Sage's mind whirled as she tried to process what Thistletail had said. StarClan had warned him about the fire? But hadn't Robinfrost said that StarClan was just a nursery story? Maybe Thistletail was just a crazy old cat... but the fire had actually come, and JuniperClan had really been destroyed, just like he said.
But even if StarClan was real, that didn't mean that she was part of some prophecy... did it? Surely, Thistletail had made a mistake.
The forest got steadily darker and the roar of running water got louder as Sage, Willow, Cougarstrike, and Robinfrost followed Thistletail. Sage could feel the moisture building in the air- they must be getting close to the StarFalls. What would happen when they got there?
Thistletail came to such an abrupt stop that Robinfrost nearly barreled into him. He looked suddenly indecisive.
"I... I don't know if you should come with me," he said. "Normally, only medicine cats and leaders go to the StarFalls, except under exceptional circumstances."
"We don't have a leader or even a deputy right now, we've lost our camp, and half the clan is dead," said Cougarstrike. "I'd say that counts as an 'exceptional circumstance.'"
Thistletail frowned. "I still don't think we should bring a whole crowd of cats to the Falls."
"There's only five of us!" burst Robinfrost. "Forget your silly traditions, and let's get this over with. We need to get back to the rest of the clan!"
Thistletail shot her a sharp look. "I assure you, Robinfrost, that our traditions aren't 'silly.' If we had held more true to our traditions, we wouldn't be in this situation at all."
"Fires happen, Thistletail. This isn't some great sign from StarClan! They're not-"
"Enough."
Surprisingly, it was Cougarstrike who stopped her.
"We can't get back to the clan tonight anyway, Robinfrost," he reasoned. "Let Thistletail go to the StarFalls, and he can take or leave whoever he wants. It won't do any harm."
"Won't do any good either," Robinfrost muttered.
Thistletail sighed. "Robinfrost, you and Willow stay here. Sage and Cougarstrike, come with me."
A sudden rush of nerves settled in Sage's stomach. She didn't know what to expect... or even if she should expect anything.
"I'll... be right back," she told Willow, brushing against her cheek briefly. "Keep her safe," she added to Robinfrost, who nodded in response.
"Let's go," said Cougarstrike, eyes on Thistletail. His animosity was surprisingly gone. Now his blue eyes glittered with something else... anticipation?
Thistletail led them further into the forest. The roar of the waterfall was now so loud Sage could hardly hear the medicine cat when he spoke again.
"When we get to the Falls, sit at the edge of the pool and wait. StarClan willing, they will come and speak with me tonight."
They rounded a corner and Sage couldn't stifle a gasp. Before her was a sheer cliff face, higher than anything she'd ever seen. Water tumbled down, as if from the sky itself. The white spray sparkled like the stars above her in the sky, which were also reflected in the dark, deep pool before her. Mist spread from the bottom of the falls, almost as if a cloud had come down from the heavens to rest upon the turbulent surface of the pool. Drops of water clung to pine needles, and sparkled with their own reflected starlight.
Sage approached the water's edge and sat alongside Thistletail and Cougarstrike. She chanced a peek at the grumpy tom, but Cougarstrike seemed just as awestruck as she was. It was probably his first time here, too, she realized.
Thistletail's gaze was fixed near the top of the waterfall. Sage followed his gaze and watched, though she didn't know what for.
After a long while- or maybe it was only minutes- Sage thought she saw something. Something bright and shining seemed to appear at the top of the waterfall, then descend with the water in little leaps and hops. Before she could get a good look at it, the shining thing disappeared into the mist, only to be followed by another, then another and another, until the waterfall seemed to be flowing with leaping, glowing shapes.
Then, out of the mist, a form stepped forward. He was a cat, a chocolate-colored tabby, but he was different from any cat that Sage had seen before.
He was transparent- Sage could see the cliff face and waterfall behind him. He also seemed to glow with a blue-white light, and stars shone in his fur. Sage realized that he was what she had seen leaping down the waterfall.
One by one, more starry cats emerged from the mist and stood beside the tabby. The mist suddenly dissipated to reveal even more cats, all standing on the surface of the water, which glowed with their reflected light. Sage thought she glimpsed kits among them, shining even brighter than their adult companions, like brilliant little flashes of sunlight.
The first cat spoke, and Sage's attention snapped back to him.
"Thistletail." His voice was deep and powerful. "We have seen the destruction that has befallen JuniperClan, and we grieve with you."
Thistletail hung his head. "If only Eaglestar had listened... is he with you?"
The starry tabby shook his head. "None of your fallen has found their way yet to the StarFalls, so we have not been able to guide them to our hunting grounds. You must go to their resting place and perform the burial ceremony for them."
Thistletail nodded. "Of course. But... that's not the whole reason I'm here."
"You have questions."
"Yes, two. First, both Eaglestar and Shadowfoot were killed in the fire. Who is supposed to lead the clan?"
Cougarstrike looked expectantly at the starry cat, who only nodded without looking away from the medicine cat. "And your second question?"
Thistletail seemed flustered, but overcame his confusion quickly. "It's about the second part of your warning. You said, 'Sage will save the Clan from the ghosts of its past.' I didn't understand, but I think I do now."
The starry cat blinked, waiting for Thistletail to continue.
"This is Sage." Thistletail nodded to Sage. She felt uncomfortable as hundreds of starry eyes fixed on her. "She found us when the Clan needed saving- is she the answer to the prophecy?"
The starry tom smiled. "Sage is the answer to both of your questions, Thistletail."
