The Last Hope

He leaped up the tumble of rocks, showering Ivypool with grit as he reached the ledge. He waited for her to catch up, then nosed her into the den.

Brambleclaw looked up, surprised. “What are you doing here?” He was sitting beside Firestar.

Ivypool shifted from one paw to another.

“You need to know what’s going on.” Lionblaze could just make out Firestar’s pelt in the shadows at the back of the cave. “Ivypool has been visiting the Dark Forest in her dreams.” As Firestar stiffened, Lionblaze went on, “She’s been spying for us.”

Brambleclaw jerked his head up. “What in the name of StarClan is going on?”

Firestar’s tail swished over the den floor. “The Dark Forest is rising, Brambleclaw.” His eyes gleamed as he stared at Ivypool. “And I’m guessing these are the cats invading our territory each night.”

Ivypool nodded. “Brokenstar and Tigerstar have convinced cats from every Clan that they’re learning to be great warriors, and that training them together will make them stronger.”

“Tigerstar?” Brambleclaw’s eyes shone in the half-light. “What’s he got to do with it?”

“He’s one of the senior warriors in the Dark Forest,” Lionblaze explained. “He’s been recruiting cats from around the lake and training them in their dreams. Now he’s found a way to bring his warriors onto our territory.”

A growl rumbled in Brambleclaw’s throat. “Will I never be free from my father?”

Firestar’s eyes glazed, as though he was reaching for some distant memory. “This battle has been coming for a long time.”

“What battle?” Leafpool’s mew sounded at the mouth of the cave.

“Who are we fighting?” Squirrelflight peered, wide-eyed, over her sister’s shoulder.

Firestar padded forward and leaned close to Lionblaze. “It’s time you shared your destiny with your kin. They are here now. Tell them.”

Lionblaze backed away. “It’s none of their business!” Heart racing, he glanced from Brambleclaw to Leafpool. “And they’re not my kin!”

Firestar’s breath touched his muzzle. “Leafpool kitted you. Squirrelflight and Brambleclaw raised you. Without them, the prophecy would never have been fulfilled.”

It still hasn’t been!

How was any of this going to help find the fourth cat? Or fight the Dark Forest?

Brambleclaw got to his paws. “Come with me.”

Lionblaze suddenly felt like a kit again. The warrior he’d known for so long as his father padded past him and left the cave. Quietly, Leafpool turned and followed, Squirrelflight on her tail.

“Tell them everything, Lionblaze,” Firestar murmured. “They need to know.” He sat down. “While you’re gone, Ivypool can tell me what she’s learned from her dreams.”

Reluctantly, Lionblaze scrabbled down the rock tumble and followed Brambleclaw, Leafpool, and Squirrelflight toward the camp entrance.

Jayfeather darted over. “What’s going on?”

“Firestar says I have to tell them about the prophecy,” Lionblaze growled.

“I’ll come with you.” Jayfeather fell in beside him.

“Get Hollyleaf,” Lionblaze meowed. “She’s part of this.”

“She’s not part of the prophecy,” Jayfeather reminded him.

“She’s our littermate,” Lionblaze insisted. “She knows as much as we do.”

As Jayfeather headed back across the clearing, Lionblaze ducked through the tunnel. He snorted as Leafpool’s tail trailed over his muzzle. By the time he emerged, thorns scraping his pelt, Brambleclaw was sitting in the shallow dip beyond the camp entrance. His tail was tucked over his paws while Squirrelflight paced solemnly beside him. Leafpool settled a fox-length away.

“What’s the matter?” Hollyleaf’s mew sounded from the tunnel. She pushed her way out, blinking in surprise when she saw the cats gathered outside the camp.

Jayfeather crept out after her and nudged her forward. “We’re going to tell them about the prophecy.”

“Now?” Her ear twitched.

Yes, now. Lionblaze gripped the earth, dead leaves crackling beneath his claws. “A long time ago, Firestar was given a prophecy,” he began. “He was told that three kits would be born with the power of the stars in their paws.”

Brambleclaw stiffened. “You three?” His gaze flitted from Lionblaze to Jayfeather and Hollyleaf.

“Not me,” Hollyleaf corrected him quickly.

Jayfeather moved closer to his sister. “Though we thought she was one of the Three at the beginning.”

Squirrelflight leaned forward. “Who’s the third cat?”

“Dovewing.” Lionblaze pressed on. “We are destined to save the Clans from the Dark Forest.”

Anger flared in Brambleclaw’s eyes. “Why didn’t you tell me? Was it because I’m not your true father?” He glared at Squirrelflight. “Did you know? Is that why you lied about them being your kits?”

Squirrelflight backed away, eyes widening. “No!”

Lionblaze walked between the two warriors. “None of you knew.” He glanced at Leafpool. “Only Firestar and us.”

Jayfeather took a step forward. “We had to fulfill our destiny on our own.”

“But we could have helped you.” Leafpool’s eyes clouded. “You didn’t have to carry this burden alone.”

Lionblaze growled at her. “We wouldn’t have had to carry it at all if you hadn’t broken your code!”