Chapter One- Warnings

Dragonmist chased a butterfly, scrambling after it throughout the meadows and the networks of streams. She sighed, exasperated as its blue and black figure flew out of sight. The medicine cat apprentice flicked her tail, head angled towards the sky for any sign of the insect. Dragonmist tumbled over a log, landing in the shallows of a stream. "Ack!" she wailed, unprepared for the splash of ice-cold water that streamed over her fur. "And they say my pelt's waterproof…" She spluttered, sitting in the water, shoulders hunched. The silver she-cat spat some of the liquid out, annoyed.

A purr sounded, awfully close by. Dragonmist's eyes widened and she backed out of the creek, startled, only to find herself pressed against the log.

"Relax." called the voice one more. Dragonmist cocked her head, confused. Water streamed down her fur, "WH-who are you?" she stuttered, trying to warm up. Her eyes searched the undergrowth for any sign of a cat. "I…" it said,

Hmm.. Should be a tom. The she-cat thought. Dragonmist swallowed a lump in her throat. "Show yourself!" she yowled, in an attempt to seem intimidating. This earned another chuckle. "Dragonmist, am I right?" Dragonmist didn't speak, opening and closing her mouth like a fish, searching for the right words to say. She closed her eyes briefly, and heard more rustling. Her eyes shot open, and a grey paw stepped out of the undergrowth, followed by three more. Dragonmist studied the tom.

Not someone from my time…

Dragonmist's gaze came to the tom's face, where she saw blind blue eyes staring at her. The silver she-cat gasped in shock, surprised. "I am Jayfeather." Jayfeather announced, cocking his head. Dragonmist looked closer. He was shimmering slightly. "StarClan?" she blurted. Jayfeather nodded. A look of grimness came over his features. "I come with a prophecy."

"Oh." Dragonmist said blankly. Jayfeather opened his mouth;

"Dark days are coming,

Blood will spill with a storm,

One that is Breeze's ally,

Will destroy all that's known,

Only Four can stop it,

Born in the dead of night,

Each will have unknown powers,

That will crush the dark force,

Or encourage its growth."

This left Dragonmist murmuring, memorizing. "Ok. Got it." She said ears perked. "Anything else?" she asked. Jayfeather nodded, walking across the river, without stumbling. "Wake up." The tom hissed into her ear, biting it. "Ow!" Dragonmist yelped, and opened her eyes, wincing. She looked out the den. It was dawn, and drizzling. She got to her paws, and stretched luxuriously. The she-cat glanced around the den, eyes adjusting. A dark figure slumbered peacefully deeper into the den. Dragonmist padded out of the den.

She padded to the freshkill pile, eyeing it. One or two mice lay, tails peeking out. A small bird –a starling- was on the top. The medicine cat apprentice wasn't hungry, so she snatched the bird up, and hurried back to the medicine cat den. She passed a few warriors along the way, all cross and grumbling. Her mind flashed to the prophecy Jayfeather had uttered. A droplet landed on her ear and she flicked it off, before flinching.

Dragonmist approached a puddle, and crouched, dropping the bird beside her. She studied her ear. The skin wasn't broken, just a little sore. Dockleaf. She remembered, and clutched the starling, turning and walking back to the den. The she-cat crouched at the entrance, facing the camp, and began to eat her starling. Tigerlily walked forward, pawsteps soft. "You're up early, Dragonmist." The brown tabby yawned, sitting beside Dragonmist.

"Hi Tigerlily." Dragonmist looked at her mentor, worry in her gaze. "Something wrong?" Tigerlily asked, glancing at the younger she-cat. "I.. I received a prophecy." Dragonmist said, finishing the starling and sitting up. "Your first!" Tigerlily purred. Dragonmist felt a flash of pride, followed by worry. "It wasn't good." The apprentice added, flicking her plume-like tail. Dragonmist gazed at Tigerlily with wide green eyes. "I'm worried."

Tigerlily frowned. "We must go to Petalstar. This is more important than settling borders." Tigerlily got up, and bounded towards Highstones. Dragonmist hastily hurried after, nearly bumping into a returning patrol. She realized the rain had stopped. Tigerlily had slowed to a trot, and the younger cat caught up, panting. Dragonmist caught her breath, watching Petalstar leap down from Highstones, using the fallen log as a bridge. The black she-cat padded towards the two, with an air of authority.

"Yes?" Petalstar flicked an ear, sitting down at the base of the log. She let out a yawn, curling her tail over her paws. Dragonmist sat, after seeing her mentor sit as well. The silver she-cat shifted her paws, unsure what to say. "Dragonmist received a prophecy." Tigerlily announced.

Petalstar's amber eyes widened. "Tell me." She commanded. The young she-cat nodded, before reciting the prophecy quietly to Petalstar and Tigerlily.

Petalstar said nothing. Her fur bushed up slightly, before flattening. Tigerlily blinked. "Well, that's very dark." She said. The black she-cat opened her mouth, as if to say something, then seemed to think better of it and closed her mouth. The three sat in silence, until Reedwhisker came. "Petalstar?" the deputy asked. Petalstar whipped her head around. "Yes, Reedwhisker?" the black she-cat replied.

"Should I send out a border patrol by SwiftClan's border?" the russet tom inquired. Petalstar flicked her tail. "No, I sent one out earlier." She said, standing up. "Send one by FrostClan's border. We haven't in awhile." Reedwhisker nodded, and went in search of warriors. Petalstar sat back down, eyes narrowing now. "Not a word to anyone. Whether they're in our Clan or not." The she-cat hissed, "I don't want them to worry, and turn on each other." Tigerlily and Dragonmist both nodded, eyes wide. "You are dismissed." Petalstar stood, and flicked her tail, before padding out of camp.

"When's the next Gathering?" Dragonmist asked Tigerlily as they padded to the medicine cat den. Tigerlily's green eyes widened. "It's the night after tonight!" she said, "I forgot!" Dragonmist turned around, sweeping the remains of the starling into Darkwave's face. The dark grey warrior snarled. "I'm sorry!" the medicine cat apprentice squealed. Tigerlily had disappeared out of camp, as she had seen her running. "What was that for?" Darkwave spat, annoyed.