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{{Startspoiler}}
<tabview>
 
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{{Main Quote
Needletail/Main article|Main article
 
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|quote="Run! ''Now!'' Make this count, Violetpaw!"
Needletail/History|Detailed history
 
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|speaker=Needletail's last words to [[Violetshine|Violetpaw]]
Needletail/Family|Family relations
 
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|ref=''[[Shattered Sky]]'', page 218}}
Needletail/PR|Personality & Relationships
 
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Needletail/Quotes|Quotes
 
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{{Charcat/Needletail}}
</tabview>
 
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[[de:Nadelschweif]][[fi:Needletail]][[ru:Иглохвостая]][[pl:Iglasty Ogon]][[fr:Needletail]]
 
  +
'''Needletail''' is a sleek, silver-gray she-cat with white chest fur.{{r|vs1|46}} She has a lithe,{{r|tbc6|164}} long body, a thick tail,{{r|vs2|chapter 12}} a small gray nose,{{r|tbc6|138}} and bold green eyes.{{r|vs1|46}}
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'''Needletail''' was a [[ShadowClan]] [[apprentice]] under [[Rowanclaw|Rowanstar's]] [[Leader|leadership]] in [[the lake territories]] and previously a [[rogue]] in [[the Kin]] under [[Darktail]]. She was born to [[Berryheart]] and [[Sparrowtail]], and as '''Needlepaw''', she was apprenticed to [[Tawnypelt]]. She joined [[Alderheart|Alderpaw's]] [[Journey to find SkyClan (TAQ)|quest to find]] [[SkyClan]], and the two apprentices discovered two orphaned [[Kit|kits]] whom they [[Names|named]] Violetkit and [[Twigbranch|Twigkit]]. When Violetkit was taken to join ShadowClan, Needlepaw befriended her, but being frustrated with [[General Clan information|Clan]] life and [[the warrior code]], Needlepaw and other apprentices rebelled against Rowanstar. Needlepaw joined the Kin renaming herself '''Needletail''' and unofficially [[Mentor|mentored]] Violetpaw. She grew close to a rogue named [[Rain (AVoS)|Rain]], but after his death, Needletail had second thoughts on Darktail and was [[Prisoner|imprisoned]]. When it was discovered that Violetpaw was working against the Kin, Needletail sacrificed herself to save her against Darktail, [[Sleekwhisker]], and [[Roach]], who drowned her. She became a [[ghost]], leading Violetpaw to [[Tree]], and reuniting with former Clanmates and Alderheart. After giving a message, she ascended to [[StarClan]]. She took part in the [[Battle against Ashfur|battle]] against [[Ashfur (TC)|Ashfur]] in the Dark Forest where she reunited with Violetshine and killed Darktail's spirit with the help of her friend.
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==History==
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{{Expanded|Needletail/History}}
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===''[[A Vision of Shadows]]''===
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{{Quote
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|quote=I'm sick of living in a Clan that only cares about peace. The rogues would have made us strong. But, if you don't want them to join us, I'm going to join them!
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|speaker=Needlepaw deciding to go live with the rogues
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|source=''[[Thunder and Shadow]]'', page 176}}
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:Needlepaw is the sole daughter of Berryheart and Sparrowtail, being mentored by Tawnypelt, and is often showed to pay little respect towards Clan life. She meets the [[ThunderClan]] [[medicine cat]] apprentice, Alderpaw, and forcibly includes herself on his journey to [[Deepsands Gorge|the gorge]]. There, they encounter Darktail, and Needlepaw befriends him and his rogues, but flees from their [[camp]] when they are suspected of plotting with SkyClan. She and Alderpaw become separated from the rest of their [[patrol]], but find two kits abandoned in a tunnel underneath a [[Thunderpath]]. They return to [[the lake]], and at a [[Gathering]], Needlepaw supports ShadowClan's claim to a kit, and Rowanstar chooses to take the kit Needlepaw had named, Violetkit.
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  +
:Initially, Needlepaw ignores Violetkit, but after being pressured by Alderpaw, the two become friends, and Needlepaw allows Violetkit to meet in secret with her sister, Twigkit. She aligns herself with Darktail when a rebellion arises among the ShadowClan apprentices, leaving the Clan to join the rogues and taking Violetkit with her. Changing her name to Needletail, she unofficially mentors Violetpaw and is shocked when she returns to ShadowClan. However, Needletail convinces her to join the Kin after Darktail takes over ShadowClan.
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:After Darktail kills Rain and the [[Cat|cats]] who attempt to flee his Kin, Needletail realizes her mistake. She allows [[Mothwing]] and Alderheart to recover [[Medicine|herbs]] from their camp, causing her to be starved in the prisoners' [[Camp#Dens|den]]. When Violetpaw is caught sneaking [[Medicine#Poppy seeds|poppy seeds]] into Darktail's [[prey]], Needletail is nearly drowned. Darktail tells her to earn her life by killing Violetpaw, but Needletail instead attacks him, Sleekwhisker, and Roach, allowing Violetpaw to escape. She is killed, but her spirit leads Violetpaw to Tree, a cat [[Prophecies_and_omens/A_Vision_of_Shadows#The_Storm_and_The_Extra_Claw|prophesied]] to help the Clans, before joining StarClan.
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===''[[The Broken Code]]''===
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:{{CS}}
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==Character pixels==
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===Main images===
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{{charart|kit|apprentice|rogue|kin|prisoner|ghost|star}}
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===Alternate images===
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{{charart|warrior}}
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==Official art==
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{{OfficialArt|VOS-1|VOS-3|FG-8|Icon|Website}}
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==Killed victims==
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{{Victims|Needletail}}
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*[[Darktail]]{{r|tbc6|246-247}} ''(Spirit, alongside Violetshine)''
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==Personality==
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:Needletail is a rebellious, careless, and risk-taking young she-[[cat]].{{cite}} As an apprentice, she often challenged Rowanstar's leadership and choices, inspiring other ShadowClan apprentices to do the same; after Rowanstar refused to let Rain, Raven, and Flame join the Clan, Needlepaw decided to leave ShadowClan to join the Kin. {{r|vs2|176}} However, she does also care for some cats, and eventually forms a close friendship with [[Violetshine|Violetkit]] when she was brought to [[ShadowClan]] by [[Rowanclaw|Rowanstar]].{{cite}} She ultimately sacrificed herself to save Violetpaw from [[Darktail]], [[Roach]], and [[Sleekwhisker]].{{r|vs3|218}}
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==Relationships==
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===[[Violetshine]]===
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{{Dialogue a-b
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|speaker a=Needletail
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|quote a=All this that's happening to me...it's not your fault, Violetpaw. All the mistakes we made were mine.
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|speaker b=Violetpaw
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|quote b=That doesn't matter now. Don't worry about anything. I'm going to get you out of here.
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|speaker c=Needletail
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|quote c=Don't take risks for me, Violetpaw. You have to survive, any way you can.
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|description=Needletail and Violetpaw
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|source=''[[Shattered Sky]]'', page 169}}
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:At first, Needletail ignores Violetshine when she is a kit in ShadowClan.{{cite}} But after some convincing from [[Alderheart]], she decides that 'it might be cool to have a kit following her around', and pays more attention to Violetshine.{{cite}} Violetshine begins to rely on Needletail as her only friend in ShadowClan, and follows her when she defects from ShadowClan to join Darktail's [[Rogue|rogues]].{{cite}} Needletail sacrifices herself to save Violetshine from Sleekwhisker and Darktail,{{r|vs3|218}} and later appears as a [[ghost]] and guides Violetshine to [[Tree]] before finally joining [[StarClan]].{{r|vs4}} Violetshine later names one of her kits, [[Needleclaw]], after her.{{r|tbc1|273}}
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===[[Alderheart]]===
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{{Dialogue a-b
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|speaker a=Needletail
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|quote a=Hi there.
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|speaker b=Alderheart
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|quote b=Needletail! You made it to StarClan!
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|speaker c=Needletail
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|quote c=Yes. Once we had delivered our message, we were able to move on to StarClan.
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|speaker d=Alderheart
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|quote d=And are you okay?
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|speaker e=Needletail
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|quote e=Oh, yes. It's great here. But I still worry about Twigpaw and Violetshine. You will keep an eye on them, won't you?
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|speaker f=Alderheart
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|quote f=You know that Violetshine is in SkyClan now, and she has her father and her kin to look after her. But I'll certainly take care of Twigpaw. You can trust me.
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|speaker g=Needletail
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|quote g=Let me down, and I'll come over to ThunderClan and claw your ears off!
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|description=Needletail and Alderheart
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|source=''[[River of Fire]]'', pages 99-100}}
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:{{CS}}
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===[[Darktail]]===
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:Needletail looked up to Darktail and deeply respected him, desiring to be as tough and powerful as he is.{{cite}} She joined his [[The Kin|Kin]] and is cruel to the weaker cats in it, like he was.{{cite}} However, she later realizes the full extent of Darktail's bloody ways, and ultimately sacrifices herself to help stop him, admitting she should never have followed him.{{r|vs3|218}}
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===[[Tree]]===
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:As an [[apprentice]], Needletail is caught by an [[Prey#Avians|owl]] and dropped far away from her home. There, she meets Tree, and she thinks he is weird. Tree helps her get back to ShadowClan, and opens up to her about how his mother and sister abandoned him. When they arrive in ShadowClan, Needletail asks if Tree can join the Clan, but her Clanmates are strongly against it. Needletail doesn't understand why they have to treat outsiders this way, but Tree explains that he's fine being a [[loner]].{{r|vs2bs}} As a ghost, Needletail leads Violetpaw to Tree, who is [[Prophecies and omens/A Vision of Shadows|the six-toed cat said to fend off the storm]] in a vision.{{r|vs4|280}}
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==Kin==
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===Members===
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'''Mother:'''
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:[[Berryheart]]:{{r|tsm}} {{Status|Berryheart}}
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'''Father:'''
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:[[Sparrowtail]]:{{r|tsm}} {{Status|Sparrowtail}}
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'''Sister:'''
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:[[Sunbeam]]:{{r|ts|371}} {{Status|Sunbeam}}
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'''Brothers:'''
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:[[Hollowspring]]:{{r|ts|371}} {{Status|Hollowspring}}
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:[[Spireclaw]]:{{r|ts|371}} {{Status|Spireclaw}}
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{{coltex|'''Uncles:'''
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:[[Buster]]:{{r|tsm}} {{Status|Buster}}
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:[[Conefoot]]:{{r|vs3|a}} {{Status|Conefoot}}
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'''Aunts:'''
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:[[Cloverfoot]]:{{r|tsm}} {{Status|Cloverfoot}}
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:[[Mistcloud]]:{{r|om3|241}} {{Status|Mistcloud}}
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:[[Beenose]]:{{r|vs2|336}} {{Status|Beenose}}
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:[[Yarrowleaf]]:{{r|vs2|336}} {{Status|Yarrowleaf}}
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:[[Bluebellkit]]:<ref group="blog">{{Blog|url=https://blogclan.katecary.co.uk/2016/09/05/thunder-and-shadow-spoiler-page/comment-page-10/#comments|title=''Thunder and Shadow'' Spoiler Page|backup=http://web.archive.org/web/20191207051019/https://blogclan.katecary.co.uk/2016/09/05/thunder-and-shadow-spoiler-page/comment-page-10/|screenshot=Bluebellkit ShadowClan.screenshot.png}}</ref> {{Status|Bluebellkit}}
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:[[Dewkit (ShC)|Dewkit]]:{{r|om3|241}} {{Status|Dewkit (ShC)}}
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:[[Gullswoop]]:{{r|vs3|a}} {{Status|Gullswoop}}
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:[[Frondwhisker]]:{{r|vs3|a}} {{Status|Frondwhisker}}
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'''Grandmothers:'''
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:[[Kinkfur]]:{{r|om3|241}} {{Status|Kinkfur}}
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:[[Snowbird]]:{{r|ts|336}} {{Status|Snowbird}}
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'''Grandfather:'''
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:[[Scorchfur]]:{{r|ts|336}} {{Status|Scorchfur}}
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'''Great-uncle:'''
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:[[Ratscar]]:{{r|om6|279}} {{Status|Ratscar}}
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'''First cousins:'''
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:[[Flaxfoot]]:{{r|vs5|chapter 17}} {{Status|Flaxfoot}}
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:[[Hopwhisker]]:{{r|vs5|chapter 17}} {{Status|Hopwhisker}}
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|''See more''}}
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===Tree===
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{{Snowbird Tree}}
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==Appearances==
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{{Appearances|
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*''[[Onestar's Confession]]'' {{Mo}}
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*''[[Pebbleshine's Kits]]'' {altname}
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*''[[The Apprentice's Quest]]'' {{1st}} {altname}
 
*''[[Thunder and Shadow]]''
  +
*''[[Shattered Sky]]'' †
 
*''[[Darkest Night]]''
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*''[[Tigerheart's Shadow]]'' {{Mo}}
 
*''[[River of Fire]]''
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*''[[The Raging Storm]]'' {{Mo}}
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*''[[Lost Stars]]'' {{Mo}}
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*''[[Daisy's Kin]]'' {{Mo}}
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*''[[A Light in the Mist (book)|A Light in the Mist]]''
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*''[[River (book)|River]]'' {{Mo}}
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*''[[Shadow (book)|Shadow]]'' {{Mo}}
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*''[[The Ultimate Guide: Updated and Expanded Edition]]''
  +
}}
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==Trivia==
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===Interesting facts===
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*In an earlier draft of the allegiances for ''[[The Apprentice's Quest]]'', Needletail was originally the daughter of [[Stonewing]] and [[Wasptail]] along with [[Puddleshine]], [[Beenose]], and [[Yarrowleaf]].<ref group="blog">{{Blog|url=https://erinhunter.katecary.co.uk/exclusive-complete-allegiance-list-for-the-apprentices-quest/|title=EXCLUSIVE: Complete Allegiance List for ''The Apprentice's Quest''!|backup=http://web.archive.org/web/20180208053805/https://erinhunter.katecary.co.uk/exclusive-complete-allegiance-list-for-the-apprentices-quest/|screenshot=Bee Needle Puddle Yarrow.screenshot.png}}</ref>
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*Needletail is one of the few single-litter kits in the series.{{r|tsm}}
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*[[Needleclaw]] is [[named after]] her.{{r|tbc6|210}}
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===Author statements===
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*[[Kate Cary|Kate]] has sympathy for Needletail, but she can't understand why she was so crabby.<ref group="blog">{{Blog|url=https://blogclan.katecary.co.uk/2017/02/17/darkest-night-spoiler-page/comment-page-16/#comments|title=''Darkest Night'' Spoiler Page|backup=http://web.archive.org/web/20191224040833/https://blogclan.katecary.co.uk/2017/02/17/darkest-night-spoiler-page/comment-page-16/|screenshot=Needletail Kate.screenshot.png}}</ref>
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*Kate has said she wouldn't be surprised if Needletail named herself after Darktail.<ref group="blog">{{Blog|url=https://blogclan.katecary.co.uk/2018/04/14/the-raging-storm-discussion-page/comment-page-4/#comments|title=''The Raging Storm'' Spoiler Page|backup=http://web.archive.org/web/20190519143447/https://blogclan.katecary.co.uk/2018/04/14/the-raging-storm-discussion-page/comment-page-4/|screenshot=Needletail Darktail.screenshot.png}}</ref>
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===Mistakes===
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*Needletail was mistakenly called a ShadowClan warrior, despite never earning the rank.{{r|vs4|95-96}}{{r|tbc6|139}}{{r|tug2|89}}
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*Needletail is depicted without white chest fur and a gray nose on the cover of ''[[Shattered Sky]]''.{{r|vs3|cover}}
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==Quotes==
 
{{Main|Needletail/Quotes}}
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{{Endspoiler}}
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==External links==
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<tabber>
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|-|
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Featured=
  +
*{{Profile|Needletail}} {{Backup|http://archive.today/sev6W}}
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*{{Article|the-deaths-we-remember|The deaths we remember|http://archive.today/TbmVI}}
  +
*{{WGallery|a-vision-of-shadows-main-characters-artwork|''A Vision of Shadows'' Main Characters Artwork}} {{Backup|none}}
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*{{WGallery|needletail-s-death-artwork|Needletail's death artwork}} {{Backup|http://archive.today/WbI0P}}
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|-|
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Author Composed=
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*{{Article|darkness-to-balance-the-light|Darkness to balance the light|http://archive.today/S856X}} {{Mo}}
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|-|
  +
Character Specific=
  +
*{{Article|character-spotlight-tree|Character Spotlight - Tree|http://archive.today/MGPQS}} {{Mo}}
  +
*{{Article|best-of-the-worst|Best of the Worst|http://archive.today/xTdpu}} {{Imo}}
  +
*{{Article|bristlefrost-a-tribute|Bristlefrost: A Tribute|http://archive.today/40hqT}} {{Imo}}
  +
|-|
  +
Themes and Concepts=
  +
*{{Article|the-warrior-code-an-outdated-relic|The Warrior Code: An Outdated Relic?|http://archive.today/IEj3S}} {{Imo}}
  +
*{{Article|creating-an-antagonist|Creating an Antagonist|http://archive.today/LKxCR}} {{Imo}}
  +
*{{Article|kin-of-your-kin|Kin of Your Kin|http://archive.today/C4KZR}} {{Imo}}
  +
*{{Article|beyond-our-borders|Beyond Our Borders|http://archive.today/hjlyV}} {{Imo}}
  +
*{{Article|writing-a-good-prophecy|Writing a Good Prophecy|http://archive.today/xfZNG}} {{Mo}}
  +
*{{Article|wander-the-world|Wander the world|http://archive.today/CajMs}} {{Imo}}
  +
*{{Article|just-some-weirdo|Just some weirdo...|http://archive.today/l8N9X}} {{Imo}}
  +
*{{Article|say-little|Say little...|http://archive.today/TJzSn}} {{Imo}}
  +
*{{Article|a-matter-of-choice|A matter of choice|http://archive.today/ypN9w}} {{Imo}}
  +
|-|
  +
Merchandise and Website=
  +
*{{Article|pick-a-plush|Pick a Plush}} {{Poll}} {{Backup|http://archive.today/2020.02.10-022340/https://warriorcats.com/content/article/pick-a-plush}}
  +
*{{Article|fan-vote-choose-the-next-novella|Fan Vote: Choose the Next Novella}} {{Poll}} {{Backup|https://warriors.fandom.com/wiki/File:2021_Novella_Poll.png}}
  +
*{{Article|which-warrior-is-worthy-the-return|Which Warrior is Worthy - The Return|http://archive.today/D4eCd}} {{Poll}}
  +
*{{Article|pick-a-large-plush-the-sequel|Pick a Large Plush: The Sequel|http://archive.today/YnXHX}} {{Poll}}
  +
*{{Article|pick-a-large-plush-2021|Pick a Large Plush 2021|http://archive.today/zG7r8}} {{Screenshot|Pick a Plush 3 voting choices.screenshot.png}} {{Poll}}
  +
|-|
  +
Fan Content=
  +
*{{Article|winners-of-the-september-fan-challenge-new-challenge-announcement|Winners of the September Fan Challenge + New Challenge Announcement|http://archive.today/zTxE7}}
  +
*{{Article|winners-of-the-october-fan-challenge-new-challenge-announcement|Winners of the October Fan Challenge + New Challenge Announcement|http://archive.today/QoTYS}} {{Mo}}
  +
*{{Article|winners-of-the-favorite-nonclan-group-fan-challenge|Winners of the favorite nonClan group fan challenge|http://archive.today/NFXAu}}
  +
*{{WGallery|our-favorite-journeys-artwork|Our Favorite Journeys Artwork}} {{Backup|http://archive.today/5UPVD}}
  +
*{{WGallery|ghosts-artwork|Ghosts Artwork}} {{Backup|http://archive.today/rjZl1}}
  +
*{{WGallery|the-gathering-island-artwork|The Gathering Island Artwork}} {{Backup|http://archive.today/AOEMN}}
  +
*{{WGallery|our-favorite-violetshine-artwork|Our Favorite Violetshine Artwork}} {{Backup|http://archive.today/d0Ala}}
  +
*{{WGallery|starclan-allies-artwork|StarClan allies artwork}} {{Backup|http://archive.today/WuuvW}}
  +
*{{WGallery|our-favorite-rebels-artwork|Our favorite rebels artwork}} {{Backup|http://archive.today/3Bz7Q}}
  +
*{{WGallery|favorite-nonclan-groups-creatorclan-winners|Favorite nonClan groups CreatorClan winners}} {{Backup|http://archive.today/3rycr}}
  +
</tabber>
  +
  +
==Notes and references==
  +
{{reflist|2}}{{reflist|group=note}}{{authorlist}}{{Warriors characters}}{{Kin members}}
 
[[de:Nadelschweif]][[fi:Neulashäntä]][[fr:Plume d'Aiguilles]][[nl:Naaldstaart]][[pl:Iglasty Ogon]][[ru:Иглохвостая]]
 
[[Category:ShadowClan cats]]
 
[[Category:ShadowClan cats]]
[[Category:Females]]
+
[[Category:She-cats]]
[[Category:Major characters]]
 
[[Category:Thunder and Shadow characters]]
 
 
[[Category:Rogues]]
 
[[Category:Rogues]]
[[Category:Clanless cats]]
+
[[Category:Groupless cats]]
[[Category:Shattered Sky characters]]
 
 
[[Category:Deceased characters]]
 
[[Category:Deceased characters]]
 
[[Category:Darktail's cats]]
 
[[Category:Darktail's cats]]
[[Category:Darkest Night characters]]
 
 
[[Category:Mentors]]
 
[[Category:Mentors]]
[[Category:River of Fire characters]]
 
 
[[Category:StarClan cats]]
 
[[Category:StarClan cats]]
  +
[[Category:Ghost cats]]{{Ghost Indicator}}{{Kin Indicator}}{{Rogue Indicator}}{{StarClan Indicator}}{{ShadowClan Indicator}}
[[Category:Ghost cats]]
 
 
[[Category:Main characters]]
 
[[Category:Prisoners]]

Latest revision as of 18:23, 22 March 2024

"Run! Now! Make this count, Violetpaw!"
— Needletail's last words to Violetpaw in Shattered Sky, page 218



Needletail is a sleek, silver-gray she-cat with white chest fur.[10] She has a lithe,[11] long body, a thick tail,[12] a small gray nose,[13] and bold green eyes.[10]

Needletail was a ShadowClan apprentice under Rowanstar's leadership in the lake territories and previously a rogue in the Kin under Darktail. She was born to Berryheart and Sparrowtail, and as Needlepaw, she was apprenticed to Tawnypelt. She joined Alderpaw's quest to find SkyClan, and the two apprentices discovered two orphaned kits whom they named Violetkit and Twigkit. When Violetkit was taken to join ShadowClan, Needlepaw befriended her, but being frustrated with Clan life and the warrior code, Needlepaw and other apprentices rebelled against Rowanstar. Needlepaw joined the Kin renaming herself Needletail and unofficially mentored Violetpaw. She grew close to a rogue named Rain, but after his death, Needletail had second thoughts on Darktail and was imprisoned. When it was discovered that Violetpaw was working against the Kin, Needletail sacrificed herself to save her against Darktail, Sleekwhisker, and Roach, who drowned her. She became a ghost, leading Violetpaw to Tree, and reuniting with former Clanmates and Alderheart. After giving a message, she ascended to StarClan. She took part in the battle against Ashfur in the Dark Forest where she reunited with Violetshine and killed Darktail's spirit with the help of her friend.

History

Looking for a longer overview? Find one here!

A Vision of Shadows

"I'm sick of living in a Clan that only cares about peace. The rogues would have made us strong. But, if you don't want them to join us, I'm going to join them!"
―Needlepaw deciding to go live with the rogues Thunder and Shadow, page 176
Needlepaw is the sole daughter of Berryheart and Sparrowtail, being mentored by Tawnypelt, and is often showed to pay little respect towards Clan life. She meets the ThunderClan medicine cat apprentice, Alderpaw, and forcibly includes herself on his journey to the gorge. There, they encounter Darktail, and Needlepaw befriends him and his rogues, but flees from their camp when they are suspected of plotting with SkyClan. She and Alderpaw become separated from the rest of their patrol, but find two kits abandoned in a tunnel underneath a Thunderpath. They return to the lake, and at a Gathering, Needlepaw supports ShadowClan's claim to a kit, and Rowanstar chooses to take the kit Needlepaw had named, Violetkit.
Initially, Needlepaw ignores Violetkit, but after being pressured by Alderpaw, the two become friends, and Needlepaw allows Violetkit to meet in secret with her sister, Twigkit. She aligns herself with Darktail when a rebellion arises among the ShadowClan apprentices, leaving the Clan to join the rogues and taking Violetkit with her. Changing her name to Needletail, she unofficially mentors Violetpaw and is shocked when she returns to ShadowClan. However, Needletail convinces her to join the Kin after Darktail takes over ShadowClan.
After Darktail kills Rain and the cats who attempt to flee his Kin, Needletail realizes her mistake. She allows Mothwing and Alderheart to recover herbs from their camp, causing her to be starved in the prisoners' den. When Violetpaw is caught sneaking poppy seeds into Darktail's prey, Needletail is nearly drowned. Darktail tells her to earn her life by killing Violetpaw, but Needletail instead attacks him, Sleekwhisker, and Roach, allowing Violetpaw to escape. She is killed, but her spirit leads Violetpaw to Tree, a cat prophesied to help the Clans, before joining StarClan.

The Broken Code

Coming Soon

Character pixels

Main images

Alternate images

Official art

Killed victims

This list shows the victims Needletail has killed:

Personality

Needletail is a rebellious, careless, and risk-taking young she-cat.[source?] As an apprentice, she often challenged Rowanstar's leadership and choices, inspiring other ShadowClan apprentices to do the same; after Rowanstar refused to let Rain, Raven, and Flame join the Clan, Needlepaw decided to leave ShadowClan to join the Kin. [15] However, she does also care for some cats, and eventually forms a close friendship with Violetkit when she was brought to ShadowClan by Rowanstar.[source?] She ultimately sacrificed herself to save Violetpaw from Darktail, Roach, and Sleekwhisker.[5]

Relationships

Violetshine

Needletail: "All this that's happening to me...it's not your fault, Violetpaw. All the mistakes we made were mine."
Violetpaw: "That doesn't matter now. Don't worry about anything. I'm going to get you out of here."
Needletail: "Don't take risks for me, Violetpaw. You have to survive, any way you can."
—Needletail and Violetpaw Shattered Sky, page 169
At first, Needletail ignores Violetshine when she is a kit in ShadowClan.[source?] But after some convincing from Alderheart, she decides that 'it might be cool to have a kit following her around', and pays more attention to Violetshine.[source?] Violetshine begins to rely on Needletail as her only friend in ShadowClan, and follows her when she defects from ShadowClan to join Darktail's rogues.[source?] Needletail sacrifices herself to save Violetshine from Sleekwhisker and Darktail,[5] and later appears as a ghost and guides Violetshine to Tree before finally joining StarClan.[16] Violetshine later names one of her kits, Needleclaw, after her.[17]

Alderheart

Needletail: "Hi there."
Alderheart: "Needletail! You made it to StarClan!"
Needletail: "Yes. Once we had delivered our message, we were able to move on to StarClan."
Alderheart: "And are you okay?"
Needletail: "Oh, yes. It's great here. But I still worry about Twigpaw and Violetshine. You will keep an eye on them, won't you?"
Alderheart: "You know that Violetshine is in SkyClan now, and she has her father and her kin to look after her. But I'll certainly take care of Twigpaw. You can trust me."
Needletail: "Let me down, and I'll come over to ThunderClan and claw your ears off!"
—Needletail and Alderheart River of Fire, pages 99-100
Coming Soon

Darktail

Needletail looked up to Darktail and deeply respected him, desiring to be as tough and powerful as he is.[source?] She joined his Kin and is cruel to the weaker cats in it, like he was.[source?] However, she later realizes the full extent of Darktail's bloody ways, and ultimately sacrifices herself to help stop him, admitting she should never have followed him.[5]

Tree

As an apprentice, Needletail is caught by an owl and dropped far away from her home. There, she meets Tree, and she thinks he is weird. Tree helps her get back to ShadowClan, and opens up to her about how his mother and sister abandoned him. When they arrive in ShadowClan, Needletail asks if Tree can join the Clan, but her Clanmates are strongly against it. Needletail doesn't understand why they have to treat outsiders this way, but Tree explains that he's fine being a loner.[18] As a ghost, Needletail leads Violetpaw to Tree, who is the six-toed cat said to fend off the storm in a vision.[19]

Kin

Members

Mother:

Berryheart:[20] Living (As of Thunder)

Father:

Sparrowtail:[20] Living (As of Thunder)

Sister:

Sunbeam:[21] Living (As of Thunder)

Brothers:

Hollowspring:[21] Living (As of Thunder)
Spireclaw:[21] Living (As of Thunder)
See more
Uncles:
Buster:[20] Living (As of River of Fire)
Conefoot:[22] Deceased, verified StarClan member

Aunts:

Cloverfoot:[20] Living (As of Thunder)
Mistcloud:[23] Deceased, verified StarClan member
Beenose:[24] Deceased, verified StarClan member
Yarrowleaf:[24] Living (As of Thunder)
Bluebellkit:[blog 1] Deceased, verified StarClan member
Dewkit:[23] Deceased, residence unknown
Gullswoop:[22] Living (As of Thunder)
Frondwhisker:[22] Deceased, verified StarClan member

Grandmothers:

Kinkfur:[23] Deceased, verified StarClan member
Snowbird:[25] Living (As of Thunder)

Grandfather:

Scorchfur:[25] Living (As of Thunder)

Great-uncle:

Ratscar:[26] Living (As of Squirrelflight's Hope)

First cousins:

Flaxfoot:[27] Living (As of Thunder)
Hopwhisker:[27] Living (As of Thunder)

Tree

    = Tom

    = She-cat

    = Gender unknown


Appearances

Trivia

Interesting facts

Author statements

  • Kate has sympathy for Needletail, but she can't understand why she was so crabby.[blog 3]
  • Kate has said she wouldn't be surprised if Needletail named herself after Darktail.[blog 4]

Mistakes

  • Needletail was mistakenly called a ShadowClan warrior, despite never earning the rank.[29][30][31]
  • Needletail is depicted without white chest fur and a gray nose on the cover of Shattered Sky.[32]

Quotes

External links

Notes and references

  1. 1.0 1.1 Revealed in River of Fire, page prologue
  2. 2.0 2.1 Revealed in Thunder and Shadow, pages 176-177
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Revealed in The Apprentice's Quest, allegiances
  4. 4.0 4.1 Revealed in Darkest Night, page 300
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 Revealed in Shattered Sky, page 218
  6. Needletail's profile on the Warriors official website (screenshot)
  7. Revealed in Thunder and Shadow, page 198
  8. Revealed in Shattered Sky, chapter 11
  9. Revealed in Thunder and Shadow, page 13
  10. 10.0 10.1 Revealed in The Apprentice's Quest, page 46
  11. Revealed in A Light in the Mist, page 164
  12. Revealed in Thunder and Shadow, chapter 12
  13. Revealed in A Light in the Mist, page 138
  14. Revealed in A Light in the Mist, pages 246-247
  15. Revealed in Thunder and Shadow, page 176
  16. Revealed in Darkest Night
  17. Revealed in Lost Stars, page 273
  18. Revealed in Thunder and Shadow: Bonus Scene
  19. Revealed in Darkest Night, page 280
  20. 20.0 20.1 20.2 20.3 20.4 Revealed in Tigerheart's Shadow comic
  21. 21.0 21.1 21.2 Revealed in Tigerheart's Shadow, page 371
  22. 22.0 22.1 22.2 Revealed in Shattered Sky, allegiances
  23. 23.0 23.1 23.2 Revealed in Night Whispers, page 241
  24. 24.0 24.1 Revealed in Thunder and Shadow, page 336
  25. 25.0 25.1 Revealed in Tigerheart's Shadow, page 336
  26. Revealed in The Last Hope, page 279
  27. 27.0 27.1 Revealed in River of Fire, chapter 17
  28. Revealed in A Light in the Mist, page 210
  29. Revealed in Darkest Night, pages 95-96
  30. Revealed in A Light in the Mist, page 139
  31. Revealed in The Ultimate Guide: Updated and Expanded Edition, page 89
  32. Revealed on the cover of Shattered Sky
  1. Needletail's kit name, Needlekit, has only ever been revealed on the Warriors website.

Author references