Rogue Invasion

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~A large number of rogues have been invading the territories, creating tension between the Clans and their members. As the Clans worry about being forced from their homes if they choose to take back their territory, they find themselves in the middle of a drought. Warriors and apprentices are becoming weaker by the day while many kits and elders have already perished. This story opens on a full-moon Gathering where some Clan leaders are concerned by a suggestion that Starclan has abandoned them. Other find themselves more concerned with how they will save their clan from their fate.


Brightstar entered the clearing with RiverClan at her heels, flicking her ears. The clearing was empty so far; RiverClan was first. "Remember," she warned. "Don't give away anything!" As murmurs of agreement sounded behind her, she turned and headed toward the Great Oak.

Maplestream gazed up at the leaders. Her sister seemed confident, as Maplestream was, about RiverClan. They had enough water. The rogues, however... Now that was a problem. She spotted Cheesestar and Sorrelstar whispering. Hmmm, she thought. Had they formed an alliance, or...? She observed the warriors gathered below the tree, and narrowed her eyes when she saw Gingerblaze, the ShadowClan deputy conversing with Pinepaw.

~Is Pinepaw ShadowClan?~

Phoenixwing stared up at Petalstar. "Come on, give the report," she muttered softly. The Clans were getting restless, and conversation was starting again, the low murmur of voices now audible above the whisper of the trees. Her paws shifted uneasily on the short grass, her ears pricked as she glanced around, taking in information, keeping them for further reference as she observed the other Clans.

Reedpaw flicked his ears and bounced around Maplestream. "This Gathering is so boring," he complained in an undertone. "Why can't we hurry up already. It'll be dawn by the time we finish!"

Petalstar had finished greeting Cheesestar then turned to the clan cats milling below her and she began loudly "Iceclan is doing well, we have plenty of prey and I have become leader of Iceclan since the passing of Snowstar. We have also scented rouge scents in our territory but not as strong and we have a new deputy, Icee!" she proudly annouced her deputy's name, and let the cheering die down before she looked at Brightstar and mewed politely "Would you like to go next, Brightstar?"

Brightstar dipped her head. "Oh course." Raising her voice, she stepped from the shadows of the foliage, and announced, "RiverClan is also well. The drought is not afflicting us as badly as you may think," she meowed, a slight edge of challenge in her voice, "as we have other means of water..." Flicking her tail, she continued, "Dewpaw has become a warrior. (Random nameee) Please welcome Dewspots!" Brightstar gazed down at her Clan, feeling a prickle of pride. The passing of Snowstar was saddening, but she was also curious at how she had passed away.... Did the rogues kill her? If so, then the intruders were even more dangerous then she had thought. You already knew they were dangerous, Brightstar argued with herself. Wasn't it rogues who killed your mother..? She winced inwardly and pushed the memory away as she sat back down on the wide branch.

Lightningstar showed finally, her Clan behind her. Leaping up next to Brightstar, the gray and white she-cat settled as well as her Clan. Hazel eyes glowing mysteriously, she gave an apologetic smile. "I apologize for being so late. We had a slight... inconvenience that occurred along the way." her smile warmed. as her gaze settled on her sons and daughter below her. Rainfall in the medicine cat's place.

Brightstar dipped her head, a small smile on her face. "No matter, Lightningstar. We were just starting anyways," she assured the hazel-eyed leader. RiverClan had no difficulty of getting to the Gathering island, as they had two ways of getting ashore. They could take the tree-bridge, or simply swim the short stretch of water. Brightstar couldn't see why other Clans hated the water. It was the life-giver, strong and gentle at the same time, and it was wonderful to stand in the water to cool sore paws or simply cool off on a hot greenleaf day. Like now, during a drought. She peered down the foliage, tasting the hot-dry, stuffy air with slight annoyance.

Sorrelstar dipped her head. "Congrats to Dewspots. Can I speak next?" she asked Brightstar eagerly. Sorrelstar shifted in her perch and twitched her tail with impatience. The ShadowClan gave a warning glace to Gingerblaze before loking back at the RiverClan leader.

Brightstar flicked her tail at Sorrelstar. "Of course, Sorrelstar. There's no need to ask," she mewed, her blue eyes glittering from between the leaves. "Go ahead." Shifting on her perch so she was more comfortable, Brightstar sank into a crouch and surveyed the Clans, her gaze resting on the deputies more than once. Gingerblaze was the out-spoken one, Streamfur was quiet and steady, Icee was not afraid to speak out either, but participated in Gatherings much less.

Sorrelstar beamed. "Okay. ShadowClan is doing well. Their is still a good amount of water, for the thick trees cover the sun.. Rogues have also been abundant. We caught one by the camp awhile ago." She paused to look at Claywhisker(made up), the warrior who defended the elders den from the rogue. "Luckiky a brave warrior chased him away. The rogues seem to hang near the dryer parts of the territory.."

Brightstar sat up slightly and nodded in agreement. "An abundance of rogues in our territory as well," she mewed. "Luckily, we have devised a strategy to fend them off whenever they venture too close to the camp. We are working on ways to exterminate them completely from RiverClan territory." What really bothered her about the rogues were that they were bold and reckless, often milling about the RiverClan borderline, then venturing off into some other Clan's territory. She could not be sure, but the rogues may have left faint traces of their scent as they traveled between the Clans.

Lightningstar nodded. "The same has happened in ThunderClan as well. We have been chasing them out fiercely of course." she said, pride for her Clan filling her hazel eyes. "I suppose I am next?" she said, looking at the other leaders for the go ahead.

"You can go." Brightstar nodded in a friendly manner at Lightningstar. "Again, there is no need to ask." Her striped ears twitching, she sank her claws deeper into the branch of the tree, half-closing her eyes and she mulled over the events of the Gathering so far, along with the things they had done to chase out the rogues. The wind blew its chilly breath against her fur, making it prickle along her spine. The Great Oak's branches shook. Maybe we ought to extend out territory a little... to take in more of that Twoleg river of theirs. Its a useful source of water.

Maplestream flicked Reedpaw's ear with her tail. "Shhh," she whispered. "It'll be over soon. Respect the leaders and listen; we all have the same problem with rogues and the drought." Then she added in amusement, "And the night is longer then you might think, Reedpaw."

Reedpaw turned to face her, green eyes defiant. "I know that!" he hissed. "I'm not stupid enough to think dawn is going to come in the hext few minutes." Scowling roughly, he vanished into the crowd of RiverClan cats and sat down beside Dewspots, clearly still simmering.

Brightstar frowned, her eyes drawn to a flurry of commotion between Maplestream and Reedpaw. Reedpaw had stalked away, bristling to sit by his former denmate instead. She knew Reedpaw was easy to anger--she had discovered it too many times before--but Brightstar knew hew apprentice was never angered without a cause, no matter how ridiculous it would seem to someone else.

Maplestream snorted and turned back to the leaders sitting in the tree. She wasn't really mad at Reedpaw, but she felt he needed to control his temper. It wouldn't be good if someone decided to annoy him in a battle as bait and he reacted angrily. Because that would probably mean defeat for the whole Clan.

"Be quiet!" Pinepaw snapped at Reedpaw, narrowing his bright green eyes. Gingerblaze shot Pinepaw a look, and he immediately shut his mouth. Gingerblaze rested her eyes on ShadowClan, proud of how strong they looked for the drought and malicious rogue's constantly invading each Clan's territory. She started to lick her shoulder's, her ginger and white fur shining in the moonlight, evey feature softly outlined. Her fluffy ginger tail rested on her paws neatly, while her eyes once again locked on the leader's sitting on the tree, as they spoke. She looked at the new IceClan Deputy, and her bright green eyes narrowed into slits and the fur on her back rose slightly. She forced herself to look away, but his black and white pelt stayed in her mind. For some reason, he looked familiar...

"I'll go." Ivystar sighed, "There aren't rogues just in the forest. We got attacked by a small group of rogues earlier today. We think there are more. In conclusion to the rogues, the only thing we can really find to hunt are eagles." She looked around, her eyes weary.

CheeseStar swallowed visibly and raised the volume of her voice a little. "We have no rogue activity in our territory so far, but it is predicted that they will search the mountains for water and reach our land (if you call it that). From above, I have spotted a few of the rogue camps expanding and moving into the more wooded areas. As for the drought, we have a storage of water left but we're expecting it to last only a moon at the most. "

"You're lucky to have even that much water! The Tribe only has... well, almost none left!" Grasspaw shouted. Ivystar glared at him, and he looked down at his paws. "It's true. Probably only a days worth..." Ivystar sighed sadly.

"We should make plans to try and uncover more water from the ground. The Clans in the mountains can try to find springs, but those resources may be hard to access because they are drying up too," Cheesestar suggested.

Ivystar was so lost in her thoughts she wasn't listening. What will happen if we run out of water? What if we die? Ivystar looked up and asked warily, "I know this sounds like the Tribe is weak, but... Does anyone have enough water to let us use?"

~Ivystar, please make your posts a little more detailed.~

Brightstar gazed coldly down at Gingerblaze. "Reedpaw is from RiverClan.. and therefore not your responsibility. I thank you very much to keep to your own Clan, and leave others alone." She turned away, irritation pulsing beneath her pelt. When will ShadowClan's deputy learn her place? Even leaders can't order another Clan's apprentice about! Brightstar turned to Ivystar, her anger surpressed, and her eyes apologtic. "We only have enough water for RiverClan. I can't help you... I'm sorry."

Pinepaw said that, not Gingerblaze... >.> >.<

Ahhh. Sorry about that. I cant read it well with my phone. Ignore that bit then. Or no.... Replace your name with Pinepaw, and ShadowClan deputy with apprentice.

Sorrelstar felt her heart twist with sympathy. The tribe live in the desert. It's a wonder they didn't die out before. Sorrelstar closed her eyes and began to envision Tribe cats in her territory. The thought of other cats in her territory made her shudder but she decided it was the right thing to do. "Ivystar," she began slowly. "I will offer water."