Perchfall's Leader Ceremony

A cool breeze swept through the forest, making the long moor grasses shift quietly, echoing whispers of a newleaf that brought a light green to their previously dry, brown stalks. Crickets chirped in the distance, breaking the monotonously calm rustling sound. Despite the late hour of night, the path ahead was well lit, illuminated gently with light from the heavens above. A luminous full moon sat over the horizon, sitting just above the jagged peaks of Highstones, which looked nearly tall enough to scrape the sky itself. And of course, the recently returned stars shone brighter than ever, pinpricks of brilliant light in a previously empty sky. It was peaceful. And yet, Perchfall did not feel peace. All of the assurance she had felt in RiverClan camp had slowly melted away over the long, tedious walk from territory to territory, made even more difficult by the aching wounds all over her body. Uneasiness made her stomach churn. Despite the length of the journey, it flashed quickly before her eyes, and the large, gaping Mothermouth was rising in front of her before she even knew it. Did she feel this way because of the self-doubt that had always dogged her steps? Or was this how every deputy felt on their way to become leader? To become leader... Stars. How could I possibly be ready? She wanted nothing more than to turn around, to retreat back down to the familiar warriors' den in RiverClan camp and bury herself in her sparse nest in the corner. However, she kept on going, pawstep after pawstep, pushing herself forward. She had to do this. But she didn't really want to. She wanted to sit next to Ashflight and hear him tell her that it would all be okay. She wanted Poppyshine to smile at her and nudge her forward. Instead, no one else was with her but Cloverheart, who seemed as exhausted as she was, if not more. Perchfall had never been close with the medicine cat, but she respected the efficiency with which the she-cat did her job. This was no exception; in what seemed like a few moments, her most pressing wounds had been patched with cobwebs, traveling herbs had been offered, and they were on their way to the Moonstone without a second glance. In the silence of their journey, it was difficult to find the sense of acceptance that she had felt hours ago in camp, when surrounded by reassuring Clanmates. It was difficult to remember the quiet confidence she had found, the understanding that this was the best path for RiverClan. In the moment, with the cold starlight glaring down and the empty fields around her seemingly ready to swallow her up, it was difficult not to turn tail and change her mind.

Still, they had made it. Despite everything. Perchfall stared up at the tall, pointed rocks that marked the entrance to Highstones, noticing how much bigger they were than they had always seemed in her memories. Not since her journey as an apprentice had she seen this strange sight. Combined with the knowledge of what she had come here to do, it was far more imposing than she remembered. The deputy closed her eyes for a moment... she breathed in deeply, then exhaled. Her limbs shook slightly beneath her, but she stayed on her feet. I can do this. Opening her eyes, she looked at the medicine cat who had accompanied her. "Lead the way, Cloverheart," Perchfall said, her voice low and filled with all of the calmness she did not feel. For the moment, someone else could be in charge. Then... it would all be up to her.

Despite her ardent agreement, it had been difficult for Cloverheart to leave camp. She made no show of it, didn't waste her breath griping about something as necessary as this when it could've been spent on much more pressing matters. Perchfall had been gracious enough not to drag her out of camp by the tail; the worst-injured among them had been dressed first, then Perchfall. And with that, Cloverheart swept her tail and ushered the two of them away. Begrudgingly. If something happened while they were gone... the little she-cat gave her pelt a shake every time those thoughts crept up on her, and pressed forward with Perchfall at her side. Hot tension prickled in the air around them, individual anxieties sparking through their nerves. Now and again, Cloverheart would turn to look at the deputy, her gaze narrow and studying, before turning back to the road ahead without so much as a snort. It wasn't long before the ground grew sharp and steep underpaw, and the palpable anxiety that had been rolling off Perchfall grew thicker. The climb up was easier for the deputy than it was for Cloverheart, but that's how it went with every charge she dragged out here. A pause at the top, for each of them to collect their breath, then her blue eyes were looking right at Cloverheart, the first words of their journey being whispered into the night. A wry smile turned the corners of the medicine cat's maw, and her tail twitched in vague acknowledgment.

"As stoic as ever, Perchfall. Funny as he was, I'm looking forward to having a leader with more than mud and she-cats between his ears." An amused huff passed her nose, and with another, more exaggerated wave of her tail, she dipped into the gaping maw of Mothermouth. Now that she'd been given license to talk, she couldn't keep herself from chattering away. "I can tell how nervous you are, you know. It's making my fur stand on end just walking next to you. Not that I blame you, of course. I'd be terrified if I were you." Her voice was nonchalant as she lead them through the dark, constricting tunnels, moving slow and careful to make sure they didn't lose each other. A little bit of light was peaking through the bleakness up ahead; they were getting close to the actual Moonstone. Cloverheart coughed and went on, a little more grace in her tone: "But RiverClan likes you. You saw the way cats stood to jump to your side when you spoke about becoming leader. You've even got stray rogues cheering you on, Perchfall. You're here now, a foxlength away from StarClan. When we get back, you're going to get some rest, and then you're going to name a deputy and wrestle with the fact that you have to do more than listen to Jaystar and Vixenstar huff and trill nonsense and dive muzzle-first into every problem they can stick their nose into. You're a smart, capable cat, and you're going to make a fine leader. Don't overthink it." There was a scratch in Cloverheart's voice to mask the sentimentality of her words. Perchfall had everything right to be their best leader since Ivystar; only one real gap filled that space, but regardless.

Stepping gingerly into the Moonstone's caverns, soft light spilling over them, Cloverheart nodded towards the stone and settled in her own familiar spot beside it. She hadn't expected to have missed it so much, but now that she was here, it felt good to settle into the chilled cavern once more. "Come here. Settle down, and touch your nose to the stone. StarClan will find you... hopefully. They should be able to now, at least. I'll be right here, and RiverClan will be waiting for Perchstar in the morning. Go to sleep, now."

Perchfall nodded and followed the medicine cat, taking her first step into the cool darkness of the caverns. The light from the stars behind them slowly disappeared, until they had been completely swallowed up in blackness. Still, with what little that her eyes could see, the deputy followed the movement of Cloverheart's swishing tail and her wry voice that echoed off of the narrowly close stone walls. Of course, her companion could tell how nervous she was. It would have been foolish to think that her stoic façade could truly mask all the anxieties bubbling up underneath her pelt. But even as the tiniest flare of light from up ahead signaled that their journey would soon be coming to a close, Cloverheart's words grew more reassuring, though they were only begrudgingly so. Though her voice was rough as she spoke, the words themselves were a breath of fresh air to Perchfall's nervously tightened heart. It may just be their relief to have the Dark Forest banished once more... but they truly did seem okay with the idea of me being the leader. Ashflight and Poppyshine especially. The reminder of her friends' kind words soothed her for a moment, even as the light from ahead grew, and they arrived in the cavern of their destination.

A tall, angular spire of crystal shone in the middle of the room, refracting the light from the full moon above onto the surrounding walls. The Moonstone. Despite the cold breeze that swept around them, fluffing up her pelt slightly, Perchfall was awed once more by the breathtaking spectacle. She hadn't been here in so long.... The gentle moonlight seemed far more welcoming than the almost harshly bright starlight had been outside of Mothermouth. Yet, even as she approached the translucent stone, a sharp anxiety began to spike through her once more. This was really it... she would touch her nose to the stone, and StarClan would find her. Or not. Cloverheart's words echoed in her mind: Don't overthink it. Sound advice, but difficult to follow in the moment, with the moment itself right here, staring her in the face. Breathe in... breathe out. I can do this. RiverClan is waiting for me. Her eyes met the medicine cat's again, stark icy blue meeting sage green with a new determination. Unable to speak, she simply inclined her head. Thank you for bringing me here. Then, Perchfall's gaze moved back to the crystal before her. She could stand still forever, staring at the reflected moonlight, stuck in the palpable uncertainty of whether she was ready, whether she ever could be ready. But, as always, there was no time for such nonsense. She had been appointed deputy, served her Clan for moons, fought off the Dark Forest, and finally, journeyed here, accompanied by the hopes and dreams of RiverClan. There was no going back... there was only going forward. It was time. Steeling her nerves, the gray and white she-cat lay carefully down on the cool cavern floor, and pressed her nose to the Moonstone.

Darkness.

Then, a brilliant, blinding light.

Eyes flashing open, Perchfall found herself floating, seemingly suspended in empty space. No, not empty... One by one, stars winked into existence all around her, first slowly, then quickly, filling every inch of the previously dark sky with light. At the same time, the silence that had previously ruled over the empty sky disappeared in the quiet cacophony of whispers that began once the stars appeared. Each star had a voice, low and mysterious. It was impossible to quite make out any words from the hushed undertone. Silverpelt surrounded her on all sides, impossibly bright, and she found herself squinting against the increasingly shining heavens.

But in a moment, the scene shifted. Perchfall's feet touched solid ground once more, and the skies no longer threatened to encroach on her. Instead, she was on a vast, seemingly endless plain, covered in dark grass that was wet with dew beneath her paws, reflecting the dim starlight from above. A quick glance behind her showed that it was the same in all directions-- an empty, starry field, stretching as far as the eye could see. The whispers had ceased as well; silence once again smothered the area, almost tangible in its oppressiveness. Anxiety began to creep in once more. Perchfall fidgeted. What if StarClan had not returned yet, and they were all elsewhere? Or what if StarClan had seen her failures, and seen her inability to fight back against the Dark Forest, and had rejected her as leader? It was possible. In that interminably long moment of thick silence, of the unendingly large emptiness, her failures felt far more real and impactful than they had during her breakdowns in RiverClan.

Eventually, after what seemed like an eternity, the silence was broken. An unrecognizable voice spoke from seemingly nowhere, echoing through the clearing with authority and purpose. "Perchfall, are you ready to leave your life as a warrior, and receive your nine lives as the leader of RiverClan?" Direct and to the point, the question sent a shiver down Perchfall's spine. To leave her life behind.... It wasn't as though her warriorhood had been anything special. And yet, to distance herself from her past seemed uncomfortable. To leave behind what she had become... no, to move past it. To move on and become a different cat. A leader. That was why she was here.

"Yes, I am," she responded. Her voice shook slightly with the weight of her answer, but conviction strengthened her words.

The sourceless, genderless voice did not respond. Silence returned for a moment, and Perchfall wondered if she had somehow answered incorrectly. There was no sound, and no light other than the dim reflection of stars in the dewy grass below. Then-- a star fell from the heavens. A single point of light descended, shooting downwards from its fixed place in the sky. Where it landed, a figure blossomed upwards... a cat, pelt studded with bright stars. Another star fell, and then another, and then another. Where each fell on the grass, a StarClan cat appeared. Their whispers began to fill Perchfall's ears once more, quietly speaking to each other, or to no one. Soon, the field was covered in an endless crowd of cats, a sea of stars that all looked indistinguishable to her dazzled eyes. StarClan had come to speak with her.

For a moment, no one stepped forward. The starry throng simply watched her expectantly, waiting. Perchfall waited as well, though she felt nervousness begin to prick at her mind once more at the pressure of a million eyes on her. Was she supposed to say something? Do something? No one had truly briefed her on the nature of this meeting. All she knew was that her ancestors would give her nine lives, and she would become a leader. But had she missed a step?

And then... a familiar face. Eyes she knew, a pelt she knew, a form that she knew. A starry cat stepped forward-- a cat that Perchfall had seen living mere hours ago.

"Hello, Perchfall," Hollyleaf smiled, welcoming her.

At the sight of her Clanmate who had died so recently, Perchfall felt a wave of grief sweep over her. Sadness that she had not allowed herself to feel encroached on her senses. Hollyleaf is dead. I could do nothing to save her. She should apologize-- she should say something. Instead, all that the deputy could do was lower her head in a mixture of respect and regret.

This was an unfamiliar, yet strangely close feeling for Hollyleaf. After she'd passed, everything changed. The sceneries — her life, and especially the fact that StarClan had accepted her, it was all so incredible. If only she'd gotten to stay, for just a bit longer. Her friends and Clanmates wouldn't have to grieve her. "Don't grieve for me too long, Perchfall. My sacrifice hadn't gone to waste, and I, with StarClan, will help watch over RiverClan from above. I'll miss you, that's certain... But you're so incredible. You'll overcome this soon, and so on, with so many more further challenges." There was a brief silence for a while. There was so much she wanted to say — but there was only a limited amount of time before Perchfall would have to get her other lives. And being able to give the deputy her life, that was an honor she'd never dreamed of. "With this life, I give you hope. Hope for when times get darkest, and for you to hold on for our kin. To lead us as our future leader, and proudly stand. You'll do so well, Perchfall. I trust in you."

Reaching out, Hollyleaf gently touched her nose to Perchfall's, smiling. As the life was transferred, Perchfall clenched her teeth, tightening her muscles against the pain. An irrefutable despair washed through her, permeating every inch of her form. Darkness clouded her thoughts. She recognized this feeling-- the lack of warmth, the impossible blackness, the inability to speak past the hopeless depths. The inability to control her mind, which began to bear down on her, panicking and wailing, falling into a bottomless pit. It felt so tangible, so real, that it was all Perchfall could do to not collapse on the ground. But then, for a moment, a small light broke through the darkness. The tiniest glow in the distance, while not destroying the despair that had begun to drag her downwards, made it more bearable somehow. A little spark of hope. The pain faded away, but the glow of hope lingered, strengthening her. Eight more of those...? Stars, I don't know if I can. Yet, she raised her head and straightened her limbs, looking once more into Hollyleaf's eyes.

Her Clanmate spoke again, her light voice easing Perchfall's tired senses. "Please tell Owlshriek that I'm fine, and that he must remember to take care of himself. And for Poppyshine, to always remain positive. Lastly, to a special cat whom I once mentored, Mintpool: if ever you encounter her again, tell her I'll be alright among the stars. That she's strong." Hollyleaf pulled away with a soft sigh, gazing into the molly's eyes for a moment. "Take care of both yourself and our clan, Perchfall." And then, just like that, she faded amongst the stars.

"Hollyleaf, wait--!" But Perchfall was too late. Her friend had vanished into the crowd, no longer visible in the waves of stars that surrounded her. She had missed her chance to say how sorry she was, to apologize, to wish her happiness... "Rest well, Hollyleaf," she murmured, staring after the disappeared form of her Clanmate. Hopefully, the words would reach her somehow. But there was no time to sit and wallow in sadness; she had eight more lives to receive.

Another cat stepped forward from the crowd, filling the space where Hollyleaf had just stood. It was another face that Perchfall recognized-- another cat killed by the Dark Forest's terrifying claws. Bearspirit appeared from the starry sky and gave Perchfall a wide grin. It was so nice to be able to connect with someone from RiverClan again. He approached, a friendly purr rumbling in his throat.

Perchfall didn't realize it until now, but she had missed Bearspirit. He had been one of RiverClan's senior warriors, a presence of stability, and the Clan had suffered from his absence. They had never truly avenged him, had they? At least they had driven the Dark Forest out... that would have to do. "It is good to see you again," she told him, a small smile appearing involuntarily on her face.

The tom smiled and spoke. ”Perchfall, I give you the life of Courage. Courage is not the absence of fear, but acting despite it. Courage comes in many forms, though we tend to think firstly of charging into battle despite being afraid. It’s so much more than that. A queen sitting beside a sick kit, believing with all of her heart that it will recover, is a form of courage. Dedication to family takes courage too, as does doing the right thing, no matter how difficult it can be. Rarely is doing the right thing the easiest path. Courage will guide you through the darkest times in your life. Always have hope and courage will follow it.”

Bearspirit leaned forward, closing his eyes peacefully, and touched noses with Perchfall. At the touch of his nose, a strong emotion once again took hold of her. Instead of despair, a blinding fear suddenly made her muscles seize up, and sent her mind spiraling into panic. Her eyes closed tightly. If it weren't for the sudden pain accompanying the sense of terror, she might have run off into the vast emptiness of the field behind her. She knew that any moment now, claws would flash toward her throat, and she would bleed out onto the dark grass. And yet, she couldn't move. No-- she wouldn't move. Why would she run? She was a warrior of RiverClan. A slow determination began to burn in her, fighting the irrational fear, pushing past it. There was no need to be afraid. A warm feeling spread from her chest through the rest of her body. It was something she had felt before... recently. The same feeling she had when attacking Vixenstar, a foe that she had previously believed to be impossible to beat. Leaping at the dark shadow threatening her Clan, claws outstretched; that had not been impulsiveness, but something else. Courage. As the fear faded, her eyes opened, full of a fiery determination that she had never truly acknowledged before, but had always been within her.

Once the life had been transferred, Bearspirit’s eyes opened again, as soft as they could be. ”You’ll make a fine leader, Perchfall. I will be watching you from above. Even in the dark, call upon me and rest assured that I will be with you, even though you can’t see me.” He gave her one last, soft smile and an encouraging nod, before the stars swept him away and his pelt shimmered more now than it ever had in life.

Perchfall hardly had time to nod in response before the senior warrior disappeared, and yet another cat stepped forward to take his place. This cat was one that she had seen before, but not recently-- and not one that she had known well.

The StarClan cat didn’t expect to be here. Not so soon, but she knew that RiverClan needed a leader even if her son wasn’t confirmed to be alive or dead yet. As much as she hoped her son was alive, RiverClan needed Perchfall, and Stormbringer was happy to provide her a life. Amber eyes watched the others step up and step back, sitting silently until it was her turn to approach Perchfall. ”It’s nice to see you again, Perchfall. I’m sorry I left the world before getting to know you better, and leaving all of you to suffer at the paws of the Dark Forest. But you all made it. You made it, you helped them be free.” Stormbringer let out a small sigh, clearing her head from those thoughts before speaking once again.

”With this life, I give you perseverance. To hold strong in the darkest of times, to the weakest of moments. Hold your own, Perchfall. Stay strong. Persevere in the bad times and RiverClan will come out better because of it.” She hoped her words were impactful. It was something she was never the best with.

Perchfall braced herself as the gray she-cat's nose touched hers, beginning the transfer of yet another life. This one was not as sudden and violent as the previous two she had received. Instead, it was a slow, burning pain. She felt as if all her wounds Cloverheart had just patched were reopening-- the tear in her ear, the slashes in her side, the bite in her foreleg-- as well as some that had long since healed, like the blow dealt to her shoulder when defending Ashflight from that fox. She bit her tongue to keep from crying out as all the agony compounded, getting worse and worse, finally building to a height that made her legs tremble. It would be so much easier just to collapse to the ground and succumb. However, something stopped her. Something kept her standing. Even as her limbs quivered and her teeth clenched, her paws stayed firm on the ground. It was almost done... she could get through this. As the life faded, the pain slowly faded with it, and Perchfall let out a gasp of relief as the torment subsided. There was still a lingering soreness, but the worst was over. She had done it.

Stormbringer stepped back from the she-cat. Amber eyes studying the other. ”Don’t be afraid to rely on others because of this though. Having support is just as important as holding strong.” She said before joining the others once again.

Still weak from the pain of the last two lives, Perchfall could not say anything as the she-cat disappeared into the starry crowd. Instead, she simply listened to the words, storing them away in her mind as advice. As much as she did not want anyone else to have to deal with what she had gone through... it would have been much easier to share it with another. It would be difficult, but not unbearable. I can't take everything on myself, as much as I would like to. I'm not strong enough. I will have to lean on others... sometimes.

The next cat to step forward from the crowd was fairly small compared to the rest, her head coming up to about the shoulders of the other life-givers. It was not a cat that Perchfall recognized, but something seemed familiar about her nonetheless. The fluffy silver tabby she-cat walked with a quick, excited gait as she approached Perchfall, a bright smile adorning her round face.  Golden eyes latching onto the cold blue of the young leader to-be, the StarClan warrior gave a quick little bow of respect, before launching into soft-toned speech.  "Hello there Perchfall, my name is Finchstream!  You probably haven't heard my name before, but I was the adoptive mother of Ivystar and her siblings.  I had kits of my own as well, but all but one of them walk with the stars: my dear Egretstorm. However, I also have many grandkits in RiverClan, one of them being your beloved friend Ashflight."

Oh-- that's why the she-cat seemed somewhat familiar. Now that the tom's name had been mentioned, Perchfall could see the resemblance. They had a similar fluffy pelt, though her friend's was a slightly darker gray than Finchstream's light silver. And though the eyes were different colors, the brightness of them looked similar. Ashflight.... The tom was finally feeling better. Maybe they could spend some time together once she got back? If she wasn't too busy with her new leadership duties? She had missed his smile...

A hint of a knowing glance crossed Finchstream's face, but she continued on.  "As a leader, it is most important that you have loving, supportive cats by your side.  Of course, you'll need your senior warriors and deputy for guidance, not to mention your medicine cat, but I'm talking about something deeper.  It's hard to stand strong in this world full of constant turmoil and change, but even harder when you don't have cats to stand strong with."

A sad expression crossed Finchstream's face, and tears threatened to well in her eyes.  "My mate...I loved him so.  We so desperately wanted to be together but tradition and rules kept us apart.  In the end, the only time I could show him true love in front of another soul...was right before we jumped in the river to save our kits from drowning in the Great Flood.  Never wait until it's too late to show your love to those around you, no matter how much it might scare you.  Without love, we are aimless.  With this life I give you the gift of love, use it to protect your clan, find meaning in this world, and most of all, to find happiness."

With a gentle touch of noses the gift was transferred. Perchfall braced herself for more pain, but none came. Instead, a slight warmth began to suffuse her body, and scenes from her memory flashed in front of her eyes. She saw her little apprentice, Poppypaw, collapse bleeding in RiverClan camp, harmed without good reason. The same emotion she had felt then began to burn in her once again-- not just anger, but something else. What had that anger been fueled by? What had given her the strength to run all the way to ThunderClan's camp and stand up to their leader? Another scene played in her mind. The Gathering... The stars had all disappeared, and terrifying ghosts were harassing her Clanmates. Ashflight had been terrified, pressing into one side of her fur, while a small and scared Poppypaw had similarly cowered next to her. Perchfall had been scared as well. Yet, when one of the bleeding shadows approached, taunting her friend, she had gained the strength to stand up to her, and told her to leave them alone. It was the same strength that had driven her forward against the fox that held Ashflight hanging limply from its jaws, his blood dripping onto the forest floor below. Yet, it wasn't only strength. It was warmth, peace, and that strange fluttering feeling that always began in her stomach when she looked at him. Ashflight. His eyes... that soft green, reflecting the light of the stars, looking at her with so much kindness and friendliness and... Love.

Finchstream smiled as she stepped away. "You'll do great Perchfall, I have confidence in you."  With that, Finchstream slipped back into the crowd until not even her fluffy gray tail could be seen. Perchfall was too stunned to respond. She stood there, staring into empty space, seeing nothing but Ashflight's glowing green eyes. I know that he is my friend. I know that he enjoys my company. But... love? Do I.... Do I love Ashflight? She had no clue. The thought left her dumbstruck, sitting alone on the damp ground for a moment until another cat filled the empty space.

”Perchfall… Or it will be Perchstar, soon.” A warm, youthful chuckle came next. The sleek siamese moved much more swiftly, much more confidently now that she had found her place among the stars. Even in the afterlife, the memories of being trapped to walk in the void between the living and death still haunted her. But the joy had returned once more to her vibrant sapphire gaze, to which she now looked upon the elder warrior. There were little memories that stayed at the forefront of her memory in times that she had directly spent time with Perchfall, but there was always a level of respect that she felt was due. Mallowmist offered a dip of her head as she sat before the silver and white molly, taking a moment to selfishly enjoy the company of a familiar face.

That voice snapped Perchfall out of her reverie quickly. She had been out of camp on yet another patrol when the she-cat had died giving birth to a litter of kits. The vibrant young she-cat, Tinypool's apprentice... She had so much life left to live. Yet, she never got to see her kits grow to warriorhood. Perchfall remembered the hollowness she had felt when learning the news, and when learning she could not have done anything about it. "Mallowmist! I--" she stammered out, eyes taking in the familiar form of her Clanmate. What could she even say? There was nothing to be said.

”With this life, I give you curiosity. Use it to continue to learn about the forest around you, and every member of your Clan.” Mallowmist leaned forward to press her nose against Perchfall’s head.

This was another life that bore no pain, for which Perchfall was immediately grateful. Instead, as she closed her eyes, she saw familiar scenes. Through the eyes of a kit, she looked up at the Willow Branch, seeing its trailing leaves drape down over the leader's den. The sky was a vibrant blue, the river was deep and mysterious. All of the cats who walked by were unfamiliar, but intriguing, and Perchfall was suddenly filled with the urge to speak to them, to know them, to understand every detail of their lives. Each cat was filled with as many thoughts and hopes and dreams and complexities as her; each cat lived a life that was worth knowing. Every stone in camp was worth turning over. She wanted to explore the bottom of the river. She wanted to try to climb a tree. The world was impossibly vast and beautiful, and she needed to know everything about it. That desire filled her completely, and for a moment, it seemed possible. But then the forest vanished from in front of her eyes, and Perchfall found herself standing on the starry plains once more. Back to reality. She had to blink hard several times in order to make sense of what she had felt. "Thank you," she managed to respond.

After the life was transferred, Mallowmist settled yet again onto her own silvery paws. ”Don’t be afraid to ask as many questions as you need to. It’s also a great tactic of driving any enemies crazy.” Another chuckle came from the late warrior as she remembered her days asking questions of every member in the Clan. Her thirst for knowledge had carried her during her time alive, and now, she would pass on the joy of knowledge to the next leader. With a final dip of her head, she turned to go back to the crowd, to take her place among the stars.

Another cat stepped forward from the starry crowd. Perchfall did not recognize this she-cat at all. She was a very small calico, with deep orange eyes and a motherly smile on her face. After a moment of looking at her, the deputy realized that the she-cat's fur covered a mess of scars. How had this small cat been so badly injured?

The calico dipped her head respectfully as she approached. "Greetings, Perchfall," she purred, her voice light and sweet. Again, she did not at all seem to match the appearance of a cat with so many scars. "My name is Shellwater. I was a RiverClan queen who lived far before your time." There was something mischievous in those burnished orange eyes, but a deep sadness as well. "I see you looking at my scars... Long ago, when I was an apprentice, I met a WindClan tom at the border. He crossed the scent marker, looking for a fight. Though I tried to defend myself, his strength and size were far greater than mine, and... well. As I'm sure you can see, I did not come out victorious. He mauled me just for the fun of it."

That sounds familiar. Though the Clan was different, the story that Shellwater told was the same. A small calico apprentice, alone at the border, attacked by a malicious tom with nothing in mind other than to hurt... and possibly kill. Perchfall shuddered. How often would this same story repeat? Was there nothing to be done about it? A renewed anger at the unfairness of Softfall's attacks-- Beaverpaw's death, Poppyshine's injuries-- began to show in Perchfall's eyes.

Shellwater saw her anger and nodded. "Because of the attacks on me, and another apprentice, RiverClan attacked WindClan. It was a bloody battle, but we came out victorious. Should we have attacked? Should we have tried to discuss diplomatically? There was no guarantee that either course of action would work. So why did we decide to send a battle patrol with claws at the ready?" A fire burned deep in the small she-cat's orange eyes. "Justice, Perchfall. Sometimes, you must take action, even when the action is wrong. There is a higher law above the Code. For justice, I would be willing to kill any cat. An eye for an eye. An apprentice for an apprentice. Sometimes, you must allow that instinct of anger to show you the path forward. Don't let them get away with it." Reaching forward, standing as tall as she could, the small she-cat leaned forward and touched her nose to Perchfall's. "I give you this life for justice. Use it to fight back against all who would try to take advantage of you. Use it to avenge the fallen. Use it to show the forest that if they mess with one apprentice, they mess with all of RiverClan."

As the small nose pressed tightly onto Perchfall's, a familiar pain shot through the deputy once more. Instinctively, her claws unsheathed in response. It felt like claws tearing into her, all over her, attacking without mercy nor reason. As she tried not to cry out in response to the pain, Perchfall realized that she was experiencing what Shellwater had felt... what Poppyshine had felt. Attacked for no reason, they would crawl bleeding back to camp and beg their leaders for justice. As she felt the wounds rip open on her pelt, she saw the faces of the cats who would do it. A golden tom, his eyes glowing red, grinning maniacally with sharp fangs as he leapt across the border... A gray tom, with wild golden eyes, screaming out threats against RiverClan as he unsheathed his claws. Those who would attack apprentices, not just to defend their border, but for fun. Those who killed for sport, for some twisted belief that they were the ones in the right. Perchfall snarled as a deep, red-hot anger took hold of her. They won't get away with it. Never again. I'll burn the forest down before I let another one of them hurt my Clan.

As the pain of the life subsided, Perchfall breathed heavily, sheathing her claws. This was no time to fight. Yet, she knew that anger would always be there inside her, for whenever she needed it. Shaken, her blue eyes met Shellwater's orange ones once more. Grimly, the calico nodded. "It was always there, Perchfall. But now, you will know when it is necessary. I have long since been avenged... But please, do not let your desire for peace obscure your sense of justice. Fight back against those who would wrong your Clan. I have faith that you will." With another smile, the small she-cat walked away, disappearing into the starry crowd.

Perchfall took the brief moment of a StarClan cat's absence to inhale deeply, letting the cool evening air fill her shaking lungs. Six lives received... three more to go. While two had been benign, four of them had been excruciatingly painful. What would the other three feel like? Could she really make it all the way? She had to. The gifts of courage and perseverance she had been given strengthened her, and she stood tall as the next cat approached.

This tom was another unfamiliar once. He was the opposite of Shellwater; tall, lanky, with a ginger tabby pelt and dark green eyes. A few similar battle scars adorned his pelt, though nothing so astonishing as the she-cat's had been. However, he seemed far happier than she had. A sense of peace glowed deep within his gaze, and he smiled with surprising gentleness. "Hello, Perchfall. It's nice to finally meet you." Behind him, his very long tail swayed slowly. "My name is Gingerstripe. I walked the forest quite some time ago, but a few of my descendants still walk the forest, in many different Clans." His smile grew wry for a moment... it was quite fitting that his family had spread far and wide, given that his origins were not even originally RiverClan's.

"I used to be a ShadowClan cat," he said, his voice growing slightly more serious. "I was born of a forbidden romance between a medicine cat-- my mother, Honeydrop-- and a warrior. We were lied to our whole lives, as our adoptive mother raised us as her own. One day, the truth came out. My life had been shattered before my very eyes. Honeydrop was exiled from the Clan. That should have been enough to satisfy justice... but for me, it was not. She had ruined my life. Even then, I felt eyes on my pelt, watching me, judging me, for the circumstances of my birth. I felt that my life in ShadowClan had likely been ruined. So, when the medicine cat fled the Clan, I followed her... and killed her."

Perchfall's eyes widened. She had not been expecting that-- an admission of murder, in StarClan. How was this tom here? Were killers allowed in the ranks of the stars? Nervously, she began to glance around, seeing whether any cat would come to take him away. What did he mean by coming here and telling her that?

Gingerstripe's face fell at the deputy's reaction. "I know. It was wrong of me, and I still feel guilt... even now. I have apologized to Honeydrop so many times that she's threatened not to speak to me anymore if I say 'sorry' one more time." A slight smile crossed his face at the reminder of his newfound relationship with his formerly-hated mother. "But yes, at the time, I believed I was in the right. After all, she was exiled, and therefore outside the Code. Who would begrudge me the death of the cat who had, as I believed, ruined my life?" He shook his head bitterly. "What a fool I was. But I lived on for a few more moons, raising my daughters with my mate, believing that I had done correctly. I did not understand why, occasionally, I would have nightmares that made me awaken feeling ashamed of my actions." His tail curled around his paws. "Then, I was found out. The new medicine cat received a revelation from StarClan, and decried in front of all my Clanmates that I was a murderer. Though I protested, the leader was disgusted, and exiled me as well. All my Clanmates-- even my brother, my best friend in the whole world-- looked down on me. My mate and daughters refused to follow me into exile. Alone, I left ShadowClan, feeling betrayed by the stars."

Still unsure how to feel, but interested in the story, Perchfall continued to listen. Gingerstripe spoke once more. "I wandered for moons, crossing in and out of different territories in the forest, even staying in the Abandoned Barn for a while. Alone with my thoughts, I finally came to terms with what I had done. I had killed another cat. Though I thought it had been justice, my paws were still stained with her blood. There was no undoing what I had done. I tried to be a good cat, but my conscience still hurt. I saved an apprentice from a monster on the Thunderpath; I gave my prey to those who needed it more; no matter what I did, the guilt haunted me." For a moment, the tom's green eyes gained a faraway, dreamy look. "Then, by chance, I met a she-cat on RiverClan territory. She could have chased me off immediately. But instead, she talked to me. She listened to my story. I told her everything; I could have lied, but I was honest. She listened, and... she forgave me." His gaze met Perchfall's, and she saw that it was shining. With love? Joy? Relief? "That feeling was the best thing I have ever felt in my life. It saved me. Dewshine saved me from myself, and due to her kindness and love, I was eventually able to find a place in RiverClan, where I served as a loyal warrior for the rest of my life. I am forever grateful to her, and to RiverClan, for giving me a second chance. It allowed me to do so much good in the world that I couldn't have otherwise."

Gingerstripe smiled, leaning forward so that his face was right by Perchfall's. Her uncertainties assuaged, she did not flinch back. "With this life, I give you forgiveness and mercy. Not everything about a cat is apparent by a single action they took. If you simply show a little bit of mercy, a little bit of kindness, then you might be able to save their life too. And when you do so, you will gain their love and admiration. A newly loyal warrior with a single stain on their story is far better than a bitter, exiled rogue, don't you think?" With that, the tom brushed his nose against Perchfall's, far more gently than Shellwater.

This life was not painless, but it was not as strong as the others had been. Instead, there was a dull ache that spread throughout her body, from her paws to the tip of her tail. She felt all the weariness that she had previously, from her moons of working hard and not taking care of herself, and her legs nearly gave out from under her. It was as if she had been wandering alone with little food or rest. And not only that, but her stomach churned with guilt. All the mistakes she had made... all of her many failures... they haunted her, constantly dragging her down, always at the forefront of her mind. She was a failure. She didn't deserve kindness, forgiveness, mercy. But, there was a soft feeling of reassurance, anyway. It felt like a loved cat grooming her, soothing her, cleaning her pelt and making her rest her weary feet. Despite all she had done... there was still mercy. Every cat deserved that chance.

Exhausted, but somehow rejuvenated, Perchfall looked at the tom before her. "I understand," she said quietly.

Gingerstripe grinned. "I'm glad! Sorry for the scare. I know you've had some bad experiences. Just remember that while not every cat is good, not every cat is bad, either. There are times to dole out justice... and there are times to have mercy. The judgement is yours, Perchfall. Best of luck." And with that, the tall tabby was gone, just another one of the many starry forms in the crowd.

Those last two lives had been tiring... but now, there were only two left. Perchfall wondered whether they would all be more cats that she didn't know, or whether she would recognize them. Standing tall once more, she looked around the starry field. Two more lives... then, she would be a leader. It was hard to comprehend. Yet, it was happening all the same. And faster than she could catch up with it.

Interrupting her train of thought, the next cat arrived-- one that Perchfall recognized instantly. A young spotted cat with a striking black face mask bounded up to her, carrying a small stone in their mouth. They deposited it in front of her and beamed, although there was a spark of sadness in their eyes.

”Hiya, Perchfall! Remember me? I brought you something, look, it’s a rock that kinda looks like a fish!” Beetlepaw said, sitting down in front of their former mentor.

Of course... how could she forget? Her first apprentice. The small cat who had been so excited to train, to become a warrior. But instead.... Perchfall's eyes were sad, but she smiled. "Of course I remember you, Beetlepaw," she responded, letting a small smile cross her face. "I think about you often." She glanced down at the fish-shaped rock, her breath catching in her throat. So young and innocent. Why did they have to die? Why couldn't I have been there to save them?

Beetlepaw blinked, their whiskers drooping at a sudden thought. Sheepishly, they kneaded their paws into the soft earth underfoot and continued. ”Um, I know the more important starry cats said I have something important to tell ya, but I wanted to say somethin’ else first. I saw you, after I came up to StarClan, an’ I wanted to say I’m sorry. I made you sad, I didn’t mean to make anyone sad…It was an accident. I slipped and I couldn’t find my way back up. It wasn’t your fault, Perchfall, so please don’t blame yourself! I really, really, really enjoyed the time I got to spend with you!” They purred a little, grinning once more, and leaned forward to bump their head against her shoulder. There was a small spark, and they jerked away, surprised.

”Oh! I’m not supposed t’ do that yet…I gotta tell ya the important stuff first!”

Perchfall chuckled slightly at the apprentice's antics, letting herself feel a little bit reassured by his words. It wasn't my fault. It was still hard not to blame herself, but... that was obviously not what Beetlepaw wanted. So, she would do her best.

Excited now, their tail tip flicked back and forth as their eyes began to glow with a white light. ”Perchfall, it’s time for you to take your place as leader of RiverClan, and I’m so proud of you! Um, I have a gift, and my gift for you is the gift of passion. Get excited, and happy, and feel that feeling of joy in your heart like a pretty, fluttering butterfly, and give that passion to RiverClan, always!” Now they leaned over, stretching their neck up to touch their nose to Perchfall’s forehead.

Where Beetlepaw's nose touched, a feeling of warmth began to grow... and it kept growing. Soon, the warmth filled her whole body. But it kept getting warmer, and warmer, and warmer, until she felt as if she had been laying in the sun for hours. Somehow, it never got quite hot enough to be painful. Still, the heat covered every inch of her, inside and outside-- and with it came a burst of energy. She felt as if she could jump across the Gorge, or swim the entire length of the river, and never be tired. Anything her Clan needed her to do, she could do it, and then some. As the bright heat faded, she was left with a gentle, burning feeling in her chest. She'd felt some stirrings of passion before, but never this strong. She'd always tried to be logical and thoughtful. But now, with the heat of passion, she wanted to yowl out for joy, to leap onto the Willow Branch and tell her Clanmates how she felt. It was a strange feeling... but not a bad one.

When the feeling had faded, Beetlepaw stood before her, giving her a toothy grin. They pulled the fish-shaped stone back towards them and mewed, ”I don’t think you can take this with you back home so it’ll be waiting for you here, okay? Just, don’t come back too soon! RiverClan needs you! Okay, that’s all I got! See ya later!” They grabbed the rock with their teeth once more and bounded away, back to their place among the other StarClan cats.

Perchfall found herself with a foolish smile on her face, staring back after Beetlepaw as they disappeared. With one of her first failures soothed, she felt a little bit more lighthearted. The warmth from the life of passion still lingered somewhat, and it strengthened her as she steeled herself to receive the final life. And, here came the last StarClan cat. One Perchfall certainly knew. The leader before Jaystar... perhaps the most recent leader that RiverClan had truly had. The deputy bowed her head respectfully as the leader approached.

Stepping through the remainder of the gathered StarClan cats, Ivystar presented herself with a respectful dip of her head to the soon-to-be RiverClan leader. ”Perchfall,” Ivystar came to a halt just short of where the other she-cat stood, stars glittering in her pelt. ”You’ve come far, but there’s still a long journey ahead of you. For that, I grant you the life of strength. Use it to push yourself harder than you ever thought possible. Stand up against oppression, and don’t let harm come to your Clan. You are their rock. Carry on, even when it seems like all else is lost upon you. There is always a way. Use this gift of strength to find it, and put it to good use. You will do well.” Just as each of those before her, Ivystar then touched her nose to Perchfall’s, creating a pathway for the final life to become her own.

For the final time, a strong wave of pain crashed through Perchfall's body. Her eyes screwed shut instinctively. She couldn't help but hiss slightly through her teeth at the sudden force of it, making her form shake with the effort to just stay standing. Yet, somehow, despite being even worse than all the others before it, this one seemed easier to bear. It felt as if she was being supported... as if there were cats on every side of her, letting her lean on them, pushing her up. She knew there weren't. However, she felt a renewed surge of strength. She stood tall as the last few moments of agony swept over her. No pain would keep her from protecting her Clan. She could do this... she could be strong. She would be strong. As strong as RiverClan needed her to be. With her last life received, trembling, but still standing, Perchfall opened her eyes, determination shining through her gaze. I did it.

After a few moments of grace to allow Perchfall to recover, Ivystar offered her the faintest of smiles and with a flick of her tail, mewed, ”With the ninth life given, I hail you by your new name, Perchstar. Your old life is no more. You have received the nine lives of a leader, and StarClan hereby grants you leadership over RiverClan. Defend it well; care for our young and old; honor your ancestors and the traditions of the Warrior Code. Live each life with pride and dignity, as if it were your last. May you reign long and well.” With a final nod of encouragement, Ivystar turned and disappeared back into the crowd of StarClan cats gathered to witness such a momentous occasion.

"Perchstar!"

"Perchstar!"

"Perchstar!"

Cheers rose up from the starry crowd; she could pick out the voices of her Clanmates who had given her lives. They had all believed in her... They had all come to support her. A warm feeling of pride welled up in her chest. Perchstar. It was no accident that she had become leader. All her Clanmates had chosen to trust her, and she would not let them down. "I will lead your Clan, Ivystar," she promised, hearing a deep note of conviction in her voice. There was no going back now. Only forward. It was time.... She nodded one final time to the StarClan cats who had put their trust in her. "Thank you all. I won't let you down." Bearspirit, Mallowmist, Stormbringer, Hollyleaf, Beetlepaw, Ivystar.... All of them. Her eyes shone with gratitude and determination. She would lead RiverClan well.

Abruptly, Perchstar awoke, her nose pressed to the Moonstone. Above her, the full moon had moved lower in the sky, no longer shining through the jagged hole in the ceiling. It was quiet. A few crickets chirped in the far distance. Outside, she knew the sun would be rising soon. Nearby, Cloverheart slept, curled up by the tall crystal. It was a new day. Smiling softly, the gray and white she-cat stood up on her tired limbs. She noted with slight surprise that the open wounds on her foreleg and sides had healed. They had not vanished, but they were no longer in danger of bleeding through the bandages patching them up. A parting gift from StarClan, I suppose. She paused for a moment and inhaled the early morning air. The reign of the Dark Forest was over. Now, the stars had returned... and Perchstar with them. A single white paw gently nudged the medicine cat to wake her. "StarClan spoke with me," she murmured, a trace of awe still audible in her voice. All the stories about leaders receiving their nine lives... it had seemed true, but experiencing it in real life was something else entirely. But there would be time to marvel later. Perchstar shook her head. "Let's go home, Cloverheart. There's work to be done."



--
Special thanks to:
Arcana (Hollyleaf)
Tara (Bearspirit)
Reaper King (Stormbringer)
RainyHeart (Finchstream)
Kitty (Mallowmist)
Aspen (Beetlepaw)
AND
Maple (Ivystar)
For providing lives!