Prologue: 24 YBO (Years Before Origin)

"Three years. Three years of training and practice—for what? She's throwing it all away!"

Blackfeather walked at a brisk pace, growling more to himself than to his long-dead mentor, Sedgeheart.

The vast moor of StarClan was a vibrant green, with lush grass covering every dip and hill. Small, purple flowers bowed in the light breeze, and the shadowy outline of a rabbit could be seen darting under a gorse bush. The soft glow of moonlight rested on the landscape. Normally, Blackfeather would be more appreciative of the flourishing territory. But the beauty was hardly noticed by him now.

Sedgeheart spoke softly, just as she had in life, "The girl feels guilty. You know that. In her mind, she's already failed as a medicine holder."

"Of course, I know that," Blackfeather replied. Despite himself, his anger washed away. All that remained was a feeling of loss and pity.

It truly hadn't been Sootpaw's fault that her sister drowned. From what he understood, the two apprentices had been playing in the lake. Their love of the water was odd, but the girls had always enjoyed splashing around and finding shiny pebbles. Something had gone wrong this time. Sootpaw claimed that something had caught around her leg, and she'd become to drown. Her sister, Wrenpaw, had dived underwater and freed her, allowing a warrior to get her out safely.

Wrenpaw had not been so lucky.

Blackfeather had been the one to inform his apprentice, soon after she awoke the next day— that her sister had died. The look on Sootpaw's face had broken his heart. Of course, the girl's mother had done nothing to help the situation. Whitewillow was happy to blame her only surviving child for Wrenpaw's death.

How Blackfeather wished he could throw her into the lake.

"I just wish she didn't feel the need to abandon her calling," Blackfeather sighed mournfully, "She's such a talented healer. Only three years in, yet she knows every herb and most procedures. How can she possibly be a warrior?"

"She'll be good at whatever she puts her mind to," Sedgeheart affirmed. Blackfeather looked up, turning his gaze to her. His mentor's long red hair swirled around her, shimmering as if stars filled every strand. Her glittering eyes were the color of sunrise, and filled with wisdom. She continued, "Even at motherhood."

"Motherhood?" Blackfeather questioned. Sootpaw was only thirteen years old; hardly an age where she should be thinking about kits.

Sedgeheart nodded, "I know you worry for her. The bond between a mentor and apprentice is like that of a parent and child. But you must understand that this was fate. Sootpaw is not destined to be a medicine holder. She has a great destiny ahead of her, and so does her child."

Blackfeather frowned. He didn't like was Sedgeheart was telling him, but she was a part of StarClan. What she said had to be true. The thought of his apprentice having something great in her future lifted his spirits somewhat, but he still worried. Sedgeheart had not said whether or not Sootpaw would want what laid ahead for her.

"It won't be easy," Sedgeheart added, almost as if she'd read his thoughts.

"Her life's been hard enough already," Blackfeather said, feeling the protective edge in his voice.

The landscape began to fade, taking his mentor with it. The dream was ending.

"And it will only get harder," the woman replied, her voice growing distant, "She'll have to find the strength to continue on. Trust her, Blackfeather."

Blackfeather watched as Sedgeheart slowly vanished, her form fading into the darkness that surrounded them. There was much he still wanted to ask her. What exactly was it that Sootpaw was destined for? What obstacles would she have to face? But soon, his mentor was gone, and Blackfeather's attention was caught by movement in the corner of his eye.

As StarClan's grounds continued to grow fainter, he watched a single, large feather drift leisurely to the ground. He immediately recognized it as a hawk feather.

StarClan has hawks? he pondered, focusing on the quill at his feet. Strangely, the feather was completely black. Hesitantly, he knelt down and picked it up. His fingers were immediately darkened by whatever was on the feather.

His eyes snapped open, and he was greeted by the familiar sight of the Moonpool, which glimmered as early sunlight met its waters. He lifted a hand to wipe his eyes, and was shocked to see that his fingers were still coated in some sort of black powder.

All at once, he realized what it was.

Soot.

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A/N: The story has begun, my friends. I hope you enjoyed the prologue!

As always, please remember to review! Feedback motivates me to continue writing!

And please vote on my poll as well! It will help determine what I write next!

Fun-Fact: Blackfeather's brother, Silverstone, is Sootpaw's warrior mentor.

Later, my lovelies~!

- Tina