Midnightrain awoke on a starlit beach.

"Sunshine?" she called out. "Foxhunt? Lavenderhaze?"

"Midnightrain."

She turned to see Swiftstar sitting beside the water, tail flicking in the lapping waves.

"Oh...oh no. No. I'm not dead. I have to go back," Midnightrain cried. "I have to go back!"

"Calm yourself," Swiftstar said.

Behind her, the other StarClan cats swirled into view.

"Midnightrain," Swiftstar began. "You have the heart and soul of a leader. Though you are young, you are strong and smart. I give you a life for flexibility, so that you can change your plans if they go wrong."

Midnightrain stepped back, shocked into silence.

Goldrush stepped out from behind Swiftstar. "My daughter," she purred. "You have proven your skill in battle. But battle is not all there is. I give you a life for love, so that you may rule the Clan with warmth."

She touched her nose to Midnightrain's. A feeling of warmth and safety washed over the black she-cat.

The next cat to come forward was Flyingspark, the old medicine cat of SwiftClan. "I give you a life for acceptance, to let go of the past when you need to." When she touched her nose to Midnightrain's, Midnightrain felt a sharp stab of pain, which dulled to the ache of tired muscles.

Redheart smiled down at her.

"Redheart!" Midnightrain mewed. "I−I'm sorry I couldn't..." she trailed off, unsure how to apologize for failing to save the elder.

"I don't hold it against you," Redheart said. "Midnightrain, I give you a life for forgiveness. For other cats, and for yourself."

Next was the old lavender she-cat who'd sat beside Swiftstar at her warrior ceremony−Folklore. "I give you a life for wisdom," she meowed gruffly. "You get one shot to lead the Clan. Don't screw it up." She touched her nose to Midnightrain's and Midnightrain's head throbbed with pain. So many paths. So many choices.

Fearless, the cream she-cat who'd sat on the other side of Swiftstar, stepped forward, green eyes shining like she knew a secret. "I give you a life for good judgement. While every cat deserves a chance, there's a limit to how many they get." Her shoulders slumped briefly, like she'd made that mistake before. She touched her nose to Midnightrain's, and Midnightrain felt a weight settle on her shoulders. It was so heavy, nearly crushing her, before it suddenly disappeared, leaving a feeling like a healing cut.

The next cat was Reputation, the dark gray she-cat who'd founded the Clan with Swiftstar, Fearless, and Folklore. She scrutinized Midnightrain with dark amber eyes. "I give you a life for revenge," she mewed. "Be a snake in the grass. Don't bite unless some cat steps on you." She touched her nose to Midnightrain's and Midnightrain felt a fire burn in her heart, fueling her every pawstep.

The last cat was Willowstar. "Hello, Midnightrain," he rasped. "I give you a life for perseverance. Never stop fighting." When his nose touched hers, Midnightrain's legs burned like she'd been running for miles. Her knees almost buckled, but they held her until the pain faded.

Willowstar stepped back. "I hail you by your new name, Midnightstar. Your old life is no more. With these lives, we trust you with the guardianship of our Clan. Lead it well."