{becoming a leader}

[{goldstone}]

Eerie darkness. It was the new moon, so only the bright, twinkling stars guided the three travelers. Finally, after what seemed like countless hours of padded quietly through the terras, the end was in sight. Waving grass yeilded to three sets of paws, some bouncing right back up again. Whispers of the wind glided through the grasses and trees alike, adding creepy noise to what was once the uncomfortable silence. Thankfully, when the trio reached the Great Stone, the tension dissapated.

Goldash gazed up in wonder at the majesty of the Great Stone, finding it hard to believe that hsi time here would come so soon. A feeling entered his bloodstream, quickening it and telling him of what he must do. With the silence back, Goldash felt no need to disturb it with his few words. What he had to say could be expressed in body language, so he did. Giving Burningcomet and Brownpaw a look that clearly said, "don't follow me", the midnight tom slowly walked toward the Great Stone.

Lying down at it's base, the sensation in his veins once again told him what to do, though Goldash had already had an idea of the proceedings. Relaxing his muscles completely, as he trusted the warrior and apprentice. Gently closing his eyelids, Goldash prepared himself for whatever might come to him in his dreaming state.

[.:neptune<]

Burningcomet loved the night, and was not bothered by the eerie sounds that it held. The cats multi- colored gaze scanned the surrounding foliage around him. The air was brisk and he fluffed up his coat to warm himself. He looked to Brownpaw, wondering if the apprentice was also feeling the cold.

[--> arcticstripe <--]

A shiver went rocketing up Brownpaws spine and her eyes darted back and forth. The night was cold and it was a little scary. She had never been out this far before. Her body shrank against the ground as she watched Goldash walk up to the stone. She felt Burningcomet's eyes on her, but she didn't turn to see what they held. She just kept lookin forward, the soft wind pushing against her side. She patiently anticipated what would happen as Goldash lay next to the stone.

Owlstone had been waiting for the deputy for awhile. As soon as Goldash closed his eyelids he fell asleep and went into Owlstone's world. Owlstone sat ontop of a rock like he had done many times before this to greet newcomers. A moonlit pool lay infront of him, but otherwise there was nothing else but mist around. Goldash was at the far end of the pool.

Greetings, Goldash

He said with a nod of his head. His tail flicked in a boring manner back and forth behind him and his eyelids seem to droop. This job was getting old. Maybe it was time for somebody else to take over. Owlstone was getting to old...

[{goldstone}]

{So sorry! I was not informed of my 11 hour flight into jet-lag land. -scowls-}

Entering the realm of StarClan was one thing, talking to the great Owlstone himself was another. Goldash watched the elderly cat's movements, listened to his greeting. The hazy pool didn't return Goldash's reflection, like it should have. Well, this was the world where his ancestors lived, where the prophecies that could either mean death or happiness came from. The rock on which Owlstone was perched made Goldash smile, it reminded him of his beloved Clan. All of the sudden meaning of the words struck him, as they had done before. Goldash knew he was goining to be a wise leader, or at least, thats what he hoped. Knowing he should be polite to the wise cat who lead StarClan, Goldash returned his greeting.

Greetings to you too, Owlstone.

Goldash wondered what StarClan would do to ensure that he was the right cat for the honorable position of leader. Would they test him? Or just know? Goldash hoped it was the latter, that would add another layer of cement to his faith in StarClan.

[--> arcticstripe <--]

Owlstone smiled slightly and nodded his head, as if approving the warriors actions. He then sighed inwardly and continued on the ceremony that he had repeated more then a hundred times.

Goldash, you have journeyed to the Great Stone to recieve your gift of nine lives and become a leader to your clan, correct?

He had decided to change the words up a bit from the usual this time, why he didn't know. The old words were just so boring, they made he voice sound mechanical and replayed. The change was nice and he twitched his whiskers happily at himself for it. He then waited for the deputies answer.

[{goldstone}]

Phewf! I must be doing something right. Goldash relaxed, and returned Owlstone's smile. This was very encouraging to the coal-black tom, and it was with a true, untainted confidence that Goldash answered the wise old leader of StoneClan.

Yes, sir.

A few manners wouldn't hurt.

{ -cringe- So short...}

[--> arcticstripe <--]

[ That's alright. Today I've been having the Writers Block kind of thing. I can't seem to think of what the write! xD ]

Owlstone nodded once more and flicked his ears a bit nervously. This cat would make a good leader. Maybe when the time came for him to go he could take over Owlstone's spot? It would be quite an honor. Owlstone thought better of it though. He'd want a cat that had experience with StoneClan, not with a living clan. StoneClan was much, much different.

Owlstone shook himself, enough time had been wasted with his thoughts. He continued on with the ceremony.

Then, by the power of StoneClan I give you your nine lives. Each represents something different. What they do you'll hav to figure out on your own.

Owlstone then stepped off the rock and circled the pool to sit by Goldash's side. He dipped his short tail into the water and felt the icy chill of StoneClan's power creep up it. He nodded at Goldash, telling him to do the same.

[{goldstone}]

{It has been a Writers Blocky day -nods with wisdom-}

Honor welled up in Goldash's heart, and pride as well. Not to much, for things like that had a tendancy to get back at you, but a pride that his lifelong dream that had seemed so unreal had finally come true. But Goldash hadn't expected to be made leader under such unfavorable circumstances. The death of Russetstone might have been easier to deal with had it been natural, but only brutal murder was evident. However, now was not the time to reflect on such things. Now it was his time.

Not saying a word, for there was nothing to reply to, Goldash followed Owlstone's unspoken orders and dipped his night-black tail into the odd pool. At first it was chilling, then slowly warmth crept into the icy waters. Wondering what would happen, Goldash held himself very still, thinking he was prepared for anything.

[--> arcticstripe <--]

Owlstone smiled and shut his eyes. For some reason this ceremony seemed more pleasurable then the others and it wasn't because he had changed the words up a bit on that first part.

He spoke, his voice ringing loud and clear, breaking the silence that bound the two together.

By the power of StoneClan I give you your name. From this day forth you shall be known as Goldstone.

Owlstone opened his eyes slowly and seemed to feel older. The more leaders that passed by the more older he felt. He knew he couldn't actually get phisically any more older then he was, but he could mentally. Wisdom had been held in his head for so long. He needed to tell this tom something.

He flicked his tail out of the water rapidly. It was totally dry, not one droplet clung to it. He sharply turned to look at Goldstone and said something he had to choose the very right cat to tell. He knew Goldstone wouldn't make it worse.

Goldstone, hard times are comming. There will be much confusion. You must follow your heart and do what you know is right. Don't get baffled by something so sweet.

His voice was urgent, but he soon snapped out of it. The ceremony was not yet finished. The only way to end it though was to say the final words and then vanish. He wanted to see if Goldstone had understood, but he couldn't wait. Something was pulling him away. He wasn't even supposed to have spoken those words. He had hinted to much.

Serve your clan well.

The last words slipped out of his mouth and he vanished. The area only held the pool, the rock and the new leader. Owlstone was gone.

[ You've been chosen to carry a message! Lol. Don't ruin it! xD If you have any questions, PM me! ]

[{goldstone}]

Shock and beweilderment overcame the inital pride with becoming the leader when Owlstone spoke those fate-riddled words. Him? Goldstone? Chosen to carry the StoneClan message? Honor was like the Nile compared to the rushing Amazon of confusion. And yes, fright. Goldstone was a cat, and having nine lives didn't change that. Goldstone, hard times are comming. There will be much confusion. You must follow your heart and do what you know is right. Don't get baffled by something so sweet. The words were repeated over and over in his furiously working brain, and he couldn't make sense of it. I think I should get some sleep before I really look into this.

When Goldstone awoke, he found himself shaking. Troubling times were ahead, that was for sure. And to help with such troubles, Goldstone knew he needed a friend. Silentstone. He would be the deputy. Now it was time for the ceremony. Not noticing if either Burningcomet or Brownpaw was following, Goldstone started loping in the direction of the RockClan camp.

[--> arcticstripe <--]

Browpaw leapt to her paws, startled. Goldash - or Goldstone - didn't look so good. He seemed frightened? She glanced at Burningcomet before chasing after him, her paws skimming the ground with ever leap. Her heart was pounding and the wind rushed past her ears making a whooshing sound. Something was wrong.

[.:neptune<]

Burningcomet raced after the leader and Brownpaw, his white and gold pelt a dull gray in the eerie night. His long limbs carried him swiftly over the ground and he almost caught up with the leader. What's wrong? Burningcomet thought. He almost repeated the words to the new leader, but his throat seemed dry.