The three dead foxes were buried after the ceremony in a single huge hole that had taken four warriors to dig. When the warriors returned, Darkfrost, Marshpaw, One-ear, and Shimmerstorm were prepared for their vigil. They were laid out in the center of the camp, paws carefully tucked underneath their bodies, so they looked as though they could have been sleeping. Icepool and Berryleaf had groomed the blood from their fur, and the dead cats looked almost peaceful.
Eaglestar was the first to settle in for the vigil. He bowed his head in respect for Shimmerstorm and One-ear, touched his nose to Marshpaw's head, and then padded to his mate. He curled around her, laying his head over her shoulders, and sighed deeply.
Pinefur, a dark grey tom with white paws and ears, followed, settling between Marshpaw, his kit, and Shimmerstorm, his mate. Flamepaw, Squirrelpaw and Tawnypaw joined their father. Tawnypaw cried softly, and Flamepaw nestled closer to his sister. Squirrelpaw gazed over the clearing with dull eyes. Fernpelt and Heavyclaw lay on either side of One-ear, sharing tongues with their denmate one last time.
Glacierpaw limped forward, to Squirrelpaw. He nuzzled her gently, and she closed her eyes. A single tear flowed from each. His tail dragging, Glacierpaw walked to Darkfrost's body and began to groom his mother. The rest of the clan moved to pay their last respects and to send their clanmates to Starclan.
Moonpaw stood where she was, unwilling to move. Exhaustion and sadness dragged at her limbs. Aspenflight softly pushed her forward. Let's say goodbye to our clanmates. He whispered sadly. Moonpaw nodded, and together, they moved to the center of the clearing.
Moonpaw pushed her nose into Marshpaw's fur, remembering all the times he had helped her as a new apprentice. May Starclan light your path, my friend.
Moonpaw's paws carried her to One-ear's body, and more memories flooded her mind. One-ear had died defending his clan, which is what he would have wanted. Aspenflight looked from Fernpelt to Heavyclaw, and smiled, purring, "Starclan will give him his ear back, you know. He always said he looked forward to that, remember? So when you see him someday, you'll have to call him Mosspine again." Fernpelt's eyes brimmed with sadness, but she smiled, and responded with a nod. Heavyclaw remained still, taking deep breaths, as if to breathe in as much of One-ear's scent as he could.
At last, Moonpaw joined Glacierpaw and Eaglestar beside her mother's body. Glacierpaw looked asleep, but Moonpaw saw tears flowing from his eyes and his shoulders gently shake as he held back his sobs. Let me be with my family, Aspenflight. We need to stay with Darkfrost. Aspenflight nodded and touched his nose to her cheek before going to lay beside Marshpaw. Although he was no longer at her side, she could still feel his thoughts touching her mind.
Moonpaw closed her eyes and let her nose touch her mother's now-cold paws. Oh Darkfrost. I should have saved you. I could have saved you, but I was a coward. It's all my fault. It's my fault that you and Marshpaw and One-ear and Shimmerstorm are dead. Mother, I am so sorry. I'm sorry. Moonpaw felt Aspenpaw trying to comfort her, but she ignored him, and gave in to her self-loathing and despair.
Moonpaw awoke with a jolt. Cursing herself for falling asleep during her mother's vigil, she blinked the sleep from her eyes. Darkfrost's body still lay before her, but other than the two of them, the camp was empty. Darkfrost's paws shifted, and Moonpaw jumped back. The black queen lifted her head and gazed at Moonpaw. "Mother? You're alive?" Moonpaw asked in shock. Darkfrost shook her head sadly, and Moonpaw saw that stars shimmered in her mother's fur. Moonpaw's shock turned into sadness as she realized that she was once again dreaming of Starclan. "Mother, I am so sorry. I should have been able to save you. I could have saved you. I'm a horrible daughter and I don't deserve to live."
Darkfrost rose to her paws and looked down at Moonpaw. Moonpaw was unable to meet her mother's eyes, so she stared at her paws. "Moonpaw, it was my time to join Starclan. You have nothing to be sorry for." Moonpaw opened her mouth to interrupt, but Darkfrost continued, meowing, "I am so proud of you. You protected the kits, and did all you could to help the clan. Your father would give in to despair without you and your brother. I have come to you to tell you not to blame yourself, and to tell you how much I love you."
Moonpaw squirmed, and as soon as Darkfrost finished speaking, she blurted, "But I could have saved you! I have the power to, and I should have used it. I was afraid, but that doesn't excuse the fact that I let you die. Darkfrost, I have the power to heal cats and even bring them back from the dead. I probably still could for you. I could heal your body and bring you back to us." Darkfrost brushed her tail over her daughter's mouth, and Moonpaw fell silent.
Darkfrost sighed and looked longingly around the empty camp. She hesitated before saying, "Moonpaw, you did the right thing by letting me go. As soon as I came to Starclan, I was told of your power. As much as I would love coming back and being with Eaglestar and my kits again, we both need to accept that I walk with Starclan now. You didn't do anything wrong. I am proud of you for protecting the clan. If you had healed me, you might have hurt someone or been hurt yourself." Darkfrost's tail reached under Moonpaw's chin and forced her daughter to look up into her eyes. "I am so proud of you. I love you, and I will always watch over you. When you wake up, tell Eaglestar not to grieve, and that I love him and we will see each other again, in Starclan, and in his dreams. Tell your brother to be brave and strong. Even though he might hide it, he is hurting too. Moonpaw, I promise I will visit you again soon. You have a hard path to walk, but you will not walk it alone."
Darkfrost looked over her shoulder, and another cat emerged from the shadows. The new cat was a dusky brown she-cat with lines of lighter brown on her head and chest. Her eyes were brown, with hints of green in the center. The she-cat dipped her head to Moonpaw and murmured, "I am Sparrowflower. I was Lichenpelt's mate before Hollywhisker. I was killed on the thunderpath when you were very young. Your mother and I used to be best friends. I have been watching over you, young Moonpaw, and Starclan have selected me to train you."
Moonpaw's eyes widened in awe. "Train me? How?" She remembered how Lichenpelt had told her about his lost mate. She could see a hint of Willowdapple's muzzle in the she-cat's face, and she had a similar gait to Vixenfur.
Sparrowflower replied slowly, carefully, "I can help you control your power." Before Moonpaw could respond, Sparrowflower continued. "You must visit the Mooncove to start your training, because that is where Starclan's power is the strongest, and it is where your power is the weakest. This way, we can help you control it while you learn to use it." The two she-cats began to fade, and Moonpaw cried out, reaching for her mother. Sparrowflower's voice echoed in her ears, calling, "When you dream at the Mooncove, we can begin." Moonpaw's eyelids grew heavy, and her vision faded into blackness again.
Aspenflight's voice woke her. Moonpaw, wake up. It's morning. Moonpaw opened her bleary eyes. He clanmates were stirring around her. Eaglestar had not moved from Darkfrost's side. His head still rested on her shoulders. Glacierpaw was standing over Squirrelpaw as she slept, watching the clan around them. Aspenflight crouched beside Moonpaw, his tail draped over her shoulders. He gazed at her with concern. I caught flashes of your dream. Are you okay? Moonpaw shrugged, then stretched.
Standing, she mewed softly, "Father?" Eaglestar's eyes opened at once. He had not been sleeping. "I need to talk to you." It was time for her to tell her father about her power, and also Darkfrost's message.
Eaglestar's eyes flicked around his clan, habit compelling him to check on his cats. His voice was hoarse from grief, but he mewed, "After we bury our clanmates. Then you may speak with me about whatever you want." Moonpaw hesitated, not wanting to keep her secret any longer, but then nodded. The clan had to come first.
Moonpaw helped carry her mother's body to the burial grounds, supporting Darkfrost's limp form on a shoulder. Glacierpaw supported her other side, despite his injured leg. Eaglestar led the cats bearing their dead friends and family through the trees and up a small hill. On the top of the hill was a clearing, and from the clearing, the clan could see the rising sun.
Eaglestar turned to address his clan. "Today we bury four of our clanmates. They should not have died, but we know that they watch down on us from Starclan even now. Marshpaw was too young to join Starclan, but he was selfless and kind, and will be welcomed as a warrior among their ranks. It was an honor to have mentored such a noble apprentice. Shimmerstorm was as gentle as a cat could be to all of our clan's kits, not just her own. In battle, though, she defended with tooth and claw as ferociously as a warrior of Lionclan. She lives on in her kits, and in the memories of her clanmates. One-ear served his clan for many moons as a warrior, and continued serving even after he retired to the elder's den, by telling stories and teaching lessons to our kits and apprentices. His wit and experiences will be deeply missed. In Starclan, he will once again be known as Mosspine, and that is what we remember him by in the clan from this point forward." Eaglestar shuddered and took a long breath. "Lastly, we honor Darkfrost. I know that I am not the only one affected by her death, as she was loved by the entire clan. Let us be reminded of her love and compassion by her kits, Glacierpaw and Moonpaw, both of whom will become warriors she will be proud of."
Moonpaw felt emotion rise within her. Eaglestar knew exactly how to honor their clanmates. The other clans did not have ceremonies at the grave like Dawnclan, but her clan felt a special connection to their warrior spirits on top of the hill, witnessing the brilliant dawn for which they were named. As the sun peaked over the trees, blinding light hit the cats, and Eaglestar yowled to the sky, "Marshpaw! Shimmerstorm! Mosspine! Darkfrost!" The clan took up the chant, raising their voices until the hills echoed with their cries. Moonpaw felt tears stream down her cheeks as she yowled, proud to be a part of such a noble clan.
When the cats returned to the camp, Moonpaw followed her father into his den beneath a low-hanging branch of the pine tree. Eaglestar's voice was kind, but echoed with grief. "What is it, Moonpaw?"
Moonpaw looked at her paws, and wondered if her father would hate her for not saving Darkfrost. An idea struck her, and she asked, "Can Lichenpelt listen too?" Eaglestar's eyes clouded with confusion, but he nodded. Moonpaw darted out of the den and ran to where Lichenpelt was sharing tongues with Hollywhisker. "Lichenpelt, can you come with me to talk to Eaglestar for a minute?" Lichenpelt's eyes lit up with comprehension. He mewed an apology to his mate, then followed Moonpaw towards the pine. Before they entered the den, Moonpaw whispered to her mentor, "I know what my power is, and I'm afraid that Eaglestar will be angry with me." Lichenpelt opened his mouth to ask a question, but Moonpaw interrupted, glancing nervously around. "I don't want to tell him on my own. Will you come with me?" Lichenpelt nodded, and gestured for her to lead the way.
Moonpaw faced her mentor and her father, and explained what had happened with the rogues at the border. She told them how Aspenflight had been killed, and how the darkness took over. She described her hunt for the rogues, and how she killed them.
Eaglestar and Lichenpelt exchanged alarmed glances. Eaglestar interrupted, mewing, "Did you say Aspenflight was killed? He seems fine now."
"He is. The reason I was so driven to kill those rogues was that I somehow took the death from Aspenflight's body and let it into my own. Dawnstar said it should have killed me, but instead, I was just a vessel for it. Instead of Aspenflight dying, the rogues did. I lost control and I killed them all…" Moonpaw dipped her head in shame. "I have the power to heal, but it has a cost. Whatever wounds I heal, I have to inflict upon another." Moonpaw watched her father carefully, bracing herself for his anger.
Eaglestar stayed silent for a few moments, as if trying to understand all he had learned. Slowly, he stated, "So you could have healed our clanmates after the fox attack. You could have brought Darkfrost back. You could have taken this 'darkness' out on the foxes and driven them away!"
Moonpaw shrunk back and whispered, "I was afraid. I can't control my power, and I could have hurt my clanmates." Why doesn't he understand that?
Eaglestar stalked towards her, and growled, "You let her die! It's your fault she's gone!" Moonpaw took a step towards the entrance to the den, ready to run should her father attack.
Lichenpelt darted between them. He gently shouldered his friend and leader back and into his nest. "Eaglestar, it wasn't Moonpaw's fault. She did all she could. Would you have wanted her to accidentally kill one of your clan? What if it had been Glacierpaw?" Eaglestar trembled, his eyes wild. Lichenpelt continued, saying "Moonpaw did the right thing. Darkfrost died defending the clan. She wouldn't have wanted to go any other way. Don't disgrace her spirit by blaming your daughter."
Moonpaw watched with relief as Eaglestar's shoulders sagged. "You're right, Lichenpelt. I just miss her so much," he whispered.
"I know," Lichenpelt murmured. "I felt the same way when Sparrowflower died. But it does get better. You'll still see Darkfrost in your dreams, and every day, through your kits. That's how I go through losing Sparrowflower. Vixenfur and Willowdapple remind me every day of the love I lost. I know that I'll see her again someday in Starclan."
Eaglestar stared blankly at his daughter, as if trying to see Darkfrost's black coat in Moonpaw's. "Moonpaw, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said those things. I am proud of you for defending the clan."
Moonpaw dipped her head, grateful that he forgave her for letting his mate die. "Last night, when we were holding the vigil, Darkfrost came to visit me from Starclan." Eaglestar's jaw dropped, and Moonpaw went on, "She asked me to tell you not to grieve, and that she will see you again in Starclan and that she will visit you in your dreams. She told me to tell you that she loves you." Moonpaw glanced at Lichenpelt, then added, "Darkfrost introduced me to someone else. Someone she said could help me understand and control my power. Her name was Sparrowflower."
It was as if Moonpaw had aimed a blow at Lichenpelt's head. The tom staggered, and blinked at her in shock. "Sparrow…Sparrowflower? You saw my Sparrow?" he gasped. A flood of questions followed. "Did she have a message for me? Did she seem okay? Will you see her again?" Lichenpelt's eyes burned with longing. Moonpaw watched him curiously. Does Hollywhisker know her mate misses Sparrowflower so much?
"She didn't have a message for you, Lichenpelt," Moonpaw replied, and Lichenpelt's ears drooped. "But I will see her again. She's going to train me. I'm supposed to visit Starclan in my dreams at the Mooncove."
Eaglestar nodded, appearing determined. "If there is going to be a great battle, we must prepare as best we can. I will increase the training speed of our apprentices, and order extra patrols on our borders. Whatever comes, it won't strike us unprepared. Moonpaw, I will send a patrol with youto the Mooncove. They will guard you during your journey, and your training."
Moonpaw objected, meowing, "Father, I have to go alone! I'm dangerous, and we can't risk any of our warriors. I killed those rogues as easily as if they were newborn mice, and I couldn't stop myself. I don't want to hurt anyone I care about by accident!"
Eaglestar's eyes narrowed. "I will send a patrol to protect you. I can't let my daughter wander enemy territory by herself. Especially if you are supposed to save the clans. After the clan recovers from this attack, you will go. It may be a half-moon or more before I can assemble a patrol for such a journey, but, because there is no threat to the clans at the moment, that will have to do." Her father fixed her with a stern gaze and ordered, "You will not go on your own. Do you understand, Moonpaw?" Reluctantly, Moonpaw nodded. "Now, if you'll excuse us, we have to plan how best to rebuild the clan, and defend ourselves from whatever enemy your dreams warn us of."
Moonpaw nodded again, and backed out of the den. Lichenpelt's eyes narrowed and she glanced away from her mentor, feeling treacherous. I'll go on my own anyway. Eaglestar doesn't understand how dangerous I am!
Aspenflight's thoughts intruded on her own, and he rebuked her, saying, If you think I'm going to stay here while you sneak across Duskclan's territory by yourself, you're dead wrong. Before Moonpaw could object, Aspenflight pointed out, If you don't let me come, I'll just follow you. You can't hide from me when we share thoughts. More reluctantly, he added, Plus I know my way around Duskclan's territory a bit better than you do. Moonpaw caught a glimpse through his eyes at Bubbleheart teaching him how to fish along the riverbank, and a hint of her sickeningly sweet scent. Moonpaw shuddered, and Aspenflight sighed. Please just let me come. I can't lose you again.
Moonpaw's thoughts softened, and she nodded at him from across the clearing, where he sat with his father, Cloudfur. Okay, you can come, but we'll have to be really careful. I don't want to hurt you.
His eyes met hers, and he whispered, You won't hurt me. I know you won't.
Moonpaw shrugged, and murmured back, I hope.