Chapter 1

Swiftkit opened one eye sleepily. The frosty glare of dawn greeted him, its orange and pink light making the camp glow. Swiftkit rose to his paws, and shoved his brother, "Stonekit! C'mon lets go ask father if he'll let us see the mountains again!"

Stonekit stifled a yawn, "The Mountains are boring. Running in the forest is much more fun!"

Swiftkit was shocked. Both their parents were Mountain-chasers, and that was what he wanted to be. He loved the clear skies, leaping from rock to rock, and learning to use the huge rocks up there in combat. Stonekit trotted out of the nursery with him, and they watched the dawn patrol of warriors. Hollypaw padded out of the apprentice den, and yawned, "Larkwing why do we always go on the dawn patrol?"

Larkwing scolded, "Be quiet! We are going to assess Snowpaw and Wolfpaw."

The two older apprentices waited eagerly for Skystar to emerge from his den, while Stormwater called, "Any patrols I can go on?"

"Yes," Lightningfang turned to him, "You can take Crowwhisker and his apprentice."

The patrol gathered, and Swiftkit raced over, "Father! Can I come?"

Stormwater glanced at Skystar, and the leader dipped his head in approval. "Make sure you keep up with the patrol!" Crowwhisker warned.

Stormwater called, "Stonekit! Want to tag along?"

Stonekit flattened his ears, and asked Hawkfeather, "Can I watch?"

Hawkfeather sighed, "Not today little one, we need only senior warriors for the assessment." He pricked his ears, "But it looks like Firesong and Owltail are headed out."

Stonekit brightened, and raced after the warriors. Swiftkit trailed behind Pebblepaw as the patrol filed out. It had rained during the night, and the slick rocks were barely visible through the fog. "Careful," Stormwater nudged him, "It's slick here."

"It's alright father," Swiftkit reassured the warrior, "I can-,"

Before he could finish, Crowwhisker doubled back, and shrieked, "Mudslide!"

Stormwater grabbed Swiftkit by the scruff, and hauled him behind an ancient rock blanketed in lichen. The thick liquid dirt poured down the mountainside, hauling with it anything in its path. Stormwater growled nervously, "Where's Crowwhisker?"

Suddenly, Pebblepaw emerged from the mudslide, and collapsed on the path. Stormwater rushed to her side, and helped her to stand. She spat out some mud, and turned back to the river of mud, "I can't find Crowwhisker!"

Stormwater ordered, "You need a medicine cat. Go back to camp, and tell Lightningfang to send Mountain-chasers!"

Pebblepaw flicked her ears and dashed off, leaving Stormwater calling, "Crowwhisker! Can you hear me?"

Swiftkit glanced up at the source of the avalanche, and saw a river's side had burst. He nudged Stormwater, "There's a river!"

Stormwater glanced at his son, his expression clouded with worry. He nosed Swiftkit back to the main path, and asked, "Can you get back to camp on your own?"

"I want to stay and help!" Swiftkit protested.

A flicker of pride danced through Stormwater's eyes, and he purred, "You'll be a fine Mountain-chaser one day. But for now you're only four moons old."

Swiftkit opened his mouth to protest, but Stormwater pushed him, "Now, go!"

The trail had gotten slicker by the time Swiftkit skirted the bend, and the camp entrance came into view. He spotted Birchpelt and Ebonystep rushing towards the mudslide, Lightningfang, Hawkfeather, and Poppyleaf at their heels. Swiftkit leapt in front of Ebonystep, who came to a skittering halt. Lightningfang demanded, "Where's Stormwater?"

"Um, about halfway up the mountain. He's trying to find Crowwhisker!" Swiftkit panted.

Lightningfang nodded at Hawkfeather, and the warrior grabbed Swiftkit's scruff. Swiftkit squirmed and protested, "I can walk!"

Hawkfeather ignored him, and bounded back to the camp. Eaglewing was frantically pacing the clearing, Stonekit at her side. Hawkfeather set down Swiftkit, and bounded away. Stonekit spotted his brother, and yowled, "Swiftkit's home!"

The peace was broken. Cats swarmed around Swiftkit, demanding news. Eaglewing barged her way to the front, and began licking Swiftkit's ears. She paused and asked, "Is your father safe?"

"I-I don't know. He told me to back to camp, and I saw him pacing the edge of the mudslide."

Eaglewing shook her head, and murmured, "So few of us."

She looked up, and declared, "I'm going to help. They'll need every Mountain-chaser they can get!"

Skystar rose to his paws, and growled, "No. You're a fine Mountain-chaser, but you also have kits who need you."

"Let her go, Skystar. I will take care of those two." Rasped Ivypool from outside the elders' den.

Eaglewing shot her a grateful glance, and whispered to Swiftkit and Stonekit, "I won't be long. Ask Jayfeather to tell you a story about the four clans!"

The gray queen dashed off, and Ivypool limped over to Swiftkit. She purred, "Come into our den. Jayfeather will tell you a story!"

Stonekit shoved his brother, "Race you there!"

Swiftkit sighed, and tore after his brother. He was glad to be inside when it started to rain. It started as a light shower, and proceeded to fire in collected masses. Jayfeather grumbled irritably, "If we were in Thunderclan the trees would've protected us."

"Thunderclan?" Stonekit prodded Jayfeather with his tail, "What's a Thunderclan?"

Jayfeather purred, "Thunderclan was a great, strong clan. In fact, Skystar's father, Acornleap was Bramblestar and Squirrelflight's son. Bramblestar was a great leader, but Rowanstar made harsh decisions which cost many fine warriors their lives," he lowered his head, "Even, Echowish."

"Who's Echowish?" Swiftkit asked as he nestled into Jayfeather's nest.

The old cat brightened, "She was like my mate. But I was a medicine cat. It was forbidden. But she stayed my truest friend until the day she died, and Mistystar lead the remaining cats here, where they divided into a way of life they pictured to be easier, Sunclan and Moonclan."

Swiftkit listened as Jayfeather droned on, and on about the new warriors and territory. But he was deeply impressed that Jayfeather had endured so much. "And," Jayfeather added, "You're grandfather was Lionblaze. One of the greatest and strongest cats I've ever known. He was also my brother."

Swiftkit was deeply impressed, and he secretly thought to himself, one day, I will be a great cat too.