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This article contains major spoilers for the recently released book, River. Please proceed at your own discretion. |
"Oh, Blazefire, I know that something is really, really wrong! And what in StarClan's name am I going to do about it?" |
— Sunbeam's thoughts about trouble in RiverClan in River, page 106 |
Sunbeam is a brown-and-white tabby she-cat[6] with yellow eyes.[7]
Sunbeam is a ShadowClan warrior under Tigerstar's leadership in the lake territories. Sunkit and her brothers, Spirekit and Hollowkit, were born to Sparrowtail and Berryheart on their trek back to ShadowClan, their parents having fled the Clans during the reign of the Kin. She eventually became an apprentice named Sunpaw under the mentorship of Snaketooth and earned her warrior name, Sunbeam. Sunbeam formed a close relationship with Blazefire since they knew each other as kits and had plans to become mates one day. However, Blazefire realized he did not reciprocate her feelings. Sunbeam's friendship with Lightleap also deteriorates after she told Shadowsight, the latter's brother, about Lightleap's latest reckless behavior. After the Clan leaders accepted changes to the warrior code including cats switching Clans to be with their mates, Sunbeam was invited by her mother, Berryheart, to join conversations opposing that decision.
History
In the A Vision of Shadows arc
River of Fire
- Sunkit is part of Tigerheart's patrol returning to ShadowClan, alongside Hollowkit, Spirekit, Berryheart, Sparrowtail, Cloverfoot, and Slatefur. Her mother, Berryheart, introduces Violetshine to Sunkit, Hollowkit, and Spirekit, adding that Violetshine may receive one them as her apprentice. Sunkit squeaks that it will be her, bouncing up and down while arguing about who it will be with her brothers. Violetshine is delighted at the kits enthusiasm, but feels guilty that Berryheart doesn't know ShadowClan is gone. When Tigerheart is resurrected as Tigerstar and revives the fallen ShadowClan, Sunkit joins her family and new Clanmates in following Tigerstar to her new home.
The Raging Storm
- Alderheart mentions her when he tells Berryheart that Hollowkit should be kept away from his siblings until his cough is better. Berryheart informs the medicine cat that they are already sleeping with Yarrowleaf's kits.
In The Broken Code arc
Lost Stars
- She is now a warrior of ShadowClan named Sunbeam.
In the A Starless Clan arc
River
- "Sometimes following the rules saves a lot of headache."
- ―Sunbeam to Lightleap following Blazefire's injury River (book), page 163
- A few days later, Sunbeam is free from the medicine cats' den and goes on a hunting patrol with Tawnypelt, Whorlpelt, Scorchfur, and Lightleap, and is worried when Lightleap refuses to talk to her. Sunbeam breaks away from the patrol to reflect about her friend's behavior, and she hears a cat fighting over in RiverClan's territory. She quickly locates Lightleap nearby and wonders if she had anything to do with the noise, but Lightleap brushes her off, and Sunbeam reports the noise to Tawnypelt. The next day, Sneezecloud and Brackenpelt from RiverClan visit ShadowClan's camp to ask if they have seen Reedwhisker, RiverClan's deputy. Cloverfoot reports they have not, and the RiverClan patrol leaves. Sunbeam grows suspicious and tells Blazefire about Lightleap's strange behavior the other day, but is shocked when he brushes off her concerns.
- While on a dawn patrol with her brother Hollowspring and Hopwhisker, they discover numerous Twoleg garbage at the greenleaf Twolegplace on their border with RiverClan. Hopwhisker injures her paw while searching for prey, and Sunbeam spots Lizardtail and Nightsky nearby and asks them for help. Both RiverClan cats are skeptical, but agree to bring Mothwing, RiverClan's medicine cat. They escort them partially into RiverClan territory but stop before their camp, with Nightsky leaving to fetch Mothwing. Mothwing and her apprentice Frostpaw arrive to treat Hopwhisker's paw, and Sunbeam sneaks off to spy on their camp, suspicious of their behavior. She doesn't see Mistystar or Reedwhisker in the camp. Later, Sunbeam hunts with Yarrowleaf and Gullswoop, though Sunbeam grows uneasy when Gullswoop keeps complimenting her. Gullswoop lets it slip that Blazefire is frequently spending time with Lightleap, and Sunbeams wonders if Lightleap and Blazefire are avoiding her to spend time with each other. However, Lightleap rushes into camp with news that Blazefire is trapped underneath some rocks. They manage to free Blazefire, though Sunbeam worries if he can walk again since his leg is broken. While visiting Blazefire the next day, he reveals to Sunbeam that while he loves her, he thinks they are too different to make it work as mates.
- Heartbroken, Sunbeam lays in the warriors' den, and she worries that Blazefire had fallen in love with Lightleap since she was more exciting and not a rule follower. Her brother Spireclaw encourages her, and Sunbeam joins a hunting patrol with Snowbird, Whorlpelt, and Gullswoop. While hunting, Flaxfoot and Hollowspring tell them they lost a pigeon in a bramble thicket, and Sunbeam carelessly dives into the thicket to retrieve it, hoping to prove that she's not boring. Shadowsight scolds Sunbeam for acting recklessly, and Sunbeam learns that Blazefire doesn't love Lightleap and wishes to be friends again. Her mother Berryheart confides with her that she's worried about Tigerstar and the changes being made to the warrior code. At the Gathering, StarClan has accepted the proposed changes to the warrior code, and cats are free to switch Clans to be with their mates following a trial of the receiving Clan. An argument breaks out, and Sunbeam breaks away from the Gathering to find peace and runs into Flamepaw, a ThunderClan apprentice. The two find comfort in each other's problems: Sunbeam with her issues with Blazefire and Lightleap, and Flamepaw failing his assessment twice.
- Fringewhisker, a SkyClan she-cat who left her Clan to be with Spireclaw, passes her exam to join the Clan by pushing a large fallen tree branch across the camp. Sunbeam spots Berryheart and other older warriors discuss how displeased they are with these changes being made to the warrior code, and Berryheart remarks that the Clans might need a reminder. Sunbeam is horrified by her mother's tone and nearly informs Tigerstar but worries about being in trouble again. Berryheart catches her daughter speaking with Tigerstar and asks her to join in on their conversations.
In the Super Editions
Tigerheart's Shadow
- Sunkit is born to Berryheart and Sparrowtail, alongside her brothers, Hollowkit and Spirekit. A moon later, Sunkit and her brothers have tried prey for the first time. Growing quickly, they explore further from their nest, but still need to suckle during the night. Sunkit nestles at Berryheart's belly as Tigerheart wonders if the kits are ready to travel back to ShadowClan.
- When the older cats discuss how to reach ShadowClan, Berryheart and Sparrowtail tell Sunkit and Spirekit to play with Dovewing's kits. Berryheart nudges her daughter away, and and Dovewing asks Pouncekit to keep them busy. Pouncekit asks if they can listen and Dovewing tells them they may listen but must not interrupt. The kits hurry to Pouncekit, clustering closer together. Tigerheart asks Berryheart if her kits are ready to travel, but their mother points out that they are not even weaned. They consider carrying the kits, but Dovewing suggests waiting a quarter moon, and Berryheart agrees that the kits will be ready then if the weather permits.
- Dovewing watches Hollowkit and Sunkit explore beyond the camp wall, with Pouncekit and Lightkit bouncing around them. Tigerheart warns them to hide as an owl appears, and Sunkit stares at him, wide-eyed. When the owl drops Tigerheart from the sky, Sunkit hides behind Berryheart as they check on him. When Tigerheart joins StarClan, he sees Sunkit with her siblings, along with his own kits, being shielded by Berryheart, Cloverfoot, and Cinnamon from his corpse as Sparrowtail and Rippletail carry it away. Sunkit and the others travel to ShadowClan and are welcomed as the newest members of the Clan.
Squirrelflight's Hope
- She and her brothers are now apprentices, and her mentor is Snaketooth.
In the Novellas
Tawnypelt's Clan
- She is spotted by Tawnypelt playing with the other kits in ShadowClan while Berryheart and Cloverfoot watch over them.
Character pixels
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Official art
Please do not edit this gallery Sunbeam on the cover of River (book) Sunbeam on the cover of Sky (book) Sunbeam's icon on the Warriors family tree Sunbeam's Warriors official website fact sheet |
Kin
Members
Mother:
- Berryheart:[2] Living (As of River)
Father:
- Sparrowtail:[8] Living (As of River)
Sister:
- Needletail:[9] Deceased, verified StarClan member
Brothers:
- Hollowspring:[2] Living (As of River)
- Spireclaw:[2] Living (As of River)
- Cloverfoot:[10] Living (As of River)
- Beenose:[10] Deceased, verified StarClan member
- Yarrowleaf:[10] Living (As of River)
- Bluebellkit:[blog 1] Deceased, verified StarClan member
- Frondwhisker:[11] Deceased, verified StarClan member
- Gullswoop:[11] Living (As of River)
- Dewkit:[12] Deceased, residence unknown
- Mistcloud:[12] Deceased, verified StarClan member
Uncles:
Grandmothers:
Grandfather:
Great-uncle:
First cousins:
- Flaxfoot:[15] Living (As of River)
- Hopwhisker:[15] Living (As of River)
Tree
Unknown | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Kinkfur ♀ | Scorchfur ♂ | Snowbird ♀ | Ratscar ♂ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dewkit ♀ | Mistcloud ♀ | Sparrowtail ♂ | Berryheart ♀ | Cloverfoot ♀ | Beenose ♀ | Yarrowleaf ♀ | Nettle ♂ | Buster ♂ | Gullswoop ♀ | Frondwhisker ♀ | Conefoot ♂ | Bluebellkit ♀ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Needletail ♀ | Spireclaw ♂ | Sunbeam ♀ | Hollowspring ♂ | Flaxfoot ♂ | Hopwhisker ♀ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
= Male
= Female
= Gender Unknown
Appearances
- Tigerheart's Shadow (First appearance)
- River of Fire
- Tawnypelt's Clan
- The Raging Storm (Mentioned only)
- Squirrelflight's Hope (Allegiance only)
- Lost Stars (Allegiance only)
- The Silent Thaw (Allegiance only)
- Veil of Shadows (Allegiance only)
- Darkness Within (Allegiance only)
- Graystripe's Vow (Allegiance only)
- Daisy's Kin (Allegiance only)
- The Place of No Stars (Allegiance only)
- A Light in the Mist (Allegiance only)
- River
Quotes
- Sunbeam: "I'm sure I'll get an apprentice soon. Then I'll have to run around after them all the time. It's still a ways off, but in a few moons, Dovewing and Tigerstar's kits will need mentors. And Cinnamontail will have her kits with Slatefur any day now."
- Blazefire: "Well, I hope it's a good long time before I get an apprentice. I like being able to do what I want, when I want."
- River, page 34
- Sunbeam: "It's okay. I mean, you should have known better than to go into that tunnel! But you'll recover, and then everything will be fine, and we..."
- Blazefire: "I wanted to tell you...I was planning to tell you...I do love you, I think I always will, but I don't think we're a good match to be mates. We're just too different. And it wouldn't be fair to make you wait while I recover—if I ever do—and then not have it work out. Are you okay?"
- River, pages 165-166
External links
- Sunbeam's profile on the Warriors official website (backup link)
- Exclusive! Veil of Shadows: Excerpt on the Warriors official website (Indirect mention only) (backup link)
- Nothing But Stories on the Warriors official website (Indirect mention only) (backup link)
- Exclusive! Graystripe's Vow: Excerpt on the Warriors official website (Allegiance only) (backup link)
- Exclusive! Darkness Within: Excerpt on the Warriors official website (Allegiance only) (backup link)
- Exclusive! The Place of No Stars Except on the Warriors official website (Allegiance only) (backup link)
- Exclusive! A Warrior's Choice Excerpt on the Warriors official website (Allegiance only) (backup link)
- Exclusive Title and Cover Reveal: A Starless Clan #1 on the Warriors official website (backup link)
- Exclusive! A Light in the Mist: Excerpt on the Warriors official website (Allegiance only) (backup link)
- Exclusive Title and Cover Reveal: A Starless Clan #2 on the Warriors official website (backup link)
- Exclusive! River: Excerpt on the Warriors official website (backup link)
- The journey so far: A Light in the Mist on the Warriors official website (Mentioned only) (backup link)
- New Release: River on the Warriors official website (Mentioned only) (backup link)
- Darkness to balance the light on the Warriors official website (Mentioned only) (backup link)
Fan content
- Our Favorite Sunbeam Artwork on the Warriors official website (backup link)
- River: A look at the most popular fan theories on the Warriors official website (Mentioned only) (backup link)
- Winners of the March 2022 fan challenge + new challenge announcement on the Warriors official website (backup link)
- A Starless Clan trio artwork on the Warriors official website (backup link)
- Winners of the April 2022 fan challenge + new challenge announcement on the Warriors official website (backup link)
Notes and references
- ↑ Revealed in Tigerheart's Shadow, page 410
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Revealed in Tigerheart's Shadow, page 371
- ↑ Revealed in Veil of Shadows, page 150
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Revealed in Squirrelflight's Hope, allegiances
- ↑ Revealed in Lost Stars, allegiances
- ↑ Revealed in The Raging Storm, allegiances
- ↑ Revealed on the cover of River
- ↑ Revealed in Tigerheart's Shadow, page 337
- ↑ Revealed in Tigerheart's Shadow comic
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 10.5 Revealed in Tigerheart's Shadow, page 336
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 Revealed in Shattered Sky, allegiances
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 Revealed in Night Whispers, page 241
- ↑ Revealed in Night Whispers, page 246
- ↑ Revealed in The Last Hope, page 279
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 Revealed in River of Fire, chapter 17
Author references
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Leader | Tigerstar |
Deputy | Cloverfoot |
Medicine cats | Puddleshine • Shadowsight |
Warriors | Snowbird • Tawnypelt • Scorchfur • Berryheart • Sparrowtail • Grassheart • Stonewing • Yarrowleaf • Slatefur • Whorlpelt • Snaketooth • Flowerstem • Blazefire • Gullswoop • Pouncestep • Lightleap • Spireclaw • Hollowspring • Sunbeam • Flaxfoot • Hopwhisker • Fringewhisker |
Apprentices | N/A |
Queens | Dovewing • Cinnamontail |
Kits | Rowankit • Birchkit • Firkit • Streamkit • Bloomkit • Whisperkit |
Elders | Oakfur |