Moonstar and Beetlestorm were walking to the Moonshell, a huge conch shell that sat atop a huge stone. 

When they reached it, Beetlestorm said, "Walk up to the shell and touch it with your paw."

Moonclaw did so. When she fell asleep, she seemed to wake up again on a large, starlit beach. She recognized some of the nine cats with her; Dolphinstar, Currentstripe, Skipstone (Her mother), a tuxedo tom that she didn't know, a tabby tom that she didn't know, a blue she-cat that she didn't know, a white she-cat who she had known as a kit and whose name was Dawnrose, a black tom who she didn't know, and a black she-cat who looked almost exactly like her, except that her eyes were green, not amber.

Dolphinstar stepped forward and touched her nose to the top of Moonclaw's head. "With this life, I grant you determination, so that you will never give up, even in the direst of situations." then she vanished.

A searing pain shot through Moonclaw. Was this what every life was like, or just the first one?

Currentstripe was next. "With this life, I grant you logic, so that you will know when to fight, and when to run."

Another searing pain. What if Moonclaw wasn't the right cat to be leader, and this was why it hurt?

Now Skipstone. "With this life, I grant you faith, so that you will never stop believing in StarClan."

Moonclaw was ready this time, but it still hurt. And what hurt more was that after they granted her a life, the cat vanished. It was like having a tiny taste of the best fish in the world, only to have it stolen.

The tuxedo tom was next. "I am Wavepool, your grandfather. With this life, I grant you open-mindedness, so that you will always hear what other cats have to say."

Again, Moonclaw was ready, but it hurt.

Now the tabby tom. "I am Ripplestone, your great-grandfather. With this life, I grant you quick paws, so that you will never get caught by Twolegs. Just kidding! With this life, I grant you humor."

This life was more of an odd tingly feeling.

Next came the blue she-cat. "I am Seastar, the founder of SeaClan. With my life, I grant you loyalty, so that you will never abandon your Clan."

Moonclaw hadn't been ready for how much this would hurt; the stupid humorous life had tricked her into letting down her guard.

Dawnrose now. "With this life, I grant you love."

This life felt like diving into the perfect ocean; cooling and calming and light.

Next the unknown tuxedo tom. "I am Ravenpaw, your father. With this life, I grant you freedom, so that you may choose your own path."

This life felt more like a strong wind, powerful but not dangerous.

Finally the green-eyed black she-cat. "I am Skykit, your sister. I died when we were young. With my life, I grant you grieving, so that the members of your Clan who join us will not be forgotten."

Either this life was the most painful, or the two that had come before it had lulled her into a sense of false security. 

Dolphinstar reappeared. "I hail you by your new name, Moonstar. Your old life is no more. You have now received the nine lives of a leader, and StarClan grants you the guardianship of SeaClan. Defend it well; care for young and old; honor your ancestors and the traditions of the warrior code; live each life with pride and dignity."

Moonstar knew this was the end of the ceremony, and she waited to wake up. But instead, Dolphinstar began to speak in a voice that was not her own. 

"Rain, Light, Moon, and Sun must come together to save all cats. The Clans will war with each other, with Death at its center, ruling the night of stones, the Moon must slay Death, and Rain must fall, or there will never be peace."