Next chapter up, woot! Thanks to: Jessice/Autumnleaf, Blizzard Dragonoid, Coby Cullen, Moonriver: Singing Wind Tribe, and BookObssesorNumberOne for their reviews! You are too kind!

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"What do you mean, 'It's gone?'" asked Rainsong, her eyes going wide.

"I mean it's dried up," said Mothpaw hollowly. "I looked everywhere, but it was just… gone. And when I slept, StarClan never came. I was in a StarClan clearing, but it was empty. Everyone, everything, is gone."

Rainsong gaped silently. "What can this mean?" she whispered. "This is impossible. StarClan would never allow this."

None of the apprentices knew what to say. Shiningstar had had a similar reaction to the news, and was going to make the announcement at dawn before sending a patrol to confirm the report.

Darkpaw pressed against Mothpaw's silver side comfortingly. Mothpaw just sat there, head drooping, as if this was all her fault. Owlpaw sat on her other side, brow furrowed as he thought.

--

Shininstar had called a meeting in his den with Hollyfrost, Rainsong, Sunshine, Eaglefoot, and Freezewind. The last three had gone on the patrol to Stream Clearing, where they found nothing but a dry streambed.

The rumors had quickly spread, and the warriors couldn't believe their ears. They sat and muttered amongst themselves, eyes wary as if they expected a monster to leap out of the bushes at any second. Darkpaw, Mothpaw and Owlpaw had moped around camp in the shadows, answering the questions of any cat that approached them. The disappearance of the Stream had caused the joyful atmosphere around the camp to vanish as quickly as darting minnows.

Shiningstar strode out of his den and leaped onto the Highstone, landing with a heavy thump. Straightening up, he yowled "Cats of ForeverClan, gather here beneath the Highstone for a Clan meeting!" The cats had already begun moving forward, worry in their eyes. Darkpaw pricked her ears and sat next to Hollyfrost, who licked the top of her head.

"What you have heard is true," Shiningstar rumbled. "Eaglefoot's patrol has determined that. Sunshine, please speak."

The golden she cat stood up. "I ran as far as I could in both directions. There was nothing upriver, and the waterfall over the sea is no more. As for the clearing itself, just sand." She sat down.

It was silent. Nobody spoke. Stunned, shocked, screaming inside their heads. The Stream meant everything to them. It was their way of life. You might as well take away the Code itself.

"So," Owlpaw spoke hesitantly as all eyes fixed on him. "Will we never get our powers?"

"I don't know," Shiningstar mewed, defeated. "Neither Rainsong nor Freezewind have been able to give me any insight to the future."

"But we have to get our powers!" Thornkit whispered loudly. Tigerlily shushed her.

"What if the Stream is gone forever? We can't live without it!" Leaffall mewed hysterically.

"StarClan has punished us. We've done something wrong, and they've taken their gift," Pinebreath said calmly, as if this all made perfect sense. But his eyes were blank as they stared straight ahead. It looked like he was watching a vision of his own death.

"Maybe ForeverClan isn't meant to be forever," Rainsong murmered.

"Don't worry, the Stream will return," Rowantail said, trying to soothe the cats. "Maybe the heat has dried it up."

"Dried up? The heat? It's newleaf! Are you crazy?" Runningstep hissed frantically. "Even in the middle of Greenleaf, the Stream has never dried up!" His words only caused the warriors to panic more.

"Everyone, calm down." Hollyfrost had gone into deputy mood. Violet eyes serene, her calm presence eased the nervous cats. Darkpaw beamed at her mother. Hollyfrost was probably as scared as all the others, but she didn't let that show. Shiningstar nodded to her gratefully.

"There is no reason to panic. Rainsong will contact StarClan and find out exactly what is going on here. In the mean time, we need to focus on doing our duties the same as always. I have decided… that Owlpaw's and Mothpaw's warrior ceremonies will wait."

Owlpaw frowned, but Mothpaw nodded. It just wasn't official without their powers.

"Then this meeting is over."

--

"Mothpaw."

"What?"

"I want to go."

"Go where?"

"To where the Stream is…was."

"Why?"

"Don't you?"

"Not really."

"But we can look for it!"

"There's no point. It's gone."

"Maybe it's not. Maybe StarClan isn't punishing us. Maybe… it's just blocked or something."

"She has a point."

"So what do you want do? It's dusk. It will be dark in less than an hour."

"Mothpaw, Owlpaw... I want to find the Stream. I need to. I will."

"Darkpaw, what are you saying? You're going to be trooping around at midnight looking for it?"

"Yes, Owlpaw, I will. But I want you to come with me."

"But why? We'll just get in trouble."

"I have to do this. Don't you? I feel it… It's like my destiny. I can't ignore this. Something is happening here, I want to know what this all means…Let me put it this way. I'm going whether you come with me or not. If you do, that's great. I don't know how long I'll be gone, or if I'll ever find it… But I'll find something. There's something out there. It might not be the Stream, but at least I'll know the truth."

"Darkpaw… Do you realize what you're saying? It's almost night, and you want to set out on some quest-"

"I'll come."

"Thank you, Owlpaw."

"But- you can't-"

"Mothpaw, she's right. We were meant to find the truth. It's out there, somewhere."

"We can leave tonight."

"… Fine. I'll come. I just want to say goodbye to Freezewi-"

"No! We can't tell them! They'll be sure to stop us."

"I won't leave without saying goodbye."

"Why don't you leave them a message? I think I will."

"I will too."

"Okay. But I still think you're insane."

"Not insane, just determined."

"Then it's settled. We leave tonight, and begin the search for the Stream."

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And so the story begins. Oh, and the next chapter is this story's trailer (inspired by Wolfstar-Coyoteblaze)! Please review!