Chapter 1: The Past and a Prophecy

A storm raged as fighting raged on in the clearing. Lightning crackled in the sky drowning out the yowls of cats fighting and dogs yelping and barking in either victory or agony. The fight wasn't going good for the cats.

Reedstar had just chased off a dog. "Run away while you still can you mangy furball!" she yowled.

Suddenly, she was pushed to the ground. She turned to see a black and dark gray striped muscular tom holding her down. He slashed her on her ribs and she felt a pain in her side.

" Skullstripe," she gasped, "what are you doing?"

"I'm doing what I should of done so long ago."

She braced herself, waiting for him to slash her throat but instead she felt the weight being pulled off her.

" Ashstar?"

" Don't worry, Thunderclan is here to help."

The tide of the fight started turning as Thunderclan cats streamed down into the clearing. Ashstar and Reedstar tackled the lead dog. It bucked as Ashstar clawed up his back. She slashed it's throat and it's eyes glazed over. The remaining dogs fled after seeing their dead leader. Skullstripe lay pinned down by two Thunderclan warriors. He was bleeding heavily from a scratch on his eye.

Reedstar jumped on top of the (um I don't know wat it is) highrock.

" Cats of Riverclan and Thunderclan, we have a cat guilty for the attack and the deaths of at least Flamepelt, Lightningtail, Blackclaw. Skullclaw ."

She heard cats gasping around her, eyes wide with shock.

"Skullclaw do you confess that you led the dogs here and tried to kill me."

"I do and don't regret a thing." He snarled.

"Are there any other crimes you confess to?"

"Yes, I murdered Frogfoot by leading that stupid, blind elder across the bridge, and I fed Mosskit deathberries, and I killed Boltface and I don't regret anything!"

"Skullclaw," Silverface strode up to him, her belly rolling with kits. "why would you do this to your clan and… me."

"You and our kits can die if I care." He snarled. Silverface's eyes filled with tears.

"Why would you do this?" He didn't answer.

"Skullclaw, you will be banned from our territory. If any cat sees you here you will be killed. Now leave!"

Skullclaw turned to go, but instead swung around and attacked the closest cat near him. He swung at the ear and hit. He made another attempt to hit the cat but was pinned down again, the gaurds had their paws at his throat.

" Permission to kill, Reedstar?"

" I grant you permission, but first, any goodbyes to make or last words?" she asked looking at Skullclaw.

" You can try to kill me, but I'll be back. I swear I'll be back."

Then claws sliced threw his throat and he went limp.

Two days later…

It was a particularly stary night as Reedstar sat on the highrock looking at the sky. She flicked her ears in greeting as Lightpool, the medicine cat, joined her on the highrock.

"How is Silverface?" Reedstar asked.

"She will kit in 2 moons."

"How is she taking the incident with Skullclaw?"

"She's still grieving."

"And what about the others?"

"They are healing quickly. Reedstar, why are you so worried? We've been through worse times."

"It's just Starclan hasn't spoke to us since 5 moons ago and things haven't been going good for us with the prey shortage, twolegs, and now the attack."

"I'm sure they are watching us." A comet went by and Lightpool's eyes widened. She murmured something inaudible.

"What is it? Is it a message from Starclan?"

"A prophecy from Starclan, Darkness will rise and shadow will make a choice that will save the clan."