Prologue

"Thank you, Darkpaw," Talonclaw meowed, nodding to the small pile of burdock root that the young black apprentice had collected for him. "It would have taken me much longer to collect the herbs if you had not been around to assist me. Compassion is one of the key characteristics that will shape you to be a fine warrior. Some would say it is even more essential than fighting."

"Whatever, Talonclaw," Darkpaw growled, his throat sore from a recent battle with greencough. "I normally wouldn't be helping you, no offense, but Voleheart didn't want me to do any warrior training. 'How am I supposed to make you a warrior if you get sick again?'" Talonclaw purred in amusement at Darkpaw's imitation of his mentor, Voleheart. "My father agrees with him."

Darkpaw's father was Woodstar, leader of JayClan. His mother was Songbird, former Clan deputy and JayClan's only elder, who was a descendant of ThunderClan's last leader, Jaystar. Legend has it that Jaystar had tried her best to preserve the original four Clans after finding out about the prophecy that foretold their destruction, but she had been unable to stop the ending of the Clans. However, with her help, several cats survived and together they were the founders of JayClan. Talonclaw's own ancestor, Lionstar, had been JayClan's first leader and had spoken with his descendant numerous times. Talonclaw loved being a medicine cat and walking with his ancient kin. He just couldn't imagine life not knowing StarClan.

StarClan was the only other Clan aside from JayClan, but in the past they had been one of the five Clans that roamed seasons ago. StarClan consisted of the warriors' ancestors- from the start of the Clans to their fall- and it was through them that Talonclaw learned the way of life that a medicine cat was bound to faller. His mentor, Juniperear, had guided him in the path of herbs and healing, but every medicine cat's acceptance into StarClan was different. StarClan was a lesson Talonclaw had to learn on his own.

"As I should," Talonclaw and Darkpaw both jumped as Woodstar sprang down from Hightree and padded over to them, his brown fur shining in the moonlight. His orange eyes were bright with happiness and Talonclaw knew why. His suspicions were confirmed when Talonclaw's gaze shifted to the small bundle of thorns that was the nursery. Gingereye, Woodstar's mate, had given birth to his fourth litter of kits only days earlier and Talonclaw knew had anxious Woodstar was about this new litter.

Woodstar and Gingereye's first two litters had died before their eyes were even open and it wasn't until their third litter did they have a surviving son. Talonclaw glanced at Darkpaw and wondered what made the small black apprentice survive when several of his kin had lost their lives? Did StarClan have a big destiny for the tiny cat? If they did, Talonclaw wondered what it was.

"Woodstar, if I don't continue training soon then Lakepaw will probably be a warrior before me! Airkit, Waterkit, and Cloudkit too!" Lakepaw was the only other apprentice in the Clan other than Darkpaw and the two of them were always enjoying friendly competitions. That was actually how Darkpaw had gotten sick. Lakepaw had challenged him to see who could stay out in a blizzard the longest. With her thick fur, Lakepaw had won easily, but she had instantly regretted it when Darkpaw was diagnosed with greencough. Since then, Lakepaw has been attempting to cheer Darkpaw up, feeling guilty for causing him to get sick.

"Well, we can't have that can we?" Woodstar's orange eyes glimmered as he looked at his oldest kit, "Go to the apprentices' den and get some shut eye. I'll talk to Voleheart about allowing you to continue with your training tomorrow before he takes the dawn patrol out. Maybe if you're up early, he will take you with him. That is, if its alright with you, Talonclaw?"

"You're all cleared, Darkpaw," Talonclaw meowed, flicking the black apprentice over the ear. Darkpaw jumped up and began bouncing around like a kit before dipping his head to Woodstar and Talonclaw, practically sprinting towards the apprentices' den. No doubt he wanted to share his good news with Lakepaw who probably was lonely sleeping in the apprentices' den all alone. "So Woodstar, how is Ginger-" Talonclaw was cut off by Orangepelt who was bounding over to them.

"Woodstar, I just came back from visiting Gingereye and she's been coughing. She told me not to worry, but I can't help it! You see, she was with Darkpaw a lot when he was sick and I wouldn't want her to catch greencough! Nor the kits! They are too young to survive the disease!" Woodstar and Talonclaw exchanged a fearful glance before Talonclaw took control as his role as medicine cat.

"Its probably nothing, Orangepelt, but can you go to my den and fetch some honey for Gingereye. It probably is just a cough, but we have to be sure," Orangepelt nodded and raced away, making Talonclaw remember that the dark ginger she-cat was Gingereye's sister. If Gingereye was sick, than Orangepelt would have a good reason to be extremely worried for her kin.

"You don't think it could be greencough, do you Talonclaw?" Woodstar asked quietly as the two of them bounded over to the nursery. Talonclaw glanced at his leader and saw the desperation in his orange eyes. If Gingereye lost another litter, she wouldn't be strong enough to deal with the grief. And if the kits lost their mother... they weren't old enough to drink anything, but milk at the moment. Talonclaw shook his head and Woodstar sighed. "Thank StarClan."

The two large cats pushed their way into the nursery when Gingereye was staring at her kits, affection in her amber eyes. When Talonclaw accidentally walked on a leaf, Gingereye looked up, her affection not softening when she saw who stood in the nursery with her. "Woodstar, Talonclaw, what brings you two in here so late at night?"

"Well, love, we just got done talking with Orangepelt and she was worried you might have caught greencough from Darkpaw," Woodstar meowed gently and Gingereye shook her head quickly. "Talonclaw just wanted to inspect and make sure you are okay. Talonclaw?" Woodstar looked expectantly at Talonclaw who was staring off at the distance, his eyes wide. "Talonclaw?"

"Four will take one and make five, making history repeat itself. Thunder will fall on the lake and the Clan of birds will be no more. The end is now."

Talonclaw's eyes were widening by the second as he replayed the prophecy in his head multiple times. It wasn't until Orangepelt practically shoved him did Talonclaw realize where he was. "What? What happened?" He glanced at the cats surrounding him. Gingereye's face was soft with concern while Woodstar and Orangepelt were sharing confused glances. "I'm sorry about that. Where were we?"

As he treated Gingereye, Talonclaw's mind kept straying to the prophecy. What did it mean?

A/N I know its sort of short, but my muse is pretty low at the moment. Hopefully you all like the prologue of this story no matter how long it is. Please review. I'm eager to know your opinions on my writing.