Chapter 32

Night had fallen upon the forest as Embertail worked on the wounded warriors and rogues. Stub had been surprised when Willowcloud told the medicine cat to work on his rogues. She knew that the Clans were in his debt - the best way to thank him was by tending to their wounds. The warriors that survived and weren't as injured had helped bury the bodies beside the Moonstream. Willowcloud had felt reassured when Shadow told her he would watch her kits. They had been kept away from the carnage for as long as they could. When she was working alongside the cats who had turned against Ghoststar, she realized that one of the fallen warriors had still been breathing.

"He's still alive," she had said when Embertail was finished working with Ivy. The blue-gray queen had dipped her head thankfully before slipping away to join her group. "But barely."

"I can save him, but it will take time," Embertail had murmured.

"Mudstripe!" Honeypool's had made every cat look up in surprise. "StarClan, let him live," she had whimpered when she approached him. "He's the last survivor of PebbleClan."

Embertail had exchanged a look with Willowcloud. Both of them knew this wasn't true. Mistkit had been given to her by Sparrowfur. Willowcloud had accepted Mistkit after her own fourth kit had been stillborn. She wondered if the others would know which Clan Mistkit was from. The tiny kit resembled Petalkit's appearance, but Petalkit had dapples of ginger in her fur and blue eyes.

"Right, I'll take him to a safer place," Embertail had told Honeypool.

After the forest had been cleared of fallen bodies and the wounds were covered in herbs, Willowcloud tried to figure out what to do next. She knew that the survivors were wondering the same thing. Shadow was keeping a firm eye on her kits while she spoke with the older cats. Honeypool was close to her kitting, and would want a safe place to live. Oakfoot and Shadow had padded forward to join the group, while Willowcloud's kits stumbled forward as well.

"Can we stay here in the forest?" Petalkit asked.

"We wanna stay here!" Badgerkit added.

"Is it possible we can start the Clan over?" Willowcloud looked at Embertail in concern.

"Ghoststar never really gave the Clan an actual name," Shadow meowed uncomfortably. "He said it wasn't worth naming the Clan."

Which means it was never a Clan in the first place, Willowcloud thought.

"Then we can give it a better name," Willowcloud murmured.

"WillowClan!" Oakfoot suddenly shouted the name, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction.

Willowcloud shifted her paws in embarrassment. She knew that the name would have made her feel proud, but she was also aware that there was an even better name for the Clan. Embertail seemed to think the same thing. The medicine cat's tail flicked from side to side. She looked over at the spot where Mudstripe was as if she was expecting him to come up with an answer.

"ForestClan," Willowcloud whispered.

A few cats looked at one another in surprise. It took them a while to realize what this meant. "ForestClan!" Their cry reached across the forest floor, sending a flock of startled sparrows into the air.

"Who will lead ForestClan?" The next question brought up made every cat silent. Everyone exchanged looks as they wondered the same thing.

No cat has shown signs of leading Clan, Willowcloud told herself. We could always vote on who would become the new leader, but that could end in disaster.

"Which cat was able to share tongues with StarClan, even when he or she wasn't able a medicine cat?" Shadow had asked the question. "Which cat was able to kill Ghoststar, where others failed?" More cats bowed their heads when they realized where this was leading. Willowcloud felt her ears flatten as she thought of what this meant. "Then who do you think deserves to lead ForestClan?"

"Willowcloud!" Her heartbeat quickened as more cats followed Honeypool and Oakfoot's cry. "Willowcloud!"

No, I can't lead the Clan, not after everything that has happened! The thought tore through her mind as she watched the Clan cats gathered around them. Even Embertail seemed to agree with what Shadow had suggested.

"StarClan could not have chosen better," Embertail meowed.

Willowcloud lowered her gaze. She knew that Embertail wanted what was best for the Clan. The medicine cat would have chosen someone who had strong faith in StarClan. Willowcloud's faith had risen since Silverleaf faded after Ghoststar attacked her.

A new leader of ForestClan had been chosen. A new era of warriors was about to begin.

. . .

Moonhigh had arrived by the time Willowcloud reached the Moonstream. Embertail had stayed behind to keep an eye on Mudstripe, who had not yet woken from his wounds. She was worried the young warrior might not survive the night. Such deep wounds meant that he would be left with terrible scars, and perhaps memories that would render him useless. Willowcloud hoped and prayed that he would survive. Mistkit wouldn't be the last survivor of PebbleClan if he managed to make it through the night.

She shook her head as she approached the Moonstream. The stream had been bleached white as a full moon hovered above it. She knew that this was normally a time when Gatherings happened. Perhaps StarClan would forgive ForestClan for not holding an ancient tradition.

Memories of her first arrival at the Moonstream suddenly coursed through her. Back then she had not known her real destiny. She had fled from the Clans after being banished by Thornstar, whose mind had been altered to Ghoststar's liking. Her tail flicked from side to side as she leaned forward to lap at the Moonstream. An icy chill swept down her spine, as expected. Almost immediately she fell asleep and her body slumped to the ground.

"Greetings Willowcloud." Her eyes snapped open heartbeats later to someone calling out her name. "You are welcomed in StarClan's forest."

She looked up to see that the stars were suddenly gathering around the sky. As if on cue, cats began to walk down into the grass as their bodies materialized out of thin air. This was an entrance she had never seen before. Most of the time she'd seen these cats just sitting around or hunting. The first cat to reveal himself was Boulderstar, her father. The second cat was Thornstar, Boulderstar's brother. Willowcloud's ears flattened when she recognized Mistybird. The light gray tabby's eyes were clouded with grief when she saw Willowcloud.

Oh StarClan, Leopard! Willowcloud's heart skipped a beat when she saw an all-too familiar face among the gathered cats. The ginger and darker ginger tom met her gaze. A look of triumph and sorrow gleamed within his green eyes. Behind him was little Mousekit, whose tail was waving from side to side. Willowcloud's heart tightened as she felt a need to greet them. Leopard had joined Mistybird and Boulderstar, who seemed oblivious to the fact that he was once a loner. Poppyfeather and Grub were also among the cats to join them. Willowcloud blinked in surprise when she saw that Mothfire and Winter had joined them. Winter had been one of Ghoststar's followers; she'd been taught that StarClan didn't exist.

Perhaps she believed in them at the last minute, Willowcloud thought.

"The time of ForestClan has begun, and a new leader will be needed to guide it," Boulderstar began. A smile curved his lips as he stepped forward. "I always knew that one of my kin would lead," he added softly.

"What about Sparrowfur?" Willowcloud couldn't help but bring up the question as she looked around for her sister. She'd thought that her sister had died at the claws of Ghoststar.

"Her destiny is not shared with us," Ruststripe's voice suddenly came from nowhere. The old medicine cat was sitting between Poppyfeather and Grub. "And it is time you've accepted yours. Receive the nine lives of a leader."

Willowcloud stiffened when Thornstar padded forward and pressed his muzzle against her forehead. "With this life I give you the ability to see through lies," he meowed. Agony coursed through Willowcloud's veins as she felt energy rush through her. She could see vivid images flash before her vision. A young black tom was wandering through the forest, hope flaring within his belly as he watched his brother fail at everything. That hope had been shattered when his brother was named as LeafClan's new deputy. Everything went downhill after that as webs of lies were created to protect Thornstar from his true intentions.

She took a step back after realizing what he had done. "You…. You killed my father?" She looked up at him, eyes blazing with rage.

"Forgive me," was all he whispered.

Almost immediately he was replaced by another cat. This one was Poppyfeather, whose tortoiseshell and white fur was bristling after she'd witnessed what Willowcloud went through. Her amber eyes gleamed as she leaned forward and brushed her muzzle against Willowcloud's forehead. "With this life I give you tireless energy, so that you may run farther than any cat," she murmured. Another burst of energy rushed through her, but this one felt different. Willowcloud realized that she could feel herself running through the forest without the need to rest. This was how Poppyfeather had felt when she was an apprentice. The young warrior had always been eager to prove herself, even after Ghoststar had ruined everything.

Poppyfeather had stepped back, giving Mistybird time to approach her. Willowcloud saw that her mother looked much younger in StarClan. The mad look in her eyes had been replaced as she leaned forward to gently touch Willowcloud's forehead with her muzzle. "With this life I give you the love of a mother, so that you may defend your Clanmates as though they were all your kits." Willowcloud eagerly accepted this life, half-expecting to feel the warmth her mother had left her when she was an apprentice. She recoiled in shock when pain erupted out of nowhere. Claws gripped her shoulders as a cat tried to drag her down. The stench of blood lay heavily in the air, and she fought back a wail of fear as she tried to push the images away. "I will never stop loving you, Willowcloud, or Sparrowfur, where ever she is." Mistybird's voice faded as she padded away, leaving Willowcloud to recover from the sudden pain.

I get it now, Willowcloud thought. Mistybird felt terrible after I left, and probably wanted to end her own life when Sparrowfur disappeared from the Clan.

Her heartbeat quickened when she saw that Leopard was up next. His dark green eyes glowed with warmth when he rubbed his muzzle against hers. "I've been accepted," he whispered. "I could never be happier." Willowcloud felt her as though her pelt was on fire when they touched noses once more. "With this life I give you compassion, so that you may use it to lead your Clan through the hardest times," he added in a louder voice.

She prepared herself for the worst, expecting to feel the pain Leopard felt when he died. Instead warmth spread throughout her body. Images of Leopard's past coursed through her mind as she embraced the memories that he endured. Already he'd joined the group, allowing Mousekit to spring forward and nearly tackle her to the ground. "I'm a warrior now!" he squealed.

Yes, my little son, she agreed silently. I'll never stop loving you, even in death.

"With this life I give you justice, so that you can seek out what is right from wrong." Mousekit's voice had suddenly changed, as if he'd aged by ten moons. His round green eyes gleamed with starlight as he pressed his muzzle against her forehead. Willowcloud hardly had time to brace herself as pain seared through her. She realized that this was what Mousekit had felt before he died at the fangs of a rogue. She remembered seeing the teeth marks around his neck; the terrified feeling that she might lose yet more of her kits to the same rogue had never left her.

Exhaustion was slowly creeping through Willowcloud's veins. She could tell already that she wouldn't be able to withstand more lives. Her muscles were shaking by the time Ruststripe took Mousekit's place. The ginger tom's tail was whisking from side to side as he met her gaze. "With this life I give you the gift of healing with words, so that cats will feel at peace with their new leader," he meowed. Willowcloud held her ground as another wave of pain coursed through her. She knew this was what Ruststripe had felt when he was killed by Spiderfur, one of Ghoststar's closest followers. Willowcloud blinked when Ruststripe was replaced by yet another cat.

Willowcloud was surprised to see that Brightfur was the cat to approach her next. The speckled tortoiseshell's eyes gleamed as she looked at Willowcloud. "I'm sorry for what I did," she mewed. "It was wrong of me to force you into that." Willowcloud ducked her head in understanding. Brightfur had only done what she thought was right for her Clan. She didn't want Rainstar or Ghoststar taking over like they had. "With this life I give you courage, so that you can face all of your fears even in the darkest of places." Brightfur touched Willowcloud's forehead with her muzzle, and instantly a sense of warmth spread through her.

Brightfur must have felt at peace when she knew which Clan would hold out, Willowcloud thought. Her head ducked in embarrassment when Brightfur winked at her. This time it was Boulderstar who'd replaced her. The pale gray tom's blue eyes gleamed with pride as he held his daughter's gaze.

"With this life I give you nobility and the ability to see what others cannot," he told her. "And faith in your ancestors." The last part was barely a whisper, but Willowcloud heard it. Her ears pricked forward as she felt the last bit of energy rush through her. Boulderstar's life as LeafClan's leader had been short lived, but he knew that the end of the Clans had drawn close. "I hail you by your new name, Willowstar. Your old life is no more. You have now received the nine lives of a leader and StarClan grants you the guardianship of ForestClan. Defend it well, care for the young and old, honor your ancestors and the warrior code. Live each life with pride and dignity."

"Willowstar! Willowstar!" She lifted her chin, feeling a sense of pride as the StarClan cats suddenly began to fade.

Her eyes snapped open once more when she found herself resting by the Moonstream. She rose to her paws, feeling as though she could run for miles. She realized that this was the life Poppyfeather had given her. She was a leader now, and she had to make a difficult choice.

. . .

The remaining cats in the forest were waiting for her as she returned. It was close to sunhigh by the time Shadow gave an alarm call. Willowstar rose her tail for silence as several cats began to gather around her eagerly. She was surprised that Ivy, one of the rogues that had fought in the battle, stayed behind. With her were two tiny kits, who looked like they were two moons old at least.

"I asked Stub if I can raise my kits here in ForestClan," she said when Willowstar approached her. "I…I was hoping you would accept them."

"We would be honored to raise them here," Willowstar replied. She saw that there were several more cats that had emerged from Ghoststar's camp. Frostkit was sitting with Dovekit, whose fur rippled in satisfaction as they groomed each other. "And now there are a few things I need to do," she added after a moment of silence followed her words. "First off, there are several cats who need actual Clan names. Warrior names are best suited…. Shadow and Ivy, please step forward." When both cats did as they were told, Willowstar swallowed. "Shadow, from this moment on, you will be known as Shadowpelt, in honor of your dark colored fur. Ivy, from this moment on you will be known as Ivyclaw, in honor of your courage and fighting skills. StarClan honors you, and we welcome you as full warriors of ForestClan."

The Clan cheered on the newly named warriors as they ducked their heads in embarrassment. Willowstar watched on in amusement as Petalkit, Mistkit and Badgerkit joined in.

"And Frostkit, Dovekit, Petalkit, Mistkit and Badgerkit also need mentors, as they have reached their sixth moon," she swept on. "As such, each of you will become apprentices. Until you have received your warrior names, you will be known as Frostpaw, Dovepaw, Petalpaw, Mistpaw and Badgerpaw. Shadowpelt will mentor Badgerpaw, and I will mentor Mistpaw. Oakfoot can mentor Petalpaw, and when he wakes up Mudstripe will mentor Frostpaw."

"What about me?" Dovepaw's voice was filled with anger as she looked up at Willowstar.

"I suppose I can take on more than one apprentice," Willowstar replied with a shrug.

She knew there weren't enough warriors in the Clan to train these new apprentices. But she also knew that training would be easier with less borders to patrol. She would also have to appoint a new deputy for ForestClan. There were good cats to choose from - Oakfoot had changed his loyalty the moment his father was killed by Ghoststar. Honeypool had shown great courage by rushing into battle while expecting kits. But she also knew there was one cat that had stood out.

"And now, I must choose a deputy for ForestClan," she announced. "I say these words before the spirits of StarClan so that they may hear and approve my choice. Shadowpelt will be my new deputy."

The dark gray warrior blinked in utter disbelief. Several cats looked shocked by her choice, but Oakfoot and Ivyclaw were nodding in approval. Embertail's ginger tail flicked from side to side as she listened to the meeting - she was busy tending to Mudstripe's wounds and keeping an eye on Honeypool.

"Shadowpelt! Shadowpelt!" The Clan chanted his name, sounding like LeafClan had when they first held ceremonies.

"I…. I don't know what to say." He sounded more embarrassed than proud. "All I can say is, I promise I won't lead the Clan like Ghoststar did." His green eyes glowed as he looked up at Willowstar. She nodded in approval, and felt warmed as she watched the Clan gather around him.

Willowstar knew that he was right. A new era had begun. An era of peace and comfort would follow as she led the Clan as any leader would. Only this time, Ghoststar's spirit would not return. She was certain he would fade from every cat's memory, young and old.

A/N: Wow, a great ending to a long story. I've been planning this ending since I started the story, which means I knew exactly what would happen :P By the way, does anyone else love Shadowpelt's name? I thought it suited him. And as for the rogues and what they've done, all will be mentioned in the sequel. Yes, I am planning a sequel. Even though I said I wasn't. The irony of it all. So up next is the epilogue, and after that, I'll be working on Storm's Cry.

By the way, I wanted to thank all of those who have reviewed this story and kept up with the fast-paced suspense. Willowstar's life was certainly an interesting one, and should be interesting to see where the sequel will go.