What now my friends...

[Tikker]

The night sky seemed so peaceful, the clouds that would cover the moon were barely visible. The moonlight hit the amber eyes of a dark brown cat, the paws pounding the empty mooreland ground. Traveling with a few other cats from her Clan, the young cat. The light of the moon relfected off her pelt and the coats of her Clanmates from their natural colors to a stunning silver.

The amber eyes of Briarheart scanned the empty territory of WindClan hoping to StarClan that no WindClan cats spotted them, it would just mean trouble. Luckily the cats she traveled with were in the borderlines that the Clans agreed on, they were next to the lake. Looking back she looked at cats, she actually hated being in the lead, just thinking why can't another cat come and join her up front. Briarheart already had to make the speach that their Clan needed a leader and deputy.

The scents of her Clanmates fell into her mouth, she didn't really know which of her Clanmates came with her, although she did know that Dewstream and Silkgrass stayed at Camp. "I wonder why they stayed," she thought to herself. The scents of Larksong, Rainstorm, and the friend she had in Fawnfeather.

The long trip to the moonpool seemed to Briarheart like it was taking ages to get there. The faint scent of WindClan warriors still lingered in the air. Her pawsteps quickened, she didn't feel right traveling with a group like this through WindClan territory, it just felt strange. The thoughts just raced through her mind as her paws thudded agains the ground. She wished that someone would start a conversation, knowing that no one would, she said something as the sight of the Moonpool came into view.

"You know, I believe that the cat StarClan chooses to be the leader of our Clan, should have the support from all of us. So I would like to let you all know, that whoever is chosen this night, will have my full support until my last breath."

Those were the only words she had to say to her Clanmates, she didn't know if they felt the same way, and she really didn't care for it was their opinion and she may disagree but she would support them. She did however nodd and listen to what they said showing what she thought. After the speaking was over, she took her steps into the Moonpool, the young dark brown she-cat padded to the pool and layed down near the edge. Lapping up a few sips of water, she put her head down to the stone floor.

[andtheyflock]

[ LARK|SONG ]

the takeover
the sweeping insensitivity
of this...

...still life...

[/font]

And yet, after all her thoughts about not being a good leader and not wanting to bother going, here she was.

The rain had loosened up some, and the clouds seemed to have gotten thinner. Larksong had been told numerous times that this just meant it was getting worse, but she never listened. As of now she just assumed it meant StarClan were happy they were finally getting off their lazy tails and doing something for their clan. Though if they had power over the rain they should've stopped it days ago.

Anyway, her reasoning on why she was here was simple; if certain cats (she tried not to let her eyes wander to those in question) got mad at, say, Briarheart becoming the leader, they might go into blind rage and attack, right? Of course, duh. So Larksong was there to protect, though she'd also dip her head into the Moonpool. Possibly just to check it out.

Larksong blinked as they entered WindClan's territory. It took her a few seconds, still in a gaited walk, to realize that oh, right, we have to go through here to get there. Good thing we're on the borderlines, she smiled, even though she didn't care to much if they suddenly appeared. She'd probably be the first to explain what was going on, unless someone spotted them before she did. It didn't occur to her that that might be a bad idea.

Mud was beginning to weigh her down, now. It dripped off the ends of her fur in an almost near-constant motion, annoying her. It would take ages to clean the next morning... If the streams weren't just as muddy she could go for a swim there, but no. Stupid rain.

Her thoughts switched subjects a few times during the long travel, from those who stayed back to those who were going, to what she should eat the next day, to what she'd say when her ancestors told her she wasn't good enough. To be honest the only reply that she could think of was 'oh okay.' ...Probably not the best thing to say to them, as it would look like she didn't even care if they had a leader or not. She glanced around the other cats, from Rainstorm, to Briarheart, to Fawnfeather, and then to the other cats who'd come as well.

Larksong twitched her tail as a cat spoke. Ah, her -- It seemed to be her starting conversations and such lately. A good leader, perhaps, but who knew. ...Well, StarClan probably did, but who knew that was alive.

"Agreed, Briarheart," She smiled in spite of her dreary appearence. "And I know they will choose well." She watched the other warrior drink from the pool, then lay down beside it, and set out to do the same thing was well. She positioned herself to the left of Briarheart.

The liquid definitely seemed to sparkle. Larksong felt a tingle of excitement run up her spine as she realized she was getting to touch the Moonpool. She'd probably never get a chance like this again. She dipped her tongue into the water quickly, then relaxed and prepared to go into the dream.

Alright, StarClan. Show me what you've got.

{{i... still suck, teehee}}
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[Fox]

Rainstorm padded behind Briarheart, mingling with the other Riverclan cats. Her fur was soaked, and drops rolled off her whiskers, but she didn't mind. She spotted Larksong nearby, and Fawnfeather, two great she-cats. But they didn't seem to want the leadership. No one had spoken up about it, and no doubt no one would. It was Starclan's decision.

Rainstorm stopped as the reached the Moonpool, and listened to Briarheart pledging support to the new leader. Rainstorm spoke up as well. "I, too, pledge my support to Starclan's new, chosen leader." She said, meaning every word. Their ancestors knew best. It was time to find out their decision.

The tiny she-cat crouched down by the Moonpool and took a few licks, flinching slightly at the frigid coldness of the water. Then she closed her eyes, her tail wrapping around her small frame. She waited patiently for sleep to overcome her. I'm waiting, Starclan. She thought. The moment is now. Who have you chosen?

[faythe]

Fawnfeather
Why was she going to the Moonpool? A line of doubt traced her features as the she-cat walked, lagging quite far, behind the rest of the group. Fawnfeather knew somewhere in her heart that she shouldn’t be her – StarClan hated her guts, perhaps more so than even those cats that had lived in infamy since the time before she was born. They took her mother, her siblings, her friends, her family, her clan mates…and what did they give in return? Nothing! What a shocker, but the slightly insecure feline had her doubts for the moment, she looked to the cats that had assembled and just knew that any one of them could, and would, be a great leader to the clan…the only thing she had left…then what would life be worth? She didn't know, but it was this moment that she swore she would try to make the best of it... for now.

Looking back at her life, it had always been like that of a tragic sitcom, those who were close to her dropped off like flies….of course the cats dying faith in StarClan didn’t really show through her exterior. On the outside she appeared to be bold, daring, confident, all the things that a warrior should be! Liar. The word hissed in her mind and drifted to her expression as it faltered with a look of panic, one that her clan mates would not be able to see from where she stood many a tail lengths behind them all. The trees above her head rustled with each stroke of rain that hit their surfaces and then bent, cracked, and wavered – such movement against their own will. Fawnfeather - our heroin of the time - could sympathize with these poor leaves. It seemed as though her own life was about to get much harder.

These trees where not home. The smells of WindClan and ThunderClan swirled in the air and pierced her nose with a hint of disgust. She longed for the reeds and the river and the scent of raw fish from back in camp – something she would not see again until the morning. It was nearly Moonhigh, the she-cat could feel it in her soul as they approached with as much stealth they could muster at such a fast pace. They were late, and yet not late, there and then gone, everything seemed to be so muddled up in her mind that the cat simply forgot about it and returned to the point that she was fighting the panic that had slowly been creeping in on her as they moved. The rain continued, each drop seemed to add another small worry or fear that this whole trip was a waste, but of course it was. She looked ahead at the cats she had come with again, their own beauty ringing off their stance and strength. She longed to be like them.

She was not a young cat, certainly not so, at thirty-two moons she had been a warrior since nearly twenty moons ago, raised to apprentices to their warrior hood, lost an apprentice to green cough, seen her first apprentice, Skysong, give birth to a litter of four kits. Lost a friend, a brother, a mother, siblings she would never know gone forever…she thought about these as she walked on to the Moonpool, perhaps for no particular reason than to remember them, but the time to do so seemed appropriate as they traveled to bare witness to the cats that ruled their own lives. Fawnfeather huffed with ill amusement. Her bright, bright sky-blue after a storm eyes blinked as her cream and orange-striped fur ruffled in the wind as she walked into the open of the rain and up to the outer most edge of the Moonpool. She heard the voices of her clan mates, the ones that had not bothered to wait for her speaking, and then one by one the lapped at the waters surface and fell into the black void that was sleep.

Each delicate step she took brought her down the edge of the Ravine that protected to Moonpool and along the path of the paw prints that declared it to be the holy site of their ancestors. She admired the place, perhaps for its courage as it faced the worst of the rain and weather and still stood, nearly untouched by Mother Nature’s forces, from its natural protection and wonder. She walked slowly, not because she wished to anger the ancestors that awaited the cat that would become leader of RiverClan tonight, but because she felt the need to see the place she might not ever see again. Of course she could not drink from the pool – all asleep would not know – but she felt drawn to the pool now, if not just to experience the taste of the icy water and the rush of magical darkness it left. Peace. She needed the peace.

She approached the only untouched side of the pool and gently licked the surface as she noticed the stars above reflected in it. She smiled, laying down, knowing that her efforts were not entirely in vain. If anything, this place put her mind at ease, leaving its normal clash of worry and anger away. Perhaps it would make her a better cat in the end. She could at least hope for that. The she-cat sighed, her eyes drifting to one already lost cat to the next, then locked on the small waterfall as she nodded to its presence, then back to the pool. Perhaps she would see her brother on this night. Stormstripe, how she missed him and Dustflower too! Perhaps not, StarClan hadn’t ever seemed so far away now that she was here; her heart yearned for the chance to meet them. “Someday…” She promised her help, and then she too fell into the void of sleep.

[STARCLAN]

The silver room of stone soon became dark, seeming like the light of the moon never shone on the walls. A lone dark brown cat stood in that very room, the moonlight beaming down just a few tail-lengths in front of her, as a glisten of light rested upon her face. Looking around the cat seemed worried, the look in her eyes said it all. The vocals she used were full of concern and wonder as she stated a name. "Fawnfeather?" the cat looked around for her light-colored friend. The three she-cats that had traveled with her weren't near as far as she could see and that made her feel strange. "Rainstorm?" she had called the next, and still no answer. She thought she should try the last one that came along, she had her doubts but she would try. "Larksong?" the name she yelled for next never gave any sign that she was there.

The dark brown she-cat was worried out of her fur now, she was alone and wondering what was going on. For a few moments she had wondered of she was trapped in her dreams and would never wake up, "Pull yourself together, everything will be fine, everyone is fine. Nothing to worry about." Although the she-cat still had her suspicions.

Briarheart's ears twitched as she thought she heard something behind her, turning her head a voice came from where she just looked. "Greetings Briarheart, it's been a while. I'm glad our Clan can finally be whole again." The dark she-cat's eyes widened as she came back face forward for the unforgettable voice and her eyes rested on a small black tom.

"Ravenpaw!" she nearly yowled the name and she stood petrified. It had been moons since she had seen her adopted brother alive, it was the battle against WindClan that caused her to loose him and Silverpaw. She was to busy basking in the fact that the black tom was in front of him, the had so much to talk about, and the next thing she knew he was in front of her. "With this life I give you endurance, use it well get all you need to get done, that you can."

Briarheart felt a rush of pain flow through her body as Ravenpaw's nose touched her own. The pain made her stagger a few paw steps backwards, lowering her head she gasped for breath. Yet, by the time she came back to her senses, Ravenpaw was already walking away. "Wait, Ravenpaw! Come back!" the she-cat had yowled her words yet all she saw was the blue eyes of her brother and a smile.

Another cat started to walk up to her as she watched Ravenpaw from behind. This time, the cat was a large, muscular light brown tabby tom. A rough-sounding voice came from him, "Briarheart, my daughter." Looking towards the new cat, she saw her adopted father, Dustfur, and as soon as she turned to see him, he touched her nose. "With this life I give you strength, use it well in the battles ahead to defend your Clan."

Another jolt of agonizing pain shot through her body and she cringed at life surging through her. Yet as soon as she felt the pain fade, Dustfur was leaving and a small silver cat came forward. Opening her mouth, Briarheart was ready to start talking but was cut short as Silverpaw touched her nose. "With this life I give you hope, use it well to keep your faith in your warrior ancestors."

This life was actually soft and sweet, easing the pain of the last two lives that were given to her. Briarheart gave a quick sigh as she noticed the small silver tom started to pad away right after. "Wait Silverpaw! Are you angry with me?" she had called and all she heard a soft yell from him telling her no, he just didn't want to get emotional talking.

Once Silverpaw had vanished into the line of cats, a dark gray battle-scarred tom padded forward. A large scar crossed his right eye, causing it to stay closed. His gravely voice sounded, startling Briarheart, causing her to sit straight forward. This was her former mentor, Stoneclaw. "Briarheart, my last apprentice, I never figured it would be you that would become our Clan leader. I guess our warrior ancestors have many ways they surprise us, huh?" When Briarheart gave a curt nod, he gave a rough chuckle.

Walking forward to touch her nose, Stoneclaw gave a heavy sigh and touched noses. "With this life I give you Courage, use it well when facing your enemies, to show no fear against your rivals, and to spread that courage to the young of our Clan." The pain surged through her like a set of TigerClan warriors attacking. Giving a screech of pain, she realized it was all over in a matter of moments. It always seemed like whatever Stoneclaw did, it always involved a lot of pain. The only thing she could do was whisper, "Thank you Stoneclaw, you were a great mentor."

Suddenly as soon as Stoneclaw had finished speaking another silver cat came forth, this one was larger with longer fur, her eyes a deep blue color. Briarheart stammered, "Fea-Fea- Feathernose! You don't know how long I've been wanting to tell you I was sorry! I didn't mean anything I had said, I..." the dark brown she-cat was cut short by the soft vocals of the silver cat.

"Briarheart, my daughter, I was never angry with you, I didn't want to leave you when I did, StarClan called and I didn't wish to keep them waiting. Although I am very proud of the warrior you have become, and now to be chosen by your warrior ancestors to become Clan Leader." Feathernose beamed with pride as she looked at her adopted daughter, the daughter of her best friend. Touching her nose with Briarheart's, the words were stated. "With this life I give you compassion, use it well to show love and care for all creatures and not just those in your Clan."

A shear flame of pain was sent, centered directly into her heart, to Briarheart it felt like it would have combusted if the pain didn't just vanish. This time the she-cat wasn't left gasping for air or anything, it's like the pain wasn't there anymore, none of the pain was. "Goodbye, Briarheart." those were the only words that were said by Feathernose before she left, being replaced by a ginger she-cat with emerald eyes and black spots on her paws.

"My name is Lilyfoot, you don't know me Briarheart, but I am your birth-mother. I know I can't take the place that Feathernose has in your heart, but if I could ask for anything, it would be for your forgiveness. I never wanted to leave you, so I left you in the paws of my most trusted friend." Padding forward, she placed her nose against a shocked Briarheart's and spoke again. "Just as I did with you, I give you, your sixth life of wisdom, use it well in the times when you must decide what is best for your Clan then for yourself."

A small flicker of pain was placed inside her, it wasn't as intense as the life given to her by Dustfur or Stoneclaw but it gave her a pretty bad headache for a few moments. Looking up she noticed her mother was leaving, and as the ginger she-cat stopped, the words came flowing into Briarheart's ears. "You will always be my daughter, whoever raised you, raised you right. I am so proud of you Briarheart." After those words, her mother disappeared into a flicker of starlight as a few tears came to her eye.

As soon as Lilyfoot left, an old muddy-brown tom came forth and sat down just a few paw steps away, and spoke. "My name is Mudfur, I was once a medicine cat of RiverClan, yet StarClan claimed me before the Clan's move to the lake. With this life I give you responsibility, use it well to take responsibility for your actions and to be a reliable cat for your Clan." As he said these words, Mudfur padded forward and touched her nose.

A flaming shock of pain surged through the brown she-cat as she howled in pain as the soreness of her past lives came back. The agonizing pain lingered as Mudfur took a few steps back and awaited a light, tan colored cat with a crooked jaw. Looking up from her gasping breaths, the tan cat stepped forward. "I am Crookedstar, one of the leaders of RiverClan from the forest. I joined StarClan before what happened with Tigerstar." He stepped forward and touched her nose. "With this life I give you patience, use it well to wait for the right moment to do what needs to be done, and to not let your emotions get the better of your mind."

The soft feeling of relief seeped into her body. Giving a light sigh, she looked back up to where Crookedstar and Mudfur sat as a third cat joined them. This she-cat was golden with unusual black spots all along her fur. The eyes full of determination and fulfillment, and once she reached she sat just a tail-length away from Briarheart and began to speak.

"I am Leopardstar, I like Crookedstar and Mudfur was once a cat of the original forest, and the first ever RiverClan leader to step foot on the lake. Our Clan has thrived for moons and seasons until now, StarClan has judged each of the warriors, and you were the one we had chosen. You have the heart and soul of a true leader and I am here to give you your last life." Stepping forward, the RiverClan leader placed her nose against the warrior's.

"With this life I give you judgment, use it well to make the best of decisions for your Clan, to give fair trials to those who have been shamed, and to show those that RiverClan is the best of the four. I myself made some bad judgments, I allied myself with Tigerstar when he tried to destroy the forest, this is why I want you to have good judgment Briarheart." With that Leopardstar went to join the other two cats, as the life surged into the to-be leader of her Clan. Briarheart thought with that last life, she would have gone to join StarClan as well. Yet, when she opened her eyes, each of the nine cats that gave her, her new lives, lined up in front of her.

Leopardstar stepped forward, as if to lead the eight others she stated in a loud, proud voice. "Along with your new life as the new RiverClan leader, I present to you your new name. From now on, you will no longer be known as Briarheart, but with the name of a leader. You shall be known as Briarstar."

Though none of the cat's mouthes moved, a chant began to rise, the words being her new name. "Briarstar! Briarstar! Briarstar!" She could hear the voices of Ravenpaw and Feathernose the clearest in her ears, blinding with the rest as if a choir of angels. Just as soon as everything had come, the room went dark again, she saw nothing but black darkness.


Waking up with a jerk, Briarstar staggered to stand up on her paws. Her muscles were a sore as they had ever been, while her head and chest hurt just as badly. Looking around, she noticed Fawnfeather, Rainstorm, and Larksong near. As her eyes were still adjusting she couldn't tell if they were awake and standing or still asleep.

Thinking to herself, she was the leader of RiverClan. "I can't believe this, I never would have thought. Now I know I must think about what is best for the Clan. First, I should figure out who would be best to be deputy, help me lead our Clan. Then there are the apprentices." She trailed off as she heard groans and moans. Bringing herself to stand tall, she was going to make it back to her Clan and tell what was needed before she would pass out from exhaustion. That she was sure of.

[Fox]

Rainstorm slowly blinked open her eyes and yawned. She stretched, her back arching into the air. She looked around sleepily. As far as she could tell, she had had no dreams. Her sleep had been peaceful and unbroken, though she wished her dead parents and siblings could have at least visited her. But she was neither leader nor medicine cat.

The small silver and black tabby looked around and noticed Briarheart already awake. She padded over. "Briarheart, you're awake." She mewed in her usual, rude manner. Yet, she sensed a change in the she-cat before her. Something was different about Briarheart. Rainstorm's tone changed, and her voice became kinder. "Did you have any dreams? Did Starclan send you a sign?" She asked, curious. She surveyed the she-cat. Briarheart would make a good leader, if she was indeed who Starclan had chosen. After all, she had gathered the clan together. She shot Briarheart an inquisitive look, her face asking a silent question. Are you the new leader?