PROLOGUE

Emberstar

The dusk breeze filled the air, making the bushes rustle quietly. Two cats trotted through tall grass silently. One, a flame colored tom, heavily scarred from a battle, the other, a white she-cat with black spots who was unharmed. " Emberblaze," meowed the white one, "you are not fit to travel to Moon Stream in your condition. After all you didn't get your wounds tended to by me yet. The clan already lost Blazester in the battle. I don't want to lose you too. Let's turn back."

" No, Brightshadow-" the flame colored one coughed, "If DarkClan is to attack again my clan will need me to lead them." Emberblaze broke out in another cough. Brightshadow stopped next to Emberblaze. "At least lean against me to save your strength." Brightshadow urged. Emberblaze let out a grunt of pain and leaned against Brightshadow. They walked until they reached Stoney Cave. Emberblaze felt himself tremble a bit. Brightshadow seamed to notice, "I'll be with you the whole time," she mewed soothingly. They headed in the cave, Emberblaze seamed to feel less scared as they went deeper in. Then he saw a shimmering steam that seemed to light the cavern. He felt a sharp pain in his shoulder as he tried to lie down. Luckily Brightshadow was there to stop him from tilting. "Take it easy there," She whispered as she helped him lay down, "now touch your nose to the water and let the water drift you to sleep." She instructed. Emberblaze felt tense again, I'll be with you the whole time. He remembered what Brightshadow said. Let the water drift you to sleep. Emberblaze loosened and sleep wash over him.

Where am I?

" Welcome to StarClan Emberblaze," Emberblaze turned around.

" B-Blazestar?" Emberblaze mewed, "it is you! How are you?"

" I told you I'd see you again." Blazestar said, " Emberblaze I'm proud of you, you have huge battle scars and yet you still came because you knew you clan needed you," Blazestar meowed with pride, " I'm wouldn't be disappointed to call you my son, but can you handle the nine lives?"

Emberblaze gulped, " Yes," he mewed, " I can." I hope.

Emberblaze saw all different cats most he knew.

The first to approach was a slim queen with ginger patches, "Spottedsun, is that you?"

"Yes my beloved mate," she answered, "with this life I give you wisdom, use it to lead your clan well when times are tough." Emberblaze felt a small sting in his body as he received this life.

"Thank you Spottedsun." Emberblaze murmured.

Next was a broad-shouldered tabby,

"Hawktalon, brother." Emberblaze exclaimed.

"With this life I give you faith, when you feel there is no hope you will need it to keep going." This life felt like a poisonous thorn and agony shot through his body and left him gasping as the pain ebbed away.

"Thank you, Hawktalon." Emberblaze whispered.

Then he saw a small apprentice approach him. Foxpax. My son.

"With this life I give you compassion," mewed the apprentice, " like a medicine cat compassion use it to help keep in mind of those who need you most." This life felt powerful and painful at the same time. Then the pain turned into a soothing wave. At the corner of his eye he saw Brightshadow sigh in relief. He saw a shadowy figure approaching, at first he didn't make out the scent but then realized it was his mother Stormcloud.

"Oh my precious kit," she said her voice filled with love, "With this life I give you caring, use it well to protect your clanmates and understand there concerns." She urged. This life felt warm and loving and made Emberblaze calm.

Stormcloud, I'll try.

As Stormcloud walked back to the group Emberblaze saw a muscular tom approach him.

"Hello Emberblaze," he meowed, "I'm Rushstar, a former FireClan leader."

"Yes I remember the story my mother told me," Emberblaze exclaimed, "You were the on who fought alone against the entire Earthclan to save us. We will always honor you."

"Yes," Rushstar said, "I knew I had to stop them before they reached my clan so they wouldn't get harmed. So with this life I give you judgment, so you treat all cat equally." He declared. Emberblaze felt a bolt of lightning strike him and his fur stood on ends.

"Thank you." Emberblaze gasped. Can I really stand the next four lives?

"Emberblaze nice to see you again." Emberblaze heard. "You have grown."

Emberblaze gasped, "Rushingwater! It's you!" Rushingwater was Emberblaze's favorite elder when he was a kit.

"Right on the first guess," she said, "you always were a smart tom. This is my life to you, to be able to handle the burden of your clan. If you are able to then there will be no question you will be a great leader." Emberblaze felt a sharp sting all over him, he forced it down and it transformed in to a gentle, soothing breeze.

I can handle this burden.

Blazestar stepped forward. "My life to you is for peace." He announced, "Use it to protect your clan from harm." This life felt as if it made his battle scars burn more as if it meant if he didn't maintain peace more blood will be spilled.

"I will do my best to prevent these harms." He vowed to Blazestar. The leader nodded and step back into the ring. Next he saw a beautiful silver tabby she–cat walking towards him. "Silverwater! Thanks to you the prey came back to the forest."

"Yes," she meowed, "I had to find out what was taking the prey and starving my clan, so with my life I give you curiosity, to learn what is beyond the territory. Never back down on the chance to learn something more." Emberblaze winced at the scorch of pain that sliced though him. He staggered and dug his claws in to the ground to hold himself up. He gasped for air as the pain ebbed away.

Who is going to give me my last life?

Emberblaze saw a broad – shouldered figure step out of the ring. Flametail. Father.

"My son," Flametail purred, "I'm so proud of you, my life is for doing the right however hard it may be." This life gripped Emberblaze's stomach with agony. He dug his claws into the ground even more to steady himself, " I know all you ever wanted was to do the right things for your clan." Flametail rasped.

Thank you.

"Emberstar! Emberstar!" cheered the Starclan cats cheered. Emberstar saw all the cats cheer for him. Suddently, darkness covered the sky and Emberstar heard a voice.

There is a force not even StarClan can control.

"Who are you?" Emberstar demanded. But the voice went on.

It will pierce through the center of all clans. Its darkness can only be conquered by the chosen four. Emberstar saw a field stained with the blood of and heard moaning of the battered cats. The cats were having their lives drained from them. Some were still battling viciously ripping each other apart.

"No!" Emberstar yowled, "Stop!" But the battle just went on and the cats didn't seem to notice. He tried to thrust himself into the battle, but he just seemed to be getting nowhere. "Stop!"

Emberstar awoke and looked around himself bewildered.

"Emberstar what happened?" Brightflower asked. But Emberstar was in such shock that he didn't even hear. " Emberstar, It's okay," he heard the familiar soothing voice of Brightflower, "I saw the ceremony was disturbed. What happened?" Emberstar was still frantic staring everywhere at once. "Emberstar look at me." Emberstar stared at Brightshadow with wild eyes, "It's okay, you're back. Tell me what's wrong." She urged. Emberstar realized he was in Stony Cave and loosened his muscles.

"I heard a cat-" he began, interrupted by a cough, "It was like he was telling me a prophecy."

"Can you tell me more?" Brightflower mewed with worried eyes.

Emberstar fixed his eyes on her. "Sorry Brightshadow, but I can't talk about it right now." Brightshadow looked at him with an even more worried face.

"Okay, but if you feel the need to talk to some cat I will be here to listen." Brightshadow murmured. "In the mean while when we get back to camp, should I look at your wounds they look deep, I need to make sure there not infected." Then she added, "I should also give you something for shock, and maybe some poppy seeds to help you rest, also your throat must be hurting after all that coughing. I will give you some honey."

"Thank you Brightshadow." Emberstar rasped.

Brightshadow stood up, "Let's go back to camp. Let me help you help you up." Emberstar leaned against Brightshadow and stood up too.

What did that prophecy mean? Emberstar thought. Is disaster coming to the clans? I have so many questions, but I do know I have to find the four, but how?

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