Shadowstorm's Serenity

Prologue

   A blurry, glistening figure emerged from the bright pool. At once their shape began to sharpen. The other three cats already there sat patiently under the subtle moonlight, tail tips twitching, their fixed gazes resting on the newest member of the cabal. As the cat sat down she began to speak. “Cats of StarClan,” she announced, “we have a problem.”
   A gray tabby tom spoke next. “Of course we do, Newtstar, or we wouldn’t be gathered here. But we need to make a prophecy for the pain and loss that is unknown to the Clans.”
   Another pale she-cat broke in. “Rainstar, we do not always need a prophecy!” she exclaimed. “Every single time we have a prophecy. We don’t have time for this. They need to know now!”
   Rainstar bared his fangs. “Even we don’t know what the future holds! How are we meant to tell them what’s going to happen when we can’t see? Explain to me, Heatherstar! How?”
   Heatherstar’s neck fur bristled. “I wasn’t saying that we know what’s going to happen. I’m saying they need to know immediately,” she uttered calmly.
   Newtstar quickly stood, disrupting the argument. “We don’t have time for arguing either,” he hissed. “We need to figure this out now.” Suddenly the she-cat looked up, her pale green eyes resting on a vivid dark brown shape. “Heronstar?” she mewed, “What are your thoughts?”
   The brown tom stood with a heave. His amber gaze flickered from cat to cat for a few heartbeats before he spoke.
   “A great hunger is coming. Heed this warning, for only the storm can save us.”