Chapter 1: The Vision
The winds moved throughout the star-filled sky. Hush, hush they whispered, comforting the cries of Starclan. Cats who had lived on Earth and died were brought to Silverpelt. There, they made up StarClan, a group of these cats that could help the EarthClans survive by warning their medicine cats with omens and dreams.
But now there was a new omen, and one that predicted destruction to the four Clans of Earth.
"What are we to do?" mewed one cat, her voice filled with panic. Many other of StarClan were also worried about what would happen. A golden she-cat paced back and forth nervously. Suddenly, she stopped in her tracks and stared off into space. After a few heartbeats, she came back to life and recited
"A unique star of the sky
is all that can save the Clans,"
Her golden fur was standing on end, and her eyes were shining with worry.
"Is there anything I can do for you, Goldenstar?" a grey-colored tom meowed as he bounded over to her.
"I've received a message filled with danger and death for the Clans of Earth. Hmm..." She thought for a moment, trying to figure out what the vision meant. "Ah-ha!" she meowed triumphantly. "Indeed, Lightningheart. Go fetch Diamondstar." After what seemed like many moons, Goldenstar spotted Lightningheart come back with a black and white she-cat. She had a white diamond-shaped marking on her forehead, and a star birthmark on her right hind leg. She looked up at Goldenstar, who was a mouse-length taller then she was.
"Is there something you want, Goldenstar?" Diamondstar asked, her voice shaky. She shifted her weight uncomfortably, trying to shake off her nervousness.
Goldenstar looked her straight in the eye and answered, "Diamondstar, I have a very important task for you." She sounded urgent as she continued, "The cats of the four Clans: ThunderClan, RiverClan, WindClan, and ShadowClan. They all need you. According to the vision that I just had, there is an unknown danger coming to the forest. And only you can stop it."
Diamondstar stared back at her, the expression on her face full of disbelief. "But how do you know it's… me? What if you have the wrong cat?" She looked down at her paws to avoid seeing Goldenstar, who was probably annoyed with her excuses. "And anyways, how could I save them?" she continued feebly. "Are you going to send me down to Earth or something silly like that?" It had been many, many moons since she had come up to live with StarClan, and she couldn't imagine going back down to live again on Earth.
"I know I have the right cat, Diamondstar. You can count on that." Diamondstar looked up at Goldenstar, surprised that she looked more determined, and almost sympathic then angry with her. "StarClan will be with you to guide you on Earth. And although you will be going back to life there, you cannot reveal your past. You cannot tell any cat that you were the same Diamondstar that saved the Clans many, many moons ago."
The black and white cat looked at Goldenstar, bewildered. "So you're saying that I can't tell anyone who I really am?" Diamondstar was still getting over the fact that she would have to go back to being an Earth cat in the first place, but to not tell anyone the truth of her past? That was going a little too far.
Goldenstar shook her head. "I'm sorry Diamondstar, but it is for your own safety. If a cat found out that you came from StarClan, that might put you in danger. And the same goes for the knowledge that you will have nine lives."
Now Diamondstar was too shocked for words. She had moons full of questions, but couldn't manage to speak even one.
"I know how you feel. This must be very hard, but you didn't see the vision like I did." Goldenstar paused for a moment, trying to recall every detail she had seen. "There were cats everywhere, screaming in pain. Blood stained the entire forest, and Clan cats and kittypets alike were dying for what looked like no reason. But then I saw it. A huge shadow was swallowing up their beloved home. After a heartbeat, I heard a voice. It whispered, 'A unique star of the sky is all that can save the Clans'. And that's you."
"By the power of StarClan," Goldenstar meowed, "from now on, you will be known as Maplekit on Earth, and you shall be blessed with nine lives." Goldenstar rested her muzzle on Diamondstar's head, showing compassion.The words she spoke were soft like a whisper, but seemed to come from all cats of StarClan. "You will always be known as Diamondstar to us. When your job is done, you will return to us. We will be with you always…" The voice seemed to fade as Diamondstar's vision blurred and she was plunged into darkness.