[ the best part of believe is the LIE ]

[wild]

Like the smallest bee packs a sting
Like a pawn checkmates a King
We'll attack at the crack of dawn

Shadeclaw looked up grumpily as his so-called leader addressed the cats of FogClan. He frowned at her words, that talk about the big, strong warriors going out on patrols and hunting, and the smaller, weaker ones(in other words) staying camp to build up a defense. He snorted. Shadeclaw considered himself to be one of the stronger ones, and despite that, he was not willing to go out into a blizzard and bust his tail by himself just because his idiot of a leader had a few bees in her brain. Clearly Owlstar had not thought this through very well. He agreed with every word that came out of Mistpelt's mouth. A mix of strength and size would definitely make things better. The smaller, more lithe cats were clearly better for hunting, but Owlstar seemed to have forgotten that, if not completely ignored the fact. He smirked when he realized that many other cats also shared his opinion.

He got a sordid amusement out of the Clan arguing amongst themselves. A riot was just begging to start. Shadeclaw also had the feeling that this would be the day when Owlstar finally paid the price for her sins. He believed in Mistpelt's dream. It was true that StarClan usually sent dreams to the leader and medicine cat, but that was not always the case, was it? StarClan sending their will to a warrior was unusual, but definitely not unheard of. Shadeclaw held from his say as yowls continued to travel through the clearing. He eyed each speaker that opposed Mistpelt coldly. It seemed to be mostly the younger ones.

Shadeclaw turned to the apprentice that had spoken. Willowpaw. She shy apprentice wanted to challenge him to answer him, and the challenge he would love to answer. He waited until Hailstorm was done his speech. Shadeclaw partly agreed. He knew that Owlstar was doing what she could to help her Clan, and always did what she thought was best. Her best, however, was not good enough, according to Mistpelt and others who agreed with her. He knew that he would have to voice his opinion carefully, as to not reveal what he and the other followers of Mistpelt were planning, or it would ruin everything. He never did like Owlstar a whole lot. He never liked how she did things. She was still his leader at the moment, though, and he knew that going against her would break the warrior code, which would make StarClan unhappy. He growled, unsure of what to say.

"In my opinion," he began carefully, loud enough for most of the cats to hear him. He paused. "Owlstar, I do not agree with any of your ideas. In fact, I can't agree with Mistpelt more." He sat up straighter, drawing himself to his full height. Usually Shadeclaw would be much more aggressive, but he did not feel up to sabotaging the mission. "From observation, I've noticed that you've gotten a little lazy, Owlstar," he continued. "You have not been overseeing how well the mentors are training the apprentices, and also you have not made any new warriors lately. And about it being absurd that Mistpelt had had a dream sent by StarClan? Who do you think you are to question their will? And how can you prove that the dream was not sent by Them?" Shadeclaw looked around, checking to see if any of the Clan were taking this into consideration.

"But that's just my opinion," he finished. He brought himself down, and wrapped his tail around his feet, looking quite satisfied with himself. He was itching to start a riot, but he knew very well that that would be a bad idea. For now.

Build a ladder if there's a wall
Don't be afraid to slip and fall
Speak for yourself or they'll speak for you

lyrics; Red Flag - Billy Talent

[Kelly]

“Oh look, Cinderpaw, your mentor is stirring up trouble.”

“Be quiet Sootpaw! She is not! She's just talking... with Owlstar... is that Blackpaw? Oh my StarClan what's are they doing-- Sootpaw come with me!” The little she-cat nudged her fellow apprentice roughly, getting him to his feet. The tom made several reluctant noises, but eventually gave in, pushing through the snow to stand besides Blackpaw and Owlstar, glaring at Cinderpaw until she sat next to him as well. Gray eyes clouded over with confusion at Sootpaw's command, to which he grunted, before Cinderpaw sat next to him.

“It's warmer with cats on both sides.” Of course. Sootpaw wasn't actually looking for comfort from another cat, he just wanted to be warm in this blasted weather. “What is going on here, anyway?” He asked no one in particular, only to have his answer pretty much given by the arguments that were going on. Apparently, Owlstar had made some crackpot suggestion (what was new?) and several cats retaliated, which led to Mistpelt spewing crap about a dream from StarClan. Hah, that was funny. Everyone knew the ancestors only sent dreams to the leader and Medicine Cat... Woah, were they seriously accusing the Medicine Cats for being tainted and sinful? That's sure how it sounded to Sootpaw, and that was just madness. No one accused Brightnose or Finchpaw of being sinful. For StarClan's sake... what was FogClan coming to?

“Not Volepelt, I have not dreamed lately.” That was Owlstar's voice, rising above the others cats. “But as Duskheart has pointed out, dreams are just dreams, and normally mean nothing. We cannot assume a dream is from our ancestors based on what rank we are or how pure we are. Especially considering that StarClan does not discriminate! They do not see one cat as “purer” than another. And Reedfoot, I do not discriminate either. My suggestion was keeping all of the clan's safety in mind. If you feel I have not accomplished that, please, say so, and do not accuse me of being sinful, when I have done nothing of the sort. None of you have the right to accuse anyone as sinful.” The leader's eyes burned, and Sootpaw almost shrunk back from the intensity in the green depths. Vaguely, he recognized Cinderpaw's now familiar scent closer to him, and felt the smaller she-cat pressed against his side completely. Either she was cold, or she was scared.

The shaking she was going through could have been either way.

The leader turned to face the silvery apprentice by her side, smiling encouragement to the young tom. “Willowpaw brings up a point you all seem to be forgetting. What happened to our code? Since when has it allowed you to so openly accuse each other of sinning and being impure? Complaints should be addressed calmly and rationally, and not left up to dreams that are merely fragments of a day's work.” Why did it feel like only the young cats were being rational, anyway? Willowpaw with his talk of the code, Frostpaw and Finchpaw with their cool logic. And yes, some of the older cats were being reasonable as well. Hailstorm and Duskheart, in Owlstar's mind, though she had to congratulate both Rowanheart and Volepelt for keeping their heads, even if their hearts were not in the right place. And as Hailstorm finished speaking, Owlstar's stomach twisted and turned. Never would she have thought that she would regret her decision to pick Mistpelt as her deputy. The ivory she-cat had just been so perfect for the job, and now this? It was like being bit in the tail so hard, the appendage ripped off and you spilled warm blood on cold snow.

From the back of camp, two other cats were summoned by the growing noise. Harefoot frowned customarily as he approached, sitting by Rowanheart with the intention of asking what was occuring, while Lightwhisker bounced to his side, listening intently before whispering what she gathering in her friend's large ear. “Really? How kittish,” Harefoot replied, tilting his head to the side. Were they really fighting over something Owlstar said? And what was this about StarClan and a dream? The tom picked apart each word said, nodding to himself as he put the puzzle pieces together. “I think you are all being petty,” he announced, not waiting for his turn. “Grouping cats based on size and ignoring potential signs isn't how a leader should behave, methinks. But a deputy shouldn't be speakin' like that either. You're all supposed to follow the code and not accuse any one of anything, which includes accusing cats of accusing cats. Confusing, eh?” He chuckled, voice low, as Lightwhisker nodded frantically, agreeing with the larger warrior.

“He's right!” She giggled, wrapping a tail around her friend's. “So right!” Really, she didn't have much to say, as she couldn't make head nor tails of the going ons. But she did know how to agree with a friend.

[glowlynose]

Dovepaw shivered against the supporting weight of Tawnywhisker's powerful frame as an icy gust of wind blasted through the camp. Her eyes squinted shut in an attempt to block the driving snow that was carried down from the trees, but to no avail. It still hit the two she-cats full on. So much for power of the mind, eh? Tawnywhisker shook her head, sending a flurry of tiny white flakes into the air.

The white-pelted apprentice perked her ears up and blinked her eyes open. What was going on here? Were cats... were they really accusing Brightnose and Finchpaw of sin because they had not had a certain dream? A dream - or the lack of one - was apparently enough to condemn a cat's soul now. Ridiculous. What were they thinking? She rose to her paws and raised her head proudly. Though she swayed a bit in her stance, she was prepared to make a stand for the honor of the cat who had saved her life. Like mama always said, speak your mind, kitten, even if your voice shakes.

"Excuse me,"

[/color] she began, though her voice was barely a whisper. Nobody would hear her over the cacophany of yowling cats, caught up in their own petty arguments as they were. A sudden fury coursed through her blood and lit up her eyes. Oh, they would listen to her!

"Listen to me, all of you,"[/color] she yowled, and was pleased when her voice echoed back to her threefold. "You're all being ridiculous! Since when is the lack of a certain dream enough to condemn one's soul? I ask you, what gives any of you the authority to claim that Brightnose and Finchpaw and Owlstar are sinners just because Mistpelt had a dream?

"That dream might mean something, or it might not. Place your faith where you will, in whichever cat you will; I care not. But I will not stand by and let you accuse our medicine cats of being 'tainted' when they have done nothing besides help you. That's all they've ever done. How can you turn on two good cats now just because you're displeased with Owlstars' rule? Tell me how the imaginings of an unconscious mind are enough to condemn a cat's soul! I say, tell me!"[/color] Dovepaw stood under the scrutiny of her entire clan and she was fully aware of it. A smile played at the corners of her lips in an almost sardonic expression. A lesser cat would have snapped, but not Dovepaw. She only wished that her family could see her now. Then they would see how far their precious, innocent kitten had come.

"What happened to our code? Since when has it allowed you to so openly accuse each other of sinning and being impure? Complaints should be addressed calmly and rationally, and not left up to dreams that are merely fragments of a day's work.”

Tawnywhisker nodded to herself, conscious only of the burning eyes of Mistpelt's other followers all around her. Owlstar's words made sense. In their zealous actions, the rest of them had abandoned the Code. The Code was what their entire world rested upon; it was the only constant they had. If they crumbled the Code, StarClan would show the cats of FogClan Their wrath, and it would not be pretty. What FogClan was doing right now was breaking down one of the most important aspects of the Code, respect for one's leader. Ah, but Owlstar was not the true leader of the blessed clan. The true leader was Mistpelt, soon to be MistSTAR, and Tawnywhisker would do everything within her power to make sure that the lowly deputy was raised to her rightful position.


Tawnywhisker padded forward until she stood beneath the Highrock. The fear in Owlstar's eyes was plain enough. She knew that if she did not fix this little issue soon she would lose her clan. But it has never been 'her' clan. FogClan has always belonged to StarClan, and their will must be done. Mistpelt's dream shows us clearly Their will. Owlstar must be overthrown. The mottled she-cat bend her head skyward so the she would not have to speak so loudly. These words were not meant for the clan.

"Owlstar, whether the dream came from StarClan or not, you cannot deny the problems that FogClan surrently faces! We are short of prey, water, energy, and morale. Have you plans to restore the soul of FogClan to its dejected cats? Look around at your warriors and apprentices. They all are little more than a few fragments of skin clinging vainly to bones. What can you do to help them?" Mistpelt would be able to do all those things. As StarClan's obviously chosen leader, They were on her side. Under her leadership, the clan could return to its former glory, and possibly an even greater glory. Owlstar would not be able to do a thing to help her warriors. Tawnywhisker's challenge was perhaps a bit softspoken, but plain: what can you do that is greater than what Mistpelt can do?
[/size][/center]

[Spec]

Cries of many reached her ears. Outcries against her, but mostly, ones more accepting towards her terms. Eagerly, her chosen awaited Starclan’s call, rising against the frigid air as her fur remained flat against the sinew of her lean hide. Her stern eyes fell on each cat in turn as they spoke, every those holding their tongues were swept over with a persistent gaze of wariness. Finally Owlstar spoke up, addressing the clan in turn, upon opposite sides of Highrock. She patiently soaked the sinner’s accusations, allowing them to settle calmly over her soul, confidence brimming through every contour of her frame. She would not appear weak by petty argumental tones, nor would she degrade herself and spit violence upon them, as much as she wished. Mistpelt was stainless, reflecting the glory of Starclan’s ways and could not be tempted by the foul fiend beside her to manage a hasty, sloppy retort. Instead, she waited upon the mass majority of her supporters calmed, but the air around them smoldered with tension, boiled where soon tolerance would be tested, pushing the boundaries until someone got hurt. Her stare penetrated the bodies around her, her black ringed tail lashing like a time testing serpent behind her. She raised her muzzle, her tone reaching the ears of the crowd, many distinguishing words soaring upon the icy tendrils of the air. " ‘The remnants of a day’s work…’ You speak of ‘work’ when you yourself have neglected some of your own duties. Most notably, I’ve noticed Firepaw has been neglected recently, you have not trained your own apprentice properly in moons. To give yourself such a privilege and then fail to carry out a mentor’s duty is not only disappointing, but falls against the Warrior’s Code. Your lack of responsibility is disturbing, Owlstar...Your clan is suffering for it.”

She took all her clanmates words into account, tilting her head towards the sky as she recited what Starclan made for her to speak. "For countless moons I have prayed for you, but I cannot help but question you now. Not when Starclan has decreed such a vision for the clan."



-edited-

[/blockquote]

[Rolo]

This board is now UNLOCKED for roleplaying.

((Feel free to continue as normal, however be aware that posts have changed so you will need to rethink any replies.

Before rping, you MUST:

• Read the guidelines on the first post and take time to understand them.
  
• Reread the entire thread PROPERLY to get the context of the situation clear in your head.
  
• Read every post you plan to reply to (meaning any cats whose words you plan to reply to fully) at least 3 times before writing your post.
  
• Mistpelt followers will need to tone down the aggression. If your post is deemed too aggressive, we will make you change it.
  
• Remember to take your time and not to rush events along.
  

The admins will be watching this thread VERY closely. Do not be offended if we ask you to alter your post as, from the past few days, we know we need to control it more firmly.

This board may be locked at some points to give Mistpelt/Owlstar time to reply to everything. If it is, check back regularly for I guarantee it'll reopen.))

[/size]

[Cloud of Diamonds]

Brightnose

This was getting out of paw. It was time for her to intervene. Wasn't she the other most high-ranking cat here? It was her duty to prevent an all-out argument from erupting. Not even her feeling of duty to Finchpaw was more important than this.

She shoved past Birchtail, who said "Excuse me! That's not the right way to get through! Be more neat about it!" The calico ignored the queen and pressed onward until she stood in front of the leader and deputy.

But would either of the two remain in their current position for much longer?

Thoughts going a million miles an hour, she sat in front of the black-and-white and ivory she-cats.

Forcing her voice to be calm, she turned to face the crowd and meowed loudly,

"My Clan. Let us not consume ourselves with petty squabbling and weak protests. Let us take turns and be fair and reasonable. Those things can be hard, I am sure, but still, if we act like no more than kits, do we deserve to be treated like warriors?"

She looked over every cat she knew to have spoken.

Would they listen? They should. She would lose respect for them were they to continue to act like they had been doing.

The medicine cat then turned back to the leader and deputy. Calm. Just be calm, even though her heart was racing and her paws twitched nervously.

"Mistpelt...I am inclined to be skeptical, but only because I have never heard of such a thing, a deputy having a dream like this. I have listened to what you have said, but I find it less rich in detail than it should be.

Why, if StarClan gifted you with such a dream, would they not warn me? After all, I am medicine cat. And please don't start on, 'I have StarClan's favor' for that is the easy way out. If indeed you did have StarClan's favor, why would they have not given you this dream earlier so you could act sooner? Please, I place no accusation, but I would like to know. "

She paused, and now looked into her leader's yellow eyes.

"Owlstar. I am sorry that things such as messy as this have erupted in our Clan. You have a point, with no cat being more 'pure' than one another. That is something only StarClan can judge, even I would not dare to.

And yes, complaints should be adressed in a rational manner. I am unimpressed by all these outcries, especially from experienced warriors."

[Pyro]

Reedfoot blinked slowly, wrapping her tail around her paws as she collected her thoughts. So. Owlstar had not lied, but had rather spoke the truth. The she-cat was not impressed. Of course the sinner could not use her twisted tongue all the time. Who would follow her evil reign then? In any case, if she had received a dream, it would only be something that condemned her, something she could not tell her clan. And if she had tried to cover it up, all would know. All would see the filth that poured from her mouth, no matter how deep they had fallen.

But that was beside the point. Owlstar had not lied. What she had done, was unknowingly set herself up.

Reedfoot met the larger cat's gaze, unflinching. Owlstar was a sinner, and she would not duck her head or tremble in fear for she bathed in the light of StarClan, and from that light came all the strength she needed to stand up to this most terrible of evils. This was a test. A test from Starclan themselves to see just how faithful FogClan was...And Reedfoot for one would not fail them or their divine savior, Mistpelt.

She opened her mouth to reply, but Brightnose spoke first.

So the medicine cats had not received any dreams. That was just as well, for if they had they might have warned Owlstar, and then Mistpelt might have been taken before she could lead FogClan from the darkness. But Brightnose also joined the cats who called out for reason and calm. Reedfoot rethought how she would say her words. Starclan, through Brightnose, though the medicine cat might not know it, was speaking through her. Telling Mistpelt's supporters to use more tact, that the snake would not be slayed by harsh words, but rather, by the cool slashing claws of logic and serenity.

"Owlstar,"Reedfoot forced herself not to spit out the name, vile filth that it was. "You say that Starclan does not discriminate. Why then, do you find it so hard to believe that Mistpelt was sent a dream?” She paused, before continuing, ”And yes. Perhaps we do not all have the right to accuse someone of sin. But neither can we stand by and watch while it takes place.”

"There's too many people, making too many problems"

The din of voices was becoming louder as cats, despite a few asking for peace and order, continued to attempt to make points. But these points were not mere ideas of how to make everything right once again, but stealthy declarations of sides. Whether the clan knew it or not, they were dividing, slowly and surely. And this disturbing fact was enough to bring Otterclaw, who shrank from the cold like a newborn kit, out of the warm and secure warrior's den.

"Hey, hey, hey. Hold on for a second." Otterclaw padded from the den, wincing slightly at the feel of the piercing cold of the snow beneath his paws. The brown tabby walked over to his apprentice. Before he addressed the clan again he leaned down to whisper, "You did good. I should have been here to support you earlier...I'll try to make up for it now.

Louder he said, "Excuse the ill placed pun, but you all need to chill. Do you realize just how ridiculous the majority of you sound? This is Owlstar we're talking about. Has she ever lead us wrong? No. Her only wrong in this situation seems to be having an idea. At least she's trying to remedy the situation we're in. What have you all done to help? When have you all ever had the burden of being a clan leader rest upon your shoulders? How can you criticize her for not doing her duties, when all she ever does is those duties? Her idea may not have been the best one, and yes, I agree that sending mixed groups would be more acceptable, but are those two conflicting ideas really worth fighting over? the warrior fell silent for a second before fixing his gaze on Mistpelt. "A dream, whether or not you really had it, and whether or not it's from...StarClan...does not give you the right to declare yourself better than anyone else. What we need now is not to divide but to pull together."

He sighed. "It's cold. It snowed. Prey isn't running as well as we'd like. This isn't punishment for sins, this isn't a sign, it isn't Starclan sent. It's leafbare. A typical leafbare. We're all tired of it yes, maybe even angry about it. But instead of directing that energy toward putting the blame on someone, shouldn't we be using it for hunting and surviving til newleaf?"

The tom looked to Owlstar, one of the only cats to retain his respect at this moments. ”Owlstar,” he started, dipping his head, ”Sending mixed groups would be better. I know from experience,” he said with a glance in his sister’s direction, ”that cats of a smaller size would never be content to be confined to camp while larger cats hunt. With all due respect, an order that will not be obeyed and respected, is not an order at all. But it is no reason for this fighting. No reason at all.”

"Can't you see this is a land of confusion?"

Reedfoot glanced around as her brother finally came out of the den. Her fur bristled a little when he ignored her in favor of going straight to his little sinner of an apprentice and the biggest sinner of them all, Owlstar. Her fur settled as he began to speak sense, just as Brightnose did, but all to quickly it bristled again as she was betrayed by him. She had thought he would side with her, if only because she was his sister, and blood ran thicker than water…But unfortunately it seemed the darkness had finally consumed him. He actually supported that-that queen of sinners, that wretched beast of the unholy plague. Reedfoot hissed underneath her breath at his words. She wished for all the world that it were only she and him, alone in the forest, away from all judging ears, so that she could tell him with all the conviction in her body to shut the hell up.

But she could not. To turn on her brother would be to give into temptation and to make a fool of herself.

All the same she could not resist saying something. ”And what would a cat who lazes the day away know of duty?” she hissed, her eyes narrow slits.

Otterclaw‘s face faltered, but only for a second. He could not let his sister bully him into submission forever. ”Apparently more than the ungrateful cats here who would turn on their leader at the drop of a leaf.”

[Crowzerplorodon]

Silveflower, who had been watching the events from the side, padded through the worn snow gently to take a seat besides Blackpaw. Or as close as to the tom she could get, the crowd was quite large now. Cats really wanted to get in on this conversation, so it seemed. After all, they were giving up a warm nest and comfort to snap at each other. Silverflower wasn't here for the conversation, though. She wasn't going to bother with catching up on what the cats were saying, nor try to piece together a seemingly intelligent response. She would just let these silly goofs duke it out until they all tired of their silliness and went off to do actual clan cat duties. Maybe, instead of arguing about how hunting would go, they could actually go hunting. It would be far more productive, couldn't they see that? Should she tell them that? Oh, what if it was already said? Silverflower didn't want to risk making a fool of herself. So instead she kept her thin jaw shut, focusing on the mound of black fur that might have once been called Blackpaw.

The apprentice had huddled up on the snow, tucking his paws under him and falling into a daze. Too many cats were talking. Too many ideas were being tossed around. Too many of them were bad or made no sense or were logical enough that they broke his brain even further. Blackpaw was hardly one for words, and trying to follow every syllable in this conversation was like keeping up with a speeding woodpecker. Not possible. At least, not to him. No, Blackpaw had found it far more easier to just huddle up in the snow between Owlstar and Cinderpaw, letting their warmth keep him from freezing to death while he paid little attention to the idiots that were talking. Let them argue. He really couldn't care any more. In his mind, all these cats were good for now was the production of body heat to keep him warm. For a moment, Blackpaw wondered if that's what the cats were really doing. Arguing not because they was something to argue about, but because the heat it provided was better than mingling in the cold snow.

Eh, it was a long shot.

“Blackpaw? Are you feeling alright?” Silveflower asked, wondering what happened to her bouncy apprentice friend. Said tom blinked slowly at her, spending a moment to put a name to the face in his sleep-induced haze before nodding. He opened his mouth to speak, but was taken over by a yawn, which led into a very elongated stretch. Silverflower smiled at the apprentice, glad that some cat was still finding it possible to be act normally. “Everyone is getting pretty debate-y, I think you missed some important things.”

Like what? Blackpaw almost asked. He kept his mouth shut though, not wanting to risk another yawn. And, really, he didn't want to know what he had missed. It probably would have sent him back asleep. Not that it would be too bad to go back to sleep, he'd just prefer to do it by his own means, and not because of his clanmates and their stupid bickering. StarClan, why couldn't they just stop? This was all getting rather insane. Cats accusing others, cats mocking others. He was still half-asleep and could pick out all the tension and venom seeping through the cold air. Perhaps the chill was making the negativity spread faster. Hadn't he been told that before? When things got too cold or too hot, cats were more likely to feel antsy and snappy, rather than their normal selves? Well, hopefully this was just an extreme result of the cold, because it was getting out of paw.

And then Reedfoot and Otterclaw spoke.

For some reason, that was the last straw.

They were siblings for StarClan's sake! Was this really going to tear apart siblings? What was next, would Brightnose declare her hatred for StarClan while Cinderpaw went off about how she never loved her mother? It would fit, because it seemed the clan was falling about.

“Why is everyone acting like a couple of bickering PineClanners?” He snarled before thinking, not realizing the weight of what he had said until the words slipped out. For a moment, Blackpaw was struck, not sure how to follow that up. Silverflower gazed at him with worried, blue eyes, forcing him to smile back and sit up straighter. Alright, he could roll with this. Rather have other cats yelling at him for a stupid mistake than at each other for a petty thing.

After all, isn't that what always happened?

[Rolo]

Frostpaw

Frostpaw watched the clan disintergrate before her. It fell further and further into disarray, friends turning against eachother, fur standing up on the back of certain cat's necks and Owlstar looking distinctly irritated.

It was genuinely startling to watch such large group of comrades turn upon eachother over something so petty. Regardless of her views on faith, she had always believed Fogclan to be a relatively safe environment to live in, for cats were united towards one purpose and their 'belief' kept them together. However, now she knew that to be false. Fogclan was not a team of cats brainwashed cats, it was a group made up of many individuals, each with their own motives and ideas. Their ideals were not bringing them together, they were seperating them slowly but surely. Starclan was not unifying them, it was tearing them apart.

Once again, Frostpaw had to wonder why her mother and Rowanheart had suggested that believing in kit tales was such a good idea. One single dream apparantly meant that the clan was going to fall apart and that they were consigned to eternal damnation. Starclan wasn't helping them now, were they? They were causing them to bicker over beliefs, to see things in such a slanted light that nothing practical was getting done. If Starclan really did exist, they weren't too good at their job... all they were doing was causing trouble.

Frostpaw sighed, but for a great amount of time she said nothing. There was no point. All the arguments presented by Mistpelt and the other dream believers had been nonsensical and hadn't warranted a reply. Besides, what could she do? Unfortunately, times like this was when her reputation really did work against her. If she were well respected, she would be replying to them instantly, because they would take her reply and reconsider her words, but as an apprentice and as Frostpaw, they'd put down her arguements as a wish to irritate or stir the situation further. For example, she had very nearly dashed right over to Rowanheart when he had scolded his son for speaking out and hurt him, and she had very nearly laughed out loud when Volepelt had flung his ridiculous claim of 'clan taint' into the air, but she had known neither of those actions were likely to win her any brownie points or help the situation. It was irritating, but she knew she had to stay quiet and bide her time until she had an undisputable arguement.

Fortunately, someone else spoke out for her. Willowpaw, shockingly, had spoken (or rather shouted) out, causing a ripple of doubt to echo through Owlstar's critics and aiding her supporters in their cause. What a relief that was! She couldn't help but feel proud of the timid apprentice... it was astonishing how much he was maturing. She had only hoped it would be enough to shut the cats up.

However, unfortunately, it seemed Mistpelt's supporters seemed to be less disuaded by the valid points and more encouraged to make Owlstar sound like she was completely mousebrained. Suspicion prickled at her pelt, making her feel yet more uneasy. Perhaps Finchpaw had been right... maybe Mistpelt had been spreading rebellion... could it be that Mistpelt was deliberately using this situation to her advantage? Whether the light-coloured she-cat was doing so or not, it seemed Owlstar was completely at a loss with how to deal with this conversation. Why had the she-cat not admitted her mistakes and took Frostpaw's own suggestion and ran with it, shutting up the mouse-brains before they could say any more? As she had concluded before, it seemed Owlstar wasn't the sharpest thorn in the bush.

She opened her mouth to speak, but just before she could utter a word, Otterclaw stepped forward and, without hesistation, spoke pretty much exactly what she was going to say. Frostpaw couldn't help but smile and the striped-cat's words, at how well he worded his argument. He'd even reiterated her suggestion! She immediately felt a flash of admiration and warmth towards the tom. Perhaps she had been wrong in supposing she was the only one who thought remotely her way in the clan. She'd though Finchpaw, the undeniably different but open-minded individual she had come to appreciate, was the only one who had even the slightest bit of sense, but she was glad to have been proven wrong.

"Otterclaw is right!" Frostpaw mewed boldly, "Leafbare isn't the time for bickering. Raising questions about leadership is all right and good, it'll help Owlstar improve, but it's useless if we simply go round in circles. If we're going to survive as a clan, we need to stop these arguements and focus on finding a solution. I've already made my suggestion on what we should do, and I think it was a reasonable one that Owlstar can impliment without much effort." She stared hard at the leader, willing her to agree with her words. Hopefully, Owlstar would grasp the opportunity she was giving her and end the problems once and for all.

"As for her apparant laziness," She said with a hint of sarcasm, "I'm sure this clan meeting was enough to scare her into doing more for her clan. I'm sure her will to do her best is more than revitalised. So, there's not much point arguing now, unless you think discussing a dream is more important than eating and keeping warm." She glanced at Blackpaw for a moment, "And unless you want to turn into a bunch of Pineclanners, like Blackpaw said."

Hopefully that'd shut the entire clan up and remind Owlstar she did have more than a few braincells.


Volepelt

Duskheart's words did little to shake his resolve. If that cat didn't know that there was a marked difference between a dream of Starclan and the wandering of a mind, he obviously knew very little of Starclan. Mistpelt's dream had been the perfect depiction of a vision given by Starclan, for it held a deeper meaning, Duskheart's dream, on the other hand, was a simple imagining, a visualisation of meaningless tasks the day usually held. Besides, he knew that Mistpelt's dream was true. He could see how blackened Fogclan had become under Owlstar, and he was sure her dream was a Starclan's response to that.

His reply to Duskheart was simple;

"Some dreams are simply dreams, Duskheart," He said firmly, "But this dream holds more elements to it than an average dream. Mistpelt has not simply dreamt about something she wishes or needs to do, she has watched a dream which seems to hold some meaning to it. It is undeniable that the dream does seem to indicate that Owlstar is tainted, and Owlstar's lack of dreams does little to help me believe otherwise. I will take Mistpelt's claim seriously, because I will not ignore Starclan if they are speaking through her."

After he had concluded that conversation, Volepelt allowed the arguements to continue around him, feeling absolutely no need to say anything further. Mistpelt's corner was being well-fought without him and he knew it would be better to ensure he didn't look too eager to defend his companion. He took to nodding his approval along with Mistpelt's other supporters anyway, even yowling his agreement when Reedfoot suggested Owlstar was discriminating.

It was only when Blackpaw snarled his surprisingly apt accusation that Volepelt felt the need to speak. He spied an opportune moment arising, and he would take it swiftly before it slipped away.

"You're right, Blackpaw!" He yowled above the crowd, "Fogclan has turned into a group of Pineclanners! I thought Fogclan was that clan that truly embraced Starclan but, from what most of you are saying, it seems it has not. As Reedfoot said, Owlstar is suggesting that Starclan would not send a dream to a deputy despite saying they would not discriminate. Who are we to question Starclan's methods of communication, and how can Owlstar say with certainty that Mistpelt's dream is not Starclan sent? This immediate suggestion that Starclan has no hand in this is the action of a non-believer, not a believer!"

[Slug]

Some clanmates stepped up and began trying to reason with their comrades. It seemed like it was working... at first, but their logic fell on deaf ears as Blackpaw spoke, making Willowpaw flinch at his friend's choice of words.

"Why is everyone acting like a couple of bickering PineClanners?"

The silver apprentice's worry that his clanmates would react negatively was smacked up a notch as Frostpaw spoke next, his chest aching with fear.

"And unless you want to turn into a bunch of Pineclanners, like Blackpaw said."

His chest burned, by the blazes! Burned like his heart had caught fire. Wheezing slightly, Willowpaw's tried blinking back the fear. Fear of what he clanmates might do to his... his friends! He couldn't let them hurt them! No, no! He couldn't! Friends wouldn't let that happen! And he was their friend... wasn't he?

...Then again, maybe he wasn't.

But they were still his clanmates! Clanmates who stood up for him. Frostpaw had tried... 'helping' him that one time about his stuttering. Blackpaw... Blackpaw was just there. But nonetheless, these were the clanmates he trusted, and he wouldn't let them get hurt because of what they said!

Willowpaw's courage decided to rear it's ugly little head again the moment Volepelt spoke.

"...This immediate suggestion that Starclan has no hand in this is the action of a non-believer, not a believer!"

"What do you know of non-believers, Volepelt?!" Willowpaw spat, hackles rising slightly. "Because the way you seem to know how they think makes me think that you could be one of them!" He finished with a snarl, lip curling back at the deputy. However, the action startled Willowpaw out of his boldness, shock crossing the petite tom's features.

Whoopsie.