This is a short chapter, but hey, it is the prologue. Prologues are never long. Rest assured, the regular chapters will be much longer. I still don't have all the details ironed out, but I just decide to make it up as I go. Hope it comes together at the end! Anyways, enjoy and review.

The moon shone brightly as the dark clouds drifted lazy across the dark sky. In the middle of a clearing sat a small orange tabby. Even though he was smaller than an average cat, there was something about him that demanded respect. Maybe it was the way he carried himself, or maybe it was the way he sat. Either way, he was still someone you wouldn't want to mess with. A rustle from the bushes caused him to turn around with his teeth bared. A cat had stepped out of the bushes. It was only after he had identified the new cat did he relax and sit back down.

"You shouldn't sneak up on cats like that," he said, "especially in times like this."

The new cat snorted in disgust. "What are you, afraid? You used to be the best warrior in the forest! Now, you are just a frail cat who is scared of every little thing."

"Now's not a good time for this," he sighed, "Why are you here, Russetclaw?"

"You know me too well to take my insults to heart, right?" he mewed with a chuckle.

"Well, I have known you since we were kits."

"Yeah, we were a mischievous pair, weren't we, Flamepelt?"

"We were a bit of a pawful." Flamepelt said with a hint of nostalgia, "now why are you here again?"

"Foxpaw just told me about something important."

"Well, what is it?"

"He said that all the bad things that are happening to us are because of the Dark Forest." Russetclaw meowed.

"The Dark Forest? Well that's a name I haven't heard in a long time. Are you sure?"

"I'm pretty sure I heard him correctly."

"I'm not doubting you, Russetclaw," Flamepelt said, kneading the mossy floor with his paws, "I am just not sure whether we can trust that apprentice. I mean he is just an apprentice after all."

"He is my apprentice! I trust him as much as I trust myself!" he snarled.

Flamepelt took a step back, away from the furious tom, "Alright, just keep your fur on."

Taking a moment to calm himself, Russetclaw sat down and groomed his fur. After a moment, he asked, "So what exactly did he say?"

"He ran up to me with a wild look in his eyes and said that he saw Lionstar hunting in the forest!"

"Lionstar!" Russetclaw exclaimed, "the last time I saw him was when.."

"I know!" Flamepelt said, not allowing Russetclaw to finish, "I was with you. That was why I couldn't believe it when Foxpaw told me."

"If this is true, then it would be disastrous! Lionstar must have been the most dangerous cat ever to live! Did Foxpaw say anything else?"

"Nope, after he told me, he just ran away." Flamepelt muttered, "We should send a prophecy."

"No!," Russetclaw said, "we can't do that! Right now, the only advantage that we have is the element of surprise. Without it, we have nothing."

"Well, we can't just stand aside and do nothing," Flamepelt argued, kneading the sandy floor, "there must be something we can do. Maybe one of us can.."

"You know that it won't work!" Russetclaw burst out, frustrated, "I want to help Blazeclan as much as you do, but with have to tread carefully. It might be the only way to avoid a disaster."

"Yeah, you're right. I just wish that I can do something. Maybe..." Flamepelt's eyes brightened as an idea formed in his mind. "Maybe we can tell a kit."

"A kit?" Russetclaw said incredulously

"Yeah."

"A kit," Russetclaw repeated, still not believing what he just heard, "what good will that do?"

"I don't know, maybe he would be able to warn the leader. At least we would be doing something."

" Fine, but it has to be an Iceclan kit."

"Iceclan?" it was Flamepelt's turn to be surprised, "why not Blazeclan?"

Russetclaw gave Flamepelt a 'I can't believe you never thought of this look'. "Because Lionstar was from Blazeclan. Whatever plan he has must include Blazeclan, not Iceclan. Warning an Iceclan kit would mean a less chance of being found out."

"Okay, that makes sense, I guess." Flamepelt muttered.

"Now, all there is to decide is who to deliver the message to."

"I got just the kit." Flamepelt answered