Chapter 32

Bramblestar's POV

Bramblestar padded into the Cave with the Pointed Stones.

"Who's there?" Stoneteller jumped.

"It's just Bramblestar," he replied.

"You're just in time, Bramblestar. Come. What have you come to tell me?"

"Cats of the Dark Forest attacked us just last greenleaf by turning our Clanmates against us. Firestar died facing Tigerstar."

"He died a noble death," Stoneteller replied solemnly.

"He did. Anyways, they are visiting our apprentices once again. I believe the same thing may be happening to your to-bes as well," Bramblestar explained.

"Come to think of it, they are being very short tempered and disobedient lately."

"This is what I'm afraid of. The Dark Forest is back. I don't know why though."

"We have our own version of the Dark Forest: the Tribe of Endless Darkness. We should be hard on the younglings. If they are caught, they should be punished."

Bramblestar looks at Stoneteller, "No, that's not right. They haven't done anything will just push them to the side of the Dark Forest, or the Tribe of Endless Darkness, even don't know what they are up against. I think we should tell them what happened the last time the Dark Forest cats interfered with the Clans."

"No. I do not agree. Any cat caught with a Tribe of Endless Darkness cat will receive banishment."

"Stoneteller, the thing is, the Dark Forest cats only come because of a cat's emotions. They use and train that emotion to their advantage. What emotion? Hate, abandonment, jealousy, ambition, all sorts of emotions. They train them, and soon they will come back to fight us, stronger than ever. They make them think they are helping them in the daylight, but truly they are using them to fight against us."

Stoneteller looks distressed, "You dare threaten my loyalty to the Tribe? Of course not! Or would you…"

"No! But if you think about it, the feelings we had while we were growing up… it's hard."

"My cathood was hard, like all tribe cats, and we were born-"

"Stoneteller, think, if you were always the lowly apprentice, and you wanted strength, who could provide for it?"

"Well, I kind of understand where you are going with this…"

"Exactly. Put yourself in their paws. Some apprentices even think they are helping to improve their hunting skills when learning how to hunt, some thinking that they are helping the tribe to protect against rogues, and-"

"Understood. I must consult with the Tribe of Endless Hunting. It is late now. You should get some sleep."

All of a sudden, the Cave of Pointed Stones fill with a bright, glaring light. Bramblestar grimaces, squeezing his eyes shut.

When he opened them, he saw two pale shapes were outlined in the light that seemed oddly familiar. Suddenly, Bramblestar gasped, "Firestar!"

"And Stoneteller!" the current Stoneteller continued.

"Yes, we are here," Firestar said, "We are here for an important message to tell you." All of a sudden, both of their eyes lit up, glaring bright white.

"Twelve on a journey will soon be number fifteen. Six leaders will stand ahead, but one will rise above them all. Six will become one. Defeat the darkness that will come, or else it will continue to corrupt for generations to come. But don't forget that all will once become six again."

Slowly, they started to fade away.

"No, don't go! We still have so many unanswered questions!" Bramblestar cried.

The scene slowly started to shift, and they were back in the Cave of Pointed Stones.

Stoneteller glanced at Bramblestar, "You know what this means now do you?"

Bramblestar nodded, "You must pick two other Tribe cats to journey with us, and together we must make our way to SkyClan."

Stoneteller turned his head back to the puddles, "How can this be? The Stonetellers never leave the cave, except to perform ceremonies. I only have one life, not the many lives you all have."

Suddenly, his eyes widened as he read the omen in the pool of water, "What… how can this be?"

"What is it, Stoneteller?" Bramblestar asked.

"The Tribe of Endless Hunting cats will grant me nine lives for the trip," he replied, incredulous, "I will be grateful to be able to keep serving my Tribe, even if I die once or twice."

He glanced at the pool again, and said, "They want you to sleep in here tonight with me, to help with granting lives. Firestar will be there to guide my ancestors."

Bramblestar padded closer to Stoneteller and laid down beside him, "Be prepared. Receiving lives is a great honor, but the process is very difficult, very painful. It will be worth it though, to live to see your Tribemates. Are you prepared?"

Stoneteller nodded, mixed emotions in his eyes, "They tell me I must lap at the water, and close my eyes."

"Then we will do just that," Bramblestar said, licking the water and closing his eyes, letting the darkness envelop him.