[FIN] A New Leader Steps Forth [Skysong x SunClan]

[Blinded By Silence]

One minute, Skysong was sitting on the highest branch she could reach, lifting her face to the sun. In the next, she was standing on the stony shore, liquid sunlight lapping at her paws. She looked around, confused. Skysong opened her mouth, scents both familiar and not flooded over her tongue. Where was she?

"Welcome, Skysong, to the Sun Pool." His voice was young again, no longer bearing the weight of many stressful years, the once-leader held himself with pride. He smiled warmly at his deputy of so little time. "We have brought you here for a very important ceremony." As he spoke, other cats stepped forward. "It has been known that a leader's duty is to be the first into battle and the last one to eat so that their clan may have the strength to flourish. It has been decided that those willing to give their lives for their clan should be able to do so freely. No longer will a clan be left so quickly." He lifted his head, looking to Skysong with a proud smile, "Today, Skysong, you will be given nine lives, so that you may serve your clan to your fullest capabilities." And with that he stepped aside, letting the first cat to approach.  

[caffeinecraving]

Emberkit figured first wasnt the worst place to go. So he trotted forward on his tiny legs. He was fat and healthy, something he never was in the world below. His tiny voice was sure as he spoke. "Skysong, With this life I give you Presence of mind." He frowned. "Live each day as if it is your last, as it could be. Recognize the lives lived by the Elders until their very end and the lives lost too soon... grieve for their loss and rejoice in their time with you... but know that they are with Sunclan and move on to be that much stronger for your clan." He Touched his tiny nose to hers. "Cherish each moment." The life that would rush through her would be painful and heart wrenching full of regret for the life that he didnt get to live.  

[NymiiNym]

She walked with a grace not unique to her death. She had always walked life swiftly and intently, even if she didn't feel decisive. Her path was towards the new leader, who she approved of fondly. Skysong would be an excellent leader, although Morningsky wondered if she was biased. She had her mate back, and he hadn't looked so happy in a long time.

"Skysong, with this life I give you strength in voice." Her own tone was gentle as she leaned forward and touched her nose to hers. "Your decisions and voice is important to the clan and those who rely on you. Sometimes, it will be the only thing protecting them." With this she slid off to the side, allowing the next sunclan cat to approach.

Pebblekit wobbled closer to Skysong, little legs carrying the plump kit far. He settled before Skysong, head lifting towards her face.

"Skysong, with this life I give you perseverance." He stood on his back paws to reach her nose, tapping his gently against hers. "Find the strength to keep pushing onward, even if success doesn't follow."

 

[Tigeria]

Stonepaw trotted with a long proud gait on light paws, straight up to new leader in the making.

"Skysong with this life I give you Independence." He smirked as he touched his nose to hers. "Lead the clan fairly and with no influences other than your own, even when in the middle of many hardships." He nodded to her as he made room for the next sunclan member to approach.

 

[belloblossom]

Blazekit watched as his family greeted the new deputy, one after the next. When it was finally his turn, he rushed up to her, looking so like his namesake, a blazing ball of fluff, finally coming to a halt in front of her.

"Hiya, Skysong!" He purred. "Be sure to watch over Littlepaw and MountainClan--" The sound of someone clearing their throat behind him reminded Blazekit that he wasn't there to chat, but to give Skysong something very important. Raising his thin tail in the air and squaring his small shoulders, he looked up to the silvery she-cat with a grin.

"Skysong," He began again. "With this life, I give you hope! Even in the most desolate of places can you find the sun shining down upon the land and the cats that you lead!" He stood as tall as he could, but when he couldn't reach her nose by stretching, he jumped and bonked his nose against hers. In a rush, a burst of joy would blossom in Skysong's chest and stay as a constant beating warmth.

Grinning up at the leader-to-be, Blazekit nodded proudly and then scampered off to join his mother and brother.  

[belloblossom]

Gingerpaw had died before the loss of their river. She didn't have any epic tale of how she died (she didn't have a typical tail either), she was just a loss in a greencough bout some leaf-bares ago. She was uncertain about how she might give a life to Skysong, since she had no place in the silvery she-cat's life, but she supposed the life she had to give was important enough.

Stepping forward, she looked the she-cat in the eye, just tall enough herself to look like a warrior, even if she had still been in training when she had passed.

"Skysong, with this life, I give you confidence." She pressed her nose to the she-cat's across from her. The force of the life given was strong, such that it could knock a cat off their paws, or leave them feeling winded. When she pulled back, Gingerpaw went on, her eyes shining. "You may face times in which you find yourself wanting to give into doubt. You shall not. Make decisions and do so with confidence and pride, with such certainty in your heart, your Clanmates are sure to follow." With that, she dipped her head and retreated backwards, knowing that soon the ceremony would be over and their new leader presented before them. What a happy time this was, at last.  

[NatiStorm]

The proud warrior held his head high as stepped up to face the snowy she-cat. He was slightly larger than Skysong, more filled out and healthy. Having never experienced malnourishment or starvation in life, when he had died he retained his full figured warrior body, still fit in it's prime.

"Skysong, with this life, I give you courage." With a smile, he gently pressed his nose to hers. "You will be the one the clan looks to in times of trouble and fear. Leading a clan can be scary from time to time but you must not let that fear hinder you. Find the courage within yourself to make hard decisions and lead, to protect the clan from any terror you may face, and to inspire bravery in those around you."  

[caffeinecraving]

Slowly Skysong would see a dark figure move forward. He seemed weary for a sunclan cat. Like he had lived his life and a long afterlife too. But he moved with ease and came forward. He stopped with a flounce and settled in front of the she cat. "Skysong.... What a pleasure to see such a capable cat sitting here before us."

His tail flicked around to all the assembled cats. HE thought for a moment. "With this life i give to you, Faith." He touched his nose to her head. "Faith in Sunclan will sometimes be all you have left... When food is scarce or when there is an enemy you feel you can not win against.... Lean on your Faith and know the Sunclan will be there to help you through it."

He stepped back and nodded looking over her. "Have Faith in us, Sunclan has faith in you."  

[Blinded By Silence]

At last, Sunseer returned, his head lifted and his tail held high. He smiled at Skysong as she caught her breath. "Skysong, with this life I give you selflessness. Think not for yourself, for although the clan needs you, without the clan there is nothing else to live for." The old leader touched his nose to hers and with the final life given, he stepped back to join the others. "I hail you by your new name; Sunsong. Your old life is no more. You have now received the nine lives of a leader, and SunClan grants you the guardianship of MountainClan. Defend it well; care for young and old; honor your ancestors and the traditions of the warrior code; live each life with pride and dignity."

As the nine cats chanted her new name, she felt the exhaustion of each new life melt from her. Her breathing steadied, her heart beat slowed. "Thank you, all of you. I swear, I will live these lives well and serve our clan with honor." She lowered her head and closed her eyes. When she opened them, she was back in the tree. Sunsong breathed deeply, tasting the remnants of the sun on he tongue.