"This was her chance to put things right. She could finally redress the balance that Crookedstar had refused to. And it would be easier now than ever before. Leopardstar's fur prickled with excitement. Perhaps StarClan had arranged for it to be so easy. They could be hoping that Sunningrocks would finally be returned to the right Clan. Surely, it would be foolish and ungrateful–mouse-brained, even–not to take advantage of the situation?"
At the Moonstone, Leopardfur prepares to meet with StarClan for her leadership ceremony. When the moon shines on the Moonstone, she touches her nose to the stone and finds herself in a dream. The first StarClan cat to greet her is Riverstar, who gives her a life for acceptance. Whiteclaw approaches, and after she apologizes for training him to be aggressive, he gives her a life for empathy. Hailstar recognizes her courage in the battle with the rats and gives her a life for bravery. Frogleap gives her a life for devotion and assures her that Woodkit and Robinkit are in StarClan with him. Oakheart gives her a life for unity, while Silverstream gives her one for forgiveness; Leopardfur tells her that Stormkit and Featherkit are safe in RiverClan. After Whitefang gives her a life for patience, Sunfish greets her, saying that she and the others are happy and giving Leopardfur a life for friendship. Leopardfur's mother, Brightsky, gives her the final life: a mother's love.
Back at camp, Leopardstar's excitement keeps her from sleeping well, and she decides to take back Sunningrocks. Emerging from her den at dawn, she observes Stonefur looking after his Clanmates, recognizing his courage. She calls a Clan meeting and announces her new leadership, before making Stonefur her deputy. She goes on to list who will attend the Gathering that night, including Dawnpaw. Finally, she tells Piketooth, Cedarpelt, and Timberfur to retire as elders. With the meeting finished, she invites Stonefur to speak with her and tells him about her plans to claim Sunningrocks. To her pleasure, he agrees without hesitation, though she is wary when he recommends that they take Graystripe to the Gathering to test his loyalty.
At the Gathering, she sends Stonefur to gather information from his fellow deputies and briefly notices Graystripe's quickness in greeting Fireheart. She approaches Tallstar and Tigerstar, and Tallstar offers his condolences for Crookedstar's death, while Tigerstar seems perturbed by her choice for deputy. When the Gathering begins, she proudly announces her new leadership, but when she does, Bluestar does not respond, seeming distracted. When Leopardstar finally gets her attention, Bluestar suddenly grows angry and accuses WindClan of stealing prey. Tallstar accuses ThunderClan in turn, and while they argue, Tigerstar seems amused and agrees with Tallstar. When Tigerstar warns of StarClan's anger, Bluestar denounces them, to Leopardstar's shock. Encouraged by Tigerstar's provocation of Bluestar, Leopardstar tries to do the same with a veiled threat that RiverClan needs more territory. However, instead of snapping, Bluestar simply agrees. Leopardstar senses ThunderClan's weakness and briefly doubts her plans to attack, but when she notices Tigerstar encouraging her, she decides to take advantage.
Welcome to StarClan. I am Riverstar. You will bring strength to RiverClan at a time when they need it. With this life, I give you acceptance.
Leopardfur:
Acceptance?
Riverstar:
You will need it.
Leopardfur:
Whiteclaw. I'm sorry. I trained you to be too much like me.
Whiteclaw:
You trained me to be a loyal RiverClan warrior. It's all I ever wanted to be. With this life, I give you empathy, because you always understood me.
Leopardfur:
Whiteclaw. [...] Hailstar. I'm honored.
Hailstar:
You fought fearlessly against those rats. You have always had the courage and determination to be one of RiverClan's greatest leaders. With this life, I give you bravery. Protect your Clan with your life.
Frogleap:
With this life, I give you devotion. Because you are devoted to your Clan.
Leopardfur:
Are Woodkit and Robinkit with you?
Frogleap:
Yes.
Leopardfur:
I'm sorry I couldn't save them.
Frogleap:
They are loved here too.
Leopardfur:
Oakheart.
Oakheart:
You have grown. And learned much from Crookedstar.
Leopardstar:
Is he here yet?
Oakheart:
He is resting. He's earned it. With this life, I give you unity, so that RiverClan may never be divided.
Leopardfur:
I'm sorry. I should have given you the help you needed, not the help I thought you should have.
Silverstream:
With this life, I give you forgiveness.
Leopardfur:
Stormkit and Featherkit are safe and happy in RiverClan.
Silverstream:
I know.
Whitefang:
I'm proud of you. It's not like you to be lost for words. With this life, I give you patience.
Sunfish:
Leopardfur.
Leopardfur:
Are you happy here?
Sunfish:
We are all happy here. With this life, I give you friendship.
Brightsky:
I'm Brightsky.
Leopardfur:
Mudfur missed you so much. So did I.
Brightsky:
I know. I wish I could have raised you. But I've loved you even though I couldn't be with you. With this, your ninth life, I give you love. The love a mother gives her kits. Your Clanmates are your kits now. Their safety depends on your strength. You must fight for them without fear or pity.
Leopardstar:
I will. I promise. I will protect them as though they are my own.
(to Piketooth) I think it's time you moved to the elders' den. (to Timberfur and Cedarpelt) You too. You have earned your rest. Let others hunt for you. We all feel Graypool's loss, and an elders' den should not stay empty long. It brings warmth and wisdom to a Clan.
Timberfur:
And it gives the 'paws something to clean out.
Cedarpelt:
(to Dawnpaw) You'll be so busy pulling out our ticks, you won't have time for training.
Leopardstar:
Don't worry. You'll have denmates soo enough.
Piketooth:
I suppose I could stand a little rest. And if I'm a wizened elder, that means you'll always listen to me, won't you?
Leopardstar:
I'll certainly take your advice into consideration. That goes for all three of you. Thank you.
(to Piketooth) I think it's time you moved to the elders' den. (to Timberfur and Cedarpelt) You too. You have earned your rest. Let others hunt for you. We all feel Graypool's loss, and an elders' den should not stay empty long. It brings warmth and wisdom to a Clan.
Timberfur:
And it gives the 'paws something to clean out.
Cedarpelt:
(to Dawnpaw) You'll be so busy pulling out our ticks, you won't have time for training.
Leopardstar:
Don't worry. You'll have denmates soo enough.
Piketooth:
I suppose I could stand a little rest. And if I'm a wizened elder, that means you'll always listen to me, won't you?
Leopardstar:
I'll certainly take your advice into consideration. That goes for all three of you. Thank you.
(to Piketooth) I think it's time you moved to the elders' den. (to Timberfur and Cedarpelt) You too. You have earned your rest. Let others hunt for you. We all feel Graypool's loss, and an elders' den should not stay empty long. It brings warmth and wisdom to a Clan.
Timberfur:
And it gives the 'paws something to clean out.
Cedarpelt:
(to Dawnpaw) You'll be so busy pulling out our ticks, you won't have time for training.
Leopardstar:
Don't worry. You'll have denmates soo enough.
Piketooth:
I suppose I could stand a little rest. And if I'm a wizened elder, that means you'll always listen to me, won't you?
Leopardstar:
I'll certainly take your advice into consideration. That goes for all three of you. Thank you.
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