing below, attentively mopping up all the little details curling about within both his immediate and outward extending proximity. Wan rivulets of eerie red light occasionally illuminated the drab setting under the stiff shifting of barren branches, bleaching the bloodied surroundings in a stark ruddy color that voided the forest of its once previously rich colors. Unease and rage billowed sharply from the bristling coats of all onlookers, the sharp stench of fear and death clinging to them as though the fragrance of wholly untreated wounds left to fester untouched in the sun.

They were frightened, Jaystar was shocking capable of recognizing such a finite detail, but where could blame be laid to burden?

There was no nobility to be found within the pride-fueled futility of resistance, which had landed both Bloodstar and his own kin Bearspirit within the restless markings of an untimely death. There was no nobility to be found within the quiet submission proffered up on behalf of Stoatstar at the realization of ill tidings, where self in standing was traded for the illusion of control. If any of the truths brought before them in the previous infernal happenings bore genuine sincerity, they were to stand by their lonesome. No intervention. No guidance. The stars were just as they always were during moments of duress in his life; judgement flecks of ice, fathoms beyond his crushing grasp.

"To know my name," Jaystar eventually rumbled out to no particular figure, low words curling sleepily atop billowing breaths of red steam; leisurely lifting a narrow forepaw upwards, lean muscles hidden beneath carefully smoothed fur flexing sharply, to reveal several dark claws that gleamed menacingly in the heady darkness. The drifting expanse of his forever unfocused consciousness was mindful of the striking down of his own Clanmates and the subsequent jibing such a behavior entailed, especially after such losses were keenly promised to be avoided on behalf of Vixenstar. But the better part of him, the part of him that which ruled and guided all decisions made the behest of his own knowing, was more focused on the dead stars high above him. "For better or for worse, remember?

"Where did you go, Kitefire?"

Carefully rolling his wide forepaw in a gentle manner that roiled softly within the ruddy light that gleamed down in a simmering backdrop, the young tom's gaze remained fixated upon the fully extended claws that protruded heavily from his extremities. Feathery tail giving an agitated twitch, the faint droplet of sorrow that rung softly within the chilling words was much too genuine. Without Kitefire here, Jaystar's loyalty would always go the highest bidder- that which could bring him ever closer to the apparent oblique nothingness of death which had left the lingering void of all things sacred. Servitude by knowing or death by unknowing, what difference did it make in the end? At least some semblance of sway would be retained in the path that he ran upon.

Passing words, traded upon tongues soured by fear and venom, went unacknowledged. Even presences made to lingering within his immediate proximity were hardly dolled out little more than a singular passing in high-running thoughts. Rounding an angular shoulder against the those of high-ranking who studiously remained in spite of dwindling odds, Jaystar couldn't be bothered to cobble together the energy to feign interest in anything that came next. Especially when he would likely spend the remaining wan hours of the dwindling night sorting through faulty outrage, as though death would be preferable to their current standings. Although perhaps it would be deserved; deserved whatever became of their entire existence upon immediate impact, whether it was to have their bones splintered beyond recovery or whether it was to vanish within the darkness that had already claimed so many. "Ah, it matters little if you answer this time."

His kin and brethren were gone, stiffening to the arising sunrise brewing somewhere far and unseen, though they would go unmarked by the chains of servitude that which would surely follow. The low heat simmering within the cavernous fathoms of his pitted chest was not entirely dissimilar to the sinking realization of Asylum, of recognizing that they were little more than pretty songbirds bound by their own inability to recognize a cage. Trails run until the very end. There was no more to be done, it was likely time for a sorely needed departure.

"RiverClan and... assorted companions," there was likely a more tact way to describe the ghastly little gnats which encircled the clearing with all the welcome and grace of a pestering crow, though Jaystar's bellowing call held little intoning for formality when rising above such a terrible calamity, "we shall be making our exit without issue as well, in the manner such as ThunderClan." The terse night air was berated against the soft dragging of silky fur catching atop porous stone, the gentle splicing of calloused paws trudging against frost-kissed stone and earth, Jaystar's angular figure posturing sharply against the dreary night air. "Though I certainly hope Vixenstar makes her way to us in the aftermath of this.. joyous little expedition. We have matters I would like to discuss."


"Back away!" The saccharine-sticky drolling resonated low and silky against a proudly bared mouthful of pristine teeth, the jovial mockings of Whinchatcall's blatantly and purposefully poor imitation of Mistyfalcon carrying little of the signature venom one would associate with ghastly ghouls and grimy ghosts. The high, wavering features of the partially transparent Queen were awashed in the sleuthing red light of the calamitous evening; pale fur stained an enriching yet off-putting mild pink, as though made entirely of fresh scar tissue, and mismatched gaze made all the ambiguous in its predatory gleamings. Why she was being received with such hostility, she cared little for attempting to reason or understand- she was not an omen of ill tidings. She did not behave like her lackluster brethren in arms, unified only in cause, and held little desire for the concept of striking down an unresisting an opponent who was likely just unnerved by the staunch lack of decorum displayed upon this particularly reddened evening.

Truthfully, Whinchatcall couldn't help but idly herald the thought with a little mrrow, it was a little offensive that the grizzly old tom thought she was some sort of grim reaper, some heralder of the eternal lifeless embrace of the darkness, bringer of the unending chill that cemented the infinite expanse of death. She was refined, she was dignified even in her unending age. Death was only the last resort, when the pangs of hunger twisted so deep and tight that one could hardly even feel the pain resonating between hollow points of bone. "Relax." The placid little intoning was mirrored only in the equally abstracting and off-putting display of amusement donning across the pale molly's little face as she suddenly made to bridge the space between herself and Mistyfalcon.

It was hardly any trouble to sweep the grizzled ShadowClanner's undefended legs from out beneath his own weight, it was hardly any trouble to fall back into the old practice of such a well-oiled and mechanical movement. It was hardly any trouble to promptly settle herself atop Mistyfalcon's skeletal chest, carefully avoiding placing too much pressure against all the vital areas meant to draw in oxygen- seeing as that was still a terribly important element of clinging to life and conscious existence. There was a soft hiss as Whinchatcall made to gently grab Mistyfalcon's face between two delicate forepaws, cruelly hooked claws dragging faintly against the tender expanse of flesh and muscle below. Unbreaking of skin, unbreaking of the attention such a movement demanded.

"Do not speak to me as though I come gleefully to inflict depravity upon you, as so many of my comrades would happily indulge in," Whinchatcall admonished, raspy voice gentle as though she was making to gently scold an especially fussy kit, "have you not learned the intricacies of manners and greetings?"

---

Whinchatcall used Dishonorable Charge, Dealing -12 in Damage & Costing -20 in Stamina. Mistyfalcon is stunned for TWO TURNS!
Random Recall cannot be used to counteract the stuns inflicted by Dishonorable Charge!

WHINCHATCALL
100/100 [HP]
160/180 [SP]

MISTYFALCON
58/70 [HP]
160/160 [SP]

Moon looked around at the clan cats as they were suffering injuries and spitting fire, and yet it was getting the nowhere. He flicked his tail nervously as Tinypool launched herself at the Dark Forest tom. "No Tinypool!" he yelled as the smaller she-cat continued the motion. Moon knew the look on Whitesnake's face...he was done toying with them. The next move that either one of them would make would be their last..he knew this because this was the exact look of the cat that had killed Tiger. Tiger had gotten overconfident and that had gotten him killed. Last time Moon had stood back and done nothing believing that Tiger could take the cat; it was clear that Tinypool could not take the Dark Forest cat all by herself and even with the two of them he would, he COULD not die.

As Moon made his decision he stepped in-between Tinypool and Whitesnake. "Tinypool, it's time that we go home now." he said sternly. He was hoping that his fellow Riverclanner would just stop and agree with him..there was nothing to be fought for that the rest of the clan was giving up. It was unlikely that she would give up but it was worth a shot. Now was not the time for rebellion since they were outnumbered and they would not back down from blustering.

Before Primroselight could leave, she heard the call of her sister above the noise. "Muddythorn, leave with the others, I'll be right behind you," She said trying to keep her voice as calm as possible, "I've got to go help your aunt." Within brief moments, the warrior was at Beechfang's side. "Of course, of course." She didn't give herself time to fully consider what had happened. Bloodstar held more power than most, and with Starclan in his favour, he would return to them as soon as it was safe. But currently, it was unclear whether he'd reach Starclan. Muddythorn was sure that Dawnhawk had been lying, but their ancestors had been unreachable before, and in these circumstances it almost wouldn't be surprising. As strong as Beechfang was, Bloodstar was quite the large cat. It took both of them to lift him, and would no doubt be a difficult walk home.

"What about everyone else?" Those who would have no second chances, no matter how lucky. Primroselight's ears turned to where battle still raged in some places, and other where cats were just being terrorized. "There's so many..."  Not only Skyclan warriors, but younger and older cats from every clan. This seemed to only be the start as well.

Primroselight is helping Beechfang carry Bloodstar's body

Tinypool could sense a change of heart in Moon as soon as the Dark Forest tom spoke. When he addressed her, the molly instantly got tense and her fight instincts kicked in. Her claws were unsheathed and a hiss came out of her mouth involuntarily. "You're not doing anything to him you filthy...!" She wanted to claw his eyes off but Moon stopped her. And Jaystar's announcement just cemented her decision. Letting her claws hidden once again, the petite she-cat bumped her head on the silver-tabby tom's shoulder and curled her tail around his. She didn't want to leave his side, not with Whitesnake nearby. "Okay... let's go. But I will keep my eyes on you, freak. If you dare to ever harm him, you won't be fighting just against one cat." She was afraid but furious. Despite her small size and shy nature, Tinypool couldn't endure her loved ones getting hurt and the emotions overflooding her could get the worst out of her. if she let her anger govern her heart, she would act reckless and not only get hurt herself... who knew how the Dark Forest would react if she attacked Whitesnake? What would they do to Moon then? Taking a deep breath of Moon's scent to calm herself, the small warrior left the Gathering by his side. However, she kept giving death glares at the white Dark Forest tom behind them.

Tinypool is leaving the Gathering with Moon by Jaystar's command Moon and giving angry looks at Whitesnake because he is a meanie
Cinderpaw has finally left the Gathering with the rest of Thunderclan.

Pinepaw heard Jaystar's call to leave, And so he went to leave with his clan, The era of the Dark Forest has Begun.

Rainpaw listens to the call to leave from Stoatstar, Before dashing off with Cinderpaw, The era of the Dark Forest has Begun.

The clearing hadn't settled at all when a sickeningly familiar voice reached Murkystar's ears. she turned instinctively towards the source, unable to properly see the cat she knew released the news, but the understanding of what he said struck her heart. The Dark Forest.... Her lip curled as the stench of rot and death filled the clearing, resisting the urge to gag. The jab at Bloodstar did not go unnoticed, but her mind was racing. She had hoped she would never have to face a decision like Flintstar had, but here she was, doing exactly that. Her kits, her mates, her clan sat under her, and as her claws scratched against the cold stone she worried that they might no all make it home. Her fear suddenly turned real as a she-cat darted towards a clump of pelts she recognized, glinting teeth sinking into an all too familair throat. She knew that throat like she knew her own, and a mournful cry ripped from her throat as she stood motionless, horrified as the figure went still. The she-cat wasn't finished, though, and she whirled on another figure, one more that was too familiar. "No!" Her cry ripped through the air, drowned in the multitude of voices rising up, but she pushed herself from atop the rock, dashing through the cats as quickly as she could. She missed Jaystar's words, her heartbeat drowning out everything as she raced towards her kits. When she finally broke through the crowd, she stood next to Mistyfalcon, panting. Looping so Basilbloom was carefully positioned behind her, unreachable, she snarled at the she-cat. "Enough! ShadowClan, too much blood has already been shed. Release my clanmate at this moment, as ShadowClan has no intentions of not complying with your demands." Murkystar growled, fixing Vixenstar with an angry glare. "ShadowClan! Stand down and sheath your claws. We will be leaving with no resistance, alongside those that choose to accompany us." She yowled over the din, hoping her words reached all those representing ShadowClan.

---

Anastasia stood tall and quiet, having padded into the clearing behind her father. So this was Fourtrees... These were the clans. The stench was overwhelming, blood, rot, fear, the natural scents of each clan... It was too much. Shoving her nose briefly into the dirt in an attempt to focus on one scent, she quickly looked back up to survey the clans in their terror. Was this what power and influence felt like? Would she someday strike fear into the hearts of her opponents the way her father did? Probably not... As she briefly made eye contact with a younger cat, the whites of their eyes showing, she wondered if it was something she actually wanted. Still, she wouldn't retreat or stand down.. She would stand by her father, and the Forgotten Order... It was the only thing she knew. As her father stepped forward to Bloodstar, a tom she recognized, she stood behind him, preparing to fend off any cats that may approach his blind side. A she-cat approached, voice full of anger, and Anastasia braced herself to attack should it be needed. Luckily, it didn't seem it would be necessary, and Anastasia forced her pelt to relax. Keeping quiet, she braced to follow whatever her father and Tarot did.

---

Webwhisper sat in the midst of the chaos, her tiled head and characteristic grin unbothered by the bloodshed around her. She drank it in, her eyes watching each situation fold as though she was starving for the drama, and soaking it in like a sponge. Oh how she loved this... What a wonderful return. Her eyes turned towards the tortoiseshell that called out to ShadowClan and she grinned wider. So that was the leader... What fun. Was that body behind her a loved one? The way she stood seemed to suggest it was. Even better, more turmoil to play with. Striding over, she purred as she approached. "Oh what fun. I'll be happy to join you, we'll have such a wonderful time together.." She purred, glancing at Vixenstar and lowering her head respectfully.

Snowpaw’s heart sank at Murkystar’s words. ShadowClan had lost once again. She followed her Clan home, but could it really be home anymore?

Snowpaw has left.

A tornado of fear and bloodshed surrounded Orchidmask as the cats around her slowly left her view, the colorpoint she-cat so confused and her heart beating so rapidly that she could barely breathe.  She watched through distraught eyes as Bloodstar, their mighty guardian, was stuck down by Morningstar.  She wanted to jump to his defense, hold up his body and fight till the end for his honor, but her paws were stuck to the ground.  More death, more screams, endless pain.  They were leaving now, Ashstorm's authority replaced by Bloodstar's arrogant killer, and as her clanmates filed past her she watched through horrorstruck eyes.  That's it, we just give up?!  I thought...I thought we were supposed to be warriors.  She knew the words she wanted to yowl wouldn't help anything, so the large she-cat fell into step with the rest, languid and disassociated from reality.  The shadows made her skin prickle, and she didn't dare look them in the face.  Not now, not yet.

Orchidmask left with SkyClan.

---

As Mistyfalcon appeared and took over trying to reason with the evil she-cat pinning Swiftheart, Basilbloom focused on Loudnose, gritting her teeth as she pressed whatever she could against his skin to stop the bleeding; grass, leaves, moss, but nothing worked.  A sea of red covered the ground, and it was with a final small gasp that she accepted the truth.  Her beloved brother...was dead.  "No...no no no please Loudnose, wake up!!  Don't leave me..."  Tears flooded her vision as she pressed her head against Loudnose's chest, the lack of a heartbeat only making it worse.  StarClan where are you, what happened?!  We need you, please!  I need you...  Murkystar was calling for a retreat, to give in and go along with these monsters.  She hated it, but she listened, grabbing her brother's scruff and beginning the long road back to camp.  They would pay for this...she would make sure of it.

Basilbloom is leaving with ShadowClan bearing Loudnose's body

---

A calm, kind voice.  Stability, peace, softness.  Ashflight slowly came back to reality, his pupils widening and his breathing slowing.  Robinpatch and Perchfall were by his sides, but that awful she-cat wouldn't go away.  He shut his eyes against her as she weaseled her way in between them, trying to stay calm as her words pierced his skin like claws, but Perchfall's defense of him set him on edge.  Scared, Ashflight stood up and got between Perchfall and the Dark Forest ghost, body still shaking but much more stable.  Jaystar's voice rang out; they were leaving.  "W-we're going, see?  Stop making trouble and let us pass.  Our leader won't be happy if we're late."  His words sounded lame, but they were all he could come up with in the moment.  Wrapping his tail across Perchfall's back, he tried to guide her away, back towards Jaystar and home.  Though, with all that's happened, he didn't know if it would truly feel like home at all.

Ashflight is trying to leave with Perchfall and Robinpatch

Perchfall could feel the adrenaline begin coursing through her veins as she stood, taller than she felt, between a spectre of death and the cats she called her friends. Every time she blinked, images of terror flashed behind her eyelids. Bearspirit's mangled corpse. Beaverpaw's throat torn open. Blood. Death. The second she began to give in to the screaming voices, to the scent that threatened to choke her, to the darkness that encroached on her vision, her muscles would begin to tremble. But she refused to let that happen. So, she stood.

Of course, it wasn't going to be that easy. The bleeding ghost actually seemed to be more happy with this turn of events. Though she was thin, smelling like a corpse, barely real, her claws seemed more corporeal than Perchfall had anticipated. Seeing the sharp threats so close to her face mounted a tiny bit of instinctual panic on top of the ever-growing mountain of horror that threatened to bury her in an avalanche at any moment. With one slight movement, those could easily tear out one of her eyes... as one of the other cats, writhing and screaming in pain a few fox-lengths away, by what she could tell. Still, all of her experience in hiding her emotions and feelings had not been for naught. Despite the mental shivers, she stayed still, unflinching, staring into the literal face of death with all that she had. Even when her face was so close to the rotting scent she thought she would throw up. Even with those fangs close to her throat. If one of us has to die, let it be me. Just leave them alone.

The Dark Forest she-cat's subtle threats did not go unnoticed. Rather, they were absorbed instantly, and the deputy began to gradually accept her likely impending death. Even as her heartbeat quickened, even as she prepared to put up a last fight so that the others might get away-- another voice sounded over the cacophony. Jaystar. Like she suspected... he had accepted this with nary a thought to the contrary. Companions, my tail. What a deputy I am, to have so little confidence instilled in me by the leader. StarClan chose him... and for what? Still, as much vitriol as the tom's voice instilled in her, it was an excuse to leave. To get out. To get away from the sharp claws and fangs and stench of rotten corpses that this nightmare was threatening her with. And, thankfully, Ashflight seemed to have recovered as well. Ashflight. He's safe. He's okay. Imperceptibly, Perchfall gradually released the breath she had been holding. Maybe her death would not be today, after all. Even if these ghosts had to follow them home... it was her home. She knew it. She could protect it better than surrounded in some clearing full of dead bodies.

Perchfall might have fallen over if not for the steadying force of her friend's tail. "Pleasure meeting you, I'm sure," she meowed coolly to the Dark Forest spectre in front of her, the slightest hint of disdainful sarcasm in her voice. Internally, her brain was screaming at her to finally stop locking eyes with the living nightmare that was barely inches from them. And so, she did. Finally, her gaze dropped back down to the calico buried in her fur, and her best friend's touching defense. "Time to go," she murmured, keeping her voice strong and steady, though it threatened to droop with weariness. No further words were needed. They could sort this out later... if there was a later... if it could ever be sorted out. Gratefully, heart pounding, the deputy let herself be led by Ashflight through the parting crowds of shadows, making sure that Poppypaw followed along as well. Only once they were out of the clearing did she finally allow her breathing to speed up for a moment, taking in desperately needed air as her heart pounded fast enough to burst. What was going to happen to them now?

Perchfall finished talking to Silversnake, and is leaving with Ashflight and Poppypaw.