Here is chapter 7! This chapter is written in Ripplenose's point of view. He is one of the senior warriors in StormClan. This chapter also introduces the main conflict, a prophecy. It's a little cliché, but eh, whatever. I appreciate reviews and comment, so go ahead!


Chapter 7: A Comfort Long Waited

Ripplenose twitched his whiskers, his soft white and gray fur ruffling in the breeze. He padded into the warriors' den, escaping the stifling heat, it being green-leaf. At least he wasn't on guard duty tonight. It was so hot it was choking. The large warrior gently pummeled his nest with his front paws, softening the stiff moss. He sighed and settled down, curling up next to Ashheart. He soon fell into a deep sleep.

As soon as he shut his eyes, Ripplenose seemed to float away into a dream. The lean warrior arrived in a clearing, grim and morose. The tom started to back away, ears flattened against his head, but at that moment, a cat stepped forth from the shadows.

"Who are you!" hissed Ripplenose. He bared his teeth in a snarl, but the cat seemed quite calm.

"I am from Starclan," mewed the cat, "My name is Briarsong." Her voice was as smooth as honey, flowing into Ripplenose's ear. The tom let his hackles lay flat and sat down warily. The she-cat was a tortoise-shell and white with deep green eyes. She seemed to be no threat at the moment.

"Why are you here? Why do you choose to visit me instead of Dawnleaf or Goldenpaw? And why in such a grim setting?" asked the lean tom.

Briarsong merely purred, "You're answers will come in time, but I need to tell you something very important," The she-cat's emerald eyes darkened and she continued, "The troubles you face are not permanent."

Ripplenose breathed a sigh of relief, "You mean the rogue group led by Jinx?"

Briarsong ignored him and continued. Her eyes seemed to radiate and sparkle ominously, "Jagged stone and sweet rain will clash together to see who reigns. Sweet rain will wash away the darkness in the storm, while jagged stone will keep it grounded." The tortoise-shell she-cat looked off into the distance, looking oddly at peace.

"A prophecy!" cried Ripplenose.

Briarsong smiled at him and whispered, "Goodbye Ripplenose. It was a pleasure meeting you." Then, she faded away, leaving only a trail of stars.

"No! You need to tell me more!" Pleaded Ripplenose. As he wailed, the clearing began to swirl and spin, and then he found himself in darkness. Ripplenose opened his eyes. The dream had felt so real! The first ray of sunlight cast over camp, glinting off of Sun Stones. He shook with excitement. A prophecy! The gray and white warrior bounded into the leader's den to tell Thistlestar.

When he entered to cool cave, he was surprised to find Thistlestar already awake.

"Thistlestar! I need to tell you something!" Ripplenose blurted out.

"As long as it is important, you should tell me," replied Thistlestar. He sat up and pricked his ears, ready to listen to his senior warrior. Ripplenose recalled all of the events of his dream, and Thistlestar hung on to every word he uttered. At the end, the large leader's eyes were glistening with excitement.

"This is it!" he cried. The silver tom bounded out of his den, followed closely by Ripplenose. He shared the delightful news with his clan.

"Cats of StormClan! I have brought great news this morning. Our clan, once devastated by the green-leaf rogues, will be free of this disease!" The clan broke out into cheers and excited chatter, and Thistlestar leaped of off Jagged-ledge to converse with his senior warriors. However, the time of celebreation did not last long.