PROLOGUE
Moonlight flickered as Jayfeather padded towards the Moonpool. All six Medicine Cats arrived at the same time, and each gently lapped the water – all except Mothwing, that is.
Images swirled around Jayfeather's mind. Opening his eyes, bright light shone in his eyes, replacing the blackness he usually saw. A raggedy old she-cat padded towards him, and he dipped his head in greeting. "Yellowfang," He mewed coolly, his tabby fur bristling. "Jayfeather," The she-cat rasped back, her voice old and rickety. "The Dark Forest is rising." Yellowfang finished, staring him in the eyes. "So," Jayfeather spat. "Why would you care?" He spat again, his eyes blazing. "I'm obviously just a mistake to you."
"Jayfeather," Yellowfang spat. "Brokenstar was a mistake, not you." Jayfeather felt his neck fur stand on end. "What's the difference? We're both cats whose mother is a Medicine Cat. Or have you forgotten that?" He retorted, his blue eyes blazing with rage. "But you were sent to save the Clans!" She yowled, her orange eyes almost red with anger. "Oh, I see," Jayfeather's blue eyes turned soft with hurt. "So if I was just a regular Medicine Cat, not sent to save the Clans, then I would be a mistake?" Yellowfang sighed, obviously realizing she had hurt him. "Jayfeather," She mewed softly. "No, not because of that, you're not a mistake no matter what. Brokenstar is a mistake because he is going to destroy the Clans, the whole forest." Sighing, Jayfeather relaxed. "So what did you want to tell me?" He pondered. "The Dark Forest will attack; soon." Her last word sent shivers down his spine before he awoke to darkness. The other Medicine Cats shifted next to him, and Littlecloud padded towards him. "What did StarClan say?" He mewed, shifting uneasily next to him. "The Dark Forest is going to attack," Jayfeather answered. "Soon." He echoed the same words Yellowfang spoke to him. Littlecloud sighed next to him. "Runningnose told me the same…" His voice trailed off. "What does this mean?" Willowshine padded next to the two Medicine Cats, and Jayfeather could hear her settling down next to them.
"The Medicine Cats need to stay here," Jayfeather mewed as Mothwing began to leave. "Wehaveto talk." Mothwing sighed. "Can't it wait until the next half-moon; my belly is aching with hunger." Probably 'cause of those dreams you have about chasing mice, Jayfeather snorted. "Mothwing, this cannot wait until next half-moon. Cats will die if we wait." Littlecloud told her.
"What are we going to do?" Willowshine asked nervously. "Well I know what we need to do," Mothwing retorted. "Hunt." Kestrelflight shuffled his paws. "I'm not the best hunter, but I could try to catch a rabbit or two." And with that, the mottled gray tom rose to his paws and padded off to hunt. "Great." Jayfeather mumbled.
"It's about time," Jayfeather heard Mothwing mumble as Kestrelflight returned with two rabbits. "Now," Littlecloud flicked his tail-tip. "What are we going to do about the Dark Forest?" Jayfeather could feel the tension in the air. "We should train cats," Jayfeather offered. "So everyone will be ready." Littlecloud nodded. "We should have the Clans come together as one; we'll need all the fresh-kill we can get." He suggested, his blue gaze softening. Mothwing's amber eyes shone with pride. "RiverClan does not need another Clan," She told them fiercely. "Mothwing, you've got fluff in your brain," Jayfeather spat. "All the Clans need each other." He could feel Mothwing's gaze burning into him, but ignored the fact.
"So it's settled, then," Littlecloud mewed. "We will all speak to our leaders." Mothwing shifted uncomfortably. "Right, Mothwing?" He added. "I will," Willowshine spoke up. "Good." Kestrelflight mewed.
"Firestar," Jayfeather rushed into his leader's, and grandfather's, den. "Jayfeather," The ginger leader turned to him. "I have spoken with StarClan," He told him. "They said the Dark Forest is going to attack, soon." He heard Firestar gasp, and Jayfeather dipped his head. "All the Medicine Cats decided to ask our leaders," He paused. How do I put it? He wondered, but continued on. "About becoming one Clan, we decided that we needed all the prey and training we could get. And," Firestar hushed him, and moved forward. "I understand. ThunderClan has accepted to become one with ShadowClan, WindClan, and RiverClan." Jayfeather felt relief rush over him. "I will announce it tomorrow morning." He stated, and lay down in his nest. Tomorrow morning? Jayfeather winced, and then realized how late it must be.