(unedited)

All the next day I couldn't get his warning out of my mind. What did he mean to 'stay out of him way'? Why would I even think of defying him! He was better than a leader, he was the leader of leaders, he was the reason why we don't fight as much, why we live in an era of peace.

An era of peace... what was an era of peace, when cats didn't fight? I'd have to think of that more... "Cheetahpaw! Forest to Cheetahpaw!" I jumped, someone was yowling into my ear. "Y-yes?" I said, turning. "Geez," said Opaleye. "Have you any clue how long I've been standing here?" "U-uh... no? I was just thinking... about the gathering!" I said, improvising, and telling most of the truth.

She smiled. "That makes sense, I was amazed at my first gathering! But," she said. "You can't be slacking off on your apprentice duties. The elders need their bedding replaced. Can you do it alone, or do I need to help?" I shook my head. "No, no," I said. "I've got it." "Alright," said Opaleye. "Be careful!" I nodded and set out of camp for moss.

Once I got enough moss, tucked under my chin, in my jaws, and on my back, I headed back to camp. I went straight into the elders den and started replacing the bedding. "Cheetahpaw..." said Rosemist. "Yeaw?" I said around my mouthful of moss. "You went to the gathering yesterday, right?" she asked. "M-hm," I hummed, yet again, around moss. "Well, would you like to hear about a time before the leader?" she asked. My eyes went wide. "You bet!" I said, then looked at their faces, full of disbelief.

"What?" I asked. "You're actually listening to us?" asked Webfur. "Y-yeah?" I said. "Nobody ever does!" said Amberheart. "The leader told them all that we were good for nothing and just took up food supplies. Thankfully, we only lost respect, not a place in the clans." I looked at them, my eyes sad, and my mouth finally empty, I'd finished.

"Well," said Rosemist. "Then, I guess that we'd better tell you! Many years ago, when we elders were just apprentices, he came. He joined ShadowClan and soon they became powerful and he took over all the clans, and became leader of the clans. Then the changes came, less respect for the elders, a darker past, darker cats. More wars, more bloodshed, and honestly, us elders are lucky to be here. StarClan was lost, and is almost gone, from disbelief."

I looked at them strangely. "StarClan? But that's just an old nursery tale!" They shook their heads. "No," said Amberheart. "It's real." My eyes went wide. "Then the dreams were true! All those dreams of cat's, starry cats, begging for help! But what can I do?" I asked. They looked at eachother. "Let's tell her." Webfur finally said. Rosemist nodded. "Alright," said Amberheart. "There was a prophecy given by a medicine cat, a cat who healed and interpreted signs from StarClan. It went like this: The Leader will fall to the Quick Cheetah, the Strong Lion, the Wise Leopard, and the Courageous Tiger.' Don't you see! You are Cheetah! And don't pretend to know nothing, we saw your speed." I nodded. "I think you're right. And I know the others. Well, let's get this rebellion started."