Decided to upload this before the new year. Enjoy!

Mudpool's Path- Chapter 13

Mudpool came out of the warriors' den, still sore from the battle with the rogues. She looked up and saw that the sun was already high in the sky. She padded over to the camp entrance, where Dawnshadow and Sandfur were waiting. Sandfur placed some traveling herbs in front of her.

"Eat these," Sandfur instructed. "I know you don't like them, but they'll keep your strength up."

Mudpool nodded, and, trying to prevent herself from vomiting, swallowed the herbs. She made a disgusted face. "I wish traveling herbs didn't have to taste so bad!"

"Come on," Dawnshadow meowed. "I want to get to the Moonhill quickly."

Sandfur purred. "Calm down, Dawnshadow. You're acting like a new apprentice who's about to be let out of camp for the first time."

"We'll have to be cautious," Mudpool mentioned. "We don't know if those rogues are still hanging about."

With that, the three cats squeezed through the tunnel, emerging into the forest. Dawnshadow stopped in her tracks.

"What's wrong?" Mudpool asked.

"I'll be right back." Dawnshadow turned back into the camp, leaving Sandfur and Mudpool alone. When she came back, she gave a twitch of her tail, signaling that they could go.

"I just needed to tell someone to organize patrols," Dawnshadow meowed, before padding ahead of them to lead the way.

As they sped through the forest, Mudpool took note of the orange and yellow leaves decorating the forest floor. Seems like leaf-fall is finally here, she thought.

They soon arrived at the stream that marked the BreezeClan border. Just as they were about to cross, a patrol consisting of Thunderstep, Whispersong, and a black and white apprentice skidded to a halt on the other side.

"Dawnshadow, Sandfur and Mudpool," Whispersong greeted as she eyed them cautiously. "What brings you here?"

"We're going to the Moonhill," Dawnshadow replied.

"Has something happened?" the apprentice asked.

Sandfur sighed. "Icestar has died."

A look of shock passed across their faces, and Whispersong bowed her head. "He was a very brave leader. I wish you the best, Dawnshadow."

"You may pass," Thunderstep meowed. "But just because we let you doesn't mean you can take our prey."

"Don't count on it," Mudpool muttered, then she turned to the apprentice. "Who's this?"

The apprentice straightened up. "I'm Hollypaw! Whispersong is my mentor!"

Whispersong purred. "She's very energetic. Do you have your own apprentice yet, Mudpool?"

"Not yet," Mudpool sighed, remembering how much she wanted Birchpaw as her apprentice. "But Birdwing just had two kits, so maybe I'll have one of them as my apprentice."

"Mudpool!" Dawnshadow called, already having crossed the stream. "Hurry up! We don't want to be too late!"

Mudpool leapt over the stream, meowed a goodbye to the patrol, and quickly padded over to Dawnshadow.

"Sorry," Mudpool meowed. "I was held up."

"Well, you better hope you won't be held up anymore," Dawnshadow snapped. "We need to be there before Moonhigh, and we still have BreezeClan territory to cross!"

Sandfur slowed down to pad beside Mudpool.

"Don't worry," he meowed. "She's still grieving. She was very fond of Icestar."

"Well of course she was," Mudpool replied. "He was the leader, and she was his deputy, after all."

"That's not it," Sandfur whispered. "Not entirely anyway. She longed to be his mate since they were apprentices. But when he made her his deputy, she eventually accepted that she couldn't have kits with him, let alone be his mate, if it meant she had to give up her position as deputy."

"Was she really that ambitious?"

"It was never ambition," Sandfur assured. "She wanted to make him happy in a different way; by being his deputy."

Mudpool thought about this for a while, and turned back to him. "What about you?" When Sandfur stared at her in confusion, she added, "If you ever fell in love with a cat in the Clan, what would you do?"

Sandfur looked up at the sky, which was quickly darkening. "I'm a medicine cat, so I can never have a mate. But, if I ever stumbled along the right cat for me, then I would tell her. If we did end up hitting it off, I would give up my medicine cat duties just so that I could be with her."

"You can't do that though," Mudpool reminded him. "You don't have an apprentice, so there'd be no one else to take your place."

"I wouldn't be so sure," Sandfur mewed. "Fernpaw has mentioned to me that she'd like to be the next medicine cat."

"She doesn't like being a warrior?"

"Unfortunately, no," Sandfur sighed. "She told me that it was no longer fun going out into battle, having to see cats being injured left and right."

I beg to differ, Mudpool thought, remembering the battle with the rogues when she almost killed one of them.

"I have talked to Streamtail though, about making her my apprentice," Sandfur meowed. "After thinking it over he agreed, and we just have to talk to Dawnshadow about it, after she becomes the leader."

Mudpool stared at him and tilted her head. "Why are you so hung up on wanting an apprentice? You're still so young, you're only a couple of moons older than I am!"

Sandfur purred. "It's always good to be prepared, isn't it? Besides, I-" He stopped himself, his eyes wide, and he turned his head away, focusing on the path ahead of them.

Mudpool shrugged, wondering why he had stopped talking so suddenly. She brushed the thought away, as they approached the Moonhill.

Dawnshadow looked up at the sky. The sun was setting over the hills, casting its light across them.

"We still have time before we can start the ceremony," Sandfur meowed. "We can wait and rest."

"I'll watch out for any rogues," Mudpool offered.

The time passed slower than she thought it would, and she saw no sign of rogues anywhere. Maybe we scared them off, Mudpool thought.

She jumped as she felt Sandfur's tail on her shoulder. "It's time," he meowed.

She padded back over to the pond, where the moonlight danced off of the tiny ripples in the water.

"Wait, so I can see the ceremony as well?" Mudpool asked.

"We aren't sure," Sandfur meowed. "It's never been done before, but we can try."

Mudpool gulped, wondering if the ceremony would fail just because a warrior was there with them.

The three of them pressed their noses to the cold water, shutting their eyes. When Mudpool opened them again, she saw that she was in StarClan's territory once again. Looking beside her, she saw Sandfur and Dawnshadow.

"What if they don't accept me as the leader?" Dawnshadow fretted. "What if they think I don't deserve it?"

"When we got out of camp, you were so excited to get here," Sandfur remarked. "What ever happened to that attitude? Anyways, they'll accept you, don't worry."

Mudpool looked ahead, noticing mist gathering in front of them. The mist began to swirl, and it soon formed an enormous group of cats, all who stared at them with fond eyes.

One of the cats stepped forward, and Mudpool recognized the cat as Icestar.

"Welcome," he purred. "I see that you have brought Mudpool with you."

"That's not going to stop me from getting my nine lives, is it?" Dawnshadow asked nervously.

"Normally, we would ask the warrior to leave," Icestar replied. "But we have an important matter to discuss with Mudpool after this is over."

Mudpool gulped and she glanced nervously at the former LeafClan leader.

"But now isn't the time for that. Now is the time for Dawnshadow's leader ceremony."

Icestar stepped forward and touched his nose to Dawnshadow's forehead. "With this life, I give you bravery. Know that bravery is not being fearless, but being afraid of something, and not letting that get in the way of doing what you know is right."

Almost immediately after, Dawnshadow's fur went on end, and she winced. Mudpool stared in shock.

"Is this supposed to happen?" she asked Sandfur, who nodded in response.

Dawnshadow opened her eyes again, and Mudpool saw another cat rise to their paws and come forward. Mudpool recognized the cat almost immediately as Twistedfoot.

"My sister," he murmured. "I'm so proud that I have been honored to give you one of your lives."

He pressed his nose to Dawnshadow's. "With this life, I give you compassion, so that you may protect all those around you, young and old."

Dawnshadow's jaw tightened, and she squeezed her eyes shut as the life coursed through her.

She didn't have much time to recover, when the third cat approached. Mudpool's heart nearly leapt out of her chest. Petalbloom!

The cream and white she-cat bent down to her. "With this life, I give you love. Use it to care for those in your Clan as if they were your own kits."

Dawnshadow braced herself, as her tail went erect and she sank her claws into the ground. She was panting by the time she had recovered. "I have to be strong..." she murmured to herself, as the fourth cat approached. Mudpool saw that this cat looked strikingly like Dawnshadow.

Dawnshadow stared in surprise. "Mother... is that really you?"

The StarClan cat purred. "I am so proud of you, my precious daughter." She pressed her nose to Dawnshadow's, her eyes glowing with wisdom and love. "With this life, I give you hope. Use it in times of trouble, when you are uncertain of things to come."

Dawnshadow's body relaxed, and she let out a gentle sigh. Mudpool couldn't help but purr, as the pair exchanged a happy glance with each other, before the StarClan cat's place was taken by another cat.

"My name is Pebblestar," he meowed. "I was the leader of LeafClan long ago, and I am pleased to give you your fifth life." He bent his head down to touch the top of Dawnshadow's. "With this life, I give you honesty. When you make promises, hold the truth in them until the end."

Dawnshadow winced, but it was noticeable that she was becoming stronger with every life given to her.

Mudpool's eyes widened in joy as she saw the next cat. "Thrushflight... My father..."

"With this life, I give you trust," Thrushflight murmured. "Never feel as though you are alone. Trust in those around you, and in StarClan." As he gave her the life, Dawnshadow closed her eyes and sighed calmly.

Thrushflight moved aside as his place was taken by another tom. Sandfur let out a happy squeal. "Blacktail!"

Blacktail looked at him and purred, and bent down to touch his nose to Dawnshadow's head. "With this life I give you patience. When things may seem bleak, patience will bring good things in time."

Mudpool was happy to see the next cat, Cloudstorm. His pelt shone like that of a young warrior's, and he no longer appeared as though he were to join the elders at any time. He wasted no time in giving Dawnshadow her next life.

"I give you a life for loyalty," he meowed. "Be loyal to your Clan, and to your Clanmates, as they will assist you through your leadership."

Mudpool looked around, wanting to know who would be the cat to give Dawnshadow her ninth life. She was surprised to see Specklefur, who was once Rockpool and Morninglight's mother, step forward.

The tortoiseshell she-cat gazed at Dawnshadow. "You were my best friend when I was alive. We fought side by side in battle. You helped me more times than I can count, and now I give to you your final life."

Specklefur pressed her nose to Dawnshadow's. "With this life, I give you wisdom. When decisions are hard to make, use this life to make the right one."

Dawnshadow's eyes gleamed with gratitude. "Thank you... Thank you all of you!"

Icestar stepped forward. "I hail you by your new name, Dawnstar. Your old life is no more. You have now recieved the nine lives of a leader, and StarClan grants you the guardianship of LeafClan. 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."

The StarClan cats lifted their muzzles to call out the name of the new leader. "Dawnstar! Dawnstar!"

Mudpool and Sandfur exchanged a glance, and joined in the cheering. "Dawnstar! Dawnstar!"

The cheering soon died down, and Icestar let his gaze travel over all of them. "None of you must tell any cat what you have witnessed here."

"We promise," the three cats meowed in unison.

"Now Mudpool," Icestar turned to the brown tabby she-cat. "Come with me for a moment."

"Hold on," Dawnstar stopped them. "What do you need to discuss with her?"

Icestar looked at Mudpool, and she nodded. "It won't be long before Dawnstar finds out, and Sandfur already knows."

Icestar sighed, and looked at them. "A group of cats plotted to kill me. That is why they attacked camp yesterday."

Dawnstar gasped, and Sandfur simply stared in utter shock.

"The war between LeafClan and the rogues isn't over yet. They will keep coming, in stronger numbers, until every cat is gone. Mudpool, there is a cat who may know more about what is happening than I do."

"Who is it?" Mudpool demanded.

"You must figure this out yourself," Icestar meowed calmly. "I suggest looking to those who are older than you, perhaps remind yourself of a conversation once held between two cats."

Mudpool was about to ask what he meant, when the StarClan cats began to fade.

"Go with courage, Mudpool," Icestar urged. "You are LeafClan's only hope."

Mudpool's eyes snapped open, only to see the pond of the Moonhill in front of her. She looked beside her to see that Sandfur and Dawnstar were waking up.

"What did Icestar mean?" Mudpool asked. "How can there be a cat in LeafClan who might know something about what is happening?"

"He did say to remind yourself of a conversation held long ago," Sandfur meowed. "Do you remember anything like that?"

Mudpool racked her brain, trying to remember, when suddenly her thoughts were interrupted by Dawnstar.

"We must get going," the new leader meowed. "Dawn is near, and I haven't made my deputy yet."

"Right," Sandfur turned to Mudpool. "Don't worry, Mudpool. We'll find out in time who this cat is."

Mudpool nodded, not completely believing him. Why can't I remember who this cat was, or what that conversation was about?

~o~o~o~o~

When they finally arrived back at camp, Mudpool saw that the rest of the Clan was waiting for them.

"Look! There she is!" Nettlepelt meowed excitedly. The Clan stared at Dawnstar, who was making her way to the Highbranch.

"I think she'll be making her deputy now!"

"Will she know what to do?"

"She's the Clan Leader! Of course she'll know what to do!"

Mudpool padded over to Hawkwing, Rockpool, Rainspots and Tigerstripe. Hawkwing looked up at her.

"How was it?" Hawkwing demanded. "Did you see StarClan?"

"It wasn't my leader ceremony!" Mudpool purred. "Besides, I can't tell any cat what I saw."

When Hawkwing looked down in disappointment, Mudpool added, "But I thought it would be wise to try and gather clues about who this cat is. You know, the one that keeps visiting me in my dreams and won't leave me alone."

"That sounds like a good idea," Tigerstripe meowed. "But-"

She was interrupted by Dawnstar, who was calling the Clan for a meeting. Mudpool gathered beneath the Highbranch with the rest of her Clanmates, settling down beside Sandfur.

"As you all know, I am your new leader," Dawnstar meowed. "Icestar was noble and brave, and I hope that he honors my decision for the new deputy." She straightened up, and began the ceremony.

"I say these words before StarClan, that the spirits of our warrior ancestors may hear and approve of my choice. The new deputy of LeafClan shall be Snowstorm."

Mudpool felt her heart leap with pride as she watched her sister step forward.

"Thank you, Dawnstar, and thank you everyone," Snowstorm looked around at the Clan. "I promise, I will be the greatest deputy I can be, and I hope to earn the respect of all of you."

With that, the Clan broke out into a chorus of cheers. "Snowstorm! Snowstorm!"

After the ceremony was over, Mudpool gathered in the warriors' den with Hawkwing and the others.

"So, what do you think we should do?" Hawkwing asked.

"I don't even know," Mudpool answered, hanging her head. "I'm not even sure where to start."

"It'll come to you in time," Rainspots assured her. "We should still try to look for clues and figure out what's going to happen."

"Right. There's also no sense in worrying about the future," Tigerstripe added. "If we do that, we'll waste all of our time, and it'll be too late."

"Maybe we could look for suspects," Rockpool put in. "You know, sneaking around the territories..."

"Rockpool, that's a terrible idea," Hawkwing meowed. "I mean, how do you think-"

"Actually, that's not a bad idea," Mudpool interrupted. "Think about it; what other Clan has had an encounter with rogues? What other Clan is closer to the rogues than we think?"

The cats fell silent for a moment, and Hawkwing's ears perked up. "MistClan! They have Ravensky!"

"Exactly, so what we should do is keep a close eye on Ravensky and see what he does, and maybe we'll figure out what's going on."

"I just hope this is going to work," Mudpool meowed. "If this plan fails, we'll be too late, and LeafClan won't exist anymore."

So, who do you think the cat that can help them is?

I'm so happy you guys are actually enjoying this. I honestly thought it was going to crash, burn, explode and die.

Anyways, I hope you all have a Happy New Year!