OMSC you guys are amazing! SO MANY OCs! I cant possibly use them all, but thank you all so much!
Thank you to: Drizzleheart0419, Skystar of the Ancients, Shadowfur1017, Fallenfire, Rainheart Warrior,Faded Stripe, Wolfstar2882, Guineapig126, Alleykat29, Silver wolf rain, Watermint, Icebreathstar , Rainripple, waytheballbounces, Petalwish, walkswithwheels , huntergirl2000, Dreams of Hope Faith and Love, Krystil Lynn, abby is mey name, Streamtail, Patches the Loner, JayfeatherLuver1, xXJayfeatherRocksXx , Spottedclaw21 , Willowwhisker, Briarwind (im sorry about your grammie), Starfrost, Brighteyes of Thunderclan , runningwind , PsychicEevee0103, and Guest for all of your OCs! Im sorry if you didn't get your OC in this chapter, im just choosing randomly! I love you all :*
Sharpstar's vigil was done at sunrise and the senior warriors carried her back to camp, but Splitrain was nowhere close to being able to say goodbye. Skyheart was not her mother. Sharpstar was. Now she was truly an orphan.
Moongaze, who had watched her with worried eyes, now took this free moment before Mintbreeze came back with the herbs to lick her cheek and whisper sweet nothings in her ears, telling her that everything would be okay. Driftswipe was sleeping nearby with Bonerun, who sat silently watching the sun rise higher into the sky.
The forest and clearing was eerily quiet, as if the very creatures were mourning, also. Splitrain felt a dullness in her head and paws as she pulled her body over to the huge Fourtrees and climbed up onto the lowest branch. Her Clanmates had all realized that she was going to speak and awoke all who were sleeping, and she waited another moment before speaking with a shaky voice:
"My fellow Clanmates, Riverclan owes us much blood and pain. Sharpstar is –is dead, and I shall be leaving shortly to receive my nine lives from Starclan. Like you, I do not know how Starclan could have let the Gathering last night happen, but I know that Starclan has their reasons. We will never forget Sharpstar, and I will avenge her death. At this time I am asking you all to go back to camp and get rest in your nests. Moongaze, will you please arrange a hunting patrol when you get back and watch the clan until I return?"
With Moongaze's slight nod, Shadowclan as a while bowed their head and chanted to the sky. "Splitstar! Splitstar! Splitstar!"
Ducking her head in both embarrassment and remorse, Splitrain leaped down and met the gaze and warm nudge of the silver warrior. Following him to a secluded part of the clearing as their Clanmates began to leave, he let her bury her head in his neck and let loose one stray sob before collecting herself. Moongaze nuzzled her jaw and gave her cheek a lick before leaning in.
"Splitrain, I know this is probably the worst time for me to ask this, but with the battle coming up, and you about to become leader, I think I need this more than ever… can I have the honor of becoming your mate?"
Letting out a little noise as she buried her face in his shoulder again, she nodded her head.
"Yes," she whispered, squeezing her eyes shut to escape the tears threatening to fall, out of mixed joy and mourning.
The sun broke them apart as it was almost completely above them. Mintbreeze's scent was wafting towards them as he carried the needed herbs, Darkpelt and Driftswipe at his sides.
"Eat," he ordered, pushing a neatly wrapped pile of sour leaves and a couple mint leaves placed neatly at the top.
Grimacing as she lapped them up, Moongaze smirked. "The last time you ate those, you were an apprentice, about to go to the Moonstone with me." Happy memories kept from the taste getting to her too much as Splitrain finished the bundle and nodded to Mintbreeze. Glancing between her and her new mate, he rolled his eyes and backed away.
"We'll leave in a moment."
Shooting at the grumpy medicine cat a grateful look, she turned around to lick Moongaze on the cheeks.
"I'll be back in the morning. Please take care of the clan."
"I'll try," he joked, but when he saw her nervousness, he straightened. "Splitpaw, Splitrain, or Splitstar, I love you and I have complete faith in you. You are perfect and you will do perfectly."
Closing her eyes at the compliments, trying desperately to believe his encouragements on becoming leader, she wondered how she would ever be able to do this.
Giving one last lick, he nudged her away with a reassuring smile.
Mintbreeze, Darkpelt, and Driftswipe were waiting for her, and they began immediately for the Moonstone.
The sun set fast as they passed the Thunderpath, twoleg place, and the gently sloping hills with straightly lined trees that led to the mountain and the place inside where cats had been coming for countless generations to speak with Starclan.
The stars were just becoming known as they neared the base of the mountain. Mintbreeze sidled to the front, and loosely gripping his tail between her teeth, Splitrain followed, Driftswipe and Darkpelt following her example as they padded into the dark tunnel and her eyes helped her no more.
In the darkness, she was sure that she felt pelts brushing beside her, though all that was there was cold stone. She hoped it was Starclan.
After what seemed like countless heartbeats of downward tunnels, it spat them out a tail-length from the sparkling moonstone. The moon, just barely shrunk from the full moon last night, was almost peeking out from the hole in the celling far up above them.
Mintbreeze stood to the side and motioned for Splitrain to go ahead. Hesitantly settling herself at the base of the moonstone, taking a deep breath she just barely touched the tip of her nose to the cold stone, and watched as her vision went dark.
Blinking her eyes open, Splitrain squinted into the bright light and almost leapt back. There was a little amber eyed kit. Looking past she saw countless different cats. Her surroundings could only be described as white.
Looking back at the brown tabby kit, Splitrain smiled, surprised to hear a slight purr in her throat.
The kit squeaked in happiness and backed up to let her rise to her paws.
"I'm Briarkit." The little she-cat introduced herself. "Welcome to Starclan."
Splitrain was about to reply when the kit stood on the tips of her paws and spoke again.
"With this life, I give you playfulness. Even the toughest leaders must know when to be a kit and bond with the weak and sad."
When their noses touched, a tingling warmth filled her whole body, and she was almost regretful as Briarkit gave one last smile and faded into the mass of cats.
The next cat made her heart clench.
Sharpstar smiled a small smile. She was younger, healthier looking. All the stress was gone from her shoulders. Her ears were perked as she dipped her head.
"With this life, I give you kindness. Use this life to take in the homeless, heal the hurt, and love the alone."
With another touch of noses, a burning wave passed through her body, from her claws to her tail. She tried to flinch away, but her paws were stone.
Even after Sharpstar pulled away, Splitrain's body was still alight with painful shocks.
"I will always be with you," the russet leader whispered, and then she was replaced by a jet black cat with a white chest. Icy blue eyes met hers as the last of the pain disappeared.
"My name is Whitestar. I watched your birth, young kit," the leader smiled, as if reminiscing something happy. Taking another step forward, she touched noses.
"With this life, I give you determination. Go through with what you know to be right. Win every battle; convince even the worst of the elders, because whatever you think you can't do, you can."
Bracing herself, Splitrain as greeted by an icy cold shower and pinpricks on her face and paws. Silent, she nodded her stiff neck and waited for the next cat to give her a life.
A grey tom with speckles greeted her with a regal smile.
"I am Volewhisker. With this life, I give you forgiveness. Revenge is sweet and sometimes just, but a grudge against one cat is not one against the Clan."
A dulling of her senses was followed by the touching of their muzzles, and she swayed slightly on her paws.
A pale grey, almost white she-cat padded forward, her eyes a milky white. Blind.
A smirk was all she received, although it was kind. "I'm Dovefeather. With this life, I give you courage. You will lose count of the cats who doubt you, who judge you for things you can't control, but you must remember that they know no better."
With each life, it was becoming harder and harder to stay upright.
Bridsong gave her pride. It burned and seemed to eat away at her mind and vision. It felt almost like a warning.
Fogbreath gave her cleverness. It tickled, but stung and made her head hurt.
A dainty white kit named Breezekit gave her respect, which tasted like metal and blood.
Last came Shardflame. A slight limp hinted at a past injury, but he seemed content as he gave her last life: love. It seemed to reverse the effects of the last eight and filled her with strength and courage.
"Starclan welcomes you as the leader of Shadowclan. Your path will be troubled and dark at times, but walk it well, young one."
Splitstar's eyes drifted shut as the cats of Starclan tipped their heads towards the white expance above them and called her name.
Yeay! Another chappie (the longest, too!)
WARNING; I will get grounded tomorrow, so I don't know when the next chapter will be up…pelase forgive me! (;-;)
QUESTION OF THE DAY: what are your thoughts on this story?( Its coming to an end!)
*I apologize for any typos I've been making lately!
I love you all from the bottom of my heart,
EmberFall~