Chapter Text
Deep within the forest, Prickletail stood. Gathering herbs alone was never their idea of a fun time, but Shellpaw had a thorn in his paw and didn’t want to get up. Personally, Prickletail thought that was a weak excuse. The health of the Clan came before yourself, and you should always be willing to give up your personal feelings if it meant they would be protected and safe.
But Shellpaw’s mother would never let him injure himself further, so Prickletail had to do this all alone.
Regardless, Prickletail did enjoy the time alone. AsterClan was growing so big, it was hard to move around camp without stepping on another cat’s tail. They would soon have to expand further into the forest, maybe even make an entirely new camp.
I wonder if Lightningclaw would even let Goldenstar do that, they thought as they picked up a sprig of marigold in their mouth. She doesn’t seem too eager to expand any time soon, despite the fact we need it.
Thinking about such things was useless at the moment, however. They should head back to camp, for the greenleaf night was growing colder by the moment. Soon, it would turn to leaf-fall, and then leaf-bare. And they would be struggling to survive.
Although… with Goldenstar as their leader, leaf-bares have been manageable. The entire reason their Clan was growing too large was because of how much they were prospering! StarClan had truly blessed them with a wonderful leader, despite Prickletail’s misgivings.
As they returned home, the chill of the forest flowed through their fur, sending a deep shiver down their spine. It was almost as if they were being watched. But a quick glance around and sniff of the air told Prickletail they were completely alone. They could swear they saw eyes deeper in the forest, but they shook it off.
I must be more exhausted than I thought. Rabbitclaw’s kitting did keep me up most of last night.
Freezing, they felt their paws lock up and the bad feeling returned. Prickletail glanced around fearfully, swallowing as they realized they were being watched. But not by something mortal. By something dead .
From the shadows, two cats emerged. The stars flowed freely in their pelts, eyes glowing like the sun. Reacting immediately, Prickletail flung themself into a deep bow, keeping their eyes focused on the ground before them, and showing the proper reverence to the StarClan cats. They hadn’t been visited by their ethereal ancestors in moons, what could they be here for?
“Please rise, Prickletail,” they murmured in unison. “We do not have time for deference, for we are here to deliver a message.”
Prickletail did as they were told, staring into the golden eyes of the deceased. Dropping the marigold at their paws, they lifted their chin. “I have not received word from you in many moons,” they said gently. “Thank you for visiting me, now. What is your message?”
The cat on the right—larger than his companion by quite a bit—stepped forward to stand directly before Prickletail. He opened his mouth to speak, and from it came the deep words of a king. “You may know me as Ivystar. Five leaders before Goldenstar, I led this Clan. I have watched you flourish under Goldenstar’s reign, and it makes my heart warm to know she has led you well.” His tail flicked, almost impatiently, as Prickletail’s mouth gaped open. “But your good fortune and luck is about to run out. A traitor lies in your midst.”
A traitor? Prickletail thought, swallowing nervously. Who would ever betray us? We’re doing so well!
Ivystar looked towards the sky, and Prickletail followed his gaze. They regretted it immediately, for the sky began to bleed. The bodies of cats fell from the heavens, landing around them with heavy thuds and painful cries. They wanted to shut the vision out of their mind, but it overpowered each one of their senses. They couldn’t stop it… it was terrible.
“ The one whose pelt is made from shadows and smoke shall destroy you all, ” Ivystar and his companion intoned in unison once more. “ Only a flicker of hope, which glows atop a lotus flower, shall keep you alive. ”
Prickletail blinked once, and then the StarClan cats were gone, taking their vision with them.