Two days after a long, silent night vigil, Dappledshade and Sedgetuft were attending their first Gathering as full warriors. Rowanfall was coming too; it seemed Icestar wanted to show off his latest batch of fighters in the face of inter-clan tensions. Dappledshade was very interested in how this event would go. A lot has happened since the last one. She was wondering what state Flaxclan would be in, given the news they had been attacked by rogues. They hadn't hassled their border since.

Arriving in the hollow, Dappleshade's eyes did a sweep over the Gathering, trying to take in as much information as she could at once. They were the last clan to arrive. The other leaders were already waiting in their place for Icestar; Swallowstar looked like he could barely stand. If he looked simply old last time, now he looked frail and sickly to Dappledshade's eye.

"Oh there he is!" Swallowstar's harsh voice called out as Gorseclan entered the Gathering and began mingling into the crowd; Icestar padded his way towards his fellow leaders looking in no particular hurry. His orange eyes were fixed at the elderly black and white tom currently sneering at him. "Actually decided to show his face!"

One of Icestar's small ears twitched, as he otherwise nonchalantly hopped up to join the other leaders. "And why wouldn't I? It's a Gathering."

Luckily, both Finchstar and Dewstar were between the white tom and Swallowstar, or the old leader might have lashed out there and then. Every hair on the Flaxclan cat's massive, slightly matted coat was on end. "Oh I can think of a few reasons! Conspiring with rogues to destroy my clan for a start!"

As Dappledshade looked around, it seemed even Swallowstar's own clan was surprised by his words; murmurs ran through the crowd of cats, and as eyes turned to Flaxclan individuals, many were shaking their heads or looking confused. At the base of their leader's perch, Tinyfrost's expression darkened.

As Icestar looked Swallowstar up and down with a thinly-veiled contempt, and Dewstar flicked her gaze nervously between the two, Finchstar blinked his eyes in a tight, slow motion that a less attentive cat than Dappledshade might have missed; like the experienced Fernclan leader was urging himself internally to remain patient.

"Do you have any evidence for such a grave accusation, Swallowstar?" The Fernclan leader said softly, causing the black and white tom next to him to let out a loud scoffing noise.

"How about the scent? The stolen prey? The fact we were attacked out of the blue by a suspiciously organised group of rogues that came from your side of the border?!" He snarled, spitting through bared teeth in Icestar's direction. "The fact that this sorry excuse for a leader and his little apprentice killed one of my warriors!"

At this, Dappledshade froze while further concerned mutters washed through the crowd around her; white noise. Sedgetuft was staring at her, she could tell even without seeing him in her peripheral vision. "We didn't-" She said without looking back at him, eyes instead fixated on Swallowstar, and more importantly, Icestar, waiting for him to react. "We didn't kill her. She was hurt, sure, but… They took her back over the border!"

Icestar still seemed impassive. "Your warrior was alive when she left our territory." He answered calmly.

"She died a day later of her injuries; injuries you brutally and coldly inflicted after your apprentice was done fighting dirty!" Swallowstar spat back.

Icestar's eyes narrowed, but his reply was diplomatic. "I mourn the loss of your young warrior, Swallowstar, I truly do, but you sent Greybrook on that raid in my territory. Sometimes the consequences of a border attack are warriors getting injured, and sometimes they die as a result."

"That's a cop out gull-dung answer, and you know it Icestar!" Swallowstar was trying to get closer, but Finchstar was firmly in his way. "Sharptongue told me what you did! I'm sure everyone would love to hear about that!" All the while Dewstar was shrinking back; appearing increasingly horrified. She was saying something, but so quietly Dappledshade couldn't hear her. She wasn't even sure the other leaders did. If they did, they were ignoring her.

"I did only what was necessary when we were attacked by our neighbouring clan; something, I assure you, I have not done to you."

"Typical slimy Gorseclan behaviour, speaking with your whiskers curled like always." Swallowstar sneered. "Boulderstar liked to pretend he wasn't plotting our demise in the early days too; I'm just not stupid enough to repeat mistakes." The elderly leader lifted his head up to address the entire Gathering, his weak and rasping voice growing stronger. "I say we should deal with this problem now! Gorseclan has been nothing but grief for all clans for generations! They should go!"

"Alright." A new voice joined in suddenly. Tinyfrost had stood; their voice surprisingly loud for such a small cat. "I can no longer sit silently; Swallowstar, you must put a stop to this vendetta."

Swallowstar whirled around wildly, the pupils in his eyes contracting as they focused on his deputy openly questioning him in public. "What's this Tinyfrost?" He hissed venomously.

To his credit, Tinyfrost did not flinch under his leader's furious gaze, calmly standing their ground. "You would lead us to war when there is no solid proof that Gorseclan has anything to do with these rogues. I'm against it, as I have said before."

"You would betray me?!"

"Not betray; I have the utmost respect for you as my leader. I'm simply stating my opinion and urging you to reconsider."

"You should listen to your clever little deputy, Swallowstar." Icestar rumbled, watching out of the corner of his eye. Dappledshade thought she could see amusement in his expression. "Your claims of collaboration with rogues are nonsense, quite frankly." He lowered his head, and his voice took on a snide edge. "You aren't losing your mind with your old age, are you?"

Swallowstar let out a wordless roar of rage, and it was only Finchstar physically holding him back that stopped him pouncing on the Gorseclan leader. It probably wasn't hard to control him now he was so frail. Dappledshade had heard in his prime he was a force to be reckoned with. "Calm down Swallowstar; you forget yourself. Starclan will be angry if you start a fight. This is a Gathering."

"Exactly Finchstar; let Gorseclan share its news. It concerns all of you, after all." Icestar stepped forward, eying the huffing Swallowstar who glared from around Finchstar's back. "Cats of all Clans; fellow esteemed leaders." He dipped his head. "I have received a vision from Starclan." Dewstar, who had been looking like she'd rather pretend she was not there, suddenly perked up. "They have warned me of a great danger coming to our territories very soon."

"Perhaps it's the rouges?" Finchstar mused. "We have detected their scent even in our territory."

"That was my thought; us as well. They are working together in an organised manner and are a clear threat." Icestar agreed. Dewstar also nodded. Swallowstar stewed silently, eyes burning pure hatred at the Gorseclan leader as he spoke. "Starclan has instructed me to face this danger… to unite all the clans under my leadership."

"What?"

"Did he just say-"

"Gull-dung! Like we will just hand our clan over!"

"Maybe Swallowstar isn't so nuts after all…"

A cacophony of voices rang out through the hollow, each blending into the other (and several yelling over the other). Many cats turned angrily on the Gorseclan individuals spread out among them, hissing and flashing teeth. Sedgetuft pressed his pelt against Dappledshade's as she flattened her ears defensively towards a Flaxclan cat who had rounded on them.

One voice managed to rise above the din.

"And there it is, cats of all clans; even a snake out of water will always show their true, poisonous colours eventually!" Swallowstar was practically howling with his brand of righteous fury, holding his head high and looking more full of energy than he had in what was likely several moons… simply because now he believed he had been proven right. "And now he dares to lie about a vision from Starclan to justify his power-grab; at least Boulderstar had the decency to be honest about his warmongering and not commit blasphemy while doing it!"

"Star- Starclan's will is absolute…" Dewstar spoke up, looking at Swallowstar nervously. To Dappledshade's immense surprise, the elderly tom paused at her voice, looking down at her crouching form as she straightened up somewhat to address the Gathering, her eyes darting to Icestar.. "But I must consult with my healers and Wise Ones… And pray for Starclan's guidance on this matter…"

"I don't know if you are telling the truth or not, Icestar." Finchstar added, his tone far less light than when he had been trying to calm the situation earlier. "But I will also not just hand my clan over to your control; not on your word alone." His words were firm, and edged in threat. "I will defend Fernclan's autonomy."

"Are you throwing your lot in with Swallowstar, then?" Icestar questioned somewhat icily, looking the ginger tom up and down. "You doubt Starclan's will?"

"I'm saying until I have evidence to prove otherwise, it seems you are following in the pawsteps of your predecessor… And Fernclan will not just yield to it."

"No we will not!" Screeched a Fernclan cat in the crowd nearby to where Dappledshade was standing with Sedgetuft. Dappledshade recognized the large grey tom as Thickclaw; a senior warrior with a notorious bad temper. He was right up in Horsefoot's face; the Gorseclan warrior had moved in front of Honeypaw and Stonepaw, who were attending their first Gathering. What an introduction.

"Get out of my face, now." Horsefoot hissed, showing the most life he had since Kowhaifall's death. He was a passive guy, but he would protect young cats with his life. "I don't want a problem here Thickclaw." Thickclaw liked to harass Horsefoot and Blackbird any chance he got; probably because they were half-kin who shared a Fernclan father; Geckofoot. It had been quite the scandal, so Dappledshade had heard, and apparently Thickclaw was still made his half-siblings responsible for his father's traitorous actions.

But Thickclaw's personal grudge wasn't the only problem here tonight, and all around Fernclan and Flaxclan cats were squaring up to Gorseclan ones; all hisses and raised hairs and lashing tails. The Tussockclan cats were making themselves scarce; slowly backing away or creeping out of the hollow. A flicked glance upwards found Dewstar missing from among the leaders. It seemed she had also decided it was time to go.

The Flaxclan warrior that had turned on them before was back again, snarling some nonsense along the same lines as their leader. "You want a smack upside your head, Kakawing?" Dappledshade growled at her, levelling the ginger warrior with a hard stare.

Kakawing laughed, her teeth flashing in threat. "Oh, so you think you're so tough huh? You must have gotten your name finally, since you are sitting over here with the big kids and not in the baby circle." She lowered her head, looking ready to pounce. "Don't think that makes us on the same level. You Gorseclan cats think you're so tough you can just go around bullying other clans and doing what you please? You fight dirty, that's all."

"We don't want a fight, Kakawing…" Sedgetuft tried to play off that he wasn't nervous, but Dappledshade heard the quaver in his voice.

"I beg to differ. Your leader has made that perfectly clear."

"Last chance; get lost." Dappledshade moved in front of her brother, ready to attack. She wasn't letting this Flaxclan punk get the first move in. Focusing on the direct problem, Dappledshade hadn't been paying attention to what the leaders were saying, and suddenly, in the corner of her eye, she saw Finchstar and Icestar grappling up on the dead tree's trunk. Swallowstar had called Tinyfrost to his side, and they looked like they were trying to pen Icestar in, but luckily Sorrelwind was onto it; she had also leapt up onto the tree and was holding them off.

With the leaders now exchanging blows; the powder keg finally blew, and the Gathering hollow descended into chaos, with Fernclan and Flaxclan warriors bearing down on Gorseclan. The last of the Tussockclan cats vanished. They were obviously not willing to fight right now.

Dappledshade and Kakawing launched at each other, exchanging a few blows before Sedgetuft joined in and their combined efforts chased the red tabby off. Dappledshade snorted in contempt as Kakawing vanished into the throes of fighting bodies. "What, all that talk and she wasn't willing to take on two at once?"

"You are problem enough on your own." Sedgetuft always used humour to cope when he was stressed. "Speaking of, Horsefoot looks like he could use some help keeping those apprentices safe. I should go help him."

"You sure?" Dappledshade felt anxious about her brother leaving her side, even though she knew she should infantilize him. He could handle himself fine.

"I can help keep them calm so they don't do anything stupid." Young apprentices in their first conflict… And it was something like this? Yeah, she got his point. Sedgetuft being able to pretend he was still in his usual relaxed, funny attitude would be good for Honeypaw and Stonepaw to not freak out.

They both turned on their heels at the same time, running in opposite directions. She would put her worry for him out of her head for now. With two clans versus theirs alone, they were well outnumbered. She saw two black Flaxclan warriors; one with big ears and one with a large, fluffy tail spitting at Creampelt, and decided to even the odds. She charged over and knocked the one with the bushy tail away.

Dappledshade knew an easy target when she saw one. And she knew the talk surrounding Possumtail of Flaxclan; notoriously weak-willed. His apprentice apparently walked all over him. As for the other one, Creampelt could handle him. Despite knowing her as a queen only for half her life, Dappledshade also knew Creampelt was a senior warrior, and the sister of Icestar, Waspsting and Sheercrag; the three strongest cats in the clan. There was no way some scrawny Flaxclan cat would be too much trouble for her.

Speaking of scrawny… Possumtail scrambled away from her initial tackle; yellow eyes wide and every hair on end. "Hey- Hey now…"

"What, not so sure of yourself now you aren't double teaming?" She hissed at him, causing him to swallow roughly.

"Are-Aren't you that apprentice of Icestar's?" His eyes darted around uncertainly, and Dappledshade knew he was either looking for escape, or for an ally to call to assist him. "The one that-"

"We didn't kill her! She died after; it wasn't our fault! Sounds more like your healer needs more training!" She snarled back loudly; stamping her foot with claws unsheathed and causing Possumtail to cringe. "And I'm not an apprentice anymore. Stand up and face me with respect, warrior." What a pathetic worm of a cat. Belonged in Tussockclan, not Flaxclan. At least Flaxclan cats usually had some pride.

"Ah-" Possumtail stammered, backing away from her in a defensive posture as she moved forward. He seemed to spy someone as his eyes continued to flick here and there. "Ah! Ferretpaw!" Dappledshade followed his eyeline and desprate call to a pointed tom; similar in appearance to her own brother at first glance; even lanky like him, but this one had faint tabby markings in his dark -pointed fur. His pelt was also incredibly untidy; like he ran through a few thorn bushes on his way here. The look on Ferretpaw's face was also not nearly the kind soft expression of Sedgetuft. Dappledshade had met this Flaxclan apprentice only a small number of times at Gatherings. She did not care for him at all.

And apparently he did not care much for his mentor. Blue eyes turned their way, curious, then changing to absolute disdain; rolling before turning away. Ferretpaw ignored Possumtail's cries for help, instead launching himself at Rimuleaf who was already distracted with a Fernclan warrior.

Dappledshade turned back to Possumtail's look of dismay. "Wow, what an absolute dirt-tail." She almost felt sorry for her enemy. Almost. Not enough to stop her from doing her duty and attacking to protect her clan and defend their honour. She didn't hesitate even as he howled when she bit him on the ear… Icestar was nearby, still holding the other leaders at bay; she was sure he was watching her when he got the chance. She would prove herself to him as his new warrior.

"I give up; I'll leave!" Possumtail was yelping, squirming as her claws dug into his pelt. "Let me go!"

Not a chance. She was making sure he couldn't run off, then turn and attack someone else. Icestar had taught her to make sure her enemies remembered their fight well, and to make them think twice next time.

Besides, he had seemed all ready to help the other one attack Creampelt together. It was only because he was stuck on his own now that he'd gotten so scared, to Dappleshade's eye. Cowards like this deserved to be taught a lesson now and then.

A strangled, harsh cry distracted her, and she let go of Possumtail's ear, looking in the direction of where the leaders had been skirmishing. She just managed to catch sight of Swallowstar launching at Icestar's back, knocking them both off the massive fallen tree. She felt Possumtail's body slip out from under claws, her distraction made her loosen her grip, and the black tom scampered away. She hissed her displeasure, but found her eyes returning to where the leaders had been. Tinyfrost called with concern after their elderly leader and pounced down after them. Finchstar was already nowhere to be seen. She couldn't see any of them now; lost in the mass of fighting cats.

With Possumtail gone, she decided to see if she could find Icestar, darting around different battles. It was hard to tell how things were going for Gorseclan in the short glimpses; their warriors were notoriously strong fighters, after all, but they were fighting two-to-one odds. She saw Sheercrag tossing two smaller cats off his back with his jaws. Thrushwing backed up against a bank by Earthshatter; the massive Fernclan deputy, before Mottledtail came out of nowhere to help him; laughing all the way like the mad thing she was. Dappledshade even caught a glimpse of Sedgetuft herding the apprentices to the edges of the battle; Horsefoot was not with them though. All were already looking pretty roughed up, or at least tired. Longfang would be busy.

Then she saw Rowanfall; he was fighting Lionpaw from Fernclan. The two were evenly matched in size, even though Lionpaw was younger than her fellow warrior, he was an older apprentice not far off getting his own name. However, as she watched, she could tell they were not evenly matched in skill. Rowanfall was a decent fighter (not as good as her, of course) but Lionpaw was clearly not up to par, and getting frustrated. The sandy coloured tom was roaring with frustration as Rowanfall seemed to keep dodging all his blows (how did he do that anyway?) and the red tom taunted him all the while.

Finally, as Lionpaw missed a desperate lunge, Rowanfall took the chance to slam him to the ground and pin him. She couldn't hear what he was saying to the apprentice, but it looked like it was really enraging him. He was thrashing around like an angry bull. Lionpaw couldn't manage to throw Rowanfall off though, and her eyes narrowed as she noticed him about to use a move Icestar had taught them; one that probably would do some serious damage.

"Rowanfall, stop!" A loud cry drew her attention, as well as Rowanfall's. Ah, Keapaw was here. Lionpaw was her brother after all. The grey tabby ran by her, not even seeming to notice she was there, watching. She had no plans to intervene; at least not yet. Rowanfall seemed to have this handled.

She couldn't hear what was being said between the two; certainly not over the screeches of battle all around; but whatever it was, it had made Rowanfall pause. Keapaw's body language was one of anguished desperation. Rowanfall still had Lionpaw pinned, but his tail was twitching in that way it did when he was agitated; his body swaying slightly like he was trying to make a decision on what to do with it.

To Dappledshade's surprise, he let Lionpaw up, saying something as he turned and let the two Fernclan apprentices run away. Keapaw paused and said something back, but Rowanfall didn't answer. Well now… What on earth happened there?

There was no time to properly process the exchange; she glanced around to see if she could see Icestar now, and instead noticed Sorrelwind. Her deputy was panting slightly with effort; blood dripping from a fresh wound on her shoulder. It seemed she had fought off whatever opponent she had been facing, and had also watched Rowanfall's exchange with the two apprentices. Their eyes met for a moment; Sorrelwind blinking slowly at her, before the deputy was distracted by a ginger and white Fernclan warrior pouncing at her.

Dappledshade decided she needed to find Icestar and stop getting distracted. She evaded Horsefoot tangled in a spitting ball of claws with that massive Flaxclan warrior Bigjaw, and then caught a glimpse of a large white coat a little further away.

Icestar was standing over a clump of black and white fur, staring down at it. Swallowstar lay still at her leader's feet, not even his ribby chest rising and falling. Icestar appeared to have killed him; blood stained the white tom's blocky muzzle. Then, Swallowstar's body began to stir; it twitched, and breath returned. It seemed that that life was not the old tom's last, and Starclan was reviving him.

Icestar didn't seem to have noticed her watching, or if he did he did not care. He moved off without acknowledging her, and she was about to follow when there was a yowl of distress nearby. That big-eared Flaxclan warrior from earlier had noticed Swallowstar's state, and ran over. Others also began to notice. The Flaxclan cats broke off from their skirmishes if they noticed, and could do so. Dappledshade crouched and backed away, wanting to watch events unfold without getting blamed. Even she wouldn't be able to fight off all the Flaxclan warriors present.

Tinyfrost appeared, the other cats from Flaxclan parting to let their little deputy through. They looked over Swallowstar with concern; murmuring something to the leader. "Enough!" Their voice always surprised her with its strength. "Cats of Flaxclan; this fight is over!" They called to the remaining battling warriors.

"Icestar, I see you back there. Enough is enough; let's end this, so we may see to Swallowstar." Tinyfrost had somehow spotted Icestar in the crowd, though from her position Dappledshade could not.

She could, however, see Finchstar approach; yowling a signal to his cats. "I will respect your desire to tend to your leader Tinyfrost. Fernclan will retreat." The fighting had all died down now; some stood around confused at why the battle had suddenly stopped.

"Aww, what, it's over?" Mottledtail's loud voice could be heard from nearby. "I was just starting to get warmed up!" Several voices yelled at her to shut up, though Dappledshade wasn't sure if it was all her own clan or individuals from the other two.

Cats broke off into small clusters of their own clanmates; asking how each other was, and licking cut shoulders and deep bites with sympathy. Finchstar gathered up his cats, and as he passed by Icestar he hissed in a low voice. "This isn't settled. My clan won't just give itself up to you; make sure of that." Earthshatter loomed over his smaller leader's shoulder; growling to reinforce the idea.

"Neither will Flaxclan." Tinyfrost growled on behalf of their leader, who was struggling to stand now; his breath raspy.

"I respect your desire for autonomy, but this is bigger than all of us." Icestar eventually replied after a long pause, looking between the two groups. "I will expect a favourable answer by the next Gathering. Go home now in peace and lick your wounds."

Finchstar scoffed, and headed off in a hurry with the Fernclan group. Dappledshade spied Keapaw and Lionpaw near the back; it seemed they had come to no further harm since Rowanfall let them go. Keapaw was fussing over her brother, who was annoyedly brushing her off.

As Dappledshade joined her leader's side with a small nod that he only acknowledged with an ear flick, Icestar's orange eyes slid to Swallowstar, and narrowed slightly. He called out to Tinyfrost again as the small cat helped support the old leader to walk. "And keep that leader of yours out of trouble; at his age he should be taking it more easy."