Forcing Myself Forward (FINISHED, 9/9 Lives Obtained)

[Midnight]

For now, Clemintine only. I'll change the title once it's open for more StarClan cats.

Now accepting StarClan kitties giving lives. c:

---

At dawn, Briarclaw had set off, traveling down TalonClan's territory to the Skyfield. She still had yet to name Pebblestar's kittens - there was one exception, however.

When Briarclaw had reached the area in which Pebblestar had kitted, her litter definitely wasn't in perfect shape. Briarclaw wondered how they managed to live, in fact, and she began to wash them, waiting for another cat to help her take them, hoping desperately that they'd survive the journey.
Upon first seeing the kittens, Briarclaw's eyes darted about, doing a quick mental check of each kitten. The first one that caught her eye was a little brown she-cat, who she promptly named Pebblekit, in honor of her mother. Although Pebblekit didn't really look like Pebblestar, at least coat-wise, there was something about her that reminded Briarclaw of her mother, and it was sort of an impulsive thing.

Several hours had passed since dawn, and Briarclaw had finally reached the Skyfield. An endless stretch of bright green grass and various flowers spread out before her. A small hole indicated the tunnel that would quickly widen into an odd, cave-like underground clearing. Briarclaw took a deep breath and bounded forward, slowing to a cautious walk as she entered the tunnel. One couldn't be too careful, what with murderous MidnightClanners on the loose.

Briarclaw padded on through the Skyfield, the brightness of the center stone blinding her momentarily. Her eyes narrowed and she settled down, taking another deep breath, this one very shaky, before closing her eyes and resting her nose on the stone, letting darkness envelop her.

When she opened her eyes, Briarclaw was in StarClan's hunting grounds.

[Clemintine]

Pebblestar had quickly excepted what had happened to her. She put all her faith in Briarclaw knowing she would choose the right path to make other believe TalonClan was a true Clan. The Starclanner stood tall -even with her still short legs- and stared forward knowing it wouldn't belong before the deputy made her way to become a leader. She was right, heh, it was nice to be knowing.

Pebblestar felt a sting hit her as she saw the deputy, the last place she had saw her was at the battle and that was only for a second. She thought of Briarclaw watching her die in the middle of Midnightclan. The StarClan leader felt very emotional and blinked quickly smiling at her. "BriarClaw." She said her name gently trying to fight back the tears. She took a step forward becoming closer to her, and then had to pause trying to be serious "I see you made it just fine, I knew you would." She wanted to ask about the Clan, about her kits but now wasn't the time nor would it ever be.

"I have high hopes for you Briarclaw, I know you will do what is right for the Clan and lead them well. Don't allow others to guide your path for you. Trust in yourself and most importantly trust in StarClan. I will be here to help you as you go about your way, each time you lose a life or need me dearly I will be here, however there isn't much I can do other than give you wisdom." Pebblestar took a few more steps forward now a mere two mice lengths away. It was kinda spooky.. being dead.. and talking to a live cat.. perhaps all Starclanners were mad and just missed loved ones so they pretended. Despite Pebblestar still acting the same on the inside she tried to be strong and leader like on the outside.

She breathed in deeply "I suppose it's time... TalonClan will be needing you now more than they ever needed me. Use these lives for good not evil, don't be afraid to die for the Clan.. Briarstar." The leader leaned in touching her nose to the deputy a dim light growing brighter between them before becoming blinding as they touched. Pebblestar stepped back a few tears escaping as she smiled and bowed her head.


OOC: T_T Can't take these threads so sad and emotional

[Midnight]

This thread is now open. Throw those lives at Briarclaw!

---

Briarclaw was numb. She guessed that Pebblestar would be there to greet her, but she didn't think about how it would feel. This wasn't the last time that Briarclaw would see Pebblestar, as the previous leader would more than likely visit her in dreams to guide her, and Briarclaw would be able to visit StarClan whenever she needed advice, but that wasn't enough. There would no longer be any casual chats or going and hunting together. Briarclaw hadn't just lost a leader - she'd lost a friend.

Too choked up to speak, Briarclaw only dipped her head. There was too much to say, and there would probably never be a good enough time to say it. A chill ran down her spine when Pebblestar called her "Briarstar". It didn't feel right.

Forty moons ago, a pretty, dainty tortoiseshell she-cat by the name of Limey gave birth in LeafClan's nursery. She'd been a kittypet, then left to be with her mate, who soon disappeared. Alone and afraid, the she-cat joined LeafClan, hoping that her kittens would have a good life there. Unfortunately, she knew not of the tragedy of Silverstar, the ruthless leader of the Clan at that time.

Not long after Limey hopped into LeafClan, Firekit, Flamekit, Rowankit, and Briarkit were born. Firekit didn't make it to apprenticehood. Limey left during her kittens' apprentice ceremonies, knowing they'd be safe, promising she'd return when she found their father. Flamekit grew to a warrior, but disappeared at some point after. Rowankit was later named Rowanwhisker, and although he stuck to LeafClan, he attacked Silverstar during the first battle with TalonClan, and was exiled. He began life as a loner.

Briarkit grew to Briarpaw, and later became Briarclaw. Her best friend, Dovetalon, had died after delivering a litter of kittens, and had requested one last thing: For her kits to be out of LeafClan as soon as possible. Briarclaw followed through with this wish as best she could, taking Tinypaw and Wolfpaw out of LeafClan with her, while Cherrypaw felt held down by her responsibilities as a medicine cat apprentice. Briarclaw took the young apprentices to TalonClan, where they all swore loyalty and never looked back.

Many moons later, after the death of one of the early deputies, Briarclaw was named deputy.

And now, after StarClan knew how long, Briarclaw was standing in the Skyfield, receiving a life (which, by the way, was shockingly painful), her memories flashing before her all at once, as she was about to receive her next eight lives.

"T-thank you." Briarclaw managed to mutter, watching miserably as Pebblestar backed away.

How was she going to do this?

[Wolf]

A beautiful long furred tortoiseshell she-cat approached the new TalonClan leader, her long dappled tail sweeping behind her. "Hello Briarclaw," She purred. "My name is Rainshadow. Like you, I was born from a non-Clan mother, though I died long before you came into the forest. I have been watching you with great interest and I am proud to have watched you rise to lead your Clan." Rainshadow mewed, her voice gentle and loving like a mother to a kit.

"With this life, I give you fair judgement. Use it well to understand where cats have come from and where their hearts may lead them." She touched her nose to Briarclaw's with a soothing purr, sympathizing with the pain that came with the life before passing away to watch the rest of the ceremony.

[Midnight]

Briarclaw blinked warmly at Rainshadow as the tortoiseshell approached. Her loyalty to LeafClan had been questioned often in her young days, but in TalonClan, a Clan originally made up of loners, rogues, and kittypets, Briarclaw felt safe. She would have liked to heard Rainshadow's story (in spite of the she-cat's apparent youth, Briarclaw had a feeling that there was a lot to this cat), and was hit with a pang of sadness when she remembered that all of these cats were no longer living, and although they would walk alongside Briarclaw when necessary, it was still horrifying. Everything had changed too fast.

The feline's claws sank into the ground, as the life passed on to Briarclaw made her feel ablaze, a sharp heat coursing through her veins, a feeling akin to adrenaline. Briarclaw took a deep breath, her eyes scanning the crowd for the next cat.

[Deku]

OOC: First time giving a life...

IC:

A brown tom with glistening yellow eyes stepped out next. He stared quietly at the to-be leader of TalonClan, but his gaze was not menacing for his eyes were filled with hope. "Briarstar," he dipped his head to the she-cat, "I am Sorrelwhisker, formerly of MidnightClan. I may not be of TalonClan, but I would be honored to give you a life." He paused, his whiskers twitching. "I give you a life of courage, that you may lead and defend your clan bravely in battle." After those words, he gently pressed his nose against hers then stepped back to let another cat give a life.

[Icestorm]

Icestorm watched with love in her eyes as Pebblestar gave a life of wisdom to the warrior in front of her,  Rainshadow gave her a life of fair judgement, and then again as Sorrelshisker gave her a life of courage . The long furred queen stepped forward bowing to the tortoiseshell she-cat. "Hi Briarclaw. I'm Icestorm" Even though the lilac silver she-cat was young her voice still carried a motherly tone. "I raised my kits, lost my first mate, and kitted my last litter," her yellow eyes shined with love as she smiled at the mention of her kits, "I went through a lot of pain in my life. but it was all for those I love and cared for." The young queen felt a wave of memory hit her, as she took a deep breath. The pain of what her body went through shook her to the core still in Starclan. No warrior should feel what she did. "I gave my life to my kits. So they may grow strong and live happily."

The young queen stepped closer to Briarclaw, with a warm motherly smile and soft eyes. "Briarclaw with this life I give you the fierce love of a mother." Icestorm moved to touch her nose knowing the pain to come, the pain of a mother's love.

[Midnight]

The name "Briarstar" was going to take a lot of getting used to.

Come to think of it, the new leader would have to select a deputy, and that would mean a giant load off her shoulders. The days of covering for Pebblestar as both deputy and half-leader while she was nursing, and later, when she was busy being held hostage, had prepared Briarclaw for this. She'd never expected to live to see the day when it actually came.

Oh, but what if her deputy didn't manage to do everything right? What about the saying "if you want something done right, you have to do it yourself"? Briarclaw kneaded the ground in anticipation, forcing herself to stop when the tom claimed he was once of MidnightClan. A growl grew in her throat, but Briarclaw calmed herself before it could develop too much; this tom was of StarClan, and in StarClan, there were no rivalries.

The life that the brown tom gifted was of courage, and Briarclaw felt a relieving wave of strength wash over her. She dipped her head in thanks to him and waited.

---

Briarclaw flinched as this next cat, a queen named Icestorm, spoke to her. The loss of a mate wasn't something that Briarclaw knew directly, but as most Clan cats did, she'd dealt with enough death in her life to understand how traumatizing it could be. Vigils flashed before Briarclaw's eyes, and the yowls of agony from widows made the warrior cringe.

Briarclaw almost yowled as the pain pulsed through her body, shocking her like lightning. The love and pain a mother went through was truly fierce, and Briarclaw gave Icestorm a glance, hoping it communicated her respect for the queen. "Thank you," Briarclaw whimpered, still recovering from the life given to her.

[Falcon]

A large black tom walked through the gathered cats a warm smile on his face "hello Brairstar, my name is Nightcrow, I've been walking among these stars longer then you've been traveling this world I was once in Whisperclan, but my father was a loner, I give you this life with the give of empathy, may you understand others and their pain, for some lead harder lives then you might think" his yellow eyes were filled with the very empathy he had gifted her with as he dipped his large head to press his nose to hers then slipped away among the ranks of his comrades once again

[Midnight]

Nightcrow seemed quite a nice tom. The life of empathy was more painful than Briarclaw had expected, however (she had learned quickly that she needed to start expecting some sort of excruciating pain from each of these lives given, but it still came unexpectedly every time). Briarclaw waved her tail to Nightcrow in gratitude for the life he gave her.

The lives she'd been given so far were beginning to stir, building up a sort of bravery that Briarclaw never knew she had in her. She could do this. She was going to be the leader of TalonClan for, hopefully, many moons, and she was being given the nine lives to do so. It would all work out well.

Right?

[Deleted]

A blackish blue she-cat watched with much intrest. Being very old, it was possible to see through her. Misty had watcged Briaestar go through life. She had seen how much pain thos new leader had experienced. She stared at the new leader, Briarstar, seeing how Briarstar would react to the lives. She could visbaly see that the queen's life was more painful then every else cats. Not surprising. but now it was time for Misty to give her life. She stepped forward, her head raised a little. She stared at Briarstar for a moment. "My name is Misty. I have lived in the skys for many seasons. I was once a StormClan cat, however, like you, I do not have clan blood. In fact, I was the age of a middle aged warrior before I actually joined StormClan," She murmured. Misty took a deep breath before finally speaking again. "I give you a life today. With this life, Briarstar, I give you boundless energy. Life as leader will be hard and tedious. It will certaintly tire you out. but I have confidence that you will push through till your very last breath," she proclaimed. The she-cat stepped back to let another cat go.

[Lionhearted]

The silver tabby tom padded forward after Misty, his green eyes emotionless but shining. "My name is Kestrelpelt," he said, dipping his head. "I was a Clan cat through and through, but I was killed by my best friend, who now lives in the Place of No Stars. She adored me, but I love Kira, the loner whom I helped. With this life, I give you loyalty to what is right to you. You know your place, Briarclaw," he said, looking at her intensely, as if trying to solve a puzzle. However, he showed no feelings in his gaze. "Listen to your heart. Let it guide you, and whatever the outcome, know that it was you who decided upon it. Don't let others get in the way of your leadership."

[Babylonranger]

A long-furred blue-gray tom with a white mantle and white left hindpaw stepped forward hesitantly, his brown eyes shining. "Hello, Briarstar," he said kindly. "In life, I was Juniperpaw of Midnightclan. I brought about my own death through my foolishness, and so left my sister to become embittered and focused on revenge." The former apprentice closed his eyes in regret, remembering falling through the ice while Blueshade - then Bluepaw - begged the Stormclan patrol to save her brother. "With this life, I wish to give you forgiveness, so you may bring healing to our clans."

Juniperpaw moved forward to touch his nose to the new leader of Talonclan, tears falling down his cheeks. "I'm deeply sorry for what happened," he whispered before returning to stand with the rest of Starclan.

[Isilme]

Sheepflower had been walking in those gardens forever, everything looked the same and it brought her so much peace of mind that the she cat could barelly describe it, the silver tabby purred happily after seeing a particular beautiful purple flower until she saw a commotion going on, what was happening? The she cat approached curious just to see Talonclan leader, Pebblestar, wait, she was... Realization feel upon her and then she looked at the former deputy Briarclaw, now being named Briarstar and after listenning to each cats words she took a step foward and warm smile gracing her features. "Hello Briarstar! You probably don´t know me but I remember you from the gatherings, my name is Sheepflower and I was murdered right after giving birth, I came here to present you with your last life and a gift of faith, for even dead I have faith in my family and my clan to help my kits grow into good warriors." With these words she touched the new leader forehead and a bright but soft light was made present between them.

[Midnight]

Briarclaw watched as a blue-black she-cat approached her. This cat, too, shared her non-Clan background, and Briarclaw was a bit surprised that there were that many cats out there that were like this. During her time in LeafClan, no outsiders were accepted, because Silverstar was a self-righteous, disgusting, exclusive, foxheart. TalonClan had to be strong, but all of these cats had strengths, so what was the point in excluding? After all, a loner kit today could be a leader tomorrow.

The life of boundless energy felt like a mighty wind, nearly knocking Briarclaw to the ground. For a moment, she felt like she could run from TalonClan to the Pond of Truce and not feel tired in the least. Briarclaw felt dizzy after that, closing her eyes and shaking her head.

---

Kestrelpelt was next, and he, like several of the others, told an eye-opening story. A cat who'd killed... their best friend? It was surely a relief to know that she rested in the Dark Forest, yet that wasn't very comforting all the same. Briarclaw held Kestrelpelt's gaze and listened carefully, knowing that there was a lot of experience to back up his words. She took the life of loyalty proudly, knowing she'd use it well. The life came as a smack, as though she'd been hit by a twoleg monster, and Briarclaw wondered momentarily if any of her bones had been broken from it. "Thank you, Kestrelpelt."

---

Briarclaw was about to receive her final life very soon. She felt ready to take on the entire world. The second-to-last cat was a blue-gray tom, a previous apprentice of ... none other than MidnightClan. How fitting. The she-cat narrowed her eyes at him, before squeezing them shut to start over, so to speak. Briarclaw felt guilty for how often she'd had to remind herself that this was supposed to be a peaceful land.

The life of forgiveness made her shudder, misery crushing her as though she was being buried alive. "For someone so young, you had to go through a lot. I'm sorry, and thank you." Briarclaw said as the tom walked away, hoping desperately that Juniperpaw had heard her.

---

The final cat came, and Briarclaw was grateful. This whole ceremony was a lot to take in, and Briarclaw definitely needed some time to rest after everything that had happened. She felt like she needed to keep working, but her nest in the warriors' den was calling her. She would have to go out and get some bedding for her new den (unless some kind Clanmates had done so for her), but that was later. As the silver tabby queen approached, Briarclaw purred contentedly.

The life of faith was blinding, stunning more than painful, and unique. "I'm sorry for your loss, Sheepflower." Briarclaw dipped her head appreciatively.

---

Briarclaw scanned the clearing, looking at the innumerable starry warriors before her. A few kits sat in the front row of the crowd, some queens nearby, an apprentice here and there.

It was going to be a long and arduous journey, but it was the path that StarClan had chosen for Briarclaw, and she accepted that. It would take a lot of getting used to, but she had plenty of time to get accustomed to it. She had the support of StarClan, and knowing that the cats who gave her lives today, among many others, would always be by her side was one of the most comforting things to TalonClan's new leader.

Leader.

"I am Briarstar, leader of TalonClan." Briarstar announced proudly, standing tall, for all of StarClan to see. "I will serve my Clan well with the lives of goodness, fair judgment, courage, motherly love, empathy, energy, loyalty, forgiveness, and faith that you have gifted me. Thank you, all of you." Briarstar dipped her head to the cats of StarClan, settling down and closing her eyes once again.

---

Briarstar awoke underneath the Skyfield, rose and stretched, then bounded off, beginning her life as TalonClan's leader.