“Welcome to our camp!" Blackstar called, beckoning them with his tail. "Rest here and take your pick of the fresh-kill pile.""Who are you and what have you done with Blackstar?" Lionblaze muttered.”

“Brambleclaw dipped his head. “The battle is won,” he growled. “The clearing is ours. Do you concede or shall we fight for it again?”Blackstar flashed a look of burning hatred over his shoulder. “Take it,” he hissed. “It was never worth the blood that has been spilled here today.”

“What are you, a door mouse?!" Cloudtail mewed impatiently, prodding Lionblaze. Lionblaze looked up at the white warrior looking down at him, "Aww did you have to do that?! I was having a really great dream!" "And now you can go on a really great water patrol!" Cloudtail grumbled.”

“The clan of heroes, the clan of compassion,the clan of destiny." (Firestar on Thunderclan, secrets of the clans)No matter what trials we must endure, Windclan will last forever."(Tallstar on Windclan, secrets of the clans)We are grace. We are power. We are Riverclan."(Leopardstar on Riverclan, secrets of the clans)Shadowclan will always be the dark heart of the forest." Blackstar on Shadowclan, secrets of the clans)”

“I’d bet a month of dawn patrols those apprentices had something to do with it,” Birchfall meowed. “Why else would they disappear back to ShadowClan without their mother?”Dustpelt let out a snort of amusement. “I can just picture those three holding Blackstar down until he agreed.”

“My head is so full of memories!" Cinderheart wailed. "I feel as though there are two lives inside me, not one. How can it be my choice to make? Doesn't Cinderpelt have a choice? I can't make her a warrior! She was a medicine cat!"Lionblaze pressed his muzzle closer. "She chose you", he murmured. "She gave you the choice".Cinderheart began to tremble. Lionblaze could sense her mind whirling. "You can only live one life, Cinderheart. It's your choice! This is your destiny, not Cinderpelt's. She lived her own life".Cinderheart gasped. Then her pelt smoothed. She lifted her chin. "Then I choose the life of a warrior". Her blue eyes shone. "And I choose you".A breeze stirred the ferns. Lionblaze glimpsed a pale gray shape appear like a shadow beside Cinderheart. Stepping back in surprise, he saw it peel away from her and drift up like a cobweb carried by the wind. A soft voice whispered, Thank you. Lionblaze's fur stood on end. "Did you see that?Cinderheart was watching the shadow disappear into the trees. "It was Cinderpelt", she breathed. "I've set her free".Lionblaze purred loudly. "Will you fight alongside me?"Cinderheart pressed her muzzle fiercely against his. "Always".”

“Squirrelflight rested her tail on his shoulder, urging him to lie still until his injuries could be treated. Brambleclaw led Stormfur and Brook up to Firestar.The Clan leader's eyes stretched wide in surprise. "Stormfur...and Brook! What are you doing here?""There'll be time to explain later," Stormfur meowed. "For now, Firestar, put us to work.”