Thistleclaw/Main article

Thistleclaw is a large, sleek-furred, lean, dark gray-and-white tabby tom with uneven gray patches mottling his white face and spiky fur that is said to be softer than it looks. He has wide, white shoulders, dark amber eyes, a broad, mottled, gray-and-white muzzle a torn ear-tip, and a long tail.

Thistlekit is born to Poppydawn and Windflight, and even as a kit he was known for being aggressive among his peers. He becomes an apprentice, Thistlepaw, and is mentored by Adderfang. He earns his warrior name, Thistleclaw, after impressing Pinestar with his fighting skills by driving off a dog by himself. He then becomes Snowfur's mate, much to Bluefur's disgust. The pair have a son, Whitekit.

Unfortunately, Snowfur dies on a Thunderpath, orphaning their son. Thistleclaw is furious and lays the blame on Bluefur, desiring to keep his son as far away from her as possible. During this time, he begins training with the Dark Forest, hoping to become stronger and, eventually, deputy and then leader of ThunderClan. He initiates a relationship with Spottedpaw, hoping that she will choose him as a mate when she becomes a warrior, but she rejects him after discovering that he is training with evil cats. Thistleclaw receives an apprentice, Tigerpaw, and nurtures the young tom's ambitions and hunger for power. He even encourages Tigerpaw to attack a defenseless kittypet kit on ThunderClan territory, who would later become Scourge.

Bluefur knows that Thistleclaw would lead ThunderClan into war and needless bloodshed, so she does everything in her power to prevent him from becoming deputy, including giving up her own kits to be raised in RiverClan. Thistleclaw is enraged when Sunstar appoints Bluefur deputy instead of him. Ultimately, he is killed trying to fight an entire RiverClan patrol by himself, and goes to the Dark Forest because of his cruelty and aggression.

In the Dark Forest, he helps mentor several cats in battle training, including Breezepelt, Ivypool, and Antpelt. He later fights for the Dark Forest in The Great Battle, and calls for his cats to retreat after Brokenstar is killed.

Super Editions

 * In Bluestar's Prophecy,


 * In Crookedstar's Promise,

Novellas

 * In Spottedleaf's Heart,

Stand-Alone Manga

 * In Rise of Scourge,

Killed Victims
This list shows the victims Thistleclaw has killed:
 * Antpelt (Caused)