Cinder

Chapter 36

    Ravenclaw stood and waited for his final life to be delivered. He remembered his previous lives: Firestar, a life for service to the clan and making the right choice, Jetclaw: forgiveness. Other long lost cats he didn't know. They all gave him lives for something like gentleness, making the right choices. Not letting fear blind you. Ravenclaw knew they were warning him, what with his hallucinations and all. He remembered taking Mudstar's final life.

    "What do you think you are doing Ravenclaw?" The leader had hissed. Ravenclaw had pinned his leader down when they were alone on patrol. He was sick of being terrorized and tortured.
     "I am sending you to StarClan Mudstar, or wherever your sick heart will go when I kill you." Ravenclaw had hissed.
     "Traitor! Let me up so that can give you the worst punishment you will ever receive! You will regret the moment you defied me!" Mudstar yowled, thrashing.
      "No. You will regret the moment you made me deputy. You will regret every time you tortured me. I am only giving back what you gave me. I will be a better leader than you ever were! I will make the clans fear us ten times more than you did! You have no idea the pain and horror you put me through! And you know what? I'm sick of fighting the delusions. So I'm going to just let them come, to not fight them. I am too far gone anyway. But at least you can watch with satisfaction as I crush all of my enemies! I will crush every cat that ever wronged me. Starting with you." He clamped his jaws on Mudstar's throat and heard his agonized screech.

   Ravenclaw opened his eyes and watched the ninth cat approach him. His heart leapt with joy at the sight of her.
    "Switcheye!" Ge cried. He was relieved to see her in StarClan. Their ancestors must had forgiven her actions. 
     "Greetings Ravenclaw." She purred. "I give you your final life for change. No matter how cold a heart, the heart can always be melted by those you love. Keep this in mind as you become leader. You do not have to rule like those before you. For only you can make the right choice." She touched his head with her nose. He felt a burst of agony slice through his body, sending himself on fire. He saw himself kill Mudstar, watched as Mudstar killed countless cats. Then he saw Switcheye watching her kits with such love and affection. She had changed for the better. She stepped back, allowing the pain to ebb away
     "I hail you by Ravenstar. Your old life is over. Make the right choices as you lead your clan. Don't make the mistakes of your predecessor." Switcheye said. She started to fade.
     "I believe in you Ravenstar. Serve your clan well." As she faded, Ravenstar was faced with a feeling of contentment. One that would not last...