Name: To Become a Leader

Word minimum: 800

Word count: 837

Description: Write a one-shot about a leader receiving their nine lives from StarClan.

Blazepelt stared uncertainly at the still water, reluctant to take a drink. "Go on," The rich voice of Berrytail, the medicine cat, urged.

The soon to be leader crouched by the pool and scrunched his eyes, taking a small lick of the icy water. He blinked back open his yellow eyes to see a group of cats with stars in their fur. He gasped, wanting to rush forward and greet his deceased friends, but found he was rooted to the spot.

"Greetings, Blazepelt." The cats' voices all melded into one, with the softness of Snowpaw's and the deepness of Deerstar's, among others. "Your old life has been stripped, your warrior life is gone. Come, and accept your calling!"

Blazepelt seemed to float forward, towards a small group of nine cats he had lost during his life. Snowpaw, his former apprentice, was the first to step forward. She stretched up on her paws, touching her nose to his.

"With this life I give you honesty. Use it to gain the trust of your entire Clan, and know when there are traitors in your midst." Pain shot through Blazepelt, the pain of a guilty liar. He remembered how Snowpaw had died, going after a ShadowClan warrior he had claimed had stolen prey.

"I'm sorry," He whispered. Snowpaw just smiled sadly, padding away. Blazepelt didn't have much time to dwell on her, though; Sunburst quickly took her place.

"With this life I give you courage. Use it to stand up against those who dare wrong you," His father meowed, touching noses with Blazepelt. Strength filled him, and he felt like he could fight all of LionClan without fear.

Moonnight was next, gently tapping her nose against her former mate's. "With this life I give you a mother's protective spirit. Use it to keep your entire Clan safe as well as you have kept our kits safe." Horrible pain gripped him, as well as a need to take on anything that might threaten one of his warriors. "Say hello to Streampaw and Pebblepaw for me," she murmured before stepping back, giving him a pained look.

Lightheart stepped forward, stretching up her head to touch his nose. "With this life I give you justice. Use it to judge everyone fairly and find the truth, like you did for me." The former deputy had been killed by a ShadowClan warrior, and the death had been staged to look like a fox had killed her. Blazepelt had been the only one to figure out the truth.

Swiftstorm followed, eyes shining much brighter than when he had lied at the bottom of the cliff next to ThunderClan camp. "With this life I give you wisdom. Use it to make the right decisions and keep your Clan strong." Blazepelt's head exploded with pain, and he clenched his jaw. Before he knew it, Redpaw had taken his place.

"With this life I give you faith. Use it to remember StarClan is always with you, even during tough times," His childhood friend meowed. A warm feeling spread throughout his body, and he knew he would always have help during his leadership.

Ravenflight stepped up behind the apprentice, lightly tapping Blazepelt's nose with hers. "With this life I give you compassion. Use it to remember not all cats are as strong as you, and to help those in need." The pain was light, but incessant, to remind him of those who might need his help.

The medicine cat gently licked Blazepelt's cheek before stepping back, letting Runningleap take her place. The elder had been Blazepelt's favorite as a kit, always telling the best stories. The soon to be leader had been devastated when greencough had taken his life.

"With this life I give you boundless energy. Use it to serve your Clan tirelessly." Blazepelt felt as if he could race across all of StarClan territory and not break a sweat, and he had to dig in his claws into the soft ground to keep himself still.

The elder stepped back, letting the final cat take his place. Deerstar leaned his head down, staring Blazepelt straight in the eyes. "I am very proud of you," He purred. "You've served me well, both as my apprentice and my deputy. I know you will do the same for all of ThunderClan." Blazepelt smiled, surprised to receive such high praise from the former leader.

"With this life I give you the gift of mentoring. Use it to lead your Clan well and make all the right choices." Deerstar stepped back, announcing to all of StarClan, "I now pronounce you Blazestar. Lead your Clan well for many moons to come."

"Blazestar! Blazestar!" The chant was taken up by all the cats, and continued even as they faded. The new leader blinked open his eyes as the first rays of dawn split the sky. Blazestar turned, giving Berrytail a bright look.

"Let's go! I've got a Clan to lead!" Berrytail nodded, and the two raced off through the underbrush as the sun rose behind them.