Darkness Within/Chapter 24

"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.

"What in StarClan have you done?"

— Lionblaze to Shadowsight in Darkness Within, page 319

Darkness Within
Chapter number:	24 (of 25)
Page numbers:	312-319
Point of View:	Shadowsight
Chronology

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

Chapter Number: 24 (of 25)

Page Numbers: 312-319

Chapter description

Ashfur overhears something, waking from a dead sleep that spooks Shadowsight. The ghost cat gets to his paws, and while tasting the air notes that something is different. With his gaze on the young medicine cat, he tells Shadowsight they're coming for him. The gray tabby shakes it off, sparing a glance towards the entry of the hollow den. His thoughts race with what Ashfur had told him before, knowing that if he dies Bramblestar will never return. In that moment, Ashfur reminds him of that fact again and states that the Clans will forever see Shadowsight as Bramblestar's murderer. The medicine cat tries to deny the claim, but knows within himself that it would be true. The two toms argue about Bramblestar's death and subsequently his body. Shadowsight states that the real Bramblestar is gone, but Ashfur questions why he would think that.

At that, the medicine cat is confused and tells him if Bramblestar were still around he would've been seen at the Sisters' ceremony. Ashfur puts out the possibility that he didn't allow the tabby to appear, and Shadowsight demands to know what he has done with the tom's spirit. The dark warrior doesn't reveal much, but reminds him of other dead cats and his newfound abilities to travel between the living world and the dead. With a jolt, Shadowsight recalls Spiresight and watches in disbelief as Bramblestar's body's posture changes as it accommodates the black tom's spirit. Spiresight tries to warn his friend, but is cut off as Ashfur seemingly returns to the tabby's pelt. Ashfur tells Shadowsight that that is a warning if Tigerstar and the other Clan leaders hurt him. Shadowsight questions how will he know if he's telling the truth and if what he had seen wasn't just fake. To answer him, Ashfur allows Bramblestar's spirit to inhabit his own body briefly. The ThunderClan leader speaks with Shadowsight, stating that Ashfur has a plan and that he, being Shadowsight, isn't his killer. The words give the gray tabby some relief, but he is shocked as Bramblestar himself reminds him that if his body dies he will also die. The medicine cat wonders if it is instead just Ashfur still manipulating him to try and escape. At that, a yowl rips through ShadowClan camp and he recognizes it as Tigerstar's. Shadowsight knows that they are coming for Ashfur as he spares a glance to the body, now slumped to the ground.

Lionblaze enters the hollow den, explaining to Shadowsight that the Clan leaders have decided on Ashfur's fate. Shadowsight doesn't answer at first, but asks where Tigerstar is. He is told the tabby is outside with the other leaders, but the ShadowClan leader's voice pulls Lionblaze's attention away. With that, Ashfur tells Shadowsight that he has no choice but to help him. Shadowsight notes that as the tom spoke, it sounded like him, Bramblestar and, Spiresight all at once. Outside of the den, Tigerstar double checks with Lionblaze, making sure he wants to be the one to kill Ashfur. The deputy states that ThunderClan must take responsibility just as the other Clans are. Shadowsight rushes over to them, saying that before they do anything he needs to tell them something. The gray tabby manages to hold the leaders' attention, but Lionblaze notices his eyes follow a shadow across camp as he also hesitates to speak. Enraged, the ThunderClan deputy questions Shadowsight's decision to help Ashfur escape.

Characters

Major

• Shadowsight
• Ashfur

Minor

• Stonewing
• Grassheart
• Spiresight
• Bramblestar
• Tigerstar
• Lionblaze
• Mistystar
• Harestar
• Leafstar

Mentioned

• Squirrelflight

Quotes

"You're so worried about Bramblestar's spirit. Haven't you wondered about any other cat? Don't you realize how much power I gained when I discovered how easily I could move between the living world and the dead?"

―Ashfur to Shadowsight ^{Darkness Within, page 315}

"Don't you think Ashfur has a plan? He wouldn't come back unless he thought he could get what he wanted. But he needs me to make it happen, and he can't get rid of me until he has what he wants. I'm still here. You didn't kill me. But if my body dies, I die with it. There will be no chance to get me back."

―Bramblestar to Shadowsight ^{Darkness Within, pages 316-317}