"I don't want to talk about the Dark Forest. And I certainly don't want to talk with you." |
— Lightleap snapping at Sunbeam in River, page 97 |
Lightleap is a dark[9] brown tabby she-cat[10] with amber eyes.[11]
Lightleap is a ShadowClan warrior under her father's leadership in the lake territories. She was born as Lightkit to Tigerheart and Dovewing during their stay with the guardian cats along with her siblings, Pouncekit and Shadowkit. She joined ShadowClan when her mother chose to follow Tigerheart back to the Clans. As an apprentice, Lightpaw was mentored by Stonewing, and she later earned her warrior name, Lightleap. She volunteered as ShadowClan's representative to enter the Dark Forest to defeat Ashfur, but Shadowsight took her place when she got too anxious. As a result, Lightleap grew frustrated with herself and began performing reckless behavior to prove herself, much to her parents' and Sunbeam's duress. Lightleap participated in a journey to a distant Twolegplace to find catmint to cure her brother Rowankit, though he died before they arrived, and Lightleap blamed herself for not traveling faster. She became closer with Blazefire, eventually becoming mates with him, and leaving her best friend Sunbeam depressed.
History[]
In the A Vision of Shadows arc[]
River of Fire[]
- "They're kind of small. Not like us!"
- ―Lightkit about Ivypool's kits River of Fire, page 265
- Once they reach ThunderClan's camp, they meet Ivypool's kits, and Lightkit remarks they're kind of small, and warily touches her nose to Bristlekit's. Dovewing explains to her kits that Ivypool's kits are their kin. After discussing the events at the Moonpool, Dovewing gathers all three kits together and they are escorted to ShadowClan.
The Raging Storm[]
- During Shadowkit's vision, Lightkit cowers with her sister and denmates at the other end of the nursery. After Shadowkit is spending much of his time helping Alderheart in the medicine den, Lightkit and Pouncekit attempt to get him to come out and play. Pouncekit says Strikestone and Blazepaw are going to give them badger rides, and Lightkit adds they're going to race while they ride them. Shadowkit declines, stating he's having fun in the medicine den. Lightkit looks unconvinced, wondering how looking after the sick can be as fun as badger rides. Pouncekit nudges her out of the den, saying they're wasting their time.
- When Shadowkit goes missing, Lightkit says he was playing a game, pretending he was on an important mission to save the Clan, and Pouncekit wanted to go with him, but he told her it was something he had to do alone. Dovewing weaves frantically around them, asking if he said where he was going. Lightkit tells her he just said he had to save them, then sneaked out of the den.
In The Broken Code arc[]
Lost Stars[]
- "[...] we made a good job of those scent markers. SkyClan won't dare set paw over our borders."
- ―Lightleap after getting back from a border patrol Lost Stars, page 38
- Shadowpaw heads back to his den, but spots Lightleap waving her tail at him, and she tells him to come and play with her and Pouncestep. Tail curling with amusement, Shadowpaw points out that since he's not trained like them, they'd claw his fur off. Lightleap promises they'll go easy on him. Pouncestep pretends to be a badger invading camp, while Lightleap and Shadowpaw are two warriors driving it out. Lightleap rears up and swipes Pouncestep's muzzle, telling the filthy badger to get out. While Shadowpaw distracts Pouncestep, Lightleap jumps in and rolls her sister over. Once they trap Pouncestep, Shadowpaw asks what they should do, and Lightleap answers that they'll shove it out of camp, and begins to push Pouncestep across the ground. After their playfight, Shadowpaw has another seizure. Once it passes, he sees Lightleap and Pouncestep watching him from further away, eyes wide with fear. Later, Tigerstar calls a meeting and Shadowpaw finds a spot to sit near his sisters.
The Silent Thaw[]
- Shadowsight: "Go and finish your hunting. We'll take care of Snowbird."
- Lightleap: "But I want to see that she's okay."
- The Silent Thaw, page 74
Darkness Within[]
- Lightleap notices that Shadowsight is looking down and invites him to come hunting with her, Gullswoop, Blazefire, and Hollowspring. While out, Lightleap teaches her brother some basics when it comes to hunting and gladly indulges him when he asks her to teach him how to scent for prey. Shadowsight scares away sparrows when he is startled, and Lightleap assures him that they'll find more. Hollowspring is sullen about losing the prey and she defends Shadowsight. When they return to camp with their catches, she reassures Shadowsight that he'll get better with time and that his scenting had improved.
The Place of No Stars[]
- "Well, I see now that Dovewing and I have to take a step back. Pouncestep and Lightleap are warriors now, and we have to accept that they might be badly injured in battle-or even killed."
- ―Tigerstar to Shadowsight about Pouncestep and Lightleap The Place of No Stars (book), chapter 21
A Light in the Mist[]
- Tigerstar tells ShadowClan cats that someone is needed to enter the Dark Forest but he cannot condemn someone to it, and that a volunteer is required. He adds that if no cat comes forward, he will be the fulfilling volunteeer, causing yowls of opposition. Cloverfoot, Snowbird, Cinnamontail and Lightleap all volunteer. Lightleap cites that as deputy, Cloverfoot cannot be risked, and Snowbird can't either because although she is a great warrior, she is almost an elder. Lightleap also acknowledges that Cinnamontail is a great warrior, but counters that Cinnamontail hasn't been practicing battle moves since kithood, looking at her mentor for praise. Nodding, Stonewing adds that she was one of his greatest apprentices, causing Lightleap to prompt Tigerstar for a response. Shadowsight turns to Dovewing, noting that Tigerstar can't say no as to not show priority for his kit, and she agrees, desperately wondering why Lightleap volunteered. Whorlpelt and Flowerstem yowl praise for Lightleap, while the entire Clan starts chanting. To enter the Dark Forest one must be very calm but Lightleap becomes too anxious to quiet her mind. Shadowsight volunteers in her place, and he goes into the Dark Forest.
In the A Starless Clan arc[]
River[]
- "No cat is angry with you, Lightleap. We're just worried. You shouldn't be working so hard to prove yourself to the Clan. I've done the same thing in the past—you know that as well as I do—as it caused me to make some pretty serious mistakes. You're a strong ShadowClan warrior and a valued member of our family. Can't you be content with that?"
- ―Shadowsight to Lightleap River (book), page 73
- Lightleap continues to ignore Sunbeam and snaps at her when she tries to apologize. While on a hunting patrol, Sunbeam decides to hunt separately to avoid Lightleap's ire, though she hears a strange yowl from RiverClan. While attempting to investigate it, she runs into Lightleap who is limping and explains that she had trodden on a thorn. Sunbeam is suspicious of Lightleap's strange behavior, though Lightleap snaps at her for asking questions. After RiverClan arrives asking about Reedwhisker since he's missing, Sunbeam wonders if Lightleap had anything to do with it, though Blazefire brushes her off when she asks him about it. Lightleap begins to spend time with Blazefire, and Sunbeam grows jealous since she intended to be Blazefire's mate. However, Lightleap dares Blazefire to catch some mice in a shallow tunnel when rocks fall and trap him. She rushes into camp for help, and Sunbeam scolds Lightleap for her reckless behavior. She insists she and Blazefire are only friends and have a lot in common, especially since Sunbeam is a rule follower. Sunbeam learns from Blazefire that he also views Lightleap as a friend, and Berryheart informs Sunbeam that she believes Lightleap and her family can get away with a lot of things since their father is Clan leader.
Sky[]
- Coming Soon
Shadow[]
- Coming Soon
Thunder[]
- Coming Soon
In the Super Editions[]
Tigerheart's Shadow[]
- "I bet no kits as young as us have ever walked along a Thundersnake before."
- ―Lightkit Tigerheart's Shadow, page 311
- Pouncekit mentions Dovewing's story about the Clans and Lightkit eagerly asks if they'll go there one day. Lightkit gazes up at the wall and mews she likes sunshine and doesn't want to hide in darkness. As Tigerheart is heading out to scavenge, Dovewing meets Lightkit and her siblings as they charge up to their mother. Tigerheart gives the kits a badger ride, and while clinging to her father's back, Lightkit asks what a badger is. Tigerheart tells them a story of how he and his Clanmates fought a badger once, and Lightkit is breathless as she asks how they beat it. Lightkit is disappointed she has to go to sleep, complaining she wants to hear more about badgers, and Dovewing promises they'll tell them about hawks tomorrow.
- The kits are taken out of the Twoleg nest to watch the guardian cats battle train. Lightkit bounces on the grass, squeaking it's soft, then asks Tigerheart if he'll play with them. She doesn't pay attention to his answer, preoccupied with following Pouncekit onto the stone slabs. When Pouncekit gets caught in a Twoleg trap, Lightkit and Shadowkit scrabble at the outside, trying to reach her. After Pouncekit is freed, Lightkit looks out from below Dotty, asking if the Twolegs are trying to hurt them. Later, Lightkit, Pouncekit, and Shadowkit give their parents a scare when they sneak out of the nest and climb up a tree, sitting on the branch like a bunch of starlings. Lightkit looks down at her parents, telling them they're watching the Twolegs gathering. Lightkit climbs down the tree, along with her siblings. Once out of the tree, Pouncekit tells her Tigerheart said they weren't ever allowed out of the den alone, making Lightkit's eyes spark with horror.
- Dovewing and Tigerheart decide it's time to return to the lake and begin the journey home. Lightkit is clearly excited at the news, squeaking they're going to be warriors. She is carried by Cinnamon as they walk through the Thundersnake tunnel. When Pouncekit and Shadowkit are placed on the floor, Lightkit wriggles in Cinnamon's jaws, saying she wants to walk too. Once on the ground, she proudly comments that she bets no kits have walked along the Thundersnake tunnel before. When Pouncekit begins complaining of her sore pads, Lightkit tells her to imagine the ground is the soft grass outside the Twoleg den. When a Thundersnake passes, Lightkit hides underneath Cinnamon. After it passes, she wriggles out, exclaiming that was exciting, with shining eyes. Once out of the tunnel and city, Lightkit sounds frightened as she comments how big everything is.
- Later, Lightkit sniffs some sweetbriar buds, asking if they can eat it. Dovewing says no, but Jayfeather might use them to make medicine, and Lightkit blinks, asking who Jayfeather is. A Thundersnake approaches them, and Lightkit freezes in the tracks, but Spire saves her before the Thundersnake reaches her. Cloverfoot gives Lightkit a badger ride as they reach a river. They cross a Thunderpath going over the river, but it begins to split and rise in the center. Lightkit and Shadowkit squeal in panic, sliding down past Tigerheart, but Rippletail catches Lightkit as she falls toward him, wrapping his paws around her. She plays with Berryheart's kits. Tigerheart asks her where Shadowkit is, and she explains Dovewing took him out of their temporary camp to discuss something. She then shows Spirekit how to strip out the meat on prey. After an owl drops Tigerheart, Lightkit and her littermates sit beside Dovewing, fear in their round eyes as they gaze at their injured father.
- They continue the journey back to the lake, and Lightkit's eyes are misted with fear as she asks if Tigerheart will be okay. As Tigerheart slips away, Lightkit and her littermates cling to their father's pelt. After he dies, Tigerheart sees his body being carried, Lightkit follows, her eyes misted with grief. Tigerheart is resurrected as Tigerstar, ShadowClan's new leader. Pouncekit and Lightkit crowd around him, eyes as wide as moons.
Squirrelflight's Hope[]
- Lightpaw is now an apprentice with Stonewing as her mentor. She practices battle moves against Pouncepaw. Later, she and her family attend a tense Gathering and her father weaves protectively around them.
In the Novellas[]
Tawnypelt's Clan[]
- Tawnypelt is woken up from a dream because of Lightkit and her siblings loud play. Lightkit yowls at Shadowkit that that's not how you play, then Pouncekit screeches at Lightkit to get off of her. Juniperclaw exits the warriors den, furiously telling the kits that they need to settle down right now, they're waking the whole camp. The three kits freeze and stare up at him, then Dovewing apologizes, and Tigerstar comes in, telling the kits to quiet down. Shadowkit tells Tawnypelt that they're sorry if they woke her, and his sisters nod earnestly. Tawnypelt meows that it's fine, and Lightkit cheerfully tells her littermates to come on, they'll be so quiet now, as quiet as they were when they hid from the Twolegs. Later, Lightkit plays with her siblings and the other kits of the Clan, squealing with delight as they chase each other around the clearing.
Character pixels[]
The pixel artwork is fanart based on the canon description; undefined traits are left to the artist's interpretation. |
Official art[]
Please do not edit this gallery |
Family[]
- Main article: Lightleap/Family
- Lightleap's parents are Tigerstar and Dovewing, and her littermates are Pouncestep and Shadowsight. Her younger siblings are Rowankit and Birchkit. For more of Lightleap's family, click here!
Appearances[]
- Tigerheart's Shadow (First appearance)
- River of Fire
- Tawnypelt's Clan
- The Raging Storm
- Squirrelflight's Hope
- Lost Stars
- The Silent Thaw
- Veil of Shadows (Allegiance only)
- Darkness Within
- Graystripe's Vow (Allegiance only)
- Daisy's Kin (Allegiance only)
- The Place of No Stars
- A Light in the Mist
- River
- Sky
- Shadow
- Thunder
Trivia[]
Interesting facts[]
- Lightleap has ThunderClan blood via Dovewing[12] and kittypet blood through Cloudtail.[13]
- She looks just like her father, Tigerstar.[9]
Author statements[]
- Kate has said Lightleap was named to celebrate the differences between her parents, Tigerstar and Dovewing.[blog 1]
Mistakes[]
- She was mistakenly called Shadowkit.[14]
Quotes[]
- «Why should she get away with being so stupid? Because she's my friend, I guess. She could try being a bit grateful!»
- —Sunbeam's thoughts about covering for Lightleap River (book), page 39
- Lightleap: "Yes, you told Shadowsight. When you promised not to tell any cat. I trusted you!"
- Sunbeam: "I'm sorry, but I only wanted to help. I know how unhappy you are, Lightleap. But, honestly, no cat blames you for not going into the Dark Forest. I wouldn't have dared to set paw in there, not for all the mice in the forest. You don't have to—"
- River, page 97
- Lightleap: "It was just a game. I had no idea Blazefire would get hurt."
- Sunbeam: "I'm not just talking about that. You know I've loved Blazefire since I was a kit. So why..."
- River, page 163
External links[]
- Lightleap's profile on the Warriors official website (backup link)
- A Legacy of Fire on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Indirect mention only)
- Exclusive! Veil of Shadows: Excerpt on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Indirect mention only)
- Forbidden Romance on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Indirect mention only)
- Nothing But Stories on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Indirect mention only)
- Exclusive! Graystripe's Vow: Excerpt on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Allegiance only)
- Exclusive! Darkness Within: Excerpt on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Allegiance only)
- True warriors? on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Indirect mention only)
- Exclusive! The Place of No Stars Except on the Warriors official website (backup link)
- Exclusive! A Warrior's Choice Excerpt on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Allegiance only)
- Exclusive! A Light in the Mist: Excerpt on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Indirect mention only)
- Exclusive! River: Excerpt on the Warriors official website (backup link)
- Forbidden romance in the world of Warriors on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Mentioned only)
- Exclusive! Sky: Excerpt on the Warriors official website (backup link)
- The journey so far: River on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Mentioned only)
- Clan-swappers: are they here to stay? on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Indirect mention only)
- Exclusive! Shadow: Excerpt on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Allegiance only)
- The journey so far: Sky on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Mentioned only)
- Exclusive! Thunder: Excerpt on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Allegiance only)
- Exclusive: Wind chapters on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Allegiance only)
- Sunbeam and Nightheart: an unlikely Warrior Cats love story on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Mentioned only)
Fan content[]
- River: A look at the most popular fan theories on the Warriors official website (backup link)
- Shadow: A look at the most popular fan theories on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Mentioned only)
- Thunder: A look at the most popular fan theories on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Mentioned only)
- Our Favorite Lightleap Artwork on the Warriors official website (backup link)
- Dovewing and Tigerstar's family artwork on the Warriors official website (backup link)
Notes and references[]
- ↑ Revealed in Tigerheart's Shadow, page 409
- ↑ Revealed in Tigerheart's Shadow, page 187
- ↑ Revealed in Tigerheart's Shadow, page 301
- ↑ Revealed in Veil of Shadows, page 150
- ↑ Revealed in Tigerheart's Shadow, chapter 18
- ↑ Revealed in Tigerheart's Shadow, page 191
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Revealed in Squirrelflight's Hope, allegiances
- ↑ Revealed in Lost Stars, allegiances
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Revealed in River of Fire, page 251
- ↑ Revealed in The Silent Thaw, allegiances
- ↑ Revealed in Tawnypelt's Clan, chapter 1
- ↑ Revealed in Sunrise, page 317
- ↑ Revealed in Fire and Ice, page 220
- ↑ Revealed in Tigerheart's Shadow, page 306
Author references
ShadowClan cats | |
---|---|
Leader | Tigerstar |
Deputy | Cloverfoot |
Medicine cats | Puddleshine • Shadowsight |
Warriors | Snowbird • Tawnypelt • Scorchfur • Grassheart • Stonewing • Yarrowleaf • Slatefur • Whorlpelt • Snaketooth • Flowerstem • Blazefire • Gullswoop • Pouncestep • Lightleap • Spireclaw • Flaxfoot • Hopwhisker • Fringewhisker |
Apprentices | N/A |
Queens | Dovewing • Cinnamontail |
Kits | Birchpaw • Firkit • Streamkit • Bloomkit • Whisperkit |
Elders | Oakfur |
Guardian cats | |
---|---|
Members | Boots • Bracken • Cobweb • Dotty • Feather • Fierce • Marigold • Mittens • Peanut • Pipsqueak • Rascal • Scowl |
Former members | Antfur • Blazefire • Cinnamontail • Dovewing • Lightleap • Pouncestep • Pumpkin • Shadowsight • Spiresight • Tigerstar |