the Nine Lives of Night Book 1:Reflection on the Lakefront

prologue |One Chance In A Million

A/N: First fanfic ever! Not bad, hey? Start those luuurved reviews coming in!

Nightstar thought she hadn't received her nine lives. How very wrong she was. We had tried to send them in a different dream. It had worked before, when Brightwhisker had greencough and couldn't travel to the Moonstone. It was one chance in a million that this would happen. We had given her nine lives, but nine estranged lives, disconnected and floating through time and space. And along with that, nine different prophecies to fulfil.

Nightstep.

With the Night come secrets,

it is perfect cover for blood to Blossom and

the lake of treachery to Pool

under her blind, self-constructed defence.

Nightmist.

The Night shall be poisoned in her mind,

she shall doubt her choices and who she is,

she shall be caught in the Vine's lying tendrils,

and only her Brambles can slash

the strands away from her thoughts.

Nightfall.

Night will be trapped by the borders

she will create,

longing to reach out

but losing her chance when the Branch

is burnt by the Flames.

Nightmask.

Night will be masked as the

Thorns claw at her repeatedly,

she shall be shamed again and again,

she will be alone in herself,

but will have to reach out to the Flight

she fears most of all.

Nightflower.

Only the wintry truth can help her steps

to the right path,

but when the Sun melts the Frost

she shall have to navigate the twists and

turns of her fifth life with none other but

the diminished light.

Nightwhisper.

The Night will have to Whisper to the Stars of the

Darkest Night,

looking into the lying eye of the Fox

and the trusting ones of her Ashes

but she can't be allowed to choose.

Nightheart.

Night shall toss and turn as she lives

her Beautiful Nightmare,

emotions being thrown up to the

Golden light and shaped to his wish

and call.

Nightflight.

She will face her double,

being enemy yet friend,

symmetrical as a Butterfly's Wings

on the Airs of the Night skies.

Nightstreak.

When the cold Night finally falls

before the sunset's glowing feet

and she bleeds out her life into the Sky

her ninth life is over and

she can rest in peace.

Nightstar.

Ha, killed of greencough. I spat on the floor at the thought. As if the most powerful leader of the forest could die of greencough. She more powerful then Firestar, but she didn't know it till we explained why she must receive her nine lives as soon as possible. She would have lead ShadowClan into the Dark Forest Battle, and come out victorious, leader of the most powerful Clan at the lake. But now that will never come true. It was one chance in a million.

I heard paws padding towards me.

'Star. Old friend, are you still thinking about Night?' Spottedleaf mewed. 'We had to take her old life somehow to make room for another, you know.'

I spat again. 'Think I don't know? I just hate how I made that mistake again.'

' It reminds you of-'

'Don't mention her name to me Spottedleaf!' I sighed, instantly regretting my snapping at her. 'I'm sorry. I-I just don't know where this is going.'

'I know, Star. I know.'

We sat side by side watching the endless sky, and wondering if history would repeat itself.

Oh, StarClan, I hope not.

A/N: Ohhh, suspense... It's what keeps the world going, eh? As it does with these stories. Yes, Nine Lives of Night is a nine- booked series and you WILL be seeing the end of it. (Don't hold me to that!) Try adding to your review what you think the unknown she-cat no-one can mention's name is! It will gain you Brownie points!