Birdchaser's Leader Ceremony

Birdchaser

A blanket of frost covered the ground, shimmering under the pale light of dawn. Snow had come recently, though it did not stick; it had mostly thawed, though clumps of the powder still clung to the ground. And the air was chilled, carrying none of the lingering warmth of leaf-fall; the harsh bite of leaf-bare had come, freezing the early mornings and the longer nights. Midday would provide some warmth, Birdchaser hoped, though she did not have much faith in that fact. She could wish though, or pray, or whatever might bring some comfort– but all the wishing and praying in the world couldn't change the weather.

If only it could. If StarClan could call down their might to strike the Great Oaks with lightning, why couldn't they warm the air? A breeze gusted by, ruffling Birdchaser's pelt, and the large molly felt herself shivering through it. The cold had yet to bother her, her thick coat almost impenetrable, but today she felt frozen. Her paws and legs felt heavy as she trudged along, stepping laboriously over stones and branches and scattered debris. It was... hard. A harder walk than it should have been. Birdchaser wasn't sure if it was just her frozen limbs wearing her down, the dull throbbing ache in her leg, or... she exhaled, and the breath left her in a painful rattle. Whether it was greencough, whitecough, or just some nameless illness, it had come upon her fast. It sapped what was left of her energy, left her feeling listless and addled.

In truth, this all seemed like a horrible idea.

Highstones seemed so impossibly far– some monolithic mirage she would never quite reach. She hadn't even made it that far from Fourtrees yet, the hollow only just gone from sight, yet she already felt exhausted. Huffing, panting, and all but tripping over herself in her walk. Mouse-brain. Birdchaser cursed silently. She should have stayed in Fourtrees and waited, let just another day or two pass, let Plumleaf shove herbs down her throat and Wolfblossom hold her down until she fell asleep and actually started on the mend. Sit down and rest were not ideas that mattered to her, though. Working oneself to death ran in the family. The Clan had been without a proper leader for long enough, anyhow; though she'd been acting in Briarstar's place, it meant little without the weight of StarClan's blessing. When the twolegs had quieted, at least for a day, she'd made up her mind immediately to go the following sunrise.

I should have brought Plum with me, at least. It was tradition, at least she thought it was. Fogfeather had gone with Briarstar to get her lives. A companion for the long journey, a physical connection to StarClan that the dead might actually care to acknowledge. Birdchaser couldn't be bothered to disturb her, though. Plumleaf was tired enough, and if something happened while she was away, the Clan would need their medicine cat. Birdchaser was independent, too, and beyond that... she wasn't sure what it was. Some quiet and instinctual sense telling her this was a journey to be made alone. She woke up early, fitful and restless during the night and disturbed by the pain in her chest. Though the sun had not broke through the haze of night yet, Birdchaser rose silently, stepping quietly away from the sleeping bodies of her Clanmates to disappear north.

The sky was lightening now, dawn giving way to the proper brilliance of day. The sky was blue and bright, heavy clouds promising snow rolling past. Slowly, life broke out around her: birdsong carried through the boughs, honking echoed above her as geese distantly took to the sky, and the now-familiar humdrum of twolegs cracked against the casual noise of the forest. Birdchaser could tell she was getting close to the Thunderpath– a sudden growl filled her ears, flooding out all other sounds; the acrid stench of a monster's thick black smog washed over her tongue; and the ground rumbled beneath her, sending a tremor up her legs. She half-ducked, half-fell into a cluster of brambles beside her, hoping the thorny wreath would provide enough shelter that, if the monster were to stop and release its twolegs, or to veer suddenly off the Thunderpath and come careening through the trees, she would go unnoticed.

But though her shelter was meant to be temporary, Birdchaser felt her legs bowing underneath her, nearly unbidden as she slumped onto her side, limbs folded close to her. She hadn't even met to lie down; her body had just rolled over below her. I really must be tired. Sighing, she closed her eyes, letting her head loll so that her cheek rested against her legs. Tired she was... so tired. She did not want to wake up and rejoin the dragging nightmare that surrounded her. She wanted to close her eyes, to sleep and to wake up and find herself still an apprentice, fresh to the world and with no responsibility upon her shoulders. It was so cold, and her body ached, and she was so tired...

Birdchaser sat upright with a pained gasp. Her lapse in consciousness had lasted hours. Though she did not get up immediately upon waking (sitting up so fast had made her head spin, and her whole body was shaking and the idea of standing upright made her want to collapse again), sunlight poured through the brambles. Already, it was sunhigh. She was lucky, incredibly lucky, to have gone unnoticed for so long– but just as she could recognize what great luck she had, she could recognize what a mistake resting had been. This journey was hours long to start, and she had no traveling herbs to aide her on it– only her own heavy, trembling paws and stubbornness. Despite the ringing in her ears or the fog clouding her vision and mind or the freeze under her pelt (it wasn't that cold, was it?) Birdchaser found her paws beneath her and climbed into the daylight.

Just as she emerged and stood straight, she doubled over, retching hollowly. Nothing spilled from her emptied stomach, but it made her throat ache and shame course through her. But– but when she opened her watering eyes, Birdchaser saw that she had coughed something up. Just a few drops of blood, spattered over the thawing grass. For a stretched moment, she could only blink at the small spray of red. Then, she stamped a paw as heavily over it as she could and trudged blearily onward, grateful the Thunderpath was quiet now so she did not have to rush across.

It was desperation that spurred her flight, mostly. There was no more time to delay. SkyClan had been without a proper leader for... had it been only a moon, or had it been longer? and while she led them in name, and had appointed a deputy to lead beside her, it wasn't proper. SkyClan needed a real leader; they could not wait longer.

But it wasn't just the relentless snap of time that drove her along at as hurried a pace she could manage. When she took her nap (if it could be called that– it didn't feel like sleep, just a bright hollowness), Birdchaser had dreamt of all the cats she cared for most. Wolfblossom and Plumleaf and Dovefrost and Beechfang– even Trufflesnap and Fogfeather were there, off to the side somewhere. Rainpaw too, and Crookedpaw beside him; even RiverClan's deputy had been there, as were, suddenly, each cat of SkyClan. All faceless, all looking down on her; and while the image was frightening to reflect on, in that space she had felt nothing but a gentle warmth. She wanted to return to it; but to hold on to it, she would need to fight for it.

And fight she was. Since she crawled from the bramble, Birdchaser didn't stop once. She pushed and pushed, stumbling forward tirelessly. Even when every muscle in her body quivered so violently she feared she would lose her balance, or her stomach turned so much it made her dizzy, or the cold and sweat building under her fur made her want to lay down again and scream like a kit from the discomfort and misery it brought, Birdchaser went along. Even a particularly violent coughing fit (a few of which left flecks of blood and phlegm on her chest fur) would not stall her for more than a second.

A thin voice in the back of her mind said, barely above a whisper, I'm here for a purpose. I'm not going to die today.

The sentence made an already wobbling step into a harsher stagger. "I'm not going to die today." She had a family expecting and waiting on her return, a Clan in need of her. Though she had been addled for most of the journey, her mind became quickly and briefly clearer. She was going to return to SkyClan a leader, and more than anything, she needed to continue to be strong for them. Strong.

And then, back to the fervor. The second of respite that came with clarity went immediately back into the tormenting wheezes and aches. But she had noticed some things: the sky was darkening, deep purple burnished with faded orange as dusk settled; and the voices of cats carried down to her as WindClan and ShadowClan moved between the rocks ahead. It was a blessed sound, even if she didn't want to see either of the other Clans now; it meant she had not gotten lost in her shambling, and that she was close. That finally, this wretched walk would be over, and she could rest her legs while visiting their ancestors.

Mounting the slope to Mothermouth proved to be near impossible. Dragging herself atop one frost-slicked pile of stones was a feat that had her claws slipping and her chest rattling as she fought her way atop the small outcropping. For the first time in hours, Birdchaser had to take a break. She could not, as hard as she willed her legs forwards, upwards, anything– she just couldn't keep climbing without pauses to gather herself. However slow and laborious it was, she fought her way to the top. There she stood with her head ducked and jaw parted, stained chest heaving, tremoring forelegs trained. For the moments she stood there, rocking slightly side to side, she looked bestial.

But then she remembered to walk again. There, just fox-lengths away, Mothermouth lay open in invitation of her. Birdchaser ignored any cats she might have passed, glassy eyes fixated on the entrance to the cavern. She might as well be alone on that ridge, not surrounded by two nearly-full Clans. And with just a few more steps– she crossed into the dark maw, swallowed into the tunnels. While it was cramped, it was by far the easiest part of her journey. And, the shortest. It felt like only a few steps before the Moonstone was in front of her. The moon had not risen in the sky yet, so it lacked the same shimmer she had seen in it as an apprentice, but it was still a sight to behold. There was a bit of light to it, too, the very points of the stone reflecting the last bright colors in the sky.

In one lurching step, Birdchaser made it to the stone's side, stumbling clumsily into it. "Sorry," she murmured blearily as her legs gave out under her. Hopefully her tripping wouldn't deny her access to StarClan. Oh, stars, how good it felt to lay down. She had just slid a bit helplessly to the floor, all her limbs resting at uncomfortable angles, but the feeling of stillness was such a relief she could have sobbed of it. She was so tired, and suddenly she recalled her near-dream from the morning, of so many cats surrounding her. Birdchaser wanted that warmth, more than anything. If she closed her eyes, she could almost see it, their blurry forms just behind her eyelids, but just out of reach... and she could not will her body to reach for it, could not lift a single paw. Birdchaser only lay there, cheek propped against the Moonstone and body contorted, as the distantly-familiar coldness of being pulled into StarClan washed over her.

But this was different, in a way that made her heart race with terror– just for a moment. Then it was all dark behind her eyes, and that warmth she had been reaching for washed over her body like a balm, and she exhaled contentedly. Birdchaser's head tipped forward, lolling weightlessly against the surface of the Moonstone.

When Birdchaser's eyes narrowly opened, she was surprised to see no glittering, starry fields or a crowd of cats around her. It was what she had expected, at least; but there was just... blinding whiteness, all around her. Everything was blurry and muffled, and the white space was equally comforting as it was oppressive. She wondered if this was what it felt like to dive, or to fly, this strange floating feeling. Her whimsical thoughts were disturbed by the approach of a figure, haloed by the light surrounding them, a soft calico pelt that Birdchaser could only barely make out– until a face pushed near to hers, bright green eyes blinking at her. Eyes widening, then quickly squinting, Birdchaser mumbled, "Poppyshine?" But, no, that didn't make sense, but they looked so similar...

The cat giggled, in a voice similar but very much different from Poppyshine’s. ”We do look alike, don’t we?” The she-cat stepped back and Birdchaser’s vision continued to clear until she could make out more details of who stood before her. The cat did look like the spitting image of Poppyshine: the same diluted calico coat, although the pattern was much different, and the same big green eyes. The smile was a bit different; not quite so overtly cheerful or carefree. Instead, this cat had a muted, warm smile. She exuded maternal warmth, like she was a queen that had just kitted a new litter.

”Welcome, Birdchaser. You certainly gave us all a scare…This is not exactly typical for new leaders,” she continued. Now that Birdchaser was more awake, more cats could be seen behind the one addressing her. They were all different shapes and sizes, but they all looked to Birdchaser expectantly. ”We’re glad that you at least had the patience to wait to die until you had arrived at the Moonstone.”

Birdchaser blinked slowly, and pushed herself to her paws. She was surprised at the strength that she felt under her legs, when moments ago she had been so weak, barely able to walk. That couldn't be right– that couldn't be right. Her jaw worked mutely up and down until she forced out a soft, hurt, "I... died?" But she had only been sick, not dying! And she was here in StarClan now– were they really so willing to give lives away they would pass more onto a cat who could not even survive long enough to see her leadership?! A shudder ran along Birdchaser's spine.

The she-cat smiled sympathetically and nodded. “You did. Right there at the stone. But–it’s alright. StarClan already decided that you would be receiving lives in Briarstar’s absence. She will be unable to lead SkyClan now, and they need a strong leader. They can’t afford to lose you right now…I’m sorry for the circumstances of your first life, Birdchaser.”

She looked back over her shoulder at the other cats gathered with her. “You have many cats from different clans here to give you advice.” With a pause, she looked back and added, ”I should introduce myself. I am Robinear. It is with regret that I say that it is my life that you have already lost. While I hope that it has still served you well, in being able to return you to your clan, please heed the advice that comes with it.”

Robinear’s expression softened further. Whether it was pity or just sympathy in her expression, it was hard to tell. ”I am sorry for the loss that has put you in this position, but I believe that you are ready to become a leader for SkyClan. There is much that you can offer your clan as you take up the torch of leader. The leaders that have come before you have had to lead with fraught ruthlessness in order to hold their clan together. SkyClan itself is a clan born from the ashes of the old, and the old was a clan born from nothing. SkyClan has arguably the least ancestral hold of its land, and so of course your leaders have had to be tough.” Her features warmed, washing Birdchaser in a maternal kindness that she had not experienced much in her life. “However, I urge you to not feel as though those are the pawsteps you must follow.”

Robinear looked Birdchaser over. She still had a kind and gentle expression, but her gaze felt piercing, as though she were seeing deep into Birdchaser’s very soul. “Bloodstar is as far back as you can remember. He led a life of distrust after being burned so much, and has taught you to see other clans with that same distrust. You hesitate to trust after your own mother was cast out of her home. Even now, you may wonder who is truly good enough to trust while the world is falling apart around you. But believe me when I say that SkyClan can do more to trust those outside their immediate circle. It is difficult, but no cat can survive on their own. The clans were built to help one another, and in order to help, one also needs trust.”

“Therefore,” she continued with a wider smile now. It seemed almost a little strained, perhaps tinged with some sadness. “I was here to bestow unto you, the life of Trust. In some way, it is my trust that must be tested now. I trust that you will use this extra chance to lead your clan somewhere fruitful. Don’t make the same mistakes as your predecessors made. Trust does not inherently equate to naivety. May you remember to extend some faith to the cats around you and extend SkyClan’s alliances further. SkyClan will crumble so long as they detract in on themselves. They can only grow stronger with more cats supporting the clan.”

Robinear hesitated a moment longer. She knew it was time for another cat to step forward, and to give Birdchaser the eight extra lives that she would actually take with her back to SkyClan. Still, her hesitance remained and her paws did not move back quite yet. She waited another moment and murmured softer to the deputy, “Please do not misunderstand me either. Trust is not something to give freely. I am not asking you to trust every cat, or take the word of all clans; but follow your instinct regarding who is worthy enough for that trust to be given. You have some hard times ahead. But there are even brighter things in your future.”

Finally, she stepped back. She offered Birdchaser one last smile that burned like a warm kindling within her. Robinear was confident in Birdchaser’s abilities to lead. She hoped that no obstacles would get in her way.

As Robinear stepped away, Birdchaser could only blink a little numbly after the calico. Already, she was committing to storing the message in the back of her mind– and yet, that life was the one she lost. She almost wanted to laugh at the irony of it, if her throat didn't tighten at the reminder that she had died. She could have laughed at the irony of that, too, but there was no time for morbid displays of emotion. The tragedy that chased every member of her family unlucky enough to hold a high rank... she would do better– not in spite of them, but for them. As Robinear stepped away and the proper territory of StarClan grew clearer, a cat stepped out of the crowd, a familiar face that made Birdchaser's head lower in respectful acknowledgement..

Birdsong rose from her place among the gathered cats, gray tabby fur shimmering with starlight. Another moon, another leader ceremony. She’d hoped that Briarstar would have a long time, a peaceful run as leader, but that was simply not the way the forest worked. Time marched forward – relentlessly, touching every cat within its path with claws and one disaster after another. And now the burden of leadership passed to another, in the midst of chaos, as was only natural and fitting for a Skyclanner, it seemed. For a moment, something akin to pity flickered to life within Birdsong’s pale green eyes. Their family had always been a shattered one, defined by rash decisions and grief and so much rage for generations now. The burdens of leadership had destroyed one cat after another, and far too often at their own doing. She wondered, for a brief moment, if the young deputy standing in front of her would meet with a similar fate, and how long it would take. It was a sobering thought, one she forced away from her mind with effort. She didn’t like to be so cynical.

“Ha, seems like you were just visiting the moonstone a few moons ago as a ‘paw, doesn’t it? You’ve grown a bit.” Birdsong tipped her head, studying her younger half-sister's face as she came to a stop in front of her. Birdchaser had grown tall and muscular, not surprising considering most of the family was built along similar lines. She was, in many ways, not the same cat that Birdsong had approached on her visit to the moonstone all those moons ago, either. “You were young to become a deputy. You are young to become a leader, especially in the midst of, well, everything. You’ll have your paws full; I am certain. Just as Wolfstar did, just as Bloodstrike did before Briarstar. And many leaders before them.”

“They all made their decisions, so many born out of desperation and a rage so deep they could see nothing else. Some that seemed the easiest and most natural in the world at the time led to some of the harshest consequences for them and the clan as a whole. Ask mother or grandfather about that sometime, if you want nightmares.” Birdchaser likely knew plenty already, the evidence of Beechfang’s decision-making was embedded in her pelt for eternity. Bloodstrike, too. She’d watched their victories turn to ashes in their paws many times. Birdsong had left to break that cycle, wanting no more part of it. Birdchaser... Her sister was like their mother in many ways. Birdsong just hoped that Birdchaser wasn’t too much like their mother. Hoped that she didn’t find her paws on the same bloody path as so many had before her.

“With this life I give you mindfulness.” She leaned forward, pressing her nose to that of Birdchaser’s. “Never let yourself be so entangled in vengeance, in righteousness, that you forget what you are fighting for. No matter how much you think your decisions are justified, just because some of your clanmates will agree with you, does not make those decisions the right thing to do. Swallow your pride and be mindful of the effects your decisions will have, like the ripples when a stone is dropped into a pool of water.” The life she gave wasn’t an easy one, but easy, Birdsong was sure, had never been used to describe the life of a Skyclan cat, much less their high ranks, even once. Still, Birdsong held her half-sister's gaze with her own until it was over.

“Lead them well. Skyclan deserves better than what they’ve had in recent seasons.” With those final words, Birdsong stepped away from the soon-to-be-leader in front of her.

When her half-sister looked over her, Birdchaser felt surprisingly warm, and... proud of herself. The first and last time she spoke with Birdsong, she had been determined to pick a fight, to denounce her as a traitor to her family. Some of that furor and righteous confidence still burned in her chest– she thought, regretfully, on her shouting at Stormwatcher –but it had been tempered. Maybe, though she almost missed her recklessness, that had been a blessing. A wistful smile rose across her maw as Birdsong went on, only the briefest twinge of sadness disrupting it when Birdsong spoke on how young she was to be here and on their mother family. When the tabby stretched to touch her nose, Birdchaser instinctually lowered her head to meet her. The moment they touched, it felt like lightning had passed between them– surprisingly searing, considering the nature of her sister's speech. Such a blinding and painful force, she almost wished to return to her not-living body and continue suffering through her sickness. But it was over quickly, and with one last encouragement, the starry pelt was returning to the crowd. Birdchaser's body was still stiff with shock from the life when another cat stepped forward.

The next cat to appear was one of copper fur and rusty stripes. With the stars woven into his pelt, the tom looked as if he were truly made of precious metals. Even his eyes were the color of polished copper. He approached with a big smile and sat down in front of Birdchaser, wrapping his long tail around his paws that shimmered like a golden banner.

”Hello Birdchaser. I am Copperfox, your uncle. I have been watching you from the stars and I am proud of who you have become. With this life I give you the life of Courage. I was not always the bravest cat. I was so fearful at one point that I went mute for moons. I didn’t speak until well into my warrior life, but when I did, it was to speak out against the wrongs of my brother, Dawnhawk. Eventually I even confronted my older brother in combat despite his ruthless reputation. I learned that being brave and having courage doesn’t mean not being afraid, it means acting in spite of it. Courage can open new pathways for us all, not necessarily just in combat or in the face of physical danger. Sometimes admitting you have done something wrong takes courage. I wish my father had known that,” His eyes saddened slightly, copper pools once bright were suddenly dull as if the sun had set. After a moment, he blinked and he refocused on the task at hand.

”I know you will lead them well, Birdchaser. Take care of them. Take care of our family.” Copperfox humbly lowered his head in respect to the future Skyclan leader. He wondered if he was the only Starclan cat to ever bow their head to a living one. He got to his feet and turned away, but not without one last, beaming smile toward Birdchaser. The stars blew by like a great wind… and Copperfox was gone.

The cat that took Birdsong's place was not a recognizable one. Copperfox was his name, and he her uncle. Birdchaser's ears twitched to attentiveness when he spoke: straight to the point of what he was here to grant her, but bits of his life as well. She was surprised that there was a name in her family that had become infamous, and wanted to know more than just what he had told her. When he directed her to take care of them, take care of their family, Birdchaser bowed her head deeply, silently vowing never to fail them. She was waiting for the press of his nose, for the same strike that had come from Birdsong, but nothing came: instead, the wind whipped up around them. Looking up, Birdchaser saw her uncle smiling at her, big and warm and kind; then the wind was carrying the stars along with it, and stirring a great roar in her heart like dangerous thunder, and in a blink he was gone. The feeling of that life had been gentler, but it took longer to settle, her heart continuing to pound long after Copperfox had disappeared.

The next cat to appear before Birdchaser seemed none too happy to be there, as if this ceremony had disturbed something far more important. Her face was devoid of any particular expression and her posture was stiff and measured, but there was a slight narrowing to her eyes that betrayed her discontent.

The tuxedo she-cat stood still for a moment, green eyes fixed on Birdchaser. Not a single muscle moved in her small body as she appeared to examine the soon-to-be leader. Finally, after several long seconds, she stepped forward with a fluid movement and spoke.

"Another one. You're the second since my brother." She rasped, voice thin from underuse. "You're another one of my kin. The medicine cat's kit." Her ear gave a minute flick at that, though there was no change to her demeanor or tone. She remained still, one paw stepping towards Birdchaser and her head tilted upwards to meet the larger cat's gaze. "I keep giving the same life. Told Bloodstar not to die, told Briarstar not to die. Too late to tell you. Never works anyway. I'll give you something else."

Adderflare cleared her throat softly, barely making a noise. "With this life, I give you curiosity. Life is too short to waste being safe, evidently. I suggest you pursue the things that catch your interest, even if dangerous. Could be interesting, at least for me." Her tone was flat and bored, giving he impression of a cat who came up with this life mere moments ago.

She inclined her head down a smidge, indicating for Birdchaser to lower herself. Then, with a quiet sigh, she pressed her nose lightly against the larger molly's.

Before long, the moment passed and Adderflare stepped away. Before disappearing into the line of StarClanners once more, she turned back hesitantly- that hesitation being the most emotion she'd shown thus far. "And don't die." With that brief message, she turned her back to Birdchaser and left for good.

When the next cat stepped forward, Birdchaser was surprised, to say the least. She held such an... unsettling countenance, she gave Birdchaser immediate paws. She looked bored, moved stiffly, and she was just staring. Birdchaser found herself taking a half-step backwards when the tuxedo moved closer to her, and she could only blink slowly when the molly started speaking in clipped, brusque sentences. Birdchaser's ears flattened at the mention of her untimely death, but they turned slightly upward at the life she was being granted. Curiosity? That seemed... oddly out of place. Maybe it was, if her tone– or lack thereof –was anything to go by. It seemed... kittish?, almost... curiosity. Was she meant to chase after larks and butterflies, to stick her nose anywhere it didn't belong? At least that would be funny for the life-bearer (who, Birdchaser realized with a puzzled look, had not addressed herself). Obediently, she dipped her head when beckoned, and felt frigidity wash over her. It was not painful as her first life had been, but it made her feel just as arrested until the moment passed. When it had, the tuxedo was stepping away, leaving her with the instruction to not die. Birdchaser mouthed okay as the strange cat padded away.

A stocky pointed tom stepped up to give his life, passing the ghastly-looking Adderflare with a smile. He took a seat in front of Birdchaser, taking a moment to look her up and down with a knowing gaze. ”Hello, Birdchaser!” he mewed. ”I’m Sagelight, former medicine cat of SkyClan. Your mother was my apprentice, while she was still a medicine cat, that is…” A bubble of laughter rose from his chest and he shook his head, recalling all too well how Beechfang was. His bright gaze returned to Birdchaser’s face as he inclined his head softly.

”I’m not here to discuss your mother with you, though. I am here to give you the life of joy. With this life, I hope you will be able to find laughter behind every shadow and happiness in every dark cloud. Leadership is not easy, I know that first-paw. It’s important to remember the little things in life that bring joy, so the burden isn’t too heavy on your shoulders. Laughter is the best medicine, after all.” Sagelight broke into a grin and rose to his paws, craning his neck up to touch noses with the larger molly. A warmth blossomed at the touch, like a summer breeze nudging a butterfly along through a meadow. One of the kinder lives, for sure. When it was done, the old medicine cat took a step back, smiling at her. ”Good luck.”

And with that, he was gone, turning tail to pad back to the line of cats with a jovial bounce in his step.

The cat to replace the tuxedo almost made Birdchaser drop to her haunches from whiplash. He was smiling, in a similar but notably different way her uncle had been, and he greeted her so enthusiastically her tail waved in greeting on its own. This cat, at least, introduced himself. Sagelight– Birdchaser knew of him, though admittedly knew little about him. Maybe, under better days, she would mention to Beechfang that they had met. Sagelight went on, and Birdchaser's heart stuttered a beat at the word joy. Such a small thing, and another life that felt somehow out of place, but as the shorter tom said it a realization dawned on her: she did not experience much of it. It would be a lie to say she wasn't happy; but joy, the way he had described it, simple and light... that, she wasn't sure of when she last felt it. She spent much of her time simply tired. Sobered by that revelation, she tipped down to meet Sagelight's nose slowly. His life felt just as his speech did, and her shoulders relaxed under its gentle warmth. A soft sigh left her when the exchange was done, and as Sagelight stepped away to rejoin the stars around them, Birdchaser nodded and gave him a kind smile.

The next cat that approached was skinny and short, with a slinky body and a wiry, starry pelt. He had huge, twitching ears, and sparkling blue eyes. He was significantly, almost comically smaller than Birdchaser, and he circled around her briefly before settling down in front of her. He gave her a bright, goofy grin. “Wowza,” He said with a soft laugh. “You’re a tough one, arentcha?”

“Being tough is good,” He said with a nod, skinny tail wrapping over equally scrawny paws. “It’s necessary, especially as a warrior, and especially in times like these.” He gave a sympathetic smile. “The name is Stumpyfrost, and I know what it means to be tough. To live a life alone. I know things have been hard. This is a scary transition, I know. I know you must feel alone. It will be hard. There will be more hard times to come. That is the nature of things, isn’t it?” He hummed, and his expression softened. “But Birdchaser, it is important that you remember that you are not alone.”

Stumpyfrost rose to his feet, moving a few pawsteps closer. “You have your siblings, your sister to support you as your deputy. You have family, friends, a whole clan behind you, your ancestors watching over you. Never forget that you do not have to go it alone, and nor should you. You are never alone. Even when those you love are not in your sight, you carry their love with you. Rely on them, Birdchaser. Take time with them when you can, and let them support you.”

Stumpyfrost stretched upwards until he touched his nose to Birdchaser’s, closing his eyes and smiling as he did so. “I give you the life of friendship,” He said. “Carry them with you. And love them with all of your might.”. With that, Stumpyfrost stepped back again, waving his tail in a goodbye before turning and bounding off into the crowd.

A short tom that looked more weasel than cat was the next to emerge from the crowds, circling her curiously as he approached. Birdchaser spun slightly to follow him as he examined her, until he came to a halt in front of her and chuckled softly. Her head tilted at his comment about her being tough, and further when he went on about how that was a good thing, and he knew what it meant. Was that the life Stumpyfrost was here to give her- strength, or something to that effect? If that were the case, StarClan was continuing to surprise her. But that wasn't what he meant. Birdchaser's whiskers twitched as he started talking about being alone, or how it was to feel alone... how she was not alone. Her chest tightened at that, breath momentarily caught. The second life in a row to come with a world-altering revelation. No, she was not physically alone, and really, she was not lonely, either– but she insisted on being. Stubborn and independent to a fault, that had not been driven out of her yet. Perhaps, that was why she died here. Her heart constricted further. Oh, if only she had asked her sister to walk with her. In a now-familiar set of steps, Birdchaser bent her head, and Stumpyfrost's life ebbed through her. It was just as pleasant as Sagelight's had been, another refreshing breeze through her. She doubted her stubbornness would ever change, at least not soon, but maybe she could learn.

As the wiry tom bounded away, a small molly stepped out of the crowd. And small she was-- the top of her head only just reached the deputy's chest, and she had to crane her head to look her properly in the eyes. "I guess that's fair," she remarked sourly, russet tail flicking idly in thought. "Of course you'd be just as beastly and massive as your brute of a mother was. Hopefully her size is the only thing she passed on." That was paired with a particularly stern look, one that was hard and searching, like she might hope to find a response in the depths of Birdchaser's soul. When no response was found, she stepped lightly closer.

"You might have heard about that poor, stupid medicine cat Beechface– oh, Beechfang, I suppose –murdered just before you were born-- or when you were just a kit, I don't remember. Violently choking has a way of making the memory go fuzzy." A crude laugh left her. "I don't really care, either. I guess my point is that I wouldn't be here if it weren't for her." The little molly paused there. Her tail was properly lashing now, and where her expression had been only mildly agitated before, she looked furious now. There was also a sort of bittersweet humor in her look: she looked like she was reveling in the way Birdchaser shrank away from the sharpness of her voice. Striking fear into cats wasn't exactly something she had had the privilege of experiencing in life, nor was it a power she had ever wanted, but it felt good to inflict on Beechfang's kin.

"To be frank, I don't know why I have to be here. There's nothing I want less than to look at anyone that shares her blood. There's nothing I want less than to laze away among the stars while SkyClan continues to allow your horror of a family to guide that pack of dogs they call a Clan. No, don't back up. You think you're going to be their leader, you should be brave enough to face down a dead medicine cat half your size. If you're afraid of a talking piece of fresh-kill, then you'll be hopeless as a leader.

But as much as I want to, I'm not here just to berate you. StarClan says I had to be gracious for once in my life, afterlife, whatever. And, unfortunately, other than defending my untimely death, you haven't done anything worth my persecution. So, with great irony, I give you the life of justice. Don't think I didn't see the way you railed and cried that your mother had done nothing wrong; don't think I didn't watch your grandfather turn rabid when Perchstar insisted upon redress. Justice is apparently not something SkyClan cats are born understanding. Whatever you may think it is, you're probably wrong. Bend down." Cloverheart was not gentle in touching their noses, her head jerking forward roughly to meet the to-be leader's.

Holding their noses together, Cloverheart continued speaking in a lower tone. "Value the lives and the laws that have seen you here. If I have to give you this life, then I'm going to demand you use it well. If anyone crosses the code, or you, show them the strength of authority. Use whatever mind you have before throwing SkyClan into a crusade every moon– or do it, I don't care –but do what's right. There will be blood on your paws if you don't." Finally, Cloverheart released the larger molly from her touch, backing up a few paces to look upon her appraisingly. "Use my life well. I'll be back for you if you don't. And," a tight-lipped smile touched touched her lips, barely covering the distaste that lingered there, "tell Poppyshine I said hello, when you see her next. I want this to be at least a little worth my time." With that, Cloverheart flicked her tail and turned away, rejoining the starry crowd.

The presence that replaced Stumpyfrost was immediately commanding. Such a fierce hostility roiled from her pelt, it made Birdchaser's hackles raise just on approach. The remarks about her mother made Birdchaser's fur bristle entirely, and she was near to growling when she remembered just where she stood and quickly conducted herself. But the sharp introduction (if it could be called that) quickly made sense. Though the she-cat didn't give a name, it was obvious as soon as she spoke again: Cloverheart, RiverClan's late medicine cat. Fairly enough, she spoke on it with such a sharpness, a ferocity that made the smaller cat's expression contort into rage and her tail whip, Birdchaser couldn't help but duck backwards. Her continued railing only made her back up further; though now, it was out of self-preservation rather than shock and mild fright. The way the former medicine cat spoke about SkyClan, about her family... Birdchaser couldn't keep her claws from flexing, tearing out clumps of stars as she backed away. As much as she wanted to shred Cloverheart's ears off (maybe Beechfang had had a point, in drowning her), she was less keen on having every life she'd just been granted ripped away.

On and on the molly went with her pointed remarks until finally Birdchaser was given the signal to bend down. Thank the stars this exchange would be over soon. Their noses were smashed together, and the life hit her in an instant blaze, wildfire through her body. She hardly heard Cloverheart's words, ears ringing from the fierceness. But finally, the heat was gone, and Cloverheart was stepping away with an unkind smile and a message for her deputy. Birdchaser only scowled at the retreating figure, though she did, however begrudingly, silently promise to deliver the hello.

Then, a pair of amber-gold eyes materialized from the starry landscape, and the shape of a lanky, muscular tom followed. He lifted his head to survey Birdchaser, his body language stern, but his gaze glistening with compassion and pride. For a moment, he just stared at her, almost as if he didn't know what to say, but then he stepped forward, dipping his head in greeting. "Birdchaser... I am Wolfstar. We never met in life, but I am your mother's grandsire, and leader of SkyClan, before Bloodstar."

He smiled. "I wish I were here to tell you that leadership is some grand adventure, rife with spoils and glory... but rarely is it so, and I would be doing you an injustice in lying. The path that you seek - the one that led you here tonight - will be difficult, and stressful. There will be days where you will regret ever having tread this starry terrain. You will have to make decisions that seem to have no right answer, and bear the consequences upon your shoulders and yours alone. There will be strife, there will be pain, but amid all that, there will be so much love... and in the end, that makes it worth everything." Wolfstar brought his eyes to meet hers again, and moved close enough now to touch, though he didn't just yet. "With this life, I bid you to use that love, to let it guide you and the actions you take as leader." He leaned in now, to press his nose to her forehead, closing his eyes. Once it had been done, he stepped back. "No matter what else you do, please remember, little one, that while it may seem like you are alone, SkyClan is there for you - StarClan is here for you - all you need do is ask for help from those who love you... and it is help you shall receive."

Wolfstar watched the she-cat for another long moment. "I may not have known you in life, but know that I am proud of you, Birdchaser. And if you get the opportunity... please, tell your mother I am proud of her too." He leaned forward again and brushed her cheek with his own, a low purr rumbling in his chest. "You're gonna do great."

And with that, the lanky black tom stepped away into the shadows, and was gone.

Birdchaser was still recovering from her anger and the aftershocks of her previous life when another cat stepped up, a dark tom with fondness in his eyes. She met his gaze curiously, and when he offered his name, she nodded. Another cat who's name she had heard, who she knew something about, but had never truly known. Her head remained lowered as he spoke; it did not feel the right time to face him as he described the pain their shared path would be. Since Briarstar's disappearance, she had foolishly been praying the remaining seasons of her leadership would be easy. She knew in her heart that was never to be, and Wolfstar's steady voice confirmed it. But there was– slowly, Birdchaser's head lifted, and found golden eyes returning to her at the same time. Love. Her body stilled, and it felt like her throat had closed. Heat pricked the corners of her eyes, and she shut them tightly when she bent again to allow Wolfstar's nose to her head. The first moments of his life were just as soft as the similar ones she had already received, but then it flared, the dry heat of a burning green-leaf day. It was a surprisingly powerful force, what he had bestowed upon her. She would use all these lives of companionship well; she would learn to love louder, become reliant. She would– she had to. Birdchaser nodded numbly, noting another conversation she would need to have, and swallowed thickly as Wolfstar stepped away.

The last… It was finally time. Ever since he arrived in the shared space with nine other cats, his paws itched to step forward, to move forward to greet his daughter and tell her everything would be okay, but he steeled himself. Forced himself to sit still and listen and wait. For his turn would arrive shortly.

The second the last stepped back Dovefrost was already to his paws. He wanted to remain cool, collected like he usually was but in this situation he couldn't. He wouldn't. His daughter was in front of him, making a big step he never imagined any of them would make. Though he never imagined fatherhood until it happened.

"Birdchaser.” After a while of not speaking his voice was a little unfamiliar to himself. ”My daughter.” He took a short pause before speaking again. ”My pride and joy.” Of course all of his children were his pride and joy, but at this moment it was just her and him. No one else.

”I never.. I never thought I would see you again. At least not like this. I never thought this day would come, but I am just amazed. I’m so proud, so very proud.” He never really was good with words, never good at speaking his emotions, and in this situation he just found himself spilling words that just came to mind, hoping he could convey exactly how he was feeling, just how much he loved his daughter.

”There is so much I want to say, so many words in my mind, but I can’t bring them forward.” There was so much he wanted to catch up on, so much he wanted to cover but he was here for a purpose. Something he couldn’t neglect or ignore, for she needed it to lead her clan.

”I’m sorry, let me get back on track.” He told her, green eyes shining brightly as he finally had his mind settled on the life he was to give.

”With this life.. I give you heart.” He stated. It was something he always had. Something he followed most of his life despite his very logical nature. With his medicine cat role, with picking his mate. His life had turned out well. At least he thought, despite how it ended.

”Follow your heart my dear, listen to what it tells you. It won’t lead you astray and it will help you in deciding what is best. Even when others might disagree with you.” He hoped this was something she needed to hear or wanted to hear. He hoped his words brought some comfort, something she could recall when she needed it.

”Don’t doubt yourself, please, and know that I am always on your side, watching over you from here.” With one last comforting smile the large white tom stepped back, ready to finish the ceremony.

”With that you have received your lives. From now on until you lose your last life, or retire you will be known as Birdstar. Starclan welcomes you as the new leader of Skyclan.” With the official stuff finally out of the way, Dovefrost’s soft gaze returned to his daughter. His green eyes full of love and pride for the she-cat standing before him.

”Lead well Birdstar. I will be with you, every step of the way.”

At the sight of who replaced Wolfstar's place, Birdchaser was helpless to the choked noise she made. There was no amount of setting her jaw or swallowing hard she could do to keep down the tears that welled, gathering thickly in the corners of her eyes. Whether it was a miracle of composure or shock that locked her limbs in place, she wasn't sure, but Birdchaser stayed somehow still. She wanted, more than anything in the world, to dive forward and press her head into the dense fur of Dovefrost's chest and remain there as long as StarClan would allow it. Her jaw parted, but no words left her, only another tightened cry. It was so unfair that this was where Dovefrost stood instead of in Fourtrees with the rest of SkyClan, waiting on her return– but he was here, here at all. Here for her. His voice, his face were such comforts if she just ignored the stars littered throughout his pelt.

She held herself together through the declaration of her final life. Fighting a sob, teeth trembling from the effort, but somehow she held herself together. But when Dovefrost told her he would always be there, watching over her, the tears finally spilled and rolled swiftly down her cheeks, dampening her fur. Birdchaser couldn't hold her head up when he went on, as much as she wanted to assess his features as long as she could. At the sound of her new name, the announcement that StarClan welcomed her as leader, a proper cry left her and more tears rose, hot and blurring her vision. For the first time since her arrival in StarClan– in a day, really –Birdstar found her voice. Small and shaking, she managed out, "I love you. I miss you."

And when she looked up again, Dovefrost had gone. All the audience had, leaving her alone in the shimmering field. But in their absence, she felt the warmth of their lingering presence, the glow of her father's words warming her fur. With a sharp breath, she pulled herself together, willing at least the crying to stop. She was not left with much time to recover or to reflect; as the bright feeling started to ebb away, an amber glow lit the hazy sky, and the world started to dim.


When Birdstar next opened her eyes, she was in the cavern, pressed at an awkward angle against the Moonstone. Her body ached, muscles stiff and sore from her splayed position, but... she could breathe again. That was one of the first things she noticed. Wearily, the new leader detached herself from the rock, sitting up more properly. She was still exhausted, and dreading the return to Fourtrees, but she was well. Deeply, she breathed in, and took her time exhaling. She was well, and she was the leader of SkyClan, and she... Her eyes started to burn again, but she shook her head and cleared any threatening tears before they could come. I can do this. I'm... okay. I'm okay. Birdstar looked towards the Moonstone one last time, fond but saddened, and slowly found her paws beneath her and moved to exit the cave. She would be okay, for all those that had loved her.

Thank you so, so much to following people for writing lives for me:
Xaandiir - Robinear / Trust
kjSage - Birdsong / Mindfulness
Tara - Copperfox / Courage
Snickerdoodle - Adderflare / Curiosity
Aspen - Sagelight / Joy
Lostfanboy - Stumpyfrost / Friendship
JJ - Wolfstar / Love
Reaper King - Dovefrost / Heart

I could not have done this without the help from everyone <3