A Light in the Mist (book)/Chapter 24

==Chapter description==
:The Clans cherish the return of Bramblestar as Rootspring notes that the Clans had relished the joy that had come with Bramblestar being revived and Ashfur being gone. The yellow tom recalls that he had not been able to experience that same happiness as grief had overtaken his life in the half-moon since he had witnessed Bristlefrost fade away in the murky Dark Forest water. Needleclaw checks up on him, asking if he is doing well. Rootspring reminisces how Needleclaw had been the one to tend to him, bringing him fresh-kill and joining his patrols. The SkyClan warrior recalls how he had joined every patrol his Clan needed him to be a part of and how he had told Beekit and Beetlekit about Bristlefrost's valiant behavior in the battle, trying to hide his sadness.
:Bramblestar's voice snaps Rootspring out of his thoughts as he thanks the crowd of cats for the cheering. The ThunderClan leader announces how the Clans have just gone through some of the most difficult moons in their history, with Tawnypelt and Shimmerpelt calling out that it almost was the end. Bramblestar remembers how they drove out Ashfur and his allies while reconnecting with StarClan and the dark brown tabby tom thanks the Clans for reviving him. Then turning to Squirrelflight, the ThunderClan leader sincerely thanks the ginger she-cat for being such a loyal deputy and mate, thanking her for remaining loyal to him while leading her Clan when they needed her most.
:Rootspring looks around, catching the prideful looks in some cats' eyes as he wonders if they forgot how easily they pointed the finger to one another. He admires Bramblestar even more, knowing that some of those warriors wanted the real Bramblestar dead as he realizes how generous Bramblestar was being with his monologue. The dark brown tabby continues, stating that Ashfur almost destroyed the Clans using their warrior code, recognizing that the Clans must remember how closely they had come to letting the code strip them of being true warriors. Looking to Tigerstar, he praises him for realizing that the way in which the code was being manipulated to exile loyal warriors was incorrect. Bramblestar recognizes how Tigerstar turned against the impostor before knowing his true identity and offered refuge to exiled warriors. The ThunderClan leaders ends his praise by stating that Tigerstar showed courage and wisdom above all the Clans. 
:The ShadowClan cats erupt in chanting their leader's name as Rootspring spots the love in Dovewing and Tigerstar's eyes, resentment boiling inside him as he wonders why their relationship had worked out when his hadn't. Tree gently snaps him out of it, reminding him that they have suffered as well. Bramblestar continues, starting off by asking the Clans to remember the earliest rebels who had died: Conefoot, Stemleaf, Dappletuft, Sandynose, Frondwhisker, and Strikestone. Then, he reminds the Clans of the cats who had been fooled by Ashfur: Rosepetal, Berrynose, Smokehaze, and Softpelt. Bramblestar praises Crowfeather, Mistystar, and Violetshine for entering the patrol to free StarClan. He shows his gratefulness to Shadowsight and Rootspring, crediting them with rescuing him from the Dark Forest while returning for the ultimate fight against Ashfur.
:The Clans chant out Rootspring's and Shadowsight's names, and as their gazes meet, they understand that both of them are thinking of Bristlefrost, who should be with them now. The ThunderClan leader grieves for Willowshine and Graystripe, two cats whose courage the Clans will never forget. As Rootspring's heart rises in anticipation, Bramblestar begins by stating that one warrior gave up her place in StarClan to defeat Ashfur for all five Clans. He states that the Clans will be reminded of Bristlefrost's courage and wisdom for moons upon moons upon moons, and that he gives his condolences to those who will miss her presence the most. Rootspring spots Ivypool, Fernsong, Flipclaw, and Thriftear's pelts touching as Bramblestar announces that the six cats who entered the Dark Forest to defeat Ashfur will be known as the Lights in the Mist. 
:Rootspring notices Kitescratch yowling the name, while Turtlecrawl and Harrybrook glance admiringly at the yellow tom. As the chanting dies down, Mistystar begins that when she was in StarClan, the cats that were present discussed with Leafpool and Firestar about how StarClan wants the living Clans to reorder the code to decide which parts are most valuable. The RiverClan leader tells the Clans that there are certain things the code doesn't cover. Breezepelt indignantly yowls that StarClan wants the Clans to talk about allowing cats from different Clans to become mates as the WindClan warrior expresses that he will never understand why StarClan would allow such a thing.
:Kitescratch and Shimmerpelt voice out against the idea, stating that taking mates from different Clans will express signs that forgive betrayal and that choosing a mate from another Clan is disloyal, going against everything the Clans stand for. Tigerstar states that loyalty will never be that simple, with Lionblaze retorting that it should. Spotting numerous cats' tails lashing and pelts ruffling, Rootspring speaks up that being a warrior is everything but simple. He asks the surrounding cats if any one of them would question his loyalty, yet he states that he would have left his Clan to join the cat he loved. Hearing gasps, the SkyClan warrior states that he had loved Bristlefrost and was going to join her in ThunderClan, but he states that the dead ThunderClan she-cat died believing Rootspring had chosen his Clan over her.
:Not wanting pity, Rootspring quickly states that he only wants things to change as he and Bristlefrost could've spend the rest of their days together instead of fretting over where their loyalties had lain. The yellow tom states that his loyalty would've belonged to her Clan and Bristlefrost, causing Harestar to question if he would leave the Clan that had raised him. Crowfeather speaks up, stating that cats have had affection for cats in other Clans for a long time, but if a cat acted on crushes, there would be no more Clans. Rootspring states that his love was not a crush, causing the WindClan deputy to reply that he must have thought long about leaving his birth Clan and that choosing love over your Clan shouldn't be done lightly. Crowfeather reminds the leaders that they have dealt with cats switching Clans for love before, but a formal solution should be reached from now on.
:Kitescratch turns his gaze to Rootspring, stating that he had never realized the yellow tom's love for Bristlefrost was so deep. Tree asks Rootspring if he is staying for the vigil for all the cats that died, so Rootspring follows Tree, Needleclaw, and Violetshine to a patch of grass at the edge of the clearing. The yellow tom pictures Bristlefrost as a ghost, living amongst the Clans as he imagines her spirit is with him. Rootspring senses Needleclaw fall asleep as he spots Spotfur coming across the clearing to him. She asks him to if he could try to make Stemleaf appear, but Rootspring declines as he reminds her that he is in StarClan and that his powers don't reach that far.
:Spotfur begs him to try as Ivypool approaches them, asking if he can try to find Bristlefrost. The SkyClan warrior states that he cannot reach her, but he tries because he knew what they were feeling. After trying unsuccessfully, Rootspring tells Spotfur that Stemleaf loved her and that he will always watch over her, but she must wait to join him. Fernsong and Ivypool stare at Rootspring as the latter acknowledges that she knows what happens to cats that die in the Dark Forest, but she urges him to try.
:Rootspring agrees, and as he makes himself one with the earth, he envisions Bristlefrost leaning against him as they run through the forest with kits; two that resemble the ThunderClan warrior, one that resembles him. He wonders if the earth was telling him what would have been, but Rootspring gives Fernsong and Ivypool the news that he had not found Bristlefrost. Fernsong touches noses with Ivypool as he thanks Rootspring for trying. The couple acknowledges that Bristlefrost is gone, but she will live forever through them. The silver tabby she-cat and yellow tabby tom leave Rootspring in the comfort of his kin as Needleclaw nudges him to follow SkyClan. He meets Shadowsight's gaze, and he nods as he finds the grief and exhaustion in the ShadowClan medicine cat's eyes. As Rootspring pads with his kin, he notes how no one will interact with Bristlefrost again or hear her gentle mew, but she would live on, not only in Fernsong and Ivypool's hearts, but his as well. Rootspring gazes at the dawning sun, feeling grief begin to loosen its grip on his heart.
==Characters==
===Major===
===Minor===
===Mentioned===
==Notes and references==
Category:The Broken Code arc
Category:A Light in the Mist (book)
Category:Chapter subpages