Four cats stepped into the clearing. Just ahead of them, the Moonpool shimmered and sparkled, beckoning them closer.
"Is this wise, Owlstar?" a white tom meowed. His broad shoulders and numerous battle scars made him the most feared leader in Clan history; yet, when any of his Clan-mates were in danger, he would always be the one to save them.
"I would not do this if I had no other choice," Owlstar replied sadly. The four cats kept walking until they reached the Moonpool. Owlstar was in front; his tawny-colored pelt shining with the stars.
"But there is another choice," a third voice came. A she-cat, with a dark gray pelt gray eyes, padded over to Owlstar.
"What other choice? Either we pick her or the Clans get destroyed," the fourth voice growled. A brown tom with yellow eyes came out of the shadows.
"Mudstar is correct, Ashstar," Owlstar meowed, his gaze steady on the Moonpool.
"But we'd destroy a she-cat's life forever!" Ashstar protested.
"Well, she'd just die young. It's not like she's going to be born a cripple or anything," Whitestar reassured her. "Besides, there really is no other choice."
"But the weight of the prophecy is too much for her to carry," Ashstar meowed.
"Then we distribute the weight evenly," Owlstar meowed, as if suddenly struck with a thought.
"Two cats die young. How is that any better?" Mudstar questioned.
"It's better because, with two cats instead of one, they can watch each other's backs. Support each other. Be there for each other. There's less chance of her dying if she has someone kind and caring to watch her back. StarClan knows she'll need it," Ashstar replied, nodding her head. The surface of the Moonpool rippled and two faces appeared on the lake: one a black she-cat with glossy fur, obviously RiverClan, and the other…ThunderClan. Ashstar jerked her head up.
"ThunderClan?" Whitestar hissed.
"No! Our plan is ruined!" Owlstar growled. While the leaders were fighting, Ashstar slowly slipped into the reeds until she disappeared from sight.
"No matter what they think, I'll always be watching you," she murmured to herself.
After she said this she looked down on the living world below her.
In the living world, a she-cat screamed.