"Wolfstorm, are you ready?" Icewing cooes to Wolfstorm from the entrance of her den.
"Sunhigh already?" The young ginger she-cat yawns before getting up to stretch. She walks to the entrance of the den, greeting Icewing warmly.
"As promised, I will lead you to our ancestors. You will become a leader that I will happily follow." she smiles warmly at the leader to be. Wolfstorm nods her head at her medicine cat in acknowledgment.
"You know the way better than I, perhaps it is you who should lead us." Wolfstorm exclaims to the white she-cat.
Icewing flicks her ear, signaling that she heard. She starts walking towards the camp entrance, Wolfstorm follows closely behind.
The two she-cats trek through the grass thickets in the territory until they come to a peaceful meadow-like area. Icewing looks back to her leader to make sure she's keeping up. She waits a bit at the edge of the grass thickets for her leader to be beside her. Wolfstorm catches up to her and they both look at each other briefly, before giving each other a nod and continuing their way through the meadowlands.
They get to the edge of the meadowlands, where a forest seems to bloom.
This forest is rather peaceful and full of life. They walk into it for what seemed like only a heartbeat.
They walk over a small hill before coming to a beautiful site below them.
A stream is flowing gently and birdsong can be heard from almost every direction. A small cave can be seen on the other side of the stream.
"We're here." The white she-cat informs Wolfstorm, flicking her tail towards the cave.
Wolfstorm proceeds to take lead into the cave as Icewing follows behind.
The stone floor felt icy underfoot. The unfamiliar place seemed to give off an almost radiant, yet gentle blue glow.
Icewing lept ahead, into the illuminating light of the cave.
"Over here." her voice could be heard somewhere further down in the cave. The light seemed brighter that way, as if were coming from something over there.
The ginger she-cat treads lightly on the stone path before her to get to the white she-cat. A little wary of what might be around the corner as she turns to catch up.
What wolfstorm gazed upon surprised her. Light shone from a luminescent pool of light blue. Icewing stood over the pool, crouched down to gaze at the flowing liquid. Her white fur now shining in a dazzling shade of blue in the light. She looked up at Wolfstorm from the gentle pool that flowed under her nose.
"This is it, Wolfstorm." She gives her a nod, before turning to gaze down at the water again. "Are you ready to meet your ancestors? To meet our ancestors?"
Wolfstorm gazes shyly at the small pond before shaking her head. "No, I can do this, I've gotten this far." She thinks to herself.
She nods her head to Icewing before stopping to crouch beside her.
"Take a small drink of this water, this will take you to starclan, our ancestors. Be sure to find somewhere safe to rest in this cave, you will be granted a vision and don't want to fall into the water during this." She informs Wolfstorm, before drinking some glowing water and then getting up and settling down in the corner of the cave.
Wolfstorm follows her example and drinks the strange liquid, a little concerned as to why it is glowing the way it is, but trusting Icewing enough to go first. She sits by the pool, closing her eyes and waiting for the vision to arrive.
Confused, she feels as if nothing has happened. No vision? Perhaps she wasn't meant to be the leader after all! Oh no. She starts to panic a little as the thought sets in. But still, there's nothing. She opens her eyes, a little disappointed. That's when she sees it. A magnificent forest of spirits, glowing blue in the midnight sky. At last, she finally got it. This is why that water must have been glowing blue, a signal that it lead to the spirits.
Can such a thing really exist? It was so beautiful and serene. So... peaceful. There seemed to be no worries here. No worries of starvation or clan life troubles. Everything seemed to work in perfect harmony. Wolfstorm took a few steps back, taken aback by all of this, having to have a moment to herself to believe that such a place could really exist. She takes a moment to compose herself, before taking a few steps forward. she figured she'd need to find someone to talk to, so that's just what she intended to do.
"Oh, a newcomer. And they're the alive kind, my favorite!" a silver tabby approaches her, waving his tail in greeting. Stars flow through his pelt, giving him an almost angelic appearance.
"Hey there," He goes on. "I'm Fishleap and Welcome to starclan!" He mews cheerily.
This is starclan? This is the place that clan cats go when they die? It's... wonderful. Wolfstorm couldn't help but gawk at the beautiful scene that was laid out before her. She then snaps back to reality, realising that Fishleap was talking to her, while she was just staring like a fool. She quickly composes herself before introducing herself to him.
"I am Wolfstorm, Icewing has sent me here to become the leader of Stormclan. A prophecy was given to her, so here I am." She informs the bubbly tom who is now bouncing around in excitement.
"And right you are." A sleek black tom steps out from the stary trees, eyeing Wolfstorm up.
"This is her. This is the one that will lead the new clan to greatness." He looks at her again before asking her the question that was bound to change her life forever. "Wolfstorm, are you ready to become the official leader of Stormclan and be granted your 9 lives? It will be a hard journey to start your own clan, but we will be here to guide you." He informs the ginger tabby, his green gaze warm and calm, yet his voice authoritative and almost commanding, with a hint of excitement at the thought of a new leader and a new clan.
"Yes, yes I am." She mews, head held high and sure of herself and that this is something she truly wanted for herself and her new clan. At this moment, she was no longer uncertain of her leadership. This is something she could do, she knew it.
"So be it!" His voice rung out for all of starclan to hear. "Let the ceremony of Wolfstar begin!" he boomed.
7 cat-like shapes gathered behind the black tom. Fishleap looked astonished and just stood where he was. The black tom cleared his throat and the silver tom jumped before mumbling a quick "Oh of course, sorry Spiderstar!", before taking his place in the line behind Spiderstar.
Spiderstar himself was first to step up to her. He resites the clan laws, which she agrees to follow on her 9 lives that she is about to receive.
"I, Spiderstar, gift upon you the life of leadership. May you use it to lead your clan to greatness. It will grant you the ability to lead your clan into anything it may face." He nods to her before quickly but gently whispering in her ear. "This might hurt, be prepared. Now, bow down so you are ready to receive your life." he stares at her, expecting her to follow his command.
Wolfstorm, now nervous by what he meant about it hurting, bows down to him in compliance. He rests his chin on her head. Sure enough, a large shock that started from her head, soon ran out across her body, making her shake. As soon as it started, it stopped. She had now received her first life. Spiderstar dipped his head to her before turning to walk to the end of the line.
Fishleap steps up hesitantly. He gains more confidence as he gets closer.
"I, Fishleap, grant you the life of dignity, so that you may always be worthy of honor and respect. Even the greatest of warriors will obey your command like it is law." His gaze quickly meets hers before she bows to him, preparing for the shock of the life that she s about to receive. Fishleap rests his chin on Wolfstorm's head. This time there isn't much pain, but just a small bolt that runs through her body and then vanishes quickly. Fishleap cocks his head, in awe of the power he had just given her, then waves his tail to her and walks away, into the forest. Perhaps to watch the rest of the ceremony in secret.
Next, a ginger tabby pads up, her tail swinging gracefully in the gentle breeze.
"I, Scorchspring, give you the life of empathy, so that you may always empathize with your clanmates and do things for the benefit of all in your clan." Her voice gentle. Wolfstorm bows to the ginger tabby she-cat, awaiting her third life and the pain that would come with it. Scorchspring lowers her head and softly rests her chin on top of Wolfstorm's head. What Wolfstorm thought would be pain, was instead replaced by a warm feeling and fond thoughts of her clanmates. She felt she could now understand everyone better. Scorchspring weaves her way into the forest, disappearing.
A small mink point tom approaches next, in almost leaping bounds. He stares at her intently before speaking.
"I, smallberry, shall give you the life of patience. May you use this life to be patient and hear out what every cat in the clan has to say and be patient for every mistake your clan may make."Judging from the scent of his breath, he must have been a medicine cat. It had a hint of sage to it, Wolfstorm gathered. She dipped her head to him, just like she had to the others. Smallberry lightly placed his head on hers. At first, Wolfstorm felt... nothing? Had this life not worked? She began to panic a little, so she looked up to smallberry, sharing a confused gaze. Then it hit all at once in a huge rush, making her stagger. A large jolt that convulsed her whole body and surged through her. In a heartbeat, it was over, but the effect still remained, leaving her feeling exhausted. Smallberry gasped, then winced, a little surprised at the severity of the life he had just given her. He then mouthed a "sorry" to Wolfstorm, before abruptly leaving in a hurry.
Wolfstorm didn't know if she could take another life, especially if it was one like that. But she knew she had to be brave and continue if she wanted to be a leader, so she continued. She nodded to the next cat in line, signaling that she was ready to continue.
A tortoiseshell she-cat was next up. She delicately walked over to Wolfstorm, her whole body swaying gently in the slight breeze.
"I hope you're not too hurt, that last one looked rough. It'll be done soon enough, I promise." she empathized with Wolfstorm.
Wolfstorm flicked her ear, trying to show that she was unphased by it and she just wanted the ceremony to continue. The tortoiseshell had a look of... worry? Perhaps because she was afraid her life would be like the previous one.
She continued. "I, Bluebird, give you the life of equality, so that you may value all and every life in your clan equally, no matter what rank. You must look after anyone and everyone to make sure all their needs are met as best as possible". She gives a gentle smile to Wolfstorm before placing her head on hers. This life felt much like the second, not much pain and was over fairly quick. As soon as the small jolt was over, bluebird disappeared as quickly as she arrived, dancing into the wind.
Wolfstar looks confused at the next in line. A... kit? Her heart broke for the poor thing who had died at such an early age. Unaware of the pain she was already feeling, the kit bounded up to her, a spark of importance and eagerness in their eyes.
"I, heronkit," He giggles a little before continuing. "give you the life of bravery! So that you may always be brave and fight off the meanies! Even when you might feel scared to. You'll be brave, just like me!" he bounces gleefully as he says this. Wolfstorm gave a warm look and couldn't help but smile at the kit's enthusiasm. She knelt down so that she could receive the life from this tiny kit. The kit placed his two front paws on Wolfstorm's nose so that he could reach his head on top of hers. At first, she could only feel warmth from this life, but then she felt a sudden urge to fight even the mightiest of enemies. Heronkit took his paws off of Wolfstorm's nose and mewed a quick "Bye-bye Wolfstar!", before bouncing playfully into the trees.
A long-legged chocolate tom is next. He takes powerful strides towards Wolfstar, his muscles rippling under his skin. He stops and gazes down at Wolfstorm.
"I, treeleg," his voice low and booming "grant you the life of compassion, so that you may understand the feelings of even the most stubborn warrior, to the friendliest kittypet or even the fiercest rogue." his stare intense as he waits to Wolfstorm to bow, she does just that. He places his head on hers rather rough. A small crackling feeling started from her head, it suddenly burst to the rest of her body and made her shudder rather violently. The tom looked concerned, but lept into the trees once it was over.
The next cat also seemed rather small, but it was hard to see. It seemed... oddly familiar? But she couldn't see until he stepped out from the shadows. The cat she saw surprised her. It couldn't be. There's no way. She let out a gasp.
"Ash?!" she nearly screamed the name in shock. She ran over to him to check that it was actually him.
"It's... It's you. I thought I'd lost you. I missed you so much." she blurted out, nuzzling him affectionately, tears rolling down her cheeks.
"Please, never leave me again. I... I finally have my brother back... I love you." She choked a little at the last part.
"I love you too." He purrs back, nuzzling her and trying not to tear up himself. "I'm really proud of you. I've been watching over you, I never left. I've always been with you and always will be. That's a promise." He lifts her chin up with his tail, making her look into his eyes that were filled with love and admiration.
"Let's get this ceremony done with, shall we?" he beckons to her with his tail to stand back where she was before. She walks over to the spot, him following closely behind.
"I, Ashbreeze, gift upon you the life of love, so that you may love all your clanmates as if they were all your own kits or family." he smiles up at her. She kneels down so the apprentice-sized tom could place his head on hers. Wolfstorm was filled with a strong feeling of love for all of her clanmates that seemed almost overpowering. Ash gives her a quick nuzzle, before returning next to the last cat. Wolfstar tilted her head, a little confused why he did that instead of just leaving. She soon found out, although she wishes she didn't.
The next cat steps forward. A dark brown tabby tom who's eyes were the gentle amber that she always remembered.
"No... Not you too." she whispers before collapsing to the ground. She couldn't take it anymore, between the pain and exhaustion that the lives brought, to seeing her brother that died... And now seeing her oldest brother in front of her when he should be alive to protect her last two siblings? It was too much for her to bear.
Ash takes a step forward, to go help Wolfstorm. But the older, darker brother was one step ahead of him. The brown tabby leaps to her side, nuzzling her. "This isn't your fault, I promise." He mews gently to her.
"If I didn't leave to explore then maybe you'd still be alive..." She sobs back, her claws digging into the ground, body shaking violently, as if she was receiving the life that smallberry gave her all over again.
"No, I died protecting Holly and Ridge from rogues. I did it, I managed to protect them. But I was bleeding heavily from an injury and didn't make it. Holly and Ridge are safe, I promise." He looks thoughtful before continuing. "Would you like to see them? I can grant you a vision of them at present." Wolfstorm nods, knowing it would cheer her up to see her two siblings that were alive.
The dark tabby nods, before dipping his head to hers. She closes her eyes, ready to see what her siblings looked like all grown up. She suddenly opens her eyes to see a light brown tabby tom and a black tabby she-cat nestled closely together, grooming each other and sharing tongues. Ridge was talking away like he always does, while Holly was intently listening to her brother. They looked happy. "I'm glad they're okay at least." she whispers, a smile rising onto her face and the sadness disappearing. She closes her eyes, wishing to return to her leader ceremony and gain her last life to become a leader, but also to return to her brothers.
She opens her eyes again, to see the dark brown tom staring at her, patiently. "Oak! Thank you. You always know how to cheer us up and protect us." she stands up and nuzzles into his chest fur. Ash now by their side, eyes watery at the sight of the two.
"It's okay, little one. Like Ash said, we'll always be here for you. We always have been. Now, shall we continue this ceremony?" he playfully bumps into her side, giving her a reassuring smile. Wolfstorm nods and they both get back into position for the ceremony.
"I, Oakleaf, give you the life of protection, so that you may protect your clanmates with everything you have, just as I have done for you and our siblings." he gives her a wink. She bows to him and he places his head on hers. "The last one, you've got this." he whispers to her. A large jolt seeps through her body, making her stagger to the ground in agony, claws unsheathed and teeth bared into a scowl, this was by far the most painful and longest-lasting of the 9 lives that she had received. But she had done it. She had gotten all 9 lives.
"Wolfstar, Wolfstar!" Oak and Ash give a hearty chant, bounding over to her.
"Spiderstar, who had gone to join the end of the line earlier, was now staring at her.
"It is done." His voice echoes through the forest once again. "May this cat now be known as Wolfstar, leader of Stormclan!"
The cats that gave her lives all appeared from the forest now, to sit beside him.
They all then started chanting her new name.
Wolfstar opened her eyes to find that she was back at the cave with the glowing pool. A little confused and disorientated at first, so looks around. She sees Icewing stirring at the corner of the cave and remembers where she was and what just happened.
Icewing, now awake, gets up and greets Wolfstar.
"So... It happened? You're officially leader now?" Icewing's voice had a hint of curiosity.
Wolfstar nodded, too exhausted to talk.
The two she-cats make their way back to camp to take a well-deserved rest, but the words of Wolfstar's brothers will always be in the back of her mind. They will always be there for her. She smiled, dipping her head as she succumbs to the strong urge to sleep.
Lives given (In order):
Spiderstar - Sleek solid black tom with green eyes - Leadership
Fishleap - A silver tabby tom with minimal white and blue eyes. - Dignity
Scorchspring - A ginger tabby she-cat with amber eyes. - Empathy
Smallberry - A small mink point with blue eyes. - Patience
Bluebird - A small tortoiseshell she-cat with green eyes. - Equality
Heronkit - A small black and white kit with blue eyes. - Bravery
Treeleg - A long-legged chocolate tom with moderate white and amber eyes. - Compassion
Ash - Small silver apprentice with minimal white and blue eyes. - Brother of Wolfstar - Love
Oak - Large dark brown tabby with amber eyes. - Brother of Wolfstar - Protection
Others:
Holly: A black tabby with moderate white and amber eyes. - Sister of Wolfstar
Ridge: A light brown tabby with minimal white and blue eyes. - Brother of Wolfstar