Chapter 4

It had been a half moon since Fernmist died, and it was the night of the gathering. Beechwhisper had healed about a moon before, and Dawnblossom was itching to hear who was going. Finally, by sundown, Duststar leaped up onto the bramble rock along with Jayfang, and called out "Let the cats of AcornClan gather here beneath the bramble rock to hear my words!"

Mistythorn came out of the nursery, while Tulipflower and Shadeflower appeared from next to the fresh kill pile. Beechwhisper padded over to join Dawnblossom, and the rest of the Clan soon was in sight.

"The gathering is tonight, and we would like to announce who will be attending. I will list the cats now. Ravenfur and Cedarleaf will be our medicine cats, while Shadeflower will stay in case of emergency, Thornfur, Dawnblossom, Beechwhisper, Tulipflower, Duskfoot, Oakstorm, Grayheart, Silverheart, and Lightleaf. The rest shall watch over the camp. If you find any snakes, send the fastest runner to alert us, but it will be unlikely. We shall go now." Duststar leaped off the rock, Jayfang at his tail.

Dawnblossom wondered what Duststar would say for the gathering about the snakes, but shrugged and just enjoyed walking to the Cedar clearing.

They entered the clearing to find FrostClan and SunnyClan waiting for them. "Where is ThornClan?" Duststar asked Ripplestar.

"They are coming," The SunnyClan leader said, impatiently twitching his tail and staring at the ThornClan entrance.

After waiting for a few minutes, Dawnblossom saw Goldenstar leading her Clan into the clearing. Duststar mewed his hellos, along with the other leaders, and then all of them sprang up onto the low branches of the Cedar. Goldenstar, Ripplestar, Duststar, and Lightshine were all there.

"I guess the rumors were right! Lightshine is FrostClan's new leader!" Dawnblossom whispered to Beechwhisper. She was delighted since Lightshine was a kind and smart cat, much different from the arrogant and bloodthirsty Stormstar and proud and short tempered Thrushfeather.

"That's great!" Beechwhisper whispered.

"Let all cats of the Clans join here to begin the gathering!" Ripplestar yowled.

Each Clan gathered near the Cedar tree and all sat down.

"Who would like to begin?" Duststar asked.

"I can," Goldenstar dipped her head. "ThornClan is well, prey is running. Nothing else, really."

"I can go next," Ripplestar meowed. "Nothing really. We have scented AcornClan fairly close to our territory, but I am sure there is a good reason. Duststar can explain when it is his turn. Prey is running well. Duststar, would you like to go next?"

"Yes," Duststar dipped his head with a small smile. "The reason that we have been so close to the SunnyClan border is because about a half moon ago, we found snakes under our rocks in our side of the border. We tried to drive them out of Clan territory, but we had some trouble, and sadly Fernmist died and Beechwhisper was injured." Duststar paused as there were murmurs of sadness, most from SunnyClan, AcornClan's ally. Duststar continued, "Beechwhisper has recovered, but we still grieve Fernmist. Lightshine! Have you become FrostClan's leader?"

Lightshine took over with his speech. "Yes. As you all know, and saw, Stormstar and his deputy Thrushfeather both were exiled last gathering. FrostClan took a vote and had three cats to chose to be leader. Me, Whitesong, and Addertail were the cats. The Clan voted, and chose me. I knew that Addertail would understand, so I made Whitesong my deputy. I went to the Mooncave and received my name and lives. I am now Lightstar!"

"Lightstar! Lightstar!" The Clans yowled.

"Stop the gathering!" A familiar voice called from behind the Clans. Dawnblossom whipped around and stared in horror and shock. Right there was Stormstar and Thrushfeather, looking out to the Clans in anger.

"Stormstar, what a surprise," Goldenstar growled.

"I thought we agreed last moon that you would never show your face again." Duststar mewed calmly with a smirk on his face.

"I came back for revenge." Stormstar circled the Cedar tree. "See, AcornClan is now my biggest rival. Duststar disrespected me and my Clan."

"My Clan," Lightstar growled.

"Oh," Stormstar smirked. "Lightshine, great to see you. I see you've become the new warrior of my Clan."

"No. You disrespected StarClan, FrostClan and the other Clans around the Cedar tree. You faked your leader ceremony, and you abused your own apprentice, me. You manipulated Thrushfeather to fall in deep love with you and stay loyal to your side."

The Clans gasped all at once, Dawnblossom laying her ears back in shock.

Stormstar crouched in horror. "How did you know?" He whispered.

Thrushfeather stared gaping in shock. "You manipulated me? I thought I loved you!" She yowled.

"That's not all!" Lightstar continued. "When I was his apprentice before I switched to Snowbramble, he attacked me during training. I have scars as proof. He threatened to kill me if I told anyone."

"And I will!" Stormstar leaped up onto the rock, barreling into Lightstar, his claws unsheathed. Lightstar yowled.

"Stop!" Duststar shrieked so loud it hurt Dawnblossom's ears. She pressed against Beechwhisper, willing him to protect her if it came to it. Duststar sprang onto Stormstar, pinning him down in the open line of empty clearing. "Why are you doing this! You know the Clans will never allow you back after hearing what you did! I am furious. You killed Sunstar, and you almost exiled AcornClan on top of Lightstar's reveal! Disgrace!"

Stormstar went limp, and ran out of the clearing, yowling curses in anger.

"Are you going with him?" Lightstar asked Thrushfeather.

"I—I don't know. After hearing that he was using me, I don't want to. I always had a crush on him, but now hearing what he did, especially faking the leader ceremony. Did the medicine cats know?"

Redwind, the FrostClan medicine cat shook her head no. "He laid down next to the pool in the cave and we really thought that he was receiving lives."

Thrushfeather dipped her head in shame. "I'm so sorry. To all of you, not just FrostClan. I know I hurt AcornClan bad during the war."

Duststar smiled in pity. "We accept your apology. To show you we are not mad, how would you like to join AcornClan?"

Thrushfeather lifted her head, a spark of hope in her eyes. "Really?"

Duststar nodded.

"Thank you so much! I promise I will be the best Clanmate ever!"

"I'm sure she will," Dawnblossom smiled.

"Me too." Beechwhisper purred.

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