Prologue

A dark tabby, his eyes menacing, prowled the forest in uncertainty. He wished that he had followed the path laid out for him. That was all he knew now. It would have been a path to success, leadership, triumph...

He could have been great, powerful and strong, as a warrior, perhaps even a deputy, a leader. But no. He had chosen the path of a medicine cat, and StarClan had nothing to show him. He could not believe the cats that hunted in the sparkles of Silverpelt watched over him, for they had abandoned him. Did they care? Why had they ignored him, made him feel so abandoned, confined to his fate?

The tomcat gazed up at the sky. How could he ever be great, as a medicine cat? His clan needed strong warriors to survive. He wasn't even any good- anytime a poor cat was hurt, his mind was blank and the herbs he thought he knew by heart became a mixed jumble in his head... And if StarClan had left him to his own devices, as he suspected, he could never relay a prophecy, never have dreams and see signs like his mentor.

He would never, ever be great

Suddenly, a sweet scent washed over him.

"Do not be afraid, Oakpaw. Your time will come." Oakpaw gasped. Was StarClan was sending HIM a sign? He opened his eyes wide and searched for the sound of the voice.

"I am Spottedleaf, and I am here to help you," She mewed. Oakpaw stared at the young cat, a tabby cat like him with wise yellow eyes like leaves tossed to the ground in leaf-fall. Her pelt was golden and dappled with patches of light(she was, after all, from Starclan). Only faint traces of black, brown and gray drew along her spine.

"S-S-S...spot...Spottedleaf?" Oakpaw stuttered. He had heard of this legendary medicine cat who had died but a few days ago- news from the recent gathering brought not only some good news but tales of tragedy and hardship. But the lovely she-cat hailed from Thunderclan! Why come to him of all cats, the lowly Riverclan apprentice?

"Yes, it is me. Do not lose faith, young one, for the stars will never abandon you."

"Spottedleaf, I-"

"There is a stirring in the forest. Be wary and watchful. Your time will come." Oakpaw suddenly lost the scent of the forest. Spottedleaf was but a fading silhouette, a ghost now, and she did not speak to explain as the powerful scent of blood washed over them. "DARKNESS SHALL RULE THE FOREST FOR A TIME, BUT THE CHOSEN CAT WILL BRING LIGHT AS HER SNOWY PELT REAPPEARS IN THE FOREST." Oakpaw fell, the last traces of the she-cat's sweet scent melting into the crisp night air.

He sat up and twitched his tail in confusion. Looking around, Oakpaw wondered again why Starclan would send a prophecy to him, of all cats. He was jealous of all the warriors- that was hardly a redeeming quality the cats of Silverpelt could be proud of.

However odd it was, Crookedstar needed to know about this. Oakpaw stood silently, but before he had padded even a fox-length away from the place where Spottedleaf had chosen to visit him, a cat leapt onto him and sank his teeth into his neck. His spirit had gone to join the ranks of Starclan, and the prophecy was never received.