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"I've got a message from Squirrelflight. […] She wants you to know that she cared about you once. She considered you more than a Clanmate...She kept on caring about you—even loved you—as a friend until she discovered you were willing to kill the cats you believed to be her kits. That was when she realized she could never, ever have loved you. And that your love was rotten. It wasn't even love. You just wanted to possess her. She wants you to know that, whatever way the battle went today, it would always have been Bramblestar she chose. She wants you to think about why she'd always choose him. She wants you to finally understand why Bramblestar is and always will be the cat she truly loves. […] You should have stayed dead, because Squirrelflight will never love you. She loves Bramblestar, and ThunderClan, and nothing you can do will—"
Graystripe relaying an important message from Squirrelflight to Ashfur in A Light in the Mist, pages 251-252

The battle against Ashfur was a battle that took place in A Light in the Mist in the Dark Forest, when StarClan, some Dark Forest cats and all five Clans united and defeated Ashfur.

Summary[]

Premise[]

"I'm going to destroy more than the Clans. I'm going to destroy the Dark Forest and StarClan along with it."
―Ashfur to Rootspring A Light in the Mist (book), page 109
After moons of manipulating the Clans, StarClan, and the Dark Forest, Ashfur has gathered his army of possessed spirits and Dark Forest cats in the Dark Forest, with hopes of keeping Squirrelflight by his side, killing her mate Bramblestar, and destroying the Clans, StarClan, and the Dark Forest.[37] However, Rootspring, Bristlefrost, and Shadowsight foil his plans by rescuing Squirrelflight and Bramblestar.[38] Ashfur strives to destroy the living Clans, StarClan, and the Dark Forest, as a means of obtaining his revenge on those he believes slighted him as well as furthering his obsessive pursuit of Squirrelflight. Rootspring, Bristlefrost, and Shadowsight gather allies from the living Clans, StarClan, and the Dark Forest to stop Ashfur.[39]

Overview[]

"We have to save something more important than any of our lives. Something that means no cat can ever truly die. […] StarClan."
―Shadowsight convincing the Clan leaders to help A Light in the Mist (book), page 92
After rescuing Rootspring from Ashfur, Bristlefrost, Rootspring, and Shadowsight discover a thick bramble barrier blocking the entrance to StarClan, with Leafpool informing them that StarClan is slowly disappearing. They also note dark water and thick fog destroying the Dark Forest as well. After learning that hope weakens the barrier, the three friends resolve to find more hope.[40] Rootspring, with the help of Firestar's wandering spirit, recruits Silverhawk, a Dark Forest cat;[41] Bristlefrost encourages Dark Forest cats Sparrowfeather, Maggottail, and Redwillow to fight to save their home from Ashfur;[42] and Shadowsight convinces the Clan leaders to send cats from the living world to save StarClan.[43]
They reunite at the barrier with StarClan, and their continuous hope allows StarClan cats to enter to aid in the fight: Needletail,[44] Onestar, Redtail, Larksong, Feathertail, Silverstream, and Firestar.[5] They also recruit Berrynose, Willowshine, Stemleaf,[45] and Juniperclaw.[5] With Firestar leading them, the group confronts Ashfur. However, he shows no remorse for his actions and instead faults StarClan for their flaws. Ashfur's army arrives, including Darktail and several fresh rogue spirits, and the battle ensues.[2] In the battle, Rootspring resolves to join ThunderClan to be with Bristlefrost whom he loves,[46] Shadowsight affirms to Ashfur that he will no longer be manipulated by him,[47] and Bristlefrost sacrifices herself to save Shadowsight by throwing both herself and Ashfur into the dark water, killing them both.[48]

Description[]

Ashfur's obsession[]

"I've never forgiven anyone. I'm not weak. I never forgave Bramblestar for taking what was mine. And I'll never forgive Squirrelflight for rejecting me over and over again. I gave her love and she betrayed me. As though my love was worthless. I'm going to make her suffer more than any other cat. And I'm going to enjoy it."
―Ashfur to Firestar about his future plans A Light in the Mist (book), page 232
Ashfur longed to be with Squirrelflight after his death and held resentment towards her for choosing Bramblestar over himself. He spent moons in StarClan learning and waiting for the right moment to have his revenge. He discovered that StarClan's power comes from their connection with the living world, and he wanted to expose them as the frauds he believes them to be. He dug a tunnel into the Dark Forest, a secret entrance only he knew about, and began to draw in power from there. Ashfur learned of a brief moment after a Clan leader loses one of their nine lives where their body is an empty shell. Finding his chance, Ashfur manipulated good faith from his peers to let him return to the living world to monitor the Clans to ensure they were following the warrior code. He blocked off the entrance to StarClan and inhabited Bramblestar's body.[49] Now back in the living world, Ashfur commandeered ThunderClan's leadership and began enforcing strict obedience to the warrior code with Bristlefrost as his vassal. With StarClan silent, Ashfur was the voice of reason, and he pitted loyal warriors against each other. To his surprise, Squirrelflight discovered the truth and faked her own death, retreating to a secret rebel group. Ashfur manipulated RiverClan and WindClan against ShadowClan and SkyClan in battle, but the Clans discovered the truth.[50] It was Squirrelflight who pieced together that it was Ashfur all along, and the Clans prepared to kill him when Ashfur escaped, dragging Squirrelflight into the Dark Forest with him. He also trapped spirits into the Dark Forest and became powerful enough to control them with his mind.[51] He also harvests dead rogue spirits to add to his army, and recruits several Dark Forest warriors to help him,[2] luring them with promises of returning to the living world.[42] Ashfur was surprised that Squirrelflight did not appreciate everything he had concocted for her, and she escaped along with Bramblestar.[38] With Ashfur's influence and the border between StarClan and the Dark Forest blocked with a thick bramble barrier, both afterlives begin disappearing.[40]

Entering the Dark Forest[]

"We mustn't forget that entering the Dark Forest is dangerous—not just to your body, but to your mind. You must focus on the darkness inside you to get there. And, as many cats have said, the Dark Forest can turn a good cat bad."
―Cloverfoot to Shadowsight about entering the Dark Forest The Place of No Stars (book), page 67
After a long discussion, the Clans decide that they will send Willowshine to Dark Forest.[52] However, the RiverClan medicine cat dies in her dream while trying, causing the medicine cats to put a hold on the Clans' plans of sending someone to the Place of No Stars.[53] Shadowsight and Mothwing decide to try to get the former into the Place of No Stars, acknowledging the relationship the ShadowClan medicine cat has with the dark warrior.[54] Shadowsight enters the Dark Forest, but he fails to concentrate on the barren land, prompting him to be propelled back to the real world. The dark gray tabby tom tries again, and he succeeds this time.[55] He befriends Snowtuft, a Dark Forest spirit, who enlists Shadowsight's help to defeat Ashfur since his influence is also destroying the Dark Forest under heavy fog and dark water.[56] Shadowsight distracts Ashfur long enough for Squirrelflight and Bramblestar to escape.[57] Bristlefrost also enters the Dark Forest briefly and witnesses them escape.[58] The pair wake up with Shadowsight yowling in pain.[59]
In the living world earlier, Rootspring, Leafstar, Tree, Graystripe, Jayfeather, Bristlefrost, and Lionblaze travel to the Moonpool, surprised on finding Mothwing, Shadowsight, Tigerstar, and Dovewing already present. The leaders argue for a few moments, but Rootspring is distracted as he sees Willowshine's spirit appears from the Moonpool. Without hesitating, Willowshine pulls Rootspring into the Moonpool against the SkyClan warrior's will, taking him into the Place of No Stars.[60] Willowshine and Rootspring discover Ashfur harboring the possessed spirits on an island surrounded by dark water.[51] They run into Squirrelflight who escaped thanks to Shadowsight, and prepare to make their next move when Ashfur arrives with his army, revealing he's been using Willowshine as a spy.[61] Rootspring manages to escape but nearly drowns in the dark water, noting how its coldness threatens to drag him under.[62] He meets Snowtuft, who agrees to help him, and Bramblestar's spirit who has also escaped. Bramblestar resolves to save Squirrelflight and reunite with his body. They formulate a plan to storm the island where Ashfur is keeping her, and Bramblestar successfully rejoins with his body. As they escape towards the Moonpool, Rootspring and Snowtuft are captured,[38] and are forced to fight each other under Ashfur's command. Bristlefrost and Shadowsight resolve to save their friend and reenter the Dark Forest.[63]

Hope is our greatest strength[]

Bristlefrost: "But if he can shape [the Dark Forest], so can we! Look what happened when Stemleaf decided Ashfur could be stopped. He began to hope, and that vine snapped."
Rootspring: "Here, hope is our greatest strength."
Spiresight: "It might be our only strength."
Bristlefrost: "If it is, we have to make the most of it. StarClan is still with us. And we're going to reach them."
Willowshine: "I know I'll get to StarClan. I'll see my ancestors again."
Stemleaf: "I'll watch my kits grow up!"
—The cats realizing hope can weaken the barrier between StarClan and the Dark Forest A Light in the Mist, page 49
Bristlefrost, Shadowsight, and Rootspring manage to escape Ashfur's clutches with Spiresight, Stemleaf, and Willowshine in tow thanks to Snowtuft's sacrifice. They discover a thick bramble barrier blocking the entrance to StarClan, having been manipulated with Ashfur's negative influence. The group discovers that hope—hope for the future, hope in their faith and success—weakens the barrier, with their efforts creating a small gap in the barrier for Leafpool, a StarClan spirit, to inform them of the dire situation in StarClan. With Ashfur hot on their tails, the trio decides to split up to gather more hope.[40] Bristlefrost convinces Sparrowfeather, Redwillow, and Maggottail to help her save the Dark Forest since they deserve to have a home,[42] Shadowsight returns to the living world to persuade the Clan leaders to send cats to help,[43] and Firestar's wandering spirit aids Rootspring to kill his captor Darkstripe and recruits Silverhawk to aid them.[41]
Bristlefrost leads her Dark Forest allies to the barrier, and their combined hope creates a gap large enough for Needletail, a StarClan spirit, to slip through.[44] Ashfur and his army catch them, and their perusing chase results in Redwillow's death in the dark water, and Bristlefrost and her allies capturing Willowshine, Stemleaf, and Berrynose. As Ashfur and his army search elsewhere, his control over the three spirit cats fades. They reunite with Rootspring and Silverhawk.[45] In the living world, the Clans send one representative from each Clan to enter the Dark Forest: Crowfeather from WindClan, Mistystar from RiverClan, Violetshine from SkyClan, Graystripe from ThunderClan, and Shadowsight steps up for his sister Lightleap when she is too nervous.[4] At the barrier with StarClan, more hope creates another gap and Firestar, Onestar, Redtail, Silverstream, Feathertail, and Larksong. Juniperclaw, a Dark Forest spirit, also arrives, though the others question his motivations due to his past actions. Juniperclaw resolves to atone for the past.[5] The living cats meet up with them, and together, the group sets out to defeat Ashfur.[39]

The Lights in the Mist[]

«The cold that gripped her seemed at last to let her go. She closed her eyes and in her last moments felt only warmth. Only love.»
—Bristlefrost accepting her fate A Light in the Mist (book), page 267
The group of cats, both living and dead, search for Ashfur, and located him in a clearing. They surround him, but Ashfur's allies arrive from behind them. Darktail and several dead rogue spirits arrive, and the battle begins.[2] Rootspring urges Shadowsight to hide in a nearby tree since he can't fight, and Stemleaf and Berrynose manage to overcome Ashfur's control. Needletail and Violetshine manage to kill Darktail's spirit while Thistleclaw and Mapleshade protect Ashfur from their opponents.[46] From Shadowsight's perch, he spots the dark water dangerously rising around the clearing. Ashfur's army begins to flee while others give chase, allowing Firestar, Graystripe, and Mistystar a chance to confront Ashfur. Graystripe relays a message to Ashfur from Squirrelflight: she realizes she could never love him after he threatened to kill Lionblaze, Jayfeather, and Hollyleaf, and she would always choose Bramblestar. Ashfur violently lashes out at Graystripe in anger, and the rogue spirits resume their attack. Shadowsight falls from his perch, and Bristlefrost saves him from a Dark Forest spirit.[47]
Ashfur connects to Shadowsight's mind and taunts him for being a failure to his friends, but Shadowsight remains resolved that he knows where he belongs.[47] With Shadowsight unconscious, Ashfur begins to roll his body towards the dark water, hoping to finish him off as a cat who dies in the Dark Forest dies permanently. Bristlefrost notices this and resolves to save her friend. With one look at Rootspring, Bristlefrost dashes towards Ashfur, throwing herself at the dark warrior, and both of them fall into the dark water. For the first time in his tyrannical rule, Ashfur is scared as his spirit fades away. Bristlefrost is shocked by the cold, but manages to drag Ashfur deeper into the depths. Realizing she can't escape, Bristlefrost succumbs to the darkness thinking of her love for Rootspring.[48]

Deaths as a result of the battle[]


Deaths as a result of Ashfur's schemes[]

"We must thank the brave warriors who risked their lives to defeat Ashfur. Let's remember the early rebels who gave their lives to oppose the dark warrior […] And the unfortunate warriors who met their deaths because they'd been fooled by the impostor […] They deserve our sympathy as well."
―Bramblestar at the Gathering A Light in the Mist (book), page 326


Aftermath[]

StarClan's return[]

"Ashfur's gone forever. Bristlefrost made sure of that. And we broke down the barrier to StarClan. We can contact them again."
―Shadowsight to Squirrelflight A Light in the Mist (book), page 314
Upon Ashfur's defeat, the barrier between StarClan and the Dark Forest is gone, and so has StarClan's connection with the living world.[3] Shadowsight blames himself for Bristlefrost's death and Rootspring is devastated. The group arrives at Ashfur's tunnel between the afterlives, and they decide against blocking it incase it upsets the balance between the afterlives. Juniperclaw volunteers to guard the tunnel as the border guardian.[75] Firestar allows their living allies a chance to view StarClan briefly before they return to the living world. As they leave, Graystripe begins to succumb to his wounds.[76] The living cats return home and mourn Bristlefrost and Graystripe.[77] The following night, the medicine cats are able to communicate with StarClan after several moons of silence.[78] Bramblestar also names the cats who entered the Dark Forest to fight Ashfur as the Lights in the Mist.[79]

The broken code[]

"The code is a living thing. It changes and grows as it needs to. But perhaps we don't need to change it. Perhaps we could just reorder the rules so that the most important ones come first."
―Leafpool about changing the code A Light in the Mist (book), page 301
In StarClan, the cats discuss changes to the warrior code, acknowledging how Ashfur manipulated it to fulfill his schemes. They brainstorm a proposed reordering of the warrior code, with the most important ones first. The proposed changes include removing the code about how the leader's word is the warrior code and possible additions to allowing cats to have mates in different Clans. StarClan gives the Clans three moons to decide formal changes to the warrior code.[76][79] Three moons later, the Clans present StarClan with formal changes to the code: cats can leave their Clan to join another by performing a task by their intended Clan’s choosing, and unjust leaders can be forced to step down after a three-fourths majority by their Clan and an agreement with the other Clan leaders.[80] StarClan approves these changes, and the Clans formally adopt them, though not without dissenters from each Clan.[81]

Characters[]

Rootspring[]

«Rootspring's heart soared. The pain of his wounds seemed to fade. They were going to win. He was fighting beside Bristlefrost and they were working together as though they'd shared a mentor. Suddenly he knew that she was more important to him than anything. Why had he ever hesitated? If there was any cat he'd give up his Clan for, it was her. And if they escaped the Dark Forest, that was exactly what he would do.»
—Rootspring deciding to give up SkyClan for Bristlefrost A Light in the Mist (book), page 248
Rootspring

Rootspring, a warrior of SkyClan, who first noticed Bramblestar's ghost

Rootspring has the ability to see the spirits of dead cats, and was the first to see Bramblestar's spirit.[82] Rootspring found himself in the Dark Forest when he was dragged by Willowshine, who was under Ashfur's control, into the Moonpool.[51] They discovered the island of trapped spirits, and reunited with Squirrelflight. Rootspring and Squirrelflight hypothesized that Ashfur's control over the spirit cats weakens with distance.[61] They were captured by Ashfur, but Rootspring managed to escape, nearly drowning in the dark water surrounding the island. Only his determination to be with Bristlefrost, the cat he loves, saved him.[62] Rootspring worked with Bramblestar and Snowtuft to storm the island to save Squirrelflight and reunite Bramblestar with his body. However, as they tried to escape, Rootspring was captured.[77]
Bristlefrost and Shadowsight returned to the Dark Forest to rescue their friend, and he and Bristlefrost grew closer.[40] As the Dark Forest threatened to poison his mind, Rootspring thought of Bristlefrost to help him.[83] Rootspring was captured by Ashfur's cats, and he began to hear a voice in his head. The voice revealed itself to be Firestar, and he took possession of Rootspring's body to kill Darkstripe. Their combined efforts also convinced Silverhawk to join them.[41] After reuniting with Bristlefrost, Shadowsight, and reinforcements from the living world and StarClan, the group confronted Ashfur.[2] Rootspring participated in the battle and fought alongside Bristlefrost, resolving to join ThunderClan to be with her after the battle.[46] However, Bristlefrost sacrificed herself to save Shadowsight and kill Ashfur, and Rootspring heavily mourned her death.[48] After her death, Rootspring pushed for changes to the warrior code to include a provision for cats who wish to have mates with others in different Clans, as he and Bristlefrost might have been together if they hadn't spent so much time worrying about their Clan loyalties.[76][79]

Bristlefrost[]

"I've never been more sure of anything in my life. This is what I'm meant to do."
―Bristlefrost about returning to the Dark Forest The Place of No Stars (book), page 248
Bristlefrost

Bristlefrost, a warrior of ThunderClan, who served under the impostor and eventually killed him

Bristlefrost was formerly one of the impostor's supporters, eventually becoming his deputy, and later a spy for the rebels.[84] When Rootspring was dragged into the Moonpool, Bristlefrost worried over him and remained by the Moonpool. She convinced Mothwing to teach her how to dream into the Dark Forest over her desperate worry for Rootspring.[85] She managed to briefly dream herself into the dark realm but was awoken by Shadowsight attacking Ashfur.[58] Bristlefrost and Shadowsight returned to the Dark Forest to save Rootspring after Bramblestar and Squirrelflight safely emerged from the Moonpool.[63] After reuniting with Rootspring, Stemleaf, Spiresight, and Willowshine, they reached the barrier to StarClan, and Bristlefrost was the first to realize that hope weakens the barrier. She and her companions split up,[40] and Bristlefrost convinced the Dark Forest cats Sparrowfeather, Redwillow, and Maggottail to help her save the Dark Forest, reasoning that they deserve a place to call home.[42][44]
To her surprise, Bristlefrost managed to inspire enough hope within the Dark Forest cats to weaken the barrier enough for Needletail, a StarClan cat, to emerge.[44] When Ashfur confronted them, Bristlefrost attempted to fight off Ashfur by herself but is delighted when Sparrowfeather, Redwillow, and Maggottail fight alongside her. Their attempt to distract Ashfur long enough for his control over the spirits wanes faltered when Redwillow drowned in the dark water, but they managed to free Berrynose, Stemleaf, and Willowshine.[45] At the barrier with StarClan, they are joined with Rootspring, Shadowsight, living warriors, and members of StarClan and the Dark Forest ready to fight Ashfur and his army.[5][39] As they searched for Ashfur, Bristlefrost came up with the idea of using a tree to create a bridge over the dangerous dark water. They confront Ashfur and his army of spirits in battle.[2] Bristlefrost fought alongside Rootspring,[46] and saved Shadowsight from a rogue spirit.[47] Bristlefrost noticed Ashfur shoving Shadowsight's unconscious body towards the dark water to kill him, and sacrificed herself by throwing both herself and Ashfur into the dark water.[48] Because of her sacrifice, both StarClan and the Dark Forest were saved from disappearing, but Bristlefrost's spirit was gone forever.[3] Her allies commended her bravery, including the Dark Forest cat Silverhawk.[76] Rootspring used his love for Bristlefrost to advocate for changes to be made to the warrior code in her honor.[78] It is heavily implied that her close friend Spotfur named her daughter Bristlekit after Bristlefrost and her sacrifice.[86]

Shadowsight[]

Shadowsight: "Of course I belong in the Clans! My father is Tigerstar. I'm ShadowClan to my bones. I've risked my life to help them."
Ashfur: "ShadowClan? Your mother is from ThunderClan. You're a half-Clan cat. And you've been weird since you were a kit. If your father wasn't their leader, do you think your Clan would accept you? You have visions but you don't even know who sends them. You can't fight. You helped me escape. You killed the leader of ThunderClan. Do you think your precious patrol didn't see you back there in the battle? Do you think they didn't notice you hiding in a tree while they were risking their lives? Do you think they don't mind having to rescue you over and over again? You're no help to them. You're a liability."
Shadowsight: "You won't ever convince me again that I don't belong in the Clans. Or that no cat cares about me. They do. I have kin. I have Clanmates. I have friends. I know where I belong."
—Ashfur taunting Shadowsight A Light in the Mist, pages 257-258
Shadowsight

Shadowsight, a medicine cat of ShadowClan, who was manipulated by the impostor

After StarClan had gone silent, Ashfur manipulated Shadowsight into killing Bramblestar so he could inhabit his body.[87] Ashfur attempted to kill Shadowsight,[88] but when that didn't work, Ashfur instead manipulated Shadowsight when the medicine cat was punished to take care of him in ShadowClan's camp.[89] Ashfur tricked Shadowsight into letting him escape, and Shadowsight's life was threatened by Lionblaze.[90] Resolved to make up for his mistakes, Shadowsight used his connection with Ashfur to enter the Dark Forest in his dreams. He struggled with the darkness luring him in the Dark Forest,[55] and distracted Ashfur long enough for Bramblestar and Squirrelflight to escape, though he was wounded in the process.[57] Still, Shadowsight longed to return.[59]
He and Bristlefrost returned to the Dark Forest to save Rootspring.[63] After the trio comes up with a plan to recruit more help, Shadowsight returned to the living world to convince the Clan leaders to send assistance.[91] Shadowsight took his sister Lightleap's place as ShadowClan's representative when she began too nervous.[4] Back in the Dark Forest, Shadowsight used his connection with Ashfur to decipher his location.[39][2] During the battle, Shadowsight hid in a tree. He fell out of the tree, and Ashfur entered his mind once more, attempting to manipulate him into aiding him by killing Bristlefrost. Shadowsight insisted he knew where he belonged and refused Ashfur's offer, but remained unconscious.[47] Ashfur nearly dragged Shadowsight's limp body into the dark water to kill him, but Bristlefrost stopped hm by throwing both herself and Ashfur into the dark water, drowning them both.[48] Shadowsight blamed himself for Bristlefrost's death, but Juniperclaw helped him reconcile with himself. Leafpool revealed to Shadowsight that he always had a connection with Ashfur and he could never communicate with StarClan.[75] Despite that, Shadowsight found his peace among the other medicine cats and began to heal.[78]

Ashfur[]

"Take a good look. This is how powerful I am. All these cats were once strong warriors, and now they do my bidding. They are my paws, and I'll use them to crush the Clans, in your name, Squirrelflight."
―Ashfur to Squirrelflight about his army of spirits The Place of No Stars (book), page 182
Ashfur

Ashfur's obsession over Squirrelflight led him to learn unnatural powers

Ashfur spent his years in StarClan plotting his revenge against Squirrelflight and Bramblestar. He never forgave Bramblestar for taking Squirrelflight from him nor Hollyleaf for killing him. He began to draw in power from StarClan, and when Mistystar died, Ashfur realized he could slip into a leader's body to return to the living world. He devised a plan to seal StarClan off from the living world by blocking off his tunnel between StarClan and the Dark Forest with a thick bramble barrier that strengthened with negative emotion. In Bramblestar's body, Ashfur used Bramblestar's position as a respected leader and as Squirrelflight's mate to grow closer to her and manipulate the Clans by turning them against each other.[49] He also manipulated and berated Shadowsight, and used Bristlefrost as his confidant. Ashfur continued to impose extreme punishments against those he deemed codebreakers, including exile and physical punishment. He wasn't afraid to get his own paws dirty as well, including nearly killing Shadowsight,[88] and killing Stemleaf, Dappletuft, and Conefoot.[66] After pitting RiverClan, ThunderClan, and WindClan against ShadowClan and SkyClan in battle, Ashfur's ruse was discovered by the rebel group. He purposefully taunted cats to violently attack Bramblestar's body when Bramblestar's corpse was a mere shell for himself.[92] After manipulating Shadowsight into freeing him from ShadowClan's prison, Ashfur tracked down Squirrelflight, and after failing to convince her that he loved her, Ashfur attacked the cat he claimed to care about. With Squirrelflight nearly unconscious, and still in possession of Bramblestar's body, Ashfur escaped into the Dark Forest with Squirrelflight, intent on destroying the Clans, the Dark Forest, and StarClan for her.[93][37]
Ashfur's actions resulted in the Dark Forest and StarClan slowly disappearing under thick fog and dark water. He convinced some of the Dark Forest cats to join him with promises of living a new life in the Dark Forest.[56][42] Meanwhile, Ashfur learned to possess spirits and had them imprisoned on an island in the Dark Forest.[51] His plans foiled slightly when Rootspring and Shadowsight rescued Bramblestar and Squirrelflight from the Dark Forest.[63] Ashfur's obsession over Squirrelflight turned into rage, and he blamed her for driving him to destroy everything she loved.[49] While Rootspring, Bristlefrost, and Shadowsight split up to gather allies, Ashfur gathered his army elsewhere, displeased that the dark water and fog rose to cover their former base on the island.[83] He kept his plans to destroy the Dark Forest hidden from his Dark Forest allies,[41] and conspired with Darktail to harvest recently deceased rogue spirits into his army. When he was confronted by a group of living and dead cats from StarClan and the Dark Forest intent on destroying him, Ashfur demonstrated no remorse for his actions and mocked StarClan for not being omnipotent as they claimed.[2] In the battle, Ashfur sent his army of ghost cats to fight the enemy, and he remained hidden behind Mapleshade and Thistleclaw.[46] When Graystripe relayed Squirrelflight's message to Ashfur, the dark warrior violently lashed out at the elder. Ashfur confronted Shadowsight in his mind and ridiculed him for failing his friends. He attempted to convince Shadowsight to help him kill Bristlefrost, but the ShadowClan medicine cat refused.[47] Ashfur attempted to kill Shadowsight by rolling his unconscious body into the dark water, but Bristlefrost shoved both herself and Ashfur in the dark water instead, killing both of them.[48] Following Ashfur's defeat, StarClan's connection to the living world was restored, and both StarClan and the Dark Forest were saved from Ashfur's destructive influence.[3] Ashfur's manipulation of the warrior code led to changes to the warrior code being discussed.[76][78]

Graystripe[]

"The Tribe told me that I still had an important role to play in the Clan's fate. This must be it. I can feel it. My heart tells me this is the time."
―Graystripe to Squirrelflight about wanting to enter the Dark Forest A Light in the Mist (book), page 123
Graystripe

Graystripe was the temporary leader of ThunderClan during Bramblestar and Squirrelflight's absences

With Bramblestar and Squirrelflight gone, Graystripe was chosen to lead ThunderClan, having just returned from deciding that his place is indeed with ThunderClan.[94] With Bramblestar and Squirrelflight's safe return, Graystripe returned leadership of ThunderClan to them.[63] When Shadowsight returned to the living world to ask for reinforcements to defeat Ashfur, Graystripe insisted that Squirrelflight and Bramblestar should remain as Ashfur didn't deserve facing off against them. Instead, Graystripe volunteered himself as ThunderClan's representative.[43] He happily reunited with Firestar, Silverstream, and Feathertail,[39] and fought alongside Firestar as they used to.[46] During the battle, Graystripe relayed a message to Ashfur from Squirrelflight that she never loved him and would always love Bramblestar. Ashfur attacked Graystripe in rage, fatally wounding him.[47] He reunited with Millie and his other kin in StarClan, and his wounds began to weaken him. Graystripe resolved to say goodbye to his Clanmates first.[76] Shadowsight shoved Graystripe's spirit back through the Moonpool to reunite with his body, and the Clans mourned him as he died.[77] It is heavily implied that Spotfur named her son Graykit after Graystripe, who is also the kit's great-grandfather, and his sacrifice.[86]

Firestar[]

«But he would do what he had to do. A true warrior always did—and he had never stopped being a warrior.»
—Firestar in Rootspring's body A Light in the Mist (book), page 157
Firestar

Firestar returned to lead his allies in the battle against Ashfur

Firestar, along with the rest of StarClan, allowed Ashfur to return to the living world to ensure the Clans were adhering to the warrior code.[49] When Ashfur's influence caused thick branches to block StarClan's view of the Clans, Firestar began to doubt their decision to send Ashfur.[95] StarClan began to weaken,[40] and Firestar found a way to send his spirit to Rootspring's mind. He aided Rootspring in taunting Ashfur and Darkstripe, and asked permission to possess Rootspring's body. Within Rootspring's body, Firestar killed Darkstripe,[41] and remained in Rootspring's mind until Firestar joined the others in entering the Dark Forest to defeat Ashfur.[5] Firestar led them in battle against Ashfur,[46] and after his defeat, he allowed his living allies to glimpse into StarClan. He agreed with changes to be made to the warrior code and granted the Clan leaders three moons to decide on official changes.[76]

Quotes[]

"Don't say that. There is hope, even in the Dark Forest. And, if you help me get to the barrier between the Dark Forest and StarClan, I'll show you what it looks like."
―Bristlefrost to Redwillow, Maggottail, and Sparrowfeather A Light in the Mist (book), page 105


"It's not just you that Ashfur wants; it's revenge. He wants to make all the Clans—but especially ThunderClan—to suffer for what happened to him when he was alive. To beat him, to truly win, we must do more than survive. We must thrive. We must grow stronger, and prove that we are better warriors than he could ever be. And to do that, we need you to survive. We can't risk losing you in a battle with Ashfur, on his territory. Think how much satisfaction that would give him. You must stay here with Bramblestar. You must stay and show Ashfur that you and ThunderClan will survive whatever he tries to do. You are too valuable for us to lose."
―Graystripe to Squirrelflight A Light in the Mist (book), pages 122-123


«She caught Maggottail's eye and was surprised to see longing there. Of course! she thought. It seemed strange, but it only made sense that these Dark Forest cats, as evil as they might be, wanted something. Could she win them to her side if she promised them something they wanted? Certainly she could—wasn't that what Ashfur had done? But what do they want?'»
—Bristlefrost about convincing the Dark Forest cats to her side A Light in the Mist (book), page 140


See more
Unknown: "There's going to be a fight."
Rootspring: "I can't fight them! I'm outnumbered."
Unknown: "It's okay. I'll fight them. I've been a warrior for far longer than you. I can win this. Let me take over your body and I'll get us out of here. Trust me, I'm not Ashfur. I want to get you to safety so you can save Bristlefrost."
Rootspring: "How do I know you're not lying?"
Unknown: "Why would I lie to the cat who saved my daughter and her mate?"
Rootspring: "Are you...Firestar?"
Firestar: "Yes. Have you heard of me? I won't let any harm come to you. But you have to trust me. I want to save you, and Bristlefrost, and all the other cats threatened by Ashfur."
—Firestar revealing himself to Rootspring A Light in the Mist, pages 150-151


Darkstripe: "Firestar. What are you doing here? This is no place for a kittypet."
Firestar: "This is no place for any decent cat."
Darkstripe: "Even dead, you can't stop yourself from meddling in other cats' affairs?"
Firestar: "Because I protect the Clans, and I always will."
—Firestar and Darkstripe A Light in the Mist, page 154


Maggottail: "We can do this."
Bristlefrost: "Thank you."
Redwillow: "He's outnumbered."
Sparrowfeather: "Let's kill him."
—The Dark Forest cats standing up against Ashfur A Light in the Mist, page 165


Ashfur: "I see that your time in StarClan has not dented your confidence. [Firestar] and Bramblestar are so alike. You both think you're the greatest warriors who ever walked the forest. Your arrogance makes my pelt crawl. It's about time the Clans saw how weak you really are. And when I'm done with you, I'm going to find Squirrelflight and I'm going to—"
Graystripe: "Stop babbling. You've lost, can't you see that?"
Ashfur: "Have I? Don't you realize that StarClan isn't special? The only difference between you and them is that you're alive and they're dead. They're just a bunch of corpses who can't bear to give up control. They don't care what happens to you. They just like telling you what to do so you serve them instead of yourselves. What did following your dead ancestors ever bring to you except trouble? They invent problems and then ask you to risk your lives solving them. If you ignored them, you'd be living happily in peace now instead of fighting. You could all live in peace if you ignored StarClan. They're just keeping you busy so you don't realize what's good for you. You'd be better off without them."
Violetshine: "It's hard to believe we ever thought you cared about the warrior code."
Ashfur: "The trouble is that you'll believe anything. That's why you're here now, fighting another cat's battle. Help me destroy StarClan. You can free yourself from their dumb schemes and live as you want to. You can rule the forests without owing anything to any cat."
Mistystar: "You don't even deserve a warrior name."
Crowfeather: "You're a fool."
Violetshine: "What are we waiting for? Let's kill him."
—Ashfur's attempt to convince the enemy to join him fails A Light in the Mist, pages 232-234


«Bristlefrost flattened her ears. She had to stop Ashfur. He had hurt so many cats already—she couldn't let him kill Shadowsight. Her nostrils flared as she remembered all the time she'd spent wanting to please the impostor, even as his demands became stranger and stranger. She knew him better than any Clan cat, except, perhaps Shadowsight. She knew how truly dangerous he was. As Ashfur shifted his weight, she saw her opportunity. But I have to move now. There was no time to second-guess herself. She knew, deep in her bones, that this was right.»
—Bristlefrost A Light in the Mist (book), page 264

Notes and references[]

  1. Revealed in A Light in the Mist, page 323
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 Revealed in A Light in the Mist, chapter 15
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Revealed in A Light in the Mist, chapter 19
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 Revealed in A Light in the Mist, chapter 12
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 5.7 Revealed in A Light in the Mist, chapter 13
  6. Revealed in The Place of No Stars, page 149
  7. 7.0 7.1 Revealed in The Place of No Stars, page 281
  8. Revealed in A Light in the Mist, page 123
  9. 9.0 9.1 9.2 Revealed in A Light in the Mist, page 182
  10. Revealed in A Light in the Mist, page 141
  11. 11.0 11.1 11.2 Revealed in A Light in the Mist, page 197
  12. 12.0 12.1 12.2 Revealed in A Light in the Mist, page 198
  13. Revealed in A Light in the Mist, page 201
  14. Revealed in A Light in the Mist, page 158
  15. 15.0 15.1 Revealed in A Light in the Mist, page 104
  16. 16.0 16.1 16.2 Revealed in A Light in the Mist, page 175
  17. Revealed in The Place of No Stars, page 151
  18. Revealed in A Light in the Mist, page 64
  19. 19.0 19.1 Revealed in A Light in the Mist, page 65
  20. Revealed in A Light in the Mist, page 68
  21. Revealed in A Light in the Mist, page 234
  22. Revealed in A Light in the Mist, page 8
  23. Revealed in A Light in the Mist, page 144
  24. 24.0 24.1 24.2 24.3 Revealed in A Light in the Mist, page 237
  25. Revealed in A Light in the Mist, page 250
  26. Revealed in A Light in the Mist, page 262
  27. Revealed in A Light in the Mist, page 269
  28. Revealed in A Light in the Mist, page 273
  29. Revealed in A Light in the Mist, pages 234-235
  30. Revealed in A Light in the Mist, page 1
  31. 31.0 31.1 Revealed in A Light in the Mist, page 267
  32. 32.0 32.1 Revealed in A Light in the Mist, page 314
  33. 33.0 33.1 Revealed in A Light in the Mist, page 266
  34. 34.0 34.1 Revealed in A Light in the Mist, page 246
  35. 35.0 35.1 Revealed in A Light in the Mist, page 240
  36. 36.0 36.1 Revealed in A Light in the Mist, page 261
  37. 37.0 37.1 Revealed in The Place of No Stars, page prologue
  38. 38.0 38.1 38.2 Revealed in The Place of No Stars, chapter 22
  39. 39.0 39.1 39.2 39.3 39.4 Revealed in A Light in the Mist, chapter 14
  40. 40.0 40.1 40.2 40.3 40.4 40.5 Revealed in A Light in the Mist, chapter 3
  41. 41.0 41.1 41.2 41.3 41.4 Revealed in A Light in the Mist, chapter 10
  42. 42.0 42.1 42.2 42.3 42.4 Revealed in A Light in the Mist, chapter 6
  43. 43.0 43.1 43.2 Revealed in A Light in the Mist, chapter 8
  44. 44.0 44.1 44.2 44.3 Revealed in A Light in the Mist, chapter 9
  45. 45.0 45.1 45.2 Revealed in A Light in the Mist, chapter 11
  46. 46.0 46.1 46.2 46.3 46.4 46.5 46.6 Revealed in A Light in the Mist, chapter 16
  47. 47.0 47.1 47.2 47.3 47.4 47.5 47.6 Revealed in A Light in the Mist, chapter 17
  48. 48.0 48.1 48.2 48.3 48.4 48.5 Revealed in A Light in the Mist, chapter 18
  49. 49.0 49.1 49.2 49.3 Revealed in A Light in the Mist, page prologue
  50. Revealed in Veil of Shadows, chapter 21
  51. 51.0 51.1 51.2 51.3 Revealed in The Place of No Stars, chapter 13
  52. Revealed in The Place of No Stars, chapter 5
  53. Revealed in The Place of No Stars, chapter 6
  54. Revealed in The Place of No Stars, chapter 8
  55. 55.0 55.1 Revealed in The Place of No Stars, chapter 9
  56. 56.0 56.1 Revealed in The Place of No Stars, chapter 12
  57. 57.0 57.1 Revealed in The Place of No Stars, chapter 15
  58. 58.0 58.1 Revealed in The Place of No Stars, chapter 16
  59. 59.0 59.1 Revealed in The Place of No Stars, chapter 18
  60. Revealed in The Place of No Stars, chapter 10
  61. 61.0 61.1 Revealed in The Place of No Stars, chapter 17
  62. 62.0 62.1 Revealed in The Place of No Stars, chapter 19
  63. 63.0 63.1 63.2 63.3 63.4 Revealed in The Place of No Stars, chapter 23
  64. Revealed in Lost Stars, page 241
  65. Revealed in Veil of Shadows, page 193
  66. 66.0 66.1 66.2 Revealed in Spotfur's Rebellion, chapter 9
  67. Revealed in Veil of Shadows, page 267
  68. 68.0 68.1 Revealed in Veil of Shadows, page 272
  69. 69.0 69.1 69.2 69.3 69.4 Revealed in Veil of Shadows, page 276
  70. Revealed in The Place of No Stars, page 199
  71. Revealed in A Light in the Mist, page 42
  72. Revealed in A Light in the Mist, page 157
  73. Revealed in A Light in the Mist, page 170
  74. Revealed in A Light in the Mist, page 235
  75. 75.0 75.1 Revealed in A Light in the Mist, chapter 20
  76. 76.0 76.1 76.2 76.3 76.4 76.5 76.6 Revealed in A Light in the Mist, chapter 21
  77. 77.0 77.1 77.2 Revealed in A Light in the Mist, chapter 22
  78. 78.0 78.1 78.2 78.3 Revealed in A Light in the Mist, chapter 23
  79. 79.0 79.1 79.2 Revealed in A Light in the Mist, chapter 24
  80. Revealed in River, chapter 4
  81. Revealed in River, chapter 19
  82. Revealed in Lost Stars, chapter 24
  83. 83.0 83.1 Revealed in A Light in the Mist, chapter 4
  84. Revealed in The Silent Thaw, chapter 17
  85. Revealed in The Place of No Stars, chapter 14
  86. 86.0 86.1 Revealed in River, allegiances
  87. Revealed in Lost Stars, chapter 21
  88. 88.0 88.1 Revealed in The Silent Thaw, chapter 24
  89. Revealed in Darkness Within, chapter 5
  90. Revealed in The Place of No Stars, chapter 2
  91. Revealed in A Light in the Mist, chapter 5
  92. Revealed in Darkness Within, chapter 2
  93. Revealed in Darkness Within, chapter 24
  94. Revealed in The Place of No Stars, chapter 7
  95. Revealed in Darkness Within, page prologue
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