Cold Blooded: Dapple's Downfall

Ch 3, The Eighth Leader

"Sleep well Dapple, we all wish you luck upon meeting the other leaders and receiving your leadership!" Said Sunleaf.
"I will," I yawned padding into Needlefur's den. Tonight I would have a dream of the 7 leaders and  receive my title as the eighth leader. Sunleaf was always so kind and happy around me, I can't be so care free like him anymore now that I have this  new responsibility. Sighing I crawled into Needlefur's old nest, her scent still lingering, breathing her scent I almost at once fell asleep.
" Dapple!" A fierce voice woke me and I front of me a black furred Nightwatcher, his first eyes stared into me. I quickly got myself up and faced him. He nodded and stepped back revealing the other six leaders. I almost immediately saw Needlefur, she was sitting on the far end on the right side of the line of leaders. She no longer looked like the old weakening Needlefur I knew, she looked young, strong, and healthy and her deep green eyes brighten as she saw me.
"Needlefur!" I raced towards her my eyes shearing tears of joy and relief.
"Yes hello Dapple, you are here to receive your leadership remember?" She scolded smiling happily.
I nodded and took a few paces back and found myself surrounded by the other seven leaders they all looked so similar but I knew they were all different in ways I couldn't tell just upon seeing them for the first time.
"Welcome Dapple, we, the seven former leaders of the Nightwatchers are here tonight to give you your leadership. I am Shadow, first leader," The black yellow eyed male said. I bowed my head.
The other leaders gave short nods and spoke their names and numbers.
"I am Cloud, second leader," a small gray black male Nightwatcher spoke.
"I am River, third leader," a bluish furred yellow eyed female Nightwatcher spoke.
"I am Ember, fourth leader," a black furred fiery eyed male Nightwatcher said.
"I am Petal, fifth leader," a black light green eyed female Nightwatcher nodded.
"I am Smoke, sixth leader," a large gray eyed male Nightwatcher greeted me.
"And of course I am Needle, seventh leader of the Nightwatchers," Needlefur spoke smiling.
"Now let us begin the ceremony!" Shadow spoke and all the leaders guided me to a large high rock.
Climbing it I was told to sit down and close my eyes even if I felt pain.
I felt my pad get cut open and I could feel my blood ooze out as Shadow and the others finished the ceremony using my blood.
When it was over I got up and they greeted me as the new leader, the eighth leader.
I bowed my head and then everything was starting to fade from my sight.
"No, Needlefur I still need you!" I called out as she faded away. I heard her calling back saying
" You don't need me for your new role, you must be the one to lead your kind to safety and everlasting peace like we once did many years before."
Then everything went black and I knew I was waking up to start my new life as leader.