All the ThunderClan cats returned to camp with a somber mood.

Webfoot and Dewsplash was carrying Silverstar's body. The cats who did not attend the Gathering looked horrified at the sight of their leader lifeless and unmoving.

"What happened?" Fireclaw asked, halting abruptly in front of them.

"The Gathering was ending," Stormleaf began to explain, "then, all of us heard a roar of thunder and a Dark Forest cat appeared! He introduced himself as Snarlfang and warned us that the Clans will be... no more. Then, when Silverstar spoke, he just pounced onto her and ripped out her reminding lives! And he had admitted to killing Brownstar!"

The Clan broke out in chaos.

"Silence!" Hailfall snapped. The Clan quieted down and looked at the deputy expectingly.

"Patrols will go out as normal. I will appoint a deputy before I leave for the Moonstone. StarClan might give us some answers then," he ordered, sounding more like his old self.

The Clan nodded.

"I say these words before StarClan, so that they can hear and approve of my choice," Hailfall seemed to hesitate before continuing. "Spikethorn will be the new deputy of ThunderClan."

"Spikethorn! Spikethorn!" the Clan yowled half heartedly.

The older tom dipped his head in understanding.

"I will leave for the Moonstone tomorrow," Hailfall continued. "Spikethorn, double the guards. The rest of you who have no guard duties, go to sleep unless you want to sit vigil for Silverstar."

As Hailfall padded to Silverstar's body, he felt Frostblaze's wondering gaze on him.

He shook off his thoughts and rested his muzzle on Silverstar's already cold body.

"What would I do without you?" Hailfall whispered.

~~~~

"Touch your nose on the Moonstone and it will give you sleep," Stagwind instructed.

Hailfall obeyed, resting his nose on the shining cold stone.

A heartbeat later, he found himself at Fourtrees. Nine cats, who he had known all his life and a few cats he didn't know, were standing in front of him expectingly.

"Hailfall," they all said at the same time, "are you ready to receive your nine lives?"

"Yes," Hailfall hoped he sounded convincing.

The first cat who stepped forward was his former mentor, Rockpelt. The tom walked confidently to Hailfall.

"With this life I give you courage to know what is right, courage to fight battles for the sake of your Clan," he meowed solemnly.

Hailfall stiffened in shock as he felt an intense pain, yet at the same time, he found himself feeling more... certain.

Rockpelt padded off and the next cat who stepped forward was Spottedpelt.

She looked younger than Hailfall last seen her, her beautiful spotted pelt stained with blood.

"With this life I give you compassion. Use it to care for the young and old, and for the ones who need comfort," Spottedpelt mewed.

This time, Hailfall didn't feel as much pain as he did when he received his previous life. There was a soothing feeling, mixed with the sharp feeling of pain.

Spottedpelt stepped back. The cat replaced her was so small that Hailfall almost thought that there were no cat in front of him.

"I am Volekit, your littermate," the tiny kit introduced. "I died before having a tiny chance in the world, but it is my destiny."

I have another littermate? Hailfall thought in surprise.

"With this life I give you gratitude, to appreciate whatever is around you, to be thankful of the little, yet significant things in your life," Volekit announced.

When he received the life, he nearly drew back. The pain felt like he was struck by lightning, and he suddenly felt that the small things he had - like the moss that lined his nest - was important than he could ever imagine.

Volekit bounced back and another cat padded forward. It was a slightly bigger kit, but his bright green eyes shone with wisdom.

"I am Ravenkit, Froststar's littermate," he introduced with a voice beyond his age.

"With this life I give you clear sight, to see what is true in front of you, to find the hope hidden in the hardest of places, and to see your mistakes and correct them as you should," Ravenkit mewed.

The life that Hailfall received was unlike the ones he had received previously. He found himself seeing better, less confused, and more thoughtful.

Ravenkit hopped back to Volekit's side as the next cat, with a ginger pelt.

"My name is Reedfang," he mewed, "one of your distant kin and Fireclaw's father."

Hailfall nodded, unsure what to say.

"With this life I give you comfort. Use it well, give it to your fellow Clanmates when they need it, and to find it when you need it yourself," Reedfang meowed.

The life was not as painful as Hailfall had expected, it was more soothing than the life that Spottedpelt had given him, and he felt a faint rush of hope.

The next cat to give his sixth life was Silverstar. Her silvery pelt was more shiny and sleek than Hailfall imagine.

Her eyes were filled with a strange emotion as she spoke, "With this life I give you understanding, to understand the intentions of each cat, to understand why things are happening, and to understand thr reasons that others give you."

Hailfall narrowed his eyes as yet another bolt of pain rushed through him. When he recovered, Silverstar was gone. In her place was a cat he wanted to see again.

"Fernstorm," he whispered.

Fernstorm dipped her head in acknowledgement. "With this life I give you loyalty, never wavering from your duties as leader."

Hailfall dipped his head as he expected what came next. He was gasping for breath when the pain ebbed.

His eyes widened in shock when the next cat stepped forward. "Bluewish," he muttered.

Bluewish smiled and whispered, "Don't grieve, it would be many moons before you will join StarClan. Take care of Frostblaze, and your Clanmates."

With a louder voice she announced, "With this life I give you love. Use it well to care for your Clanmates."

The life that rushed through Hailfall was even more soothing and sweet than the other lives he received. He felt disappointed when it ebbed, but he knew good things can't last forever.

The last cat stepped forward. Hailfall stared, surprised as the she-cat dipped her head. "Froststar!" he cried, feeling like a helpless kit again.

"I will always watch over you," she mewed softly.

Hailfall opened his mouth to speak, but Froststar silenced him.

"With this life I give to bravery, to accept things that is inevitable, to do what is truly right, and to make things right," she meowed solemnly.

I will be brave, he promised as he accepted the pain that rushed through him.

Froststar flicked her tail to tell him to stand up. Shaky from receiving nine lives, Hailfall stood up and faced his mother.

"I hail you by your new name, Hailstar. 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 mewed.

"Hailstar! Hailstar!" the StarClan cats yowled. "Hailstar! Hailstar!"

When the yowls stopped, Hailstar found himself back at the Moonstone cavern.

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A/N: That's pretty long for a first chapter. xD

Just wondering, who do you think will be leader after Hailstar?