'Tis what you've all been waiting for! :D I'm actually STARTING the REAL story! YAAAAAY! Enjoy!


~Solarwing's POV~

Squirrelstar is dead.

Solarwing turned that thought over in her mind. Squirrelstar, the noble leader, daughter of the great Firestar that Solarwing had only heard of in stories. She had just returned from a large battle with four foxes, bloody and limping. But she was shocked that Squirrelstar was just… gone. She hadn't expected her lives to be done yet.

Lionblaze, her deputy who was now ThunderClan's new leader, trudged past Solarwing into camp, his head and tail drooping. He dragged a limp gray body along with him, her tail trailing on the dusty forest floor. His mate Cinderheart had also died in the gruesome battle from a large gash in her belly that wouldn't stop bleeding. Solarwing remembered the look of horror and agony on Lionblaze's face as he crouched beside Cinderheart, watching the life bleed out of her. She shuddered. She would never have wished that kind of pain on anybody, especially not her loyal deputy and friend.

She ducked into the heart of ThunderClan behind Lionblaze, joining the forming circle around Squirrelstar and Cinderheart's bodies. Lionblaze had to name the new deputy now, as it was almost moonhigh. "I say these words before the bodies of Squirrelstar and Cinderheart, so their spirits may hear and approve my choice." He was saying as Solarwing sat down. "Dovewing will be the new deputy of ThunderClan." No cat looked surprised at Lionblaze's decision; Dovewing was a kind, natural born leader who could make good choices for her Clan. She stepped forward, her light gray pelt glowing in the moonlight.

"Thank you, Lionblaze. I promise to serve you and ThunderClan as loyally as I can." She mewed softly. Lionblaze's shoulders shook with another sob; Solarwing wasn't sure he had even heard Dovewing's words. It was obvious he was still grieving for Cinderheart. Briarlight lugged herself out of her den with Speckleleaf right behind her. "All wounded cats meet me in my den." She ordered. "And that means you too, Berrynose." She added, seeing the cream-colored senior warrior about to protest. Solarwing waited until the others had followed Briarlight into the den, and then followed. Speckleleaf padded up to her.

"Are you alright?" she asked, lapping quickly at a thin scratch down her sister's shoulder. "I'm fine. It stopped bleeding after a few minutes. Just give me something and I'll be on my way." Solarwing replied. Speckleleaf gave her a half smile and disappeared deeper into the medicine den, reappearing a heartbeat later with a bit of marigold. She chewed it into a poultice and rubbed it gently onto Solarwing's wound. The annoying sting evaporated from the scratch, and Solarwing sighed in relief. "Thank you." She murmured, briefly touching her nose to her sister's ear. She bounded out of the den and into the warriors' den, settling into her nest right away. She let sleep envelop her in its warm, gentle blanket.

She opened her eyes and stood hesitantly. She was surrounded by fog in a place she didn't recognize. Four huge oaks towered over her, and to her left there was a giant boulder. Then she gasped. This was Fourtrees! She'd heard about this place from Sorreltail and Brackenfur, some of the elders. And that was the Great Rock! She longed to leap on top of it, but didn't because she wasn't a leader. "You can go on it. This place is long gone by now." A voice behind her made Solarwing whip around. A flame-colored tom with strong green eyes stared at her calmly. Her eyes widened. "By… by any chance would you be…?" "Firestar?" The tom finished her sentence for her. "Yes, it's me." Solarwing gaped, shocked. She was meeting Firestar!

"Is it really you?" She breathed. Firestar chuckled. "Yes. I have come, Solarwing, to give you a message. Or rather, a request." Solarwing nodded. "Anything, Firestar! What do you have to tell me?" Firestar took a deep breath, like it was hard for him to say. "There is a fifth Clan." Solarwing cocked her head. Then she nodded. "Oh, right. StarClan." But Firestar shook his head. Solarwing narrowed her eyes. What could Firestar be talking about?

"There is a fifth Clan that Sandstorm and I recreated long ago. It is called SkyClan. Many, many seasons before you or I were born, SkyClan was driven out of its territory by Twolegs and the other Clans. They settled in a gorge about three days trip from the forest territory, but they were beaten in battle after battle by rats and were forced to split apart. Sandstorm and I went there to reform SkyClan, and now it is strong. But dark times are coming to SkyClan, and we need you to bring them to the lake where they belong. If you don't succeed, SkyClan could be lost forever."

Solarwing was shocked. SkyClan? What was that? She'd never heard of it, and now she was expected to save it? "I… I don't understand, Firestar." She mewed. Firestar nodded. "You may not at first. But please… SkyClan needs your help to survive." Solarwing straightened up. She couldn't let Firestar, or this SkyClan, down. "I'll do it." She meowed. "I'll help save SkyClan." Firestar's gaze brightened. "Thank you. You will be traveling with cats from WindClan, RiverClan, and ShadowClan to complete this mission. Meet them at the GatheringIsland two days after you wake up. And, most importantly: Do not tell anyone about this."

Solarwing dipped her head. "I won't let you down, Firestar. I promise." Firestar smiled. "I know. Goodbye, Solarwing." With these words, Firestar's image evaporated.

Solarwing snapped awake. Her heart was pounding. She couldn't believe what she'd just been told to do. Well, you have to. She told herself. You have to do this. Sitting up, she smiled to herself. She was ready.


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~CatDragon726