No Progress Without [Struggle] (Leaders Only)

[[Acro.]]

ooc:// Legit, Sand, Lightningtrail, Clemintine (I know you are away :c )! This is the meeting where the leaders discuss coming together in order to defeat Silverstar =D
Aaaaand a tag for Midnight, in case you wanted to follow along ;D

{Beyond this place of wrath and tears...

It was dark, and she was alone.

A half-moon reflected off of the freshly fallen snow, its light washing everything with silver. Storm-clouds from the day still hung around, clinging to the idea that they might get a chance to unleash themselves again onto the forest, but, for now, they had been silenced. The Pond of Truce was disconcertingly quiet, as though every living creature in the forest knew what was--hopefully--about to take place:

Mutiny of the greatest degree.

...looms but the Horror of the shade...

From SunsetClan, Ratstar hovered at the edge of the clearing, her eyes sharp and alert once again; unlike at the Gathering, when she had been... unwell. The petite feline, standing in fresh powder up to her elbows, had carved a trail in the snow all the way from her camp--there would be no secrets if someone came looking for her, but who would, at this time of night? Sandstrike... she hadn't told him she'd be leaving, but he hardly checked in on her at this hour anymore... so odds were slim he'd come looking for her.

She had needed to come alone. After moons of shared struggles and pain and fear within her Clan... it was now that she had needed to walk alone. 

...and yet the menace of the years...

Inhaling deeply, composing herself, Ratstar stepped out into the clearing. In the same moment, it seemed as though the last strands of cloud vapor melted from in front of the moon, allowing its cold, stark light to engulf the dappled leader. She hesitated for only a moment, taking note that no others had yet arrived, and then made her familiar way to the Pond of Truce, which had frozen over and was invisible beneath the blanket of snow.

Bracing herself, Ratstar made that leap up onto the cold stone, finalizing her actions in that moment just as surely as the period at the end of this sentence will do for these words.

And then she waited.

StarClan knew she had waited long enough for this night... but also that she could handle waiting a few moments more.

...finds and shall find me unafraid}

// I left it vague as to how the meeting was actually set up, but I figured Ratstar would have mentioned it at the end of the last Gathering, after LeafClan had left, and then sent one or two SunsetClan warrior to the other leaders (who did not attend the Gathering) with the message. =)

[Sand]

ooc: the only reason I'm not playing any of my cats at the gathering was because I missed a week and really don't feel like reading a lot not trying to be lazy.

A white tom lay in his den his breathing was slow and steady and it almost looked like the tom was asleep but in fact the tom was not asleep. The toms eyes slowly opened to reveal eyes that were an icy-blue. Sitting up in his nest the tom listening intently only hearing the steady breathing of sleeping cats. 'Now's my chance,' the tom thought slipping out of his den fluffing up his fur against the cold not that he really minded the cold.

The Whisperclan leader slipped out of camp, he had decided against having a cat guard the camp during the night so that he would be able to slip out of camp with out being asked a lot of questions. He hesitated for a minute wondering if he had done the right thing about posting no cat to guard the clan. 'Lionice wouldn't try and attack the camp tonight, she isn't a big fan of snow,' he thought heading away from camp sinking easily into the snow.

He scowled as the snow brushed his belly fur and he quickly hopped out of the heap of snow he had ended up end and shook the snow out of his fur not that it would really make any difference since his fur was white. Fangstar broke into a run hoping that if he ran he would sink into the snow as much, and he found out that it actually worked. By running he wasn't sinking into the snow as mush so he didn't have to keep shaking snow out of his fur. Seeing the pond of truce come into sight the Whisperclan leader slowed to a walk.

He entered the pond of truce seeing that Ratstar was already there but none of the other leaders seemed to have arrive yet. The white furred tom bounded through the snow his fur helped him blend in with the snow which would come in handy with hunting. The tom leaped onto the cold stone beside Ratstar and almost lost his balance but he quickly regained his balance by lashing his tail. "Greetings Ratstar," he meowed flicking his ears back and forth.

[Legit]

Ooc: It's all good, Sand. ^^

Bramblestar had told no one about this meeting with the other leaders, not even Mothcloud. The tom was not one to keep secrets, but this one was too important--lives were at stake--to share before the time was right. Their decisions tonight had the potential to transform the whole forest and the lives of all the cats within and around it, even those outside of Clans. Silverstar's looming threat could finally be eliminated. Too much was at risk for a mistake.

He knew how much his cats hated Silverstar, but so many warriors and apprentices had left to go join that pathetic, despicable TalonClan that even MidnightClan's leader didn't know who to trust within his own Clan anymore. Sometimes, Bramblestar thought about what would have happened if he forbid MidnightClan from protecting TalonClan--or even aided LeafClan in their attack. He almost admired Silverstar for her audacity in launching the raid on TalonClan, but that specific event could fall more into the category of preying on the weak; and LeafClan's leader was less than admirable when she attacked WhisperClan and SunsetClan.

but still... Something about Silverstar earned her Bramblestar's respect. Perhaps it's the fact that her name strikes both fear and rage into the hearts of every Clan cat when merely spoken, and she has gotten away with it for so long. Or maybe it's that the Silverstar that everyone currently hates could be the result of LeafClan wishing for a stronger leader. And, well, they certainly got one.

With all his thoughts focused on Silverstar and the approaching meeting, Bramblestar didn't notice that he was already almost to the Pond of Truce. He slowed down his brisk pace as the oak forest opened to reveal the Clan's gathering place, and he spotted two shapes standing atop the stone in the middle of the Pond. As he approached the other leaders, his face remained as cold and emotionless as the surrounding, undisturbed snow. "Greetings Ratstar, Fangstar. I understand we have some, important matters to discuss," was all he said. He fluffed his fur up against the cold and growled half to himself, "Let's just hope that Goldenstar and Pebblestar arrive soon."

[Clemintine]

The forest was silent as if it knew what was happening on this night. Pebblestar knew she would be the last if not close to the last cat to arrive, being so far from the pond of truce and the snow was not in her favor. The simplest thing she had done all night was sneaking out of camp, with so little cats it wasn't that hard to get away with things. As she had made her way do the slippery mountain, of course with otu slipping a time or two, there was a huge snow mound waiting for her at the bottom. She had spent what seemed like a moon trying to dig her was out of the heavy snow not that her size helped her.

TalonClan had been attacked by Silverstar, the clan wasn't exactly attacked by the other since no cats full heartily wanted a battle with TalonClan. However Pebblestar did lose a life as did Silverstar which didn't leave the she-cat with very many left unlike herself. Still having eight lives left put her at an advantage, if she could play her cards right her clan could grow and live long healthy lives. Silverstar was threatening this dream and even if other Clans where unhappy with TalonClan forming they also feared Silverstar and would hopefully agree to work with TalonClan in an effort to stop her.

The pond of truce was close now, Pebblestar's chin was almost touching the snow as she struggled through a deep spot, her mouth was barely parted and she could somewhat smell the other leaders. Soft green eyes glowed against the bright white snow, ducking her head Pebblestar became visible as she made her way out into the open. The snow was lower here but being short she had to lift her legs up high in an effort to seem somewhat graceful in her approach. Bounding on top of the rock with ease, of course she wasn't the leader of a clan whose home was on top of a mountain for nothing, she came face to face with the other leaders.

All but Goldenstar was there, Pebblestar toke her place and bowed her head in a hello "Bramblestar, Ratstar, Fangstar. Hello." Her fur had a dusting of snow on it from her long journey but that would all melt within a few moments. Waiting patiently for the last leader the she-cat layed her long tail over her paws in an effort to keep them warm.

[[Acro.]]

{Hope is the thing with feathers}

With each new leader that arrived, Ratstar felt more and more weight lift away from her body. They were coming. They could change everything. The petite feline nodded and greeted everyone as they arrived, her sharp eyes bright with stars and moonlight reflecting from the snow. First Fangstar, then Bramblestar, then Pebblestar... they just needed someone to represent StormClan, now. Scanning the dark clearing, Ratstar listened for any sign of someone else approaching. Hearing none, she turned to face the others. It was strange to be facing inward on top of the stone--at Gatherings, they always faced outward. With her back to the clearing, Ratstar felt a bit... vulnerable.

Clearing her thoughts, SunsetClan's leader addressed the others. "I'm grateful to you all for meeting tonight," she began, tone calm but authoritative. "I hope Goldenstar arrives, as well, but I feel it best to begin discussing the matter at paw now, rather than waiting any longer." Honestly, Ratstar just couldn't wait any longer. Things had gone on long enough. Straightening up, the dappled she-cat inhaled slowly and then went on. "I know you are all aware of the issues regarding LeafClan," she began, eyes moving to each of the others before landing pointedly on Pebblestar--she was the most recent victim of Silverstar's savagery. "Silverstar is a darkness in this forest, and it's time we put an end to her tyranny."  She paused. Here came the big one. "If we were to ally our Clans... we could overthrow her with the fewest casualties, on all fronts." A five-Clan allegiance was basically unheard of. They'd done something similar when coming to defend TalonClan, but that had been poorly planned--efficient, but sloppily thrown together. And that had been as a defense.

This time, it would be an attack.

{That perches in the soul}

[Sand]

Fangstar watched as Bramblestar and Pebblestar appeared, he nodded to them but didn't say anything his face was closed off from his emotions at the moment. He wondered where Goldenstar was and hoped she would hurry up and arrive. Hearing Ratstar beginning to speak he turned his attention back to her listening to what the Sunsetclan leader had to say. He knew Silverstar was a problem and he could help but wonder how many cats would actually stop them if they actually did attack Silverstar. He knew there were plenty of cats in Leafclan who could care less about Silverstar. 'Her own clan mates aren't even loyal to her,' he thought the tip of his tail twitching back and forth. He knew the cats who were once from Leafclan that were in his clan couldn't stand Silverstar. He also knew that there were plenty of other clans who had Leafclan cats in their clan who had either rebelled against Silverstar or had run away.

"Yes, and that's the thing though, how many cats do you think will actually fight for Silverstar, from what I've seen even Silverstars on clan mates don't like her. If they do try and stop us they probably wouldn't try to hard to fight us off," Fangstar meowed his eyes narrowing. "Silverstar is a coward, she only attacks cats who are to weak to fight back," he meowed flicking his ears back and forth. "I would gladly rip Siverstar to shreds for what she has done," he meowed.

[Lightningtrail]

((I am so sorry I am so late the tag did not notify me o-o'))

Goldenstar peered outside of her den, her ears flicking as she searched for sounds more than the hush of quiet breathing. Satisfied with the silence, she padded out of her den, careful to stay on her toes. She wanted her clan to trust her, but she needed to keep this meeting a secret. She had to admit, it was difficult to keep herself from telling her brother, Thornstrike, or her mate, Flamedove, but she had managed to keep her mouth shut. Her soft feet sank into the light snow in the clearing, silencing her steps further as she made her way to the camp entrance.

"Goldenstar?" Goldenstar froze as she heard a harsh whisper behind her, interrupting the peaceful escape. "Where are you going at this time of night?" Goldenstar turned around, her sandy belly fur clotted with snow. "I could ask the same to you, Dawnfern" The leader mewed quietly, as to not awake any more warriors. "I was just going for a brisk walk, the snow is beautiful with the moonlight on it." The grey she-cat, seeming to be satisfied, admitted that she was just headed for the dirt place. "Would you like any company on your walk?" Dawnfern mewed before she left for the small entrance heading to the dirt place. "No, thank you, I just need sometime alone." Goldenstar turned with a swish of her tail, the dust-like snow billowing behind it.

Goldenstar ran out of camp, and headed straight for the pond of truce. She was disappointed that a cat had seen her, but she was lucky it had just been the gentle queen, Dawnfern. The newly made leader had confidence the soft spoken she-cat would not speak a word. Goldenstar slowed as she reached the meeting place, sinking in the snow. Her tail was held high to prevent it from dragging, as she did not want to have to deal with the large amounts of snow that would be clotted in it later. She bounded onto the cold rock, glancing at the other leaders. "I apologize that I was late," She mewed with a dip of her head,"I hope you did not wait long."