Chapter Text
The sun beat down mercilessly, as always, as the pitter-patter of paws rushed underneath dry trees and shrubbery for shade. Various pairs of green eyes widened in terror as they watched an apprentice yowl and run at full speed for cover. A pack of dogs raced behind the cat with wild eyes and slobbering tongues.
Before the dogs could clamp their jaw shut on the tuft of fur hungrily, the apprentice managed to squeeze itself underneath the porch of a twoleg’s den.
“Are you mousebrained? You could’ve gotten yourself killed! You know it’s too dangerous for us to be wandering around during the day.”
A cat hissed, her ears peeled back as she glared daggers into the foolish apprentice’s frightened eyes.
“I’m sorry… I just saw…”
The small cat began to meow.
“Forget what you saw! Next time, listen to me!”
The two were interrupted by the presence of their medicine cat. Her eyes were stern and serious as she trotted over to the pair.
“Sandstar is looking for you two. A meeting is being held at the abandoned twoleg den.”
The two cats looked at each other with anxious eyes. Sandstar never called a meeting during the day.
“Cloverheart, what is going on? What does Sandstar have to tell us?”
The ashy she-cat’s ears flattened, her tail puffing up.
“It is not Sandstar’s news, but mine.”
Cloverheart turned around, heading towards the abandoned twoleg den. The two cats followed her nervously.
All the other cats were already lined up. Every so often, they looked behind them anxiously, as if expecting an attack.
The two cats took their place beside each other, their tails flickering with unease. Cloverheart leaped up onto the withered highbeam of the building right beside Sandstar.
Multiple mews whispered throughout the clan before Sandstar stood tall, and yowled so that everyone fell silent.
“Attention all cats of Sunclan, Cloverheart has news to share from Starclan.”
Her right jagged ear signaled for Cloverheart to speak up. Cloverheart proudly bowed to Sandstar and began speaking.
“We must find a new warrior to save our clan. Sharp teeth and bloodshed are expected to rip us apart and threaten to destroy our clan.”
Many cats began to yowl in terror, their fur rose as their claws became unsheathed.
“Where can we find such a warrior? Moonclan would never share!”
A tabby tom hissed.
“This cat is not clanborn. This is the message that Starclan has sent me, please listen.”
Cloverheart continued, her tail resting upon her front paws as she sat.
“Look to the cat who loves the sun. The darkness will allow us to live in daylight once more.”
Cloverheart then bowed her head once more and stood behind Sandstar.
“What does it mean? How can we find such a cat?”
Restless murmurs and mews continued on before Sandstar herself began to speak. Her brown fur shone warmly underneath the hot sun.
“We have three moons to act. If we do not find him…”
Her yellow eyes wavered with uncertainty.
“It will be the death of our clan.”