Is This Really Happening?

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Is this really happening?

That had been on the one question on every Riverclan cat's mind recently and of course, was the main thought on the deputy's mind as well. He would never to have expected to be padding up to Highstones alone...and now of all times. He could feel the cross between excitement and nervousness knot in his stomach, which also didn't help the fact that he hadn't eaten anything recently because of this long trip.

But him...really? Leader? Now?

Stormstrike, along with everyone else, had been devastated when he had heard the news of Firestar. But along with being sad, he felt a bit of fear creep in. Of course he knew this day would come sometime after he was named deputy but...it felt too early. He was still a young cat, the youngest of the leaders and now the only tom to be present among them. Besides...he had always guessed Riddlehawk would become leader of Thunderclan before he became a leader himself. However, under the terrible circumstances, he was in fact the next in line now.

And all that was left was to receive nine lives..

Stormstrike padded into the dark entrance of the cave, trusting himself to be able to find the end of it and he did. He took a big breath, laying down and closing his eyes. 'Here goes nothing...' He thought as he touched the stone.

[xxSTARCLANxx]

The cats of Starclan came out little by little until the glittering cats were before the waiting tom. Each cat looked him over assessing what kind of leader this cat would turn out to be and if he would be able to lead his clan back into peace and prosperity. A few cat's stepped forward making up the group that would give him his lives. "Why do you come to us.", Starclan mewed in unicen. Although they already knew why he was here, but hearing the tom say it himself was part of the proof that he was ready.

[Tanglekit]

Along with the few Starclan warriors that stepped forward, so did Leopardclaw. He had been Firestar's mate and had died mysteriously, and his body had never been found and buried, so it had taken him ages to reach the ranks of Starclan. "Hello Stormstrike.", he mewed gently to his ex-clanmate. Firestar had died obviously but she hadn't made it to Starclan and that worried him immensely. So many questions itched at his pelt about his family and how the clan was, but tonight was not the time to do it. "How are my kits? You must promise me that you will keep them safe no matter what happens.", he said urgently. Nothing meant more to him than his family, and even in death he would offer them the best protection he could manage.

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SparklePaw suddenly popped her head out of no where.You wouldn't expect a Windclan apperentice to appear. Then again, she was close to RainWing ever since she deceased. And, if he was with RainWing a lot, then she knew that he was okay. Right?

She purred softly, and took a few steps towards the tom. She pressed her nose friendly against his cheek. And took a few steps back.

"How's Rainwing? How's RiverClan?" she said all sped-up. She didn't know how to stop.

SparklePaw squealed with excitement, her blue eyes sparking with joy. It seems as if death never smacked against her.

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Stormstrike had to admit he was a little nervous about this meeting with Starclan but, when he saw a familiar face it made it a little easier. But no signs of Firestar made him a little concerned. "Leopardclaw...its good to see you." He greeted with a smile. He nodded to his request. "They're doing fine and of course I will watch out for them the best I can. " He would have asked more if a shimmering starry apprentice didn't bound up to him and nuzzle his cheek. He blinked with surprise but smiled to the spirited Starclanner. "He's doing well as far as I've heard, keeping Thunderclan healthy...and Riverclan is going through a hard emotional time now but their strong...we'll get through this." He replied with ease before looking to the throng of starclan cats behind the other two. "I have come...to get my nine lives and prove myself worthy to lead my clan."

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((I forgot RainWing and STormStrike are in different clans... WHOOPS..))

SparklePaw nodded quickly, and looked over her shoulder at the starclan cats. She could tell that she had to leave. She had no right to be here, did she? Not like she knew StormStrike personally or anything...

She looked back at the warrior, and dipped her head in gratitude, "We'll talk again, but I have to go now."

After speaking that, she bounded away.

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Two she-cats that weren't in his clan, but were familiar all the same, padded up towards the group. A shimmering silver and white she-cat and her white sister. Moonshine and Stareyes. Both were beautiful, but both were harsh and cruel. "Hello Stormstrike." Moonshine said, her eyes cold but still curious. She had been so kind in life, what had happened to her to make her so cruel in death?

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[xxSTARCLANxx]

The cats of Starclan smiled at the tom. He had already proved himself to make a fine leader of this clan over and over again, and they knew that he was worthy of becoming he leader of Riverclan. "Stormstrike, you have nothing to prove to us that you have not already proven. We know that you will be a fair and generous leader to your clan and we are ready to grant you your nine lives.", they purred in unicen. And with that the four cats only seen by few cats thought to be ready enough stepped forward. They could no be mistaken for any other cat in the starry clan, and they were legends even among the cats that called them clanmates. First came Leopardstar, then Cheetahstar, followed by Lionstar and Tigerstar. Leopardstar was the first to speak and being the first cat to lead the ancient Leopardclan, whose descendants are know called Riverdclan sat before the cat. "Stormstrike, I give you the life of cunning. May your decisions affect the clan positively", he mewed gently. Then next came Tigerstar. "I give you the life of Strength.", he mewed coolly. He padded back without saying anything else remaining near his companions. Next was Cheetah she gave him the life of swift thinking and stepped back to remain near her larger kin. And at last Lionstar approached the young cat. "I give you the life of Compassion. Do not turn your back on those in need.", and with those words the four left the other five lives to the rest of Starclan to give.

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"Stormstrike. I give you the life of Placidity. Keep a cool head among tense situations, don't let your emotions get the best of you." Moonshine said, her gaze turning to Leopardstar, Cheetahstar, Lionstar and of course, Tigerstar. "Stormstrike. I give the life of Patience. Learn and listen. Understanding and the ability to hear what other's may say, and to teach others, will help you. Not that you aren't able to now." StarEyes said, her milky stare boring into him. But she stepped back, her sister by her side. "I hope to see you back here again whenever we call." Moonshine said. "Be a good leader. I'd hate to see you go to the other side." StarEyes added, the two sisters melding into the stars.

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[Tanglekit]

Leopardclaw stood up last and smiled at his old clan-mate. "I give you the life of Courage, may you serve your clan well Stromstar", he mewed looking around absently thinking of his family and how they were doing and of his daughter most of all.

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Ooc: Should I post or wait on the last two lives?

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Out of the darkness, a beautiful black she-cat appeared. She padded towards Stormstrike and, her tone warm, she spoke. "Greetings, Stormstrike. My name is Shadowfall."

Wasting no time at all, she touched her noes to his forehead. "With this life I give you love. May you use it well for all cats in your care."

With that, she stepped back, smiling warmly at the soon-to-be leader.

*~*

A blue-gray tom padded up beside his black companion. Dipping his head, he mewed, "And I am Bluefrost." Following the she-cat's lead, he continued. "With this life I give you loyalty. Use it well to guide your clan in times of hardship."

Backing away, he sat down and curled his tail over his paws neatly.

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Ooc: Ah, thank you! That's what I was waiting for lol.

Stormstrike closed his eyes as with each life a shiver of electricty ran through his veins. It was painful on some but...it was a good pain. Finally, he had all nine lives. He opened his electric blue eyes slowly and looked at all the Starclan cats around him. He felt rejunivated, fresh and full of energy, ready to lead his clan. He dipped his head to them in respect before speaking. "Thank you...as Stormstar, I will listen to your words with an open mind and lead with a strong heart. I am ready."