This story takes place sometime between Eclipse and Long Shadows. Earthpelt is not part of the real Warriors books, but I've added him to make Earthclan more relatable and realistic in the history of the clans.
There was a rustle of leaves as Earthpelt trotted through the high grass. Prey was scarce these days in the Shadow clan territory, so he was lucky to have found two toads. But Earthpelt had too much on his mind to care about his catch.
Recently, a mysterious cat named Sol appeared out of nowhere. He was taken into Shadowclan camp and told all the cats in camp about how Starclan was abandoning us. The idea seemed bizarre at first. It worried Earthpelt and some other cats that Blackstar seemed convinced.
Our clan leader is losing faith! Earthpelt realized.
He wondered how the other clans were doing. If Starclan had really abandoned the clans, what would the other three clans do? He knew that the clans' medicine cats would probably be hard to convince; they respect Starclan and were very close to them. Yes, what was Littlecloud thinking?
Earthpelt saw the camp entrance and hurried into camp. Tonight, he thought, I'm going to speak to Blackstar.
"NO!" hissed Blackstar.
Earthpelt was sitting in the clan leader's den. He'd just told Blackstar about his thoughts on Sol. He said that Starclan could not possibly have abandoned them now, and stated that he thought Blackstar shouldn't let a stranger, Sol, control the beliefs of the clan. Earthpelt suggested that they drive him out of the territory.
"I will not kick him out because I think what he says is true," murmured Blackstar "He predicted that the sun will disappear… AND IT DID!"
Earthpelt sighed. How in the name of Starclan could he persuade Blackstar that the sun disappearing could have been a coincidence?
"I trust that you will make the right choice, Blackstar" Earthpelt said, and left the den.
Earthpelt blinked awake, and looked around at his surroundings. He was definitely not in his den, where he fell asleep. Here it was almost dusk, and the sky painted the world in a litght shade of lavender, pink and orange. He was in a forest. no doubt, but it wasn't familiar to him. Earthpelt suddenly realized that several cats had emerged out of nowhere beside him. He did not recognize any of them. They moved with grace and had stars in their fur. Great Starclan! Am I dead? One if the cats walked up to him.
"Greetings, Earthpelt." Said the cat, "We have been sent to give you a message."
Earthpelt bowed his head. "Greetings."
The starry cat continued. "It seems that many cats are listening to an outsider who questions your faith to us. We understand that he has correctly predicted an eclipse and is using that to persuade you. However, Starclan denies that we've abandoned the clans. We have been watching over you for moons and will continue to do so over time."
I knew it! Earthpelt wanted to scream. But instead he shuffled his paws anxiously and asked, "Why have you told me this?"
The other cat smiled. "Because you are one of the only cats left in Shadowclan to still have faith in us. Therefore we will need you to bring a message to them"
"To Blackstar?"
"No, not exactly." He paused, and chose his next words carefully, "We need you to gather up the cats who still believe in Starclan. Then come to a new forest to live. You will travel north until you come to this forest that we are in now."
"What?" Gasped Earthpelt, "You mean I have to start a new clan, and leave Shadowclan?"
The Starclan cat paused again. "Yes, that's what I mean. But remember, Starclan will help you in every way we can. You must continue the Warrior code, but this simply has to happen."
"But…but what about my clan now?" mewed Earthpelt
"Sol will be driven out when the time is right" said the cat, "but it is your destiny to tell Blackstar that you and your followers, and there will be some, are going to leave Shadowclan because you don't believe that loner, Sol. If Blackstar will not kick Sol out, then you must leave.
Earthpelt was stunned. Is what this cat is saying really true? Then Earthpelt managed to splutter out one word, "when?"
The starry cat seemed satisfied. "Good, so you are planning to leave. You will gather the cats up tomorrow and deliver the message to Blackstar, and leave the following day at dawn. Good luck, Earthpelt, and remember, Starclan will always be watching you. And so will the spirits of those who pass away in the new clan." And with that, the cat got up and smoothly padded away, with the other watchers following.
Earthpelt felt dizzy. And suddenly, the forests and the lights of dusk were spinning and Earthpelt was spinning into the middle of it all.
Earthpelt woke up in his den. So it had been a dream after all, he thought.
All throughout the day, Earthpelt talked to fellow clanmates about his intentions on leaving. He left out the part where a Starclan cat spoke to him in his dreams though. Most cats thought he was crazy, but by the end of the day, Earthpelt had convinced several cats; Nightwing (with her four kits), Cedarstrike, Birchbreeze, Moonfeather, Eaglescreech, Morningglow, Purestream, Sootclaw, Sagepaw, Redpaw and even the Medicine cat's apprentice, Willowpaw. He hadn't been able to convince any elders because even though none had given up on Starclan yet, they wouldn't abandon their birth-clan either. Nightwing had doubts about her kits, but they were 5 moons old and almost apprentices, so she said they were strong enough to make this journey to the new place. Purestream was also a queen, and was expecting kits very soon. But she and her mate, Sootclaw, were determined to find a better future for their kits.
The last step of the plan was to talk to Blackstar. But Blackstar had already overheard the news spreading around the clan when Earthpelt stepped into his den for the last time.
"What is going on?" Blackstar questioned coldly
Earthpelt tried to muster up all the confidence he had. "You refused to kick Sol out, so I've decided to leave this clan and find a better place to live, and create a new clan."
Blackstar almost laughed. "That's crazy! You're leaving Shadowclan forever?"
It was Earthpelt's turn to be cold. "I've found enough followers, and they all believe that Starclan arre still watching us, and will always be. We are leaving tomorrow morning. Willowpaw is making traveling herbs right now."
Blackstar's eyes widened. "I don't believe you!"
"Well, I do." Earthpelt said, "And I hope you will make the right choices for your clan in the moons to come. You are a good leader." Earthpelt dipped his head. "And may Starclan light your path."
Blackstar slept uneasily that night. Little did he know that in the following morning, a group of cats will be standing by the entrance of the camp, saying their last good-byes. He would later come to regret this moment.