A calming breeze swept through the clearing, rustling the leaves and causing ripples in the pond. Overhead, a night sky shone, filled with brilliant stars as far as the eye could see.
In the middle of the clearing, a pond was gently reflecting a scene, but not its surroundings. Instead it showed a different forest, with many cats racing through it, tearing through brambles and bushes. If you listened closely, you could swear you hear the grunting of a badger.
Five cats were circled around the ponds perimeter, watching with solemn eyes as ice crept forward, leaving a misty cloud in its wake. The ice had covered nearly a quarter of the pool, and the image was fuzzy.
The cat closest to the ice spoke. "You are sure you want to accept this destiny?" Another breeze blew, ruffling her snowy white fur.
The one on the opposite side of the pool to her gave her a disbelieving look. "Ivewave, we have no choice! If we don't accept, Starclan will be destroyed and the Warrior clans will soon follow!"
Ice blue eyes met raging brown. "There are always other candidates." Icewave replied mildly.
The cat sitting on her left muttered something incoherent.
Icewave flicked him with her tail, earning a glare. "Speak up, Bluetail."
"I said, will we have our memories?"
"No. You will remember nothing of your past life, or the one you have led in Starclan. However, we are able to implant an urge within each of you to become leaders. Once this goal has been accomplished, you will regain your memories and we will hopefully be able to guide you from there."
"So… I won't be a medicine cat this life." Another cat sighed despondently.
"No. Medicine cats simply do not have the control over the clans that leaders do. I'm sorry Yellowheart, but there is nothing we can do." Icewave stated firmly, but not unkindly.
The cat sitting in-between Yellowheart and Redclaw nudged her playfully. "Don't be such a downer! We get to save the clans! It's every Warriors dream to go down in history like that!"
"It wasn't mine." Yellowheart muttered, purposefully avoiding Icewave's eyes.
"Quite right Greeneyes." Icewave addressed the cheerful cat, pointedly ignoring Yellowheart.
"Now we must hurry. Even Starclan cannot slow time. Everyone follow me."
Icewave stepped away from the pool and led the warriors to a small dip in the land, where a milky white substance was resting.
"Everyone dip a paw in." She commanded.
The cats obliged, though some less willingly then others.
"Last chance to turn back Yellowheart." Icewave warned.
Yellowheart paused before shaking her head adamantly, bracing herself.
"Then, by the powers of Starclan, I proclaim you Redkit, Bluekit, Greenkit and Yellowkit. Go back and save the clans from doom."
Redkit let out a yelp before disappearing from view. Bluekit started shivering before he faded. Greenkit seemed to flinch from an invisible enemy and Yellowkit dug her claws into the ground, before the pair vanished.
Icewave waited for a few moments, cast one last sad look at the pool before striding off into the mountains, ready to assign the guardians.