Ivypool's Heart/Chapter 25

"In that case, we have to find the other wildcats as quickly as we can. There's no time to lose."

— Icewing determined to save RiverClan in Ivypool's Heart, page 289

Ivypool's Heart
Chapter number:	25 (of 34)
Page numbers:	285-296
Point of View:	Ivypool
Chronology

Below contains in-depth information for chapter twenty-five of Ivypool's Heart. If you are looking for a shorter summary of the entire book, please check the main article.

Chapter Number: 25 (of 34)

Page Numbers: 285-296

Chapter description

Ivypool pads towards the RiverClan border, spotting the misty outline of a cat. As she approaches, she discovers that it is Icewing and notices how the scent markers are stale, with the scent of blood heavy in the air. Ivypool observes clots of blood in between the riverbed's stones as she watches Icewing cross the stream into the RiverClan camp, and decides to follow her. The she-cat calls out to Icewing, but she does not respond.

As the two enter the camp, Ivypool gasps as she sees the ruins of a once-tidy area. Icewing freezes in horror, crossing the camp and padding past torn-open dens and tufts of blood-covered fur. They head towards the medicine den, where they see Frostpaw laying partially in a stream with a gruesome wound across her belly. At first, Ivypool thinks she is dead, but Frostpaw manages to gasp at Icewing before succumbing to her injury. Icewing yowls her grief, the sound echoing around the camp.

With a start, Ivypool wakes from the dream, finding herself in the makeshift den she and the other Clan cats have rested in overnight. Rootspring wakes and explains that he dreamed of following Icewing back to RiverClan's camp, where Frostpaw died, having the exact same nightmare as Ivypool. Dovewing and Whistlepaw both admit to having the same nightmare, but no cat sees Icewing. Assuming she has had the dream as well, Ivypool leaves the den and spots Icewing sitting near a stream.

When Ivypool joins Icewing, the RiverClan cat is berating herself for having come on this quest, saying she had no right to come while her Clan is being destroyed. Ivypool tells her that it was just a dream, surprising Icewing and confirming that she also had it. Icewing continues to despair over the loss of her Clan, though Whistlepaw joins the two she-cats and explains that StarClan's dreams are meant to guide. Ivypool asks the medicine cat apprentice what it meant, though Rootspring interjects that the destruction of RiverClan is what will happen if they do not repay the debt.

Whistlepaw agrees with them, which is enough to shake Icewing out of her fears. The cats check on Stalk Purr, Tumble Leap, and their kits, watching the two wildcats look down at Pounce, Hunt, and Stretch with pride. Ivypool struggles to share in their joy, however, as she thinks of her own kit, figuring Dovewing likely feels the same. Icewing and Rootspring return with fresh-kill for the cats to share. Stalk Purr explains that she now understands why the Clan cats helped her and her family escape from Twolegs, as she could not imagine losing another litter. Tumble Leap thanks them for finding Galestar, happy that the former StormClan leader knew their kits' names all along.

Tumble Leap adds that he is excited to present their kits to their ancestors to recieve their full names, which confuses the Clan cats. When Whistlepaw asks about it, Tumble Leap explains that the wildcats give their kits their first names, and they gain the second part of their name from their ancestral guide. Stalk Purr says that she worried their kits would only have half a name, and is grateful for their newfound freedom so their kits will live as they deserve.

While the Clan cats are enjoying their time with the wildcats, Ivypool worries about the dream the five of them shared. Icewing announces that they need to continue, and finish, the quest, citing that the newborn kits will make it hard for the entire group to travel. Tumble Leap suggests sending two cats ahead to find the rest of the wildcats, and Ivypool and Icewing decide to split off from the large group. Ivypool watches Rootspring, finding humor in his initial embarrassment over the birth now melting away to adoration over the newborns. For a brief moment, she thinks about how he would have been a good father, before dismissing it.

Ivypool asks Dovewing if she is okay with staying, worried that her sister will be caught thinking of Rowankit. Dovewing explains that she is happy to stay, as she is enjoying the kits and feels that she is healing. Ivypool and Icewing eat again before they leave, and Whistlepaw offers them traveling herbs for the journey. They bid farewell to the rest of the group, and begin to travel over the mountain terrain.

Icewing sets a brisk pace, and Ivypool asks her if she is okay after the shared dream. Icewing explains that she is trying to believe Whistlepaw, but that she wants to get home soon, as everything has gone wrong since Mistystar's death. The two she-cats discuss Splashtail's leadership, with Ivypool impressed by Icewing's determination. Even so, she is struggling to hold onto hope, and Ivypool offers to listen if she needs to talk. Icewing thanks her, and the two she-cats continue the next part of their journey.

Characters

Major

• Ivypool
• Icewing

Minor

• Frostpaw (Vision or Dream)
• Rootspring
• Dovewing
• Whistlepaw
• Stalk Purr
• Pounce (Unnamed)
• Hunt (Unnamed)
• Stretch (Unnamed)
• Tumble Leap

Mentioned

• Mothwing
• Bristlefrost (Unnamed)
• Beetlewhisker (Unnamed)
• Galestar
• Rowankit
• Mistystar
• Splashtail
• Sunbeam
• Nightheart
• Duskfur

Important events

• Ivypool, Icewing, Whistlepaw, Rootspring, and Dovewing receive a shared dream about the potential destruction of RiverClan.
• Ivypool and Icewing split off from the group to continue the quest.