I've put this off for far too long…

I do not own Warriors. Morningsky belongs to Carolyn M., Dawnsky to Destiny D., Fireflower to Angeline H., Silverstar to Riley M., Blizzardleaf to Martha M., Goldenpaw to Laura K., Longclaw to Mary Rose P., Darkmoon to Kaitlyn T., Toadpaw to Frank C., Rainfrost to Michael G., Glacierstorm to me (Mallory K.), Lizardtooth to Dorian G., Brackentooth to Doug S., Tinyfoot to Margaux H., and Jayfrost to Nicki B..

Before I continue, I would like to explain a few key points here: how each of the characters featured in the ceremony died. Blizzardleaf's death is explained by Dawnsky in the chapter, but hers is the only one. Goldenpaw died of disease; Darkmoon, Tinyfoot and Jayfrost passed away of old age; Toadpaw was hit by a monster when he rushed excitedly across the Thunderpath; Rainfrost and Brackentooth were killed in battle.

ReedClan had taken the news better than expected. Despite the shock of the situation, many of Morningsky's Clanmates had already begun to refer to her as Morningstar. She also had to get used to being called "Dawnstar."

"So Dawnsky and I are both going to receive our leader names?" Morningsky asked as she, Fireflower, Dawnsky and Silverstar left the camp at sundown.

"Yes," Fireflower responded. "Of course, only you will be receiving nine lives."

"But if Dawnsky is Clan leader…?"

"She is."

Silverstar cleared his throat loudly.

"Almost…but don't forget that you're the chosen one. Dawnsky's reign as leader depends on you."

Morningsky nodded. Another question popped up. "Dawnsky is coming to get her leader name. I'm coming to get my name and my lives. You're coming because it's your duty. But what's he doing here?"

"I have to lose most of my lives in order to retire," Silverstar explained. "Otherwise I'll be in retirement for a really long time."

"Ah."

Silence.

"…I think he ruins the joke," Fireflower chuckled.

"Oh, I beg to differ," Dawnsky purred. "He smells like cat-dirt."

Morningsky and Fireflower sniggered.

"Again with the inside jokes?" Silverstar growled. "Morningsky, you're obligated to translate everything Dawnsky says, right? So what's she saying?"

"Sorry, Silverstar," Morningsky purred. "That would ruin the joke."

Silverstar was about to say something when the four of them came into view of the Mooncreek. It was already starting to glitter with Moonwater.

"We don't have much time," Fireflower muttered. "We've all done this before. You know what to do."

The three living cats hurriedly took a drink of Moonwater. Swallowing, Morningsky felt a warmth spread from paws to tail-tip, just as it had earlier that day. Comforted and sleepy, the small golden warrior curled up into a ball and all went black.

Morningsky awoke not at the Mooncreek, but in an open meadow. The sun was high in the sky and a gentle breeze blew at the grass. All was quiet, but Morningsky had the feeling that she wasn't alone. She turned around and almost ran straight into a familiar ethereal figure.

"Dawnsky!" she yelped. "You scared me!"

"Of course I did," Dawnsky purred. "This is my territory."

"This is StarClan?"

Dawnsky nodded silently, a soft smile on her face.

"Where are the others?" Morningsky asked, looking around.

"Several of my friends are coming as we speak," Dawnsky explained. "As a matter of fact…" Her eyes hovered over the top of Morningsky's head. "…Here comes one now."

Morningsky turned around and saw the figure of a cat on the horizon, becoming clearer and clearer until the little warrior could make out pine-green eyes and a gleaming coat of white.

"You know Blizzardleaf," Dawnsky said.

Morningsky nodded. The StarClan cat before her had been a medicine cat in her life with ReedClan. She died of disease when Morningsky was an apprentice, prompting Fireflower to take up her post.

Blizzardleaf placed her tail on Morningsky's head and spoke in a soft meow. "With this life I give you wisdom, so that you may make the right choices even in the darkest of days."

The star-like gleam at the white cat's paws rose up her body and down her tail to the small golden warrior. Mind suddenly cleared, she looked up at Blizzardleaf and Dawnsky and all doubt left her. I'm doing what must be done.

Blizzardleaf pulled her tail back and turned to Dawnsky, who had moved to stand next to Morningsky. "Take care of the Clan for me," she purred warmly. "And tell Fireflower I'm proud of her."

The two soon-to-be leaders nodded. Blizzardleaf purred again, turned tail, and padded off, crossing paths with an unfamiliar splotched golden she-cat. This newcomer was even smaller than Morningsky.

"Goldenpaw," meowed Dawnsky.

Goldenpaw tried to place her tail on Morningsky's head as Blizzardleaf had but could only reach her nose.

"That will do," Dawnsky purred reassuringly.

Goldenpaw nodded and closed her eyes. When she spoke, she sounded older and wiser than just six moons. "With this life I give you well-being, so that you may have the strength to serve your Clan."

Just like with Blizzardleaf, stars climbed up Goldenpaw's coat and tail to Morningsky. This time, however, Morningsky felt the little cut on her pawpad seal itself and all weariness leave her body.

After Goldenpaw came a dark tabby that greatly resembled Longclaw.

"Darkmoon," mewed Dawnsky.

"With this life I give you determination, so that you may face though times with your head held high." Stars rolled down Darkmoon's striped tail and filled Morningsky with a fiery passion that ignited her heart and cleared her mind.

"I won't let you down," she meowed firmly.

After Darkmoon came a blue-eyed black-and-white tom about the same size as Morningsky.

"Toadpaw."

"With this life I give you patience," he meowed, so that you may never overlook the dangers that threaten your Clan." A feeling of calm washed over Morningsky.

After Toadpaw came a blue-eyed gray tabby tom that Morningsky recognized immediately as Dawnsky's fellow deputy Rainfrost. He gave Dawnsky a small nod before continuing the ceremony.

"With this life I give you friendship, so that you may maintain the bonds that make your Clan whole."

Morningsky closed her eyes and saw herself laughing with Glacierstorm, playing with Lizardtooth, and eating with Longclaw. As the images faded from her mind, she felt as though the three siblings were right beside her. A comforting warmth the likes of which she had felt with Dawnsky earlier that day flooded over her.

After Rainfrost came an unfamiliar pale brown tabby.

"Brackentooth."

"With this life I give you courage," Brackentooth mewed, "so that you may carry on and lead your Clan even when all hope seems lost."

As her sixth life poured over her, Morningsky felt as though she could take on the world.

After Brackentooth came another unfamiliar figure, this one a small she-cat barely bigger than Morningsky, with a pale gray tabby goat and light green eyes.

"Tinyfoot."

"With this life I give you spirit, so that you may see past hardships and lead your Clan to a brighter future."

Morningsky's heart leapt as she took her seventh life, feeling more optimistic than ever before.

After Tinyfoot came a blue-eyed dark gray tabby.

"Jayfrost."

Morningsky's paws pricked with excitement. Jayfrost had mentored Glacierstorm while serving as Clan leader, and Glacierstorm often told tales of games played and jokes told during her training.

"With this life I give you humor," Jayfrost purred, "so that you may teach your Clan the value of laughter."

As her eighth life filled her, Morningsky felt a tickling sensation in the pit of her stomach. A giggle escaped her throat.

Jayfrost left, a counce in her step, and the meadow plunged into awkward silence. No ninth cat was coming. Then Morningsky felt a tail on her head and turned.

"With this life I give you loyalty, so that you may serve your Clan as the best leader you can be."

Images flooded through Morningsky's eyes. An unfamiliar figure, overlooking a dying Silverstar… Dawnsky, leaping at the attacker… His paws on her chest, pinning her down… His claws, raking her throat…

Morningsky blinked slowly. "You died to protect your Clan…and now you're coming back."

"Yes," Dawnsky nodded.

"I can't imagine I'd ever be able to live up to you…"

"Just wait and see…you will."

These comforting words barely left Dawnsky's mouth when a pale silver light shone behind her, slowly forming the figure of a cat and fading into striped gray fur. It was Jayfrost.

"Dawnsky," she meowed. "You have given your life for the greater good. For this, I deem you Dawnstar, leader of ReedClan."

Dawnstar nodded slowly. Jayfrost's deep blue gaze turned to Morningsky.

"And Morningsky… You have taken your destiny very well for one so young and full of life… For this, I name you Morningstar, leader of ReedClan."

Morningstar's vision began to swim and distort. The last thing she registered before losing consciousness was an echoing voice chanting her name…

To Be Continued…