Smokepaw (TNP)

"I'm sorry, Nightwing. ShadowClan won't forget Smokepaw, I promise."

— Blackstar comforting Nightwing after Smokepaw's death in Dawn, page 279

Smokepaw (TNP)
The pixel artwork is fanart based on the canon description; undefined traits are left to the artist's interpretation.
Affiliations
Last known:	ShadowClan
Biographical information
Cause of death:	Fell off a cliff
Names
Apprentice:	Smokepaw
Education
Mentor:	Oakfur
Book appearances
Living	Midnight, Moonrise, Dawn
Living	Midnight, Moonrise, Dawn

Smokepaw is a dark gray tom.

History

In The New Prophecy arc

Midnight

Midnight does not formally appear in The Blazing Star , but is listed in the allegiances. His mentor is listed as Oakfur.

Moonrise

Moonrise does not formally appear in The Blazing Star , but is listed in the allegiances.

Dawn

When Twoleg monsters come to tear up ShadowClan's camp, Blackstar helps Smokepaw escape, saying that he wouldn't let him die, before leaving him in the care of Squirrelpaw, a ThunderClan apprentice. Smokepaw is frozen with fear, and doesn't try to move to escape, as he watches his camp being destroyed. Squirrelpaw, in a desperate attempt to help him out of camp, drags him out by the scruff of his neck. Afterwards, Smokepaw goes with the rest of his Clan to stay at Sunningrocks with ThunderClan.

Smokepaw joins the Clans on the Great Journey. While in the mountains, the Clans are traveling along a very narrow path; part of the cliff breaks and Smokepaw slips, but manages to get a pawhold on one of the ledges. Russetfur lunges for him, but her weight makes more of the cliff crumble. Unable to hold on any longer, Smokepaw falls to his death. Nightwing is devastated, and leans over the edge. Stormfur, a RiverClan warrior, pulls her back to safety. Blackstar tells Nightwing that Smokepaw would not have survived the fall, and they could not reach his body for burial, so they must continue on their journey, but he will be honored and would never be forgotten.

Later, the deceased apprentice is briefly mentioned when Squirrelpaw tells Talon about the Clans' troubles getting through the mountains.

Trivia

Interesting facts

• There has been much confusion over whether Smokefoot is the same cat as Smokepaw, who was killed in Dawn. Many people suspected that Smokepaw was mistakenly brought back to life and made into a warrior named Smokefoot. When asked, Vicky said it was her fault for the mistake, and explains that she got confused due to the size of the character list. However, in a subsequent Erin Hunter chat, Kate confirmed that Smokepaw and Smokefoot are not the same cat.

Mistakes

• Smokepaw is mistakenly called a RiverClan apprentice when Leafpaw is thinking about Longtail jumping over the gap that Smokepaw left when he fell to his death in Dawn.
• Despite dying in Dawn, he is listed in subsequent books in the New Prophecy arc, and Leafpool's Wish.

Quotes

"I won't let you die."

―Blackstar promising Smokepaw ^Dawn

"Don't just stand there! Get Smokepaw out while I get that kit!"

―Blackstar to Squirrelpaw ^Dawn

Blackstar: "There's nothing we can do, we have to keep going."

Nightwing: "You're going to leave him?"

^Dawn

"We never thought the journey would be this hard! Smokepaw fell into a ravine, and then an eagle tried to carry off Marshkit..."

―Squirrelpaw to Talon ^Dawn