"I have loyalty and honor. Look around you, Pinestar. What is keeping me here? I could climb that fence and be gone in a heartbeat. But I love my housefolk. I honor them. They feed me and care for me because they value me. They enjoy my company, they want to keep me safe, and they are afraid if I go away for too long." |
— Shanty to Pinestar in Pinestar's Choice, chapter 7 |
Shanty is a small, fluffy,[3] brown tabby she-cat.[1]
History[]
In the Novellas[]
Pinestar's Choice[]
- "Come back anytime. You will always be welcome here, my friend."
- ―Pine just after becoming a kittypet Pinestar's Choice, chapter 7
- Shanty turns to Jake, telling him about a kittypet named Tyr. In a good-humored tone, she relates that the Burmese had to sleep outside when his Twolegs locked him out yesterday. Jake snorts, commenting that Tyr would not have liked that, because he is pedigree bred. With a sniff, Shanty adds that the tom never ceases to remind them about that. Pinestar is slightly bewildered, thinking that he could not tell a Burmese from a badger. He scents Shanty's fur, finding that she is definitely a she-cat, but smells different than any Clan queen. The reddish-brown tom likes that she does not seem afraid of him, or even really curious about his life. Pinestar thinks that perhaps Shanty could be a friend of his, just like he is with Jake. His thoughts begin to drift as he listens to Shanty and Jake talk about cats he does not know, and has no responsibility for.
- Later, Pinestar decides to escape Clan life for awhile to go see Jake. He is on his way when Shanty calls out a greeting to him from a hedge. The reddish-brown tom greets her, asking if this is where she lived. Shanty says yes, offering to show him around. Pinestar replies that he is on his way to meet Jake, but the she-cat answers that the kittypet is mooning over Quince today. Shanty explains all the toms moon over her, and adds that she lives further down the main road. Pinestar comments that he has never met her, so the brown tabby turns to leave. However, the ThunderClan tom calls her back, asking if he could go tour where she lives. He squeezes through the hedge behind her and wriggles through the branches. Pinestar is stunned by the beauty around the den, especially the round pool with water shooting from its center. Shanty beckons him closer, showing him the fish in the clear water. Pinestar asks if she catches them, but the kittypet says no, as last time she tried she fell into the pool. He experimentally dabs at the surface, but the fish retreat into some thick green plants. Pinestar jokes that she needs to make sure RiverClan does not find out about these.
- Shanty trots away toward the side of the Twoleg den, and the ThunderClan tom follows her. They plunge into a welcome burst of shade, before emerging into a larger grass-covered place and back into some sunshine. Shanty complains that it is always too cold out here, but Pinestar says that it is peaceful. A noise sounds nearby, and Shanty runs to greet her Twoleg as it approaches. The brown tabby calls to Pinestar, saying that she will probably like him. His heart pounds as he pads closer, and the Twoleg stops petting Shanty to look at him. The kittypet bounces on her toes, encouraging Pinestar to let her Twoleg stroke him. She promises it would not hurt, but he jerks back from its touch. Shanty comments that she thought warriors were braver than that, so the ThunderClan tom resolves to try again. Pinestar steps forward again, and the Twoleg begins to gently stroke him. Shanty meows that he is being really brave, with a teasing tone to her voice. However, another male Twoleg comes outside and begins speaking. Shanty reassures her friend that her other Twoleg is a bit loud, but definitely safe.
- Pinestar replies that he has made enough new friends today, and backs toward the ferns. The brown tabby agrees, but notes that she would never venture into his forest home. Pinestar reassures that she'd be safe with him, as his warriors are trustworthy. Shanty counters that her Twolegs are the same, and have cared for her every need in life. He questions if her mother lived with them, but the kittypet explains that she does not remember what happened to her mother or siblings, or really where she was born. Pinestar is shocked, but Shanty continues that if they have found nice homes like hers, then she knows they are all safe and happy. The ThunderClan tom presses that she must get bored, and lists off everything he has to do day to day. Shanty meows that she does not want to live like that, and has no wish to fight anyone. She explains the comfort of knowing where your next meal is coming from, and the freedom of visiting friends. Pinestar asks how a kittypet can achieve having loyalty, courage, and honor. Shanty defends that she loves her housefolk, and honors them. The brown tabby reminds Pinestar that she could leave, but knows her Twolegs care for her, and get worried when she does not return. She continues that she feels for her owners just as he feels for his Clanmates. Shanty sits down, apologizing that she might have struck a nerve. Pinestar says that he is the one who should say sorry, for judging kittypets too quickly. Shanty is confused, and the tom clarifies that he was given a life of judgement by a cat named Oakstar, and should use it better. The brown tabby purrs, noting that she always thought wild cats are a bit dumb. Pinestar grunts, replying that their claws are much sharper. The reddish-brown cat lays down, basking in the sunshine with Shanty. However, Shanty soon shakes him awake after he has a bad dream. It is about Clan matters, and Pinestar insists that he cannot tell her what he saw. Shanty is puzzled, but says that he is always welcome to come back again.
- Pinestar visits with Shanty and Jake, telling them about the Clan. The she-cat tells him it is the right thing to keep from attacking RiverClan so close to leaf-fall. He is angry that they have set their border markers around Sunningrocks, and does not want to look like a coward for not attacking. She insists that he only has his Clanmates interests at heart, and does not want them hurt. Pinestar is appeased with this answer, though he is still uneasy about Doestar's warning to him.
- When Leopardfoot's kits come, Pinestar flees to Shanty's house. He finds her talking to a gray tom, and she is surprised that he is here at this time. Her companion slips away, and Pinestar announces that his kits have been born. Shanty seems confused with his tone, suggesting that that should be good news. He replies that it is the end of his Clan, and sinks to the ground with a groan. The brown tabby gasps and springs toward him, but at the same time, a monster approaches. It launches itself toward Shanty, and she freezes in terror. Pinestar throws himself toward her, but it strikes, sending him flying. He awakens after losing a life, seeing Shanty's body slumped in the middle of the Thunderpath. Pinestar pads over to her, and he grieves deeply when he realizes she is dead. Shanty's Twolegs come out to grieve her, and the ThunderClan tom wants to tell them he shares their grief. He thinks of how she was his closest friend, but slowly pads away from the scene.
- A day later, Pinestar finds himself in the Twolegplace thinking of Shanty and her Twolegs. He is found by Lionpaw, and the apprentice is shocked to hear him admit that he likes Twoleg food and being stroked. He resigns from being ThunderClan's leader, telling his Clanmates that he is going to become a kittypet. Pinestar then pads back to the Twolegplace, remembering the last time he saw Shanty. He pauses near her home, hearing the Twolegs talk in somber tones. The reddish-brown tom decides to stay here, and hopefully help fill the gap that Shanty had left upon her death. When he approaches, the male Twoleg shoos him away with a loud yowl. The female, however, comes forward to pet him. Pinestar can almost imagine Shanty purring as he is accepted into her former home. He is able to see Shanty's nest, and all of her playthings. Pinestar then wanders outside, and quickly finds Jake. The ginger tom is surprised that he came back, but he admits that he can do some good here for Shanty's Twolegs, and will be staying for good. Jake's eyes soften, saying that they will really appreciate the gesture. He offers to take Pinestar to meet Quince, but he declines, saying that he has housefolk to get back to. As an afterthought, the reddish-brown tom adds that his name is now Pine.
Character pixels[]
The pixel artwork is fanart based on the canon description; undefined traits are left to the artist's interpretation. |
Kin[]
Members[]
Mother:
- Unnamed she-cat:[3] Status unknown
Siblings:
- Unnamed cats:[3] Status unknown
Tree[]
Unnamed ♀ | |||||||||||||
Shanty ♀ | Unnamed cats | ||||||||||||
= Tom
= She-cat
= Gender unknown
Appearances[]
- Pinestar's Choice † (First appearance)
Quotes[]
- Shanty: "Hey, Jake, I didn't know you had a visitor! I'm Shanty."
- Jake: "This is Pinestar."
- Pinestar's Choice, chapter 6
- Pinestar: "Hello, Shanty is this where you live?"
- Shanty: "Yes. Would you like to come and look around?"
- Pinestar's Choice, chapter 7
External links[]
- More Ways to Live on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Mentioned only)
- The Forest Map: ThunderClan on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Mentioned only)
Notes and references[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Revealed in Pinestar's Choice, chapter 6
- ↑ Revealed in Pinestar's Choice, chapter 8
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Revealed in Pinestar's Choice, chapter 7