Never thought I'd see the day...

[*Sinister*Dreams*]

((This is presuming Talonfang is here as well.))

His feet grazed the ground, the only sound to break the still silence. How often mystery remained unseen through the eyes of a warrior. And how glorious it felt to know that final veil was about to be lifted, as Nimbleflash eased close to the river. An almost foreboding feeling ran through him, along with it a nervousness he’d never felt since the day his mate and her newborn kits had died. This was the reason why his legs were braced, for he wondered. He was the one who had corrupted her, though she herself was always nothing but love and happiness. Would Pouncesparrow be there in StarClan, awaiting him? And even harder to stomach, would she still care for him?

Nimbleflash pushed the bitterness away, feeling his eyes darken in confidence. He would be alright, and though this wasn’t part of his idea of what he wanted to do in life, this would suit him fine. How strange it would be, to see Talonfang become a leader as well, though not of his own clan. He glanced besides him at the now PewterClan tom.

“Well, here goes nothing. Or everything, depends how you look at it eh, Talonfang? Last time I call you that.”

He chuckled again, wondering briefly what it would feel like to be in battle against his former friend. Of course, for his clan and his own pride perhaps he would do alright, but it still remained a strange idea. A bit wrong. Nimbleflash smiled once more at Talonfang, before lapping up the water with one fluid motion.

It seemed ages of sitting in wait as the cats of StarClan began to come forth from their shiny homes. The first, was a dark brown she-cat. Cavesong snarled.

“You? But Honeystar…Tell me you were insane. Tell me we can take this back. Nimbleflash can NOT be the leader of MapleClan!”

Apparently even StarClan could afford to be rude. Nimbleflash bristled a bit, but at a glance from his old mentor Snakebite he settled down a bit. Of course by the smell, Snakebite wasn’t from StarClan. Then he realized his old mentor had no control over him, but then again, old habits die hard.

“I am not the Nimbleflash you know, Cavesong.”He said gently, though he could not entirely rid his voice nor eyes of the malice. He could not hear Honeystar’s response, for his stillborn daughter had appear, blue eyes glistening just like her fathers.

“Daddy? Don’t listen to them. They’re crazy!”
Lithe bounced with a smile, purring up at him. In turn, Nimbleflash nuzzled her softly, not something you’d typically see in the ashen tom.

“With all due respect, Honeystar, I suggest we turn to the matter at hand. While even I myself had doubted your decision, I will not turn my back on destiny nor what it has planned for me.”He dipped his head, watching as the first cat came up. Pouncesparrow was just as he remembered her…

“Though some may not wish this upon you, or MapleClan, you are without doubt the next leader and there is nothing we can do about it. You are perfectly fit to lead, and as such, no excuse can be given. I for one, will smile. For now I give you your first life. With this life, I give you everlasting love. Use it well, to defend our clan as I defended our children."
She back away with a dip of her head, as a painful, icy-hot life coursed his veins. He stood stock still, the only reflection of his agony the clenching of his jaw.

His daughter followed shortly after, eyes content.
“With this life, I give you memory. Use it well, to remember the truth from the lies, as I never knew Renegade’s lie as he killed our family.”
Nimbleflash couldn’t have possibly expected the pain such a young kit could go through, but he felt her terror as she fell for yet another ploy, and brilliant mercury eyes flashed across his vision. This time, his claws sunk into the dirt, eyes closed.

He opened them again, as Cavesong stepped forth.
“With this live, I give you judgment. Use it well to make better decisions than I did.” She practically hissed, and swiftly stood away, glowering at Honeystar in anger. It wasn’t so much the life that hurt this time as it was the hate and rage towards him, as his own claws had slid through her throat.


((I have no more dead cats that will work. If anyone reads this, please fill in with a MapleClan cat or someone else he knows.))

[H-a-w-k-i-e]

Talonfang was silent throughout their walked, just as Nimbleflash had been, his footfall steady. Also like his companion, he would have never imagined he'd live to see a day like this. Talon....star? Leader, but not of his birthclan, the clan he'd belonged to all his life, but a rival clan. A clan that he had only very vague knowledge about. It was so much to handle in such a short amount of time. Already, many matters were flickering through the silvery black tom's mind, as in who should be named deputy, seeing as Nudgewing, Pewterclan's previous deputy had been impaled alongside Goldstar. He didn't know his (he tested it out in his head a few times, trying to get used to the sound of it) warriors well at all. It wouldn't make much sense to pick a deputy from the ex-Mapleclanners; they knew just as much about Pewterclan as he did. That wouldn't help him get a grasp of the clan quickly at all.

After the thoughts about his new life, came the memories of cats, friends and kin that have died. Would he see his father, his mother? Swiftpelt? Perhaps he'd see Hawktalon as well, though he wasn't sure. Hawktalon probably hadn't gone to Starclan.

Breathing deeply, Talonfang cleared his thoughts, and glanced at Nimbleflash, who'd spoken to him. This was a little odd, seeing as they were no longer of the same clan.
"Good luck, Nimbleflash."
Was his simple response, as he lay down by the shining pool, glowing silver by the moon's glow, not unlike his own silvery black pelt, and lapped at the icy cold water.
------------
Eyes opening, he now stood in a quiet meadow, bathed in a soft light, and watched as starry figures took form before him. What surprised him greatly was that as he looked to his side, Nimbleflash was present as well. They were in the same dream..! That was probably rare, since it was unheard in the history of the forest that Talonfang knew, where two cats were named leader in the same day.

"Talonfang!"
A familiar voice, one that he had longed to hear since she'd passed away sounded, and Swiftpelt, looking as she had in her prime, before the sickness had hit rushed towards him, rubbing her cheek against his affectionately. It felt a little odd, since she was not of solid flesh, but Talonfang relished it anyways. He never realized just how much he missed his sister.

Just out of the corner of his eye, he spotted his father, sitting quietly, his bright yellow gaze on his son and daughter. Wolfpelt's last days hadn't been the best either, having been consumed with paranoia, and finally killed by the paws of his own brother.
"Now, now, Swiftpelt. We can reunite later. Right now we have more important matters."

Talonfang felt warmth course through his body as he heard his father's familiar, strong voice.

Swiftpelt, frowning, but her eyes gleaming in amusement, nodded.
"Alright then. Ready? With this life, I give you perserverance, so you may lead your clan through whatever hardships that you may go through."
With the sense to brace himself, Talonfang tensed as Swiftpelt's memories of her last moments before her death flowed through him; her determination, her suffering, her sorrow. When it was over, Talonfang's amber orbs were wide. Oh gosh. If that was how the first one was going to be like, he wasn't looking forward to the next eight.

Wolfpelt stood, muscles rippling beneath his wolf-coloured pelt and padded towards his son, his stride brisk and strong. Locking gazes with Talonfang, there was a quiet moment where something passed between father and son, before the elder tom spoke.
"With this life, I give you judgement. I hope that you will be able to lead your clan fairly, and see things from all perspectives."
This life too, left Talonfang gasping for breath.

The white pelt of his mother alert him as he turned to face Fearpelt (Sorry Mas, but I need her. Sorry again). Her crimson eyes glowed as the albino she-cat gave him a life.
"With this life I give you love, so that you can love and protect your clan as fiercely as a mother would to her kits."

Wingtail, the Mapleclan deputy before Honeystar, stood now, stars glittering in his blue-gray pelt.
"With this life I give you mentoring. Use it well to train the young cats of your Clan"

Then came Pyre's father, Cedarfur, a tinge of sadness still in his eyes as he thought about the betrayal of his son.
"With this life I give you boldness and courage, to make quick and correct decisions for your clan"

Next came not Mapleclan cats, but ancestors of the Pewterclan cats. Many of the starry mountain-inhabiting cats watched Talonfang with a scrutinizing eye, as if they were all doubtful and did not agree with having an outsider rule Pewterclan. Nevertheless, they came forwards anyways, to give the tom his lives.

Ravenstar, the large black leader who had preceeded Goldstar padded up to him, and without hesitation, gave him a life.
With this life I give you compassion. Use it well for the elders of your Clan, and the sick, and all those weaker than you.
Ravenstar towered above both Talonfang and the rest of the cats in the clearing, and he laid his dark head on Talonfang's shoulder. Talonfang gritted his teeth together in order to keep himself from crying aloud.

Goldenclaw, Ravenstar's old mate was next to give a life.
"With this life I give you tireless energy. Use it well to carry out the duties of a leader.


Nudgewing then followed, the petite white she-cat looking especially small as she walked past Ravenstar and towards Talonfang.
"With this life I give you agility, to help you fight for Pewterclan."

Now all that was left was Talonfang's last life. Instinctively, the silvery black tom looked to Goldstar, his chest heaving and breathing heavily from the exhertion. Who would have though just the process of become a leader would be so demanding...?
------
Honeystar sat proudly, her form just as arrogant as it had been during her lifetime. Well that seemed to be something that even death wouldn't change. However, she did shoot a venomous glance at Goldstar, who, too was in the clearing. She would still be leading Mapleclan if it weren't for him. She took all of the other starry cats' criticism with her head held high, yellow tail lashing haughtily.
"Like it or not, that was my decision. I won't change it. So suck it up."
She snapped, her tongue clearly just as sharp.

[*Sinister*Dreams*]

Goldstar smiled lightly at Talonfang, dipping his head.

"Not easy, eh? Despite the fact you are not of PewterClan, I knew what I was doing. No time to explain, however."

He awaited Talonfang to catch his breath, before nodding curtly and continuing on.

"With this life I give you nobility, certainty, and faith. Use it well as you lead your Clan in the ways of StarClan and the warrior code."

He smiled gently again, as he knew this life would be the hardest yet. "I hail you by your new name, Talonstar. Your old life is no more. You have now received the nine lives of a leader, and StarClan grants to you the guardianship of PewterClan. Defend it well; care for the young and old; honor your ancestors and the traditions of the warrior code, and live each life with pride and dignity."

He backed down with the traditional words, content that his business on earth was complete.

+++++++++++++++

Nimbleflash proceeded through his lives, body now racked with a pain he could no longer conceal as easily. In finalty, he awaited Honeystar, eyes gleaming in...Fear? Oh how easily he could mess this up...

[H-a-w-k-i-e]

With a defiant glance at the other Starclan cats, Honeystar pushed herself to her paws, head and tail high, before coming to a stop in front of Nimbleflash, golden gaze searing. Dying hadn't changed much; the she-cat was just as arrogant as ever.
"Afraid? Wondering why I chose you?"
Her face only mouse-lengths away from the tom, her cool breath could be felt, daring him to ask. It wasn't time to let everyone know yet, just as Goldstar was refusing to tell Talonfang why he'd chose him.
"With this life I give you nobility, certainty, and faith. Use it well as you lead your Clan in the ways of StarClan and the warrior code.
Giving him only a brief moment to catch his breath, the former Mapleclan leader continued.
"I hail you by your new name, Nimblestar. Your old life is no more. You have now received the nine lives of a leader, and StarClan grants to you the guardianship of Mapleclan. Defend it well; care for the young and old; honor your ancestors and the traditions of the warrior code, and live each life with pride and dignity