Sparkpelt/Main article

Sparkpelt is a short-furred, flame-colored tabby she-cat with bright green eyes.

She is a ThunderClan warrior, who was born as Sparkkit to Bramblestar and Squirrelflight, along with her siblings Alderkit, Dandelionkit, and Juniperkit. When Sparkkit was six moons old, she received her apprentice name of Sparkpaw and Cherryfall as a mentor. Along with Alderpaw, she went on a quest to find SkyClan. They find Darktail's group, but soon realize they are not the true SkyClan. The mission is ultimately unsuccessful, and they return home. Moons after, Sparkpaw earns her warrior name after rescuing Twigkit and passing her assessment, becoming Sparkpelt.

As a warrior, she continues to serve ThunderClan. She develops strong feelings against the true SkyClan returning to the lake, despite Alderheart's opposite opinions. However, Sparkpelt continues to care for her brother, rescuing him from a dog, and escorting him on a herb-gathering mission to RiverClan's closed border.

The Apprentice's Quest

 * Sparkkit is seen in front of the nursery before she becomes an apprentice. She nudges Alderkit from behind, and asks if he is excited. The she-kit talks to her brother Alderkit about who she wants her mentor to be. The orange tabby says she doesn't want Berrynose or Whitewing, because they are strict and no fun. Squirrelflight then comes in and meows that she isn't supposed to have fun with her mentor; she is supposed to learn from them. Her mother states that they are both fine warriors, and she’d be happy to have either of them as her mentor. Sparkkit just flicks her tail and continues on cheerfully. The ceremony begins, and when Sparkkit is called up first, she approaches her father with confidence. Bramblestar touches his daughter on the shoulder with his tail tip and announces her apprentice name will be Sparkpaw and that her mentor will be Cherryfall.
 * Sparkpaw happily dashes across the clearing and touches noses with her new mentor. The Clan cheers her name, and she hops with pleasure. Alderkit is then given his apprentice name and his mentor, Molewhisker, and as the Clan breaks away, Squirrelflight and Bramblestar approach their kits. The ThunderClan leader congratulates them, and Sparkpaw waves her tail and announces that she found the ceremony to be great and that she can't wait to go hunting. Squirrelflight licks Sparkpaw and Alderpaw around the ears, and she and Bramblestar both make positive comments about their kits before leaving them alone with their mentors. Cherryfall talks to Sparkpaw about what they're going to do, and the new apprentice asks if they can go hunting. Molewhisker and Cherryfall reveal that not only do apprentices learn to be wariors, they also have special duties to perform, and will be ridding the elders of their ticks today. The mentors tell their apprentices to go over to the medicine cat's den to fetch mouse bile, and Sparkpaw wrinkles her nose in disgust. When they go to the elders' den, she is seen taking care of Purdy's ticks.


 * The next day, Alderpaw wakes his sister up to go on a tour of the territory with their mentors. They both eat some fresh-kill before they go, then obediently follow their instructors out of camp. Sparkpaw and Alderpaw travel around each border, with the she-cat asking excited questions all along the way. At the end of the tour, they are ordered to practice hunting. Sparkpaw is able to catch a shrew and a mouse, and Cherryfall meows that it's impressive to catch two pieces of prey on her first hunting trip. The mentors and their apprentices run into a patrol consisting of Ivypool, Birchfall, and Sorrelstripe. All three cats praise Sparkpaw, and then the cats head back to camp.


 * When Sparkpaw has been an apprentice for a moon, she goes to her first Gathering along with her brother. On their way to the island, she exclaims that she can't wait to be introduced to the other Clans. Once they arrive, Sparkpaw dashes into the clearing, her brother beside her. Needlepaw invites the ThunderClan cats to come and sit with her. The silver she-cat asks if she and her brother are bossy, stating that most ThunderClan cats are. Sparkpaw exclaims indignantly that they aren't, and questions why she'd insult them like that. Needlepaw shrugs and meows that all the Clans have different reputations. While they are talking, the Gathering begins. Near the end of the Gathering, Rowanstar talks about the vision shared by all the Clans. Sparkpaw meows to her brother that maybe they'll find the thing in the shadows to save ThunderClan.


 * A day after the Gathering, Sparkpaw and Alderpaw practice fighting moves. The she-cat masters every move her mentors teach her, and she lands many blows on her bewildered brother. Molewhisker finally announces that they've practiced enough today, and suggests that Cherryfall and Sparkpaw gather their prey to take it back to camp. The two agree, and carry Sparkpaw's fat thrush and squirrel through the forest and deliver it to the elders in their den. Later that day, she finds out that Alderpaw is becoming a medicine cat apprentice and tries to comfort him, meowing that it is what he is meant to do. Her brother shrugs, but is happy when he later finds out that due to lack of space in the medicine den, he can still sleep in the apprentice's den with his sister.


 * The next day, Sparkpaw tells Jayfeather that Cherryfall sent her to get herbs for Purdy's bellyache. The blind medicine cat asks Alderpaw what a good herb for bellyache is, and with Briarlight's help, he answers watermint. Sparkpaw looks impressed with her brother, and later follows Leafpool out of the den to go check on Purdy. A little while later, Sparkpaw bursts into the medicine cat den with a panicked expression on her face. She explains that she was out in the forest with Cherryfall and Sorrelstripe, but her mentor has cut her leg and needs immediate help. Alderpaw sends his sister to get Jayfeather from Bramblestar's den, and when they return, the medicine cat tells her to lead him to where she left Cherryfall. The apprentice leads the way out of camp and heads toward the ShadowClan border. As they arrive, Jayfeather asks how Cherryfall cut her leg. Sparkpaw meows that her mentor thought that maybe 'what you find in the shadows' could be the kittypets that stayed with ThunderClan in the Great Storm. She then says that their patrol was going to go find the ones that left and see if they wanted to come back. The medicine cat refutes the idea, but Sparkpaw defends her mentor and mews that it was worth a try. The apprentice then tells Jayfeather that they didn’t cross ShadowClan territory because Cherryfall cut herself on some Twoleg rubbish along the way.


 * Sparkpaw leads them to her mentor lying at the foot of a beech tree, with Sorrelstripe pacing anxiously beside her. As Jayfeather treats Cherryfall, she exclaims that Twolegs should take their rubbish and not leave it out for cats to get hurt on. The apprentice fetches some cobwebs when the medicine cat asks for them, and then they head back to camp. Once Sparkpaw settles her mentor in the medicine cat's den, she invites Alderpaw to come share a vole she's caught. Alderpaw blurts out that he doesn't think he's fit to be a medicine cat, but his sister says that's rubbish. She meows that she’s impressed with how he stopped the bleeding on Cherryfall's leg, and comments to her brother that he just needs to trust himself.


 * Alderpaw sorts herbs in his den, and Cherryfall urgently pokes her head in the den entrance and tells him that Sparkpaw's hurt. Terror strikes through him, and he tells the she-cat to show him where. Cherryfall leads him towards the ShadowClan border, and as they get closer, Alderpaw can recognize his sister's agonized yowling. The medicine cat apprentice finds Sparkpaw lying in a heap at the foot of a tree, with Ivypool and Hollytuft trying to get her to drink some water. Both warriors stand up and take a pace back as Alderpaw bounds up to his littermate, asking what had happened. Cherryfall explains that she was climbing in a tree on a thin branch, trying to catch a bird, when it snapped and she fell out. Sparkpaw mewls in agony, and Alderpaw starts to shake at the sight of his sister in such pain and distress.


 * The medicine cat apprentice tells Sparkpaw that he needs to examine her leg, and notes that it might hurt. She nods and states that she wants to get it over with, so he runs his paw along the length of her foreleg. He finds that it's dislocated, and tells Ivypool, Hollytuft, and Cherryfall to hold his sister down so she doesn't jerk. Alderpaw reassures Sparkpaw that it’ll be over in the time it takes to catch a mouse, and gives a forceful, sure motion that forces his sister's leg back into its socket. The she-cat shrieks in pain, but under her cry, the tom hears a pop which he thinks might have done the trick. He tells the warriors to can let go, and they look at him uncertainly, thinking that he's only made it worse. Alderpaw asks his sister to try and stand up, and she staggers to her paws, beginning to pad back and forth. The medicine cat apprentice watches her, and thinks that although shaky, she can put weight on the leg. Sparkpaw exclaims that it's much better and tells her brother that he's turning into a great medicine cat. Alderpaw ducks shyly at her praise, and tells his sister to have Leafpool or Jayfeather check her when she gets back to camp.


 * Alderpaw learns that he's going on a quest, and looks around for Sparkpaw. He sees her emerging from the thorn tunnel with Cherryfall and Molewhisker, just barely limping. Bramblestar calls a Clan meeting, and once he asks for volunteers to go on a journey, Sparkpaw call out that she wants to go. She presses against her brother and meows that she can come and help him, but Cherryfall notes that the leader is unlikely to choose an apprentice for a quest like this. Alderpaw begs his father to let Sparkpaw come with him, and after some deliberation, Bramblestar agrees. The ThunderClan leader says that Molewhisker and Cherryfall will join the patrol along with Sandstorm.


 * The following morning, Sparkpaw wakes up Alderpaw, meowing that it's his quest and he's a mousebrain for sleeping when they're about to leave. He follows his sister out of the apprentices' den, and they push their way through a crowd to stand beside Jayfeather and Leafpool. The medicine cats give the apprentices traveling herbs, and Sparkpaw comments that they taste weird. As they leave, the Clan cheers for them and wishes them good luck on their journey. Alderpaw freezes, and Sparkpaw nudges him to keep going as the rest of the patrol pulled ahead. Squirrelflight bounds up to say good-bye to her kits, and they promise to stay safe. Sparkpaw meows that she’ll take care of Alderpaw, with an impudent glance at her littermate. Their mother touches noses with them once more, then turns and takes a pace back.


 * As they begin to travel through the forest, Sparkpaw bounces next to Alderpaw and asks how long their journey will take. She voices her thoughts, mewing that she wants to know where the place is that he saw and wonders about his vision. Alderpaw hesitates, and Sparkpaw gives him a sharp prod to the side, commenting that she only wants to help. She states that she wants to find what lies in the shadows for ThunderClan, and questions how her brother knows his vision was even about that. Sandstorm comes up and tartly tells Sparkpaw to stop bothering her brother, but the ginger she-cat simply shrugs and meows that she'll find out eventually. She bounds ahead to her mentor, and begins to ask her what the vision might mean. Cherryfall patiently replies that she might answer that better if she knew what Alderpaw had dreamed of, and Sparkpaw announces that she thinks they’ll find new hunting grounds.


 * The she-cat breaks off her statement as she spots a squirrel, and she darts away to catch it, tail flowing out behind her. The squirrel is too fast, and Sparkpaw stares at the tree where her prey had been with a frustrated expression. Cherryfall mews that they all know she's a quick learner, but questions if she really needs a new hunting ground when she still seems to be learning on the one she has. Sparkpaw doesn't respond, but only gives her chest fur a couple of licks to cover up her embarrassment. She then meows that perhaps they should stop to hunt - since they don't know how much prey will be where they’re going. Alderpaw objects, saying that they have a long way to go still. Sandstorm adds that they have Thunderpaths to cross as well, but Sparkpaw scoffs that Purdy told her all about the big paths. The apprentice states that they're no big deal, but the elder questions how they aren’t a big deal when cats have died on them. She retorts again that she still thinks they should hunt now, but Sandstorm mews that although both she and Alderpaw are both young cats in training, this is her brother's quest. The elder says that she needs to listen to him, because he's right, and it would be foolish to hunt before they even leave their territory. Sparkpaw ducks her head, and mutters that she's sorry.


 * On their way around the lake, she points out horses to Alderpaw. Sparkpaw exclaims that she didn't think the world could be so big when they climb up a ridge with a view. Her eyes are bright with excitement as she asks her brother if he can see the place in his vision from here. Sandstorm replies that it's much further away, and Sparkpaw squeaks that she can't believe there's more to be seen. The elder says that there's much more, and the sooner they get moving the sooner they’ll arrive. When they approach a Thunderpath, Sandstorm tells the patrol not to cross until she says so, with a hard look at Sparkpaw. The apprentice nods, cheerful, and meows that she won't. The elder suddenly stops, and hisses that there are Twolegs nearby. Sparkpaw gets excited and questions if they can go see them, and Sandstorm agrees that they need to know what they’re like. Skirting a bramble thicket, the sandy she-cat says that the apprentices can come and look, and they creep forward to get a view. Sparkpaw complains that she’s hungry, but her noise alerts a young Twoleg who starts trotting toward them on unsteady legs. Sandstorm orders everyone to hide, and so Alderpaw and his sister dive into a bramble thicket.


 * As soon as the Twoleg had seemed to lost interest, Alderpaw notices that his sister had returned to the edge of the clearing to observe. He hisses that he thinks she's crazy, but she replies that it's okay because they're leaving. The apprentices watch as the Twolegs throw leaf-wraps into a rock with a tiny cave at the top. Sparkpaw wonders why they're putting food in there, and Sandstorm comes up and explains that that's where they leave their food when they don't want it anymore. She asks why they wouldn't want it, commenting that it smells amazing. They watch as the Twolegs hop into a monster, and Sparkpaw’s eyes widen with horror as she questions if the monster just ate them.


 * Sandstorm replies that they didn't, and is puzzled as she says the monsters let the Twolegs ride in them. Molewhisker suggests that they eat some Twoleg food, since it's too good to be wasted. Sandstorm hesitantly agrees, and Sparkpaw eagerly led the way over to the rock which held the food. She exclaims that she has an idea, and trots back several fox-lengths before running and taking a flying leap. Sparkpaw lands precariously on the rock's edge, and Cherryfall orders her to get down because they may not be able to get her out if she falls in. She squeals that she's fine, and the rock tilted under her weight as she leaped to safety. It fell, and masses of Twoleg stuff pours out of it. Sparkpaw pants that it was easy, and Molewhisker sticks his head in the cave, grabbing a leaf-wrap. The tom states that it might be some kind of bird, so each cat goes in and collects some prey for themselves. Alderpaw thanks his sister as they all settle down to eat their meal.


 * The cats begin to plod through the forest, and by about sunset the next day, Sparkpaw asks if they can hunt. Sandstorm hesitates at first, but agrees just as the apprentice darts into the undergrowth, coming back moments later with a vole in her jaws. The elder compliments her catch, and Molewhisker mutters that he doesn't know how she can hunt like that. When they all get back from hunting, Sparkpaw exclaims that Alderpaw caught a mouse. He sheepishly says that Molewhisker was the one who caught it. They finish, and go to the Thunderpath to cross it before it gets too dark. Sparkpaw sees a monster and is scared, but Sandstorm tells her to be brave. They cross the Thunderpath, but objects fly from the monsters and the cats race away from them to avoid getting hit. Sandstorm's voice shakes as she meows that they won't be crossing the paths with Twoleg things being thrown at them, so she announces that they'll camp here for the night. Alderpaw crawls into a patch of ferns with his sister and falls asleep.


 * Alderpaw wakes up, and asks Sandstorm where everyone else is. The elder replies that they went hunting, and as she speaks, Cherryfall, Molewhisker, and Sparkpaw enter the clearing. Sandstorm praises their catch and tells them all to eat quickly so they can be on their way. They cross a Thunderpath afterwards, and Sparkpaw keeps pace with her brother. All Alderpaw's instincts tell him to freeze, but his sister barrels into him, forcing the apprentice to keep running. Once on the other side, Sparkpaw exclaims that the crossing was really scary. Alderpaw starts to thank his sister for saving him, but she tells him to shut up. The patrol travels through more forest, and when night comes, Alderpaw and Sandstorm collect bedding while the others hunt. The hunters come back, and Sparkpaw hopefully comments that they might find the shadowy thing tomorrow. Sandstorm tells the apprentice that there’s a long way to go yet, and then the ThunderClan cats soon fall asleep.


 * The cats wake up to the sound of crackling leaves, and Sandstorm goes over to check it out. Sparkpaw wails that she thinks it's a fox, and Alderpaw presses close to her. Two foxes attack the patrol, and Sparkpaw helps fight them off. A strange cat tells Alderpaw and his sister some fighting tips from her perch on a fox's back. Sparkpaw gasps to her to not let go, and the cat replies that she wasn't planning to, as Alderpaw throws the fox off balance. Once the foxes are chased off, the medicine cat apprentice noses his sister all over to make sure she's not hurt. Needlepaw strolls into the clearing, and announces that since she saved the lot of them, she'll be traveling with them from now on.


 * The ThunderClan cats protest, and go off to talk in private about the matter. Alderpaw asks Sparkpaw to fetch some cobwebs for Sandstorm, and she gathers some for him. The patrol begins to discuss whether Needlepaw should be allowed to travel with them, and Sparkpaw says she shouldn't, because they could've fought off the foxes eventually. Sandstorm eventually makes the decision that the ShadowClan apprentice will come with them. Molewhisker and Sparkpaw share a disappointed glance, and the ginger apprentice comments that there's still no way they’ll tell Needlepaw what the quest is really about. Sandstorm agrees, and catches Alderpaw's eye with a knowing look.


 * The next morning, Alderpaw checks Sandstorm’s shoulder wound. Sparkpaw asks how she can help, and he replies that he needs comfrey root. They fetch the herb just before sunhigh, and the medicine cat apprentice insists that he treat everyone’s injuries. Sparkpaw insists that she’s fine, but Alderpaw retorts that she’s fine when he says she is. His sister twitches her whiskers but stands still as he treats a small scratch on her flank. Sparkpaw mews a thank-you, then points out to her brother that he has a bleeding ear. Alderpaw is surprised, and she tells him to hold still as she gives it a lick. Then, Sparkpaw pats some of the poultice onto his wound, and he meows thanks to her.


 * Once Alderpaw finishes treating the patrol, Cherryfall sends everyone out to hunt. When the hunting patrol returns, the medicine cat apprentice sees that Molewhisker and Sparkpaw have mice, Cherryfall has a vole, and Needlepaw drags a huge pidgeon and a squirrel. Alderpaw notices that his sister looks annoyed with the ShadowClan apprentice for outdoing her, and she meows to Sandstorm that Needlepaw had caught even more. The elder questions where it is, and Sparkpaw, outraged, says that she already ate it and that’s against the warrior code. Sandstorm mews wearily to the apprentice that they should all just relax and eat, but the orange tabby ruffles her fur and glares at Needlepaw. The ShadowClan apprentice invites Alderpaw to share her squirrel, and he accepts. When he finishes eating, he questions where Sparkpaw is, only to find her sleeping under a bush. The cats decide to make camp there for the day, and let the apprentice keep sleeping.


 * The next morning, Sparkpaw grumbles, complaining that they didn’t need to have left so early. Alderpaw explains that he really just wanted to get going, but his sister just snorts in response. A little while later, Sparkpaw exclaims that they should explore around a Twoleg den. The patrol rejects idea, and then goes on their way, climbing under a fence that blocks their path. Sparkpaw runs into some birds pecking at the ground near a barn, and tries to catch one. The bird pecks at her, and the she-cat hisses defiantly. Sandstorm tells her to wait to hunt until they leave the area, and the apprentice agrees. As the patrol travels further, Sparkpaw gets annoyed with Needlepaw’s flippant attitude and tells her she’ll claw her if she keeps acting like a kit. The ShadowClan apprentice loftily meows that she can try, and the cats continue to travel.


 * They run into a monster, and the travelers flee, only to find their way blocked by another fence. Sparkpaw takes the lead and climbs the fence first, and once over, gathers cobwebs for Sandstorm’s wound. She later comes back with marigold stalks in her mouth, and tells Alderpaw that they’ll all do what they can. He asks if she’ll take the old dressing off the elder’s wound, and she obliges. Sandstorm says in a fevered state that they need to get going because the ‘others’ need them, and Sparkpaw questions who. Alderpaw shakes his head and prays to StarClan that the elder will get better. The next day, Sandstorm dies and the orange tabby asks what they should do now. Alderpaw replies that they should bury her and hold a vigil before they plan their next move. As they prepare for night to come, Sparkpaw mews sorrowfully that it isn’t fair that Sandstorm died. The patrol buries the elder beside a bush where she can see the stars.


 * Alderpaw tells the traveling cats about SkyClan, stating that they needed to know so they’d continue on. Many days later, they arrive at where SkyClan’s camp is supposed to be. Sparkpaw comments that they don’t look in need of help, and hisses if they’d been brought here for nothing. Needlepaw decides to go get a closer look, and when Alderpaw follows, the orange tabby thinks that her brother is crazy for following a ShadowClan cat. The cats meet Rain, and follow him to SkyClan’s camp. Sparkpaw meows that this might be a bad idea, and her brother reassures her that StarClan had sent them. She still seems skeptical of the Clan’s customs, but Alderpaw reasons that they’ve been away from the other Clans for a long time, so it was bound to happen. Sparkpaw stifles a growl as she watches cats wrestle for prey, and meows that this isn’t fair because many SkyClan cats must go hungry often. The she-cat stalks up to Darktail, questioning why he eats lavishly while other cats go hungry. She accuses him of not following the warrior code, but the leader simply meows that they’ve developed their own code. He says that sick cats and elders learn to care for themselves, and Molewhisker drags Sparkpaw back to her den before she can say more.


 * Sparkpaw comments miserably that they should go home, because these cats don’t seem to need their help. Cherryfall backs her apprentice up, but Alderpaw insists that this is where they’re supposed to be. A few days later, the ThunderClan cats decide to hunt, and Sparkpaw pairs off with her mentor. After Alderpaw meets Mistfeather out in the forest, Darktail tells the travelers that they are plotting against his group, and that they need to be kept here. The Clan cats are shoved into a small den, and there, the medicine cat apprentice recounts what had happened. Sparkpaw exclaims that she knew it, and the others nod in agreements. The following morning, the she-cat wakes up her brother and they leave SkyClan before dawn. Sparkpaw wonders a few times if they should really leave when StarClan had sent them, but Alderpaw meows that they can’t risk it.


 * The traveling cats come to a river, and the orange tabby suggests that they try to cross further along. Sparkpaw comments that they should stop to hunt, but is interrupted by Cherryfall finding a thin branch crossing the river. Her apprentice offers to go first, and announces that it’s safe when she makes it to the other side. The others begin to follow, but the branch gives way before Alderpaw and Needlepaw can make it to the bank. Their patrol searches for the apprentices, to no avail.


 * Many days later, Needlepaw and Alderpaw arrive back on Clan territory with Violetkit and Twigkit. The medicine cat apprentice asks some ThunderClan warriors if his sister is okay, and Molewhisker assures him that she’s fine. Once they reach camp, Sparkpaw will barely leave her brother’s side in fear of losing him again. The two apprentices go to a Gathering soon after, and Sparkpaw carries Twigkit across the tree-bridge. The she-cat comments that these kits are totally what was found in the shadows, and cats would be mouse-brained not to believe it. Alderpaw slowly sets Violetkit under the shelter of a bush, and Sparkpaw sets Twigkit down beside her. As the Gathering progresses, it becomes clear that the two kits must be separated -- with one in ThunderClan and one in ShadowClan. Sparkpaw doesn’t think this is fair, and pities the kits having to get separated. Once Violetkit is taken, Twigkit collapses in a heap underneath the bush. Sparkpaw nudges her brother, meowing that the remaining kit still needs his care. The medicine cat apprentice comforts Twigkit, and his sister adds that a nice ShadowClan cat will take care of her. They leave the island, with Alderpaw carrying the gray she-kit.

Thunder and Shadow

 * As Alderpaw and Jayfeather are treating the warriors who were injured fighting a rogue patrol with WindClan, Sparkpaw rushes in and asks if anyone is hungry. When Jayfeather says it can wait, Sparkpaw goes on to say how terrible the rogues sound. Jayfeather asks if she will help, and she interjects that she is not a medicine cat. Sparkpaw is nevertheless made to help with herbs, but that doesn't stop the apprentice from muttering crossly.


 * Later, when Twigkit falls into the lake trying to gather watermint, Sparkpaw hauls her out. She teases the cat and helps her onto Cherryfall's back, they return to the camp. Back at camp, Sparkpaw's mentor speaks to Bramblestar, and Sparkpaw prances into the medicine den to tell her brother that she will be a warrior once she passes her hunting assessment.
 * ThunderClan cheers her warrior name as she stands in the center of the clearing beside Bramblestar, and Graystripe comments that he thought for sure her name would be Sparkfire after her pelt and grandfather. She had passed her assessments with a pigeon and two mice, and outsmarting Cherryfall in a mock fight with her own move. Sparkpelt calls to her brother and trots over to him. He congratulates her but Jayfeather calls him away. She comments on how patient Alderpaw is to deal with Jayfeather, saying she'd have thrown all his herbs in the lake by now. Sparkpelt nudges him away, meowing he'd better go. He tells her to keep warm as he pads away, and she jokes that her new name will warm her up.


 * Sparkpelt chatters to Alderpaw about Clan tensions and the rogues as they cross the Gathering Island tree bridge, and her brother wonders if Yarrowleaf is just spreading rumors. The pair jump down on the Gathering island shore, Alderpaw speculating over Onestar refusing to share herbs with ShadowClan. Sparkpelt news that he should turn over the lungwort, saying that the WindClan leader's been mad as a cuckoo lately. She then pushes ahead into the long grass, eager to see what the Gathering will hold. Sparkpelt tells Alderpaw to hurry up and moves toward a group of RiverClan cats. Sparkpelt is not mentioned in Bramblestar's report, for the Clans are arguing about the prophecy, nor are the new apprentices from RiverClan and WindClan.


 * Squirrelflight is organizing patrols and addresses Sparkpelt but Ivypool and Alderpaw interrupt, wondering if they had seen Twigpaw. The she-cat wishes Alderpaw luck as he is going to the Moonpool to receive his full name. She then joins a hunting patrol with Blossomfall, Berrynose, and Tawnypelt as her brother exits camp.

Shattered Sky

 * Sparkpelt is seen by Alderheart as she goes to join the cats journeying to the Gathering. He notices a clump of fur is missing on her shoulder. During the Gathering, she asks Cherryfall about Rowanstar quietly.



Darkest Night

 * Sitting with Fernsong, Cherryfall, and Lionblaze, Sparkpelt tells Lionblaze that the rogues are gone and the other Clan cats are in their camp, but gets corrected by Ivypool with Fernsong mentioning that ShadowClan had left days ago. She responds that the camp still has half of RiverClan and a whole new clan that has caused the dens become crowded. Sparkpelt complains about having to give up her nest to a recovering Reedwhisker, and Ivypool reassures her that RiverClan will be leaving soon with their camp close to being fully rebuilt. When SkyClan gets brought up, Sparkpelt questions where they are going to go.


 * Lionblaze concludes that the leaders will decide at the next Gathering. The fur along Sparkpelt's spine prickles, questioning what they're going to do, sarcastically asking if they were going to invent new territory for SkyClan. She asks Lionblaze who is going to give up territory to make room for them, as if expecting him to have an answer, but the golden tom shrugs, saying to let StarClan decide. When Ivypool reminds Fernsong that Bramblestar sent out five hunting, and when RiverClan returns they will bring prey with them, Sparkpelt sniffs, muttering if they return, pointing out that the night before Mistystar and her patrol didn't come back at all. Twigpaw says she thought Sparkpelt wanted RiverClan gone, she should be happy they didn't come back, to which Sparkpelt flicks her tail dismissively, snatching up her prey to return home with. The others gather their prey and return to the hollow.


 * Alderheart sees her sitting on Highledge beside Squirrelflight. Alderheart and Leafpool discuss the Clans giving up some territory for SkyClan and Alderheart believes it's the right thing to do. Leafpool's gaze drifts to the Highledge where Sparkpelt is talking with Squirrelflight, and the medicine cat points out that not everyone feels the same. Alderheart wonders if she's trying to say that Sparkpelt doesn't want SkyClan. Leafpool shrugs, and Jayfeather calls them over, breaking off their talk.


 * Later, Alderheart and Sparkpelt walk together with their Clanmates along the lake shore, on their way to the Gathering. He brings up Twigpaw's assessment, hoping that by mentioning the gray apprentice, who had brought SkyClan back to the lake, he might get to Sparkpelt's feelings on the Clan. With no luck, Alderheart finally gets straight to the point, asking what she thinks the Clans will decide on SkyClan's fate. Sparkpelt turns her gaze to Bramblestar, saying let's hope they decide the right thing. Alderheart tries to sound casual as he asks what is the right thing. Sparkpelt tells him that the right thing is for the "real Clans" to carry on living the way they've always lived—ThunderClan, ShadowClan, RiverClan, and WindClan. Her voice matter-of-fact, she says this isn't SkyClan's home and never has been. Alderheart swallows, wondering what she thinks will happen to them then. She glances at him with sharp eyes, saying they should go back where they came from, and Alderheart can hardly believe his ears. Sparkpelt continues, saying that Darktail has left the gorge, so SkyClan can go back to their "proper" home. Alderheart splutters, asking if his visions mean anything to her. Sparkpelt answers that StarClan told them to find SkyClan, and that's what they did, and she asks if they mentioned anything about the Clan coming to live on their territory. Alderheart meows not exactly, but he's sure that StarClan wants them to keep SkyClan close. Sparkpelt gives him a doubtful glance, asking how will that help, he's seen what happens when strange cats move onto their territory. They continue arguing until Sparkpelt quickens her pace and catches up to Cherryfall and Molewhisker.


 * At the Gathering, after Mistystar announces RiverClan is closing the borders and leaves, Bramblestar nods to Leafstar, telling her to join the other leaders in the Great Oak. Leafstar gets to her paws, but Crowfeather protests, saying she doesn't belong, what do they know about SkyClan. Scorchfur calls out that they never even heard of them until ThunderClan told them about the Clan. WindClan and ShadowClan begin to chastise, and Alderheart glances at Sparkpelt, whose gaze is flitting excitedly from WindClan to ShadowClan and he wonders if she'll join the outcry.


 * The cats argue amongst themselves until Sparkpelt gets to her paws, and meows, her voice shaking, but there is determination in it and the other cats quiet down as she says she knows SkyClan has suffered and lost many of their Clanmates. She wonders why they can't simply return to their old home now that Darktail and his rogues are now gone. SkyClan's old home is safe again, so they can go back there and be happy again. She adds that they've managed without them before, so why so they need them now. Sparkpelt pauses, her bright gaze holding the attention of the cats, until she meows that if they stay beside the lake, who is going to give up territory to give them a new home.


 * Before the Clans can agree with Sparkpelt, Tigerheart leaps onto the root of the oak and looks up at Rowanstar, asking if he may speak. Tigerheart speaks of ShadowClan's losses and says it would make sense to exchange some of their land for an ally, and he wins the approval of most of the other cats.


 * Alderheart is padding through camp and passes Dewnose and Ambermoon, who are sweeping leaves into the sunniest patch in the clearing, and Sparkpelt and Larksong linger nearby. Dewnose glares at them sternly as he sweeps, saying he thought they were supposed to be helping them. Sparkpelt eyes him with amusement, mewing she would help if Larksong didn't keep distracting her, and she gives the black tom a teasing glance. Alderheart realizes Sparkpelt is flirting and wonders how she could be such a featherbrain. She had always been so ambitious about being the best warrior in ThunderClan, and wonders why is she wasting her time acting like a dandelion-headed apprentice.


 * When Alderheart visits Twolegplace in search of the six-toed cat, a kittypet named Jasper attacks him, but Sparkpelt saves him, fending off the russet tom. She turns to Alderheart, asking if he's okay, and he replies he's fine and thanks her. She shrugs, saying it was nothing. Alderheart heads up slope and Sparkpelt hurries after him, wondering where he's going now. He curtly tells her home, then asks if she's been following him. Sparkpelt answers of course she was, he snunk out of camp like he was up to something and she wanted to know what. She adds it's a good thing she did as that kittypet would have shredded him. Alderheart snaps that he was planning his next move, Jasper wouldn't have hurt him. Sparkpelt doesn't reply, instead, changes the subject, asking why he came to Twolegplace. He answers that it's medicine cat stuff, she won't understand. Sparkpelt tells him to try her. But he just keeps walking, still angry with her for her opinion on SkyClan, and how she was too busy flirting with Larksong that he had hardly spoken to her in a moon.


 * She blocks his path, gazing anxiously into his eyes and asking what is wrong, if he's annoyed with her. Alderheart demands what's wrong with her, saying they were always so close, but now it feels like they barely know each other. Hurt flashes in Sparkpelt's eyes, wondering if they're still close, and admits she has been kind of distracted lately with Larksong, and wonders if that's what's bothering her brother. Alderheart says not exactly, but she hasn't noticed anything; she didn't care how he felt about SkyClan, or that he's been worried about the prophecy, or it might be embarrassing to be saved from a kittypet. He says that she acts like everything she does is okay, when sometimes it's not.


 * Sparkpelt's fur ruffles along her spine, mewing that she knows he wanted SkyClan to stay, but that doesn't mean she had to agree with him. She has her own opinion, and she does care that he's worried. She begins to pace back and forth, continuing that she has been too caught up in Larksong to take the time to talk to Alderheart about stuff that's important, and apologizes for saving him from a kittypet, then pauses, taking it back, saying she wasn't going to let him get his fur ripped off. She goes on that she trained as a warrior and he a medicine cat, if she were bleeding to death in battle right now, he'd save her, because that what he does, he saves cats, while she hunts and fights. Sparkpelt stops and gazes at him.


 * Alderheart apologizes, admitting he knows he's being oversensitive, and she's allowed her own opinions, then gives her a quick glance, adding even if they're wrong. Sparkpelt purrs, mewing she's glad he's sensitive, it makes him a great brother. She nudges his shoulder and says they can go back to camp and pick the biggest piece of prey off the fresh-kill pile, and if anyone complains, she'll tell them that he traveled all the way here and fought off the fiercest cat in the forest. Alderheart climbs the slope, agreeing, but only if they take the second biggest piece. Sparkpelt agrees, then asks why he really came here, and he admits he was hoping one of the kittypets would be the six-toed cat, but no luck. She tells him to not worry, he'll work it out, after all, he found SkyClan. Alderheart corrects her that Twigpaw found SkyClan. Sparkpelt says only because he told her where to look, and suggests the prophecy may not be as bad as he thinks.


 * They reach the top of the slope and turn toward the forest, and he disagrees, saying he can feel it's important, StarClan wants them to figure it out. As they head into the trees, Sparkpelt pads closer, mewing to tell her if he needs help, if he needs to make another journey like this, she'll come with him. Alderheart blinks at her gratefully. He eventually asks her to tell him about Larksong, if she really likes him. Sparkpelt shrugs, saying she does a lot, but she doesn't know, she wants to enjoy being a warrior now, she doesn't want to be serious, but she likes being with him, and she thinks he feels the same. She nervously glances at Alderheart, asking if he thinks Larksong likes being with her. Alderheart asks why wouldn't he, she's funny, smart and a great warrior. She thanks him with a nudge.


 * Suddenly, a dog attacks them. Sparkpelt knocks Alderheart backwards and swipes at it's muzzle, but it snaps its jaws around her hind leg and yanks her onto her back and drags her toward the bracken. Alderheart flings himself at the dog, tearing at its head. The dog retreats and Alderheart finds Sparkpelt in the bracken. She rolls over and stares at him, saying that was the bravest thing she's ever seen. Alderheart scans her flank where blood is welling out of her hind leg. She heaves herself to her paws and gingerly touches the ground with her leg, breathing that nothing is broken. Alderheart anxiously mews the bite will need treating, but Sparkpelt shoos him forward with a flick of her tail, saying it's bad enough he had to chase off a dog, she's supposed to be a warrior, and to not rub nettles into her wound. He glances at her teasingly, saying he was going to use oak leaf, and Sparkpelt purrs, calling him smart-ears, and limps toward the ThunderClan border.


 * When the next Gathering comes around, Sparkpelt pads beside Alderheart as they make their way to the island with their Clanmates. During the Gathering, Rowanstar announces that he is going to disband ShadowClan and have his Clanmates and himself join SkyClan. Sparkpelt instantly blames this on SkyClan and speaks out against them again, snarling it didn't take long for them to claim more territory and that they should never have come to the lake in the first place. The SkyClan warriors Sandynose and Sagenose rebuke her inaccurate words, pointing out the territory they have now was given to them willingly, and that the Clans were already falling apart when they arrived.

River of Fire

 * As Twigpaw and Finpaw head back to ThunderClan, Twigpaw catches the scent of a familar cat, and is able to recognize it as Sparkpelt. She calls the ginger she-cat's name, causing the ferns ahead to tremble as the warrior walks forward, pelt bristling. Sparkpelt asks what the two are doing, her claws unsheathed, and Twigpaw wonders why she looks as though she's facing an enemy warrior.


 * Sparkpelt challenges what they're both doing on ThunderClan territory, and upon hearing Twigpaw wishes to return to ThunderClan, the orange warrior looks at Finpaw, saying he's SkyClan. The brown tom comes forward, unfazed by her hostility, and tells her he wants to become ThunderClan with his friend; Sparkpelt snaps that they'll need to speak with Bramblestar.


 * When Sparkpelt leads Twigpaw and Finpaw around ThunderClan camp, she retorts to Twigpaw to keep her fur on and that she is taking proper precautions. When Sparkpelt gets Twigpaw as her apprentice, she is shocked but had enough sense not to protest about it.


 * When the ThunderClan patrol is going to RiverClan, Sparkpelt exclaims about how she will never get her pelt cleaned again and it will take from now to new-leaf. She tells Twigpaw to be careful when she is getting watermint.


 * As the RiverClan warriors confront the patrol, Sparkpelt retorts about if they saw them on RiverClan territory and if they were to ask permission, it would be from WindClan. She adds that it is medicine cat business and that they have the right to take watermint for their sick clanmates.


 * Later, Sparkpelt growls how they don't need permission to be there and protests when Alderheart goes in RiverClan camp alone, saying that StarClan knows what they would do.

Personality and traits

 * Unlike her mellow and self-conscious brother, Sparkpelt is his near polar opposite: energetic, greatly self-confident in herself, and quick tempered. She is also not afraid to speak her mind even if it comes off as rude such as her misgivings of SkyClan living with the rest of the four Clans by the lake territory. On that note, she also seems to value Clan loyalty as she was displeased with Twigbranch flipping back to ThunderClan when she initially left for and stayed with SkyClan for some time, and then with Dovewing for leaving ThunderClan for ShadowClan. Despite these latter two traits though, Sparkpelt is overall friendly to everyone she meets and is a caring sibling to Alderheart.



Interesting facts

 * She has kittypet blood through Firestar, and SkyClan blood through her grandfather, Tigerstar.
 * She bears a striking resemblance to Firestar.

Author statements

 * Kate said that she liked Alderheart better than Sparkpelt because although Sparkpelt is 'adorably cheery', she prefers a worrier.
 * Kate suggested the name Sparkfire for Sparkpaw's warrior name, but HarperCollins rejected the idea. Kate stated that Sparkpaw's warrior name would not be 'Sparkplug' either.
 * This is later printed as a sort of "easter egg", where Graystripe thought that Sparkfire would've been a nice warrior name to remember Firestar by.
 * Kate says that Sparkpelt feels comfortable in her own skin, and she has no need to feel pressured to live up to Firestar's legacy.

References and citations
Funkenpelz Sparkpelt Sparkpelt Блёстка Roziskrzona Skóra