Summary: DarkClan is a clan of dog warriors from Twolegplace. One dog, Lightpaw, is born into the clan with great hopes and dreams for the future. But, as we all know, Clan life isn't all fun and food: especially not when evil lurks in the most frightening places, like within DarkClan itself.
Prologue
Evening was setting on the Human homes. The lights in the windows glittered and flashed from the glass. The moon was half-full; the stars were like pinpricks of fire in the dark sky. To the North was the lake, and beyond that the forest. That night, yowls of battle echoed across the moors. House cats mewled in fright and stayed inside their houses. But slowly, larger shapes began to stalk the Human neighborhood, their eyes the only thing that shone from them.
On a fence, one had leapt and was now addressing the lot. "We are being neglected, tossed away like a used child's toy. I don't know why, but apparently our Humans no longer care for us. We have had to fend for our own and depend on hunting for food." There were mutters of agreement, and one jet-black dog stepped forward: her name was Night. "But Mountain, if we go, the Human children will miss us. They play with me every day." Mountain looked at her sadly and said, "You do not need to come, Night. If you like this life better, then you can stay. I am simply asking for agreement." A pale gray dog spoke: "I know I will come, and Sun will also." The cream-gold dog beside him nodded. "This is for the good of all of us, even you, Night. For eventually, your Human children will get bored; they will discover balls and plastic toys, they might even think it fun to smack you in the head with a ball." Night looked affronted. "They wouldn't!" she snarled. Sun sighed. "They might. That is what happened to me."
Mountain called them again. "I am leaving tonight. Who will come with me?" All together, Sun, Rain (the gray dog), a dog named Sand, one called Brown, Bear, Spots, Sky, River, Raven, Wolf, Spirit, Strider, Hunter, Fox, Bright, Gold, Shine, and Bird. Mountain turned to Night. "Will you come?" he asked. She nodded. "I cannot bear to live in a place without dogs." He looked at all of them. "Females, which ones of you are heavy with pups?" They were Sun, Sand, River, Sky, Spirit, and Wolf. Bright then called, "My children will be born soon also." Mountain looked at him. "Who is your mate?" he asked. "Her name is Terra. She is not a dog." Surprise flittered across the dogs' faces and Mountain raised his eyebrows and said, "Can you ask her to give your children to us?" Bright nodded. "She will be happy to. When they are old enough to understand, I'll tell them about their mother." Mountain turned and asked all of them, "Will you be prepared to journey tonight?" There were nods. "All right, lets go."
The dogs marched off, their tails flicking back and forth in the shadows. Brown pounced upon a vole and gave it to Sky, who ate it and murmured, "Thanks." Mountain led them all, as they walked across the Human's land and around the lake. Once or twice they heard thunder crack across the plains to their right. Sand ducked her head down whenever lightning flashed. One time they heard a loud crack and a screech. They recognized it as cat. "Animals die out here," whispered River. "What is Mountain leading us into?"
Mountain walked along, ignoring the whisperings of the dogs he was leading. He smelled something on the wind: the scent of stars and mystical ice-cold water. He broke into a run, and the dogs followed him. Soon they reached a river that ran into the lake. Mountain scented the air again, and smelled cats, and a border. One cat smell was grass, wind, and ground; the other was forest, cedar, and rock. Mountain turned his head in the direction of the river and he felt that he had to go that way. Just as he wondered what was urging him on, he saw images of starry cats walk along the river, leaping and gliding. He raced after them, some of the dogs starting to pant. But Mountain followed the cats at a hard pace as they called to him, pointing him along the river. When they reached a steep slope, he let the dogs rest. "Why go so fast, Mountain?" asked Hunter, breathing hard. "I am being called to this place by long-dead warrior spirits" he murmured. "Can you feel them? They are leading us here. This is where I can speak to them." Hunter nodded. "I spoke with a cat who told of StarClan. Is it them who lead you?" Mountain thought of the cats outlined with stars and shadow, and said, "Yes. It is StarClan."
They slept for about a half-hour, then Mountain stirred. The cats were whispering in his ear, "Hurry, Mountain! You must reach the Moonpool before sunrise!" He got up immediately. "Come on, everyone. We must continue." Some dogs groaned as they stood, but followed Mountain. They loped off at an easy pace, but when he saw that the moon was sinking, he darted forward in a burst of speed. He got to the edge of a rock and looked down. He saw a pool of water that reflected the dying stars and moon. He bounded to it and looked up at the other dogs. "You can rest and hunt," he said. "There will be no more traveling until you do." Reassured, the pup-heavy females settled down as the others went to catch food. Mountain looked at the cats that circled around him. "What do I do?" he asked. They simply leapt into the water, making no splash. He looked around, and decided to drink from the pool. He lapped a few drops and stretched out on the side of the water. As soon as he closed his eyes, mist swirled in front of him.
Shapes appeared, all of them cats. One blue-gray cat walked forward and touched his nose with her own. "Welcome, Mountain" she said. "I am Bluestar, the former leader of ThunderClan." Another cat walked forward. "I am Tallstar, of WindClan." "I'm Crookedstar, of RiverClan," said the last. Mountain looked around. "Isn't there another Clan? NightClan, or something?" "Only one of ShadowClan's leaders is allowed to walk these skies, and he is coming." "Why aren't any other of their leaders allowed here?" "Brokenstar and Tigerstar committed terrible crimes. Shall I list off the dead? Runningwind, Brindleface, Graypool, Redtail, and countless others." Mountain's eyebrows lifted again. "I have come, Bluestar. Is this the leader you have told me about?" A black cat, muzzle white with age, sat down next to Crookedstar. "Yes, Nightstar. This is Mountain. He will lead his Clan." "So I'm going to lead a Clan?" asked Mountain. "Am I worthy?" He felt odd, like he had entered into his subconscious. Tallstar nodded. "You have proved yourself by rallying your dogs, and helping them, comforting them." "But we're dogs." "That doesn't mean you can't be a Clan," replied Bluestar. "The other clans may not see it that way, Bluestar," said Nightstar, his ears folded back." "They might think you will try and force them out of their territory."
Mountain sighed. "I have heard of the Clans, and have spoke to one or two, but they wouldn't just had over part of the territory to me. I'd have to fight for it." Mountain closed his eyes. He imagined himself entering battle with the dogs, his claws tearing through flesh, his teeth digging into neck fur until the body he held was limp. "Stop. These thoughts are not good," said Crookedstar sternly. Mountain opened his eyes. "You are smart, Mountain. You will find a way."
For the next few hours, Mountain learned the rituals of the Clans, their ways and boundaries, the Gathering times and signs from StarClan. "Who will I choose for a medicine-dog?" he asked Spottedleaf, who had walked into the scene, along with many others. "Intercept this sign I give you," she answered. He closed his eyes, and saw a dog. Her pelt was normal while she walked, but when she ran, it shone like millions of stars. He opened his eyes and said excitedly, "Shine! Shine will be my medicine-dog." He turned to Redtail, who was purring. "Who will be my deputy?" he questioned. Redtail smiled and said, "Close your eyes." Mountain obeyed, and he saw a yellow dog whose tail whipped through the sunlight and turned metallic. "Gold." Mountain nodded. "He's experienced and strong, he will make a good deputy." He looked up at the starry cats. "What else do you have to teach me?" "You have learned all a leader needs to know. All that is left is the giving of your nine lives."
A thin, quick cat walked up. His eyes glimmered brightly. He lowered his nose to Mountain's. "I give you a life of speed and travel. Work hard to find a home for your Clan." Mountain felt a jolt move through him and he was running, running, never stopping. He found himself again on the ground, panting. Now a gray, older cat came up. Her mew was husky and rough. "I give you a life of compassion for every cat and dog in the forest. Use it wisely." Pain shot through him again and grief, happiness, frustration, and wisdom all flashed in his mind. He blinked to clear the feelings, and saw a yellow cat dip his head, his fur blowing in some invisible wind. "I give you a life of strength and power," he murmured. "Fight for your Clan and for your honor." Mountain felt himself in battle, his claws scoring through flesh, his wounds hurting but not bothering him. Then he was facing the cats, and he saw a beautiful silver cat walk up. "I give you a life of love and mothering," she said warmly. "Use it to protect your pups and mate." He felt another jolt, much like the battle, but the ferocity of a mother burned in him, ready to fight to the death to protect his children. Nightstar strode up and said, "I give you a life of mentoring. May your apprentices grow strong." This life was like a river: it flowed around him as he felt the joy in seeing a younger dog becoming a full clan warrior. Nightstar stepped back and Bluestar took his place. "I give you a life of nobility and faith. Choose the descisions you believe are right." Mountain felt another rush of frustration, hopelessness, and then happiness and glory. When he opened his eyes again, he saw Crookedstar, who touched his nose. "I give you a life of loyalty to what you know to be right." Mountain closed his eyes and he felt trust burn within him. Then he faced the seventh cat, Tallstar. "I give you a life of friendship and allies. Befriend warriors and you can gain alliances." Mountain saw himself standing next to another Clan leader, a doubled amount of warriors behind them. Now a RiverClan cat, Whiteclaw, was standing in front of him. "I give you a life of courage. Do not be afraid to die." Mountain was falling into the depths of nothing, only to resurface again. The final warrior to give him a life was very large and had striking orange fur with amber eyes and white paws. All the cats dipped their heads to him. "Welcome, new Clan leader" greeted the cat in a rumbling voice. "Long have I waited for another Clan to surface. And a dog leading them! Amazing." He touched his nose to Mountain's. "I give you a life of leading and commanding. Use it well to lead your Clan and boost your power." This life was the hardest of all to bear: the pain almost split Mountain apart. But he felt a wonderful feeling of leadership, and he was sorry the feel it end. The cat raised his voice and cried, "Mountainstar! Mountainstar!" The other cats joined in, their voices soaring to touch the sky. Soon Mountainstar's vision dimmed, and he woke in the real world.
Two golden paws stood beside him. "Mountain, are you all right? You've been asleep for hours." "I'm Mountainstar now, Gold" said the black dog. "Why?" asked Gold, startled. "We are now officially a Clan, and I'm the leader" said Mountainstar, feeling like he'd already lived through all of his nine lives. Gold gaped at him. "Really? Wow." "Gather up the dogs, Gold. We're going to find a home." "Why me?" "Because StarClan themselves chose you as my deputy," Mountainstar paused, and then added, remembering the sign StarClan had given him, "Goldentail." Goldentail stared at him. "Thank you, Mountainstar. I will serve our Clan well" he murmured. Mountainstar flicked him with his tail an stared out over the rocks. He saw the sun reflected in the lake, the moors' grasses rustling in the wind, the trees waving. He turned to Goldentail, and the dogs. StarClan, let me lead them well. "Let's go" he said, turning toward the new life of the dogs. "DarkClan" he added quietly, "named for the darkness were we dogs have lurked in the path of StarClan."