Chapter 2: Nine Lives..
Brambleclaw opened his eyes and found himself at the Moonpool, Jayfeather was asleep beside him, his tail flicking while he dreamed. I've woken up! Starclan don't want me to be leader!
"Don't worry young one, the reality is far different"
Brambleclaw turned and saw that the rocky ridges around the Moonpool were filled with the ranks of Starclan. His eyes widened, cats continuously melted away from the night sky and came down to join the others, he could not see an end to the group of cats. The whole of Starclan is here!
A cat walked up to him, it's outline was pure white, stardust swirled around it like falling snow. The cat looked like living ice, slowly colour filled the cat's pelt until the only sign that it was Starclan was the brightness of it's eyes and the stardust that continuously twirled around it. The cat was a pale ginger tabby and could be described as gold, she had pale yellow eyes that shone like individual stars. Brambleclaw recognised her at once. "Mother!" he purred and he ran up to her like a kit and she licked his forehead. "I've missed you my son" she purred.
"I've missed you too." Brambleclaw rumbled. She looked at his large frame and strong shoulders and her eyes glowed even more. "You look like your father" Brambleclaw's eyes widened when she mentioned Tigerstar, the killer that was responsible for the battle with the dark forest.
"But you would never be anything like him" She purred.
Eight other cats came out of the ranks of the cats and all at the same time spoke clearly. "Brambleclaw you have been chosen to be the new leader of Thunderclan, to lead your clan well you must receive you nine lives" The cat that came forward first surprised Brambleclaw deeply. A pale grey cat, with darker grey flecks and blue eyes came forward. Brambleclaw's eyes widened.
"Ashfur!?"
Ashfur nodded "With this life I give you wisdom, use it to judge a situation carefully, and to not let your self do something terrible because you did not use all your sight." Ashfur touched Brambleclaw on his forehead and Brambleclaw felt a stab of pain pierce his side. Eventually it faded. "I was wrong to wage war with you, Squirrelflight and your family, Brambleclaw. You made Squirrelflight happier than I could have ever done. I am sorry."
"There is no need Ashfur" Brambleclaw purred. Another cat came forward, this time a grey tabby with green eyes came forward.
"I am Brindleface, you remember me don't you?"
Brambleclaw shuddered, "Yes, my father killed you"
"Do not be ashamed Brambleclaw, you represent everything good about your father, and you are how he could have turned out. With this life I give you justice, use it to serve out the right punishments and to seek it when great wrongs have been done." Again she touched his forehead and another pain when through him.
A new cat replaced Brindleface; however this cat was much smaller. A small white kit with blue eyes came forward, he looked happy and confident. Brambleclaw's heart went is his mouth. "Snowkit..."
The little kit smiled, "Don't worry Brambleclaw, I can hear here. Do not feel guilty, I live a much better life here than I would have ever done if I had not been killed by that hawk." Brambleclaw bent down to let the little kit reach him. "I'm sorry I was mean to you Snowkit." Snowkit shook his head, "You were a kit Brambleclaw, and there is no need for shame." He puffed out his chest and mewed "with this life I give you kindness, use it to comfort and to lead your clan with the care it needs." He gently touched Brambleclaw's head. This time it didn't hurt, it was pure kindness. "Thank you" Brambleclaw purred. The little kit smiled.
A new cat came forward it was Frencloud. "Frencloud! I'm so sorry that you died. Dustpelt misses you. He said he loves you."
The gentle she cat purred, "I know he does, there is no need to mourn me Brambleclaw, I am with my kits now." She looked happy, but Brambleclaw could see that she missed Dustpelt. "With this life I give you energy, use it to never grow tired as you lead your clanmates through a endless adventure."
Brambleclaw felt energy rush through him, he felt as if he could go to the forest and back without growing tired. Brambleclaw blinked his thanks. Frencloud went back to Starclan and was joined by her kits.
The next cat suprised Brambleclaw and filled him with sadness, Feathertail. "Feathertail!" Brambleclaw's thoughts ran to Crowfeather and his and Leafpool's kits and wondered if she was angry. "I am not angry, I am proud Brambleclaw. Leafpool made Crowfeather happy and she brought him out of the sadness he felt after my death." She walked up to him. "With this life I give you love, use it to care for the ones close to you and to protect them." Brambleclaw suddenly thought of Squirrelflight. Feathertail purred, "That's what I thought!" Brambleclaw felt a fierce ferocity of something fill him up, it made him want to spring to the heavens.
Goldenflower came next, she looked at him proudly. "With this life I give you courage, to defend yourself in battle and the courage in yourself and your clan." Brambleclaw felt strong all the sudden and very certain that he should be the leader of Thunderclan.
Next Bluestar walked up to him, Brambleclaw dipped his head to the former Thunderclan leader. "With this life I give you trust, trust in your clanmates and trust in yourself no matter what your background or you heritage." Brambleclaw nodded and felt himself fill with absolute certainty that no matter how evil his father that would never change him.
The next cat broke his heart, Hollyleaf his daughter. "My dear father, I love you." She purred. "With this life I give you truth, to see it in all ways and to not let it change you, like the truth changed me." Brambleclaw touched noses with his daughter and filled up with wisdom and knew no matter what his daughter and sons were his children. "I love you, daughter" Brambleclaw purred. Hollyleaf smiled.
The next cat filled Brambleclaw with joy, Firestar! The flame coloured tom look as healthy as ever and looked more powerful than a thunderstorm. "greetings Brambleclaw, I am proud that you were my apprentice and my deputy and I trust you will take care of the clan I love. I was wrong to doubt you because of your father, I am sorry." Brambleclaw nodded excepting his apology. "With your last life I give you loyalty, use it to never lack in your duty as clan leader and use it to recognise other cat's loyalty, as I should have done with you. I now name you Bramblestar, leader of thunderclan. Protect your clan using all your lives and make your clan and ancestors proud." Firestar touched Bramblestar's head and Bramblestar filled with power and excitement to lead his clan. "Thank you."