Prologue

A handsome ginger tom was stalking through a darkened forest, mist flew from his paws as he stepped on the dirt path. Stars seemed to shimmer in his fur as he passed through dappled patches of moonlight. The tom froze as if he heard something and his green eyes swept over the surrounding trees. He relaxed as a large white tom stepped out of the trees, "Whitestorm. What are you doing here?"

The white cat blinked warmly at him, "Firestar. It's been a while. You've been in StarClan for a few moons now and you have yet to come and visit with me."

Firestar shrugged and looked down at his paws, it was like he was back as a junior warrior when he spoke with the older tom. Firestar looked back up and met Whitestorm's yellow eyes, "I was adjusting I suppose. It's certainly… different not being with my family. I miss Sandstorm more than I imagined I would, even with Graystripe here it's just not the same."

Whitestorm nodded, "I understand, it was hard to watch Willowpelt and our kits down there without me. It takes time but I was lucky in that I had the rest of my family here to help me. You were the first to join us but you'll be alright, Firestar."

Whitestorm looked over his shoulder as a leaf rustled, a blue-gray molly leaped out from the underbrush. The noble looking she-cat sat down next to the white tom, and gave Firestar a nod in greeting.

"Bluestar," Firestar nodded back, watching as the two cats shared a look. Whitestorm sighed and looked up at the sky as Bluestar spoke, "Firestar, I've been asked to bring you to a meeting."

"A meeting? With who?" The ginger tom cocked his head as he spoke, tail twitching curiously. Bluestar shrugged and rose to her paws, "I don't think I should tell you. They only asked to inform you for a meeting but I don't think you should attend."

She glanced around suspiciously, "There have been rumors of what they plan to ask and I disagree."

Firestar narrowed his eyes, "Rumors? What rumors? Why haven't I heard anything?"

Whitestorm interrupted, "They don't want you to know until they speak with you but I'm with Bluestar. It's not a good idea."

"What's not a good idea? You two still haven't even told me who I'd be meeting with or what the idea even is!" Firestar said, standing up abruptly and pacing in front of the two cats.

"The Founders are the ones and the plot they wish to enact is a hare-brained scheme. They want to undo everything that's been done and they plan to do this by sending you back to when Tigerstar was still young, before he started making too ambitious of plans. They hope that this in turn will help prevent Ashfur's descent into madness and all the events that followed." Bluestar mewed, pinning him in place with her sharp blue eyes.

Firestar froze and turned, astonishment widening his eyes. His gaze flickered back and forth between the two, "Are you joking? Surely this is some kind of joke, I mean what good would come of it? Things happened for a reason and as a result we all got stronger and fixed our mistakes. Why would we want to undo the progress we've made?"

"Some cats aren't happy, that's all. The problem is that those who aren't happy have certain pull among the older residents of StarClan. That's the only reason why anyone is even listening to this." Bluestar said, sharing a glance with Whitestorm as she spoke.

"I don't want them to pull you into this fiasco that I am sure it will become so I plan on refusing on your behalf. I really advise against meeting with them." Bluestar finished, shaking out her paws as she watched Firestar sit back down in shock. The ginger tom looked at her before he slowly nodded his head, "Alright then. If you don't think it's a good idea I'll trust you, Bluestar. I won't meet with them if you don't want me to."

Bluestar let out a sigh of relief and with a nod to both toms she turned and pushed into the brush. Whitestorm watched her leave and once the tip of her tail vanished into the dark he turned his steady gaze back to Firestar.

The ginger tom sighed as he met the gaze, "So what now? I'm guessing she went off to talk to them?"

Whitestorm nodded, "Yeah if you had agreed to meet with them she would have led the way. I came mainly for support no matter which option you chose."

The big white cat sighed as he looked at Firestar, "I remember when you were little more than a kit, wanting to run off and join us in the forest. You've become such a dedicated warrior and a better leader than any of us ever imagined. Firestar, I was proud to be your deputy even for such a short time. I hope that you will help ThunderClan from StarClan just as well as you did leading."

Whitestorm blinked slowly at him before he rose to his paws and approached the ginger cat. He placed his muzzle on Firestar's shoulder and breathed out, "I hope you know that you can always talk to me when you need to."

With that, the white cat turned and padded away without a backwards glance. Firestar was left alone watching him slowly disappear in the dark trees. He sighed and looked down at his paws. He slowly looked up and rose to his feet, glancing around before he padded along the dirt path, heading directly into the darkened trees.

He went to jump over a fallen tree only to stumble to the ground as pain engulfed him, a sharp ringing in his ears sounded as he collapsed on the ground. He could barely think. It was like teeth were digging around in his skull and he couldn't catch his breath to even whimper in pain. Firestar laid there unable to move as the tearing pain spread through his body, traveling down to even his claws.

What in StarClan is happening?! I didn't know I could still feel pain like this! It feels like I'm going to die but from what? What is going on?!

Firestar struggled to think as his vision went dark; the last thing he saw was the bright moon above him. It seemed to taunt him as his vision tunneled before everything faded out.

Firestar abruptly came to and the pain seemed to have lessened slightly but it was still overwhelming all of his senses. Firestar whimpered in pain as he tried to move, a fiery pain jolting down his spine and swiftly spreading to his paws. He struggled to open his eyes and felt panic bubble up in his chest as he failed. He flailed around a bit, ignoring the pain as he tried to figure out what was happening. Firestar froze as something soft touched him, is that a tail? What exactly is going on?

"Good morning, little one." A voice breathed, stirring his fur. It was familiar though he couldn't quite place it. What? Who is that? What in StarClan's name is going on?

Firestar flinched as he was nudged forward, nose brushing against something soft -fur. The sweet, tantalizing scent of milk washed over him and he couldn't stop himself from latching on and taking long droughts of milk. He abruptly pulled away and was horrified at his actions, what is happening? He's acting like a kit? Why

A slow realization of shock washed over him, is he a kit right now? What has StarClan done to him?! He tried even harder to open his eyes but couldn't quite manage it. Panic bubbled out of his chest and a shrill squeak escaped him. A sudden rush of pawsteps preceded the loud worried voice and the suffocating tang of fear.

"What's wrong? Why is she so upset?" A new voice asked, Firestar's thrashing froze as he digested the words. She? Is there another kit here? Where am I? I can barely catch a scent!

"I don't know, she nursed for a second before pulling away. Physically she seems alright but something is making her upset. Maybe there's something in my nest?" The voice nearest to him asked. A sudden touch on his flank made him flinch and then his blood ran cold. Are they talking about him?

There's no way that they could seriously mistake him for a molly right? Surely he's just having a crazy dream! No! He must have hit his head or something!

Firestar wiggled around again, pushing himself away from the warm expanse in front of him. A gentle nudge tried to stop him from going too far but he couldn't stop himself from the panicked flurry of movement. He needed to get away, he needed to open his eyes for StarClan's sake!

"Shhhh, you're alright, little one. Quick get Featherwhisker!"

Featherwhisker? That sounds like a Clan name, hopefully this cat will be able to tell me what exactly is going on!

Rustling was the only thing he could hear over his rapid breathing and the worried sniffing of the queen whose nest he was sharing. It wasn't too long when the cat returned, shouldering their way into the den. Based on what Firestar could hear, it might be possible for him to be in the nursery, hopefully in ThunderClan's nursery even though it doesn't make any sense for him to be here.

He could vaguely sense a cat hovering over him, and his skin prickled at the sensation of being closely examined by an unknown. He felt his fur stir as the cat sniffed closely at his body.

"I can't find anything definitively wrong but we'll have to keep a close eye on her. Hopefully she'll settle down as her sense of smell develops a bit more. I'll set her on your stomach, Speckletail, and try to get her suckling." The new cat said, his voice calm despite his words as he pulled back from Firestar.

Speckletail?! What in StarClan is happening?! Am I really the kit they keep talking about? This Featherwhisker cat seems to be a medicine cat based off of his actions but surely not even the medicine cat would be wrong about my gender? A cold feeling seeped into his paws as a thought crossed his mind, what if I not only somehow woke up as a kit but I woke up as an actual real female kit?! Why would it be Speckletail's kit? Would that even be possible? Surely I'm just dreaming! Oh StarClan!

Firestar was broken from his thoughts as gentle teeth picked him up by his scruff. Firestar let out a surprised mew but didn't have time to struggle as he was swiftly placed right up against a warm belly. Once again he was faced with the overwhelming need to follow the source of the milk scent and start suckling. He wanted to resist but his instinct to nurse and the deep hunger he could feel rising up made the decision for him. He used his sense of smell and followed the sweet milk scent and latched on.

He didn't pull off this time and allowed himself to act like a hungry kit, greedily drinking. Firestar heard a few sighs of relief as he settled down, the loudest being from the queen he was nursing on, Speckletail. He was nursing on the sharp-tongued elder and it was so unbelievably weird. He'd have to just wait for his eyes to open for him to figure out what was really going on. Until then he'll just have to somehow come to terms with what is going on. Hopefully when he wakes up again he'll be back in StarClan.

Firestar opened his eyes and breathed a sigh of relief as he managed to do so. He immediately looked down and felt instant relief flow through him as he saw his familiar bright ginger pelt. He glanced around and was happy as he recognized his surroundings as part of the Silverpelt, with the misty forest floor and all.

His head shot up as rustling echoed through the trees. An unfamiliar white she-cat with yellow eyes delicately stepped out of the dark. She dipped her head in greeting and settled onto a flat rock, her eyes seemed to glow in the night and Firestar's fur rippled in unease. He narrowed his eyes before speaking, "Who are you? What exactly is going on? Are you responsible for that strange dream?"

The white cat's eyes turned sad and almost apologetic, "No, Firestar, I am not responsible though I regret to inform you that this is the dream. What you briefly experienced is not a dream or some nightmare. You have been given a task of great magnitude and I am so sorry that it was not your choice to undertake it."

Firestar's fur bristled, "What are you talking about?! Give me a real answer!"

The white molly nodded, "In due time, all will become clear. I will tell you what I know, Firestar, starting with who I am."

"My name is Cloudberry, I was ThunderClan's medicine cat many many seasons ago long before Bluestar was born. The task you have set before you is related to Tigerstar. I believe she gave you the bare bones of it?" She paused, looking at Firestar. He could feel his fur start to prickle with anger as he nodded, "Yes she said that those foolish old cats decided that Tigerstar of all people deserved another opportunity to ruin us all."

"I don't have all the details but I am afraid it is indeed about Tigerstar and his actions. That is why you were chosen, you have the most history with him. You know him the best." Cloudberry continued, seemingly unruffled by his words. Firestar opened his mouth to protest but Cloudberry held up a paw, "Please let me finish. I don't have very long before you wake up."

Firestar felt anger course through him but snapped his jaws shut, the click echoed through the space they were in. Cloudberry sighed but continued, "You've been sent to ThunderClan sometime after Bluestar was born and long before you joined as Rusty. Your task there is to try to prevent Tigerstar from going down the wrong path. They hope that preventing his bloody ambition could prevent all the events that came after. They have chosen you to help him despite your bad blood."

"Help him?! Have they lost their minds? Tigerstar had countless opportunities to not do what he did but he still chose to because that's who he is! His own ambition is why he died not only once but twice! I refuse. Some cats can't be changed! You'd think StarClan would have realized that by now. This is really the Founders' idea? Did they not watch what that murderer did?!" Firestar exclaimed, anger bursting out of him at the sheer audacity of the long dead cats. How could they ask this of him? How dare they ask this? Even after Bluestar told them he didn't want to! The nerve of some cats!

His tail lashed as he glared at the white molly in front of him. Cloudberry let out a sigh, "Look Firestar, Bluestar tried to protest alongside a good portion of StarClan but they didn't take any of that into consideration. No cat with any sense wants to put you through this especially since you already refused to meet with them. However the older residents do not seem to care. That's why I volunteered to greet you here. I will do my best to answer any questions that you have but time is running out so make it fast."

Firestar immediately started, questions flying with an urgency, "When exactly am I? I remember Speckletail but surely that's far too late? Am I that she-kit they were referring to or are there more kittens in the nursery? Is there any way for this to be undone or am I stuck there?"

He paused and took a breath before broaching a heavy topic, "What happens to my life? What happens in my original time? To my Clan? What do they think is going on? Do they know or is it like I never existed?" Firestar questioned, his eyes still narrowed as the molly avoided his eyes at the new questions.

"You are another version of you. I don't really know how to explain it, but consider it a copy of yourself. They essentially took your memories as they were in StarClan and duplicated them, putting the copies in this body. You're still you and when you join StarClan again there will still be Firestar and you as Morningkit - the body you're in now."

Firestar froze in surprise, "I'm just a copy? So I'm not the real me? How does that even work?"

Cloudberry mewed, "This is a real body and for you it's like there are two Firestars its not an alternate universe - this is your world, you're just here earlier than the other Firestar. You or I guess he will still join ThunderClan and become Firepaw when the time is right. You will be there to watch Firepaw become Firestar hopefully without all the bloodshed. Fireheart will always become deputy and then leader even if it's not Bluestar who appoints him."

Cloudberry focused on Firestar once more, "Honestly, I would suggest that you simply start thinking of yourself as Morningkit. That in itself will be the first of many challenges. You were supposed to be a male in order to help with the transition but obviously something went wrong. They didn't make this body but chose a kit that would have been stillborn instead, hence the incorrect gender."

She shook her head, "We are not meant to interfere like this, it is unnatural and there will be unforetold consequences. I fear that the worst of it has yet to come. I am sorry that this happened to you, Firestar. This isn't something any of us wanted to happen. Those that made this decision didn't care for our opinions - for any cat who knew you or watched as you fulfilled your own destiny."

The white cat looked back at him, yellow eyes glittering with sorrow. His ear twitched but he didn't interrupt, simply narrowing his eyes. Cloudberry sighed and continued, "As for the timing, Speckletail has just had her first litter. You are now part of the same litter as both Lionheart and Goldenflower - though right now they are still just kits. Tigerstar will not be born for quite some time. Not until you are already apprenticed."

Cloudberry abruptly changed topics, redirecting the conversation to his first few questions. He shook his head in disappointment but went along with it, asking "Why so far back? What's the point of it all? Why not just put me in the position to prevent Tigerstar from being born at all? Or at least simply preventing Redtail's murder? Is that not where it all started?"

Cloudberry shook her head, "I do not know for certain. Like I said, I wasn't exactly invited to the plotting of this scheme. I just suddenly had memories that I didn't have before and knew that something had occurred. I asked around and decided I would be the one to speak with you. ThunderClan as you knew it has yet to be formed- most cats haven't been born yet let alone joined StarClan, so I took it upon myself to try to explain the worst of it."

She glanced around suddenly before stepping closer, lowering her voice, "I also have been in touch with the current medicine cat - my old apprentice. Hopefully he will be able to aid you as well."

Firestar blinked rapidly as the edges of the world seemed to blur, Cloudberry suddenly disappearing. Her voice lingered in his ears as she muttered, "I will try to visit again but we have been here longer than we should have. You should be a bit more developed, so when you wake, seek out Goosefeather. He will say what I cannot. May the starlight guide your pawsteps, Firestar."