Onestar's Confession/Chapter 33

"For so long, I've been scared of losing my last life, and it's only now that I know why. My guilt and shame were like a trail leading to the Dark Forest. And now that I'm at peace with what I've done, I'm not afraid anymore. My fate is in the paws of StarClan."

— Onestar to Heathertail and Whitetail in Onestar's Confession, page 441

Onestar's Confession
Chapter number:	33 (of 33)
Page numbers:	438-449
Point of View:	Onestar
Chronology

Below contains in-depth information for chapter thirty-three of Onestar's Confession. If you are looking for a shorter summary of the entire book, please check the main article.

Chapter Number: 33 (of 33)

Page Numbers: 438-449

Chapter description

After Onestar confesses his secret, he wearily thinks about how hurt Whitetail must feel. Harespring enters his den, and he considers Onestar brave to admit his mistakes; the leader replies that it is freeing to be unburdened by secrets. He then thinks about the battle ahead to defeat Darktail and feels that he almost certainly will die: Stoneteller had spoken of a price to be paid. He sleeps and awakens to see Heathertail and Whitetail at the den entrance. Onestar is relieved that his mate is willing to speak to him, but he is also ashamed. He begins to apologize, but to his surprise, Whitetail is not angry and instead says that she does mind about Smoke, but only because she wishes Onestar had trusted her sooner. He admits his fear of losing her, and she replies that she loves him and would not give up on him despite his mistakes. She then asks if he will sacrifice his life in the upcoming battle, and he replies that he will if it is what it takes, as Darktail's threat is due to his mistakes. Heathertail asks if he is still going to fight instead of being intent on dying, and she then reveals that she will have new kits soon and wants them to meet her father. Onestar says that he will fight, but he is at peace with the possibility of death.

Later, Onestar leads WindClan to join the other Clans, feeling hopeful. As they join the others, he recalls how the Clans will each fight with their special skills; RiverClan is absent for their unique part. The cats creep forward to the ShadowClan camp, and when Bramblestar yowls to attack, they charge. The Kin are taken by surprise as ThunderClan attacks, and ShadowClan and WindClan stop any rogues who try to escape. Onestar catches a glimpse of Darktail, and he wants to ignore the plan and take the rogue leader for himself, but he controls his rage and does not. Rain falls, and a flash of lightning illuminates the camp. Darktail charges toward Onestar and orders the Kin to retreat with him. He watches in shock as some young ShadowClan cats follow Darktail. The Clan cats chase the Kin, and Onestar yowls that Darktail is his. When they arrive at the lake, RiverClan cats rise from the water to cut off the rogues.

Onestar looks at Darktail, almost sad when he sees the rage and madness in his son's eyes. He reflects on how he once blamed himself for Darktail's nature, but he realized that he could not have caused such evil. Darktail and Onestar face each other, and the Clan cat taunts his son. The fight begins, and they approach the water, but Onestar is unafraid. They enter the lake, and he hears a warrior—possibly Heathertail—call out to him. The two toms sink deeper and deeper, and he thinks to himself that his life is not important anymore, as he will give it to the Clans. He looks at Darktail triumphantly, but he then turns sorrowful. In his final moments, Onestar recalls events from his life and sees images of WindClan thriving in the future. He reflects that he has saved the Clans.

Characters

Major

• Onestar
• Darktail

Minor

• Harespring
• Heathertail
• Whitetail
• Bramblestar
• Leafstar
• Rogue cat
• Sleekwhisker
• WindClan warrior

Mentioned

• Crowfeather
• Gorsetail
• Stoneteller
• Smoke
• Wrenfight
• Tallstar
• Breezepelt
• Kestrelflight

Quotes

"Onestar, I love you. We share a kit, and you have been my closest companion for so many moons. I haven't always understood the decisions you made, especially lately, but I would never give up on you for a mistake like this. Our lives are too short."

―Whitetail to Onestar about his mistakes ^{Onestar's Confession, page 440}

«He had lived a full life, he reflected even if he was paying now for his mistakes. Gratitude filled him for all that he had experienced. And then his memories were replaced by images of the days still to come. The days after his time. [...] The Clans were going to survive, and thrive. And Onestar had made it happen. It hadn't been too late for him after all...He would not die a bad cat.»

—Onestar's thoughts in his final moments ^{Onestar's Confession, page 449}

Important events

• The five Clans drive out the Kin in their final confrontation.

Deaths

• Onestar and Darktail drown each other in the lake.

Trivia

• This chapter aligns with chapter twenty-one of Shattered Sky.