Chapter 2

Mintpaw opened her eyes to find herself standing beside the Star River, surrounded by more cats than she had ever seen in her life. Every one of them had stars falling from their fur. One of them, an old white she-cat, stepped forward.

"Greetings, Mintpaw," she meowed. "My name is Leafstar, the first leader of LeafClan. These are your ancestors. We have a very special request for you."

Mintpaw's stomach tightened. She was sure she knew what was coming. "Yes?" she mewed meekly.

"We need you to save LeafClan," Leafstar meowed. "Your Clan is in grave danger, Mintpaw. A group of cats is on its way to destroy you all, and they are more powerful than the four Clans put together. Only one cat knows how to destroy them, and he lives a very long way away from the Clans and is on the verge of death. He does have a son, though, and his son has all the power and knowledge he has. But his son is blind, and may not be able to make the trip back to the Clans."

"Then what can I do?" Mintpaw asked.

"That is for you and the other three to decide," Leafstar meowed. "Good-bye, Mintpaw."

Before the apprentice could blink, the starry cats were gone. She opened her eyes to find herself back where she had started: wedged between Lizardpaw and Stormpaw, who were still asleep. The apprentice stood and stretched, yawning sleepily, then padded away from the bank and waited for the rest of the apprentices to awaken. It wasn't long before Rosepaw and Foxpaw awoke. Then Stormpaw, Marshpaw, Lizardpaw, Seapaw, Lizardpaw, and finally Thrushwing awoke. Each of the cats lined up and spoke to Thrushwing in turn. When it was Mintpaw's turn, she gulped and whispered, "I was chosen."

"I know," the medicine cat meowed. "StarClan has told me. Go on then, and join the rest of the group. We'll announce the prophecy and who else was chosen tomorrow."

Mintpaw nodded, then turned and padded back to Lizardpaw's side. He was sitting away from the rest of the group, eyes clouded with worry, his tail wrapped around his paws. He was focused on his paws, and did not look up when Mintpaw padded over to join him.

"We're going back to camp now," the she-cat mewed, resting the tip of her tail on Lizardpaw's shoulder. He nodded and pushed himself to his paws. Together, the two friends padded back to camp.

XXXX

It was just past sunrise the next day when Requiemstar held a Clan meeting by the Lowstump. Her call pierced the thick cloud of sleep that had shrouded Mintpaw ever since she had returned to camp at moonset. She was only half awake as she dragged herself out of her nest and into the clearing. Settling down at the back of the group of cats that had formed around the Lowstump, Mintpaw awaited Requiemstar's message.

"Thrushwing's apprentice, Stormpaw, has recieved a prophecy!" the leader announced. Murmurs of surprise and wonder rippled through the Clan. Requiemstar explained to them quickly what the prophecy was about and what the apprentices had done last night. Then, she went on to call out the names of the cats who had been chosen.

"StarClan has called upon Stormpaw, for her knowledge of herbs and poisons, and how to settle squabbles peacefully." Stormpaw stepped forward, beaming. "Mintpaw has been called upon for her excellent hunting skills." Mintpaw started at the sound of her name, then realized that she was supposed to step to the front of the crowd, and so she did. Taking her place next to Stormpaw, she waited as the next two names were called. "StarClan has also called upon Marshpaw and Lizardpaw for the journey."

Mintpaw's head jerked up. Marshpaw and Lizardpaw were going, too? She let out a little squeal of joy and bounced in the air as her two friends padded over to join her.

"But they're just apprentices!" cried Threefoot, a LeafClan elder. "Why couldn't StarClan have chosen at least one warrior? These four are only ten moons old!"

"The decision is not mine to make," Requiemstar meowed cooly. "You are dismissed. Stormpaw, Mintpaw, Lizardpaw, and Marshpaw, please meet me in my den."

As the crowd began to disperse, Mintpaw and her friends clambered into the den that had been hollowed out under the roots of the Lowstump. There was just enough space for the four of them, their leader, and the medicine cat.

"Now," Requiemstar meowed, looking into each apprentice's eyes. "This is a very serious mission. Are you sure you can handle it?"

"We can," Marshpaw meowed quickly. "I know we can!"

"Good," Requiemstar meowed. "This journey will likely take up to five moons. If the Clan is not destroyed by then, then I assure you, you shall have your warrior ceremonies as soon as you return. Thrushwing will set you on the right path."

"Very well then," Thrushwing meowed. "From here, you must cut through FernClan territory. If you are seen, you must tell them that you are on a mission. If they ask you for details, simply walk away. Just keep going forward until you find a stream. Follow the stream in the direction the sun rises until you come to a small Twolegplace. From there, you'll have to find out what to do yourself."

"Alright then," Requiemstar meowed. "You must leave immediately."