Lostpaw awoke with a start. He looked at his front paw, only, underneath him was undergrowth. All around him were flowers and tall grass. Far to his left side was a dark pine forest, and far to his right was a lush and beautiful one. Where am I?

Narrowing his eyes, Lostpaw was able to see the figure of a cat. The figure looked towards him and bounded over. The dark brown apprentice got into a defensive pose, but once the cat was closer, he straightened up. A pretty she-cat scarcely older than himself stopped her prance right in front of him.

"Who...who are you?" Lostpaw asked hesitantly.

"My name's Acornfoot," she purred with a wide smile. "And I'm a StarClan cat!"

Lostpaw gasped, StarClan?! This must be very important! "Have you come for a message?" The apprentice sat straightly, whiskers quivering. He watched the she-cat as she brushed up against him.

"Not necessarily a message," the young she-cat mewed. Lostpaw looked into her eyes. They were the same icy-blue shade as his.

"What have you come for?" Lostpaw asked, curious on what would bring StarClan to him.

Acornfoot flicked him with her tail while she moved to sit in front of him. "I've been watching over you, Lostpaw," she started, "And I've noticed something. You don't think you can fight or hunt. You are worried that you won't be a good warrior. You lack confidence in yourself."

How does she know all that? I suppose she is StarClan, and she said she was watching over me... Lostpaw sighed, gazing at the ground. "Yeah... I wish I could hunt and fight properly. But since I don't have my leg, I'm scared that I'll never be able to, and that I'll have to be a medicine cat. I don't want to be a medicine cat - not like being one is bad or anything! It's just that I want to hunt and defend borders."

"I understand," Acornfoot murmured. "That's why I came, after all." The brown she-cat stood up. "I am here to help you. I can help you hunt and fight. I can teach you how to be a good warrior! You'll be trained by StarClan cats! Of course, that's only if you accept my offer..."

I can be trained by StarClan? StarClan really will help me be a great warrior? Lostpaw nodded at a loss for words. He blinked in surprise and started to smile. "If-If you don't mind, I'd love to be trained by you."

Lostpaw perked his ears when he heard the she-cat in front of him giggle. "I knew you'd want to! I'm so glad! We're going to be the greatest of the greatest friends now!" The brown-furred she-cat brushed against him once more. "Follow me! I'm going to take you to our training place!"

As Lostpaw followed the young StarClan cat, he was confused on why she was leading him to the dark pines. I thought StarClan would be full of life... "Excuse me, Acornfoot?" he started, hoping that what he would ask wasn't offensive.

The brown-furred she-cat turned around. "What is it?"

"Why aren't we heading towards the place over there?" Lostpaw took a glance behind him towards the lush forest. "Is this StarClan?" he gazed over at the dark and mysterious pines in front of him. The trees looked as if they stretched on forever, and the grass was dark and withered.

"Oh, right, I forgot to tell you about this!" Acornfoot gracefully leapt to his side. "So, when a cat dies, they end up where we are right now. This is the land between StarClan and a horrible place." The brown she-cat cleared her throat. "When a bad cat dies they'll go running towards the pretty forest. They think that that is StarClan, but that is actually a bad place called the Dark Forest in disguise. When a good cat dies they know to go to where we are headed. It is like an instinct that StarClan gifts them. So, it's all just a hoax. In short, we are going to StarClan, and over there is the bad place."

Lostpaw blinked, I think that makes sense. StarClan must be really smart! 

"Oh, forgot to mention another part, sorry," Acornfoot giggled, now in front of Lostpaw again. "It will seem like the darkness leads on forever, but don't worry, eventually it gets better. It just adds to the hoax in case a bad cat found out where they were supposed to go." The young she-cat flicked her tail as a mischievous look crossed her face. "Betcha four mouse-tails that I'll get there first!"

For a heart-beat, Lostpaw watched as the she-cat ran through the grass and towards the place that she named as StarClan. A race against a StarClan cat? I never thought I'd do something like that! "Come on! Or are you just afraid that I'll win?" Acornfoot called over her shoulder, slowing down to a trot.

Lostpaw smirked, starting to race over to her. Getting the hint, Acornfoot started to run again as well. Though Lostpaw was behind Acornfoot, he was starting to catch up to her, and he knew that he'd be able to pass her. The brown apprentice pushed himself to go even faster, and in his distractions hadn't heard Acornfoot's words of warning.

"Watch out! You're going to crash!"

Lostpaw tried to stop himself, however, he was too late. Before he knew it, he and another cat went tumbling into the dark and ominous forest. The dark brown tom closed his eyes, bracing for impact. Once he and the cat had stopped their fall, he heard a familiar voice.

"Wha- Lostpaw?!"

The dark brown apprentice opened his icy-blue eyes. "Thornpaw!" Lostpaw pulled himself up to his paws.

"What are you doing in my dream?! You're not supposed to be here!" Thornpaw sounded freaked out, and Lostpaw couldn't blame him. I thought this was my dream!

Acornfoot and an unfamiliar cat ran over to the two toms. "Woah! That was crazy," Acornfoot laughed, shaking her head. 

Lostpaw looked at her questioningly. "Acornfoot, who's that?"

Acornfoot and the tom exchanged a nod. "My name is Coldgaze, and I am Acornfoot's father," the tom silkily meowed. He gazed at Lostpaw intently. Something in the black-and-brown tom's blue eyes seemed mesmerizing, and Lostpaw felt trust towards him.

"Coldgaze, why is Lostpaw in my dream?" Thornpaw asked, amber eyes narrowed.

Coldgaze swept his gaze over to Lostpaw's brown tabby brother. "Lostpaw is here for training. Just like you, Thornpaw. StarClan wants many trainees in order to make sure MistClan is at its finest." The tom spoke slowly, and yet Lostpaw felt hooked in every word Coldgaze said. 

"Are we-" Acornfoot didn't get to finish as Coldgaze raised his brown-tipped tail in silence.

"Tonight you will meet the cats you will train with here in StarClan. My daughter and I will lead you to Crown's Edge, where the most important meetings are called." Coldgaze and Acornfoot padded side-by-side, Thornpaw and Lostpaw following.

Thornpaw looked at Lostpaw. "Do you think this is all just a dream?" he whispered, lifting his paws up high to step over the mud.

"I think it's a dream, but real. StarClan came to us after all," Lostpaw whispered in response. The small apprentice was having trouble crossing through the mud. At least I'm able to do it, he mused. And soon, Thornpaw and I will be trained by StarClan themselves! I hope we'll see Eaglefeather!

After a while of walking in silence, Lostpaw's eyes widened. Though it was dark and gloomy, Lostpaw was able to see a large boulder through the many tall pine trees StarClan's hunting grounds held. 

Coldgaze and Acornfoot continued leading them until they stopped at a clearing. Pine trees were around the four cats, though where they stood only dead and wilted grass grew. Right in front of them was the huge rock.

"We have made it to Crown's Edge," Coldgaze turned around, gazing at the two apprentices. "Acornfoot will lead you up the boulder while I'll stay behind you in case you fall. If you feel yourself slip let me know and I will help you, if, of course, you don't want to fall."

"Follow me!" Acornfoot exclaimed, bounding over to Crown's Edge. Lostpaw and Thornpaw walked past Coldgaze and towards the brown-furred she-cat. At the base of the boulder Lostpaw couldn't help but notice a three-petaled white flower growing.

"That flower - it's very pretty," Lostpaw remarked.

"Pretty, though it is quite dangerous. I recommend to not touch it. This flower is the power behind a vicious creature called 'Spirit'," Coldgaze murmured.

I wonder what sort of creature Spirit is. I hope it's not a dog... Lostpaw had started to climb up the boulder, claws unsheathed to keep a better grip. How is a flower the power behind something? StarClan is very interesting. 

When Lostpaw tried lifting up his front leg to get higher, he felt himself slipping. About to call out for help, he felt Coldgaze press against him. 

"I won't let you fall unless you want to," the black-and-brown cat reassured.

"I don't want to fall," Lostpaw mewed, feeling himself being nudged higher up the boulder. "Thank you," he sighed in relief as he made it to the top of Crown's Edge. The dark brown apprentice gazed over at his brother, who stood rigid at the top. He then looked at Acornfoot, who held excitement in her icy-blue eyes as she gazed at her father.

Lostpaw watched as Coldgaze walked past him and towards Thornpaw near the ledge of Crown's Edge. Lostpaw's attention then shifted to Acornfoot who was trotting over to him.

"Isn't this exciting?!" Acornfoot purred softly, giggling.

"Yes, it is! I'm so glad that you're going to train me," Lostpaw mewed.

"Of course, of course! StarClan wants MistClan to thrive," the young brown she-cat murmured. Lostpaw couldn't help but hear a hint of bitterness when she had said 'MistClan'. 

The three-legged tom's focus snapped over to Coldgaze who beckoned he and Acornfoot over with a wave of his tail. Lostpaw stepped forward, making eye contact with Thornpaw. Then, the black-and-brown StarClan cat had started to speak.

"Let all guards and mentors gather under Crown's Edge for an important meeting," Coldgaze commanded. For a few heart-beats nothing happened, until Lostpaw flicked an ear when rustling was heard. Cats had started to come to the clearing. The dark brown apprentice gazed down, hoping to find the pelt of his father.

"He won't be here. He's already at the light place which takes days to reach." Acornfoot murmured so quietly that Lostpaw nearly had trouble hearing her. Oh... Lostpaw felt a twinge of disappointment. Acornfoot put her tail over his shoulders, "But you'll be meeting all of these new cats! That's exciting," the brown she-cat quietly exclaimed.

Lostpaw nodded, watching as the remainder of cats entered the clearing. There didn't seem to be many StarClan cats, but Lostpaw assumed that the rest were at the light place that Acornfoot had spoken about. The dark brown apprentice then looked over at Coldgaze who had started to speak once more.

"Tonight we have received two new cats which shall be our new trainees." The blue-eyed tom took a glance at Thornpaw and Lostpaw. Coldgaze gestured Acornfoot over with his brown-tipped tail, who stood right beside him at the tip of Crown's Edge.

"We will welcome these two toms - Thornpaw and Lostpaw - within our ranks!" Acornfoot called to the crowd while purring profusely.

Lostpaw gazed down excitedly when he heard voices of interest from the cats beneath Crown's Edge. "Stand by the edge so they can get a good look at you," Acornfoot purred quietly, turning around to nudge Lostpaw.

"Alright," the three-legged cat murmured, walking up to stand beside his brother who was also by the edge. The gathered cats below Lostpaw gave approving nods as they gazed up at he and Thornpaw. I think they like us! The dark brown tabby tom smiled, before backing up when Coldgaze went to the front of Crown's Edge.

"Tonight we will take the time to properly introduce ourselves. Acornfoot will bring Thornpaw and Lostpaw over to meet all of you." Coldgaze looked down at the gathered cats before gazing at Thornpaw and Lostpaw. The black-and-brown tom continued on, now looking back at the gathered StarClan cats. "Stay under Crown's Edge while you wait; you may dismiss yourselves thereupon." 

Coldgaze and Acornfoot exchanged a nod. "Thornpaw, Lostpaw, follow me! As my father said, I will show you everybody!" Acornfoot purred quietly, swishing her tail. 

Lostpaw walked towards the brown she-cat, Thornpaw doing the same. The dark brown tabby apprentice gazed over at his older brother, who silently padded after Acornfoot. I'm excited to meet the other StarClan cats! They must be nice, Lostpaw thought, now back on the muddied, sticky ground. The tabby continued following Acornfoot, who lead him and his brother over to a gray-and-white she-cat.

"Hello," the she-cat murmured, standing up and gazing down at the two brothers. "My name is-"

"She's my best friend!" Acornfoot interrupted excitedly.

Lostpaw looked up at the she-cat who narrowed her amber eyes at Acornfoot, unamused. "I'm Thistleburr."

"Tell them what you teach!"

Thistleburr sighed, giving Acornfoot a glare which quieted her. "I am in charge of teaching stealth, agility, and ways to build strength. I also teach battle moves, though everybody here helps with that."

I think I'll learn a lot from her! Lostpaw purred, "Hello, Thistleburr. It's nice to meet you. My name is Lostpaw, and I look forward to learning all of that from you!"

After Thornpaw had introduced himself as well, the gray-and-white she-cat muttered something under her breath which Lostpaw couldn't decipher. Thistleburr then cleared her throat, "Great to meet you too, young toms. I can assure you that you will be taught by the finest of mentors. Now, I don't want to hold you for too long. Go meet everybody else." Without a further word, the she-cat walked away and towards the dark and mysterious pines.

"Isn't she great?!" Acornfoot purred happily. "Now, follow me! I know who you can meet next!" 

Lostpaw walked alongside his brother, following the brown-furred she-cat. She lead the two apprentices to two she-cats. One was a silver-and-white tabby with blue eyes, while the other was all white with beady red eyes.

"Greetings!" The two she-cats spoke in unison, looking at the two brothers.

"My name's Silverpool," said the silver tabby.

"My name's Aspenfall," the white she-cat mewed.

Acornfoot squealed with excitement. "Silverpool and Aspenfall are sisters! And you know what's even more exciting?! They were the first cats to ever come here!"

"Yes, that is true. We were the first cats," purred Aspenfall.

"Have you ever heard of Mistwatcher? She was the first leader of MistClan, and she is our mother," remarked Silverpool.

Wow! Silverpool and Aspenfall are the daughters of MistClan's founder? That's so cool! "Hi! I'm Lostpaw," the dark brown apprentice mewed.

"I'm Thornpaw," said Lostpaw's older brother. Lostpaw gazed over at Thornpaw, whose amber eyes were narrowed. "What do you teach?"

"Glad you asked," purred Aspenfall, taking a glance at her sister.

"We are in charge of teaching you the ancient battle moves and hunting tricks which MistClan has forgotten about over time," explained Silverpool, who glanced at Aspenfall.

"You will also learn a lot about MistClan's history. For example: How all the laws in the Code of the Stars were created. You will be taught about the many battles that your Clan has gone through," the red-eyed she-cat elucidated.

Thornpaw and I will learn so much from them! Lostpaw purred, smiling.

"It appears that dawn will soon come. We will leave you here with Acornfoot to meet the rest of us. Goodbye!" called Silverpool as she and her sister started to pad away.

Lostpaw waved his tail in departure before being called over by Acornfoot. "Come on! There are only three more cats to meet!" The young cat started to bound towards two other cats - one tom and one she-cat.

Lostpaw followed, whiskers twitching in excitement. Upon arrival, Lostpaw took a look at the she-cat who was large and fluffy. Her fur was white with light blue-gray splotches, and her eyes were a nice baby blue color. 

Then, the apprentice took a look at his brother, who was beside him. Thornpaw, who had stiffened, was gazing at the tom in confusion. The tom - all white except for his gray tipped ears and tail - looked just like Thornpaw's mentor. The only differences were that his fur was groomed sleek, his eyes were a light blue shade, and he was a normal-sized cat.

"Welcome, my name is Softheart," purred the fluffy white she-cat as she nudged the tom with her paw.

"I am Fleetfoot," the white tom murmured, gazing directly at Thornpaw.

"Hey, Thornpaw, Fleetfoot is your mentor's father! And Softheart is MistClan's Queen's mother," Acornfoot happily purred.

The Queen's mother? That means that she's Poppykit's grandmother! "Hi, Fleetfoot and Softheart. I'm Lostpaw," purred the dark brown tabby apprentice.

"I'm Thornpaw," said Lostpaw's older dark brown tabby brother.

The white tom rolled his eyes. "I would have guess-" Fleetfoot was cut off, as Softheart had given him a jab in the ribs. 

"It is splendid to meet both of you," Softheart meowed softly. "I expect that you two would like to know what I teach? Fleetfoot is a guard, so he doesn't teach anything but the common fighting and hunting moves." The fluffy she-cat gave the tom in mention a look of dismissal. "Speaking of Fleetfoot, I think he has an important place to be right now. If you don't mind, old friend, would you kindly leave us in peace?"

Without any further words, Fleetfoot stood up and stalked away towards the forbidding pines. 

Softheart gazed back at Lostpaw and Thornpaw. "Don't mind Fleetfoot. He's almost always bad-tempered," she joked. "Now, onto what I mentor. It is with me that you will learn how to be etiquette. It is a very important skill to have in life. Another thing that you two will learn are the basics of kit-care. I expect you to become fathers one day, yes?"

I never thought about that before. Lostpaw gave a small nod, Maybe..?

"Very good," purred Softheart. The blue-splotched she-cat then gazed up at the sky. "Daybreak comes closer. Soon you will have to wake up. I hope I haven't been keeping you too long."

"Don't worry!" Acornfoot giggled while smiling. "We still have enough time to meet my uncle!" She started to trot away and towards another cat. "Follow me," she called over her shoulder.

"Thank you! I'm looking forward to learning all of that!" Lostpaw mewed to Softheart, slowly walking towards Acornfoot. 

"You're welcome, Lostpaw," Softheart responded.

Lostpaw ran over to Acornfoot and Thornpaw who were far ahead of him. Once he had reached them, his eyes landed on a very fluffy dark brown tabby tom who was looking at a tree stump beside him. Lostpaw could tell that the tom was half-blind, as one of his eyes was clouded over.

"We've all arrived now, uncle!" Acornfoot mewed, excited.

"Hi! I'm Fuzzycloud, but if it's easier for you, you can call me Fuzz," the dark brown tabby said, shifting to face the tree stump. Fuzzycloud patted the stump a few times. "I never knew that cats were this hard and rough!"

"It's because that's a tree stump, Fuzzycloud. You're facing the wrong direction," Acornfoot corrected.

"Oh! I should have listened to where you were," the tom mrrowed with laughter, now gazing at Lostpaw, Thornpaw, and his niece. "Hello!"

"Hi! My name is Lostpaw," Lostpaw purred. After he watched his brother introduce himself as well, Lostpaw gazed back over at Fuzzycloud. The large, fluffy tom was staring at Acornfoot.

"Er- What do I do now?"

"You're supposed to say what you teach."

"But I'm a guard."

"That's all we needed to know," Acornfoot giggled. Fuzzycloud looked utterly confused, until Lostpaw could see realization strike him.

"Oh, yes! I'm a guard! But I help with training when it comes to hunting and fighting," Fuzzycloud purred. 

Lostpaw flicked an ear when he heard Acornfoot sigh. "Alright, you're dismissed, Fuzzycloud."

"Okay!" Fuzzycloud stood up, giving his pelt a shake. "I'm gonna go see if Thistleburr wants to do anything!" Without a further word, the dark brown tabby started to race away. However, Fuzzycloud ran into a tree. "I'm alright!" he called from the distance.

Lostpaw watched as Acornfoot rolled her icy-blue eyes. "Oh, Fuzzycloud's a bit of a frog-brain. But he's funny," she purred. She then looked at Thornpaw, and Lostpaw saw disappointment in her gaze.  

"What's going on? Everything's turning white!" Thornpaw exclaimed. Lostpaw gazed over at him, shocked as he saw his brother's pelt fade in and out of the clearing.

"You're waking up," Acornfoot murmured. "Don't panic. You'll return back to your nest."

Lostpaw continued watching until his brother completely faded out of sight. Woah... Lostpaw made eye contact with Acornfoot, who was now gazing at him. 

"You're waking up now too," the brown-furred she-cat mewed sadly. "At least you'll come back tomorrow night!"

I will? That'll be great! "I'll be looking forward to that," Lostpaw purred, before his surroundings started to shake and get blurry. Everything around him was turning white, and the only thing he could now see was Acornfoot who gave a small smile. She walked closer to him, and when she said his name, her voice sounded cold and demanding. Her pelt changed in flashes; each time she had blood and wounds all over her, and something sharp sticking out of her throat.

"We'll be friends forever..."

I would like to clarify that, yes, this is the same Fleetfoot from the prologue. Remember what he said, and Dancingleaf's reaction to him? I would also like to clarify that Acornfoot knows everything that she's doing. She is fully aware of it all. She is also only 8 moons old. Anyhow, I would appreciate it if you could answer the questions below.

1. Do you trust these new cats?

2. Out of all of these new cats, who is your favorite and least favorite? Why?

3. Do you think these cats really are StarClan? If not, who do you think they are?