Dustpelt

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

Bluestar's Prophecy

 * In the conclusion, he is seen as an apprentice, with the name Dustpaw. He, Sandpaw, and Graypaw are playing together while he creeps up on Ravenpaw.

Firestar's Quest

 * It is revealed that he and Ferncloud have become mates, and she has her first litter of kits, Spiderkit and Shrewkit. He is seen scolding the two of them as they splash in a dirty rain puddle. He then goes on a hunting patrol with Mousefur.


 * When the clan goes to the Gathering, Firestar has a vision of all the other clan cats rushing towards him, and he stops abruptly. Dustpelt nudges him saying that any cat would think that he forgot his way to the Gathering. He is on the patrol that finds Smudge trying to talk to Firestar.


 * When the clan finds a badger on the territory, Dustpelt wants to follow it and make sure it leaves. Firestar agrees with him.


 * Later, he takes over Sorrelpaw's training when Sandstorm goes on the journey to rebuild SkyClan with her mate, Firestar. He promises Sandstorm he'll take good care of her apprentice, and tells her teasingly she's been far too lenient with Sorrelpaw.

Into the Wild

 * Dustpaw is one of the older ThunderClan apprentices, along with his good friend Sandpaw. When Rusty, a young kittypet, joins ThunderClan, he and Sandpaw do not welcome him warmly. They show much hostility towards him.


 * His mentor, Redtail, the ThunderClan deputy, is killed in a battle with a RiverClan patrol attempting to claim Sunningrocks. Tigerclaw states that he was killed by Oakheart, the Riverclan deputy. Bluestar then appoints Darkstripe as his new mentor.


 * When Graypaw and Firepaw go to see the elders, they notice a rabbit the four elders are sharing, and Graypaw tells Firepaw that Dustpaw and Sandpaw probably brought the rabbit to them. Smallear remarks that Dustpaw and Sandpaw are turning into fine hunters.


 * When Firepaw and Graypaw go to eat some fresh-kill, Dustpaw and Sandpaw mockingly tell Firepaw that they caught the prey, and start gloating about being able to go to the Gathering that night. When Graypaw tells them that they patrolled the border that day, Dustpaw sarcastically tells him that he's sure that the other Clans are terrified of them.


 * On Firepaw's first day as an apprentice, Dustpaw and Sandpaw leave on a hunting patrol with their mentors. When they get back with fresh-kill, he tells Firepaw to be glad that they caught food for him. Sandpaw scornfully remarks that someday, he might be able to catch his own food.


 * Later, Bluestar tells the Clan that they need to speed up the training of the apprentices, Dustpaw and Sandpaw are seen exchanging a thrilled glance. Also, when Bluestar announces that Firepaw will be caring for Yellowfang as a punishment for feeding her, Dustpaw sneers at him, stating that he better be good at cracking fleas.


 * Bluestar tells Firepaw that he, Ravenpaw, and Graypaw are going to the Gathering. Firepaw asks if Sandpaw and Dustpaw are going, to which Bluestar tells him that they are going to guard the camp.


 * At the end of the book, Firepaw and Graypaw are made warriors before Sandpaw and Dustpaw, even though they hadn't been training as long. This is because the former two had fought bravely in the battle against ShadowClan.

Fire and Ice

 * Dustpaw continues to train with his new mentor, and still shows dislike towards Fireheart. When Graystripe says that it's cold outside, Dustpaw says that he's surprised such "heroes" even feel the cold.


 * His hostility towards Fireheart only worsens as Sandpaw turns away from him and gives more of her attention to Fireheart, who saved her from falling off a cliff.


 * While out patrolling with Tigerclaw, Dustpaw comes back to camp with the message that Bluestar needs to come to the Thunderpath to see evidence of ShadowClan hunting. He tells Fireheart that it's urgent and he asks him what's wrong. Dustpaw says that Tigerclaw asked for Bluestar, not a kittypet pretending to be a warrior. Fireheart tells him that if he's quick enough to get the catnip, he can meet Tigerclaw at the Thunderpath, but Dustpaw continues to argue that Tigerclaw wants Bluestar herself to go see it. Dustpaw then tells Fireheart where Tigerclaw is.


 * After a patrol, Dustpaw tells Fireheart and Sandpaw that it looked like they both had fun that day, and he sneers at Fireheart, asking him if he's drowned another RiverClan cat. He hopes Sandpaw will agree with him, but she didn't, much to his disappointment.


 * When Fireheart brings Cloudkit to the Clan, Dustpaw harshly disagrees to the choice. Afterwards, Bluestar announces that ThunderClan does need more warriors, as Graystripe pointed out, and Dustpaw says that Graystripe's turning into a kittypet these days. When Longtail points out that Cloudkit will be very noticeable to the prey while hunting, Dustpaw says that maybe the prey could mistake him for a puffball mushroom.


 * When Sandpaw starts to wash Fireheart's back, Dustpaw glares at him from outside the apprentices' den, unable to disguise his envy and amazement.


 * Before Fireheart goes over to see Whitestorm and Bluestar beneath the highrock, he beckons Dustpaw over. At first, Dustpaw flashes him a doubtful look, but gets up wearily and follows him. Fireheart tries to beckon him closer, but he narrows his eyes at him, and stands next to Sandpaw. After a surprising recommendation by Fireheart, Sandpaw and Dustpaw are made warriors, with the new names Sandstorm and Dustpelt.

Forest of Secrets

 * Dustpelt shows an allegiance with Tigerclaw's crowd, most likely because of his dislike of Bluestar's favoritism towards Fireheart, and because one of his mentors was Darkstripe, one of Tigerclaw's strongest followers.


 * At a Gathering, Bluestar announces that Dustpelt and Sandstorm are ThunderClan's newest warriors. He and Sandstorm seem quite proud of their new names and ranks.


 * When Fireheart and Graystripe come back from Barley's farm, Dustpelt and Sandstorm are seen stretched out sleeping together in the warriors' den. Then, when Sandstorm gets up and lies next to Fireheart, Dustpelt opens one eye and glares at him in jealousy.
 * When Fireheart has a dream about Spottedleaf, he thrashes around in the apprentice's den. Dustpelt wakes up and tells him that no cat can sleep in the racket he's making. When everyone else gets up, Dustpet gives him another glare before leaving the den.
 * When Fireheart has a dream about Spottedleaf, he thrashes around in the apprentice's den. Dustpelt wakes up and tells him that no cat can sleep in the racket he's making. When everyone else gets up, Dustpet gives him another glare before leaving the den.


 * When Fireheart and Sandstorm find Cloudkit, Runningwind and Dustpelt drawn out of the camp to help find Cloudkit. Afterwards, Tigerclaw growls to Dustpelt that bringing kittypets into ThunderClan was a bad idea.


 * When Tigerclaw leads rogues to ThunderClan and attacks Bluestar, Dustpelt at first is confused. Then, when Fireheart explains everything, his confusion turns to disgust. Tigerclaw attempts to convince Dustpelt to leave with him, along with Darkstripe and Longtail, but Dustpelt knows now that Tigerclaw killed his first mentor, Redtail, and refuses, stating that he would rather die than join Tigerclaw.

Rising Storm

 * Dustpelt is first seen snorting scornfully at Fireheart when he has trouble organizing the patrols. When Fireheart tells Runningwind to lead the patrol and take Brackenfur and Dustpelt, Dustpelt complains that Brackenfur won't be able to keep up with them because he's still limping from the battle with the rogues.
 * When Fireheart asks Cinderpelt who he should pick to mentor Brindleface's kits, Cinderpelt asks who want to prove himself more than any cat, and Fireheart says Dustpelt. He also says that Dustpelt is probaby dying for his first apprentice, and that since Tigerclaw's exile, he's probably wants to prove his loyalty to the Clan. Fireheart tells Cinderpelt that Dustpelt is a good warrior, and that he thinks he'll make a good mentor. Fireheart tells Bluestar his choices for mentors, and she tells him to bring Dustpelt and Darkstripe to her den when they return.
 * When Fireheart asks Cinderpelt who he should pick to mentor Brindleface's kits, Cinderpelt asks who want to prove himself more than any cat, and Fireheart says Dustpelt. He also says that Dustpelt is probaby dying for his first apprentice, and that since Tigerclaw's exile, he's probably wants to prove his loyalty to the Clan. Fireheart tells Cinderpelt that Dustpelt is a good warrior, and that he thinks he'll make a good mentor. Fireheart tells Bluestar his choices for mentors, and she tells him to bring Dustpelt and Darkstripe to her den when they return.


 * When they return, Darkstripe tells Fireheart that they smelled Cloudpaw near Twolegplace, and Dustpelt smirks, saying he expects that he's probably looking in the Twoleg gardens for birds, and that they are probably more to his tastes. Afterwards, Fireheart tells Darkstripe and Dustpelt that Bluestar wants to see them in her den.


 * Dustpelt receives Ashpaw as an apprentice, by Fireheart's decision. He is very excited at finally becoming a mentor.


 * When Fireheart and Bluestar return to the Clan after unsuccessfully making it to the moonstone, because of WindClan, Dustpelt tells them that they're back early, and Fireheart tells him WindClan wouldn't let them pass. Dustpelt asks if he told them that they were going to Highstones, and Fireheart snaps at him saying, "Of course." Darkstripe asks what they're doing back as well, and Dustpelt tells him WindClan wouldn't let them pass. Darkstripe says how dare they stop them, and Dustpelt says that he doesn't know why Fireheart let the WindClan cats boss him around. When Runningwind calls Fireheart, Darkstripe and Dustpelt exchange glances and lead their apprentices away.


 * As Sandstorm continues to be less interested in him and more interested in Fireheart, he develops affections for Ashpaw's sister, Fernpaw, his old mentor Darkstripe's new apprentice.


 * When Dustpelt sneers at Fireheart for not keeping an eye on Cloudpaw and mocks him, Sandstorm scolds Dustpelt to leave Fireheart alone and that his hostility wasn't going to impress any cat.


 * He is seen going out to check for ShadowClan invaders when Littlecloud and Whitethroat are found, and during the fire he is seen dragging Patchpelt's body with Cloudpaw to the river. During their sheltering with RiverClan, he challenges Darkstripe when he frightens Fernpaw, and later helps her swim back across the river.

A Dangerous Path

 * Dustpelt's hostility has lessened towards Fireheart, and he has accepted his authority as deputy and become a loyal warrior of ThunderClan.


 * He continues to train his apprentice, Ashpaw, and is still affectionate with Fernpaw, stealing glances with her and wanting to go on patrols with the gray apprentice.


 * When the ThunderClan cats come back from the Gathering, Dustpelt is seen pacing back and forth in front of the elders' den. Fireheart tells everyone that Whitestorm will tell them all what happened at the Gathering, and that he wanted a dawn patrol, which Dustpelt offered to lead along with Ashpaw, Cloudpaw, and Mousefur.


 * Dustpelt is also seen with Fernpaw, when she was telling Fireheart about Swiftpaw and Brightpaw leaving camp. Dustpelt encourages Fernpaw to tell Fireheart everything, for Fireheart will understand.


 * He is seen helping patch up the warriors' den to repair it after the fire, and he later supports Fireheart in his desire to stop the unjust battle between ThunderClan and WindClan. He also participates in the long chain of cats that lure the dog pack to the gorge.


 * Dustpelt cuffs Fireheart's shoulder, which wakes him up; he asks what's the matter with him, and that no cat could get a wink of sleep with him yowling. Sandstorm tells Dustpelt to leave him alone, and that it's not his fault that he does that in his sleep. Dustpelt sneers at her, saying that she would say that, and leaves.


 * One morning, Dustpelt is seen padding up to Fireheart, with Fernpaw following. He tells him that there's something he should know, and turns to Fernpaw and tells her to tell Fireheart. When she hesitates, Dustpelt tells her there's nothing to be scared of, and that Fireheart won't be mad at her. When Fernpaw finally speaks to Fireheart, she pauses, and Dustpelt urges her on. She tells Fireheart about Swiftpaw's plan, and that she went to tell Dustpelt when she saw him. She glanced gratefully at him, and he pressed his muzzle against her flank. Dustpelt is now happy that they are becoming more than just friends.


 * When Fireheart explains his idea of talking to WindClan out of fighting and Sandstorm objects, she tells Dustpelt to tell Fireheart that it was a stupid idea. However, Dustpelt agrees with Fireheart about his idea. When Longtail says he won't go to make peace with WindClan and says he's not mouse-brained, Dustpelt tells him that he's a coward. Dustpelt says that he'll go on the patrol with Fireheart to see Tallstar, but if WindClan attacks, he says he'll fight and not get torn apart.

The Darkest Hour

 * Dustpelt is first seen with Ashpaw, when he says he is terrified of the dogs, and Dustpelt tells him they are all terrified. He tells both Ashpaw and Fernpaw that he's never ran that fast in his life, and that they both did great. Fireheart tells Dustpelt that he did great as well, and that the Clan owes thanks to all of them. Dustpelt holds Fireheart's gaze for a moment, then gives him a nod of acknowledgement, and leaves.


 * When Firestar comes back, Fernpaw tells Dustpelt that she bets he'll be a great leader, and Dustpelt says he better be, agreeing with Fernpaw, another sign of affection.


 * After Darkstripe shows that his true loyalties were to Tigerstar after feeding Sorrelkit, Willowpelt's daughter, deathberries after she saw him meeting with the ShadowClan deputy, Blackfoot, Dustpelt hopefully asks if he could be both Ashpaw and Fernpaw's mentor. Firestar gently declines, knowing that he would not be tough enough on Fernpaw. Instead, Firestar gives Fernpaw to Longtail to mentor in place of Swiftpaw, who had died battling the dogs.


 * Dustpelt asks why they aren't attacking ShadowClan, when Firestar explains how they saved Mistyfoot, Stormpaw and Featherpaw. Firestar tells him that ThunderClan wouldn't win a battle against ShadowClan and RiverClan combined. When Firestar paused to think, Dustpelt interupts him, telling him that they are all still there.


 * When the LionClan cats meet the BloodClan cats, Ashpaw says that they have collars, so they must be kittypets, and Dustpelt tells him to be quiet. He also says that until they get a full measure of their enemy, they don't know anything about the cats.


 * Firestar spots Dustpelt with Ashpaw, along with Brightheart and Cloudtail, at the training hollow. Brightheart had just bowled Dustpelt over, and he stood up spitting sand out of his mouth. He tells her he never saw it coming and asks her to do it again. Dustpelt had tried to creep up on her blind side, but she kept him in view the entire time. When he sprang, she slipped under his claws, and hit his back legs, to send him to the ground again. Cloudtail jokes with him, telling him that's why he's called Dustpelt, since he was covered in dust.


 * Finally, Dustpelt fights heroically in the battle with BloodClan, and survives to tell the tale.

Midnight

 * Dustpelt continues his life as a ThunderClan cat, a warrior under Firestar.


 * Dustpelt and Ferncloud have three more kits, named Birchkit, Larchkit, and Hollykit. He is shown to be quite a kind fatherly figure. Dustpelt is also charged with the task of training Squirrelpaw, Firestar's daughter.


 * When Brambleclaw appears in the nursery, he sees Dustpelt lying next to Ferncloud, with his paws tucked underneath him, and occasionally affectionately licking Ferncloud's ear. Seeing Brambleclaw in the nursery, Dustpelt welcomes him, and asks him if he's come to see the new kits. Before Brambleclaw leaves, Dustpelt asks him if he can do something for him. He tells Brambleclaw to keep an eye on Squirrelpaw, since he wants to spend time with Ferncloud and his kits for a day or two, and Squirrelpaw shouldn't be left without a mentor for too long. Dustpelt tells him it would be good pratice for when he gets an apprentice of his own. No matter how much Brambleclaw didn't want to watch Squirrelpaw, he knows Dustpelt was right, and told him he'd do his best.


 * When Thornclaw, Ashfur and Brambleclaw run into Squirrelpaw, Thornclaw asks her if Dustpelt knows she's with them, and Squirrelpaw tells him no. She tells them that he promised her training last night, but every cat knows that he spends all his time in the nursery with Ferncloud. Ashfur tells him he's not in the nursery anymore, since the kits have opened their eyes, and tells Squirrelpaw that she might get in trouble if Dustpelt goes looking for her. When Squirrelpaw doesn't leave, Thornclaw allows her to go with them, but tells her to not blame him if Dustpelt "turns her into crowfood".


 * After the patrol returns, Dustpelt is seen marching across the clearing to her. He asks her what she's got to say for herself, and she tells him she was on a patrol, and he asks her if Graystripe or Firestar told her to go on the patrol. Squirrelpaw says no cat ordered her, and Dustpelt told her that they'd train today. He says that Mousefur and Brackenfur took their apprentices to train their fighting moves, and that they could've went with them, but since she left they couldn't go. Dustpelt asks her if she knew that every cat was searching for her and she shook her head. Dustpelt says that when they couldn't find her, Firestar took out a patrol to follow her scent. He tells her that the Clan leader has better things to do than chase after apprentices who don't listen to what they are told. Dustpelt then asks Thornclaw why he let her go on the patrol, and Thornclaw says that he'd rather her go on the patrol than to wander around the forest by herself. Dustpelt snorts that he's right about that. Squirrelpaw offers to go do the training still, but Dustpelt tells her no more training until she learns what being an apprentice really means. He sends her to look after the elders as punishment.


 * Soon, when Twolegs begin to destroy the forest, WindClan is most threatened by this, so Dustpelt went on a patrol to make sure WindClan was not crossing the thin boundary between ThunderClan and RiverClan while using their drinking rights given to them by RiverClan. He found the WindClan warrior Onewhisker, the deputy Mudclaw, and his apprentice Crowpaw stealing a RiverClan vole they chased over the border onto ThunderClan territory. Dustpelt says that he saw no reason to tell Firestar about the incident as long as it didn't happen again.

Moonrise

 * As the Twolegs began to threaten the forest, Dustpelt spends more time with Ferncloud and comforts her as best he can. Prey soon becomes more scarce in the forest, and Dustpelt struggles to help his mate care for their kits.


 * Dustpelt was first seen coming back from the dawn patrol with Mousefur and Spiderpaw. When he sees Ferncloud and his kits, his eyes narrow with pleasure. When Firestar says he's seen Twoleg monsters in the forest, Dustpelt asks if it's another one of his dreams again, and if he's had a tough piece of fresh-kill the night before. Cloudtail tells him to shut up and listen.


 * Leafpaw sees a patrol consisting of Firestar, Dustpelt and Sorreltail entering the camp. Sorreltail tells Leafpaw that they saw prey bones on ThunderClan territory that reeked of WindClan, and said Dustpelt was furious about it. Afterwards, Leafpaw joins Dustpelt and Firestar at the fresh-kill pile. Dustpelt asks Firestar how such little prey can feed the Clan. He tells him he must do something about WindClan, but Firestar says Tallstar wouldn't allow WindClan to steal prey. Dustpelt says Tallstar mnight not know what's going on, and that ThunderClan is in trouble too. He says they don't have enough prey to spare. Firestar tells him he knows, and Dustpelt says he worries about Ferncloud because she's gotten skinnier and she had three kits to feed.


 * When the ThunderClan cats see Mudclaw and Tornear running with voles (or mice) in their jaws, Dustpelt and Ashfur sprang after them, but Firestar called them back. He tells them to make it seem like they only want to talk to Tallstar, and not fight. Dustpelt says that they could've told Tallstar, and that they could ambush them before before they can even reach the camp. Firestar tells him that Tallstar isn't like that and would fight in the open. Leafpaw could tell Dustpelt was smoldering with anger, but only expressed it with an irritable twitch of his tail-tip. When they realize WindClan is ready for them, Dustpelt tells Firestar he knew that they would be ready.


 * There is not enough food to sustain Ferncloud and their kits, and Larchkit dies. Dustpelt is overcome with misery, and he lets Firestar comfort him, though they had never been close. He tries to continually comfort Ferncloud, and encourages her to eat, saying that Birchkit and Hollykit still need her.

Dawn

 * Now that ThunderClan has been forced to move to Sunningrocks for shelter, prey is even more scarce. Dustpelt is first seen sheltering beneath an overhang, with Mousefur next to him.


 * When Brambleclaw says their loyalty was always with ThunderClan, and Dustpelt asks what a RiverClan warrior was doing with them. Brambleclaw tells him that Stormfur wanted to speak with Graystripe, and would leave as soon as he spoke to him.


 * Dustpelt hesitantly welcomes back his apprentice Squirrelpaw when they return from the journey, unsure of why she and Brambleclaw left the Clan. He tells her that wherever she was, she ate well. Brambleclaw tells him that they were lucky that they had plenty of prey where they traveled. Dustpelt says that fresh-kill is what the Clan needs more than anything, and that if they found good hunting, the Clan should know where. Brambleclaw tells him it's a long way away, and Dustpelt says that it's not for them, since they made their home there, and won't let the Twolegs drive them out again.


 * When Brambleclaw tells Firestar about his dream from StarClan, telling them to go to the sun-drown place and hear what Midnight had to tell them, and Dustpelt says, "What midnight told you?" Brambleclaw tells them how they found Midnight, and Dustpelt is curious about who or what Midnight is. When Brambleclaw says that the journeying cats, including them, were going to persuade their leaders to come to The Great Rock to watch for StarClan's sign, and Firestar says he might look into it, but Dustpelt asks him if he's really thinking of taking the Clan out of the forest.


 * When the Clan wonders whether they are leaving the forest or not, Squirrelpaw asks Brambleclaw if Dustpelt's right about having them all follow the advice of a badger that they've never met.


 * Hollykit, another one of Dustpelt's daughters, dies of hunger, just to add to the warriors' grief. He buries her.


 * He agrees with Mousefur and a few other clanmates that they should leave the forest. He says that he has only one kit left, and he, including all of them, will all die if they stay. Firestar tells them that they must try harder to persuade the other Clans to leave as well, but Dustpelt says that they'll come when they are ready, and that their Clan is ready now. Firestar still tells him they can't leave yet.


 * When Mousefur asks about the next ThunderClan deputy to fill Graystripe's place, Dustpelt agrees with her that Firestar should pick a new deputy. He says that he should choose someone young, who StarClan approves of, and glances at Brambleclaw, as well as other cats.


 * Now desperate, he protects his remaining kit, Birchkit, and his mate fiercely as they start the Great Journey.

Starlight

 * When Squirrelpaw offers an idea to make a den, Dustpelt tells her its a good idea, and tells Longtail he can sleep as long as he wants when they get him to a more sheltered place. He says that this place better be what they were looking for because no one looks like they have the strength to carry on.


 * Squirrelpaw asks Dustpelt if they wanted them to hunt for him, but he declines her offer. Instead, he tells her that they will go hunting and for her to rest with Brambleclaw, since she looked like she was asleep on her paws.


 * Squirrelpaw gets her warrior name, Squrrelflight. He walks Squirrelpaw up to the stump, and waits with her before she gets her warrior name. Afterwards, Squirrelflight teases Brambleclaw, telling him he can't boss her around since she's no longer an apprentice, and Dustpelt says that she never did as she was told anyway. Squirrelflight tells him she must have listened to something and thanks Dustpelt for everything.


 * When Squirrelflight describes the new camp and the hollow in it, Dustpelt asks if the hollow is empty, because knowing her she would expect them to camp in a badger set. She tells Dustpelt that she promises she'll eat any badgers or foxes he finds in there, and tells him they didn't scent anything like that, and Dustpelt grunts.
 * When talking about the parts of the new camp, Dustpelt nods towards the entrance, and says that they've got to do something with the entrance, or the whole of ShadowClan could be through it in a couple heartbeats.


 * Dustpelt is on a patrol with Brambleclaw, Rainwhisker, and Brackenfur, when the scent a fox. Dustpelt is seen stopping to sniff a low-hanging branch, when they smell Twolegs. Brambleclaw says the scent is days old, and Dustpelt says that if he never sees another Twoleg, it'll be too soon. When Brambleclaw tells him that they're a long way from a Thunderpath, and that they will be no monsters, Dustpelt flicks his ear and says nothing. During the patrol, both ShadowClan and ThunderClan patrols almost get into a fight, when Firestar comes in and tells them that if ShadowClan had set the scent markers, then that is there territory, and Dustpelt says that he didn't smell any.


 * Dustpelt was seen carrying a long tendril of brambles, when he almost trips over Birchkit. He tells his son that he's more trouble than a fox in a fit, and Ferncloud tells Dustpelt not to scold him, and that it's good that he likes to play. Dustpelt purrs, his eyes shining, watching his kit play with the bramble with Ferncloud.


 * One morning, Dustpelt was seen emerging for the nursery and padding towards Brambleclaw. Brambleclaw asks him if he wants to go hunting, and Dustpelt says "Great" and asks who they should take with them. Brackenfur pads over to Dustpelt, and asks him if Whitepaw can do warrior training, since she was out fetching fresh bedding the day before, and Dustpelt says she can. He also asks Brackenfur if he wants to go hunting with them.


 * Before they leave to go hunting, Birchkit comes bounding towards them, and Dustpelt asks him what he's doing. Birchkit asks him if he can go out hunting with them, and Dustpelt tells him he can't until he becomes an apprentice. When Birchkit tries to catch a bird, Dustpelt an Brambleclaw yell "No" at the same time. When Brambleclaw catches Birchkit mid-air, Dustpelt scolds him, and Brackenfur tells him not to be too hard on his son. He tells Brackenfur that Birchkit would've been dead if it wasn't for Brambleclaw, and made his son apologize. He tells him to stand up, since he's not hurt, and to go to Ferncloud, and Birchkit obeys. Dustpelt says they'll have to make a new rule that no kits shall be anywhere near the edge of the cliff, including apprentices, and flicks his ears at Spiderpaw and Whitepaw.


 * He fights as hard as he can during Mudclaw's rebellion. He also rescues his son, Birchkit, with the help of Brambleclaw after the kit's failed attempt of catching a robin and almost falling into the hollow.

Twilight

 * He has a short temper due to all the commotion last night when Firestar calls a Clan Meeting. Later, Birchkit, his remaining kit, squeals and runs up to him, bringing Ferncloud with him.


 * He is part of the patrol to take the two dead ShadowClan warriors back to their camp, and on returning, he visits Ferncloud and Birchkit in the nursery. He is also selected along with Brambleclaw, Squirrelflight, and Mousefur, to go see how WindClan is doing. When reporting to Firestar later, he tells them that the reason WindClan acted hostile was because Onestar probably thought Brambleclaw and Hawkfrost were working together all along. Brambleclaw disagrees. He later takes Rainwhisker with him to go fill in a badger set that had until then been occupied with a badger and her three cubs.


 * He participates in the first Gathering on the island, and is as excited as the others to be in the new place. He shows concern for Squirrelflight when she is scared to cross the trunk.


 * At a Clan meeting later on, he proudly watches his only surviving kit, Birchkit, become an apprentice, Birchpaw, who is mentored to Ashfur. Dustpelt and Ferncloud bound over to congratulate him and Dustpelt gives Birchpaw a lick of congratulations after the ceremony.


 * Nearing the end of the book, he goes on a hunting patrol with Sandstorm and Cloudtail.

Sunset

 * In Sunset, he backed down from going against Firestar's choice of deputy, Brambleclaw, when he discovered Brambleclaw had been chosen because of a sign the medicine cat Leafpool had from StarClan, claiming that she faked the sign because Brambleclaw was her sister's mate.


 * When Stormfur and Brook returned to ThunderClan for the second time, he and Mousefur call a Clan meeting because they believed that the Clan was becoming too "mixed", because of Stormfur, Brook, the loner from horseplace Daisy, and her three kits, Berrykit, Mousekit, and Hazelkit.

The Sight

 * Dustpelt and Ferncloud have another litter of two kits, Foxkit and Icekit. Dustpelt has a new apprentice, Hazelpaw. Dustpelt's son, Birchpaw, is now a warrior called Birchfall.


 * Dustpelt was called on, by Firestar, to go patrol the lakeside shore with Brambleclaw and Hazelpaw.


 * When he, Spiderleg, Stormfur, and Brackenfur return from a night patrol, he challenges Stormfur's loyalty along with his son, Spiderleg. When Stormfur says that they gave up nothing but a piece of barren land that was too close to Twolegplace, Dustpelt says that he sounds just like Brambleclaw, and he knows that Brambleclaw would rather face a pack of dogs than face a Twoleg.


 * When Mousepaw enters the camp, he tells Dustpelt that he was going to head back to the apprentices' den, but he joined up with Lionkit. Dustpelt tells him that he should be in the apprentices' den, and Mousepaw tells him that he thought he scented a mouse. He tells Mousepaw that straying into the camp would be stupid, even for a mouse, and he also tells him to go to the apprentices' den, since he says that Spiderleg wouldn't be happy if Mousepaw was too tired for training the next morning.


 * He later objects to Firestar's kind nature of allowing non-ThunderClan cats into the Clan twice. The second time all of ThunderClan disagreed. He is one of the cats that is most disturbed when ShadowClan keeps freshly marking their borders.


 * When Ferncloud falls ill, he is seen pacing around camp, wanting to know how she is. Daisy tells him not to worry, because he is worrying his kits. He demands to know if Ferncloud gets worse, then goes out hunting.

Dark River

 * Dustpelt is still training his apprentice, Hazelpaw.


 * When Millie chooses to keep her kittypet name, he says that ShadowClan has tried to take territory from them before, because they are not a completely pure-blood Clan, and that allowing Millie to keep her kittypet name could be seen as a sign of weakness. Spiderleg agrees. Firestar rebukes them, but they still look unhappy as things proceed.


 * When Jaypaw visits one of Cinderpaw's dreams in the old ThunderClan camp, Jaypaw smells Dustpelt and Thornclaw's scents on one of the bramble bushes.


 * Dustpelt later takes out the dawn patrol to check the borders with Sandstorm, Lionpaw and Honeypaw. When Lionpaw pads over to join the patrol, Dustpelt looks surprised. Lionpaw tells Dustpelt that he wanted to join the patrol, Dustpelt says that it's a great day for hunting, and that he may take Hazelpaw out once they've checked the borders. While over near the ShadowClan border, Dustpelt states that it's clear, and they move on to WindClan. They find a WindClan hunting party near the border, hunting squirrels. He asks Sandstorm why they are hunting there, and she says its their territory. Dustpelt agrees with Honeypaw, that WindClan cats don't hunt squirrels, they only hunt rabbits. He is suspicious as to why they are hunting so near to the border. As Breezepaw and Harepaw come closer to the border, Dustpelt tells Sandstorm that they aren't stopping, and she says that they won't cross the border on purpose. Then Dustpelt says that they might cross it accidentally. He yowls across the river to tell them to stop, and the apprentices skid to a halt. Tornear asks why he's frightening their apprentices, and Dustpelt tells him that they were about to cross the border. Breezepaw asks him how he knows, and Dustpelt tells him that they weren't even slowing down. When Harepaw tells them that WindClan is being trained to hunt squirrels, Dustpelt says it's so they can invade ThunderClan's territory. Tornear tells him as long as it's on WindClan territory it is WindClan prey, and Dustpelt says that squirrels belong to ThunderClan. Once the WindClan cats leave, Dustpelt tells Sandstorm that he wants to watch them until they've left the trees. He reports it to Firestar on their return.


 * On the way to another Gathering, Dustpelt calls WindClan 'squirrel thieves', and is echoed by Berrypaw. He express concern that if RiverClan can't stay in their home, none of the borders will be safe.


 * He later participates in the battle against WindClan, when they cross the border hunting squirrels. He tells Ashfoot to keep her warriors on the moor. He behaves very aggressively towards the WindClan cats.

Outcast

 * Dustpelt becomes a grandfather when his eldest son, Spiderleg, has two kits with Daisy, Rosekit and Toadkit.


 * Dustpelt gives Hazelpaw her warriors' assessment. During it, Hazelpaw tells Jaypaw that Dustpelt will be pleased with the huge vole that she caught. Dustpelt calls her and asks if she was hunting or gossiping. Hazelpaw asks Dustpelt about her vole, and he tells her "very good." He then tells her that it doesn't mean that she can sit back and wash her tail, and that there is much more prey in the forest for her to catch. He tells her he'll bring the vole to camp shile she continues to hunt.


 * He also volunteers to give Spiderleg's apprentice, Mousepaw, his warrior assessment while his son spends some time with his kits, but Spiderleg turned down the offer.


 * When the apprentices come back, Berrypaw tells them that they passed the assessment and asks if they were going to be warriors, and Dustpelt says that maybe they should assess Berrypaw on how well he keeps his mouths shut.


 * Later, Hazelpaw passes her assessment and becomes a warrior, Hazeltail.


 * Dustpelt is seen following Ferncloud, Icekit, and Foxkit out of the nursery when the two kits were going to be apprenticed. Later, he is seen leading a patrol out of camp consisting of Mousewhisker, Sandstorm and Honeypaw. When Talon and Night come into camp, Dustpelt says that he thought he knew the black she-cat from somewhere.


 * Afterwards, Cloudtail calls Dustpelt and Sorreltail to go on a hunting patrol. During the patrol, Jaypaw overhears Cloudtail yawn and tell the patrol to get a move on so they can sleep, but Dustpelt tells him that he's going on the dawn patrol with him and Sandstorm.

Eclipse

 * He goes on a dawn patrol with Graystripe, Whitewing, and his daughter, now an apprentice, Icepaw, and reports some serious news to Firestar. He later comments on the fact that Graystripe's new kits will have proper warrior names, unlike their mother, Millie. When the loner Sol comes to the ThunderClan camp, Dustpelt is uneasy, and accompanies the loner out to make sure he crosses the border.


 * After WindClan left, Dustpelt wonders why WindClan would've left, since they had an advantage of attacking them at night. He also says that the Clan was totally unprepared for the attack.


 * He leads a patrol out to make sure that WindClan have left ThunderClan territory. Once they get close to WindClan territory, Dustpelt asks Cloudtail what the problem is, since he was sniffing around, and Cloudtail says that the patrol had split up. He says, "They did what?" They quickly head back to camp, Dustpelt and Cloudtail were on Lionpaw's heels. He calls to Firestar and reports to him that they have split up into three groups, and they don't know where they are. Firestar says they want to drag ThunderClan into the forest, and Dustpelt says they've weakened themselves by splitting up. Graystripe tells them that they have the advantage of surprise, and Dustpelt agrees, saying that they have no idea where they are hiding. When Cloudtail tells Firestar where the groups went, he says, "How in the name of StarClan did they know which way to go. Firestar chooses Dustpelt to lead the third patrol, and tells him to go check the lake. Before leaving, Ferncloud weaves around him and says a brisk farewell to him. He leads his battle patrol down to the lake to fight the united RiverClan and WindClan.


 * After the sun vanishes, he is just as anxious as any cat, and discusses with the other warriors what it might mean. He wonders if it will happen again, and Ashfur says it might just be the start of it. Firestar tells them it must've been a message and nothing more, but Dustpelt asks if it wasn't a message, and the sun was starting to fail. Brambleclaw says that it could be StarClan's way of warning them to stop fighting, and Dustpelt asks why StarClan warned them, as they did not start the fight. Cloudtail says there must be an explanation for it, and Dustpelt says who else but StarClan. Firestar says that maybe Leafpool will visit the moonpool once the wounded cats can go without her, and Dustpelt hopes that it's soon.


 * Dustpelt was seen sitting beside the halfrock with Poppyfrost and Ashfur, discussing battles. Dustpelt tells them that they haven't had a battle like that in moons, and Ashfur agrees. Poppyfrost asks them if they had battles like that before, and Dustpelt says they had worse, and asks Ashfur if he remembered the battle against BloodClan. Ashfur says that was a battle, and Poppyfrost asks if the sun went out then, and Dustpelt says no.

Long Shadows

 * Near the beginning, Dustpelt wakes Lionblaze when he is fighting in his sleep, and rebukes him before going back to curl up beside Ferncloud. Later, when the four ShadowClan cats come to ThunderClan, he remarks that ShadowClan seems to be breaking up under Sol's influence. He goes on a hunting patrol with Hollyleaf, Lionblaze and Sorreltail at Brambleclaw's request.


 * On another hunting patrol, he starts to cough painfully. He becomes sick with greencough and is moved with the other sick ThunderClan cats to the abandoned Twoleg nest. Once they all recover, he is one of the cats to travel to the Gathering, and the first to identify Ashfur's dead body when they find him in the lake. He and Graystripe take Ashfur's body back to camp.

Sunrise

 * Dustpelt seems to think that Sol didn't have a reason to kill Ashfur, and therefore he didn't. He speculates with the other warriors on who could have killed Ashfur, and shows scorn when it is suggested that a ShadowClan warrior came all the way around the lake just to murder Ashfur.


 * After the death of Honeyfern, Dustpelt is put in charge of building a barrier of brambles across the part of the cliff where the snake attacked. He is unusually gentle with Leafpool as he reassures her he'll be careful when he moves the deathberry-stuffed mouse inside the barrier. He comments to Cloudtail after Whitewing's kits are born, stating that they would be a handful because they were related to Cloudtail. He and Ferncloud also become grandparents to Whitewing and Birchfall's kits, Dovekit and Ivykit.

The Fourth Apprentice

 * Dustpelt carries on as a senior warrior of ThunderClan. His youngest son and daughter, Foxpaw and Icepaw, are now warriors called Foxleap and Icecloud.
 * Dustpelt is seen expressing his opinion of Leopardstar's claim of the lake after the Gathering, saying that the dry land borders ThunderClan's territory, and that it should be theirs.
 * He is on a patrol with Brackenfur, Bumblepaw and Leafpool and is mentioned carrying back prey.
 * Dustpelt later takes out a patrol with Rosepetal, Foxleap and Berrynose; he expresses exasperation when Berrynose trods on a thistle and the cream-coated warrior makes a fuss. He asks Rosepetal if she will help him get it out.
 * Dustpelt later goes to Jayfeather for herbs at Ferncloud's request, for he had been complaining about his back hurting. This helps him, as he returns to Jayfeather for more herbs. He did not want them if there were not enough, but Jayfeather lies and tells him that there were plenty, while the tansy supply was actually very low.

Fading Echoes

 * Dustpelt shows mistrust of Heathertail and Breezepelt when they escort Ivypaw and Dovepaw back to their camp.


 * He later assesses Blossompaw along with Thornclaw, since Firestar wants them to try a different tactic in the assessments. He suggests they hunt near the abandoned Twoleg nest. He is impressed when Ivypaw catches a squirrel while helping Blossompaw, and chides Blossompaw for not working with Ivypaw.
 * When Lionblaze is looking for cats that could possibly be in the Dark Forest training with Tigerstar, he suggested Dustpelt, though he denies it, since Dustpelt is a loyal warrior and would never do such a thing. Lionblaze knows that Dustpelt and Firestar aren't best friends, but they always spark off each other away from an arguement and never holding grudges.


 * Before the tree falls, he runs to check the apprentices' den and make sure everyone is out, despite his initial alarm. He then helps clear away the branches in an attempt to free Briarpaw and Longtail. Brambleclaw orders him to help clean up the debris, along with four or five other cats.

Night Whispers

 * Dustpelt is first seen leading one of the two patrols along the new ShadowClan border. He takes Cloudtail, Sorreltail, and Spiderleg. When the patrol comes back to camp, Dustpelt reports that ShadowClan has not acknowledged the new border, much to other ThunderClan warriors' displeasure.


 * In Jayfeather's vision, he is killed by a Dark Forest warrior.


 * The next morning, Dustpelt goes on a hunting patrol with Toadstep and Foxleap. Dustpelt helps fight off the fox that breaks into the ThunderClan camp. After chasing off the fox, with Thornclaw, he escorts Jayfeather, Brightheart, and Leafpool to gather herbs. He is later mentioned by Dovepaw when she fiercely argues with her mentor, Lionblaze.


 * Dustpelt shows anger toward ShadowClan for holding Ivypaw captive, then forcing ThunderClan to give them herbs to get her back, saying that if any ThunderClan cat dies because they have no herbs, it is ShadowClan's fault. At the Gathering that night, he expresses anger toward ShadowClan at the possible threat of battle. Later, he is seen attending the Clan meeting about Flametail's death.

Sign of the Moon

 * After Icecloud is rescued from the hole that Hollyleaf had "died" in, Firestar orders him and Brackenfur to build a barrier around it to make sure no one else falls in. He and Brackenfur are noted to be good builders.

Secrets of the Clans

 * When Squirrelpaw is busy giving a tour around the lake camp, she accidentally starts to call a Clan meeting, and Dustpelt, Brambleclaw and Cloudtail start to walk over.


 * He later appears to tell the reader of the time the Clans got their new Gathering place at the lake. He remembers seeing the island when they first arrive at the lake. He mentions that Hawkfrost wanted it as a RiverClan camp, but that StarClan had other plans for it. They sent a storm to knock down a tree and kill Mudclaw, and in so doing, provided a way for them all to get to the island. He tells how the leaders now look down from the great oak tree, and it's a strong and safe place, belonging to all the Clans.

Cats of the Clans

 * He is mentioned briefly at the end of Sandstorm's page, when Rock tells the kits that she has come a long way from when she and Dustpaw used to tease Firepaw about his kittypet origins.
 * He was also mentioned on Ashfur's page, when Rock says that just because Dustpelt doesn't hesitate to disagree with Firestar on occasion, it doesn't make him a less loyal warrior.

Code of the Clans

 * He is part of the story, "Who Goes There? Whitestorm Teaches Border Tactics", as an apprentice along with Sandpaw, Ravenpaw, Firepaw, and Graypaw as they all learn border tactics. He tries to push Firepaw into the brambles, causing Whitestorm to scold him and relocate Firepaw.


 * He is also mentioned during the story "A Change of Heart: Sandstorm Speaks" as Sandstorm ponders her relationships with both Firestar and Dustpelt.

Battles of the Clans

 * Dustpelt is seen as a young apprentice, training with Tigerclaw, Longtail, Darkstripe, and Ravenpaw. He is stalking a squirrel up a tree, but the squirrel jumps around and confuses him, then leaps out of reach. Disappointed, he comes back down the tree.
 * They head back to camp, but on the way, Dustpaw sees movement nearby. He alerts the rest of the patrol, and they all see a ShadowClan patrol moving through the undergrowth. They are outnumbered, and Tigerclaw orders Ravenpaw to run back to the camp to fetch help. Dustpaw then has an idea - to confuse the ShadowClan patrol into thinking that there were more ThunderClan cats than there really were. He explains his idea to the patrol, using his hunting the squirrel as an example.
 * They attack, and after fighting for a few seconds they leap back into the bushes. They start addressing each other as random ThunderClan cats, confusing and frightening the ShadowClan warriors, as they think ThunderClan have brought almost all their clan-mates. They attack three different times on the ShadowClan patrol, which includes Blackfoot, Russetfur and Stumpytail. Dustpaw is seen slashing at Russetfur whom had come to rescue a silver tabby that he and Longtail had trapped. The ShadowClan patrol ran off, leaving the ThunderClan cats victorious. Dustpaw is very proud that his plan had saved his Clan from a ShadowClan invasion.

A Clan in Need

 * When WindClan is searching for Crowkit, Dustpelt and a ThunderClan patrol meet them at the border and accuse them of trespassing. He disregards Mudclaw demands to find Crowkit and insults him. When Ravenpaw and Barley show up with Crowkit, he is suspicious and thinks they have joined with WindClan. The battle breaks up, and the patrol turns to leave.


 * When the two attempt to follow, Dustpelt turns furiously back to Ravenpaw and asks him if WindClan has sent him to spy, and calls him a traitor. When Ravenpaw requests to see Firestar, Dustpelt reluctantly consents, realizing that a spy wouldn't ask to see a leader, and leads the way back, pausing to dig up some fresh-kill on the way.


 * He later participates in the battle against the forming BloodClan, and as he attacks one of them, he tells him, "Don't you try and run, you little toad!"

Ultimate Leader Election:Firestar

 * Dustpelt votes for each Clan to follow their own leader, telling Firestar that he is ThunderClan's leader. Firestar knows this is a show of loyalty from Dustpelt, who had not always supported his authority. Brightheart, Cloudtail, and Thornclaw agree with Dustpelt and vote the same. Eventually, Firestar leads all the Clans temporarily.

Trivia

 * It was revealed on Vicky's facebook page that Robinwing and Fuzzypelt were his parents and Ravenpaw was his littermate though he tried everything he could to deny it.
 * He was mistakenly called a light brown warrior in A Dangerous Path.
 * In the British edition of Rising Storm, Dustpelt isn't listed in the allegiances.

Members
Mother:
 * Robinwing: Deceased, Suspected StarClan member

Father:
 * Fuzzypelt: Deceased, Suspected StarClan member

Brothers:
 * Unidentified Kits: Status Unknown
 * Ravenpaw: Status Unknown

Sisters:
 * Frostfur: Deceased, Suspected StarClan member
 * Brindleface: Deceased, Verified StarClan member

Half-Brother:
 * Longtail: Deceased, Suspected StarClan member

Mate:
 * Ferncloud:

Sons:
 * Spiderleg:
 * Shrewpaw: Deceased, Verified StarClan member
 * Foxleap:
 * Birchfall:

Daughters:
 * Icecloud:
 * Hollykit: Deceased, Verified StarClan member
 * Larchkit: Deceased, Verified StarClan member

Nephews:
 * Ashfur: Deceased, Verified StarClan member
 * Two Unnamed Kits: Deceased, Suspected StarClan members
 * Brackenfur:
 * Thornclaw:

Nieces:
 * Cinderpelt: Deceased, Reincarnated as Cinderheart
 * Brightheart:


 * Sandstorm:

Grandson:
 * Toadstep:

Granddaughters:
 * Rosepetal:
 * Dovewing:
 * Ivypool:

Great-Nephew:
 * Molepaw: Deceased, Suspected StarClan member

Great-Nieces:
 * Cinderheart:
 * Honeyfern: Deceased, Verified StarClan member
 * Poppyfrost:
 * Whitewing:
 * Squirrelflight:
 * Leafpool:

Great-Great-Nephews:
 * Molekit:
 * Lionblaze:
 * Jayfeather:

Great-Great-Nieces:
 * Cherrykit:
 * Hollyleaf: