Clan Meeting - TreeClan Plot Thread

[Arrowstar]

Arrowstar climbed on top of the large rock that served as his den and the place for clan meetings to be started. His amber eyes scanned the ground below at his fellow clanmates bustling around the camp, warriors chatting with warriors, queens playing with kits, and elders gossiping under the sun. It all seemed peaceful... but he must interrupt it to discuss the conclusion he had come to with the help of Liongrowl and his prophecy.

"May all cats all enough to catch their own prey gather here for a clan meeting!" he called out, sitting down on the rock as he waited for his clanmates to gather beneath him.

"TreeClan has always taken in those from the outside. But it seems like it is slowly becoming more difficult, given from what I have heard from other clans as well as cats from our own clan, to choose who is good and loyal for our clan. My priority is to keep TreeClan safe from any dangers. There has been a warning to watch out for something, whether it's something outside the clan or worse... But I have come to a conclusion with the guidance of our medicine cat."

The tom paused, scanning the group of cats before speaking again.

"We will not stop bringing in outsiders. TreeClan has been a shelter for them for many, many seasons, and why should we stop now? Outsiders are welcome among us, and we will go through varies tests to root out any dangers. If there are any objections or concerns, speak now."

[Yellowburr will post and start the rebellion. Kits are welcome to attend this meeting even though they cannot catch their own food.]

[Yellowburr]

My attention was stolen by the familiar announcement of a Clan gathering. I watched as the other Clanners, Arrowstar's mindless followers with no thoughts of their own, gathered to listen to their leader. "TreeClan has always taken in those from the outside." I narrowed my eyes at the words, but otherwise had no other outward reaction. It was true. Ever since I was a kitten, TreeClan had been known for its open arms. Outsiders had come to know the Clan as a place that they could go without ever being turned away. But Arrowstar was a fool, just as the leader before him. He couldn't seem to get it through his thick skull that outsiders presented numerous dangers to himself and his followers, and they were slowly taking over TreeClan blood. The other Clans sneered at us.

As the leader continued to talk, I began to think that perhaps he was making the decision to close the Clan off to outsiders. Of course, I quickly tossed the thought away -- Arrowstar himself had outside blood. 

Now, if my peers perferred to be in danger, that was their choice. I didn't mind. It was more so that I had a problem with Arrowstar, and how horribly he chose to lead the Clan. He didn't even filter out the outsiders that did join the Clan; I wasn't sure how the TreeClanners still looked up to him as they did, while he was placing them in the midst of dangerous conditions. I could do a much better job. If I could just show everyone how mindless and thoughtless they had become, I could turn it around. I would be the one they looked up to. I would be in the spotlight.

And CloudClan did I love the spotlight. So, naturally, when Arrowstar called out for objections, I stood. A smile slowly crawled across my face, my tail flicking rhythmically behind me. "Y'know," I began, pacing slowly through the groups of cats. "It's a bit pathetic what this Clan has become, Arrowstar." I raised my head to look at the gray tom, shaking my head with a soft tsk. My head swept from side to side as I walked, making sure I looked at each and every Clan cat. "You all have become brainless robots, running only on the herd mentality that has become ingrained in this Clan. Like sheep. You follow every word of his like religion, not daring to question it, not daring to have thoughts and opinions of your own." The corners of my mouth turned downward in a rather sad look. "It's a shame, really." I stood at the base of the rock, staring up at leader. "So much potential... Wasted," I sighed.

I leapt onto the rock to stand beside him, the grin slowly creeping across my face again. "Ladies and gentlemen, behold. The cat that you have come to know as your superior." I nodded to him, flicking my tail. "The one you call your leader. And yet, he's done nothing but put this Clan in danger." I looked out over the cats. "He accepts cats upon cats from outside the Clan, but he has no system. He trusts them not to do us harm." I sneered. "He says he will test them, but why is he only doing that now? It would be so much better to close the Clan's borders to outsiders, to cut out that danger once and for all. To regain our dignity and safety. Think of the helpless cats that are in danger. Think of the way the other Clans mock us, how easily we could turn it all around. How much we could improve this Clan!" I narrowed my eyes. "Who's with me?"

(this turned out longer than intended)

[Quickpaw]

(just gonna get this going since no one is posting lmao)

Personally, I had no problem with the outsiders joining TreeClan. I did think it was strange that half of our clan wasn't even... our Clan, but I was unbiased. If Arrowstar decided to close off the borders, I would have no issue with it, as long as we didn't go against our beliefs as a Clan, and if he chose to leave them open, I would have the same opinion. I didn't mind. So, when the leader made his announcement, I only half listen, distracted by the prey I was currently eating, while my Clanmates listened intently. 

When Arrowstar asked for any objections, I didn't expect anyone to stand up. No one had ever spoke against the leader at one of the Clan meetings, but my expectation was not met. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw an orange tom stand up. Curious, I turned my full attention to the meeting, wondering what he had to say. It was about time we had some excitement. 

I had to admit, the guy had a point. We were all too scared to stand up and make our voices heard -- in fact, many of us followed exactly what the leader told us. I was included in that group, and I instantly felt ashamed. His speech was rather persuasive, in all honesty, but I didn't stand when he asked who was with him. I would rather not TreeClan look down upon me, as I cared too much about others' opinions. Besides, I didn't completely agree with his views, even if it was compelling (if only for the excitement).

[Needleclaw]

Needlepaw padded leisurely towards the gathering rock, taking his time since he had just had his apprentice ceremony and wasn't expecting to be mentioned. Maybe he's sending Fallenpaw back to the nursery, the dark tabby thought, watching Arrowstar with bored eyes as he plopped onto his rear. He found the she-cat insufferable, and would rather not be sharing a den with her. The tom's ears pricked in interest when Arrowstar mentioned letting rouges into the clan. Are they finally gonna stop? he thought with excitement. He didn't trust anyone with outsider blood. He didn't see how they could be trusted, or why TreeClan had even been accepting them in the first place. The young tom had thought that it might've been because there was a time when TreeClan needed the extra claws, but now they were strong.

Needlepaw bristled as Arrowstar said that they would continue letting outsiders into the clan. Choke on a furball, old man, he thought bitterly, getting to his paws to leave. He didn't think it was even allowed for warriors to speak up against their leader, much less apprentices. He turned on his heels when Yellowburr began to speaking, padding back towards the crowd with interest. Can he do that? the dark tabby thought, looking at the warrior with admiration glimmer in his eyes. He grinned, adrenaline beginning to pump through his veins.

"I'm with you!" Needlepaw called out, pushing his way to the front of the crowd and turning to face his clanmates once he reached the base of the rock--fur bristling. "How are we supposed to trust cats who do not share TreeClan blood?" he called out, lashing his tail as he voiced his opinions, inspired by Yellowburr, "we welcome them blindly--but how do we know that their loyalties truly lie with us? They're with us now because TreeClan is strong! They can live here in comfort, eating our prey and sleeping in our dens, but when times are hard can we really trust them to stand by our side? Or will they just abandon us like they abandoned their previous life!" Needlepaw made it a point to glare at Arrowstar out of the corner of his eye, lashing his tail once again.

[Littlepaw]

littlekit was, well, a little kit, but that didn't mean she didn't have an opinion. she darted forward to face yellowburr. wow, he looks a lot bigger up close, she thought nervously. swallowing down her fear, she spoke up, her pale brown eyes fierce. 
"yeah, i'm not gonna lie. treeclan's strong," she piped up, painfully aware of how small she was within the crowd. "but that's because of the outsiders! with them, our numbers are twice as large. without them, well..." she flicked her tail, narrowing her eyes up at the warrior. 

"'the helpless cats that are in danger'?" littlekit quoted, with a snort. "outsiders are those cats, and by letting them in, we're giving them a home. food. a future. tell me, how would you like it if you were one of those cats, and treeclan was your only hope? if arrowstar, instead of taking pity on you, and, i don't know, giving you a chance, kicked you out, just because you're not clanborn? i don't think you'd like it very much." she sat down, curling her feathery tail over her paws. "that was a nice speech, uh.. whatever your name is," she finished. "but i'm with arrowstar." briefly, the kit wondered if she had done badly to speak up. 

[Dogfang]

He thought Arrowstar was an idiot. But not because he was allowing in outsiders, no, that would be hypocritical. He thought Arrowstar was an idiot because he thought most everyone was an idiot, and him in particular, because he had replaced his brother as leader. Of course he was going to be slightly bitter. Besides that, if you were going to do something you knew the clan wasn't going to like, why tell them? It was stupid, and he reckoned the leader could use a bit more conniving in him. Despite all these thoughts, he couldn't be bothered calling out Arrowstar. He simply didn't care all that much. He'd been born a rogue after all, and for all intents and purposes, he still considered himself one. He never even used his warrior name. So while he was unimpressed and in no way loyal to Arrowstar, he was somewhat protective of the idea of Treeclan, something his brother had cultivated. There was no way he would stand to see it break down into civil war. "Big words, brat," Dog sneered, approaching Needleclaw with a malicious smile. Maybe if he killed him the rest of the commotion would stop, though he doubted Arrowstar would let him get away with it. Beechstar...maybe. He missed the old days. "But I suggest you keep quiet about things you know nothing about; not when you're still wet behind the ears." His gaze lifted to Yellowburr and he smirked. Oh how he wanted to jump up there and push him off, maybe rip his eyes out while he was at it. Dog was out pillaging and murdering before Yellowburr had even been born. "I think you're forgetting some very important parts of our history, child," he called, then turned to face the clan. "And yes, I do say 'our'. My name is Dog, though officially I was named Dogfang a time back. I am the brother of Beechstar and Coonbite, both loyal Treeclan warriors. One of them even worked his way up to be your leader, and he earned it. He didn't just show up one day and declare himself leader, no he was an apprentice first, then a warrior and a deputy." Gosh he hated speeches so much. He also hated bragging about his gross brother but whatever. Wherever Beechstar was watching from, he had better be hella grateful. "And let's see, when Deathclan struck your camp and stole Skykit, who was it that rescued him and the other kits? It was a rogue-born Treeclan warrior, of all things! And, my goodness who was it that risked her life to lead us clan cats to them in the first place? Another rogue Lyricwhisper....how strange! She was nearly killed by Drought for helping us, but you seem to forget her still." He was laying the sarcasm on thick, but that was Dog's specialty. Lyricwhisper had later moved to Rockclan with her mate, another ex-Deathclanner. Though they were in a different clan, they still fit his point. It wasn't Treeclan's rogues he was defending, but all rogues that chose to follow the warrior code. The rest of them could get stuffed. "When our camp was destroyed seasons ago by fire, it was your rogue leader Beechstar that led us all to safety, to a vibrant camp that we remained in for moons. He saved us all and provided us a new home while we allowed this one to regrow." He turned his head to meet some more eyes in the crowd, anger radiating in his golden eyes. "And when Holly, Bell and Kylie, the Deathclan scum invaded our camp and took over, I saw clan-born warriors cower and do nothing while I fought for my clan. His claws had unsheathed in the light of his passion, but the massive tom calmed himself. He remained standing, proud and defiant till the last. "I am clan by choice, as are all of you. The origins of your blood do not dictate your loyalty, your actions and your desire to protect do. If blood was all that we were, I would still be a rogue, and I would certainly not ever consider fighting for anyone but myself." His gaze turned fond, though only a little bit. It was the most emotion Dog could manage. "Beechstar and Treeclan taught me that, among other things. You wont be driving me out; I've been here longer and fought harder than most, and I know what I have earned." written for Arrowstar, Yellowburr Notes? lol this got so long sorry guys xD

[Vixenleap]

Vixenleap sat on the edge of the crowd, her green eyes widened. She glanced over at the ruckus stirring in the crowd, cats started arguing. The she-cat lowered her ears. Personally, she was against the rogues, despite of her being one herself. She knew rogues could be anything, and that could bring danger to her clan. Honestly, she was just afraid of only the Deathclanners, but that didn't change her mind.

Yellowburr's speech also made a point to her. Though Dogfang's was highly convincing. Vixenleap decided to keep her mouth shut through the whole thing.

[Mothflight]

Mothflight's eyes were blazing as Yellowburr spoke up against Arrowstar. She was angry of course, since she didn't exactly have any TreeClan blood, neither did her brothers or her own mother. Her shoulder fur started bristling. "Show some respect." The golden tabby warrior spoke up, glaring at Yellowburr. "For countless moons, not just clan born cats, ousiders have helped make TreeClan strong. You say that we would betray TreeClan after everything we done to help." She spoke loud and clear before scoffing. "Your even more mousebrained then I thought, wihout outsiders TreeClan would be nothing." Mothflight growled, twitching her tail in annoyance.

She narrowed her eyes at Needlepaw. "Dumb young cat." Mothflight muttered before nodding when Dogfang spoke, his speech made sense to her. "I'm with Arrowstar. I will not listen to this nonsense some of the cats here speak." Mothflight growled.

[Galelight]

Galelight barely remembered much of anything. Though, he'd clung to a single thread of familiarity, listening the speeches thrown around, while sitting next to Vixenleap. He didn't remember who Arrowstar was. He didn't remember who Yellowburr was. Yet... Arrowstar's words brought out a soft snarl from him.

He didn't like that. He really didn't like that idea. So what if he was just barely hanging onto the feeling of home that permeated the territory of this clan? This place was his home. It'd been once, even if he didn't remember it beyond vague impressions. It was now his home again and he wasn't so keen on sharing with random strangers, the word 'thieves' stuck out in his mind. He didn't know why, but he didn't care. It made sense. Then Yellowburr spoke up. He liked what that cat said. He sounded like he wanted to protect Treeclan from unknown threats. Though... He did wait a short while.

Cats stood up and bickered back and forth... Ranting on about history and what they believed, who they trusted to be telling the factual truth of matters here. One of the oldest cats there made a long speech, citing events that probably happened, honestly... Where evidence of Treeclan's history showed that outsiders had make Treeclan strong.

He stood up.

"It's all well and good to recall the past... But I'm afraid it only has so much bearing on the present. What will you say, hm? When your trust is thrown back in your face? It's only a matter of time before some malicious cat slips through the cracks to cause damage at our heart." He pointed out. He tilted his head. He huffed. "You all sound like broken records, repeating the same rhetoric. 'We owe everything to outsiders.' Really, you could try being original." He suggested. "A lack of evidence will not stop a potential tragedy from happening. Unless we actually take action." He rolled his eyes. 

"I'd rather not have my hospitality be returned by the kindness of unsheathed claws."

[Crystalbird]

Crystalbird was watching the whole meeting from the sidelines. She thought that Arrowstar had chosen good words, hopefully enough to reassure that keeping Treeclan's policy on outsiders static would... Would be beneficial for the clan.

But then a dissenter spoke up. She'd gazed over him and wore an unimpressed expression on her face. But then cats started taking sides. This wasn't good. She wasn't sure what the result of such a divide would be. How far would it go? She was relatively sure that strong feelings were on either side... But.... She did not intervene. It didn't even seem like the words of older more experienced cats or of youthful, passionate cats would sway either side. She sighed.

She had no intentions of getting involved... For now... She'd watch this play out. She could only pray that this wouldn't escalate into anything serious.

[Arrowstar]

All hell broke lose. And, of course, the root of it had to be Yellowburr. Arrowstar just wore a frown as objections began to take rise. They all had their points, but they did not understand the prophecy Liongrowl had shared with them. He was doing this for their own safety, as much as he hated doing so. His mother had been rogue born, and she turned out fine. Dog was loyal to TreeClan, though maybe it was out of his love for Beechstar. Crystalbird was loyal as well, and she was his deputy for CloudClan's sake.

It wasn't like Arrowstar was a full rogue either. His father had been a TreeClan warrior before leaving for FireClan. He had clan blood within him, but it didn't seem to be enough to keep those defying him happy.

The gray-brown tom sat quietly as cats bickered with each other, letting them get their fill out before standing up. "Silence!" he called, making the camp quiet down. His amber gaze flicked over all of his clanmates before resting on Yellowburr. "Your complaints have been heard and taken into consideration. However, my order still stands. The outsiders we have taken in have not betrayed us and have led us, made us the greatest clan. We won't stop them from joining out of small fears and worries. If you wish to discuss this further, you may meet later. This meeting is over."

The leader jumped off the rock and landed near Yellowburr, giving the tom a cold glare before padding towards Crystalbird. He beckoned her to the side, as well as trying to beckon Dog over.

[Crystalbird, Dogfang

everyone feel free to keep posting and arguing!]

[Squirrelbite]

Squirrelkit crept quietly out of the nursery, listening to the clan meeting with her ears perked, extremely interested in what was going on. She was an eavesdropper, and had heard whispers of malcontent, but the reddish she-cat had no idea that it had gotten to be this much of an issue where Arrowstar himself would address it.

Cats began to take side, and Squirrelkit paid attention to who took which side, how many of them there were, and which ones looked the strongest. Of course, those in favor of Arrowstar had a leader with nine or so lives, and Dogfang looked very powerful as well. But.. The dissenting cats caught her eye as well, especially Yellowburr. 

She said nothing, deciding that it would be best not to speak until she was an apprentice and could defend herself. Squirrelkit looked around at the nursery, trying to glean what her den-mates thought of the situation.

[Deleted]

(How to turn everyone against one apprentice.)
Fallenpaw narrowed her eyes at Needlepaws announcement. She hadn't planned on saying anything, but she then felt she had to, if that cat was involved. Plus she felt inclined to support her sister. "Treeclan is strong because of outsiders. At one point many seasons back the only cats were outsiders. You can't just ban them after supporting them for so long."

[Needleclaw]

Needlepaw stood up tall, looking Dogfang in the eyes, unintimidated by him malicious grin. The tabby apprentice growled at the warrior, barley listening to his little speech, having already formed an opinion of older tom. He knew that he should hold his tongue, that he was just newly apprenticed and no match for a seasoned warrior like Dogfang, but he couldn't hold himself back--too worked up and excited over all the commotion. "Please, all you've done is prove your loyalty to your brother! Cats who a born outside TreeClan borders will never harbor the same love for our clan as those who were born here, raised on the stories of great TreeClan warriors. Raised knowing every inch of the territory that their ancestors have protected for generations, surrounded by their kin--those who they can trust most, without worrying about ties to cats outside the borders. It's a mistake to let cats who do not share the bonds that bind TreeClan warriors to one another into our clan, much less lead it," this time he turned to face Arrowstar, spitting angrily in his direction.

Blood pounded in Needlepaw's ears as more cats began to call him out. His tabby pelt felt hot and sticky with anger. His fur bristled, he lashed his tail again and unsheathed his claws and bared his teeth. "TreeClan is strong now, regardless of outsider blood. Taking them in only makes us appear weak, it makes us seem as if we're dependent on outsiders; that we are not strong enough to survive on our own." He growled at Mothflight, debating pouncing on her. 

Coward. he thought, watching Arrowstar walk away from the gathered cats. He may be done speaking, but Needlepaw wasn't. Needlepaw turned on Fallenpaw, not surprised she was opposing him as well. He had been surprised that she didn't speak up sooner. "Many seasons back cats were weak. CloudClan chose our ancestors to be the cats to start their legacy! Banding into clans made those who were chosen strong, that's why we still live in clans today. Those who didn't join clans were unworthy! I say let their descendants die off, let natural selection do it's work."

[Dogfang]

Dog really wanted to be incredulous. He really tried. But clan cats were idiots, he knew as much, and he'd expected such remarks. It made him almost regret standing up to speak; almost. No, if he had a chance to fight, he'd take it. "Are you.....a complete idiot?" He asked Galelight, honestly confused. "The past has a direct effect on the present, it is how we got here. The legends of Lionclan and Tigerclan are from the past too, but I suppose we should dismiss them, our history is clearly not important. Oh and Cloudclan, you know those cats from the past that died for their clan. Better ignore those too, they aren't relevant either." Honstly, the rubbish coming out of the young tom's mouth was unbelievable. His eyes narrowed, not recognizing the warrior, which was strange. Dog kept tabs on everyone in the clan; that was what a clan was, everyone knew each other. "Why don't I know you runt? Where have you been hiding?" He asked roughly, giving Galelight a chance to answer before spinning away. Oh boy he wasn't done yet. "'A lack of evidence will not stop a potential tragedy from happening', he says" Dog called. "Well, I have a lack of evidence that Rockclan is planning on attacking us with an army of rabbits, but that definitely seems like a 'potential' tragedy. As such, I demand you all attack Rockclan immediately to keep this from happening." He whirled on Galelight again, voice sarcastic. "Do you hear how ridiculous you sound? Do you have any idea just how much you owe to the rogue-born and half-clan cats here? We're still Treeclan, we still live here." He glanced over as Arrowstar gave his signal, but Dog wasn't quite done yet. "Meadowlark and Lionstrike, two of your precious, retired queens were rogue born! They still bore your children and served Treeclan loyally. Does anyone doubt them? What about the children they sired?!" He whirled around again and paced the other way. "And your past deputy, Magnoliafrost? Woops, rogue born. Shame that." He chuckled, though it was sardonic. Oh boy, he hadn't had so much fun in ages. "Let's move on to Autumndust, one of our current queens. It's public knowledge she is rogue born too, are we going to kick her out now? What about all her half-clan children? Her children, Thornwatcher and Arêteblood, amongst others? Should we kick all of them out too? Probably safe, it's clear none of them can be trusted." His words sparked a memory in him, and Dog spun to face Needleclaw once again. "Wait a moment, you're Willowheart's brat, aren't you?" He asked, surprised and entertained. He approached the apprentice, smiling at how bold he seemed. If only he'd been allowed to mentor him; it could have been fun. "Did you know Needlepaw....and bear with me here....did you know," and he leaned in close. "Your grandmother is Lionstrike? I guess that means you...have rogue blood?" He chuckled and pulled away, entirely amused. "Treeclan is strong now because of outsider blood. We are all outsider blood. Tell me chld, were you raised on stories of Bloodflame? A cat who belonged to all clans and saved us all? He didn't belong to any clan, is that bad? Should we have said 'oh no, please don't save us from doom, sir. we're waiting for a clanborn cat to come along and do that. What about the Doomclaws and Acidfang from the past? Rogues helped Treeclan to defeat them, and it was us who killed the first two Doomclaws, Poisoncloud and Whitedeath with their help." He sneered,his nose wrinkling with distaste. Raised on stories he said. He doubted Needlepaw knew much of anything. "Even better than that, one of the Doomclaws Venomclaw became Venomstar, leader of Rockclan for a good, long time. You know what, I heard he was a very good leader. Now, if Rockclan managed to do that and survive, do you think maybe Treeclan can stand a chance of accepting a few normal rogues. Or are you that pathetic, rogue-born Needlepaw?" With a huff he turned and stalked over to Arrowstar, obviously displeased at being summoned away from a good fight. "What?" written for name while listening to song Notes? Blah