Willowpaw knew something was amiss.

Instead of feeling the hard ground of the medicine den beneath her body, a soft and cool earth met her fur. A slight breeze tickled her whiskers.

I didn't wander off in my sleep, did I? She opened her eyes.

All around her was a lush forest, filled with the sounds of birds chirping and mice scurrying in the undergrowth. Willowpaw began to realize that she wasn't in ThunderClan territory. The scents were unfamiliar, yet comforting in some way.

She rose to her feet, looking around at this strange land. Her paws, as if of their own accord began to lead her through the tall grasses. With a jolt of realization, Willowpaw felt the pain in her paw had left her.

"Do you know where you are?" Willowpaw hadn't heard another set of pawsteps join her.

She glanced over her shoulder. "StarClan!! I- you!" Her mouth fumbled for words upon the sight of the cat by her side. It was none other than Firestar, his flame-colored pelt sparkling with countless stars.

Willowpaw's mind reeled. What do I say? Why am I here? Wait... what's going on?

Firestar halted and dipped his head. "Well, yes. You are in StarClan." His eyes glimmered with amusement.

Willowpaw felt her ear tips redden and she dipped her head low. "It's an honor to meet you," she said evenly. But on the inside, she was still imploding with awe.

"I can say the same Willowpaw. As you may have guessed by now, we have been watching over you. It is no mistake that you found yourself here." He padded forward and beckoned with his tail. "Please, follow me."

Willowpaw nodded mutely. Watching over me? Honor to meet me? Wait until Frostpaw hears about this! She followed the tom up a gentle incline. Countless questions rose to her tongue. So many stories she wanted to hear. So many adventures.

"It's no secret that your forest is drying up." Firestar began. "What you probably don't predict is for disaster to ensue."

The apprentice's blood ran cold. "What?"

Firestar shook his head.

The trees thinned until they were left atop a cliff, overlooking the expanse of StarClan's territory. Rolling hills and dales speckled the land, cut through by gleaming creeks. Willowpaw couldn't help but gasp. It was all so beautiful. So serene. As if a queen had carefully placed every blade of grass  in order to create a perfect haven for her kits. It brought water to the young cat's eyes.

Firestar swept his gaze across before returning it to Willowpaw. "Young one, there is a great danger coming." His previously soft eyes were now steely. "One that could threaten all the Clans."

Willowpaw met his gaze with confusion. Why is Firestar telling me this...? She had an inkling of an idea but it made no sense. "What's going on?" She whispered.

The orange tom studied Willowpaw's expression. "I believe you already know. It was no mistake you were chosen for this." He paused, as if wanting to say more. Instead of continuing he swept his tail across the grass.

The beautiful scene dissolved into gray mist. It swirled, disorienting Willowpaw until she wasn't sure anymore of which way was up or down. Only the dull glow from beside her announced Firestar's presence.

Willowpaw's stomach flew into her throat as she plummeted down, down. No more was she encased in a heavy cloud. Instead she found herself approaching the lake territory from above, and gaining speed with every heartbeat.

Her eyes drunk in the image; the lake overflowing with sickly gray water. The once proud trees were now stripped of their leaves, splintered branches strewn across the floor.

As the apprentice continued her freefall, she flailed her paws wildly. A silent screech choked her breath.

To her horror, she realized a good part of the woods was broken. Even the great pines lay discarded on the ground like a messy kit's playthings.

The lake approached faster and faster, its churning depths just waiting for its next meal only fox-lengths away. Right before her body slammed into the water, everything went black. Willowpaw couldn't feel anything under her paws.

By now, she just wanted to wake up. This wasn't her definition of fun.

"Willowpaw." A voice thundered around her. She recognized it as Firestar's, but could not see him anywhere.

She called out to him in vain. If he wanted me to see him, he would have appeared, she reasoned.

"The storm will twist the weeping tree. Only if it allows the stricken flower to bloom will the forest prevail.."

Despite the circumstances, Willowpaw felt a bubble of excitement. Those twisting words sounded like a prophecy. And I must be involved, right?

Firestar appeared from the void. Warmth lit his eyes as he touched his nose to Willowpaw's.

Then once again, nothing.

--

Gasping, Willowpaw awoke. Leaves were stuck in her pelt and her nest was scattered about the den.

Pondpaw lifted her head from the far end of the den. "I didn't want to wake you up, but you seemed pretty frightened." Her amber eyes flashed with concern. "Is everything alright?"

Willowpaw opened her mouth to speak. She didn't know whether or not to tell Pondpaw of Firestar's warning. I can trust her, right?

"Yeah, just a bad dream." The lie burned her tongue but Willowpaw knew Frostpaw should be first to know. 

"Frostpaw," She whispered to her friend, nudging her.

The white and ginger apprentice grunted. "Go away."

"This is really important." Willowpaw prayed to StarClan that Frostpaw wouldn't make a fuss.

She didn't know how to handle the prophecy. She didn't even know how to feel about it. On one paw, she was honored to have been singled out by such a legendary warrior. But on the other paw, she was terrified of what it entailed. After all, the ravaged scene of the lake sent her spiraling into anxiety.

Is it up to me to save the whole forest?

How can I fight something if I don't know what it is? I'm not even good at fighting!

And so she breathed a sigh of relief as Frostpaw grumbled and stumbled to her feet.

Pondpaw glanced over from organizing herbs, suspicion lighting her eyes.

Willowpaw hissed for her to follow and scurried out of the den.

The young ginger and white apprentice's eyes grew wider and wider with each heartbeat until Willowpaw thought they would pop out from awe. By the end of her story, Frostpaw shook her head slowly in disbelief.

"Wow," She breathed.

The two apprentices sat in silence for several moments.

"Firestar?" Frostpaw whispered.

"Yep,"

"This is a real prophecy, isn't it." A statement, not a question.

"Yep," Willowpaw repeated.

They stared off into the distance for a while longer.

Eventually, Willowpaw looked over at her friend. A steady fire burned in her green eyes. "Well if there's anyone I want to be at my side, it's you. 'Cause we're in this together, right?"

Frostpaw shot a sarcastic look at the tabby. "Nah, I'm just going ignore you and hang out with Birdpaw." At Willowpaw's shocked expression, she head butted her. "It's called sarcasm, you mouse-brain."

Willowpaw purred in amusement. "Was it really necessary? You scared me out of my fur for a moment there."

"Come on, furball. We should catch some prey before heading back to camp." Frostpaw gave a weak cough before taking the lead and padding into the forest.

What do you think of the prophecy? I don't know if it is too easy to guess or otherwise, considering it's my first time writing one. So let me know what you all think. :3