AN: Okay, so I'm on a two hour plane ride to visit a friend, so I'm killing time by writing a few chapters...
Disclaimer: I wish I owned Warriors.
Brambleclaw's Nine Lives
"Bramblestar, Bramblestar!" ThunderClan's cheers erupted from the beat-up warriors. This was what Brambleclaw had always wanted, to lead his clan. But how could he accept his new role with joy at the death of his leader and mentor? Unlike his father and half-brother, Brambleclaw had not wished to claw his way to power, but he felt as if he had earned it. He shifted his amber gaze to Firestar's lifeless body. He's hunting with StarClan now, the new leader reminded himself.
ThunderClan had returned to their camp. Firestar's body was arranged in the clearing for burial, and most of the Clan was gathered around it, sharing tongues with their noble leader for the last time. Brambleclaw crouched by Firestar's side, and gave Firestar's pelt one last, respectful lick before crouching by his side to sit vigil. "Hey, Brambleclaw!" Jayfeather called. "You have to appoint a deputy, even though it was past moonhigh when you became leader." That's right! Brambleclaw jumped to his feet. A deputy...
He jumped up to the Highledge without hesitation. Brambleclaw already knew who would be his deputy. "Let all cats old enough to..." He trailed off and shuffled his paws in embarrassment when he noticed that all the cats were already assembled. "I say these words before the body of Firestar, that he may hear and approve of my choice."
"Squirrelflight will be the new deputy of Thunderclan." The ginger she-cat pricked her ears in surprise. "Really? Me?" She meowed. Brambleclaw nodded fiercely. "I couldn't think of another cat whom I trust more." He turned back to his clan. "I will now travel to the Moonpool, tonight, with Jayfeather to receive my nine lives and StarClan's blessing." The dark tabby bowed his head as the Clan's cheers of approval washed over him.
"Get a move on!" Jayfeather called from the thorn tunnel. Brambleclaw leapt down from the Highledge and padded over to join the medicine cat.
"Good luck!"
"May StarClan light your path!"
"Travel safely!"
The voices of approval warmed Brambleclaw's heart. As he and Jayfeather made their way to the Moonpool, Brambleclaw sniffed the night air. There was just the faintest taint of blood from the battle, and the wind promised of a storm soon to wash away the Dark Forest's filth. How could I have ever followed my father's pawsteps? I'm not like him...not at all! And I'm sick of cats judging me by the color of my pelt. Now's my chance to prove myself once and for all!
As the two cats crouched by the Moonpool, Jayfeather said, "Take a few sips of the water, and StarClan will enter your dreams." The tabby dipped his head to the silvery water in obedience and lapped a few drops. The cold stone of the Moonpool quickly slipped away and was replaced with soft grass. Fourtrees! Brambleclaw opened his eyes and saw the familiar oaks and the Highstone in the center, bringing back memories of his days in the old forest.
The stars spiraled down into the clearing, and Brambleclaw saw his old Clanmates surrounding him. Midnight? He thought in shock. The old badger sat amongst the cats and dipped her head to him. That's right, he thought sadly, she died in the battle, too...
The first cat stepped forward. "Are you ready to receive your nine lives, Brambleclaw?" It was Bluestar. Brambleclaw was dazed by the starlight about her paws and dipped his head respectfully. She padded forward and touched her muzzle to his forehead. "With this life, I give you confidence. Use it well to guide your clan in times of despair." Brambleclaw felt stabbing pain through his body and his vision was obstructed with memories of the mission Bluestar had given him long ago, and his leadership on the journey to the sun-drown place. He blinked, and Bluestar was already padding away.
The next cat to step up was Feathertail. She rested her silver muzzle on Brambleclaw's and meowed, "With this life, I give you devotion. No one will ever doubt your loyalty again." Brambleclaw felt a fierce jolt through his body, and wondered if that was what Feathertail had felt towards Crowfeather on their journey.
A gray she-cat with a flat face approached Brambleclaw. "I am Yellowfang," she announced. "I give you a life for right judgement, as Firestar showed when he chose to save a kit in danger instead of an old friend." Brambleclaw felt a pang of guilt. So this was the medicine cat who had died instead of him.
Longtail came to give Brambleclaw another life. He felt a deep sadness as he remembered the elder's death, but also a bittersweet joy as he saw the pale tabby striding across the clearing, the agedness gone from his limbs and his eyes sparkling with sight. "With this life, I give you open-mindedness. Use it well to overcome your prejudices and biases." Brambleclaw understood Longtail's reference to his dislike of Firestar's kittypet heritage. He dipped his head to the wise old cat.
A brown cat with blazing blue eyes stepped up next. "Stoneteller!" Brambleclaw gasped. The Tribe cat dipped his head in greeting. "I have traveled far to be part of your leadership ceremony. Thank you for all you did for my Tribe. With this life I give you the power of healing," he said as he tipped his head to Brambleclaw's. "Use it well in the leadership of your clan." It must be hard to be leader and medicine cat, Brambleclaw thought.
Midnight lumbered across to Brambleclaw to give him his sixth life. "With this life, I give you wisdom. Use well to guide Clan in times of trouble."
Goldenflower purred as she approached her son. "I'm so proud of you," she said warmly, "for overcoming all that you had to get this far. With this life, I give you self-confidence. Always trust in yourself to lead your clan."
Brambleclaw was genuinely surprised by the next cat. "Ashfur?" he couldn't help exclaiming. The gray cat dipped his head. "I'm sorry for everything I did." He meowed. "My jealousy for you and Squirrelflight made me lose sight of everything that goes beyond the code. It was not my place to punish those disloyal to it. I paid dearly for that, and I'm happy to see Squirrelflight happy with you." He touched his muzzle to Brambleclaw. "With this life I give you limitless loyalty." The fur rose along Brambleclaw's spine, but Ashfur continued, "Though no cat can doubt your loyalty to your clan, remember to stay loyal to those you love, and don't ever forget that Squirrelflight loves you very much." Sadness glimmered in Ashfur's eyes as he stepped away.
Of course, Brambleclaw's ninth life would come from Firestar. The flame-colored tom strode proudly across the clearing, starlight giving the appearance of a cloak of fire. "Brambleclaw, my apprentice, my warrior, my deputy," he began. Bluestar groaned and whispered to Whitestorm, next to her, "He stole that line from me!"
"You have come far from your dark heritage. I know that you will be an excellent leader. With this life I give you nobility and justice." Bluestar hissed at Firestar's lack of creativity and plagiarism. "Stand with pride at the head of your clan. I hail you by your new name: Bramblestar!"
"Bramblestar, Bramblestar!" the cheers from the warriors of StarClan rang in his ears as Bramblestar woke and stood up from the edge of the Moonpool. "That went well," Jayfeather meowed. "It's time to return to the Clan." Bramblestar nodded. The shadows of his past retreated in the starlight as the new leader of ThunderClan pelted through the woods.
I reject the teachings of Tigerstar and the Dark Forest. I walk with StarClan.
YAAAAY BRAMBLESTAR
Anyway. Please R&R!
May StarClan light your path ^_^
