A/N:

Okay, I named this chapter Hysteria for a reason, simply because RiverClan were having a case of the hysterics. For those who don't know what that word means, it means to panic. You most probably know it. You know, when you forget something (e.g. you forget to do homework or tidy your bedroom) and your parents go crazy and do the berserkers?? Yup.

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The Clan was shocked. Surprised. Miffed. They could not understand what was going on, or as Crystalheart would have put it, 'too simple-minded to comprehend the complicated scenario'. 

"Why didn't you tell me????" Willowshine was the first to speak, stern gaze demanding an explanation from the young warrior and her apprentice. The old cat, stood up stiffly, joints creaking. Even now, she had been stubborn and refused to retire. Foxpaw, a bullying, bossy apprentice a few moons younger that Brightstream and Crystalheart, sat back on her haunches, and started grooming her pelt. 

"How do we know Brightstream and Crystalheart aren't lying?" She mewed mildly, shooting a smug glance at her rival. 

"Don't stick your over-long fox-breathed muzzle where it's not wanted, why don't you, Foxpaw?" Brightstream scowled. "Anyways, you care to much about your appearance, though you're as skinny as a malnutritioned fox cub and uglier than an old, decrepit dog, to care about the rest of the Clan." The silver she-cat added, ears laid flat on her tabby head. Foxpaw flicked her muzzle smugly, the thick red fur around her neck like a mane swishing, her yellow eyes flashing with malice.

"You'll regret that one day." Was all she said. Hissing, she darted back through the reed bed, doubtlessly to go back to her nest and sulk. As she passed Brightstream, she hissed in her ear.

"I know you became a warrior just because Rippletail favors you, just because you are her kin!" She snarled nastily.

"I became a warrior because I passed the assessment. Look at your catch. YOU caught A MINNOW. Nothing else. Plus, I did finish the assessment. I offered to go back and find a trout. YOU went back to camp so you could dry your miserable pelt!" Brightstream shot back, hackles raised. 

"Yeah, Foxpaw. Why don't you stop bossing people around and mind your own business, you shrunken fox-heart?" Crystalheart scowled at the russet apprentice. "I do hate her. Oh wait, but then, I hate almost everyone!" She gave a dry, harsh laugh. Typical Crystalheart. Always as prickly as a hedgehog, and much more dangerous.

"That still doesn't solve our problem!" Sandpaw called out, his voice laced with fear. The elders muttered amongst themselves, agreeing. Mistyfoot, the retired leader, looked up, her eyes weary. 

"Yes, we still have a problem. Who are the other cats? What is the eternal darkness?" She mewed, her voice barely audible. A bout of greencough had left the elderly she-cat as frail as a dried leaf, and even speaking aloud gave her lung pains. Mothwing, the former medicine cat, nodded her golden head. 

"How do we know StarClan aren't just warning us to watch out for dark things whatever they are? Dark forest cats maybe?" Mothwing mewed, a thread of doubt in her voice. Willowshine looked young and strong next to these two decrepit she-cats, and Brightstrean had always thought of her as old, but then, she had never truly stood in front of the three of them together to observe and compare them. Willowshine's only ailment was aching legs. Mistyfoot looked like a puff of wind would blow her frail, wispy gray frame away. 

"We know there's one cat from each Clan. Tonight is the Gathering. Why don't we call a meeting with the other Clans and ask if they've had any cats with supernatural powers? Oh, wait. I forgot. We fought WindClan last moon, and Foxpaw offended a ThunderClan cat called Amberfur and she got into a tussle with Amberfur's sister Snowfall. They'll never tell us anything." Crystalheart mewed acidly. Brightstream frowned.

"Surely they'll understand that this prophecy is more important than border skirmishes and quarrels?" Brightstream countered.

"Then that's decided. We will ask the other Clans for signs, but if they choose to hide the truth, it's their loss because the sooner we can cooperate, the sooner we have a chace of avoiding this Doomsday." Reedstar mewed.