Enjoy! Challenge for APC.

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"Robinear? It's time to go to the Moonpool." Snowpelt stuck his white head into the leader's den, where a she-cat was burying her face in her paws. Snowpelt flicked his ears and padded closer. "Robinear, I know it's tough to take this all in quickly, but we need a strong leader. Ripplestar is here in our hearts, but we need you now."

Robinear slowly got up. Her mind was still reeling. If only he hadn't gone out on that border patrol...mouse-brained foxes. Ripplestar, the deceased leader, had been out on a border patrol with two other warriors and an apprentice, when they encountered a fox. Ripplestar sacrificed his last life to save the apprentice, Dewpaw.

Snowpelt smiled sadly, his blue eyes compassionate. "C'mon, let's get you out of here." The white tom nudged the she cat, and Robinear reluctantly stepped outside.

Robinear headed to the Highledge. She scanned the camp. Most of ThunderClan was grieving, and a wave of pain washed over her as she watched Whitenose and Berryclaw, Ripplestar's sisters, drag the deceased leader out of camp. She took a deep breath, and Snowpelt placed a comforting tail on her shoulder.

"Cats of ThunderClan..." Her voice shook, and she ruffled her russet pelt. "As you know...Ripplestar is no longer with us. He hunts in StarClan now...I, being the deputy, will now take his place. I will depart for the Moonpool with Snowpelt."

She paused for a moment, deciding.

"Thornwing, you have proven to be a wise, quick thinking, and loyal warrior. I appoint you as my deputy." Robinear bowed her head, and Thornwing stood up, somber but proud. The rest of the Clan seemed to approve this choice, and Robinear sighed. At least I can make good choices for them. And Snowpelt will be here to help me.

She nodded, dismissing the Clan. "Let's go now." She turns and walked to the exit, Snowpelt behind her. Thornwing padded up to them.

"Don't you worry, Robinear." The ginger and white tom bowed his head and turned back to the camp.

Robinear didn't quite know what Thornwing meant by that, but it was slightly comforting.

She shook her head. You're getting sidetracked. Moonpool first. Then thinking.

Catching up to Snowpelt, who was tense and looked slightly impatient, they continued to the Moonpool.

They made their way through the territories, nearing the Moonpool. Robinear was wrapped up in her thoughts.

Will StarClan accept me? Can I be a good leader? Wha-

A sharp pain in her paw shook her back into focus. She cringed. A sharp rock had punctured her pad. Snowpelt sighed, a slightly amused smile on his muzzle. But it was soon replaced with a serious look. "Robinear, let me see that." The medicine cat pulled the little rock out and made a quick wrap out of some nearby cobweb so she could walk.

"This has got to be the longest trip to the Moonpool ever...is something bothering you, Robinear?" He cocked his head.

Robinear sighed as they walked onwards. Snowpelt had a knack for reading emotions.

"I'm worried..." The russet she-cat couldn't find the words. Snowpelt nodded.

"I see," the tom mused. He pointed to the Moonpool up ahead.

"You see that Moonpool? That's where you become the leader. You're not Ripplestar. Thornwing is not Ripplestar either. But you are the best leader you can be. Robinear, you have all the right qualities. So stop worrying! Ripplestar chose you. You, you, you!"

"...Me. Thank you Snowpelt, I needed that." Robinear dipped her head. "Now, without further ado, let's get to the Moonpool!" The deputy was exhausted from the journey, but Snowpelt's little speech had roused her some.

Snowpelt smiled and followed the she-cat into the Moonpool.

Here we go...Will Ripplestar be there?

Robinear took a look around the Moonpool. It was eerily beautiful. Outside, the sun was setting, and the sunlight cast a fiery glow onto the water. Snowpelt dipped his paw into the pool. "Just touch your nose to the water. It might feel freezing at first, but you'll get used to it. Then StarClan will appear, and your ceremony will begin. I'll be right beside you"

Robinear nervously kneaded the ground with her paws as she knelt down. Snowpelt gave her a reassuring nod. The she-cat took a breath and dipped her muzzle into the icy water. A shiver ran through her body. Snowpelt laid down as well.

She closed her green eyes, letting her ancestors reach out to her.

/

Blinking, Robinear realized she had reached StarClan. The Moonpool was filled with the sparkling ancestors. Snowpelt stood beside her, nodding, smiling at the StarClan cats. Robinear could see so many familiar faces, but she knew it wasn't time for conversing.

"Welcome, Robinear."

A nearly faded, blue-grey she-cat stepped forwards. "You must be here to receive your nine lives, correct?" Robinear nodded. The she-cat dipped her head.

"I am Bluestar. I was a leader of ThunderClan long, long ago." Honeygaze used to tell me stories about how the clans used to live far away, I think she mentioned a Bluestar...

"I am here to grant you your first life. I give you a life of clarity, so that your vision shall never be clouded by doubt or fear." With this, Bluestar touched her muzzle to Robinear's. A smooth, cool feeling flooded her body, not unlike a new-leaf breeze. Robinear felt much wiser, like she could make a decision with a moments' notice.

Bluestar slid back into the ranks of StarClan. Another cat, male this time, came forth. Robinear recognized him right away. The same russet pelt, and the green eyes that held so much hope. It was her father, Cedarfoot, who had been stolen by greencough. He smiled warmly.

"My little Robinpaw, how far you've come. I'm so proud. But that's not the point." He brushed his cheek against hers. How much I've missed that. He continued. "I give you this life, a life of strength, so that you may carry your clan through good times and bad."

A surge of power flowed through Robinear. She felt like she could take on any enemy. "Thank you, Cedarfoot." Robinear purred as her father took his place back among the stars.

"I shall be watching you and Honeygaze, always."

Robinear was feeling a lot better about becoming a leader, as the third cat approached.

"I am Yellowfang, a previous medicine cat of ThunderClan. My life for you is a life of truth, so you will never be dishonest with your clan, and you can lead without any distrust." The bushy, half-faded StarClanian brushed whiskers with Robinear, and the smell of herbs surrounded her.

Robinear felt pure, like she was just licked clean by her mother. Yellowfang dipped her head in farewell. "Lead well."

Three lives...six more left.

Then a fourth cat, a sandy-coloured she-cat came forth. She looked newer, her form was much more bright than Bluestar or Yellowfang. "I am Sandstorm." Robinear nodded. Tales of Firestar and Sandstorm, Leafpool, Bramblestar, and all those others were still popular nursery stories.

Sandstorm placed her muzzle on top of Robinear's head. "I grant you a life of humility, so you can remember that each and every one of your clanmates has a purpose, and so that you never get to ful of yourself." She made a churring noise at the last bit, pulling her forest-scented muzzle away.

Robinear nodded, smiling, and that life washed over her with a warm sensation. Sandstorm nodded and padded away, until the her sandy, starry pelt was out of view, tucked between other deceased cats.

A small, speckled kit met her gaze, this time around. "I'm Mosskit. I died from exposure to the cold, long before the clans moved here." Robinear opened her jaws to speak, but the little kit continued. "So I grant you a life of perserverance. Push your way though life, and don't give up. You'll be a strong leader." With these words, the kit motioned for Robinear to bend down, and Mosskit touched her nose to Robinear's cheek.

A wave of cold determination came with this life, and Robinear thanked Mosskit as she stepped back into the congregation of StarClanian cats.

The sixth cat came forward. It was Littlepaw, an apprentice who had drowned not too many moons ago, when Robinear had only just been appointed deputy. The small, black and gray tom smiled as he drew himself up beside Robinear and Snowpelt.

"Robinear. My life was ended by my carelessness. So I am here now to give you a life of awareness. Use it to watch over your clan with a knowing eye, and to protect the other clans as well." He paused and whispered the last part. "And tell Owlwhisker I said hi, will you?" Robinear chuckled, as the tom pressed his nose to her cheek. The smell of prey and rushing rivers filed her nose, and Robinear felt much more awake.

"Of course. Thank you."

Then, after Littlepaw had left, a brown tabby she-cat took his place. Snowpelt smiled. "That's Leafpool!" he whispered. Robinear nodded, as Leafpool dipped her head.

Leafpool purred. "I suppose I am known well..." Her eyes glazed over a little, and she shook her head to clear it.

"Anyways, my life for you is a life of loyalty. Serve your clan above anything else. Be loyal to your warriors, elders, queens, kits and apprentices, and they will always follow you." She placed her jaw on the top of Robinear's russet head, and Robinear remembered being taught the Warrior Code, and the feeling of sureness that came with following it.

Snowpelt looked at Robinear. "You're almost there. Two more lives left."

Robinear let out a happy sigh as the next cat came. This is going a lot better than I expected!

The pretty she-cat smiled at Robinear. "I am Honeyfern. I was a warrior in ThunderClan, until the venom of a snake poisoned me. And I am here to grant you your eighth life. A life of hope and faith. If you have hope, and faith, you will always succeed. Hope for the better, and have faith in StarClan, as well as yourself." Honeyfern purred, touching noses with Robinear.

For her final life, Ripplestar appeared. Robinear was overwhelmed with emotions. Joy, despair, worry, hope.

The large, grey tom brushed his pelt against hers.

"Robinear, don't worry about me. Nothing could've stopped what happened. But I trust you to be a strong, loving leader of ThunderClan. So, now I'm here to give your your final life. Bravery. You are strong of mind, and now you are strong of heart. Being brave doesn't mean a cat has to be slaughtering fearlessly on the battlefield, it means you have to be ready to take the blow for your clan, and do what is right, even if it's hard. And I know you can do that."

As Ripplestar touched his muzzle to her head, Robinear's heart swelled.

I will have clear-sight and mind. I will have strength. I will be truthful. I will be humble. I will perservere. I will be aware. I will be loyal. I will have faith and hope. I will be brave.

Ripplestar stood up straight. "Robinstar, I pronounce you as the new leader of ThunderClan!"

Cats cheered. "Robinstar! Robinstar!"

Ripplestar gave one last look to Robinstar, and StarClan began to fade away. Snowpelt tapped Robinstar with his tail. "It's over now, Robinstar."

/

Her green eyes opened once more. She stood up, shaking the water off her muzzle. The different scents of all the cats still hung in the air. Snowpelt gestured towards the exit of the Moonpool. The sun had disappeared, and the moon was rising.

"Let's head back," he meowed. "You did great, I might add."

As they trotted down the path towards home, Robinstar looked at Snowpelt. "Hey, Snowpelt, I've noticed that Fernpaw seems a little hesitant about warrior training. You might want to talk to her. An apprentice might do you good."

Snowpelt gazed up a the stars. "Thinking like a leader already." He grinned as the camp came into view. Robinstar rolled her eyes.

"But seriously. Talk to Fernpaw." She smiled.

I'll be the best leader I can be, ThunderClan. I will lead you with all my heart.