Chapter 20

Honeymallow was gone. Bone had taken her away. Ashwinter stared at the ground, lamenting, wishing her friend were still next to her. Scourge had not uttered a word to her since Bone's decision, about an hour ago. Not that Ashwinter minded much; she would rather be alone. A mouse plopped down in front of her.

" I thought you might be hungry…" compassion seemed to fill Scourge's eyes.

" Thanks," Ashwinter mumbled. She hadn't heard him approach.

An awkward silence squeezed around them. Pulling the mouse closer, she began to eat. It was tasteful despite the awful outward appearance. When she had finished half, Ashwinter pushed the rest to Scourge.

" You have the rest."

Gratefully he settled down next to her and finished it off.

" I'm sorry we separated you and your friend," he meowed.

Ashwinter surpressed a snort. " Not much I could have done about it."

" No, I suppose not."

The sun began to sink behind the Twoleg structures. Scourge sighed and stood up.

" You must be tired. Sleep well," he meowed before departing.

Ashwinter grunted.

" Sleep well, yeah, sure thing. I'll sleep well when I'm back in the forest." She hissed to herself.

Later, Ashwinter slipped into the sleep that enlightened so much to her.

The cool mist swirled around her paws. Looking up, Ashwinter caught sight of her brother, Equinoxrise. Equinoxrise dipped his head.

" Sister, you realize the prophecy is already in play?"

Ashwinter closed her eyes for a moment. " Yes, I figured out that Scourge is the Enemy it spoke of."

Equinoxrise smiled. " Good! But we are pressed for time now. I have come to tell you something important."

Ashwinter perked. " What?"

" Winterfury has changed his name."

" To what?' Ashwinter was intrigued. The mist started to shift again. Suddenly, Ashwinter found herself in the RiverClan camp. The images wobbled slightly, as if they were reflected in water. Cats were talking in hushed voices. Winterfury sat hunched over, his Bengal head bowed. Leopardstar emerged from her den. Winterfury padded over to her.

" Winterfury, RiverClan is sorry for your losses." Leopardstar murmured.

" Thank-you. I have decided that my late brother and sister will live on in RiverClan. I would like to change my name." Her brother meowed.

Leopardstar dipped her head in an understanding type of way.

" What to?"

" Equinoxmoon."

Leopardstar cocked her head. " I don't understand…" she began.

" The moon is pale and white, like the snow of winter. But it has a sheen that reminds me of ash."

" How long have you been watching the moon?" Leopardstar inquired.

Winterfury hung his had once more. " Every night since Ashwinter was taken."

" Very well. I will announce it to the Clan." Leopardstar jumped up to the Hightree.

" Let all cats old enough to eat fresh-kill gather beneath the Hightree!" the RiverClan leader yowled.

Once all the cats had sat down, Leopardstar began.

" As you all know, two of our finest warriors, Honeymallow and Ashwinter, have been stolen from us by BloodClan. The chances of their return are slim. Winterfury has decided to change his name after recent events concerning his sister and brother. From this day onward, he has requested to be known as Equinoxmoon. RiverClan laments with you," Leopardstar retreated into her den.

The scene began to wobble more. Ashwinter turned to Equinoxrise again.

" The Winter Equinox?" she asked for clarification.

Equinoxrise nodded. " He left the Clan."

Ashwinter started. " What?!"

" He left and headed for the mountains."

" Why?"

" Because he is part of the prophecy. It is his destiny," Equinoxrise replied.

Ashwinter shook her head slowly. " I don't understand."

" Watch again," Equinoxrise urged.

The image appeared again. Ashwinter watched closely. When Leopardstar reminded the Clan about her and Honeymallow, Ashwinter noticed Dustrise shake slightly with anger. After she turned to her brother again.

" Dustrise is angry. I wish I could tell them we ware alright."

Equinoxrise nodded. " You must have your faith in the Fire. RiverClan is angry together. The Fire is coming," he meowed as he began to fade.

Ashwinter sighed and jolted awake under the starlit sky.