That night was the first time Snakefang was visited by StarClan. He had gradually fallen into a steady sleep after a lot of tossing and turning. Thoughts of the golden snake and of Dovewing caressed his mind, haunting him. When Snakefang entered dream land, his mind was filled with beauty. The sky was the most perfect shade of blue and the grass was lush and dripping with dew. Birds chirped and clouds drifted lazily over the landscape. Am I dead? Was Snakefang's first thought. He stood frozen to the spot, his eyes greedily lapping up the sights. He took a few tentative paw steps onwards, wishing he had about 5 more eyes. All of his worries were gone. Snakefang spotted a little brook, it's cool blue waters clashing silently over countless pebbles and stones. He bent over. The magnificent golden cat stared back at him but instead of a black sun, there was bright yellow stars dotting the sky. They seemed close enough that if he climbed a tall tree, he could scoop them up with his paws.

"What do you see?"

Snakefang's train of thought was interrupted by a clam, melodic voice. A pretty tortoiseshell she-cat sat about a fox-length away, staring straight up at the stars. Snakefang stared at her.

"Who are you?" He enquired. She turned to face him, her amber eyes seemingly reaching into his mind.

"My name is Spottedleaf," She replied. Snakefang knew of this cat. She was stories of the old forest. Firestar's first love, slaughtered mercilessly by a ShadowClan warrior trying to get at the kits. She had quite literally, guarded them with her life. Snakefang filled with respect for this noble medicine cat.

"Am I dead?" Snakefang asked, the childish question slipping out before he could stop it. Spottedleaf's whiskers twitched in amusement.

"No dear," She mewed, "Just dreaming."

"Oh," Snakefang replied, feeling foolish.

"You saw what happened with Dovewing today yes?" She meowed. Snakefang nodded, "Good."

Spottedleaf padded over to him.

"You heard the prophecy…no?" She continued. Snakefang revised it in his head. The time has come for the one to make or break the clans to decide their fate. Beware the golden snake.

"Yes," He answered.

"You have figured it out?" She asked intently, as if this was the most important thing in the world.

"Well…kind of," Snakefang said truthfully, "Am I the-"

"Hush," Spottedleaf cut in, "I am here to give you your instructions, StarClan has waited a long time for your arrival."

"Me…?" Snakefang asked. What's so special about me? I'm barely a warrior for StarClan's sake! Spottedleaf nodded.

"We believe you are the one," She mewed, "You have an extraordinary destiny my dear."

It was all too much for Snakefang to handle. He felt his legs go weak. He let his head drop so he could only see the green grass, breathing heavily. Spottedleaf touched his head with her nose reassuringly.

"A son of the three can only bring great things," She mewed. Snakefang turned to face her.

"What about Ashflame?" He pleaded, "He's Lionblaze's son too!"

Spottedleaf's face betrayed no emotion other than sympathy.

"The stars cannot be rewritten," She explained, "We have known you are the one…for a long time."

Snakefang felt tears drip down his face. He had only wanted a normal life. He was not the best fighter, or the best hunter. He was only one of the best at running. But beneath the shock and pain, there was fire. It was small and yellow, but it was there. As if she could read his mind, Spottedleaf started to talk again.

"Being a warrior isn't about hunting and fighting," She started, "It's about heart, and you have more heart than everyone in ThunderClan put together."

Snakefang closed his eyes; he suddenly felt a warm fuzzy feeling slide through his body, warming every blade of fur. He imagined Dovewing, and how proud she would be if he could fulfill this prophecy. He opened his eyes again, his blue eyes burning with a new passion and determination.

"Okay," He mewed, "What do I have to do?"

Spottedleaf started to speak,

"You must travel to the mountains after the Gathering; the Tribe will help you until you must continue on your journey."

Snakefang had heard stories of the Tribe. Graystripe's son, Stormfur, lived with them. He had seen the mountains but had never thought he would actually do there. The Gathering was in three sunrises. He had to prepare. Snakefang nodded once.

"How will I know when to go on?" He asked.

"Stoneteller will receive an omen; the fate of his Tribe hangs in the balance too," Spottedleaf meowed. Snakefang felt all fear melt away and be replaced by curiosity and courage.

"I'm ready," He said. Spottedleaf touched her nose to his.

Snakefang woke with a start. He looked around hurriedly to check that everyone was there. He was the only one awake. He looked out the entrance. The moon was high and bright. He could hear the faint sound of Mousefur's snores coming from underneath the fallen tree and someone muttering angrily, Briarlight he guessed. Snakefang put his head on his paws and thought about Spottedleaf's ominous words.

The next thing Snakefang knew, he was crossing the fallen tree on the way back from the Gathering. With every paw step he took, he was weighted down with responsibility and guilt. He knew it was now or never. He had to leave. He trailed behind, his paws dragging across the soil. His golden tail dragged behind him.

"Are you okay Snakefang?"

Snakefang barely acknowledged Dovewing's presence. He sighed.

"I'm fine," He mewed. Dovewing brushed her pelt against his. The familiar warm fuzzy feeling lifted Snakefang's spirits. He turned to face her.

"Dovewing I-" He started, suddenly losing all confidence. He felt himself go scarlet and his blood roared in his ears. Dovewing licked his forehead reassuringly.

"It's OK," She lulled. Snakefang stopped.

"Dovewing, don't judge me," He meowed, knowing it was the only time and place. Dovewing flushed. He moved close to her. She closed her eyes. Snakefang took advantage of his moment of opportunity. He pressed his muzzle against hers. She purred and rubbed her head along his. Snakefang closed his eyes and treasured to moment. He wasn't sure if he'd ever see Dovewing again, or if he'd return in one piece enough to still be her best friend. Snakefang pulled away and looked down. Dovewing opened her blue eyes.

"What's wrong?" Dovewing asked. How am I going to tell her? Snakefang looked away.

"It's nothing," He lied. Dovewing looked concerned, "Go one without me, I'll catch up."

Dovewing looked reluctant but eventually nodded and bounded after the group. Snakefang's heart sank.

"I love you Dovewing," He whispered. His words floated away on the breeze like a leaf and without realizing it, his old life disappeared with it. Snakefang padded over to some tansy and rolled around in it. The plant was flattened and only a faint odor of ThunderClan was there beneath their thick scent. Snakefang looked around; the mountains were awfully far away. He inhaled the last cool breath of the forest and briskly started taking the first paw steps into unknown lands. The first steps into his great journey.