Username: FoxyCipher
Clan: SummerclanQuest Number: 1
Response:"I think this is the place, Summer." The tabby she-cat on Summerbreeze's right gestured to the outcropping of rock looming above them; jagged granite with a smooth, flat top overlooking the clearing the small group of cats was standing in now. Around them, a circle of trees cast a welcoming shade, with just enough gaps in the canopy to illuminate the space with dappled sunset. If there was ever a better place to hold a clan meeting, Summerbreeze hadn't seen it.
"The presence of a Sunrock does not a clan territory make, Flamesight." To Summerbreeze's left, a siamese tom with a kinked tail batted at the layer of pine duff beneath his paws. "If this place is truly intended to be our home, there must be a connection to Starclan - a Moonstone, a Moonpool, something of that nature - and I have yet to see one." Cedarfang had always been a stickler for tradition, and had especially been upset by Flamesight's...
incident... after the loss of her eye. The fact that such a prominent member of their burgeoning "clan" had already disgraced the ways of Starclan so significantly weighed heavily on him, and Summerbreeze wished that there was some way of relieving his fears.
Perhaps, she mused to herself,
I can ask Starclan to forgive Flamesight when I become leader."Shh - do you hear that?" Behind the trio, a dark-furred tabby tom shushed his clanmates and raised an ear to the sky. In the silence, the entire clan could hear the gentle rustle of wind in the trees, accompanied by the chorus of frogs and rushing water from the nearby river and the first notes of cricket-song. Underneath it all, though, there was another layer: the unmistakable sound of dripping water, splashing onto stone far below.
Flamesight's one good eye widened with excitement. "That sounds like a cave! Did anyone see a waterfall on the way here?"
"Possibly," the dark-furred tom replied. "I saw the river curve off down a hill, but couldn't see far enough through the trees to see where it went. It has to be close, though, if we can hear the grotto beneath."
Summerbreeze leaned over to Cedarfang. "Could this be a sign from Starclan? Showing us where to find them?"
"It would seem so," the tom responded flatly. "I'd feel more confident if we had a medicine cat, but as of yet, we haven't found one." He craned his own head to listen for a moment, then raised his voice so the rest of the cats could hear them. "Locustthorn! You saw where the river curved, yes?"
"I did."
"Lead us there. If we keep looking, I suspect we'll find the source of this dripping sound."
"Yes, sir." Locustthorn broke apart from the cluster and listened again, then gestured towards the direction of the river. "This way!"
.....
It didn't take long for the clan to discover the waterfall, once they knew what to listen for. It was small (nowhere near the dangerous rapids that Summerbreeze had expected); a gentle arc of water curving just far enough from the rock face below to grant passage to a narrow cave hidden beneath. The stones around the outcrop were slick, but further investigation by Cedarfang revealed a dry path of gravel, just wide enough for a cat to traverse without getting wet. The rest of the clan stayed behind as Summerbreeze, Cedarfang, and Flamesight (despite Cedarfang's vehement protests) descended cautiously into the hidden grotto.
Summerbreeze shivered as the spray from the waterfall tickled her tail. "It's cold in here. I hope this is the right-"
"Shh- listen!" Flamesight held a paw up, silencing the other two cats. Sure enough, the steady
drip-drip-drip could be heard loud and clear, resonating through the cave from deeper within. "Follow the sound. We have to be close."
Cedarfang's ears flattened in annoyance. "I still don't think you should be in here. Disgracing Starclan like you did, before we even have a leader in place-"
"That's enough, both of you," Summerbreeze interjected, fixing both cats with a stern glare. "We will speak no more of such things. Understood?"
Neither cat responded verbally, but Cedarfang's huff of annoyance in Flamesight's direction would have to suffice. The three proceeded in silence, following the slow, steady sound of the
drip-drip-drip, until Flamesight broke the silence once more.
"Summer, Cedar-
look." There was a hushed reverence to her tone, and as the pair turned to follow her gaze, all three cats beheld the source of the noise: a crystal-clear pool of water in the center of a grotto, water dripping down through a crack of sunlight high above, bathing the room in a soft glow.
A Moonpool.Cedarfang drew a sharp breath. "
Great Starclan." His tail swished anxiously as he took in the sight, and the thought occurred to Summerbreeze that Cedarfang was
nervous - he had no idea how to proceed from here.
Flamesight nudged her cream-furred companion. "It's your choice, Summer. If you don't think you're ready..."
"No. I'll do it." Summerbreeze's voice wavered slightly, but her intention was clear - she would commune with Starclan and claim her nine lives. Summerclan
would have a leader. Starclan had led them here for a reason, and this Moonpool was proof of their intentions.
Flamesight and Cedarfang watched in awkward silence as the cream-furred tabby descended towards the water. Cedarfang was the first to speak, his voice laden with barely-repressed fear. "Do you think she'll be alright?"
"She'll be fine, Cedarfang." Flamesight shot the tom a knowing smile. "Starclan hasn't rejected a leader yet."
"No, but-" Cedarfang hesitated. "They might reject
you."
"Let them." Cedarfang startled at the tabby's brazenness, but Flamesight's tone was firm. "If I am to be punished for choosing to live, so be it. But I do not regret what I have done, and I will not apologize for it."
Cedarfang was quiet for a moment, and answered in a whisper. "Then may Starclan forgive us all." Turning his gaze back to the Moonpool, both cats watched on in silence as Summerbreeze lowered her nose towards the water and drank.
.....
Summerbreeze found herself standing in a field of tall grass, the night sky above illuminated with countless stars, casting her surroundings in silver light. A distant wind ruffled her fur as she stood alone, uncertain of where she was or who might approach.
"Summerbreeze." An unfamiliar voice spoke from behind her, and as the she-cat turned, a rust-red tomcat with a white stripe down the center of his face emerged from the shadows, his entire form glittering with stars. She did not recognize him, nor did she expect to: without a medicine cat to mediate on their behalf, the clan had not had any interaction with Starclan since its inception, and the ways of the First Four were distant and strange. This cat was no ancestor of hers - at least, not one she recognized.
"I am Coralstar," the tom continued, gazing into the she-cats deep green eyes.
"I was the leader of Tideclan, and I know your circumstances well. You have taken the first steps towards founding your own clan, and have taken it upon yourself to serve as their leader. This is a noble burden, one full of sacrifice as much as joy, and it will be heavy to bear." The tom dipped his head towards the young she-cat, who returned the gesture meekly.
"To aid you in this purpose, I grant you your first life: with this life, I give you certainty."Coralstar leaned forward and touched noses with Summerbreeze, sending a violent shiver through her body. Distant memories flashed before her eyes - a figure sitting alone before a huddled mass of frightened cats, thunder crashing overhead, a strike of lightning hitting a nearby tree which burst into flames. Summerbreeze could feel Coralstar's breath waver slightly as the moment passed, steadying himself before speaking again.
"Use this gift well, and know that Starclan will always watch over you, even when our light is distant and dim. May your clan trust your judgement, just as we trust yours."Summerbreeze raised her head to thank the tom, but he had already faded away. Waiting for her instead was an elderly lynxpoint she-cat, missing both her left eye and her left foreleg. Despite her condition, she carried herself with a quiet grace, and dipped her head in greeting as Summerbreeze approached.
"I am Velvetstar, leader of Hazeclan. I grant you your second life: with this life, I give you resilience." Her nose met with Summerbreeze's, and new memories flickered through the young cat's mind: an angry badger defending her cubs, a patrol of cats caught in a den cave-in, the swipe of claws and the crunch of broken bone.
"Use this gift well, and know that to lose a life is not a punishment, but an act of bravery and leadership in service to your clan. The body may scar and falter, but the spirit is strong.""Thank you," Summerbreeze whispered, but she knew deep down that the moment had passed. Greeting her next was a massive brown tom almost twice her size, amber eyes gazing down at her with an unexpected kindness.
"I am Adderstar, leader of Vixenclan, and I grant you your third life: with this life, I give you pride." Summerbreeze braced as her nose met with the tom's, expecting another spate of violent memories, but was instead greeted by something softer: a group of apprentices training with their mentors, a queen in a nursery tending to her kits, heaping piles of fresh-kill and ample herb stores in a medicine cat's den.
Adderstar sounded almost wistful as he spoke again.
"Use this gift well, and know that just as your clan depends on you, so too do you depend on them. Happiness is best shared among the many, and you have every right to be proud of the clan you will build."The next cat to greet Summerbreeze was a lanky black-and-white tom, who looked no older than Summerbreeze herself.
"I am Owlstar, leader of Cascadeclan. I grant you your fourth life: with this life, I give you wisdom." More memories came flooding in as their noses touched: an owl perched high in a tree overhead, the glint of silver fish scales in a river, the rustling of branches as squirrels darted to and fro.
"Use this gift well, for true wisdom is knowing when to shelter in safety, and when to trust your paws upon unknown earth. Honor every lesson your territory teaches, and respect it as you would your clan.”A fluffy gold she-cat was the next to approach, bouncing with a youthful excitement that none of her predecessors thus far had shared.
"I'm Goldstar, leader of Willowclan," she chirped happily, before seeming to remember why she was here and putting on a more serious face.
"I grant you your fifth life: with this life, I give you friendship."The memories this time were brightly-lit, and clearer than any Summerbreeze had previously received: cats sharing tongues as they prepared for dawn patrol, a gaggle of kits playing in a sunlit grove, a pair of elders sitting contentedly together under a willow tree.
"Use this gift well, and remember that having friends is not a weakness, but a sign of strength and trust in your clanmates. Never let anyone tell you otherwise, okay?" Goldstar nuzzled Summerbreeze affectionately, then bounded back into the shadows.
Summerbreeze found herself staring wistfully into the distance as the next cat approached: a slim grey she-cat, her pelt littered with various scars, including a particularly nasty one across her nose.
"I am Ashstar, leader of Spruceclan. I grant you your sixth life: with this life, I give you patience." As their noses touched, Summerbreeze was assaulted by a wave of pain: an apprentice's claws digging into her fur, the feeling of sharp teeth piercing her ear, blood and sweat dribbling down her nose as she stared an opposing cat down.
"Use this gift well, for you will be faced with many trials and difficult decisions, and you must guide your clan through all of them. Cooler heads prevail when tempers flare, but remember also that choosing to do nothing is a choice in of itself."A calico tom was the next to greet Summerbreeze, his fluffy tail waving like a banner in the breeze as he acknowledged the young she-cat.
"I am Crowstar, leader of Eclipseclan, and I grant you your seventh life. With this life, I give you selflessness." The memories this time were hazier than most, as if viewed through tears: diving into raging waters to rescue a drowning kit, paws torn ragged by thorns while harvesting herbs, skipping a meal to ensure that a nursing queen could eat.
"Use this gift well, for the life of a leader is a life of labor and sacrifice, and you will seldom be thanked for it. Know, then, that all that you do ensures the survival of your clan, and will be forever remembered by those who walk in your pawsteps."Summerbreeze felt her blood run cold as the next cat approached, recognizing her shape immediately: a scrawny black she-cat whom she had failed to rescue after an unlucky fall into the river during the clan's journey to their new home. Had she lived, she might have become one of the clan's first newly-appointed warriors; as it was, she had died as an apprentice. Summerbreeze's voice trembled as she addressed her former clanmate: "Shadepaw..."
Shadepaw bowed her head in greeting, her voice kind as she acknowledged the cream tabby.
"Hello again, Summerbreeze. I've come to grant you your eighth life. With this life, I give you forgiveness." Summerbreeze knew from the moment their noses touched what memory she would see, and flinched as the visions appeared: the rush of freezing water on all sides, the call of distant voices and splashing as cats above struggled to reach her, the anguished wails of Shadepaw's parents at the loss of their only daughter.
Shadepaw's voice was soft but sure as she spoke her blessing:
"Use this gift well, and remember to forgive yourself as often as you forgive others. There will be many who will not forgive the things you do as leader, and many more who will not understand the burden you bear. Forgive them even so, as I now forgive you." Summerbreeze felt tears well up in her eyes as she watched the apprentice disappear back into the shadows, and made a silent vow to let Shadepaw's parents know that their daughter had made it to Starclan after all.
The final cat to approach Summerbreeze might have been mistaken for Flamesight herself, were it not for this orange tabby she-cat having both eyes intact. Regardless, Summerbreeze couldn't help but express surprise at the all-too-familiar face staring back at her: "Flamesight?"
"Not quite," the strange cat replied with a smile.
"I am Phoenix Flight, and I belong to no clan. I grant you your ninth and final life, and with this life, I give you empathy." As their noses touched, a final set of memories flickered through Summerbreeze's vision: wounded cats being tended to by a medicine cat, a three-legged apprentice learning to walk again, a blind elder being guided by a fellow clanmate.
"Use this gift well, for cruelty creates the path which leads to the Place of No Stars. Show kindness to all cats under your care, whether clanmate or rival, outsider or kittypet, sick or healthy, injured or strong."Phoenix Flight pulled away from the young she-cat, and bowed their head in reverence as they spoke.
"I hail you by your new name, Summerstar. Your old life is no more. You have now received the nine lives of a leader, and StarClan grants you the guardianship of Summerclan. Defend it well, care for young and old, honor your ancestors and the traditions of the warrior code, live each life with pride and dignity, and remember that Starclan will always light your path, no matter how dark the night may grow."The last thing Summerstar remembered before passing out was the gentle twinkling of stars and the soft grass beneath her paws rushing up to meet her.
.....
Summerstar woke with a start, nearly falling face-first into the water as Cedarfang and Flamesight rushed down to meet her. "Summerbreeze! Are you alright?"
"Yes, I- I think so, Cedarfang." The cream tabby staggered to her paws, steadying herself against Flamesight, who offered her own flank for stabilization. "And it's Summerstar, now. I've received my nine lives. Starclan guides our path."
"Good to hear," Flamesight remarked absently, shivering at a sudden chill. "Are we clear to leave? It's freezing in here."
"Hang on a moment - Cedarfang, come here. I have something I need to do." Cedarfang approached his new leader with some trepidation, but had enough of his wits about him to glare at Flamesight as she shot him a smirk, backing away so that the two could have some space.
Summerstar stepped towards Cedarfang, gently pressing her forehead against his. "I say these words before the Moonpool and Starclan, that the spirits of our warrior ancestors may hear and approve of my choice. The new deputy of Summerclan will be Cedarfang."
Cedarfang was quiet for a moment, mulling over the weight of his leader's words, then raised his head high and nodded at Summerstar. "I accept this charge, and swear to both Starclan and Summerclan that I shall uphold this position to the best of my ability."
Her business concluded, Summerstar turned away from the Moonpool and gestured for both cats to follow her. "Let's go. Our clanmates are waiting for us."
.....
The first meeting of Summerclan was hosted at the Sunrock that very night, Summerstar seated high above the clan with Cedarfang at her flank. Flamesight had opted to stay below with the rest of the clan, with the quiet understanding that she would have no further role in determining Summerclan's future. Summerclan now had a leader and a deputy, and soon there would be a medicine cat, as the Moonpool hidden within Starfall Grotto bore undeniable proof of the clan's connection to their ancestors.
Summerclan had claimed its rightful place among the stars. Now it only needed one who could interpret them.
Word Count: 3,057 words
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