[A]ffecting [A]ll [T]hese LIVES

[--|Sootie|--]

Never made it as a wise man

A small pale beige tabby watched as Bramblepaw shuddered from recieving his first life: courage. Courage was one of the more gentle lifes. Ringedpaw looked at his old den-mate. It seemed so long ago that he'd been on the real world, with normal apprentice worries. Bramblepaw was being made leader far to early, and Ringedpaw had volunteered to watch over his path day and night, to try and repay the mistakes he had made when he lived. He was also giving him one of the nine lifes, the one which had killed Ringedpaw. This next life felt so much stronger. It was somethin which Ringedpaw had carried around with him since being a moon old kit. It burnt, it suffocated, it stabbed. It had almost driven Ringedpaw insane. It was a dangerous thing which shouldn't be underestimated. Ringedpaw had learnt the hard way.

Couldn't cut it as a poor man stealin'

Once Bramblepaw had recovered from Applequake's life, Ringedpaw stepped forward from the circle and stood before the burdened apprentice. 'Bramblepaw, I give you this life with a warning, and also a story. My story.' Ringedpaw stopped and looked Bramblepaw stright in his eyes. He wondered how much of the tale he already knew. The warrior's often tried to protect apprentices and never told them the full story of anything. 'When me and my sister Skypaw were tiny kits, our father decided that he wanted to take us into the rouge lands. Our mother, Tigerlilly, didn't want him too. He didn't like that, so he murdered her. Then he ran away, because he was a coward. I was so angry, at what he'd done, and that nobody had punished him. I felt like I had been betrayed; by everyone. So I became obsessed with revenge. I tried everything, to find that murderer. That was my mistake, and what I warn you against. The lines between justice and revenge can easily become blurred. I though that I was doing Tigerlilly justice, but I was silmply seeking revenge for myself. That was the mistake which killed me.'

Tired of living like a blind man

Ringedpaw sighed and looked at his feet. His life had been a structure made from mistakes which was so precarious it eventaully had collapsed. He had ruined his life through revenge because he thought he was doing justice. It was his duty now to prevent it happening again. 'Bramblepaw you are far better than I ever was. You'll make a great leader to our clan.' The pale tabby truly believed what he'd said, and smiled. In life, it was rare to see Ringedpaw smiling. It made his entire face light up and it showed the ghost a young, cheeky apprentice. 'With this life, I give you justice. I ask you to use it to judge the actions of others, and then to act upon your judgement correctly. You will never make the same mistake which I did. I am sorry Bramblepaw. And thank you'. Ringedpaw touched his nose to Bramblepaw's and closed his eyes, wishing so hard that he could change his past. He stepped back to join the other Arctic Clan ancestors and watched Bramblepaw recieving the life.

I'm sick of sight without a sense of feeling

_{Music by Nickleback, How you Remind me}

[[Ridge] of [Sapphire] light]

[Don't wake me]
Her yellow eyes danced as she watched the young tom gain his lives. She watched him her eyes focusing on his spirit. She could see the shimmering light of his inner being, his passion. Everything about him shimmered in the starlight. She nodded as Ringedpaw moved forward, and passed the life into the body of the young apprentice soon to be leader. He returned to their circle and she knew that it was her turn. She stepped forward, her claws digging into the starlight of the ground beneath her paws.

['Cause I don't wanna leave this dream]
She spoke, her words coming forth in an even and melodic manner. Her words were lyrics lifted on the wings of a rhythm so genuine that it rose above her on the winds of the stars. She looked into the eyes of a cat whom had become the best friend and brother of her won son. Tawnysongs stood before Bramblepaw, her eyes locked with his and she spoke, her jaws parting and coming back together forming words slowly but surely. Each word was filled with power and pure energy.

[Don't wake me]
"I bring you a life of Loyalty. Draw close to your clan and they will draw close to you." She looked at her paws for a moment before looking back up to the eyes of her soon to be clan leader and pressed her nose to his. Before letting the life pass from her she spoke a few more words softly to the tom before her. "Tell Sprintpaw, I love him...and...and I'm proud of him." She said and then released the life letting it drain from her and pass to the tom.


SPRINTPAW
['Cause I never seem to stay asleep enough]
stood below the clouds with his brother, Cherubimpaw, and watched Bramblepaw sleeping beneathe the pinnacle. He lifted his ehad and looked into the sky. He could see the stars so clearly here, and it made him feel all the closer to his mother. He could almsot hear her whisper on the clouds. "I'm proud of you...I love you." He closed his eyes and listened intently flicking his tail back and forth and slowly letting her words wash over him.

[When it's you I'm dreaming of]
Cherubim stood with his brother and flicked his ears back and forth. But he heard something different. Somethign beautiful, and calming. "Copper, with this life, you've been given a second chance! take it as you please, do with it as has been offered you. Do not wait, but run with grace. Fly on angels wings, as a Cherubim to the light." He flicked his ears and smiled lightly at the thought. He knew it had been true. he was the reincarnation of Copperpaw...kiond of. he was his own cat, but with the soul of another inside him.



FINISHED!!!

[[Ridge] of [Sapphire] light]

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[[Ridge] of [Sapphire] light]

((I'm just gonna make a new post for Copperpaw and I just realized how interesting this is going to be...so... beware of an uberlong post!!!))

Cherubimpaw

[As my brother made his way on down the hall.]

Cherubim stood his copper eyes scanning the small clearing surrounding the pool and the moon pinacle for danger though he felt perfectly safe here. he lifted his orbs to the sky and stared solemnly at his warrior ancestors. He rested in the knowledge that he was a twice born cat. He had been given a second chance to live the life of a warrior. As he watched the stars gleam above he and Sprintpaw something came over him. He wanted desperately to race to Bramblepaws side and cover him with his love. He wanted nothing more than to let him know he was there, that he knew it wasn't his fault, and that he Loved him. But something held him back. It wasn't his turn. He knew he would get to move forward and until then he would remain here, where Bramblepaws physical body rested. He glanced once at Sprintpaw, and saw the tom standing with eyes closed listening to something on the wind. He shook his head and felt that it was now his time to speak. He took a paw step forward and closed his eyes. He felt a whosshing sensation and he flicked his tail. he felt different. He lookd down at his paws and realized they were as black as night. His tail was long and slender to go with his lithe body. He lifted his gaze and saw the eyes of Bramblepaw.

Copperpaw

Copperpaws eyes held brambles for a moment and then his heart lurched. he could contain his energy no longer for it had been to long since he had seen Bramblepaw. He knew that of course he spent every day with him, but here, in his own body, his own scent, he knew it would be different. He raced forward, his legs carrying him in swift bounds. He reached his brother in a manner of leaps and brushed his muzzle against Bramblepaw's. His words were soft and kind, but powerful, "It took you long enough to get here! I've missed you brother." He gave a mrrow of laughter and flicked his tail high in the air. He wanted nothing more than to spend the rest of his days at Bramble paws side. He sighed knowing that would never be, and he understood his urpose here, was to give his brother a new life. He leaned forward and spoke, his words strong and commanding, "With this life, I give you the tireless energy of an apprentice. i ask you to use it in such a way that you never lose your playful heart, and that you are always ready to hunt, fight, or defend the clan you love with your lives." He paused lettign his words sink in before he leaned forward and touched his nose to his brothers.

[And I was trying to deny there was a war,]

His eyes remained open and locked into Bramblepaws. His copper locked onto brilliant green. He took a step back as the life passed from him, and brushed his muzzle again against his brothers. "I don't blame you, and i was given a second chance. never forget my love. I await your return, on earth, tonight, and here in Starclan, many seasons to come. Go with peace and lead our clan brother." His eyes faded as his soul dissolved. He was falling from the sky, his spirit hurtling back toward earth at a breakneck speed. He fell into his new body and moved around trying to accommodate the new surroundings. It would be better after Cherubim reached his full growth. He smiled thinking of Brmablestar. He knew his brother would remember but he also knew, he, inside Cherubimpaw, would not. He flicked his ears, and felt wind rush through them. he sighed and let his soul seep back into the body of the tom he know had become.

Cherubimpaw
[And that he got the call.]

Cherubim stumbled sideways and caght his balance by a flick of his tail. He blinked quickly trying to remember the last few minutes. Hmm... must have dozed off on my paws... He thought, but somethign was strange. His heart felt light and full. He knew soemthing spectacular had happened, but who was he to ask questions of Starclan. This was obviously a powerful place for the ancient clan. He dipped his head and lifted his eyes to the stars. "Thank you." He murmured softly. He knew he had been given life, and he would live it to the fullest. He would serve Bramblestar, and his clan for the rest of his days, and when he found his pawsteps grow weary he would be guided to the stars where he would find his family, and ancestors ready to meet him. he flicked his tail feeling as if he already knew some of them well.

[Mossmask]

[Better stand tall]

Bramblepaw panted, gasped at the intense passion, emotion, strength coursing through his young body at the lives the StarClanners were granting him. He had remembered young Ringedpaw, had been there with Skypaw when her brother was discovered dead. It was only fitting that his life be filled with a surge of rage for power and a splash of calm to help cool it off like the snow.

Hunterstealth would be glad to know that Tawnysongs was still beautiful, was still the proud, loving she-cat the warrior had known. She barely hesitated in doing her duty in granting a life; that didn't surprise Bramblepaw at all. Her loyalty washed over him, not only the energy in concerning his loyalty for his clan, but also for his loved ones. If she had lived, she would have never been a queen for just any tom; she would have always been true to Hunterstealth and Sprintpaw.

Bramblepaw wanted to speak, to confirm that he would definitely tell Sprintpaw her message, but the next cat caught his eyes.

His little brother had appeared, grinning, short of laughing as he flew on the stars toward Bramblepaw. The elder of the two choked back a sob at seeing Copperpaw again, desperately wishing that he could take the other tom back down to the earth, back to the camp where they, along with their sisters, could just curl up together listening to another of Mossmask's stories, just like when they were kits.

Yet, Bramblepaw couldn't find his voice. Instead, he tried to laugh alongside Copperpaw when the other complained about how long it took Bramblepaw to get there. Instead, Bramblepaw allowed his brother's life, love, and energy to surge through him, making the tom want to run around the world twice and up to StarClan for good measure.

[When they're calling you out]

Instead, Bramblepaw became slack-jawed as Copperpaw's last words rang through his head: "...I was given a second chance... I await your return, on earth, tonight..."

Cherubim... There were no more lingering doubts in Bramblepaw's mind now. The last question was whether or not Cherubim had any idea as to how amazing the soul that resided in his body was...

Bramblepaw was unable to dwell on the question for long, since Copperpaw soon fell away from his grasp. However, the brown tabby was grinning, uncaring of the tears that shone in his eyes at seeing his beloved Copperpaw once more. He knew that Copperpaw would always be right beside him.

The tom then almost had a heart attack, for the next StarClan cat to step up looked exactly like Mossmask. He shook his head at the twinkling eyes of the she-cat, and relaxed when this one smelled more like New-Leaf's flowers rather than Leaf-Green's winds like his mother.

"Good evening," the starry cat greeted, her voice raspy with old age. "I cannot tell you what a delight it is to see one of my grandkits reach this esteemed position in the clan. Yourself and your sisters, as well as your brothers, have grown so much!"

Bramblepaw's mind clicked, and he figured that this she-cat stepping closer to him must be Flowerbloom. She dipped her head to touch his nose, and said, "With this life, I give you the gift of protection. Like a mother protects her kits, protect ArcticClan with all the ferocity and love you possess."

[Don't Bend]

The tom decided that this gift definitely hurt the most. Rage, energy, passion -- it was all there, and all in full power. It took all of Bramblepaw's willpower to keep standing.

Flowerbloom gave him one last smile and said, "Greet my daughter for me, will you?" before stepping back and allowing the next StarClanner to approach.

This tom was unrecognizable to Bramblepaw. Bulky, broad-shouldered, and a scar running down his face, he seemed the exact picture of a stern and cranky elder. Yet, he smelled of ArcticClan just the same.

"The name is Hawktalon," the tom said gruffly. "I was one of the best mentors in the clan, always pushing the apprentices to be their very best. You should be just the same with all the cats in your clan."

Hawktalon touched noses with Bramblepaw, saying, "With this life, I give you mentoring. Use it well to prepare the young -- and the old! -- cats for any challenges they will face in their lifetimes."

Bramblepaw nodded, allowing the calming, stern, and understanding emotions to run through him. His body was becoming raw with all the energy and spirit that was being passed onto him, but he stood tall, awaiting the next lives.

Two she-cats padded closer to him. One stopped, while the slightly smaller continued to move forward. She gave a sheepish smile as the faint scent of medicinal herbs wafted around Bramblepaw. He returned Dreamsongs' smile with his own, his eyes soft as she bent down to touch his nose.

"With this life I give you compassion," she said. "Use it well to selflessly help any cat that may need you."

[Don't Break]

Like the life of protection, strength tried to rip Bramblepaw's body apart. Unlike the life of protection, compassion had warmth as opposed to rage, soothing him and preparing him for the next life.

The beautiful, too young former deputy of the clan stood up next, standing tall and proud. Her feathery tail was noticeable even when held together by the stars. Her smile was identical to her daughter's, and Snowstorm performed her part of the ceremony.

"With this life I give you love," she whispered. "Use it to care for your clan as your mother cares for you."

Bramblepaw now decided that it was a tie between protection and love as to which hurt more. While protection hurt due to strength and passion, love somehow hurt with its overwhelming zeal of affection and energy.

The young tom willed his breath to steady, willed his legs to stiffen and stand tall. There was only one more life to receive...

[Baby, don't back down]

"It's My Life," (c) Bon Jovi

((I hope no one minds that I also played Dreamsongs and Snowstorm, and I hope that they weren't too OOC; Snow hasn't been on since last August, so I just took the initiative. Your turn now, Spotty, then the boys can go back home! xD))[/i][/size]

[[Ridge] of [Sapphire] light]

((Bout time too!!! haha, I'm sure their clan misses them and it;'s time for a few ceremonies too!! what do you say Mossy?!))


[This is my temporary home]

As he stood in the background otu of site his heart swelled with pride. He had chosenthis son to succeed him for no reason other than his strength, faith, courage, and compassion. To watch Bramblepaw go through this same ceremony that he himself had gone through many many seasons ago it was like the complete of the circle. He smiled, knwoing that one day he would stand beside his son as members of Starclan. HUnting in the same skies once more. He dipped his head to his former deputy as she returned to the ranks of starclan. He watched as the forms of his comrades, his friends, and clanmates parted. There was now a clear path for him to walk down toward his son. He moved forward placing every pawstep carefully. HIs head and tail were high, full of dignity and grace. He had died like a warrior, and his family would remember him as such. He rolled his shoulders forward and came to a halt before Bramblepaw his eyes dancing with love and approval.

[It's Not where I belong]

He smiled at his son, and bent to touch noses with him. He remembered the day the kits were born, how small they had been compared to him, and he marveled at the strength and courage coming of his full grown son now. he was roughly the same size, and that made Forreststar smile all the more. He flicked hist ail and spoke softly every word full of importance, as it had been on earth. "With this life I give you Nobility and certainty. Use it to teach and live by the warrior code. For without it we are nothing more than cats. With it, we are Warriors." he said and lifted his head. he waited until the last life had passed through Bramblepaw's body before he spoke again. he looked at his son, his eyes shining and he opened his mouth. "Brmablepaw, this is no ordinary leader ceremony. I was taken to eary, to wait to see you become deputy and then leader. Your path was marked before as a long warriorship, until that blood thirsty rogue cut it short." he paused and flicked his ears back nhearing murmers of agreement from many in starclan who had lost their own lives, and many of their loved ones to his rage filled claws. NO one spoke his name, for they hated him so. Foreststar flicked his tail for silence and continued.

[Windows and rooms I'm passing through]

His eyes sparkled and he let his voice fill with strength and honor for all those lost to the toms claws, " His time is quickly coming to an end. I will be glad the day his life is gone from his limbs and he can no longer threaten the forest we love." he looked now at his son, the new leader of Arcticclan and spoke calmly. "You have passed from Apprenticehood and striaght into leadership. I know that you are ready and in honor of your strength and courage, I give you your new name. Bramblestar, serve your clan with honor and grace and they will follow you into the coming danger with no hesitation." With another flick of his tail he wihispered " I love you with all that is within me. I am proud of you and your siblings." And with that he turned as one with the rest of Starclan and raced into the star's the name cheering from their lips. Brmablestar! Bramblestar!" An underlying message lay there as well. Save the forest Bramblestar...draw the leaders together. and save our forest!

[This is just a stop, on the way to where I'm going]
[I'm not afraid because I know this is my]
[Temporary Home.]

((Temporary home-Carrie Underwood

So, I hope that last bit was ok...it soudned good...and My fingers just wouldn't quit moving you know? =D what say you to just jumping to a new post in AC? perhaps a ceremony for Sprintpaw and the others?))

[Mossmask]

[This road was paved by the hopeless and the hungry]

He was cursing his legs. Bramblepaw willed them to stop shaking, to stop quivering as if they belonged to a kit listening to an elder tell a scary tale, as his father, looking as magnificent as he did in life, walked toward him.

"Dad," Bramblepaw said, an awe-filled whisper, one unsure whether to cry or laugh. He reached out his nose, wanting to nuzzle Foreststar like when he was a much younger apprentice.

Bramblepaw didn't say anything else. Instead, he listened with rapt attention to every syllable Foreststar uttered. The life that flowed into him was gentle, reassuring, reminding Bramblepaw of when he was Bramblekit and the whole family was around together in the nursery, but not without the sense of fury to protect everyone.

[This road was paved by the winds of change]

His eyes, mirroring his father's, stared intently, hardening at the mere whisper of the rogue that had ruined the clans' way of life. Unconsciously, Bramblepaw straightened up, mimicking Foreststar's stance and looking more like a leader than ever before.

Bramblepaw's heart nearly stopped when Foreststar gave him his new name -- Bramblestar. The brown tabby looked around at StarClan, honor and pride shining in his eyes. A whisper, an underlying message reached his ears, and he silently vowed to take the message to heart, to fulfill it.

[Walking beside the guilty and the innocent]

"Thank you StarClan," he said as they -- or was it he? -- began to fade out. "I will serve ArcticClan to the best of my ability."

He closed his eyes and an instant later, he awoke in the middle of the pool by the base of the Moon Pinnacle. Standing up, he slowly stretched his body, marveling at how he could feel so tired and so energized at once. He stepped out of the pool and shook himself, almost becoming completely dry due to the magic water. With bright eyes, he smiled at Sprintpaw and Cherubimpaw.

"Come on, you two," Bramblestar said, "I bet Mossmask is wondering what's taking us so long."

[How will you raise your paw when they call your name?]

"We Weren't Born to Follow," (c) Bon Jovi