The Apprentice's Quest/Prologue

Chapter Summary
Jayfeather's PoV
 * Jayfeather and Leafpool are arguing about catmint while walking to the Moonpool together. Jayfeather exclaims that they have enough catmint for leafbare. They meet up with the other medicine cats; Mothwing and Willowshine of RiverClan, Littlecloud of ShadowClan, and Kestrelflight of WindClan. Jayfeather whispers about how long it has been since he has shared tongues with Half Moon before he settles himself by the water's edge. He is reminded of Flametail when he picks up the sound of Littlecloud's breathing.


 * When Jayfeather wakes in the dream, he realizes they are walking in one another dreams. The medicine cats of all the four Clans stand together on the sunny grass of StarClan's hunting ground. Firestar, the former ThunderClan leader who had died eighteen moons ago, appears,and Leafpool runs to touch noses with her father. Suddenly Barkface, Leopardstar, Flametail and the former ShadowClan leader Blackstar appear. Jayfeather notices there are more cats in the shade of the trees, but he didn't recognize any of them. Firestar clears his throat and glanced at the other StarClan cats. The other medicine cats gather around Jayfeather. Kestrelflight suggests that the medicine cats of StarClan should speak to their own Clan, thinking that it should be discussed in private with the Clan. Barkface answers that it is a prophecy that concerns all the four Clans. A time of great change is coming for all the clans. Embrace what you find in the shadows, for only they can clear the sky. The shapes of the StarClan cats start to fade before any of the medicine cats can ask their questions. The sky darkens as if clouds are racing to cover the sun. Before the vision leaves Jayfeather, he spots a very young tom standing a pace or two back from the circle of medicine cats. When Jayfeather tries to face him, he bounds away and all he can see is a white-tipped tail.


 * Jayfeather realizes that it was a living cat, and it smelled strongly of ThunderClan.