Five Creatures - Prologue
Squirrelstar’s eyes shot open, only for darkness to surround her. An overwhelming stench of blood and death filled every sense she had. The ginger she-cat stood up on shaky legs, feeling a warmth spread below her own paws. Above her the moon was full, slowly giving light to the island where the clans once stood.
Now, large thundering creatures were fighting. Their growls and yowls blocked out all other noises that Squirrelstar normally could’ve heard. In the center stood a dog, a dog larger than anything Squirrelstar had ever seen. It was covered in thick dark gray fur, with fangs long enough to kill a cat with one bite. The dog was circling a large cat. Squirrelstar thought the cat looked like the verbal descriptions of those who lived in LeopardClan, but darker and sleeker.
Squirrelstar watched in horror as the dog bit down hard on the cat’s neck, blood spilling all around the center of the island. On the sides were creatures that Squirrelstar couldn’t recognize. A large lizard-like creature laid dead, half in the water. A creature almost as big as the monsters that two-legs owned had blood spilling from its stomach, and a predator similar to a hawk was dead in the trees.
The dog flashed its eyes towards the ThunderClan leader and growled. It tipped its head back and let out a fierce howl. The howl sent a chill down Squirrelstar’s spine and a pit of dread made her sink to the ground.
Squirrelstar flailed in her nest, sending moss and feathers all over her den. She could faintly make out the shape of another cat above her. The tomcat was speaking, but she couldn’t hear anything other than the ringing in her ear.
“Relax Squirrelstar, you’re going to be okay. You’ve just lost another life,” Alderheart’s familiar voice finally cut through the fog.
“I lost a life?” her own voice sounded distant.
“Unfortunately. I don’t smell any injury, but as your medicine cat, I’m forcing you to stay in the camp today. Some rest could do you some good,” Alderheart sighed, running his paw along her flank.
Squirrelstar sat up with a grunt, the scent of blood fading. “I saw something.”
“A vision?”
“I’m not sure,” Squirrelstar looked into the frightened eyes of her kin.
“Was it bad?” Alderheart’s voice was dark.
“There was so much death, and, and a bunch of creatures I couldn’t recognize. They were fighting...There was so much blood. It covered every inch of the island,” Squirrelstar shook out of her, trying to shake the feeling of blood lapping at her pelt.
“No messages at all?”
“Silent from StarClan.”
Alderheart was quiet for a heartbeat, observing his clan leader, “The clan has had a lot of suffering this past leaf-bare. Too many dead. Every clan is hanging on by a thread. Perhaps stress caused your dreams to transform into something more.”
Memories of those who had passed flashed through her mind. Twigbranch, Shellfur, Finleap, Leafshade, so many others. She sighed sadly and nodded. “Maybe you’re right, Alderheart. This leaf-bare was tougher and longer than most. Our clan must go on, I must lead them.”
“Fawngaze already sent out two hunting patrols. The dawn patrol reported nothing. I would spend today with the clan Squirrelstar, taking it easy. You’re on your last life now,” Alderheart reminded her briskly. The ginger tom then dipped his head and walked out of the leader’s den.
