Dawnstar's Past

Chapter 9: The Ghosts

Dawnclaw crossed the border of Fireclan’s territory and continued along with her patrol to find the rogues responsible for the attacks.

Cloudfur pointed his ears ahead and froze.

“There just up ahead, I can hear them.”

Dawnclaw nodded and turned around.

“When we get there don’t attack. I want them to explain themselves before we make any rash decisions.”

Nightshade nodded and smiled.

“Okay then, let us continue.”

Dawnclaw continued along the path and stopped when she saw orange fur flash in the corner of her eye.

“Come out, we won’t hurt you.”

An orange she-cat padded out of the bushes and stared at the patrol.

“Who are you and what are you doing here?”

“I am Dawnclaw and we would like to speak with your leader.”

The cat smiled and waved her tail.

“You're speaking to one of them. My name is Flare, I am the leader of The Ghosts along with my mate, Bandit.”

Dawnclaw looked at Thornpetal, who returned her look with a blank face.

“Please take us to him and I will speak with you both privately.”

Flare smirked slightly and headed off, the patrol on her heals.

* * * * *

Flare held up her tail for the patrol to stop.

Dawnclaw obeyed and watched as Flare walked into the shed Bandit was in. As she waited, Frostfang padded closer to Dawnclaw.

“I know that you’re planning on going in alone, so we need some signal if you need help. It can be simple but these are rogues, they're unpredictable and I want us all to be safe.”

Dawnclaw nodded and thought about it for a moment.

“I will yowl as loudly as I can. You will know it’s me when I do.”

Thornpetal looked at Dawnclaw worriedly.

“You said when, how do you know.”

“Like Frostfang said, rogues are unpredictable.”

Thornpetal nodded and looked past Dawnclaw’s head.

Flare passed by the shed entrance and flicked her ear, waiting for Dawnclaw. Dawnclaw trotted after the she-cat and flicked her tail.

“So, where is Bandit and can I speak with him please?”

Flare nodded and made a strange sound that sounded like a clicking noise.

Out of the shadows, a grey and white cat emerged, almost moving as one with the wall. “Hello Dawnclaw, how can I help you?”

Dawnclaw lashed her tail threateningly.

“I want to know why you two have been attacking my clan constantly!”

Bandit chuckled softly and looked at the dark brown tabby.

“That is none of your business, and it was not us who attacked you,” Bandit said, making another weird sound,” They did.”

Dawnclaw was suddenly aware of the presence of multiple cats and looked around wearily.

“This is Talon, Midna, Stone, and Mist.”

Dawnclaw looked at the four new cats but stood still. Bandit looked down at Dawnclaw and smiled.

“I’ve heard that you are an excellent fighter and that you survived Leaffall and Leafbare with only one other cat and a fox. I believe that you would be a valuable asset to our group.”

“What group, who are you cats and why would I ever join you?!”

Flare hissed softly and looked at Midna.

“We are The Ghosts, and you should join us because you are stronger, braver, and have more of a spirit then those rotten mange-pelts ever will!”

Dawnclaw hissed loudly and unsheathed her claws.

“I will never betray my clan, I will never join you, and I will NEVER BETRAY MY FRIENDS!”

Dawnstar yowled a battle cry as she flipped around to exit the shed.

Cloudfur, Thornpetal, Nightshade, and Frostfang all lept through the entrance and straight for The Ghosts.

Dawnclaw whirled around to see Stone rising up, about to slam down on her.

Dawnclaw ducked out of the way and kicked Stone, knocking him off balance and crashing into Mist.

Dawnclaw looked around and saw Thornpetal partner fighting with Frostfang.

Glancing up, she saw Flare sitting next to Bandit, smirking.

I would love to go claw that look off her face!

Dawnclaw, suddenly realizing that she couldn’t see Cloudfur, looked around desperately to find the Fireclan deputy. Dawnclaw perked her ears and found Cloudfur.

Then she saw a horrible sight.

Midna, the black and white she-cat, had pinned Cloudfur down and was staring right at Dawnclaw.

“This is what happens when you defy us!” she yowled, grabbing Cloudfur’s neck in her jaws and snapped her head back, snapping his neck.

Dawnclaw watched helplessly as Cloudfur’s eyes dulled.

“NO!” Dawnclaw screeched, leaping towards Midna only to be knocked to the ground.

“WE SURRENDER!” she yowled, looking up at Bandit.

Bandit clicked and The Ghosts backed away into the shadows.

“You should have never come here Dawnclaw.”

Dawnclaw looked down at her fallen clanmate, holding back her grief.

“Come Fireclan, let us return home and report what has happened here.”

Frostfang helped set Cloudfur’s body onto Dawnclaw’s and Thornpetal’s back.

As they reentered familiar territory Dawnclaw went over all of her memories with the wise tom.

You should have succeeded Featherstar and lived a full life. This was not your time to die!