A Rising Sky Star

Chapter 1

Clear Sky padded steadily up the slope, his gaze narrowed with determination as he sought Mothermouth at the foot of Highstones. His pelt fizzed with excitement. Tonight was the night he would be receiving his nine lives and new name. Was he ready to be bestowed such an honor?

Acorn Fur, SkyClan's medicine cat, walked beside him, looking calm and determined. Moth Flight, WindClan's medicine cat, had come to SkyClan's camp two days ago, sharing news that Wind Runner - now Windstar - had died and been brought back to life by StarClan, along with eight other lives. Clear Sky could still scarcely believe it. How could a cat die and come back to life?

As he and Acorn Fur reached the top of the slope, Clear Sky paused and looked back the way they'd come, adjusting his eyes to the darkness. The land in front of him stretched as far as he could see, and far below, the moorland rose up like a cat's spine against the star-speckled sky. Clear Sky's mind filled with wonder. The thought of having nine lives to protect his Clan made him both excited and proud, but he still shuddered at the thought of dying.

Acorn Fur cleared her throat, settling herself on top of a stone that jutted sharply from the rocky ground. "It's time we went into Mothermouth, Clear Sky. We can't waste moonlight. StarClan is waiting for you."

Clear Sky turned his gaze to her and gave his pelt a shake. "I still can't believe StarClan has the ability to give leaders nine lives..." his voice trailed off, but his words were tinged with excitement. This was really happening!

Acorn Fur leaped down from the stone and faced him, giving a small mrrow of laughter. "They can do many things and see things that we can't. Now, Clear Sky, are you ready?" Her bright amber eyes glowed in the darkness like small stars.

Clear Sky looked toward Mothermouth, which gaped open like a huge hole in Highstones. "Yes. I am ready. Let's go." With a flick of his tail, he let Acorn Fur take the lead as they padded into the tunnel that led to the Moonstone cavern. Clear Sky had never been here before, but Moth Flight had told him and Acorn Fur about Windstar's leadership ceremony, and he knew they had to get to the Moonstone before the moon was at its highest in the night sky.

Clear Sky was engulfed by darkness from all sides as he followed Acorn Fur to the Moonstone. His pelt brushed the walls softly on both sides, and his paw steps rang quietly in the silence. He shivered. Was he scared or cold? There's nothing to be scared of, Clear Sky thought confidently. This is the biggest honor a cat could be given.

Acorn Fur's tail brushed his muzzle as they walked in silence. "Not much farther now," Acorn Fur called back to him, her steps light and confident. Eerie silence followed them the rest of the way as they bent around a wall and up another tunnel, until suddenly, light began to spill across their path from up ahead. Clear Sky's pelt smoothed with relief. They must be close now!

As Acorn Fur disappeared into the blinding light, Clear Sky hurried after her, and he emerged, squinting his eyes, into the Moonstone cavern. The Moonstone was much bigger than he'd imagined it, and a hole in the stone roof above revealed the star-dotted sky. "What now?" Clear Sky asked his medicine cat.

As he spoke, the moon flitted over the hole in the roof, and the cavern was ablaze with white light. Clear Sky shut his eyes against the blinding glare for a few heartbeats, and when he opened them again, the Moonstone was blazing with light, reflecting the stars above. Wow... I didn't know that would happen, he thought incredulously, noticing how the cavern walls seemed to be glittering with starlight.

Acorn Fur broke into Clear Sky's thoughts. "Now lie down with your nose touching the Moonstone and close your eyes," she instructed him swiftly, lying down on the cold stone floor and beckoning him over to her with a flick of her tail.