The deputy could only looked at the broken body of her leader, his brown pelt coated with blood.

"Who attacked him?" Frostleaf asked. "A dark brown tom was threatening him," Stagwind replied shakily. "He told me to fetch help and I ran to camp."

Frostleaf turned her gaze to Silvercloud, who was comforting her littermates gently. "I never knew that a leader could lose all his lives at one wound," Grassheart's voice surprised her.

She heard a screech as Webfoot tried to block Russeteyes' way. "Let me see my mate!" she hissed at her oldest kit. She tried to push him away but Webfoot didn't move.

He mewed a few words to his mother that Frostleaf didn't catch, and Russeteyes reluctantly walk back to the elder's den.

"You are our leader now," Grassheart mewed slowly. Frostleaf felt a sudden jolt of terror. I am the leader now, she thought in dismay.

"But I only became deputy a few moons ago," she mewed in fear. "I can't lead the clan like Nightstar or Brownstar."

"You need to have faith in yourself," Appleshade mewed firmly. "Brownstar chose you as deputy, because he believes that you are worthy of his trust. Now, tell the clan."

Her former mentor's words comforted her and she mewed determinedly, "I will do my best." Appleshade nodded in approval as she jumped up the Highledge.

"Let all cats who are old enough to catch their own prey to gather at Highledge for a clan meeting!" she yowled.

After they have all gathered, she announced, "Brownstar is dead." Shocked yowls came from cats who weren't aware, and the ones who knew dipped their heads.

"I will travel to Moonstone tomorrow, and first, I need to appoint a deputy to be in charge of the camp," she mewed.

The clan's quiet muttering hushed down as Frostleaf spoke, "I say these words before StarClan, so that they would hear and approve of my choice. Appleshade will be the new deputy of ThunderClan."

"Appleshade! Appleshade!" they yowled in approval.

Appleshade looked surprised as she mewed, "I promise to serve the clan as deputy fairly and the best I could."

Frostleaf nodded at her mentor as the sky began to grow dark.

~~~~

"Are you ready?" Stagwind asked Frostleaf as they stood in front of Mothermouth. "Yes," she replied as much confidence she could summon out.

"Follow my scent trail," she instructed, walking in the dark tunnel. The soil under her paws were colder than snow, and she wondered if she could really do it.

When they reached the cavern, the Moonstone shone so bright that Frostleaf felt awed at it.

"Touch your nose to Moonstone and StarClan will give you sleep for you to meet with them," Stagwind mewed.

Frostleaf did as she was told and felt the coldness of the Moonstone before falling asleep.

When she woke up, she found herself in Fourtrees, and the warriors of StarClan were coming down to meet her.

"Frostleaf, are you ready to receive your nine lives?" they all spoke at the same time.

"Yes," she replied.

The first cat stepped forward. Her blue fur shone with stars as Frostleaf recognised the she-cat. "Bluewhisker," she whispered.

"With this life I give you kinship. Remember the kin around you and protect them from dangers," she announced.

When Bluewhisker touched noses with her, Frostleaf felt as if a jolt of lightning had struck her, and she recognise the fierceness to protect her own kin, even at the cost of her own life.

The pain fadded away as the next cat stepped forward. It was Redfur, Goldenfeather's and Patchheart's littermate.

The tom touched his nose with hers. "With this life I give you love. Don't fear the feeling of it, it will give you new strength in yourself."

Frostleaf expected less pain, but it was even more. She felt her mind's confusion and when it ended, she was gasping for breath.

Redfur gave her a solemn look. "You always known who you truly love," he whispered as the next cat stepped forward.

It was Stoneclaw, the ShadowClan warrior that killed Ravenkit. But no hate rushed over her as he gave her the life.

"With this life I give you mercy. Always show mercy to anyone, even to your most bitter enemy," he spoke.

The life that she received was filled with agony. She felt hungry dark waves threatening to shallow her, but she felt a strange sense of calmness.

As he stepped back, Frostleaf braced herself for the pain of receiving another life. The next cat who stepped forward was Ravenkit, her littermate.

"With this life I give you hope," his voice wiser than his age. "To find hope in the darkest of nights."

This life made her feel like darkness was blocking out every single scrap of hope that she had, but she knew that there was still hope.

Ravenkit smiled at her before the next cat came forward. It was Flamenose.

The flame coloured she-cat mewed, "With this life I give you loyalty. Even when something is trying to waver your loyalty, always know that loyalty to the clan comes first."

Frostleaf grunted with pain as she received the life, her paws seemingly wanting to give way.

Flamenose stepped back and another cat padded forward. She felt shocked when she saw the ginger tom. It was Dragonstar, the leader of a faraway clan.

"With this life I give you faith. In every battle where StarClan seemed cold to you, remember to have faith that StarClan is watching you and guiding you through the tough times," he announced.

There was less pain than the last life but she felt terror as she thought StarClan didn't care for the clan but she managed her thoughts with a sense of knowing.

"Is Snakefang the new leader?" she asked as Dragonstar walked away. The ginger tom shook his head. "You might know who, but it is not important for now."

Frostleaf felt excited when the next cat, Nightstar, stepped forward.

"With this life I give you endless energy. Use it well to defeat the enemies of your clan," he mewed.

She felt her paws becoming lighter than feathers, fighting an endless battle without getting tired.

Nightstar walked off as a familiar cat stepped forward. It was Flowerfeather, her mother.

Frostleaf breathed in her sweet and familiar scent as she mewed, "With this life I give you a mother's love."

The life that flowed in her was fierce, challenging the enemies to harm the small and milky scent of kits.

Finally, the last cat stepped forward. "Oakblaze," she whispered happily.

"With this life I give you determination. Use it well to help your clan through the obstacles in your way, never giving in to them," he announced solemnly.

When his nose met hers, she felt a stronger feeling, the determination to lead the clan. It became more and more painful as she felt all nine lives rushing through her.

Frostleaf stood up and Oakblaze mewed, "I hail you by your new name, Froststar. Your old life is no more. You have received the nine lives of a leader and StarClan grants you the guardianship of ThunderClan. Defend it well; care for the young and old; honour your ancestors and the traditions of the warrior code; live each life with pride and dignity."

"Froststar! Froststar!" the warriors of StarClan yowled in welcome for the new leader.

I will do my best, she thought as Fourtrees and the StarClan cats fadded away.

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A/N: Finally, Froststar became the leader of ThunderClan! :D