Darkstar overlooked the stone hollow from the High Ledge as the night set in, the stone cool on his worn paw pads. The dim, rosy glow of the sunset was rapidly fading through the skeletal trees above him. The forest was mostly bare of leaves now, and they covered the floor of camp. A cool breeze stirred his smooth black fur, a grim reminder of the looming leaf-bare. This leaf-fall had been a pleasant one for ThunderClan; warm weather lasted long into the fall months, drawing prey out of their dens around the lake as well as keeping their rivals safely beyond the borders. Yet, the chill in his heart was present year-round.

ThunderClan's camp grew peacefully quiet as the last of the warriors retreated to their dens for the night. The leftover prey remained stacked in the fresh-kill pile, a rare occurrence. Darkstar felt a swell in his chest, content that his Clan had eaten well today.

     Darkstar's vivid green eyes watched his dutiful deputy, Dawnleaf, as she padded up to the stragglers ducking into the warrior den. She garnered the attention of a stout tom with a touch of her tail on his shoulder, and leaned her head down to have a quick word with him. After a heartbeat the cream tom gave her a curt nod and padded across camp to the thorn tunnel exit, evidently taking the guard shift for the night. Yellowcloud shot Dawnleaf an envious look as she slipped into the warriors den before huffing indignantly and stalking out of camp.

     Darkstar hoped that Yellowcloud, although usually one to complain, would stay vigilant tonight. Tensions had been high ever since ShadowClan had trespassed and stolen catmint from the territory. Many of his warriors were eager to fight, but Darkstar was hesitant. He was angry as well but didn't believe this was a cause for war and bloodshed. The black tom had decided to issue a warning at the next gathering to ShadowClan and increase patrols along the border, but nothing more—earning him many loathsome glares from his warriors.

     Darkstar sighed as the camp receded into silence again. He lifted his heavy head, gazing at the stars as they gradually appeared in the black sea of night. They were unblinking, distant, and silent. His watchful green eyes narrowed at the sky.

So much tragedy in the past season cycle. Everything was taken from him, one by one, leaving this Clan a bitter, broken mess. There was an void in his soul, and a void in ThunderClan's soul. What was there left to live for? This question plagued his mind quite often.

Even as the dark thought entered his head, the answer was strikingly clear. The prophecy.

     The scuffle of paws beneath him quickly brought his attention back down to earth. Darkstar turned his head to see Firetail standing below the High Ledge, staring up at him with those knowing amber eyes. "We have something important to discuss," the medicine cat said stonily, her expression giving nothing away.

     Darkstar felt a grin tug at his lip. "I've been waiting for you, Firetail. Come in." He stood and strode into his wide den at the base of the High Ledge, the bramble tendrils swishing in his wake.

     Firetail narrowed her sharp amber eyes at him, but said nothing as she obediently followed him in.

     In the low light on his den, Darkstar turned to face his medicine cat, wrapping his tail around his paws. With a strange glow in his green eyes, he nodded at Firetail. "You may speak."

      The old gray she-cat lashed her ginger tail, giving him a suspicious look. "I believe that Leopardkit is more special than we previously thought," Firetail began, her voice hesitant. "She was very, very lucky to survive the situation she was in. Too lucky. I have reason to believe that our ancestors guided her to the herb that saved her life."

     Darkstar felt a chill run up his spine, spiking up his black fur, although it was one of excitement, not fear. He smiled at Firetail, a light in his eyes. "I agree with you." The black tom closed his eyes and said in a wistful voice, "In fact, my father told me about her on the day of my leadership ceremony."

     This time, it was Firetail whose graying fur bristled. "Molestar spoke to you about her? Was it a prophecy?" she hissed, amber eyes wide.

     Darkstar ignored her shock, reveling in the memory. He slowly gave her a nod.

     Firetail sprang to her paws, her back arched. She was a small, frail she-cat compared to the massive tom, yet she didn't show a shred of fear. "You've had knowledge of a prophecy all this time, and you never told me?" she hissed, her eyes burning into him like flames.

Darkstar blinked calmly at her. "I didn't know whether I should tell you or not."

Firetail spat at him, her face contorted in fury. "Didn't know if you should tell me? I'm your medicine cat for StarClan's sake! It's my job to interpret messages!" She began pacing back and forth, claws angrily scraping the floor of his den. The old gray she-cat rounded on him once more, her grizzled muzzle snarling in his face. "You could be endangering the entire Clan by keeping this from me!"

Darkstar didn't flinch. He felt a small pang of guilt, for he didn't know when or how to tell Firetail about it. Perhaps he had waited too long. There must've been a reason why Molestar delivered the prophecy to him and not the wise medicine cat, right?

"Molestar also told me that tensions were high within StarClan," the black tom added quickly. Firetail paused at this, her ears pricking up in interest.

     Darkstar could remember the night with crystal clarity: the painful shock as each life rippled through his body, the glistening fur of the StarClan cats, and the note of dread in his own father's rushed words. Darkstar's eyes met with Firetail's fierce gaze once more. Softly, he recited the prophecy to her. The leader knew each word by heart.

Firetail's hardened eyes softened with each line. He could sense there was a storm going on in her head. When Darkstar finished, the two sat in silence for a few moments. There was a heaviness in the air around the two cats.

Darkstar continued gently. "When he delivered it, we were alone. Maybe the StarClan cats you usually speak to didn't want you to know about the prophecy."

Firetail's eyes flashed with a turmoil of emotions: shock, anger, dread, and confusion. "The half-moon gatherings have been vague," she admitted solemnly. Her voice suddenly grew quiet. "What could possibly be so significant to have StarClan divided amongst themselves?" she whispered. Firetail's amber eyes were narrowed, and Darkstar could tell she was working over each word in the prophecy.

     Darkstar shivered. "Something extremely dangerous. Something that is held in the paws of one little she-kit," he breathed. He felt as if this were a dream. The prophecy was real, and he had discovered the one within it.

     Firetail had calmed down for the most part, sitting back down on her haunches. Her amber eyes stared past him, thoughtful. "There is another detail I left out."

Darkstar cocked his head at her curiously.

"It wasn't just any StarClan cat who saved Leopardkit," the medicine cat began. Her amber eyes were shadowed with sorrow. "It was Bluesky."

Darkstar felt as if a log had fallen on his chest. He pinched his eyes shut, trying to block out the flood of emotions pouring in. Haunting memories flashed in his head: a snarling, massive shadow bearing down on him, searing pain ripping through his skin, the shrill, bloodcurdling screeches of agony echoing in his ears.

Firetail's voice seemed distant. "I didn't mean to upset you, Darkstar. I thought it would be comforting to know that she's still here, and still serving ThunderClan after everything. She truly is a grace to this Clan."

Darkstar didn't respond. He sat still, his heart wrenching painfully in chest. She may still be around, but she'll never forgive me. She'll hate me always for what I've done. Always.

    The black tom felt a tail resting on his back and lifted his head to Firetail. The gray she-cat gave him an empathetic look, a rare occurrence for the prickly medicine cat.

     Before he could speak, an even darker look crossed her face. "And since StarClan has so directly intervened, I also have reason to believe that darker forces are also at work..." she murmured.

     Darkstar swallowed past the hard lump in his throat, trying to pull his thoughts away from the dark memories. A fearsome impulse spread through his veins. "They're after Leopardkit. We must protect her at all costs."

"Of course she'll be protected," Firetail said incredulously. "But you cannot coddle her. She should have a normal apprenticeship like all other young cats." She gave the tom a warning look.

Darkstar's nose twitched in disapproval. "But she's not like any other cat," he challenged.

Firetail rolled her eyes. "And that's precisely why she must become a good warrior! Hardship is part of the training! In addition, we must also teach her the qualities of a truly good warrior. She's brave, hard-working, and determined, but she has yet to learn the lessons of kindness and selflessness." A knowing smile pulled at the edge of her lip. "She's one of a kind—that's for certain. I've practically raised her in the medicine den, with all the misfortune she's had. I almost believe it would be better for her to stay with me than in the nursery with that dreadful mother of hers."

Darkstar nodded his head in agreement. He had seen firsthand the constant cruelty of Sandstreak. He almost wished he could go back and change the course of history. Prevent a tragedy.

     Another crushing wave of grief hit him. He quickly shook his head, ridding himself of the thoughts.

Firetail pinned her ears back angrily. "The poor she-kit; you can tell she was mistreated. She still carries the remnants of it..."

"How so?" Darkstar asked forcefully, trying to take his mind off the pain.

Firetail gave him a dark look. "She's mistrustful of everyone—thinks everyone is out to get her. It's disheartening to watch. It took nearly a moon before she let Redpaw become her friend. And she'll never admit it, but she's afraid to leave the medicine den. Thinks her bigger brothers will torment her, which they will." Firetail paused, her lip curled in disgust. "I hope Sandstreak realizes she's raising those two toms to be brutes."

    Darkstar sighed as he realized the medicine cat was right. "The last thing we need in this Clan is more Sandstreaks," he muttered.

     Firetail snorted in agreement. She tilted her fuzzy gray head, gazing curiously at Darkstar. "The cat Leopardkit admires the most is you. She seems very intent on following in your footsteps. So I hope you know that you're the role model for the most important she-kit in our time," the medicine said with a purr.

     Darkstar's whiskers twitched in brief amusement, but his stomach twisted in worry. What if he wasn't a good enough role model? What if Leopardkit failed because of him?

"How's Leopardkit doing, by the way?" Darkstar felt a prick of guilt as he realized he hadn't visited the she-kit in the past couple days. He had been too wrapped up in the tensions with ShadowClan.

     "She's doing excellent," Firetail reassured him. "All her strength has returned. Redpaw keeps her company, and she's always happy to help me with chores around the den." She paused for a moment. "Although, it's clear that she longs to be running about outside, wrestling and playing. She has a bright, fighting spirit."

    Darkstar nodded. He had wondered curiously if the she-kit would choose to follow the path of a medicine cat. She clearly had the fiery determination of a warrior, but perhaps being in the medicine den would be safer for her...

Firetail's voice suddenly cut into his thoughts. "You also said something about a mountain of shadows coming to reign? Could that mean this danger will come from the mountains?"

Darkstar shook his head. "I don't know. We haven't had any contact with the mountain tribes in all of my lifetime. I don't know why they would ever want to wage war with the lake Clans."

Firetail only sniffed in thought.

"The prophecy also tells us that death and darkness may tear her apart. I don't know what lies ahead for ThunderClan, but we must stay vigilant. ShadowClan is clearly not interested in peace, and I don't know how long I can keep us out of a war. I'm afraid that we may be losing some of our dear Clanmates in the coming moons," Darkstar said with a deep sigh.

Firetail averted her amber eyes and her tail gave a nervous twitch. She tried to hide it, but Darkstar noticed. He gave her a curious look.

"About that..." Firetail murmured, staring at her paws. "I also have something to share. An omen of sorts."

Darkstar's green eyes narrowed at her. "You give me all this grief about hiding a prophecy from you, and you received an omen without telling me?" he growled with a good-natured glint in his eyes.

Firetail huffed, shuffling her paws. She had the good grace to look a little sheepish, at least. After the wave of embarrassment passed over her, her amber eyes turned stony. "The pool in my den turned blood red. I immediately understood what it was warning me of."

Darkstar's whiskers twitched in apprehension. "Well?"

Firetail lifted her shadowed gaze, meeting Darkstar's. "The events the prophecy foretells shall commence...quite soon, actually. But... I will not be here to see it happen."

Darkstar's stomach turned inside out. "No, that can't be right." He rose to all four paws, muscles tensing. "Perhaps you misinterpreted it..."

Firetail glared at him and rose to her full height. "You think I would misinterpret my own omen?" she challenged, hissing.

Darkstar furrowed his brow at her. "That's not what I'm saying at all." He felt a wave of icy panic wash over him, but knew better than to let it show. The ThunderClan leader swallowed and gazed at his medicine cat, feeling helpless. "I can't lose you, Firetail."

     Firetail's gaze grew soft at his words and she relaxed her stance.

Darkstar felt a hard lump in his throat once more as he stared at the old frail she-cat. He remembered Firetail from his kit days. Even then, she was already a well-matured, wise cat. For every thorn in his paw, every battle scratch, and every cold, she had been there to make him well. She had gone through countless greencough outbreaks, handling them calmly and coolly. Even when Firetail herself fell ill, she never neglected her duties. She was without a doubt the oldest cat in the Clan and a treasured friend.

     "I know what you're thinking, Darkstar," the old gray medicine cat said, eyeing him. "I was there when Blackflower gave birth to you. Great StarClan, I was there when your father was born!"

     Darkstar's eyes widened at the news. "You were?"

    Firetail purred in amusement. "Of course! Talk about a whiny kit!" She flicked his ear with her ginger tail like a mentor would to their apprentice, although he towered over her. Her voice grew softer. "And Molestar was much like you growing up. You are a reflection of your father. Nervous and doubtful at times, but always wanting the best for his Clanmates."

     Darkstar felt an even heavier weight on his chest as he thought of his loving parents, torn from his life so soon. He looked down at his paws in deep thought.

     "I know you're scared," Firetail murmured, pressing her scruffy flank against his. At any other time, Darkstar would've chuckled and made a sharp retort, but now he stayed silent as the medicine cat continued. "But you will do just fine. You are a good cat, Darkstar, regardless of what happens to those around you. Regardless of the unlucky situations you find yourself in. Regardless of what others think of you. You know what is right. So do it."

     With those words, Firetail left. Her ginger tail whisked out of sight behind the cave entrance. Darkstar stared after her with unmasked sorrow in his green eyes. He longed to call her back, to ask her to stay a little longer, but he knew she would refuse. Firetail was not one for comfort. She was here to heal, interpret, and encourage.

     And soon, she would be gone too.

     Darkstar sighed and laid down in his large nest, his chest filled with a hollow ache. Everyone he loved seemed to disappear to nothing but a wisp before he could learn to truly appreciate them. The stars were always cold and silent when he stared at them. Darkstar knew for certain exactly what his ancestors thought of him.

    Failure.

     Little Leopardkit entered his mind, and the leader grinned for once as he thought about her fierce personality and the stubborn glint in her amber eyes.

    This time, he would not make any mistakes. This prophecy was his last chance to prove his worth. To prove that Molestar had chosen right when he appointed his only son as deputy. To prove that he could truly lead his Clanmates in times of hardship.

     More importantly, he hoped it would save the crumbling foundation that ThunderClan was built on. As a whole, his Clan had changed, and not for the better. Their bonds were weak, like a delicate spider web, just waiting to be torn down.

     Whatever happened, Darkstar would protect Leopardkit until his last breath. Troubling moons were ahead, that was for certain, but the leader silently vowed that he would give his life for the prophecy if it came to that. He would walk with her  through all the lows, through the valley and the darkest days.

     Darkstar could all but hope that he would succeed. And not be left with another tragic death.