Darkest Night/Chapter 20

==Chapter description==
:Alderheart spreads ointment over Sorrelstripe's leg, and he then looks around at the makeshift camp. He recalls how Bramblestar had said that they can go back to the camp soon. He looks at Snowbush's nest, and thinks about how he is in a severe condition with an infection and fever. Alderheart decides to take a nap, as the Gathering is taking place that night. However, he suddenly wakes to Lilyheart panickedly calling him. The she-cat shakes Snowbush, and the tom's head lolls back. Alderheart yells for Jayfeather. Snowbush is hot with fever, so he asks Lilyheart to soak a strip of moss. Snowbush thrashes, and Poppyfrost and Bumblestripe help hold the tom down. He then falls still, and Alderheart is momentarily relieved until realizes that he is dead. Lilyheart asks how her mate is as she returns, and Alderheart croaks that he died. She blinks in disbelief, and Alderheart feels helpless as he replies that they could not cure the infection. Jayfeather hurries toward them, and he closes Snowbush's eyes, stating that StarClan will protect him. Lilyheart angrily asks why StarClan did not do so before, and Alderheart struggles to find something to reply with.
:Heavy-hearted, Alderheart walks toward the island alongside Sparkpelt. As they enter the clearing, he sees that RiverClan is not there, and notices how SkyClan is no longer apologetic or afraid. He sees Rowanstar is sitting away from the rest of ShadowClan, and he wonders if something happened. He sits beside Kestrelflight, Leafpool, and Puddleshine, but the ShadowClan tom averts his gaze. Leafpool asks how Snowbush is, and he replies that he died earlier that day from his infection. As the leaders leap onto the Great Oak, Alderheart realizes how many cats are not there, including Tigerheart. Bramblestar reports that the rain caused a mudslide, which injured and eventually killed Snowbush. Leafstar says that she is sorry for their loss, and is grateful that Leafpool is living with them. She continues that Tinycloud had three kits, and Hawkwing will return soon. Harespring announces that WindClan has also thrived, and Alderheart is now hopeful at the thought that other Clans are doing well.
:Rowanstar states that Tigerheart went missing, and Alderheart thinks about how Dovewing and Tigerheart were obviously close; both of them disappearing cannot be a coincidence. The leader continues that they could not find any sign of him, and Alderheart tries to convince himself that he went to find the six-toed cat. Rowanstar darkly meows that the deputy should have stayed- he hoped that he could repair the damage from the rogues with Tigerheart; however, he no longer has the strength to bring his Clan back together. Rowanstar pauses, and states that he cannot lead ShadowClan anymore. Alderheart gasps; the Clans watch silently and the ShadowClan cats look at each other. Rowanstar continues that he will give his territory to Leafstar in exchange for joining her Clan. Scorchfur and Juniperclaw vehemently oppose this, but Puddleshine meows that the leader is doing what is best. Alderheart watches silently through the clamor, wondering if a Clan can simply not exist. Leafstar meows that she will welcome them. Alderheart yells that there must be five Clans, but Sparkpelt says that SkyClan just wants territory. Sagenose replies that it is not their fault the Clans were already falling apart, and Alderheart realizes that the SkyClan cat is right: SkyClan should have made them stronger, but it only led to ShadowClan's end. Leafpool states that all they can do is listen to StarClan; Alderheart angrily thinks that StarClan caused all of it.
==Characters==
===Major===
===Minor===
===Mentioned===
==Important events==
===Deaths===
*Snowbush dies of infected wounds from the rockslide.
===Other===
*Rowanstar announces that he and the remaining ShadowClan cats will join SkyClan because the rogues tore his Clan apart.
==Notes and references==
Category:Darkest Night
Category:A Vision of Shadows arc
Category:Chapter subpages