The Silent Thaw

Tree was trembling slightly as he pretended to summon the apparition. But it was already there, standing in the clearing. Triumph pulsed beneath Rootpaw’s pelt as the ShadowClan cats stared at the ghost, fur spiking with alarm. I did it again!

It stiffened as it seemed to realize every eye in the ShadowClan camp was on it. “Can you see me?”

Tigerstar nodded slowly as though wondering if he were dreaming.

“Some cat has stolen my body,” the ghost mewed quickly.

Squirrelflight darted toward it, desperation in her gaze. “Bramblestar!” Her muzzle passed through the ghost’s, which was no more solid than air, and she backed away, trembling.

The ghost glanced at her apologetically, then stared at the ShadowClan cats. “Don’t listen to the impostor. It’s not me!” It glanced at Shadowsight. “Don’t blame Shadowsight—he was tricked. Whatever took my body will do anything to get what it wants.”

Rootpaw’s heart began to pound and his paws felt as heavy as stone. He staggered, every hair in his pelt suddenly drained of energy, but he fought to keep the ghost there.

“You’re doing it!” Tree whispered beside Rootpaw.

His father’s mew broke Rootpaw’s concentration. The ghost flickered into thin air and the ShadowClan cats blinked with surprise, as though waking from a dream.

Rootpaw struggled to stay on his paws. He felt more tired than he’d ever felt in his life. But he didn’t want the others to know he’d made the ghost appear. As he wobbled like a newborn kit, his father dropped beside him, pretending to be exhausted. Rootpaw felt a rush of relief as the gathered cats’ attention flashed toward the yellow tom, their eyes glittering with shock.

“Was that really Bramblestar?” Flowerstem gasped.

“Yes!” Tawnypelt’s ears twitched excitedly.

“It must be a trick,” Scorchfur growled. “Bramblestar’s still alive.”

“We told you—the living Bramblestar isn’t the real Bramblestar!” Squirrelflight snapped.

Rootpaw glanced past them. He could still see the ghost. It was standing in the clearing, watching the ShadowClan cats.

It padded to Rootpaw’s side. “They know everything I know,” it murmured. “They have

to fight now.”

Tigerstar’s tail flicked ominously. “Who is this impostor?”

Tree struggled to his paws. “We don’t know yet.”

Puddleshine looked puzzled. “Is it a rogue?”

Squirrelflight frowned. “How could a rogue know about StarClan?” she murmured. “This cat must have been a warrior once.”

Tigerstar snorted. “A warrior would never try to harm the Clans.”

“Really?” Squirrelflight stared at him. “I suppose you’re too young to remember the Great Battle.”

“I know we lost Clanmates,” he growled.

“They were killed by cats who used to be warriors,” Squirrelflight mewed darkly.

“But the Great Battle threatened all the Clans.” Tigerstar’s pelt prickled. “This is ThunderClan’s problem.”

Rootpaw blinked. Did he really believe that? Alarm flashed in the ghost’s eyes.

Shadowsight stepped in front of his father. “An impostor is leader of ThunderClan,” he mewed. “Because of him, cats in every Clan want to punish their Clanmates. How can you say it’s just a ThunderClan problem?”

The ghost leaned toward Rootpaw. “Remind Tigerstar that he and I are kin,” he murmured. “And that I took him in when Darktail drove him from his Clan. He owes me. He owes ThunderClan.”

Rootpaw stared at the ghost, still tired from making it appear. “How can I say that?” he murmured, as quietly as he could. Didn’t the ghost realize that Tigerstar was the leader of another Clan?

The ghost stared at him sternly. “Say it however you like,” he growled. “But say it. We need Tigerstar’s help.”

The ghost was right. Rootpaw squared his shoulders and faced the ShadowClan leader. “I thought Bramblestar was your kin.”

“Clan is more important than kin,” Tigerstar growled.

Rootpaw narrowed his eyes. “I heard he took you in when Darktail chased you out of ShadowClan.”

“That’s right!” Squirrelflight flicked her tail eagerly. “We gave you sanctuary.”

Tigerstar looked at her warily as the ShadowClan cats exchanged glances.

Tawnypelt padded forward. “Darktail tore our Clan apart, and the other Clans stood up to him,” she mewed.

Tigerstar frowned. “They did it to protect themselves, not us.”

Dovewing gazed at the ShadowClan leader. “Do you really believe that this impostor doesn’t mean to harm us all? We can’t let him carry on as leader of ThunderClan. He’s made it clear time and time again that he wants to tell every Clan what to do, not just ThunderClan.”

Tawnypelt nodded. “He threatened to replace you with another leader, remember?”

Tigerstar met the tortoiseshell’s clear, green gaze and held it for a moment. Then he dipped his head. “You’re right.” He looked around at his warriors. “This isn’t something we can ignore. ThunderClan needs its rightful leader back for all our sakes.”

As hope flashed in Rootpaw’s chest, Dovewing lifted her tail. “Can Squirrelflight stay here?” she mewed.