History

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A failure like no other...

Many generations ago, StarClan failed in their duty to the four Clans. They failed to warn the living cats of an approaching disaster, leaving the Clans vulnerable and defenseless when it finally arrived: a hurricane like nothing they had ever seen.

Dozens of cats died during the storm, and many more died in the aftermath. The Clans did not understand why they were being punished; there had been no fighting, no arguing, no broken truces. Why was StarClan punishing them so?

Finally, moons after the storm had passed, StarClan appeared at the Gathering and admitted their mistake. They had not seen the storm coming, they said, and had not known to warn the Clans. The hurricane had not been a punishment.

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Needless to say, the Clans were furious. GrassClan wanted StarClan to raise their fallen Clanmates from the dead. CliffClan suggested turning away from StarClan entirely. Who wanted to follow ancestors who couldn't even protect them? Voices were raised in dissent, claws were unsheathed, and for the first time in many moons, the Clans fought. And it was all because of StarClan.

The blessing...

Finally, a great light burst from the moon, blinding the combatants and causing every cat to cover their eyes. Thistlestorm, a warrior of StarClan, raised his voice above the frightened yowling and cried, "Allow StarClan to give each of your Clans a blessing. We cannot raise cats from the dead, and we cannot heal fatal wounds, but whatever you ask for to help you in the days ahead, we will give you."

It was a dangerous offer and could have easily been taken advantage of. However, it was not by mere luck that the Clans had not fought for moons and moons; the current leaders were wise, brave, and eager for peace.

Hawkstar of CliffClan came forward first, his eyes alight with an idea. It is common belief that Hawkstar made his request simply to test StarClan, and that he did not actually believe StarClan could grant it. "My Clan lives in the most dangerous territory. We lose kits and young cats every season to the steep cliff face. If you are truly sorry for causing so many of us to die, StarClan, then grant us this: allow us better agility and lighter feet than any cats ever born. Will you do this?"

Thistlestorm dipped his head to Hawkstar and turned to face the host of StarClan. They all nodded, and a moment later the starry-eyed ancestors of CliffClan began to entwine themselves around their descendants. The rest of the Clans watched in awe as the living CliffClan warriors began to glow, and from their shoulders wings began to grow.

Such a magnificent blessing was not expected; Hawkstar only expected to be given the ability to move more quickly and jump more lightly, not wings of all things. Overwhelmed, the proud leader dipped his head to the StarClan warriors and, for the first time, knew humility as he mumbled, "Thank you, StarClan."

Eyes alight with excitement, Breezestar of WaveClan bounded forward. "StarClan, You gave them wings so they can survive in their territory. We live mostly on the fish of the sea. It is not easy to catch the fish, and many of our young cats are caught by powerful waves and drowned. We need the ability to move powerfully through the water and stay down longer."

Again Thistlestorm nodded, and the ancestors of WaveClan moved in close to the living warriors. The already-sleek warriors grew narrower, more streamlined. Their tails grew longer and more powerful, and as all the cats watched in awe, their paws grew wide and heavy. Breezestar lifted a forepaw and examined the change; he spread his toes, and discovered webbing. "If you work at it and practice, you will also be able to hold your breaths longer than a normal cat," Thistlestorm added. "But you must work to get to that point."

"We will be as powerful swimmers as otters, now. Thank you," Breezestar mewed cheerfully, nodding to Thistlestorm.

From the back of the group of cats, the leader of BrushClan stepped forward. His name was Tanglestar, and he was as black as the darkest night, and just as silent. When he spoke to Thistlestorm, it was the first time many of the cats present had ever heard him speak. "Our land is dangerous, too. Though we know how to stalk our prey, the thick underbrush prevents us from moving quickly, and we cannot always know when predators are stalking us. Foxes and owls often take our young apprentices and kits. Give us the ability to sense predators beyond normal standards."

When the ancestors of BrushClan moved to the living warriors, not much of a visible change came about. The rest of the cats watched in confusion as StarClan finally stepped back, wondering if Tanglestar's request had not been granted. However, when the warriors of BrushClan opened their eyes, there was a visible shock that passed through them. The normally-silent warriors began to turn this way and that, eyes passing over the rest of the cats gathered, whispering to each other in low, confused voices. Only Tanglestar remained silent, his eyes passing across the land in wonder.

It took several minutes, but finally the BrushClan warriors grew quiet, and the rest of the gathered warriors noticed something they had not noticed before; their eyes were glowing, and not because of the light of the moon. "Explain this," Tanglestar meowed to Thistlestorm, head tilted to one side on slight confusion.

"This will be hard to get used to, but helpful when you do," Thistlestorm began. "Your young cats will need to work hard at learning how to use their new sight. At night, in the darkness, you will now see bright colors where warm, living creatures are. They will seem to glow to you, and you will be able to see a mouse within a thicket, or a fox hiding behind a bush. But your eyes do glow now, and you will need to learn how to hunt with that handicap."

Finally, it was time for GrassClan's blessing. All cats turned to face Rabbitstar, the current leader, but he did not rise from his position. In fact, he made no attempt to rise or move towards the StarClan warriors. It is thought that Rabbitstar simply had nothing to wish for; true to his nature, he was content with his Clan and their strength.

It was Swiftwind, the current deputy, who moved to stand beside Rabbitstar and murmured in his ear, "I know what you feel, Rabbitstar, but if we stay as we are, the other Clans will tear us apart. CliffClan can fly now; how can we defend ourselves from them? WaveClan can out swim anyone, and do you see how big their paws are now? BrushClan could sneak up on us in the dead of night. We cannot stay as we are. Ask him for greater speed, longer legs."

And so, with a nod to his wise deputy, Rabbitstar asked StarClan. Thistlestorm nodded and moved forward with the rest of the GrassClan ancestors. The warriors of GrassClan began to grow, their legs lengthening, their bodies growing even more slender and lean. Their paws began to harden and compress into pads like a dog or a cheetah, and their tails lengthened to an impressive amount.

By the time StarClan was done, the cats of GrassClan stood high above the heads of other cats. Their bodies had taken on the shape and form of miniature cheetahs, the famed wild cats of old, and even Rabbitstar could not help but marvel at his new body. "Nothing will ever outrun us. Thank you," he mewed simply, looking Thistlestorm in the eye for a long moment before turning to his Clan.

"StarClan has blessed you now, and we promise to watch over you. We will not fail you like we did before," Thistlestorm promised. And then StarClan was gone.

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