A/N: Sorry for the late update this time. This is the next chapter.
Chapter 5
"You should go today," Kestrelflight urged Ashfoot. The former medicine cat for WindClan, Barkface, had recently died, and just before he did, he gave Kestrelflight his name.
"But-" Ashfoot looked anguished. "But I can't. The Clan needs me."
"It's okay, Ashfoot," Kestrelflight pressed her. "Not only do you have a fine, strong new deputy, but the journey is only a day. You must receive your nine lives from StarClan."
Ashfoot looked down at her paws. "Okay, I'll go."
Her medicine cat pressed his nose against her. "I'll be with you, and don't worry; Crowfeather will keep our Clan safe."
The journey to the Moonpool was exhausting, and when Ashfoot and Kestrelflight finally padded up to StarClan's sacred place, decided to rest for a moment.
"Remember, you cannot talk while there," Kestrelflight warned her.
Ashfoot nodded. They both got to their paws, and padded up.
Kestrelflight motioned for Ashfoot to lap up a bit of the water, and lay down. She did so, and closed her eyes.
In a few moments, Ashfoot found herself in an unusual place. She had a vague memory of this place, but she couldn't name it. Then Ashfoot looked up, and saw the four great oaks. Of course, Fourtrees! It had been so long since…. But if the Twolegs destroyed the forest, why would Fourtrees still be standing, here in her dream?
We are here because StarClan cannot be destroyed, not even by Twolegs. The voice was inside Ashfoot's head, but it was not her thinking.
StarClan is speaking to me! Ashfoot thought in awe.
Then, suddenly, the cats of StarClan appeared out of the sky, and landed soundlessly around her.
"Are you ready for your nine lives, Ashfoot?" All the cats were talking, but it sounded like one voice—one liquid, smooth, clear voice.
"Yes." She replied confidently, and without hesitation.
A cat stepped out of the gloom.
"Deadfoot!" Ashfoot cried in recognition. Her former mate padded up to her and touched noses. His eyes showed the love that he still had for her, even though he had died a long time ago.
"With this life, I give you determination. Even when everything has gone wrong, use my gift to keep on going. I know you will do well," he said.
A bolt of pain shot through Ashfoot. She wanted to cry out in anguish, but she couldn't. Ashfoot felt as if she was in a tunnel… She staggered, and then regained her balance. She could see the light at the end... Almost there… Ashfoot burst through the tunnel, and found herself face-to-face with Barkface, realizing that the tunnel was just a vision.
"With this life, I give you compassion. Use it well to protect the weaker cats in your Clan."
The gray she-cat felt strangely calm, as if nothing bad had ever happen in her life. She saw shadowy gray-black shapes—kits—out of the corner of her eyes, and felt a desire to go to them. The vision ended when she noticed Tallstar, and in his eyes were a grave sense of urgency.
Instead of proudly striding towards her, he was running in a jumpy manner, as if he was nervous.
"With this life, I—I—Ashfoot, be careful! They're going to—" He broke off, and StarClan disappeared, leaving Ashfoot alone with her former leader.
Suddenly, a blinding pain shot through her body and mind. It felt like the hottest fire, and the coldest ice. Ashfoot's limbs twitched with agony, and then her eyes snapped awake, and the pain disappeared. She let out a long, painful yowl. She realized that her ceremony had been disrupted, and she only had two lives.
A/N: Please review? :)