Winds of Change (Merging)

Leafsun stood frozen, despair and defeat hung in the air. Broken spirits, broken hearts, and blood was every where. Everyone had lost something, some more than others. Some lost their life, some lost their family, others just lost hope. Her eyes glazed over, no tears came though, her tears had run dry. News of Wonderstar's death spread rapidly through the camp, all eyes were on the motionless russet she-cat. The only noise that she could hear were Heavyrumble's cries, as he curled next to his dead mate, knowing his kits could be dead or wandering through the forest, freezing to death.

She shook herself out of it, some cats still hadn't heard. They had to know...Leafsun made her paws come up off of the ground, they had been frosted to the snow. With every forced paw-step she felt the snow crackle under neath her, as it threatened to kill her with its cold power. She found herself looking over the grieving clan, their leader on the ground, motionless. "FORESTCLAN!" She called them, surprised at how her voice didn't crack, even when she felt as if she were to fall apart. "Our leader, Wonderstar, is in StarClan's paws now. She will be greatly missed." Her head hung in sorrow, she heard the pained cries erupting from the clan below her.

"I am the leader now. I will travel to Moon Tree tonight to receive my nine lives." She looked around the camp. "But before I go I will announce my deputy." She looked around the clan, everyone looked to Eagleheart, but he didn't seem right...She finally chose.

"I say these words in front of Wonderstar's body, so that StarClan may hear my words and approve my choice in deputy." She let her gaze fall on Lionsound. "Lionsound, you are young, but wise. You seek the advice of your elders and listen to your heart. Though you are barely a warrior I feel as if you have been a warrior for many seasons." Her eyes were on the young tom, and many surprised cats were too. "You are a loyal warrior, no one can doubt that." The tom was surprised but beaming. "You will be the clans new deputy." She purred. His eyes lit proudly.

"I have already gotten traveling herbs from Flamestone and Lionsound will go get his and we will travel to Moon Tree, we will be back tomorrow at Sun High." She stood and leaped down off of High Branch, she first padded to Windsflash, she knew of his power and the prophecy. She told him to race to EveningClan territory and get Jaystar, she needed to speak with him as well. The grey tom dashed off.

After Lionsound got his herbs they set out of camp, their paws forcing them through the snow. They ran for what seemed like hours, until they reached the border. Jaystar was waiting for them. His golden-yellow eyes troubled.

"I am very sorry." He dipped his head. "I have received a sign from StarClan that you may be interested in however..." He flicked his ears, he looked like he expected to be scolded! "The Evening must come to aid the Forest, to hid from their enemies in a dark shield. The clans must unite." He finished.His eyes darted to Lionsound who was bristling.

"That is a great proposal. Your telling me you would bring your entire clan to live under me as their leader,, giving up your nine lives, and your territory?" She asked,  stunned.

"No. Our territory would become a part of yours." He blinked. "If you remember why I am leader of EveningClan." He spoke softly, so no one but her could hear, leaving Lionsound out.

"Wonderstar let you leave to make your own clan. But you promised that if ForestClan ever needed assistance than you would come, to be our saviors." She blinked.

"Right. I am about to fulfill my promise. After tonight I will be Jaychaser, warrior of ForestClan once again." He dipped his head.

"Than we should be going." She stood and leaped off to the Moon Tree. Her paws carrying her swiftly, the toms barely able to keep up with her racing paws.

She stopped dead in the Moon Tree clearing, even on the coldest leaf-bare day the tree had green vines and leafs that shimmered with the snow. The tree inspired her, spoke to her, and scared her. So much power was right in front of her muzzle.

"No time to waste." Came Jaystar's meow from behind her. He had already leaped up onto the tree and nestled himself on one of the branches. She soon did the same, she climb up and curled around her paws, her tail covering her face. The moment she was settled she froze and stars flooded her closed eyes.  


-----------Dream------------

Leafsun woke to find herself at the Great Oak, starry cats standing on its branches.

"Welcome Leafsun. Are you ready to receive your nine lives?" All the StarClan cats meowed at the same moment, as if they all  shared the same mouth.


Yes, I'm ready." Leafsun nodded, her paws wouldn't move, they were as frozen to the ground as the air that surrounded her. The air sparked with energy. 


"With this life I give you courage. Use it well to defend your clan." The first voice spoke, it was Mousejump. She had been the first to attack the invading IronClan warriors, only to be silenced forever by a quick and accurate blow to her belly by Nightstar. As Mousejump touched her nose to Leafsun's forehead, her heart swelled and the feeling of extreme pain and also the ability to do anything filled her.

"Thank you Mousejump." She dipped her head once the pain had ebbed away, but the feeling of invincibility stayed.

"Leafsun, remember that there is a great difference between courage and stupidity. Think before you leap." She murmured her advice before she stepped away, leaving the way for the next cat.

"With this life I give you justice. Use it well to judge the actions of others." Pitchedvoice's purr came next. Her eyes were dull, even with the glow of StarClan in her pelt. Fury and pity for Pitchedvoice flared in Leafsun, she had been sent to ForestClan as a spy, for Ridgestar, but after his death she had turned from the clan that had hated her. Then she was killed by Nightstar, who still thought that Pitchedvoice was loyal to her. Again pain flared in her, once Pitchedvoice touched her nose to Leafsun's head. But with it came knowledge and understanding.

"Thank you." She dipped her head. Pitchedvoice only grunted and gracefully padded away.


"With this life I give you loyalty to what you believe to be right. Use it well to guide your clan in times of trouble." A cold and angry voice spoke next. Leafsun couldn't help show her shock at the cat that was now standing before her. It was Frightclaw, the former IronClan deputy. Leafsun's eyes grew cold, what could her mother have to offer her. 


"Don't look so shocked daughter." She chuckled lightly. "Are you scared the clan will find out who your parents really are?" She asked, fake sadness colored her voice.


Leafsun didn't have time to speak before Frightclaw touched her nose to her forehead. Pains ran through her entire body again, leaving her panting. Frightclaw padded back to the other starry cats. 


With this life I give you tireless energy. Use it well to carry out the duties of a leader." A soothing voice called, the tom still padding to her. His blue eyes shimmering, his pale grey pelt starry as the night sky. Runningstar. He was the leader of ForestClan before Wonderstar! He blinked at him, her eyes wide with amazement. He touched his cold nose to her head, this time fiery pain ran through her veins, she clenched her teeth so hard she thought that they might crack. Runningstar stepped away, leaving room for Grassblade, her older brother.


"With this life I give you protection. Use it well to care for your clan as a mother cares for her kits." He purred to his sister kindly his grass green eyes shimmering like they did when he was alive. She was a bit shocked that he was in StarClan, he had been mates with Wrenfeather, the medicine cat when he was alive, he died protecting their kits from the clan who was furious, Applesplash had no idea who her parents were...Her brother placed his nose on his sisters head, pain shot through her again and she felt as if her heart were being raked out. 


"With this life I give you mentoring. Use it well to train the young cats of your clan." A hazy grey and ginger she-cat spoke softly. Her eyes looking sadder. It was Fallenpaw. Fallenpaw had disappeared after the battle, just gone one day. 


"Where did you go?" She asked softly.


"I can't remember..." She shook her head and put her nose on Leafsun's forehead. Again pain shot through her, but this time came pride, but her teeth made a cracking noise at her jaw clenching together. 


"With this life I give you compassion. Use it well for the elders of your clan and for all cats weaker than you." Nightripple's voice rang above the pain. Her blue eyes piercing. She said no other words but she only touched her nose to Leafsun's forehead. The queen had died the night before Leafsun had returned...


"With this life I give you love. Use it well for the cats in your care." An all to familiar sing-song voice purred. A tiny creamy she-cat padded to Leafsun. Her crystal blue eyes shimmering like the night sky. Her daughter! It was Whisperkit! Oh how she missed her! Whisperkit had died of white-cough. It was horrible....


She bent down to her daughter who put her nose on her mothers. A pain that felt like it were ripping her a part spread through her, tearing her a part, like the pain she felt when she had lost her daughter. Whisperkit skipped away, not knowing the pain she had just inflicted. 


"With this life I give you noblilty and certainty and faith. Use it well as you lead your clan in the ways of StarClan and the warrior code." Wonderstar's voice rang clearly with authority. Her pelt was the same russet that Leafsun missed so much. Wonderstar put her nose to her head and pain stabbed her, followed by the happiest feeling that Leafsun had ever experienced. 


"I hail you by your new name, Leafstar.Your old life is no more. You have now received the nine live of a leader and StarClans grants you the guardianship of ForestClan, and now EveningClan. You will keep the clan name as ForestClan however. Defend it well, care for young and old, honor your ancestors and the warrior code. Live each life with pride and dignity." Wonderstar began to fade rapidly. And so did everyone else. 

---------Awake----------

She woke in the Moon Tree, Jaysta-Jaychaser waiting beneath her. She stood and leaped down with one graceful movement.

"Hello Leafstar." He purred happily.

"Hello Jaychaser." She replied.

"When do we come?" He asked, now more serious.

"Two sunrises." She nodded and he sped away and then she went to go back to camp with Lionsound.

-------Back in Camp-------

She padded back into the camp, everyone calling her by her new name. Respect and pain lit everyone's eyes. She climbed to High Branch.

"I have returned with my nine lives! I am now Leafstar!" She called and the clan yowled their congrats. "And our clan will grow! In two Sunrises EveningClan will be arriving, joining us!" She finished, but now everyone looked uncertain.

"We were wiped out by the IronClan attack! With this Our territory will double and we will gain numbers!" She purred. "And StarClan has spoken it's approval!" She nodded. "That is all! Clan dismissed!" She padded to the leaders den, but couldn't find the heart to enter.