Eclipse/Chapter 23

"We no longer believe StarClan holds all the answers. It was living cats who found the lake. It was living cats who hunt prey to keep themselves alive, and it was a living cat who predicted that the sun would vanish."

— Blackstar at the Gathering in Eclipse, page 303

Eclipse
Chapter number:	23 (of 25)
Page numbers:	296-307
Point of View:	Jaypaw
Chronology

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

Chapter Number: 23 (of 25)

Page Numbers: 296-307

Chapter description

Hollypaw asks Jaypaw if he's going to the Gathering, to which he and Lionpaw reply that they will. As they bask in the setting sun, Hollypaw wonders if every Clan will show up, especially with the absence of WindClan, and Lionpaw snorts that he wants them to see how strong ThunderClan is following the battle. ThunderClan has begun a steady recovery; though Squirrelflight remains confined in the medicine den, which is why Leafpool is skipping the Gathering, fearing her wound might reopen. Jaypaw raises his head as Graystripe calls for Leafpool, reporting that Millie is coughing again, and he notes that she has developed whitecough. Despite Millie being able to eat, her coughs have driven Daisy and her kits out of the nursery. Jaypaw shuts his eyes and falls asleep, but seconds later, Hollypaw wakes him, telling him that the Clan is ready to leave for the Gathering. Foxpaw complains about him and Icepaw not being able to go, clawing at the ground and padding away. Graystripe paces around the nursery, his emotions torn from worrying about Millie, and Jaypaw knows that he is thinking about the dead silver she-cat. Firestar tells Graystripe to guard the camp, then heads over to an impatient Poppyfrost and Honeyfern, who are both excited for their first Gathering as warriors. Hollypaw nudges Jaypaw, and at the camp entrance, Firestar proclaims that they must show WindClan and RiverClan that they are stronger than ever.

He adds that StarClan would not be mad at them for defending their borders, and while the vanishing sun was startling, they know now that the Clans must depend on one another to survive. Jaypaw tips his head, recalling that Leafpool is still appalled by the sun's disappearance, but she has kept her concerns private, though he still senses her fear. ThunderClan begins to travel to the Gathering, following the trail down to the lake and crossing WindClan's border. Jaypaw is surprised to find that they are walking close to the lake water, but Hollypaw soothes him, and he grits his teeth. They reach the tree-bridge, and he jumps on it with her help, stepping carefully so he doesn't slip. Jaypaw leaps onto the island, gaining a proper landing for the first time, and he follows Hollypaw into the ferns. The blind apprentice scents WindClan and RiverClan, but not ShadowClan, and no Clan is sharing tongues. Poppyfrost and Honeyfern worry about ShadowClan, and rage builds inside of Lionpaw; using his senses, Jaypaw discovers that his fury is directed at WindClan, more specificially Heatherpaw, who is unaware and is pacing among her Clanmates. Suddenly, the bushes rustle, indicating the arrival of ShadowClan. However, Hollypaw remarks that it's just Blackstar and Sol, surprising the Clan cats as they make their way into the clearing.

Jaypaw observes how Blackstar is unusually calm, and the leader says that he has brought news, revealing that ShadowClan is no longer attending Gatherings. The clearing becomes dead silent, and Blackstar comments that they no longer believe StarClan has answers for everything, as the living cats have fended for themselves. He adds that Sol knew the sun would vanish, astonishing every Clan, and Leopardstar demands how he predicted it. Sol questions how they could have not known, reasoning that their ancestors never warned him and he simply used his experience to find out. Hollypaw murmurs that he thinks beliefs can be chosen, and Jaypaw is disappointed in Sol for helping ShadowClan instead of them. Blackstar and Sol then leave the island, and the Clans whisper among one another, but Firestar urges everyone to stay calm. Onestar growls that he can't fix everything this time, but Leopardstar silences them, stating that they must avoid fighting, and they are just three Clans now. Mistyfoot and Hollypaw debate if ShadowClan can be warriors after their rejection of the code, but Jaypaw notes that they've lost more, questioning why StarClan hasn't reacted to this at all. Leopardstar admits that these are hard times, but inquires if it was really shocking for Blackstar to give up on StarClan, and no one speaks up or challenges the dappled she-cat.

ThunderClan begins to exit the Gathering island, and Hollypaw trips, making Jaypaw press against her. The latter tries to block out the discussion within ThunderClan on ShadowClan, but he can't, and Dustpelt wonders what StarClan will do now that ShadowClan has turned their backs on them. Thornclaw suggests that they'll betray them, and his words linger in Jaypaw's mind, causing him to believe that StarClan might have given up. He slows down, and Lionpaw snarls that Sol's made everything worse, believing that he convinced them that StarClan has no worth. Hollypaw hisses that ShadowClan musn't stop having faith in their ancestors, pointing out that the warrior code keeps them protected. Lionpaw brings up that StarClan didn't predict the sun disappearing, infuriating his sister, who stalks off. Jaypaw chooses not to follow her and Lionpaw, feeling the whispers of the lakeshore. He notices that he can see the lake, realizing that he is in a dream, and Yellowfang walks up to him. Jaypaw asks her if she saw what happened, which she confirms, and she rasps that they must choose their fights carefully. She then disappears, leaving the blind tom in a panic as his world becomes black once more. Jaypaw catches up with his Clanmates, his thoughts whirling, and he knows that he, Hollypaw, and Lionpaw will fulfill their destiny.

Characters

Major

• Jaypaw
• Blackstar
• Sol

Minor

• Hollypaw
• Lionpaw
• Spiderleg
• Graystripe
• Leafpool
• Foxpaw
• Firestar
• Poppyfrost
• Honeyfern
• Dustpelt
• Sandstorm
• Brackenfur
• Ashfur
• Sorreltail
• Heatherpaw
• WindClan cat
• Onestar
• Leopardstar
• Barkface
• Ashfoot
• Mistyfoot
• Birchfall
• Thornclaw
• Yellowfang

Mentioned

• Squirrelflight
• Daisy
• Rosekit
• Toadkit
• Icepaw
• Silverstream (Unnamed)

Important events

• Blackstar announces that ShadowClan will no longer be attending Gatherings.