The Change of a Lifetime Pt.1

 Dreamstar watched her clan get ready for the night. It had been less than half a moon since the attack happened, and more new cats had joined. A kit, Kestrelkit, and warrior, Ferretcloud, and another warrior, Bane, had joined. Their numbers were slowly growing, and the weather was getting warmed, but still, nothing was growing back. No new green plants were poking through the ground, and no blackened trees had any buds. The only place they could find a few herbs and some prey was at the island. The island was the only area not really touched by the fire. But it was small, and prey didn't really live there, except birds. They couldn't survive off of one island while they waited for the forest to grow back. Dreamstar sighed, and padded into her den where Rippleblaze was already sleeping. Smiling slightly she lay down next to him, happy to just have him still here.

Dreamstar opened her eyes to a starry field. The field was full of life and prey. Flowers were blooming and the sky seemed brighter here. On one side of her was a forest. She could smell the mice and other prey that ran in it. On her other side, was a lake. It was so serene her, that Dreamstar knew it was StarClan. She looked around, wondering who else was here. She then saw two silver toms padding toward her, and for a second mistook one of them for Cloudriver. Then she realized it was Fleckwater and Prairefall, two kits from her first litter. Fleckwater smiled, and Prairefall seemed happy to be with his brother again. Prairefall had been close to his siblings, but hadn't particularly liked his sister's, Coastpebble's, mate, Stormbreak. It distanced him from his sister. Fleckwater had always been the 'big brother' of the three. Taking care of them, and doing whatever he could to keep them happy. The two brothers had always had a close bond. 


"Dreamstar."


Fleckwater rubbed his cheek against Dreamstar's, and she smiled.


"My kits."


She shook her head sadly.

"I would never have guessed that I would outlive any of my kits. Even in battles, I would have wanted you all to live. But only Grayshadow is left."


Prairefall nodded.


"It is the life of a warrior. We died fighting brave battles, battles of bloodshed, or battles of sickness. Sometimes even murder or unfair deaths. But we all die as warriors, and we don't stop fighting until the end."


He gave her a calm gaze, and the old she-cat had to look away, knowing many times she had given up on life, not even wanting to fight. 


"But we are not here to talk about ourselves or death."


As he spoke, more and more cats padded out, and she gasped, recognizing them all as old clanmates. Many were just recently killed in the last battle, but others were there too. Some faces she didn't recognize, as they had died not in her time. But they were all LakeClan. Every clan member of LakeClan was standing before her, and her two sons were at the head.


"LakeClan has gathered here, as you can see. We sought out every LakeClan cat that ever died. From the first-"


Fleckwater flicked his tail at a young black and white apprentice. 


"-To the last."


Dreamstar saw Prairefall point out Maple, who was the last to be killed in the viscous battle. She came to StarClan, even though she had been a kitty-pet. She had eventually believed in StarClan through Ridgefeather's strong faith, as he was once a medicine-cat.


"We have gathered her because LakeClan must leave."


This sent Dreamstar into a rigid shock.


"No! The lake and territory is our home! Has been for as long as LakeClan has been a clan!"


The apprentice stepped forward, and her name seemed to be there in Dreamstar's head. The apprentice, Turningpaw, spoke.


"The cats of LakeClan have spoken. Many of us joined together and spoke of what must be done to insure LakeClan's future. Not many of us gathered, but mainly representatives, such as leaders, medicine cats, deputies, and other cats who were higher up in favour in LakeClan at that time. After much decision, we decided moving on was for the best."


Prairefall nodded.


"The territory does not define who or what LakeClan is. It's the cats, and that we stick by our motives and the Warrior Code."


Dreamstar shook her head.


"We can't leave. The forest will grow back!"


Then another cat stepped forward, Cloudriver. Her heart melted on the spot at the sight of him. Their love was still so strong, even after death, that it was almost unbelievable.


"The forest will never grow back, love. This fire was no ordinary fire, but a supernatural one. It was from the Dark Forest. LakeClan's territory is dead. The soil is dead, so that nothing can ever be grown again. It's a new beginning, love,"


She closed her eyes.


"But what about our clanmates!? They're buried here!"


The silver tom shook his head, his soft green eyes glowing, knowing it pained Dreamstar to leave.


"We are here, Dreamstar. Our bodies are simply part of the earth now. But we are always here, in StarClan. There have been times when you doubted us, and it pained us. But you must realize that our bodies are insignificant. They are... empty." 


He padded forward until he was right in front of Dreamstar. Whispering softly, he spoke.


"Your ancestors will never abandon you. I will never abandon you. I wouldn't tell you to leave your territory unless it was for your safety and future. It's not LakeClan's time to die out, and it's not your time to come to StarClan. You have had a great destiny, but it's not over yet. When it's your time to die, I'll come to get you."


Dreamstar looked into the toms eyes, and brushed her cheek gently against his.


"Does Nestflame know about this?"


Cloudriver looked up for a second.


"He found out only a short time ago. He promised not to speak of it, until we could talk to you. But he has agreed to it, and says he will lead the clan away if you do not agree."


He licked her shoulder then went back to the circle of LakeClan cats, leaving Prairefall and Fleckwater in front of Dreamstar once again.


"I don't have a choice, do I?"


Fleckwater looked at Prairefall than shook his head.


"Nestflame is ready to lead if need be. Your are a respected leader, Dreamstar. Far more respected than many others. It is time to lead your clan to a new home, so that it can truly be a new start. So that LakeClan can live and thrive once again."


Dreamstar dipped her head.


"I understand. When do we leave?"


This time Prairefall spoke.


"By the new moon. It was just the full moon, so you only have a short time to prepare yourself. Head away from the setting sun, and you will come to a new land."


Prairefall gestured to the area around him.


"Your new home will be similar to this. We sent out cats across the skies to find a new home, and there will be a sign there for when you find it, as this is a bit... exaggerated."


He chuckled.


"You will not recognize the land from this StarClan version. But it will be there."


Dreamstar nodded.


"I will get the clan ready."


Prairefall smiled, and turned around with Fleckwater. All the cats of LakeClan seemed to say the same thing.

"We will be with you for the journey. Don't forget us, ever."

When the leader opened her eyes again, she was in her den. Morning light was seeping through the opening, and she yawned, trying to take in everything she was just told. Rippleblaze was already up and gone, so she got up too, padding to the LakeRock.

"Cats of LakeClan! I have some important news! We must leave our territory, and find a new one."