Prologue

The forest was frosted over in the cool winds of leaf-bare. The forest seemed poised for something exciting to happen, unlike that extremely generic opening line would have you believe. A gray cat walked through the forest letting out a hiss of annoyance. She knew where she was, and didn't want to be there. She needed her rest, but visiting this place would cause her to wake up feeling as if she had no sleep at all.

"Make it quick! Sick cats can die on my watch if I'm not alert!" she cried. She knew something was wrong. The forest usually had an air of greenleaf, no matter the season.

"Patience Graypelt," said a starry figure stepping out of the undergrowth.

"Ok, Cryingstream," she said, only so that this prologue could go on without people trying to guess this cat's name.

"All is not right," Cryingstream said gravely.

"No way! Give me your message so I can get some real sleep!" Graypelt snapped.

"Patience Graypelt," Cryingstream said, attempting to sound wise.

"Fine, I'm waiting. Happy?"

"I'm sure you're aware of the trouble that's been plaguing the Clans lately."

"Yes, I've noticed that my own Clan is dying in front of me."

"A hero will rise to save all clans!" Cryingstream said, ominously declaring the prophecy.

"You mean that apprentice Heropaw? He's so annoying!"

"You weren't supposed to know what it meant!" Cryingstream said.

"It was obvious. Why do you have to give cryptic prophecies anyways? Can't you give me a straight answer?"

"Then we would be messing with destiny and fate," Crystream said solemnly.

"Well why bother interfering with us in the first place. Is there nothing better to do in StarClan?"

"You wouldn't understand!" she hissed in frustration.

"Because I haven't died yet?" Graypelt challenged.

"No! It's more complicated than that!" she stuttered.

"Well I'm out," Graypelt said, walking away.

"You can't just leave!"

"Why not?" Graypelt asked indifferently.

"I'm supposed to leave you, and then you'll wake up and ponder the prophecy and what it means for the Clan! That's what's supposed to happen!"

"Well it's not. Heropaw is going to save us and he'll figure it out eventually. StarClan will make sure of it since the know oh so much," Graypelt said sarcastically. She sauntered into the forest leaving Cryingstream behind.

"A hero will rise to save all clans!"

"You lost the effect, so just let me wake up!" Graypelt shouted at the invisible voice.

"Urg," Graypelt said getting up from her nest. The moon was still floating in the sky. She went to check on Tinykit and Weakkit. They both had fallen ill due to rainbowcough. It could easily develop into blackishgreencough, the most dreaded sickness. Her mentor told her it was very rare, yet some cat seemed to contract it every leafbare. "Crazy cats who don't know what they're talking about…" she muttered as she looked at the kits. Their breathing was normal and their sleep was untroubled. They would be fine with a few days rest and some healing herbs.

Graypelt gazed up at the stars. "I doubt you know what you're doing up there…"