Nightstorm looked at the cat. I killed his mother and father? He thought. Then he remembered. He only killed two cats in his life. Arrow and a she-cat. They had to be his father and mother! The loners looked at the clan cats. Then, they leaped forward and started attacking Dawnclan! The lead cat jumped on Nightstorm. "Now you shall feel the wrath of Blood!" He snarled, slashing at Nightstorm's shoulder. Nightstorm bit the cat's tail and slashed at it, making it fall off! Blood yowled in pain and ran away to fight a different cat. Nightstorm then turned his attention to the fox. He jumped on the creature's tail and bit it. Hard. The fox growled and slashed at Nightstorm. Nightstorm dodged and landed a blow on the fox's flank. The fox yelped in pain and ran away. Then

Nightstorm looked at the Badger. Nutstripe and Walnutsight were attacking it. Nightstorm flung himself at the badger and slashed at it's belly. Blood poured out of the beast. Then, from behind him, Nightstorm heard a yowl from Blood. "RETREAT!" The loners ran out of camp, tail between their legs. Now all the cats had to worry about was the badger. They bit and slashed at the beast, and finally, the black and white creature retreated and lumbered away. Nightstorm looked around. There was one dead cat. Hollyleaf! The elder's fur was covered in blood. Nutstripe and Walnutsight yowled. "NO!" Nutstripe said. "Mother....." After the burial, Nightstorm went to check on Darkstar. He came into the leader's den. Darkstar was lying on the floor. Something was wrong with him.

"Darkstar?" Nightstorm whispered. There was no response. "Darkstar!?" Nightstorm cried. Still no response. Nightstorm yowled in grief. "Darkstar!" He yowled and threw himself in his father's fur. He saw a ugly, big, bloody cut, right on his neck. Darkstar was dead. He only had one last life before the attack. Nightstorm ran out to the medicine cat's den. "Pondfur! Herbleaf!" He called, his voice pitching upward. "What's wrong, Nightstorm?" Asked Herbleaf. "Pondfur is helping cats with wounds. I am here to get more supplies." Nightstorm sobbed. "It's Darkstar. He's dead." Silence filled the den. Herbleaf sat there in disbelief. "Take me to his body." Herbleaf said. They walked to the leader's den. Herbleaf did his father's pulse. He looked into his eyes. "I'm so sorry

Nightstorm....." He said. Nightstorm sobbed. He went up to the meeting place. "Clan meeting." He said sadly. The clan limped over. "I have bad news." Nightstorm said sadly. "Darkstar is dead." There were shocked murmurs everywhere around camp. "I will go to the Skylake to get my nine lives. Lemonleap is in charge when I'm gone." He said. Then he went to the nursery. His kits were there with Bluewhisper. Eaglekit and Shadekit jumped up and looked at Nightstorm. "Father!" Said Eaglekit. "We were so worried!" Nightstorm purred. "Don't wake up your mother. I'll be at the Skylake. I'm leader. I have to go. I love you!" Eaglekit and Shadekit nodded. "We love you, too." They said, and then Nightstorm went to the medicine cat's den. Pondfur was there waiting for

Nightstorm. "Herbleaf will stay behind to take care of the other cats." Pondfur said. Nightstorm nodded. "I understand." Pondfur gave Nightstorm some herbs. "Eat these. Then we will go." Nightstorm ate the herbs and so did Pondfur. Then they headed towards the exit. They traveled across the thunderpath and climbed the highrocks. Then, on top of one of the highrocks, there was a beautiful lake. The moon reflected off of the lake. The lake was dark blue, and Nightstorm could see silver fish darting around the surface. "You must catch a fish, eat it, and drink from the pool. Then you sleep, and you should be able to speak with Starclan." Pondfur instructed. Nightstorm nodded and did as told. He closed his eyes and slept. He saw a kit. It's pelt was shining

like the stars. "Hello, Nightstorm." He said. "I have been expecting you. I am Cloudkit. I am one of your kits. I wasn't strong, so I died. I love you, father." Nightstorm was stung. "I love you, too. I wish I had the chance to meet you before you died...." Cloudkit nodded. "I will give you your first life. I give you the life of a mother's love. Love you clan fiercely." Nightstorm felt warm and thought he smelled milk. Then another cat came into view. "Hello, my little fighter." Said the cat. "Darkstar!" Nightstorm yowled. "I miss you!" Darkstar nodded, love in his eyes. "I miss you and your sister, too. Tell her that I love her. But now I must give you your second life. I give you the life of strength. Use it to protect your clan." Darkstar faded and reveled another cat. It was Hollyleaf!

"Hello, Nightstorm." Said the elder. "I am giving you your third life. I give you the life of wisdom. Use it to plan and think before you decide." Nightstorm felt tension rise. His hackles raised and he felt pain. Then it stopped and another cat came into view. "Mother!" Nightstorm cried. "Hello, my dear. I must give you your life. This is your fourth life. I give you the life of kindness. Be kind to everyone." Duskwhisker then faded and another cat came into view. Nightstorm hissed. "Acornflight! What are you doing here? I thought you are alive!" Acornflight nodded. "I am alive, but I felt bad for betraying my clan, so I will give you a life. This is your fifth life. I give you the life of understanding. Understand your clanmate's wishes." Then Acornflight, or Chloe faded away. Then another

cat appeared. "Hello. My name is Muteear. I can't hear, but I will give you a life. This is your sixth life. I give you the life of friendship. Be friends with everyone, even other clans." Then another cat came. "My name is Tigerbite. I give you the life of leadership. Use it to lead your clan through the darkest hour." Then another cat appeared. "My name is Moon. I will give you your eighth life. I give you the life hunting. Be a good hunter and provide your clan with rich prey." Then Moon faded and one last cat appeared. "My name is Sunswipe. I will give you your last life. I give you the life of trust. Trust your clanmates and listen to their ideas." Then he faded and cats started chanting Nightstorm's new name. "Nightstar! Nightstar!" Nightstar woke up. Pondfur and Nightstar