AN: Yay for long prologues! This one's a bit different, and has one of those oh-so-annoying cliffhangers that everyone loves to write about but hates to read. Anyways, here's the full summary:

The five Clans have reached their destination without much trouble. But they soon begin to realize that they are not alone in the valley that is to become their home. Battles start to break out as a familiar face appears, and Sunstorm is forced to find out why the fights are continuing.

Prologue

Rain was falling heavily on the trees that reached for the sky. Thick strands of clouds stretched across the sky, signaling that the storm wasn't about to end any time soon. Most of the prey and predators were hidden in their nests, avoiding the cold rain.

There were those though who were brave enough to move through the rain, ignoring what could cause potential colds. These creatures were used to the rain, as they often came out during this time to hunt or meet with one another. It was safer this way, as most of the predators would be hidden away.

Feline shapes shifted through the undergrowth. Tails flicked across the ferns while they moved at a swift pace. Beads of raindrops hanged from their whiskers. Their pelts were all different shades of colors, from mixtures of gray to patterns of brown. One cat in particular, a brown tabby with amber eyes, was making his way towards a gully. This was where the rainwater collected, though he wasn't afraid of it. Instead he used it to his advantage.

"Are we almost there?" asked a black she-cat. The white streak across her muzzle made her stand out, though she rarely gave an enemy enough time to notice it.

"Can't you hear the whispering?" the brown tabby's ears were angled towards a cut in the ground. "Don't you want to know where it comes from?"

The she-cat's gaze darkened as she saw the look in his eyes. "Riddle, why do you always take me with you? I've done nothing but ridicule you in the past, along with my friends," she hissed.

"Because you are different." The tom's eyes flashed when he gave her a curious look. "You act tough on the outside, but inside you are delicate like a Rose, as your namesake inspires." Amusement filled his gaze when her lips curled. "Don't worry, I have told no one of your true name."

She gave the slightest sigh of relief as she followed him into the small opening. The rain was slowing down, but by now their pelts were soaked. Her whiskers twitched every time she brushed them against the cold ground. Something about this place made her feel uneasy. It felt as though something, or someone was watching her.

Darkness swallowed up Riddle's pelt; by now Rose was following him on pure instinct. Her fur was beginning to stand on end as she realized that he could leave her here to die. The idea was a rather cruel one, and she didn't want to think about it. Instead her thoughts drifted towards the morning's events as they replayed in her mind.

"A few rogues were spotted near the entrance of our valley," one cat had said.

"Are we in danger?" A kit-mother wrapped her tail protectively around her latest litter. All four kits were mewling as they picked up on their mother's fear.

"What if the rogues decide to attack?" an elderly tom had demanded. "We'd be defenseless if they ambushed us."

"Enough!" The largest of the group, a black and brown tabby, had declared for silence. "We shouldn't feel so bent out of shape, just because a couple of rogues have been spotted. These rogues, whoever they are, are no threat to us."

"You would say that, wouldn't you?" A tortoiseshell she-cat's lips were curled in defiance when she glared at her leader.

Rose's mind was churning with thoughts of anger and frustration as she listened to them. She knew how fearful they were of an attack. Kits and elders would be targeted first, seeing as they were the weakest enemies. Her own fear had been realized when she thought of how vulnerable the cats that lived here were. If anything happened to them, they couldn't find help in other areas. The valley was too large for them to find help in time.

"We're here." Rose stiffened when she heard Riddle's voice. It sounded distant and vaguely confused as she pressed forward.

A gasp escaped from her lungs when she saw what loomed ahead.

Why is there light in a cave underground? she wondered. Pale light gleamed within the darkness, causing Riddle's fur to glow eerily. His amber gaze was somber as he stared at the light. Ahead of them was a tree, something that Rose never expected to find underground.

"This place has mystical qualities about it," Riddle murmured as he padded towards the tree. "I can... I can almost feel the cats that have lived here."

She was skeptical at first when he pressed his nose against the base of the tree. She couldn't hear the voices, nor could she feel another presence. Perhaps Riddle really was fogbrained, as her mother had once called him.

With a shake of her head, she padded forward until she saw that his body had grown stiff. Horror coursed through Rose's mind as she realized something terrible had happened to him. Her ears flattened as she sniffed his flank. It felt strangely cold, as if he'd died on the spot.

"He is asleep." Rose's fur stood on end when a throaty voice spoke up. "And he will remain asleep, until the right one comes."

"What do you mean by right one?" Rose tilted her head to one side, still wondering if she should attack this stranger.

"The tree chooses who shall become its protector," the voice replied. "There have been many who came here, asking for advice. Those who enter shall never leave."

Does that mean I won't be able to leave? Fear suddenly overwhelmed Rose as she listened to the stranger's rantings.

"It is the Tree Of Life," the voice continued. "Without it, the valley above would cease to exist."

"Let him go!" Rose surprised herself by screeching at the voice. Normally she was quiet and soft spoken, but this time she couldn't resist. "This... tree of what ever should mind its own business!"

The voice let out a low chuckle that made the ground vibrate. "The Tree Of Life is more than just a tree," the voice whispered. "It is something that cannot be stopped, no matter how hard often you fight against it. It is part of life itself."

By now Rose's muscles were growing weak. She didn't know why - it wasn't like she was running after the voice. Something was causing her mind to grow numb with exhaustion. She couldn't think normally, and any time she spoke her voice grew weaker.

"The Tree Of Life has chosen," the voice said in a strong tone.

Without another reply Rose's body slumped to the ground. Nothing could prevent the agony that coursed through her body. She could only watch as the world slipped away from her vision. All of this just because she'd followed a cat who was considered crazy. Now she would never see her family again. And for once, she regretted doing what her heart had told her.

AN: There you have it... I'm gonna try and make this story even longer than the last one (word wise and length wise). That means updates will be even slower, but you'll also be rewarded with better chapters. This time this story will resolve around two points of view (most of it will be in Sunstorm's, but some will cross another POV). Anyways, hope to see some more reviews!