The Wishing Tree

02: Discovery

As Fallingpaw sat between her two brothers, nibbling on a thrush, she couldn't help but feel uneasy. It seemed as if the whole clan was gossiping about AshClan, and she knew she had sparked the conversation.

"Why did we have to leave so soon! We could've gotten into a fight, then I'd finally be able to show off my battle moves!" Elmpaw whined, his white whiskers twitching.

Sparrowpaw sighed. "Fighting isn't always the answer, Elmpaw." He paused for a second, "But... by now AshClan is kind of asking for it."

"Stop it, both of you!" Fallingpaw meowed in frustration. "We don't need to fight anyone!"

Elmpaw looked like he was about to speak again, but stopped when Quailstar's call rang out from the Tall Oak- a large oak tree growing taller than the rest in the middle of the camp that the leader's den was made in.

"Let all cats old enough to climb gather around the Tall Oak for a clan meeting!" Quailstar stated, his voice ringing out across the camp. In no time at all, the cats of TreeClan had gathered, looking up at their leader expectantly.

The mousy brown tom cleared his throat before addressing the cats. "I know most of you are upset with AshClan, but for now, we won't be taking any action."

Yowls of protest came from many cats, and Hawkfeather spoke out the loudest. "With all due respect, Quailstar, this is the third incident with them this quarter moon, we should teach them a lesson."

Quailstar shook his head. "I know what you're feeling, Hawkfeather, but I'd like to speak with Kestrelstar personally before taking action." He flicked his tail dismissively at the disagreeing warriors, and waited for them to quiet down before he continued. "If AshClan continues to push us around after I warn Kestrelstar, we will attack. That's all."

The mousy brown leader jumped from the Tall Oak, and the TreeClan cats went back to what they were doing before.

Fallingpaw felt the annoyance building up inside of her. Why couldn't the clans ever solve things peacefully?

"Yes! I'll get to finally use my awesome fighting moves!" Elmpaw cheered, ears perked in excitement.

Fallingpaw stood, fur bristling. "Why can't anyone think to solve this peacefully? It would be bird-brained to attack- that won't end well for anyone, and will just give Hummingbreeze and Applepaw more work!"

"Fallingpaw, are you okay?" Sparrowpaw asked, concern in his voice. He was most caring cat Fallingpaw knew, so she immediately felt bad for making him worry about her.

The light tan she-cat lowered her head, tail lashing. "Sorry, I'm fine, Sparrowpaw. I just... need to take a walk."

With that, Fallingpaw padded away from her brothers, and making sure no one was watching her, she exited the camp. She knew she shouldn't have left without permission, but at the moment, she just wanted to be left alone.

Without having to think about where she was putting her paws, Fallingpaw navigated through the trees, letting herself become lost in thought. Why won't AshClan just leave us alone? We never did anything wrong! Maybe they were right... maybe we do have to fight.

Without realizing it, Fallingpaw had arrived at the end of TreeClan territory, where their border touched unclaimed territory. She was about to turn back, when something caught her eye.

It was a willow tree resting just beyond the border, it looked to be very old, yet still growing strong. Its trunk was a whole fox length wide, and there were not many other trees surrounding it. For some reason, it was enchanting to Fallingpaw, it called to her, willing her forward.

Carefully, Fallingpaw leapt from her tree, and walked over the border to approach the willow. As she padded under it, the soft blanket of drooping leaves fell over her, letting dapples of filtered light play along the bright green grass.

The tree was even taller than the Tall Oak, and Fallingpaw wondered what she would be able to see from the top. However, as soon as she touched her paw to the willow's bark, a bright white light flashed, temporarily blinding her.

Fallingpaw blinked as the light faded to reveal three ghostly figures. They were cats, their pelts starry and very transparent, seeming as though they were only puffs of mist with glinting eyes.

There was a white she-cat with brown points and pale blue eyes, a tom that was mostly white with an orange tail and ears, and a brown tabby she-cat with deep green eyes.

"W-who are you?" Fallingpaw asked shyly, taking a step back.

"Do not be afraid, young one." The tabby she-cat purred, stepping towards Fallingpaw and giving her a comforting look. "I'm sure you've heard stories about us. I was the first leader of your clan, Fallingpaw."

Fallingpaw couldn't help but let a gasp escape her. These were the founders of the three clans- Flowering Tree, Ash Branch, and Creek's Mist, who later became Treestar, Ashstar, and Creekstar.

Fallingpaw dipped her head in respect to the three, excitement bubbling in her chest. Am I dreaming, or have I actually met the founders of the clans?!

"We would like to thank you, Fallingpaw, for being the one to discover our home." Creekstar now spoke, his deep voice full of kindness. "We are most closely linked to this tree, us and most of our ancient clanmates."

"Which is why we have something to ask of you." Ashstar said, her blue eyes sharp and sending chills down Fallingpaw's spine. "Tell the clans of this place, as we would like to meet with your medicine cats and leaders."

"We would give you something in return, of course." Treestar added.

Fallingpaw was feeling overwhelmed; so much seemed to be happening as once, though the promise of a reward spiked her interest. "And what's that?" She asked.

"We will grant you one wish. We can do many things, young Fallingpaw, more than you know. You can wish for anything in the world." Treestar paused for a moment, her green eyes staring into Fallingpaw's orange ones. "There is only one exception. You cannot wish to change yourself."