{$title} tw: details of starvation
The cold snap bit its dagger teeth into the flesh of Sablestar's paws as he padded through the cold mud to stand in the throne of a now barren buttonbush. Round bulbs formed at the edges of many scaly stems, colorless and drained of its beauty. The bottom of Sablestar's ribcage looked so hollowed that not even his thick pelt, now dulled and wiry, could hide it. Hunger persisted through the night, kept him rolling in his daytime sleep to the point of rising again just to feel something other than the need for warm iron on his tongue.
The brush could practically swallow him whole in his weak display. The strong, powerful figure that stood here only a few moons ago seemed lost especially now that his ranks had been butchered. By his own call no less...
The paint strokes of his claws against the earth held him steady. "ShadowClan, join me in the moonlight." His meow still holds it power, perhaps the only part of him that does.
"We have one apprentice ceremony tonight- Saffronkit. You came to ShadowClan alone, but by a miracle. You face this night against many beaten odds, and I'm proud to call you Saffronpaw after this night. Saffronpaw, my new apprentice." Sablestar took a breath with more effort than usual while his gaze focused on the ruddy orange kit. His plans for Saffronkit had nearly come to fruition, and in the moons of her training she would be chiseled down to her fate as he saw fit. Something worthy to be called a ShadowClanner, something so pure of her home, there would never be this abandonment story attached.
He does not lean for her to approach any further, however, continuing on with the rest of the meeting. "And Viscerapaw, while your training with Birdtalon has been short, I trust you've learned well before her death. Your training will continue with Marrowkeeper's help." It dawned on him then that it's new mentor shared the name of it's littermate, too. If he were in a better mood it could have humored him.
"And while we continue to fill our ranks of apprentices, we see new warriors this moon as well." The tuxedo's eyes swept over those who succeeded to survive and shine through their peers. "Monsterpaw, Pipitpaw, and Dreampaw; step forward." The three rise from their mentors sides- Mothbite, Flaxbelly, Halfshade, Trusted with the careful guidance of those meant to keep them fed in the harshest of moons. They had earned it, for Dreampaw he felt especially so.
"Monsterpaw, for your unwavering strength and fearsome loyalty, you face this night as a warrior to ShadowClan. In gratitude to all that Mothbite has passed down to you, and the will you have shown, I name you Monsterbark!" His shout began to rasp, but the leader maintained his composure as another set of claws dug into the earth.
"Pipitpaw, you have the natural skills of a Shadowborn cat. I've watched you tread our home on quiet paws-" His mouth, unfortunately, couldn't be said for the same. "- Flaxbelly has curated a rather stealthy warrior for the Clan, and for that you are named Pipithaunt!" For all the moons Sablestar had believed Magpiepaw was telling tales of a ghost at their borders, he is glad to see his son find a true friend and not something imaginary as he originally believed.
Now his sighs rest on those that mirror him. Round gold-dipped plums look to her father, and despite a full grown cat in his midst he still sees the pudge-bellied kit that greeted him beneath the cold oaks. "A paw in many worlds, but it brings me great pride to see you most comfortable here." With any hope, Asterpaw would come to understand it, too. "Your days of training have come to an end, and you have learned plenty between both your homes. Your journey as a warrior has begun, and with the highest honor I can give... Dreampaw, from this moment on the world will know you as Dreamshadow." A pillar to the home her father bled and killed for. She, and Magpiepaw, would allow him to lead their Clan to further greatness. If his immortality did not serve him as he wished, he trusted the legacy given to his kin to continue on.
Sablestar cheered, but not long. As the noise simmered he had one more moment to share with his Clan before pulling Saffronpaw into her training.
"Sealdawn, Grayflight- it is your turn to step forward." Sablestar dug a fang into his cheek as he felt the tension rise in his chest. The dreams or nightmares- whatever they could be called- must have been meant for this? "You have both done well to serve ShadowClan. Your Clanmates have come to trust you, depend on you, but I ask for something greater. A place on my council as Night Guards, would suffice." Bluegale, Mirepurr, Jadethorn, Mothbite and now... these two. He would have no need for Wolfpack if he did not allow any space for betrayal. They were all pliable enough, and perhaps placing his trust in unlikely fellows would be the best way to pull the Clan back from this hungry madness.
"That is all, ShadowClan."
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