Lionblaze and the rest of the cats return to camp. Firestar announces the threat from the Dark Forest and everyone is in shock. Lionblaze watches as Mousewhisker whispers something to Birchfall and Birchfall looks at him in disgust. Lionblaze wonders what was said. Ivypool steps forward, offering to train everyone in Dark Forest tactics. She admits to spying on the Dark Forest cats - much to Mousewhisker's shock - and Firestar backs her up, saying that he sent her there. Everybody is assigned tasks and Lionblaze teaches Daisy how to help Brightheart defend the kits. As he teaches the she cats, Midnight's words about choice echo in his mind. He leaves them to find Cinderheart. He tells her that while they have a destiny to follow, they also have a choice. Cinderheart is unsure, feeling whatever choice she makes must respect Cinderpelt, but Lionblaze points out to her that Cinderpelt is giving Cinderheart the choice. Cinderheart chooses to be a warrior and love Lionblaze. After she makes her choice the spirit of Cinderpelt leaves her body and thanks her.
Jayfeather is going about his duties with everyone else when he hears Cloudtail ask how they are supposed to kill warriors that are already dead. Jayfeather tells him that cats in StarClan fade eventually, so it must be the same with the Dark Forest. He senses Ivypool stiffen and delves into her mind, where he sees her kill Antpelt. Jayfeather realizes the Dark Forest warriors can die but doesn't betray Ivypool's memory. Brambleclaw calls them together to discuss who the Dark Forest warriors are in their camp. Ivypool does not want to betray them but Brambleclaw assures her that they will not be punished. She admits to Birchfall, Blossomfall, and Mousewhisker's training and Brambleclaw orders them found. Jayfeather goes back to his den and Leafpool comes, asking if there is any way she can help. She talks of taking wet moss to injured cats when Jayfeather cuts her off. He tells her that would be a waste of her skills and she will help by being a medicine cat. She reminds him that StarClan no longer sees her as a medicine cat but he tells her he does not care. As they work together she asks him if he has forgiven her and he tells her there is nothing to forgive. Cloudtail arrives, unable to find ThunderClan's Dark Forest warriors. Jayfeather asks Dovewing to find them and she does - in the Dark Forest. She insists Ivypool must go after them but Jayfeather tells her they are on their own now.
Dovewing finds her sister trying to dream herself into the Dark Forest. Dovewing listens in and hears Brokenstar and Tigerstar announcing the attack on the clans. She sees that some of the clan cats are horrified but some cats are also cheering. Mousewhisker tries to leave but Icewing stops him, assuring him that it will be okay if they pretend. Ivypool's absence is noted but passed over as the cats start to leave. Dovewing pulls out and wakes Ivypool up, telling her that there is no time, the war has begun. Dovewing bursts into the clearing with the announcement that the Dark Forest is coming as ShadowClan arrives. Everyone is given their assignments and Brambleclaw asks Squirrelflight to fight beside him.
Dovewing gets tangled and Cloudtail helps her. She notices the warrior is upset, then remembers he does not believe in StarClan. She gets untangled then Darkstripe arrives. He taunts Cloudtail for being a kittypet and believing in the warrior code. Dovewing and Cloudtail fight Darkstripe and Sparrowfeather. Another cat comes and tells the Dark Forest warriors to leave them to bleed to death, that it is now time to attack the camp. Alone, Dovewing helps Cloudtail up so they can go help their clanmates. The camp is under attack and they help drive the Dark Forest warriors away, but Dovewing can hear another group coming their way. Stoatpaw arrives with the news that Blackstar is losing a life - ShadowClan needs help. Firestar send Lionblaze, Graystripe, and the ShadowClan patrol to go help as Dovewing worries about the next attack.
At first I was wondering if Mousewhisker was asking which side they were fighting on - and Birchfall was saying ThunderClan, of course - but then in the Dark Forest Mousewhisker was clearly scared and uneasy. Yet I cannot for one moment picture Birchfall betraying the clan.
I am glad that Cinderheart and Lionblaze worked everything out. Now I just hope Dovewing and Bumblestripe do too. And, the battle has started. This is the end. I wonder if Cloudtail will believe in StarClan now?
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