Dustpelt/Main article

Dustpelt is a lithe, heavy dark brown tabby tom with amber eyes.

He is born to Fuzzypelt and Robinwing of ThunderClan, along with his brother Ravenpaw. As an apprentice, Dustpaw, he is mentored by Redtail, and is saddened by his death; Dustpaw receives Darkstripe as his second mentor after the death of Redtail. As an apprentice, Dustpaw is critical of the former kittypet, Firepaw, bullying him along with Sandpaw. He grows close to Tigerclaw, Darkstripe, and Longtail, who reinforce his hatred of Firepaw. However, when it is revealed that Tigerclaw killed Redtail, Dustpelt turns on him, insisting that he is loyal to ThunderClan.

Dustpelt becomes mates with Ferncloud and fathers three litters first litter: Spiderleg and Shrewpaw, Birchfall, Hollykit, and Larchkit, Icecloud and Foxleap. As a warrior, he strongly believes in the warrior code, and disagrees with Firestar's willingness to accept strangers into ThunderClan. He participates in the Great Battle, during which Ferncloud and Foxleap are killed, and nearly disowns Birchfall due to his training in the Place of No Stars, but forgives him. Dustpelt feels guilty for not protecting his mate, and has trouble moving on. He denies retirement continually, and is ultimately killed by badgers in battle, and is reunited with his family in StarClan.

The Prophecies Begin

 * Dustpaw is the apprentice of ThunderClan's deputy, Redtail, but after Redtail is killed, allegedly by Oakheart, Darkstripe takes over as his mentor. After Firepaw joins ThunderClan, Dustpaw and Sandpaw bully him over his kittypets roots. Despite him and Sandpaw being older than Firepaw and Graypaw, they become warriors first due to their courage in battle, frustrating Dustpaw immensely.


 * When Sandpaw becomes warms up to Fireheart, Dustpaw becomes jealous, and is disgusted when Fireheart brings his kittypet nephew, Cloudkit, to ThunderClan. He earns his warrior name, Dustpelt, after fighting bravely against Brokenstar's rogues. He often shows support for Tigerclaw, but when Tigerclaw is exiled from ThunderClan after trying to kill Bluestar, and it is revealed that Tigerclaw had killed Redtail, Tigerclaw asks Dustpelt to come with him, to which Dustpelt angrily refuses. Dustpelt becomes the mentor to Ashpaw, and is friendly with Ashpaw's sister, Fernpaw. Dustpelt respects Firestar's rise to leadership and participates in the Battle against BloodClan.

The New Prophecy

 * Dustpelt and Ferncloud's sons, Shrewpaw and Spiderpaw, have become apprentices. They have a second litter, Birchkit, Hollykit, and Larchkit. Dustpelt has become the mentor of Squirrelpaw, though he is often irritated by her defiant nature. When Twolegs begin their destruction of the forest, it becomes increasingly difficult for the Clan to find food. Larchkit and Hollykit both die of starvation, and Shrewpaw, in an attempt to catch prey for the Clan, is killed by a monster, leaving Dustpelt and Ferncloud grief-stricken. When Graystripe is taken by Twolegs, Dustpelt insists that a new deputy must be appointed. He takes part in The Great Journey along with the rest of the Clans, and fights in Mudclaw's rebellion and the Battle against the badgers. However, he becomes increasingly dissatisfied with the acceptance of fresh blood in ThunderClan.

Power of Three

 * Dustpelt and Ferncloud have their final litter of Foxkit and Icekit, and he receives his final apprentice, Hazelpaw. He complains often about the mixed blood in ThunderClan, and is not afraid to disagree with Firestar's peaceful leadership, particularly over a ShadowClan border dispute, and is quick to voice disapproval for Millie keeping her kittypet name. He participates in many battles and border skirmishes, such as the battle of the eclipse. During the greencough epidemic, Dustpelt falls ill and is transported to the abandoned Twoleg den with the other sick cats, but luckily recovers.

Omen of the Stars

 * Dustpelt continues to serve his Clan as a warrior. He is noted to be incredibly loyal by Lionblaze, and is thus not a suspect of training in the Dark Forest, however, his son Birchfall is later revealed to be doing so. When the truth is revealed about his former apprentice, Ashfur's, death, Dustpelt believes that Hollyleaf did the Clans a favor by killing him. In the battle against the Dark Forest, Ferncloud is slain by Brokenstar, and shattering Dustpelt's heart into pieces.

Super Editions

 * In Firestar's Quest, Dustpelt has become mates with Ferncloud and the two have their first litter of kits, Shrewkit and Spiderkit. When Firestar and Sandstorm leave to find SkyClan, Dustpelt takes over the training of Sandstorm's apprentice, Sorrelpaw.


 * In Bramblestar's Storm, Dustpelt is broken by grief from the loss of Ferncloud, but refuses to retire, believing that the work will keep his mind off of her death. He assists his Clan in surviving The Great Storm, and tests the apprentices on their knowledge of the warrior code. In the ThunderClan-ShadowClan Battle against the badgers, Dustpelt fights with fury, dying a warrior's death.

Novellas

 * In Redtail's Debt, Dustpaw desperately wants to accompany Redtail to mark Sunningrocks. However, Redtail insists that it's too dangerous for apprentices, but Dustpaw refutes that his brother, Ravenpaw, is going. Redtail doesn't budge, and Dustpaw begrudgingly stays. At Sunningrocks, Redtail is killed by Tigerclaw, leaving Dustpaw without a mentor.


 * In Dovewing's Silence, Dustpelt refuses to leave the body of Ferncloud. He blames their son, Birchfall, who had betrayed the Clans by training in the Dark Forest, for her death, and refuses to let him see his mother. His other son, Foxleap, also dies soon after of his wounds. Dustpelt refuses to forgive the Dark Forest trainees, even when they swear an oath of loyalty.

Interesting facts

 * Dustpelt was snarky with Firestar at first because he liked Sandstorm, but she loved Firestar, and not him.

Mistakes

 * He was mistakenly called light brown.
 * In the British edition of Rising Storm, Dustpelt isn't listed in the allegiances.
 * He was mistakenly called Dustpaw despite already receiving his warrior name.
 * His name was mistakenly spelled as 'Dusltpelt'.

Quotes
{{Coltex|{{Dialogue a-b
 * quote a = Stay on the moor from now on!
 * speaker a = Dustpelt
 * quote b = Firestar gave us these woods! If you have a quarrel about us hunting on them, take it up with him!
 * speaker b = Ashfoot
 * quote c = I'll take it up with any WindClan cat- warrior or apprentice- that I catch hunting ThunderClan's prey!
 * speaker c = Dustpelt
 * description = Dustpelt and Ashfoot after the battle
 * source = Dark River
 * page number = 233-234}}

{{Quote
 * source = Fading Echoes
 * quote = Dustpelt? The dusky tom often argued with Firestar, but Lionblaze suspected the two warriors relished their disagreements, sparking off each other and never holding grudges.
 * speaker = Lionblaze's thoughts about who could be in the Dark Forest
 * page number = 233}}

{{quote
 * quote=Firestar! When you see her, tell Ferncloud I love her.
 * speaker=Dustpelt to Firestar's spirit after Ferncloud dies
 * source=The Last Hope
 * page number=324}}

{{Quote
 * quote = I will never leave Ferncloud’s side again. I should have been with her. She should never have been left to fight Brokenstar alone.
 * speaker = Dustpelt about Ferncloud
 * source = Dovewing's Silence
 * page number = Chapter 1}}

{{Dialogue a-b
 * quote a=Hold on, Dustpelt. We'll get help.
 * speaker a=Bramblestar
 * quote b = It’s okay. It’s my time.
 * speaker b =Dustpelt
 * quote c =Not yet. Not here. You have served your Clan so well and for so long. Now it is our turn to serve you. The elders' den is waiting for you, Dustpelt.
 * speaker c = Bramblestar
 * quote d =That is not where I want to be. Thank you, Bramblestar, for everything. May StarClan light your path, always.
 * speaker d = Dustpelt
 * description = Dustpelt bidding farewell to Bramblestar
 * source = Bramblestar's Storm
 * page number = 426-427}}

{{quote
 * quote=He found it so hard to go on without Ferncloud, and now they're together again.
 * speaker=Bramblestar's thoughts on Dustpelt after he reunites with Ferncloud
 * source=Bramblestar's Storm
 * page number=428}}

Ceremonies
}}