The Moonpool is a small pool sitting in the bottom of a small, steep cave. It connects the Clan cats to their warrior ancestors, known as Starclan, and allows Starclan to give visions and prophecies to leaders and medicine cats.
Every night on the halfmoon the medicine cats from all four Clans gather around the Moonpool. On one such gathering Leafpool slipped and fell into the moonpool. Despite the fact that it was only knee-deep, she disappeared from sight.
“How did it go over her head?” questioned Mothwing.
“Maybe Starclan is angry?” responded Willowpaw.
Jaypaw ran back to Thunderclan camp.
Jaypaw was terrified. He had always been afraid of water, and now a tiny pool had swallowed up his mentor! After reaching the camp he yelled, “Leafpool has fallen into the Moonpool!”
“Calm down Jaypaw, it's only knee-deep,” said Hollypaw, annoyed by her brother's antics.
“But she went in over her head!”
“How could you tell, you’re blind?” Hollypaw grew yet more annoyed.
“Because one of the others said so!”
“Okay, I'll go tell Firestar,” Hollypaw relented. She was unsure whether this was a joke or serious. She padded to Firestar's den.
“Firestar?”
“Yes Hollypaw?” responded Firestar.
“Jaypaw says Leafpool fell into the moonpool, and didn't come back out.”
“But that makes no sense.”
“I know, but he seems pretty adamant. Also he claims the other medicine cats saw it.”
“We may as well go check it out then.” Firestar leapt on top of the Highledge. “Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath the Highledge for a Clan meeting. I, Brambleclaw, Squirrelflight, Sandstorm, Hollypaw, and Lionpaw will go investigate with Jaypaw. Graystripe will be in charge of camp while I am gone.”
They headed out towards Windclan Territory. When they were at the border they scented a patrol and stopped to wait for it.
Before long Crowfeather appeared, leading Whitetail and her apprentice Breezepaw. “What is your business on Windclan territory?” asked Crowfeather.
“We need to speak with your medicine cat,” answered Firestar.
“Ok then, I will lead you to him. Follow me.” Crowfeather turned towards the heart of Windclan territory and led the new arrivals.
“But father?” asked Breezepaw. “Why are we leading them to our camp? They could launch an attack from the inside.”
“They have asked to speak with our medicine cat. It is our duty to take them to him.”
“Yes, father,” sulked Breezepaw.
When they reached Windclan camp everyone turned to face them, murmering. A kit in the nursery said, “Are they prisoners? Are they mama?”
“No, I'm sure they have a perfectly valid reason to come here,” said the queen beside him.
“Ok mommy, but prisoners would be more exciting.”
Onestar emerged from his den, confused by the racket. “What's going on out here? What are Thunderclan cats doing in our camp?” he demanded.
“I thought we were allies,” began Firestar, confused by Onestar's anger.
“That's still no excuse to come barging into our camp, though.”
“We need to see your medicine cat,” Firestar explained.
Onestar sighed. “I cannot deny you the right to speak with a medicine cat. Although if Starclan had something to say to you, I'd think they would tell your medicine cat.”
“The medicine cat den is this way.” Crowfeather flicked his tail towards the den in question.
The Thunderclan cats walked towards the den. “Barkface?” called Firestar.
“Yes, who is it?” came the reply.
“Firestar. I need to speak with you.”
“What is it you need to speak with me about? Couldn't you ask Jaypaw?”
“We needed to verify that Jaypaw was correct in his assessment of Leafpool's current position.”
“Come in then,” he said.
“Thank you,” replied Firestar. As he led his group into the den.
“What did Jaypaw say happened,” asked Barkface.
“He said she fell into the Moonpool and it went over her head,” answered Firestar.
“Yes, he has it basically right.”
“Why do you think this happened?”
“You can't expect me to know all the answers, I'm not a Starclan warrior.”
“I'm sorry,” responded Firestar.
Crowfeather interrupted, “Did you say Leafpool is missing?”
“How long have you been standing there?” asked Firestar.
“Long enough to know Leafpool's in trouble,” he 'answered'.
“That wasn't an answer,” Firestar said, reinforcing the air quotes.
“Look, I just want to know how I can help.”
“So, your loyalties are still divided,” Barkface accused.
“She's a medicine cat in danger, it is my duty to help her.”
“Your duty is to Windclan,” said Barkface.
“Yes, Barkface,” Crowfeather relented.
“Goodbye then,” Firestar said, walking out of the den.
“You'll need an escort to pacify any patrols you meet on your way,” said Crowfeather as he followed behind. “I’ll get Breezepaw and then we'll be off. Whitewing, inform Onestar that I'll be on patrol.”
“Who made you deputy?” said Whitewing.
“Well Ashfoot's out on patrol.”
“I guess so,” she said as she went to Onestar's den.
The Thunderclan cats went to the camp entrance while Crowfeather went to the apprentice den. “Breezepaw,” he called at the entrance.
“Yes father?”
“I need you to come on a patrol with me.”
“Yes father!” enthused Breezepaw. They went to the entrance.
“We need to escort these cats to the Moonpool,” explained Crowfeather.
“We're ready to leave, are you?” asked Squirrelflight.
“Let's go,” answered Crowfeather.
The trip to the Moonpool was made in silence. Once they were there they looked around.
“I don't see anything amiss,” said Brambleclaw. “Firestar, do you see anything?”
“No.”
“Whether anything seems amiss or not, my sister fell into the Moonpool somehow, and we have to get her back,” insisted Squirrelflight before she jumped into the Moonpool and disappeared.
“Well, I guess we're doing this now,” said Firestar, following suit. All of the other Thunderclan cats present went in except for Jaypaw.
“Hope you swim!” cackled Breezepaw, as he pushed Jaypaw into the water.
“Your turn to go in,” Crowfeather instructed Breezepaw, flicking his tail at the Moonpool.
“Are you crazy, they're never coming back alive.”
“Yes they are, and we're joining them.”
“Are you crazy?”
“No, and you are going to do this.”
“Yes, father,” sulked Breezepaw. He tentatively put his paws into the Moonpool and was, for some reason, surprised when he fell, due to the ground beneath his paws not stopping him. Crowfeather followed him into the unknown.