Gatherings were held on a large hill that sat at the center of the three territories. One side was covered in oak trees, another was mostly barren earth, and the third was carpeted in soft grass and sandy ground. The borders ran up the slope of the hill, but stopped at the top, where a rocky outcropping rose from the grassy hilltop. That was where the leaders stood.
Mistpaw trotted up the hill beside Rainpaw, loving the way the wind caressed her fur. Her first ever Gathering and no Dapplefall to bug her! How could this night get better? Also, she reminded herself, she wanted to ask the other apprentices what their mentors thought of FrostClan.
They reached the hilltop and immediately the cats began to mingle, although staying away from OakClan members. Mistpaw spotted some OceanClan apprentices and hurried up to them.
"Hi!" A pale brown mottled she-cat waved her tail. "I'm Palepaw."
"I'm Mistpaw," Mistpaw said shyly, "nice to meet you."
"I'm Rosepaw," mewed a cream-coloured she-cat.
"Shellpaw," meowed a light grey tom a little warily.
Palepaw flicked her tail at the FrostClan cats. "Your Clan seems to be avoiding OakClan. Something happen?"
Mistpaw opened her mouth, then snapped it shut again. "I expect you'll find out soon enough," she said carefully. She shouldn't tell other Clan apprentices everything.
"You're FrostClan, aren't you?" Rosepaw piped up curiously.
"Yeah," Mistpaw said, "and you're OceanClan."
Rosepaw nodded. "I've always wanted to meet a FrostClan cat. Lilyleap says you're really cold and unfeeling. The cold tundra freezes your personalities too, apparently. More selfish than OakClan, and never stop to smell the flowers."
"Rosepaw!" Shellpaw hissed in a warning tone.
Mistpaw waved her tail dismissively. "It's fine. Shadeheart says OceanClan cats are wandering dreamers who fuss too much over small things."
"Really?" Palepaw asked, "What does she say about OakClan?"
"She says they're all fake. They always talk about "doing the right thing" when in truth they break the warrior code just as much as the rest of is, if not more." Mistpaw said.
"Oh yeah! Lilyleap says that too!" Rosepaw exclaimed, "It looks like we have the same opinions about OakClan."
Palepaw looked at the Outcropping. "Is that Snowstar?"
Mistpaw followed her gaze and spotted the pure white she-cat standing on the Outcropping. "Yeah. Who's she talking to?"
Shellpaw gestured at the smoky grey, white-striped she-cat coversing with Snowstar. "That's Drizzlestar, our leader."
The OceanClan leader had round green eyes with a kind look about them, a startling contrast from Snowstar's icy blue ones.
"Where's Branchstar?" Palepaw wondered, "He should be up there by now."
"I see him." Rosepaw craned her neck. "He's talking to Seedpelt, his deputy, at the foot of the Outcropping."
"Mistpaw!" Rainpaw hurried up to them, nodding politely at the OakClan cats.
"Oh hi Rainpaw, this is Rosepaw, Shellpaw and Palepaw...this is Rainpaw, my sister."
"Nice to meet you. Mistpaw, Dapplefall—"
"Mistpaw! Rainpaw!" A shrill screech made the apprentices start.
Mistpaw turned to see Dapplefall marching up to them.
"What are you doing here?" Mistpaw demanded, "You weren't chosen to come to the Gathering."
"If Snowstar thinks she can stop me from keeping an eye on my kits, she's mistaken." Dapplefall said coldly. "And just as well. Who in the name of StarClan are you talking to?"
"This is Rosepaw, Shellpaw and—"
"OceanClan cats!" Dapplefall snapped, sounding angry, "Don't you know other Clan cats can't be trusted? You should be sitting with your own Clan—"
"It's the night of the truce!" Mistpaw interrupted, "Everyone is mingling. It's my first Gathering, I should be making some friends—"
"Friends? From other Clans? Where is your loyalty? Would you like to go join OceanClan now? What kind of warrior—"
"What kind of warrior goes against her leader's word and attends a Gathering without permission? What kind of mother bars her kit from training? What kind of Clan member doesn't want the best for an apprentice? You—"
"Are you trying to say that I don't want the best for you? Well, I do, and doing dangerous things is not the best for you—"
"Attending a Gathering is dangerous? Hunting is dangerous? Patrolling is dangerous? Are you, a warrior, going to stop me from doing these things? Should I go and become a kittypet, then? I might as well, if you—"
"You are not old enough!"
"I am six moons old! Like all the other apprentices! Like Amberpaw and her littermates!"
For a moment, Dapplefall stared wordlessly at Mistpaw, fury smoldering in her eyes. Then, Sleetclaw stalked up to them.
"Dapplefall. You are required to leave now. Pebblenose will escort you back to camp." He said coldly.
Dapplefall faced him. "I'm staying here with my kits."
"No, you're not," Mistpaw hissed, "You will not ruin my first Gathering."
"Come on, Dapplefall," Pebblenose said calmly, laying a tail on her shoulder and guiding her away.
Dapplefall, outraged but unable to cause a scene in front of the other Clans, had no choice but to pad away, growling under her breath. Mistpaw felt a glow of triumph. Dapplefall would score no victory today.
A yowl from the Outcropping made her look up. Branchstar stood there, dark pelt glowing in the moonlight.
"Let the Gathering begin!" He called, and nodded to Drizzlestar.
The OceanClan leader stepped forward, shaking out her fluffy striped fur. "OceanClan is grateful for the arrival of newleaf," she began in a soft voice, "and prey is as plentiful as ever on the beaches. We welcome the blooming of the flowers, and with them come good news—Featherlight has given birth to a healthy litter of three kits."
Delighted murmurs rippled around the Hilltop as Drizzlestar stepped back, dipping her head. Snowstar took her place, cold gaze sweeping over the gathered cats.
"FrostClan, too, welcomes the arrival of newleaf. The tundra continues to provide for us as it always has. Just a quarter-moon after the last Gathering, five kits were apprenticed—Amberpaw, Eaglepaw, Windpaw, Rainpaw and Mistpaw!"
"Eaglepaw!" Rosepaw murmured amidst the cheers, "Why would a mother name her kit after such a fierce and terrifying creature?"
Mistpaw barely heard her, too busy exchanging elated glances with Rainpaw as the Clans roared their names.
Snowstar waited for the noise to die down before continuing. "However, I also bring bad news. I wish not to stir up trouble—"
"Then don't." Branchstar interrupted.
Confused and surprised murmurs sounded from below. Snowstar looked quizzically at the OakClan leader.
"What was that, Branchstar?" She said in a low voice.
Branchstar held her gaze for a moment before dipping his head. "I apologise, I should have waited my turn. Do please continue."
Snowstar let out a long exhale before turning back to the cats. "I wish not to stir up trouble, but on a patrol earlier today, some of our warriors found remains of prey on our territory near the OakClan border. They found feathers and blackbird blood, still quite fresh, and doused in OakClan scent. I do not accuse—" Snowstar raised her voice as angry protests began below, "—I do not accuse OakClan of stealing prey. I simply wished to bring this up with Branchstar and see what he has to say about it."
Beside her, Rosepaw, Shellpaw and Palepaw looked at Mistpaw and Rainpaw with wide eyes.
"You knew about this?" Palepaw whispered.
Mistpaw nodded. "We were on the patrol," she muttered back.
Branchstar stared at Snowstar with narrowed eyes. "I don't doubt that you hold OakClan responsible in your suspicions, Snowstar," he said in an even voice, "and I can see perfectly well why you would. As you said, it was covered in our scent. And I will admit, I do not know what happened. I can assure you I have not sent any patrols into FrostClan territory. I will ensure that any warrior stealing prey against my orders is punished."
Snowstar dipped her head. "That is all I ask. Thank you, Branchstar."
Branchstar nodded, and stepped forward. "OakClan is strong," he announced, "and we, too, benefit from newleaf's coming."
Nearby, some young OakClan warriors were whispering.
"Typical FrostClan," one murmured, "stirring up trouble."
"Clearly all lies," the other agreed.
"Wait 'til Branchstar tells them about the prophecy—"
Seedpelt silenced them with a glare. Mistpaw couldn't help but feel curious. Prophecy?
Branchstar was still speaking. "However, the other day, Dawnleaf came to us with disturbing news."
The pretty she-cat rose. "I was given a prophecy from StarClan," she said calmly, and whispering immediately broke out amongst the others.
"I'm not sure what it means, but I will tell it to you.
Creeping shadows like frost in the night,
One by one fall from the light,
Claws and teeth under moon so bright,
'Til all rests a cold and icy white."
A heavy silence settled as everyone mulled the words over. Mistpaw couldn't think of what it could mean. Creeping shadows? Falling from the light? What in Silverpelt? Why was StarClan always so cryptic?
"The meaning is clear to me!" Branchstar boomed. "Frost in the night! StarClan is telling us that FrostClan cannot be trusted!"
Outraged yowls broke out below. Mistpaw found her voice among them, leaping to her paws and lashing her tail. Most of FrostClan were on their feet, protesting. Even gentle Rainpaw was bristling and growling savagely.
Snowstar rounded on Branchstar. "How dare you make such wild accusations!" She hissed, eyes narrowed.
"I am not wrong!" The stupid OakClan leader insisted in a resonating caterwaul, "StarClan has said it as clearly as the morning dew."
Mistpaw felt the meaning was about as clear as the mist she was named after. "Liar!" She yowled.
The taunt was picked up by others around her, their yowls resounding through the night air. Branchstar drew himself up to his full height.
"YOU CANNOT DENY THE TRUTH!" He howled, throwing his head back, "STARCLAN HAS GIVEN US A WARNING!"
Snowstar drowned out his words with a fierce snarl. The two leaders faced each other, claws unsheathed. Mistpaw held her breath. Would they start fighting?
"Stop!" Drizzlestar bounded between them, eyes wide in alarm. "Stop! Both of you, stop!" She looked at both leaders almost frantically, her fluffy fur bushed out. "What are you thinking? This is the night of the truce! You can't—"
"Perhaps if Branchstar would stop making false accusations—" Snowstar began.
Branchstar cut in. "It's not my fault your Clan is full of untrustworthy—"
"NO!" Drizzlestar yowled, stopping them both.
Mistpaw was surprised. Drizzlestar was the kind of cat who you couldn't imagine getting angry. But now, with her fur bushed out, fluffy tail kinked over her shoulder, and green eyes piercing, she was definitely furious, and it was surprisingly intimidating. Drizzlestar took a breath, but was cut off by a darkness falling across the Hilltop, so suddenly that Mistpaw started. Faces turned to the sky. A huge swathe of clouds had drifted overhead, and now hung above them, obscuring not only the moon but also the gentle light of the stars. Mistpaw shuddered, and beside her, Rainpaw flattened herself to the ground.
"This Gathering is over!" Snowstar yowled, before leaping down and waving her tail for her Clan.
Mistpaw leapt to her paws to follow, Rainpaw on her heels. At the last second, she turned to say goodbye to her new friends, but they had already disappeared into the inky night.

When the FrostClan cats stumbled back into their camp, Mistpaw's eyes were already blurry and she ached to sleep. Seeing her exhaustion, Sunfur ordered her to her nest immediately. But to absolutely no-one's surprise, the apprentice shook her head, blinked sleep out of her eyes, and demanded to know what Snowstar planned to do next. But it did surprise everyone when her sister did the same.
Snowstar leapt atop the Boulder and quickly the cats were gathered, yawning, fur flattened from their nests.
After a quick recap of the night's events, Snowstar called Dewdrop forward.
"What do you make of this prophecy?" The leader demanded.
The medicine cat shook her head. "I do not know. But we must be prepared for the darkness StarClan has warned us of."
"Do you really think the prophecy is real?" called a cat.
"Dawnleaf would not lie," Dewdrop insisted.
Snowstar seemed to consider this for a moment, before saying, "I agree with Dewdrop. The prophecy warned of claws and teeth. Sleetclaw, I want to start preparing. Every day, two patrols of warriors will partake in battle training, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Also, from now on, each border patrol must consist of at least four cats, and at least two of those cats must be warriors."
Sleetclaw nodded, and Snowstar continued. "It seems that tough times are coming, but we will survive!"
Cheers echoed through the night. Snowstar's shoulders slumped. "Go get some rest," she called with a wave of her tail, and the cats scattered.
Mistpaw stumbled blearily into the apprentices den and flopped into her nest, fully intending to think over the night's events, but she was asleep before she hit the soft moss.