I have A Light in the Mist! [Spoiler Thread]

That was an interesting possession. Seems Firestar knows how to do that as well... but I really wasn't expecting him to get a POV this book. Good riddance, Darkstripe. You won't be missed. I do feel sad about Redwillow though... and I also still believe that he deserves a novella. The whole Emberdawn thing is interesting, especially with Firestar saying that he doesn't remember seeing any cat with that name in StC. I wonder when this was. Now I want a novella on Silverhawk.

Sad that there were no reveals on Spotfur's kits.

Still not over bristlefrost’s final scene, I sob everytime I reread it

Fair enough, but why couldn't they have a timeskip in that case? Just give us a little epilogue with someone meeting them. That couldn't have been too hard to do.

Rootspring follows Bristlefrost and the rest to the barrier. They talk about defeating Ashfur. Rootspring still doesn’t trust the Dark Forest cats, but Bristlefrost defends them. Needletail suggests to recruit more Dark Forest cats. Silverhawk says that he hardly knows anyone in the Dark Forest, but those he does know are Thistleclaw amd Rushtooth. Sparrowfeather mutters that Thistleclaw would betray anyone. They talk about Shadowsight, Bristlefrost is certain he’s ok, as Ashfur would otherwise be bragging to them about catching him.

They arrive at the barrier, more of the vines look loosened. Needletail pokes through and asks if anyone is there, a StarClan cat then calls her name. The other cats with Needletail (non-Dark Forest) crowd around her and try to peek through in excitement. A StarClan cat seems to try to get through, but Needletail warns them about the dangers of StarClan trying to help. The voice notes that they will die if they stay in StarClan, as their forest has nearly disappeared. A small brown paw then reaches through the barrier and Onestar pushes through, Needletail eagerly greeting him. Meanwhile, Firestar tells Rootspring it is time for him to leave his body and does. Silverstream and Feathertail then make their way past the barrier. Silverstream explains to Bristlefrost how they are related to Graystripe, as she doesn’t understand why those two are so interested in Graystripe when they ask about him. Redtail and Larksong push past the barrier. Redtail cant believe Ashfur has managed to cause more trouble than Tigerstar. When he asks, Bristlefrost tells Larksong that Sparkpelt and her kits are safe.

Firestar then pushes through the barrier. Rootspring, having heard so much about the legendary warrior, is all shy, but Firestar tells him not to be as they are practically old friends. Firestar tells the spirits they can go to StarClan now but they refuse, wanting to take out Ashfur first, much to Maggottail’s disapproval. Sparrowfeather looks at them as though imagining what it would be like to have a StarClan pelt.

Juniperclaw suddenly shows up, Firestar notes how saving Shadowsight’s life clearly wasn’t enough to spare him from the Dark Forest. Juniperclaw says he wants to help fight Ashfur. Onestar in disgust asks him why he cares and Needleclaw and Larksong and Redtail tell him he cant be trusted, as he acted like a rogue rather than a warrior. Juniperclaw says he doesn’t mind dying for the Clans are Firestar says it is fine with him if he helps. The other StarClan cats reluctantly accept his and the other Dark Forest cats help, as Onestar notes they need all the help they can get, but is still unconvinced. Firestar tells Onestar to have faith in them, Onestar grunts that being a StarClan warrior, they are supposed to have faith in him.

They hear a noise and assume its Ashfur. They encourage the spirit cats to flee, but they refuse and want to fight, willing to take the risk of being under Ashfur’s control again. Berrynose tells them its okay if they have to kill him.

Silverhawk then confesses he has been in the Dark Forest a long time for trying to kill his leader to make his son leader, as he had been deputy long enough, but all he succeeded in was getting them both killed. He admits to have made bad decisions and tells Firestar he wants to make up for it. He tells them he doesn’t deserve a place in StarClan and never will but owes the living Clans something. The StarClan cats and Rootspring ask if they are supposed to be impressed by these confessions and will see if they really mean them when it comes to fighting. Rootspring notes that Silverhawk was being earnest, his eyes shimmering with regret. When about to stand up for him, they see cats moving stealthily through the shadows, Onestar drops to a defensive crouch and Firestar lets out a warning growl, charges between the trees and leaps for the closest attacker.

Shadowsight sees a large tom crash into Graystripe and knock him off his paws and fearfully wonders if its Ashfur. He wonders why Mistystar, Violetshine and Crowfeather are hesitating and not helping him but realizes the trees are shimmering as thought starlight had broken in the Dark Forest and sees more cats rush toward the patrol. He sees that the cat fighting Graystripe is not Ashfur has they have orange fur. The orange cat recognizes Graystripe and they embrace, Shadowsight realizing its Firestar.

Mistystar and Crowfeather are delighted to see him. Firestar comments that Graystripe has put on weight while Graystripe tells him he looks younger and stronger than ever. Firestar tells them he isn’t the only one who does and the rest of the StarClan cats show up. Shadowsight is relieved to see Stemleaf, Berrynose and Willowshine with them. He, Rootspring and Bristlefrost catch up. Violetshine embraces Rootspring. Rootspring and Needletail meet each other for the first time, Needletail pleased to finally meet Violetshine’s kit. Needletail learns that Violetshine named her daughter after her. Grasytripe reunites with Feathertail and Silverstream and comment about his weight. Onestar with Crowfeather and Mistystar with Willowshine.

Firestar pads to the center of the clearing, Mistystar and Onestar joining him, and declares they need to make a plan to defeat Ashfur. They discuss how to find him. Shadowsight tells Rootspring he will find Ashfur by using his connection. Before Rootspring can argue, he settles on his belly and focuses his mind on Ashfur’s presence. He senses Ashfur’s anger and hears a voice saying StarClan must be destroyed.

He opens his eyes and sees himself standing at the bottom of a steep hill and sees a silhouette of a cat at the top of the hill, who he thinks is Ashfur. The tom turns his head around and Shadowsight realizes in horror that it is his own face staring at him. A huge invisible paw then slams into him hard and throws him back. Darkness closes around him.

Bristlefrost and Rootspring are panicked at Shadowsight’s state and ask him to wake up. Firestar asks what is wrong with him. Mistystar asks if he is having a vision. Rootspring explains he and Ashfur have some kind of connection and Shadowsight thought he would be the one to track him down in a dream.

Shadowsight opens his eyes and when asked, admits he could not tell where Ashfur was and tells them they might not be able to reach him. Firestar tells him not to worry about not being successful in finding Ashfur, as they are warriors and trained to hunt and will find Ashfur like they find prey – with skill and experience. Firestar notes that since the water is rising. Ashfur will make for higher ground. He climbs up the slope in the forest, the rest following him.

Bristlefrost hesitates to walk next to Rootspring with Violetshine watching, but she doesn’t seem to mind and treats Rootspring like a Clanmate. The Clan cats and Dark Forest cats pad carefully across the forest while the StarClan cats let their paws swish on fallen leaves. Bristlefrost wonders why they aren’t being more careful as Ashfur and his spies may be listening. They approach a stretch of water and are unsure how to cross, Onestar going along the shore to find another route. Graystripe tries to build a crossing to the other side but the stone sinks. Firestar is adamant not to give up as higher ground may be over there and if so, that is where Ashfur will be.

Bristlefrost spots a large loose tree and suggests they could push it and use it to cross the water. They claw the soil while pushing the tree, to no avail. Grasytripe notes they need something heavier at the top. Bristlefrost tells them she will climb up the top of the tree for more weight. Despite Rootspring’s protests, she climbs up, the tree crashes down, Bristlefrost being safe. They are all able to cross to the other side. They all compliment her bravery. Shadowsight and Stemleaf sense Ashfur’s presence.

Firestar sees Ashfur near a dense thicket of trees in a clearing pacing back and forth, saying to himself that he will make them pay. When Bristlefrost asks Firestar what he could possibly be doing, Firestar says it could be a trap. Graystripe comments Ashfur always has bees in his brain. They choose to attack him.

They approach him, Firestar in the lead. To their surprise, Ashfur is eager to see Firestar, Bristlefrost unsure why he is scared. Ashfur says they can finish this once and for all. Firestar asks him if he feels any remorse for his actions, Ashfur is puzzled as to why he would have any remorse. Firestar tells him StarClan has forgiven him so many time, but instead Ashfur repays their kindness by trying to destroy them. Ashfur says he has never forgiven anyone and will make Squirrelflight suffer more than any cat while enjoying it. Firestar hisses and Bristlefrost notes that fury was possessing his body and looks more powerful than a badger. Ashfur tells Firestar that his time in StarClan clearly did not dent his confidence and that he and Bramblestar are so alike and its about time the Clans see how weak they are. Graystripe tells him to stop babbling as he has lost, which Ashfur refuses to believe. He tries to convince Crowfeather, Violetshine and Mistystar to help him destroy StarClan, who all reject his offer.

They wait for Firestar to give the order to kill Ashfur when Mistystar spots Darktail, followed by more cats. Onestar cant believe Darktail is in the Dark Forest. Darktail tells them Ashfur has given him a chance for revenge. The spirit cats under Ashfur’s control arrive and Bristlefrost realizes Ashfur had planned this all along. Firestar protests against Darktail’s presence their. Ashfur tells Firestar is he so naïve and asks him why he wouldn’t use anything he could to destroy the Clans. Darktail and Ashfur look at each other and agree to attack, and their group attacks, yowling like a pack of hungry dogs.

They all attack each other. Rootspring notes Ashfur still had the loyalty of many Dark Forest cats such as Clawface, Thistleclaw, Mapleshade, Rushtooth and Houndleap and that the Clans were outnumbered. Rootspring realizes Shadowsight is with them and has him run and hide.

Rootspring fights Houndleap and a ginger she-cat. He notices that the battlefield is shrinking. The ginger she-cat tries to push him in the water but he goes limp and flings her into the water instead, she drowns to her death.

He then sees and realizes that Steamleaf and Berrynose are fighting for their side. He warns them not to get too close to Ashfur. Stemleaf says that he doesn’t have much choice. Steamleaf takes on Rushtooth.

Rootspring sees Firestar and Graystripe fighting shoulder to shoulder, meeting their opponents attacks with such perfect timing it seemed as though they trained for exactly this moment. Mapleshade and Thistleclaw are guarding Ashfur. About to help Firestar and Grasytripe to push their way to Ashfur, he hears Violetshine let out a cry and sees Needletail in trouble. Darktail looms over her.

Rootspring comes to her aid and push Darktail away. Darktail attacks him and pins him down. As his teeth approach his throat, Needletail and Violetshine haul him backwards and attack him multiple times before Needletail delivers the killing bite and snaps his neck. Rootspring sees some of the rogues disappear. But the battle is not over yet as he ends up fighting Houndleap. After flinging him away, he goes to help Bristlefrost and they fight side by side. They knock cats out of the way. His optimism rises as he realizes he and Bristlefrost are working together as they shared a mentor and realizes she is more important to him than anything. He states that if there was any cat he would give up his Clan for, it was her, and when they escaped the Dark Forest, that was exactly what he would do.

I HATE this! What was the point of bringing back a mass murderer who killed 18 cats if he was not going kill let alone badly harm anyone. Only few pages after being reintroduced he dies, having done nothing...

Why is even THERE? Don't they have to believe in StarClan and what not to end up in the DF? Where's Scourge then? It doesn't make sense from a lore perspective

Okay bye Darktail I guess, but Violetshine and Needletail teaming up to kill him was really cool. Especially since Violetshine hadn't done anything for the entire arc. Coming back to save her baby boy.[!spoiler]