The Darkest Hour/Chapter 20

Chapter Summary
Firestar's PoV
 * The sun begins to set on the river, turning it to a moving sheet of flame, and comforting Firestar. He stands on top of Sunningrocks and looks over RiverClan territory, wondering what tomorrow will bring. Beside him, Sandstorm shakes her head and presses her warm flank close to his. Firestar recalls how, after returning from the ruined WindClan camp, he had asked the ginger warrior to patrol with him, as he felt a need to get away from the rest of his Clan for a while to prepare for the meeting with Tigerstar. However, the ginger tom hadn't wanted to be completely alone, and he is comforted by his mate's presence. He remembers how they had skirted Snakerocks and followed the Thunderpath up to the ShadowClan border to renew the scent markings as far as Fourtrees, before returning along the RiverClan border. There hadn't been a sign of TigerClan intruders, and the borders are secure, but Firestar knows that if they battle TigerClan, it will be much more than borders, as it will be the climax of his conflict with Tigerstar that had started since he first entered the forest.


 * Firestar lingers on the rocks, savoring being along with Sandstorm, and he meows that they must expect a battle, as Tigerstar is determined to make himself ruler of the whole forest. Sandstorm replies that ThunderClan bears the worst of it, and wonders how many warriors WindClan could offer them after that day. Although her voice is troubled, Firestar knows that every cat in ThunderClan would fight bravely beside him, regardless on if they had WindClan's alliance.


 * The fiery light is dying and Firestar gazes at his beloved forest, where a single star glitters in the violet sky. He silently asks Bluestar if it is her and if she is still watching him, and he hopes that his former leader is still protecting her loved Clan. Firestar knows that if they survive the next day's meeting with Tigerstar, as well as his quest for absolute power, it will be because StarClan knew that the forest needed four Clans.