Ivypool wakes up in the Dark Forest. She watches Hawkfrost train the cats for a bit. He has them all attack him at once, showing them how you can fight off multiple enemies. Despite herself, Ivypool is impressed. When the fight is over she is dismayed to see cats from other clans that she likes there. Initially it was just cats like Breezepelt that she didn't really like, but she now sees cats that she feel do not belong there in the Dark Forest. Hawkfrost demands to know where she has been. She tells him she had a hard time falling asleep. He has the cats attack her, making her fight them all off at once. The fight gets interrupted when Brokenstar arrives with a new apprentice - Blossomfall. Ivypool is devastated that her clanmate is in the Dark Forest. As the assembled cats greet Blossomfall, Ivypool realizes how much it is a lie that they are a clan since everyone clearly stands alone. Brokenstar orders a fight with Blossomfall so Ratscar attacks her. Ivypool is upset to see that Blossomfall is losing because her claws are still sheathed. Unable to watch any longer, Ivypool attacks. Brokenstar is furious but Ivypool counters that if they are all clanmates then they should help each other and an apprentice shouldn't be lost on her first visit. Annoyed, Brokenstar leaves. Ivypool sees Antpelt and races over to him. She is upset to learn that he is dead and asks him if he chose the Dark Forest. He tells her this is where he belongs, but he sounds sad as he says it. Hawkfrost pulls her away to train Hollowpaw, a RiverClan apprentice who found his way to the Dark Forest because the other apprentices were bullying him. Ivypool gladly teaches him how to defend himself. After a bit Hawkfrost breaks up the group, and tells Blossomfall that she is coming along good. Ivypool looks around on the assembled cats and realizes the Dark Forest is succeeding in finding cats and taking them away from their clans.
Dovewing and Foxleap are in awe of the mountains. The cats enter and quickly meet up with a patrol. They are greeted warmly by the Tribe cats and brought back to their cave. Everyone is happy to see them - except for Stoneteller. He is openly hostile but Jayfeather smooths things over by telling him they wanted the young warriors to learn about how the Tribe lives. Everyone eats then settles down to sleep but Dovewing is too awake. She sneaks outside for some peace and casts her senses out. She hears the other group of cats mocking the Tribe and their border, which upsets her. Jayfeather interrupts her thoughts, then Stonefur joins them. Stormfur starts to tell them about Stoneteller's refusal to name an heir but then Stoneteller comes outside and they stop talking. Stonefur tells the cats that Stoneteller never leaves the cave, that he isn't supposed to unless it is for a special ceremony, and that by being outside he is defying his ancestors.
Lionblaze and Cinderheart take Toadstep and Rosepetal out for extra hunting training, but they want to learn fighting techniques. The cats tell them some of time but as the training goes on it becomes clear that Toadstep idolizes Lionblaze. He tires to imitate Lionblaze, much to Lionblaze's dismay. Lionblaze reminds Toadstep that he needs to know his own limits - and respect them. As they get back to training they hear Bumblestripe call out in fear that a dog is chasing him. Cinderheart tells Lionblaze that she will stay with the two young warriors so Lionblaze races off to help. He tries to draw the dog away but then Bumblestripe tells Lionblaze that he is leading the dog towards Briarlight. Toadstep follows, wishing to help, and Cinderheart and Rosepetal arrive to protect Briarlight. Lionblaze leads the dog away, ordering Toadstep to stay behind, but Toadstep ignores him and saves him from the dog when he falls into some brambles. Lionblaze thanks Toadstep for his help after they drive the dog away. The cats safely get Briarlight back to the camp. She and Bumblestripe are worried they will get into trouble but Cinderheart and Lionblaze tell them that everything will be okay, that Briarlight will find her place in the clan. When they get back Millie immediately begins to fuss over Briarlight.
Jayfeather listens to tribe life in the cave. He eventually seeks out Stoneteller and accuses him of not choosing a successor. They argue and Jayfeather has a vision of the clan cats and the tribe cats falling into blackness. Stoneteller is still talking but Jayfeather races from the room into the main cavern and finds himself in the past with the original tribe cats. He sees Half Moon and his friends again and discovers that they are arguing over whether or not to return to the lake. They have found the mountains inhospitable and are worried they will starve to death.
Dovewing and Foxleap are out on patrol with the tribe cats. They are having a hard time adapting to the landscape. As they go on she and Splash start talking about tribe life versus clan life. Eventually talk turns to Stoneteller and the possibility of leaving. Dovewing doesn't understand why they can't choose their own leader and Splash seems horrified by the idea. Talk quickly changes and Dovewing realizes Splash does not wish to discuss Stoneteller.
I am so bummed that Antpelt is now in the Dark Forest. He seemed a nice cat, not evil like the other Dark Forest cats. I hope his stay there doesn't change him into something he is not. And now Blossomfall is there! I was upset there was only one ThunderClan cat being recruited since it shows an unfairness - like ThunderClan is good and the other clans are evil - but now that is changing. If I were to pick any cat it would probably be Blossomfall or Thornclaw. Now that I got my wish I am sad, though. I don't want to see Blossomfall corrupted.
And, Lionblaze's inability to get hurt is coming back to haunt him in unexpected ways. I never saw this coming, that younger warriors would want to copy him. He needs to be careful how he handles this. I thought his speeches to Toadstep were good, the real question is was Toadstep actually listening?
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