Prologue

"Father! Why do you have to do this again? Why is our clan at war again?" Skypaw's distressed mew sounded as his father, Regalclaw, comforted him with his tail. Their leader, Dawnstar had declared war on Shadestar after many border disputes. Their clans had been in a rocky relationship for months now, and at last, the climax of these tensions was approaching in the form of a war. Stupid, stupid Shadestar! No, Dawnstar's just as bad!

"Skypaw… Skypaw…I don't like this either. However, it is my duty as a warrior of Goldclan to fight for my clan. If our leader declares war, then it is my responsibility to act," Regalclaw replied calmly. How can he be so calm? He could die out there just like any other cat! What will Lightray and I do without you? Lightray was Skypaw's mother and mate to Regalclaw. Because she was expecting kits, she was exempt from the upcoming war.

"What if you get hurt!? Let me come with you! I'll protect you!" Skypaw insisted. Regalclaw purred with amusement.

"Now there. You've only become an apprentice two sunrises ago. Dawnstar already decided that new apprentices would not take part in such a dangerous battle. Stay in the camp and wait for us to come back. I promise you, we'll win this war. I promise you, I'll return." He's lying. He doesn't feel confident at all!

"Why do our clans have to fight all the time anyway? Why can't this conflict be settled peacefully!?" Skypaw whined. It just doesn't make sense…

"I've always hated clan rivalries," Regalclaw began. "I've always wondered why our clans were separated as they were. If everyone was to work together and live in harmony, perhaps wars could be avoided." Regalclaw sighed. "Unfortunately, that's not how it works. We've always had a separation in clans. It's been like this since ancient times…"

"That's not true! I heard that originally, everyone belonged to the same clan! Why can't we go back to that!?"

"It's not that simple Skypaw," Regalclaw purred. "I can see I've raised quite the idealistic son." Regalclaw licked Skypaw on the cheek. "I can't bide any more time here. I need to leave for the battle. Wait for me when I get back, and I'll tell you all about the brave Stoneclan warriors that I took down!" Regalclaw dashed out to meet his fellow clanmates who were gathering at the clan entrance. Dawnstar herself took the lead. Her deputy, Ripplewind, was there too. Even Hawkleaf, the medicine cat was present, probably to be on spot to heal battle injuries. Along with them was Regalclaw and a bunch of various warriors and older apprentices. Skypaw watched in distress as they walked away. Please! Please come back!

It seemed as if moons had gone by, yet the camp was still mostly empty and silent. They're not back yet! What's taking them? Skypaw paced back and forth as a raindrop hit his head. He looked up to see the clouds burst into storm. Skypaw shivered. I have a bad feeling about this. I'd better go check on them. But wait, what if Dawnstar gets mad?

"Are you worried about your father?" He heard Lightray's voice from behind him. He turned to see his mother padding up to him, her pelt starting to get wet by the falling rain. "You shouldn't be out when it's storming. Come inside the nursery with me." But Skypaw couldn't bring himself to. No… I can't be standing around when the clan is at battle. I'm an apprentice of Goldclan. I should be fighting with them!

"I… I have to go!" Skypaw shouted, turning around and dashing out of the camp.

"Wait, come back! Stop right here!" He heard his mother calling him from behind, but he ignored it. Wait for me, father!

The sounds of warring cats pierced his ears as Skypaw ran through the Stardust mountain paths. Around he could see cats from both Goldclan and Stoneclan fighting. He tried scanning to see where Regalclaw was, but was unsuccessful. "S-Skypaw? What are you doing! You need to get back to camp!" Ripplewind's distressed voice called from a little ways away. The deputy was currently fighting another cat from Stoneclan. The big black tom from Stoneclan pushed Ripplewind down. Ripplewind yelped in surprise.

"Ripplewind!" Skypaw yelled, rushing to his aid. But a cat slammed into him, causing him to see stars.

"Urghhh…" Skypaw stood up to see a brown and red furred apprentice facing him.

"My name's Amberpaw! I'm going to be leader of Stoneclan someday! Fight me, for the glory of your clan!" He challenged. But Skypaw ignored Amberpaw. I don't have time for this! Skypaw dashed passed him. He could no longer see Ripplewind, as the two cats had seemingly moved from that spot. The sky slowly turned darker as the night creeped its way in. As Skypaw rushed through the canyon paths, he realized that he didn't recognize where he was. I've never explored too far into this place before! Usually, Stoneclan would teach its apprentices how to navigate these mountains so they wouldn't get lost, however, Skypaw had not had such training yet.

"Regalclaw! Where are you? Father!?" Skypaw called.

"What do we have here? A lost apprentice calling for his daddy? Ready to become birdprey, Goldclan rat?" A warrior called from behind. Oh no! Skypaw ducked his head as the warrior jumped to attack him. He heard a loud thud and the yelp of the warrior. He looked up to see Dawnstar's beautiful white and gold fur.

"Skypaw! Run away! Get back to camp!" She yelled frantically, pinning the Stoneclan warrior down. Skypaw nodded and ran towards the now clear path. Fear ran through his pelt as he dashed. W…where am I? Where's father? Where's the exit? Skypaw frantically turned his head, trying to find a path to take, as he had stumbled upon a fork in the road. It was in that moment, that a patch of white fur caught his eye. Skypaw immediately felt pins running down his body. N…no! He ran towards what looked to be a bloodstained white furred cat lying in the dirt.

"Regalclaw!" Skypaw yelped as he approached the cat. It was as he had feared. Regalclaw was lying around a pool of blood. The blood was dripping from a wound on his neck. "Stay put! I'll go get Hawkleaf! You're gonna be okay!"

"Skypaw…. Thank Starclan. I got to see you again… before I go…." Regalclaw coughed and blood splattered on the hard rocky floor.

"Don't speak! It'll only make you bleed more!" Skypaw started to panic. His breathing became quick, his heart was pounding very hard. Heat rumbled through his body. Anxiety began to peak heavily. Don't die… Please don't die on me!

"Skypaw… don't look so sad. I don't like seeing you so sad…" Regalclaw mewed weakly. No! No! NO! "I'm going to have to… leave you now… Please…. Take care of Lightray." Stop saying these things!

"You're gonna be fine! C'mon! Get up! I'll support you back to camp!" Skypaw pleaded. But his father only lay there, panting.

"If only our clans…. Could have lived peacefully…." Regalclaw's eyes shut and his breathing slowed to a stop.

"No…. No! NO! Wake up! Please! Wake up!" Skypaw frantically prodded his father's body. But Regalclaw remained unmoving. Skypaw's legs gave way as he collapsed onto the ground. He buried his face into his paws. It was then that it hit him. Clan rivalries! Was my father's life worth that!? All this pointless fighting. Cats dying left and right. It's got to stop! I'll stop it! No matter what it takes!

Skypaw stood up, feeling a new strength welling through him. He looked up at to the sky. "Starclan! Are you listening!? I'm going to unite the clans! Then, we'll all live as one! Do you hear me!?" This is how it should be. This is how it will be. I'll do whatever it takes, I'll create a new Empire! Please… watch over me, father.


Clan Allegiances

RAINCLAN:

Leader: Redstar (Redfang) – A reddish brown tom cat with amber eyes

Deputy: Stormfall – a Gray tabby tom with blue eyes and a black tip of fur on his tail

Medicine Cat: Whistleleaf – A white she-cat with beautiful blue eyes

Apprentice: Firesoul – A ginger white tom with amber eyes

Warriors: Emeraldclaw – A snow white tom with emerald, green eyes

Autumnwind – A brown and black spotted tom cat with brown eyes.

Grayvine – A gray tortoiseshell tom cat with green eyes

Apprentice: Blackpaw – A sleek black she-cat

Spottedfur – A brown tabby tom

Apprentice: Steampaw – A tiny, gray tom

Mistyfur – A blue gray she-cat

Apprentice: Racingpaw – A brown tom with a torn right ear

Raccoonwater – A tall black tom

Apprentice: Windpaw – A gray she-cat known for her fast running speed

Owltone – a White and black spotted tom-cat

Leafshine – A brown tabby she-cat

Dewstone – A white and gray she-cat

Springfur – A pure gray tom-cat

Lionleap – A ginger tom-cat with a striped tail

Pearstem – A gray she-cat with one white forepaw

Fawnshine – A snow white she-cat

Cloverdew – A black she-cat with green eyes

Queens:

Shallowpond: - A gray tortoiseshell she-cat with blue eyes

Kits: Icykit – white she-cat, Meadowkit – gray she-cat, Pyrekit – black tom

Dreamsong: - A white and gray spotted she-cat with amber eyes

Kits: Sleetkit – a grey she-cat that is mute, Moorkit – a black she-cat

Elders:

Oakleaf – A white tomcat with blue eyes

Flamewillow – An old ginger tom

Snowpath – A white she-cat with a gray patch of fur on her flank

Silverclan

Leader: Riverstar (Rivershine) – A light gray tom with dark blue eyes and dark tipped ears

Deputy: Lunarpelt – A grey she-cat with a crescent moon shaped patch of dark fur on her flank

Apprentice: Lovepaw – A ginger she-cat with red eyes and a red tail

Medicine Cat: Ivyfern – A white she-cat

Apprentice: Dawnpaw – a golden tabby she-cat

Warriors:

Mintstorm – A blue she-cat

Apprentice: Tinderpaw – A gray tom-cat with red eyes

Bramblethorn – A brown tabby tom cat

Apprentice: Patchpaw – A white she-cat with orange paws

Icicleclaw – A white she-cat with icy blue eyes

Apprentice: Marshpaw – A brown, gray, and black spotted tom

Wildshiver – A gray she-cat

Blazeleap – A ginger tom

Harefur – A black she-cat with amber eyes

Minnowfin – a gray tom

Firewing – A red and brown tom

Moonslash – A gray tom

Cedarwood – A dark red she-cat

Blossomflight – A white she-cat with pink eyes

Rainwillow – A blue tomcat with a dark gray tail

Eagleflare – A red, orange tom with a black stripe on his tail

Queens:

Whitesoul – A white she-cat

Kits: Yewkit – a black tom, Noblekit – a gray she-cat

Heatherdance – a gray she-cat with one black paw

Kits: Flarekit – a ginger she-cat, Sunkit – a pale brown tom

Elders:

Twilightfeather – an old, black tom

Badgerclaw – an old, gray tom

Stoneclan:

Leader: Shadestar (Shadepelt) – A black tom with white paws.

Deputy: Amberflare – A red and brown tom with ambitious amber eyes

Medicine Cat: Foggyfur – A white and gray tom

Apprentice: Diamondpaw – A gray she-cat with white ear tips

Warriors:

Troutmist – A pale, light blue tom with daunting amber eyes

Apprentice: Duskpaw – a black tom

Applesun – a yellowish furred she-cat

Apprentice: Birdpaw – a dark brown she-cat

Smokeshine – a tortoiseshell tom

Apprentice: Beaverpaw – a brown tom

Seedflame – a gray and brown tom

Mossgaze – a white tom with amber eyes

Palejaw – a brown tom with a pale, light brown jaw

Stormwind – a gray tom

Cobblerock – a black tom

Rosefang – a white she-cat

Doeflight – a gray she-cat

Briarfang – a brown she-cat

Thistlejaw – a ginger tomcat with long teeth

Brookfur – a brown and black she-cat

Queens:

Bluewish – a blue she-cat

Kits: Goldkit – a pale she-cat, Rushkit – a gray tom, Pearlkit – a ginger tom

Elders:

Dawnscar – a black she-cat

Swanbelly – a white she-cat

Goosewing – a gray tom-cat

Goldclan

Leader: Dawnstar (Dawnsoul) – A white she-cat with golden patches

Deputy: Ripplewind – A dark black tom-cat with red eyes

Medicine Cat: Hawkleaf – a gray tom cat with blue eyes

Apprentice: Timberpaw – a very small gray tom

Warriors:

Skywing – a white tomcat with gray stripes on the back of his flank and vengeful amber eyes

Cloudgaze – a White tom with black spots

Nightstream – a black she-cat with three white paws

Berryblaze – A ginger tom with red patches on his flank

Apprentice: Rushpaw – a black she-cat with green eyes

Tinypelt – A tiny gray she-cat

Apprentice: Highpaw – a tall white tom cat

Goldenfur – a pale brown she-cat with a black paw

Apprentice: Soaringpaw – a white she-cat with a scar on her muzzle

Antwhisker – a black tomcat with short whiskers

Longleg – a tall, long legged gray tom cat

Snowflower – A white she-cat with a black patch on her forehead

Dunepelt – A pale gray tom with a red paw

Waterwave – a blue gray she-cat

Diamondfur – a white tom

Queens:

Twinfeather – a Light brown she cat

Lightray – a gray she-cat

Elders:

Mudshard – a dark brown tom

Sunwhisker – an orange she-cat

Braveclaw – a black tom with long razor claws