Challenge: To Become A Leader
Word Count (min. 800): 2,722
Rating: K+ for mention of death
Ripplestep's Leadership Ceremony
"Come on Skyfall!" the dark grey marbled tabby she-cat purred. A large stone sat in the middle of a pond in front of the two cats. She raced ahead, leaving the medicine cat behind her. "It's almost moon-high! BirchClan needs me! They need their leader!"
The blue-grey medicine cat rolled her eyes. "I'm coming Ripplestep. I'm coming."
Picking up the pace, Skyfall caught up to the excited she-cat who had already made it to the pond. "Are you excited to see StarClan?"
Ripplestep narrowed her eyes. She was excited to finally receive her nine lives and see her family and friends… but then she'd have to leave them again… She wasn't sure if she could do that again…
"… I am, I guess," she meowed slowly. "But I don't want to leave them again."
The medicine cat placed her tail on Ripplestep's back. "I know what you mean, but they are always with us. No matter what, they'll never leave you."
As soon as she had said that, the light of the moon at its highest peak, shone covering the stone in a bright, blinding light. Stars reflected in the pool below.
StarClan was here.
Skyfall gestured for Ripplestep to come forward. The grey she-cat gulped and stood next to her medicine cat.
This is it.
"Drink from the pond," Skyfall purred as she bent down.
Ripplestep bent down and copied Skyfall. The cold water felt good as she lapped it up. She laid her head on her paws and closed her eyes waiting for the stars in the pond to sweep her up and take her to StarClan.
.
Ripplestep blinked her eyes open. She was standing in a wide, grassy meadow. Everything was starry and before she could blink her eyes, the stars from the scenery around her began to form into cats.
Both familiar and unfamiliar pelts lit up around her. The starry cats looked down at her, smiling.
Lifting her snout to taste the air, she smelled the strong scent of birch for which her Clan was named after. There were other scents too, but they were all drowned out by the scent of her former Clanmates.
After what seemed like a lifetime, a tom with a dark grey tabby pelt stepped forward.
"Darksplash!" she purred as she tried to run towards her brother.
But, to her confusion, she could not move. Her feet were stuck and she could not embrace the cat she had grown up with. She looked to Skyfall in confusion, but the medicine cat did not reveal anything; she just stood there with an amused look on her face.
"It's so good to see you, my sister," the tom purred. "It has been moons ever since I rescued you from that flood."
With a shiver, Ripplestep remembered the time that the river had risen, leaving the Clans helpless. She and her brother were foolish back then and decided that the flood waters were no match for them and they went hunting near the riverbed anyway.
The ground beneath her had fallen as she caught a sparrow and the last thing she could remember was the dark water inviting her into its watery grasp before the light of day became closer and she was pushed back onto the sandy bank further downstream.
"I'm so sorry!" she cried. "I shouldn't have been so foolish and stupid thinking that we'd be stronger than the currents! You should have just left me to drown!"
"It's okay Ripplestep," Darksplash purred with laughter, "It was my own choice to save you. I hold no grudge against you or your decision to hunt in that weather."
He walked forward and placed his muzzle on the top of her head. "With this life I give you forgiveness and understanding," he meowed, "Use it well to forgive your fellow cats— Clanmates or not— and to forgive their mistakes; past, present and future. Understand that they cannot learn from their mistakes if they are unaware of their mistakes."
Suddenly, Ripplestep's chest tightened and it seemed as though water had entered her lungs. She coughed and spluttered. A small marbled tabby struggled to keep her head above the current in front of her.
I'm in Darksplash's memories!
Ripplestep felt a stinging hate for the young tabby warrior in front of her, but as she watched the she-cat try to swim against the current of the river, the hate was soon washed away by the warm feeling of forgiveness.
She blinked and realised that Darksplash had already retreated into the crowd of starry cats.
"Thank you, Darksplash," she croaked softly.
Another cat stepped forward. Pebblesong! Ripplestep did not personally know the blue-grey she-cat, but she had heard stories about how she had died saving the Clan from a large, mindless dog a few sunrises before she had been born.
"With this life, I give you bravery," she whispered, "Sometimes things will scare you, but as leader you need to push past that fear and fight for your Clan."
She touched her nose to Ripplestep's head and suddenly shock pierced through her as her feelings of apprehension were covered by the feeling of strength, of bravery, of courage. She lifted her head proudly. She would protect the Clan!
Pebblesong stepped back and was instantly replaced with another cat. The silvery tabby she-cat stepped forward; pride shone in her green eyes. Her pelt was no longer thin and matted and she was plump and happy.
"Silverstorm," Ripplestep purred. "I thought I'd never see you again."
"It's so great to see you, my daughter," Silverstorm purred back, "I've missed you so much. How is Minnowtail? How is Greyfang? Are the apprentices treating him well?"
"Yes, everyone is fine. They miss you so much though; the elder's den isn't nearly as cheerful anymore…" Ripplestep mewed.
"I give you this life for listening to your elders," Silverstorm meowed, "Although some of them may seem grumpy and unapproachable, they hold the key to understanding the past so you can be ready for the future."
The silver she-cat placed her muzzle to Ripplestep's head and instantly, she felt a warm and bubbly feeling as the stories of her past replayed in her mind. She let out a purr and blinked her eyes in thanks.
Silverstorm tapped Ripplestep's flank with the tip of her tail and then stepped away.
The grey tabby looked into the crowd longingly. Her mother had always been there for her and it had hurt her—and the rest of BirchClan—when she had finally died peacefully in her sleep.
"Ripplestep!" a meow interrupted her thoughts; "I've missed you."
She quickly turned her head to face the source of the voice she had longed to hear for such a long time.
"Nutpaw!" she meowed excitedly, stifling a purr. She was no longer an apprentice; she loved him then, but now she was to be leader. It would not work anymore.
It had broken her heart when he had died during a battle with StreamClan, after admitting his love for her the morning before. The image of his broken and bleeding body had been engraved into her mind, constantly reminding her that they could never be together like they had planned.
She had vowed to never love a tom as much as she loved him.
But now, the light brown tom stood proudly in front of her, his eyes still gleaming with mischief. "I'm proud, as your friend, to be allowed to grant you, your fourth life."
He placed his muzzle on her head and whispered, "With this life, I give you love. Use it to love and cherish everyone close to you. Love is the key to all happiness."
A burning sensation filled her chest, strengthening her heart, and she withered in pain. Why was love so painful? The pain slowly retreated leaving Ripplestep to stand there, gasping for air.
Nutpaw gave her cheek a small lick. "Any tom would be lucky to be your mate. You don't have to hold onto the past," he whispered, "Let love guide you to your future."
The brown tom slinked back into the crowd leaving Ripplestep to wonder who would be next.
To her surprise, a golden she-kit trotted out, her head held up high.
Ripplestep tried her hardest to remember the kit—she looked so familiar, yet, she couldn't understand why.
"I am Sandkit," the kit chirped. "You don't know me, but I think you know my brother Lionshade. Our mother from DustClan chose to join your Clan alongside our father. Sadly, I did not make it past the river, but my brother and mother did."
Ripplestep knew Lionshade. He was one of BirchClan's newest warriors. Moons ago, Nettleclaw had admitted that he had taken in a mate from another Clan and that she and her kits would be joining BirchClan.
Most of the Clan did not agree with this and shunned the tom and his family. Lionshade and Tansyflower had to prove their loyalty, but then, even to this day, some warriors made it their business to harass them and make the small family's life difficult.
"With this life, I give you compassion," Sandkit mewed, "Not everyone is as privileged as you; make sure they know that they are appreciated and loved."
Ripplestep politely sunk to her feet so that the StarClan kit could touch her nose to Ripplestep's head.
As soon as she had, a feeling of warmth swept through her and she felt a sudden love for all of her Clanmates and fellow cats. The warmth seemed to never stop flowing and Ripplestep feared that she would burst with all of this happiness flooding into her.
Sandkit turned away and was replaced by a cat Ripplestep never thought she'd see again.
"Snowstep!" she breathed.
The white tom dipped his head. "I'm glad that Brackenstar chose you as my successor," he purred, "I have never been disappointed in you and I am glad to welcome you into the much deserved position of leader."
Ripplestep remembered the day that greencough had taken Snowstep's life. He was one of the most loved warriors in the Clan and cats couldn't wait for the day he would become leader.
"I still believe that you should have been leader though," Ripplestep mewed. "So does the rest of the Clan…"
"With this life, I give you courage," Snowstep meowed, "Don't doubt your ability as a leader; I know that you will be the best leader the forest has ever known. Have courage and trust in your heart, for it will lead you forwards."
Snowstep reached forward to touch Ripplestep's head and instantly agony blazed through her head into her chest. She struggled to stay on her feet as the pain rippled through her body.
Slowly, the pain resided but left Ripplestep swaying in relief that the ordeal was over. "Th-thank you, Snowstep," she purred hoarsely. I don't know if I can take much more of this.
With a dip of his head, the former deputy re-joined the ranks of StarClan.
A small tortoiseshell and white she-cat padded towards her.
Ripplestep tilted her head in confusion. She knew that she'd never seen this cat before.
As the she-cat came closer, Ripplestep noticed the spirit and sparkle in her eyes.
"I am Specklefang, the medicine cat before Skyfall's mentor," she meowed. "I died long before your parents became warriors."
Ripplestep dipped her head in respect. "I'm glad you came to see me and give me my seventh life."
"I give you a life for healing," the medicine cat rasped. "Use it well and remember that medicine can't always heal the wounds of rivalries, thoughts and words."
As soon as the old medicine cat had touched her nose to Ripplestep's head, a shooting pain came from her legs and body. It felt like the injuries of every cat had been taken from them and given to her.
She tried to stifle a whimper of agony as the pain from her body moved up to her heart. Words like 'kittypet' and 'half-Clan embarrassment' floated around her mind, hurting her more than any injury had ever hurt her.
Gradually, the pain left her, but the memory of the pain didn't. Now she knew how Lionshade felt. She lifted her head up and puffed out her chest. She would not let any more words hurt him.
"Ripplestep!" a voice called out, "I haven't seen you for moons!"
With a gasp, Ripplestep looked at the black tom walking towards her. "Blackfrost!" she cried joyfully, "I've missed you so much!"
She had grown up with Blackfrost—from rolling and tumbling kits to strong, loyal warriors. He was her best friend and it hurt when he had died from his injuries.
"So have I, my friend," Blackfrost purred back. "I've spent moons wishing that I had never chosen to go on that border patrol. But now, I am even more proud of you and I'm glad to be giving you your eighth life."
He reached forwards, touching his nose to her head.
"I give you this life for happiness," he whispered, "Remember to always be happy and joyful like we were as kits. Lead by example and your Clan will follow."
A warm and bubbly feeling exploded inside of her as Ripplestep let out a purr.
I wish that all of the lives felt like this.
"I wish I could be down there with you," Blackfrost sighed, "But just remember that I will always be your friend. If you ever need anything, I'll be there to help you."
"Thank you," Ripplestep purred as she watched Blackfrost return to the ranks of StarClan.
Ripplestep let out a sigh and glanced back at Skyfall. The medicine cat gave her a supportive smirk.
"Only one more to go," she whispered to herself as she turned around to face a golden-brown tom. Brackenstar!
"It's so good to see you Ripplestep," Brackenstar smiled.
"Oh, Brackenstar!" Ripplestep meowed, "I don't know how I'll ever be half the leader you were."
"Don't be ridiculous," the golden-brown tom purred, "I chose you as my deputy for a reason. You will be BirchClan's leader now and you will be twice as good as I was. I know it."
Ripplestep lifted her chin, trying to force herself to believe what her leader had just told her.
"With this life, I give you certainty and pride," Brackenstar meowed, "Use it well to lead your Clan for moons to come."
He put his muzzle to Ripplestep's head and a flow of confidence washed away all of her doubt, leaving her standing tall and proud.
She looked Brackenstar in the eye and meowed, "I will lead BirchClan."
Brackenstar dipped his head, and then looked to Silverpelt.
"I hail you by your new name, Ripplestar," Brackenstar yowled, "Your old life is no more. You have now received the nine lives of a leader, and StarClan grants you the guardianship of BirchClan. Defend your borders well; care for the young and the old; honour your ancestors and the traditions of the Warrior Code; live each life with certainty and hope."
"Ripplestar! Ripplestar! Ripplestar!" StarClan chanted.
The newly named Ripplestar looked at all of the cats in StarClan, her eyes sparkling. "I won't let you down!" she vowed.
"I know," Brackenstar purred in answer. "Now go! BirchClan needs you."
Taking in one last look of StarClan, Ripplestar purred. She would remember this night forever.
She closed her eyes and felt as the stars took her back.
.
Ripplestar let out a yawn and her eyes fluttered open.
Beside her, Skyfall was already moving to her feet.
"Oh Skyfall!" she purred in delight, "That was absolutely incredible! I saw—!"
The medicine cat turned around, and put her tail to Ripplestar's mouth. "You cannot tell any other cat of what you have seen tonight."
"But why?"
"I don't know." Skyfall's blue-grey tail swished dismissively. "But just remember that whatever happened tonight cannot be told to another living soul. It's your special, little secret."
Ripplestar got up to her feet, replaying the night's events in her mind.
It's my little secret….
She let out a purr. This would be a secret she'd keep very close to her heart.
"I am Ripplestar of BirchClan," she purred.
She would be the best leader the forest had ever known.
She looked to the sky.
I promise.