Prologue

The grass shook and the leaves of the trees rustled, and the surface of the lake ripped, but there was no wind to blow them. A single, black cat sat on the rise of the hill, green eyes darting back and forth. The shadows that were cast over the ground hid many other cats, and they murmered to one another, clouded eyes staring up at the black cat expectantly. He turned his green gaze on all of them at once,
"She will come, streaked with gold, bright as the sun she worships. She will come, and bring with her a power to rule the forest"

"What does it mean, Inkstar?" Asked a wiry grey-and-white she-cat.

"I... Don't know" He admitted, "I've never heard of anyone who worships the sun before. But this is what I have seen. We should share it with the Clans as soon as we have a clearer image of the future."

"A Power to rule the forest? That sounds pretty severe. Shouldn't we warn them now? They should be prepared." A ginger tom spoke up from the shadows.

"But we don't know whether this power is good or bad" Inkstar replied, "We don't know enough ourselves to give them a clear warning"

"I still think we should. It's been many, many seasons since the last time my paws walked my territory. But when I was alive, you always warned me, no matter how strange the messages were. There has been no danger since I lost my final life, and it's been quiet for too long" The ginger tom meowed, "I think this should be taken seriously"

"I think you're right, Firestar" Nodded the She-cat, "Inkstar, what do you say?"

"Alright. I also agree with Firestar. I'll go get Shootingstar now" The back tom rose to his paws, stardust immediatly surrounding him. He turned and loped over the hill, then down, out of sight. As soon as he left, the shadows buzzed with gossiping meows,

"Sun-worshipper? Who knew there was such a thing?"

"Power... I wonder what kind of power?"

"Streaked with gold... Perhaps she'll be easy to recognise with a burning bright pelt..."

A hush fell over the StarClan cats as a grey-flecked, white she-cat appeared, closely followed by Inkstar. She rose her grey eyes, bright with nobility,
"Shootingstar...There is something ahead, but even we cannot tell who or what it is." Firestar spoke, green eyes glimmering faintly. Shootingstar wrapped her tail around her paws, trying to look calm, but the fur on the back of the young leader's back was prickling,

"What?" Her voice was still young and sweet.

"She will come, streaked with gold, bright as the sun she worships. She will come, and bring with her a power to rule the forest" Inkstar receited slowly.

"Who will come? What power will she bring?" Shootingstar's voice was high with urgency. She scanned her former Clanmate's green orbs, but there was nothing there, not even the slightest hint of emotion.

"I'm afraid even we do not know." Inkstar mewed, "But we thought we would warn you; The age of peace may be over"

Shootingstar visibly trembled, but nodded slowly, "Thankyou, Inkstar, StarClan"

"Good luck" Firestar added, "It is time you returned to your Clan and spoke with your medicine cat. He would have recieved a similar dream"

Shootingstar did not recognise Firestar; after all, it had been so long since he died. Still, she bowed her head in respect, and walked back up the hill. Suddenly, a golden blur swept towards her and past her, making her jump and squeak with suprise. She turned around, but her ancestors were long gone. The prophecy echoed in her mind,

"She will come, streaked with gold, bright as the sun she worships. She will come, and bring with her a power to rule the forest..."

Shootingstar rose from her sleep, panting. Dawn's light was creeping into her den, so she stretched herself awake. The forest had been so peaceful for as long as she could remember; could all that be coming to an end? She looked up at the sky,

"Oh, what have you got planned for us?" She asked, to no-one in particular.

"Shootingstar?" The voice was masculine and belonged to ThunderClan's medicine cat. He bowed his head in respect, and Shootingstar returned the polite gesture,

"Oh, good morning, Thistlefang" She greeted. "How are you?"

The black tom licked his chest fur, "I'm fine, but I have something to tell you, and I'm afraid it cannot wait."

She fell silent for a moment, before replying in a choked voice, "Go on"

"Shootingstar, I had an odd dream last night. I think you should know about it"

Shootingstar's stomach churned; she already knew what it would be about.

"I also have a dream and a message to share with you..."

"About the Sun cat?"

"Yes"

"I see..." Thistlefang looked disappointed, "Then you know no more than I do. Should we warn the Clan?"

Shootingstar hesitated, "...No. If they panic now, all hope is lost. Although I will tell Mintleaf, as deputy he has a right to know"

"True." Thistlefang sat close to his leader, eyes narrowed, "Who knows what we're about to face. We can only cross our claws and hope that this cat is not dangerous...