March Gathering 2022

Perchfall stood intently for a moment, listening to the announcements of Goldenstar. Her eyes narrowed slightly at the news. Dawnhawk. So he is causing trouble for every Clan, then. What is wrong with our forest, that no one has apprehended him yet? Whatever the other leaders responded, hopefully this menace could be taken care of sooner rather than later. Then-- everything went black. The moon and stars vanished. What? Fearful murmurs, voices, even screams began to rise through the Gathering. What was happening? Had anything even happened, or was it just dark?

Well, she would be a fool to sit here stoically and wait for something bad to happen. She should be proactive. Without a word to the other deputies, she left her spot immediately, waiting for her eyes to adjust to the darkness so that she could find the cats she was looking for. Poppypaw she spotted first. The poor little apprentice looked terrified, her first gathering having gone up almost immediately in smoke. Perchfall got to her almost immediately. "Hey, it will be okay. I'm here." The words she spoke did nothing to stop the quickened pounding of her own heart. As much as she would like to deny it... she was a little bit scared. "Have you seen Ashflight anywhere?" she asked, standing protectively over her apprentice even as her eyes desperately scanned the masses, searching for her best friend.

--

Appledapple was idly looking around at the crowd of cats, paying little attention to the announcements of the leaders, when the moon suddenly vanished. She definitely wasn't scared, of course. Why would she be scared? Of anything? But her fur did raise up on end slightly. Wherever the apprentices were, she knew they would be fine. And Stoat could take care of himself. If anyone tried to pull any funny business in the dark, they had another thing coming if they thought she wouldn't stop them. So, claws unsheathed, she stood and waited for what was going to happen.

Daypaw was near, she heard him. Where? WHERE? She kept bumping into other cats. Who cares? Starclan was gone! Finally, desperately, she met face to face with Daypaw. It was so hard to see, but those blue eyes and pale fur were there. "Found you! Daypaw what's happening?" she gasped through panicked breaths, "Where is Mama? And our siblings?" Her throat stung with difficult questions. Why did Starclan vanish?! What's going to happen to us?! Are they all safe?!

Pinepaw And Rainpaw looked up at the sky in Disbelief, Both having fairly similar but Different Reactions..

Pinepaw
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Pinepaw looked up in Horror to see the moon being Taken away, Looking around to make sure this Wasn't normal, He couldn't see well but he knew they all were Horrified at the sight of it, Who angered Starclan? Who broke the Warrior Code this badly.. He Pushed his body closer to the Warrior he was Speaking to, and put his nose against her fur, Hoping that Starclan would give mercy on him.
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Rainpaw
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Rainpaw looked up as the sky disappeared, Becoming an Endless void, They began to worry, Praying for safety, this was their First gathering, They hoped they hadn't angered Starclan, They Couldn't have angered Starclan, something was wrong.. Very wrong. A traitor cat? An injustice? They hunkered down while listening carefully, A tear running down their fluffy face as their eyes closed.
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maggot is probably asleep tbh

Muddythorn joined the mass of cats gathering beneath fourtrees, quietly padding over to take a seat next to Basilbloom. He was about to greet his fellow medicine cat, but held his tongue when Goldenstar started to speak. He listened carefully, feeling bad that the other clans had suffered also from Dawnhawk's crimes. However, he couldn't help but wonder - why hadn't he gone for Skyclan yet? They were the ones he held most of a grudge against, after all. As the darkness suddenly fell, Muddythorn panicked. He had always gotten spooked easily - he'd learnt that from the long-ago battle with Windclan - and this terrified him. His first instinct was to shout for Primroselight, but then it occurred to him that his mother would be fine in the darkness, and could look after herself regardless. Instead, he want for plan b. He stayed securely where he was, waiting for it to be over, trying to make himself smaller so he wasn't bumped into. Thank Starclan he had stayed as a warrior for long.

---

Despite what many cats may've though, Primroselight could notice the sudden darkness, and not only because of the shouts and chaos. Just as she could tell night from day, she had the ability to know whether it was light or not. However, this made little difference to her. And so, just like she always would (only with a little more pushing and shoving) she navigated through the swarm of bodies, in search of any young cat split from their loved ones.

---

Magpiesight tried to drown out Goldenstar's words, not wanting to hear the story repeated once again. When the dark came, the warrior burst into action. She'd relied on her sight for as long as she could remember - it was in her name, after all - and without it she felt powerless. "MUM!" She shouted, terrified of losing her only family member left. "SWIFTSPIRIT?" With everyone else shouting, she did little to raise above it, but she hoped that she was heard.

Starlingflare remained rather unfazed by the change in the light. The moon was gone.. His single yellow eye taking in what was around him before the light was gone. He wasn't afraid, rather ignoring the sounds of fear from others. If someone had tried to strike him, he would fight back but he didn't feel the need to. Whatever was coming, he felt would be in his favor.

Dovefrost felt a slight bit of happiness when Rookfire approached him. He hadn't seen the tom in moons, and to see him now? It was a relief to know he was alright. "Thunderclan could be doing better. Food is really.. hard to find for us." The tom said. "How-" His words were cut short from the change in the sky.

Fear gripped the tom's heart, as his green eyes turned to the sky seeing that the Moon was gone. His ears pressed flat to his head, as he crouched lower to the ground. "What is this?"

Beaverpaw clung close to Hollyleaf as they entered the Gathering. All of the cats made her nervous, only hearing tales of how evil and mean they were. She said nothing as cats talked to her mentor, choosing to try to hide behind her. She cowered there, as the sky became dark. "Hollyleaf, what's going on?" She whispered, assuming she would know the answer.

Beaverpaw was totally there for the whole Gathering and is now talking to Hollyleaf.

Coyotepaw hung to the back of the Gathering, as usual. She had really no need to mingle with the lives of other clans. She felt no connection to them. She was better than them in any way. This time, her heart was heavy. Images of Daisypaw's final moments were plaguing her, turning her heart even colder. Her eyes watched carefully as Goldenstar started speaking. Yes, her mother did deserve to speak first. The golden leader announced her sister's death. An accident... Yes. It was one. Her sister's name deserved to be broadcasted loud to the other clans. Her mother continued on, speaking on the rogue attack. It wasn't long after that the sky became dark. After a glance at the sky, Coyotepaw immediately looked to her mother to see her reaction. She would respond accordingly.

Coyotepaw is open to talk only to Hawkpaw or a WindClanner.

Wounds only slightly healed, Lionpaw entered the Gathering and sat on the outskirts of the SkyClanners as they settled in first. He chose to remain quiet, proudly holding his head high. He was proud of his wounds. The golden cat decided to say nothing, trying to create an air of mystery around him. As Goldenstar spoke about the rogues, his mouth dropped slightly. "That rogue I chased off must have been one of those! He mentioned they wore pelts." He whispered to a random SkyClanner next to him. The sky turned dark and he looked around, glancing to Bloodstar to see his reaction. He stood to leave, upon Bloodstar's angry outburst. Lionpaw would leave in a heartbeat.

Lionpaw is open to talk.

Bloodstar was surprised to see that Goldenstar called the meeting so early. Upon listening to her words, he bristled. His assumptions were correct then. Dawnhawk was waging war on everyone, not just Skyclan now. "An obvious trail? That isn't Dawnhawk's style, Goldenstar." Bloodstar was fine hanging back and only speaking to Goldenstar for the moment. Another leader could make their announcements if they wished. "The only times he has left a trail at all was when he wanted to be followed. It's a trap. Take it from someone who has experience going after him." Though he'd like to know the details of this obvious trail. How obvious? Like... his son got covered in cat pee and never hid the scent obvious?

He never got an answer. A harsh wind whipped through the gathering, causing Bloodstar's body to tense up against the bitter, biting cold. Then blackness...? He looked up at the moon and watched it die. At first he had a moment of shock... and then bitter rage.

"So tell me, Stars, were you on his side the whole time then?" Bloodstar yowled, glaring defiantly at the black sky. It would definitely explain a lot. It explained how he was able to move through the forest unchecked and unpunished like a ghost. Bloodstar's eyes dropped to his clan. He could see them, though the world of night vision was absent of any color. That was when he realized Spottedfrog and Pigeonsun were back. He would have ran to greet them under normal circumstances... but this was far from normal. He would allow them to follow Skyclan back home and catch up with them afterward.

"Starclan favors Dawnhawk, apparently. Skyclan! We leave! This will be our last gathering if Starclan disapproves so strongly of anyone doing anything about our exiled clanmate." Bloodstar was furious. He pushed off of the rock and landed on the ground with a thud. It would take a moment to get everyone gathered up, but after that, he was willing to head home.

Skyclan is not actually leaving just yet, Bloodstar is just angy.

---

Bearspirit shamelessly rested his chin on top of Swiftspirit's head and purred. He didn't care who saw. This was going to be their life soon. He was about to open his mouth when Goldenstar called the gathering. ... Well that was quick... He stared at her, confused as to why the last one to arrive wanted to call the meeting first. Her announcement however, had his fur bristle.

Then darkness.

He stared up at the black sky, confused. He had a horrible sinking feeling in his gut. This was more than just Starclan's disapproval, because why would they disapprove? No... something else was happening... He looked at Swiftspirit.

"It can't be because of us? Can it?" There was worry in his eyes.

---

Darkpaw never got the chance to reply back to either Beechfang or Icepaw before another cat approached and asked to be part of their conversation. As if Darkpaw would refuse! The Windclan leader then called the gathering after having just arrived. Uh... okay? Mentions of Dawnhawk, a name that seemed attached to some mythical monster that slithered out of nests at night like a snake came to mind. It got quite a few cats angry.

Then the moon and stars were engulfed in darkness. He stared up at it, feeling a cold prickle down his spine that only grew in intensity based on the reactions of the cats around him. This was bad... He could hear his siblings calling for him. "I think I have to go now..." He said apologetically to the group of cats he was speaking to. He found Waterlily easily enough and bolted to her side.

"Come on guys! Me and mom are over here!" He yelled out above the rising panic from the other cats. He'd never been to a gathering before, but he knew that this wasn't how things were supposed to be. What happened???

Ratrunner shook his head at his clanmate’s exuberance, following with a small smile. I’m glad we came together. As he sat beside him, Ratrunner had to think for a moment. As a younger cat, Gatherings were things he attended warily, but with no particular excitement. Fourtrees itself was remarkable… but the cats? Too many.

As he’d grown and gotten used to them, he had learned to appreciate the routine of it. Though mostly I enjoy watching cats like Loudnose. This is Starclan’s gift to them.

“I can’t say,” he mewed, eyes glittering. And meant to say something else, when… it got darker.

Well-attuned to the moon, this wasn’t instinctively alarming; clouds shifted and shrouded, and made it grow fainter… But the sky is clear. And it was dark, dark. And when Ratrunner looked up sharply, he flinched in shock.

The moon… it was gone. It’s never done this. Fear prickled along his spine, and he stiffened. “Loudnose… I…”

Panicked, startled cries echoed, ringing in his sensitive ears, and it was only by her scent he noticed Swiftheart. A sickening sense dropped, and he touched her shoulder — clumsily, but by the lightness of her pelt. “It’s okay. I… where’s your brother?”

The sense of dread sharpened, and he couldn’t help his rising fear. And… his apprentice. Oh no. ”FORESTPAW! Forestpaw, where are you?!

——-

Mintpool’s paw had been bothering her, after a day of hunting, but she had stiffly refused to miss the Gathering. Why did I do that.

Stoatstar’s efforts had yielded many ways to fully use her right leg, and they worked well. But sometimes, Mintpool found her natural, adapted way of moving to be less taxing on her mind. Stupid.

It ached fiercely, and she grit her teeth. She’d gradually fallen behind, and entered the Gathering at the end of the Thunderclan retinue, limping obviously. With a sigh of silent pain, she sank gratefully onto her side once there. I saw Flurry and Pebble; I wonder where they are now?

Aside from them, she couldn’t care less if the leader of Riverclan loomed two mouse-lengths from her — she’d sit there. But it seemed to be a mingling of cats… Mintpool listened, quietly aware for some time, but content to rest and let other cats speak. Next time, she would—

But then the world went dark. What—?!

She shot up, tall and dark, and felt a bolt of fear and alarm in heart. “Pebblepaw?! Flurrypaw! Mom! I’m here!”

Ratrunner is by Loudnose and Swiftheart, and is shouting for Forestpaw!

Mintpool is sitting by herself in an unspecified crowd of cats. She is calling for her family!

Loudnose noticed Goldenstar begin the gathering, but kept her voice in the background of his mind. Ratrunner's response wasn't much, and it looked like he was about to say more but something interrupted him. Suddenly strong winds blew through the tabbies, and when Loudnose opened his eyes the world was dark. He could still hear Ratrunner, who sounded scared, confused. Screams rang in his ears. The once smiling tom looked around, and besides the panicking cats and lack of light, one thing stuck out to him. The moon was gone.

With no idea what was happening, why he couldn't see the moon, and where his loved ones were, Loudnose curled tight. No.. No, NO! This can't be happening. He tried to block it out, he tried to ignore whatever doom had befallen the gathering.

Swiftheart was here. He couldn't see her, but amidst the chaos her voice was clear. He felt her fur against his. Loudnose began to cry. Any panic he might have been feeling was suffocated by the overwhelming feeling of loss. This night had been going so perfectly. So great. Now everything was wrong, all wrong. Why can't anything just be normal.. and- and happy? I just wanted this one night for Starclan's sake! he thought angrily with a sob.

Swiftheart could barely hear Ratrunner and Loudnose even thought they were right next to her the sounds of every cat in the forest panicking drowned them out pretty well but she got the general idea of what Ratrunner had said... where was Nightstalker? that is what he asked and Swiftheart looked around trying to spot him but had no luck at all, there were cats everywhere and it was so dark, his dark pelt would not help in trying to spot him either in this lighting. Swiftheart only looked at Ratrunner scared and shrugged her shoulders "i...i I dont know where he is!" she yelled back to him trying to be louder than the surrounding chaos so that he could hear her.

She held her brother and friend as close as she could fearing getting separated from them in this sea of chaos and confusion and cats running every which way among the darkest of nights. Glancing up again the entirety of the moon that had only moments before been full was completely gone. Shivering she tried again calling for any of her clanmates but it was no use she couldnt see or hear any of them other than Loudnose and Ratrunner ... Nightstalker! she cried out.

Swiftheart is by Loudnose and Ratrunner and is looking for any more of her clanmates but so far having 0 luck.

Poppypaw's trembling eased slightly when Perchfall was suddenly at her side. She pressed her nose into Perchfall's flank to try and ease both herself and her mentor--though, her mentor seemed far more collected than she was. The screams from the cats all around them did not help ease her, even with Perchfall's protective stance over her.

Her eyes looked back up to the sky, where the moon had disappeared. She thought back to what Moon of RiverClan had told her, about the moon's energy. She'd been unable to sense any energy before, but now there was just a dense, haunting energy that electrified the entire Gathering. She didn't know what it meant. She didn't know if this was StarClan turning against them or something going wrong in StarClan. She wished she were home and curled up in her nest.

When Perchfall asked about Ashflight, Poppypaw's tail flicked off in a direction. "I-I saw Ashflight over there earlier, talking with another cat," she whimpered. Perchfall must be worried about her friend. Poppypaw was worried too.

Poppypaw is sticking close with Perchfall.

Snowpaw sat frozen in fear. Why was the moon gone? This made no sense! Suddenly, as if struck by lightning, Snowpaw snapped into action. Guided by her sense of direction, she bolted for the deputies, which thankfully weren’t far away, and tried to bury herself in Frostgaze’s fur like she had as a kit.

Snowpaw has forgotten about Myrtlepaw and is trying to hide in Frostgaze’s floof.

The news of Dawnhawk soured Burrpaw's mood. Couldn't that cat just shuffle off somewhere already?

Then, before he could come up with a rebuttal, the skies went dark. Not even a star could be seen, and the moon was taken with it.

Bloodstar announced his departure, and Burrpaw had to comply. If he could even get there.

Cats swarmed around the place, shoving, screaming names unfamiliar, pushing and yowling for stars to come back, for the moon to come back... scents blended in a cacophony where all the smells blended into an unholy mixture, leaving the tom even more confused than the sky going black.

Is this it, Birdsong? Has even StarClan forsaken us?

Burrpaw weaved through the crowds and approached Bloodstar. The only way back home was with his leader. He wondered about the others, how to find them, but he worried that if he split from Bloodstar, he would not be able to find him again.

Burrpaw is next to Bloodstar, awaiting orders.

Tinypool was about to answer Forestpaw's words with a smile when the sky got dark. Widened eyes looked up to the sky to discover the blood tainted moon and the lack of stars. The young warrior panicked and wanted to run, but the rational part of her head obliged her to stay calm. First things first, Forestpaw. "Forestpaw, it's okay. Go and look for your mentor. I think I can hear them over them. Go!" She then turned her face to where Atalante was. "I'm sorry to leave you as well but I must go back to my clan. There's someone waiting for me. Take care of yourself and stick close to your siblings! We will meet again!" Without another word, the small dark warrior disappeared in the chaotic crowd.

She looked desperately for Moon, who was still a newcomer to the clans despite his clan origins. Though he wouldn't be panicking as much as the rest of the clans since his lack of belief in Starclan, it was still dangerous to be alone on this darkest night. Please, Starclan... let him be safe!

---

Windclan made their announcement though Cinderpaw couldn't care less for their misfortune. However... this rogue group did catch her attention. If what Goldenstar was saying is true, her clan and family could be in danger. The apprentice listened carefully for the leader's description of the invaders so she would remember them the next time she went into the wild.

She waited patiently for her father's announcement but the Gathering was interrupted. Darkness took over the sky and the often feisty, bold and brave Cinderpaw shivered, her back fur bristling. This... wasn't normal at all. The screeches of the cats in the clearing made her feel more uncomfortable... like the warning screech of hawk before the killing swoop. The brown-grey she-cat stood up and without saying another word to the other two apprentices, she rushed to meet Appledapple, the strongest cat she knew. The apprentice knew she was going to be safe by her side. "Appledapple! It's me!" She shouted before bumping into her chest. The molly shook her head and quickly stood next to her, claws unsheathed and eyes alert. "What's going on....?" She said with a low voice that only the Thunderclannner could hear.

Tinypool has said her goodbyes to Atalante/Featherpaw and Forestpaw. She is currently searching for Moon.
Cinderpaw has left Poppypaw and Burrpaw, rushing to her mother's side, Appledapple.