down once more [CLAN MEETING]

Perchfall would've made a good leader in this time, although she didn't necessary support nor did she rebel against them. Moon was just glad that they didn't kill her but allowed her to remain in her position of power. As he saw the look of defeat on her face he turned to comfort her. "Perhaps this is for the best Perchfall. It is best to stay under the branches until the Dark Forest is gone. Until then, if you can stay in the deputy position after they are gone you will become leader and you will make a great leader." he said calmly. He didn't want the leadership position for himself, nor did he want a specific someone to be the leader. Perchfall was best suited for now to lay-low and stay smart.

Vixenstar might have seized the leadership position of Riverclan for now, however the dead could only stay among the living for so long.

Rushpaw's gaze hardened but he didn't say anything, wanting to be a solid comfort for his sister. The Dark Forest had already ruled their clan but it grew worse with Vixenstar at the head of their clan. Silently, he pressed closer to Martenpaw. Eyes glanced over the clearing to gauge the reactions of this clanmates. Finally, he settled on Perchfall, Poppypaw at her side. His chest clenched. The deputy deserved to be at the head of their clan, he wished she was instead of this monster. He wished he could do something, anything, to help to relieve the dark feelings hanging over those he cared about. But he was powerless, hopeless. All he could do was clench his jaw tightly.

Vixenstar might have seized the leadership position of Riverclan for now, however the dead could only stay among the living for so long. "Vixenstar!" he called. "I challenge you to give me warrior's status on the basis of you being a good leader that is not a coward. Either you are a coward and don't want us to rise up or you are a good leader and will give warrior status to me." His green eyes shone with defience...it wasn't his goal to kill himself but he had put Vixenstar in a position that would either make her a good leader by making him a warrior or a bad leader by either killing him or refusing him in front of the clan.

Tinypool was a little late for the meeting but she managed to arrive right in time for Vixenstar's announcement. Sitting beside Dovepaw, the small warrior curled her tail around her apprentice in a protective manner. Even though her former mentor could remain as deputy, it didn't bring her any peace of mind knowing that Jaystar was missing and this Dark Forest cat would take his place. She looked quietly as Perchfall took her place and spoke to her clanmates. The stoic she-cat she knew looked tired and frustrated. Tinypool felt bad for her... and anger towards Vixenstar and the DArk Forest for subjecting her mentor, her mother-figure to this torment. Perchfall didn't deserve this. None of them did.

He walked towards the grey-furred she-cat, taking Moon's side on this matter. "Moon and Poppypaw are right. You're not alone, Perchfall, we are here for you for anything you need us." Lovingly, the small she-cat bumped her head into her shoulder, giving her a reassuring purr.

Tinypool stepped back and turned her gaze to Moon, but the tom had suddenly stepped towards the new 'leader', challenging Vixenstar so they would name him a warrior. Her blue eyes widened in surprise and fear for the tom. She wanted him to become a proper warrior. After all, he had trained so hard to become part of this clan. But this sudden display of defiance would only get him killed. The small, black she-cat walked towards him and curled her tail around his. She didn't direct a word toward the new leader but instead mewed at him. "What are you doing? We have no idea what Vixenstar is capable of doing and I can't lose you too... I need you..." The she-cat pleaded.

As the silver long-furred tom stepped forwards and challenged Vixenstar, he suddenly felt a tail behind him and Tinypool brush up against him and he looked towards the blue eyes staring back at him with fear and worry in her eyes. He turned to look at Tinypool, "Do not worry dear, I will win this battle." he smiled at her and silently urged her to understand the situation that he had placed himself in. Moon leaned in to whisper in her ear, so that only she could hear. "Vixenstar is a leader, oftentimes leader's have to make hard choices. This is one of them. She can either kill me and prove to the clan that she has no decision making skill or give me my warrior's status and prove to the clan that the dark forest cat's are truly here not to harm us but to help us as they claim." All of this Moon whispered in Tinypool's ear to make her understand his thought process and what kind of position that he was putting Vixenstar in.