Goldenshine's POV

I truly don't think I had ever seen the ThunderClan camp look so busy since I had been born.

Every single cat in ThunderClan was out in the clearing - kits, apprentices, warriors, elders and all. They were each in their assigned training groups, all of their eyes filled with determination as they reviewed any possible battle moves and techniques that they could use against the Dark Forest cats.

I myself had been doing just that with Nightwing, Dustystorm, Sandstorm, Emberpaw and Lightningpaw, before I felt incredibly inclined to make some visits.

And there was no time to waste, considering this unsettling, dire, and critical situation that was being brought upon every Clan cat around the lake.

As I traveled away from my group, lashing my tail to them in farewell, I began to scan my eyes around the clearing - there being three different pelts that I was looking for.

I couldn't help but feel a strong wave of pride as I let my eyes rest on the dark gray pelt of my son for just a moment. He was currently next to the warriors den directing Snowstorm, Foxleap and Icecloud with a move that definitely looked complex enough to have come from the Dark Forest.

And he doesn't even have to be ashamed of it. Not anymore, I thought, reflecting on Swiftflight's bold choice of revealing his dark past to his Clanmates. 

Great StarClan, had I been absolutely terrified to see the Clan's response when my son had made his announcement; their opinions of him had already been rocky enough. But it had quickly become apparent just moments later that Swiftflight's efforts to change were paying off.

As I looked back at him, teaching his Clanmates, I observed that he definitely still seemed winded and a bit shaken by the confrontation. He looked slightly ruffled, and it appeared as if he was trying to mask feelings of dismay. I wonder if he's nervous about the Dark Forest? More nervous than he's willing to show? I thought curiously. Or is it something else?

I then let out a snort and continued to walk ahead. Whatever he's feeling, it's incredibly likely that he'd never say it out loud.

I flicked my ears and quickened my pace. Swiftflight already knows the news that I'm going to pass on. My parents, however, don't.

I then made my way over to where the brown tabby-and-white pelt of Lilypetal, who I saw first out of my two parents, was training with Cloudtail, Birchfall, Wrenpaw and Whitewing. She currently appeared to be helping Wrenpaw with a battle move.

Not wanting to startle her, I slowly came to a stop and gently tapped on Lilypetal's shoulder with the tip of my tail.

My mother immediately turned around. "Oh! Hi, Goldenshine!" Lilypetal meowed kindly. "Is everything okay?"

She then snorted and shook her head quickly. "Well... you know what I mean," she muttered, shrugging and giving a purr of amusement.

I briefly flashed her a concerned look. It was almost instantly clear to me that Lilypetal was trying to put on a brave face despite everything that had arisen since she'd returned from the Twolegplace. There was obviously a lot more on her mind than what she was wanting to show. As she always does, I thought. She's so strong.

I then gave my mother a nod. "Yes," I replied to her. "I just need to talk to you for a moment - if you can spare it."

I then flicked my gaze towards Wrenpaw, who was staring curiously back at me from where he stood just behind Lilypetal. "What?" I meowed to him, laughter in my voice. "I can't have some time with mother like you are?"

My younger brother simply shrugged, his pale blue eyes a mix of humor and annoyance.

Lilypetal looked affectionately back at her son for a moment before returning her gaze to me. "Sure! I can definitely spare a moment," she answered as she began to brush past me.

I followed her with my eyes for a couple of heartbeats, and then gave a nod to Wrenpaw. "Don't worry, I'll bring her right back," I told him teasingly.

The brown tabby tom snorted in response. "And?" he muttered, slightly defensive. "It's not like I need her back right away."

I let out a purr and nuzzled my brother's head with my tail, amazed by how much of my father's rigidness he seemed to have. "Hm, alright," I mocked before beginning to finally follow after Lilypetal. 

My mother was patiently waiting just a few fox-lengths away. "Okay," I meowed as I sat down in front of her. "You, me, Thornclaw and Swiftflight - we need to have another meeting."

For whatever reason, Lilypetal seemed slightly daunted by my statement, her hazel eyes briefly flashing with alarm as she flicked her ears. 

I mean, it was fairly late notice, but I figured that the three cats who had been participating in these meetings with me would surely assume that we'd have one soon, considering the latest news we'd heard of the Dark Forest - the main thing we had been discussing amongst ourselves for many moons now. So, I found it somewhat strange that Lilypetal was so shaken by my words.

But despite that, she replied calmly. "Agreed," she murmured with a sharp nod. "When?"

I took a fast glance around the busy camp clearing, quickly deducing that we likely wouldn't be able to make ourselves scarce for at least a little while. "As soon as possible," I thought out loud.

I then looked up to the sky that was just beginning to turn blue with the rising sun. "I'm thinking right as the sun is setting - slip out to the forest whenever you're free."

"Alright, that sounds good to me!" Lilypetal replied. I then tilted my head with curiosity as she began to shift her paws back and forth, and she broke her gaze from mine. "But we should make sure not to be out there too far into the night."

I narrowed my eyes back at her. "Why not?"

My mother gave a nervous shrug, and still didn't directly look at me. "I just want to make sure that we can all return to camp in time to get some sleep."

I couldn't help but let out a snort at that answer. "Sleep?" I repeated. "Since when do you care about sleeping so much?"

Lilypetal finally lifted her head to look into my eyes, but she still seemed a bit distant, and I could tell that she was trying her best not to give me a very snarky answer in reply to my very snarky question. 

Well, it was still somewhat snarky, but luckily her tone was calm. "Besides the fact that I'm a living cat that needs to sleep in order to function?" she inquired, her gaze only slightly teasing. 

She then looked away from me again. "Well, I mean..." she then went on after I'd given her a nod. "With a situation as urgent and trying as this, sleeping would be essential, wouldn't it?"

She then let out a sigh and gave the smallest shrug. "Well... it's at least essential to me right now."

I blinked and began to twitch my whiskers. What in the name of StarClan is she talking about?

I was about to ask this question to my mother out loud, but quickly shut my mouth again as she flashed me a warning look. It made me more uneasy, considering that wasn't a look that she ever gave that often. But it had the slightest gleam of reassurance, and seemed to be saying - "Goldenshine, just leave it. You'll find out soon enough".

I slowly nodded, only having the smallest bit of understanding. "I see..." I murmured, half to myself before standing up and giving Lilypetal an inquisitive look, wanting to change the subject. "So, I'll see you tonight?"

Lilypetal seemed happy with the subject switch as well. "You can count on it," the tabby she-cat replied more calmly, dipping her head to me. Her hazel gaze then seemed to soften, and after she simply stared back at me for a moment, she gave me a lick on the cheek. "I love you."

I drank in my mother's sweet scent for a moment, forgetting about her slightly odd behavior for just a moment. "I love you too," I replied immediately.

I then began to pad away, flashing Lilypetal one last warm look. "I'll see you later!" I called back to her, leaving her to return to her group.

I then began to make my way through the camp once again in the search for my other parent. Sleeping... sleeping? Why does Lilypetal care to think about sleeping once our meeting is finished? I wondered, still a bit baffled by our conversation. I mean, I like to sleep too, but it's certainly not the first thing I think to worry about!

I then told myself that I needed to shake it off for the moment, my father's golden brown tabby pelt now in being in my sights. 

I let out a sigh. Hopefully she'll just explain herself tomorrow, I convinced myself as I urgently ran up to Thornclaw, who was currently training with Brackenfur, Graystripe and Blossomfall.

I speedily repeated what I had said to Lilypetal, and was relieved to see him comply just as quickly as his mate had. "I'll be there," my father replied. He then let out a long sigh, his eyes full of uncertainty as he wrapped his tail around my back. "We'll certainly have a lot to discuss, won't we?"

I lied my head on my father's shoulder and sniffed. "No doubt about that!" I breathed. I then lifted my head back up so that I could meet Thornclaw's gaze again. "So that means that we should try and convene as quickly as possible - get away whenever you can."

I then found myself having to hold back a purr of amusement as I looked into Thornclaw's eyes, which were currently gleaming in the late dawn light. "What?" I asked, still purring anyway.

After a moment, my father shook his head quickly in reply. "Nothing," he meowed warmly. He then gave me another sharp nod. "That is fine. I can do that, Goldenshine."

I couldn't help but let out a small squeal of excitement. Everyone can make it! I thought cheerfully. Thank StarClan! Time to unfold some more secrets.... hopefully. "Okay, great!" I exclaimed as I touched noses with Thornclaw. "Goodbye, father!"

Thornclaw gently touched his muzzle to my ear. "Goodbye, you furball," he purred. He then pulled away, flashing me one last warm gaze. "See you tonight."

"See you tonight!" I replied, love and affection for my father welling up inside of me as I slowly padded away, now ready to get to my final stop.

The scariest, most unsettling one, I think.

Everything else was practically blind around me as I began to travel through the camp yet again - my eyes directly set on the medicine den just a little ways in front of me. Lately, I've been so incredibly nervous to enter a place that's meant to bring cats comfort, I joked to myself as I approached the bramble screen that served as the den's entrance. 

I then let out a sigh as I slowly crawled through. Well... I suppose I have somewhat of a right to be.

I nervously and reluctantly entered the medicine den to find exactly what I had expected. In fact - better than I had expected.

I came all the way inside of the den to find Jayfeather pacing about the area, and he was completely alone. The medicine cat was still suspended from his duties, but I had assumed - apparently assumed right - that he'd come here to gather his thoughts, just as he did when he served as healer.

I couldn't help but feel a pang of anxiety at the sight of the gray tabby tom, even despite this visit being something I had already planned on doing. And with the Dark Forest news, it was now even more necessary of a visit than it had been before.

Almost instantly after I had made my way into the medicine den, Jayfeather stopped in his tracks, clearly sensing my presence. I simply watched, my heart beginning to beat faster as he narrowed his blind eyes and turned his head to look in my direction.

"Hi," he muttered simply.

I shifted uncomfortably in my place and looked down at my paws. "Hi," I replied back.

I then forced myself to continue on, despite how awkward and tense the atmosphere already felt. "So..." I murmured after a sigh as I sat down. "This... this is it, isn't it?"

Jayfeather sat down as well, his eyes still unreadable and dark. "...'it'?" 

I quickly nodded back at the tom, for some reason feeling like I needed to even though he couldn't see it. "'It'... this darkness that you have to face," I explained to the tom, recalling the words that Hollyleaf had said to me some days ago. "That you, Lionblaze, and Dovewing have to use your powers to face."

I then stood up so that I could take a step closer to the medicine cat. "This is all apart of your prophecy, isn't it?"

Jayfeather simply let out a huff and lashed his tail. "I'd give you an answer," he muttered bitterly, almost as if he was trying to hold back a hiss, "but I'd rather not have to directly acknowledge it again."

I stared back at the tabby tom in concern, my heart beginning to well up with sympathy. "...I understand," I nearly whispered, before sitting down again. "Great StarClan, it... it all must be so scary for you."

I then let out a sniff. "I'm scared, and all I have to do is have some battle moves ready."

Jayfeather snorted and stood back up, beginning to pad towards the back of the den. "Hm, thanks for the sympathy," he murmured sarcastically.

I rolled my eyes, but I couldn't help but feel a twinge of happiness, seeing as Jayfeather was letting his snide remarks come out despite how distant we'd become lately. "Oh, come on. You know that's not what I meant," I groaned.

I then stood up, watching as Jayfeather began to mess with Leafpool's herb stocks. "I'm just saying that... wow, this must be a big deal for you."

Jayfeather paused in his work for just a moment. "It is," he replied.

After a few heartbeats, he just slightly turned his head to look over his shoulder, revealing his uncertain, uneasy blue eyes. "Really big," he then meowed more gravely, sending a chill down my spine.

But despite that, I was practically overwhelmed with concern and commiseration for the gray tabby tom. I couldn't even begin to comprehend or imagine how I'd handle his situation - something so powerful that no cats in the past had been able to defy, was now the responsibility of three Clan cats. Well, I suppose I'd handle it to the best of my abilities, even if it were so unknown and scary, I thought. Just as I'm trying to do with Snowstorm.

I then flicked my ears, that thought reminding me of the primary reason I'd needed to speak with Jayfeather in the first place. 

Even though the two of us had now stood in the medicine den in silence for many, many moments, I forced myself to speak up once again, taking advantage of the fact that we'd just been able to somewhat make conversation. And possibly establish something along the lines of a friendship again...

But I refused to meet Jayfeather's gaze. "She knows," I murmured, letting my head fall to the ground.

Out of my peripheral vision, I could see Jayfeather's paws pausing once again. "She knows?" he repeated, his voice revealing genuine confusion as he looked back at me. "What do you mean? Who knows?"

I took a deep breath and stood up straight. "Snowstorm, Jayfeather," I answered evenly. "She knows. I told her."

I watched as the medicine cat's eyes slowly widened. "Snowstorm..." he breathed after a heartbeat of silence. "...about herself?"

I then quickly nodded back at Jayfeather as I began to well up with panic, suddenly feeling like I needed to explain myself. "I had to, Jayfeather," I insisted, my voice higher with worry. "I don't think either of us realized just how much her destiny was burdening her - trying to send her signs that she didn't even understand. And there was no way that she could understand them. Not unless it was to be all laid out for her."

I then stood up, trying to keep my chin high - for my sake as much as Jayfeather's. "So, I did," I tried to meow more confidently. "I told her about Snowflight. I took her to the places she'd been dreaming about, and..."

I then took another step closer to Jayfeather. "She understands," I went on, my voice breathy with awe, relief, and excitement, "and she's ready to take on Snowflight's destiny. Whatever it is."

To my dismay, Jayfeather's eyes were completely unreadable as I looked back at him, desperate to hear what he had to say. "I see..." was all that he murmured.

I found myself growing more and more antsy as I continued to internally plead for Jayfeather's thoughts. It was times like this where I wished that I could have his power of walking in other cats' minds. I mean... is he proud of me at all? Proud that I did it without him?

I found myself talking further, hopefully further invoking a response.. "It was so terrifying, but being Snowflight's sister helps immensely, just as I thought it would..." I went on. I then let out a sigh and let myself feel a bit of pride. "And I managed to do it all on my own."

I was then utterly shocked and startled as Jayfeather whipped his head around, revealing blazing blue eyes. "Well, that's just absolutely fantastic for you, isn't it?" he growled back at me.

What in the name of...? I nearly took a step back. "Excuse me?" I meowed in complete surprise. "Jayfeather-"

"I can't believe you - meowing on like that right in front of me," Jayfeather continued, standing up and completely facing me. It was almost as if I hadn't spoken at all. "I mean, why are you so determined to prove that you can do this without me?"

I could hardly believe what I was hearing. "Where in the name of StarClan did you get that impression?" I demanded to the tom. I then let out an exasperated sigh and rolled my eyes. "Jayfeather, I've tried to explain this to you countless times already."

"Well, your so-called explanations mean nothing to me, Goldenshine," Jayfeather hissed tautly, his tail twitching behind him.

My eyes slowly narrowed down into slits as I tried to push down frustration, and sadness too. "I can see that."

I then watched as Jayfeather seemed to want to growl another spitting retort at me, but he quickly cut himself off. Instead, he let out a hiss and whipped himself around. "Whatever," he muttered, sitting down once he completely faced away from me. "I suppose I have to acknowledge the fact that you've made your point."

My mouth fell open in amazement. I might as well have been talking to Swiftflight as a kit. "What point, Jayfeather?"

The medicine cat didn't reply immediately. "The point that..." he began after a heartbeat. He then trailed off, and let out yet another hiss. "Forget it."

With that, I wanted to run up to Jayfeather's side and demand to hear what he had been about to say, but I used all of my willpower to stay back. As much as Jayfeather would think so... snapping at each other and arguing about something over and over won't get us anywhere.

I closed my eyes slowly, and let out a sigh to fill up the silence that had overcome the medicine den once again. "Jayfeather, listen..." I meowed more softly, my voice barely above a whisper. "I'm sorry. You know that this decision of mine wasn't a selfish one." I then lowered my head, trying to push down my guilt. "At least... it wasn't meant to be."

I then sat back down, taking a few moments to wait for any sort of reply.

And when I quickly realized that it would never come, I decided that I would just leave, and leave Jayfeather in peace. Well, not even peace, I thought, only half-joking. In solitude, I suppose.

I then turned around, and hesitantly began to leave the medicine den, my tail dragging the ground in sadness. He's not proud at all, I thought. He's so set on the fact that he's not doing this with me, and nothing else. He's done nothing but support me, in his own strange way. I gave him valid reasoning as to why he shouldn't do this with me. So... what is his problem?

I paused for a moment, and took one last glance back at the medicine cat. It's just as he said, I thought, then turning around and making my exit once again. Forget it.

"Make sure that she is ready."

I stopped in my tracks at the sound of Jayfeather's voice, and looked over my shoulder. "What?" I questioned him. "Who?"

Jayfeather stood up, turning away from the herb stocks and facing me. "Snowstorm."

"Snowstorm?" I repeated, my heart beginning to beat faster as I padded up to Jayfeather. "...Ready for what?"

Jayfeather's eyes were dark, but filled with certainty as he looked back at me. "Make sure that she is ready for this battle - as ready as anyone else," he answered gravely. "I think that this battle carries her destiny just as well as it does mine."