Strength Of A Leopard (BOOK THREE) [ON HOLD]

Chapter Seven (leader ceremony)

"Wake up, Owlflight." Rainstorm gently nudged his old friend's shoulder. "It's time to earn your nine lives, now."

Owlflight staggered to his feet with a groan. "Already?" He huffed.

Rainstorm almost laughed, but he didn't have the energy. His paws tingled with longing: for a sign from StarClan that they were still with LightClan now. He missed the familiar feeling of his warrior ancestors guiding his pawsteps, telling him where to go and what to do. But now they were silent, and Rainstorm was emptier than he had ever been.

"Yes, let's hurry." He said, stepping out of the warriors den.

"Do you think I will be a good leader?" Owlflight asked hesitantly.

"Don't doubt yourself, Owlflight." Rainstorm murmured. "You will do fine."

"What will I do about the dogs? We aren't safe here, while they still know where we are."

"The clan is safe. They are on the ledge." Rainstorm pointed out. No cat had left the massive ledge after Roseleaf had dragged Frostytail up; besides Stoneclaw and Flamefur, who were guarding the camp.

"This is no way to live." Owlflight retorted. "Hunted on our own territory? Ha!"

"Perhaps we should move territories again. Nobody knows what's passed the mountains.." Rainstorm shuddered at the thought.

"Hey, Owlflight!" Stoneclaw called from his spot at the entrance of the cave. "Have you heard Robinwing's news?"

Confusion flooded Rainstorm, reflected off of his friend. "We have no time for that now, Stoneclaw. Owlflight is going to receive his nine lives."

He pushed through the two guards. "We have to go somewhere secluded." He explained to Owlflight.

The deputy looked horrified. "Go outside? In the dark? You know, the dogs are black. They can attack at night without us seeing them."

Rainstorm shuddered. "StarClan guides our pawsteps." He tried to reassure him, "They wouldn't allow us to get hurt, not now."

He led Owlflight to a smaller cave near their camp. Stormpaw had originally suggested to use it as a mooncave, though no signs from StarClan had told them that it was the right place.

Rainstorm sent a silent prayer to StarClan as he settled in the darkness of the cave. Please, be with us now. He begged them. Please, StarClan. Settling down with his back facing the entrance of the cave, and Owlflight opposite him.

"Close your eyes." Rainstorm suddenly felt sure that StarClan would come. "They will come to us."

As Owlflight did as he was told, Rainstorm pressed their muzzled together. He soon felt the presents of his warrior ancestors around him, and he moved away from Owlflight, opening his eyes. Owlflight did the same.

On either side of Rainstorm sat four StarClan cats. Owlflight stared a him, eyes wide. "Welcome, Owlflight." Rainstorm spoke with a new confidence. "Are you ready to receive your nine lives?"

Owlflight was visibly shaking. "Y-yes, I'm ready." He stammered.

Rainstorm stepped forward, touching his nose to Owlflight's head. "With this life I give you courage. Use it well to protect your clan."

Owlflight gasped as Rainstorm pulled away. He wondered what it felt like to gain a life; Moon cats only had one, so he would never know.

Beside him, Firepelt stepped forward. Owlflight's eyes lit up as his mate stepped forward to touch her nose to his head. "With this life I give you love. Use it well for all the cats you care about." She murmured. Owlflight didn't flinch or gasp this time, instead he stared lovingly at his mate.

The third cat stepped forward. This one was small enough that she had to lean up to touch Owlflight's head. "With this life I give you tireless energy. Use it well to carry out your duties as leader." Her voice was small; young. Rainstorm recognized her as Echokit, Owlflight's deceased daughter. The leader-to-be also clearly recognized her, as his eyes shone with a pride that only a parent would have seeing his kit.

Skywing, Owlflight's mother, gave him his next life. "With this life I give you protection. Use it well to care for your clan as a mother cares for her kits."

Rainstorm felt like jumping out of his fur with happiness when his sister revealed herself among the cats. Echopaw glanced at him as she passed, but didn't say a thing to him. "With this life, I give you mentoring. Use it well to train the young cats of your clan."

The next cat to give Owlflight a life was Moonbeam. "With this life I give you justice. Use it well to judge the actions of others."

To Rainstorm's surprise, Snowstorm, who had left to join ShadeClan, was among the cats. He had been the cat to warn MudClan of the ShadeClan attack, which ultimately saved some GreenClan cats. "With this life I give you loyalty to what you know is right. Use it well to guide your clan in times of trouble."

I suppose that makes sense. Rainstorm realised, he remained loyal even after leaving the clan.

The eighth cat stepped forward. "F-Frostytail?" Owlflight stammered. "You've gone to StarClan."

"I passed overnight." Frostytail spoke in a loud, clear voice, unlike her usual soft tone. "With this life I give you compassion. Use it well for the elders of the clan, and the sick, and all those weaker than you."

Finally, Stripedstar appeared. "Welcome, Owlflight, my warrior and deputy. I knew you would make a great leader one day." Owlflight bowed his head as she continued, "With this life I give you courage, gentleness, and honesty. Use it well as you lead your clan in the ways of StarClan and the warrior code."

All the cats rose, including Owlflight. Rainstorm took Stripedstar's place in front of Owlflight. "I hail you by your new name, Owlstar. Your old life is no more. You have now received the nine lives of a leader, and StarClan grants to you the guardianship of LightClan. Defend it well; care for the young and old; honor your ancestors and the traditions of the warrior code, and live each life with pride and dignity."

Stripedstar began the chant, "Owlstar, Owlstar!" The others joined in, calling to the new leader, their mews echoing around the cave. Owlstar was the new leader of LightClan.