Shining of the Four

Prologue

  ~(IMPORTANT, but small, head's up: For those currently reading MoonClan's Return, it would be wise to finish that book before devouring into Shining of the Four. It does sort of spoil MoonClan's Return. If you haven't read the MoonClan series or don't plan to, go ahead. For those who are curious about the MoonClan series and might read it in the future, well, it's up to you if you want to continue reading. Thanks and sorry for the inconvenience)~

The StarClan cats had gathered in the meadow where a lovely stream slowly flowed through the beautiful area. Prey scampered nearby, though no cat hunted nor drank from the stream. This meeting was all too important.

            Icestar sat in the meadow, the wind blowing at her blinding white pelt. Smokestar sat beside her, as well as Skycloud and Rosefur.

            "Shouldn't we be focusing on the battle that is to take place very soon?" Rosefur asked Icestar.

            Icestar shook her head. "Although the battle is important, something important is happening. Another prophecy is forming, one that was never meant to be made."

            "But Shinypelt has almost fulfilled the original prophecy!" Smokestar argued. "How is there a new prophecy?"

            "It is another about Shinypelt, and I can't seem to understand it very well," Icestar began to explain. "Once it happens, I'm sure we'll be able to conduct further research."

            "Well, what is the prophecy?" Skycloud asked.

            Icestar closed her eyes and took in a deep breath. "As the Moon's shine vanishes and the light burns out, another cat will be lost. Four will come, all the same, but with different stories. The four must unite and rescue the lost cat and theirselves or else the Place of No Stars will gain a star..."

            "The original prophecy, what is the original prophecy?" Rosefur immediately asked.

            Before Icestar could reply, Smokestar spoke. "Evil will fall upon. Two will suffer. One as bright as light that shines throughout the forest will vanish evil for eternity. The one who shines will flicker out, and another light will shine."

            "That is the original one that describes Shinypelt," Skycloud told them. "But if you look, it claims her light will fade, and another one's light will shine. Perhaps that is what the new prophecy is about."

            "I cannot understand the new prophecy though," Icestar sighed. "It's something about a cat being lost and the Dark Forest."

            "What can it mean?" Smokestar asked.

            Suddenly, Rosefur froze. Every cat turned to her, awaiting what she would say. Rosefur gulped, then spoke. "I think the Dark Forest's powers are going to mix with StarClan's, and evil won't be vanished..."

The cries of cats rang through the SnowClan territory as the battle between MoonClan and the other clans continued. Left and right cats were dying, and blood drenched the ground. Some cats were beginning to wonder if it was really worth it to continue fighting, and if they should just forfit and let MoonClan win.

            Shinypelt was in the crowd fighting alongside her clanmates. She watched as more cats died and more cats fell to the ground in pain. She looked up, noticing the BirdClan cats perched on a rock, only watching, not helping the cats.

            "Cowards," she murmured.

            None of this felt right though. They were supposed to win. StarClan was on their side. How could they not win?

            Shinypelt froze, knowing what had to happen. It had been on her mind for awhile, and she did not want to go through with her plan, but now, it all made sense. This was what the prophecy meant.

            Shinypelt rushed into the center of the battlefield yowling, "EVERYONE STOP FIGHTING!" she hissed.

            Mousestripe, her mother, gazed at her with concerned blue eyes. "Shinypelt, what are you doing?!"

            Shinypelt gazed at her mother as if she were to say good-bye. "I understand the prophecy now, Mother," she spoke. She looked over at Patchfur, her mate.

            "Shinypelt, no, you can't," he begged, taking a step forward.

            The fighting began to subside, and Shinypelt felt a horrible pain as Moonstar emerged in the corner as her Dark Forest-self.

            "You can't defeat us!" she spat, beginning to laugh maliciously.

            With all the courage she had, Shinypelt spoke, "Oh, but I can."

            SnowClan cats stopped in fear as Shinypelt's pelt began to glow, blinding nearly every cat nearby.

            They watched as Moonstar froze. "What the?!" she gasped.

            Suddenly, Shinypelt was lifted into the air, her pelt glowing brighter. Her blue eyes flashed, just as they had done when Mousestripe had given birth to her. Moonstar's ear-deafening yowl rang through the battlefield when a giant flash lit up the entire forest.

            Once the cats did regain their vision, every evil MoonClan cat was gone. How had they disappeared so quickly?

            "WE'VE WON!" Cloudstar gasped, cheering. Before any cat could cheer though, Mousestripe let out a scream.

            "Oh no," Stormpelt gasped. On the ground lay Shinypelt's limp body. Stormpelt ran to his sister's side, gasping.

            "NO!" Patchfur shrieked, running to Shinypelt. He nudged the limp she-cat, though she did not move. It was no use. She was dead, and she had died protecting the clans.

            Stormpelt gently touched his tail to his sobbing mother, and all cats looked at the ground in sadness, not knowing how deadly the price was for protecting the clans.

            Before any cat could move again, another light came forward, lifting Shinypelt's dead body into the air.

            "What's happening?!" Patchfur gasped.

            Blue lights dazzled around Shinypelt until the light became too bright for the clan cats to witness. Once the light did fade, a small innocent kitten lay on the floor, her pelt of white and gold, and her eyes glowing blue.

            "Sh-Shinypelt?" Patchfur asked, moving forward. Patchfur turned to Cloudstar in confusion, though the leader had the same expression as him. "Is this my kit or Shinypelt?"

            Cloudstar shrugged. "I do not have all answers, but perhaps this kit is yours, Patchfur. What will you call her?" he asked.

            Patchfur thought for a moment. "Lifekit because she represents new life." He picked up the small kit and together, the cats headed back to camp to be tended to.