Moon Shadow

"There isn't enough food. Our kits will be better off if there are fewer mouths to feed."

— Moon Shadow to Dewy Leaf in The Sun Trail, page 33

Moon Shadow
The pixel artwork is fanart based on the canon description; undefined traits are left to the artist's interpretation.
Affiliations
Current:	Clear Sky's Camp
Past:	Ancient Tribe, Rogue
Biographical information
Cause of death:	Injuries from fire
Names
Name:	Moon Shadow Moon Shadow
Book appearances
Living	The Sun Trail, Thunder Rising
Living	The Sun Trail, Thunder Rising

Moon Shadow is a black tom.

History

In the Dawn of the Clans Arc

The Sun Trail

Dewy Leaf, his mate, halts in front of him, and asks him what was he doing, skulking around, adding that she was going to have his kits, and that he promised he would stay with her. Moon Shadow flinches backward at her comment, and informs her awkwardly that there wasn't enough food, and that their kits would be better off with fewer mouths to feed. Dewy Leaf questions him on his decision, asking who would catch prey for her while she nursed them. Twisted Branch agrees with her, glaring at Moon Shadow, and states that she had a point that cats with responsibilities should stay in the cave.

During the voting, Moon Shadow picks up a stone, and marches determinedly over to the waterfall, which signifies that he votes to leave the mountains. Dewy Leaf hisses at him for his choice, stating that his kits would never know their father's name. Moon Shadow does not respond to her, and she then whisks around.

When he sets up to leave the mountains, Gray Wing offers Dewy Leaf to come with him, stating that it would be her last chance to be with Moon Shadow again. Dewy Leaf declines his offer, saying that her kits belong in the mountains. She adds that things would be better there now, and that she wanted for Gray Wing, if he ever saw Moon Shadow, to tell him that she hoped he was happy in his new home. Gray Wing promises he will if he sees the tom.

After Gray Wing finds Jagged Peak and they shelter for the night, Gray Wing dreams he is back in the cave with all of his Tribemates and murmuring is all around him from different cats. Shaded Moss suggests that they set off again, to which Clear Sky protests that they have to hunt first. Turtle Tail is indifferent and mews to wake up Moon Shadow first. After more voices state their opinions, Gray Wing wonders why all these cats he is hearing left to follow the sun trail. Gray Wing opens his eyes and realizes after a few moments that he can still hear the voices he was hearing in his dream.

Gray Wing wakes his younger brother and they go to the traveling cats. There is excitement from the traveling cats for a few moments, and Shaded Moss suggests they set off soon, and Moon Shadow adds that they should set off after they hunt. After the cats eat, they set off; Moon Shadow is beside Dappled Pelt and the former brags about how he scared off an eagle the day before, and if he wasn't there, Jackdaw's Cry would have been carried away by it. Dappled Pelt mutters something that undermines the tom, and Gray Wing thinks that leaving has not changed Moon Shadow one bit.

The cats stop briefly at a stream to get a drink and soak their sore pads. Dappled Pelt catches fish, and after Jackdaw's Cry says he'd rather have eagles and hares, Moon Shadow cheerfully points out that the fish is food, casting an almost longing glance at what is left of the fish. After Clear Sky asks Shaded Moss if he can try to catch small birds that are circling above them, and Shaded Moss mews that they haven't gone far enough yet, Moon Shadow objects that the new home, wherever it might be, won't disappear because they should take their time to get there. Many cats agree, but Turtle Tail objects, calling the cats lazy, and points out that Stoneteller never told them that it would be easy.

Once they get up and continue walking again the traveling cats encounter some scree which leads to a drop back into a valley. When Dappled Pelt almost falls, Gray Wing helps her, but can't do it all himself; Moon Shadow comes down to let her lean on his shoulder and guide her to more solid ground. When they are almost there, he gives her a shove to put her ahead of him and scrambles next to her. Shaded Moss checks on Dappled Pelt, who frantically apologizes for causing trouble and almost killing them because of panicking, and Moon Shadow comforts her, telling her she'll know better in the future. Turtle Tail then leans over to whisper in Gray Wing's ear that she is very impressed at Moon Shadow's courage, but she would never admit it to him, and Gray Wing whispers back that he is brave but very annoying.

Soon after, an encounter with a few eagles kills Clear Sky's mate, Bright Stream. Every cat is grief-stricken, and it is said that even Moon Shadow's arrogant chatter is silenced by the death. The next morning, when the traveling cats are ready to leave, Gray Wing prepares to walk with his grieving brother for the day, but Moon Shadow reaches the tom first and murmurs that he will walk at his side that day.

The traveling cats are walking and they are almost out of the mountains when they see a river; they have to cross on rocks that have reached the surface of the water. Quick Water does not enjoy the crossing, and takes a long time. She complains about wet paws, stopping, and Moon Shadow yowls at her to not just stand there and move. Quick Water hisses and goes to jump onto the next rock, but misjudges the distance, and scrabbles on the edge, which leads Falling Feather to swim into the river and drag the she-cat to shore. Darkness is gathering, so Shaded Moss suggests that they stop for the night. Hawk Swoop complains at the darkness, but Moon Shadow declares that he can scent prey; Jagged Peak offers to come along, but Dappled Pelt is doubtful of his skill, but Moon Shadow takes the young cat anyway. Gray Wing is slipping off into sleep when the pair returns. They have brought a large brown bird and a plump mouse nearly the size of a kit. The traveling cats eat well that night.

The group reaches another river, and there is too much prey; if they caught it all it would be wasted. Hawk Swoop and Moon Shadow are called back when they continue to pursue prey. The latter remarks that it doesn't feel natural letting prey escape purposefully.

After moving on, the traveling cats are beside a Thunderpath when Turtle Tail sneezes when a blade of grass brushes her nose. Moon Shadow hisses to her to be quiet, because she'll bring all the monsters after them. After every cat crosses, Shattered Ice and Quick Water start complaining. Since the latter was complaining about hunting, Moon Shadow tells the cats to stop behaving like kits; there is too much prey. Shaded Moss tells the traveling cats that he wants them to travel a little farther before they camp for the night. Moon Shadow lets out an irritated hiss at this.

The cats go farther, and they end up in a Twolegplace. Clear Sky points out the danger, and adds that there is no prey; Moon Shadow snaps that they should have hunted in the woods, when he wanted to. That night, they sleep in a monster's den. Gray Wing is on watch, but Rainswept Flower convinces him to go back to sleep; Gray Wing wakes Hawk Swoop, and he sleeps where she had been. A paw on his tail wakes him, and he sees Moon Shadow, who apologizes and explains that he is going hunting. Gray Wing murmurs a good luck, and watches the tom leave with a few words with the cats on watch, Shattered Ice and Turtle Tail. Gray Wing is woken up again by yowling soon after he drifts asleep. Shattered Ice tells Gray Wing that Moon Shadow is being attacked.

Gray Wing scrambles outside and hears Moon Shadow and two other cats' yowls on the other side of a wall, as if they are fighting. Gray Wing, Tall Shadow, and Clear Sky outrun their denmates to the wall and the three leap on top of it. They look down and see Moon Shadow grappling with two kittypets. Gray Wing attacks one kittypet, a black and white tom, letting Moon Shadow escape, while Tall Shadow and Clear Sky attack the other, a ginger she-cat. Moon Shadow rams into the tom, and seeing two enemies to fight, he flees; meanwhile, Tall Shadow and Clear Sky are chasing the she-cat away. The cats run on top of a wall of wood and the she-cat tells them that rogues aren't welcome and if all of them aren't gone by tonight, they will be in big trouble, and with that the kittypets leave. Moon Shadow yowls good riddance after them. The cats return back to the den, where the cats are waiting.

After telling Shaded Moss of the exchange, he makes them set off immediately. As they are crossing some grass, Moon Shadow exclaims at a strange sight: a dog trapped in a shiny clear sheet that leaves it so that it can't get out. He yowls out at the dog, taunting it. Cloud Spots tells Moon Shadow that he is flea-brained, and pushes Moon Shadow ahead, since they are falling behind, asking him what he'd do if a Twoleg let it out.

Soon enough, the traveling cats leave the Twolegplace, now in the open again. Moon Shadow veers off the steady course of the patrol and leaps into some bushes, emerging with a small brown bird in his mouth. Moon Shadow puts it on the ground, takes a mouthful, and passes it to Shaded Moss, who rejects it politely and meows that every cat can hunt for their own prey, since there is enough.

After every cat eats their fill, the traveling cats have to cross a marsh, and after doing so, they need to find shelter, as they are hungry, cold, wet, and filthy. There is a strange wooden cave in sight; it looks safe, and it smells of prey. Moon Shadow asks what they are waiting for, because they need to hunt. Shaded Moss deems it safe enough to stay for the night. The cats eagerly dive in for mice, and eat well that night. Rainswept Flower asks every cat if this is their new home, since it is all they wanted. After every cat is silent with shock for a few moments, Moon Shadow is the first to speak, and mews that it suits him.

After it is decided this isn't their new home, the cats continue on, but are forced to stop when Hawk Swoop dislocates her shoulder, but it is relocated. Clear Sky suggests they hunt apathetically, but Moon Shadow mews that he cannot face another mouse.

The traveling cats continue the trek to follow the sun trail, and they meet a stranger, who tells them that the pointed stones ahead are called Highstones, and that beyond them, cats are living there. They pad on through woods and rain, and Clear Sky catches a squirrel; Shaded Moss takes the opportunity for the cats to rest and hunt since they have stopped. Moon Shadow and Shattered Ice immediately slink off into the trees to hunt. They return with prey and the cats eat their fill. The cats continue on, aiming for Highstones, when they reach a Thunderpath. Shaded Moss is hit by a monster and dies; since the Thunderpath is no place to abandon him, Moon Shadow, along with Shattered Ice and Dappled Pelt carry him across.

After the traveling cats pay their respects to their leader, they continue to follow the sun trail. They walk through grassy spaces, clusters of a few Twoleg dens, and over moorland grass, until they stop in a copse of pine trees. Moon Shadow mews halfheartedly that this would be an ideal place to hunt, but many cats mew that they aren't hungry, so they do not, but they settle down and rest. After the cats pass Highstones and continue on, Moon Shadow declares that he can smell dog, and the cats avoid it.

They continue walking and eventually find themselves at a Thunderpath, every cat rigid with fear because of Shaded Moss' death. Gray Wing is selected to lead a group consisting of Jagged Peak, Hawk Swoop, and Moon Shadow across. After all of the other groups cross, Gray Wing and his group huddle at the edge of the Thunderpath, waiting for a gap in the monsters, and when they do, they cross, but Jagged Peak is terrified and frozen in the middle of the Thunderpath when a monster almost hits him, leaving Clear Sky to have to run out and get him.

The traveling cats reach some moorland filled with prey, and they settle down in a hollow, trying to figure out if this is the place Stoneteller dreamed they would find. After a few days, Clear Sky takes Dappled Pelt, Falling Feather, and Moon Shadow with him to explore the land more.

A few days later, Moon Shadow wakes Gray Wing up from his fitful slumber by pounding down towards their camp, dragging something heavy behind him. He exclaims proudly for everybody to see what he caught; what he was dragging were two squirrels. Tall Shadow asks him where he found them, and continuing in his boastful tone, he replies that he found them in the woodland, adding a remark about how easy it was. Tall Shadow tells him that it was flea-brained, and announces that from then on, the traveling cats have to hunt in groups. Moon Shadow openly shows his annoyance, even going to the point as to mutter about who died and put her in charge. Tall Shadow hears him, and responds that Shaded Moss did. The traveling cats eat the black tom's prey, though; Gray Wing notices Clear Sky's silence, only seeing him exchange a fast word of thanks to Moon Shadow himself.

Later, Clear Sky and Gray Wing are making their way back to the hollow together, hearing Moon Shadow's raised voice in an argument. As they get closer, they find out that Moon Shadow is quarreling with Tall Shadow, telling her the downsides of living in the open, trying to get her to move the traveling cats' home to the woodland. It doesn't take long for Hawk Swoop to get between the brother and sister, telling Moon Shadow that he argues too much and that every other cat is tired of having to listen to it. She tries to distract him from the argument by bringing the fact that it is not raining anymore to his attention and saying that there are birds here, a prey they know how to catch. Moon Shadow, after a bit of discussion and other cats leaping to their paws, wears an angry expression and stomps off to his nest.

More Coming Soon

Thunder Rising

Moon Shadow and Falling Feather arrive at one side of the clearing, and Thunder notes that he had met them when they visited the camp, and made the journey from the mountains. Petal explains that she and Leaf were only defending themselves, but Moon Shadow puffs up his chest, and remarks that he could escort the others away. Shattered Ice rolls his eyes at him, stating that he hasn't change, but accepts his offer to escort them. Moon Shadow then flexes his claws, draws his lips back in a snarl, and asks if he preferred to fight instead. Falling Feather pushes between Moon Shadow and Shattered Ice, telling them to stop.

During the fire, Gray Wing recognizes Moon Shadow, whose paws do not clear the flames, and the latter lets out a yowl of pain. He instinctively attempts to curl up in mid air, making him abandon his leaping posture, and lands with a hard thump. Fire creeps through his pelt and tail, and he screeches for help. Gray Wing, Thunder, and Tall Shadow race toward him, battering at him to put out the flames, but Moon Shadow is panicked, rolling over. He attempts to flee before the flames are out,and Thunder leaps after him, throwing his whole weight across Moon Shadow's lower back, and yowls for him to keep still. Gray Wing ignores his scorched paws to help the agonized Moon Shadow, and as the flames die, Gray Wing spots a patch of fur where fur was burnt away on Moon Shadow.

They stand around him, and Cloud Spots tells Moon Shadow that it would not end badly, making him groan, and turn his head away. The cats then pull away Moon Shadow's form from the fire, and they form a protective guard over him, while he moans with agony. Tall Shadow stands beside him, and Gray Wing crouches beside Moon Shadow, asking if Clear Sky was with him. Moon Shadow merely stares at him with glazed eyes, lets out another drawn out groan, and Gray Wing realizes that he is badly hurt enough to not understand the question. Tall Shadow bends her head to nuzzle Moon Shadow's shoulder, and assures him that Cloud Spots would be back with healing herbs, and tells him that everything would be fine.

Cloud Spots and Dappled Pelt return with grass and weeds, dropping them beside Moon Shadow, and Gray Wing suggests for them to chew up and dribble the grasses' juice on Moon Shadow's wound. However, as they perform said action, it has no effect on Moon Shadow's wound. He then lurches to his paws, and declares that he would walk, but Gray Wing knows that they have no choice but to retreat with him, as if they leave Moon Shadow alone, he would die to the flames and smoke. As River Ripple helps the cats escape, Moon Shadow, Gray Wing, Tall Shadow hesitate on the other side. River Ripple adivses for them to leap into the air, but Tall Shadow snarls that Moon Shadow couldn't make it. Thunder wonders what they would do, and Jackdaw's Cry replies that they would work on how to help Moon Shadow.

Thunder notices that Gray Wing appears shaken by Moon Shadow's injuries, and he states that they needed to help Moon Shadow, as he couldn't move quickly enough to doge the flames. He adds that they couldn't leave them, and Jackdaw's Cry explains his plan to save them both, which included them going through the fire to save Moon Shadow. After they soak themselves, Moon Shadow and Tall Shadow are still trapped on the other side, and Jackdaw's Cry calls that they were coming for the former. Tall Shadow rejects leaving him, but them asks that if they wouldn't let him die. Thunder calls back that they promised, and Tall Shadow then gasps for them to get Moon Shadow out. Thunder then nearly stumbles over Moon Shadow, who crouches on the last untouched piece of ground, and whimpers as fire sparks shower on his fur. Jackdaw's Cry nudges him to get on his paws, and he would walk through fire.

Moon Shadow looks up at him, eyes glazed with terror, and Thunder isn't certain if he understands, despite him struggling to his paws. Moon Shadow, with Thunder and Jackdaw's Cry on his sides, face fire again, and Jackdaw's Cry springs forward, half carrying, and half pushing Moon Shadow. They then let him sink to the ground. When River Ripple explains that crossing the stream would be a way to escape, Moon Shadow is said to be too weak to manage it. Cloud Spots and Dappled Pelt then flank Moon Shadow, and support him as he stumbles forward. When recalling recent events, Thunder remembers helping Moon Shadow. As the cats gather, Moon Shadow is said to crouch beside Tall Shadow, and twitches in pain as he feebly licks as his injuries. Gray Wing notices Moon Shadow closely, and is aware of his suffering; his eyes are glazed, and his eyes come in shallow pants.

Tall Shadow then informs Gray Wing that she has to concentrate on Moon Shadow. She mentions that she was cowering behind flames, but Gray Wing reasons that she was only performing that because she would not leave Moon Shadow. When Tall Shadow steps down, she immediately leaps down to site beside Moon Shadow. As Thunder leaves, Tall Shadow bends over Moon Shadow. As Gray Wing returns with Turtle Tail, Tall Shadow crouches over Moon Shadow, who lies still, and his breathing is noted to be fast and shallow. Moon Shadow's fur is dull, eyes closed, and it is noted that his wound didn't heal. Gray Wing asks if he could do anything, and Tall Shadow replies that he could not, unless he mastered healing. Gray Wing assures her that he would get better, and he thinks that he wasn't in as bad state as Moon Shadow.

After speaking with Pebble Heart, Tall Shadow stands over her brother's body, letting out a grief-stricken yowl. He lies still, legs splayed out as he is in a spasm of pain. Gray Wing believes that he died while he and the kits were sleeping, and pushes through the crowd. The cats are stunned by Moon Shadow's death, and Gray Wing touches his body, which is cooling. Gray Wing remembers that they have to bury him, and states that they would bury Moon Shadow. Sparrow Fur and Owl Eyes then join Pebble Heart, who looks sadly at Moon Shadow's body. Gray Wing and Tall Shadow then pick up Moon Shadow's body, which is lighter than expected, and Gray Wing assumes that he didn't eat well. They carry his body out of the hollow, and Wind Runner tells the others not to crowd Moon Shadow. The cats then follow along, while Gray Wing and Tall Shadow carry Moon Shadow's body to a quiet spot in a rock shelter.

Once a hole is made deep enough for Moon Shadow's body, they roll him into the dirt, and Gray Wing believes that no cat deserves to die the way Moon Shadow did. His belly is exposed, and Tall Shadow lets out a wail of distress. She scrambles into the hole to turn him over, so the wounds weren't exposed, but his body begins to stiffen. Jackdaw's Cry and Shattered Ice then cover him with stones until he is no longer visible. Gray Wing then states that Moon Shadow was brave, as he survived in the mountains, as well as their journey. He also states that his death was a sign of the changes they experienced since departing the mountains, and knows that there is more to come. Gray Wing finishes that no cat would forget Moon Shadow, and Tall Shadow leaves before he finishes.

Gray Wing then informs Tall Shadow that although she was grieving for Moon Shadow, he needed her by her side. She replies that although her brother was buried, she wouldn't see another cat get buried, and agrees to help. As Tall Shadow thinks about what to do with Clear Sky, Gray Wing notices that she was more energized, and believes that she wouldn't have to worry about Moon Shadow any longer.

In the Field Guide Arc

The Ultimate Guide

Tall Shadow is said to have stepped down from her leader position to care for Moon Shadow, who was injured.

It is also noted that River Ripple went through the flames with Jackdaw's Cry to rescue Moon Shadow.

Tall Shadow is also have said to have found her anxiety and grief too much to bear when Moon Shadow died, and willingly gave up her leadership to Gray Wing.

Family

Members

Mate:

Dewy Leaf (formerly): Living (As of The Blazing Star)

Sister:

Shadow: Status unknown

Quotes

Turtle Tail: "I'm quite impressed by how Moon Shadow saved Dappled Pelt. But I'd never tell him so!"

Gray Wing: "He's brave, but he's still an annoying furball."

^{The Sun Trail}

"What's the rush? This new home, wherever it is, won't disappear, will it?"

―Moon Shadow trying to get the traveling cats to take their time going to their new home ^{The Sun Trail}

"He was in time to see Moon Shadow pick up a stone and march determinedly over to the waterfall. Dewy Leaf padded alongside him. 'Your kits will never know their father's name!' she hissed."

―Narration of Moon Shadow's cast stone ^{The Sun Trail}

Petal: "We were only defending ourselves."

Moon Shadow: "Don't worry. I can escort these cats away."

^{Thunder Rising}