Hey everyone, so I'm starting another story, and I know what you're thinking.

FINISH THE ONES YOU ALREADY HAVE.

Well, I am working on that, I promise, but I really liked this idea so I've decided I'm going to do it.

I hope you like it! :)

Disclaimer: I do not own Warriors. I only own this story and my OCs.


Prologue

A light mist was settled around a pool of water. Moonlight shone gently onto the tiny, sparkling waves as they lapped against the pool's shore. The bushes surrounding the pool rustled as a hefty orange tomcat weaved his way through and came to stand at the edge of the pool. He stared into the water, his green gaze uncertain but determined.

He had only crouched there for a few heartbeats when a second sound rose from the undergrowth behind him. His ear twitched as a beautiful silver she-cat came to sit beside him. "Thunder," she purred, nuzzling him with her nose. The tom looked at her, affection in his eyes. "I have been Thunderstar for season after season, Storm," he replied, leaning into her. "I know," the she-cat murmured. "But you will always be my Thunder. After all these seasons, I still wish I could have been with you as you grew up." Thunderstar smiled. "I was raised well anyway. At least we are together now." Storm nodded, giving her son's ear a quick lap. She then stood and gazed at him warily.

"Are we sure about this? I don't think we quite know what we're getting into." Thunderstar's gaze returned to the shimmering water. "You're right. We don't. But I witnessed too many unnecessary deaths when I was alive, and if we can give these young cats another chance… I want to." "But how will you do it? Will you do what you did with Cinderpelt and Cinderheart?" "No. That was a mistake. For a lot of her life, Cinderheart wasn't able to be her own cat. I don't want to ruin that for some cat else. I am going to return these young cats to the Clans their own age, and with all of their memories. They will still be the same cats. I don't want to take anything away from them." "You haven't tried this before, have you?" "No, but I plan on using the Moonpool to send them back. I don't think anything will go wrong, but… we'll just have to hope for the best."

Storm stared at Thunderstar, whose eyes were still averted from her. "'Hope for the best'? I don't know if they'll like the sound of that, Thunder." Storm shifted her paws uneasily. The orange tom's eyes narrowed. "Maybe not. However, they are the ones who have chosen to do this. I am not making them do anything." "They're awfully brave," Storm mewed, a quiet admiration in her tone. "Yes, and-"

"Thunderstar?" A new voice called. The two cats turned to see a wiry brown she-cat pushing her way through the bushes with a young light brown she-cat at her side. They both had wary golden eyes, but the younger one had a darker brown chest, paws, and ears. "Windstar," Thunderstar greeted her, dipping his head. "Who is this?" "My name is Swiftpaw," the young she-cat replied. Thunderstar's purr caught in his throat as he remembered ThunderClan's Swiftpaw, a spunky black-and-white tom who had also died at a young age. However, he had not wanted to be returned to the Clans yet. "It's good to meet you. We're just waiting for the others."

"We're here, Thunderstar. And we're ready." Yet another voice spoke up from the shadows. A tall black she-cat guiding a small black-and-gray tom emerged from them and went to stand beside Swiftpaw. "Greetings, Shadowstar." Thunderstar meowed. "This is Shadepaw," The black she-cat told him. The black-and-gray tom nodded, sharp brown eyes blinking up at Thunderstar.

A few moments later, a silvery tom joined them with a silver-and-white she-cat padding behind him. "Hello everyone," The tom purred coolly. "Meet Nettlepaw." The smallish she-cat dipped her head nervously, slightly intimidated at being in the presence of the first ever leaders of the Clans.

Suddenly, a quiet thud sounded from behind the cats. They turned to see two cats crouched close to the ground, having jumped from the trees. One was a medium-sized light gray tom with calculating blue eyes. Next to him was a smaller golden-colored tom with a white chest, underbelly, and paws. His green eyes were focused on his leader, wondering what to do next. "Skystar." Thunderstar muttered, avoiding his father's gaze. "Thunderstar. Thank you for bringing us here. I've brought Birdpaw with me." Skystar meowed, brushing his tail across the golden tom's back. Thunderstar nodded and turned back to the pool. His own Clanmate would be arriving any moment now.

"Thunderstar!" A young voice gasped behind him, and paws landed softly next to him. He turned his head to see Leafpaw, a tortoiseshell-and-white she-cat with golden-brown eyes. "I'm sorry I'm late," she panted, giving her paw a lick. Thunderstar chuckled. "You're not. In fact, you're right on time. Everyone gather around the Moonpool, please."

The cats did so, each apprentice next to their Clan leader. Thunderstar took a deep breath and slowly lowered one paw into the glittering water. The iciness surrounded his fur, sending a strange chill shooting up his leg. In an instant he was used to it, and embraced the ice flowing through his limbs, making him feel stronger. He instructed the other leaders to do the same and the apprentices watched in awe. Thunderstar closed his eyes and began muttering words under his breath, and the other leaders did the same. Storm stood to the side, watching calmly as if nothing fazed her, when really she was nervous.

Suddenly, a bright light exploded from the pool and shot up past the treetops. Glimmering lights swirled around all the cats, the apprentices not daring to move. Thunderstar opened his eyes and turned to look at the apprentices. "When you get to the Clans, tell them only the first part of your names. They will not recognize you since you belonged to them long, long ago. But do not fear; you will be accepted and you will be taught in the ways of whatever you choose. You will finally get your chance to really be a Clan cat. Remember that we are always with you, and good luck. Go now, before the light dies."

The apprentices glanced at each other, still not wanting to move. And then, suddenly, Shadepaw stood and leaped into the pool. His tail disappeared, and he did not resurface. Shadowstar smiled, pride lighting her eyes. Birdpaw jumped in after him, and Nettlepaw slid in next. Leafpaw and Swiftpaw gazed at each other for a moment. Swiftpaw nodded, and they both dove into the water at the same time, their pelts vanishing under the waves. And all at once, the light flickered and died.

Thunderstar's gaze was still on the pool. He felt a tail touch his shoulder and looked to see Storm at his side. "I hope this works," he sighed. Storm nudged him. "It will. You'll see. It's like you said: We are giving these cats another chance." Thunderstar nodded and lay beside the pool with his mother while the rest of the leaders bounded away, wonder in their eyes and hope in their hearts.

None of them noticed a certain cat watching from a tree, darkness emitting from his tangled pelt. His sharp eyes blinked and, without a sound, he tore away towards the Dark Forest.


DUN DUN DUNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN!

Haha, I hope you enjoyed the prologue! If you did, a review, follow, or favorite would be very appreciated.

Thanks for reading!

-Cat