Chapter 12
Another Star in Silverpelt

In the clearing below, there were four tall oak trees, their curved branches swaying slightly in the warm night breeze. Several cats were gathered next to it in small groups, some talking with each other, others looking expectantly at us.

"Fourtrees! But this place was destroyed long ago!" I still remembered vividly the Twoleg monsters tearing up the place, the oaks uprooted and cut to pieces, the Great Rock tossed aside upside-down, leaving a gaping hole in the ground.

"In the waking world, it was," Bluestar replied, motioning with her tail for me to follow her. "But as long as it remains in our memories, it will exist here, in StarClan."

We reached the cats assembled in the clearing, and I recognized Tallstar, Feathertail, Shrewpaw, Rainwhisker – and my grandfather, Pinestar. Most of the cats I did not know though; they were ancestors who walked the forest many seasons before I was born. Their faces were grave and worried, certainly not welcoming, and a wave of uneasiness crept over me. Was something wrong? Will I be cast out and sent to the Dark Forest for conspiring with Tigerstar?

"Brambleclaw," Pinestar greeted me. He was unlike any StarClan cat – he had the stars in his eyes, not in his fur – but even if he was an outsider, his attitude was so confident and commanding as if he was the leader of the entire spirit realm. "So we meet again. There are some things we must discuss, and you must begin your quest as soon as you can."

"That... but I died! I cannot do anything now!" Looking down at my paws, I had the illusion of faint stars appearing in my fur.

Pinestar snorted. "Do you think you can escape your fate this easily? You are now on the brink of life and death, and no medicine cat can help you. Yet we can, and you will be sent back to the living world."

The StarClan warriors started murmuring. An orange cat with white paws spoke up. "Don't speak as if the matter was decided. We must not give lives to any cat but leaders, and you know that I still oppose giving a cat an opportunity to be that powerful as the prophecy suggests. I don't care about the Guardians' code; we are now in StarClan, and what you suggest is against StarClan's every rule."

"Thunderstar is right," a grey she-cat with a battle-scarred muzzle put in. Yellowfang, I recalled her name; she used to be ThunderClan's medicine cat when I was a kit. "We cannot interfere this much in the lives of the Clans."

"Is that so?" Pinestar grunted, flashing a disapproving look at the grey cat. "Wasn't it you who sent back Cinderpelt's spirit in the living world, trapping it into the body of an unknowing kit, instead of accepting her in StarClan, as StarClan's Code dictates?" Yellowfang murmured something and stared at the ground. "And you, Thunderstar," Pinestar continued, turning to the orange leader, "you shouldn't be the cat who tells others how to follow the Code. By killing Rainwhisker with your thunderstorm, you broke StarClan's Code so severely that you should be exiled from here. Besides, we do not have another choice. I thought we agreed on the matter the last time we spoke."

"We did not agree about giving away lives," the cat called Thunderstar replied. "Cannot Brambleclaw fulfil the quest as a StarClan warrior? He still has his... special powers, I suppose."

"If it had been possible for a spirit cat, I would have done it myself a long time ago," the reddish-brown cat dismissed the suggestion. "Spirits are powerless outside their own realm."

Thunderstar dipped his head in defeat, and a she-cat with a dappled coat spoke. "You may be right, Pinestar, but it is impossible for StarClan to give a life to a cat who is not at the Moonpool, and who is already about to die."

"Generally yes, Spottedleaf, but I have a life of my own to spare," Pinestar answered. "The life I denied from Sunstar. I hope he will approve." His voice faded to a murmur towards the end.

Not waiting for more arguments, he stepped forward to touch his nose to mine. "With this life, I give you confidence; to do always what your heart thinks is right."

A surge of energy flooded me, as if I had the faith and strength of all ancestors running in my veins. Strange images rushed through my mind, of cats living in faraway places, but the vision faded before I could get a better look at them. My fur stood at the end, and the faint glimmer of stars gradually vanished from it. It was too much for my mind to take in – first the certainty of death, then being given another chance.

Pinestar stepped back. "Your spirit will need some time to find its way back to the living world – if it can at all. I hope I was not too late. Until then, I will tell you about your mission." He glanced fleetingly at the other cats, and when Thunderstar nodded, he turned back to me.

"I suppose you already know that Tigerstar wants to take his revenge both on the living cats and StarClan. Maybe you already wondered why was he the first and only cat from the Place of No Stars to influence the living world," he continued. "He was one of a few cats who had the latent power to shape the dreams and the spirit world. Stars in blood, it is called by some. He never knew of his powers while he was alive; a cat needs to be trained to use these powers. But they surfaced once he joined the Place of No Stars."

He paused, giving a few licks to his chest fur, then continued. "Now, the question is how to stop him. StarClan is powerless; only a living cat can do it, who has the power to shape the spirit world. And a prophecy foretold that you would be that cat."

"Me? Why do you think I have that power?" Even if Leafpool told of a quest before, I could not imagine why did they choose me. Maybe to atone my father's sins?

"Well, it is obvious, as it runs in families, and only toms have it," he answered.

"So you have it as well?"

"Indeed I do. That's why I left ThunderClan," he explained. "StarClan would have never accepted my spirit after my death, fearing I would get too powerful – just like Tigerstar became now in the Place of No Stars. When I was on my last life, I left to join other cats whose ancestors accepted me. The Clans thought I left to live as a kittypet." He let out a soft mrrow of laughter, then his face became grave. "But even with my powers, I cannot do anything as a spirit against the Place of No Stars. Only a living cat can help, and you are the only one we know. And Blazekit, of course, but he is obviously too young to undertake any responsibility."

Determination and enthusiasm passed through me – this was an opportunity to help not only my Clan, but all living cats. "Where do I begin?"

"The difficult part is to find some cat who can teach you how to use your powers. Starwalkers, as they were called, were exiled a long time ago, as every cat feared them. They allegedly live in a place called Penumbra, a region sealed away both from the living world and StarClan."

Sealed away? That did not sound promising. "So how can I reach them?"

Pinestar sighed. "I do not know. However, there are some cats who may help you. From the lake, follow the stream in the hills, then turn towards the rising sun and look for a strange Twoleg ruin on a hilltop. There you will find the Order of Echoes, the group of cats I joined after leaving ThunderClan. They might know how to reach Penumbra, although they will likely be reluctant to share their knowledge with you."

I nodded in agreement. "So... I visit this Order, then find Penumbra, where I will learn how to defeat the Dark Forest."

"It is not as easy as it sounds," the dappled cat named Spottedleaf spoke softly. "You must prepare well and be very careful. Learn what you can during the journey, ask help from any cat that looks friendly enough, and remember to guard your dreams. You will face great dangers both on the journey and after that. No Clan cat met a greater challenge, and we are unable to follow and help you."

"To sum it up, seems it will be a great experience, and great fun," Feathertail added, her blue eyes shining. "I regret that I cannot go with you this time."

"Can I take a companion with me?" What would I do without Squirrelflight? I needed her presence to offer strength and comfort, and to guard my dreams.

"It's your choice," Pinestar shrugged. "Nevertheless, I advise against it. This is your mission alone, and you must be not distracted by other things."

"But... I cannot do this alone," I blurted out. "She is my mate... I love her."

"Especially because of that you must not take her with you," Bluestar pointed out. "Tigerstar knows your feelings and will use them against you. What if you have to choose between defeating the Place of No Stars and saving Squirrelflight?"

"That won't happen," I meowed confidently. "I will be there to protect her, and she can look after herself anyway."

"It's a spirit world with evil powers we are talking about," Pinestar remarked coldly. "You cannot be sure of anything; no cat could prepare you for the challenges you will face. You must not act foolishly, and must not put her life in danger."

"Very well," I sighed in defeat. "I will go alone."

"There is another part of the prophecy you likely do not know," Thunderstar added. "If you succeed – in your training as a Starwalker, at least – you will be feared of all cats, and have no place in StarClan. Maybe you won't have one in the living world either."

"Do I have a choice?" I grunted. Did he still want to stop me? "Would you rather see the Clans destroyed, or something like that?"

"I only made you aware of the full prophecy," the orange cat replied dismissively. It was so... unfair. I was supposed to save every cat, and as a result, I would be cast out from every realm.

The edges of the clearing started to dissolve; the dream fading away. "You will soon wake up," Bluestar meowed. "When you feel enough strong, you must leave at once to find this Order. Every moment counts... maybe it is already too late."

This puzzled me. "Why didn't you speak to me earlier then? When we moved to the lake... when I was made a warrior..."

"We received Goosefeather's prophecy only a quarter moon ago," the grey she-cat explained. "Since then, we have been trying to figure out what to do, and arguing about letting a cat to be a Starwalker. Anyway, it is decided now."

The clearing continued to fade away, the darkness of dreamless sleep descending on it. Thunderstar stepped forward from the group of the cats. "We wish you well, Brambleclaw. You have our futures in your paws."

I was floating again in impenetrable darkness at the edge of the spirit realm and the living world. For an eternity, for a heartbeat – I could not tell.

Soft meows reached my ear, and when I opened my eyes, I found myself in the crowded medicine den, cats lying on beddings of moss and bracken in every corner. Squirrelflight was lying next to me, and I was convinced that she had never left my side while I was unconscious. As I raised my head, she opened her eyes instantly, boundless relief reflecting in the shining green orbs.

"Brambleclaw, you are awake! We all thought you were dead!" She nestled closer to me, and licked my cheek lovingly.

Outside, the weather was clear and bright white rays illuminated the stone hollow. There was no trace of the storm or rain, although the ground was still muddy, and small puddles reflected the blue sky above. I saw Ferncloud and Whitewing padding in the direction of the warriors' den carrying large bundles of dried moss. "How much time has passed since the battle?"

"Three days." I was surprised; my visit in StarClan certainly seemed much shorter than that.

"What happened since? Is every cat all right?" Glancing around in the medicine cat's den, I saw Mousefur, Longtail, Leafpool and Sorreltail and her kits.

"Molekit died of his wounds," Squirrelflight sighed. "Honeykit was also badly wounded, but she survived and will likely recover. Blazekit is very protective of her; they are inseparable." Next to the small light brown bundle there was an older kit, wrapping himself around her protectively. "Sorreltail has a badly wounded paw," Squirrelflight continued, flicking her ear in the direction of the dappled she-cat resting beside the kits. "Leafpool did not recover fully either; Mothwing has been doing all medicine cat jobs. The Clan is still in shock; it will be some time before things get back into normal."

"What about Goldenflower? How is she?" Remembering her injuries, I feared the worst, however I did not see her in StarClan and that gave me some hope.

"I'm sorry, Brambleclaw," Squirrelflight meowed. "She died soon after the battle."

"That cannot be!" My mother who always protected me, comforted me, stood up for me – I could not believe that she left us for good, that she was now just another star in Silverpelt. I was not even there to sit vigil for her.

Firestar entered the den followed by Sandstorm and Cloudtail – some cat must have told him that I was finally awake. "Brambleclaw," the leader greeted me. "It's good to see you awake. We thought you dead and even Mothwing told a cat could not survive such injuries, but you did, and your wounds are almost healed. It is a miracle. Cloudtail said that you looked like a leader losing a life."

He was certainly close to the truth. "StarClan helped me," I murmured. "Firestar... is it true? Did Goldenflower die?"

"It is true," Firestar replied. "She died of her wounds the day after the battle."

I felt my eyes filling with tears. "It is my fault." If I had been more considerate and had not started to visit Tigerstar in the first place, there would not have been so many conflicts, so many battles, so many deaths... my mother, my brother, Spiderleg, Molekit would still be alive.

"Stop blaming yourself," Firestar grunted. "You did what was right for your Clan, and what a loyal warrior would do. It was not your fault that some cats chose to go against the Warrior Code."

I did not reply. He did not know the entire story – about the dreams of the Dark Forest.

"Goldenflower died protecting her Clan," Sandstorm meowed. "No cat could wish for a more honourable death. She was buried with the greatest honour a warrior could receive."

I nodded, remembering my mother's words the day before the battle. I miss my warrior days. I wish I could still fight for the Clan, instead of lying in a dark cave, waiting to join StarClan. Her wish was fulfilled, and now she was watching over me from Silverpelt.

"There will be a special Gathering later today, at sunset," Firestar continued. "We – the leaders, I mean – wish to discuss the future of the Clans after the recent events, and talk about some dreams we had the night after the battle. You should come as well, if you feel all right."

I stood up and stretched my muscles. Although my wounds still hurt and I felt the world spinning with me, I decided that I was prepared for a walk. Cloudtail was right – receiving a life in StarClan healed me of almost all injuries.

"I will come," I replied. This was our opportunity to solve all problems between the Clans.

The setting sun bathed the evening sky in its fiery golden glow as we padded through the tree bridge to reach the island where the fateful events started three days before. Now, everything was quiet; the only sounds I could hear were the occasional cries of water birds and the roar of a Twoleg water-monster in the distance.

Firestar led the patrol, and I followed him close behind. The other cats who came with us were Sandstorm, Squirrelflight, Stormfur, Brook, Mothwing and Mistyfoot. The other three leaders had already arrived at the island, together with their deputies and medicine cats. We sat down in small groups facing each other – with so few cats there was no need for the leaders to address us from the tree branch.

"My fellow leaders," Leopardstar began, and every head turned to watch the RiverClan cat. "I must admit that I had poor judgement when I listened to Blackclaw's advice and accepted the changes he suggested for the Clan. He became too dangerous, and I apologize for the suffering he caused." She dipped her head in Firestar's direction. "I must also point out that the things he did were not on my orders."

"That is not an excuse," Firestar retorted. "Leaders are always responsible for what their Clan members do. After the TigerClan thing, this is already the second time you put all cats in danger and cause the death of many loyal warriors."

"That is true," Leopardstar replied. "For this reason, I decided to resign from my position and offer it to Mistyfoot. I know he will be a much more thoughtful leader. Naturally, she, Mothwing, Stormfur and Brook will be accepted back in RiverClan."

"Thank you," Mistyfoot meowed. "I honour your decision, and I accept it." The cats cheered, relief shining in every eye, and wished her good luck.

"Very well," Leopardstar concluded. "We will visit the Moonpool this night."

I turned to Stormfur. "So... are you returning to RiverClan?" I always feared that eventually he would, when things returned to normal.

"Yes, Brambleclaw," the grey warrior replied. "I am grateful for ThunderClan helping us, but my heart will always be with RiverClan. We talked it through with Mistyfoot... she needs me. The Clan needs me."

"I am returning as well," Mothwing meowed, squeezing herself between Squirrelflight and me to give my cheek a comforting lick. "The danger has passed, and I must continue as their medicine cat."

I nodded, my throat too tight to reply. After losing my mother, my sister and my best friend were leaving as well.

"Did the danger really pass?" Firestar asked the RiverClan cats, hearing our conversation. "What about Stonestream, Voletooth, or any other followers of Blackclaw?"

"Stonestream has already turned away from Blackclaw after the fight at the trench, and I'm sure Voletooth will also see reason," Leopardstar answered. "In any case, I don't expect any problems from any cat."

"We must discuss of the dream as well," Barkface meowed. "At the last half moon, we had a warning from StarClan about danger from another spirit world, and they asked us to stop fighting. Unfortunately, no leader took it seriously." He glanced accusingly at the cats. "But the night after the battle, we had another warning."

Onestar continued. "This time, not only medicine cats, but leaders had the dream as well. StarClan told us about the same menace, and that both Hawkfrost and Blackclaw were manipulated by that evil spirit world. More and more cats will likely get under its influence, trying to take over or destroy the Clans. For this reason, we must stand united instead of fighting each other, until they are defeated."

"How can a spirit world be defeated?" Blackstar asked. "Will StarClan do it themselves?"

"They cannot," Barkface replied. "They told us that a Clan warrior who walked the path of light and shadow will deliver us of the danger. We must find out who this warrior is."

"I believe I am the one," I meowed. "StarClan told me of a quest I must undertake to defeat this spirit world, and I must start out as soon as possible. I will leave tomorrow morning."

All cats stared at me as if I were a flying hedgehog. "Brambleclaw? StarClan's chosen? Why? What did they tell?" Questions were flying from all directions. "Do you mean you have other talents besides getting in trouble all the time?"

"They likely had their reasons," I replied after the noise died down. I preferred not to speak about those reasons – no cat save Leafpool and Squirrelflight knew the whole story, and knowing that Tigerstar was behind all this would have turned every cat against me. "It is not an easy choice, and I wish there was another way. But I must do what they ask." I felt a pang of pain and regret as I thought about the things I must sacrifice – give up my position in the Clan, leave my mate, my friends and my would-be apprentice behind, abandon everything I was living for, and probably never return. And cast out from every realm.

More questions came. "What must you do? Where you must go?" I told them briefly about the cats I was supposed to seek out.

"Who will you take with you?" Stormfur asked. "We should go together... the cats who were on the Great Journey. I will be glad to help and fight by your side."

"I must go alone," I sighed. "StarClan advised me to do so. It is a dangerous mission where the enemy will use any opportunity to hurt me, and I must not bring other cats to danger."

"Very wise," Blackstar remarked. "I wish you well, then." The hostility he manifested towards me during the past half moon faded away, but I supposed the truce was only temporary.

"I also wish you well," Firestar meowed. "I don't know if StarClan will be with you to light your path in the faraway places you will visit, but we must hope that you will succeed. I must thank you for the service you did for ThunderClan; even if we disagreed a couple of times, you were the best deputy I could have wished for. Should you return, you will always have a place in the Clan."

The cats murmured agreement, and wished me luck as well. Most of them still looked incredulous, finding it hard to believe that such a prophecy was weighing down my shoulders, and that I could do anything to help the Clans.

"Now, if that matter is settled, we must discuss about what us, leaders, are supposed to do," Firestar continued. "I promise that ThunderClan will not claim the territory of other Clans, and will not start a battle unless provoked, until the danger has passed. Furthermore, I decided to return the strip of hunting ground we took from ShadowClan a half moon ago."

I let out an involuntary growl, but the cats were paying attention only to the leaders. "Thank you, Firestar," Blackstar replied. "ShadowClan will not claim more territory either, and will not attack other Clans unless provoked." Onestar and Mistyfoot made the same solemn promise.

It was already dark when we crossed the stream to arrive in ThunderClan territory. Firestar led the small patrol, I followed him with Squirrelflight padding next to me, while Sandstorm brought up the rear. My head was heavy with thoughts, and my tail trailed in the dust.

"Don't be so depressed," Squirrelflight tried to cheer me up. "I know you will succeed; and you will be back in no time."

"It's not only the journey," I replied. "With Goldenflower dead and Mothwing returning to RiverClan, I have just lost all my family."

"You will have a family soon. Our family."

I licked her behind the ears, a wave of gratitude washing over me. Our family. Our kits. But it could not chase away the dark thoughts, the dangers looming over me, the insecurity, the pain of losing my mother.

"Will you really go alone?" Squirrelflight asked after a while.

"It's what StarClan wants," I sighed. It would be a long and lonely journey.

"But what do you want?" the ginger warrior asked, turning to face me.

The deep affection shining in my mate's green eyes made the decision an easy one. "Squirrelflight... I want you to come with me. I want you by my side... I don't know what would I do without you."

"Perish, most likely," she purred, brushing her pelt to mine before bounding off with her tail curled up to join Firestar at the head of the patrol.