The Clans of Clouds - A Leader's Nine Lives

WORDS: 1,693

The slope leading to the Moonpool felt cold and oddly calming against Nightripple's paws as she and Littlecloud approached the reflective pool. The mirrored stars and moon seemed to greet the black she-cat as she stood above.

"Are you ready?" The small tabby rasped out.

"W-What if they don't accept me?" Nightripple murmured "I mean I wasn't even Rowanstar's deputy. He died before he could appoint another one."

"If they didn't accept you then they wouldn't have sent me that omen." Littlecloud waved his tail towards the pool "They're waiting, Nightripple."

She casted her yellow eyes down at the water "R-right." She hesitantly crouched besides the Moonpool.

"Touch your nose to the water." The old medicine cat instructed as he lay besides her "Remain calm as well."

Nightripple did as the tom had said and touched her nose to the numbing, cold water; lulling the white foreheaded she-cat into a dreamless sleep.

"Nightripple." A paw nudged her in the side "Wake up."

The ShadowClan she-cat awoke to see dancing starlight flicker around her and Littlecloud.

"It's beautiful." She meowed in wonder upon taking in the sight of the starry lake territories.

"Even beauty can wear it's course." A voice meowed as a cat appeared from the ThunderClan side of the forest.

The black she-cat stared at the starry, mottled brown cat; a few moments went by before Nightripple's eyes brighten.

"Applefur!" She cried happily as she padded over to her friend "You're in StarClan."

The former ShadowClan warrior gave a small purr "I may have trained in the Dark Forest, but thanks to Ivypool, I realized where my true loyalties lie."

Other StarClan cats appeared around Applefur and Nightripple; their pelt colors hidden within their faded image and fleeting stars.

"But that's besides the point." The she-cat added "Now, welcome, Nightripple. Are you ready to receive your nine lives?"

Nightripple curled her tail over her paws as she eyed the new cats with the scent of timidness rolling off her ebony pelt "I-I hope so..."

"I give you the life of Forgiveness, like how you have forgiven me, there are others who need to be forgiven. Use it well to serve your Clan."

Applefur touched her nose to the warriors' head and a shock of pain soon followed after as it shot through the she-cat's body. The black cat dug her claws into the ground as she tried to suppress the yelp that rose up in her throat. Images of unknown warriors, apprentices, kits, and elders flashed through her mind until the picture lingered on a dark brown tabby tom and a cream colored she-cat. The mottled she-cat stepped back from the panting and tired warrior and soon another StarClan cat took her place. Nightripple open her eyes and looked up at the almost see through dark brown tabby tom with a ragged pelt.

"I am Raggedstar." The tom meowed "Former leader of ShadowClan back when the clans lived in the forest. I give you the life of Forethought, something I lackedwhen I was alive. Use it to carefully plan for the future of your Clan."

He did the same as Applefur had done and another bolt of pain made it's way through her body; she let out a pained noise this time. With it came the feeling of sadness from the elder tom; Raggedstar stepped back and another equally see through tom took his place.

"My name is Ashfur, I was an Elder when Brokenstar was the leader." The long, bodied gray tom introduced himself "I fought alongside my other Clanmates to banish the tyrant and his leaders, like your father." Ashfur narrowed his eyes slightly at the memory before he continued "I give you the gift of Righteousness, only you can decide what's right for your clan, even if others do not agree."

Ashfur rested his muzzle against the she-cat's white forehead and was greeted by another burst of pain, though this was less then before; Nightripple went ridged with pain as Ashfur stepped back to allow the next cat passage. The black she-cat took the new cat's form, but their pelt color remained a mystery.

"My name is Talonpaw." The tom meowed "I was an apprentice that one of your former rouges tried saving. I owe them many thanks, because of them, I got to see my Clanmates before I dead. I give you the life of Mentoring, use it to teach your apprentices right." Talonpaw meowed before adding "Weaselkit misses you."

Nightripple's eyes almost filled with tears "Tell him I miss him as well."

The she-cat had to crouch as Talonpaw placed his nose to her cheek; the feeling of warmth and sadness spread throughout her body. With a curt nod, the former apprentice stepped back as a long legged cat took his place. Nightripple had to hold back a squeal of happiness. Tallpoppy stood before her, a picture of youth and strength, not the old and tired she-cat that sat in the Elder's den.

"Tallpoppy!"

The she-cat gave a purr "My favorite listener, I knew one day you would lead ShadowClan and I am happy to give you the life of Patience of a Mother-cat and a Elder. Even the fastest cat need to take things slow."

The light brown tabby pressed her nose to Nightripple's forehead; warmth flooded her body once again and she breathed out a happy sigh at the feeling and contact. Tallpoppy stepped back and the black warrior longed for her to stay; her yellow eyes cast themselves on the new cat that took her place. Nightripple practically exploded into purrs as she pressed her face deep into that shining white pelt before her.

"Blackstar." She happily muttered.

"My daughter and my warrior." The large tom meowed warmly "Step back, my kit, I have a life to give you."

With much hesitation, she stepped back to look at her father.

"With this life," He began "I give you Strength. ShadowClan is a strong and proud Clan and your leadership will only make it stronger."

Massive pain coursed through Nightripple's body as the black footed tom pressed his nose to her forehead. The she-cat yowled in pain and dug her claws into the ground once again.

"I'm proud of you and I'll be watching from the stars." Blackstar gave his daughter a lick n the head before stepping back.

A dark ginger she-cat replaced Blackstar, causing Nightripple to go into another purring fit.

"Russetfur." She mewed like a kit "You look younger and stronger."

"Being in StarClan restores one to their youth and prime." The former deputy meowed "Like Blackstar, I am proud of you, my daughter. I give you the life of Protection, to protect and put the lives of your Clanmates before your own."

Russetfur pressed her nose to Nightripple's cheek; the pain, this time, came with a memory of the Dark Forest battle. The yellow eyed warrior had risked her life to save Ferretclaw from the dark warriors.

"Never lose your footing, Nightripple." Russetfur said upon nuzzling the black she-cat and padding back to stand beside Blackstar.

Nightripple felt sadden as she watched her parents, another dark ginger cat took Russetfur's place, this one with bright blue eyes.

"Flametail!" The she-cat meowed happily "It's wonderful to see you again."

The young medicine cat gave a small nod "It's wonderful to see you too."

Her black ears fell as she remembered the tom's untimely death in the frozen lake "I tired saving you, but..."

"I know. Now stop looking so sad, I have gifts to give you."

"Gifts?"

Flametail nodded "StarClan felt it was necessary for me to give you two gifts."

"Alright."

"I five you the life of Understanding and...Love. To understand the Clan's need as well as others," He left out a small purr "and to love all the cats in your care, including Ferretclaw."

Nightripple stuttered at the gray and cream colored tom's name. Flametail gave a laugh and pressed his nose to Nightripple's cheek; warmth flooded the she-cat's body and the flame colored tom stepped back."

"I'll give you wisdom whenever I can."

The white foreheaded warrior gave a small nod and waited for her last life. Yet another dark ginger cat stepped forward, Nightripple stood tall upon seeing the cat.

"Rowanstar." She said in acknowledgement.

The tom bowed his head "Just like my son, I have two gifts to give you. My warrior, Nightripple, StarClan has chosen well."

"You died too young...To think that the kittypets took your remaining lives." The she-cat meowed "And then Crowfrost died from a poisoned piece of prey."

Rowanstar let out a deep breath, working his claws into the ground at the mention of the Kittypets. He shook his head "Yes, I know. With this life I give you Bravery and Assertiveness. Your bravery knows no bounds, but now you must have enough bravery for the clans. Being assertive comes with growth and often anger, use your assertiveness well."

The tom placed his nose to Nightripple's forehead and for the last time, the she-cat's body convulsed for the last time. Rowanstar backed up and the black cat fought hard not to fall over from exhaustion.

"I hail you by your new name, Nightstar. Your old life is no more. You have now received the nine lives of a leader, and StarClan grants you guardianship of ShadowClan. Defend it well; care for the young and old; honor your ancestors and the traditions of the Warrior Code; live each life with pride and dignity." Rowanstar meowed

"Nightstar! Nightstar!" The StarClan cats chanted.

The vision began to fade as the newly named leader looked to her parents and best friend. The trio gave a nod and Nightstar's chest swelled up with pride and love.

"You always have us to guide and watch over you."