Brightstar sat next to Goldstar, who had his tail tangled with Wolfstar's. The danger was seen, and they needed to pick their four cats.
Brightstar stepped to the edge of the ridge. "I say, Tigerpaw and Dawnpaw first of all."
Trees rustled. "Of course you'd pick them," snarled a voice. "They're your kits."
The cats turned to see a dark brown tom come out of the dark forest.
He laughed, "Don't be so surprised. There are greater cats than you. They sent me to settle this problem."
Wolfstar growled, "Why should we trust you to pick well?"
A sneer lit his face. "Because, I just want Braveheart not to have so much glory. Is that fine by all of you?"
Goldstar thought for a moment. "Show us your choices."
The dark tom pointed out four apprentices.
Goldstar looked at the rest of the committee, then nodded to the cat. "Claw, for once you have chosen well. These four cats will be the four of the prophecy. Now return to the Darkness."
Claw began to slip back. As he did so, he hissed, "Be careful, StarClan. When angered, the Darkness can touch the light."
And with that, he was gone.
Far away, Eclipse woke, his heart beating rapidly. The time had finally come to fulfill his purpose. He walked blindly to the entrance of his dark and dank cave the sunlight filled his vision. Stars shall die, a Sun shall rise, four young Paws will save Frost and Night. Those four apprentices held the future of the Clans in their paws...