Lost Stars/Chapter 23

==Chapter description==
:Shadowpaw fears that the Clan is afraid of him; injured cats refuse to let him treat them, and instead rely only on Puddleshine. He laments over the fact that even Tigerstar and Dovewing have appeared to doubt his connection with StarClan.
:Puddleshine calls for Shadowpaw, saying that some ThunderClanners have come to look for him, and she urges him to come after appearing reluctant. He fears for the worst, but Puddleshine assures that they've come in peace. Lionblaze and Fernsong come bearing good news: Bramblestar is in fact alive, and seems to be in a much better shape than previously. They apologize to Shadowpaw for not believing him as ShadowClan rejoices around them. Before departing, they tell Tigerstar that Bramblestar has called for another emergency meeting in order to discuss more of Shadowpaw's vision.
:Despite his Clanmates celebrating his success, Shadowpaw is uncomfortable with this new revelation. Puddleshine lets Shadowpaw know that she will never doubt him again after this, seeing as she had been unable to see reason in this treatment, before Tigerstar calls his son to talk in private. He tells Shadowpaw that he always knew he was special, and believes Shadowpaw will be able to change things. Shadowpaw internally struggles with this, because he can't understand why StarClan has chosen him specifically. Tigerstar requests Shadowpaw to remain quiet about the message he's received about the codebreakers, who agrees.
:The next night, Shadowpaw expects a happy mood during the emergency Gathering, and is surprised to be met with suspicious glances and whispers. He instead focuses on Bramblestar, who addresses the gathered Clans himself, alive and healthy once more. He asks the other Clan leaders if they have anything to say first, and Harestar admits there might be sense in admitting that Shadowpaw has a unique connection to StarClan.
:Kestrelflight is not so keen on this idea. He says it is quite odd that only ShadowClan has been chosen to communicate with StarClan, and reminds everyone that Darktail's tyranny had started within that Clan as well. Mothwing agrees, bringing up the fact that ShadowClan has gone against the wishes of StarClan then, and Jayfeather confronts her due to not even believing in their ancestors anyway. Everyone is shocked upon this revelation, even if Mothwing doubts it is relevant. She says she cannot deny their existence any longer, but reminds the gathered cats that it's strange how they only talk to a mere apprentice. Some protest and support Shadowpaw, emphasizing how he saved Bramblestar, but others think this is just a ShadowClan plot.
:Tigerstar silences the arguing, and stresses how Shadowpaw has managed to bring a leader back to life. Jayfeather urges Bramblestar to speak up in the wake of this. Bramblestar answers everybody's questions, and confirms that it truly was StarClan who came to visit him in his dream, however he does not reveal what exactly he's been told, as that is private. He declares that StarClan restoring him should be enough, and they all need to accept Shadowpaw as the only connection to the ancestors while the Moonpool remains frozen.
:Tree rises to support this, claiming that cats not on the medicine cat path get visions sometimes too, and nobody doubts them. Shadowpaw notes that Rootpaw seems embarrassed upon hearing his father's comment. Bramblestar rushes on, asking Shadowpaw if he had any more messages to pass on. He lies and says there hasn't been anything since.
:Bramblestar asks the gathered cats if anyone has any ideas on what the latest prophecy could mean. Mistystar brings up Darktail again, saying she could have pointed to him if he was still alive. Her, Harestar and Kestrelflight discuss how the darkness could refer to rogues, loners or the Dark Forest, but the latter has learned their lesson already.
:Mosspelt wonders if it could be about the warrior code. She says cats nowadays don't follow it like they used to in the past, and when Bramblestar approves of this idea, Harestar prompts for everyone to confess if they've recently broken the code. Nobody dares to speak up and the air grows tense. Bramblestar then asks if anyone knows of codebreakers instead, and urges them to reveal those names. The Clans erupt in outrage at this idea. He states he is merely trying to protect the Clans, and that they can't just sit by and wait for their ancestors to return; they have to do something. He thinks disrespecting the code might have led to StarClan turning their backs on the living cats.
:Bramblestar then reminds everyone of Shadowpaw's other omen, about the lake of fire. He theorizes that could come true if they all remain on the wrong path. This time, there is agreement within the leaders despite the uneasy glances shared between the others, and Mistystar wonders what they should be doing then with any codebreakers. Bramblestar assures her that they should first think about this, and visit this discussion during the next full moon. He promptly ends the Gathering.
:Before ThunderClan gets to leave, Shadowpaw sees how uncomfortable and rude Bramblestar is towards cats congratulating him on his recovery, and worries for the fate of his own father and mother.
==Characters==
===Major===
===Minor===
===Mentioned===
==Notes and references==
Category:Lost Stars
Category:The Broken Code arc
Category:Chapter subpages