Prologue A dark grey cat walked over into the leader's den. "I have been waiting for a long time; let me in." he hissed. The other ebony tom in the den said, "There is no need to fight Greytoe. We can't lose one more of the clan's warriors." Greytoe felt a growl building up in his throat. "Then why haven't you been answering me Blackstar? I thought you were leader of DarkClan, or are you?" Blackstar calmly sat down. "If you think of me as your leader or not, then why did you just challenge me whatsoever?" " I don't think I challenged you, Blackstar, it's just that ever since BreezeClan took that piece of land in battle, we have been losing cats from hunger. Pebbleheart, Stonejaw, and Venatorclaw have been sent to MoonClan recently. Don't you agree that we deserve that land, or are you going to let every single cat die; one by one?" Blackstar was angry now. He dug his claws in and out of the earth-thinking of the cats who found this land-as if to tell his warrior ancestors, look at what you have done! He thought of Pebbleheart, how she smiled as she had his kits. How even through the worst pain, she would smile and say "It will be okay." Well this time, it wasn't okay! He stood up and his fur was bristling. Why had no one told him his mate was gone?! Navyfur, the medicine cat walked in, "They just died. Stonejaw died a few seconds ago and Pebbleheart and Venatorclaw died earlier today. We will hold a vigil for Stonejaw, Pebbleheart, and Venatorclaw tonight.", he meowed. Blackstar started thinking about the poor kit, Twistedkit, who was Pebblehearts' only kit. The others had died shortly after birth. Then, a voice came to him. Blackstar closed his eyes. Blackstar, Blackstar. Open your eyes. Blackstar opened them. He gasped. "Pebbleheart?" "Yes Blackstar. I come to let you know that I am okay… Do you understand? "Yes Pebbleheart. I understand." "And please get another mate." "But Pebbleheart, I-I " Pebbleheart silenced him with her tail. "Please Blackstar. I want you to. Now, go back to your clan. They are in a time of need." Pebbleheart started to fade away. Blackstar was calm again. "As I was saying Blackstar, I think that we should plan an attack on BreezeClan.", urged Greytoe. Blackstar stood, still thinking of Pebblehearts face. "I shall consider this, you are dismissed."
