As Leaf-bare hits its peak in the forest, tragedy befalls DarkClan as they face both the forces of nature and the deadly rogues who live in the twolegplace nearby. When a horrific accident and a terrible loss spins the Clan into chaos, the cats must brace themselves for the darkest, most hopeless moons ahead. In the middle are the Clan's three apprentices: Palepaw, Scorchpaw, and Echopaw, who find themselves following the advice of their closest allies in a fight against war and a prophecy, as well as Clan and kin. While one runs from dark temptation, another carries a burden too heavy to imagine, and the third must fight against a legacy they never wanted.