Prologue
The moon rose slowly in the sky as a cat flitted through the shadows of trees nearby. The moon shown on the cat for just an instant revealing a brown tabby tom. The cat continued on warily through the trees. Then cat began to slow as its head turned towards the sound of paw steps close by. The cat crouched readying itself for anything. Suddenly a black tabby tom leaped from the trees.
"Ottersplash you're finished. You let those cats die. You're a worthless Medicine cat, and you know it. Now make this easier on yourself, and let me kill you," the black tabby tom hissed at the brown tabby tom.
"I did all that I could. You must believe me Rippleheart," the brown tabby tom replied in anguish. The black tom just snarled, and leaped at Ottersplash. Ottersplash dodged, and pelted full tilt away from the black tom.
"I'll find you Ottersplash don't think I won't, and when I do you'll be sorry for letting those cats die," the black tom, Rippleheart, yowled after the fleeing brown tom.
I need to find a safe place where Rippleheart won't be able to find me no matter how hard he looks, Ottersplash thought to himself. The tom kept running long into the night not stopping until he was sure that Rippleheart was not following him. Then, and only then did he stop to catch his breath and rest.
….
"Ottersplash wake up," a kind voice purred in the tom's ear. Ottersplash yawned and sat up. As his eyes adjusted to the bright light of the moon above he saw that he was in StarClan. A soft golden furred she-cat sat in front of him.
"Am I dead?" Ottersplash asked in a curious tone, "Did Rippleheart kill me like he said he would?"
The she-cat mrrowed in laughter, "No you are not dead just dreaming. Don't look so surprised you're still a Medicine cat no matter what."
"But my clanmates I let so many of them die. I was chased out of my clan, and any cat was given free rein to kill me on site. Even my own apprentice turned on me! Why couldn't I save Fishclaw, Perchkit, Mallowwhisker, or Pansypaw?! Can you tell me that?!" Ottersplash yowled angrily at the golden she-cat.
"Even we of StarClan do not know what killed your clanmates, but it was not your fault so do not blame yourself. You need a place to go don't you?" the she-cat asked him. Ottersplash nodded. Then the she-cat eyes glowed a brilliant green.
"When you find the ones of two-legs that walk on four then you will find the hope you have lost," the golden she-cat said in a disembodied voice. Ottersplash looked at the she-cat quizzically.
"What is that supposed to mean, and who are you?" Ottersplash asked the she-cat.
"You must find out for yourself. As for my name that is not important at the moment. You must leave before your clanmates catch you because you know what will happen if they do. Go to the two-leg place you'll find answers there that is all I can tell you. Goodbye Ottersplash," the she-cat said as she faded.
"Wait what do you mean," Ottersplash yowled to the empty clearing. Then the clearing began to fade. All of a sudden Ottersplash felt like he was falling.
"Aah!" Ottersplash let out a cry.
….
Ottersplash woke up in the spot he had fallen asleep at. He was panting hard.
That was a strange dream, but at least I have a place to start, Ottersplash thought to himself, I might as well hunt before going to the two-leg place.
With that the brown tabby tom slipped into the undergrowth, as silent as any warrior.