Darkness Within/Chapter 23

"I won't be thwarted. You saved my life, and because of that, you have ensured my success. Because once I'm back to full health, I'll be able to bend any cat to my will..." The following content contains major spoilers for the true identity of Bramblestar's impostor. Please proceed at your own discretion.

"ThunderClan needs a leader! If you do this, we'll have lost two-Bramblestar and you. And we'll become the Clan that saved Ashfur after he tried to destroy us all."

— Bristlefrost to Squirrelflight in Darkness Within, page 308

Darkness Within
Chapter number:	23 (of 25)
Page numbers:	304-311
Point of View:	Bristlefrost
Chronology

Below contains in-depth information for chapter twenty-three of Darkness Within. If you are looking for a shorter summary of the entire book, please check the main article.

Chapter Number: 23 (of 25)

Page Numbers: 304-311

Chapter description

Bristlefrost is shocked as she realizes Squirrelflight has disappeared, and she glances around to see Tigerstar, Harestar, Mistystar, and Leafstar leading their deputies and many warriors towards ShadowClan's camp. Bristlefrost rushes to Rootspring's side, and he tells her he saw Squirrelflight run ahead of them. Bristlefrost realizes she is trying to reach Bramblestar before the others do, and thinks she might to try to fight them or help Ashfur escape in order to protect her mate's body. Rootspring worries that the Clans will never forgive Squirrelflight, and Bristlefrost wonders if Squirrelflight is doing the right thing. Rootspring points out that Bramblestar might not be able to return, and without Squirrelflight, ThunderClan will have no one to lead them.

The two of them decide to try to stop Squirrelflight before she reaches the ShadowClan camp by taking a shortcut. Bristlefrost questions why Rootspring cares so much about ThunderClan, and he tells Bristlefrost that he cares about her, as well as Squirrelflight. Bristlefrost feels a wave of love for him, and, heartbroken, she tells him that she will stay with her Clan if they are able to save it. Rootspring is understanding, but tells her that SkyClan is his home, and he also needs to stay with his Clan. Bristlefrost is distraught, but accepts this as he leads her towards the ShadowClan border. She worries they will run into a RiverClan patrol, but they manage to reach ShadowClan territory, and soon see Squirrelflight running just ahead of them.

Rootspring tackles Squirrelflight, knocking her to the ground, and she hisses, leaping to attack him. Rootspring refuses to attack back as Bristlefrost begs Squirrelflight to stop. Squirrelflight tells them to leave her alone and tries to run off, but Rootspring trips her, and Squirrelflight snarls that she has to save Bramblestar. Bristlefrost reminds her that she can't fight all the Clans, but Squirrelflight says she will help Bramblestar escape. Bristlefrost and Rootspring remind her that Bramblestar might not even be able to return to his body, and that she will be helping Ashfur, not her mate. Bristlefrost points out that without a leader or deputy, ThunderClan will fall apart, and the cats who have left will never want to return. Rootspring explains that it's been ages since he's seen Bramblestar's spirit, and even the Sisters couldn't reach him.

Squirrelflight says she's never imagined losing Bramblestar like this, and asks Rootspring if he's free from suffering wherever he is, but Rootspring doesn't know. Bristlefrost tries to comfort Squirrelflight, telling her that they must rebuild ThunderClan now. They hear the patrol approaching ShadowClan's camp, and Squirrelflight remarks that Bramblestar would have chosen his Clan over his life, and she will protect ThunderClan in his place. They hear yowls and a screech of pain in the distance, and Squirrelflight trembles. Rootspring repeats his father's advice that every ending is also a beginning, and Bristlefrost steps forward to Squirrelflight's side, vowing not to let the she-cat give in to her grief.

Characters

Major

• Bristlefrost
• Rootspring
• Squirrelflight

Minor

• Tigerstar
• Harestar
• Mistystar
• Leafstar
• Cloverfoot (Unnamed)
• Crowfeather (Unnamed)
• Reedwhisker (Unnamed)
• Hawkwing (Unnamed)

Mentioned

• Bramblestar
• Ashfur
• Thornclaw
• Graystripe
• Tree