Chapter Seven
There was a shocked silence as Ghostfire stood and made his way to the tree. He seemed to move in slow motion, taking is sweet time weaving through the gaping cats. Just a silver shadow leaping onto a low branch in one fluid motion, looking down contentedly at his stunned audience. The pleasure Ghostfire got in causing this sort of trouble was obvious.
Mythsong felt the blood freeze in her veins and ever hair on her pelt stand on end. So this was really it, was it? Her brother was really splitting off of ThunderClan…And he planned to take her with him. Was this just a dream? This couldn't possibly be happening…
"I am proud to announce that as of today, a new Clan will be established in the forest." Ghostfire puffed out his chest importantly and glared down at the gathered cats. His icy blue eyes dared anyone to challenge his claim. "GhostClan will live in the woods beyond ShadowClan and ThunderClan territory."
There was one heartbeat of quiet before the clearing exploded into chaos. Soon everyone was jumping to their paws, shouting angrily at the silver tom that didn't belong in the Great Oak.
"Who do you think you are?"
"You can't just start a Clan!"
"Get down from there you silly youngster!"
Ghostfire only sat there and smirked.
Mythsong crouched low to the ground, flattening her ears against the noise. In her mind she pictured a big hole appearing under her and swallowing her up. Anything to escape the horror and turmoil running rampant at the Gathering. How could her brother, her beloved Ghostfire, have caused this much trouble? She raised her eyes to the sky, clear and without a single cloud to mar the light of the moon. Are you watching, Racepaw? Do you see what our brother has become?
"SILENCE!" Oakstar and Crescentstar shouted in unison. The WindClan leader looked about ready to throw himself at the next cat who talked, while Crescentstar just looked exasperated. Fablestar was watching the goings-on with an expression of mild interest, but said nothing. Falconstar was just staring at Ghostfire with his jaw hanging open.
Immediately the gathered cats fell silent, staring in fear up at the irate leaders. Oakstar bared his teeth to Ghostfire, his temper getting the better of him. "Now, what do you think you're trying to do? You can't just decide to form a Clan out of thin air!" He lashed his long tail in aggravation. "Do you know how hard it is to be a leader? How much work it is to lead even a fully established Clan?"
A laugh formed on Ghostfire's lips, a chilling sound that sent a shiver down Mythsong's spine. "This is not out of 'thin air', Oakstar. Far from it." Blue eyes turned down to the assembled cats and he yowled, "GhostClan cats, stand up now!"
Around her, Mythsong saw cats shifting and moving. From ThunderClan Chaosblast, Fargaze and Turtlepaw rose to their feet. To her surprise Mythsong saw Ambereye stand as well, staring Ghostfire in the eyes with a determined look. A few cats from the other Clans stood as well, receiving reproachful glares from their Clanmates. GhostClan had grown without Mythsong noticing.
Suddenly Falconstar came to life again. A fire Mythsong had never seen burned in his deep blue eyes as he snarled, "How dare you betray ThunderClan, your birth Clan! We are your family! How can you turn your back on us and still be so calm?!" Ghostfire didn't respond; didn't even turn his head to look at his father. Falconstar's fur bristled as he arched his back. "You are a traitor to ThunderClan, and all the cats here! Why should anyone trust you as leader?"
"I have to live for the death that I caused!" Ghostfire whipped around to face Falconstar, his own fur fluffing out defensively. A wild snarl curved around his lips, showing sharp white fangs. His eyes were wide and filled with a wild determination. "I'm not just living for myself anymore! I have to live out this dream for all who died before me!"
Falconstar blinked once, twice. "What in StarClan's name are you talking about?! Who are you living for? How will this avenge someone's death?"
Without a second glance Ghostfire jumped down from the tree. He flicked his tail, beckoning his cats to him. Slowly the GhostClan cats began to make their way through the crowd to him.
"Ghostfire! Ghostfire, listen to me!" Falconstar screeched, digging his claws into the branch of the Great Oak. His voice rose in pitch to an anguished wail as he clung for dear life to the gnarled tree limb. Mythsong winced at the desperation in his voice. "Ghostfire, my son, doesn't blood mean anything to you? I'm your father for StarClan's sake!"
The silver tom stopped, letting his Clan form up around him. They formed a protective arc around their leader, shielding him from the accusing glare of the other Clans. "I have all the family I need here." He turned slowly, and his eyes picked Mythsong out of the crowd. There was a cold certainty in those eyes, as he knew something no one else did. "Come along, Mythsong. GhostClan needs its deputy."
All eyes turned to Mythsong. She stayed frozen in place, her eyes wide as the full moon that shown so clearly above her. It felt as though her pelt was burning, set ablaze by the many pairs of eyes burning into her. Inside, her mind was in complete chaos. Different arguments were all vying for her attention, trying to get her to consider every option all at once. For the first time, she was really considering leaving with Ghostfire.
So what if she would be leaving ThunderClan? In GhostClan, she would be deputy, and then leader. She allowed herself to picture that for a moment, savoring the image of her poised on top of Highledge, addressing the Clan—Her Clan, not her father's. How could something that wonderful be a bad thing?
But the more logical side of her was already winning out. Sure it may seem nice to be leader of the Clan one day, but she'd rather be leader of the Clan she already knew and loved, if it ever happened. ThunderClan was where she grew up, and though it may not mean much to Ghostfire, Mythsong still loved her home. It only took one look at Wiseowl and Magicnight's shocked faces to erase the last of Mythsong's doubts.
Finally Mythsong raised her eyes to meet Ghostfire's cold blue ones. "I'm not coming with you." she said slowly, loud enough for every cat in the clearing to hear. "I am a ThunderClan cat, and you're crazy for thinking I could ever be anything different. If you don't mind, I'd rather stay with my family."
A wild look came over Ghostfire's eyes. For a moment it looked as though he was about to leap forward and attack her. Mythsong willed herself not to look away or flinch, willed herself to hold his gaze. His eyes burned into hers, filled with nothing but absolute hatred. Usually his real emotions were so controlled, so carefully hidden. Yet here anyone could see he hated her more than anything in the world.
Suddenly he snapped back to his own self, his face becoming stonily blank. "Very well." Ghostfire turned away. "The next time you see me, I will be Ghoststar." He bounded out of the clearing with his Clan, leaving the other four Clans in his wake.
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Sorry for the really long wait. I had some major writers block…Well a full creative block actually, I couldn't do much of anything. I'll try to finish this story in a timely fasion.
I'm not so happy with these short chapters lately. This one is 1,255 words…Here's hoping the next one will come out to over 2,000 words.
Please read and review.
