Wind rushed over an open meadow. Stars dotted the sky, milky-colored with twilight. Near the tree-lined horizon, clouds glowed pinkish-orange. Poppies reflected the position of the stars, and dotted the meadow, like yellow flecks on a green pelt.

A blue-gray she-cat sat by a shimmering pond, her claws lightly yet angrily ripping out shreds of grass and moss. She muttered crossly to herself, her ice-blue eyes narrowed.

The she-cat stiffened with surprise as she felt a thick-furred tail rest on her scarred shoulders.

"You're troubled."

The blue-gray she-cat turned her head at the sound of the deep voice and saw a bright-ginger tabby tom standing next to her, his green eyes glowing sympathetically.

The gray warrior shrugged. "So what if I am. I can handle this myself. I just need to think this problem through, that's all."

The ginger tabby replied calmly, "I feel like it's my duty to come to you when you are troubled. To help you. To guide you to the solution to the problem as I did in the past."

"I'm not your apprentice anymore, Sunstar," the blue-gray she-cat snorted, "And this isn't like coping with loss of a loved one. This is different...much different."

"You will always be my apprentice, Bluestar," Sunstar meowed, "I will always be your mentor."

Bluestar shifted her paws and muttered, "I must speak to Spottedleaf and Whitestorm. I guess I can't think through this alone."

"I'm here," Sunstar meowed, "You can speak with me."

"This doesn't concern you, Sunstar!" Bluestar retorted, "This involves Firestar, and he barely knew you. I doubt he even knows about you. But he knows me. That's why this concerns me."

"Yes, but I still play a part in his coming to ThunderClan. If I had chose Thistleclaw over you, he would have been leader, and ThunderClan would have been in ruins. Knowing that warrior, he probably would have killed Firestar when he strayed into the forest as a young kittypet. And even if I still chose you, ThunderClan would still be in ruins. Who revealed Tigerstar's true loyalty and literally saved you from death?"

"You do have a point," Bluestar replied, "But the prophecy speaks of Firestar's kin, not yours." "True," Sunstar agreed, "But my kin told me to come help you."

"Yes," Bluestar sighed, "That does sound like Featherwhisker. I suppose you could help. But first, we must find Spottedleaf and Whitestorm."

Sunstar nodded. "After you."

The Moonpool glittered in the bright moonshine, turning the pelts of the four cats silver. Spottedleaf's gorgeous tortoiseshell pelt glowed like a dappled star, and Whitestorm's thick, white pelt shimmered like a white flame. Bluestar and Sunstar sat not far from them, their tails wrapped neatly around their strong paws.

"Why did you call us here, Bluestar and Sunstar?" Spottedleaf asked with her quiet mew. "It's about the Three," Bluestar explained. "But why is Sunstar here?" Whitestorm asked. "N-Not that there is anything wrong with you being here, Sunstar," he added hastily.

"He wanted to help," Bluestar replied to her kin, her silver-tipped tail twitching, "We need to talk something over. It's extremely necessary."

"I agree," Spottedleaf replied, her amber gaze drifting into her thoughts, "I have seen it in my nightmares: the destruction of the Clans...the Three alone cannot prevent it."

"Yes," Whitestorm meowed strongly, "they must have the support of their Clanmates if they wish for victory against the Dark Forest."

"But not just any Clanmates, Whitestorm," Spottedleaf murmured, "Two."

"What do you mean?" Sunstar asked.

"Yes, Spottedleaf," Bluestar meowed, "Who are these 'two' you speak of?"

"Cats with great influence on the Three's lives," Spottedleaf murmured vaguely, "Without them, the Three are powerless. They need their help to achieve the one goal, and for Skywatcher's prophecy to be fulfilled."

Spottedleaf's gaze lifted to the stars and she meowed loudly and strongly, "Vine and Leaf will meet. On the wings of the Dove and Jay, with the strength of a Lion, and led by Fire, the Five shall achieve victory against the dark threat."

The fire died from Spottedleaf's eyes and, with a long sigh, she lowered her dappled head. The three other warriors gazed at the tortoiseshell medicine cat for a little while longer.

"I don't understand," Sunstar meowed at last, "Who are the 'Vine' and the 'Leaf'?"

"Are they the two you mentioned earlier?" Whitestorm asked.

"They are," Spottedleaf murmured, "And you all will know who they are in time. All I can say now is that one of them was lost, and will soon return."

She slowly got to her paws, and padded away from her Clanmates, who watched her leave. Whitestorm turned his head and meowed, "Bluestar, do you have any idea what her prophecy means?"

Bluestar shook her head. "I'm afraid not. But if Spottedleaf was speaking the truth, we will find out. Soon."