Duskthorn stepped towards the Moonpool. She wasn't fully ready to take on the hard role of being leader of LightningClan. She collected herself, then lapped some water from the pool and closed her eyes. When she awoke, she caught glimpse of her mother, Silverflower. "S-Silverflower...?" Duskthorn mewed. "I'm so sorry." her mother whispered back. "While you were going to the Moonpool, a badger attacked our camp." Duskthorn shook her head. "That's impossible. I put our best warriors on duty to guard the camp." Her mother stepped forward a pawstep. "I'm afraid that wasn't the case." Duskthorn's eyes started to water. "I will be honored to give you your first life. This is a life of love." She stepped forward to touch noses with her daughter. "Use it to defend your clan as a queen would for her kits." As her mother disappeared, Duskthorn felt her whole body shoot with an icy energy. She blinked a couple of times and regained herself. Next to appear was Ravenstar, the founder of DeathClan. She blinked a couple times to make sure that her eyes weren't playing tricks on her. "Ravenstar...?" she asked. "Is it really you?" he nodded. "Bet you weren't expecting to see me here." he meowed. Duskthorn nodded. Ravenstar chuckled. "When I died, I realized the things that I did was wrong." Duskthorn looked at her paws. "You killed Foxleaf." she muttered. Ravenstar's eyes flashed with what she thought was sympathy, but wasn't sure that a cold-hearted soul like that would ever feel that way. "I know." he finally broke the silence. "I regret doing what I did, and I deserve to be in the Dark Forest." he stepped closer to her and touched her nose with hers. "With this life, I give you courage. Use it to face even the most difficult of obstacles in your nine lives'." he stepped away and the same icy energy poured through her body. "And please put an end to the monstrosity of a clan I created." he muttered before disappearing into a thick cloud of fog. Next appeared Foxleaf, the last medicine cat of LightningClan. 'That's right.' Duskthorn thought to herself. 'We need a new medicine cat.' Foxleaf blinked at her gently. "Greetings, Duskthorn. Welcome to StarClan." Duskthorn bowed her head. "Thank you." she replied. "I am here to give you your third life." Foxleaf meowed. She stepped forward a bit and touched noses with her. "With this life, I give you the knowledge of Healing. Healing is not just a Medicine Cat's job, and can benefit your clan in many ways. Please use this life to protect and defend your clan the best that you can." she stepped back as the icy energy returned. Although now, she was getting used to it. "I'm afraid you will not be seeing me again, even in the ranks of StarClan." Duskthorn blinked. "What do you mean?" A pebble clattered somewhere in the cave. She turned to look. When she looked back, Foxleaf was gone. Next appeared Littlelegs, her grandmother. She limped up to her. "My own granddaughter becoming clan leader. Who knew?" she meowed softly. Duskthorn felt her eyes get hot and a wet liquid drip down her cheek. "I just really miss all of the cats who are here today. They should still be alive." her mew broke. Littlelegs reassured her. "All cats are meant to die someday. Just like you will. Then you'll be able to see us everyday in StarClan." Duskthorn nodded. Littelegs sighed and stepped forward to touch noses with her. "With this life, I give you justice. An ability that was taken away from me so quickly." she then stepped away. "Things will get better, Duskthorn. I think you'll enjoy being leader." She then padded away into a starry mist. Duskthorn watched, the tears staining the stone under her paws. Next up was Redwing, Flintstar's father. "Hello there. I never got a chance to personally meet you, but I've watched how you have grown, Duskthorn." Duskthorn looked at him in confusion. "Who are you, exactly?" Redwing chuckled. "I'm Flintstar's father, Redwing. Today I am here to give you your fifth life." Duskthorn nodded as Redwing stepped up to touch noses with her. "With this life, I give you loyalty. Use it to defend your clan, even if you have to go beyond the reaches of the warrior code." He turned away an stalked off, his figure wavering. Next was a cat she recognized. Ravenstar's mate, Scarlet. "I suppose Ravenstar already gave you a life?" she meowed. Duskthorn nodded. "I'll be here to give you your sixth life. I life of tireless energy. I hope you use it for the better of your clan, and to never let your guard down." she turned away. "And heed my warning, you'll need it for what is about to come." then trudged away into a dark mist. Next was the two dogs who were by Ravenstar's side through all of the dark times. They stepped toward her and spoke. "Hello." Jeff said. Duskthorn blinked with confusion. "I can actually understand you?" Alan nodded. "We were granted the power to speak to you for the purposes for your ceremony. They rested their heads on each of her shoulders. Jeff gave her-
-a life of mentoring; to raise the kits and apprentices of her clan to not stray into darkness like they had. Alan gave her a life of compassion; to use the life that Jeff had gave her to her fullest. Duskthorn felt double the icy energy because she had recieved two lives at the same time. Last to appear was her step father, and the last leader of LightningClan. "I have chosen the right choice for my deputy. I cannot wait until you lead my clan into greater power." Duskthorn blinked respectfully to him. He stepped forward and touched his nose to hers. "With this life, I give you the gifts of nobility, certainty, and faith. I trust that you will lead my clan nobily, let them have faith in themselves and with their clanmates, and last of all, let them be certain that they are making the correct choices. He stepped back and turned. But before he left, he meowed. "Lead my clan well, Duskstar. I have faith in you." Duskstar dipped her head. "I will." she whispered. He said a final "I love you." before returning to StarClan. Duskstar woke up. The Moonpool's cave was flooding from a thunderstorm. She dashed out as quickly as she could to go announce her leadership to the clan. Well, that was hard to write, but I did it. I hope you guys enjoyed it.
