A/N: Yeah, I know I said that it'd be up before, but I was so sick! I could literally do NOTHING! Anyhow, thanks so much to…. Goldenwing Ate a Snowflake(Thanks so much for the advice!) Howling Wolf111 (Yes, he'll have a mate eventually…guess who? Hint: Look at the prophecy, what seems like not a name is.) Feather That Falls From Crow (Thank you!) and Willowdream of ForestClan (They might!) for reviewing! I love it when you do. Thanks to Feather That Falls From Crow for both following and favoriting! Everyone who reads: Thanks for the 357 views, as of now. I'm glad so many people read. Disclaimer: I do not own Warriors, Erin Hunter does. So sit back, relax, and review at the bottom! :)
"Well, well, well. The kit is made an apprentice." Shredpaw's head shot up. "Whaaa?" He looked around wildly. He was in a sunny field with yellow flowers interspersed throughout the tall, green, lush grass. Nearby was a clear brook teeming with fish. It's bed boasted many colorful pebbles and a few flowering underwater duckweed plants.
"Where am I?" He whirled around, trying to find the owner of the voice he had heard. A brown tabby with a black tail sat washing his ears on a warm stone by the brook.
"How did I get here?" Shredpaw asked. "I was just sleeping-"
"You didn't get anywhere. This is a dream, Shredpaw." The brown tabby got up and came over slowly. As he got closer, Shredpaw began to see something…. what looked like…. that couldn't be…. stars in the brown fur? A sudden realization hit him.
"You're- you're a StarClan cat, aren't you?" He asked incredulously. The tabby chuckled.
"I wondered how long it would take for you to figure it out. I thought you were a bit brighter!" Anger filled Shredpaw. He already didn't like this arrogant cat. He had to find out why he was here so that he could go home! "What do you want?" He demanded. "Who are you and why are you here?" The strange cat shook his head.
"Goodness, don't be angry! I don't know what they teach young ones these days…." Shredpaw growled in frustration.
"That doesn't answer my questions!" Blacktail frowned.
"My, I suppose it doesn't. Well, down to business then. My name is Blacktail. I'm here because of a prophecy that occurred at your birth. As you came into the world, an unknown voice whispered into the air. Only three cats were close enough to hear. Can you guess who they are?" Shredpaw's mind raced. The argument in the leader's den…..
"What if he turns against the clans? You heard the prophecy as he was born…." "That's why I changed his name- he must never know."
"My mother, of course. That's one. Maybe the medicine cat?" He asked.
"Yes, Mallowpelt heard it. Haven't you wondered why he looks at you funny when he thinks you can't see him? Why when he speaks to you he never looks right in your eyes?" Blacktail asked. Shredpaw looked through his memories of Mallowpelt. The odd tone of his voice when he spoke…. The way he looked at him when his name was changed- almost something like relief!
"You're right!" Shredpaw wondered why he hadn't seen it before.
"There was one more. Stonestar tries to be at every birth he can, to welcome new life into the clan. He was the third cat." Blacktail continued.
Shredpaw decided he had to know. …..
"What is the prophecy, Blacktail?" Blacktail sighed. He wished Shredpaw hadn't asked. He wouldn't like it…
"I supposed you'd want to know that. This is the last thing before I must go. This is the prophecy: 'When branch is born of leaf and wood, he may fall into darkness, and unless light prevails, the clans will be lost.' You are branch. Leaf and wood are your mother and father. You are the one who may fall. I am sent here to keep you on the right path, to guide and advise you." Shredpaw let out a gasp.
"It's not me. It can't be! My….. my name isn't Branchpaw, not anymore! Its Shredpaw! I don't need your help, so just go away!"
"Very well. I'll go." Blacktail turned and began to pad upward, ascending into the sky. He stopped one last time.
"If you change your mind, just reach for the stars. I'll be waiting."
"Shredpaw? Are you okay? Shredpaw?" Palepaw leaned over him, her white coat glinting in the early dawn.
"Yeah, I'm fine." He said, though he was visibly shaken.
"What's the matter?" The older she-cat pressed. Shredpaw shook his head.
"It was nothing. Just a stupid, useless dream."
*Gasp!* Shredpaw refuses help from StarClan! Question: In refusing Blacktail's help, has Shredpaw already started to fall? Sorry this chapters a little short, but oh well. As always, review! :)
-Icebreathstar
