"Come on," I said, nudging my sister Sunpool. "We're almost at the Gathering."

My name is Shadeleaf. I'm a new warrior.

I settled myself at the edge of the island. Nobody seemed very talkative this evening. I personally was too hungry to chat with my usual friends from Windclan, and eager to hear what the leaders had to say this evening.

"Nothing new in Shadowclan", said Purplestar, the Shadowclan leader. "We are still having difficulties with prey, Twolegs, and our forest. The trees keep falling, we can't tell why." I had always admired Purplestar for her kindness and forthcomingness, but today she just looked awful. Windclan and Riverclan had similar reports.

Finally it was Swiftstar's, the leader of Thunderclan, turn to speak. She stepped forward, looking weak and pained. "Thunderclan-has had it-especially difficult. We do not know why," she managed to get out before collapsing to the ground. Our medicine cat, Flowerleaf, rushed forward to catch her. "I do," Flowerleaf said in her sweet voice. "Starclan has spoken. They will bring us something, in these dark times, to help." There was a great muttering among the cats. Wouldn't Starclan have already stepped in if they could?

As if in response, a cat with starry fur stepped seemingly from the air.