Chapter ten, gathering of unknown faces

Ivypaw gazed around. What was she supposed to do? She already knew something was wrong. She was in another time. Great ThunderClan leaders of old didn't just pop up out of nowhere. And she didn't know any of the ShadowClan cats so she had to just assume that they were in a different time, as Flamestar was part of Clan history. Then, all of a sudden, she saw someone she knew! Sitting in a group of Riverclan cats was... Starpaw and Mistpaw! She tried to make her way over there but Dustfur said, "Stay away from the other cats for now. Flamestar will announce everything at the gathering. Just stay calm."

"But those are my friends!" She protested.

"What? But... they're from your time?"

"Yes!"

"but how is that possible?"

"I don't know," Ivypaw said, "But I'M here, aren't I?"

Dustfur looked at her for a long moment. "Yes. And I'm glad you are."

Ivypaw didn't know what to say. But she didn't have to say anything, the gathering was starting. All at once, The deputy of Thunderclan, the leader of ShadowClan, and the leader of Riverclan, said, "I will speak first tonight."

Then they looked at each other, confused. Flamestar spoke. "I have more important news than anyone of you could imagine."

Shadowfire muttered, "Want to bet on that?"

Dapplestar said, "I have two cats here... FROM A DIFFERENT TIME!"

All the other representatives looked at her in amazement. Breezecho said, "Dapplestar, you were always out-spoken but this... don't embarrass yourself here."

Dapplestar looked at Breezecho, trying to decide whether she was trying to insult her or not. Evidently she didn't know. "I am not lying," she said in a shaky voice. "I am not crazy. Every one in my Clan will support what I say. It is the truth."

Flamestar broke in, "She speaks the truth! We have a cat from the past in our Clan as well!"

Then Shadowfire announced, her eyes flaming, "We have two cats from the past and our leader is missing!"

Breezecho stepped up onto the broken tree branch that the leaders were on. "Is this some kind of trick? Do you think my Clan has not been stupid enough already to come into the heart of ShadowClan territory? I will not stand for this!"

All the Clan leaders and one deputy stared at her in surprise. Shadowfire was the first to snarl, "You think I would joke about something as important as this in a time like this?"

Breezecho didn't know what to say to her. Dapplestar stepped up a little. "Listen! How many cats are there from the future?"

Breezecho couldn't resist laughing a little bit at that, but it was quickly cut off by a venomous look from Shadowfire.

Flamestar did a quick count of the cats he didn't know here. "lets see... five, I think."

Ivypaw did a mental count. Herself, Hazefur, Mistpaw, Starpaw... great StarClan! Was Snowpaw here too? Dapplestar said, "Well then it makes only sense that we should split them up evenly into our four Clans, to make us stronger."

Starpaw said, "And how will you do that? Will you cut one of us up into four pieces?" Mistpaw nudged Starpaw. "Stop it!" She said. "You might get us cut up into little pieces!" Starpaw pushed her playfully and cuffed her over the ear. "So?"

Ivypaw, from the other side of the clearing, wrinkled her brow in amazement. Well at least this gathering had accomplished something!

"When our guests in RiverClan have quite finished," Dapplestar said without humor in her voice, "I would like to say that RiverClan has the most need of strong cats. We have only one warrior in our Clan!"

It was then that all the fighting broke out. Some cat in ThunderClan yelled, "That's what you think isn't it? That your Clan is so important! Well, you slimy fish-smelling yellow-bellied cowards, you think wrong!"

Snowpaw thought that it was Jagclaw. Shadowfire looked at him, her eyes blazing. "Jagclaw!" She hissed, although she looked close to shouting the same out.

Riverheart launched herself at him. Hazefur tried to remediate the fighting but only got caught in the middle of it. Soon all the Clans were fighting. Starpaw, Mistpaw, and Snowpaw made their way towards each other in the thick of the fighting. Ivypaw was no-where to be seen.

The fighting seemed like nothing compared to the battles that these three cats had seen back in their own time, there were so few cats. Yet, ThunderClan had the advantage. Jagclaw, Barkstream, Silvershine were and here tonight. ThunderClan was five warriors strong, with one apprentice and a deputy. WindClan only had apprentices. RiverClan only had one warrior. ShadowClan had two warriors and a leader. Thunderclan appeared to have the advantage. Mistpaw desperately searched for Ivypaw. Then, a voice sounded out from the Great Rock in the middle of the four oaks.

"STOP!" it was Ivypaw. Her voice had never sounded so commanding before. Now she looked like a leader, her black pelt bristling and her tail flicking back and forth. Her eyes scanned the clearing for any signs that the order had not been obeyed. There were none.

Eventually the warriors seemed to realize that they been ordered to stop by an apprentice, but the moment of had fighting was gone. All was peaceful... for the moment.

Then Snowpaw looked over and saw Hazefur. She ran over to him. He was on the ground. Starpaw followed hard on her heels. Mistpaw looked up in amazement at Ivypaw. She was on the Great Rock! She looked like a real leader up there. Ivypaw leapt off the Great Rock, and came running towards Mistpaw. "Ivypaw!" Mistpaw broke out. "You did it! You stopped the fighting!"

Ivypaw stopped for only a moment to lick her chest fur. "I know! And now I know how it feels!"

"What?" Mistpaw asked, still awed by what her sister had done.

"I know what it feels like to stand up there on the Great Rock looking down at everyone!"

"How does it feel?" Mistpaw was curious now. Her sister had a strange look on her face.

"It feels like... It feels lonely, because there's no-one of your own Clan up there with you but at the same time it feels wonderful, like you could reach out and touch Silverpelt."

Then there was a shout from Snowpaw and Starpaw. "Mistpaw! Ivypaw! Come quick, and bring cobwebs! Hazefur's badly injured!" Mistpaw and Ivypaw sped off, looking for cobwebs. The oak-leaves beneath their feet stirred as they ran to help Hazefur.

Part two, Chapter ten, Dawnheart's redemption

Dawnheart paced anxiously in a circle. Her two daughters, and her sister's two daughters were gone. Was it all her fault? If so, what could she do about it? Then she remembered when Leafstar had taken her and Hollyclaw to the Moonstone. Leafstar had shared dreams with StarClan. They had given her guidance, although what they had said she didn't know. If there was ever a time she needed guidance... it was now. The thought of Leafstar pricked her sharply as a painful reminder. She had made up her mind, though. Even if it meant seeing Leafstar again. She would go to the moonstone.

She journeyed across the gorse-ridden territory of WindClan, keeping a wary eye over her shoulder, half-expecting Leafstar to leap out of the bushes. Finally, she was there. She padded into the mouth-like cave, wondering if teeth would seize her for her actions. But no teeth came, and Dawnheart finally came to the moon-stone after many dark passageways. She touched her nose to it. Immediately, she saw stars falling, seemingly, down to earth. Yet she knew it was not so. Instead of the stars rushing down to earth, she was rising up to them. She opened her eyes into a different place. She looked up to see Leafstar looking at her.

"You have brought much trouble upon this Clan, and yourself." She said. "I suppose you are here for help."

Dawnheart did not look down. Her tail held high, she said, "Yes Leafstar. I have come for help. You will remember that it was not I that killed you."

Leafstar's ears flicked. "There is truth in what you say. What do you want?"

Her response was immediate. "I want the prophecies explained to me. My prophecy, and the prophecy that was sent to my sister's daughters."

Leafstar's eyes narrowed. "It is now always easy to see what the prophecies mean. If one mistake is made, the meaning could be very different."

Dawnheart sat, her tail wrapped over her paws. "Explain them the best you can then."

"Very well." Leafstar said. "The prophecy that came to you:

'Rocks cut in her pads. She walks the rocky path between darkness and light. Light burns her eyes and darkness is where her love lies. The heart of Dawn will herald the night with no stars and a dawn with no sun.' Rocks cut in her pads. Your way will be hard. She walks the rocky path between darkness and light. To do the right thing, or the wrong? To side with good, or evil? Light burns her eyes and darkness is where her love lies. You won't like the explanation of this one. You are blinded by guilt, and..."

Dawnheart gasped. "Is Hazefur... evil?"

"No, child." Leafstar told her. "But Hazefur is almost in StarClan."

"No!" Dawnheart screamed.

"You can save him. Listen to me, and I will help you. The heart of Dawn will herald the night with no stars and a dawn with no sun. You, Dawnheart, will herald the end of the Clans. But not in the way you think!"

"How?" Dawnheart said in a strangled voice.

Leafstar considered her. "I suppose I could tell you. You will cause the Clans to take in outsiders. You will change the course of history through StarClan, because we have the ability to visit cats. You were almost killed when you were a kit. You were little, you probably don't remember it. But you inherited this ability, so you can communicate with cats from the past."

Dawnheart stared.

"The next prophecy you received. The starlight on the leaf will be the end of the clan. It will be because of the starlight on the leaf that the hazy coat of fur and the bird on the snow will fail. The star in the shadowy sky will die and herald the end of the Clans because of the starlight on the leaf. The starlight on the leaf will be the end of the Clan. Rainfur had to succeed me; otherwise this time would never come. I would lead the Clan differently. It will because of the starlight on the leaf that the hazy coat of fur and the bird on the snow will fail..." her voice broke. "I do not know what this line means, all I can pray is that it is not what I think it is. The star in the shadowy sky will die and herald the end of the Clans because of the starlight on the leaf. I believe... I believe if I had stayed alive I would somehow have become the end of the Clans. I do not know the true meaning of most of this prophecy, but I will do my best to guide you."

Dawnheart nodded. "What of the prophecy that was sent to my sister's daughters?"

Leafstar sighed. "The misty light and the frozen ivy must unite with the pawprints in the snow and stars to save the clans before each has reached their full potential. The past and present meld together and the frozen ivy must fight to stay in one. The misty light's heart will be torn and the blood of ivy and mist will mingle and will herald a new power greater than even StarClan...' The misty light and the frozen ivy must unite with the pawprints in the snow and stars to save the clans before each has reached their full potential. Mistpaw and Ivypaw must unite with Starpaw and Snowpaw while they are still apprentices to save the Clans. The past and present melt together and the frozen ivy must fight to stay as one. The past and present have indeed melted together, and Ivypaw will have to fight to stay in one, either the past or the present. The misty light's heart will be torn and the blood of ivy and mist will mingle and will herald a new power greater even than StarClan. Mistpaw's heart will be torn and the blood of Ivypaw and Mistpaw will mingle and herald a new power greater even than StarClan. This is all I can tell you, Dawnheart."

Dawnheart narrowed her eyes respectfully. "Thank you Leafstar. I have one other favor to ask."

Leafstar nodded. "Speak your mind."

"Well, more than one. But first, how did Mistpaw, Starpaw, Ivypaw, Hazefur, and Snowpaw get into the past? And what is happening? What is the smoke?"

Leafstar eyed her. "Mistpaw, Starpaw, Ivypaw, Hazefur, and Snowpaw were let through by us because we needed them to save the Clans. The smoke is caused by twolegs. StarClan does not know how, or how to stop it. But it has happened before, and must stop. Or else all will die. I think you request another favor from me?"

"Yes. I need to travel into the past, to where they are. I need to help them." Dawnheart clarified.

"Very well." Leafstar waved her tail and light swirled around Dawnheart's head. Then, she was in a gathering with cats that she didn't know. But there was one scent that she did recognize... Hazefur! She shot over to where she smelled him. "Mother!" Snowpaw gasped.

"Yes, I'm here." Dawnheart licked Hazefur.

"He won't wake up!" Starpaw cried.

Dawnheart realized that Hazefur had gone to StarClan.

"NO!" she yelled, a low keening sound coming from the back of her throat. "HAZEFUR!"

"He's... he's not gone, is he?" Starpaw asked, trembling.

She couldn't answer. Then, all of a sudden, claws came into Starpaw's back. She gasped weakly, and then collapsed to the ground, blood trickling down her face.

"Starpaw!" Ivypaw said, her paws trying to block the bleeding. Mistpaw and Snowpaw both crowded in against her, pressing cobwebs to it. Dawnheart stood stock still. Was everything being stripped from her? She couldn't stand it. She instinctively drew Snowpaw closer to her, a wise move. The fox that had taken Starpaw as they had been huddled over Hazefur had scared off all the other cats. Ivypaw leapt at the fox, and Mistpaw went under its paws to confuse it. Snowpaw wriggled to get at the fox, and Dawnheart was shaken out of her stupor. It was no match for all five of them. Ivypaw, Snowpaw, and Mistpaw crowded around Starpaw again.

"And to think that you needed me," she wheezed.

Ivypaw buried her head in her friend's fur. "We do need you. We've only just found each other, you can't leave now."

Starpaw was silent. Ivypaw opened her eyes. "Starpaw? Starpaw? STARPAW! Come back! STARPAW!" Tears of grief racked her body.

Snowpaw sagged to the ground. "You can't leave me," she murmured.

Mistpaw just stared. "No. Just no. This is not an option. Come on Starpaw. You've got choices, but this is not one of them."

Dawnheart began to softly moan. Dustfur ran over. "Ivypaw! Are you alright?"

"I'm fine," she said, "but I think my friend is dead."

"No!" Snowpaw said. "She's not dead! She can't be!"

No-one responded.

Dawnheart echoed what Leafstar had told her. "The star in the shadowy sky will die and herald the end of the Clans because of the starlight on the leaf. If Leafstar had killed me then this would not be happening. Starpaw is dying because Leafstar didn't kill me."

"What?" Ivypaw said. "Why would she kill you?"

Dawnheart didn't tell her the answer. Then, the smoke hit them.

"Wait!" Dawnheart gasped.

They all looked at her, knowing they were going to die.

"I understand!" She said.

"You understand?" Mistpaw asked.

"Yes." Dawnheart told her. "The meaning of this prophecy. The starlight on the leaf will be the end of the clan. It will be because of the starlight on the leaf that the hazy coat of fur and the bird on the snow will fail. The star in the shadowy sky will die and herald the end of the Clans because of the starlight on the leaf. Now I understand! Leafstar will be the end of the pure Clans because she let me do my work. She let me through to tell Shadowfire what had to be done. But the Clans may be destroyed anyway because of the smoke. When I was young, I was ill. Sunfire wanted to give me reassurance instead of herbs, because they had so precious few. Leafstar told her to give me herbs, as I was only a kit. So this is all her fault because she wanted to save me! Starpaw will die and the Clans may die out because Leafstar saved me. If not for me, Starpaw wouldn't have been born!"

They all stared at her in shock. It made perfect sense.