Warm but faint sunlight seeped through the trees. Their large leaves shrouded . the forest floor, shifting along with the breeze. Songs of birds and the squeaks of mice drifted through the forest, making Alderpaw's mouth water. He soon spotted a mouse sitting among the fallen leaves. Dropping into a hunter's crouch, he weaved between the bracken fronds, making but a sound.
"You aren't planning to catch prey like that, are you?"
Alderpaw froze, whipping his head around. "Huh…?"
A blue-grey she-cat jumped down beside him, her muscles rippling within her pelt as she landed. Her eyes sparkled, as if the whole of Silverpelt was reflected in them, and her tail twitched in amusement. "Hello there, young warrior."
"H-hello..." It was at this time Alderpaw noticed the mouse he was stalking had since gone, squeaking out in alarm. His tail lashed in anger. "Hey! I would've caught the thing if you hadn't jumped on me!"
"Maybe, but it was unlikely. Even in dreams, your skills still count." She meowed, and blinked sympathetically. "My name is Bluestar. I have an important message for you."
"Th-the Bluestar?" The young apprentice echoed, his earlier misgivings forgotten. Bluestar was a previous clan leader of Thunderclan, and one of the best, the elders had said. She led the clan with an iron paw, and her cats looked up to her with awe of her wisdom and nobility. She died saving Firestar, her deputy then, and her clan from a dog pack unleashed in the forest. But why, he mused, would a cat from Starclan visit me?
"Yes, that would be me," She purred, and gestured with her tail to a nearby tree. "Come, sit. This is not something you must take lightly," She warned, and padded over.
Alderpaw followed, curiously gazing at the blue-grey she-cat. Why would such an important leader visit the dreams of an apprentice? Alderpaw remembered resenting his training with Molewhisker, his mentor, constantly messing up with moves and hunting. He had wondered from time to time if he should become an apprentice medicine cat, as he rather enjoyed helping Leafpool and Jayfeather with their duties, despite the blind cat's grumpiness. Was Starclan acting on his wishes now, confirming him his destiny to serve the clan through sickness and battle wounds?
"I suppose you're wondering what exactly I have to tell you," Bluestar settled into the grass, her paws tucked underneath her.
"Does Starclan want me to become a medicine cat?" Alderpaw blurted out. He licked his chest fur in embarrassment as Bluestar gazed at him, confusion lighting her eyes.
"Your destiny is for you to choose," She murmured, and continued, "Starclan will accept what we feel is true. But right now, we must warn you of the troubles to come." She drew in a breath, as if the whole of the forest was sucking away the air left. A dense mist shrouded their surroundings, to the point where Alderpaw could barely see his own paws.
"Bluestar, where are you?" He called, jumping up and frantically searching for her scent. But she was gone. The mist hung heavy with the scent of many cats, and Alderpaw found himself staring at his home, the hollow where Thunderclan made its camp. Only instead the sharp tang of death and blood was spilled over the camp. The mist darkened into smoke and cinders, but Alderpaw choked with disgust and horror.
Fresh bodies of his clanmates littered the ground, and cats wailed at an unseen enemy. Blood pooled around them, swallowing them whole. Fire danced among the trees, and a tiger's roar sounded above the flames, while distant thunder rolled beyond. But through it all, Alderpaw could hear one voice clearly.
"Rise and set the fire burns, and a new enemy strikes like thunder after the storm."
AN: Hello there! This is the start of my take on of what the new books might be. Yes, there will be OC cats introduced, and no, they will not be mary sue-like in any way. For the most part the P.O.V.s will switch between cats, as this will be focusing on Alderpaw and Squirrelflight's and Brambleclaw's kits, as well as many more cats. This is also my first WC fanfic, and my first fanfic in many years, so bare with me! If you have any tips for my writing, or any nice comments, or questions really, don't be afraid to ask/review! Thanks~Love 333