PowerClans: The Rise of DarkClan

[Tinkpetz]

(@Fairy: Did Richie make you feel any better, Fairy? I PMed him with instructions, and I guess your head is put back together... Did he clean up the purple gunk like I had suggested? I don't think your mom would have appreciated having to clean it up herself.
@Willow: x3 I'm glad the game went well. Have fun at Homecoming! ^-^
@Fey: It's alright, the Gathering's almost over. Thanks for not bailing on us because of it. Don't you have an IceClan cat, too? You could play him and pretend he's at the Gathering.
@Mango: What's wrong with Dovepaw? Such a sudden change in character... Are you okay, Mango?)

Gathering

Nightfire looked at her brother, curious to see what he would say. He looked at her pleadingly, his midnight blue eyes darkened with worry. She sent him a look that said, Your problem, not mine. In the stillness of the moment, she remembered the nasty gashes Winterfur had given her. She licked a black paw and gingerly rubbed at the drying blood, trying her best to ignore the stinging.

Nightfall saw that he would get no help from his sister, so he tried to think up something to say. "Well, I guess I can tell Skystar. She needs to know." He was barely able to keep from stuttering as he spoke, hating the pairs of eyes that were turned on him. This was why he had always let his sister do the talking when they were younger. "You don't have to tell your leaders. I'll just tell Skystar that I was rescued by a few cats I didn't know." That seemed like a fair deal for his rescuers. They save him, he talks to the intimidating Skystar for them.

SunClan

Flowerface sighed and stood up, ushering the kits outside. "It's time you were asleep. Look at that moon! It's already past moonhigh and you're bouncing off the den walls! Off to bed with you all." She walked alongside Featherkit, making sure the blind kit could find her way into the apprentice den.

StarClan

Lightheart sat down quickly, the exhilaration making her feel a little dizzy. She glanced over at Lilytail and Dovepaw. It didn't seem like Dovepaw was any better. The apprentice would need close supervision from now on until she was comfortable revealing what was wrong. The look in her faded green eyes was full of enough sadness to wither the whole forest. Lightheart glided over to Dovepaw and gently licked the top of her head. "You need your brother, little one."

[dapperbirdie]

(@TInkpetz Yeah, I try not to bail on things)

Gathering

Echowind, who was sitting at the back of the group, smiled. He figured that he was just an oridinary cat; but he wouldn't have minded if he was special. Who would mind if they were special, he thought.

[Taylor☆Gang]

Winterfur sat in the forest, looking around for DarkClan cats. She walked further into the forest, hoping to find somebody. She yowled again, "Hello? Is anybody out there?"

((Ack! I can't post anything until she meetd a DarkClan cat...))

[Arouria]

Gathering

Smoothpaw noded his head. "Thant sounds good." He turned his head to Nightfall. "Sorry if I hurt you when I slamed into your cage, I coulden't think of anything else to do."He said as his tail curled in ambaressment.
He got up and started walking towered the bush witch he had come through but before he left he turned his head back and said, "Let's not tell anyone else about this, exept for you telling Skystar." He nodded towerd Nightfall.
(Wow Smoothpaw sounds so much oldder than he is. Brave little apprentce XD)

[willowsong12]

((I'm able to get on real quick before I get ready.))
Gathering
Whisperpaw wrapped her tail around her paws and listened closely wanting to know why these cats had been chosen. She was glad she hadn't been chosen, she would of been afraid she would somehow mess it up.

Mudpaw was having trouble seeing the chosen cats so he tried to look around cats. That didn't work so the apprentice stood up on his hindlegs and tried to balance as he peered over the other cats heads. He hated sitting in the back and now he wished he would of sat closer to the front. The tom wobbled alittle but was able to stay standing on two legs as he looked at the other cats.

[Tinkpetz]

(I haz the ebil block. x.x The ebil block I haz. Yoda!)

Gathering

Nightfall looked down awkwardly, avoiding the apprentice's eyes. "Oh, I'm fine," he meowed quietly, almost in a whisper.

Nightfire rose to her feet, having done her best with the cut on her face. She couldn't see the extent of the damage, due to the gash's close proximity with her nose. "Well, that works for me. You are dismissed," she said with authority, turning around and shuffling away through the bushes back to the clearing.

Nightfall shrugged. "She's weird," he meowed quietly to the others, padding slowly after Nightfire.

[Wolfin]

Name: Wolfin
Cats: Thornpaw(Thornleaf), Soilpaw(Soilfoot)
Position: Apprentice...
Age: -_- Lol
Kin: -
Mate: -
Kits: -

Ya, I'm not bothered to answer most of them

Name: Thornpaw(Thornleaf)
Gender: She-cat
Age: 7 Moons
Clan: FireClan
Rank: Apprentice
Mentor/Apprentice: Snowclaw?
Kin: Soilpaw(Brother), Swiftfoot(Father, dead), Hazelnut(Mother, dead)
Mate: None but is crushing on Ashpaw (And Greypaw aswell but no one knows 0.o)
Kits: ....
Appearance: Pretty dark ginger tabby with ice blue eyes.
Personality(Optional):
Thornpaw is excitable and childish. She is always acting out and annoying the warriors to let her go out hunting. But, deep down, she is a loyal cat and would give anything to help her Clan. Thornpaw has a soft side for toms but tries not to show it by play-fighting with them.
History:
Thornpaw never knew her parents, really. As a kit she remembers her father, light brown tabby with glaring, ice blue eyes, and her mother, light ginger with green eyes.
Her mother ran away from the forests after Thornpaw and her brother didn't need milk anymore and they were left in the care of their father. Swiftfoot was caring but didn't know how to show it. He disiplined them harshly then he died and the two kits were made apprentices the sunrise after. Their only family is each other now. The rest are with StarClan.
Do you promise to follow the warrior code?: She'll try her best
Other: cookies

[Arouria]

Gathering

Smoothpaw nodded his head and walked through the bushes, now noticing that he had the new problem of getting back to his seat without drawing much attention. He decided he would tell any queshtioning cat that he had to use the dirtplace. Luckly he was unquestioned, and he settled back into his seat next to Littlepaw.
(Dose Silver ever post for littlepaw any more? I'd like to get back to there coversatoin)(Sorry spelling cheek still broken but, it should be fixed by the end of the day:3)

[major tom]

((Although I have no idea what you're talking about Fairy, but I hope you're okay and happy. <3
Tink, you portrayed my characters just fine -- thanks again so much for relieving me of them! I kind of miss Leafshadow, though. . . Oh, well, at least I have a bit more time to breathe. :3 I actually got my muse back when I was writing the majority of this post, I apologize for it being so long. n.n" Also, speaking of which Fairy -- what do you mean, "Rose muse"? I'm supposing you're refering to some other writer who goes by the nickname of Rose. . . Right? Because honestly, I have no idea how people view me as a good writer. I'm not even in high school yet! x.x" Not that I don't appreciate it -- of course I do! I just don't think that I deserve any praise. . .[/endspam]
Wolfin: While I am glad that you have filled out a form and read the rules to join, I'm not sure how Tink will react to your cat's mother becoming a loner. I'm sure that she will take it up with you in her next post, though. . . Sorry that I can not accept just yet.))

Gathering

~Stormpaw~
"Are you coming with me?" the dark brown tabby asked me softly. Her tone was gentle as it always was, just like the rest of her, yet an important, almost business-like edge compresses her words into sharp, dense little things that carry a determined air about them and slice through me like several sets of claws being driven deeply into my body. They are so simple, yet so life-changing. And fatal, if the inevitable, unforeseen unthinkable occurs. Which was very likely, I must admit. Anything could happen on a night like this. Anything could tip the already wavering balance of the Gathering that was soon to commence. It would take almost nothing at all, and even with that minimal effort it would be achieved with ease. I did not, could not make this decision all at once. My usual impulsiveness had deserted me, abandoned me to fend for myself against this worrisome thoughtfulness that scrambled all thought in an instant. At least, most of it -- just enough remained for me to agonize over my decision, of course, so that I was attacked by a nasty bout of indecisiveness. Heathersong was gazing at me intently then, her eyes twin, amber pools of patiently expecting questions – rather, the ominous, solitary question that echoed inside my mind. I could wait for a while yet, but that possibility could not even be called so by her. An important announcement -- one of the most vital among the fair few that lurked in the imminent future -- such as hers could not be postponed. I must have made my decision soon, in a matter of heartbeats. Meanwhile, my own heartbeat permeated the air surrounding me, loud and fast enough that it roared in my ears and made it difficult to hear anything else -- a nearly impossible feat for a single cat among the cacophonous crowd at a PowerClans Gathering!

All at once but dragged out and prolonged at the same time, I at last spat out a nearly inaudible murmur of an answer that was swallowed by the drone of the other cats thronging us. My mentor’s ears flicked and a brief expression of confusion momentarily flickered across her striped face. She leaned in tentatively, beckoning me to repeat what I had just uttered. The words immediately found their way to my lips once more, and I said them more loudly this time; my sentence came out as a somewhat forceful, hasty “Yes!” The single word was all that I had to offer, yet I felt weak at my situation’s proximity and how tonight’s events would affect my life for the time being, possibly indefinitely. I was suddenly very aware of my foolish actions and emotions, and chagrin finally worked its way through my system to reward my rushed but long-considered decision with a burst of self-inflicted aggression that flared up within my chest as it rose and fell rapidly. My smoky features hardened and I set my expression and emotions curtly in quick succession. I would not give anyone or anything the satisfaction of watching me being daunted by five words that formed but a lone sentence. Scratch that – I was not fazed by anything that night. I was as cool as leaf-fall.

Enveloped in my thoughts, I barely registered the slight dip of Heathersong’s head before she turned about with a flick of her tail and, without another word, began her ascent up the vines that encircled Centertree’s great trunk, obviously expecting me to follow suit. Inhaling sharply, I leapt onto the almost trail-like cluster of vines that form an easy walkway for me to tread on but nearly fell short of my target; I lurched forward upon landing but righted myself instantly. I began my short journey up the colossal oak tree by gingerly placing one paw before the other, accelerating slightly so as to catch up with the older LeafClan she-cat, who had progressed close to halfway up the tree by the time I started bounding along. My thoughts were focused on what was to come, but they lacked the frantic ways in which they were processed. Instead a calm, if not entirely steady veil seemed to have descended upon me, soothing my worries and making clearance for a more logical method of thinking to dominate the forefront of my mind. Preoccupied for the next few moments, I barely avoid a collision with Heathersong that would likely have resulted in a moon’s worth of pain as well as injury for she had come to an abrupt halt just before the clear space on which a bolt of lighting had struck many seasons ago. I parted my jaws to mew a question regarding this peculiar fact, but somehow the elder medicine cat sensed that I was preparing to speak and clamped a long, furry tail over my mouth in order to keep me from doing so. I spat out the body part indignantly, my tail curling up in slight agitation as my claws dug even deeper into the rough bark while I struggled to unhook them from the branch in an irritated attempt to step back promptly. She seemed uncertain of herself, of whether or not she had the right to join the leaders in their honorable places above the Clans. Then duty kicked in and she appeared to have made up her mind, for she padded forward silently and settled down amid the other felines. I pause before doing the same and watch for a pawful of heartbeats as the heads of PowerClans exchanged curious glances and shot several questioning looks toward her, notably acknowledging the medicine cat’s mysterious presence, yet no one says anything. Either they didn’t care to or figured that her intentions would be revealed soon enough. Our intentions, that was.

My paws carry me swiftly to an empty space next to the pretty brown cat, and I utter nary a word for most of the Gathering. Six relatively uneventful reports passed by at an agonizingly slow crawl of a pace – except, of course, the point at which Winterfur was deemed a traitor and was slated for punishment prior to her infuriated escape -- but at last it was Sunstar’s turn to speak. A collective hush swept through the crowd. In a matter of moments, the golden-pelted tom’s voice was the only one heard above everything else, his words being greedily devoured by the Clan cats as they ached for more. “Cats of PowerClans!” he practically roared. “I'm sure you all have many questions to ask of me regarding the battle that took place two days ago. I will do my best, but there are some occurrences which cannot be repeated easily.” Immediately my mind skipped back in time to the various stories and rumours spreading like wildfire throughout each of the eight Clans, especially the ones which had not partaken in the SunClan battle; most of which consisted of the mysterious, bright orb that had supposedly appeared above the fighting felines. Heathersong herself failed to believe that this had actually happened, excused it as one more false rumour to toss into the pit of fictional events, but personally I was unsure of the whole thing. It could be a sign from StarClan, but why would they bother with something so bizarre that would most assuredly send a commotion through the Clans? It just sounded suspicious to me, yet a small but existing ray of possibility shone through the disbelief.

My musings were scattered and interrupted when Sunstar continued. "Just as evening fell, DarkClan took us by surprise, killing Lunarwing the deputy who had been standing guard at our camp entrance. We tried to hold them off, but they struck at the nursery and the medicine den, our weakest points. We would have been lost if IceClan, RockClan, and EarthClan hadn't shown up. Only StarClan knows how they found out about the battle." A heartbeat of honouring silence briefly followed his words before he went on, “Thankfully, Lunarwing was the only casualty besides a DarkClan cat. They were both buried honourably.” This was not true. I had also heard of the demise of another SunClan cat – a young warrior whose name I could not remember. The lack of casualties also baffled me – I knew it had been a bloody battle, yet somehow the number of deaths was at a minimum. However, many injuries had resulted in the four-Clan fight, which was to be expected – all of which varying in importance. His next statement came as a surprise to a few cats who murmured quietly in surprise, though the majority stayed speechless as ever. “Unfortunately, this also means that another deputy needs to be appointed. I decided that it would be just fine to announce the new deputy in front of all the PowerClans.” The light ginger leader allowed his gaze to rake into the group, meaning different things to each of the cats it rested on. "Skysong! If you could please step forward." There was a temporary hesitation in which a likely surprised young she-cat stumbled to follow Sunstar’s order. "I, Sunstar, would like to call upon the warriors of StarClan to approve my choice of deputy. Skysong has proved herself to be a loyal, formidable warrior that I trust to take care of my Clan as deputy."

"Thank you, Sunstar. I will do my best to serve SunClan, and will sacrifice my life for all of the Clan at always." Came the voice of SunClan’s new deputy from somewhere below, in the depths of the small valley. Of course, Winterfur made that very same vow not too long ago, didn’t she? I thought cynically, but remained silent. I had expected her to be finished speaking, but the white SunClan cat prattled on, "I would like to say something, if I may." Skysong didn’t wait for her superior’s permission before continuing quickly, perhaps so that Sunstar couldn’t shut her down before she had the opportunity to speak. "I had never expected for Lunarwing to pass, and I do feel great sorrow for her loss. But hopefully, with the help of my Clan, Sunstar and I will lead SunClan on to be one of the strongest Clans. I am truly honoured, once again, and thank you for holding my ceremony here, Sunstar." I felt unmoved by her speech, but several cats erupted into yowls of the traditional cheers that welcomed a new deputy into their promoted position as the future possible leader of the Clan in which they were appointed in. My ears pinned back from the sudden yowls cutting through the night air and slicing my eardrums to ribbons, but I opened my mouth to meow Skysong’s name a few times so as not to come across as rude. A few of the leaders beside me cried congratulations, but Bloodstar was silent and indifferent throughout the entire exchange. I didn’t blame the massive white tom; although I haven’t lived for very long, new deputies are nothing new to me. Fresh meat ready for slaughter would be a more appropriate title for them – deputies tend to become more vulnerable than warriors in this world when they supposedly gain something I can not name, for it is likely nonexistent. Yet again my pessimistic thoughts remain unuttered, and I am quickly too unoccupied to give them further attention.

"Excuse me, Sunstar,” Heathersong murmured softly after his fit of anger had ended. Her intentions were clear to me, but not Sunstar obviously, for he whirled about with a puzzled expression on his face, which was illuminated dimly in the moonlight just then so his features stood out strikingly against the endless blackness around him. The dark-striped she-cat continued just as audibly, which wasn’t very much at all, "I believe I have a solution to that." Sunstar’s voice and stance betrayed the bafflement he was feeling, but he stepped aside to make room for her sleek, lithe body nonetheless, "Speak then."

Speak she did. Walking gingerly to the forefront of Centertree, her voice rang clearly over the large assembly of warriors, queens, elders, and deputies as they curiously watched, intrigued by this unexpected turn of events. "I am Heathersong, medicine cat of LeafClan," she stated calmly, but of course everyone here already knew that. "We all know that DarkClan must be stopped. They are brutal, they are strong, and Icestar continues to recruit new minions. Until now, defeating them seemed impossible." I knew her voice well enough to be able to detect the thin waver that indicated a small smile was curling the corners of her mouth. "If I call your name, please come forward." At these words, a ripple of excited murmurs spread through the crowd. They knew what was about to happen. "Snowclaw of FireClan!" She exclaimed, a faint monotone creeping into her words. "Silvertail of WaterClan! Shinelight of AirClan! Lightwhisper of EarthClan! Dirtpath of EarthClan!" Each attending cat whose name was called by my mentor promptly stepped forward, excited or frightened by the task that would soon be at paw. Most likely both, or at least the latter. I noticed how she never paused as if to try to remember a name or its owner’s Clan they belonged to, before I guessed that StarClan was guiding her tongue. "Whiterunner of RockClan! Islandsong of RockClan! Pinewhisker of IceClan! Nightfall of IceClan! Leafshadow of LeafClan!" Singularly or in small clusters of pairs and trios, the chosen cats filed slowly through the others to the front of the hollow; the other ones silently parted to make way for them to travel to the roots of Centertree. I almost pitied them – virtually everyone’s gazes were fixated in either awe, envy, fear, grief or far too many other emotions for me to name upon their set faces, whose owners would be told and retold about in stories that would be passed down for generations, possibly as long as PowerClans would exist.

Before I had time to break out of my thoughts so as to pay attention to what was happening before me, Heathersong stopped and looked at me. Immediately I understood. What I had struggled so much over only moments ago was soon to commence, for it was my time. I couldn’t object. I adopted a mask of stone and promptly stepped forward, StarClan guiding my limbs, which were rigid and stiff. I stared down at the gathered cats and wondered where to start for a few heartbeats of chilled silence, and then I began to speak. “Mudpaw of FireClan!” I called, noticing the first apprentice to be named in an instant. My observation progressed no further, for my warrior ancestors spoke with my voice and tongue once more as the startled apprentice started his way through his fellow Clanmates and rivals. “Rainpaw of WaterClan! Gracepaw of AirClan!” I jerked slightly in surprise and horror at this revelation; my friend, Gracepaw, was a chosen cat and would be a prime target for whichever foe or fate they may fight against. A shiver rippled down my spine, and I briefly grieved for the other medicine cat apprentice. My claws dug even deeper into the charred wood, but StarClan didn’t want to wait. “Ravenkit of SunClan, Mistkit of SunClan, and Jaypaw of LeafClan!” I finished off the roll of names and waited patiently for more, but that seemed to be it. I hesitated perched above almost the whole of the seven original Clans, my stormy gaze raking down through the line of assembled cats, wondering what destiny I had just condemned them to. Then I padded back to my seat and settled down to a hushed, hollow silence that followed the long string of names. What list they belonged to, I was yet to discover. My eyes rose to the starlit sky above and rested on the shining mass that was Silverpelt, as if I could pick out the distinct starry warriors above. What were they planning?
((Again, sorry for the excessive length of this post. I got a bit carried away and was feeling bad for not posting very often in this thread. e.x Oh, and Fairy -- I'm likely going to participate in NaNoWriMo this year, in case you wanted to know. . . :3))

[Africa.]

(Aw darn, Melodykit isn't a chosen cat D: Ah well, Ravenkit will be thinking of her <3 xD )

Featherkit could feel the warm presence of Flowerface alongside her. The she-kit tensed a bit at the realization. She was fine! She could do everything she could do before! She sighed silently to herself, a frown creeping along her maw. Everyone you treat her differently, like she wasn't the same as them, like she had a problem. Her tail began to droop without her even noticing it as she trudged toward the nursery entrance. She closed her eyes, knowing that it wouldn't matter whether they were open or closed, and let the wind gently hit against her soft fur as she closed her purple-pink eyes, sitting up in her nest. Momma, where are you? Each night, she prayed that she'd see her mother again one day... But tonight she began to pray that she'd be with her mother again one day, as she would never be able to see her. Never again... Her life would never be as it used to be. Instead, she'd... She'd be different.