Shadowspirit renders judgement on some cats on whether they should go to StarClan or the Dark Forest.
StarClan is perfect, an idyllic world of sweeping stars and endless hunting for the warriors to sun and never fight over their precious Warm-rocks. (Seriously, just splatting share Sunningrocks! But that’s a whole other article.) Every young apprentice aspires to join the greatest cats and to finally see Firestar in all his glory, myself included. You thank them for prey, and you shiver, thinking someday apprentices will thank you. Every cat looks up to the stars before they go to sleep. But what if some cats were doomed to a place of endless night where there is no prey and your lullaby is the rattling, blood-soaked breath of murderers and tyrants?
StarClan isn’t so perfect after all. Sometimes, they make mistakes. They let murderers into those sweeping stars and doom good cats to that blood-soaked home of war. So, here I am to give them the better ending.
Here are the criteria I’m judging on:
To make it into StarClan, a cat must have consistently acted for the right reasons. That means in the case of a murder, it must have been, say, a mercy kill because the cat was dying already and she’d have died in a much more painful way. Kind of like Katniss and Cato.
To qualify for the Dark Forest, a cat must have been actually and consistently evil. I’m sorry, but some cats were sent to the Forest for some absolutely stupid reasons.
To make it into StarClan after a Dark Forest life, a cat must repent at the end and do an actually good deed. The cat can be saved if they do something great at the end of their lives.
Anyway, let’s get going! Just so you know, some of these cats may not be dead. This might confuse you, but these ones are just the ones I believe will be most controversial and interesting to analyze.
Juniperclaw:
Juniperclaw did some bad things. He joined the Kin, yes. He poisoned the fresh-kill pile, yes. And the poisoning wasn’t right. But he did it for the right reasons. He wanted SkyClan out because he felt they were harmful to his Clan. Sparrowpelt survived, although it must be a pretty horrifying day for that guy. But at the end, he even showed remorse. He acknowledged he didn’t do right. His greatest redeeming moment was diving into the lake to save Shadowkit. He exemplified the warrior code, “No warrior may neglect a kit in pain or danger.” And he was good enough to get a glimpse of StarClan. So, I’m going to send him back to StarClan.
Lilywhisker:
Lilywhisker did nothing wrong. I’ve seen a fan theory floating around that she caused the tunnel collapse that killed the other elder, but Vicky Holmes stated she literally went to the Dark Forest because she didn’t accept her destiny! That dispels this theory, and it also confirms that Bluefur was right: StarClan is stupid and cruel. She was very kind to Tallkit/paw (I forget when he talked to her) and she deserves StarClan. Wow, StarClan’s getting full!
Mudclaw:
Mudclaw is a very interesting character. He did everything for what he thinks the right reasons, to protect his Clan. But he deluded himself into thinking that what he wanted was really what WindClan wanted. If he’s using “Clan comes first” as a way to make himself leader and to get what he wants, that’s a problem. Now, Winds of Change was the best-written graphic novel and had the best cover, but Mudclaw did a lot wrong. He tried to let a fox kill his Clan leader, got his brother into a conspiracy, and trespassed onto ShadowClan territory. The comedic irony here, of course, is that he thinks Onewhisker broke Clan law, but he’s breaking the warrior code just as much or even more. That Onestar turned out to be a terrible leader has nothing to do with the fact that Mudclaw tried to kill his own leader. He could have simply accepted the deputy role, and that would have gotten him what he wanted. Arguably, he even made it harder for himself, because as deputy, he could have become leader without killing cats. So, I’m going to send him to the Dark Forest. I don’t see how he got into StarClan.
Onestar:
Onepaw deserved StarClan, no question about it. He took Brushpaw in and supported him the whole way. Sneaking off to the Twolegplace was wrong, but not bad enough to warrant the Dark Forest. Onewhisker, at least before Whitetail, deserved it even more. He was friendly to a cat from an enemy Clan, and he supported that enemy Clan. He vouched for them, respected them, and remained good friends with Onewhisker. Mating with Smoke was also wrong, but not evil. Love is love is love. But where it starts getting messy, and looking bad for poor Onewhisker, is when he cheats on Smoke. Sure, he loves Whitetail, but he already mated with Smoke and fathered her kit. The only other cat to cheat in the series is Appledusk. But we’ll get to him later in the article. He can’t take a mate without cheating at this point, as Smoke is still alive and has his kit. But where things really get horrifying is refusing to let Darkkit in. That was neglecting a kit in danger and thus breaking the warrior code. He lies to his Clan to cover up Darkkit and in the meantime becomes deputy and leader, and then he starts mistreating his Clan, neglecting other cats in the lungwort thing, and ultimately causing the destruction of ShadowClan. He did do right at the end by confessing, but I’m going to break my third rule here. He’s just done so much wrong I can’t rightfully give him StarClan. So I’m going to send him to the Dark Forest.
Appledusk:
Our favorite cheater! /s We all hate Appledusk. Mapleshade loved him, and then he mated with Reedshine! The gestation period for cats is about two months, and Mapleshade’s kits were about two moons when they died, so Appledusk probably heard Mapleshade was pregnant and split. At the same time, Appledusk did a serious wrong here. It was just out of cowardice, but cats have been cowards and still done what’s, though not right, at least not downright wrong. Appledusk also didn’t even bury his kits and referred to his mate and his kits as a “mistake” just so he could get back into RiverClan. Lying, cheating little snake. Dark Forest, no doubt.
Frecklewish:
Oooh, this is getting interesting. With the other cats, it was obvious where they belonged, right? But with Frecklewish, it’s not so cut-and-dry, is it? She was rawly devoted to her brother and loved him right to the end. Driven mad by grief, she promised she’d always care for those kits and declared they were Birchface’s. The real villain here was arguably Mapleshade because she let Frecklewish believe the lie. Frecklewish, of course, is very betrayed that her friend lied to her and that Mapleshade used Birchface to hide her deceit. It’s natural she’d have an outburst, especially if she was about to go round the twist. Oakstar was the one to banish Mapleshade, not Frecklewish! And as for the reason the Erins canonically placed her in the Dark Forest, it wasn’t her fault the kits drowned! She truly believed the RiverClan warriors would make it in time. If you argue that she still should have taken action, then consider the punishment she was given. She was blinded, internally damaged, and died in three days! Thus, I’m going to put her in StarClan where she rightly belongs.
Shadowsight:
Shadowsight is one of my favorite warrior cats. I feel bad for him. I love him. But at the same time, he did let Ashfur escape and engage with him rather than killing him as he had the opportunity to do. He also gave Ashfur the opportunity to seize on. I thought he was an interesting PoV and his chapters were by far the best, especially in Darkness Within, probably because he is torturing himself and is letting Ashfur into his brain. And in the end, he did end up being the cause of Bristlefrost’s death. But he was a good cat and he didn’t know, which makes him a mouse-brain and very naive but not evil. I think I’d send him to StarClan, though some cats in StarClan would probably beat up on him and make him do stuff for them. Poor Shadowsight.
Brightflower:
Brightflower was a good mother in the beginning of Yellowfang’s Secret, if strict. She was a bit picky about Yellowkit’s appearance at the apprentice ceremony, but all mothers do that and it was a breath of fresh air to have a strict queen! However, she got questionable after Mintkit and Marigoldkit died. She blamed her own daughter and refused to listen. It’s like Mintkit and Marigoldkit were the only children who mattered to her. So, I’m going to say Dark Forest.
Rainflower:
Of course you knew this one was coming. Do I even need to give a recap of her? She loved her son until his perfect good looks were ruined and she renamed him Crookedkit. She didn’t even show up to his nine lives ceremony! This one is so short because it’s so obvious: Straight to the Dark Forest.
Silverhawk:
Eesh, this one is complicated… He was evil in life, but he just wanted his son to be leader. Kind of a Mudclaw storyline, but he was more fleshed out and has more of a life outside being/having a relative in a place of power. He has a mate and son and he swore on Emberdawn’s spirit he’d help Bristlefrost and the rest of the rebels. Emberdawn is probably in StarClan, enhancing my decision: He did the right thing in the end, helped the rebels, and is thus going to StarClan.
Antpelt:
A sweet cat who StarClan sent to the Dark Forest for no reason! Their entire reasoning behind this was that he trained in the Dark Forest. But if that holds, why didn’t Beetlewhisker go to the Dark Forest? And why won’t Ivypool? That just doesn’t make sense. Thus, he deserves StarClan.
Tumblekit, Minnowtail, and Pebblefur:
Most people would argue they all deserve StarClan. But putting Twilight into scope, they did poison the Clan, right? And two cats died, one of them a kit! Tumblekit died due to stepping in the poison, and she was just following her siblings. Thus, she’s going to StarClan. Pebblefur really didn’t do anything wrong other than following Minnowkit’s dare, so he’s also going to go to StarClan. But Minnowtail is a whole other story. She was the one to go out and investigate it, she dared Pebblekit to drink some, and she also dragged her siblings right on down with her. And if Antpelt was sent to the Dark Forest for training there, why should Minnowtail get off? Antpelt didn’t kill two cats while he was alive! Granted, it was by accident, but Minnowtail killed her sister and trained in the Dark Forest. So I’m going to send her there.
Leopardstar:
Leopardstar was a great kit and apprentice. As a kit, she was so cute, a little fluffy-faced gal. But all kits are that way. As an apprentice, she delayed her warrior ceremony so Skypaw could get a name! What could be more gallant than that? After reading Leopardstar’s Honor, some people might even question why she’s here at all. However, her first evil move is breaking Frogleap’s heart and choosing the deputy position over him. That isn’t relatable and is extremely selfish. As a leader, she sincerely stunk. She was rude to Graystripe, but her unforgivable move is joining up with TigerClan… as a power play! She comes across as a selfish, unrelatable, hot-tempered character. But she’s saved from the Dark Forest by the later books. “You were the daughter I never had…” That is one of the most powerful lines in Warriors, so Leopardstar is going to StarClan!
Skyheart:
She only appeared in Leopardstar’s Honor, but trying to drown a fellow kit because she cheated at a game is a Dark Forest move. Then she delayed everyone else’s warrior ceremony over not passing and overall acted like a spoiled, Miss-Piggy-style brat. She was just selifhs Dark Forest, no doubt.
Redtail:
In the original series, Redtail would have gone to StarClan, a strong deputy whom Bluestar trusted with her life, especially when he appeared to give a life to Firestar. (I thought the fox’s tail in Into the Wild was Redtail on my first readthrough XD) But in his novella, he kills Oakheart, which contradicts canon, beats up that apprentice, and in Leopardstar’s Honor, he is OOC and straight-up evil. It depends on what you interpret as canon, but for me, killing Whitefang and Oakheart is enough to not warrant him StarClan. He showed no sign of being repentant, either in his novella or in Leopardstar’s Honor. And then he have him beating up that apprentice… I’m on the fence on this one. It really depends on what you count as canon; Kate Cary wrote both Into the Wild and Leopardstar’s Honor, so I really have no idea on that one. However, Redtail’s Debt was written by Clarissa Hutton, who, while being a great writer, really takes liberties with the characters. But that’s another article. So it’s natural that there would be discontinuity with the different authors. Again, this is not their fault, but I’m going to say Dark Forest. If you only count the earlier books as canon/choose to ignore the discontinuity, StarClan.
Hollyleaf:
Hollyleaf is a great character! She’s interesting, yes, but very hard to say she deserves StarClan. She killed Ashfur (yes, he was a fox-heart, but it still didn’t justify murder) and tried to kill her own mother. Granted, Leafpool had lied to her and ruined her, Ashfur’s, Squirrelflight’s, Crowfeather’s, and everyone in TBC’s lives, but that still doesn’t excuse the killing of her mother. Fallen Leaves may have changed her, but she was evil before Fallen Leaves. Diving in the path of Ivypool was heroic, but I’m going to violate rule three. Sure, thank you for killing Ashuglyface, and I love you, but what you did before sends you to the Dark Forest.
Ashfur:
Do I even need to say this!? Ashfur is StarClan’s biggest mistake! I don’t know why they allowed him to descend onto the earth or into StarClan. He was stewing and plotting to possess Bramblestar in StarClan, and StarClan should have reeled him in, knowing they were dealing with a psychopath. Squirrelflight made the right choice rejecting him. Dark Forest, paws down. Thanks to Bristlefrost and Hollyleaf for killing you!
Firestar:
A lot of people are going to be shocked by this. You cry, “But Firestar was a good cat! How can you even consider sending him to the Dark Forest?” Russetfur died at Lionblaze’s claws, true, but Firestar started the battle and even ordered it rather than negotiating with Blackstar. I mean, he just gave that land to ShadowClan, and suddenly one apprentice pretends to have a dream and he’s like, “Nope, I want it back!” He also murdered his own half-brother, and although Scourge was dangerous, he could have thought that through. But he did save the Clans, so I’m still gonna say StarClan.
Soooo, that’s the better ending to all the Clan cats I can think of who didn’t get the right ending/need this ending. Thank you so much for reading, and please leave in the comments if I missed any good stories/if you want a part two! See ya, Clanmates!
Good article, but I disagree with a couple:
Brightflower:
Brightflower was acting because of her grief. In her right mind, do you really think she would have said those things? And even if she would have, Brightflower shouldn’t be sent to hell for being mean. The Dark Forest is for the murderers and villains, not for just bullies.
Mudclaw:
Mudclaw wasn’t acting because he wanted to be leader. He was acting because he thought Onewhisker was the WRONG leader. Maybe Mudclaw was a bit battle-focused and distrustful, but that doesn’t make him evil. He truly belonged he was acting for the good of WindClan, so he deserves StarClan.
Minnowtail:
Why would you send poor little Minnowkit to the Dark Forest?! She didn’t know any better. She was a KIT. She didn’t know she would kill her sister! It wasn’t intentional! She was mischievous, but definitely not evil! And yes, she trained in the Dark Forest. So did Antpelt, who you sent to StarClan. So did Ivypool and many other good cats. Minnowtail fought on her Clanmates’ side during the battle where it mattered. And she’s now a loyal warrior. Minnowtail deserves StarClan.
Skyheart:
I haven’t read Leopardstar’s Honor, but you’re really sending her to the Dark Forest for being a brat?!
Hollyleaf:
I DEFINITELY argue with this one. Hollyleaf was not mentally well. She was overwhelmed and deeply confused from having her whole life, everything she believed in, turned upside down. And she never killed her mother, the only cat she killed was Ashfur, who deserved it! Now I could write a whole article on this but I’m going to stop here.
Great article though! It looks like you worked pretty hard on this!
She tried to poison her with deathberries, but she died a hero, and I agree with you. Hollyleaf was in shock, and realizing that everything she had lived for was wrong . . . She is justified. Ashfur is a definite villain. killing evil cats does not send you to the dark forest. I am going to do LCD3 on her. After I finish LCD2. LCD is an article series I am working on. I could also make an article on this.
I kind of agree with some of these, but Skyheart tried to drown Leopardstar over her cheating in a game.
Cool article! I agree with most of them, except for Mudclaw, Onestar, Hollyleaf, and Minnowtail 😀 Mudclaw showed remorse in his afterlife and forgave Onewhisker/star, and he even gave Onewhisker a life! Plus, he truly believed that StarClan wanted him to be leader and seeing as he was a mistrustful cat, thought that Firestar and Brambleclaw were lying. Onestar, yes, was a very very bad leader and a bad mate, but in TPB, he was such a kind and endearing friend to Fireheart/star and ThunderClan, and I believe helped convince Tallstar to join LionClan! In my opinion, while he was a bad cat, his good outweighs the bad he did. As for Hollyleaf, while she did kill Ashfur, remember that she was going through a state of grief and wasn’t thinking clearly. She’s basically Mapleshade 2.0, and Mapleshade ended up going to the DF but Holly in StC! Plus, Hollyleaf returned in OotS to TC and (correct me if I’m wrong; I haven’t read OotS in a while 😛 ) was a very supportive friend to both Ivypool and Cinderheart, and finally made amends with Leafpool and Squirrelflight 😀 Plus, she literally gave her life to save Ivypool’s! And lastly with Minnowtail, she was a kit and all young people, even fictional ones, make mistakes and do rather ridiculous dares! If she were a grown cat, I can almost promise you she wouldn’t have even gone near the Twoleg poison 😀
Anyways, that’s my little rant, but I really did love this article!! <3
Woah, this is long O.o (compared to a bunch of other articles, at least)
I agree with most of them.
Also – The fact you called AshFur AshUglyFace XD
(ofc, AshFur was once a sweet apprentice, as he worried for CloudPaw when he went missing)
Good article, but like Vips up there I disagree with some.
Mudclaw;
Mudclaw, I agree, was too ambitious. But he only wanted WindClan to be strong, which is why he even rebelled against Onestar in the first place! So basically its loyalty, which is why I think he went to StarClan.
Onestar:
Onestar already went to StarClan, read Onestar’s Confession.
Minnowtail:
You would send her to the Dark Forest for… accidentally killing her siblings? Most kits are mischievous, you know that. And even though she trained in the DF, she fought for the Clans in the battle. She deserves StarClan Imo.
Skyheart:
Skykit didn’t have much sense when she was a kit, but read how she was as a warrior! She didn’t even hurt Leopardstar as a warrior, or intend to do so. Everyone gets jealous at least once, and even if drowning someone isn’t a good way to get back at them ofc, it’s not like she held Leopardkit down there until she really drowned and passed out/died, even if she could! It doesn’t make sense…
Redtail:
What- You’ve read Redtail’s Debt and still sending him to the DF? I know he made bad choices, followed Tigerstar etc., but he was a pretty good warrior or Bluestar wouldn’t have made him deputy, did you consider that?
Hollyleaf:
I definitely argue with THIS ONE. Hollyleaf wasn’t evil, if she was would Lionblaze and Jayfeather be alive? Why would she save the apprentices from the fox? If she was evil before she met Fallen Leaves, she would have been JEALOUS of her siblings, okay? And she accepted it. So why is she going to the DF instead?
Well that was long, sorry moddos 😛
Wait Lilywhiskerwent to the DF? For not accepting her destiny???? That’s just one more reason StarClan is horrible!
Amazing article!!!!!
Also about antpelt I dont think starclan had much control over it 😛 from what ive heard, you die from the DF, you go to the DF. And then you basically turn evil and…well…yeah.
True
I agree with all of them but Brightflower Minnowkit, and Skyheart
Great article!
Good Article!
But I kind of.. disagree with some.
•What Brightflower did was… questionable, but you can’t exactly blame her! Wouldn’t YOU be overwhelmed by grief if your kits were killed, and the only suspect was your other daughter? Grief can twist hearts and shake heads. She shouldn’t be blamed for this
•Mudclaw was acting on the Will of StarClan, believing he was doing the right thing, so he deserves StarClan. Though, Mapleshade did the same thing but ended in the DF, so idk I’m torn at this point.
•Skyheart was a true brat, sure, but so was Berrynose and he’s in StarClan! So, StarClan for her.
•Minnowtail was a gullible cat, and she was innocent! She didn’t know what it was, and she didnt mean it! You can’t blame kits for having fluff in their brain! StarClan, for sure!
•And last (and MAYBE least) Onestar. I think he gets a lot of hate, which I understand, but until I read his SE I’ll never truly judge him. I like hearing every story before final judgment.
Sorry if this sounds like an article, I just had to say it. Not meant to be offending in any way! 😇
There is no Good or evil. Tho. It’s all Grey.
Great article! I agree with most of these.