[ShadowsongxDirestar] A star is born

[EvilSilverDragon]

Leaders and Medicine cats do not speak of the Moonpool much. Only by virtue of it being in her clan's territory did Shadowsong even know where it might be in the first place. Rockclan lost its Leader, Deputy and Medicinecat all in one night. Upon wakening she was named the new Leader and justly told to leave by Brightstar.

The dark shecat held no grudge against the respected Lightningclan Leader. Rather, she agreed with the other shecat. With no hesitation she called the cats loyal to her, lead the warriors home to make Rockclan suitable for a new clan. She kept her word, by moonrise the newly formed Riverclan went home. Only, she wasn't there with them their first night. Left behind was her chosen Deputy, Wildflower.

There was a task of her, one she knew so little about there was a question of if she knew anything at all. There was something about going to the Moonpool, ease enough, and then there was a blank. Brightstar seemed to have faith in her, or just wanted her clan out. Jaggedstar certainly never prepared her for this.Then again, it was only after going to Lightning that she became the true warrior she was today. There was a strong possibility he never even considered she would be in this situation without anyone to help her.

"Silent still, Jaggedstar?" Perhaps it is sacrilegious to 'talk' to a Starclan cat. Oh she didn't know how this was supposed to go!

The shecat's paws hesitated in her path upstream and she briefly started turning on her self, rearing back and walking back a pace then repeating several times. Having Wildflower or Darktail with her would be so much better. But then, she thought as she sat down with her ears flat, they would see her. They would also hear her talking to herself and the display she showed was not the Leader they needed. Forestclan preserve her.

Breathing deeply again, she started once more towards the Moonpool. Sound of the rushing water off the cliff into the pool below became louder, did a lovely job of drowning out her doubts. This was where the clans went to speak with the Starclan, would there even be anyone there for her?

Her luck she was supposed to be at some log in the middle of Lightning clan.

Letting out a deep breath, Shadowsong found the narrow path leading to the pool. The rocks dimpled with countless generations of paw prints all going down the same way. Her paw landed in one paw print slightly bigger than her own and she paused again. Just who was the cat that this print belonged? Was it Jaggedstar, Direstar or even Honeystar? Maybe a cat she had never heard of, maybe none Forestclan.

There was only one way to know for sure, she kept down the path. Her steps showed more confidence than she felt. A strong heart lead her paws while her brain spun its wheels.

At the bottom she found the pool reflecting the Moon above. It earned its name, that was without a doubt.

"Okay," Her words came out far quieter and higher pitched than she was expecting. Looking up at the Silverpelt, she silently prayed for guidance, "Direstar, if you can hear me, I don't know what I am supposed to do. There is no Leader, Deputy or Medicine cat to explain." Granted he knew that, made sure of that by his own paws in the case of Jaggedstar.

Here is hoping, crouching down beside the pool, she drank from the waters and fell asleep with the deep hope that what little she knew would be enough. There might have been a sliver of hope that Starclan wouldn't desend and attack her while she was here. That one was so deep she'd never admit it.

Valdmir Talamore

I am hoping this is right, as she Shadowsong, this rp is attempting the Leader Ceremony

 

[caffeinecraving]

It wasnt direstar who answered the young cat's call. Instead it was an old tom cat who seemed to carry the weight of the world with every step. He made his way forward to greet the shecat and sat with his tail curled about him. For a moment there was silence. And then he spoke.

"Shadowsong, Im Forgottentrail." His tail overly fluff flicked lazily and then looked over the car present. "Direstar apologizes that he couldnt be here himself, it appears he was needed else where but while he is busy, im here to answer your questions and give you the lives you deserve as a true leader."

He met the she-cats eyes and she would find the depths of starclan in his eyes. He gave a soft purr and then flicked his ear. "So.... You dont know what to do and you feel lost.. Well you are at the right place, Mooncave is neutral ground where there is peace.... always," It was the only absolute rule both starclan and forestclan upheld together.

"Direstars choice was made out of necessity. Of course the clans are in turmoil and looking for what to do, but we have faith in you.... Your clan has faith in you... that is what matters. And soon life will fall back into a normal routine"

He nodded. "So shall we get started... standing on ceremony... Do you Shadowsong of Riverclan promise to uphold the warrior code as presented by Forestclan?" He stopped to let her speak.  

[EvilSilverDragon]

All at once, Shadowsong shifted from tense to relaxed in a rolling wave. This was yet another tom she didn't know in a string of unknown cats as of recent. It wasn't immediately clear which of the celestialclans he belonged. For all she knew there was more than two given before last moon there had only be one that she was aware.

He introduced himself, Forgottentrail, so there was that. Releasing a deep breath, she allowed herself to feel more assured that at least she had the right clan cat. She needed answers and he just might be able to give them to her.

It was good to know that the mooncave was safe ground. When that information might be needed was yet to be determined but certainly would be useful.

Normal routine, that is a nice thought. They had started, she lead her clan to their own territory and would start to mark it to cement that claim. "We have our home, Riverclan has remade itself and separated from Lightningclan." Through blood and conflict the Rockclan is no more; however, the goals still were met. Two clans stood where one had been made of both.

Ceremony, right....What was that? Beneath her fur there was a game of muscle battle. Natural behavior called for a head tilt yet that really didn't seem like the sort of behavior expected of a leader. "By your forgiveness, Forgottentrail, but what is the Code of Forestclan? I know the Code of Starclan and that I reject it. Before last moon, I didn't even know the Forestclan existed." It wasn't like she could go backwards, take anything back.

Her question was probably way too late but there hadn't been any chance to ask before all of this. At least, she could know what she was agreeing to.

caffeinecraving

 

[caffeinecraving]

He gave a nod at the news of riverclan splitting off. But at her next statement he couldnt help himself.

He laughed.

It wasnt meant to be disrespectful. "Of course you didnt, why would you?" He swished his tail looking around. "When you caught a mouse in leafbare... when the clan was on the verge of starving who did you call out to? And when another cat was taken away from the clans... who did you silently curse. Starclan..."

"Forestclan is starclan, or we used to be... We are cats who hold different beliefs... Such as if one clan in the middle off leafbare is fat and well fed... then there should be no reason the other is starving... but on the other paw... we also believe in fiercely defended borders." His eyes and all their wisdom looked over the she cat.

"The starclan code.... What do you reject about it?" He would tell her their code for sure but color him curious.  

[EvilSilverDragon]

Her ears went flat when he laughed. To be honest with herself, she recognized the absurdity of it all. The spot of levity allowed her to feel just a bit more at ease with the tom. At least this wasn't all stiff and full of rules no one taught her.

Who did she curse? That one was easy, She blamed the Starclan for the dog attack that claimed so many lives. Their memory haunted her even now, stepping on places where the bodies of her clanmate had laid.

Meeting his eyes, the shecat found herself struggling to speak. How could any cat not get lost just staring in his eyes? There was just a pull there, a pull that followed how he held himself. Authority, wisdom, understanding.

Swallowing, she finally found herself able continue, "My friend fell in love with a cat from another clan. By Starclan Code their feelings are wrong and their kits are taboo. I reject any Code that can look at love and call it wrong. If a cat is made conflicted about fighting, I would rather than sit out the battle than live tormented. We wouldn't have feelings if they are wrong." At least, that was her thoughts on the matter.

This was the part where he told her that the Forestclan thought cross-clan cats are wrong too. Probably put her paw in her mouth with that one. There wasn't anything else in the Starclan Code that she objected to as much as its restriction on love and who was allowed to even dare to love.

caffeinecraving

 

[caffeinecraving]

He listened, no judgement to be found, just interest in her story. He flicked his tail and nodded. "Thats the rule most of us find wrong, however... it is called the Warrior code for a reason, in that it aims to protect a cat as a warrior... and not as a cat. However, Forestclan allows for feelings." HE nodded.

"The clan that Forestclan follows is the starclan code... with small amendments. We think of it as we fixed what was wrong with their code." He tipped his head as he pondered. "Defend your clan as you would your own kits. Your clan is above friendships, however on a battle field if there is a different target then take that one" He waited for her to nod or show she understood. "We allow for love between two cats of different clans, but loyalty to the clan should be equal to that of your mate and if blessed with kits, they remain with the clan they are born into. Love them from your own clan."

HE waited only a moment to make sure she understood and then continued. "Fight for your right to live, Go were the prey is, defend your land of course but if there is no prey in the territory go where it is... Eat when you are hungry, without strong warriors then everyone dies.... So having strong elders kits and queens isnt the smartest plan.... If warriors give all the prey away... then the whole clan could die, instead of a few." He didnt seem like that was his favorite rule but he just looked at her with those pools of silverpelt and then continued.

"Forestclan allows prey to be killed for the purpose of practice...." He shrugged not knowing why they would waste prey but it was allowed. "Starclan got one thing right and kits must be 6 moons to become an apprentice but they can start learning how to hunt around camp.... When making apprentices warriors they sit watch, but aside from staying quiet because people are sleeping there is no need to stay silent."


"Your deputy should be announced as soon as possible after the death or retirement of a previous deputy. And they must have had at least one apprentice. Wildflower is a good choice." (not sure if she has but new shop problems for the win xD) "Generally the deputy will become leader in your absence..." death... "however if that deputy is corrupt and the clan refuses them the clan is allowed to pick a new leader."

"Gatherings are sacred and are to be upheld by peace. Boundaries are to be marked and trespassing cats are to be challenged." He frowned but nodded.

"While we support the warrior in hard times... At all times kits in need, pain or danger, must be helped.... once they are safe... then the clan can choose to take them in or not... but if you can help, help..." He raised his chin. "The word of the leader... is the warrior code. If you believe it to be right... it is... "

He pondered a moment and then continued. "A warrior rejects the soft life of a kittypet. And fights with everything in them, if the cat you are fighting doesnt surrender and cant hold their own, death is inevitable. If one clan is in trouble, other clans do not have to use resources to help them. Each clan needs to be strong enough to survive on its own. Clans can help if they choose to though." He looked down. "For a small amount of time...."


"Cats traveling across your territory are to be challenged unless...they are on their way to the mooncave, or delivering a message." Gosh this was a long code, for a clan that decided to be different from starclan they had just as many rules. He flicked his ear a bit, no wonder Direstar sent him.

"Right, Medicine cats can take mates, if a medicine cat needs to take time off to have kits they must ensure their position is covered, by an apprentice or such, though you have Stonebelly so you dont need to worry about this rule currently. On that same note, Sometimes certain Warriors are worth more then other clan cats. Giving your life for another while heroic, is not something to be praised, helping another survive, without the cost of your life, that is to be praised."

He took a breath to continue and stopped. "Thats it... whew... Well the last rule is that... rules are meant to be broken... So there are exceptions to the rules... and all should be treated as individual situations." He nodded. "So on that note.... Do you accept the code?"

(Omg it just keeps going xDD )  

[EvilSilverDragon]

She waits for him to finish his line of thinking with a nod as an indicator. While nodding back, Shadowsong considered to herself that a Warrior is a cat and a cat is a warrior. That is just part of who they are as much as a kit is still a cat and an elder is still warrior. The line of thinking was not so far off base from what he was saying.

Here to listen not to argue, she keeps her mouth shut and just continues to listen. With the clans together for so long, a true battle between the Lightningclan and Riverclan would be impossible not to find a friend on the battle field. That had its own strength, the chances of them actually going to war with each other was next to nill. Not while Brightstar and herself still lived anyway.

Peace may not make for the most battle hardened Warriors but it did lead to the strongest clans. Well fed, safe to grow and practice battles between the clans so they could all get stronger. Any threat to their safety would come from outside, not from between the clans. Even so, she nodded to him in understanding about the picking targets on the battlefield.

Her clan embraced the kits, and Fawnbriar returned to her clan with them. It was right to be of the Forestclan if the Riverclan already lived by most of those rules. She nodded again to show active listening.

One of her ears flicked back and the tip of her tail twitched along with his explanation about strength of the clan in regards to feeding priorities. On one paw it made sense, on the other it would be hard to see a kit go hungry while a Warrior fed. In the case of Bearpaw, it might get a warrior eaten instead.

This was no time for humor!

Evenso, that just told her that as a Leader, she would have to work extra hard to make sure everyone had enough to eat. The priority list wouldn't be a problem if she did her job right. Relieved of that, she again nodded and the twitching stopped.

The Forestclan knew who she named as deputy? The bigger question was why did she find that surprising? Either way, their approval meant enough. When she returned she would tell her Deputy of their approval. At least it meant they were less likely to get their throats ripped out by Direstar. Always a good thing.

There were no medcat apprentices yet, that was another thing she needed to work on. Stonebelly had to pick an apprentice or two to teach. Their clan could not lose medicine if they lost him.

Rather than air her concerns out, she remained silent throughout his explanation. Other than one small part, everything fit with how she already lived her life.

"Thank you for explaining, Forgottenrail. I, Shadowsong of Riverclan accept the Forestclan Code and pledge, on behalf of Riverclan, to follow that Code." The part of the Leader's word being Code was nice in theory, just how it would work once the real leadership began was a 'nother story.

caffeinecraving

 

[caffeinecraving]

The tom could see her emotions on her face, she didnt hide them verywell, but he approved of where she had issues. He personally never liked to see a kit go hungry, and most times it wasnt an issue, but come the freeze of leafbare he wondered how it would work in practicality... but it wasnt for him to question the forestclan code. Especially when the last rule... basically negated the whole list, Same as the starclan code, but again, not his place.

He would have happily talked it all out. But with her continuing on he purred. "Then welcome to Forestclan Shadowsong." The skys exploded with light. The burning of billions of stars. Forestclan, while in possession of the place of no stars... was not singled out by it... They had the blessings of silverpelt too.

As the light brightened shadowsong would notice 8 other cats surrounding them.He nodded his head and stepped back he would be the last to give his life. The first cat she would know, the others possibly not, but Shellsplash stepped forward to begin.  

[EvilSilverDragon]

For a cat that prided herself on being focused and not easily distracted, her eyes jumped sky bound as the stars alighted. It could be the lack of stars previously or lack of paying attention, but the Sliverpelt seemed to leap into being. Not just leap, but leap with a new coat of stars brighter than she had ever seen before.

Admittedly, Shadowstar payed a little more to what was above her than what was around her. Almost wincing at the light, she had to blink a several times past what it would normally take to adjust her vision. She saw the cat approaching her but just couldn't believe her eyes.

That wasn't..there was no way that was...but it looked just like her. Was she really here? Really among the Forestclan? Part of her had just accepted that she would never see her mother gain and yet there she was. It wasn't possible that it was any other cat, even she couldn't exactly believe her eyes.

"Mother? Mother, I did it, I became the Warrior I always told you I would be." She never doubted herself, not once in her life that she would be a great Warrior. Some in her clan might not have believed that but she knew she would be. To actually tell her mother that, for her to see it, this was a dream she didn't know she held.

Ignorant what is involved in the ceremony, she just sat thinking this was just a reunion.

caffeinecraving

 

[caffeinecraving]

Shellsplash just beamed, She had been watching Shadowsong for as long as she had been in forestclan. She nodded but didnt speak just yet. Her head gace the smallest of nods and she waited for Shadowstar to wait a moment. She looked around to all the cats and then moved forward. "Shadowsong, I am so proud of you, and its my honor to be able to give you your first life."She pressed her nose to the top of Shadowsong's head and purred. " With this life, I give you Certainty. Use it well when the path of life splits." The life would flow through her as a warm glow. She gave her one last face rub and then stepped back. It was good to see her daughter, it was the sad state that she was in starclan, but she had been granted the privilege to help with the leadership ceremony for Shadowsong, after this time shadowsong would probably not see her again unless she came to the moonpool, or Shadowsong summoned her in dreams.

They lives continued, Wisdom to know the right answers, Protection for her clan like that of a queen fighting for her kits. Honor to treat all cats with the respect they deserve. The instincts of the ancestors to see farther and hear farther so that she would know when to draw claws. Bloodlust, to never allow a crime to go unpunished.

A cat she may recognize stepped forward, her golden pelt a cloud of fur. Honeystar leaned forward to touch her nose to the shecats head. "With this life, I give you desire and ambition. Use it when you are searching for the right answers, when your wants may be different than what is normal. Clans will fight.... peace, is not always what is right for your clan...." She had seen the closeness of the two leaders and it worried her.

Another cat stepped forward, a small she cat. "Shadowsong, I give you this life, and with it i give you mentoring... Teach the next generation of warriors the ways of forestclan and the ways to be the very best warriors they can be!"

Finally after what would have been a roller coaster of emotions, Forgottentrail stepped back forward and touched her head. "With this life, I give you Forgiveness. Use it to forgive your mistakes and the mistakes of others, forgive the young for being young and forgive the wind when it blows the wrong way.... understand that somethings, are out of your control or.... anyones control... " The life would pass through her, burning loss of friendships that had ended over fights that werent forgiven, shame of making mistakes, to happiness at knowing the world didnt end with that mistake. And then finally safety of a faith rejected only to be reconnected. He swished his tail.

" I hail you by your new name, Shadowstar. Your old life is no more. You have now received the nine lives of a leader, and the Forestclan grants you the guardianship of Riverclan. Defend it well; care for young and old; honor your ancestors and the warrior code; live each life with pride and dignity" He nodded and the chorus of cat voices echoed.

"Shadowstar! Shadowstar!"


Shadowstar would start to feel herself waking up. Forgottentrail spoke. "Remember a new leader is not allowed to tell any cat what happened during the ceremony, with the exception of the medicine cat." His whiskers twitched and his eyes glittered, the deep pools swimming.