Rosestar's POV

I padded to Highrock, my mind swarming with thoughts.

As leader of NightClan, I had a duty. To make my clan prosperous, strong, and feared. 

I couldn't do that in the state I was in. I was a she-cat. No clan except OakClan would verbally admit it, but we all knew that a she-cat leader was quite surprising and scandalous.

Nobody could truly respect my clan if I was left to my own devices.

So I decided that I would turn to something- no, someone- else to help me. 

My clan would be the best clan in the whole territory.

"All clans who can see the petals of The Rose fall, gather around Highrock for a clan meeting!" I called.

The clan cats emerged from their dens, curiosity sparkling in their eyes. 

"Thank you," I said as they all gathered around. I took a deep breath and began. 

"We all have ambition, my clan. We all have a thirst to be the greatest. And I have found a river where we can quench that thirst.

I have found someone who speaks to me in my dreams. He has promised to lead us to greatness. 

Our first, and most crucial, step is for my clan to be ready and willing. Are you willing to trust him?"

Murmuring started beneath me. 

"Who is this cat?" Falconhaze asked, his eyes narrowed. "How can we trust him?"

"I'm sure you have all heard the name Owlglide," I replied. "The one who went missing after his brother tried to overthrow StarClan?"

"Owlglide?" Fallenblossom asked in her soft voice. "Surely we can trust him to lead us where we need to be led?"

"I agree," Whiteowl, one of my deputies said. "I want to lead this clan to greatness. It was Thornlily's last wish."

Silence greeted his words. Many cats bowed their heads.

"We must honor our fallen deputy," said I. "This is how we can do it. Who's with me?"

All the cats murmured "I."

I nodded softly. "Then we have completed the first step. Thank you, my clan. Thornlily shall be happy once we rise to the top."

Shadowdeer, the deputy who had replaced Thornlily, dipped her head.

"Clan dismissed."

***

"Your clan was willing, Rosestar, I am proud of you for leading them so well."

"Thank you, Owlglide," I said, warming up. "What is the next step we must take?"

"At the gathering tonight, make sure the other clans get the message: We are the strongest. We are not scared to fight. We take what we want."

I looked at him skeptically. "But we don't want to take territory."

Owlglide chuckled. "Rosestar, Rosestar. You have more warriors than any other clan. How do you expect to feed them all in just one small territory?"

"I'm sure it'll be enough, Owlglide. But I can intimidate them. At least, I think I can."

"Confidence, Rosestar," he chided. "You will intimidate them. You will not hesitate to scare them."

I nodded. "Is there anything else?"

"Yes. The cats will most likely be provoked. Provoke them even more by taking some prey. Then fight them with the fury of StarClan."

"Fight?' I asked incredulously. "My clan will be hurt!" 

"The other clan will be hurt tenfold," he grinned. "Trust me, Rosestar. I will help you."

I hesitated.

"I trust you, Owlglide."

***

"Let's go."

I nodded at my deputy and plunged into the pitch-black forest. 

The huge trees almost all the light from coming through. The dappled shadows guided us through the forest.

We finally made it to the gathering area. OakClan had already arrived.

I met Bramblestar's eyes evenly, defiance glittering in them. I dared anyone silently to look at me directly.

"Rosestar," Bramblestar said in cold politeness. "How are you?"

"Very well," I said with an edge of pride in my voice. "And you?"

"Good," said Bramblestar with hardened eyes. "Be careful, Rosestar. I smell war in the air, and I don't know how strong you can lead your clan..."

My hackles started to rise. This stupid leader had questioned my leadership!

Show him how strong you really are.

"I'm touched by your consideration," I mewed coldly, "But you really shouldn't worry. I employ well-trained she-cats and toms, so I think we're safe."

Before he could reply, CloudClan and LizardClan emerged from their territory. They leaped onto their selective rock.

Bramblestar and I ran up to join them.

"Cats of all clans! We gather here beneath the stars of Silverpelt!" Jaystar, the new leader of CloudClan, called.

"I have received my nine lives from the AuroraStone," he said. 

"Jaystar! Jaystar!"

"Our clan is doing well. Magnoliafeather has remained as deputy, as tradition, and the new deputy that will work alongside her is Raineye."

"Magnoliafeather! Raineye! Magnoliafeather! Raineye!"

He dipped his head and nodded to Bramblestar.

"We are doing well," he said cooly. "We have had no trouble with any cat, in and outside or clan."

He dipped his head to Owlstar.

LizardClan's leader hesitated. 

His eyes hardened.

"We caught OakClan cats on our territory!"

Immediately after his statement, indignant yowls arose from the OakClan cats.

"You filthy liar!"

"We would never steal prey!"

"You're just taking advantage of us!"

"Silence!" Owlstar yowled. "Pebblestream has borne witness of it, have you not?"

"I have seen it," Pebblestream said boldly. "They ran away before I could get a good look."

"A classic lie!"

I watched it all in silence. 

In my opinion, Owlstar was telling the truth. Those filthy OakClan cats were capable of anything.

"Are you calling us thieves?" Bramblestar snarled. "Say it to my face, you fox-heart!"

"We will protect our territory with tooth and claw!" Owlstar said, ignoring Bramblestar. "We do not tolerate prey-stealers!"

I looked up and saw clouds drifting close to the full moon.

"The truce!" I yowled through the turmoil. "Look at the moon! It will soon be blocked out by the clouds!"

The yowls turned to fearful muttering as many cats looked up. 

"It is my turn," I said calmly.

All the leaders begrudgingly nodded.

"Amid strife and fighting, NightClan is not scared. Our borders are always patrolled by strong and capable cats who are trained in combat. 

I recommend that none of you even think about attacking us. You will lose."

My speech was met by stunned silence.

"The meeting is over," Jaystar said, leaping off the rock.

I beckoned my clan, ignoring the muttering and staring. I had done what was asked of me.

You did well, Rosestar. They won't think of attacking you any time soon.

Yesssss finally an update! I was being a lazy chicken :P

In Rosestar's defense, SHE DOESN'T KNOW HE'S THE BAD GUY

"𝓙𝓾𝓼𝓽 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓴𝓷𝓸𝔀𝓵𝓮𝓭𝓰𝓮 𝓽𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝓪 𝓰𝓸𝓸𝓭 𝓫𝓸𝓸𝓴 𝓲𝓼 𝓪𝔀𝓪𝓲𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓸𝓷𝓮 𝓪𝓽 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓮𝓷𝓭 𝓸𝓯 𝓪 𝓵𝓸𝓷𝓰 𝓭𝓪𝔂 𝓶𝓪𝓴𝓮𝓼 𝓽𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝓭𝓪𝔂 𝓱𝓪𝓹𝓹𝓲𝓮𝓻. "―𝓚𝓪𝓽𝓱𝓵𝓮𝓮𝓷 𝓣𝓱𝓸𝓶𝓹𝓼𝓸𝓷 𝓝𝓸𝓻𝓻𝓲𝓼, 𝓗𝓪𝓷𝓭𝓼 𝓕𝓾𝓵𝓵 𝓸𝓯 𝓛𝓲𝓿𝓲𝓷𝓰