Darkness Within/Chapter 22

==Chapter description==
:At a Gathering, Rootspring looks around worriedly as he wonders what the leaders will decide regarding Bramblestar's fate. He spots Bristlefrost, who looks at him reassuringly, and he observes how messy Squirrelflight's pelt looks. Rootspring and Tree wonder if she'll be able to save her mate. As the meeting begins, Tigerstar states that the Sisters were unable to contact Bramblestar's spirit. He prompts Rootspring to explain how he and the Sisters saw other spirits, angry and in pain, and how some of them were warriors. Tigerstar questions if Rootspring also saw Ashfur, and Rootspring affirms that he thinks he did, and that the gray cat seemed satisfied rather than in pain. Tigerstar says they must put a stop to Ashfur's plans by killing him, to the dismay of Squirrelflight and others, and Lionblaze and Hawkwing agree.
:Dovewing and Puddleshine protest, pointing out that Ashfur may be able to survive without Bramblestar's body, and even take another body in its place. Squirrelflight pleads with the other leaders not to kill Bramblestar, and silence falls for a moment before Kestrelflight suggests that breaking Ashfur's connection to the living world might take away his power to torture other spirits. Squirrelflight says that they don't know that, and Tigerstar and Harestar call for immediate action to stop Ashfur. Rootspring recalls the desperation of Bramblestar's spirit and wishes that more cats would defend him, but many cats begin to call for Ashfur to be killed.
:Tree questions if the Clans are willing to kill in cold blood, and insists that the Sisters would only have killed in self-defense. Tigerstar argues that it is self-defense, and Leafstar questions if the Sisters wouldn't have done the same thing. Harestar points out that they will be ending Bramblestar's suffering and protecting his spirit, and Tigerstar agrees it will protect all the spirits. Tree looks uncertain, and Mistystar calls for a vote of the Clan leaders. Squirrelflight and Mistystar vote to give Bramblestar a chance, while Tigerstar and Harestar vote to kill his body. Leafstar hesitates, and Rootspring calls out, saying that Bramblestar wouldn't give up, and still needs his body to return to. Dovewing agrees with him, and Leafstar waits a moment longer before apologizing and voting to kill Bramblestar's body. Rootspring trembles with shock and anger as the gathered cats whisper in surprise.
:Tigerstar begins a discussion on how Bramblestar should be killed, and Mothwing suggests giving him deathberries. Tigerstar and Harestar propose that he must be killed like a warrior, and Leafstar solemnly agrees, stating that they all must kill him together so no one cat takes the blame. Squirrelflight stares at her in horror, sobbing that she could never hurt Bramblestar, and Leafstar nods in understanding. Tigerstar says they will carry out the plan immediately, and leads the other leaders and a group of warriors away from the Gathering. Rootspring sees that Bristlefrost looks frightened, and he worries what will become of ThunderClan now. He realizes that Squirrelflight has vanished, and spots her rushing ahead of the patrol, away from the Gathering.
==Characters==
===Major===
===Minor===
===Mentioned===
==Notes and references==
Category:Darkness Within
Category:The Broken Code arc
Category:Chapter subpages