Prologue

The darkness in the sky was illuminated by the stars scattered about. The moon was split in half, marking the night when healers could communicate with their ancestors in StarClan. A black molly stepped foot into the dark tunnel in front of her, and leaning down, her whiskers led her to the right path. Her aching bones made each step harder to take, but she went on. The damp ground muddied her paws.

A subtle light peeked through, and the molly smiled, stepping out from the tunnel, and into the large crater.

The Moon Crater was the name given to it. A large crater with a large clear lake filling up most of the ground floor of the crater, with only the area near the entrance being high enough to stay dry. The stars reflected upon the clear water, and the half moon marked the center of the lake. A small waterfall flowed in on the other side of the lake, away from the entrance.

Found inside the mountain valley, the cats of the clans resided. Four clans lived side by side, each led by their own leader, a deputy to act as a second-in-command for the leaders, and warriors that hunt and fight for their clans.

However, the most important part about the four clans is that they’re all united by their dedication to StarClan. StarClan was where the former clanmates of the Clans resided after they’ve lived their life. StarClan set the Warrior Code for all of the Clans to follow, and to live a life of honor, and be valiant, gallant, and ardent. The Clans base their lives in dedication to their ancestors, and that is what sets each Clan together.

Healers had a special position in the Clans. They were in charge of the health and safety in their clans, and used their knowledge of herbs to heal and treat their clanmates with any injuries or sickness. Unlike the other cats of the clans, they could cross borders, and their friendships could extend to the other clans’ healers. They have a special connection with StarClan, interpreting prophecies and omens sent by them to guide their clan, and meeting at the Moon Crater every half moon with the other healers of the clans.

Looking back at the molly, four other cats smiled. A middle aged dark ginger tabby molly dipped her head. A chubby gray molly with golden colored cheeks stood up. An old golden tabby tom chuckled, with a smaller brown and gray tabby tom looking up.

“Mosswhisker, late as always.” The golden tabby walks closer to Mosswhisker, still chuckling.

Mosswhisker sighs with a smile, “Hey, I’m here! You need to be more patient, Bramblesnare.”

“You’re old! And you have no apprentice!” the tabby and gray tom chirps.

“Hollowpaw! That’s no way to speak to your elders.” Bramblesnare looks back up at Mosswhisker with a smirk.

Mosswhisker sits next to Bramblesnare, playfully nudging the ValiantClan healer. “Look who’s talking! You’re only twelve moons younger than me!”

The dark ginger molly pins back her ears, her eyes narrowed. “Bramblesnare! Don’t encourage Hollowpaw. You don’t want your own apprentice to grow up to have no manners.”

“Russetears, it’s all good, no need to worry!” Mosswhisker gives Russetears a smile, making Russetears sigh.

“Well how’s HonorClan doing? Well I hope?” Bramblesnare asks.

“Well! Redfern just had one kit recently. The little kit is so small! No wonder I couldn’t tell she was expecting kits for so long.” Mosswhisker smiles with pride. “It’s her first litter, and she’s been so nervous.”

“With just one kit? She should try talking to Lichenpelt about the time she had a litter of five kits,” Bramblesnare chuckles, “ValiantClan has been so big lately. We’re thriving from Sorrelstar’s leadership.”

“ArdentClan is doing well. Tarantulastrike just had two kits, and Antjaw, Slipclaw, and Cricketjump just became full warriors!” Heatherbranch claps her paws together. “And Sedgetail just got chosen as deputy! I’m proud of my mother, she deserves the position.” Heatherbranch’s smile fades. “But I think my father Harepounce wishes he got chosen instead.”

Bramblesnare scoffs, “Of course she did, Graystar is her father.”

Both Heatherbranch and Russetears shoot a glare at Bramblesnare, with Russetears pointing at Heatherbranch with a shake of her head.

Bramblesnare holds up his paws. “What? ArdentClan always chooses their kin in leader positions. Arborstar was Graystar’s father, Graystar is Sedgetail’s father, and you, Heatherbranch, are Sedgetail’s daughter. I’m saying, Sedgetail would choose your brother Bristleclaw as deputy.”

“Bramblesnare!” Heatherbranch outbursts with an annoyed look.

Mosswhisker shrugs. “I mean Bramblesnare is right. HonorClan usually avoids choosing close kin in deputy positions to allow for a more fair chance of leading.”

Russetears rolls her eyes. “You know Bramblesnare, now I’m starting to see where Hollowpaw gets it from.”

“Hey!” Hollowpaw squeaks, “I’m nice! I didn’t even say anything!”

Bramblesnare smirks at Russetears. “You know Russetears? That’s no way to speak to your elders.”

Mosswhisker nudges Bramblesnare playfully, laughing along with him. Hollowpaw bursts out laughing, pointing at Russetears.

Heatherbranch sets a paw down on the ground, and tilts her head towards the lake. “Hey, I can see you're having fun and all, but we need to start… right now.”

“Thank you, Heatherbranch.” Russetears steps up, walking to the lake.

Mosswhisker stands up, making her way towards the lake. She looks down into the water, her face reflected upon it. She leans down, takes a lap of water, and touches her nose to the water.

A forest starts to form around Mosswhisker, with soft colors starting to form the details of trees, grass, and sky. A soft breeze blew through the meadow, with soft scents of pine and mist bringing forth comfort. The grass was soft, with glades flowing from the breeze. The sky was darkened, with bright stars twinkling in the sky, and splashes of purple, blue, and pink filling the sky.

From the distance, a silky furred molly approaches Mosswhisker, with a pelt of dark ginger, light ginger, and white. Her green eyes shone like stars, and stars littered her silky pelt. She stood tall above Mosswhisker, her face with a permanent smile.

Mosswhisker dips her head. “Greetings.”

The ginger and white molly nods. “Hello, Mosswhisker. I see you’re still doing well!”

Mosswhisker raises her head back up at the StarClan cat with a smile, sitting down.

The StarClan molly looks up at the sky, and the forest begins to darken, with the sky turning pitch black. A brand of light shot across the sky, bringing a flash to the forest. A shooting star formed from the flash, and it grew larger and larger, up until it shattered, and broke into five different pieces, scattering off into different directions before disappearing. After a few seconds, the sky lightened back up, and the starry forest was back into what it was before.

Mosswhisker’s eyes widen, her back fur bristling. She drops her gaze back to the ginger molly, and slowly stood up.

The ginger and white molly looks straight in the direction of Mosswhisker, her green eyes glowing. “The five points of a star will bring itself crashing down, shaking the sky. Five claws will shatter each point, darkening the sky.”

Mosswhisker gasps, taking a big gulp. She lifts one paw up, her gaze still stuck on the cat.

The spirit closes her eyes. “That is all we know. That was the prophecy we received. It’s up to the clans to decipher its meaning.”

Mosswhisker shakes her head. “What does it mean? Can you-?”

“Goodbye, Mosswhisker. We will see what events will take place.”

And the forest turns to white.