Chapter 2: Pinestar

Later that evening, when the stars of Silverpelt were dancing across the sky and the crisp night air blew swiftly across the territories, a brown tabby tom began his long trek home from the MoonPool. He ached all over from his recent encounter with StarClan, and the sharp wind biting through his fur didn't help. He cringed, suppressing a whimper, and limped on, all he wanted to do was return home and rest.

"Are you okay Pinefoo- I mean, Pinestar?" Fernshadow, a dark brown tom with green eyes, who was also ShadowClan's medicine cat, asked.

"No, I'm fine. Just tired is all." Pinestar answered, giving his white chest a quick lick.

That was too painful! He wanted to whine, but he kept his mouth shut and his thoughts to himself. As the new leader of ShadowClan I must be careful, and not show my weaknesses. For the Shadowclan of this time were an unruly clan, and they had become known for uprisings and protests.

The two tom's paws pounded on the hard stone beneath them, and Pinestar kept his amber eyes focused forward, his white jaw set. The images of getting his nine lives kept flying through his mind, but he shook his head, refusing to think about it and trying to ward them off.

Fernshadow eyed Pinestar, a confused expression on his face, but the medicine cat made no move to comment.

By the time that the stone had given way to the squishy, damp, predawn grass, Pinestar could no longer fend off the barrage of thoughts, and finally gave in, letting the memories wash over him, reliving the whole experience.

He remembered the cold sting of the water and the feeling of floating away from his body and into a realm that was familiar, yet, unfamiliar at the same time.

The white chested tom had opened his amber eyes and peered around, his vision fuzzy. Blinking rapidly, Pinefoot got to his feet and took a step towards what looked like a blue blob. His paw fell into it, a chilling sensation overtook him, and the tabby tom was then suddenly able to see. He shivered violently, quickly yanking his foot from the water of the Moonpool that had been the blue blob, and leaped backwards, banging his back on the rock wall behind him.

He grunted, and at that time was suddenly surrounded by scores of cats, their pelts starry and their fur sleek. Scuttling backwards, Pinefoot had tried to get away, but the icy wall nipped at his haunches, cutting off any escape.

"It's okay, Pinefoot," A beautiful dark ginger tabby she-cat then padded forward, her long, fluffy tail trailing behind her.

"F-Foxflight?" Pinefoot had stammered, speechless.

The she-cat nodded, her jade green eyes glistening with sadness. "Yes, it's me."

"Foxflight, I-I'm so sorry," Pinefoot had whimpered, a tear making its way down his face, "I sh-should have tried harder. I could have saved you, could have saved everybody." He hung his head, his tail went limp, and his vision had gone blurry with tears.

Pinefoot had then felt the soft touch of her tail beneath his chin, lifting his face upwards to look at Foxflight. "It's okay, Pinefoot. You did your best, and it was my time." She smiled sadly then and wondered what could have been.

Pinefoot sniffled and then ran a paw over his white muzzle, wiping away the tears. He straightened up to his full height, remembering what he was there for, and looked around. Familiar faces of past Shadowclan cats had crowded nearby. The cranky white elder, Sharptail, the sweet golden queen, Flowerpetal, the dark black warrior, Nightclaw, and many others that he both did and did not recognize.

"I am ready," He mewed, his tail now straight and his posture erect.

The other cats nodded and walked back, giving the tabby tom some space to step forward.

Pinefoot waited for the first warrior to come forth, but instead, a small gray-and-white cat of apprentice age bounced forward. It took Pinefoot a second to recognize her, but he eventually realized that she was Larkpaw, a young apprentice that had died of the cold. She stretched up to touch noses with him, and Pinefoot leaned down so that could reach.

"I give you a life for passion. Use it well so that you will feel strongly towards your goals." The little she-cat mewed, touching her nose to his.

Pinefoot braced himself, he had been told of the excruciating pain that comes with the nine lives, and had steeled himself against it as best he could.

But the pain didn't come. Instead, this first life felt like he was unlocking a part of himself that was always there, and like the fresh water of a river, the life coursed through his veins, rejuvenating him.

Pinefoot breathed a sigh of relief, and Larkpaw returned to the crowd.

Next, none other than Foxflight returned to his side. She gave him a sweet smile, before saying, "With this life I give you foresight. Use it well so that you may know what is needed."

Pinefoot, knowing the sweet, caring she-cat, thought that this life would be as easy to receive as the last, but he was utterly mistaken. This life burned through his veins like a fire, fighting against his 'act first, think later' nature. By the time the life had taken its hold, Pinefoot had been groveling in pain, and he stayed panting on the ground when it was over.

Foxflight gently nudged him and helped him get up, and then she left to take her place in the circle of cats.

Pinefoot then received many other lives. Lives of bravery, skill, playfulness, compassion, pride, courage, and love. The last life burned through Pinefoot 's veins and was like the thundering of a great badger. He felt the fierce protectiveness of a mother to her kits, and it raged through him like a wildfire, leaving his body sore and weak.

Pinefoot was barely able to stand, let alone hear the shouts of the Starclan cats. "Pinestar, Pinestar, Pinestar," Their voices came as whispers to his ears.

He had awoken not shortly after, too exhausted to say goodbye, and he was now on his way back to camp, traversing the grassy forests.

Eventually, around the beautiful colors of Sunup, Pinestar and Fernshadow made it back to the camp. Pinestar strutted in with his tail erect and his head held high, he knew now that to show weakness was to invite an adder into his nest.

He kept up his act until he was inside the leaders den, his den. The new Shadowclan leader then collapsed in his nest, immediately going into a deep sleep.