Shadedsun

Art by Speed

## Description

Shadedsun was a huge, well-muscled dark gray-brown tortoiseshell tabby tom with pale green eyes, his left being blind with scars over it. He had a notched right ear and other scars on his face, flank, and neck.

## Personality

Shadedsun was strong, quiet, protective, stoic, short-tempered, and loyal. He could sometimes appear grim, cold and distant on the surface, but he was a very sensitive and compassionate cat at heart, willing to make great sacrifices in order to ensure the safety of his loved ones and his clanmates.

## History

Shadedsun was born in ThunderClan long ago and never knew his kin. In his youth he was very ambitious and often too quick to fight, never having many friends as he often kept to himself. He was quite troubled and often treated other cats with hostility and contempt, always maintaining a short temper.

However, things would begin to change once Shadedsun became a warrior. He fell in love with the gentle Bearfoot, and as they grew closer Shadedsun's heart began to soften. She helped calm his temper and ease his frustrations, bringing out his more caring and sensitive side that he hadn't known before. They soon became mates and had five kits, with Shadedsun also becoming a stepfather to Flamepaw. Together he and Bearfoot had Wolfkit, Shadekit and Ashkit (later Ashfall) in the first litter, and Blazekit and Stonekit in the second. In the moons he spent with Bearfoot and his kits, Shadedsun was happier than he had ever been in his life.

As moons passed, Shadedsun found himself more and more alone. Not all of his kits lived to become apprentices, and Bearfoot tragically passed after falling from the cliffs bordering ThunderClan territory, leaving Shadedsun devastated and bitter. He felt as if his life was falling apart, but he knew that Bearfoot would not have wanted him to despair forever. He held on to the hope that he would meet his family again in StarClan when the time came. Meanwhile, Shadedsun continued on with his life, striving to protect his loved ones the best he could. When twolegplace cats attacked the clans, Shadedsun bore many scars and was blinded in his left eye helping to defend his clanmates. However, he regained his strength and continued to serve as a warrior, and even into his old age he stubbornly refused to retire.

In the time that followed, ThunderClan enjoyed a long period of peace-- but it wouldn't last, as during this time the cats of the Dark Forest began plotting against the clans. An ancient leader named Rosestar came to Shadedsun in a dream and declared that he was one of the four cats meant to fulfill StarClan's prophecy. She sent him on a quest to join Archpath of RiverClan, Beesting of WindClan, and Irisfrost of ShadowClan to journey to the place where the sky touches the mountain and receive StarClan’s message. Despite his old age, Shadedsun maintained his strength and was determined to make the journey. Along the way, he became close friends with the other cats of the prophecy who traveled with him.

After reaching their destination, StarClan revealed to them that the clan leaders had been captured by the Dark Forest. StarClan sent the journeying cats to lead the clans to the Dark Forest in a battle to free the leaders and stop the Dark Forest from gaining power. Weary and quite elderly for a warrior, Shadedsun knew that this would be his last battle, but he used every last ounce of his strength to fight for the clans alongside his friends, becoming mortally wounded in the battle.

As he stood dying at the end of the battle, Shadedsun joined his friends Archpath, Beesting, and Irisfrost in facing Rainstar, the ancient Dark Forest leader. Rainstar arranged a deal with them, and it was decided that when the prophecy cats would die, they would be confined to the Dark Forest in place of the leaders. With his dying breath, Shadedsun agreed to it knowing that he had to sacrifice the chance of reuniting with his mate and kits in StarClan. He didn't know how long he would have to wait, but deep down he had faith that he would see them again someday.

At last, as the prophecy was fulfilled, Shadedsun died from his wounds and remained in the Dark Forest, watching as the leaders and their respective clans returned triumphantly to the living world. Shadedsun slowly reunited with Beesting and Irisfrost after they, too, passed away. Archpath, however, would eventually became RiverClan’s leader and receive his nine lives in the Dark Forest. Shadedsun was one of the three cats who gave a benevolent life; his life bore the gift of love. As time went by all four eventually reunited in the Dark Forest, where they would watch over the clans until they disappeared from living memory.

No one knows what became of Shadedsun after he ultimately faded away from the Dark Forest. But there's no doubt that on that day, he had finally broken free from darkness forever. Some speculate that wherever he is now, he has found a way to be with Bearfoot and his kits again.

## Other Details

- He was Speed's 12th character on the server.

Earliest design of Shadedsun - Art by SpeedBearfoot and Shadedsun - Art by SpeedBearfoot in Shadedsun's dream - Art by SpeedShadedsun joins the Dark Forest - Art by SpeedShadedsun alternate design - Art by SpeedShadedsun - Art by Speed