Chapter 1
The First Gathering
Dark clouds hung over a small clearing in the woods, the four massive and ancient oaks that marked the four corners of the clearing groaned under protest as the wind rustled their leaves.
The four leaders of RiverClan, ShadowClan, ThunderClan and WindClan threw worried glances at each other, never before- to anyone's recollection- had there been a gathering where the moon had not shown bright upon the clearing.
A light brown tabby tom turned to a light sandy orange she-cat "Echostar are you ready to start the gathering?" the tom asked, dipping his head respectfully to the ThunderClan leader.
The sandy orange she-cat, Echostar, nodded "Yes, thank you Brownpelt," she smiled at her deputy and then padded forward until she stood close to the edge of a large rock, High Rock, that jutted out of the ground towards the center of the clearing.
Echostar opened her mouth to speak when the dark clouds parted and the moon cast its eerie glow upon the crowd of cats. Out of this light four ghostly figures stood together, each one turning their head to look at the four wide eyes leaders. "W-who are you?" Echostar stammered, her fur standing on end and claws scratching against the cold rock.
The four pale figures opened their mouths and spoke in unison "We are the ancestors of your clans, Riverstar, Shadowstar, Thunderstorm and Windstar."
"Why are the great cats of StarClan here?" Echostar mewed, trying to regain her composure.
"We have come to warn you," their voices were cold and empty, sending chills down even the bravest warriors' spine, "that to survive, four must become one before the first frost settles."
"Are you saying that we have to give up our way of life and become one clan!" A brown and grey tabby with a white belly hissed from atop the High Rock.
"Four must become one before the first frost settles." The four ghost like cats mewed at once.
Murmurs and gasps erupted from the gathered cats. "Who will lead us then?" This time a brown tabby asked the four StarClan cats. "Where would we live?"
"The one whose heart has fallen shall lead and lies here this night." They answered cryptically.
"Of course she's here tonight!" a black and white she-cat with ruffled fur retorted, "I will lead the clans." She stated proudly.
"What gives you the right to lead Willowstar!" the brown tabby hissed, hackles rising menacingly "I have more cunning in one paw than you do in your whole body, I should lead!"
The brown and grey tabby shoved the brown tabby aside, "Impossible! My clan would never follow the likes of a filthy ShadowClan leader! I will lead."
"Stop!" Echostar roared, "Let's talk!"
"All you ever do is talk, this is time for action!" the brown tabby turned, hissing at Echostar.
"Ha! What would you know about action Brackenstar!" the brown and grey tabby sneered.
"Ripplestar stop! This isn't helping anything." Echostar mewed pathetically, her voice drowned out by the fighting of the other clan leaders.
The warriors below started to fight amongst each other, claws and fangs flying. A few cats ran, too young to fight. Brownpelt, the ThunderClan deputy yowled for peace, his deep voice carrying higher than Echostars.
Ripplestar snarled "This is not a time for peace; this is a time for war!" the tabby hissed, unsheathing his claws and turning on Echostar.
The four StarClan cats watched silently and shook their heads "Four must become one before the first frost settles and the one whose heart has fallen shall lead and lies here this night." They said once more, staring at a small group of apprentices, their figures melding together to become one and then disappearing as clouds shrouded the moons light once more.