Blazesong woke up by the shimmering stream, surrounded by a general feeling of contentness and warmth. Her fur tingled; she knew she must have arrived in StarClan. Out of the shadows, a massive pale ginger tom stepped forward, fixing Blazesong in his gaze. Suddenly, she found herself becoming afraid. “Do not be afraid,” he said, as if he had read her mind. “I am Lionstar. You are safe here. Welcome to StarClan, and welcome to this very special ceremony. You are not only a leader of your clan, but a founder, a figure who will go down in history. The legacy you make, though, will be your own. We are here to guide you, and provide you the abilities to make the best possible choices for you and your clan. Beyond that, it is up to you.” The tom nodded to the shadowy figures, and then turned back to Blazesong, his green eyes alight. “Are you ready?” Somehow clawing courage out of the depths of her soul, she nodded. Lionstar stepped to her side, and the first cat came to approach her. A sleek calico appeared out of the shadows, tail swaying in the warm StarClan breeze. “Greetings, Blazesong. My name is Vixenheart. During my time with my clan, I threw myself into a rushing river to save two kits from drowning. They survived while I died. With this life, I give you the power of endless courage for your clan, and the willingness to give everything for them if it is so required.” She then touched her nose to Blazesong’s. She felt a blazing fire burn through her limbs, an agonizing flame coupled with the feeling and conviction that she could do anything. Just as she thought the flames might burn her alive, they stopped, as quickly as they arrived. The next cat stepped out of the shadows, a dark brown tabby with piercing amber eyes. His meow was almost a dull roar. “My name is Darknight,” he began, speaking slowly. “When I was alive, I found my loyalties split between my clan, and a she-cat from another clan. With this life, I give you the power to make decisions, and to follow your heart alongside your head when you do so.” Darknight then reached out, and touched his nose to Blazesong. She felt as though she was being torn in two, flashing lightning splitting her body in half, with one side feeling the flames of passion, and the other feeling the intense rigid nature of law and tradition. She thought she might split apart and die, but slowly, the pain subsided and healed itself. As Darknight turned away, he glanced over his shoulder to deliver one final word. “Remember the right way is not always the easy one.” Then, he disappeared into the murky shadows, only his eyes visible in the beyond. A lithe silver she-cat appeared next, barely looking older than a kit, but her eyes betraying that she was wise beyond her years. She had to look up to speak to Blazesong.”My name is Silverpaw. In my time with my clan, I was known for my playfulness and ability to work with others. However, I was killed saving my clanmates from a badger attack, while giving them directions of a secret way out of camp. With this life, I give you the gift of ingenuity. Use it to your advantage to think beyond the reasonable answer, and to realize the best choice isn’t always the obvious one.” Silverpaw reached up on her toes, gently tapping her nose to Blazesong’s. A hot flash of energy filled the weary she-cat’s body, making her feel as though she was full of mice. Idea after idea, game after game, flashed in her mind—it was as though she was watching every kit that had ever been born playing. The ideas filled her brain and her body, and her paws couldn’t stop twitching, as though she wanted to join them. Quick as the urge had come, it faded, along with the warm face of Silverpaw. Next came a massive lumbering tabby, turning to face Blazesong almost lazily. “My name is Sunbelly,” he began. “With my clan,I was known for bringing joy and happiness to every event I could. With this skill, I saved my clan from what whould’ve been a vicious and bloody battle. If you have nothing else at your disposal, with this life, I give you a quick wit, and the ability to see every situation with an open-mind. Use it well.” He gently rested his nose against hers, and she suddenly felt as light as a balloon. She felt like she could float gently alongside the sun, seeing every small speck float on below her as though they could never touch her, never reach her. She came crashing down back to the ground in what felt like an instant. Sunbelly looked at her warmly, almost with a sense of pity, and turned away. Next, a tiny she-cat stepped forward, and for a moment, her heart broke. How many young cats live in StarClan? she lamented as the brown she-cat approached. “My name is Fawnstar,” she began, and Blazesong nearly felt her legs buckle. Star? This cat was a leader? “Many cats in my clan underestimated my abilities because of my size and my gender. Rather than attack them, I showed them never-ending kindness and grace, and earned my place in my clan as one of the best leaders they have ever known.” She suppressed a small smile, slightly embarrassed, before going on. “With this life, I give you kindness. An ability to understand where other’s are coming from, and to see beyond their issues and misunderstandings, can go a long way in founding a clan.” With that, she touched her nose to Blazesong’s. She felt like a rush of warm water filled her limbs; everything felt light, airy, easily understood. She felt as though she could look even a fox in the eyes and understand where they’re coming from. She wanted nothing more than to love and to be loved. She tried to hold on to the feeling for a moment longer, but Fawnstar pulled away. She glanced at her knowingly before she turned again into the shadows. A large, terrifying gray tabby stepped solemnly out of the shadows next. He fixed her in his gaze, a fierce stare that would’ve killed her if looks could kill. He did not waste time mincing words. “I am Stonetooth, the founder of the modern medicine cat position. I was known for my vast knowledge of herbs and intimate connection with StarClan. With this life, I give you wisdom. Use it well.” Blazesong felt an immense wave crash into her; she was nearly drowning in knowledge. Her head was spinning, barely able to keep herself afloat. Just as she thought she’d drown, the waves threw her back onto the shore, and they subsided. He stepped away into the shadows without a single look back. Blazsong shivered involuntarily. She did not care for that cat at all. Lionstar stepped forward with a knowing glance. Before he could speak, though, Blazesong spoke. “That’s only 7 lives, and with yours, only 8. Who is to give me my 9th? Have I upset StarClan?” Lionstar gazed at her knowingly. “You will know soon enough.” He continued on without another thought. “In my life, I was one of the founders of the warrior code. I helped come up with its foundation, and guided the future writers of the code with my voice and influence from beyond. With this life, I give you the knowledge of the warrior code, the wisdom to apply it, and the distinction to know when it should not be applied.” Lionstar stepped forward, dipping his massive head to touch her nose. They touched like a crash of lightning and fire—she felt rigid, assured, nothing less than alive. It was the first time she felt like a true leader—a founder. Lionstar stepped away from her side, and Blazesong swiveled her head, seeking the ranks of glowing eyes. Was this it? No, it wasn’t. A beautiful brown she-cat with white spots stepped out of the shadows, and Blazesong felt her heart shatter. It was Doestep—her mother. “Mom,” she whispered, heart breaking. Doestep looked at her calmly.”I am so proud of you, Blazesong. You have done well without us. I walk the stars of your old clan and your new. I am not gone, merely watching. With this life, I give you true love—the love of a mother over her kits, the love of a daughter for her mother, the love a mate my have for another.” She purred. “I have no doubt you will be able to apply it beautifully.” Blazesong dashed forward, eager to receive this life. What she did not expect is how much it would hurt. Although there was an undercurrent of softness, love was rough—it was grating, full of heartbreak and hard decisions. Love was not a guarantee, not assured, but out of all the lives she had received it was the most powerful. When Doestep finally pulled away, Blazesong panted in exhaustion. “I love you,” Doestep whispered, before joining the ranks of StarClan again. “Blazestar! Blazestar!” They cried out, celebrating her new life. She filled with joy, with elation—she had earned her name, finally. She was no longer Blazesong. She was Blazestar, founder of Flameclan, and soon to be one of the best leaders StarClan had ever known.