Disclaimer: I do not own Warriors

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"I feel you crumble in my arms down to your heart of stone… But you'll never own my soul."

~Take What You Want, Post Malone

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Brokentail stared at his star-furred sister with an overflowing deluge of emotions. On one paw, he could still feel the life in him. He had one. He had killed his sister and earned his right to his own life, something he had desired since kithood.

But what was the cost?

They had shared a tender moment before the fight began. Everything either cat said, before and during the battle, was true. Brokentail knew he was broken. Something was wrong deep down in him and the Dark Forest was taking advantage of that but he didn't care. Power was power. Power was respect. Power was love. Power was all he ever wanted.

Still, it hurt. He knew that somewhere deep inside him was a cat grieving his sisters and father. He knew that there was a cat who felt guilty. He knew there was a cat who wished he had just died. Not tonight, not by his sister's paw, but a long time ago. Before any of this began. He knew there was a cat who understood exactly who he had become and wanted it all to end.

But Brokentail knew that he had shoved that cat away long ago. Maybe that cat wasn't even him. Maybe Hopeheart or Wishvine was his conscience. Maybe Brokentail didn't have one of his own. Who knew?

He just knew that there was another, a stronger, part of him who reveled in the darkness.

"It's time to start the ceremony," Hopeheart declared, stepping back to let a dark grey tom move forward.

"I am Cedarstar," the tom introduced. He pressed his muzzle against Brokentail's forehead. "I give you a life to live by the warrior code. Remember it well, Brokentail, and let it be your guide. Wiser cats than you or I have lost their way without it."

Brokentail suddenly felt like he was being crushed by a weight greater than the Great Rock. He nearly fell but he widened his stance and forced himself to stand strong. Great StarClan, is this what receiving a life feels like? This feeling… Do other cats feel burdened by the warrior code like this?

After a few heartbeats, Brokentail steadied and the feeling faded. He blinked a few times and shook himself. StarClan's power… I didn't realize how strong they were. I can't wait to have it for myself. He lifted his head and stared at the cats crowded around him. I'm ready.

The StarClan cats seemed to sense this and began stepping forward one by one. Part of Brokentail couldn't believe that they were doing this after all he did but the sight of each cat had a greater impact than the feeling of receiving the life itself. Almost.

Stonetooth…

"I give you a life for duty. Remember what you owe your Clan as well as what your Clan owes to you."

Dawnstar…

"I give you a life for honor. Honor is expected from all cats, but most of all, from a Clan leader. Use the honor of leadership carefully."

Foxheart…

"I give you a life for clear sight. Brokentail, know yourself and your destiny, but know too that destiny can be changed if you choose the right path."

Lizardfang…

"I give you a life for judgement. ShadowClan stands at a place where the path ahead divides. choose to follow the right path, for the good of your Clan."

Cloudpelt…

"I give you a life for strength. This is the time you and your Clan will stand or fall. You need to be stronger than ever."

Sagewhisker…

"Brokentail, I give you a life for compassion. Use it to shelter the weakest in your Clan, the kits and the elders and the sick. Use it to show mercy to your enemies and to choose the path your paw steps will follow."

Brokentail was shaking by the time that the energy of the seventh life shot through his body. He doubled over and gasped, all the feelings, burdens, and emotions catching up with him. I don't know if I can do this…

"Look up, Brokentail."

Slowly, Brokentail's orange eyes rolled up from the ground. The sight of the last two cats made his heart ache and he hated himself for it.

With his head still dipped, Wishvine pressed her muzzle to Brokentail's forehead. "I give you a life for truth. Without it, kin is set against kin, Clan against Clan. Hold fast to truth in all your dealings and let it guide your words."

Brokentail felt like he had been struck by lightning. The sheer force, it felt like pure electricity flowing through his veins. Surprisingly, it didn't hurt. Brokentail threw his head back and closed his eyes. This is what power should feel like. Is this what truth is? An untainted, devastating force? If I'd known...

The feeling died out after a few heartbeats and Brokentail had to admit he was disappointed but the next life he received would be his last one. Knowing that, he let the sudden feeling of unfulfillment be set aside and he focused on the last cat.

Hopeheart. His sister. The cat who had died at his paw mere moments ago. But she killed me too, Brokentail reminded himself. My spirit was stronger. She went to StarClan and I didn't. Still… It'll be strange not having her around.

Hopeheart's pelt was healthy and filled with stars, not matted with blood or marred with scratches like it had been in her last moments. Her eyes were bright and she had a tranquility to her that Brokentail hadn't expected. He opened his mouth- to say what, he didn't know- but no words left his lips.

Hopeheart didn't say anything about their fight either. What could she say? There was nothing to say. They fought and they had killed each other but it was her that StarClan claimed. Brokentail was entitled to life, she wasn't. Somehow, she didn't look upset by it.

"I give you the life for love of kin. And as a Clan leader, every Clan cat is your kin," Hopeheart spoke, touching her nose against Brokentail's head. Lifting her muzzle to his ear, she whispered, "Remember the cats who matter. The cats closest to you, give them all the love you have. Runningnose, Nightpelt, Stumpypaw, Yellowfang… Love them enough for the both of us."

Brokentail felt something bubble in his chest. No, it wasn't bubbling. It was a fire. A fierce one. It was the type of fire that could burn clean through an entire forest and still rage with heat stronger than the sun once it moved on. If the electricity was elating, the fire was a whole different hemisphere of feeling. Brokentail felt a fierce desire, one that he had felt since his kitting, to do what he knew he had to do.

Hopeheart stepped back, taking her place among the StarClan cats once more. Her eyes glowed, almost with pride. She purred before throwing her head back and making a declaration to the realm above the stars. "We now hail you as Brokenstar of ShadowClan!"

"Brokenstar! Brokenstar! Brokenstar!"

The star furred cats called his name, their voices carrying through the field. Brokenstar relished in it for a few heartbeats before his ears pricked, hearing another collection of voices in the breeze.

Brokenstar glanced over his shoulder. Behind him, he saw the lush field break into dark, barren land but he knew no StarClan cat could see it. The shadows and the Dark Forest would always be with him. Standing at the invisible border, Brokenstar saw Mapleshade, Houndleap, and all the other cats who had played a paw in the events leading up to this day. Their eyes shone with satisfaction and their heads were thrown back as they yowled his new name.

Brokenstar closed his eyes, cherishing the sound of StarClan and the Dark Forest, the two opposing realms of his ancestors, chanting for a few moments. His tail curled. Finally… I've made it. I am the leader of ShadowClan.