A Light in the Mist (book)/Chapter 5

"The cats you've already lost are trapped in the Dark Forest. They don't deserve to be there. They died fighting for their Clan. They should be in StarClan. And we need to rescue Bristlefrost and Rootspring. They put themselves in great danger so I could come back. They led Ashfur and his warriors away to give me time. We can't let them die there."

— Shadowsight trying to persuade the leaders in A Light in the Mist, page 88

A Light in the Mist (book)
Chapter number:	5 (of 24)
Page numbers:	73-92
Point of View:	Shadowsight
Chronology

Below contains in-depth information for chapter five of A Light in the Mist (book). If you are looking for a shorter summary of the entire book, please check the main article.

Chapter Number: 5 (of 24)

Page Numbers: 73-92

Chapter description

Shadowsight is growing paranoid as he tries to navigate the Dark Forest and get to the Moonpool. His wound from Ashfur stings, but he tells himself to ignore it because Bristlefrost and Rootspring are even more injured than he is, and yet they are fearlessly distracting Ashfur and his warriors. Shadowsight is almost convinced he has been going the wrong way this entire time when he comes across a large tree, its branches reaching into the sky and dipping into the bottom of the Moonpool over in the living world. He attempts to climb it, but due to the pain in his leg, he ends up falling and hitting the ground hard. Determined not to disappoint his friends, he tries again and manages to make it to the very top, thus transitioning from the Dark Forest and into the water of the Moonpool.

As he breaks the surface, he realizes some Clan cats and the Sisters are gathering around the pool. The leaders argue about whether Bramblestar should be allowed to enter the Dark Forest again considering Ashfur's prior influence on him. Shadowsight initially does not dare interrupt, but he eventually chimes in with support of Bramblestar and Squirrelflight, saying he had seen them fight like true warriors. After receiving an onslaught of questions, he explains that Ashfur had recruited many cats to fight for him, though there are exceptions—namely Snowtuft. The medicine cats look hopeful when Shadowsight mentions their success in talking to StarClan, and he tells them how it had not been the ancestors who abandoned them, but rather Ashfur blocking the barrier that prevented communication with the living. He goes further on by mentioning how hope had weakened the barrier, meaning they just need to send more cats in order to break it permanently.

Shadowsight snaps when the leaders express uncertainty and doubt in such a plan. Tigerstar declares that, as the source of all their problems, they should just let the Dark Forest disappear. Squirrelflight and Tree cut in by saying it is easy for Tigerstar to think that way because his son is already back and safe. Shadowsight pleads with his father to no avail. He cannot seem to convince Tigerstar, but luckily, Puddleshine supports him and his plan. Shadowsight adds that since the two worlds are connected, the Dark Forest vanishing would lead to StarClan's destruction as well. Seeing the others' eyes brighten with the more he says, Shadowsight wonders if he has finally convinced the leaders to help.

Characters

Major

• Shadowsight

Minor

• Graystripe
• Bramblestar
• Squirrelflight
• Jayfeather
• Tigerstar
• Mothwing (Unnamed)
• Kestrelflight (Unnamed)
• Frecklewish (Unnamed)
• Fidgetflake (Unnamed)
• Ivypool
• Dovewing
• Snow (Unnamed)
• Flurry (Unnamed)
• Sunrise (Unnamed)
• Tree
• Leafstar
• Mistystar
• Harestar
• Puddleshine
• Alderheart

Mentioned

• Ashfur
• Rootspring
• Bristlefrost
• Snowtuft
• Leafpool
• Stemleaf
• Spotfur
• Strikestone
• Conefoot
• Willowshine