This is a challenge for MoonClan, SunClan, FlightClan, and LeafClan.

Blackfoot felt nervousness go through him again as he followed Runningnose into the black depths of the Mothermouth. Not for his Clan, he had left his new deputy, Russetfur, in charge, but for himself. I've killed cats. Surely I'm not worthy of leading ShadowClan, right?

An eerily familiar voice whispered in his ears. Silverhawk. This is the moment you've been waiting for. Don't waste it like I did. Seize it with both paws and don't let go. The powerful tom squared his shoulders and strode forward.

Blackfoot stepped into the cavern, screwing up his eyes against the light radiating from the Moonstone. Runningnose sniffed. "Touch your nose to the Moonstone, Blackfoot." He crouched by it, closed his eyes, and pressed his muzzle against the smooth rock.

Nothing. Absolutely nothing. No light, no feeling, no sound. Just a void.

"Runningnose, it didn't work." Blackfoot opened his eyes, worry and annoyance tricking every hair on his pelt. When he saw where he was and what was around him, he stopped, staring around.

Fourtrees was bathed in moonlight. Each leaf was visible, shining silver. The Great Rock was white in the light. All around him were cats, their fur shining with stars. Their eyes, even the smallest of the kits', were filled with knowledge that he couldn't even dream of. In front of him stood nine pelts, so familiar they made his heart ache. Hollyflower. Flintfang. Badgerpaw - er, Badgerfang. Fernshade. Raggedstar. Nightstar. Wolfstep. Foxheart. Yellowfang.

"Welcome, Blackfoot. Are you ready to receive your nine lives?" The voice was all of the cats' in front of him, but in unison. Unable to speak, the ShadowClan cat nodded.

The first cat to come forward was his mother, Hollyflower. Her dark gray and white fur was thick and sleek. "Blackfoot, I am so proud of you for getting here. I give you a life for tireless energy to serve your Clan. Use it wisely."

As she touched her muzzle to her head, the sensation of running came over him. He could feel his legs pumping as he cleared hills in a single bound, rushed over swamps, yet he wasn't tired. By the time the feeling left, Hollyflower had taken her place in the ranks of StarClan.

Flintfang was padding toward him. His gray fur was ruffled with unmistakable pride in his brother's accomplishments. He put his muzzle between Blackfoot's ears and meowed, "This life I give for tradition. Remember you need to rely on the past to survive in the future."

Blackfoot's life flashed before his eyes: becoming an apprentice, his first kill, earning his name, getting exiled with Brokenstar, returning with Tigerstar, the feeling of life ebbing away from under his paws as he killed Stonefur.

"Hi, uncle."

Blackstar looked down at his nephew, Badgerfang. The young tom had been killed driving WindClan from their territory. He had chosen his own name. Badgerfang's eyes were bright as he gave his life. "This life is for honoring the code. I died when Brokenstar neglected the kit code. You must remember to never do that."

Pain flashed through Blackfoot as unseen claws raked his ear, strong enough to make him stagger. His vision went red and faded to black. He blinked the darkness away just in time to see his sister walk up.

"Good to see you again, Blackfoot." Fernshade murmured rested her muzzle on his head. "This life I give you is for faith. Never lose faith in your Clan, StarClan, and especially not yourself, no matter what happens."

This life came in a slash of heart-wrenching uncertainty. It could've been seasons before it faded to a calm glow.

"I love you." Fernshade whispered as she went back to stand by her son.

Next up was Raggedstar. The patchy-pelted brown tabby walked with the calm demeanor of a cat who could claw you to bits if he wanted to. His yellow eyes met Blackfoot's. Instead of wasting time talking, he simply bent down and called, "This life is for clear-sightedness. I didn't have it, and it cost me my life, and the lives of many others." This life was like looking into a murky pond. As Blackfoot looked harder, the water became clearer until the answers were obvious.

"This life is for courage." Nightstar hardly gave Blackfoot time to ponder his last life. "Courage not only for battle, but to stand up for what you know to be true." Blackfoot felt shame course through him and he could almost hear his Clanmates laughing at him, but he didn't flinch, taking their insults with dignity.

The last life Blackfoot would be receiving a life from was Yellowfang. The short-tempered she-cat was no different from the last time he had seen her. She murmured, "This life is for forgiveness. Learn to not only forgive others, but also yourself."

Mixed emotions surged through Blackfoot. Guilt, pain, and misery. Finally they morphed into acceptance.

Yellowfang moved back and the cats yowled, "We hail you by your new name. Blackstar, your old life is no more. Lead your Clan well through many seasons."

The hollow turned black. Silverhawk's mocking tone rang through Blackstar's head. "All hail the mighty Blackstar. Don't think your training is over."

Blackstar whirled around to face him. "No, Silverhawk. My life is alone. I'm not coming back."

"Really?" Silverhawk jumped at him, claws unsheathed. Blackstar dodged and slammed a paw down on his head, hard. The tom went limp and started fading. "You trained me well." The white tom murmured, licking blood from his black paws.

"Blackstar, wake up!"

Blackstar opened his eyes. Starlight was coming in through the hole with Runningnose's silhouette above him. "It's time we start going back."

Blackstar staggered to his paws, exhausted. Runningnose supported him with his shoulder. "Are you okay? Would you like to rest?"

Blackstar shook his head. "I'm fine. We need to get back." On the inside he was thinking, I'm finally free.

Not including author's notes, that was 1,013 words. I hope you enjoyed it.