#But understand this; I LOVE Leopardstar.

[bonefall]

Two questions! What's Leopardstar doing after her death? She got dammed so hard that there was a comet in the sky iirc, and Starclan happily gave Mistystar her lives, so I imagine that Lep is PISSED that her murderer is being welcomed as a hero, while she's rotting in the DF. I would like to know how she feels about Tigerstar's plans, since BB Lep was an active supporter of his idealology

I thiiiink the fallen star thing was a joke, but it is a very funny image to think that any damned spirit becomes one tbh

But actually! Leopardstar and Mudclaw are both kind of ashamed of what they did. Leopardstar is more resigned to her fate, while Mudclaw eventually decides he wants to atone and gets involved with the StarClan bridge.

Being around Tigerstar and a bunch of the worst offenders of TigerClan has brought a lot of it back. Distance had made her begin to feel that there was no need to "throw the kitten out with the tonguewash." Tigerstar himself was bad, yes... but is it *really* so wrong to want a pure, strong Clan? What's wrong with putting RiverClan first?

But now she's back under his claw. Being spoken over, used as a pawn, just like old times. She hasn't confronted the CORE of how her ideology is bad, but she does remember know how humiliating this situation was, and how terrible Tigerstar really is.

But at the same time, she is proud. She cannot let Mistystar go unpunished. She wants "revenge," though, to her "revenge" is a rematch.

On the day she died, Mistystar attempted to poison Leopardstar's food, in a way unintentionally similar to how Leopardstar poisoned Crookedstar before them. So she recognized it right away. It struck her in that moment that she was sick of these dirty, dishonorable tactics.

So she pushed it aside, leapt to the top of the stump, and announced that she had learned of a pack of vicious rogues on the border. "Mistyfoot and myself will confront them. Alone. Don't follow."

Mistystar only won the fight through luck. There was a stone in the river where they fought, and she smashed Leopardstar's head on it until she stopped moving.

So, Leopardstar uses this in her death to hold a grudge. I think on some level she knows it's an excuse, or perhaps a quirk of her pride, that she feels her death was unfair. She believes she gave leadership to Mistystar by covering for her own murder-- and she WANTS that perfect fight.

But before the BOTTE, I plan for her to have a conversation with her apprentice. Hawkfrost's arc is to break free of his father and his legacy... and he needs to speak to his proud, strong leader, who he comes to realize is being used like a tool.

It's another step in his revelation about cycles. How he was used, how he's done the same thing to Ivypool, how people have been doing this to his loved ones long before he was born.

[lockandkeyhyena]

sending a ship i personally dislike; leopardtiger

sorry im feeling mean. i understand the appeal of a toxic power struggle couple but…….. idk it just doesnt do anything for me. i think it takes away from interesting motivations leopardstar could have had for siding with tigerstar for a simple ‘oh shes in love with him’ what about her making a bad decision because she loves her CLAN. cmon guys

[t4twnyclaw]

i think i have many thoughts about a starless clan arc, and only ONE of them good. spoilers for the ENTIRE ARC below.

CONTEXT: ASC is the only arc that I actually followed from start to end, when I got into TBC and AVOS those arcs were already complete and I spoiled myself and had a general idea of the plot and characters of that arc. ASC is the first arc ever in the WC series that I followed from start to finish; and I finally understand when other WC fans mention forgotten character arcs/unfinished plot-lines and rushed endings because oh my god ASC had all of these issues.

first of all. the villain. Splashtail.

I'm not going to lie I really enjoyed him in STAR. He is no Hawkfrost or Brokenstar but his kit-stealing motivations in Star were actually really nice to see. If this side of him was explored earlier on , oe eluded to I wouldn't be as disappointed but the problem here is: that his character shift slipping into madness isn't as smooth as it could be, and I feel like this in the previous book as well, where he seemingly drops his 'nice guy' facade completely.

Tigerstar the First's spiral into evil and madness is done way better. He's depicted as a loyal abiet a bit ruthless warrior, and a respectful family man (He does genuinely care for his kids.) and then he spirals and ends up killing and threatening his clanmates in gruesome ways. (Leading dogs to Brindleface, just blindly killing Runningwind and Redtail, Gorsepaw. etc.)

But at the same time you can see why people follow him, and why SC was eager to elect him as leader. He actually shows leadership skills. He feeds SC, he's a *warrior*.

The way Splashtail's descent leaves ALOT to be desired. It sucks because I loved the Macbeth-like lens they try to spin with Curlfeather and Splashtail but it just ends up falling flat, to me. Splashtail is just some teenager with no charisma skills but he could've been written like Tigerstar 1.

Unfinished plots/Plotholes

While ranting and raving about Splashtail I remembered how in the earlier books, It seemed like He and Berryheart (and their supporters) had a plan together from the beginning. But then STAR comes around and Berryheart and Splashtail's plan seemed to just be...her joining him? merging SC and RC? It seemed like it was a bigger deal in the first few books but it just felt like it fell flat here. Was their plan to try and vote Tigerstar 2 out of his position?

Tree specifically is mentioned twice, having to mediate the SC invading RC situation and both times I'm pretty sure we don't get a follow-up. And he seemingly did a bad job because RC still is really really, hostile against SC. So...Maybe he shouldn't be a mediator if he can't even mediate...correctly?

Leaders can be 'voted' out yet RC doesn't do this with Splashtail when he threatens kittens and obviously doesn't have the best interest in mind anymore.

One of the first lines Nightheart has is about Leadership being fluid, and being a shared responsibility between a few cats. In STAR, RC does just this when Splashtail is killed, even having two representatives during a gathering. I don't understand why RC just tried to disband instead of trying this out...

In STAR Sparrowtail has a conversation about family vs clan duties to Tigerstar 2. as if Tigerstar 2 doesn't CONSTANTLY put his family above his clan.

In STAR Frostpaw acts like she's never heard or seen of Leopardstar but...isn't Leopardstar the first Starclan cat she ever sees.

When Nightheart returns to TC It's implied Finchlight knows what heartbreak feels like, in regards to romantic love. WHO DID SHE LIKE...

Things I liked

Frostpaw, that's it. Frostpaw's POV actually carried this entire ARC. Even in TBC Bristlefrost and Rootspring's POV's may have dragged a bit (especially Rootpsrings) But they still contributed to the plot and characters greatly. Here, Nightheart and Sunbeam POV's mostly involve just each other and their feelings for each other to the point I think, it's obsessive.

I liked the warrior code changes, and I liked seeing Berryheart try to get Tigerstar 2 demoted, even if it was disappointing to actually witness and see play out.

I REALLY loved the names Splashtail gave Mistpaw and Greypaw. and I really like the idea of leaders giving new names as a punishment-of sorts. It reminds me of the cruel names from the first ARC.

I loved the relationship between parents and how that effects Frostpaw and Sunbeam. I wish we actually had more content of Lightleap and her parents, maybe to see how that effects her but whatever...

final thoughts

Sunbeams relationship with Nightheart wasn't anything new I really wanted to see her interact more with Lightleap and her family. Just, overall having Sunbeam STAY in SC instead of *immediately* joining TC would've been better. We have had all these arcs in TC's POV and just having Sunbeam stay in SC would've been SO MUCH BETTER!!!!

Having her realize she loves SC's territory and wants her kits to experience what she experienced so in the 2 month timeskip she and Nightheart move to SC instead would've sufficed.

overall. maybe a 4/10. and that 4 is completely from Frostpaw.

[cacw]

mistyfoot love interests ranked in order of how suicidal the relationship would leave her

5. fireheart. he was nice

4. blackclaw. they're divorced i don't think anything he could say or do would hurt her anymore. she's been through worse

3. sasha. this was it this was the happiest she was ever gonna be and she lost it and then she started to lose everything else again and again and again

2. russetfur. both silently crumpling under the responsibilities stacked on their shoulders and loyalties to their leaders and clans for different reasons. two vastly different moral compasses. one of the only people who can understand her but even then it's not the same and she can't help but hate her a little. the breakup is rough

1. leopardstar

[the-owl-tree]

I could see her trying to bring Mistyfoot, Featherpaw and Stormpaw back to Riverclan, not because she genuinely feels bad for what happened and understands that it was HER FAULT IT HAPPENED, but because she can't handle the idea of them leaving and being a reminder of her faults every gathering.

If they leave, it means that she was wrong, and what she did was wrong. If they leave for thunderclan, she failed. but if they stay, she can pretend they were always welcomed. She can pretend Stonefur died on patrol or by an illness, not by her own ambitions and foolishness.

Also I love the idea of Mistyfoot holding it over her head as they got older, every time Leopardstar is about to say something disparaging about half- clan cats or anything she's just like "yeah you're right, why don't we just hold them prisoner and execute them? "

The authors might be willing to write it off as all being tigerstar's doing, but I think Mistyfoot was smart enough to see leopards' true colors

Honestly, I'm down with Leopardstar bringing them back to save face. She knows she's fucked up, I would have preferred it if she had extended the paw first solely to save her reputation....and then later slipped back into old habits because she never really fully understood or cared about the damage she had done. Then Mistyfoot bludgeons her to death with a rock :)

I think Mistyfoot getting to be angry at the very least, cold and quick to tell Leopardstar she's a moron would've been good but maaaann the authors are committed to the most boring choice. Even Blackstar got pushback from Firestar in his novella, Mistyfoot doesn't even get to tell Leopardstar she didn't deserve her star title.

[warrior-cats-rewritten]

So Duskfur is from the early Po3 generation. A bit older than Lion Jay and Holly. She is the daughter of Hawkfrost and Primroseheart, granddaughter of Tigerstar and Mistystar.

She was trained by Leopardstar personally. After her failure to make Hawkfrost Tigerstar's successor, she figures to do it with the much more malleable Duskpaw, since Sasha joining Riverclan and Tadpole surviving means that Hawkfrost was safer with a support system, not to mention Primroseheart being a shoulder to lean on when his intrusive, violent thoughts got unbearable.

Their firstborn, Duskpaw, was sharp edged. She was fiercely independent even as a small kitten. Primroseheart and Hawkfrost loved her deeply, they gave her what she wanted. Primmy even helped her start learning Glyphs and recipes before she was apprenticed, she had such a thirst for learning. Hawkfrost let her help with Weaving and drying out minnows.

And then... Leopardstar got her claws in. She fed Duskpaw ideas about her father's "failure" and how "soft" he had grown. Domestic. Happy to settle with a cat that wasn't even born in Riverclan, to a cat who was not pure Riverclan. (Never minding the fact that Hawkfrost isn't even partially Riverclan, the blame is falling squarely on Primmy. Double standards and bigotry don't make sense.)

"Does that make me bad?"

"No, Duskpaw, of course not. You were born and raised here. You're special. You understand Riverclan, and you can see the value of... Other ideals."

"Other ideals?"

"Indeed. I'm not going to force you to think things, Duskpaw, I'd never do that! But, don't you think there's value in hearing every opinion?"

"Yeah! Mama says everybody in Riverclan is important!"

"... Of course she does. Did she ever tell you about Tigerclan? Sure, it had its flaws, and faults, nothing is perfect... But I think there is importance in seeing some of the good that came out of it, too."

"Uh, no, I-"

"It showed the other Clans just how ferocious Riverclan warriors can be. We focused on strengthening the Clan, rather than trying to bargain with traitors and weak cats... We tried to make new traditions, but... I guess they weren't around long enough to stick."

"Wait, wait... You can MAKE new traditions?"

"Of course, silly! How do you think they start?"

"Oh, yeah! I guess I never thought about it."

"I see... One such tradition was to focus on finding out which cats would betray us. Which cats were not Purely for Riverclan... Goodness, that sun sure is getting high in the sky, we'd better get back to camp now if you want to meet up with the other apprentices! And, since you worked so hard, why don't you pick a big fish from the fresh-kill pile first?"

"Wow! Thanks, Leopardstar!"

"Of course. Just... Do me a favour?"

"Yes?"

"Don't tell your parents what we spoke about. Talk of True, Pure, Riverclan Strength makes some cats... Uncomfortable."

"Hm... Okay, I'll keep it a secret! See you later!"

This went on throughout Duskpaw's apprenticeship. She was curious to learn, Leopardstar was more than happy to fill her head with ideas she would later tell her were her own. She destroyed her own relationship with her parents, hardly speaking to them once she became a warrior, only wanting to talk to the cats who would remind her of what Leopardstar spoke about.

The cats who grieved the hardest when Leopardstar turned up dead during the Drought.

Her status as a good mentor is made clear, as she had already mentored Copperpaw/Copperfur, along with Shadenose (Formerly Shadepelt AVoS). Her third apprentice, Dappletuft, has been moved down to be Curlfeather's apprentice.

Duskfur would later go on to have Curlkit and Podkit, calling Queen's Rights. She disagreed with its existence, but when she and her Riverclan Honour Sire got into a fight, she refused to name him out of spite. He never spoke out against it, leaving the father of the 2 unknown. Their father will never be named.

Curlkit and Podkit were spoiled. Duskfur demanded of her own grandmother, Mistystar, give them the best mentors, while Riverclan was still recovering from the damage that the Flood had caused. Her son and daughter were very different, and where Podpaw was outspoken and rude, his mentor Mallownose only encouraging andenabling his behavior.

The more quiet and watchful Curlpaw was assigned to Reedwhisker. Curlpaw was left out of things as her mother and brother grew close, their views very similar, but Reedwhisker made sure that his apprentice was always cared for and looked after. He was her great-uncle, but might as well have been a father to her. At least... From his point of view.

Curlfeather always seemed distant with him... Like she knew something she wouldn't talk about...

Duskfur was actually quite overjoyed when Curlfeather announced her pregnancy. Though she preferred Podlight, she knew Podlight had no interest in having kits, and she wanted grandchildren. Unfortunately, she did not particularly like Curlfeather's choice of mate, the soft-spoken, gentle Jayclaw.

It hurt, of course, knowing that it would break her daughter's heart, but Duskfur knew what was best for her. A soft mate would make her daughter soft, and Duskfur never liked him much to begin with, not to mention his grandfather, Rainstorm, so clearly half-Thunderclan that Jayclaw himself looked like he belonged in the dense forest. He wasn't Purely for Riverclan. She would be doing Curlfeather a favour, after all...

Jayclaw was never a good swimmer anyways.

[blimbo-buddy]

a shadow in riverclan it's horrible and I honestly can't understand how anyone likes it, Feathertail basically forgives Leopardstar for no valid reason??? and becomes xenophobic?? idk dude, I know these books have this """""culture""""" of facts being xenophobic, but how come they don't see the problem here, just feels icky yk?

I can get how people like the story from a perspective of reading about FeatherTail's trauma, but really everything else is just total shit for me. Genuinely the way both FeatherTail and the books (including outside of the GN) is horrible, in the latter's case it's just demonization after demonization towards a heavily traumatized woman who was manipulated by a murderous tyrant (Granted she didn't know about TigerStar's actions until she found out, then she left him). Sasha's trauma is written in a way that's so depressing but also realistic (the trauma bonding, missing her abuser, still having lingering feelings for him). Sasha was right to make sure FeatherTail would keep the secret of her kit's father even after she left. Sasha knew how badly the clans would freak out over NOTHING. Those kids did nothing wrong, but because their dad was TigerStar now they're a threat and need to suffer retribution for the crime of being related to a horrible person. As for FeatherTail and StormFur instantly forgiving LeopardStar's bullshit apology, yeah what the fuck was that. FeatherTail can forgive and understand the person who allowed for her and her brother to be executed as children but can't even imagine bringing herself to forgive- let alone understand- the person who's also a victim of TigerStar? Fuck you, FeatherTail. Also she can't say shit about Sasha's preferences in men she went on to fall in love with CrowFeather.

[longstarau]

Longstar AU — Chapter Twenty

   “You have bees in your brain, Firestar!” Leopardstar growled, “And so do your warriors. I knew that ThunderClan warriors were always bee brained,” She gazed at Stormfur, nestled in between Graystripe and Brambleclaw. “And now my own warriors seem to be catching it.”

   “Don’t say mouse-dung about my son!” Graystripe growled.

   “Graystripe.” Firestar hissed, narrowing his eyes. “I understand your anger. Trust me, I feel the same,” He cast a glare at Leopardstar. “You're saying you don’t believe this message from StarClan because it goes against what'd you'd like to hear? Sounds as if you're the one with bees in your brain.”

   “There is no reason for RiverClan to leave the forest.” Leopardstar narrowed her eyes. “I have no qualms with the rest of you leaving. RiverClan has the river—we have our fish, we have our protection. We'll be fine here.”

   “If that’s what you wish, Leopardstar.” Deadstar dipped his head, flicking his tail. “It’s not safe for the rest of us. ThunderClan's camp has been destroyed. They're having to stay in our camp.. and who knows how long that will be safe for. ShadowClan has already spotted them in their territory, mowing down trees. And if you think that RiverClan will fare fine.. than okay. Stay. But we'll be leaving for our families and friends safeties.”

   “Than go.” She growled, “Now, is that all? Can we leave and go home to rest, you three?”

   “Yes.” Blackstar grumbled, “You can go, Leopardstar.” 

   And with those last few words, the spotted leader jumped from the rock, leading her clan out of the hollow.

   “So,” Firestar flicked his tail. “When will we be leaving?”

   “Two nights from now.” Deadstar meowed, “If that’s okay with ThunderClan and ShadowClan.”

   “Perfectly fine, I suppose.” Blackstar replied.

   “Yes, great.” Firestar smiled, “ThunderClan.” The tom rose his voice to the rest of his clan, leaping off the rock. Deadstar followed quickly behind, Longtail padding after the pair beside Mudclaw.

   “So you have kits, hm?” Mudclaw glanced at him, “I’ve seen them running around camp.”

   “Yeah. Why?” Longtail flattened his ears, “Don’t go anywhere near them—“

   “Do you think I would hurt kits, Longtail? You think that highly of me, huh?” Mudclaw rolled his eyes, “I wouldn’t hurt them. Or your mate, for that matter. I was only asking me.”

   “I don’t think very highly of you, you're correct.” Longtail hissed, “You have a disdain for kittypets, or anyone who is simply different. I did once, but I’ve gotten over that and grown up. You can’t seem to, can you?”

   “Mm.” Mudclaw flattened his ears, narrowing his eyes, “I'd keep your ears pricked, Longtail.” He growled, striding away. Longtail sighed, skipping over to his mate.

   “Oh, hi.” Blizzardspots smiled, pressing against his side, “Everything okay?” She mewed softly, a gentle purr rumbling from her chest.

   “Yes.” He cast a glare at Mudclaw across the way, “Mudclaw is just ticking me off. How Deadstar could pick him as deputy confuses me.”

   “Oh,” Blizzardspots shrugged. “He’s been nothing but sweet to me and the kits. And he’s a great warrior ready to protect his clan at any turn,” She took a deep breath. “I don’t see the problem.”

   “We’ve always had issues, ever since we were apprentices.” Longtail meowed, “I didn’t like the way he treated a lot of my friends at the time, and me, honestly. All his bullying pushed me toward Tigerstar. One of the worst decisions of my life.”

   “Don’t let that get to you, Longtail,” Blizzardspots mewed, pressing her head against his shoulder. “No matter what happened with Tigerstar.. your a good cat now. Your the cat I love.” She purred, “Now, c'mon, the kits are going to want to see you.”

   “Papa!” Sandkit rushed up to him, brushing against his legs. Her tail was beating against his paws, “Can you believe we’re gonna be apprentices tomorrow?!”

   “I really can’t.” Longtail purred, rasping his tongue over her head. “You're going to be one of the best apprentices I’ve ever seen.”

   Her tail thrashed back and forth, “Really?” 

   “Really. And your brothers, too.” Longtail dragged his paw over his ear.

   “Sandkit!” Silverkit rushed up to his sister, “C'mon, Dustkit and I are gonna play mossball!” His tail thrashed back and forth.

   “Go on.” Longtail gently nudged the she-cat toward her brother.

   “You'll visit us before bed, right?” Sandkit questioned.

   “Like always,” Longtail flicked his tail. Sandkit smiled, brushing up against his legs before pelting off after her brother. His ears flattened, watching as the three kits tenderly played mossball. He really didn’t know if he was ready for them to grow up.

   “They're sweet, y'know,” Deadstar's tail flicked across his back. “Just like their wonderful mother. And they'll make great warriors, just like their father.”

   “I know, I just..” Longtail murmured.

   “You're worried about Dustkit, I get it.” Deadstar sighed, “He’s blind. He has a disability. But that doesn’t matter. I have one, as well, so do you—so does Cinderpath, so does Brightheart, so does Swiftflame. We are all still strong. We are all still warriors at heart.” He meowed, resting his tail comfortingly on Longtail's shoulder, “You have no need to worry about him. Or any of them.”

   “In my head I know that. And I’m really, really not—I just—don’t want any of them to get hurt. They're my kits, they're my kin.” Longtail sighed heavily.

   “Every father wants their kits to be safe. Every cat wants their kin to be safe. But they must fall down to learn. They must fall down to become warriors—because they must learn to get back up. They're get hurt, they'll—they'll leave—but they'll always come back to where they call home. They'll always get back up.” Deadstar took in a sharp breath, “I'll leave you be. Make sure you rest, Longtail. You need to calm your mind. See our medicine cat if you need.” He flicked his tail again, slipping off to his den.

   Longtail let out a heavy sigh, padding off toward the nursery, his slow tired paws carrying him there. He peeked inside, Blizzardspots lying with Sandkit and Silverkit nestled in the crook of her stomach. Though, there was Dustkit, sitting up straight, his blind blue eyes wide.

   “Papa?” Dustkit slowly trotted toward him, “Is that you?”

   “It’s me, Dustkit.” Longtail murmured softly. “Why aren’t you asleep?”

   “I’m worried, papa,” Dustkit coiled his tail around his paws. “I’m not going to be a normal apprentice like my siblings, a-are I?”

   “Of course you are.” Longtail flattened his ears, gazing at the kit with sadness in his green eyes. “Why wouldn’t you be?”

   “Because I’m blind.” Dustkit mumbled, “They're all going to coddle me like I’m a kit still, even when I’m a warrior. Or a medicine cat, that might be better—“

   “No.” Longtail hissed, “If you want to be a medicine cat, Dustkit, than you'll be a medicine cat. But if you want to be a warrior, you're going to be a warrior. No-one is going to stop you. I'll make sure if it.”

   “A-are you sure?“ Dustkit stammered, “How can you know I’ll even be any good at it?”

   “It’s in your blood, Dustkit,” Longtail leaned down to nuzzle his son. “Now, come on, let’s get you to bed. It’s late and you have an apprentice ceremony to get to tomorrow.”

   Longtail settled down in the empty nest across from Blizzardspots, patting the ground with his paw, signaling for Dustkit to follow. With a gentle purr, the brown tom trotted over, curling himself up in between Longtail's paws.

[nightly-ruse]

While thinking about anthro and deep southern Mothwing I had the idea of a anthro timeline like warrior cats so here it is lol

Sasha is new in town and raised highly Christian (in the serve your husband and don’t speak out kind of way it really fucked her up) so when she meets a seemingly kind man who goes by the name of Tiger she kinda immediately falls in love. She grew up on those fantasy fall in love at first sight and always wanting that. And now getting the littlest kindness from a stranger, it was like it was meant to be in her mind.

She follows him everywhere slowly becoming more trapped in his life. Even willing to join his own group. But just as she’s about to pledge her faith to them she learns of his true nature and what their cult really is. With the help of Ray (Russetfur) she escapes. But she’s already been pregnant and now just a few months off giving birth. She ends up having Sienna (Moth), Sycamore (Hawk) and Simon (Tadpole) by herself and barley survives being unable to do anything for a long time. While very young her kits try to help her out by getting some food by themselves, attempting to hook something off that old bridge nearby. But while trying to throw the first line Simon slipped and fell in, Sycamore dived in after and Sienna swam in just behind him. All three had to be saved by a person nearby who noticed the frantic splashing but sadly Simon had swallowed too much water and drowned.

Both Sienna and Sycamore were very sick but even more so depressed. Sienna plagued by survivors guilt and Sycamore by misdirected anger at how hard their life was. Not being able to deal with it Sasha gave them up to lady who saved them, a strong woman named Lakelyn (Leopardstar) or Lake as the kids called her.

They grew up in that same cult their mother had run from. Sycamore falling into the same violent side as their father had and Sienna begging to escape the cycle. She made friends with many. Especially kind Lily (Leafpool) and her sister Sally (Squilf). Until that day at the lake. Just like before she was too late, as she walked along the once beautiful beach she saw her final brother there dead, a spike through his throat. Dying as he drowned on his own blood. She had so much she was supposed to be more powerful and yet everyone still died. Over and over again.

While clerics weren’t usually allowed to wear any weapons or shield their head she did both. Keeping her brother’s knife at her hip and their bandannas over her head. If the stars above wanted so badly to drown her like they did everyone else then she wasn’t going to make it easy. She wasn’t going to blindly follow their word or even let them see her. She was done with them.

Besides the actual story of it in this the different clans are different small towns separated by their natural terrain. Riverclan is based on more marshy wetlands and called River Roots, Thunderclan is a sunny forest called Thunder Oaks, Shadowclan is a dark pine forest called Shaded Pines, and Windclan is a big open field called Windy Grasses.

Clerics are more so priests who dedicate their whole life to caring and understanding the stars. Or kinda like nuns. They aren’t to fight or draw blood so keeping a knife let alone Sycamores knife is a huge deal. Even more so that she shields her head from the stars. She also knows he was murdered obviously and HATES Bruce (Bramble) bc she knows he killed her brother.

Her and Lily are secret lesbians I decree it. Only visiting on new moons so to be out of the stars gaze. Sienna also helps Lily not only hide her pregnancy but also give birth taking the spot of Yellowfang in Leafpool’s Wish. The three would be named Raury (Lionblaze), Jay, and Brandy (Hollyleaf). Brandy and Bailey (Breezepelt) are also much closer in this I just think they should be.

[bonefall]

Big question cause I’m so mad about how they were used: any ideas on changing Berryheart and Curlfeather from this book?

I have ONE controversial opinion and you must allow me this;

Curlfeather not apologizing to Frostdawn kinda rocks as an idea.

Obviously it reads as insulting because of how they gave Berryheart a Tom the Wifebeater ass Redemption Death in this book, and the general way that they've not approached her with the nuance she deserves is frustrating. I agree.

But hold my hand and walk with me. Imagine Curlfeather, mauled and bloody before the daughter she died saving. Frostpaw's gone through so much fixing the damage she caused, furious at the state her mother's in, the mess she made of RiverClan, all the suffering everyone's gone through... and Curlfeather says,

"I don't regret anything."

"Really? REALLY? I go through all of that, I come ALL this way, and you won't even give me a rotten little sorry?"

She doesn't give her mother a chance to respond, lashing her tail towards the grimmace that hangs off the side of her shredded cheek, "You're not sorry for how you lead to yourself looking like THAT?"

Frostpaw shoves her scarred throat foward, "You're not sorry for THIS?"

She claws dig into the sodden black earth of the Dark Forest, "You're not sorry you're HERE?"

Curlfeather is quiet, her remaining eye stoic like a stone. Frostpaw begs furiously, "NOTHING?"

"I will vow on our blood that I will not lie to you anymore," the demon's tone is soft and honest, "and I hope that means more than the insincere apology I could offer you otherwise."

Just when it feels like Frostpaw has so much anger that her body can't handle it, pain stuffs itself inside her in equal measure. Her stomach is sick with love, throat choked with affection. It takes her a minute to form the word,

"Why?"

"When my father, Reedwhisker, was taken by the Kin, I saw how they broke him. His uncle, Stonefur, did not buckle under Tigerstar. My grandmother Mistyfoot quietly rescued the Clan from his accomplice, Leopardstar, while Mistystar willingly worked alongside a vicious impostor."

Now that Frostpaw is the one who's waiting quietly, Curlfeather's voice flutters hopefully, "I was willing to do anything to restore my Clan to greatness," the specter pads foward, touching her nose to her daughter's trembling forehead, "except sacrifice you."

She didn't expect to feel the harsh sting of her daughter's paw smacking her across the nose. She reels back.

"You don't get it! It's not about YOU! It's about everyone you hurt! Dont try to pretend it was all worth it, you didn't make anything great, you just broke it!"

"I had to break it so it could be set back stronger. I gave you the chance for the power, and now you are making it better than it was."

"That was in spite of you! You told me to trust no cat and I had to unlearn that!"

"I saved you when I could have escaped with my life."

"From a situation you caused in the first place!"

"It was a warrior's death!"

There is a silence that settles over them. Curlfeather is snarling in offense. Frostpaw looks, again, at her mother's fatal wounds, the defensive stance. She's reminded of how the cats of other cultures don't always see scars as rewards for a fight survived-- just reminders of pain you've gone through.

"...it was a warrior's death," she agrees, gently, watching tattered hackles smoothen out, "...and now you're dead, while I'm still alive."

The emotion in Curlfeather's face is solemn, but otherwise incomprehensible to her daughter. The expression on Frostpaw's is equally unreadable to her mother. This is the only thing they will ever understand about each other-- that there is an irreconcilable difference between them, steeper than the divide between sky and earth.

The last words the demon speaks to her daughter are, "I love you."

It's only years later that Frostdawn can say, "I love you too."

[notwarriorswiki]

Will StarClan be changed in anyway? Also did any other books go differently? Such as Leopardstar's honor or the Forbidded Spottedleaf's Heart?; or did even some cats change besides the ones you already have mentioned? Is not everyone related to Firestar. (Also your art is amzing, I loaf in so much). Ahhh more questions? Will names be changed; IF Twigbranch is made a warrior in any of the Clans will her name be changed or stay the same. Twigbranch is one of my faves so...

I just want to say how much I’ve missed writing for you guys, answering questions, and just fleshing out the Warriors world. What an amazing fandom it is, and I just appreciate everyone who interacts with and supports me so sincerely much. Thank you! <3

StarClan change - there’s a higher power above StarClan, like one single all knowing being. StarClan is just a bunch of dead cats and they interact with the living here and there as needed to pass on the higher power’s foreseeable word. This higher being, known as Chi (a very large chimera cat) is concerned though as the barrier between living and dead is wavering. These cats are leaving physical marks and can harm the living, something Chi doesn’t want. This is the catalyst for Power of Twelve, Chi granting powers to the mortal 12 in hopes they can find the way to sever the connection and push both StarClan and The Dark Forest away.

This is very hard for the 12 to learn as time goes on. They realize what they must do, but they’re all young and have grown up with StarClan being the brightest of lights and the most trustworthy. However, upon having their faith shaken and realizing not all of StarClan is alright with what they’re attempting to do, the 12 understand light and darkness are two sides that must exist in equal parts. To dispel the Dark Forest, they must also dispel StarClan.

Books that went Differently - Spottedleaf’s Heart was extensively changed. Thistleclaw doesn’t even attempt a relationship, he just tries to manipulate her to give him favor with Sunstar so that he might become deputy and then leader. It’s kinda like a Hawkfrost/Mothwing situation where ambitious warrior bullies medicine cat to fake signs and get what they want.

As for Leopardstar’s Honor, I’d remove her having romantically loved Frogleap and Tigerstar. Idk, she always read as ace/aro if anything - just very much thinking about RiverClan and making them the best. It just feels very unnecessary for her story, especially when I find it far more compelling the way she adopts Whiteclaw and tends to him after the death of his parents. Her being this single mother who cares for him like her father and the clan did for her I think is far more poetic than her little romantic bursts, but that’s just me.

Finally I think I would’ve either made it clearer her disdain for half-clan cats that she’d kill some of her closest friends, OR lean into it being the ThunderClan problem because Leopardstar was endlessly bothered by ThunderClan. I mean losing her best friend, losing Whiteclaw, Oakheart, Sunningrocks quarrels, Silverstream, and then Tigerstar whispering in her ear and the usurping, and now she learns about two of her close friends Mistyfoot and Stonefur?? Like pick a narrative and I guess sell that a bit more because it feels like there’s something there and they have the pieces but they’re not really tying it into that bow that I’d personally like to see.

I guess those are more writing critiques than event changes, but geez I’d also sell Leopardstar’s actual honor and redeem her better than whatever book did. Oh yeah, what if they acknowledged her diabetes?

Name changes do happen! Sparkpelt is now Sparkfire and Twigbranch is now Twigshade. I chose Twigshade so then she matches with her sister Violetshine.

[coffincove]

leopardstar

Hello! First post, as shown in a leopardstar fanatic mainly due to the fact that I’m reading her super novella. I’m trying to reignite the warrior cat fandom. I’ll be making a warrior cat forums page with more updates and questions, link will be posted soon!

Click more to see my opinions of leopardstar:!

Honestly, I sympathize with her, and I feel as if people are to harsh and to quick to judge her as a villain. Yes, she’s made bad decisions, but after reading her book it’s safe to say I understand why.

Spoiler warning:!

Her father had high hopes for her due to the loss of his mate and kits, what was expected out of her siblings future was pushed onto such a tiny kit during critical period were words were facts. The entirety of the books (or at least half of it) is based on wanting to appease her father Mudfur. If you look deeply into why she pushed her love for Frogleap aside you’ll note she wanted to meet her assumed expectations set by her father. But going past that, she grew up with death, starting with having no mother or siblings and believing it was her fault they died (no thanks to skykit). Her father was her only chance of family and reliance, and later as she grew up her best friend Sunfish died which of course left her devistated but brought Lepoardfur and Whiteclaw closer together. I honestly adore their dynamic, they are my favorite duo (mother and son) in the entire saga. And you can see how close they are, even though they aren’t blood related they love each other beyond life and death which ultimately breaks my heart. After the death of her best friend and promise to protect him the day before her death, she also grows close to Frogleap who she ultimately has to push aside to chase after being leader of the clan. And not only does he move on quickly with another queen but has kits within the moon they’re broken up in. She loves Frogleap, even after the river incident she declares she loves him.

But getting back on track, she looses sunfish and looses her mate. Up until this point she’s been surrounded by death, and reading TPB I never looked deeply into Lepoardstar (also due to how young I was) and why what happened next was such a big deal to her. But as Fireheart and Greystripe invade Riverclan territory, whiteclaw charges ahead of the patrol and graystripe accidentally pushes him down a cliff and into the water.

Reading this genuinely made my heart break. Lepoardfur was beyond a mother and had love stronger than a mother could ever had. This was her kid, not through blood but through love. And the chapters post white claws death are heart wrenching. I couldn’t bring myself to read for days because I broke down in tears. I never expected him to die, I thought her mentors death happened at the gorge, not his. And it beyond pained me to read it. There’s no death sadder than his, and her reaction is all the more worse.

But continuing. After she begins to slowly process grief, the love of her life ends up being killed as well. She has to comfort his mate through it though and has to tell their kids what happened.

I genuinely have had to cease reading since it’s to heartbreaking.

Pre reading this book and just reading the series made me despise leopardstar, but now reading her novella, I beyond resonate with her. She’s genuinely the stronger warrior and most loving out of any cat, and her book made me hate silverstream and greystripe.

Of course it was greystripes fault he died, but the death still happened. And that patrol was meant for him to admit his feelings for silverstream while she was sneaking behind the clans back to meet with his murderer.

I admire lepoardstar with everything and love her. Reading lepoardstars hope is one of them best books I’ve ever read and highly suggest any warrior cat fan, even if you’re older and haven’t touched the books, to read it.

[yuridovewing]

A Shadow In RiverClan Diagnosis: C

Very pretty comic, Barry's art is absolutely gorgeous in this one. He did a great job with the backgrounds and the coloring, and I really love Feathertail's design here. It all looks really nice. I also like how Feathertail's PTSD is represented, she's resentful and cold to her clanmates and she has every right to be, yet doing so is still harming her. She makes reckless decisions and only serves to make her situation worse. That's a really compelling internal conflict for her to reconcile with. I found a lot of her struggles really relatable because I've also isolated myself and resented people who enabled my abuse. It honestly felt really freeing to see Feathertail cope with her feelings and begin to reach out to others again by the end of the book.

The problem is the everything else. This doesn't feel like a satisfying Feathertail story, and it just passes as a Stormfur one. Leopardstar being uwu so sorry is annoying, I think it's good that she apologized to Feathertail and Stormfur and I agree with the writing that it was a good thing to do for Feathertail's arc... but Feathertail shouldn't have to forgive her. She can move on, open up again, but she can do that without forgiving the one who had Stonefur executed in front of her. Also wow she's just as xenophobic to ThunderClan as the rest of RiverClan now... what fantastic character development. And it's so awkward with what we know from TNP, where she dates Crowpaw and sacrifices herself for the Tribe and stays in their afterlife instead of StarClan. I don't think reconciling with RiverClan was the correct option for this story specifically in the grand scheme of things.

Sasha deserved better too. It feels bad that Feathertail reconciled with Leopardstar but not Sasha. I can understand Feathertail being upset about Hawk and Moth being TIgerstar's children, and Sasha not immediately saying what the situation was, but its weird how she never ever recognizes that Sasha was a victim, just like she was. FFS, Sasha literally says she ran away before Tigerstar learned she was expecting his halfclan kits, and Feathertail is STILL like "muh muh muh you bastard i cant believe you love that guy". it's a shame, cause they're both not the "perfect victims" that the media likes to portray. Sasha still loves her abuser and misses him and wanted better for him even though he would never do the same for her, because he'd broken her down so much that she only wants his validation. Feathertail hates her leader for ordering her death and is scared of her clanmates for egging her on, and does not forgive them for a very long time. It makes sense! I always like to see different depictions of trauma. But there's just a lack of sympathy to Sasha that I don't like.

This is also just a nitpick btw, and not exclusive to this book, but why have Oakheart tell her the prophecy and not Crookedstar, the cat she actually knew and had a good relationship with? She'd absolutely listen to him so I don't get what the deal was. Even if Crookedstar wasn't a huge character when they wrote that plot point, neither was Deadfoot. I dunno, it's weird.

Anyways. I'm just gonna be looking at this for spare parts for my au. I won't lie, I'm pretty sure this is alongside Leopardstar's Honor squarely in the "not canon" category. Which is a shame, cause there's stuff I like, but it just doesn't make a lot of sense.

[burning-thistles-bt]

is she! sedgecreekflower!

a minor character with semi-importance thats still irrelevant in the scheme of things. sadge

Alder and I never actually looked at her canon history before we made her the character she is in BT now bcus we thought she was just a Background Character (which she is!) but it turns out she has Some Importance in canon side books

to start off, she’s in the same generation as Leopardfur! Older by a few moons or so, I believe. I read Leopardstar’s Honor so I should know but c’mon who remembers that stuff lmao. apparently Leopardfur thought she was bossy. tbf i think all the kits except Sunfish? and maybe Frogleap? were mean to Leopardfur in some way. but i still classified them as friends! kithood friends. they all stood together when Skypaw was held back and waited to become warriors with her. how nice :)

she’s also Crookedjaw’s first apprentice! she appears to be a little rambunctious and over-energetic. y’know, one of your typical apprentice personalities. she also apparently thinks Rippleclaw is really cool! this ties in nicely with the “admirance” part of her personality - i think she can get a little ‘obsessed’ over certain people and idolize them as a ‘can do no wrong’ kind of thing.

onto her personality! our Sedgecreek is kind of a well-meaning but self-serving kind of cat. she wants good for her friends and clanmates, but she’s also a bit oblivious, or, well “bossy.” despite Lightningfur constantly clearly pushing her away or calling her annoying/disgusting, Sedgecreek is just “aw! so cute :) she’s playing hard to get teehee.” she is very straight-forward herself though! she doesn’t hide her crush on Lightningfur and is unphased by any teasing.

as for why Sedgecreek has a crush on Lightningfur? it was completely randomly selected, in the moment sort of author decision. but, upon reflection, the reason would be simply that Sedgecreek was impressed by Lightningfur after the flood. previously she just kind of thought Lightningfur was There and ThunderClan and Out of Place and ignored her. but after the flood, where Lightningfur saved the kits and helped keep the clan calm/safe, Sedgecreek thought Lightningfur was noble and selfless. she began to believe that underneath that rough, prickly exterior, there was a kind and shy soul wanting to be loved, and Sedgecreek continues to blindly believe it to this day

but why does Lightningfur hate Sedgecreek?

at first, when Sedge first started being pushy and invading her personal space, Lightning truly and utterly hated her - she was the bane of her existence! she was annoying, pushy, didn’t leave Lightning alone like she wanted, had this disgusting “crush” on her (Lightning hates romance! the idea sickened her to her core!), and she wasn’t even a strong or smart warrior (in Lightning’s opinion)! Sedge doesn’t have the best understanding of boundaries, so its honestly understandable why Lightning is annoyed by her.

but after Silverstream’s death, there was a slight change over time. Sedge thought Lightning needed even more support and love after such a tragic event (Sedge was not so blind that she didn’t see that Lightning had a crush on Silver). at first Lightning hated this, desperately wanting space. but being alone while filled with hatred is a bitter existence and Sedge’s persistent attempts broke Lightning a little. though Lightning still hates her, now it’s because Sedge isn’t Silverstream. no one will ever be as perfect a best friend as Silverstream, so she is outright refusing to truly stop hating Sedge, and keeps herself in the cycle of despising Sedge. but all the while, Sedge has sort of become her new best friend, because at the very least Lightning acknowledges that she’s very very loyal and she begrudgingly/unconsciously keeps Sedge in her ‘inner circle.’

besides, Lightning would rather be "besties” with Sedge than creepy cultish old man Rippleclaw

(also things of note are: Thistlestar killed her dad, Timberfur. he poisoned the prey that killed Timberfur the deputy, which lead to Oakheart becoming deputy and so forth. Thistlestar also killed her mentor Crookedstar, obviously.

her brother Reedtail left in exile with Leopardfur. so did her kithood friend Skyheart.)

[the-owl-tree]

objectively im aware of the issues with a shadow in riverclan but also as a “bad trauma survivor” (read: somebody whos paranoid, lashes out, and self-isolates, currently in recovery) the book speaks to me on a personal level in a vaccuum and i cant really make myself hate it. and honestly some of the criticisms i see get REALLY close to the “if a trauma survivor lashes out at the wrong person then theyre an inherently horrible person” thing thats so common in fandom. if you get what im saying? like i dont think thats what theyre saying (im autistic and have a hard time looking past initial impressions) but also the phrasing is. eh.

its like in the grand scheme of warriors and the writers history of misogyny the issues are there, but the way some people word their takes makes me. Uncomfortable. if that makes sense. (this isnt me defending the writers or looking for a fight just something ive noticed that im having a hard time wording)??

that being said feathertail should have thrown leopardstar into a volcano and i cannot comprehend her decision to forgive her

No no you’re good! I understand what you’re trying to say, I definitely understand where you’re coming from. While I can definitely understand where you’re coming from, I think it’s worth mentioning (and I’m just preaching to the choir here, you seem well aware of these issues so I’m not trying to argue or dismiss your feelings) that Feathertail’s feelings are supported by the narrative. You’re meant to understand why she’s angry and lashing out, her feelings are justified by the story. So when people are discussing this, (and of course, I think being aware of wording and the potential hurt one can cause is important), her lashing out at Sasha in itself isn’t the issue, it’s how the narrative treats it.

Sasha in herself is a “bad victim”, she is someone who loves her abuser and, whether people want to admit it or not, it can lead a lot of people to invalidate the abuse people face because of this. So why is Feathertail able to forgive Leopardstar and not Sasha when the former plays a far larger in what happened to Feathertail? How does that play into Feathertail’s overall larger arc of forgoing outsider attachments and devoting herself to her Clan? And what is the narrative trying to tell us about Sasha, a character who, as I’ve stated, does not play her victim role “”right””?

Not saying you’re arguing that Feathertail’s treatment of Sasha is right, you’ve pointed out you recognized the underlying bias the narrative has. I’m just trying to speak to why this plot line is a bit of a double edged sword in trying to discuss “bad victims”. I definitely understand what you’re saying though, it’s always worth keeping real people’s feelings in mind when discussing these things.

You’re absolutely right on the last point, she should’ve fed Leopard to that fox lol

[healing-fire--rewrite]

Real fucking bold to have aro- and aphobia in your story....

I'm ace and possibly-maybe-we'll see aro. Arophobia and aphobia are topics that I really don't see tackled in most books. General homophobia, sure, but not really that... specific (is that the right word? Idk). In fact, aroace is an identity that I rarely see appear in the first place. I wanted to explore a situation that I and some of my friends were familiar with- feeling wrong and broken because we didn't feel the kind of attraction our societies told us were the human standard. I already think of Leopardstar as aroace, and I'd decided that the River Star would be a love deity, so what better way to play with those situations?

I can understand if you feel upset- it's easy to mishandle such sensitive things, and it's also easy to feel sensative about them. I'm drawing on my own experiences as an ace maybe-aro person here, so I hope my portrayals can satisfy you.

However, if you're here just to send hate and be angry, I must ask that you simply don't.