Laureltail becomes Laurelstar

[Ashley[l0ckd0wn]]

As Laureltail reached the cave Mothermouth, he became somewhat nervous. Usually he had the utmost confidence in himself, but now, at the sight of the long dark cavern the thought crossed his mind:
Once I go in, I'll never be the same cat...

He shoved his doubts away and padded right into the ice-cold cave. He followed a twisting and turning path until he reached the cavern where the glorious Moonstone shone. Laureltail was stunned by it's beauty at first. Remembering his apprentice days, he had not been chosen to go inside of Mothermouth so he had never understood the full extent of the Moonstone's glory.
He padded up to it and did as he had been told leaders did. He lay down beside it and touched his nose to the luminous stone. Almost instantly he was swept off into the dream that would change his life.

[♥Goldenheart♥]

A pitch-black warrior put a sparkling paw forward and began the long journey down to the earthly place where Laureltail waited. He noted how recently he had done this, for the same Clan's last leader, who now shone in their ranks. All around him, the rest of StarClan was doing the same, and the millions of them stalked proudly down the sky. No cat could have told how much time that took, because time was irrelevant to these cats. When they were finally all sitting around the hollow, they spoke. "Are you ready for your nine lives and new name?" They didn't need to ask this question, because they knew already. It was part of the ceremony, however, so they asked it, as they had asked every Clan leader who had risen to power since the formation of StarClan.

[Ashley[l0ckd0wn]]

Laureltail raised his chin and puffed out his chest in a weak attempt to look how a proper leader should look.
"I am." he replied, his voice comming out strongly.

[♥Goldenheart♥]

The first cat stepped forwards and bent his head to touch his muzzle to Laureltail's. He then meowed solemnly, "With this life I give you courage. Use it well in defense of your Clan." He stepped back, and a second cat padded towards Laureltail. "With this life I give you justice. Use it well to judge the actions of others." The action of approaching the warrior was repeated over and over. Each cat had a different message. A cat who had been right when others were wrong had, "With this life I give you loyalty to what you know to be right. Use it well to guide your Clan in times of trouble." A cat once driven onto the Thunderpath mewed, "With this life I give you tireless energy. Use it well to carry out the duties of a leader." One strong queen used the words, "With this life I give you protection. Use it well to care for your Clan as a mother cares for her kits." The apprentice who had never become a warrior carried the message, "With this life I give you mentoring. Use it well to train the young cats of your Clan." A former medicine cat announced clearly, "With this life I give you compassion. Use it well for the elders of your Clan, and the sick, and all those weaker than yourself." A cat who had died for love purred, "With this life I give you love. Use it well for all the cats in your care." Finally, Deadstar stalked proudly over to Laureltail, her massive body towering over his small one. "Welcome, Laureltail, my warrior, and my deputy. With this life I give you nobility and certainty and faith. Use them well as you lead your Clan in the ways of StarClan and the warrior code." The ceremony was almost over now, and there was only one thing left to do. StarClan rose to their paws. The Deadstar signaled that Laureltail should rise as well. "I hail you by your new name, Laurelstar. Your old life is no more. You have now received the nine lives of a leader, and StarClan grants you the guardianship of DarknessClan. Defend it well; care for young and old; honor your ancestors and the traditions of the warrior code; live each life with pride and dignity." The cats chanted, as if receiving a new warrior, "Laurelstar! Laurelstar! Laurelstar!" At length, the chant faded away, and the starry warriors swirled back up to their places, leaving Laurelstar in the center of the clearing at Fourtrees.

[Ashley[l0ckd0wn]]

The sounds of the cats chanting encourage Laurelstar and he held his tail high with dignity. As the dream faded away and he woke up in the middle of the cavern, he felt new strength coursing through his veins. He was a leader now!
He raced out of Highstonesto find something to eat. He was starved!
After a good meal he charged back to his territory with the confidence he usually posessed.