Darkness Within/Chapter 5

"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.

"You were young and impressionable, and you could already share with StarClan. It helped that you were Tigerstar's son. Anyone who questioned you would have had to answer to him. And Tigerstar is so stubborn and loyal, he'd defend you no matter how crazy your visions sounded."

— Ashfur to Shadowsight in Darkness Within, page 92

Darkness Within
Chapter number:	5 (of 25)
Page numbers:	76-94
Point of View:	Shadowsight
Chronology

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

Chapter Number: 5 (of 25)

Page Numbers: 76-94

Chapter description

Shadowsight's mood drops as Mothwing takes issue with the herb storage. She pulls out a bundle of withered comfrey and reminds him herbs needed to be dried properly before being stored, otherwise they would rot. The tabby tom states that it is greenleaf and they could collect more. In his thoughts, Shadowsight realizes that the older medicine cat was used to her RiverClan ways, but he doesn't understand why she can't see ShadowClan does it their own way. He tells her this, stating that ShadowClan territory differed from the marshlands of RiverClan's camp. Unconvinced, Mothwing leaves the den with the bundle to dry them out. Before she makes it far, Scorchfur appears at the den, limping, due to an injury on his paw. Shadowsight attempts to begin treatment, but ends up arguing with Mothwing over the best method. In the end, she wraps the tom's paw up before anything can be made for it, annoying the younger medicine cat greatly. As they argue, Cloverfoot appears and sends them both to see Tigerstar.

In Tigerstar's den, Mothwing brings up her issue, believing that Shadowsight had earned his medicine cat name too early. Shadowsight is shocked at the declaration, and even more so when he hears Tigerstar had known about it previously. When he is told to defend himself, Shadowsight is outraged and is firm in his belief that he has done nothing wrong. He states that Puddleshine had earned his name earlier than most, but Mothwing refutes the fact in saying that at the time, ShadowClan had no choice. She adds on saying that his circumstances were also different and that the incident involving the real Bramblestar and the manipulation from Ashfur made it clear he is too inexperienced to be trusted alone. Puddleshine joins the den and defends his former apprentice briefly, stating that Shadowsight had been having visions since he was a kit. Tigerstar agrees, but Mothwing suggests the idea that Ashfur could've been manipulating him since then, which sparks doubt amongst the two ShadowClan toms. Shadowsight's punishment is settled as him returning to apprentice duties and treating the impostor's wounds.

Shadowsight takes a bundle of herbs to Ashfur, sorting them out as he approaches the tom. While in the den with the tom, Ashfur seemingly taunts him, knowing of the apparent punishment. Shadowsight feels himself getting angry at some of the tom's comments, but reaffirms himself that he has to act like a medicine cat. Ashfur asks him if he's scared of his Clanmates thinking they are friends, which the tabby replies instantly with no. The spirit makes him question if he fits in with his Clanmates and fellow medicine cats as Shadowsight notes that Puddleshine also shared dreams with dead cats. He defends himself as well, stating that he had thought Ashfur was from StarClan. The tabby also notices, that as they talk that despite wearing Bramblestar's body, it is clear that that isn't the ThunderClan leader sitting before him. He then asks why he had been chosen to pass the messages on. Ashfur tells him, after a moment, that he saw him to be young and impressionable and that his relation to Tigerstar had made it even easier. Shadowsight feels saddened by the confession, wondering if he was truly special as he had been led to believe. To his shock, Ashfur tells him that he is a natural medicine cat due to his shared visions with StarClan and the fact that his messages were also heard. He adds, telling Shadowsight, that there truly is something special about him.

Characters

Major

• Shadowsight
• Mothwing
• Ashfur

Minor

• Icewing
• Puddleshine
• Scorchfur
• Cloverfoot
• Tigerstar
• Tawnypelt
• Snowbird
• Snaketooth
• Whorlpelt
• Mintfur
• Sagenose

Mentioned

• Harelight
• Leafstar
• Bramblestar
• Jayfeather
• Alderheart
• Dovewing

Important events

• Shadowsight is temporarily demoted to medicine cat apprentice duties.