When the Time Comes

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Prologue
The dark forest trees whispered cold secrets in the frozen wind, and the fungus glowed eerily. It was sad, lonely and depressing. That’s what it was supposed to be. A muscular tan colored Tom with brown, black, and white markings padded over the ice cold pine needles, his head lowered and his tail and ears erect.

“Dung I hate this forest.”

“You should.”

He raised his head to see a small grey kit with stars in his pelt sitting at the edge of The Dark Forest. This was where starclan and Dark forest met.

“Pebblekit?” The large tom padded over to the kit at top speed and skidded to a halt in front of him. “Great Stars above! You… I’m…” he stopped and lowered his head. “I’m sorry… so sorry.”

Purring, the kit touched noses with the tom. “Strikefire… it’s me who should be sorry. If it weren’t for me you wouldn’t be in dark forest.”

“That’s not true!” Strikefire’s fur bristled, and his eyes blazed with rage. “I…I killed you.”

“Oh don’t start that again!” spat Pebblekit, turning away and walking towards the Starclan trees. “Come on, they’re waiting for you. And I’m freezing in my pelt.”

“Oh so I’m allowed in now?” Strikefire smirked, following his brother.

“If Starclan is going to talk to you, then yes. It’s not safe to talk out here.” Pebblekit gave Strikefire a stern look. “And for the record, I was an idiot to get too close to the river in the first place. You had nothing to do with it.”

Strikefire didn’t answer for a few seconds, letting the warmth of starclan thaw his frozen body and looking at the sparkling trees and the beauty of the cats milling about him, stars glimmering in their pelts. His own pelt hung dull and ungroomed. Finally he spoke.

“I should have hung on. I should have died with you.” His voice had an edge to it.

Pebblekit opened his mouth to answer but another voice cut in.

“Welcome Strikefire, son of Tigerstar and Leopardstar. I’m sure you and your brother have much to talk about, but we have important business at hand.”

Pebblekit and Strikefire unlocked gazes to look at a ragged furred grey she cat with a scar covered muzzle. Her yellow eyes were narrowed impatiently.

“Yellowfang.” Strikefire closed his eyes and bowed his head in mock respect, a thin smirk on his face. “You’re as sweet and charming as ever.”

“I don’t have time to listen to your mousebrained jokes. The stars will move out of position very soon and I have to explain what it is you must do.” Yellowfang unsheathed her claws and tore the grass from under her. A blue she cat strode over to them.

“Strikefire, if it weren’t for your brother’s love for you we would have never even considered what we are about to now.” Bluestar (for that was who it was) growled.

Strikefire examined his claws arrogantly. “Whatever. Just tell me what it is I’m supposed to do.”

“This is your chance to enter Starclan. You will be put on the clan’s territory as a living cat, and given the chance to live another life, and do a good deed worthy of Starclan.” Yellowfang wrapped her tail around her paws.

“Is that it? All I have to do is a good deed?” Strikefire cocked his head. “Doesn’t sound too hard.”

Bluestar sighed. “It will be. When the time comes.”

“And also, you’ll need a new name. Some of your friends from when you were in Riverclan are still alive and will recognize you and you need to be someone different.” Yellowfang stood up. “From now on, your name is Howl. And you’re a loner.”

Howl smiled. “That’s not a bad name. Coming from you I was expecting something stupid.”

Yellowfang bared her teeth and made as if to attack him, but smoothed her fur down. “It’s time for you to go. Good luck Howl. You’re going to need it.”

The trees and cats in front of Howl seemed to fade from his vision. The last thing her heard before the darkness overwhelmed him was Pebblekit’s voice.

“Good bye Howl. We will send a clan cat to find you when you wake up.”



Jayfeather sat beside the moonpool, his tail curled around his body. He was dreaming, he knew this. he looked up as a tortoise shell with a white muzzle bounded over to him.

“Why’d you bring me here tonight Spottedleaf?”

Spottedleaf purred and rubbed her head against Jayfeathers chest in greeting. “Now that’s no way to speak to an old Friend Jayfeather! I’m glad to see you again.”

Jayfeather ruffled his fur with embarrassment. “Is this… message important?”

Spottedleaf suddenly became serious. She nodded. “Yes. Your neice, Shadowpaw, is the mediator.”

“The what?”

“We have given a dark forest cat a second chance. Her destiny is intertwined with this cat. And she will need your help, or to be honest, they both will.” Spottedleaf sighed and her ears drooped. “The rogues are getting more powerful and more clan blood is being shed. We believe Shadowpaw and this other cat hold the answer. Will you help her?”

Jayfeather stood up. “Of course! Shadowpaw is my brother’s daughter, and my best friend. I’ll help her in any way I can. But won’t you tell me what I need to do?” he shrugged sulkily. “I don’t like stumbling in the dark much.”

Spottedleaf turned away. “You’ll know what to do when the time comes. Good night Jayfeather. Pleasant dreams.” She disappeared.

Jayfeather woke in darkness, the scent of the medicine den wafting through his nostrils. He sighed and laid his head on his paws.

“For Shadowpaw’s sake I hope you’re right Spottedleaf.”