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a few sunrises into newleaf, and all of the clans were struggling. prey was scarce, and threats were becoming imminent. however, each clans leader was too stubborn to admit they needed help, so the medicine cats took it upon themselves to find a solution. at their annual half moon meeting, around the moonpool, they gathered around the water, and began to openly discuss what the issue was, and the challenges that each clan faced.
after airing each case, they agreed to follow their ritual of touching noses to the water and seeing what starclan had in store for them. when each awoke, they sat in a starry field besides one another. a few cats, with unrecognizable pelts, stepped forward, and delivered a mysterious message.
"few will travel and fight the shadows, find the red ferns where the four spirits await, deep into an old willow, lies the secret, the power to harness the mind, the soul, and the ones who will save the forest."
once awake, the medicine cats discussed what to do and what to report. they came to the conclusion to talk to the clan leaders, and request to have two cats from each clan journey to the old willow, despite not knowing exactly where it was. now, it is up to the eight cats to either find the willow and save their clan, or ultimately fail and return back home.
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