Chapter One

Pepper fled from his collapesing den, his heart pounding in his black and white chest. A huge yellow monster loomed over him, threatening to crush the tom cat. Pepper hissed at the monster and unsheathed his claws. The monster let out a deafening roar and started charging at Pepper, clawing up mounds of dirt. Pepper screached in terror and turned tail. The monster roared behind him, making the tom run faster then ever before. My wonderful home! his thoughts cried. Why did those monsters have to tear it up!? Pepper ran through the woods, his legs leaping over fallen trees. Finally, the terrible roaring died down. Pepper slowed down and and collapsed on the ground, his sides heaving with effort. "Why did you do this to me!" Pepper snarled at the sky. "My home is gone!" The black and white tom cat fell back and lay on the ground, his rasping breath the only sound breaking the eerie silence. He finally closed his eyes and let himself drift into sleep. Pepper snapped open his eyes and found himself back in his small den, beside the Twolegplace. I'm back? How can that be? Pepper looked around, confused at what he was seeing. Was it all just a dream? Pepper stepped out of his den and gasped in horror. A huge yellow monster was coming right torward him! Pepper fled into his den and waited for the terrifying beast to crush him. Moments dragged by. Was the monster waiting for him to emerge so it could pounce on him. Pepper unsheathed his thorn-sharp claws and leape dout of the den, snarling with rage. The monster charged at the black and white tom, but stopped only a whisker away. What the?
Pepper thought. The tom stared in confusion at the yellow monster. Maybe it's scared! Pepper mrrowed with amusement and snarled at the monster. It didn't move. "Foxdung! Mouseheart! Weaselbrain!" Pepper shouted at the monster. The horrifying creature didn't move a muscle. Pepper purred in statisfaction. "It can't touch you, Pepper."
Pepper swung his head around, claws unsheathed. "Whose there?" he hissed, trying to make his voice not shake. A beautiful white she-cat emerged from a bush. She had icy blue eyes that made Pepper fidget uncomfortably. "Who are you?" Pepper snarled. The she-cat purred. "I am your sister, Snowfall." Pepper took a step forward, breathing in her scent. "Snowfall!" Pepper shouted. "What are you doing here?" Then the black and white tom froze. "Snowfall, didn't you.......... die?" The white she-cat gazed at Pepper, her eyes solemn. "Indeed I have Pepper. I have come here to bring you a message." Pepper stared at Snowfall in awe. "A message? For me?"
Snowfall nodded. "Pepper, you must take a hard and long journey. You must march over mountains and swim through powerful rivers. You must find The Land of the Clans." Pepper stared in confusion. "Land of the Clans? Whats that?" Snowfall shook her head. "That is all I must tell you, my dear brother." Snowfall's image became blurrier and blurrier until she vanished into thin air. Pepper stood there, confused and scared. Land of the Clans? What the heck are Clans? Pepper suddenly heard a loud roaring behind him. The yellow monster had woken up! Pepper shut his eyes, waiting to be crushed. The roaring died away and Pepper reopened his eyes to see an unfamiliar forest before him. Pepper sat up and looked around, scenting for anymore cats. Land of the Clans? I have no idea what that is. Pepper got to his paws. Whatever it is, Snowfall wants me to find it. I guess I'll atleast try. Pepper looked around doubtfully and started walking in the direction of the sun. I must find this weird land! The land of the Clans! What a strange name.... Pepper had finally begun his journey.