Chapter 1

Part 1: The Prophecy

Chapter 1

               

            The fiery pelt of a large tom was the first character to notice in the large clan known as FireClan.  And as a matter of fact, this cat's name was Flamestar.  Flamestar sat upon the back center of FireClan's camp on a wide branch of an oak tree where he addressed clan meetings.  Another meeting had just ended, and there hadn't been many.  You see, FireClan was just created, along with seven other clans, since there were way too many cats for less.  The clans were divided into the Northern Clans and the Southern Clans, four clans in each.  FireClan was the fourth clan in the Northern Clans, and oh, why even bother with the shortened version... I'll start back in the times when the forest was led by a very strong death-black cat named Rage...

                Long ago, the forest was filled with cold, dark, savage cats.  They lived in a forest full of dangers, and were contained by no code.  These cats were dangerous, and we're lucky we don't have cats like them anymore.  Anyways, one day, a mysterious cat appeared during the cats' gathering known as the Assembly of the Northern Backyard, what they called their forest back then.  In fact, most cats still call it that.  This cat was cream-colored, not white, not brown, not tan, but cream.  None of the cats in the Northern Backyard had ever seen a cat like this one, so they all immediately paid attention to her.

                "I have come because I am concerned about your way of living.  The Northern Backyard was once a lovely land where cats could thrive, but it is time to let go of the past and establish new rules.  The land I have in mind is divided into eight groups, since there are so many of you.  But if you choose not to listen to my advice, there will be many less of you remaining."

                The cats looked at each other, murmuring, discussing the odds.  Then, one cat stepped out from the crowd.  He was the one I told you about earlier, remember?  His name was Rage, a very important cat in the making of the forest.  Without Rage, our clans never would've existed.

                "Just how do you expect to do that?" The black cat asked hostility.  The cream-colored cat met his gaze, not with anger, not with kindness, not with love, but with respect.

                "You must be the leader of these cats.  I have never seen one with such defense and courage for the ones you've come to love."  The cream-colored cat spoke to Rage with a quality he had never quite heard before.  The cream-colored cat had done what no other cat had accomplished: she had left Rage speechless.

                "Yeah... I'm the leader... I'm Rage."  The cream-colored cat nodded.  She smiled at Rage. 

                "You have courage like no other cat I've ever met, Rage.  You shall lead these cats to victory in defeating the many dangers such as foxes and badgers.  When you do, I shall return back here when you are done to explain your new lives.  Do you accept, Rage?"

                The cream-colored cat looked into Rage's eyes.  He considered his options, and then replied: "Yes."

                With Rage in the lead, all threats disappeared from the forest, the moors, the river area, and the mountains.  But this was at a high cost.  Sometime earlier in his life, Rage had met a beautiful she-cat named Maple.  They had four healthy kits.  But one day, Rage's co-leader, Bristle, discovered the bodies of Rage, Maple, and their kits: all dead.  No cat knew why, but they couldn't survive without their leader.  And then, the cream-colored cat returned once more.

                "Well done, cats of the Northern Backyard.  I'm sorry you've lost your leader, but life goes on." The crowd murmured in agreement.

                "Anyways, I have chosen eight cats to the eight clans we will establish.  Listen closely to the description for each clan; you will choose the one that suits you best to become your clan: your new life.  Since there are so many of you, there will be two sets of clans: The Northern Clans, and the Southern Clans.  These two groups of cats will meet once every four seasons, after the cycle of leaf-bare and new-leaf, on the first sunrise the snow had finished melting.  Each individual group of clans will meet once a moon." 

                A ripple of agreement surged through the crowd of cats.  The cream-colored cat had really thought about the clans and what would be best for gatherings.  They listened as the cream-colored cat began to speak again.

                "We will start with the Southern Clans," she said.  "The first clan is OwlClan.  OwlClan will live in the pine-trees, and will hunt in the shadows.  These cats love the night, and do much of their activities during this time.  Feather will lead this clan.  Feather, please come up here." 

                A shocked dark brown cat ran up to beside the cream-colored cat.  He looked at her.  She nodded.

                "Thank you, cream-colored cat.  I will lead OwlClan with all the bravery I have, plus more."  The cream-colored cat nodded.

                "Okay.  Next, is a clan called BrookClan.  They will live beside the water and hunt fish.  Swimming will be taught to the young cats, and will become their way of life.  Where's Flow?"  A light brown she-cat stepped up and gave a speech much like Feather's.

                "Next is WhisperClan.  WhisperClan will live in the moor and cats that can run fast and live on rabbits will join Fox in her clan."  Fox came up, and then the cream-colored cat described a hilly area that would become NightClan territory and would be led by a cat named Dusk.

                "Those are the Southern Clans.  Next, will be the Northern Clans.  First up, is a clan named DeathClan.   They are the equivalent of OwlClan.  DeathClan isn't as bad as it sounds, for Wolf is actually a kind, funny cat that will make the perfect leader.  Can you imagine a reaction your enemies would do when they faced a clan named DeathClan?"  Wolf had a large scar and half an ear.  He came up and scanned the crowd.

                "Next is a clan called CreekClan.  CreekClan is just like BrookClan, but Stream is a cat like Wolf: funny but strong.  CreekClan will have the land where the river meets the lake with more marshy areas."  A gray tom came up and met the cream-colored cat with a warm greeting.

                "Let's not forget our second-to-last clan: StormClan.  StormClan will live in the forest, hunting mice and voles, with the river passing through.  Oh, by the way, the river will pass through each territory for plenty of water for each clan.  Come up, Ivy!"  A small gray she-cat came up.  She struggled to jump onto the boulder where the other six cats stood.

                "Last, but certainly not least, is FireClan, much like StormClan.  I have no doubt that Flame will lead FireClan to be all it can be."  Ah, do you remember the cat with the fiery pelt?  The cat I just said, Flame, is him.  The cats before the clans didn't have two names. 

                As soon as Flame finished his speech, the cats cheered.  It was time to choose their new clan.  The cream-colored cat hopped down, followed by the eight new leaders, and all the other cats in the forest, eager to start a new, organized life, and to leave their old, savage ways behind in the dust.