The last of the Good Four chapters for a bit. Here's Doveheart! And some Cinderheart and Dustfur love as well. Some Rushpaw mixed in there for good measure. Reedwhisker, just to add some spice. It's an interesting time!

I don't own Warriors, or anything going on here. These are just some crazy ideas I have. Hope you don't hate them too much!

Oh. The title of this chapter is The Prophet Appears. Which kind of means a variety of things, so I'll leave it up to your own interpretation. Oh, and there is some minor WillowshineXReedwhisker mentioned. As a warning if you aren't into that sort of thing.

Chapter 4: The Prophet Appears

"Doveheart!" Doveheart looked up, smiled, and apologized for having to duck out of her conversation with Bumblestripe and Molewhisker. Then she turned towards Lionstar, who was stalking towards her with a twitching tail and the fur on the back of his neck already perking up.

"What's gone wrong this time?" she inquired, almost fearful of the answer.

"Apparently, Jayfeather sent Ivypool and Mountainstone to spy on RiverClan," said Lionstar. Doveheart was silent as the news hit her, and for a few seconds, she saw stars.

"How could they be so stupid?" she hissed, her tail puffing up. "They know that RiverClan is hostile – if RiverClan catches them, they'll have all the more reason to attack us!"

"Exactly," said Lionstar. He sighed. "Jayfeather told me because they haven't come back."

"You're kidding," said Doveheart. "They got caught, didn't they?"

"It seems so," said Lionstar. He turned away, shaking his head. "I have half a mind to leave them there until Mistystar sends someone to come get us."

"I'll go," said Doveheart. She sighed, lashing her tail. "I'll have to bring an entire patrol, won't I?"

"You can't go easy on them," said Lionstar. "They're ordinary members of the Clan."

"Oh, I couldn't possibly go easy on them," said Doveheart. She imagined Ivypool and Mountainstone sneaking into RiverClan territory, all foolhardy and fully believing that they possessed the power to get in and out without being discovered. It would work fine were it not for the massive river, the territory unknown to them…she sighed again. When she got her claws on them…

"Leave it to me," she said. Lionstar nodded.

"I'm going to yell at Jayfeather," he said. "It may be a good idea to have a proper meeting once everyone gets back."

"A proper meeting?"

"One with all of us," said Lionstar. "Us and the kits." Doveheart nodded meditatively.

"Mountainstone made that difficult last time," she pointed out. "But I guess it couldn't hurt to give it another try. Now that Mountainstone doesn't feel personally responsible for what is happening."

"You never know, with Mountainstone," said Lionstar, but he sounded distantly proud. "Be careful who you bring."

Doveheart nodded, and then she turned around, facing the warriors still left in camp. It would make sense to bring a few warriors that could hold their own in a fight, but she didn't want the party to seem war-like. Somewhere in the middle, in case things got rough. Mountainstone could always use his powers and get them out of danger, provided they got to him. She may as well pick out cats that could hold their tongues.

"Cinderheart, Dustfur," said Doveheart, nodding towards where Cinderheart, Dustfur, Bluemoon, and Mousewhisker were chatting. "I need you for a patrol."

Nodding, the two got up and followed her.

"Where are we going?" asked Dustfur.

"RiverClan camp," said Doveheart. She waited for their reactions. Dustfur said nothing, too startled to really find words. Cinderheart gave a low hiss.

"We're going to talk some sense into Mistystar, I hope," she said.

"It's too late for that," said Doveheart. "No, Mountainstone and Ivypool went and barged into their territory, and now we have to bring them back."

"What?" said Dustfur, eyes wide. "That doesn't sound like Ivypool at all!"

"Sure it does," muttered Doveheart, but she didn't elaborate. "I need you two to be ready for a fight, but I don't think it will come to that. Once we get to camp, please let me do the talking. Hopefully, you shouldn't need to say anything at all."

"Got it," said Cinderheart. She sighed. "What were they thinking?"

"StarClan knows," said Doveheart. Her chest tightened as she heard the words, saw them nod in acceptance of the phrase. That was the problem, though, wasn't it – StarClan didn't know? Or they didn't know StarClan, in any case. Not anymore.

They walked most of the way in silence and waited at the border. Total courtesy. No one could think that they were here for anything aggressive.

"Remember, we're just here to pick up disrespectful warriors," Cinderheart whispered to Dustfur, noticing the young tom bristling as the RiverClan patrol approached. Doveheart identified all three cats: Mallownose, Troutfur, Splashwater. Good. Troutfur was one of the most pacifistic cats she had ever met.

"Doveheart," said Mallownose. His movements were stiff.

"Hello, everyone," said Doveheart in a measured, pleasant voice. "I believe two of our warriors may have wandered onto RiverClan territory by mistake."

"Mistake has nothing to do with it," said Splashwater, her tail going up. "They came to spy!" Dustfur and Cinderheart didn't react. Doveheart blinked calmly at the patrol.

"I do not know their intentions," she said. "But we were told that they were last seen heading towards RiverClan territory. I expect you've seen them, then."

"They're in camp," said Troutfur. Her eyes flashed warily. "Come with us."

They fell behind the RiverClan cats. Doveheart was impressed with the way Dustfur held himself in this diplomatic situation. He was hard to anger, Dustfur, and he had been through a lot. He was a good choice for this type of mission.

They walked into RiverClan camp with only minimal stiffening from Dustfur. The camp was quiet, a little too quiet. A few kits played on the edge of the clearing, but when the patrol entered, they too, stood at attention.

"More ThunderClan cats!" said one of them. His sister cuffed his ears.

"They're hear to pick up the bad ones," she said simply. Doveheart nodded at the trio of kits as they passed.

"That's Doveheart, the ThunderClan deputy," whispered the third kit.

"She's pretty," said the fourth.

Doveheart smiled, putting them behind her.

"She's ThunderClan!" hissed the first kit. They all mumbled sadly together, and Doveheart's smile faded. This wasn't normal Clan rivalry, was it? Was she just reading too far into the situation?

Mistystar and Reedwhisker met them at the edge of the clearing. Doveheart caught sight of Ivypool and Mountainstone close to the far bank of the river. Ivypool had that pose again – where she jutted her chin in the air and acted as if it was all beneath her. Mountainstone just looked horrified.

"Mistystar," said Doveheart. "I sincerely apologize for any damage Mountainstone and Ivypool have cost." She glared at the pair of ThunderClan warriors. Ivypool's gaze flickered away from hers. "I can assure you that they will be punished severely." She hoped her words held, that they could just get out.

"Can you assure me of that?" said Mistystar. She glared down her nose at Doveheart. "Your littermate? Lionstar's kit? Will they really receive punishment?"

"We are all one Clan," said Doveheart. "Kin does not matter in that sense. Not when it comes to something so disrespectful as this."

"Pretty words," said Reedwhisker. "I'm still not convinced they came against orders."

"I still don't know what they're doing here," said Doveheart. Which wasn't entirely a lie. She stared the two down. "Maybe they can explain?"

"Some of the Clan was worried," said Ivypool quietly. "We came to investigate."

"Your investigation ends here," said Doveheart curtly. She hated yelling at Ivypool like this, but she had no choice. Jayfeather or no Jayfeather, this was entirely wrong. Now ThunderClan had another mark against RiverClan to explain.

"We'll handle it from here," said Doveheart. "Thank you for being understanding, Mistystar."

The RiverClan leader made a noise akin to a chuckle. Doveheart beckoned Ivypool and Mountainstone to her side.

"I do hope you'll be more careful in the future," said Mistystar. "We mean no threat to you, and I hope you'll treat us with the same consideration. It does not say good things about ThunderClan."

"I assure you, there is no threat in this action," said Doveheart. She could hardly believe that they were getting out of this without too much tension. "And I'm sorry if we've given you any reason for suspicion."

"Suspicion?" said Mistystar. "I wonder, why would you suggest that?"

Doveheart ignored the sarcasm.

"Come on," she said, facing the patrol. "Let's go home. Then you two can explain this to Lionstar. He'll decide what will be done with you."

They reacted fully in character – Ivypool glaring daggers, Mountainstone looking horribly contrite. Doveheart was convinced that they did regret this action, even if they didn't quite show it correctly. Any onlookers would think so, anyways.

"Swallowleaf, Minnowtail, help me guide them out," said Reedwhisker, and Doveheart found the black tom walking alongside her. She flinched away when his pelt brushed against hers in accident. She had always liked Reedwhisker, but now his eyes were cold when he looked at her. They had fought side-by-side once, in the War of Shadows. Now it was like she was mouse-dung as far as he was concerned.

"I must apologize again for this," said Doveheart once they left the most concentrated part of RiverClan territory. "I assure you, we'll handle this."

"Oh, I'm too sure you will," said Reedwhisker in that level voice. "You can't have anyone know how wild ThunderClan is."

"I appreciate your understanding," said Doveheart.

"ThunderClan's secrets must stay within ThunderClan," said Reedwhisker. "Interesting that your warriors should want to know everyone else's secrets as well."

"ThunderClan is hiding nothing," said Doveheart.

"Of course not," said Reedwhisker. "Not how you avoided the sickness, not how your apprentices led the journey, not how you avoided the earthquakes, not how Jayfeather healed that warrior so quickly."

Doveheart glared at him, and Reedwhisker glared back. The warriors behind them were far enough away so that they couldn't quite hear the details of this conversation. Doveheart wondered what would happen if they could. Where did Cinderheart and Dustfur stand on the issue of RiverClan's accusation? She was growing aware of unrest in the Clan, the idea that even they didn't know everything. It was the truth, but there was little she could do about it.

"If I were you," said Doveheart, choosing her words carefully. She could only have one barb. "I would stop worrying about my medicine cat and focus on your own."

Reedwhisker's eyes flared, and Doveheart smirked. The correct vein to tap.

"What are you implying?" he hissed.

"Just that you're playing a game you don't want to play," said Doveheart. "If you want to pick a fight, pick a fight. If you want to make an accusation, do it. Don't ask me hostile questions. I think you will find that you're picking the wrong Clan."

"Is this a threat?" said Reedwhisker.

"No," said Doveheart coldly. She could see the border, knew that once they crossed it, she would be safe again. At least for a little bit. She couldn't incite a war, but she had to prevent one. It was a dangerous line to tread. "It's a warning to give up this silly fake war you're starting."

"You're the damned Clan, not us," said Reedwhisker.

"Did Willowshine tell you that, or was she too busy whispering her sweet nothings?" hissed Doveheart. She laughed at the look on his face. "You'd better hope that your little darling hasn't chosen the wrong side in this."

"Now who's the one starting a war?" said Reedwhisker.

Doveheart gazed at him, realizing that he was standing there bruised and battered, but earnest. He fought for his Clan, for the future Willowshine prophesied, for the power of good that StarClan had no doubt promised him he had. Could she begrudge him that, even if he was wrong?

"Let's go home, ThunderClan," she said, and she left Reedwhisker's question unanswered. She could feel the RiverClan deputy burn holes in the back of her head with his glare, but he didn't cross the border, and their little group of six headed into ThunderClan territory.

"Doveheart, I – " Mountainstone began. "There were ShadowClan cats."

"We'll discuss it when we get back," said Doveheart. The young warrior nodded, settling into silence. Dustfur walked alongside him, a soft promise for compassion.

"Doveheart," said Mountainstone. Doveheart waved her tail at her. "No, Doveheart, listen."

Doveheart perked her ears up. She had been caught up in her anger, her pity, her confusion, that she had let her surroundings go un-noticed. Things must be going badly if that was to happen. Doveheart never lost focus.

"We're being tailed," said Doveheart. She whirled around, shoving through the warriors. "Show yourself!"

There was a silence, and then a rustling of bushes, and a small cream-colored tom popped through. Doveheart narrowed her eyes.

"Rushpaw?" she said. The RiverClan medicine cat apprentice looked up sheepishly. "Why are you following us?"

"I felt I had to," said Rushpaw. His blue eyes burned into hers. He glanced around at their party, as if deciding whether or not to tell them what he knew. Doveheart had a funny feeling about the information Rushpaw was about disclose.

"Say it, then," said Cinderheart. "And then get off of our territory."

"You have every right to be mad at our Clan, but I can explain it," said Rushpaw rapidly. "Willowshine told me that StarClan wants her to cut all ties with ThunderClan."

"StarClan said this?" said Dustfur. "Why?"

Rushpaw shrugged, but Doveheart's heart sank. She could see somewhere in the depths of this cat's eyes that he wasn't saying everything.

"StarClan says that ThunderClan has secrets," he said. "That ThunderClan is housing something that could destroy the Clans."

"A weapon," said Mountainstone quietly. Doveheart hated the defeated tone of voice. "RiverClan thinks we have a weapon."

"Willowshine takes everything StarClan says to be the truth," said Rushpaw. "We all must do the same. But…" He hesitated. "A few days ago, I saw a white wolf in the trees."

Doveheart's heart stopped for a brief moment. Fountain! It had to be.

"What?" cried Cinderheart. "A wolf?"

"Go on, Rushpaw," said Doveheart.

"He wasn't trying to hurt me," said Rushpaw. "He told me that I was…" He paused. "That I was to trust in Birdpaw above anything else." Rushpaw hissed under his breath. "I don't know what knowledge a cat-speaking wolf has, but it made me think."

"Do you think something is wrong with StarClan?" said Dustfur. "How could they be lying? StarClan wouldn't just condemn ThunderClan, would they?"

Ivypool, Mountainstone, and Doveheart didn't answer or look at one another. Doveheart had so many answers, but so many questions as well. How could she involve the rest of the Clan?

"So StarClan is angry with us," she said, and Rushpaw nodded. "Thank you, Rushpaw. I'm sure it was not easy telling this to us."

"I believe in what StarClan says," said Rushpaw. "But I also believe in Jayfeather and Birdpaw, and I don't think their Clan would keep a weapon."

He knows something, thought Doveheart as she dismissed the young tom. She glanced over at Mountainstone, almost wanting to inquire about Birdpaw, or if Rushpaw was confirmed to know anything. But it was too hard to speak when Cinderheart and Dustfur were listening. All of it could wait.

They began the trek back to camp, and Doveheart sorted through the million thoughts in her head to focus on just one. Fountain had chosen Rushpaw to approach. Fountain had trusted Rushpaw with the truth, even though every medicine cat in the forest was receiving terrible messages from StarClan. Why? What made him so special? Why the medicine cat apprentice, and not his mentor? Why RiverClan, not ShadowClan? Why not Doveheart or one of the others actually involved in the prophecy?

This prophecy was bigger than the prophecy in the War of Shadows had ever been. This problem was more entwined with the prophecy than ever before. This war was too personal, too close, to hard-hitting and complex. She couldn't differentiate prophecy from real life anymore, because the lines were blurring. The borders were coming down.

Would the truth come out when it did? If that was to happen, would things ever be the same?

Alright, everybody, we're like 10% done with the book! How exciting!

No, really. This book is going to be so dang long. I'm predicting it to be longer than War of Shadows, and WaS was a freaking monster. I hope you guys stick with the story, as I promise it will be much more dynamic and climactic than ANYTHING that has come before. Like, each chapter is outlined to be intense. I hope I can live up to my own expectations when writing it!

There are a few things in my way right now: passing school, getting into school, making school happy. Yeah. Basically it's kind of rough in terms of time management. I think it actually increases my productivity of things like fanfiction. Ha. Ha. Ha...right. So, the point of that mini-rant is that there's a lot going on, so sorry if updates are slow.

If you liked it, don't forget to review, favorite, and follow! Thank you all for sticking with me for so long!

~Elsi