Chapter 10
The full moon was rising as Lightningclan made its way to their very first gathering.
"What's going to happen when we get there?", Cream asked excitedly. Lightningstrike could hear Cream's voice among all others.
"I don't know my dear", Clover's gentle voice said in reply.
Lightningstrike bluntly turned around and said, "We will present ourselves to the other clans"
"Thanks Lightningstrike", Cream said embarrassed as she scuffled her paws on the forest floor.
Suddenly the trees cleared away to reveal the lake. The full moon was mirrored on the lake and in the moonlight he could just make out the shape of cats journeying to the island.
He waited until the moon was very high in the sky to give the signal.
When he did the cats flooded to the tree bridge. Fire was just about to leap on the tree when Foxtail hissed, "Stop you mouse-brain. Do you want to fall in the lake?"
"No, Foxtail", Fire replied frightened.
"Then let Lightningstrike go first", Foxtail growled.
As soon as Fire stepped off the tree Lightningstrike jumped on and said, "Follow me. Slowly!"
Once every cat was safely across he flicked his tail and his clan swarmed into the clearing.
"I see you have returned", Bramblestar said
"Blackstar was convinced you would not", Onestar said
"Who is the leader among you?", Mistystar asked
"I am", Lightningstrike replied
"That is a wise choice, you seem to have the wisdom of a leader", Blackstar concluded.
"Thank you, so is my name Lightningstar now?", Lightningstrike asked
"Of course not you must go to the Moonpool to receive your nine lives", Blackstar said outraged.
Suddenly they started to hear gasps from the clan cats. Lightningstrike turned to see that they were watching the sky.
There he saw something unlike anything he had ever saw before. The stars were moving!
When the first star had come to the ground it took the shape of a cat.
It was a black and white tom with a long tail. The cat said, "I am Tallstar, leader of Windclan before Onestar"
"With this life I give you justice. Use it well to defend your clan and punish who must be punished", Tallstar said as he put his nose to Lightningstrike's forehead.
Any agonizing pain went through him and he almost fell down. He was going to confront Tallstar but Tallstar was already walking away.
Another cat took his place, this time a large light brown tabby tom with a twisted jaw.
The cat said, "I am Crookedstar. I was once a leader of Riverclan"
Crookedstar then said, "With this life give you endurance. Use it well to pull through the most terrible sickness or the coldest leafbare". He touched noses with Lightningstrike and another agonizing spasm rippled through him as Crookedstar walked away.
The next cat was a golden dappled she-cat. He expected her voice to be soft and was surprised when she said in a ruff voice, "I am Leopardstar. I was leader after Crookedstar and before Mistystar".
She touched noses with him and said, "With this life I give you pride. Use it to never find fault in your clan and to love your clan with all your might"
Instead of the pain he was preparing for, this life felt like the sun was sinning on his pelt; warm and welcoming.
Next was a black she-cat with green eyes who said, "I am Hollyleaf. I give you a life for forgiveness, use it to forgive any cats who ever wrong you, for revenge isn't always right" as she pulled away the agonizing pain returned.
Next came an auburn colored tom who said, "I am Oakheart. With this life I give you loyalty. Use it to defend your clan with your life". The pain was becoming easier to bear so when the spasm came he wasn't as afraid.
Next came a grey she-cat with dark grey flecks who said, "I am Ferncloud. With this life I give you a mother's love. Use it to love every cat in your clan, from the youngest kit to the oldest elder" this life hurt more than any of the others which confused him, so much he hadn't even noticed when the next cat came up.
She was a dark grey she-cat with many battle scars marring her pelt. She looked him over and then said sounding very annoyed, "I am Yellowfang. With this life I give you patience. Use this to tolerate even the most mouse-brained cat". This life felt calm and relaxing and didn't hurt in the slightest.
Next came a blue-grey she cat who looked exactly like Mistystar, she said, "I am Bluestar. With this life I give you courage. Use it well every time you must charge into battle". This life made him feel strong, like there was nothing he couldn't do.
Finally a flame colored tom up and said, "I am Firestar. I was Thunderclan's leader before Bramblestar. With this life I give you wisdom. Use it well to make hard decisions for your clan"
Firestar then said, "I hail you by your new name, Lightningstar. Your old life is no more. You have now received the nine lives of a leader, and Starclan grants you the guardianship of Lightningclan. Defend it well; care for young and old; honor your ancestors and the traditions of the Warrior Code; live each life with pride and dignity"
As Firestar backed away the Cats of Starclan shouted Lightningstar's new name. And for the first time he remembered that he was at the gathering. And soon cats from all clans were cheering his name.
Suddenly he felt a nudge to his shoulder; it was Bramblestar. He nodded towards the big tree and Lightningstar understood. They want me to sit up there with the other leaders!
As he scrambled up to the highest branch he saw his clan looking happily and proudly up at him.
"Well now that that is over we can finally start the gathering", Blackstar meowed angrily.