The Sorrow Begins

BOOK ONE IN THE ANCIENT POWERS SERIES. 

For Moderate Blood, Gore and Violence.

''Four cats have been chosen. Each one has the power of an ancient Leader, and more. What they do with their Supernatural powers is up to them. But things are about to get messy...''

Prologue - Meeting the Council - Rushstar
I sat, looking down at my Clan. Young Blazepaw sat right in front of Twistedfang, and I could tell my Medicine Cat wasn't too happy. I purred, looking at the RiverClan leader, Whisperstar. She looked back at me, and nodded. With a mighty yowl, Whisperstar silenced the Clans, and stepped forward, ready to begin the gathering.  "Cats of the Clans," Whisperstar boomed, "RiverClan has been doing wonderfully in the past moon, and prey is bountiful. We are pleased to say that Icepaw and Sunpaw, two of our apprentices, have been made warriors! Welcome Icetail and Sunwhisker as full Warriors of RiverClan!"  I watched as Whisperstar stepped back, but before I could say a word, Blizzardstar of ShadowClan cut me off.  "ShadowClan is doing well, as always. Sadly, my deputy, Skyheart, has retired, and I have promoted Swiftfoot as my new deputy!" Blizzardstar meowed, flicking his tail at the tortoiseshell she-cat sitting beside the Great Tree.  I managed to step forward before either Clawstar or Greenstar could, and coughed.  "ThunderClan has three new apprentices. Welcome Blazepaw, Faithpaw and Reedpaw to our Clan as apprentices!" I meowed, before continuing, "And we have also found that there is a group of Rogues that are headed towards WindClan territory." I shot a quick look at Greenstar, who nodded in return.   Suddenly, I smelt a new scent in the air. The cats began to look about, but they didn't see what I saw. The same group of Rogues I had encountered with Dreamwhisper and Blazepaw on a patrol a few days ago; lead by the mighty gray tabby tom that had outwitted us. He held his head up proudly, as he and his group crossed onto the island.  "Who are you?" Blizzardstar snapped, hostility in his eyes.  The gray tabby tom smirked. "That is not your concern. But we have concerns, and we must share them with you immediately."  He jumped onto an empty branch, and sat down.  "I am End, the High Councillor of the Council of the Elements. We are sorry to say, that recently, our representitive of the Clans, a cat who went by the name of Talonstar, has recently died. We have come to the Lake to claim a new one. Please, once you have made your decision, send that cat to the place you call 'Sun-Drown-Place'. We shall be waiting there for your chosen one."  Greenstar barred her teeth. "I will never give one of my Warriors to you!"  "Nor will I," Blizzardstar snarled, unsheathing his claws.  Clawstar glared at End, his eyes full of suspicion. "I won't, either." <BR> Whisperstar sighed. "I'm sorry, End, but I simply don't trust you enough." <BR> <BR> I was just about to open my mouth and say something, but I noticed a starry cat behind me. It was Firestar, the legendary leader of ThunderClan! I gasped, but he hushed me. <BR> "Trust these cats," Firestar meowed, "Tell them ThunderClan will supply them with a cat. Tell them it will be Blazepaw." <BR> I yowled to silence the now-quarreling cats. End looked up at me curiously, and sat down, an amused look on his gray face. <BR> "ThunderClan will give this Council a cat. Blazepaw, to be exact." <BR> There were gasps of shock from the Clan. I looked down at Blazepaw, who was looking at his mother, Daisyfur, frantically. His eyes were wide with fear, and his mother's was full of sorrow. I could only imagine the emotions they could be feeling. Why did Firestar choose such a young apprentice? Why would the great leader do such a foolish thing? But then I remembered that I was the one who had chosen Blazepaw. I was the one to blame. <BR> <BR> End nodded. "Very well, then. Blazepaw, please come with us. As for the rest of you, it was a pleasure meeting you." <BR> Blazepaw slowly made his way towards the group of cats, nervously. I felt sorry for the tom... and I was still wondering why Firestar had told me to do such a horrible thing. <BR> A she-cat stepped forward as Blazepaw joined them. She closed her eyes, and the cats dissappeared. <BR> And then I realized that I could have sent Blazepaw to his death.

Chapter One - The Elemental Rock - Blazepaw
In a brief moment, ThunderClan was gone. SkyClan, RiverClan, ShadowClan and WindClan were gone. I was no longer at the Island, but in a large cavern. It was brightly lit, and the stone was a pale gray. I then noticed a stream that passed through the cavern, leading into a dark tunnel at the back. In the center of the large cave was many stones, each perfectly cut into a square. At the front of each stone was a symbol, the largest one had a Thunderbolt. So many strange places... cats... I was now terrified. <BR> End could easily tell I was frightened. "Come, child... I shall show you your place in the Council." <BR>