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"Why are you all so full of yourselves? ThunderClan was just the same when I was alive. So smug. Just like you are now. You all think you're so loyal, but when Squirrelflight dumped me for Bramblestar, none of my Clanmates stood by me. Not one. But I showed them. I ruled them all. They did whatever I told them to do. They exiled their Clanmates and fought each other, just to please me. And yet Squirrelflight still didn't appreciate how powerful I was. She acted like I was an ordinary warrior. She dismissed me like I was an apprentice. But I didn't give up. I brought her here. I thought we could be mates at last. I thought we could rule the Dark Forest together. […] To be with me, of course. But she only wanted Bramblestar. […] I'm going to destroy more than the Clans. I'm going to destroy the Dark Forest and StarClan along with it. StarClan can't survive without the Dark Forest. This place is no more than a miserable reflection of StarClan, and as it vanishes, so will StarClan. I bet it's already started. The fog will be swallowing up their precious hunting grounds. They have so much territory, they probably haven't even noticed yet—but, when they do, they won't be able to stop it. Once this place is gone, StarClan won't be far behind. It won't be long until they've all disappeared. Once the Dark Forest is gone, I'll be free to return to the lake. I'll make Squirrelflight suffer. She'll pay for betraying me, along with every cat she's ever cared about. Eventually she'll beg me to stop and become my mate. I wonder how many cats will have to suffer before she—"
— Ashfur to Rootspring while in the Dark Forest in A Light in the Mist, pages 108-111



Ashfur, also called the impostor, the false Bramblestar, and the dark warrior, is a muscular[28] pale gray tom with darker flecks and dark blue eyes.[4] He has short,[29] thick fur,[30] and a torn ear.[31]

Ashfur was a ThunderClan warrior under Firestar's and briefly Graystripe's leaderships in forest and the lake territories. He was born as Ashkit to Brindleface and Whitestorm alongside his littermates, Fernkit, Elderkit, and Tulipkit. He and his sister were the only surviving kits from their litter and were soon joined by their foster brother, Cloudkit, when Brindleface offered to nurse him. As an apprentice, Ashpaw was mentored by Dustpelt, and he grieved for his mother when she was slain by Tigerstar.

After earning his warrior name, Ashfur developed feelings for Squirrelflight, who briefly shared his feelings but discovered that her true place was with Brambleclaw. Heartbroken, Ashfur fueled his grief into anger for moons. He later mentored Birchfall and Lionblaze, the latter being Brambleclaw and Squirrelflight's son. During a fire, Ashfur cornered Squirrelflight and threatened to kill her kits. However, Squirrelflight revealed they are not her kits, and Ashfur plotted to reveal the truth at the Gathering. However, Hollyleaf murdered him before he was able to bring to light the events surrounding Hollyleaf, Jayfeather, and Lionblaze's parentage. Ashfur later joined StarClan, and when Jayfeather asked why Ashfur was there, Yellowfang claimed that Ashfur's only fault was to love too much.

As an unnamed StarClan spirit, Ashfur came to Shadowpaw, after having severed connection with StarClan, telling him of codebreakers within the Clans. He later possessed the body of the ThunderClan leader, Bramblestar, having been able to force out the leader's spirit when he lost a life during an unusual attempt to cure him from an illness that Ashfur inflicted upon him. During the interval, Ashfur possessed Bramblestar's corpse, and as "Bramblestar", he enforced a tyrannical rule of ThunderClan and punished the codebreakers, until he was deposed in a battle he instigated between the five Clans. After being imprisoned in ShadowClan, Squirrelflight was able to force him to reveal his true identity. He remained a prisoner of the Clans until his escape, where he kidnapped Squirrelflight and dragged both him and her into the Moonpool, bringing her to the Place of No Stars. Ashfur, now in control of the Dark Forest, kept Squirrelflight captive and made the spirits of the recently deceased prisoners under his control, intending to take over the afterlives and the living world. However, Squirrelflight managed to escape with Bramblestar.

Enraged, Ashfur set his sights on destroying the living Clans as well as StarClan and the Dark Forest, forcing the living and the dead to form an alliance to stop Ashfur's fury. Ashfur, leading his controlled ghosts and Dark Forest spirits still loyal to him against the Lights in the Mist and the other deceased spirits, managed to briefly gain the upper hand. However, Ashfur was then forced into the eerie waters of the Dark Forest by Bristlefrost, and Ashfur subsequently drowned alongside his killer. Although Ashfur was gone, his actions had a lasting effect on the living and the dead, leading to a reformation of the warrior code and questioning of the guidance of StarClan.

Quick Answers

Who were Ashfur's parents? toggle section
Ashfur of ThunderClan is the son of Brindleface and Whitestorm, though Whitestorm being his father was only revealed on the Warriors Website family tree. Both of his parents have passed away and are in StarClan.
Provided by: Community
Why did Hollyleaf kill Ashfur? toggle section
To prevent Ashfur from exposing the secret about her, Lionblaze, and Jayfeather's birth to the Clans, Hollyleaf killed him and dumped his body in the border stream between ThunderClan and WindClan. However, it was later found by a ThunderClan patrol before it could be washed out to the lake. Hollyleaf later confessed to Jayfeather and Lionblaze, who decided to keep it a secret. Hollyleaf also confessed to Leafpool while threatening her with deathberries.
Provided by: Community
What is the significance of Ashfur's torn ear? toggle section
Ashfur's torn ear was caused when badgers invaded ThunderClan's camp in "Twilight". He is mistakenly shown with his torn ear in the graphic novels, "A Shadow in RiverClan" and "A Thief in ThunderClan", long before the badger attack.
Provided by: Community
What role did Ashfur play in the ThunderClan? toggle section
Ashfur was a devoted warrior and mentor to Birchfall and Lionblaze, though he was more critical and annoyed while training the former. Notably, his involvement in a love triangle with Squirrelflight and Brambleclaw caused strife within ThunderClan, leading to him assisting Hawkfrost to set a trap for Squirrelflight's father Firestar, his resentment towards their son Lionblaze during his training, threatening to kill Lionblaze, Jayfeather, and Hollyleaf during a fire to punish Squirrelflight, and vowing to reveal the secret of their false parentage during the Gathering. Ashfur's most significant involvement in ThunderClan was after his death. He possessed Bramblestar's body and nearly destroyed the Clans, StarClan, and the Dark Forest just so he could be with Squirrelflight.
Provided by: Community

History

Looking for a longer overview? Find one here!

The Prophecies Begin

"I was terrified. If we'd known what the dogs were like, I don't think we'd have dared to do it."
―Ashpaw to Fireheart about the dog pack The Darkest Hour, page 14
Battle against BloodClan (TDH)

Ashpaw fighting in the battle against BloodClan.

He is one of the two surviving kits born to Brindleface and Whitestorm, and his mother fosters Cloudkit when Fireheart brings him to ThunderClan. Ashpaw becomes an apprentice alongside his sister, Fernpaw, mentored by Dustpelt. When Brindleface is killed by Tigerstar and fed to the dog pack, Ashpaw and Fernpaw convince Fireheart to let them lead the dogs away. He later participates in the battle against BloodClan and helps kill the BloodClan deputy, Bone, with several other apprentices after Bone kills Whitestorm.

The New Prophecy

«Squirrelflight wanted to wail out loud. Leafpool had lost so much too. She must have loved Crowfeather very much to give up everything for him. Would I do that for Ashfur? Squirrelflight wondered. Somehow, she didn't think she would. For Brambleclaw? She blinked, realizing that that was a question she couldn't answer.»
—Squirrelflight reflecting about her feelings for Ashfur and Brambleclaw Twilight, page 270
As a young warrior, Ashfur takes a liking to Firestar's daughter, Squirrelpaw. He is also appointed mentor to his nephew, Birchpaw. Although he and Brambleclaw were previously friends, Ashfur becomes jealous of his relationship with Squirrelflight. When Squirrelflight has a major fight with Brambleclaw, she becomes close to Ashfur and spends the majority of her time with him. Ashfur, having thought he had won Squirrelflight's love, is devastated and heartbroken when she rekindles her relationship with Brambleclaw and the two become mates. Ashfur sends Firestar to the lake where the ThunderClan leader is caught in a fox trap and confronted by Hawkfrost and Brambleclaw. However, he sends for help from Leafpool and Squirrelflight.

Power of Three

"He had to die because he knew! That night, on the cliff in the storm, Squirrelflight told him that we weren't her kits. He was going to tell all the Clans, at the Gathering, and I couldn't let him do that! They think we're true Clan cats, forestborn like they are. I couldn't let them find out the truth—that Firestar's Clan was even less pure than they thought. Ashfur would have destroyed ThunderClan."
―Hollyleaf admitting she killed Ashfur Sunrise, page 251
Ashfur receives Lionpaw, the son of Brambleclaw and Squirrelflight, as an apprentice, with whom he begins a hostile and uneasy relationship. He is often strict with his apprentice and is quick to criticize him. Even after Lionblaze is made a warrior, the two fight with their claws unsheathed. When a fire breaks out in the ThunderClan camp, Squirrelflight and her kits try to flee. When a burning branch falls, Ashfur blocks the only escape route. He reveals to Squirrelflight that he is still furious and heartbroken that she chose Brambleclaw instead of him, and he wants to make her suffer like he did, revealing his role in leading Firestar into the fox trap.
He is taken aback when Squirrelflight reveals that Hollyleaf, Lionblaze, and Jayfeather are not her kits, letting them leave unharmed. However, he threatens to reveal the truth at the next Gathering. The night of the Gathering, Ashfur goes missing. His body is found in a stream, and many of his Clanmates believe he had drowned. However, Hollyleaf reveals to Jayfeather and Lionblaze that she had murdered him to keep their secret.

Omen of the Stars

"Perhaps [Ashfur] did a lot to bring it on himself, perhaps not. It is not StarClan's place to judge him. If he found his way here, then he must deserve to be here. That is what we all have to believe. […] How can we say that Hollyleaf deserved to be in StarClan and Ashfur didn't, or the other way around? Things are different here. Some cats forget parts of their life that they don't want to remember."
―Bluestar to Jayfeather about Ashfur The Forgotten Warrior, pages 180-181
When Yellowfang and Jayfeather are in StarClan, Jayfeather spots Ashfur and questions why the cat who tried to murder him and his littermates would be in StarClan. Yellowfang claims that his only fault was to love too much. Later, Jayfeather tries to talk to Ashfur to learn the truth about his death, but Bluestar stops him. She insists Ashfur must belong in StarClan despite what he did for a reason. When Hollyleaf returns to ThunderClan and the subject of Ashfur's death is brought up again, Brambleclaw lies that Ashfur attacked Hollyleaf and died when he slipped in the stream.

The Broken Code

"He was always obsessed with me, she thought. Even when he was alive. All of this—taking over Bramblestar’s body, making himself leader of ThunderClan—he did it all so that he could have me for himself. I should have known...oh, I should have known right from the beginning that he wasn’t my mate! But now, when she looked at this cat’s covetous gaze, Squirrelflight’s guilt hardened into disgust and anger. Ashfur tricked me, she reminded herself, and that’s no cat’s fault but his own. He tried to murder my adopted kits when we were Clanmates, and even after moons in StarClan, he hasn’t changed at all. He’s an evil cat!"
―Squirrelflight's thoughts after Ashfur incapacitates and kidnaps her The Place of No Stars, pages 2-3
Ashfur shuts off the Clans' connection to StarClan and uses the chaos ensuing within the five Clans to give Shadowpaw, a young medicine cat apprentice, a list of codebreakers and tells him how to cure Bramblestar's sudden illness, though keeps his identity secret. Shadowpaw follows through with Ashfur's instructions and Bramblestar dies, but Ashfur leaves StarClan to possess Bramblestar's body instead, leaving the former ThunderClan leader as a ghost. Now posing as Bramblestar, Ashfur begins a tyrannical rule of ThunderClan, harshly punishing codebreakers and abusing ThunderClan, all while acting as Squirrelflight's mate. The sudden change in Bramblestar's personality and demeanor causes several cats across the Clans to question his motives and how he is acting as StarClan's representative. His identity as an impostor is uncovered by the help of Rootspring, who is able to see the real Bramblestar's ghost. Ashfur then traps the dark tabby's spirit in the Dark Forest and continues his hypocritical and harsh leadership of ThunderClan, demanding the other Clan leaders do the same.
After Squirrelflight realizes her "mate" is a fake, he exiles her, but his mental state begins to decline, becoming more harsh to ThunderClan and exiling more and more cats. The rebels aim to depose of him, but he catches wind of their plans and decides to drive out ShadowClan, the only Clan that had resisted his decrees. After a battle between all five Clans, he is exposed as an impostor publicly and fights Tigerstar, but loses and is imprisoned within ShadowClan and succeeded as leader by Squirrelflight, who later forces him to reveal his identity as Ashfur. Ashfur frequently vacates Bramblestar's body and enslaves ghosts, making them suffer, all while acutely aware of how much the Clans hate him and want him dead. The Clans become more and more in agreement to kill Ashfur to try and bring back StarClan, as well as to make Ashfur atone for his actions. Ashfur manages to escape imprisonment before the Clans can kill him and kidnapping Squirrelflight with him into the Moonpool.
Now in control of the Place of No Stars, Ashfur promises the remaining Dark Forest cats that if they help him, he can give them another life by having them possess bodies like he did. Ashfur takes pleasure in using his new powers to torture the ghosts of the dead and Squirrelflight, keeping them imprisoned within the Dark Forest, all the while his influence his causing the territory to shrink. Through the effort of Shadowsight, who wished to atone for letting Ashfur escape, Ashfur loses his control on the ghost of Bramblestar. Bramblestar, with the assistance of Rootspring and the Dark Forest cat Snowtuft, are able to help Squirrelflight escape, but not before Ashfur catches Rootspring and Snowtuft and plans to have the two fight to the death. Ashfur's plan is again foiled by the appearance of Bristlefrost and Shadowsight, who, along with Rootspring, are able to disrupt Ashfur's control over his ghosts and are able to escape Ashfur's fury with the invervention of Snowtuft, who is then killed by Ashfur.
Enraged, Ashfur sets his sights on destroying the living Clans, the Dark Forest, and StarClan, as well to show how hypocritical and judgemental the Clans' way of life is. Ashfur recruits several Dark Forest residents to help him in achieving his goals, as well as utilizing what ghosts he has remaining, to lead one final assault on his enemies. However, the living Clans, StarClan, and five Dark Forest cats form an uneasy alliance to stop Ashfur's evil before the total collapse of both StarClan and the Place of No Stars, and Ashfur's plans begin to fall apart as he loses more control over his ghosts. During the final battle, Ashfur condemns the living and StarClan for all they had done to him in both life and death, and manages to mortally wound Graystripe. Before he is able to kill Shadowsight, Ashfur is tackled into the dark waters of the Place of No Stars by Bristlefrost, and Ashfur, unable to escape, drowns and dies for the final time alongside Bristlefrost.
Although Ashfur had perished, his actions had devastating consequences for the living and the dead. Ashfur's captured spirits were granted access into StarClan, although the Dark Forest cats who had sided against him were turned away. The revelation that StarClan pardoned Ashfur for his actions in his life and was given a place among them despite all he had done sowed doubt in the minds of the living over their ancestor's guidance and whether they were truly omnipotent. Ashfur's abuse of the warrior code led to the living questioning its validity, and eventually, a plan to reform it.

Super Editions

This section summarizes Ashfur's significant Super Editions appearances. If you're looking for a full list, find one here!

"It seems strange that he didn't end up in the Dark Forest."
―Squirrelflight to Hollyleaf after learning that Ashfur is in StarClan Squirrelflight's Hope, page 339
In Squirrelflight's Hope, after she and Leafpool go to StarClan, Squirrelflight is reunited with the deceased cats of her life, including Ashfur. When Squirrelflight sees his presence in StarClan, she grows uneasy, questioning why he was in StarClan and not the Dark Forest. Hollyleaf however says that he has changed, and that she and him hold no grudges in the afterlife.

Novellas

This section summarizes Ashfur's significant Novellas appearances. If you're looking for a full list, find one here!

«This is for everything you’ve done, Spotfur thought, her mind humming with a bloodthirsty joy, and she slashed at his face again. Give me back my leader.»
—Spotfur's thoughts while trying to kill the false Bramblestar Spotfur's Rebellion, chapter 9
In Spotfur's Rebellion, after Bramblestar strangely comes back to life, he begins issuing punishments against the codebreakers and mistreating ThunderClan, which alarms Stemleaf and Spotfur, the latter of whom had looked up to and admired Bramblestar. After Bramblestar punishes Spotfur and exiles Lionblaze, the rebels form to discuss the sudden and radical changes in Bramblestar's personality, where it is revealed that the Bramblestar leading ThunderClan is an impostor. Spotfur, along with Stemleaf, Conefoot, Dappletuft, and Kitescratch formulate a plan to kill the impostor and launch an attack on his life, but it fails and ends up leaving Spotfur and Kitescratch as the only survivors. In her grief, Spotfur promises that the rebels will out the false leader and take back ThunderClan.

Detailed description

While possessing Bramblestar's corpse, Ashfur inherited the leader's physical appearance. He is a huge[32] and muscular[33] dark brown tabby tom with amber eyes.[18] He has sleek fur,[34] long, curved claws,[35] and a long scar on his shoulder.[36]
After exiling Squirrelflight, Ashfur stopped taking care of the body, putting on weight[37] and refusing to groom.[38] Since being defeated by Tigerstar and imprisoned in ShadowClan, the body received numerous injuries and scars.[39] He has a scar on his leg,[40] shredded ear tips,[41] one of which is ripped,[42] and a scar on his tail.[41] He has a scar on his neck,[43][note 2] a deep scar on his shoulder, gashes on his cheeks,[45] flanks[46] and muzzle,[42] and a ruffled and bloody pelt,[47] with chunks of fur that have been ripped out.[42]

Scars gained

The following is a chronological list of scars and/or major injuries that Ashfur (TC) has gained:

Character pixels

Main images

Alternate images

Official art

Killed victims

This list shows the victims Ashfur has killed:

Ceremonies

Leader info


Personality and Relationships

Although a loyal ThunderClan warrior at first, Ashfur became obsessed with Squirrelflight after she chose to become mates with Bramblestar over himself, resulting in him becoming a bitter cat bent on ruining her life, and later on, desired to destroy the Clans and their way of life. For more of Ashfur's personality and relationships, click here!

Family

Ashfur's parents are Whitestorm and Brindleface, and his littermates are Ferncloud, Elderkit and Tulipkit. His foster brother is Cloudtail, and his half-siblings are Sorreltail, Sootfur, and Rainwhisker. For more of Ashfur's family, click here!

Appearances


Merchandise

Toys and Plush

Ashfur & Mudclaw - Mini Collector Figures

Ashfur and Mudclaw

Ashfur and Mudclaw

  • Series 3
  • These two cats could tell quite a tale of the dangers of bitterness. After serving for moons as a loyal deputy of WindClan, Mudclaw felt cheated when his chance to lead was stolen from him with Tallstar's dying breath. He convinced himself that his replacement, Onewhisker, was too dangerously naïve to be the leader WindClan needed, and led a rebellion to overthrow him. After dying during the battle, Mudclaw realized how wrong he'd been to rise against his own Clanmate, and made his peace with Onewhisker and Tallstar. Ashfur, on the other hand, allowed his bitterness against Squirrelflight for refusing to return his love to consume him entirely, turning him into one of the most dangerous adversaries the Clans have ever faced. In life, he attempted to murder Squirrelflight's kits in a fire and succeeded in claiming one of Firestar's through Hawkfrost's fox trap, but the true danger he posed didn't become apparent until after his death, when Bramblestar lost his first life and Ashfur took over his body.
  • Sturdy mini figure of Ashfur and Mudclaw, approximately 7cm in height.
  • Also included in a three-pack bundle with the rest of Series 3: Squirrelflight, Scourge, Yellowfang, and Ivypool.
  • Approximate individual price is $12.99 USD, and the three-pack bundle is $38.97 USD.

Trivia

Did you know that Ashfur went to StarClan because Vicky claimed "He was just driven a bit crazy from unrequited love!"? For more trivia about Ashfur, click here!

Quotes

External links

Notes and references

  1. 1.0 1.1 Revealed in A Light in the Mist, page 266
  2. Revealed in Darkness Within, page 328
  3. Revealed in Veil of Shadows, page 272
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Revealed in Rising Storm, allegiances
  5. 5.0 5.1 Revealed in The Silent Thaw, page 3
  6. Revealed in Lost Stars, page 166
  7. 7.0 7.1 Revealed in Sign of the Moon, pages 93-94
  8. Revealed in The Darkest Hour, page 210
  9. Revealed in The Silent Thaw, page 174
  10. Revealed in The Silent Thaw, page 257
  11. Revealed in Veil of Shadows, page 17
  12. Revealed in Darkness Within, page 29
  13. Revealed in Rising Storm, pages 41-42
  14. Revealed in Long Shadows, page 305
  15. Revealed in Sunrise, page 313
  16. Ashfur: Did StarClan Make a Mistake? on the Warriors official website (backup link)
  17. Ashfur's profile on the Warriors official website (screenshot)
  18. 18.0 18.1 Revealed in Firestar's Quest, allegiances
  19. Revealed in Long Shadows, page 75
  20. Revealed in Darkness Within, page 20
  21. Revealed in Darkness Within, page 32
  22. Revealed in Veil of Shadows, page 166
  23. Revealed in The Place of No Stars, page 4
  24. Revealed in Twilight, page 113
  25. Revealed in The Sight, page 87
  26. As shown between pages 245 and 254 of Lost Stars, Squirrelflight took over as de facto leader when Brambleclaw was dead for over a night.
  27. Revealed in Veil of Shadows, page 278
  28. Revealed in The Forgotten Warrior, page 180
  29. Revealed in Fire and Ice, page 235
  30. Revealed in Sunrise, page 203
  31. 31.0 31.1 Revealed in Sunset, page 49
  32. Revealed in Twilight, page 192
  33. Revealed in Firestar's Quest, page 9
  34. Revealed in Lost Stars, page 261
  35. Revealed in Sunset, page 62
  36. Revealed in Sunset, page 87
  37. Revealed in Veil of Shadows, page 110
  38. Revealed in Veil of Shadows, pages 247-248
  39. Revealed in Darkness Within, page 178
  40. Revealed in Darkness Within, page 131
  41. 41.0 41.1 Revealed in Darkness Within, page 132
  42. 42.0 42.1 42.2 Revealed in Darkness Within, page 264
  43. 43.0 43.1 Revealed in Veil of Shadows, page 271
  44. Revealed in Veil of Shadows, page 274
  45. Revealed in Darkness Within, page 218, 264
  46. Revealed in Darkness Within, page 218
  47. Revealed in Darkness Within, page 90
  48. Revealed in The Darkest Hour, page 297
  49. Revealed in Sunset, page 295
  50. Revealed in Long Shadows, page 274
  51. Revealed in Lost Stars, page 245
  52. 52.0 52.1 Revealed in Spotfur's Rebellion, chapter 9
  53. Revealed in A Light in the Mist, page 269
  54. Revealed in The Place of No Stars, page 199
  55. Revealed in A Light in the Mist, page 42
  56. Revealed in A Light in the Mist, page 314
  1. Ashfur's kit name, Ashkit, has only ever been revealed on the Warriors website.
  2. The wound Tigerstar defeated Ashfur with was severe enough to weaken him considerably, and required immediate treatment so Ashfur would not bleed out and die. Shadowsight notes that "he sometimes felt that Bramblestar was about to slip away for good. Already he had almost exhausted the herb store in his efforts to keep the impostor alive", indicating that the injury was very severe, and certainly would have left a scar judging off the text provided in the book.[43][44]



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