Shadepaw's deep, dark blue eyes opened slowly. "Shadepaw!" Darkpaw exclaimed. "You're awake!"

"Wha- How long-"

"Since Frogscar died... Two moons and nearly a half-moon." Shadepaw's eyes widened and he rolled over, staggering to his paws.

"I have to convince... Fernstar... To let me..."

"Shadepaw!" Tallmeadow cried. "We have good news! Your allowed to be my apprentice!" Her face darkened. "But you have to be ready in a moon. Ready to be a full medicine cat."

"Wait, Shadepaw, Thinfur's deputy now!" Darkpaw added. "Our kin!" 

"Whoa," Shadepaw murmured. "So when do I-"

"You're ready to start learning," Tallmeadow began to explain, "but you must be careful not to push yourself to far for the next few days."

"I am? That's no problem! Let's start!" Shadepaw exclaimed. Darkpaw grinned toothily and padded over to Fernstar. 

"Shadepaw's awake," she mewed. 

"Hmm. Then his medicine cat trial begins. Tonight will be the half-moon, and he will go to share tongues with Starclan." Fernstar paused and let out a low chuckle. "We'll see what the Dark Forest says to him." As she began to walk away, Darkpaw hissed to herself. That settles it, she decided. Fernstar is mad! 

...

"Faster!" Fernstar snapped. "You're too slow! A Skyclan patrol would've caught you by now! Duck! Harder!" Darkpaw panted.

"One minute..." 

"Windclan wouldn't give you a minute!" the leader shouted. Give me a break! Darkpaw thought angrily. I've been training since moon-high!

"Can I sleep, at least?" she mewed. Fernstar glared at her. 

"No! You must tr-"

"Darkpaw! What are you doing still awake?" Tallmeadow scolded, entering the camp. "And Fernstar! Are you encouraging her? She needs to rest!" Darkpaw scowled.

"I want t- Wait! Shadepaw, what did Starclan say?" she inquired. Her littermate perked up, and looked to Fernstar for permission.

"Go ahead. Did Tigerstar speak to you?" the leader asked.

"Stop it!" Darkpaw hissed. "He met with Starclan, not the Dark Forest!" She looked at him. His grey shape was silhouetted in the moonlight, and his blue eyes shone eerily. "What did they say?"

"Half Moon, a she-cat from the ancient clan, talked to me," he began excitedly. "All that time back!  She told me she was glad that I was finally fulfilling my destiny as a medicine cat, and she blessed me. She told me that a cat named Jay Wing and another called Pebble Heart would help me become a full medicine cat. But," he took a breath for air, "Half Moon also said that I would need more than a moon." They all looked at Fernstar.

"Did she introduce you to Jay Wing and Pebble Heart?" she asked, oblivious to their staring. Shadepaw paused before answering.

"Yes," he mewed quietly. "Is that bad?" He looked fearfully at Tallmeadow, who shook her head. Fernstar scowled and silkily mewed, "So they'll help you."

"What? Even Starclan won't be able to help him learn everything in a moon!" Darkpaw exploded. "That's... That's... That's mousebrained!" Shadepaw froze.

"Darkpaw," he murmured, "it's okay. Half Moon said that if she has to, she'll tell Fernstar herself."

"Still." Tallmeadow sighed.

"Darkpaw, Shadepaw, go and sleep."

"Fine," Darkpaw mewed crossly. "But I want to talk to Shadepaw." Tallmeadow nodded. Fernstar rolled her eyes and walked away, followed by Tallmeadow.

"Don't worry. It'll be fine," she whispered. Shadepaw looked into Darkpaw's eyes.

"Come. I want to tell you something." Darkpaw nodded, confused, and trotted after him into the medicine den. "I have to tell you this." Shadepaw hesitated and went on. "Half Moon told me a prophecy."

"What?!" Darkpaw nearly shouted. "That's great! Why didn't you tell Fernstar, though?" 

"What Half Moon said was not for her ears." Shadepaw murmured. "Beware the lake and beware the moon, for despair is coming. Only shadows can save you now." Shadepaw, who had closed his eyes, suddenly opened them. "Destruction is coming. The lake will die."

MWA HA HA!!! Prophecies all the way! I tried not to make this any more obvious than Erin Hunter's prophecies. Please comment and say if you think it's any good. 

-Shadowstorm