Needletail/History

The Apprentice's Quest

 * Needlepaw sees Alderpaw and Sparkpaw at the Gathering, and calls them over to sit by her, Sleekpaw, and Beepaw. She tells them about herself, and her Clanmates introduce themselves. The Gathering begins, and Needlepaw scorns Onestar's report. After he reports that rogues passed through WindClan territory, Beepaw declares that she would have clawed their ears off had it been ShadowClan territory they passed through, and Needlepaw adds that she had heard Tawnypelt telling Crowfrost that WindClan has always been weak.


 * Needlepaw scoffs at her leader's report, and Alderpaw is shocked at how rudely Needlepaw is speaking. When Rowanstar reports Twolegs in his territory, Needlepaw mutters that it they can’t leave soon enough for her. Rowanstar next announces two new warriors and four new apprentices, two of which are being mentored by the new warriors. Needlepaw explains to Alderpaw that ShadowClan has lots of apprentices, and that Rowanstar doesn't know what to do with them. Sparkpaw pertly replies that it is nice for her, and Alderpaw finds the way that ShadowClan apprentices act to be weird.


 * When the medicine cats share their vision, and Kestrelflight reports that Firestar spoke to them first, Needlepaw mutters that it would be Firestar. When Kestrelflight explains about the prophecy they received, to embrace what they find in the shadows, Ratscar, says that it must mean that what should be embraced is senior warriors' respect, and Beepaw and Needlepaw share a quiet purr of laughter. After the medicine cats answer several questions, the apprentices discuss trying to find this shadowy thing. Later, after Alderpaw becomes a medicine cat apprentice, they meet a ShadowClan patrol and talk with them. Alderpaw and Needlepaw greet each other, and she walks with him until they reach the border. They exchange conversation about his training, but is cut off by Leafpool calling for the tom.


 * Needlepaw later sneaks away from her Clanmates to join ThunderClan’s questing cats. Upon finding them being attacked by a pair of foxes, she helps them fight. The patrol are initially wary, and want her to return. Alderpaw begins to treat the wounds from the fight, and Needlepaw overhears the quest’s true purpose. She says this to the medicine cat apprentice, who doesn’t want the information to leak. He agrees to let her come, and the patrol accepts her on his concession.


 * The next day, when Sparkpaw points out that Alderpaw's ear is bleeding, he thinks of how he had been too distracted to notice. After Alderpaw checks his Clanmates, he then treats a scratch on Needlepaw’s back. The patrol goes out to hunt and returns with lots of prey, and he is amazed to see Needlepaw's catch as she drags a pigeon and a squirrel, both so big that she can hardly carry them. She drops her catch at Alderpaw and Sandstorm's paws. Although Sandstorm says that they should eat and relax, and the cats settle to do so.


 * Alderpaw gladly eats Needlepaw’s squirrel, but when he is done and looks up, he notices that Sparkpaw is gone. The cats search for her to find her sleeping, and Molewhisker suggests sleeping themselves, though Alderpaw asks who will keep watch. Needlepaw, who hadn't taken part in the search, strolls up from her pool and flicks drops of water off of her whiskers as she adds that she doesn't need much sleep since her belly is full. Alderpaw thanks her before curling up in the nest. However, Alderpaw has a vision of cats wailing in fear and pain and explains it to Sandstorm, but after they are done and begin to walk back towards their Clanmates, Alderpaw spots sleek silver fur in the midst of long grass. He realizes that Needlepaw is crouched a short distance from where he and Sandstorm had been talking, and the apprentices lock gazes, and wonders how much she overheard.


 * The cats continue to travel through woods, but become tired. As they later set out on the open ground, Needlepaw sidles over to Alderpaw until she pads close by his side, and Alderpaw feels uncomfortable at having a cat from a different Clan so close to him. The she-cat leans close into Alderpaw's ear as she murmurs that she overheard everything about what she was talking to with Sandstorm about. Alderpaw is anxious and dismayed, realizing that now she knows the real reason for the quest. He remembers that Needlepaw isn't even a ThunderClan cat, and wonders if she is bluffing. They continue to discuss it, with her pressuring him for more information. He thinks that she will now have to stay with them, whether they want it or not.


 * Cherryfall points out a big yellow Twoleg den, and they go over a fence to continue. When it is Sandstorm's turn, she falls down on the side her Clanmates are on, causing her wound from the fox fight to get larger. Alderpaw asks the elderly she-cat if her shoulder caught on the spikes, and she tells him not to fuss. He soon realizes that the other cats are uneasily eyeing a huge creature that stands a short distance away, and even Needlepaw looks scared. They go around it, and continue to move on.


 * The next morning, Alderpaw is woken, and Cherryfall informs him that the others have gone hunting. Soon the hunters come back with a rabbit and a couple of blackbirds, and settle down on top of the hollow to eat. Alderpaw continues to treat Sandstorm’s wounds, but herbs are scarce. Needlepaw brings the elder some moss soaked with water, and is embarassed when Alderpaw compliments the idea. That night, after Alderpaw has a vision of Sandstorm telling him that she will join StarClan, he wakes to find that Sandstorm has died overnight. The apprentice begins wailing in distress, and the other cats begin to wake, confused and questioning, but they all fall silent as Alderpaw points to the ginger she-cat's body with his tail. They slowly pad over to the deceased she-cat, and settle for a vigil, with Needlepaw joining them. Molewhisker says that they should consider returning to the lake after burying her. Needlepaw, neck fur bristling, is surprised, and counters that Sandstorm died trying to help them complete the quest. Alderpaw is unhappy with the quarrel and pads away.


 * Alderpaw thinks about his quest, and Needlepaw comes to him. She insists he needs to tell his Clanmates the real reason behind this quest, and they won’t leave him. He agrees to do so, but they go hunting first. They catch a rabbit together, and bring it back with them. Alderpaw meows that he’s glad she came with them, even if they are in different Clans. When they return, the medicine cat apprentice explains everything he knows about StarClan. Molewhisker says that he thinks he speaks for them all when he says that they will do whatever it takes to find SkyClan, and his friends murmur their agreement.


 * Many sunrises later, Alderpaw and his friends walk along a cliff edge, and had hardly stopped to rest since Alderpaw had told them the truth. The traveling cats had followed Sandstorm's directions and passed through more farms, crossed more Thunderpaths, and skirted Twolegplaces until finally arriving at SkyClan territory. They continue to venture on, and meet with a patrol, lead by a tom named Rain. The travelers are brought to Darktail, and Alderpaw explains to Darktail how they plan to take SkyClan back to the lake. Needlepaw suggests sticking around for a bit, and adds that they could join in with some hunts and patrols. Darktail finally agrees, and orders Rain to show the guests where they can sleep.


 * The next morning, Alderpaw recalls how Rain had taken him and his friends to a den, and dwells on his quest. He sees Needlepaw perched on a boulder a few tail-lengths away, announcing that the hunters are back with prey. The Clan cats watch as first Darktail, then Rain take prey, and the hunters then fight over the best pieces of fresh-kill, and Cherryfall asks what they think are doing. Beside Alderpaw, Needlepaw shrugs, suggesting that they might not have been taught the warrior code. Sparkpaw mutters that she is surprised the ShadowClan she-cat even heard of it, and Needlepaw gives her a sly, sideways glance, retorting that just because she don't always follow stupid rules doesn't mean that she doesn't know they exist.


 * Without hesitation, Needlepaw dives into the squabbling cats, easily batting two or three younger cats aside, and heartbeats later, she emerges from the skirmish with a mouse. The silver she-cat crouches down in the shade of a rock to gulp it down. After Sparkpaw talks to Darktail about how their prey distribution is unfair and like that of rogues, Alderpaw spots Needlepaw relaxing in the sun with the hunters. The siblings settle themselves into the den, and Alderpaw, thinking of how the SkyClan he had been told about by Bramblestar is so different than the one he is seeing. The apprentice glances around at his cats, sensing that they are doubting him, and he explains that he isn't sure but that he knows this is where they are meant to be.


 * After the last of the prey has been picked over and the SkyClan cats have drifted away, Alderpaw notices an orange she-cat coughing, and after bringing back herbs for her, he offers to Darktail that he can show some of his cats useful herbs throughout the territory. Darktail calls to Rain, and the gray tom springs up from where he was sitting at the edge of the river and talking to Needlepaw, and he bounds over to his leader, asking what he wants. Darktail orders him to go with Alderpaw, who will teach him about herbs, and after Rain agrees, Needlepaw sidles up to them and adds that she will come too, to get a better look at the gorge. Alderpaw can't imagine why Needlepaw would want to see any more of the barren, dirty place, but he doesn't object, thinking that nothing she does makes sense. Rain takes the lead as the three cats head downstream.


 * That night, Alderpaw has troubles sleeping, disturbed by the thoughts of the tour of the territory he had taken with Needlepaw and Rain. The apprentice thinks more about his quest, but he is distracted by the sound of voices, and he looks out the den to see Raven, Rain, and Darktail talking about the journey. Movement in the shadows catches the young tom's eye, and he is astonished to spot Needlepaw emerge from the shelter of a boulder and pad up to Rain. He realizes then that she wasn't asleep in the den with him and his Clanmates, and the silver she-cat purrs to Rain that it sounds like they are close to making up their minds. The big tom looms over her, hissing that it is rude to eavesdrop, but Needlepaw says that the hardly had a choice, and her voice is playful instead of intimidating. She adds that they aren't subtle in their plotting, and Rain mutters something in reply, then turns to walk away.


 * Needlepaw patters alongside the SkyClan cat, and Alderpaw follows them as they head upstream toward the rockpile. Although he keeps his distance, he can still hear Needlepaw purr to Rain that life in the other Clans is different, as there are rules. She goes on that he, Darktail, and the others will have to learn them if they want to fit in, but Rain responds that everything will work out just the way it is meant to. Alderpaw decides to go back, and he turns toward the den, but his paw dislodges a pebble, and Needlepaw and Rain swivel around to stare at him. Rain asks who it is, and Alderpaw says that it was just him, before he runs back to the den.


 * The next morning, Alderpaw is exhausted, and he recalls how he had been kept awake last night from the ache in his chest after hearing Needlepaw talk to Rain. When all of the questing cats have emerged from the den and groom themselves at the water side, Molewhisker suggests hunting, and Cherryfall agrees that she can't wait to leave the gorge, but Needlepaw yawns that she doesn't know, noting that it isn't so bad when they get used to it. Sparkpaw snaps that she can stay then, and adds that no cat ever asked her to come with them, but Molewhisker interrupts, and tells Needlepaw that although she can do what she wants, the rest of them are going to hunt.


 * While hunting, Alderpaw meets a former SkyClan warrior named Mistfeather, and he learns that Darktail and the cats in the gorge have driven the real SkyClan out. However, Darktail finds Alderpaw and Mistfeather, killing the former warrior, and he brings Alderpaw back to the camp, where he announces that the apprentice was talking to a SkyClan cat, and that it is obvious that the cats have lied to them. He goes on that they aren't friendly visitors, but are working with SkyClan to steal the territory back from them, and Alderpaw's friends hardly resist as the rogues begin to close around them.


 * Rain asks Needlepaw if it is true, and he thrusts his face up against hers until their noses almost touch. He asks if she is planning with SkyClan, and Alderpaw wonders if he feels hurt, but the ShadowClan apprentice remains calm and meets his furious gaze, replying that it obviously isn't. She explains that they live far from the gorge, and when they set out, weren't even sure of SkyClan's existence so that they couldn't have been conspiring with them. Darktail yowls, accusing her of lying, but Needlepaw replies that she certainly isn't. Raven points out that they don't know if they can trust these cats, and Darktail then fixes his gaze on Needlepaw, deciding that he can't let them go after everything that has happened. Molewhisker and Cherryfall object, but the rogues tighten the circle around the questing cats, and Darktail promises that he will let them go once he is convinced the danger has passed.


 * That evening, Alderpaw recalls how he and the others had been escorted to a different den after the confrontation, and he explains to his friends how Mistfeather had told him of the rogues who attacked SkyClan before he was killed by Darktail. Molewhisker mews that Darktail is evil, and he turns to Needlepaw, asking what she was thinking that morning. He adds that they shouldn't have tried explaining to him, but just walked out on their own accord, but Needlepaw asks if he doesn't think the rogues would have followed them. Her voice rises as she retorts that they would have led them straight to their own Clans, and the questing cats settle once more into an uneasy silence and settle down into the new den.


 * Early the next morning, the Clan cats are awake with plans to escape the gorge. Needlepaw, who looks unusually hesitant, waits near the den entrance, and she mumbles that she thinks it's a bad idea. Molewhisker leads the way out of the den, and they silently head toward the water's edge and eventually reach the river. The cats lope swiftly over the rocks, and cross the river over a fallen tree. However, Alderpaw and Needlepaw don’t make it across, and are swept into the water. They drag themselves out past a waterfall, and search for the others, to no avail.


 * Alderpaw realizes that she is right, and he looks around to see a Thunderpath and Twoleg dens close by. He groans that there are Twolegs everywhere, but Needlepaw replies that it is fine, and she waves her tail toward a tangle of elder bushes growing between the water's edge and the Thunderpath. She says that they can make a nest there, and the Twolegs won't find them. Alderpaw hopes that she is right, and follows Needlepaw as she thrusts her way deep into the bushes and flattens a clump of long grass for a makeshift den. Alderpaw curls up beside her, and the ShadowClan apprentice's snores soon echo around the den, but Alderpaw finds himself struggling to fall asleep. He is overwhelmed with the sound and smell of the monsters, and he snuggles up to Needlepaw, filling his nose with her scent, before finally falling asleep.


 * When Alderpaw wakes up, he is anxious as he sees that Needlepaw has vanished. He creeps out of the den and the grass soon parts to reveal Needlepaw, trotting up to him with a plump sparrow in her jaws. She announces that there is fresh-kill, and drops it at Alderpaw's paws. Alderpaw thanks StarClan that she is back, and exclaims that he was worried about her, but Needlepaw flicks her tail and says that there is no need, then invites him to eat. After they finish, they look again for the rest of the patrol, and find nothing.


 * For three more sunrises, the apprentices trek along the river, their hopes occasionally rising when they pick up traces of their friends' scents, and know that they are still following in their pawsteps. However, there is no place for the cats to cross the river. On the third day, more Twoleg dens loom in the horizon, and Alderpaw notes that it is a really big Twolegplace that they didn't pass on the way to the gorge. He says that they came too far downriver, but Needlepaw shrugs, pointing out that they didn't have much choice. Alderpaw adds that they still don't, and states that they will have to go through the filthy place, but as the young cats pad on side by side, Needlepaw muses that it might not be a bad thing. The first of the Twoleg dens grow closer, and Alderpaw snaps to Needlepaw that it isn't funny, but she states that she isn't joking. The silver she-cat faces him, and though amusement glimmers in her green eyes, she says in a serious tone that they need to find a kittypet.


 * Alderpaw is outraged at the thought of a kittypet, and asks Needlepaw if she is okay, though he says that he doesn't know of an herb for crazy cats, but Needlepaw brusquely tells him to listen. She gives her ears an impatient flick, and explains that a kittypet might be able to tell them where they can cross the river. Alderpaw asks her what makes her think that, and the ShadowClan apprentice replies that a kittypet would know the area well, and they do not. She adds that a house cat might even give them some kittypet food, and Alderpaw asks if she is joking. However, Needlepaw meows that she isn't, and meows that because they have a long journey ahead, it makes sense to fill up while they can.


 * The young she-cat keeps marching on toward the Twolegplace determinedly until they reach a Thunderpath, where she halts, glancing up and down for monsters, before stretching out a paw and resting it gently on Thunderpath. At Alderpaw's questioning her purpose, Needlepaw informs him that she is feeling for vibrations, because monsters are so huge that once can feel them before seeing them. Alderpaw murmurs that that is useful, and had never seen Needlepaw do that before, but recalls that the ThunderClan warriors had taken the lead when crossing Thunderpaths earlier in the journey. The ginger apprentice wonders how much Needlepaw has done on her own before.


 * Needlepaw's prodding in Alderpaw's side wakes him from is thoughts, and she exclaims that he should come, as it is safe to cross. Alderpaw bounds across the black surface behind Needlepaw and follows her as she plunges deep into the network of Twoleg dens. He thinks that it is like she owns the place, and wonders how she can bear to get so close to Twolegs, when they might even pick them up and stroke them.


 * When the apprentices round the next corner, they spot a large ginger kittypet stretched out on top of his wall, and Needlepaw yowls a greeting as she charges up to him. The kittypet greets her back, asking how he can help them, and Needlepaw explains that they are lost Clan cats who need cross the river to get back to their territories. She asks him if he knows the way, and Alderpaw is surprised and slightly disturbed that Needlepaw is giving the kittypet so much information. They talk, and learn that their Clanmates had been looking for them. The ginger tom shows them a narrow alley, and explains that that way brings them back to the river, where there is a bridge a little downstream. Needlepaw thanks the kittypet, who also lets her eat some of his food. She mews that it was great, and he responds that he is glad to help. Bob touches noses with Needlepaw and wishes them well on their journey.


 * The pair continue to travel, and they talk about why SkyClan was apart from other Clans in the first place. She continues to reassure him that he is a good medicine cat, one who is very cautious. The apprentices come to the end of an alley, and when they find the bridge that Bob had told them about and see no Twolegs in sight, after only a few heartbeats they dart across. On the opposite side of the river, a small stream trickles into the main current, and Aldepraw ponders on the meaning of his quest, admitting to himself that what Needlepaw said had made sense.


 * For several more sunrises, Alderpaw and Needlepaw trek across the open country and head toward the setting sun, crossing Thunderpaths and avoiding Twolegplaces. On occasion, the young cats would pick up the scent of the other cats, reassure them that they are going in the right direction, but teach time the traces are fainter and staler.


 * It begins to rain, and Needlepaw, a little way ahead of Alderpaw, suddenly lets out an excited cry and begins to race forward. Alderpaw asks what the matter is, and Needlepaw calls over her shoulder that it is the farm that they passed through on the way. Alderpaw bounds after the silver she-cat and spots the shiny fence and field. Needlepaw reaches the fence and easily scrambles over it before pelting onward toward the cluster of Twoleg dens, and despite Alderpaw yowling at her to come back, she ignores him. At the same time, rain begins cascading down, and Aldepaw can hardly see his companion ahead of him through the rain. When Alderpaw climbs over the fence and lands on the other side, he spots Needlepaw, still heading toward the center of the farm, and calls again for her to stop and come back, but the silver apprentice doesn't acknowledge him.


 * Alderpaw knows that the sensible thing to do is to find some shelter, but he feels that he has no choice but to follow Needlepaw. The gray-and-white cat runs past the cluster of Twoleg dens and heads into the field with the big yellow barn. She squeezes through a gap at the bottom of the doors at the entrance, and Alderpaw follows her into the barn. At seeing horses inside, he calls to Needlepaw to watch out, and she runs into one of the empty wooden sections, then pops her head out and beckons Alderpaw with a flick of her ears, telling him to come. Alderpaw follows her inside and they stay inside to rest.


 * Abandoning her grooming, the ShadowClan she-cat springs to her paws and dives into a heap of stalks, emerging a heartbeat later with bits of the stalks all over her fur and the plump body of a mouse gripped firmly in her jaws. She drops it in front of Alderpaw and meows that it is for him, to apologize for not listening to him in the rain. Alderpaw wonders when Needlepaw ever listened to any cat, but thanks her and bites into the warm prey. Needlepaw catches another mouse for herself and settles down to eat it beside.


 * That night, when Sandstorm visits Alderpaw in a dream, he tells her about everything that happened since her death, including begin washed downriver with Needlepaw. Sandstorm tells Alderpaw that his quest will require him a different path, but despite Alderpaw's confusion, the StarClan she-cat begins to fade, and the apprentice begins to wake as Needlepaw shakes his shoulder. She meows that it stopped raining, and figured that he would want to know since he is eager to get home, and Alderpaw sits up and agrees.


 * Later, Alderpaw and Needlepaw approach the first Thunderpath they had crossed after leaving their territories. As she trots by Alderpaw's side, Needlepaw mews that she can't wait to get back to ShadowClan territory. They approach the Thunderpath and she halts at the sight of the monsters passing in both directions. Alderpaw stares thoughtfully into the distance, and after a moment, Needlepaw prods him and asks what he is doing. Alderpaw merely replies that he is thinking. He says that he feels that there is more he should be doing, and admits to himself that he will have to tell Needlepaw about how Sandstorm visited his dream in the Twoleg barn.


 * Alderpaw begins that he had a dream, and Needlepaw's eyes widen as he reveals what Sandstorm had told him. She asks why he didn't tell her earlier, and the medicine cat apprentice states that it was his vision, and he wanted to figure it out alone. With and exaggerated sigh, Needlepaw says that after all they have been through he should realize that he needs her. The young she-cat thinks, glancing around, and thinks about a different path, but Alderpaw meows that he thinks Sandstorm means a different way of thinking, not a literal different path. However, Needlepaw isn't paying attention, and she cries for him to look, dodging away from the Thunderpath.


 * Alderpaw watches as Needlepaw bounds down a dip in the grass beside the edge of the black surface that leads into a tunnel opening, with bars of Twoleg stuff wide enough for a cat to slip through. Alderpaw trails after his fellow apprentice and asks what she is doing, as it looks dangerous, and she turns back to him, rolling her eyes. The she-cat asks if he has bees in his brain, and says that they came over the Thunderpath, and now there is a different path leading under it. She adds that it is all in shadow, and that they can go that way, but Alderpaw retorts that she is the crazy one, as StarClan wouldn't just want them to go through a tunnel. He goes on that it is dark and smells weird, could have anything lurking inside, and there is water on the bottom of it, but Needlepaw is already wriggling through the bars.


 * Alderpaw follows the silver she-cat into the tunnel, and they find two kits inside on a nest of moss and dry leaves. The kits let out high-pitched mews, and Needlepaw asks what the matter is as she bounds back down the tunnel toward Alderpaw. She begins to ask something, but skids to a halt at spotting the nest. She exclaims that they are kits, and shakes her head in disbelief. The female apprentice wonders where their mother is and glances around, noting that, because their eyes aren't even open yet, they can only be a few days old. Alderpaw adds that they are very thin and can't have eaten in a while, and Needlepaw declares that she will go and look for their mother. The ShadowClan she-cat bounds to the other side of the tunnel and wriggles out through the bars, where Alderpaw can hear her calling outside.


 * Alderpaw looks at the kits, and sees that under their fur seems to be just skin and bone, and he yowls to Needlepaw to forget the kits' mother. He calls that the kits need something to eat, and tells her to quickly catch something, and Needlepaw agrees. A few heartbeats later, she slides through the bars and bounds along the tunnel to join Alderpaw, with a fat vole gripped in her jaws. Alderpaw admiringly mews that that was quick, and says that they must chew up the meat and feed it to the kits.


 * Once the apprentices have chewed up some of the fresh-kill into pulp, Alderpaw tries to have the gray kit eat it, but she spits it out, and Needlepaw sighs, cursing. She notes that they aren't used to eating food yet, and need milk, but Alderpaw meows that unless she has any, they must continue trying with the vole. Alderpaw eventually coaxes the gray kit into swallowing the vole, and Needlepaw begins to feed the black-and-white kit, so the soon the tiny creatures are eagerly sucking at the pulp. Needlepaw murmurs that the kits would have starved without them, and sounds unusually gentle as she blinks affectionately at her kit.


 * When the kits are done eating, Alderpaw mews that they must get them warm, and the tiny cats have curled up to him and Needlepaw, drawn by the heat of their bodies. Alderpaw licks the gray kit from tail to head to get her blood flowing, and Needlepaw does the same for the black-and-white kitten, so that both kits are soon falling asleep. Alderpaw tells his companion that it is good that they found the kits when they didn't, as they probably wouldn't have survived out there much longer, and Needlepaw murmurs agreement, though she wonders what happened to her mother. She asks if the queen might have got hit on the Thunderpath, and Alderpaw replies that he is not sure, but suggests bringing the kits back to camp, where they can be cared for. Needlepaw meows that that is a great idea, and adds that they should give them names.


 * The ShadowClan she-cat suggests Violetkit for the black-and-white kit, who she strokes with the tip of her tail. She explains that she is picking up the scent of violets, and guesses that the mother used some of the leaves for the nest. Alderpaw purrs that that is a good name, and decides to call the gray one Twigkit, for being tiny as a twig. Needlepaw lets out a mrrow of laughter, and agrees that Twigkit will be her name. As the apprentices rise, preparing to pick up the sleeping kits by their scruffs, Needlepaw turns to Alderpaw, smirking. She asks when he will thank her for leading him into the tunnel, but Alderpaw is confused. Needlepaw, looking even smugger, says that it is obvious that the kits are what he would find in the shadows.


 * After Needlepaw and Alderpaw leave the tunnel, they journey until nighttime. Needlepaw toils up to the ridge and stands beside Alderpaw, letting Violetkit down into the grass next to Twigkit. She pants that they made it, and Alderpaw, feeling slightly awkward, begins that they should say good-bye. He explains that she will want to go through RiverClan to get back to her territory, as it is the quickest way, and Needlepaw agrees. Alderpaw, feeling more awkward, turns to Needlepaw, and, after hesitation, asks if she could keep quiet about what happened in the gorge, at least until he can talk about it to Bramblestar. He reminds her that the whole SkyClan thing is a secret, but Alderpaw cringes inwardly as he speaks, knowing how unlikely it is that Needlepaw would keep a secret to oblige a ThunderClan cat. Although Alderpaw expects her to hiss at him in anger, the silver she-cat just stares at him, her mouth clamped shut, and Alderpaw, realizing that the best he could hope for is a quick getaway, requests that Needlepaw helps him get Violetkit onto his back.


 * However, Needlepaw's jaws gape open at that, and she demands what he means. She says that she isn't leaving the shadow kits, as she helped find them. They begin to argue, but eventually lapse into an uneasy silence filled only by the mewling of kits.He and Needlepaw look down at the squirming young cats, and Alderpaw's concern for them overpowers his anger at Needlepaw. He can see the same feeling in the other apprentice's green eyes, and after a moment decides that the only fair way to resolve it is to divide the kits up, and each take one back to their own Clan. Alderpaw looks down at the kits, and responds that that would be wrong, as they only have each other now. Needlepaw is silent, and gazes down at the kits, and Alderpaw wonders if she has any cat she cares about as much as he and Sparkpaw care for each other.


 * As Alderpaw keeps watching Needlepaw and the kits, he is distracted at yowling from farther down the slope, and both apprentices instinctively move in front of the kits to guard them. However, the cats turn out to be Molewhisker, Birchfall, Poppyfrost, and Berrynose, and Alderpaw's former mentor tells him that they got back to camp yesterday, and updated their Clanmates, who were devastated to think that he had drowned. The brown tom adds that they looked for him and Needlepaw back beside the river, but couldn't find them, and when Poppyfrost asks Alderpaw how he survived, he replies that Needlepaw helped him out of the river. He adds that she is also there, just a bit farther up, and he leads the other cats up the ridge where he had left Needlepaw.


 * The ShadowClan she-cat greets the ThunderClan patrol, and shows that that, as they can see, she and Alderpaw brought company. With one paw, she sweeps the grasses aside to reveal the kits. Alderpaw tells his Clanmates that he will explain later, and were going to take them to back to the ThunderClan camp to nurse them back to health. Needlepaw objects, but Birchfall that the kits will be taken back to ThunderClan now to be cared for. He continues that the Gathering is in a few days, they can bring the kits there to decide what will be done with them. She reluctantly agrees, and Birchfall asks Needlepaw if she is okay getting back to the ShadowClan camp, which elicits a scoff. She and Alderpaw say goodbye, and she turns away. He thinks that Needlepaw also looks sad as she gives him a last look before bounding down the slope in the direction of RiverClan.


 * Later, when Alderpaw and Bramblestar talk about the quest and the Clan leader mentions that he talked to Molewhisker, Cherryfall, and Sparkpaw about keeping SkyClan a secret, Alderpaw remembers again the Needlepaw shares the secret too. Bramblestar tells Alderpaw that he told the Clan that he reached the place he saw in his vision, which should be enough to keep SkyClan a secret, but he asks about Needlepaw. Alderpaw replies that he asked her to keep the secret, but is unsure on whether she will.


 * When Jayfeather, Leafpool, Alderpaw, and Squirrelflight talk with Bramblestar, the Clan leader announces that they must talk about the kits, and Alderpaw explains how Sandstorm came to him in a dream, and gave him the clue that allowed him and Needlepaw to find the kits in the tunnel. Squirrelflight sounds surprised as she asks if Needlepaw really helped, and Alderpaw responds that it was her idea to go through the tunnel, and she helped him bring the kits back to the lake. Bramblestar asks the cats if they think the kits were what they would find in the shadows, but Jayfeather says that ShadowClan won't give the kits up, and the leader agrees.


 * During the Gathering, Alderpaw almost immediately sees Needlepaw as he arrives at the island, and her eyes widen at the sight of him and the kits. Alderpaw expects her to cross the clearing to meet him, but the ShadowClan apprentice doesn't move until a white tom from her Clan pads up to her. The silver-and-white she-cat exchanges a few words with him, then turns her back on Alderpaw and walks away with the tom at her side. Alderpaw loses sight of her in the crowd, and is nervous about what she might have told her Clanmates about SkyClan, and though part of him wants to bound across the clearing and find her, he knows that for now his place is with the Twigkit and Violetkit. The medicine cat apprentice knows that when the final decision is made about the kits, he and Needlepaw will be rivals.


 * During Alderpaw's thoughts, the leaders had all leaped into the branches, with the deputies gathered on the roots, and Mistystar begins the Gathering. However, Rowanstar interrupts her, demanding why she is acting like it is a typical Gathering when Bramblestar has news to share, and Alderpaw knows that his father, like him, is afraid that Needlepaw told Rowanstar to SkyClan. Rowanstar sarcastically continues that it might have to do with the prophecy or young cats, and Bramblestar explains Alderpaw's quest. Rowanstar notes that they found the kits working together, and that Needlepaw saved Alderpaw's life on the quest and helped him to shore when he was drowning. Even after more of the quest is explained to Onestar and Mistystar, Rowanstar tells Bramblestar that the kits might belong in ShadowClan with Needlepaw who helped find and care for them.


 * After it was concluded that ShadowClan would take one of the kits, and Rowanstar decides to take Violetkit, Alderpaw sees the ShadowClan cats head toward the tree-bridge, and among them is Needlepaw, with the black-and-white kit riding on her back. For a moment, she catches his eye, and Alderpaw stares back, wondering if she told or even will tell her Clan about SkyClan, if she will take care of Violetkit, and if she misses him. However, Needlepaw's glance isn't friendly, and she almost immediately turns away and follows her Clanmates. Violetkit looks scared as Needlepaw flattens herself to thrust her way through the bushes. When the two cats are gone, Alderpaw wonders what will happen to Violetkit, and remembering the loneliness he had sensed in Needlepaw, he wonders if Violetkit will now share it after losing her sister.

Thunder and Shadow

 * Needlepaw, along with half of the ShadowClan apprentices, starts to disrespect ShadowClan even more, due to hearing the elders' stories about ShadowClan was once the most feared Clan but is no longer. Later on, Needlepaw sends Violetkit to send a message to Rain in the rogue cats' camp, implying that she has been meeting up with the rogue to inform that she can't come that night, since she's being punished. After Violetkit is brought back by Darktail the next day, she and half of the other ShadowClan apprentices switch sides and align themselves with the rogues, essentially becoming traitors to their own Clan.


 * Needlepaw tries to convince Rowanstar to let the rogues join ShadowClan, but Rowanstar doesn't agree with her, saying that the rogues are neither Clanborn nor do they follow the Warrior Code, even though Rain says that they are willing to learn. Needlepaw and the other apprentices cry out that the rogues will bring ShadowClan back to greatness, but Rowanstar ignores them and tells Tawnypelt, Tigerheart, and Spikefur to escort the rogues off ShadowClan territory. The situation worsens when Needlepaw calls StarClan a bunch of dead cats and says that ShadowClan shouldn't listen to dead cats, so ShadowClan could go down the path that they want, not of StarClan's or the other Clans. Needlepaw soon leaves ShadowClan with the other apprentices and with Violetkit. Most of the apprentices give themselves warrior names, and Needlepaw soon calls herself Needletail.


 * A fight breaks out out between Rain and Darktail. Darktail almost kills Rain, but Needletail stops him. Darktail blinds Rain in one eye. Needletail is shown to be more affectionate towards Rain after the fight.


 * Needletail soon comes back to ShadowClan with the rogues. Darktail challenges Rowanstar for leadership, but Tawnypelt and Tigerheart stop the brutal fight. Rowanstar, Tigerheart, and Tawnypelt are soon leaving ShadowClan, and Violetpaw wants to go but is stopped by Needletail. Needletail pleads at her not to go, that Violetpaw's home was with her. Violetpaw feels guilty and stays with Needletail in ShadowClan.


 * Twigpaw tries to make Violetpaw come to ThunderClan, but Needletail interferes and lashes out at Twigpaw, slicing one of her ears. Rain stops Needletail from hurting the apprentice any further, making Needletail growl at him. Violetpaw reluctantly tells Twigpaw and Ivypool to run before they could get hurt again.


 * In a Barnes & Noble exclusive chapter, Needletail, then Needlepaw, is training with Tawnypelt. An owl takes her and no patrols are sent out to search for her. She meets a rogue named Tree, and he takes her back to ShadowClan. Needlepaw is deeply hurt and disappointed to learn that her Clanmates assumed she was dead, sending her on the path of rebelliousness and disbelief in StarClan.

Shattered Sky

 * Needletail first appears with Rain when Violetpaw and Twigpaw stare at each other during the battle between the rogues and the Clan cats. She is noted to have grown larger and more formidable. Needletail hisses at Violetpaw, telling her Twigpaw is the enemy, and Twigpaw wonders if this was the same cat who brought her sister to play with her moons ago. Violetpaw glances desperately at her, and jumps at Twigpaw. Soon after the battle, she peers into the elders' den, looking for Violetpaw. She exclaims she's been looking everywhere for Violetpaw, and questions her on why she's helping the elders. She simply flicks her tail dismissively when Violetpaw tells her Dawnpelt told her to, stating she isn't the boss of her, and that Darktail was right, the elders should look after themselves. When Ratscar retorts at her comment, she sneers at him, before asking if Violetpaw was coming. She leads Violetpaw to the fresh-kill pile, and when Thistle, a new rogue, orders Violetpaw to give him a vole, Needletail snaps at him, telling him off with bared teeth and bristling fur.


 * Needletail then notices Violetpaw's worry, and asks the apprentice to tell her what is on her mind, and aggressively asks her to discuss it. Admitting her thoughts, Violetpaw asks her if she was right to attack Twigpaw. Needletail tells her that the Kin are the only ones who care about her, which cheers Violetpaw up a little bit. The next day, Needletail learns from Violetpaw on how Rain died before she asks if Darktail questions her loyalty, which Violetpaw answers no.


 * When Mothwing and Alderheart come to get herbs from now Kin infested RiverClan territory, Needletail tells them they can take them if Puddleshine knows what the herbs are and what they can do. After this, Needletail is punished by Darktail and sent to the prisoners den and starved. After Violetpaw puts the poppy seeds in Darktail's prey, he gets a weakened Needletail and brings her and Violetpaw to the lake. They begin to drown Needletail, to Violetpaw's dismay. Darktail then says that he will give Needletail another chance to reclaim her loyalty, if she kills Violetpaw. Needletail leaps at Violetpaw, with claws sheathed, and tells Violetpaw to run. She jumps at Roach and Sleekwhisker, and as Violetpaw escapes through the trees, she is killed by Darktail, Roach and Sleekwhisker.

Darkest Night

 * Tree sits alone on a rocky outcrop. The yellow tom spots some movement in the shadows below him, seeing a silver pelt. He wonders if the fur is familiar, then green eyes flash up at him. Needletail climbs the rocks, and stops, while Tree purrs her name. Needletail paces distractedly, her pelt twitching, and Tree is able to tell that she's upset.


 * Needletail pauses and stares at him, sadness in her bold gaze. Tree's yellow fur pricks, then Needletail growls, silver fur swishing in the breeze. He slides around her, his fur smoothing hers. The she-cat stiffens, before she slumps down, seemingly tired. Tree crouches beside her and realizes how thin she's grown. Following Needletail's gaze to the horizon, he asks what's wrong. She calls herself dumb, and that she trusted the wrong cat. Needletail looks at Tree, locking gazes with her old friend, and asks if he'll help her. Needletail's gaze is glassy, but shadows are deep within her green stare. Tree sits up, looking along her fur, and realizes a faint glow coming from within Needletail. His heart aches with grief, before he asks how she died.


 * Needletail is visible to Violetpaw, as Violetpaw runs towards her. Violetpaw asks why Needletail is out in the middle of the woods, and Needletail lacks an answer, and instead, stares at Violetpaw. After Violetpaw questions if she is dead, she replies that she is in fact dead. The silver she-cat walks away and disappears.


 * Needletail introduces Violetpaw to Tree, saying she needs to take him to SkyClan claiming that the Clans need him. Needletail states she believes taking Tree to the Clans will allow her to go to StarClan.


 * Needletail appears when Tree shows the dead cats to the medicine cats of the Clans. She talks to Violetshine, saying that thanks to her and Tree, she now walks with her dead Clanmates. She also assures Violetshine that she was never angry at Violetshine.


 * Needletail's eyes burn for another moment. As the spirit cats start to disappear, Needletail gives Alderheart a knowing look, then she fades.

River of Fire

 * Needletail is first seen in StarClan as she halts after pacing and turns on the group of cats by the stream. She hisses as Beenose says they didn't fight hard enough for ShadowClan when they were alive. Needletail snarls that they couldn't save the cats who didn't want to be saved. The silver cat states they have to put the blame on Rowanstar, who now calls himself Rowanclaw. Yellowfang rebukes her statement, reminding Needletail that Rowanclaw wasn't the only cat who misunderstood Darktail's true intentions and that she and the other ShadowClan cats chose to join Darktail's Kin. Needletail retorts sarcastically, saying Yellowfang knows everything.


 * After Beenose tells them again that they should have helped when they had the chance, Needletail retorts that it is a load of mouse-droppings. She says a strong leader could have held the Clan together, with or without Darktail's meddling, and that ShadowClan was only tempted by Darktail because of Rowanclaw's weakness. Needletail mocks Rowanclaw, saying he got his nine lives only to turn them away. She then asks the other cats who would such a thing like that.


 * When Shadowstar appears, even Needletail looks in awe at the sight of ShadowClan's first leader. Shadowstar looks sternly at Needletail and tells her not to pass blame along so casually, asserting that ShadowClan's demise is about much more than Rowanclaw's failure as a leader, implying Needletail's rebellion makes her equally responsible.


 * After a long silence of speaking about the fall of ShadowClan, Needletail speaks up and smooths her whiskers with her paw. She responds that they'd better get working on the right message to send to the living Clan cats.


 * When the medicine cats go to Moonpool at the half-moon, she visits Alderheart. Alderheart is happy to see that she made it to StarClan. Needletail tells him that after the others and her gave the Clan cats their message, they were able to go to StarClan. She tells him she worries for Twigpaw and Violetshine and asks him to watch over them. Alderheart replies that Violetshine is in SkyClan now and has kin to look after her. He adds that he will look out for Twigpaw. She teasingly tells him that she'll come to ThunderClan and claw his ears off. After he asks where the missing ShadowClan are, she replies with the message, "The shadows are approaching and must not be dispelled," and fades without saying another word.


 * When Alderheart wakes up, he learns that the other medicine cats have received the same message. He later wonders if Sleekwhisker and Yarrowleaf are shadows they are meant to keep, and misses his friend. When a battle ensues over Sleekwhisker's stolen kits, Violetshine attacks Raven in vengeance for what she did to Needletail.

Tigerheart's Shadow

 * After Darktail attempts to drown Berryheart, she escapes. She wonders if the rogue leader will go after her mate or daughter now, or if Darktail would hurt them because of her.


 * Berryheart runs into Slatefur, and asks him to pass a message on to Needletail and Sparrowtail]. Berryheart tells the gray tom that she'll be at a Twoleg path, and to relay that to them. He hesitantly agrees, but reminds her that Darktail likes Needletail, so it's probably best to leave it. Berryheart knows that Needletail fought fiercely against RiverClan, and she ponders if her daughter really is loyal to Darktail.


 * As Berryheart settles down to rest in a log, she wonders how long she's been away. Realizing she has no choice, the black and white loner has to wait for Sparrowtail and Needletail to return.


 * Sparrowtail finds Berryheart while out hunting, and informs her Darktail is holding Needletail prisoner now.