Chapter 5: Long Shot

Icepaw slipped in to the medicine den, moonlight shown through the cracks of the walls. Stormstrike was looming over Liongrowl, herbs at his paws. Icepaw told Stormstrike about what had occurred at the gathering. Exhaustion tugged at her paws but every time she tried to sleep, all she could see was Mosswing's lifeless body, dull eyes glaring at her.

Icepaw slunk over to her nest in the corner of the medicine den and curled herself into a tight ball. For awhile she just laid there, listening to Stormstrike sort through herbs. Eventually, sleep wrapped itself around her. Icepaw padded onward, she recognized this place immediately. EarthClan territory. Mist surrounded her and it was impossible to see what was up ahead. She had to go by memory. She padded through the mist-filled forest, occasionally stumbling into a tree or tripping over fallen branches.

Then she entered the camp. Except none of her clanmates were there, only a distinct tortoiseshell pelt. This was how the dream went every time, and Icepaw was forced to relive it in her dreams. She padded up to the tortoiseshell pelt, once known as Mosswing. Mosswing's dull eyes sent a chill down her spine. Icepaw knew she could have saved Mosswing, but instead she went to AirClan and saved their deputy, Daisypool.

If only I had stayed. Icepaw heard a faint moan. The only cats in the forest clearing were her and Mosswing. Suddenly, Mosswing's body came to life and leaped at Icepaw, pinning her to the ground. "It's your fault I'm dead, all your fault!" She snarled and sank her teeth into her throat. Icepaw gasped and raised her head to see Stormstrike glaring at her, amber eyes wide with concern. "Are you okay?"

"I-I'm fine," Icepaw meowed, refusing to meet his gaze.

"Let's go for a walk," he said, getting to his paws and heading out of the medicine den. Leaving Icepaw no choice but to follow him. The night breeze ruffled her fur. No cat was in the forest clearing except for Ravenfrost who was guarding the entrance of the camp.

"Where are you to going?" Ravenfrost challenged.

"We're going for a walk. Icepaw can't sleep," Stormstrike mewed.

"Okay, but be careful." Ravenfrost called after them. Icepaw followed Stormstrike into the forest, owls hooted in the distance. They made their way deeper into the forest. He stopped so suddenly Icepaw almost ran into him. "You can tell me, you know? Whatever it is," his voice was soft. Icepaw sighed, "It's about Mosswing and-"

Icepaw cut herself off as a familiar scent wafted over her. Russetpaw.

Her scent was fresh and clung to a clump of yew bushes. What was Russetpaw doing here?

Stormstrike didn't seem to notice and continued on. "You aren't to blame for Mosswing's death. If anyone should be blamed it's me."

Icepaw opened her mouth to protest but he interrupted again, "You're to hard on yourself, Icepaw. You are young. Of course you're going to make some mistakes. You can't save them all." Stormstrike said, his eyes filled with understanding.

"No. Mosswing is not the only that is bothering me. At the Moonpool StarClan sent me a warning- a prophecy. Icepaw whispered, " A terrible plague will sweep through the clans, the only way out of the darkness is to move together towards the light."

"StarClan said that to you," Stormstrike questioned eyes wide.

Icepaw nodded. "Every Clan has some sick cats, but the leaders at the gathering all dismissed the danger."

"We need to inform Sorrelstar," Stormstrike concluded.

"Do you think she would even believe me. I'm just an apprentice."

"I believe you and Sorrelstar will to," determination edged his voice.

"Thanks, Stormstrike," Icepaw whispered, her voice barely audible. Together they headed back to camp.


Dawn light made the pond in the center of the camp glow. Most of the clan was awake by now, crowding around Treeflower who was assigning patrols. The queens were laying in the shade of the old elm tree. And Redfern and Pantherheart were sharing tongues outside of the elders den. Icepaw bounded up the rocks that led up to Sorrelstar's den, Stormstrike behind her.

The stone felt smooth underpaw and there were carvings of ancient EarthClan leaders imprinted in it. Icepaw stopped just outside of Sorrelstar's den. Stormstrike gently nudged her forward. Surprise lighted Sorrelstar's gaze when she saw Icepaw and Stormstrike at the entrance of her den.

"What is it?" Sorrelstar mewed, beckoning with her tail for the two of them to come further inside. Icepaw looked to Stormstrike who nodded encouragingly. "I received a prophecy," Icepaw blurted out.

"Really? I have been hoping our warrior ancestors would send some sign- anything to explain the sickness cats have been coming down with." Sorrelstar exclaimed, relief filled her mew.

"They told me: A terrible plague will sweep through the clans, the only way out of the darkness is to move together towards the light." Icepaw quoted.

"Terrible darkness? What does that mean?" Sorrelstar murmured. "And why did StarClan send you a sign instead of Stormstrike?"

Stormstrike stepped forward, "Because she is special."

Icepaw looked down at her paws she didn't feel very special, only uncomfortable.

"Every clan has reported cats being sick, surely this is no coincidence. I will send a message to the other clan leaders to meet me tomorrow at moonhigh." Sorrelstar meowed.

"That's a-" Icepaw began, but Sorrelstar cut her off.

"Icepaw, I want you to accompany me."

"Why me?"

"Because you are the one who received the prophecy. You can it explain it to the other leaders."

Icepaw was about to protest but Sorrelstar was her leader. So, instead, she simply dipped her head.

"Great! Get some rest we leave at moonhigh," Sorrelstar ordered.

Moonlight lit the medicine den. Icepaw rustled in her nest. She couldn't get any sleep which was almost always the case. Stormstrike's dark gray pelt flashed at the edge of her vision. "It's time for you to go. Sorrelstar is waiting for you at the entrance." Icepaw wearily got to her paws and padded out into the forest clearing, which happened to be their camp. "Are you ready?" Sorrelstar whispered, careful not to wake up the clan. "I told Treeflower to take care of the clan while I'm gone." Icepaw nodded and followed her leader out of the camp and into the night. The ground was still damp from when it had rained earlier.

The trees began to thin out and Icepaw realized they were heading towards the island where they went for gatherings. Sorrelstar leaped gracefully onto the tree-bridge and walked across. Icepaw dug her claws into the tree bark and slowly went across. They were the only ones here. After what had seemed like moons. They ferns rustled behind them and out stepped Brackenstar and Rosedapple. Twisterstar appeared with Dovesong and Wolfpaw. Moonstar was the last to arrive; Otterpelt, Rainpaw and Brooksplash with her. She was the only cat to bring her deputy. "What is this all about?" Brackenstar mewed.

"Icepaw has received a prophecy," Sorrelstar began.

Icepaw stepped forward assuming it was time for her to explain. "A terrible plague will sweep through the clans, the only way out of the darkness is to move together towards the light." Icepaw quoted. Rosedapple, who had been sitting next to her, suddenly flinched her leaf-green eyes unreadable.

"What does that mean?" Moonstar asked.

"It must have something to do with the sick cats." Twisterstar meowed.

"Yes, but what does it mean?" Brackenstar questioned.

"We will have to come together, if were are going to find a cure," Icepaw breathed, feeling oddly sure of herself.

"The issue is mostly high fever," Dovesong said.

"Ultimately, feverfew is the best herb to use," Otterpelt added.

"Lavender is a good substitute, but I've got no more of that." Dovesong replied.

"There is a fresh patch of feverfew growing somewhere...far from here." Rosedapple meowed, "I've seen it in a dream."

"It's a long shot, but we could go find it." Moonstar decided, though doubt flickered in her gaze.

"The medicine cats can't go though, they need to look out for the sick." Sorrelstar reminded the others.

"We can send other cats to do it," Twisterstar added, "The prophecy said we needed to come together."

"How do we even know where to look?" Brackenstar asked, eyes narrowed .

"In the dream I saw a cave," Rosedapple said.

"So it's settled, then. We will send two cats from each clan," Moonstar mewed.

The leaders nodded in approval. "The chosen cats will meet at the Moonpool and start the journey from there," Sorrelstar declared. I hope this prophecy isn't just some empty hope. StarClan, please be right. Icepaw thought silently to herself, doubt intruding her thoughts.