Warriors: Beetlestar's Path

Prologue

     "I hail you by your new name, Brookstar. Your old life is no more. You have now received the nine lives of a leader, and StarClan grants you the guardianship of WaterClan. 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."

Brookstar beamed with pride as her ancestors chanted her new name. Splashstar stood before her with a fondness in her green eyes, her black and white pelt shimmering with starlight. She had died only a few days ago, fighting bravely against a pack of dogs, and thus turned the role of leader to her deputy daughter.

"I will do my very best to care for the Clan I've inherited from you," Brookstar pledged. Splashstar dipped her head and purred.

"I have faith in you, Brookstar. We all do. You'll be an excellent leader."

The chanting died down, the ancestors beginning to back away. A chill shot up Brookstar's spine. She turned to see a massive silver cat approaching, his paws leaving shining tracks in their wake. She could see right through his transparent body. "Brookstar," the tom greeted. "I have a message for you. Walk with me."

Brookstar glanced at Splashstar, who nodded for her to go. The others, who had given her nine lives, were turning away and starting on their own paths. The ceremony was over. This was something entirely different.

"Go on," Scalefur urged. Brookstar stared at the aging medicine cat, fear settling into her. Who was this fading StarClan cat?

"Okay," she muttered, and the mysterious tom began padding away. Brookstar hurried after him. They wandered for awhile through StarClan's hunting grounds. She couldn't help but admire and wonder at the beautiful willows and crystalline streams filled with fat fish and smooth, glittering rocks. Warm birdsong filled the air and offered some comfort, but it could never erase all of the tension.

The StarClan cat stopped, and Brookstar paused beside him. "Who are you? What did you want to tell me?" I've only just become a leader and I'm already getting a message. Shouldn't this go to Scalefur?

"My name is Silverstar," the cat said, sitting and curling a feathery tail around his huge paws. "Brookstar, WaterClan will face many hard trials to come. And you may not be able to guide your Clan through them."

"Wh- Why?" Brookstar could feel her stomach twisting into knots. Her face burned under her fur. "What is that supposed to mean? I'm a leader, I'll always be there for my Clan, for all of my nine lives! And I'm capable of leading. I must be, if StarClan gave me those lives."

Silverstar gazed down at Brookstar, his blue eyes piercing. His white pupils, unlike any other StarClan cat she had seen, turned to slits. "Your first step as leader is to choose your deputy. And it is your most important choice." He turned his head away and peered into the nearby creek. "You have a difficult choice ahead of you, as does all of your Clan. They will face a test of their hearts. And you must try and guide them, and start with your deputy. They will determine the path WaterClan takes."

Brookstar remained quiet. What was there to say? What trials await us? Nothing can keep me from caring for my Clan. And WaterClan is brave, strong, and good. I'll lead them and pick an honorable deputy.

"I'll make the right choice, and WaterClan will too. Have faith in my Clanmates."

"Just know that things will be hard. Do not let your Clan go astray. Keep them on a bright path." Silverstar flicked one ear, and as though it were by command, the world began to darken.

Brookstar opened her eyes to the early rays of the dawn sun. Her soft pelt was wet with dew. She pushed herself up to sit and took a deep breath.

"What did Silverstar have to say?" Scalefur walked along the edge of the Moonpool and eyed Brookstar curiously. She did not blink, instead boring into the newly-made leader. "StarClan said nothing to me."

If they didn't say anything to Scalefur, should I be passing on Silverstar's warnings to her? She's my medicine cat, I have to trust her. But it was a personal warning. Brookstar shook her head. "He only had some advice."

Scalefur's whiskers twitched, lip curling with doubt. "Just advice? From a Keeper?"

"A Keeper?"

"A higher up cat."

Brookstar tensed. "He told me that WaterClan would face trials in the future," she finally mewed. "And that I have to choose the right path." And that my deputy must as well. She stood and arched her back to stretch, shaking her damp tabby pelt. "So I have to make some pretty important choices as leader, I suppose. But anyone could guess that."

Scalefur puffed and made her way towards the start of the rocky mountain path. "Well, your first important choice is who the deputy is. You didn't name one before Moonhigh so everyone's probably antsy."

That's a silly tradition. I couldn't expect to choose the right deputy right after Splashstar died, right? It's a big responsibility, trials or not. But she wouldn't gripe. "Yeah, I know. Who do you think I should pick?"

"Someone punctual, responsible maybe. And sensible." Scalefur stopped to shrug. "But that's your business. I'm not leader."

Brookstar groaned and began the descent. Someone welcoming, I think. But willing to fight, to do whatever they must to ensure the safety of the Clan. It'll have to be someone tough if the Clan is going to get through whatever that "trial of heart" is. Then again, they don't have to be perfect, and whoever I pick, I can work with and teach. Splashstar was a lot like a second mentor to me. She helped me to be a better cat, so I can do the same as well.

Someone stubborn, maybe? But capable of change. I don't know. We'll see.

I'll ensure that WaterClan has a good deputy. One who will lead them down the right path if I can't be there.