[ A large elder takes his place among a crowd of kits and apprentices. A cluster of three or four warriors sit off
to the side; seeming as though they are talking with themselves. When, in fact, they were indeed listening to
the scruffy old elder. He's a large tabby tom, covered in scars from head to toe and missing his left eye. "Now
listen up young ones," he chokes out through short, rough breaths. All the kits and apprentices sit up straight as
if on cue and pay sole attention to the elder. "Many, many moons ago, even before I was born, there was only
one clan in this forest. They were known as ForestClan. Defended by mighty toms and she-cats, they prospered
under the reign of many great leaders. Some of the greatest to have ever seen the forest." Some of the kits
shuffled themselves closer to the elder. They wanted to hear more. "ForestClan began to grow too large for
one leader to rule. The clan began to question their ties to one another, and many cats had ideas that caused
quarrels with others. The leader at the time, Oakstar, knew that there was, inevitably, only one way to fix the
ongoing problem." Some of the apprentices began to wiggle around as they anticipated what the elder would
say next. "Oakstar gathered his clan under the full moon. He addressed the ongoing issue and came forth with
an idea. He split every clan member into three groups whilst making sure all kin stayed together. Once they
stood apart, he named three strong warriors from each group. Badgerfur, Darkclaw and Foxstep. He called forth
his deputy and medicine cat, and they took their places next to Oakstar. Next, the three groups disbanded. They
followed the three cats previously called out." The elder paused as the small group of warriors moved in to hear
the end of the story. "All three groups remained in the forest as they formed their own clans. Badgerfur became
Badgerstar, chose his deputy and medicine cat, and named his clan CreekClan after the creek that surrounded
their territory. Darkclaw became Darkstar, chose his deputy and medicine cat, and named his clan CedarClan
after the tree that stood at the center of their camp. Foxstep became Foxstar, chose her deputy and medicine
cat, and named her clan RockClan after the rock face that stood as a defense at the edge of their territory. The
three new clans began to prosper, but something was missing." A couple of the kits spoke out in confusion, but
\the apprentices and warriors quickly shushed them into silence. "Oakstar, his deputy, and his medicine cat
traveled their own way. They lived out their days within the forest, but far from reach from the others. They
felt as though their job had been done, and there was no fair way for them to be included in the new clans. And
so, they fulfilled their prophecy." ]
