Leopardstar

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"We shall miss Leopardstar. I remember her from all the way back when I was an apprentice in ThunderClan. I always respected her, and, though her loyalty to RiverClan never wavered, she was a leader who understood the importance of keeping every Clan strong. She had the heart, courage, and strength of the mighty cat she was named for."

— Firestar about Leopardstar after her death in Fading Echoes, page 113

Leopardstar is a sleek furred,^[15] dappled^[16] golden tabby she-cat.^[2] She has unusual,^[2] dark^[17] golden spots^[2] on her pelt, with a long, winding tail,^[18] and amber eyes.^[19]

Leopardkit is born to Mudfur and Brightsky of RiverClan along with three other kits. However, her mother and all three siblings die during the kitting. Mudfur gives her the name of the mighty spotted cats from LeopardClan to give her the strength to survive. She is spoiled by the rest of the Clan and her father. At six moons old, she becomes apprenticed to Whitefang and takes the name of Leopardpaw. After a successful apprenticeship, she earns her warrior name Leopardfur. Leopardfur is shown to be fiercely loyal to RiverClan as a warrior and eventually becomes the deputy of RiverClan under Crookedstar.

As deputy, Leopardfur defends her Clan with tooth and claw and is a strict follower of the warrior code. When she and her patrol attack Fireheart and Graystripe on RiverClan territory as they head home from bringing back WindClan, she witnesses the death of her former apprentice Whiteclaw after Graystripe accidentally causes him to fall into the gorge. She becomes intensely bitter against the two cats and even refuses to trust Graystripe after he later joins RiverClan with his kits. Despite her distrust of other Clans, she helps ThunderClan flee to RiverClan after their camp is destroyed by a forest fire.

After Crookedstar dies from greencough, Leopardfur receives her leader name and nine lives, and is then known as Leopardstar. She appoints Stonefur as her first deputy. Now that she is leader, she is able to banish Graystripe from RiverClan after he refuses to fight his friend Fireheart in a battle for Sunningrocks. After Tigerstar becomes leader of ShadowClan, he convinces Leopardstar to join their Clans together to become TigerClan so that they can rule the forest. Leopardstar agrees, because she has feelings for the dark tabby tom. Tigerstar's first decree is to rid TigerClan of half-Clan cats, which includes Leoparstar's deputy Stonefur, his sister Mistyfoot, and Graystripe's kits Featherpaw and Stormpaw. Blackfoot, Tigerstar's deputy, kills Stonefur after the RiverClan deputy fights for the honor of the half-Clan cats. Leopardstar is horrified at her deputy's death and immediately regrets her decision to join TigerClan. She is wracked with guilt over Stonefur's death for a long time, and seems relieved when the other half-Clan cats escape. Leopardstar witnesses Tigerstar's gruesome death and believes that the Clans will be slaughtered at the claws of BloodClan. However, Firestar urges her to fight for the Clans, and she asks him to lead LionClan as she no longer has the strength to lead. She appoints Mistyfoot as her next deputy before the battle with BloodClan in honor of her brother's sacrifice.

Under Leopardstar's strong leadership, there are many moons of peace following the battle with BloodClan. When Mistyfoot is captured by Twolegs, she appoints Hawkfrost as her temporary deputy. However, to the delight of Leopardstar and the Clan, Mistyfoot returns and Leopardstar appoints her as deputy once more. Hawkfrost is privately angered by this decision, but openly accepts Mistyfoot's return. When the forest is destroyed by Twolegs, Leopardstar is the last leader to agree to leave the forest with the other Clans. She insists that RiverClan can survive off of the river and its fish, but eventually she is convinced that the Twolegs will destroy the river, and she leads RiverClan on the Great Journey.

Upon arriving to their new home, Leopardstar is determined to find the best camp for RiverClan and claim as much territory as possible. She is unaware of Hawkfrost's plots with Mudclaw, but her deputy Mistyfoot witnesses the situation and receives help from ThunderClan to stop Mudclaw's rebellion. When Hawkfrost makes up a sign about Stormfur and Brook being obstacles to RiverClan's success, she is initially skeptical, but banishes the mountain cats after Stormfur attacks Hawkfrost in a fit of rage.

After leading RiverClan for several more seasons, Leopardstar loses her last life due to a sickness, later revealed to be diabetes. Her sickness was a secret to the other Clans for moons, as RiverClan was too proud to admit their leader was dying. Mistystar becomes leader in her place and tries to model her leadership to be as strong as Leopardstar's. Leopardstar joins StarClan and continues to watch over the Clans. She is known as one of RiverClan's most significant leaders because she was strong, proud, and fierce.

History

In the Super Editions

Crookedstar's Promise

Leopardkit is born to Brightsky and Mudfur. She is the only one of the litter of four to survive, at birth the other three are born dead. Brightsky also dies after the kitting, leaving Mudfur grief-stricken. Mudfur names her Leopardkit after the great Clan LeopardClan, hoping it would give her strength to survive. Crookedjaw comments that the entire Clan dotes on her, especially Mudfur. Once, her denmates want Crookedjaw to teach them a warrior move. The queens were arguing if Crookedjaw can teach them a move or not. Leopardkit butts in the conversation and uses her "cuteness" to try to persuade Crookedjaw to teach her a move. Shimmerpelt pushes Leopardkit away and tells Crookedjaw that Mudfur would be horrified to see his daughter fighting when she wasn't an apprentice yet. She is also mentioned by Mudfur that her favorite fish was carp.

When she becomes an apprentice by the name of Leopardpaw, Whitefang is named her mentor. She trains for several moons before becoming a warrior, Leopardfur. She was seen briefly when ThunderClan went to see RiverClan about the Sunningrocks and again in the nursery in leafbare, stuffing the den with leaves to keep out the cold.

She is on one of the patrols that goes to the barn to hunt mice with Crookedjaw, Hailstar, Petaldust, and Sedgecreek. Near the barn, Petaldust tastes the air and Leopardfur comments that she can only taste rain. Leopardfur goes to collect grass and mice third, after Hailstar and Crookedjaw. When Sedgecreek gets injured from the rats, she races over to see if she is okay. It was seen that she shrieked as a rat bit her on the tail. Another bit her back and Crookedjaw races towards her to help. When the battle with the rats is over, she says that they did it. This battle eventually kills Hailstar. After the battle, Crookedjaw asks if she and Sedgecreek are okay. Leopardfur limps next to him, saying that she is fine. Brambleberry also says that they are resting and she put treated their wounds as well.

Firestar's Quest

At a Gathering, Leopardstar announces Stormfur and Feathertail's warrior names as well as mentioning Twolegs being in RiverClan's territory due to it being greenleaf. After the Gathering, she lands next to a white SkyClan warrior, but takes no notice since the SkyClan cat is seen only by Firestar.

Later, when Firestar is on his journey to SkyClan's territory, he believes that she would steal back Sunningrocks if she got the chance.

In The Prophecies Begin arc

Fire and Ice

Fireheart first sees Leopardfur in the battle at the gorge, when Fireheart and Graystripe are on their way home from rescuing WindClan. She witnesses the death of her former apprentice, Whiteclaw, while he and Graystripe were battling too close to the edge, and she then blames Graystripe, whom he was battling with when he fell. She promises that his death will be avenged.

Later, she attacks Fireheart in the battle between ThunderClan, WindClan and ShadowClan. She begins to attack him badly, as in suspected revenge for Whiteclaw, and is seen raking her claws along his belly, almost killing him. Fireheart looks to Tigerclaw for help, but the ThunderClan deputy makes no move to help, leaving Fireheart at Leopardfur's mercy. Leopardfur continues attacking Fireheart but is thrown back by a kick from Fireheart. She is later seen attacking Mousefur and Whitestorm.

Forest of Secrets

Unlike her leader, Crookedstar, she doesn't like to cooperate with the other Clans and she has little respect for Fireheart at first. This could be because of the death of Whiteclaw in the previous book. She expresses grief over his death and has some bitterness towards Graystripe and ThunderClan cats whenever she sees them, even when they help RiverClan by bringing them prey during the floods of newleaf.

Rising Storm

She still does not trust Graystripe, even though he is now part of RiverClan. Bluestar notices her hunting a rabbit when she and Fireheart are very close to RiverClan territory on their way to the Moonstone, but Leopardfur doesn't notice Bluestar there. Bluestar then tells Fireheart that Leopardfur had been more concerned about catching the rabbit than looking for enemy cats.

She is seen at the Gathering, asking Fireheart what happened to Tigerclaw, to which Fireheart replies that the matter is ThunderClan's business. Mousefur then shows up saving Fireheart from having to answer any more questions.

When Fireheart is struggling to drag an elder, Smallear, across the river, Leopardfur grabs them and pulls them to the bank. Leopardfur is later seen when ThunderClan stays with RiverClan after the fire in their camp. Leopardfur doesn't seem to like having another Clan in their territory, but she follows Crookedstar's orders and watches ThunderClan while they are there. Fireheart knows she will want something in return for letting ThunderClan stay in the RiverClan camp.

A Dangerous Path

Leopardstar becomes leader when Crookedstar loses his last life to greencough. She chooses Stonefur as her deputy.

RiverClan attacks ThunderClan under Leopardstar's leadership and claims Sunningrocks as part of their territory. While Fireheart is helping Bluestar, Leopardstar jumps at him, but Graystripe warns his friend and pins Leopardstar down, then releases her and apologizes. Leopardstar tells him to fight Fireheart or leave the Clan. Graystripe won't fight his old friend and Leopardstar banishes him. She threatens him when RiverClan is forced to retreat.

The Darkest Hour

Leopardstar agrees that RiverClan will join ShadowClan to form TigerClan. She is present at the Gathering when Tigerstar announces this decision, but does not say anything herself.

Although she supports Tigerstar at first, she later grows to regret it, as Tigerstar begins to take control of her Clan, despite his claim that they would be joint leaders. Leopardstar appears nervous before the start of the TigerClan meeting at the Bonehill and bows her head when Tigerstar scolds her for making Stonefur her deputy, since she is unable or unwilling to protect him. Leopardstar tells Stonefur that these are difficult times, and that as they fight for survival, TigerClan must be able to count on every one of their Clanmates, and that there is no room for divided loyalties. Leopardstar tells him to do as Tigerstar tells him, and does not defend her deputy when he is attacked and later killed by Darkstripe and Blackfoot, though it is obvious that she regrets his death. After a moments hesitation, she joins her warriors' triumphant cry when Stonefur is killed.

Leopardstar flanks Tigerstar during the meeting with ThunderClan and WindClan with Blackfoot and Darkstripe. She appears horrified by Firestar's revelation of Tigerstar's long history of betrayal, but does not speak. After Tigerstar is killed by Scourge, Firestar tries to persuade her to fight BloodClan, but she laughs mockingly and says that BloodClan will slaughter them all. She calls Firestar a mouse-brained fool and reminds him of how Tigerstar died. Leopardstar reveals that she plans to flee and sent out a search party to scout for territory beyond Highstones, but they have young kits and two of the elders are ill. Not every cat can go, and the ones that stay will die.

Leopardstar gets intent and asks Firestar if he would lead LionClan, admitting that she doesn't have the strength to lead her Clan into battle. Leopardstar reminds Darkstripe that it isn't his decision to fight BloodClan, and defends Tigerstar against Graystripe (though it states that her words sounded hollow) and orders Boulder to tell the ThunderClan cats how BloodClan came to the forest. She then tells Firestar that she needs time to think, but agrees that RiverClan would fight against BloodClan and swears by StarClan. She tells Shadepelt to send out hunting patrols and begins to destroy the Bonehill. Before the battle against BloodClan, Leopardstar offers Mistyfoot the position of deputy, which Mistyfoot eventually accepts. Leopardstar congratulates Firestar on killing Scourge and tells him RiverClan must go back to their old home.

In The New Prophecy arc

Midnight

She appears at a Gathering, and reports to the other Clans that two RiverClan apprentices named Hawkpaw and Mothpaw have become Hawkfrost and Mothwing, and that Mudfur needs to take an apprentice, seeing as he's growing old, and that Mothwing might be the ideal choice.

During the intense droughts of greenleaf, when Tallstar asks her if his warriors can drink from the river on her territory because the moorlands are completely dry, she agrees, but only allows it until the next Gathering. WindClan keeps drinking from it even though it has rained many times, causing tension between WindClan and RiverClan.

Moonrise

When Mistyfoot is captured by Twolegs, she is mentioned to be fairly surprised, and appoints Hawkfrost, her former apprentice, as temporary deputy. To the Clan's relief and to Hawkfrost's dismay, Mistyfoot returns.

Dawn

She is the last leader to agree to leave the forest. At first she insists that RiverClan would be able to survive off of fish from the river, but the other Clans convince her that their territory would still be overrun by Twolegs. Before they leave, her medicine cat and father, Mudfur, dies, leaving the entire Clan scared and worried.

Starlight

Leopardstar settles RiverClan into their new territory. She sends Mistyfoot on a patrol to find territories along with Brambleclaw and Squirrelflight from ThunderClan, Tawnypelt from ShadowClan, and Crowfeather from WindClan. Leopardstar and the other three leaders decide on boundaries based on the patrol. She appears unaware of Hawkfrost's exploits with Mudclaw, or Mistyfoot's trip to ThunderClan to warn them about Hawkfrost.

Twilight

When Minnowkit and Pebblekit bring back Twoleg poison, she is shown to not really care that Leafpool is treating the kits. It is suggested that this may be possible because Ivytail, a RiverClan elder, died and she wanted Mothwing to have as much help as she could get to prevent more deaths.

Sunset

Leopardstar creates tension between RiverClan, ThunderClan, and WindClan when she and Blackstar demand more territory from them for RiverClan and ShadowClan.

During a Gathering, after threatened by Hawkfrost, Mothwing tells Leopardstar about a dream she had where a river had many stones in it, but there were two odd stones out. Other cats of RiverClan believe that Brook and Stormfur don't belong in RiverClan. Leopardstar gets angry at Mothwing for saying the dream in front of all the Clans without telling her about it in private first. Later, Hawkfrost describes to her what Brook did when she chased a squirrel over the border. Leopardstar seems reluctant to come to the decision of exiling them, but she eventually exiles Brook and Stormfur from RiverClan because Stormfur attacked Hawkfrost. ThunderClan takes them in temporarily.

In the Power of Three arc

The Sight

Her Clan comes to the Daylight Gathering. She welcomes Graystripe back warmly, happy for his return.

Dark River

She, along with the rest of RiverClan, moves from the island on their territory to the Gathering Island. It is later revealed that Twoleg kits were attacking them on their territory. Blackclaw had the idea to create a dam to make the river wider and keep the Twoleg kits away. She keeps Hollypaw captive when the ThunderClan apprentice comes to see what is wrong, fearing she would tell the other Clans and make them look weak, until Squirrelflight comes and takes her away. She makes Hollypaw promise not to tell her Clan what was going on.

Outcast

She is the only Clan leader that doesn't send a cat to the Tribe. She may not have even known about the journey to the mountains that cats from the other Clans made.

Eclipse

Leopardstar sends her Clan into the battle against ShadowClan and ThunderClan, with her Clan fighting alongside WindClan because they believe that Onestar is correct, that ThunderClan thinks every Clan is theirs and they keep accepting loners and kittypets in their Clan. However, she is not seen during the battle.

Long Shadows

Leopardstar does not formally appear in Long Shadows, but is listed in the allegiances.

Sunrise

She, Blackstar, and Onestar go to see if Sol is in ThunderClan, and together they demand that he be exiled for all the trouble he has caused among the Clans. The trio deems that if they find Sol on ThunderClan territory the next moon, they will take him out themselves.

In the Omen of the Stars arc

The Fourth Apprentice

It is revealed by Jayfeather that she lost two lives - one from a thorn infection, then another from an illness.

RiverClan appears the most weakened by the drought, since the river has dried up and the lake shrunken, so it is very difficult for them to catch fish. Leopardstar accuses the other Clans of stealing fish from the lake, saying that because the lake is water it belongs to RiverClan, and starts ordering patrols around the lake. She is very weak from her sickness, also losing some of her wisdom and good judgment, so Mistyfoot begins to take over many leader duties.

When Dovepaw goes to a Gathering and sees Leopardstar, she immediately tells Lionblaze, that she was the sick cat in RiverClan. However, when Firestar asks her and the other leaders to send two warriors upstream in search of the water, Leopardstar is instantly suspicious, thinking that if she sends warriors away, the other Clans would attack RiverClan. Mistyfoot takes her aside and talks her into it, although it is unclear if she is really convinced Leopardstar or just too weak to argue. RiverClan is somewhat upset that Mistyfoot stepped in and they said it made Leopardstar look weak. Birchfall comments that Leopardstar couldn't look much weaker if she were dead.

It is assumed by many warriors from other Clans that she will lose another life soon and Mistyfoot will have to take her place.

Fading Echoes

Dovepaw uses her senses and sees a she-cat lying in the middle of the RiverClan camp. Leopardstar is dying of unknown causes. It is suspected it is either old age, or the illness she had caught in the previous book. After she dies, Mistyfoot becomes Mistystar and is in charge of RiverClan. When Mistystar and Mothwing come by to share the news with ThunderClan, they grieve. Jayfeather gets visions of her past. It is hinted at the Gathering after Leopardstar's death that she was in love with Tigerstar.

To the annoyance of WindClan, Firestar describes her as having the heart and bravery of the mighty cat she was named for. He also says that he had always admired her.

In the A Vision of Shadows arc

The Apprentice's Quest

Leopardstar is seen in StarClan, and she, along with Firestar, Blackstar, and many other StarClan cats, greet the medicine cats during their half-moon Gathering at the Moonpool. Willowshine, one of RiverClan's medicine cats, dips her head to Leopardstar and respectfully greets her. She gives her consent for Firestar to speak for all StarClan cats, even though she isn't very happy about it, saying that he would have done so anyways.

In the Field Guides

Secrets of the Clans

She briefly talks in the opening of the RiverClan section.

In "Leopardstar Speaks: A Deadly Alliance", Leopardstar gives her opinion on TigerClan and Tigerstar. She tells of how TigerClan seemed like a great idea to her, and gives many reasons, including the fact that there would always be prey and the cats would not have to spend time fighting each other when there were badgers and foxes to consider. She says that Firestar and Tallstar will join TigerClan to become the greatest Clan that roams the forest, and she will lead it along with Tigerstar.

Later on in her story, she says that the cats from ShadowClan are building a hill of prey bones, and that the hill gives her nightmares.

She is also mentioned in the "Significant Leaders of RiverClan" for being strong, proud, and fierce.

Cats of the Clans

Leopardstar is described as a slightly insecure leader who worries about making bad decisions on behalf of her Clan. She hides this insecurity behind her otherwise gruff and aggressive personality. Her poor judgment in joining TigerClan (which she thought was best for her Clan) is the cause of this, and as a result, she is constantly second-guessing her decisions.

She is also described of being fearful and suspicious of half-Clan cats. This explains why she didn't protest too much when Tigerstar demanded that RiverClan cleanse itself of such cats, although it seems she was unaware of exactly what he had in mind and only assumed that the half-Clan cats would be exiled. Whether her attitude about half-Clan cats has relaxed slightly since then is anyone's guess. On the one hand, she makes Mistyfoot her deputy fully aware of the other cat's heritage and seems to value her strongly. On the other hand, she is very suspicious of Stormfur when he returns with Midnight's message, wondering why she should believe him and the other journeying cats at all when nearly all of them had connections to ThunderClan.

Rock also says that she would have protested against killing Stonefur but she was too frightened, not of Tigerstar, but her cats losing their respect for her; being afraid made her ambition cloud her judgment.

Battles of the Clans

Leopardstar doesn't formally appear, but is mentioned several times in the ambush by the lake. She is mentioned by Blackstar that he wants her Clan to stop fishing off the Halfbridge. They are apparently attracting Twolegs' attention and ShadowClan is forced to hide in fear of being discovered by dogs. Leopardstar agreed that things would be different from now on, as if the bonds created on the Great Journey still existed as the Clans split. However, instead of stopping altogether, RiverClan patrols started to hunt at night, only creating new problems. After Blackstar and his patrol attack Mistyfoot's patrol, Mistyfoot explains how Leopardstar only promised that they would only hunt when Twolegs couldn't see them. Blackstar counters back, saying that she knew what she was promising and he gave her a chance to end the problems caused by it, and she chose not to take it. Blackstar threatens to attack RiverClan, letting all the Clans know that Leopardstar can't keep a promise.

The Ultimate Guide

Leopardstar has her own page. Leopardfur was a young, keen and ambitious cat who was appointed deputy for being the straight-forward loyal cat she is. Her black-and-white approach to the warrior code meant that she viewed her leader’s tolerance of half-Clan cats as a grave weakness. When Tigerstar offered a way of making the forest pure Clan by making it all one supreme Clan, Leopardstar formed an alliance that nearly led to destruction to every cat. She maybe thought that Tigerstar would invite her to be his mate and share the rule of the forest. She realized her mistake when Tigerstar took over and made half-Clan cats fight to the death, but was trapped by her pride and wouldn’t speak out because she couldn’t face losing the respect of her Clanmates. She saved her Clanmates by joining LionClan to fight against BloodClan, and ended up on the winning side. But she never forgot how close she came to destroying her Clan. She led her Clan on the Great Journey and supported them in the first days of shaping their new home. Her experience with Tigerstar left her hostile to the other Clans, but her loyalty to her Clan could never be questioned. She died of sickness, knowing RiverClan was safe and settled. It was a peaceful end to a life that was more turbulent and sad than any other cat truly appreciated.

She appears on Mistystar’s and Stonefur’s page. Leopardstar made Mistyfoot deputy, but Bluestar revealed she is their mother, and Mistyfoot and Stonefur became what Leopardstar hates most: Half-Clan cats. After the battle with BloodClan, it is mentioned that Mistyfoot returned to her duties as deputy to a shocked and chastened Leopardstar. When Leopardstar died, Mistystar became the leader of RiverClan. She briefly appears on Hawkfrost's page. Even before Hawkfrost learned who his father was, he wanted to take Leopardstar's place. He trained especially hard, and was rewarded by being made temporary deputy by Leopardstar. Hawkfrost knew that being Leopardstar's favorite didn't mean he was respected by his Clanmates.

In the Short stories and plays

Beyond the Code: Brightspirit's Mercy

Leopardstar appears at the Gathering, where she admits that her Clan is starving because the lake has frozen over and they are unable to catch fish.

Ultimate Leader Election: Firestar

She votes that individual leaders should rule their Clans, after all of her Clan votes for Firestar. She questions them, that after several seasons of leading them, they shouldn't have voted for him. Mistyfoot says nothing was wrong with Leopardstar's leadership, the cats who voted wanted peace while the Clans were starving.

In the Novellas

Tigerclaw's Fury

Leopardstar does not formally appear in Tigerclaw's Fury, but is listed in the allegiances.

Leafpool's Wish

Leopardstar does not formally appear in Leafpool's Wish, but is listed in the allegiances.

Hollyleaf's Story

Leopardstar does not formally appear in Hollyleaf's Story, but is listed in the allegiances.

Mistystar's Omen

In the beginning of the book, Mistyfoot is seen discussing RiverClan's food situation with Leopardstar at RiverClan's edge of the lake. Leopardstar is downhearted and dejected because even though the water has returned, the fish that RiverClan eats haven't returned yet. Mistyfoot notices that Leopardstar's normally golden fur looks dull and dusty, and her dark spots seem to have faded. Leopardstar continues, saying that she thought everything would be all right again for her Clan once the water returned. She dips her paw in the lake, and then draws it out and watches the water drip off her claws and onto the stones beside her. Mistyfoot tries to encourage her, telling her that the fish are bound to come back soon, but Leopardstar continues talking as though she hasn't heard. Leopardstar voices a concern for RiverClan, and she isn't sure what they could eat, because of the drought. Mistyfoot moves closer to her and is shocked to feel how thin Leopardstar has become.

Mistyfoot tries to convince her that everything will be all right again now that the beavers' dam is gone, and that they will all survive. Leopardstar dejectedly reminds her that Blackclaw, Voletooth, and Dawnflower all didn't survive. Leopardstar moans that she has to watch her Clan starve to death because there is nothing to eat. She also mentions Rippletail, asking why he didn't deserve to come back from the journey to the beavers' dam, and whether or not he was even within range of StarClan. Mistyfoot again tries to console her, telling her that Rippletail will be honored forever because of the sacrifice he made to all of the clans. Leopardstar snaps that it was too high a price, and says that his sacrifice was in vain because the fish haven't come back and his Clan is no better off than they were before he left.

Leopardstar stumbles to her feet and begins to pad up the shore of the lake. Mistyfoot leaps up to help her, but Leopardstar hisses, shrugging her off and continuing to limp along the shore. Mistyfoot follows her at a respectful distance, thinking about how sick and weak her leader is. Leopardstar's strength has been worn down by thirst, hunger, and the normal effects of aging which Mothwing's medicine have no effect on. Leopardstar reaches the ferns leading to the RiverClan camp before Mistyfoot and pushes her way through them. Mistyfoot suddenly hears a cry from the undergrowth Leopardstar was in and bounds toward her. Mistyfoot finds Leopardstar slumped on the ground, eyes stretched wide and flanks heaving. Mistyfoot orders her not to move and sprints into the RiverClan camp. She calls to Mothwing, telling her to hurry and come, and Mothwing sprints to Mistyfoot's side and they both return to Leopardstar. Mistyfoot begins to lean forward, but recoils from the stench coming from her sick leader's pelt. She also sees dirt and dust in Leopardstar's fur, as if she hadn't groomed herself in days. Mothwing orders Mistyfoot to find Mintfur and Pebblefoot to help carry Leopardstar into the camp. When they arrive, Mintfur and Pebblefoot allow Leopardstar to lean against them and they half lead, half drag her back into the camp. One of Duskfur's kits, Podkit, sees them and asks Duskfur if Leopardstar is dead. Duskfur tells him that she isn't dead, she's just tired.

Mistyfoot, Pebblefoot, and Mintfur guide Leopardstar to her nest in her den and help her lie down. Mistyfoot notices that the shadows in the den already seem to be growing thicker, and thinking that it must be StarClan getting ready to welcome Leopardstar. As Mintfur leaves the den, he tells Mistyfoot to let him know if he can do anything else to help. Pebblefoot follows him out.

Mothwing helps to position Leopardstar more comfortably in her nest, and then leaves to fetch more herbs from her den. Before she leaves, Mothwing tells Mistyfoot to stay in the den and let Leopardstar know that she's there. Leopardstar's breath has grown shallow and wheezy. Mistyfoot crouches beside her leader and tells her to sleep well, that's she's safe and Mothwing is bringing more herbs for her. Leopardstar rasps that it is too late for herbs, and that she can already feel StarClan around her. Mistyfoot tells her not to talk like that, and that Mothwing will help her stay alive. Leopardstar grunts and tells Mistyfoot that although Mothwing has served her well, certain things are beyond even her skills. She tells Mistyfoot to let her go, and that they both should not fight this last battle.

Mistyfoot protests, yelling that she doesn't want to lose her. Leopardstar opens one clouded blue eye and looks up. She is in shock, and asks Mistyfoot if she is serious, even after everything that she did to her and her brother during her early days as leader. Mistyfoot remembers the old smelly rabbit hole she and the other half-Clan cats were imprisoned in back in the old forest when Tigerstar and Leopardstar had united their clans to form TigerClan. Leopardstar continues speaking, telling Mistyfoot that she had never deserved her forgiveness. Mistyfoot protests, saying that Tigerstar was to blame for the death of her brother, and that she had always been loyal to RiverClan, and to Leopardstar. Leopardstar sighs and tells Mistyfoot that her life has been harder than she had wanted, with the deaths of her brother and three of her kits. Leopardstar complements her on how well she has handled her heartache.

Mistyfoot says that she will still be able to see her kits in StarClan, and that they walk with her in her heart every day. Leopardstar strains for breath and Mistyfoot begins to stand up, ready to call for help, but Leopardstar relaxes again. Leopardstar sadly admits that she is sorry that she has never known the joy of having kits. She says that there was a time that she thought it may happen, but it was not meant to be. She continues, saying that it was probably for the best that it had never happened, and that she would have been very proud to call Mistyfoot her daughter. Mistyfoot was unable to reply; her heart was aching. She curls herself around Leopardstar, remembering her real mother, Bluestar, and how she had curled around her right before she died. Mistyfoot whispers in Leopardstar's ear, telling her to sleep now, and that she will be there when she wakes up.

The next morning, Mistyfoot wakes to find Leopardstar has passed. She rests her muzzle on her former leader’s head before leaving the den. Mothwing pads over and announces Leopardstar’s passing, and stands beside Mistyfoot. The deputy shares her worries that she doesn’t feel ready to lead the Clan and wonders how she can follow in Leopardstar’s pawsteps. Mistyfoot decides to wait to receive her nine lives so she can sit vigil for Leopardstar. Mothwing and Willowshine rub watermint and rosemary onto Leopardstar’s pelt. Willowshine warns Mothwing that they’re using the last of their watermint, but Mothwing tells her Leopardstar needs it more they do now.

In the Tigerstar and Sasha arc

Return to the Clans

Leopardstar is seen on a RiverClan patrol that is confronting Sasha and her kits, Hawk and Moth.

Sasha asks for her family to become part of RiverClan and the patrol discusses it. Blackclaw thinks it is a bad idea, but Leopardstar lets them come back to the camp and shows them around. The next morning, she calls a Clan meeting and announces that three cats will be joining RiverClan. She offers to give Sasha her warrior name, but she declines. Leopardstar later makes Hawk and Moth into apprentices, taking the names Hawkpaw and Mothpaw. After a little while, Leopardstar speaks to Sasha again about taking on a warrior name, but Sasha is still uncertain.

One day, when Hawkpaw and Mothpaw are playing in a pile of bones, the whole Clan is shocked. Leopardstar tells them that the bones they were playing in were the remnants of Tigerstar's Bonehill. She explains to them all the pain and suffering that Tigerstar had caused them.

Later, Sasha tells Leopardstar that Clan life does not suit her. She understands and thanks Sasha for letting Hawkpaw and Mothpaw stay in the Clan.

In the Warriors App

On Leopardstar's character profile, Brightsky and Mudfur are listed as her parents. Her defining moment is her defending her alliance with Tigerstar in Secrets of the Clans. In her exclusive trivia, it is revealed that she was born a drypaw, meaning she hated to get her paws wet. She confided in her friend Sunfish, who put fresh-kill on the far side of a stream to force her to get her paws wet. She forced herself to overcome her fear because she wanted one day to lead her Clan.

Trivia

Interesting facts

• She and Mothwing are very similar in coloring.^[17]
• Leopardstar was in love with Tigerstar, which is why she agreed to join TigerClan.^[20]
• She once wanted to have kits, but she never had any.^[17]
• Leopardstar was born as what her Clanmates called a "drypaw", meaning she originally didn't like to get her paws wet.^[21]
• The Ultimate Guide claims that Leopardstar had a pure hatred for half-Clan cats ^[22], despite making Mistyfoot and Hawkfrost her deputies, knowing they were not fully Clan born.^[23][24]

Author statements

• Leopardstar is Kate's favorite Clan leader,^[25] and she has said that she would like to write about her.^[26][27] She also says that Leopardstar could use a super edition of her own, as she was an underused cat.^[28]
• Vicky agrees with a theory that Leopardstar has kittypet ancestry.^[29]
• Leopardstar died from diabetes.^[5]

Mistakes

• She has been mistakenly described with emerald^[30] and blue eyes.^[17]
• She has mistakenly been described as mottled brown^[15] and mottled tawny.^[31]
• She has been mistakenly called Leopardfur after she received her leader name.^[32]
• Despite making Stonefur^[14] her deputy before Mistyfoot,^[23] The Ultimate Guide states the opposite happened.^[22]

Character pixels

Please do not edit this gallery Kit Version Apprentice Version Warrior Version Deputy Version Alternate Deputy Version Alternate Deputy Version Leader Version StarClan Version

Official art

Please do not edit this gallery Leopardstar in The Ultimate Guide

Kin

Members

Mother:

Brightsky:^[33] Deceased, verified StarClan member

Father:

Mudfur:^[33] Deceased, verified StarClan member

Siblings:

Three kits:^[33] Deceased, Verified StarClan members

Foster Mother:

Shimmerpelt:^[34] Deceased, verified StarClan member

Foster Sister:

Skyheart:^[34] Living (As of Crookedstar's Promise)

Foster Brother:

Blackclaw:^[34] Deceased, verified StarClan member

Tree

Genetic

Mudfur

Brightsky

Three kits

Leopardstar

    = Male

    = Female

    = Gender Unknown

Foster

    = Male

    = Female

    = Gender Unknown

Quotes

Leader info

v • d • e Leader info

v • d • e Nine Lives Life Given by Gift How it was lost Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Died from infection in The Fourth Apprentice Died from illness in The Fourth Apprentice Died from diabetes in Fading Echoes v • d • e Deputies Name From To Stonefur Mistyfoot Hawkfrost Mistyfoot A Dangerous Path The Darkest Hour Moonrise Dawn The Darkest Hour Moonrise Dawn Fading Echoes

References and citations

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} Revealed on Vicky's Facebook page
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5} Revealed in Fire and Ice, allegiances
3. ↑ Revealed in The Darkest Hour, page 210
4. ↑ Revealed in The Darkest Hour, page 136
5. ↑ ^{5.0 5.1} Revealed on Vicky's facebook page
6. ↑ Revealed in Crookedstar's Promise, page 280
7. ↑ Revealed in Fading Echoes, page 11
8. ↑ Revealed in Crookedstar's Promise, page 286
9. ↑ ^{9.0 9.1} Revealed in Crookedstar's Promise, page 339
10. ↑ Revealed in Crookedstar's Promise, page 411
11. ↑ ^{11.0 11.1} Revealed in A Dangerous Path, page 108
12. ↑ ^{12.0 12.1} Revealed in Secrets of the Clans, page 53
13. ↑ Revealed in Fading Echoes, allegiances
14. ↑ ^{14.0 14.1} Revealed in A Dangerous Path, allegiances
15. ↑ ^{15.0 15.1} Revealed in Fire and Ice, page 23
16. ↑ Revealed in Forest of Secrets, page 303
17. ↑ ^{17.0 17.1 17.2 17.3} Revealed in Mistystar's Omen, chapter 1
18. ↑ Revealed in A Dangerous Path, page 183
19. ↑ Revealed in A Dangerous Path, page 13
20. ↑ Revealed in Erin Hunter Chat 6
21. ↑ Revealed in her special trivia on her Warriors App page
22. ↑ ^{22.0 22.1} Revealed in The Ultimate Guide, page 130
23. ↑ ^{23.0 23.1} Revealed in The Darkest Hour, page 310
24. ↑ Revealed in Dawn, page 80
25. ↑ Revealed on Kate's blog
26. ↑ Revealed on Kate's Facebook
27. ↑ Revealed on Kate's blog
28. ↑ Revealed on Kate's Blog
29. ↑ Revealed on Vicky's Facebook
30. ↑ Revealed in Rising Storm, page 288
31. ↑ Revealed in Rising Storm, page 58
32. ↑ Revealed in A Dangerous Path, page 64
33. ↑ ^{33.0 33.1 33.2} Revealed in Crookedstar's Promise, pages 279-280
34. ↑ ^{34.0 34.1 34.2} Revealed in Crookedstar's Promise, page 316