Chapter 8

Clear, bright moonlight streamed through the leaves, dappling the pelts of a group of cats as they slid through the undergrowth towards four towering oak trees that stood in a dip in the ground.

At the head of the cluster padded a creamy-brown she-cat with gleaming hazel eyes. Maplestar was next to her deputy. The elegant silver-blue she-cat was eager to start the gathering.

Rushingwater walked next to Dandelionstem. Blue and dark yellow blended as the two elders made their way towards the gathering.

The medicine cats, Skyflight and Redpelt chatted about herbs, and if they should tell Crookedlegs about the catmint on his territory. Skyflight's silver pelt looked white in the brilliant milky light. Redpelt's Russet fur gleamed orange.

Of the apprentices, Maplestar had chosen Fluffypaw, Fawnpaw, Sweetpaw, and Swiftpaw. Fluffypaw's smoky-gray fur spiked in amusement as Sweetpaw slipped and splashed into a pile of murky-brown mud. Turning her brown pelt even browner. Fawnpaw stood right in the blast as Sweetpaw shook off the mud, and soon Fawnpaw's dappled brown coat was dotted with specks of mud. Swiftpaw calmly observed his surroundings. His brown tabby fur blending in with the various colors of tree bark.

The warriors came close behind. A tortoishell pelt slipped towards a silver one. Oakbreeze and Moonstripe. The golden warrior Sunclaw had also come. A dark brown tabby pelt nudged a bright orange one forward, Tigerleaf was helping to guide Flameheart, whose paw had almost recovered. The brown tabby Crimsonpebble and his sibling, Windhawk, a brown tabby also. Lakeminnow had come, though reluctant to meet Riverclan again. His brown and silver fur was prickling anxiously. The last two were a black she-cat with white paws, and a brown and white tabby tom. Grasswind and Blacksnow.

Soon, the patrol had reached Fourtrees. Maplestar gave the tail signal, and the group ran into the clearing, their paws spraying up clumps of dirt and mud. Flameheart lagged behind, but soon caught up with ThunderClan.

Flameheart watched as her Clanmates fanned out. Maplestar padded to say a word to Ashbark before leaping onto the Great Rock.

Flameheart studied the representatives from the other Clans. The dappled orange and black she-cat Monarchwing was here, and Runningmeadow, the brown tom. A black she-cat with white specks was talking with a black and white she-cat with dazzling green eyes. They were joined by a red-orange tom. "Hi Redwhisker." she heard the green-eyed one meow.

"Hello Darkclover." The WindClan cats were still talking so Flameheart tried to spot RiverClan.

A light gray she-cat named Purplepelt was talking to Willowsplash. A silver she-cat with green eyes.

Bounceheart, a russet tom, was talking to Creamswirl, who was a cream-colored she-cat with dark blue eyes.

Shadowclan streamed into the clearing, and Flameheart spotted a red and white tabby she-cat, and a pale russet queen with icy blue eyes. "Rosewinter, I'm going to talk to Streakpelt of Riverclan." The first one meowed.

"Alright Foxspring." Rosewinter replied.

Windclan's full patrol was Snowystar, Silverclaw, Mintstripe, Monarchwing, Runningmeadow, Windblizzard, Redwhisker, Darkclover, Sappaw, Firepaw, Bristlepaw, and Goatbramble.

Swimmingstar of Riverclan had brought Plumstripe, Firewind, Streakpelt, Creamswirl, Purplepelt, Willowsplash, Bounceheart, Winterpaw, Snowpaw, and Berrytail.

Shadowclan's patrol was Stormstar, Ashbark, Snowshadow, Foxspring, Rosewinter, Sageclaw, Yellowtail, Eaglepaw, Marshpaw, Brownpaw, Swamppaw, Sandkit and Quietkit.

Finally, Lionstar had brought Crookedlegs, Cinderstorm, Seasplash, Voledash, Lizardfeather, Sandflower, Stickypaw, Stormpaw, Orangeberry, Rosytail, and Glisteningriver.

Flameheart wondered why Mossclaw, the SkyClan deputy wasn't there.

"Cats of all Clans!" Lionstar yowled "Let the gathering begin!" He turned to Maplestar. "Would you like to go first?"

Maplestar stepped forward. "Cloudfur, Windhawk, and Crimsonpebble are new warriors." she announced. "Fluffypaw, Fawnpaw, and Sweetpaw are apprentices to Sunclaw, Windhawk, and Lakeminnow. Prey is running well. Flameheart broke her paw but is almost recovered and here tonight. Rushingwater and Tawnywillow have moved to the elder's den." she stepped back, flicking her tail to signal Swimmingstar should speak.

"Reedstem has retired to the elder's den also. Splashsun is our newest warrior. Whitewhisker is expecting, and Flowerheart has had Fishkit, Yarrowkit, Minnowkit, Larkkit and Houndkit." Swimmingstar meowed. " A twoleg came near our camp but Splashsun, Willowsplash, and Bounceheart chased it away."

Stormstar stepped forward. "Sandpaw and Quietpaw have been apprenticed to Yellowtail and Sageclaw. Eagleswoop has been made a warrior. Leafwind has two kits. Owlkit and Tawnykit. Russetpelt was killed by a fox though." he finished.

Snowystar was next to speak. "Parsnipwhiskers and Seaweedlake were killed in a badger attack." she meowed solemnly. "Sugartail and Dandelionface have had kits. Whiskerkit, and Weedkit, in memory, and Briarkit, Daykit, Badgerkit, and Twistkit."

Finally, the golden tom Lionstar stepped forward. "We mourn the death of Mossclaw. Cinderstorm is the new deputy. Cinderstorm's kit was taken from the nursery by a rat. We mourn her loss." Cinderstorm looked uneasy, but her eyes were full of grief. She was dark gray, with amber eyes. Cinderstorm's eyes locked with Flameheart's, and recognition passed between them. It was Cinderstorm who had been watching her. Flameheart let out a low growl deep in her throat. Lionstar didn't notice and continued. "Shiningwillow has given birth to Barkkit, Shrewkit, Volekit, and Squirrelkit."

The leaders jumped down from the Great Rock. ThunderClan cats mingled with the others.

Snowystar was bunching her muscles to make the leap to the ground, when a huge gray cloud covered the moon. All the cats gasped in horror. This was a sign from Starclan. A sign that they were angry. A flash of dazzling yellow light lit up the sky. Then there was Thunder as loud as a twoleg monster. The cats bunched together, not caring about Clan rivalries.

Flameheart stood transfixed. Every instinct was telling her to run, but she was frozen to the spot.

Something dark green appeared in the sky. Oakbreeze was watching it and turned to stare at Flameheart with horror mixed with excitement. A cat burst into the clearing just as yellow sparks exploded in the night. A black cat came to stand by Oakbreeze and Flameheart.

"Starwater? What are you doing here?" asked Flameheart.

"I came as soon as I could."

"How did you know?"
"I felt it."

Bright pink lightning flashed high above them. Maplestar stared in awe. When the creamy-brown leader saw the three huddled together, Flameheart saw realization in her gaze.

Then five figures spiraled down to land on the Great Rock. A lean, wheat-colored she-cat came first. "Ryestar!" Snowystar exclaimed. A well muscled dusky brown tabby tom came after.

"Stagstar." Maplestar nodded.

A fox-colored she-cat came next. Stormstar dipped his head. "Vixenstar."

A plump well-fed silver tom came after. "Duskstar." meowed Swimmingstar.

"Juniperstar!" marveled Lionstar as a tiny gray she-cat landed.

Then the five echoed in unison, Magic will rain from the paws of three cats when a smoke-colored warrior rules the forest.

"What is that supposed to mean?" Flameheart heard a sarcastic comment from Willowsplash.

The other cats said nothing. Ryestar turned and touched noses with Snowystar. Stagstar and Duskstar did the same to Maplestar and Swimmingstar. Vixenstar gave a solemn nod to Stormstar. Juniperstar leaped lightly down and pressed her muzzle against Lionstar's. Flameheart suddenly realized that the little gray StarClan cat was barely out of apprenticeship. Nine moons, at most.

The five StarClan cats faded into a swirling, dense mist. When the fog cleared, they were gone.

Flameheart's pelt prickled as she felt Maplestar's gaze. Shiningstream was watching the three intently.

Swimmingstar asked no one in particular, "What does that mean?" Flameheart wondered if her leader would tell the other Clans about them.

Maplestar scuffed her paws uneasily in the dirt. Swimmingstar's head snapped towards her like a magnet. "You know something." he realized. "Tell us."

Starwater, Flameheart, and Oakbreeze exchanged a glance.

Maplestar stepped into the center of the clearing. She beckoned first to Shiningstream, then to the medicine cats Redpelt and Skyflight. "Many moons ago," she began. "We received a prophecy. That same one we just heard." she paused. "We were told it by the original three, the ones who carried the message from StarClan."

"Who are these three?" yowled Snowystar.

"Where are they?" asked Mintstripe.

Maplestar beckoned with her tail to the three. Flameheart took a deep breath and padded forward with her littermates. "Flameheart, Starwater, and Oakbreeze are the three." she told the cats.

"There's nothing magical about them!" Goatbramble croaked. Flameheart saw Starwater wince, and a flurry of yellow sparks singed the top of the Great Rock.

"What was that?" asked some cat nervously. Flameheart recognized Rosewinter.

Before any cat could answer, another vision began. All the cats pressed back to the edges of the hollow as a huge, fluffy smoky-black tom cat jumped onto the Great Rock. He yowled. A vast amount of rogues, loners, and Clan cats alike flooded into the clearing. There was an awful battle, though no cat was actually fighting.

Just as suddenly as it had started, the battle between the spirit cats was over. Maplestar gathered her Clan and they dashed back to the camp, ready to spread the news.