April 2022 “Medicine Cat Meeting”

His gaze met the half-moon as he made his way to his den after a long day of work. Though he was now a fully-fleshed medicine cat, Burninglead still felt like he lacked the spiritual factor to its role. For now, he was just a healer and pseudo-leader/deputy in Goldenstar's absence. It was truly a shock that Windclan could still stand on their paws with all the madness that had been going on. Burningleaf sighed and he entered the cave he called home to sleep. To be honest, he wasn't even going to try to contact Starclan this time. It had been pointless until now and his clan needed him well-rested for another day. The ginger tom couldn't waste his energy on something that had little chance to happen anyways. He laid down on his nest and closed his eyes, hoping the exhaustion of the day would allow him a swift sleep with no nightmares.

Mistysky couldn't say what drew her to the medicine den so urgently. But she knew what had to be done. She could feel it. Like something was guiding her paws, And she just knew. Maybe the solitude had just driven her mad, but she had to try. So inside she went, to see the medicine cat's sleeping form.

"Fawnsong! Fawnsong, wake up! Can you hear me? I need you to listen to what I am going to say. I know what we need to do! They told me! I don't know if it was StarClan, or how they could reach me if it was, but just hear me out!."

She took a deep breath, even though she didn't really need it, but when she spoke next, she was a lot calmer, letting the wind that brought her here speak through her.

"The walls are crumbling, hope peeking through the cracks. Five cats of strong faith and determination, one from each corner of the clans, is needed to break the shackles that bind them. Choose wisely, for this is our final stand."

It took a few seconds for the tom to wake up. Why was someone calling him by his old name? He opened his eyes behind the scarred tissue, confused and a little sleepy. However, as the mysterious cat continued talking, something clicked on his mind. Burningleaf stood up in a jump when he finally realized that it was Mistysky's voice who was speaking to him. "Mistysky?!" Stunned, the medicine cat saw in shock at her dead clanmate who now stood up in front of him. A genuine smile of relief drew on his muzzle and emotions overwhelmed him. She wasn't gone... Mistysky's spirit was still there with them. But... did that mean Starclan was back?

Burningleaf wanted to ask more questions, but the urgency in Mistysky's tone made him reconsider. He just nodded and listened to what Starclan was trying to tell him. Five cats... one from each clan... they are going to save us? And we are supposed to choose them, not Starclan? The tom frowned, unsure if he was interpreting this message wrong. "Wait, does Starclan wants us to choose a hero for each clan? Aren't they choosing them? How can we know who is the right one?"

Fawnsong was confused. Of course he was. And Mistysky couldn't do anything but shake her head.

"What do you think, Fawnsong? You're the medicine cat here. I'm just the cat life threw this stuff at. I don't even know if this is StarClan. I just know this is something. A big something. This might be our chance, Fawnsong! And maybe this is why I was chosen to speak to you. Maybe this is how I redeem myself, for StarClan to accept me and my kits. I'm sorry I don't know all the answers. I wish I did. But I do know that when the time comes, everything will be clear. Whatever this is, it wants to help us. Let it guide your paws, just like it guided mine."

Burningleaf was a little disappointed that the she-cat knew as little as he did. Still, this was more than enough to bring back the hope and happiness he had lost. "He. I guess from here, it is my job to figure out in time, right?" A small smile appeared on his muzzle as he mewed in response to Mistysky's frank answer.

The scarred tom made her way to the warrior's spirit and though he wasn't sure if he would be able to touch her, he still extended his paw to touch hers. "You don't need redemption, Mistysky. You died fighting for your clan and kit. Windclan remembers you dearly... your legacy remains here with us." He mewed sincerely. "I will make sure Specklepaw knows her mother is here with her... I have no doubt she will be a wonderful warrior one day. Until then... I will follow your advice. Let's hope this is the chance that will save us all from this neverending nightmare and bring back Goldenstar."

Mistysky offered a soft smile, the urgency having left her features. "Thank you, Fawnsong. I can rest easily knowing my kit is in the paws of cats like you. I am not proud of how I lived my life, and I have so many regrets, leaving Specklepaw being a big one. But it is a comfort to know that she won't be alone."

Just as she was turning to leave, her job being done, Mistysky turned around, one more thing on her mind. "You said you weren't destined from birth like Berrypaw for this role. But you seem like a mighty fine medicine cat to me."

And just as soon as she had come, Mistysky left, becoming but a mere shadow watching the Clan once more.