Chapter Text
Lightstripe sat in silence, staring into the sky, waiting for something, anything. Her clan had been facing hardships for many moons. They had lost two warriors to a family of badgers that had been found living on the territory, and a difficult leaf-bare had taken some of the Clan’s most beloved elders. A visit to the Mooncave to converse with Starclan hadn’t aided her fears, and she felt helpless, watching her Clan suffer and not being able to do anything about it, even as their Medicine Cat. She looked down, averting her eyes from the stars. She couldn’t waste her time like this, there were cats who needed help.
She ducked back into her den, the strips of vine that covered the entryway brushing gently against her golden fur. Bluepaw, her apprentice, was asleep in her nest, shivering slightly. The young cat had caught a cold after falling into a nearby stream, and had left Lightstripe without any help. Lightstripe could care less about the lack of help, so long as her apprentice got well in the end.
Next to Bluepaw’s nest laid Twoclaw, previously known as Quickswipe. Twoclaw had been granted a new name upon her departure to the elders’ den, as the claws in her front paws had broken off after many moons of rigorous work. Twoclaw had come in with a bellyache earlier in the day, and Lightstripe had given her some chervil roots to chew.
“How are they?” A voice sounded over Lightstripe’s shoulder, and she whipped around to see her Leader, Eclipsestar, standing in the entry to the den.
“Eclipsestar! Sorry, you just caught me in thought.” She let out a sigh, before turning her attention back to her patients. “I’m sure Bluepaw will be fine. She’s young, and it’s just a cold. As for Twoclaw,” Lightstipe glanced at the elder. “She probably just ate too much fresh-kill. You know how she is with voles.” Lightstripe chuckled.
Eclipsestar nodded. “She’s earned as much as she’d like for her service, but it might benefit her to watch how much she has. But anyways, I’m getting off-topic. I didn’t come here just to check on my clanmates, as much as I do care for them. Would you please come with me?”
Without waiting for an answer, Eclipsestar turned and walked out of the den. Lightstripe quickly followed, slightly confused. What might Eclipsestar want to discuss?
The two cats made their way through the dark camp, lit only by the soft glow of the moon. They slipped around the Warriors' den, and climbed the short incline that led to the Tallstone, where Eclipsestar often addressed the Clan, and into his den which sat a mere fox-length back, opening in the wall of brambles.
As Lightstripe entered, she saw there were other warriors there. There were her and Eclipsestar, of course, but in the den also sat Eclipsestar’s deputy, Silverfur, and two of the Clan’s senior Warriors.
Smokewing’s dark-gray fur almost blended into the stone wall, the only added indicator of his presence being his glowing yellow eyes and the pink scar that ran from his shoulder all the way to his paw, caused by a hawk when he was an apprentice.
Mouseclaw stuck out a bit more, his pale-brown pelt clashing more with the dark-gray stone behind him. He was definitely one of the eldest Warriors still serving, and could easily retire without any cat batting an eye.
Lightstripe nodded a greeting to the cats present, before seating herself next to Smokewing.
“Now that we’re gathered, we may discuss.” Eclipsestar’s voice echoed around the small cave. “As we are all aware, the past few moons have been difficult for Sunclan. Between the badgers and conflicts with Moonclan, it is safe to say the Clan has seen better times.”
Lightstripe couldn’t help but agree. Tensions had grown rapidly between Moonclan and Sunclan after a Moonclan apprentice had chased a squirrel into Sunclan territory. It seemed so petty for so much damage to be caused by such a simple misunderstanding, but Lightstripe understood her Leader’s decision in remaining firm.
“But we’ve also had problems within our camp.” Eclipsestar’s words snapped Lightstripe out of thought. “We are down a Medicine Cat, and have had little word from Starclan, even though Lightstripe made a special trip to the Mooncave.”
Mouseclaw nodded in agreement. “It feels as though we are due some word, just so we can be confident that Starclan are still watching over us.”
Lightstripe looked at the pale-brown warrior. “How could you say such a thing? Of course Starclan are with us, they just may be facing difficulties as well.” She looked to her Leader. “We mustn't lose faith.”
“Lightstripe!” The call rang out through the camp, and Lightstripe immediately recognised the voice of her apprentice, Bluepaw, muffled by her stuffy nose. She walked out of the den and saw Bluepaw making her way up the Tallstone.
“For Starclan’s sake, you’ll wake the whole camp with your mewling.” Silverfur hissed as he exited the den behind Lightstripe, but his warning fell on deaf ears.
“I’ve had a dream!” Bluepaw gasped, scrambling her way up to the other cats’ level.
“From Starclan?” Lightstripe asked hopefully.
“It must’ve been! I-” Bluepaw was about to explain when she was cut off by Silverfur.
“Let’s discuss this in the den. For the sake of privacy, as well as the sleep of our Clanmates.” He turned around and reentered Eclipsestar’s den.
Smokewing was sitting next to Mouseclaw, his ears pricked. Mouseclaw had laid down, resting his paws underneath himself. Eclipsestar had also remained in the den, but his face conveyed interest in what the young apprentice had to say.
“I’ve had a dream!” She started. “I-I think it was a prophecy!”
“Well that’s the best news I’ve heard in moons.” Mouseclaw spoke from his spot on the ground. It was difficult to detect the meaning in his voice, whether it was honesty or sarcasm.
“Well get on with it!” Silverfur growled. “Or do you want us to sit here speculating what you might have dreamt?”
“Give her a moment, will you?” Lightstripe shot him a glare. “She’s just climbed up that slope to get here while being ill.”
Silverfur didn’t respond, but still appeared irritated.
Bluepaw caught her breath. “I think I remember it. ‘Frost and fire must join, to keep balance in the forest.’”
Lightstripe looked around the den hopefully. “You see? This is it! I knew Starclan wouldn’t abandon us. This prophecy must be destined for our clan. Eclipsestar, you must agree.”
Eclipsestar sat, contemplating. “I believe you are right. This message is for our Clan alone. It mustn’t let it leave this camp. I need some time to think about it.”
“This is nonsense!” A voice called from the entrance. It was Silverfur. “You really expect us to believe the words of some apprentice? She’s barely been training for a moon! Why can’t this simply be handled by Eclipsestar? He hasn’t even lost a life yet!”
Eclipsestar glared at his deputy. “Silverfur, I trust you not to flaunt my authority, nor to speak for me. I believe that Bluepaw is being honest, and if for any reason I am wrong, then I will accept that. But for now, I need your faith.”
Silverfur glanced around the den, clearly outnumbered. “Fine.” He said through barred teeth. “But when this ‘prophecy’ doesn’t come true, you’ll think back to how I was right all along.” He flicked his tails and left, not glancing back once, and returned to sleep in the Warriors’ den.
Eclipsestar looked over to Bluepaw. “I apologize for his words. He didn’t mean them, he’s likely just on edge as we all are. But with that, I feel as though we’ve nothing left to discuss. You are all dismissed.”
Smokewing was the first out of the den, closely followed by a stumbling Mouseclaw. Lightstripe walked back to the medicine den, closely followed by Bluepaw.
Once they returned, Bluepaw looked up at her mentor. “What if Silverfur is right? And it was just a dream?”
Lightstripe guided Bluepaw back to her nest. “I’m sure you’re right. You’re a Medicine Cat, just as I am. We share a special connection to Starclan that no other cat does. Now rest, you still need to recover.”
Bluepaw rested her head on her paws, quickly drifting back to sleep.
I hope she’s right. Lightstripe thought as she laid down herself. She has to be right.