The Last Hope

Cloudtail narrowed his eyes. “And why ShadowClan accused our medicine cat of murder?”

Firestar bounded down from Highledge and joined Brambleclaw. “We mustn’t be drawn into Clan squabbles. We have to concentrate on preparing for leaf-bare.”

And the attack from the Dark Forest. Ivypool’s tail twitched. Her Clanmates were fretting over the threat from their neighbors. They had no idea a far greater threat hung over the forest.

Brambleclaw padded forward. “Firestar’s right. We must prepare for the cold moons, but keep training. Berrynose!” He looked up to a nest woven on top of the beech trunk. A wide, cream head poked out.

“Yes?”

Brambleclaw beckoned him with a flick of his tail. “I want you to help Spiderleg train Foxleap and Rosepetal in tree battle.”

Berrynose slid out of his den and jumped into the clearing. He shook out his pelt, his muscled shoulders rippling. “Great!” His eyes shone. With claws as strong as an eagle’s talons, he was one of the best climbers in the Clan. And he knew how to time a drop so that he could land squarely on any warrior passing underneath his branch.

Spiderleg looked expectantly at Brambleclaw and, when the ThunderClan deputy nodded, headed for the thorn tunnel. Rosepetal and Foxtail followed, Berrynose bounding after. Molepaw watched them go, his brown-and-cream pelt fluffed up along his spine.

Brambleclaw blinked at the apprentice. “You and Cherrypaw can train with Dovewing and Ivypool today.”

Ivypool’s tail drooped. She’d spent all night training apprentices in the Dark Forest.

“Did you hear that, Dovewing?” Cherrypaw hopped out of her den, calling over her shoulder. “You’re training us today.”

Dovewing slid out, yawning.

Ivypool frowned. Why is she so tired? I’m the one who’s been up all night. “Come on.” She marched past Dovewing, heading for the entrance.

“Can we learn some battle moves?” Molepaw’s wide amber gaze fixed on Ivypool. “Blossomfall said that you know some awesome attack moves.”

“Let’s concentrate on defense today.” She’d taught enough killing moves in the Dark Forest last night.

“We can practice attacking if you like, Molepaw.” Dovewing padded along the trail.

Ivypool stared after her. Didn’t you hear what I said? She opened her mouth to argue but Cherrypaw and Molepaw were already haring toward the training hollow.

“Be careful!” Ivypool yowled after them. “I don’t want any injuries. Keep your claws sheathed.” This isn’t the Dark Forest.

As the apprentices disappeared up the trail, Ivypool caught up with Dovewing. “What’s up?”

“Nothing.”

“Then why are you acting like you woke up in the wrong Clan?”

“I’m not.” Dovewing stared ahead.

Ivypool was unconvinced. “What really kept you up last night?”

“I told you.” Dovewing shrugged. “Noises.”

They reached the training hollow and Ivypool jumped down the short, steep slope. Molepaw and Cherrypaw were already tussling on the smooth, sandy earth.

“Battle crouch!” Ivypool ordered.

The apprentices rolled away from each other and dropped to their bellies.

“Keep your tail still.” Ivypool pressed the twitching tip of Molepaw’s tail with a paw and turned to Cherrypaw. “Shoulders down and tuck your hindpaws in.” She nosed Cherrypaw’s haunches till the ginger she-cat drew her hind paws tighter beneath her. “It’ll add power to your jump. Now practice your leap and see which one can reach the farthest.”

She padded back to Dovewing, who had settled at the edge of the clearing. “Don’t forget to stretch out your forepaws,” she called back to the apprentices. “You want to meet your enemy clawfirst, not nosefirst.” She sat beside her sister. “I know something’s wrong,” she hissed.

Molepaw and Cherrypaw launched themselves across the clearing, more like panicking rabbits than warriors.

“Try again,” Ivypool suggested. “And keep trying till you’ve got it.” She turned back to Dovewing. “Well?”

Dovewing’s round, blue eyes glistened. “It’s the prophecy,” she whispered.

“What about it?”

“The Tribe of Endless Hunting told Jayfeather there’s a fourth cat.”

Ivypool’s tail stiffened. “A fourth cat? Who?”

“Jayfeather thinks it’s Mothwing.” Dovewing’s gaze drifted to a point on the far side of the clearing. “Lionblaze thinks it’s Hollyleaf.”

“Didn’t the Tribe say who it was?” Ivypool flexed her claws. Why did the Ancient cats make everything so difficult?

“I don’t think they know.”

“What about StarClan?”

Dovewing shrugged.

“Who do you think the fourth cat is?” Ivypool murmured.

“You.”

“Me?” Ivypool blinked. “Just because I’m your sister doesn’t mean—”

Dovewing cut her off. “You risk your life every night in the Dark Forest.”

“I’m just spying for you.” Ivypool shook her head. “StarClan hasn’t spoken to me.”

Dovewing leaned closer. “Are you sure? Have you had any special dreams?”

Ivypool rolled her eyes. “I don’t have time for special dreams,” she pointed out. “I spend every night in the Dark Forest.”

“Can we try swerves now?”