Despite the increasing darkness, Rocktip shone brighter than Starclan themselves. The whole clan gasped in surprise. Nightstar weakly pounced onto the rock and told the clan to enter the cave.

When mews of protest were heard, Nightstar hissed, "Do we have any other choice?" Fireclaw said uncertainly, "It is dark and it might lead us somewhere lower."

Nightstar gave Frostleaf a knowing glance. "I trust that she will lead us to safety." Goldenfeather piled up, "I trust Frostleaf too. I believe that she is right that a Starclan cat is helping us."

The clan finally agreed. Brownstripe led the clan with Frostleaf beside him. The clan began muttering with anxiety as the cave led lower.

Dewkit was rigid with fear and squeaked, "This is too dark. I can't see!" Russeteyes mewed, "Hush, I will keep you safe." Luckily, the tunnel in the cave is sloping higher.

When the last Thunderclan cat is on the high part of the slope, water suddenly rushed in, causing the nearest cats to jump in shock. "Thank Starclan!" Dustfur exclaimed. "We're safe and dry."

Stagwind eventually took the lead. She spotted a beam of light and ran towards it, yowling, "I found something!" This gave other cats speed as they padded up the slope.

Frostleaf gasped at the sight of the shining water. The slope led the clan to a cavern that had a small pool at the middle, and with some sort of invisible thing that prevented water from flowing in.

"Wow!" Patchheart breathed. Stagwind studied it and commented, "Looks like the Moonstone." Nightstar's eyes were bright with excitement.

When Frostleaf was going to ask Bluewhisker about the pool, she disappeared. The kits let out squeals of fascination as they touched the smooth invisible thing.

"Mummy, what's this?" Timberkit asked Russeteyes. "I don't know," she admitted. "I think the Twolegs called them 'glass'," Specklebreeze muttered.

"Well, whatever is it, it doesn't let water come in," Brownstripe grunted. "Is there any prey here?" Sparrowshadow asked. "I haven't eat any since this morning."

"Brownstripe," Nightstar addressed the deputy. "Organise hunting patrols but not outside. The water level is still very high. Try to find as much prey as possible. I don't know how long we will be in here."

Brownstripe immediately called for Fireclaw to lead a hunting patrol consisting of Icetail, Stormleaf and Goldenfeather.

"We will find some prey," Goldenfeather promised Spottedpelt and Ashwhisker. "The prey better be good!" Ashwhisker coughed.

Soon, unexpectedly, the hunting patrol brought back plenty of freshkill. Frostleaf settled beside Appleshade and ate the freshkill as Appleshade talked to Grayclaw.

After eating, Frostleaf felt thirsty so she took a quick drink at the pool. She felt refreshed and headed back to Appleshade's side.

Appleshade was working her paws on the ground, tearing out clumps of dirt. "Appleshade! What's wrong?" Frostleaf called.

She looked at Frostleaf with a mixture of sadness and anger. "My littermates never seemed to care about me," Appleshade replied bluntly.

Frostleaf blinked and mewed, "Go on."

"I knew that they were watching me drown just now. But did they help me? No. I don't understand this," Appleshade explained.

"Who are your littermates?" Frostleaf asked cautiously. "Dustfur and Icetail," she replied, half spitting out the names.

Frostleaf leaned closer and asked, "Why?"

"They blamed me," Appleshade growled sourly. "They think that I could have saved our mother. During a patrol with her, a fox attacked. As I was a new apprentice then, I could hardly defend myself, let alone defend others. Grayclaw was in the patrol. My mother told him to fetch reinforcements, so only me and her is fighting the fox." Appleshade paused, then struggled to continue.

"The fox was too strong for her. I tried to help but the fox kept flinging me away. Then, it raised its claws and tore her belly when she fell. By the time reinforcements came, it was too late. She died by the fox. When Dustfur and Icetail found out, they blamed it on me. They said that I purposely let her die. I tried to reason with them but they simply ignored me. Days after that, they told me that we are not littermates anymore," Appleshade's voice cracked with sadness.

"Just now, they even said that I should have drowned to death. They even said that should have been killed by the badger on the day of your warrior accessment. Dustfur expecially, was very mean. He told me that I should have never been borned," Appleshade seemed to calm down a little.

Frostleaf nodded slowly. "I see," she muttered, feeling sorry for her. "I wish that Dustfur and Icetail would forgive me one day, but it just seemed impossible," Appleshade sighed.

"You are lucky to have a nice littermate, even for a short while," she mewed, referring to Ravenkit. "I could tell that you are very forgiving. I am proud that you were my apprentice. Sleep earlier. You will need a lot of energy for tomorrow."

Frostleaf nodded, not bothering to make a nest to sleep on. She fell asleep instantly.