Prologue

SunClan

The farthest back she could remember was when a lot of promise and skill was foreseen for young Nightkit. Raised to believe that every mouse and shrew and bird would be in terror of her hunting prowess. Lead to believe how her claws could protect her Clan's borders or even the Foragers. Her dreams of becoming the next leader had been on her mind, only Guardians, Hunters, and Fighters became leaders. Nightkit was so naïve, so trusting. Just like the kit's siblings were. Featherkit, her youngest sibling, had passed away when she played the role of Guardian at three moons of age. The harsh leafbare froze them to death, creating the scolding of a lifetime. Her mother grieving for the loss of a young kit while they were forbidden from leaving the nursery until they were apprenticed.

Nightpaw had her dreams, but she was not allowed to be a Guardian. No cat could decide that fate other than the medicine cat and leader. She was chosen to be a Fighter, it was more reckless, but it suited her actions of the past. She learned to be a powerful Fighter in little time. Her claws striking fear into EarthClan warriors! The moment she received her warrior name it was pouring rain in the wet-season of the taiga. The flashing of lightning was what had given her completed name, Nightstrike, however it was the same torrential downpour that destroyed her entire life. She saved her mother, Blackfeather, from the flood that had nearly demolished their Clan altogether. That was as far she could remember for a long while.

When Nightstrike woke, her leg was broken and she became shunned. The medicine cat at the time had sought guidance on how to repair such a damaged limb, buying her several moons. However, none of it worked and no matter what they tried, her leg healed wrong. She couldn't fight like she used to, the pain of becoming useless had taken over. In a panic, Nightstrike begged to go and see MoonClan herself to try and learn what she could. If they could somehow help. The medicine cat relented, this only gave her three nights more. Upon her return, she was renamed and condemned to the elder's den. She helped the medicine cat, as all elders did, and gave into her new duty: foraging. Her life filtered back ever so slowly, every piece filled with so much hope before the disaster.

Brokenleg, the name that was the bane of her entire way of life, had been given to her. Her back leg, as the rest of SunClan had put it, had been crushed by debris in the flood. Her ice-blue eyes trailing around the den, things she never divulged into the medicine cat came back to her. The prophecy the MoonClan cats had seen when she walked in said everything. One that had made her force a new role upon herself, even if it may have been wrong. She pulled herself to her paws to peer out of the ferns of her den. Kits played, one of them already chosen by StarClan to be the next Medicine Cat. Narrowing her eyes, she knew she couldn't run away from what she had done, but she was not going to let go of what she had now. She was useful now and she was not going to let some pesky StarClan-chosen kit stop her from this choice.

"Come on Featherkit, don't go to sleep! Just stand up and walk! I know you can!" her squeaking mew echoed inside of her mind. "Mother, don't let go! I've got you, I won't let you die, too!" The pain seared through her chest as she looked away with a huff.

"We can see very clearly now that you have gathered all the attention of the stars." mewed the ancient she-cat, frosty blue eyes seeming to sparkle with stars. "Perhaps, we can help heal you where you need it most, Nightstrike." Her mew was cracked with age, her breath seeming to smell like recent prey she had eaten. Her long legs, one of which was black as no-moon itself, while she stretched languidly to ease the creak of her old bones. With slow, methodic, steps she had approached her, her eyes scanning her over.

"I don't want to be a Forager! They need me to fight!" She had tried to argue.

"Oh hush," the ancient she-cat replied warmly. "There is more to life than fighting." Her blue eyes flicked up to her own. "The stars have spoken: In order for you to heal, you must change. You have been chosen for a special task and we hope you will be up for it."

Brokenleg sat outside her den, trying to control herself from the dark memories. The same ones that brought forth the half-truth she had told Birchstar. "StarClan told MoonClan that I was chosen for a special task. It has to be that I was picked to be the next medicine cat! I don't care if you never change my name, just let me be a medicine cat so I can train SunClan the best one there ever was!"

The leader had seemed unsure, her yellow eyes narrowed before nodding stiffly. "Very well, Brokenleg, you will be our medicine cat until the next medicine cat has finished his or her apprenticeship."

It was a swat to the face for her, her usefulness had a time limit and she despised it more than being a Forager. "Yes, Birchstar." she forced herself to say, everything in her heart, in her mind, wanted her to scream and wail like a kit that it was unfair. She was more nimble than she used to be when first leaving the medicine den, but it was no use. Turning, she left the leader's den to go back to the medicine den, where she holed herself up like some recluse.

"It took me many moons to learn all the herbs." Brokenleg told herself, her eyes unable to pick out which kit was the chosen one. "I've kept my silence and my solitude from everyone, soon, once you are six moons old, that will all change for me and you. My leg will never be healed properly, I've had time to come to terms with it. Perhaps, you will help me with healing where I need it most. Wherever that may be since my leg's no better than before."

She twitched her ears, as she looked to the foragers that were coming to give her what they had found. She would go out to forage when she felt ready to slow down everyone, which was never. No matter what MoonClan claimed, she did not believe a whisker that StarClan would ever say she would heal and never mean her leg. If her leg was healed properly, she would be able to to feel better and happier, she would be useful, far more than she was now. If it wasn't being a medicine cat, then it had to be something else. A plan formed in her mind, it was swift, could take many cycles of seasons, but she knew what needed to be done now. She had to find out what that special task was and do her best to make it come true. She would heal if she completed, right? Would it completely heal her leg? Would it bring back the she-cat who could strike fear into others like she used to be?

Brokenleg found herself daydreaming again as she sorted the herbs meticulously, flicking away even the ones with the a punctured or crinkled leaf. Anything to insure that the herb store would be perfect. A soft snort escaped her throat as laughter bubbled up from within her. The herb store will be even more perfect than the Clan's elder den! She thought in a playful mirth. Yet, she felt her heart crack into two as the light thoughts seemed to dissipate like a misty dawn. Even more perfect than me. Came the broken thought before it could be stopped. It had formed and rammed through her defenses, tormenting her again and again. She was imperfect, caused the death of a littermate and rescuing her mother had cost her leg and entire life as a Fighter. If she was a good kit, Featherkit would be alive. If she had chosen herself, she would have never broken her leg.

MoonClan

"Why did you tell her, Moonface?" a young blue-gray spotted tabby tom asked his mentor. "She wasn't a medicine cat."

"And yet Sunclan appointed her as a medicine cat, yes?" Moonface answered in her aged mew.

"That's not the point!" He snapped, "What if telling her causes trouble for SunClan?"

She turned her blue gaze onto her apprentice. "Are you worried about SunClan?"

"Should I not be?"

"There is no reason to be worried. Whatever happens would have been brought upon them by StarClan." She replied, looking over the herb store.

He stared, mortified as he took a step back. "This is why StarClan only speaks to MoonClan, isn't it?"

"Why not? They all have mixed-pelts, they are not as pure as the stars." She replied gruffly, almost uncaring. "They have been punished for their foolishness all this time, we don't understand why they won't take the hint and cast out the mixed-pelts."

"How can you sit here and say such things? I thought MoonClan was supposed to honor the stars and obey the codes." He tried to reason.

"Even the stars know you are a non-believer, Spottedpaw." Moonface explained, not once looking to him. "They do not give gifts if you do not believe in them. Just as they give us signs in so many ways, they would never accept you, a dead-star, to be one of us. We don't understand how they chose you and we are waiting for you to do the right thing, but you refuse."

"Then tell MoonClan. Tell all of them." He challenged.

"And have the stars strike us down for turning against one of our own?" she turned her gray and black head towards him. "Never."

"So you would rather protect yourself than SunClan?"

"Nowhere in the Codes does it say it is wrong to tell a fellow star what life has in store for them." She blinked, seeming confused. "Why does it bother you so?"

Spottedpaw looked away. "Nowhere in the Codes does it say we have to believe in StarClan. That is why I choose to stay. I want to understand why they have chosen me as well, even if I don't truly know if they exist."

"We understand now." Moonface mewed softly. "You are not a non-believer, you are a blind-star. Blind to the teachings and signs of the stars. You have no gifts, yet you excel at so much more. Perhaps the stars wish for you to find them, blind-star."

"Maybe." He replied dully, knowing he was talking to a rock. Moonface and he rest of the Clan were quite selfish cats, thinking of no one but themselves and their beliefs. Anyone different is given a name. A Clan with cats of any other color then the white, gray, and black fur colors were seen as mixed-pelted and "non-pure," whatever that meant. They also had no interest in anyone's feelings believing if they had it was a sign of disloyalty and forbidden romance on the horizon.

He questioned it all since he was able to speak and hear. Maybe not as clearly as he did now, but Moonface was the oldest she-cat in the camp. Her word was virtually law and the fact she kept his secret hidden was a blessing in disguise. Not even his own mother known what he believed. He knows StarClan must exist, why else would the medicine cats seem so special in their Clans? The proof he sought out never seemed straight forward and with how Moonface was with Nightstrike back then, he knew it had to be true. Something was going to happen and it made his fur crawl with worry. Something awful was bound to happen, the jet-black she-cat looked so desperate and hopeful. Yet, every gathering since he could see that something was not right with their fellow medicine cat. She acted like the others, but she never once spoke of any omens, signs, prophecies, or anything else for that matter. Simply chatting about healing techniques to best help SunClan, her ice-blue eyes eerily staring through each one of them, looking them over obsessively.

In all honesty, it creeped him out that this older she-cat was looking them over like tasty pieces of prey. She even "consulted" with StarClan farther away from Star Falls then the rest of them. He was positive she was never sleeping or even dreaming about StarClan. He stayed awake ever since that meeting and Brokenleg, as he felt was cruelly renamed to, continued to display this behavior, eyeing them up and down, one side to the other as though assessing them for something. He never knew what, but it was weird and made him wish that if StarClan was actually there, they would come down and tell her to stop. Nonetheless, Moonface was unfazed as was EarthClan's medicine cat who eyed her with the same hostility. Perhaps it was a warrior thing? Whatever it was, he never liked it.

"We will be checking for signs among MoonClan, care to join us?" Moonface's mew broke through his thoughts.

"No thanks." He replied.

"How will you ever fit in blind-star," She tutted. "If you never come and see with us?"

With a groan, he rose to his paws. "Very well, I'll join you."

"We will be glad to have you on our journey." She purred, padding away. "Of course, it is a simple task and he is a well-trained apprentice." She looked over her shoulder to him. "Spottedpaw, we're so sorry blind-star. Seems that we are getting to that age where we speak what we are thinking by mistake."

Spottedpaw rolled his eyes. "Haven't you always?" He managed a chuckle.

"Quite right." Moonface gave in, leading the way out of the medicine den.

Someday, the wind seemed to whisper in his ears as he followed her into the open. It will all make sense, until then, live as you wish, young-star.

EarthClan

It wasn't even the first time it had happened, every time a vision had came alarming her, no one would come to her aid. No one would believe her and her plight to find answers. A darkness was coming and no one would listen to her, she tried to tell Moonface, Spottedpaw, and Brokenleg; however Moonface claimed it must be a sign between her and StarClan. Brokenleg and Spottedpaw agreed with her solemnly. Envy filled her heart forcing her to turn her back on her Clan leader to find the answers for herself. She had no choice, in order to save EarthClan, she had to find the answers herself. Darkness was coming, a darkness far greater than any Clan had foreseen.

"StarClan, how can I give your messages and find their answers if none of them think it's anything to worry about?" the long haired gray tabby begged, her amber eyes glistening as she looked to the sky, hoping for a sign. None came to her, it was either the unbearable silence of the stars or the unbearable pitying mews of her Clan-mates who see her as some crazy she-cat who had been pushed to her limits from their skirmishes with SunClan. Tears could fall from her eyes, even from the blistering winds of the tundra beyond their territory and not one of them would lift a paw to help.

Helping kits of their Clan, yes that was acceptable to them; but forbid the stars that it was a MoonClan or SunClan kit. They did their best for each other, but never for any other cat it had seemed. When it was a rogue or loner, they had to take them in and help to the best of their ability. Kits or none, they were well cared for and sent on their way without even a question of their motives. Their hospitality made them unique among the hostile Clans and a safe haven for those who are desperate for help. While she liked that part of her own Clan, she found herself dumbfounded by how blind they were to the affairs she had to bring forth because of the dangers the stars could predict.

Feeling the vines of doubt, curling and squeezing around her heart, almost as though trying to make it shatter. It was even encasing her lungs to make it more and more difficult to breathe. Her paws carried her around her den as she paced mindlessly. Her whiskers being the only thing stopping her from running into anything as she thought long and hard. Perhaps, StarClan could help her find a way to find these answers. Rogues are usually hostile and wary, so she can't count on them to help with Clan business. Their ways of thanks is with prey they caught as a gift for their hospitality. While loners and other wanderers often would do anything a Clan-cat said to show their appreciation.

With a flick of her tail, she knew what she must do. Swiftly, she left her den, pushing her way through the reeds and away from the small pond. She had to find a loner or wanderer and have them carry out her task. After all, they would have all the time in the world to go behind her Clan's backs for her. Without an apprentice of her own, she had to make do with what StarClan could send her way. If she was lucky, they would answer her prayers; if not, she would have to do all the dirty work on her own.

"Where are you going Breezeflame?" came a mew that she was not expecting.

Slowly, she turned her amber gaze onto the young silver-and-white tabby tom. "A walk." she replied bluntly, a souring feeling overcoming her senses. "Or do I need to wait for others to decide if I should or not?"

"I was only curious." They seemed to frown.

Breezeflame, felt guilt crash over her like a wave of water. "I'm sorry Wish, I just-I get tired of having others decide if what I say, see, or hear means nothing to others. I shouldn't have taken my anger out with venomous words like that."

The kit perked up. "It's okay, I thought you didn't really mean that! I just wanted to know so when someone asks where you are I can tell them for you."

"That's very kind of you." She murmured, feeling touched. Wish had only just become a member of the Clan, formerly a young kit abandoned in the woods by cruel Twolegs. He had siblings, but the traces of blood and the like made them hopeful that Wish was special. Even though he was raised among the Clan that downplayed her visions, he still had the kindest heart of all. Yet, she knew that it must have been from all the horrible things he must have seen and locked away in his little kit mind.

"I just want to try and help." Wish continued, padding up to her. "Everyone always looks at me weird, just like how you are looked at by the others when you aren't looking."

Great StarClan, why do you make kits so blunt!? Breezeflame thought briefly before meowing aloud. "It's alright, not all cats think the same is all. It's a shame, really. I'm just different from the others in a way that cannot be seen." She held her tongue, not knowing if the kit knew of his past heritage of a kittypet.

"Then why do they look at me like that?" He suddenly asked, his kit-blue eyes round with hurt and confusion. "Am I like you?"

The familiar pain struck her like a thorn being trodden on, nagging and deep into her very pad. Sympathy filled her from her very toes to the tips of her ears. No matter how much she wanted to take him to stay in her den, raise him as her own kit, she knew she couldn't. After all, it was decided, long before she was ever even kitted, that no medicine cat of EarthClan could have or adopt kits. A decision that was never changed within her Clan, earning the approval of MoonClan, making her feel less and less like it was her own choice to be a medicine cat.

"I should go." She changed the subject, trying to end the conversation before it could go any further.

"It's okay." Wish whispered, his mew sounding so heartbroken. "At least you have one thing in common with the others."

She paused, looking over her shoulder at the kit, his eyes looking to his own paws in disappointment, his tail seeming to be no longer as lively as it once was. "What do you mean by that?" She asked before she could stop herself. Wish truly seemed like a cat much older than his current moons.

"Whenever I ask about it, they all turn away and won't look or talk with me anymore." He admitted softly, "They act like I never said anything. Like something is wrong with me."

"Some cats are afraid of where your path may lead, Wish." Breezeflame advised gently. "Unlike Clan-kits you do not have "kit" at the end of your name, do you?"

"No?" He replied. "Is that important?"

"For some Clans, very important." She told him, looking to the rest of the Clan that watched her idly. "In time, you will be accepted. Whenever that is, I'm sure it will be a joyous day for you. Now, run off and play like a good kit."

"You promise?"

"I can see it in the stars clearly, young one. You will only have moons to wait before you are ready." It was a promise, a truth, something that motherless kits brought into the Clan could never escape from. As loosely as EarthClan followed the code, they were less than forgiving in how they were now. She wanted to take her words back, but Wish looked so hopeful and full of life. No longer asking, but understanding that this is where he belonged now.

StarClan, are kits truly always this naïve? She wondered in silence as she turned and padded away from the excited kit who bounced away with happiness. No one has a choice when the words of many outweigh your own. Even if Wish wanted to escape this life to be a true kittypet, he could never. The Twolegs are cruel to leave him in the forest where there was danger, now all but one had survived. Sadly, there was nothing she could do to provide safety for the kit. It was far out of her jurisdiction of action to help and protect.

A soft sigh escaped from her lips, each paw-step taking her further and further away from the Clan. A trail she had to make on her own just to find peace, even a small portion of it, to have her voice heard. Even if it meant using another cat to help her find a way to have the signs understood better. Narrowing her eyes, she knew that she had to do everything she possibly could, anything to prevent disaster to her Clan. If they weren't going to take it seriously, then she was going to do it for them. She had to, just to ensure they were kept safe no matter the cost. She can bend the code to her will and no cat could ever stop her from doing so if she could help it.

Author Note:

Welcome to the final rendition of a story that I have been planning for years, like three entire years. You will learn more about that in the Allegiances. For now, welcome to the three factions of this story and what I have worked on has been scrapped entirely for this new and fresher version where I have characters challenging what their Clan's believe in. Something, I truly wish the books could have done.

Thank you for reading, let me know how I can improve as we go along this journey. Until the next chapter, have an amazing morning, day, evening, or night! - NightSky