Eclipse/Chapter 22

"You think you don't need me anymore, is that it?" [...] "You're a fool! You've just been lucky, nothing more. Firestar's prophecy is blinding you. You're like a kit who still believes in nursery tales." [...] "You're powerful because of me, and you will only grow more powerful by learning what I teach you."

— Tigerstar scolding Lionpaw in Eclipse, page 294

Eclipse
Chapter number:	22 (of 25)
Page numbers:	285-295
Point of View:	Lionpaw
Chronology

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

Chapter Number: 22 (of 25)

Page Numbers: 285-295

Chapter description

Lionpaw awakens, noting how he was so exhausted from earlier that he fell asleep, and he observes that Hollypaw is still napping. Cinderpaw tries to call out to her, reporting that Brackenfur wants the nursery clean, but Lionpaw opts to take her place instead. He tells Brackenfur, who becomes worried, but the golden tabby affirms that she's just tired, having not gotten much sleep due to her being concerned for Squirrelflight. Brackenfur allows him to help, and Lionpaw instructs Cinderpaw to find fresh moss, asking if she'll manage alone, but she retorts that she wishes cats would stop treating her like she's missing a limb. Foxpaw recalls fighting a RiverClan warrior, demonstrating his battle to Icepaw. Lionpaw enters the nursery, and Toadkit and Rosekit beg to learn fighting moves in case WindClan intrudes again, worrying Daisy. Millie doesn't believe so, but a cough suddenly wracks her body, surprising her kits, and she believes she ingested a feather. Lionpaw offers to clean her nest, much to the disappointment of Toadkit and Rosekit, and he sighs, longing to fight again.

Lionpaw suggests for Foxpaw to teach the kits battle moves, and reluctantly, Daisy admits that fresh air won't do any harm, urging Millie to stay inside. Lionpaw begins to clean Daisy's nest, backing out of the nursery with the dirty moss and calling to Cinderpaw, thinking that Millie is ill. Graystripe questions what's wrong, and upon learning that his mate might be sick, rushes inside the nursery. Lionpaw heads to the medicine den, informing Leafpool, who is tending to Spiderleg, of Millie's condition. Leafpool instructs Spiderleg to stay in his nest, then rinses her paws in the pool, assiging Jaypaw to sort the leaves he has. Lionpaw inquires if his brother slept well, but Jaypaw snaps at him to say what he's thinking, quickly apologizing for his tone and citing the busy night. Lionpaw glances back at Squirrelflight, wondering if he could fetch her more cobwebs, but Jaypaw says that Cinderpaw already gathered some. The golden tabby tom sniffs at his mother's nest, and she greets him, remarking that Firestar said he fought like a true warrior in the battle. She tells him that he should eat, and he agrees to, asking Jaypaw if he's hungry. However, he states that he's already eaten.

Lionpaw tries to talk to Hollypaw, but she snaps at him, and frustrated that his siblings are being short-tempered, he plucks a shrew from the fresh-kill pile. Dustpelt talks about the battle with Ashfur and Poppyfrost, commenting that it wasn't like anything they've seen in moons, and asking Ashfur if he remembers the battle against BloodClan, to which he remarks that it was quite a battle. Poppyfrost recalls fighting two warriors at the same time, though adds that Lionpaw fought better than her, and Ashfur says that he's ready to become a warrior. Lionpaw perks up, and his mentor assembles a patrol, with him, Sorreltail, and Whitewing joining. Sunlight fills the forest as Lionpaw slows down, pondering if he's really ready to be a warrior, and the memory of him ripping open Crowfeather's neck hits him. He questions if he can control the power he has, and clouds cover the sun. Suddenly, the dark tabby shape of Tigerstar emerges from the bushes, revealing that he saw the battle and praising Lionpaw. He says that he is alone, as he doesn't have the patience for Hawkfrost, but the apprentice is too smart to fall for Firestar's dreams.

He learns of the sun vanishing, believing StarClan is not happy with the Clans, and when Lionpaw states that Ashfur thinks he's ready to be a warrior, Tigerstar becomes skeptical. Lionpaw wonders how much more Tigerstar knows, and he supposes that he can still learn more from the deceased tom, but doesn't think there is a point. His statement fills Tigerstar with fury, and he expresses his disgust that he believes in the prophecy, but Lionpaw retorts that he was killed and tries to walk away. Without warning, Tigerstar roars and pounces on him, spitting that he's foolish and comparing him to a kit who has faith in nursery stories. He adds that he's powerful and will only grow based on his teachings, then jumps back, beginning to fade. As a parting threat, he warns Lionpaw that they aren't finished, and Ashfur calls for his apprentice. Lionpaw catches up with the patrol, his shoulders stinging, and he questions what Tigerstar really wants if he doesn't want the power of the stars.

Characters

Major

• Lionpaw

Minor

• Hollypaw
• Cinderpaw
• Brackenfur
• Ashfur
• Foxpaw
• Icepaw
• Daisy
• Toadkit
• Rosekit
• Millie
• Briarkit
• Bumblekit
• Blossomkit
• Graystripe
• Leafpool
• Spiderleg
• Jaypaw
• Squirrelflight
• Dustpelt
• Poppyfrost
• Sorreltail
• Whitewing
• Tigerstar

Mentioned

• Firestar
• Crowfeather
• Heatherpaw
• Hawkfrost