Warriors: Storm and Flood

Prologue

Silverpelt shined above the medicine cats, reflecting off the Moonpool and glittering as the wind gently rippled the water. Five cats crouched before the pool, each of them lapping at the water, ready to receive dreams from their warrior ancestors.

A tortoiseshell she-cat and a dark grey tom lay side by side as they both fell unconscious. When the two of them opened their eyes, they found themselves in the starry realm of Starclan. The she-cat glanced over at her apprentice, whose blue eyes sparkled with excitement; he had always had a close connection with Starclan, one she would always show a bit of envy for. However, she couldn't be more proud of him. It had been up to her to raise him when his mother died from a horrible bout of greencough; many cats died that moon, and she had felt so helpless. But when the tiny kit had shown interest in becoming a medicine cat, she regained hope.

"Emberfern," a soothing voice interrupted her thoughts. She looked up to see her sister's starry silver pelt padding toward her. A wave of joy pulsed through her as she bounded up to her deceased littermate, touching noses with her.

"It's good to see you again, Ashheart," Emberfern meowed happily, taking a step back. "Ferretpelt has grown into a fine medicine cat." Purring, she looked back at her apprentice and flicked her tail to beckon him. "It's a shame you couldn't come to see him sooner. He's been wanting to meet you."

Emberfern felt Ferretpelt's excitement prickle through her fur as the tom padded cautiously toward his mother. His eyes glowed, and he rushed up to her and pressed his muzzle against hers.

"It's wonderful to see you again, little one," Ashheart murmured, her glittery eyes suddenly filled with sorrow. "I wish our meeting could be more pleasant, but I have an urgent warning to give you."

Emberfern and Ferretpelt both became instantly alert, the two of them glancing anxiously at each other. "A prophecy?" Emberfern asked, her tail twitching.

"Storm and flood will bring what is lost from the shadows," Ashheart meowed, her silhouette beginning to fade. "This is not your prophecy, but the ones who will bear it have yet to be born. Please, dear ones, be careful." And with that, Ashheart faded into the starry mist.

"Two healthy kits," Emberfern purred as she padded out of the nursery; almost as soon as she and Ferretpelt had returned from the Moonpool, Wavewhisker had begun kitting and the medicine cats had immediately taken action. She pushed through the crowd of cats and nosed her way toward Tumblefoot, the father, and nudged his shoulder with her muzzle. "Go and see them. Wavewhisker has been asking for you."

"Will you come with me?" The black tom asked, his eyes clouded with worry. "I don't think I'm ready to do this on my own."

"Of course. But I'm not going to be guiding you with my tail the entire time your kits are in the nursery," as she replied, she followed Tumblefoot back through the screen of reeds and settled herself at the entrance, watching the pair with a warm gaze.

"Aren't they beautiful?" Wavewhisker purred, pressing her muzzle to her mate's. "They're both lively already."

"Have you decided names?" Tumblefoot asked, leaning down and giving each kit a gentle lick.

"The she-cat is Frostkit," she murmured. "And the tom is Thrushkit."

Laying down next to Wavewhisker, Tumblefoot nuzzled both of the kits toward their mother's belly. "These kits have a wonderful destiny ahead of them," he whispered. "I can feel it."