The Apprentice's Quest/Prologue

"A prophecy, and a promise too. 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."

— Firestar to Jayfeather and the other medicine cats in The Apprentice's Quest, page 6

The Apprentice's Quest
Chapter number:	prologue (of 24)
Page numbers:	1-7
Point of View:	Jayfeather
Chronology

Below contains in-depth information for the prologue of The Apprentice's Quest. If you are looking for a shorter summary of the entire book, please check the main article.

Chapter Number: prologue (of 24)

Page Numbers: 1-7

Chapter Summary

Jayfeather's PoV

Jayfeather and Leafpool are arguing about catmint while walking to the Moonpool together. Leafpool states that they should collect some for the elders and Jayfeather exclaims that they have enough catmint for leafbare. Mothwing and Willowshine, RiverClan's medicine cats, catch up to them. Jayfeather then urges the small group to catch up with Kestrelflight and Littlecloud. They reach the Moonpool and greet the other two medicine cats. 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 then notes how Mothwing could be a medicine cat when she doesn't believe in StarClan and how she's going to take a peaceful nap. He is reminded of how old Littlecloud is getting when he picks up the sound of his raspy breathing, and thinks about how there should be a suitable apprentice for the ShadowClan medicine cat.

Jayfeather goes to sleep and wakes in the middle of lush grass. He sees the other medicine cats around him and realizes they are in the same dream. Apprehensive, Jayfeather wonders how they could how be together and thinks about his former power. He then wonders if StarClan had an important message for all of them. The group of healers then spot a group of StarClan cats approaching. Firestar is in the lead and Leafpool happily rushes to touch noses with her father. Kestrelflight joins her to meet Barkface, Willowshine greets Leopardstar, and Littlecloud reunites with Flametail with Blackstar watching them. Jayfeather walks toward the group and notices another group of cats, albeit barely visible, in the shade of the trees. He doesn't recognize any of them and tries drawing in their scent, which was unrecognizable to him. Jayfeather asks Firestar who those cats were and Firestar greets him. Jayfeather waits for an answer and Firestar clears his throat and glances at the other StarClan cats. Leopardstar tells the former leader of ThunderClan that he could speak for all of them this time.

The other medicine cats gather around Jayfeather, with Kestrelflight shifting his paws. Jayfeather prods him and 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 Clans. Jayfeather's heart beats faster as he wonders if their seasons of peace are coming to an end. Firestar says the prophecy was also a promise and tells them that "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 StarClan cats gaze at the medicine cats in silence. Ater several heartbeats, Jayfeather lashes his tail and demands from Firestar what those words mean and asks if he could be any more obscure. Firestar is both affectionate and irritated at Jayfeather. The vision starts to disappear and the shapes of the StarClan cats shine in starlight. The sky darkens as if clouds are racing to cover the light from 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, the cat bounds away and all he could see was a white-tipped tail. Jayfeather catches his scent and realizes that it was a living ThunderClan cat.

Characters

Major

• Jayfeather
• Leafpool
• Firestar

Minor

• Mothwing
• Willowshine
• Littlecloud
• Kestrelflight
• Barkface
• Leopardstar
• Flametail
• Blackstar
• Alderkit (Unnamed)

Mentioned

• Sandstorm
• Graystripe
• Millie
• Purdy
• The Ancients
• Half Moon

Errors

• Despite being in the Great Battle, Mothwing still doesn't believe in StarClan.

Important Events

Prophecies

• "Embrace what you find in the shadows for only they can clear the sky."