Boulder opened his eyes to strange new surroundings. The sand beneath his paws twinkled with starlight. “Where... am I?”

“You’re in Starclan.” Boulder jumped as a calico tom padded forward, his pelt filled with stars just like the ground he walked on.

“Stumpyripple!” Boulder was startled by Whiteear’s shout, he hadn’t realized the molly had been there too.

“It’s great to see you again, Whiteear.” Stumpyripple purred as he nuzzled his daughter. “I see you found the test we’d provided.”

“Test?” Boulder looked at him in confusion. “What test? And test for what?”

Stumpyripple chuckled at the younger tom’s questions. “Why, that dog you dealt with rather swiftly, of course.” He purred. “Proving you are brave and strong enough to lead the new Grottoclan into a thriving clan!”

-----o-O-o-----

Stumpyripple purred as he steps up and touches noses with Boulder. “With this life, I give you bravery. Use it well to defend your clan from even the most treacherous of foes.”

Boulder felt a rush of energy flow through his body from nose to tail tip.

Next, a brown molly stepped forward.

“With this life, I give you compassion, so you may care for your fellow clan cats as if they were family. For they are.” The molly spoke in a sweet motherly tone.

Finally, a large brown tabby with black stripes stepped forward.

“With this life, I give you wisdom. Use it to guide your clan well.”

“A medicine cat shouldn’t take on a mate, much less have kits!” Fernpond yowled. “It’s against the code!”

“Why?” Whiteear tilted her head. “What’s so wrong with the clan’s healer having kits? I can teach them my knowledge for future generations. Especially if they decide to be healers as well. Or even caretakers.”

“But what if you end up putting the lives of your kits over the lives the rest of the clan?” Burrstorm questioned.

“Most of the clan are my family, so that’d be rather unlikely to happen.” Whiteear retorted. “Besides, Levi knows everything you’ve taught me. If I’m unable fulfil certain duties, either as a healer or as a mother, she will help.

“She has a point.” Stumpyripple spoke calmly as he padded up to the group. “Multiple medicine cats could come in handy if one is ever out of commission. And it’s not like we told her before that medicine cats aren’t allowed to have kits.” He looked to Whiteear. “You’ll get a pass for this, Whiteear. But please, until you have trained an apprentice to take your place, don’t have any more kits.”