Mistystar's Omen

Mistystar's Omen is the second novella released by HarperCollins.

Blurb

 * A devastating challenge for the new leader of RiverClan . . .


 * In this original Warriors novella, when Leopardstar loses her ninth life, her longtime deputy, Mistyfoot, steps up to receive her new name—Mistystar—and lead her Clan through a troublesome time. But Mistystar is about to discover a shocking secret about RiverClan, and her leadership is plunged into crisis as soon as it begins.

Detailed Plot Summary

 * The book starts out with Leopardstar and Mistyfoot at the shore of the lake, after the drought. It is noted that the lake still tastes bitter and muddy, and that the fish still haven't returned. Leopardstar is distraught about the cats that had died in the past moon, and Mistyfoot tries to reassure her that everything will go back to normal. As the leader and deputy of RiverClan start to approach home, Leopardstar falls, and Mothwing comes to her aid. After Mistyfoot, Pebblefoot, and Mintfur bring her back, Mistyfoot approaches Leopardstar in her den, assuring her that she'll be fine.


 * But to Mistyfoot's surprise, Leopardstar insists that she will be joining StarClan soon, as she can feel them around her. Mistyfoot protests, saying that she doesn't want to lose her, and Leopardstar is shocked, after how she did not do anything to stop the death of Mistyfoot's brother, Stonefur. Mistyfoot is plunged back into the memory, and Leopardstar says that she had never deserved Mistyfoot's forgiveness, and she says that Mistyfoot's life had been harder than most - losing her brother and three of her kits. Leopardstar also notes that she would have been proud to call Mistyfoot her daughter, and Mistyfoot is lost for words, curling up around Leopardstar, trying to warm her body as she had done for her mother, Bluestar, many moons ago.


 * When Mistyfoot wakes, Mothwing informs her that Leopardstar is dead. Mistyfoot confesses that she doesn't feel ready to lead the Clan, wondering how she can follow in Leopardstar's pawsteps. Mothwing assures her that she's more than ready, but Mistyfoot insists it was because she's old, stating that she was only a few seasons younger than the elder Blackclaw. Mothwing tells her that she'll have nine long lives she can use to lead the Clan for a while yet. Mistyfoot thanks her, saying that she wouldn't know how to do it without her.


 * Mistyfoot tells the Clan that Leopardstar had died. The cats murmur in sadness for a bit, and Beetlewhisker asks her when she will receive her nine lives. Mistyfoot decides it can wait until tomorrow, and that the vigil for Leopardstar is more important. The cats congratulate Mistyfoot, and she assigns a hunting patrol. Mistyfoot discusses the possibility of a new deputy with Graymist, but then she is called on patrol by Reedwhisker. Afterwards, Willowshine, the Clan medicine cat apprentice, asks if Mistyfoot would like her to accompany her to her visit to the Moonpool. Mistyfoot says that would normally be Mothwing's job, and Willowshine, flustered, adds that she might want extra company. Mistyfoot gently rejects her offer, saying that it is for Mothwing to do.


 * Willowshine accepts her answer, and wishes her luck for tomorrow. Mistyfoot goes to visit the elders, and Dapplenose and Pouncetail show Mistyfoot a place suitable to bury Leopardstar. Mistyfoot goes back to camp and appoints a new deputy - which is Reedwhisker, Mistyfoot's son. Some cats are upset with the fact that the Clan leader's son is the deputy, but some other cats accept it. Afterwards, the cats prepare Leopardstar for burial, and send their last farewells. When Mistyfoot recites an old phrase, Pouncetail comments on it, saying that he hadn't heard it since they lived in the old forest. Mistyfoot informs him that she heard of it when Graypool said it to her and Stonefur when the two were kits. Pouncetail sighs, saying that he still missed Stonefur.


 * Mistyfoot promises Leopardstar that she will try to be the best leader she could possibly be, and Stonefur's spirit appears, saying that it is the best ambition one could have. Stonefur wishes Mistyfoot good luck, and that she will need great courage for what lies ahead. Mistyfoot is puzzled, and seeing this as a sign of danger, she persuades Mothwing to go the Moonpool with her. As they reach the Moonpool, Mistyfoot dozes off after she laps the starlit water in the Moonpool, and she sees her foster mother, Graypool. Graypool gives her a life for loving her Clanmates, and Stonefur gives her a life for treating all cats equally. Feathertail, Mistyfoot's former apprentice, gives her a life for accepting her destiny. Crookedstar, who was leader when until Mistyfoot reached her warriorship, gives Mistyfoot a life for strength and wisdom.


 * Bluestar, Mistyfoot's mother, greets Mistyfoot with love and affection. She gives her a life for doing what she thinks is right. Silverstream, Mistyfoot's cousin and best friend from when she was a young warrior, gives the deputy a life for finding happiness. Rippletail takes Silverstream's place, and gives her a life for curiosity. Mistyfoot starts to feel dizzy, and Perchkit comes up to give Mistyfoot's last life. Mistyfoot is delighted to see Perchkit, as Perchkit is her kit whom had died. Perchkit gives Mistyfoot a life for bravery. Mistyfoot is named Mistystar, and she sees her two other kits, Pikepaw and Primrosepaw, who had died before they became warriors.


 * As Mistystar is plunged back into reality, she realizes that Mothwing wasn't with her at the ceremony. Mothwing confirms it, saying that she will always visit StarClan alone. Mistystar is in extreme dismay as she puts the facts together and comes to the conclusion that Mothwing does not believe in StarClan - despite the fact she is a medicine cat. Mistystar exclaims that Mothwing has been their medicine cat for so long, and asks how she doesn't believe in them. Mothwing calmly tells Mistystar that she has her beliefs, and Mothwing has hers. Mistystar is still puzzled, but decides to travel home. Mothwing sadly apologizes to her, but Mistystar has nothing to say.


 * When the new leader and Mothwing are returning to RiverClan's camp, Mistystar suggest that they inform Firestar and ThunderClan of Leopardstar's death, because the other Clans would have to learn sooner or later. Mothwing and Mitsystar set off for ThunderClan, soon finding a clear path to their camp, where they push their way through the thcik bushes around the camp. They are greeted by Firestar, who asks if everything is alright. Mistystar tells Firestar that Leopardstar is dead, and Mistystar and Mothwing had just come back from the Moonpool. Firestar bows his head and respectfully meows her name, as does Graystripe, and all the other ThunderClan cats. Mistystar feels a bit uncomfortable, because it seemed strange to be the center of cats' attention. She thanks ThunderClan, and tells them of her choice of deputy, Reedwhisker, and that she looks forward to a long, fair relationship with the other Clan.


 * As they depart, Mistystar asks if Jayfeather knows about Mothwing's inability to find faith in StarClan. Mothwing confirms so, and Mistystar asks what he thinks - Mothwing tells her that he knows she is a good medicine cat and will do what she can to help the Clan. Mistystar is puzzled at how Mothwing can seem so calm and accepting of some thing she has never heard a medicine cat do before - since believing in StarClan is an essential part in being a medicine cat. Eventually, as the cats cross the hils, they encounter a WindClan patrol, and Mistystar gives them the news of Leopardstar's passing. Mistystar realizes that she should let ShadowClan know as well - but is too weary to, rathering meeting Blackstar, the leader of a rival Clan, meeting her in full power. As she comes back to camp, her Clan cheers her new name, and Mistystar has Reedwhisker deliver the news of her new leadership to Blackstar.


 * The Clan cats bury Leopardstar, and Mistystar talks to Graymist. Afterwards, Mistystar asks Willowshine how her training is going, and eventually Mistystar steers the conversation towards the spirtual side, asking how Mothwing is coping with teaching her about the spirits of their warrior ancestors. Mistystar suddenly realizes that Willowshine knows about Mothwing's disbelief. Mistystar questions her, and Willowshine assures Mistystar she can take care of the StarClan part of her duties by herself. Mistystar shakes her head, saying Willowshine is too young for all of that responsiblity. Mistystar encounters Mothwing, and strips her of her medicine cat duties due to her biggest responsibility - gone. Mothwing thinks that's malarkey, and is outraged. She argues with Mistystar, but it is no use. Mistystar dismisses Mothwing and tells her to give her some time to think about this.



Trivia

 * HarperCollins has said on the official Warriors fan page that Hollyleaf's Story, Mistystar's Omen, and Cloudstar's Journey will be included in a printed book within the next year.

Publication History

 * Mistystar's Omen (EN), HarperCollins (e-book), 11 September 2012