|
"Tom? Twolegs called a Tom, Tom?" Although this article is based on canonical information, the title of this subject is conjecture. |
| "You would have died for us. WindClan will never forget that." |
| — Onewhisker to Fireheart in Fire and Ice, page 66 |
The journey to bring back WindClan takes place in Fire and Ice and Leopardstar's Honor, where Fireheart and Graystripe are sent by Bluestar to bring WindClan back to their territory following Brokenstar's defeat.[7] WindClan had been living in exile for two moons after being driven from their home,[3] though their arrival was challenged by RiverClan and ShadowClan.[6]
Summary[]
Premise[]
- Main article: ShadowClan-WindClan conflict
- "How can WindClan have been driven out? ShadowClan is fierce, but WindClan is many. They have lived in the uplands for generations. Why have they been chased out now?"
- ―One-eye about WindClan's exile Into the Wild, page 97
WindClan was driven from the forest by Brokenstar's ShadowClan.
- Brokenstar, the former leader of ShadowClan, killed his father Raggedstar so he could become leader and placed the blame on WindClan.[8][9] The ShadowClan leader used his Clanmates' quest for revenge to spearhead WindClan's destruction during the ongoing conflict.[10] After several raids over numerous moons, Brokenstar and his warriors attacked WindClan's camp and threatened to kill them all if they didn't flee.[11] Realizing they didn't have a choice, WindClan fled their home of generations, and ShadowClan claimed the hunting grounds as theirs.[12] Following Brokenstar's defeat, RiverClan and ShadowClan utilized the hunting grounds.[13][14]
Overview[]
- Tallstar: "ThunderClan. I was expecting ShadowClan. Why are you here?"
- Fireheart: "We came to find you. Bluestar and the other Clan leaders want you to return to your home."
- Fire and Ice, page 59
Fireheart and Graystripe are tasked with bringing WindClan home.
- At the Gathering, Bluestar advocates for WindClan's return, despite the other two Clan leaders disagreeing.[14] She assigns two of her warriors, Fireheart and Graystripe, to search for the lost Clan and bring them home.[7] While Fireheart and Graystripe are searching, RiverClan and ShadowClan patrols hunt in WindClan's former land and chase away three WindClan stragglers.[13] The two ThunderClan warriors find WindClan hiding in a tunnel underneath a Thunderpath in a maze of massive Thunderpaths.[1] Tallstar and his cats are eager to return to their home once they learn that Brokenstar is gone, and Fireheart and Graystripe guide them through the Thunderpaths towards Clan territory. After resting for the night at Barley's farm, Barkface interprets red clouds in the dawn as a sign of an unnecessary death.[15] Once WindClan arrives at their camp, Deadfoot and Onewhisker escort Fireheart and Graystripe back to their territory. However, while crossing RiverClan's land as a shortcut, they are attacked by Leopardfur and her patrol. Tigerclaw and his patrol arrive to help their Clanmates, but Whiteclaw falls to his death in the gorge.[5]
Description[]
Bluestar's mission[]
- "The forest needs four Clans. Just as we have Fourtrees, and four seasons, StarClan has given us four Clans. We must find WindClan as soon as possible and bring them home."
- ―Bluestar to Nightpelt and Crookedstar Fire and Ice, page 28
Bluestar believed that WindClan's rightful place was in the forest and sent her warriors to bring them home.
- Nightpelt, the new leader of ShadowClan, meets with Crookedstar to discuss an alliance to share WindClan's empty moorlands. Crookedstar agrees, and both leaders agree to not send hunting patrols until after the Gathering, suspecting that Bluestar, ThunderClan's leader, might oppose their plan.[16] At the Gathering, Crookedstar revokes his permission for ShadowClan to hunt in the river now that Brokenstar is defeated. Nightpelt initially protests until he admits that they still have claim to WindClan's barren territory to provide for his Clan. While Crookedstar is also eager to take advantage of the unclaimed moors, Bluestar sharply opposes their decision, insisting that the forest requires four Clans. However, the other two leaders still disagree.[14] The next dawn, Bluestar assigns the two newest warriors, Fireheart and Graystripe, with the task of bringing WindClan home.[7]
- Two days after the Gathering, Leopardfur leads a hunting patrol into the moorland with Blackclaw, Heavypaw, Frogleap, Beetlenose, Whiteclaw, and Sedgecreek. Some of her warriors are hesitant to hunt in WindClan's land since Bluestar vowed to return WindClan home, but Leopardfur insists their Clan needs prey to prepare for the upcoming leaf-bare. A ShadowClan patrol led by Wetfoot warns them of nearby WindClan cats who stayed behind following their Clan's exile. The joint-patrols chase away Stagleap, Sorrelshine, and Pigeonflight for hunting, much to Frogleap's disappointment.[13]
Finding WindClan[]
- "If WindClan is hiding so near the Thunderpaths, they must be fairly desperate not to be found."
- ―Fireheart about the Thunderpaths Fire and Ice, page 52
Fireheart and Graystripe found WindClan living near a nest of Thunderpaths
- While traveling through WindClan territory, Fireheart and Graystripe encounter RiverClan hunting in WindClan's territory. After searching their destroyed camp, scattered with tattered nests and dried blood, the two friends pick up the faint scent trail towards the Thunderpath and past Barley's farm.[17] They follow the Thunderpath away from the Clan territory and the Highstones until they reach a nest of Thunderpaths, detecting the faint scent of WindClan nearby. After resting for the night in a stone tunnel underneath a Thunderpath, they follow through the next morning and come across a small field with Twolegs gathered around a small fire. Fireheart spots WindClan cats near the fire, but they scatter when the Twolegs wake up. Graystripe and Fireheart chase after them towards one of the overarching Thunderpaths and into another stone tunnel. They finally find WindClan, half starved, hiding in the tunnel.[1] The two ThunderClan cats explain about Brokenstar's defeat and RiverClan and ShadowClan plan to hunt in their former hunting grounds, and Tallstar agrees they shall leave at once. Fireheart and Graystripe offer to accompany them home.[15]
Returning home[]
- Unnamed WindClan apprentice: "I'm not surprised he wants to hide in a Twoleg nest—once a kittypet, always a kittypet."
- Fireheart: "You've spent two moons living in a Twoleg tunnel. Does that make you rat?"
- Fire and Ice, pages 70-71
WindClan rested at Barley's farm for the night
- Tallstar and Graystripe lead the way through the stone tunnels underneath the Thunderpath, with Fireheart and WindClan's deputy Deadfoot taking the rear. Fireheart offers to carry Morningflower's young kit when he notices her struggling to keep up with the others. When they reach a Thunderpath that they need to cross, Tallstar introduces one of his young warriors, Onewhisker, to Fireheart and Graystripe to coordinate the crossing. After four groups successfully cross the Thunderpath, Fireheart and Graystripe help Morningflower, her young son, and three elders traverse the Thunderpath. They narrowly avoid a swerving monster while crossing, but emerge unscathed. Tallstar and Onewhisker thank the two ThunderClan warriors for their bravery. At sunset, rain begins to fall as the traveling group nears Highstones. While passing by the farm, Ravenpaw greets the weary travelers and offers shelter for the night and prey. Tallstar and his cats are initially wary of the strange loner, but Fireheart and Graystripe vouch for his loyalty. Barley and Ravenpaw lead WindClan to an abandoned barn, and Fireheart, Graystripe, Barley, Onewhisker, and Deadfoot later hunt for the resting Clan.[15]
Battle at the falls[]
- "The clouds are stained with blood! It is a sign from our ancestors. There is trouble ahead. This day shall bring an unnecessary death."
- ―Barkface about StarClan's sign Fire and Ice, page 76
RiverClan confronted WindClan and ThunderClan at the falls
- The next dawn, WindClan's medicine cat Barkface interprets the sunrise tinging the clouds red as a warning from StarClan of an unnecessary death.[15] Not wanting to panic the Clan, Tallstar and Deadfoot reason any Clan can interpret the clouds for themselves. Fireheart and Graystripe scout ahead for WindClan as they approach their home, and as soon as their camp is within sight, the WindClan cats happily dart into the gorse. Tallstar thanks Fireheart and Graystripe for their bravery and asks Deadfoot and Onewhisker to escort them home.[5]
- The patrol decides to cross through RiverClan territory as a shortcut back to ThunderClan. However, they are attacked by a RiverClan patrol,[5] led by Leopardfur with Whiteclaw, Piketooth, Sedgecreek, Voleclaw, and Reedtail.[18] The RiverClan warriors quickly overpower the smaller patrol, until Tigerclaw, Willowpelt, Whitestorm, and Sandpaw arrive to help their Clanmates. The cats clash perilously near the gorge in the slick grass and mud from the rainfall; Fireheart saves Sandpaw from falling over the gorge, but Graystripe fails to save Whiteclaw from the same fate, and the RiverClan warrior drowns in the current.[5][18] The battle quickly ends in a stalemate following his death. Deadfoot expresses his gratitude to Tigerclaw for Fireheart and Graystripe's help, and the three patrols return home.[19]
Characters that took part in the journey[]
- Fireheart[20]
- Graystripe[20]
- Tallstar[21]
- Deadfoot[22]
- Barkface[23]
- Onewhisker[24]
- Mudclaw[25]
- Tornear[25]
- Morningflower[24]
- Gorsekit[26]
- Ashfoot[22]
- Eaglekit[22]
- Webpaw[25]
- Runningpaw[25]
- Whitepaw[25]
- Unnamed apprentice[22]
- Unnamed apprentice[27]
- Unnamed tortoiseshell cat[24]
- Unnamed gray tom[28]
- Unnamed warriors, elders, queens, and kits[29]
Characters who stayed behind[]
Unknown[]
(Characters who were around at the time of the journey, or appeared before and after the journey, but it is unclear if they participated in the journey itself)
Aftermath[]
- Main article: Battle for WindClan (TPB)
- Crookedstar: "I'm beginning to believe that ThunderClan brought WindClan back to start a war."
- Nightstar: "They've been planning to move against us all along. They just needed WindClan's support."
- Leopardstar's Honor, pages 281-282
Upset at WindClan's return, Crookedstar and Nightstar launched an attack on WindClan
- The four Clans reunite at the Gathering two moons later due to clouds covering the previous full moon.[34] However, any happy reunion falters when Bluestar and Crookedstar argue about detecting the opposing Clan's scent on their territory. Unbeknownst to their Clan leaders, Graystripe and the RiverClan warrior Silverstream have been meeting in secret. WindClan and ThunderClan also report strange ShadowClan scents on their land, which Nightstar vehemently denies as factual.[35] The ShadowClan scents end up being Brokenstar and his rogues, and they later attack ThunderClan.[36] Clouds covering the full moon end the Gathering when the Clans continue to argue.[35] The next morning, Nightstar visits Crookedstar to discuss the other Clans' accusations and ask about their previous alliance. Both leaders agree to stand against ThunderClan and WindClan to ensure their own survival,[37] and they attack WindClan's camp a few days later in hopes of driving them out.[6][38] ThunderClan's truce with WindClan is short-lived when Nightstar reveals they've been sheltering Brokenstar,[39] and Bluestar and Fireheart are turned away from visiting the Moonstone.[40]
Characters[]
Tallstar[]
- "You have served WindClan well. Tell Bluestar that WindClan will not forget it was ThunderClan who brought them home."
- ―Tallstar to Fireheart and Graystripe Fire and Ice, page 80
Tallstar led his Clan to the nest of Thunderpaths to avoid ShadowClan from following
- Tallstar was the leader of WindClan. When Brokenstar tormented his Clan for moons, Tallstar begrudgingly led his Clan away from their territory to find sanctuary elsewhere to survive.[11] The black-and-white leader led his wandering Clan for a moon until they settled deep into the Thunderpath nest to prevent ShadowClan cats from following them.[41] When Fireheart and Graystripe discovered the lost Clan, Tallstar immediately recognized the flame-colored tom as the son of his best friend, Jake.[42] Tallstar took the lead in guiding his Clan home, crossing Thunderpaths last and ensuring his Clan's safety when they returned to their territory.[15][5] Fireheart earned Tallstar's respect when he saved some elders from Twoleg monsters crossing a Thunderpath,[15] and he graciously felt indebted to the two ThunderClan warriors for bringing WindClan home.[5] However, Tallstar turned against ThunderClan when he learned they were sheltering Brokentail, joining with ShadowClan to attack ThunderClan's camp.[39] Despite this, Tallstar always remained a close ally of ThunderClan and Fireheart,[43] even to his death bed.[42]
Fireheart and Graystripe[]
- «Fireheart fell in step beside Graystripe at the rear. They glanced happily at each other but didn't speak, too caught up in WindClan's excitement at coming home.»
- —Fireheart's thoughts about WindClan's return Fire and Ice, page 79
Fireheart (pictured) and Graystripe journeyed to bring WindClan home
- Fireheart and Graystripe were ThunderClan warriors under Bluestar's leadership. Two days after their warrior ceremonies, Bluestar assigned her newest warriors with a special mission to bring WindClan back home.[7] The two best friends followed WindClan's faint trail from their camp to along the Thunderpath past Barley's farm until they found WindClan hiding in a tunnel underneath a Thunderpath.[1] The two ThunderClan warriors led the lost Clan back to their home territory, using a shortcut they found to reach the forest territories quicker, helping them cross a Thunderpath, and guiding them to seek shelter and prey at Barley's farm.[15] Their actions reunited WindClan with the rest of the Clan and secured WindClan as a future ally with ThunderClan,[43] and Bluestar later regarded Fireheart's assistance in helping WindClan return home as an example of his courage, loyalty, and fairness.[40]
Trivia[]
Continuity[]
The following information is from sources considered non-canon, retconned, or from adapted material.
- On Vicky's Facebook, Storkkit and Quailkit were stillborn due to the stress Morningflower experienced while fleeing WindClan's camp during Brokenstar's tyranny.[44]
See also[]
Notes and references[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Revealed in Fire and Ice, chapter 5
- ↑ Revealed in Fire and Ice, page 5
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Revealed in Fire and Ice, page 44
- ↑ Revealed in Fire and Ice, page 80
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 5.7 Revealed in Fire and Ice, chapter 7
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Revealed in Fire and Ice, chapter 29
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 Revealed in Fire and Ice, chapter 3
- ↑ Revealed in Into the Wild, chapter 24
- ↑ Revealed in Yellowfang's Secret, chapter 35
- ↑ Revealed in Yellowfang's Secret, chapter 37
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Revealed in Blackfoot's Reckoning, chapter 5
- ↑ Revealed in Into the Wild, chapter 8
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 Revealed in Leopardstar's Honor, chapter 12
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 Revealed in Fire and Ice, chapter 2
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 15.4 15.5 15.6 Revealed in Fire and Ice, chapter 6
- ↑ Revealed in Leopardstar's Honor, chapter 11
- ↑ Revealed in Fire and Ice, chapter 4
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 Revealed in Leopardstar's Honor, chapter 13
- ↑ Revealed in Fire and Ice, chapter 8
- ↑ 20.0 20.1 Revealed in Fire and Ice, page 38
- ↑ Revealed in Fire and Ice, page 1
- ↑ 22.0 22.1 22.2 22.3 Revealed in Fire and Ice, page 2
- ↑ Revealed in Fire and Ice, page 75
- ↑ 24.0 24.1 24.2 Revealed in Fire and Ice, page 3
- ↑ 25.0 25.1 25.2 25.3 25.4 Revealed in Fire and Ice, allegiances
- ↑ Revealed in Fire and Ice, page 62
- ↑ Revealed in Fire and Ice, page 70
- ↑ Revealed in Fire and Ice, page 57
- ↑ Revealed in Fire and Ice, page 56
- ↑ 30.0 30.1 30.2 Revealed in Leopardstar's Honor, page 235
- ↑ 31.0 31.1 31.2 31.3 Revealed in Onestar's Confession, allegiances
- ↑ 32.0 32.1 32.2 32.3 Revealed in Starlight, allegiances
- ↑ 33.0 33.1 Revealed on the Warriors website family tree (screenshot)
- ↑ Revealed in Fire and Ice, chapter 22
- ↑ 35.0 35.1 Revealed in Fire and Ice, chapter 23
- ↑ Revealed in Fire and Ice, chapter 26
- ↑ Revealed in Leopardstar's Honor, chapter 15
- ↑ Revealed in Leopardstar's Honor, chapter 16
- ↑ 39.0 39.1 Revealed in Forest of Secrets, chapter 20
- ↑ 40.0 40.1 Revealed in Rising Storm, chapter 5
- ↑ Revealed in Fire and Ice, page 4
- ↑ 42.0 42.1 Revealed in Tallstar's Revenge comic
- ↑ 43.0 43.1 Revealed in A Dangerous Path, chapter 13
- ↑ Revealed on Vicky's Facebook
