[Katara]

DARKSTAR

LEADER OF NIGHTCLAN

"Let all cats who wear the shadows as their own pelts gather for a Clan meeting!"

Darkstar watched as her Clan emerged from their dens and settled themselves beneath the Boulder Ledge, looking around curiously to see if they could interpret the focus of the meeting. This time, it was obvious: Her four kits were sitting at the edge of the crowd, their pelts gleaming after Skybringer's earnest grooming of them. Darkstar had spent some time considering the mentors of her kits, knowing her choices could affect their paths toward success and strength within the Clan. The part of her that was leader, however, was struggling with the part of her that was a mother. As a leader, she wanted to give an apprentice to any experienced warrior who hadn't had one yet and deserved the honor. But as a mother, she wanted her kits to have the best mentors NightClan could offer.

She thought her choices, in the end, were fair. But only time would tell if they were the right choices.

"I have gathered you here to appoint four new apprentices for NightClan," she said, and beckoned to her kits with her tail. She noticed Frostjaw watching them closely as they all scampered forward. "Wolfkit, Sootkit, Icekit, and Dawnkit - you have all reached your sixth moon, and the time has come for you to begin serving your Clan. From this day on, until you receive your warrior names, you will be known as Wolfpaw, Sootpaw, Icepaw, and Dawnpaw." Her gaze swept the four of them, assessing their reactions, before she raised her eyes and let them roam to find the first mentor she had in mind.

"Brindlemask," she called. After some thought, she was confident the tabby-and-tortoiseshell she-cat's personality would suit her son's quite well. "You will be mentor to Wolfpaw. You have proven your dedication and discipline to the Clan many times over, and I expect you to pass on all you know to him." She allowed them a moment to touch noses, her amber eyes sweeping toward the back of the crowd - to the nursery, where her deputy sat. Clovermask would have been Wolfpaw's mentor, if things had turned out differently. She'd known Clovermask had once been keen to become his mentor, but she'd lost the chance (along with some of Darkstar's respect) the night she'd brought home those three loner kits. She didn't appear to regret it, either - her expression remained impassive.

Darkstar flicked her mind back to the matter at hand. "Hollystorm," she said next, and watched as her former rival emerged from the crowd. "You will mentor Sootpaw. You were a fine mentor to Graywolf, and have always been fiercely loyal and diligent, and I expect you to pass on these qualities and more to Sootpaw." It would be difficult to argue that Hollystorm was anything less than a worthy mentor for her one of her strongest kits. She could trust Hollystorm to teach her daughter well, and she thought the black warrior and Sootpaw would make a well-matched pair. She watched as they touched noses, before finding the next cat she'd chosen for mentorship.

"Spiderbite," she summoned the thick-furred black tom. She'd spoken to him about mentoring Icepaw at dusk, plenty of time before the ceremony, yet he still looked surprised when his name was called. "You are ready for your first apprentice. You will be mentor to Icepaw. You had a fine mentor in Echobreeze, and you are keen and hard-working. I trust you will pass on all you know to this apprentice." Darkstar had spent an entire evening watching Spiderbite, even accompanying him on patrol, before she'd decided on him as a mentor. Objectively, he was a good warrior - particularly when he wasn't around Blackstag. Besides, it was time he had his first apprentice, and she thought the experience would grant him more confidence. She would be keeping a very close eye on Icepaw's development under Spiderbite's wing, and she knew Frostjaw would too - considering he'd always been close to the black tom along with Blackstag and Buckfur. Perhaps the fear of letting down his leader and his friend would inspire Spiderbite to do the best he could possibly do, if nothing else.

One could only hope. She looked toward the spot Spiderbite had just left, knowing her final choice wouldn't be far away. "Mothlight," she called. "You will be mentor to Dawnpaw. You received excellent training from Paleclaw, and you have shown yourself to be intelligent and honest. I know you will pass on all your experience to Dawnpaw." Mothlight had been another logical choice, and her closeness with her brother meant she'd also likely take part in Icepaw's training. And then there was the matter of Dawnpaw, and him seemingly being slow to learn... she was confident Mothlight was keen enough to find the best manner in which to train him, even though he was small and weak.

Once they had stepped aside, the Clan began to call out the new apprentices' names. "Wolfpaw! Sootpaw! Icepaw! Dawnpaw!"

---

TAGGED: ♛ 𝔽𝕒𝕓𝕣𝕚𝕔𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟, Abyss, @jen, Phoenix, Ginger
NOTES: TLDR; Darkstar's kits (Dawnkit, Icekit, Wolfkit, and Sootkit) are named apprentices, and are given to Mothlight, Spiderbite, Brindlemask, and Hollystorm to mentor.

[Abyss]

BRINDLEMASK

TELL ME BABY, WHAT'S YOUR STORY? It wasn’t very often that the torbie she-cat found herself examining with a watchful eye as kits began to rustle within the confines of Nightclan’s Nursery. An occasional glance to the side as she passed the entrance was enough to satisfy any curiosity that happened to perk in her thoughtless mind. More often times than not, she didn’t feel the need to watch as any of them grew. Kits were kits, and that was the end of it. Though, it couldn’t be denied that there was a slight sense of dread that formed in her head the day that the litter resulting from the partnership of Darkstar and Frostjaw was born. It wasn’t an overwhelming dread, nor was it something that consumed her thoughts or stayed on her mind. It was just there, as she was. Darkstar was the strong-willed yet overly confident Leader of the clan. And Frostjaw...well, he had become quite the specimen since her days of mingling with Blackstag and his crew. Both for good and for the worst. Separately, they both had their strengths, and their weaknesses, as all did. It was a combination she was sure would create some...trouble, if that was the word. The day had arrived for this group of young ones to be promoted. She had known about it, but not by her own volition. She had known due to the whispers of her clanmates. The upbringing of the Leader’s kits was something many felt the need to keep an eye on, after all. What nonsense it was. Just as before, kits were kits. In the same manner, Apprentices were Apprentices. Their upbringing decided nothing. The lanky, medium-sized she-cat sat silently at the edge of the gathering group of cats who surrounded the Boulder Ledge, all ears perked eagerly to catch their Leader’s words. Her own fur-tipped ears twitched somewhat boredly, light hazel gaze glancing to the side at the camp entrance. She could be out hunting right now… Darkstar’s words did register within her ears, but she paid no true mind to them. Just another Apprentice ceremony. She only really listened when it came time for Warriors names to be announced. Not that she expected herself to be chosen as a mentor. In truth, whether she did or not mattered not to her. If she did, that meant she would be forced to have company more often. If not, then she would continue about in her normal manner. The tip of her feathery tail flicked as her own name was called. With a blink of inexpressive orbs, the brown and ginger-flecked Warrioress stood from her secluded position within the meeting, walking forward silently through the crowd. As she reached the front opening, light brown eyes met brighter orange, dark ears flicking at the other she-cat’s words. "You will be mentor to Wolfpaw. You have proven your dedication and discipline to the Clan many times over, and I expect you to pass on all you know to him." As the Leader’s words ended, Brindlemask turned, finding a rather large yet clearly young tom meeting her gaze. This newly appointed Apprentice, it was undeniably clear who had sired him, even in the eyes of this isolated femme. His large size, his long and flowing coat, those intense eyes. A very brief moment of thought made the she-cat wonder how often he was told that he looked a lot like his father. Though, he was definitely distinguishable. That long pelt was silver and white in color with many intricate black stripes swirling across him, the bright white mane that wrapped around his neck only making him even more reminiscent of Frostjaw. While many likely admired his pelt, that feeling of dread she had before set in again. Will this one lose his worth to a puddle of mud just like his father? Narrowing her gaze, the torbie approached the fluffy tom, gently pressing her own brown nose against his black, before she turned, sitting at the edge of the crowd alongside him. She listened idly to the rest of the mentors as their names were called. Now, Brindlemask was not usually the sort to make judgements, or act out of tune to her usual emotionless self. But hearing Spiderbite’s name called to be a mentor? The smallest of smug smirks twitched at the side of her jaw, tawny orbs flicking to the side to find the shapes of Blackstag and Roachflight in the crowd. While she could care less for the dramas of her clanmates, she could still remember the days of sitting at the edge of that gang’s circle, listening as the large black tom belittled Spiderbite. And Roachflight? She was sure there wasn’t a cat in Nightclan who didn’t know about his hatred towards the older tom. She didn’t exactly remember why that was, nor did she care to relearn. But it was still slightly amusing, thinking of their detesting and hatred-filled gazes. Just as quickly as the smirk appeared, it disappeared, and her eyes returned to peer expressionless at Darkstar. WHERE YOU COME FROM AND WHERE YOU WANNA GO THIS TIME? WARRIORESS OF NIGHTCLAN

841 | ♛ 𝔽𝕒𝕓𝕣𝕚𝕔𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟 Ginger

[Deleted]

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❅ Icekit

NightClan ❆ Female ❆ Kit

The day had finally come. It had seemed just like yesterday that she was just a kit in the nursery, doing her best to prove to her father that she was worthy of his love and affection. Six moons had come and gone and now the young molly was old enough to be an apprentice! It was a great and exciting day, but it was also a worrisome one as well. What if she couldn't live up to her mentor's expectations of her? This was just the many questions that swarmed through the white molly's body as she stood awaiting the decision that would determine her fate.

She eyed her mother, Darkstar, with the full extent of her icy blue glaze. There was nervousness in that simple outstretched glance but the apprentice did her best to keep her composure. It wasn't hard to do. Her ears twitched soundly taking in her mother's words, and as her siblings were mentioned and given their mentors. First it was Wolfpaw, his mentor being Brindlemask, then it was Sootpaw to Thornscar. Then...came her turn. She held her breath when her name was called, following the name of her mentor's. Spiderbite. Up until this moment, the young molly had known nothing about his existence, but a thrill of excitement swept through her. She paddled forward slowly, keeping the tom in her line of vision as she approached.

The obvious difference between their height and size difference was evidence as she stopped in front of him. He was huge, compared to her smaller stature, or maybe it was just his thick chocolate, black coat that made him appear larger than he actually was? Not that it mattered. She smiled up at him, and bowed her head just a bit in his direction. A simple but hopefully effective gesture. "I, hope to make you proud, Spiderbite" She mewed with a soft pull of her voice and a small smile on her lips.

✦Katara ❅ 335 words

[♛ 𝔽𝕒𝕓𝕣𝕚𝕔𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟]

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Sneaking in the pain, every truth becomes lie

[attr="class","wolf"]Darkstar’s summons rang across the cavern, causing a slight bristle to appear among the white mane that hung around his throat. The bristle was not one of nerves or anxiety, but of anticipation and delight. Finally, he would be able to venture outside into his rightful territory, rather than languish in the nursery with kits too small for him to play with. Wolfkit found no joy in games without competition, and smaller kits were far too easily beaten for him to sensibly face them. Only his brother, Dawnkit, had the same size and power that he did. But Dawnkit was not much of a rival either, not since he began to shrink and shrivel up, and he was too proud to pretend to lose to him. So it was with great impatience that Wolfkit waited to earn his keep in NightClan, and no longer idly listen to the endless complaints of Ratfur or Skybringer trying to encourage him to “make friends”.

His orange eyes found the calico form of his adoptive mother in the corner of the den, her beaming, excited smile brighter than the moon. “There,” She purred, licking Wolfkit’s head. “You look perfectly handsome.” She gushed, and Wolfkit ducked away before she could land another lick on his head. He dipped his head to her respectfully but did not return her affection. It was not in his nature to be cuddly.

Though his blood soared with expectation, he kept his face calmly neutral as he stepped out into the main cavern. The shadows that stretched across the earthy ground from the moonlight outside outlined his imposing form, not yet as impressive as that of his father’s. This would be the night when his clan-mates would really see him for the first time. He held his head high as he walked to the front of the gathered crowd, striped tail weaving behind him like a snake, betraying his internal impatience. He sat and gazed up at his mother, feeling his brother and sisters join his side. No doubt, they all looked impressive, basked in slanted moonlight. Much more dignified and of better breeding than the litter Clovermask had whisked into camp. His stark, fiery gaze swivelled around to focus on the NightClan deputy, who sat impassively at the edge of the cavern. He didn’t really know what to think of her now.

Wolfkit was acutely aware of his father’s eyes following his every movement, and the movements of his littermates. He felt no nervousness or fear stir in his heart, and held himself to display that fact, his chin lifted proudly and his tail held straight in the air like a banner. It was his sixth moon of life, and already he was so self-assured of his own qualities that he worried little what thoughts passed through the minds of the crowd that watched them. Darkstar met his gaze, her dark tortoiseshell face unreadable. When she announced his mentor, Wolfpaw was surprised. Even at his tender age, he had heard complaints about Brindlemask’s critical attitude towards some of her fellow warriors, and even her leader and deputy. He didn’t enjoy the idea of having such a potentially insolent cat as his mentor, but he was confident he’d learn quickly with or without her help. As he went to touch noses with her, he scrutinised her every movement, wondering if the complaints he’d heard were true or if they had been borne from jealousy. Darkstar would not choose his mentor without reason, so there must have been something about Brindlemask that she respected. He noticed a smirk flash across her features as Spiderbite was named a mentor, but just as quickly as it had appeared, it melted away.

Wolfpaw’s eyes narrowed slightly, curious about that fleeting look.

I won't trust myself once I hear your call

WOLFPAW

Progeny of NightClan

Tags: Abyss , Katara , @jen , Ginger
Words: 627

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[Katara]

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SPIDERBITE

TOM /// 44 MOONS /// NIGHTCLAN WARRIOR

EVERY TIME YOU CROSS MY MIND YOU GET RIGHT UNDER MY SKIN
AND IT GETS HARDER JUST TO BREATHE FEEL LIKE THE WALLS ARE CLOSING IN
GIVE ME ANXIETY	»

S

piderbite still felt Darkstar must be playing a particularly cruel trick on him, and his feeling was so strong that he felt a flicker of real disbelief when she called his name during the naming ceremony for her kits. The dark warrior felt every definition of the word stunned, and didn't move for a heartbeat. When he lurched himself forward, he realized abruptly how incredibly rude it had been to assume Darkstar was tricking him when she was, in fact, testing him. He felt her amber gaze scorching his fur as he leaned down to touch noses with the young she-cat called Icepaw.

He had idly watched the four kits in the past six moons, but not too closely. He didn't want Blackstag to question him, after all. But he had always been politely curious about Frostjaw's kits, though he'd never thought in his wildest dreams he'd be honored with mentoring one of them. Or cursed, he thought darkly. If his leader really was testing him, what if she wanted to see him fail? What if he could do nothing right for Icepaw, and he was humiliated with the dishonor of being removed from his position as her mentor?

Spiderbite was vaguely aware of the pair of them moving off to the side to make room for the last kit being apprenticed, and he felt now that his dark fur was bushed out. He forced his fur to lie flat, and movement in the corner of his vision made him turn his wide ochre eyes to Icepaw. She was beaming up at him, and when she'd caught his eye, she dipped her head just slightly to him. "I hope to make you proud, Spiderbite."

Icepaw was such the spitting image of her father, his friend, that it was jarring to see her look so open and excited. He'd assumed, in the back of his mind, that she'd be just as stoic as Frostjaw. He relaxed, realizing suddenly that they both had the same goal in mind. Neither of us want to fail. He smiled down at her. "I'm certain you will," he purred, feeling a wave of unexpected warmth for his new apprentice. "We're in this together now. Just try your best everyday, and you'll be a warrior in no time." He hoped he sounded more confident than he felt, because he was definitely still nervous.

But then the bees inside his stomach seemed to ease just a little when he glimpsed his sister, Mothlight, stepping forward to accepting the newly-named Dawnpaw as her apprentice. A huge wave of relief crashed over Spiderbite. He and Mothlight could take their apprentices training together! Suddenly, the task of mentoring the Clan leader's daughter didn't seem nearly as daunting with his kin at his side.

TAGGED	@jen
NOTES	Spiderbite is already like, I would die for this Frostjaw clone

[Phoenix]

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[attr="class","mothname"]Mothlight

[attr="class","mothnotes"]warrior of nightclan

you can build me up you can tear me down

You can try but I'm unbreakable

[attr="class","mothtext"]The sound of Spiderbite’s name had Mothlight sitting up with renewed interest – and perhaps just a touch of surprise – in Darkstar and the ceremony happening before her. A quick glance to the dark-furred tom sitting at her side reassured her that she was not alone in her shock; written across his face, though she was likely one of the only cats who could read them, were disbelief and apprehension, and as a heartbeat passed with no sign of movement, she was tempted to gently nudge him into action. But he recovered himself, leaving his sister to track his stocky form as he moved through the crowd to touch noses with Icepaw with fond pride. For all of his shortcomings – and StarClan knew no one, least of all her, was perfect, but why he continued to hang around with Blackstag and his ilk when they only brought out the worst in him, she would never understand – that had others rolling their eyes at him, Spiderbite was a good warrior and would make a better mentor. He was hard-working and intelligent, and perhaps the chance to pass on his knowledge to the next generation was just the opportunity he needed to develop the self-confidence that would get him away from—

This time, the sound of her own name jolted her from her thoughts, and suddenly becoming far more familiar with the emotions that had flickered across Spiderbite’s face moments ago, she blinked up at Darkstar, startled but also quietly flattered. Oh. Though other she-cats her age had begun to start families her own, Mothlight had, at best, a passing familiarity with the nursery and its youngest inhabitants at any given time, and as she approached the ginger tabby tom, she knew that had their mother not just spoken their names, she would have been hard-pressed to address him or any of his siblings by name. But Dawnpaw – she repeated his name to herself as she memorized his upturned features – was her first apprentice, and more than that, Darkstar herself had entrusted Mothlight with the training of her son. A nervous shiver traveled down her spine, before she reminded herself that she had no reason for doubt.

She could do this. And besides, any anxiety she felt was likely multiplied ten-fold for her new apprentice. Dawnpaw was the leader’s son; Mothlight couldn’t begin to imagine the weight of expectation that likely rested on her young charge’s shoulders, with Darkstar and Frostjaw as parents. Something like sympathy flickered through her, followed quickly by a rush of determination that she would do right by him. "Hi Dawnpaw", she murmured, offering him a smile as they touched noses. Perhaps they would get along well. Perhaps they wouldn’t. But either way, she would make it work.

As the clan broke out in cheers, Mothlight glanced around to find Spiderbite standing beside Icepaw, and she sent him a pleased grin. It seemed, just as they always had, they would be embarking on this new chapter of mentorship together – and she wouldn’t want it any other way.

[attr="class","mothnotes"]tagged: Katara

[attr="class","mothnotes"]notes: she's like "lol look at the bro all surprised wait what"

you can do your best but i'll stand the test

You'll find that I'm unshakeable

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