warriors: power of three

I enjoyed this book series but it felt a bit like it was lacking direction. However, this is because it was setting up the next series, which is a bit odd but it worked out good. I don't mean to say that this book series was bad, it certainly wasn't. Rather, we sit around for six books waiting for Jawfeather, Lionblaze, and Hollyleaf to come into their powers and fulfill their prophecy only to find out that Hollyleaf isn't a part of the prophecy and her brothers have no clue who is. While this was the main story line, it really served to set the next series up where they seek out the third cat and fulfill the prophecy. In the end this series focused on the second story line, which was the mystery of these three cats birth, the betrayal and secrets surrounding it, and, ultimately, Ashfur's insanity and murder. This was a good series. Not quite as solid as "The Prophecies Begin" but certainly far more solid then "The New Prophecy" (though, if we look at "The New Prophecy" as a part one and part two deal, I would have to place part two above this series). Usually, if a book or (movie) can't stand on its own and only serves to set up the next one it is a bit of a failure, but they did manage to avoid that problem by tying up Ashfur's story arc.

On a side note, this series was also a bit different in that it had no real villain. The first series focused on Tigerstar with the minor villains of Brokenstar, Darkstripe, and Scourge. The second series had Hawkfrost as the villain with a return of Tigerstar's spirit. This series had Sol, who was clearly a villain, but who never actually did anything beyond minor manipulation that kept backfiring. It also had Ashfur and Hollyleaf but neither were a true villain. Ashfur was consumed by his grief and went insane. Hollyleaf's entire world crumbled around her and she retaliated against the cat who tried to murder her and threatened to expose her secrets - secrets that to most cats would have been upsetting but not world ending. But to Hollyleaf they were. Neither cat was actually a villain, just two good people who made the worst possible choices, leaving death and destruction in their wake. This is not to say that Hollyleaf murdering Ashfur was okay - it certainly was not - or that Ashfur trying to murder Hollyleaf and her brothers was okay - again, certainly not. But both of these cats had their hopes, their dreams, their worlds destroyed and let their grief consume them to the point that murder was the only acceptable option. In both of these cases it was the fall of a hero - but the fall didn't lead to the birth of a villain, rather to the birth of a broken, desperate cat.

Warriors: Power of Three

1. The Sight
2. Dark River
3. Outcast
4. Eclipse
5. Long Shadows
6. Sunrise

eclipse: part six

Cinderpaw comes to wake up Hollypaw to help her clean out the bedding in the nursery but Lionpaw tells her to let her sleep. As he helps Cinderpaw instead he hears Millie coughing. He goes to tell Jaypaw and Leafpool and while there he tries to find out if Jaypaw has spoken to StarClan but Jaypaw snaps at him. When he leaves the medicine cat den Hollypaw snaps at him for letting her sleep. He goes to eat and Poppyfrost talks about the battle. Ashfur and Dustpelt tell her about the battle with BloodClan in the old forest. She says she hopes to never see another battle like this one and comments on how well Lionpaw fought. Ashfur agrees, saying it is time for Lionpaw to be made a warrior since there is nothing else he can teach him. Ashfur takes Lionpaw and some other cats on patrol. Tigerstar comes to Lionpaw. Lionpaw talks of the battle and being made a warrior soon. Tigerstar speaks of still training Lionpaw but Lionpaw asks what the point is when no cat can beat him. Furious, Tigerstar attacks Lionpaw and mocks him for his belief in the prophecy. He leaves telling Lionpaw that he still needs him and this isn't over. Lionpaw wonders just what Tigerstar wants with him if he doesn't believe in the prophecy.

Jaypaw and his siblings get ready for the Gathering. Millie is sick with whitecough and Daisy and her kits have moved to the apprentice's den to avoid getting sick as well. Lionpaw hopes WindClan will be there so he can show them they are just as strong as ever. When they arrive Jaypaw feels hatred coming off of Lionpaw directed at Heatherpaw and is shocked that his brother now feels this way. The three clans wait for ShadowClan but just Blackstar arrives with Sol. He announces that ShadowClan no longer believes in StarClan and that they will no longer attend the Gatherings. He then leaves much to the shock of everyone. Yellowfang appears to Jaypaw and he asks her what StarClan intends to do about this. She sadly tells him that StarClan must pick their battles and leaves. Jaypaw sees this as an end to StarClan's reign and the beginning of he and his siblings fulfilling the prophecy.

Lionpaw dreams of blood and Heatherpaw's broken body. In his dream he is happy she is dead but when he wakes up he is horrified. Firestar calls a clan meeting to tell everyone the news about ShadowClan. He tells everyone that he is sure ShadowClan will return to StarClan. He reminds them of the sun disappearing and coming back. Lionpaw thinks of Sol's words, and how they would be the light. Thinking back on his dream of Heatherpaw he wonders if he deserves that kind of power.

Jaypaw listens to Firestar speak and realizes that Firestar is comforting himself as much as his clanmates. Firestar reminds everyone to think of the warrior code and Hollypaw clutches to that. Jaypaw envies his sister's faith but also feels she is ignorant to the truth around her. Firestar names Lionpaw, Hollypaw, and Cinderpaw as warriors. While Jaypaw is sad that he will never be a warrior he is happy for his siblings and Cinderpaw. As Firestar does the ceremony Jaypaw thinks the time of the clans is coming to an end and they are one step closer to the prophecy.

So, good question on Lionpaw's part. If Tigerstar is not interested in him because of the prophecy, then just why is he interested? My bet is to corrupt Firestar's kin. That would be the ultimate win for Tigerstar, knowing that his blood won out over Firestar's. I feel like Lionpaw is a fool here. Brambleclaw realized his mistake in the end but Lionpaw and Jaypaw are so obsessed with power they can't see something bad when it is starting them in the face - both with Tigerstar and Sol.

eclipse: part five

Firestar sends Leafpool to rest. He tries to send Lionpaw to rest too but he is too wound up. Firestar invites him to come talk with him and the warriors about what to do next. The cats talk of the sun disappearing and how soon Leafpool can speak to StarClan. Lionpaw feels impatient, feeling that WindClan is the problem. Brambleclaw notices Lionpaw's distress and asks him what is wrong, but when Lionpaw speaks of attacking WindClan Brambleclaw tells him no one wants any more blood spilled. Lionpaw goes to Jaypaw to ask after Squirrelflight. Jaypaw says he thinks she will live but they need to find Sol. Lionpaw doesn't understand why but Jaypaw insists they must. He feels since StarClan knew nothing of the battle or the sun, but Sol knew, then Sol must have some extra knowledge and maybe he can even help the siblings with the prophecy.

As Jaypaw and Lionpaw speak Squirrelflight wakes up. She is still badly wounded and needs rest, though. Hollypaw wakes up too and the siblings discuss what to do next. Jaypaw insists they have to find Sol. He figures since he was already on WindClan territory and ThunderClan territory he will go to ShadowClan next. The cats sneak out to find him and follow his path towards the ShadowClan border. Jaypaw wants to follow it but his siblings insist they cannot anger ShadowClan right now. Staying within their own territory they try to find his path. It leads to an old abandoned twoleg nest and inside they find Sol.

Hollypaw feels uneasy as Jaypaw asks Sol for answers involving the prophecy. She realizes that Jaypaw really believe Sol has the answers that StarClan won't - or can't - give him. She feels sick as she realizes StarClan might not be able to see everything, that there might be something beyond StarClan and the warrior code. As Sol asks them about their powers Hollypaw wonders what her own are. All she knows is she must defend the warrior code. Sol tells the cats that they will be more powerful then StarClan and that they will be the light for the clans. When Hollypaw asks him about the warrior code he tells her it will be up to them to defend it or destroy it. She is appalled at the though of destroying it. Jaypaw begs Sol to come with them and be their warrior. He and Lionpaw offers to hide Sol from Firestar, build him a nest, and hunt for him. Sol agrees and Hollypaw feels a mixture of fear and excitement. As they travel back they come close to the ShadowClan border again. Russetfur catches them and accuses them of spying. She brings all the cats back to Blackstar. Blackstar wants to know why the apprentices were so interested in Sol and Jaypaw tells him it is because Sol predicted the sun would disappear. Littlecloud asks if Sol spoke to StarClan but Sol tells him the darkness had nothing to do with StarClan, but with a change that was coming. Hollypaw wonders if she and her brothers will be part of that change. When Blackstar presses him, Sol says that change is not a bad thing and that there is more then one way to do something. Hollypaw is shocked. Sol offers to stay with Blackstar and Russetfur kicks the apprentices out with an escort since Blackstar confessing his lack of faith in StarClan. Jaypaw is upset since Sol promised to come with them, but the cats leave.

When they get back to their camp Jaypaw makes his siblings promise they won't say anything about Sol. Hollypaw and Lionpaw get picked for a hunting patrol. Jaypaw checks on Squirrelflight. She tells Jaypaw to make sure he eats. Leafpool snaps at Squirrelflight that she knows how to take care of her apprentice and Jaypaw is surprised. He settles down to sleep and dreams of Yellowfang who tells him to stop looking for answers, they will come in time.

So I just want to take this moment to say that I really do not like Sol. Something about him just brushes me the wrong way. Maybe it is the way he claims to know everything without ever actually offering anything. Or maybe it's the way he will only share his knowledge with the cats if they offer to do everything for him. I mean, really. He can't hunt for himself? That was just disturbing. I feel like this cat is poison. And now he is with Blackstar telling him who knows what. Some knowledge is not worth the price you pay for it and I feel like no knowledge Sol has is worth what he will demand or do.

eclipse: part four

At the camp everyone is impatient. Cinderpaw insists on sitting on the Highledge to guard the elders and kits. Jaypaw wonders if part of her determination is because a part of her knows she died saving them in her last life. Ferncloud asks what StarClan has said and Jaypaw admits nothing. Against Leafpool's wishes Jaypaw gets permission to go out and start rounding up the wounded warriors. He heads to the lake first where Dustpelt's patrol is. He scents RiverClan cats and helps attack them, driving them off. He then takes Sorreltail, who is injured, back to camp. He reports to Graystripe that RiverClan has joined the fight too. Graystripe tells him to go to Firestar's patrol next and pass the news onto him. As he heads towards Firestar's group he hears four RiverClan cats. He knows he has to make it to his clan mates first before they are ambushed. He runs into Lionpaw and tells him about the cats. Lionpaw says he will deal with them himself, much to Jaypaw's shock since Lionpaw will be greatly outnumbered. He then finds Firestar to tell him about the RiverClan cats. Firestar says they are too outnumbered and may need to retreat. Jaypaw knows if they retreat they will no longer be fighting for their territory but instead their lives. He heads to Brambleclaw's patrol to warn him about RiverClan but it is too late. He finds ShadowClan there too and thinks all three clans have ganged up against them. He attacks Tawnypelt but she tells him ShadowClan is there to help. He tells her that Firestar is outnumbered and she promises to send help. She sends Mousewhisker with him back to camp and Jaypaw wonders where StarClan is.

Firestar stops Lionpaw from attacking a RiverClan cat. She runs off and Lionpaw is upset that Firestar stopped him. Firestar says the cat knew she was beaten and at at the look of wariness in Firestar's eyes Lionpaw wonders just what he has done. The cats they were fighting defeated, Firestar says it is time to return to camp. Lionpaw wants to help the other patrols but Firestar insists he return to camp first. Lionpaw thinks Firestar is looking at him with fear in his eyes. They get to camp and Firestar is shocked to find out that Blackstar sent warriors to help them. A WindClan patrol approaches and Firestar takes his cats with him. Lionpaw scents Heatherpaw and races ahead. He attacks her, furious that she told her clan about the tunnels. She insists she didn't, that it was Sedgekit, but Lionpaw does not believe her and says they will always be enemies for this. He releases Heatherpaw and Crowfeather appears, demanding to know where she is. Lionpaw attacks him and almost kills him, stopping only when Heatherpaw begs him to. He is shocked that he almost killed the warrior since killing goes against the warrior code. Suddenly the light goes out and WindClan screams that StarClan has killed the sun. Terrified, the WindClan cats run away.

In the camp Jaypaw is helping the injured cats while listening to battle plans around him. Suddenly terror breaks out as the sun is hidden in the sky. ThunderClan cats start returning and everyone wants to know what is going on. Leafpool admits she has had no sign from StarClan and Jaypaw thinks to himself that Sol predicted the sun disappearing and implied that StarClan would be powerless to stop it. Everyone wonders if StarClan is displeased with the fighting and fears they will have to live in darkness forever. Slowly the sun starts to return.

The battle over, Hollypaw helps her clan mates clean up. Mousefur asks her if Jaypaw received a sign from StarClan but she and Lionpaw tell her that Jaypaw doesn't always share everything. Privately Hollypaw thinks Jaypaw should know what it means if they are more powerful then StarClan and she wonders if Lionpaw thinks the same. Cinderpaw helps with the medicine cat duties, knowing what to do. Hollypaw is shocked that her friend has this knowledge but Leafpool tells her it is because Cinderpaw has spent so much time in the medicine den. Hollypaw calls out to Squirrelflight and realizes she is wounded. She rushes to her mother and sees that the wound is bad. Leafpool and Jaypaw run over to help her but it is unsure if she will survive or not, especially since she has passed out from the blood loss. After tending to her wound Leafpool says she is too badly hurt to move to the medicine cat den. Instead she has Hollypaw and Lionpaw build a nest around Squirrelflight. When they are done Hollypaw curls up next to her mother to sleep.

Okay, so why on earth is RiverClan fighting too? Leopardstar used to hate ThunderClan but after Tigerstar's reign she has always liked them. Why is she suddenly allowing her warriors to attack ThunderClan - without even giving a reason? This makes no sense.

Lionpaw's power really does seem to be tied in to his warrior skills. So much so that even Firestar is looking at him warily. And he almost killed Crowfeather. I imagine he just killed any relationship between himself and Heatherpaw over his actions. Between his accusation towards her and almost killing her mentor she is probably really hurt right now. But, this does lead to me ask again just what is Hollypaw's special power? Being devoted to the warrior code can't be a power. And just when will we see them use these powers they have? Something must be coming that entails the use of these powers, otherwise they never would have been born with them. So just what is coming and when will it get here? This book is almost done and there are only two left...

And, on a final note, I don't think I like Sol. And I don't like Jaypaw thinking of him. Sol comes across as one of those people who manipulates you into revealing things by pretending to know more then he does - and then use that information against you. He hasn't really offered anything beyond a darkness coming - and yes, it came, but "darkness coming" could mean anything. It does not necessarily mean literal darkness. Anyone can make a prophecy like that because it is so broad anything can fill it. I am uneasy of Jaypaw thinking of Sol right now. I am worried that Sol is going to be the one to bring the very darkness he is speaking about - especially with his implied feelings about StarClan.

eclipse: part three

Hollypaw dreams of the tunnels. She scents a fox up ahead of as it comes closer she realizes it is not a fox, but Lionpaw. Brackenfur wakes her for a predawn patrol. They head to the WindClan border but see nothing. As Hollypaw looks out over WindClan she thinks she sees a lion. At her announcement Sorreltail comes running over, but it is just a cat. But Sorreltail does concede that the cat looked different. When they get back to camp Cinderpaw is leaving to go swimming. Hollypaw offers to join her. As they walk they laugh and talk about clan gossip. Hollypaw feels sad knowing just how different she really is from Cinderpaw and how different their lives will be.

Millie is going to have her kits soon and Jaypaw is restless waiting for it to happen. When it is time to go into the nursery Graystripe way lays him, begging him to save Millie if he has to choose. Jaypaw gets swept up in a vision of Silverstream's death, and then it is gone. Millie gives birth to three kits and everything goes well. As Jaypaw and Leafpool leave Jaypaw notices Leafpool is not as happy as he is. He wonders if it is because Leafpool has helped so many cats give birth, or if it is because she herself can never have kits. The next day everyone talks of the new kits. Spiderleg is with his kits and clearly does not get along with them. He tells Graystripe he does not envy him. Brambleclaw asks where the patrol is since they should have been back by now and Jaypaw feels guilt come from Firestar because he hadn't noticed. Jaypaw tries to reach his mind out to find the patrol, but instead of finding them he finds darkness. He comes to finding Leafpool and Hollypaw worried for him. He tells Leafpool that something dark is coming. Suddenly the patrol returns. They have brought a strange cat with them. Jaypaw cannot read the cat and when Firestar asks why his warriors brought the cat to their home Jaypaw senses confusion. Hollypaw realizes the cat is the lion she saw the other day. The cats name is Sol and he seems to know a lot about their clan which disturbs the cats. Firestar can not get any straight answers out of the strange loner. Leafpool and Jaypaw take him into the woods to question him. Sol says darkness is coming and hints to Leafpool that maybe her faith in StarClan is misplaced. Leafpool is uninterested in what Sol has to say. She brings him back to Firestar who informs Sol that a group of warriors will escort him away.

Lionpaw is trying to sleep but Icepaw and Foxpaw keep whispering. He keeps snapping at them to be quiet. The next time they tell him it wasn't them. Lionpaw realizes if it isn't them then there must be cats sneaking around. Lionpaw yells out that they are being attacked. The camp breaks out into chaos. As he tries to bring Longtail and Mousefur to Highledge Firestar comes out and demands to know what is going on. Onestar speaks out, having led the attack himself, saying that they are true warriors here to teach ThunderClan a lesson in what it really means to be a warrior - which is not helping the tribe or taking in strays but instead fighting for what is needed. He also mocks Firestar, claiming he thinks he is StarClan because he makes cats beg for his help but Onestar refuses to beg but instead will take. Firestar tells Onestar if he wants a battle then he can have one. Onestar and his warriors leave, much to Dustpelt's confusion since WindClan clearly had the advantage. Firestar asks why the entrance was not guarded and Brambleclaw tells him it is because every cat is too tired. Firestar says the entrance needs to be guarded and sets up patrols to make sure the WindClan cats are gone and that the ShadowClan border is quiet. Lionpaw head with the patrol to check the WindClan border. Cloudtail tells the cats that WindClan split up into three groups and went in three different directions, all still within their territory. They race back to the camp to report to Firestar. The ShadowClan border patrol reports all is quiet but every cat is upset when they hear the WindClan border patrols news. Firestar splits the cats into four groups. The ones lead by himself, Brambleclaw, and Dustpelt will follow the WindClan cats and the one led by Graystripe will guard the camp. Lionpaw is in Firestar's group. They go to where Lionpaw knows where the tunnel is, but he hasn't told his clan mates about it. They discover the tunnel and Firestar wedges a large branch in it to prevent any more WindClan cats from coming in that way. He leaves Lionpaw and Poppyfrost in guard of the tunnel and takes the warriors to look for WindClan cats. Lionpaw spots Nightcloud and calls out a warning as she attacks.

Hollypaw is with Brambleclaw's patrol. They head to the old twoleg nest and are ambushed by WindClan cats. Horribly outnumbered, Brambleclaw orders Hollypaw to go ask Blackstar for help. She reaches the ShadowClan camp where Ivytail, who is on guard, stops her. She begs Ivytail to speak to Blackstar but Ivytail does not believe that an apprentice was sent to ShadowClan territory alone and suspects an attack. She darts around Ivytail and runs into the camp asking for Blackstar. Tawnypelt tells her to calm down and tell her what is wrong. Hollypaw tells her that WindClan has invaded, they are outnumbered, and Brambleclaw sent her for help. Tawnypelt brings her to Blackstar. Russetfur is impressed with the invasion. She feels there must be four clans but isn't sure that they should help. Blackstar decides they should help and has Russetfur pick out who she wishes to bring. Tawnypelt goes with Hollypaw and they race to the twoleg nest and into battle.

So, there is a LOT to cover here. First we will start with Onestar and my question of what the fuck. He accuses Firestar of wanting to be like StarClan and only helping clans after they beg, yet Firestar sent a patrol to make sure nothing was wrong and it was sent away. You can't accuse someone of making you beg for help when they offer you help first and then you spit on it. That doesn't even make any sense. And his argument that they are warriors and will take what they need makes no sense either and even goes against the warrior code! Yes, the warrior code says it is a fight to survive but driving a clan away goes against everything the clans believe in which is why it was such a big deal when ShadowClan did it to WindClan. Their entire way of life and belief system is built on four clans living in peace but as rivals. And yes, there are territory disputes, but overall the clans live in peace and fight to prove that they can do it on their own. I get that Onestar's clan is starving and doesn't want to appear weak and ask for help, but throwing out your entire belief system to attack a clan that offered you help, while claiming they want you to beg, makes zero sense. And to say that the warrior code only says to take and not help makes no sense either since the clans have always helped each other in the past as well as fought. Onestar seems to both want Firestar's help and resents it at the same time, which is very confusing. And when ThunderClan previously found the stolen prey it was observed that WindClan ate it there instead of taking it back for their kits and elders, which again goes against the warrior code. I don't understand Onestar's actions or his justifications.

On to more logical things, I am glad to see that things really are resolved between Firestar and Dustpelt. Dustpelt certainly grumbles a lot but he really is loyal to Firestar - so loyal that Firestar trusts him with leading one of the patrols. And while I understand some of the tension involving Graystripe and how he used to be deputy, it must be nice for the clan to almost have two deputies. Brambleclaw is clearly deputy but Graystripe is always there to step up when another cat is needed and it seems to cause no resentment between him and Brambleclaw. The clan benefits from not only a clear chain of command but also from having an extra someone who actually knows how a deputy should act and think.

Lastly I was surprised that Blackstar agreed to help. He and Firestar are such rivals always, such opposites, that I would not be surprised if he were to turn Hollypaw away. But he did the right thing in the end. And for a clan that has long been known as the devious and covetous clan to step up and say this is wrong is a pretty big deal.

eclipse: part two

Jaypaw goes with Graystripe and his hunting party to collect herbs. When they are on their way back the border patrol catches up with them and tells them that WindClan crossed the border. They are gone now but they took prey. Back at camp Jaypaw works on the herbs he collected while Graystripe reports the news of WindClan crossing the border. Hollypaw comes over to help him and gives him the news that Cinderpaw's assessment is the next day. They decide to watch her assessment and when they tell Lionpaw he agrees to come too. The next day they try to follow Cinderpaw unnoticed through the forest. When she tries to jump after prey her leg gives out on her. The siblings rush to her, along with Cloudtail, to help her get back to the camp. They bring her to the medicine cat den and Leafpool kicks everyone out so she can look over Cinderpaw. Jaypaw waits off to the side, forgotten by his mentor. Later he accuses Leafpool of being so desperate for Cinderpaw to become a warrior that she ignored Cinderpaw might not be strong enough.

Hollypaw visits Cinderpaw but Cinderpaw is so upset she is refusing to work her leg. Jaypaw is annoyed with Leafpool but Hollypaw can't figure out why. Firestar holds the warrior ceremony for Poppypaw and Honeypaw but Cinderpaw refuses to leave the den for it. After the naming ceremony Firestar calls together some cats, including Hollypaw, to go with Brambleclaw to the WindClan camp. He wants to know why WindClan is stealing prey. Sandstorm is frustrated that Firestar will not attack the camp, but Firestar does not want unnecessary bloodshed. Brambleclaw's patrol has no luck, though. At first Ashfoot and her patrol is hostile towards the ThunderClan cats, but it quickly turns to pleading for them to leave. Noticing how thin the WindClan cats look and unable to talk to Onestar, the cats return home. Hollypaw finds Lionpaw doing apprentice duties. He is angry about it and she offers to help him. As they collect moss they talk about the WindClan situation. Hollypaw wants to talk to them and find out what is wrong. Lionpaw wants to attack them. Hollypaw notices that Lionpaw is so angry and rough the moss he is collecting is full of splinters. She wonders if any cat could stop her brother in battle.

Lionpaw is upset. Ever since they came back from the mountains he has found clan life and chores dull. Hollypaw tells him that the next morning they are going on patrol. Firestar is upping the patrols in the hopes of stopping WindClan. As he sleeps he trains with Hawkfrost and Tigerstar. When he wakes up in the morning he has blood on him from their attacks. The next day on patrol they find evidence that they just missed WindClan hunting on their territory. Brackenfur takes the evidence back to camp while Ashfur, Hollypaw, and Lionpaw finish looking around. Hollypaw investigates something but lies about it. Wanting to know what she found Lionpaw goes back and finds another tunnel like the one he and Heatherpaw used to meet in. He is angry that Hollypaw lied to him. He feels like Hollypaw doesn't trust him.

In the medicine cat den Cinderpaw asks Jaypaw for water but he refuses to get it for her. He feels that her leg won't heal unless she uses it. He feels her fear over her injury and suddenly he can see the old accident in her mind. Shocked, Jaypaw tells her he thought she didn't know the truth. Cinderpaw is confused and Leafpool overhears them talking. She takes Jaypaw aside and is furious with him, telling him that Cinderpaw must never know the truth. They fight again over Cinderpaw's leg. Jaypaw feels that Leafpool is so worried about making a mistake she is not properly treating Cinderpaw. Frustrated he leaves the den. Jaypaw goes to the lake but the stick is missing. He finds it in the water and tries to get it but Firestar stops him. Jaypaw explains that the stick is important to him and Firestar retrieves it for him. Firestar explains that the stick would always float because it is made of wood. Jaypaw safely hides the stick and heads back to camp. Excited he tells Cinderpaw that she needs to swim to help her leg muscles.

Jaypaw and Cinderpaw sneak out of camp to avoid Leafpool and her questions. It takes time but between them they make it to the lake. Cinderpaw and Jaypaw go into the water. Jaypaw is afraid but pushes his feelings aside for Cinderpaw. Cinderpaw struggles at first but then gets the hang of it. Leafpool comes along and demands Cinderpaw get out of the water. Jaypaw is worried she will be angry, but once Cinderpaw explains what they are doing Leafpool is supportive. After Cinderpaw swims some more Leafpool has them return to camp to rest. That night is the medicine cat meeting at the Moonpool. As they travel Jaypaw can sense the tension between Barkface and Leafpool, though Mothwing seems oblivious to it. Littlecloud joins them and speaks of having an apprentice in mind. Jaypaw feels bitter and wonders if Leafpool woupd prefer a different apprentice, one who wasn't blind and wished to be a medicine cat. Leafpool brushes against him and Jaypaw feels embarrassed because Leafpool can read him so well. When they reach the Moonpool Mothwing names Willowpaw a full medicine cat. Jaypaw wonders if she can since she does not believe in StarClan. Sensing his thoughts Leafpool assures him that even though Mothwing does not believe, StarClan will hear her. As Jaypaw dreams he is frustrated that he cannot find anyone to talk to. He finds himself in Littlecloud's dream. Littlecloud is speaking to Runningnose, telling him that he fears Blackstar is losing his faith. Runningnose is worried, and tells Littlecloud that he must fix this.

I really do not have much to say here. Things are still tense between everyone. Hollypaw and Lionpaw still fight a lot. Jaypaw and Leafpool are always fighting too - over Cinderpaw as well as other things. And now Blackstar is losing his faith in StarClan. Why would Jaypaw see that dream? Especially since he wasn't trying to enter anyone's dream. Hopefully something other then the same old arguments happen in the next set of chapters.

eclipse: part one

In StarClan Yellowfang argues with Bluestar, Whitestorm, and Spottedleaf. Yellowfang feels they are lying to the clan and she does not agree with it. The counter argument is that they are not lying, just omitting the truth. But Yellowfang feels a lie is a lie, and darkness is coming.

The clan cats are leaving the tribe. While Hollypaw waits for the warriors to say goodbye to Stormfur and Brook she thinks about the prophecy and wonders what it really means. She feels their powers should be used for the good of the clan. Lionpaw argues that the prophecy says nothing about their clan and wonders if they even have to follow the warrior code or if they will live above it. Hollypaw is disturbed at the idea of not living by the warrior code. Jaypaw comes over to tell the two of them not to talk so loud. He does not want anyone knowing of the prophecy. He points out to their litter mates that other cats might not like the truth. Hollypaw and Lionpaw feel that no other cat would believe it but Jaypaw feels they would not only believe it but dislike it and find it scary. Hollypaw had never looked at it that way before and is disturbed. Squirrelflight comes over to tell Hollypaw and Lionpaw to hunt and asks Jaypaw to look at Tawnypelt's paw. Jollypaw thinks to herself that Squirrelflight still sees them as her kits and worries that one day Squirrelflight might look on them with fear. As Hollypaw and Lionpaw go off to hunt they talk about what possible powers they could have. They acknowledge Jaypaw's obvious powers and wonder what their own will be. Lionpaw confides in Hollypaw how he felt when they started on their journey, how he felt so powerful and as if he could do anything. Hollypaw is shocked by the look in his eyes and wonders if she is starting to fear her brother.

As Jaypaw tends to Tawnypelt's paw Squirrelflight fusses over him. At first he resents it, because he feels she is just doing it because he is blind, until he realizes she is worried about his siblings too. But he does not tell her what is on their minds. Hollypaw, Lionpaw, and Breezepaw bring back their fresh kill. Breezepaw caught a huge rabbit and Jaypaw senses he wants his father's praise but Crowfeather ignores him and instead compliments Lionpaw. As they finally leave Stormfur and Brook Jaypaw realizes that Lionpaw and Stormfur share a special bond. Goodbyes are called and the cats leave. Crowfeather tries to help Jaypaw but Jaypaw snaps at him for it. He then gets tangled in some brambles and Lionpaw and Hollypaw have to help him. As they walk away he wonders if a blind cat can really be part of the prophecy.

Ashfur wakes Lionpaw so they can go hunting with Whitewing and Icepaw. Whitewing asks for advice on where to hunt. Lionpaw tries to offer advice but the warriors ignore him, causing him to feel frustrated. He becomes even more upset as he thinks that no one seems to care about his journey or his return. Icepaw asks him about her hunters crouch and he distractedly answers her. Ashfur looks at Lionpaw disapprovingly and corrects Icepaw, prompting Lionpaw to go over and actually help her. Lionpaw is surprised at Ashfur since he feels Ashfur is not interested in apprentices. As Lionpaw helps Icepaw he wonders if this is what it is like to be a mentor. He decides he likes it and worries that the prophecy means he will never be able to be a normal warrior. As they continue on their way Lionpaw's frustration grows. All he can think of is how great he fought in the battle. He doesn't understand why Ashfur won't help Whitewing until Ashfur finally explains to him that Whitewing needs to make her own decisions so her confidence will grow. They hunt and Ashfur tells Lionpaw where a thrush is. Lionpaw catches it and his clan mates are shocked that he made such a huge leap to get it. Lionpaw knows it is because he is powerful but let's his clan mates think it was luck. Back at camp Lionpaw and Hollypaw get into a fight. They are both feeling isolated from their clan. When Lionpaw dreams he sees Tigerstar, but Tigerstar is uninterested in the prophecy or how well Lionpaw did in the battle in the mountains. He mocks Lionpaw for believing in the prophecy and convinces him that maybe it isn't true after all.

Jaypaw settles into life in the medicine den. He has to treat Toadkit, who has been stung by a bee and is a difficult patient. He feels frustrated that he will always be an apprentice until Leafpool is no longer the medicine cat. When Leafpool returns she asks about the journey. Jaypaw doesn't tell her much but privately he thinks that they seemed like a clan in hiding, always fearful - and how even their ancestors seemed afraid. He also notices that Leafpool always seems to be sad lately. Cloudtail comes to speak to Leafpool about Cinderpaw becoming a warrior. Leafpool assures Cloudtail that Cinderpaw is ready, but privately Jaypaw wonders if she is and also wonders if Leafpool really believes her own words.

Ashfur and Lionpaw really do not get along. But I cannot place all the blame for this on Ashfur because lately Lionpaw really has had an attitude problem. All he thinks about is fighting and killing. I can understand why Hollypaw might look at him with fear. I feel like he and Hollypaw are heading towards something if things don't change. Lionpaw has so much bottled up inside - even more then Jaypaw - and Hollypaw really does bring out the worst in him sometimes.

Tigerstar would, of course, be uninterested in any prophecy involving Firestar. However, the tribe knows of the prophecy. Does Tigerstar's dark world get to know these things too? Or when cats are banished to the dark are they also banished from knowledge like this? And is Jaypaw right in thinking the Tribe of Endless Hunting is afraid of something? And why does Leafpool always seem sad? Is it really just because of Cinderpaw or is it something more?