Why Appledusk Went to StarClan by Astermoon

Astermoon wonders why Appledusk was admitted into StarClan.

Before we start, I want to make one thing VERY clear; I am not an Appledusk apologist and never will be. I think he was a bad cat who made bad choices, and he doesn’t deserve StarClan.

Having said that, Appledusk went to StarClan. A lot of fans wonder why, especially when a cat like Frecklewish, who is arguably more innocent than Appledusk in Mapleshade’s Vengeance, went to the Dark Forest.

Now, we all know StarClan is flawed. They’ve been known to completely misinterpret prophecies, throw an ENTIRE Clan out of the Forest Territories for no reason, and let a cat like Ashfur into StarClan. In fact, I think Ashfur is a perfect example of how Appledusk got into StarClan. According to Yellowfang, his only crime was ‘loving too much,’ which, if you’ve read The Broken Code, you know that was a lie. Appledusk could have been painted with the same light as Ashfur in his situation; after all, it’s not his fault for falling in love with a murderer! When he realized his mistake, he became mates with a RiverClan she-cat, therefore negating every bad thing he’s ever done! (That was sarcasm, by the way.)

While we’re on the topic, let’s talk about half-Clan relationships. While the Warrior Code expressly forbade half-Clan romance (before A Light in The Mist), StarClan has never really enforced that law. Practically every cat in a ‘forbidden’ relationship we see in the books is ultimately welcomed into StarClan. Some examples off the top of my head are Bluestar, Leafpool, Yellowfang, and Graystripe. None of them have suffered any consequences in StarClan. For the same reason, Appledusk’s actions are easily excused by StarClan. Even Mapleshade’s main crime is murder, rather than having kits with a RiverClan tom.

Appledusk did die honorably in battle, defending his mate and apprentice. I can imagine StarClan seeing that and deciding that, along with Oakstar and Ravenwing, he deserved to go to StarClan. If he had a trial, like Leafpool (though I doubt it), an easy defense would have been that Mapleshade tricked him and murdered their kits, and that he died avenging them.

None of this means Appledusk deserves to go to StarClan. StarClan ought to have judged his actions outside of the Warrior Code, and sent him to the Dark Forest. However, the Clans’ warrior ancestors are flawed, and chose to allow him in.