Ajax

"Catch our own food?"

— Ajax uncertain about hunting in Tigerheart's Shadow, page 100

Ajax
The pixel artwork is fanart based on the canon description; undefined traits are left to the artist's interpretation.
Affiliations
Current:	Kittypet
Names
Kittypet:	Ajax
Book appearances
Living	Tigerheart's Shadow, River of Fire
Living	Tigerheart's Shadow, River of Fire

Ajax is a burly black-and-white tom with a wide head.

History

In the A Vision of Shadows arc

River of Fire

Ajax is escorted into ThunderClan's camp by Poppyfrost, Bumblestripe, and Shellpaw. Despite his imposing appearance, Ajax feels nervous as he enters, surrounded by curious Clan cats who want to know who he is and where he is from. Velvet soon recognizes him as a fellow kittypet from nearby, and she moves to greet him, but Squirrelflight interrupts, demanding to know who he is. Poppyfrost explains they found him on their territory, and Bumblestripe adds that they initially intended to chase him off until Ajax mentioned he was looking for Velvet and Fuzzball.

Bramblestar approaches, questioning Ajax's intentions with the kittypets, while Sparkpelt expresses concern about taking in more outsiders. Amidst murmurs of agreement from the other warriors, Ajax interrupts, Asserting that he does not plan on staying with ThunderClan, and that he is there for Fuzzball and Velvet. Velvet approaches her friend with a dip of her head, followed by Fuzzball's excited bounce. Ajax expresses relief at finding them as quickly as he did, mentioning the return of their housefolk and invites them to come back. The ThunderClan leader offers them to shelter for the night before returning home in the morning.

Thought hesitant, Ajax agrees, allowing Fuzzball and Velvet to lead him to the apprentices' den. Ajax wrinkles his nose, expressing discomfort with the dark and crowded space and the prospect of fleas. Sparkpelt mutters to her brother about Ajax's expectations, prompting Fuzzball to return with a thrush for food. Ajax struggles to hide his reluctance but politely declines the offer, claiming he was not hungry after a recent meal. They turn in for the evening, and keep to their word to awaken and leave at dawn. Ajax waits impatiently at the camp entrance as Fuzzball and Velvet bid farewell to their Clan friends. Ajax calls out to Velvet and he urges her to hurry, the black-and-white tom eager to depart from Clan territory and make his way back home. They soon depart, leaving Clan territory for good.

In the Super Editions

Tigerheart's Shadow

"I used to live in a huge den filled with Twoleg nests. From the window, the Thunderpaths below looked tiny. Everything looked tiny. Twolegs looked like prey from up there. Even the monsters looked like prey."

―Ajax describing the city ^{Tigerheart's Shadow, page 93-94}

Fuzzball brings up Ajax when Tigerheart questions him about Twoleg nests that reach into the sky, mentioning that Ajax used to live in a nest so high, he could look down at the birds.

At his Twolegs' nest, Ajax warmly greets Fuzzball and inquires if he is looking for a fight. When Fuzzball mentions Tigerheart's victory over him, Ajax casually remarks that even Rose could beat him. Fuzzball asserts his determination to become the best fighter in the neighborhood one day, to which Ajax advises him to spend less time at the food bowl and more time patrolling his territory. When Tigerheart asks if kittypets patrol their territory, Ajax notes they will if they have one to patrol and innocently asks about the concept of a warrior. Ajax offers sympathy to Tigerheart when Fuzzball mentions he is a stray, suggesting he could find a Twoleg to take him in. Noting Tigerheart's confusion, Ajax remarks that he seems lost. Tigerheart mentions his friend's search for a gorse-spined den, Ajax jests about romantic pursuits, suggesting there are plenty of she-cats in Twolegplace. Tigerheart bristles at the comment, but Ajax remains nonchalant, mentioning the city where he used to reside, describing the immense Twoleg dens and that the monsters even looked like prey.

Tigerheart grows anxious about Dovewing, asking if there was a den with spines on the top. Ajax ponders for a moment before suggesting it might be a Twoleg gathering place. He recalls observing such gatherings from his old den, where Twolegs would convene and make noise every quarter moon. Curious, Fuzzball asks why, but Ajax simply remarks it was just something Twolegs do. Tigerheart asks Ajax how to get to that place, prompting Ajax to glance back at his nest before swishing his tail, inviting Tigerheart to follow. After a brief pause, the ShadowClan tom catches up to Ajax, allowing the larger tom and the splotched tabby to lead the way.

Ajax and Fuzzball dodge Twolegs and monsters, sticking to the shadows between the nests. Ajax maneuvers between Thunderpaths, ensuring to avoid Twolegs when spotted. As the trio approach a set of rails, Ajax nods toward them, revealing it as the arrival point for the Thundersnake, unsettling Tigerheart. Ajax questions Tigerheart's seriousness, prompting Fuzzball to explain the concept of a Thundersnake. Ajax adds about the Silverpath leading to Twolegplace, where the Twolegs wait for it. Tigerheart seeks further clarification once more, and Ajax looks down the Silverpath. When Fuzzball notices something unusual, Ajax elaborates on the presence of a shell where Twolegs carry their belongings, but then alerts them that the Thundersnake was arriving. As the Thundersnake roars down the tracks, Ajax urges Tigerheart to hurry and climb inside, but Tigerheart hesitates. Ajax orders him on, warning that if the doors close, he will be left behind.

Tigerheart continues to resist going, while Ajax argues that Twolegs always use the Thundersnake. The engage in a back-and-forth argument before Tigerheart inquires about what the interior was like. Ajax appears thoughtful before describing the journey as loud, smelly, and crowded with many Twolegs. He recounts being carried in a cage by his housefolk, admitting that it was not an enjoyable experience, but he survived. The burly tom questions Tigerheart's decision to walk, arguing that it would take forever. They discuss Tigerheart's plan, and when the ShadowClan cat mentions the Great Journey, Ajax dismisses him as crazy. Ajax simply shrugs when Tigerheart remarks he trusts himself more then the Thundersnake and agrees to the plan.

Spotting the sun descending over the hills, Ajax asks when Tigerheart will leave. Fuzzball offers his Twoleg nest and some food, but Tigerheart declines and heads off to hunt in some bushes. Glancing back at Fuzzball and Ajax, Tigerheart finds himself grateful for their assistance, despite Ajax calling him a stray. Ajax does not show much enthusiasm for hunting prey at first, but seeing the other two toms ready, he considers joining. With his fur shining in the sun, the black-and-white tom crosses the Silverpath. Ajax informs Fuzzball and Tigerheart that he will stretch his legs before heading home. The ginger tabby and the brown tabby set off to hunt, only for Tigerheart to realize Ajax is missing. He asks Fuzzball about the kittypet's whereabouts, but he guesses Ajax might have gotten distracted.

After a noisy hunt, the burly kittypet reappears, asking if they had caught anything. Tigerheart manages to bring down a rabbit, though Ajax seems slightly disgusted by the sight of blood and fur. He opts to sit apart from them, mentioning that he will wait to eat his own Twoleg food. Both Ajax and Fuzzball abandon the rabbit, watching Tigerheart eat the fresh-kill in silence. The dark brown tom dips his head to the two toms, thanking them for their help. Ajax peers down the Silverpath, questioning if Tigerheart will really follow through, to which the tabby tom expresses certainty.

Tigerheart recalls Ajax's description of the Twoleg gathering place from his conversation with Dash. As he traverses a stone path, he feels grateful for the skills Ajax and Fuzzball taught him.

Appearances

• Tigerheart's Shadow (First appearance)
• River of Fire

Quotes

Ajax: "Hey, Fuzz! Are you looking for a fight?"

Fuzzball: "Not today. Although this cat could show you a thing or two about fighting. He totally beat me."

^{Tigerheart's Shadow, chapter 10}