Back in Ga'Hoole, celebrations are continuing. As it has been one year of peace out of Coryn's entire rule, of four years. Unbeknownst to them, their peace will be disturbed not by Pure Ones, but the rightful king of the tree. Meanwhile, the whole tree is in celebration either way. All will be waiting for their king to join the celebrations in the main hall. The rest of the family however are having fun, but Soren is concerned for his nephew now, as he hasn't been out of his study in more than a day.

Coryn himself isn't attending the party as he is in deep thoughts about something. He has been sitting in front of a fire for the past hours and he has seen things that leave a harrowing call. He keeps having a terrible feeling in his gizzard that he cannot explain as he stares. He sees in the flames different faces. He sees a snowy owl, which has a golden crown upon his head fighting him. He sees a barn owl, which is someone he knows taking a battle stance in front of the same snowy. He comes out of it and remains worried that Otulissa had sent a scroll to a snowy he thinks is coming to get him (he doesn't know what Josh looks like now, as the last portrait of him is the one where he is thirteen and is standing with Boron and Barran).

On the other hand, a small group of owls that have done something has now brought impending doom that they don't know about. Their group leader, Otulissa and most of the Guardians think it is wrong to keep Josh in the dark. She had sent the scroll (which was mentioned earlier) and is awaiting the news of its effect. She doesn't know that she is going to cause a war. Otulissa and some of her allies that are in the same chaw as her, Karle, Jay, Aaron, Kristen and Marsha are waiting for Mai, one of the messengers, to return with the news of the scroll.

"I think it is absolutely wrong for Coryn to keep him in the dark. We have grown up with the knowledge that someday Josh will take the throne. We have grown up with the Prince as we attended the same schools and we all do live in the Ga'Hoole tree. I mean, he is a citizen and an Aristocrat of Ga'Hoole and the crowned prince. He has every right to know what happened to his ma and da. Glaux bless their souls." Karle announces

"It is not like it is the end of the world. I mean, the only threat against us is Nyra. He thinks if Josh were to return, it would cause some sort of revolt. Josh wouldn't dare do anything like that. Even if he does, he wouldn't kill unless there was reason." Jay adds

"Otulissa. Do you see Mai?" Kristen asks

"No. I have no sight of her. The blasted rain is blocking my view. Go away, blasted rain." Otulissa replies

"I have to get something. Be right back." Aaron announces

"Whatever." Otulissa says while looking out the window

Aaron flies off to Coryn who is pacing back and forth his room, thinking about what he had seen. He crashes into the entrance as the winds are picking up and becoming more out of control, as a weather storm has now started to brew in the vicinity of the Great Tree.

"Make any more noise and you'd be an owl shaped gong." Coryn remarks

"Otulissa sent the scroll last night." Aaron announces

"What?" Coryn replies

"It is true, your highness. By now, Josh could have already read it and could be getting an army." Aaron clarifies

"Oh my Glaux… It can't be. I was right, but if I was right… Oh dear Glaux… Never mind." Coryn exclaims

"I'll go and spy on her more." Aaron announces before taking off

I cannot believe what I have just heard and have seen in the flames. I have seen things that I would never want to see again. Nevertheless, my fears are true. Josh is coming to try and take the throne from me. I had seen that we engage in battle. I had seen someone; I think it is girl I know or Soren that was fighting him also. Some of this is messed up. I don't know anything would become what it would become.

How does that work when they foretold me as the prophesised heir to the throne? I had become king as I ended up taking the ember. Something I know is by defaults. I mean, Josh is the Son of Boron and Barran Nyctea and is a crowned royalty. I know because of the picture of him with his parents. Some things I find confusing. One of them is that I retrieved the ember. I was named the King of Ga'Hoole then. Wait… That was after… Oh, crap! Josh's parents died just before I got back. I mean, that would mean that I am responsible for their deaths somehow and he is going to be frinked.

What do I do? Dear Glaux, this is really stressing me out. I'm going to die and I done know what for really. The deaths, the throne, one, or the other. Later, I am pacing back and forth, looking at all the options I have. I have at least two options, but one of them is clearer than the other. My uncle, who has been concerned for me lately since I have been having strange dreams and stuff, comes in.

"I just heard what happened. Are you ok?" Soren asks

"What would you feel if a prince, who has every right to rule, is going to come back and kick my tailfeathers from here to the Beyond? I am flipping out here!" I reply

"Coryn, it is just Josh. He doesn't really have power over the Northern Army. That is what Lydea has power over as Queen. However, Josh may have a blind fury, but he will never kill anyone unless there is reason." He explains

"Do you know how powerful Josh is, uncle? Haven't you heard the tales that people say of him? Haven't you ever heard the Queen Barran talk about her son when she was alive? If he could take down Pure Ones, fight for his lover and to have freedom, he is one tough son of a bitch. You realised he was trained by the best of the best and he was top of his class. Did I mention that it was Moon Master Class?" I object

"I do admit that he is powerful and has courage, but that is what you have too." He replies

"I am going to be killed and that is the best you have?" I ask

"Coryn, don't let fear get in your way. Your mother had taught you that…? …Before she had become more of a tyrant than ever before and wants to kill you." He asks

"I know. I should never let fear get in my way, but my life is on the line." I reply

"Until he shows up, stakes his claim and is wearing your crown that he would steal from your cold dead claws…" He starts

"Not helping!" I exclaim

"…and tries to kill you, you have nothing to worry about." He finishes

"You're right, but I swear to Glaux, if I am right, you owe me big time." I reply

"I suggest that you join the celebrations in town and clear your head. Besides, there could be a certain female Princess of Middle Kingdom wanting to attend such an event and would be coming." He suggests

"Why is it that you keep bringing her up?" I ask in annoyance

"Sorry." He says, realising what he had said

"On the other claw, Maybe you are right, uncle Soren. I sorta want to attend my own party. You all have put a lot of effort into it." I announce

"That is what I want to hear. My nephew is happy, for once." He replies

"Whatever, then." I exclaim