Chapter 9

"Whoa, whoa, whoa. Wait a minute. Back up. You're saying this StarClan of yours wants us to form a new Clan?"

"That's exactly it, Dragonfly," Icefrost replied patiently. "Shadowpaw met with the wolf, Amzur, and learned everything. Including the prophecy."

"How did Shadowpaw tell you then?" Weather asked, cocking her head. Dragonfly shot her an angry look, the kind of look that suggested he had been about to ask himself.

"It's a long story," Icefrost began. "But during her stay with Amzur, she was granted some kind of power. A gift, right?"

Right, I replied. Amzur spoke about "gifts of song". I have to assume that she meant something about this ability to speak to you through some kind of psychic connection in our heads, and about the song she sung to me.

Icefrost nodded, then turned back to the others and repeated what I had said. Eaglepaw's eyes widened in wonder, while Twister looked thoughtful. "It definitely sounds like a prophecy to me," the old tom growled. "Repeat it again, please."

I thought the prophecy back to Icefrost, who relayed it to the others. Wild scratched her claws against the floor, leaving little marks as white as her claws. "It sounds...spiritual," she muttered uneasily. "Icefrost, we loners and rogues are used to things that are beyond us. You live as Clans, in the wild, supporting and helping one another within your own Clans. We live supporting ourselves. And our mates," she added with a glance at Dragonfly. The tom growled in acknowledgement.

"I see what both of you mean," Moon chipped in, flicking her ears. "Icefrost, we're just a band of outsiders, not an organized Clan. But look around, Wild. We are a Clan, working together to survive. If we can be like the Clans of the forest, why can't we go all the way?"

Wild ducked her head, her eyes flashing. Clearly she was angry that Moon contradicted her so openly, and with her fierce, competitive spirit she found it hard to give in.

"But there are five loners and rogues, and only three former Clan cats," Dragonfly protested. "Even if we vote there's no guarantee you'll get your Clan, Icefrost."

"You stand wrong there, Dragonfly."

I twisted my head around in surprise. Twister was gazing at Dragonfly with a cool gaze that the silver tom returned with a hint of fire.

"I have never said this before," Twister went on, turning away from Dragonfly to address the rest of the outcasts. "I was once a Clan cat myself. I was banned long ago, when Hawkstar was still leader of AirClan, despite his age. That was my punishment for trying to save WaterClan from extinction." Twister hung his head. "I lived a lonely life, never making contact with other cats. I saw you once, Icefrost, when you were an apprentice. I was younger then, and I saw the noble marking that others fail to see. I agree with you, Icefrost, Shadowpaw, Eaglepaw. There must be a fifth Clan."

Silence filled the cave. Twister had never spoken of where he had come from before; all Icefrost had said was that he was one of the first cats to join the outcasts after him and Dragonfly. The former AirClan cat was old, old enough to almost be an elder. And life on his own hadn't helped.

Weather shot a glance between Wild and Dragonfly. "What do you think?" she asked smoothly. "I want to make this new Clan. Whomever this StarClan is, I'm eager to learn from them. Certainly you must feel something the same."

Wild hesitated before nodding. "I'm reluctant, as previously stated, but I'm willing to give it a try." Dragonfly growled his assent.

Icefrost dipped his head to both of them. "I won't hold you back if you decide to choose another path," he mewed; Dragonfly blinked and averted his gaze. "If I am truly to become the leader of IceClan, I'll need to travel to the Moonstone to receive my nine lives and new name."

Moon twitched one ear in interest; I realized that these rogues and loners knew nearly nothing about our lives as a Clan. They had been set on a new path, one filled with challenges and obstacles.

"Shadowpaw, I want you to come with me," Icefrost continued. "Weather, you're in charge of the cave until I get back."

The white she-cat nodded in understanding, and at once Icefrost turned and padded out of the cavern. I bounded to my paws and chased after him, catching up to him in the gloom of the tunnel. We're leaving immediately?

"I need to get there quick, in case something of this gets to the other Clans," Icefrost replied. "I doubt that will happen, but I don't want to take any chances."

Remember, you can't stop to hunt, I reminded him. Even though Starmount is far closer than in the forest, you haven't eaten for a long time.

"I could go moons on an empty belly for you."

As I could too.

The rest of our journey passed in silence, him tracing a thin trail that led up Starmount and me watching as the sun set over WaterClan's territory. The sun was gone but the horizon red when we reached the cave that led to the Moonstone. Icefrost flicked his tail at me, beckoning, and crept inside. I followed, ducking my head to avoid hitting the stalactites that hung from the cave mouth like fangs. I shivered at the image, but comforted myself with the idea that the fangs were protecting the Moonstone, keeping out that which was unwanted.

The darkness here was even more absolute than the tunnel that led to the outcast's cavern. I couldn't see Icefrost at all; I had to rely on my sense of smell, hearing, and touch to find my way. His tail brushed the tip of my ear, and I flicked it back in reply. He was checking to see that I wasn't lost; I didn't blame him. I was scared to lose him too, in this dark, dark place.

A breeze hit my whiskers, and I sensed that the tunnel had opened up. I hadn't been to the Moonstone before; Redstar hadn't chosen me to come before he banished me. I looked up to see a slice of rock cut away, revealing starlight glittering in the sky high above. The moon would soon reach its peak, and that it did. The cold, silver light washed away the shadows and lit upon a massive stone in the center of the cavern. I narrowed my eyes against the glare and felt my mouth gape in wonder. The stone was huge, easily twice, maybe even three times the height of a badger, and it had the slight shape of a cat to its outline. A natural, underground river flowed in form under the stone, bubbling up like a spring. The moonlight reflected off the water too, sending dancing patterns of white light tumbling around the cave.

Icefrost motioned for me to wait as he padded to the stone. I watched as he laid down, the Moonstone reflected in his eyes. He closed them, and his breathing slowed to the regular rhythm of sleep.

Greetings, Shadowpaw.

I jumped at the voice and whipped around. There wasn't any cat nearby. My heart was pounding, but with exhilaration rather than fear. The ghostly outline of a cat appeared on the other side of the Moonstone, and my mouth opened in a silent gasp of wonder. It was a beautiful she-cat, with long silky fur of white and silver. Her eyes were a beautiful misty blue-green, rimmed with a touch of gold. She seemed familiar somehow, but I hadn't met a StarClan cat before. I couldn't place her.

There is no need to speak aloud, the voice continued, and I realized it came from the she-cat. She padded around the Moonstone and halted beside Icefrost's still form. I can hear you as you can hear me.

Who are you? I asked.

My name is Starsight.

My eyes widened even further. The leader of StarClan?

Starsight purred with laughter. I prefer to use the term guide. I'm not a true leader; I myself suffered as you do now.

What do you mean?

Back when the forest was young, the Clans were formed. The Elements granted their gifts to each Clan, but I possessed each one. They fought bitterly, each trying to win me over. It was a situation like yours now, though opposite for the fact that the Clans fight not to take you in. In desperation, I met them at the hollow, the place now called Fourtrees. I tried to stop them, but not a cat would listen. No, that's wrong. One cat listened, but his voice alone could not stop all the Clans. I could feel strange emotions coming from Starsight as she padded closer to me. It felt like sorrow and...love?

The Clans surged to attack, but I had to stop them. As a final attempt, I blinded myself.

Why? I asked in surprise. Couldn't you have just fought to stop them?

Starsight shook her head. I don't believe in needless battles. With the last of my sight I saw Fourtrees spring into being, before my world went dark forever.

You mean, you're blind?

Yes. It wasn't enough to stop the Clans, so I killed myself. That ended the war then, but it was long ago. My memory is fading from the Clans, and soon they took up the old ways again. They threw out any cats with defects, ones that could hinder the Clan in their attempt to stand stronger than the rest. And so we stand here today.

Starsight, why did Amzur tell me that there should be a fifth Clan?

It was always wanted, Starsight replied. A Clan of music and compassion, one to stand stronger than all the rest. I flicked my ears; I recognized the words. Those who choose to be whom they are, and live with it, will gather from near and far. IceClan will thrive, with Ice as its Element to watch over and protect forever.

The she-cat's ghostly image began to fade, and I rose to my paws. Don't go, I pleaded. There is so much more I want to know.

I know there is, but I can only stay as long as the Stone and Pool glow. Fear not; you will see me again. Turn your mind to the task at hand. IceClan needs a medicine cat. Send Moon to the Twolegplace beyond FireClan territory; she will know whom to find. I wish you luck in building your new Clan.

I dipped my head in assent, to much held in wonder to argue. Farewell, Starsight.

Farewells never last forever, was the she-cat's final words before the moon passed and the light winked out. I blinked several times to attempt to recover my night vision. I heard a scraping of claws, and saw the faintest outline of a white cat rise to his paws. Icefrost--no, Icestar was awake.

He beckoned with his tail and padded to the exit. I followed him, pacing in his pawsteps until we emerged into the night. Icestar halted just outside the entrance and heaved a sigh. "Thank StarClan that's over," he murmured. "I was far more scared of receiving my lives than I have ever been going into battle."

I twined my tail with his in understanding. We all knew what it was like to be afraid.

Icestar flicked an ear and turned back to the path. "Come, Shadowpaw," he mewed. "We have to get back."

I bounded after him, following the white tom as he traced the path back to the cavern. The walk seemed shorter than usual; perhaps I was wrapped up in my thoughts about Starsight. She was just the same as I was now; lost, alone, confused, and scared...but with love by her side. That much I had seen in her sightless eyes.

When we returned to the cavern Eaglepaw gave a cry of delight. "Icefrost--no, Icestar. Welcome back!"

Twister padded up behind the young apprentice and flicked his ear with his tail. "We were talking while you were gone, Icestar, and we have decided to take on warrior names like any Clan."

Icestar blinked in surprise. Clearly he hadn't been expecting this. "Are you all sure?" he asked, flicking his gaze around to look at each of them in turn. "I don't want to force you to accept something you don't want."

"We're sure," Dragonfly growled. "We all agree; we are a Clan now. We might as well go full out rather than meet the warrior code halfway. We would be honored if you granted us the names of warriors."

Icestar remained where he stood for a moment before he dipped his head in assent. "We can do it now," he decided. Icestar padded to the center of the cave and turned to face the outcasts. No, I was wrong. Outcasts no longer. IceClan.

Icestar raised his gaze and fixed it on the stars outside the light-holes high up along the walls. "I, Icestar, leader of IceClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down upon these cats. Though not apprentices, they have a true and unwavering desire to learn the warrior code as you laid down generations ago, and I commend them to you as warriors in their turn." He gestured to Dragonfly; the silver tom padded forward until he stood before Icestar. "Dragonfly, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend this Clan, even at the cost of your life?"

Dragonfly hesitated a moment, and Icestar murmured something softly to him. Dragonfly's eyes cleared as he responded, "I do."

"Then, by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. From this moment you shall be known as Dragonflight. StarClan knows you will give all your courage and strength to IceClan."

Icestar stepped forward and whispered something in Dragonflight's ear before laying his head on the silver tom's. Dragonflight dipped his head to give Icefrost's shoulder a swift lick before he stepped back to sit with Eaglepaw.

Icestar moved on to beckon Weather, Wild, and Moon over, giving them the names of Weatherstorm, Wildface, and Moonburst. He turned to Twister, and the old tom stepped forward. He whispered something to Icestar and the white leader nodded before speaking. "Twister, do you promise to once again uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend this Clan, even at the cost of your life?"

Twister's voice held a surprising, wavering note deep within it as he replied, "I do."

"Then, by the powers of StarClan, I return your warrior name. As before, you shall be known once again as Twisterclaw. StarClan honors your integrity and loyalty, and we acknowledge you as a member of IceClan."

Twisterclaw dipped his head to lick Icestar's shoulder before returning to sit with the other newly-named warriors. A cry of congratulations went up as every cat chanted the names of the others. I cried out too, even if only Icestar could hear me. But that would be enough.

Icestar flicked his tail to me and Eaglepaw, and the two of us padded forward. "It is time for two apprentices to receive new mentors. Weatherstorm, you shall be mentor to Eaglepaw. You have much experience, and I trust that you shall pass all you know on to your new apprentice."

A flicker of uncertainty flashed in Weatherstorm's eyes, but it quickly cleared. Twisterclaw whispered something in her ear, and the white she-cat nodded and padded forward to touch noses with Eaglepaw. The young apprentice's eyes glowed as he followed his mentor to sit with the rest of IceClan.

Icestar turned back to me, and I took a step forward. "I will be mentor to Shadowpaw," he mewed. "I know she will always look to me for guidance, and she herself has much to teach us in return."

I padded forward and pressed my nose against his. I realized that, though I realized the strength of my feelings for him, I had yet to tell him. I love you, I whispered silently.

Icestar blinked back at me, his blue eyes glowing. "I know."