Tumble Leap

"The longer this quest takes, the more time I’ll have to set myself straight...and try to figure out how to move on in a world without Bristlefrost." This article contains major spoilers for the recently released book, Ivypool's Heart. Please proceed at your own discretion.

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We respect you, too. Even though we're called wildcats, it's been a long time since we've lived in the wild like you Clan cats do. To be honest, we feel unnerved being out here without walls to protect us and Twolegs to feed us.

— Tumble Leap to the Clan cats in Ivypool's Heart, chapter 21

Tumble Leap
The pixel artwork is fanart based on the canon description; undefined traits are left to the artist's interpretation.
Affiliations
Current:	The wildcats
Names
Kit:	Unknown
Kin
Mate:	Stalk Purr
Daughter:	Stretch Blink
Sons:	Pounce Whisper, Hunt Leap
Kits:	Two unnamed litters
Book appearances
Living	Ivypool's Heart
Living	Ivypool's Heart

Tumble Leap is a tabby wildcat tom.

History

In the Super Editions arc

Ivypool's Heart

"Life is hard for us out in the wild. Twolegs have destroyed so much of our home, it was becoming impossible to find prey. Cats soon began leaving in the hope that they would find a place where the prey was running better. They said if they found somewhere, they would come back for the rest of us, but they never did. At least here we don't have to worry about hunting for food."

―Tumble Leap about their former life in the wild ^{Ivypool's Heart, chapter 15}

Tumble Leap is a wildcat who is in the captivity of Twolegs together with his mate, Stalk Purr and a variety of other animals. The questing cats find them inside of a Twoleg den, and Stalk Purr reveals that she and Tumble Leap have had two litters of kits, none of whom survived, and will have a third. Tumble Leap explains that Twolegs destroyed much of their former home, and other cats left to find a better place, but they never came back for him and Stalk Purr. When Whistlepaw draws StormClan's symbol, Tumble Leap is shocked, and Stalk Purr reveals that their group came from StormClan. When Whistlepaw asks if they know where the Star Tree is, which is where wildcats commune with their ancestors, Tumble Leap and his mate look dejected and reply that they do not know. He explains how he once lived in a large group that functioned like a Clan, and their elders went to speak with their ancestors at the Star Tree; he had been there once as a kit. The questing cats later ask if the wildcats can join them on their quest, but they refuse, as their Twoleg is terrible but still keeps them alive. The Twoleg soon comes, and Tumble Leap tells the cats to leave, as it is feeding time.

Later, when the questing cats find themselves in the place of the wildcats' ancestors, Galestar tells them to help Stalk Purr and Tumble Leap, as their kin helped her. Icewing says that they do not seem to want to be freed, but Galestar states that they will not refuse once they find out that the Twolegs will take their kits. When the questing cats return to where Tumble Leap and Stalk Purr live, the tom is surprised to see them. The two wildcats are incredulous that the cats spoke to their ancestors, and when Ivypool tells them that the Twolegs will take their kits, Tumble Leap is solemn. Ivypool continues that there are more of their kin living nearby, and that they could live in a Clan again. He grows hopeful at this, and the two wildcats agree to join the questing cats, and they devise an escape plan.

Two sunrises later, the cats prepare to free the two wildcats. When the Twoleg opens the cage door, and Tumble Leap and Stalk Purr attack the Twoleg. When the cats escape and must leap up a wall, he is uncertain if he can jump that high. The Clan cats encourage them, and the wildcats make the jump in one graceful leap. They continue running towards the sun-drown-water. Tumble Leap and Stalk Purr later find fresh water, and the Clan cats are impressed. He says that these instincts are deeply ingrained in them, and his mate adds that they are taught to honor the natural spirits. Rootspring says that he has a lot of respect for the wildcats, and Tumble Leap replies that he also respects the Clan cats. The cats hunt, and Tumble Leap says that they need to thank the spirits for their prey. They talk companionably as they eat, and the Clan cats tell them about Galestar. Tumble Leap states that some wildcats tried to look for the Clans once, but to no avail, resulting in them believing that the Clans were just stories. He thanks the spirits of nature for bringing the wildcats and the Clans together while Whistlepaw thanks StarClan.

When the cats arrive at a Thunderpath and a monster comes with no warning, Tumble Leap asks Rootspring if he knew it was coming. The tom explains how he can see ghosts, and Tumble Leap is surprised and curious. They escape from Twolegs, and right afterward, Stalk Purr's kits start to come. Tumble Leap is anxious at how much pain his mate is in, but Icewing assures him that even healthy births hurt. When their first kit comes that night, Tumble Leap's eyes shine, and he names the tom-kit Hunt. The second kit, Stretch, then comes, but the third kit is motionless. Whistlepaw gently grasps the kit and swings them, and they soon let out a squeak. Both wildcats are stunned and joyful. The next day, Tumble Leap and Stalk Purr sit together, beaming over their new kits. He tells the Clan cats that they will present their kits to their ancestors, as wildcat kits are only given their first name by their parents, while the other hald is decided by their ancestors. Later that day, they decide to send two cats to go find more wildcats, and Tumble Leap volunteers, but Ivypool says that he should stay. He wishes Ivypool and Icewing luck when they depart.

After the two cats find the wildcats and return with Strike Slash, Wish Stalk, Claw Stretch, and Prowl Sleek, Tumble Leap and the other cats are relaxing outside of the cave. The wildcats introduce themselves to Tumble Leap and Stalk Purr, and they are glad to meet each other. When Dovewing asks if they have mentors, the wildcats explain that every cat is assigned to one of their ancestors, who come to the kit. When they enter the place of their ancestors, Prowl Sleek tells them that Tumble Leap, Stalk Purr, and their kits are joining them. The three kits are given ancestors to guide them, and Purr Roll and Leap Growl then step up. They explain that they once watched over Tumble Leap and Stalk Purr, and will now watch over them again. As the spirit cats fade, he and Stalk Purr thank the Clan cats for freeing them from captivity and giving them a true home. They bid farewell to each other, and the two wildcats join their kin.

Kin

Members

Mate:

Stalk Purr: Living (As of Ivypool's Heart)

Sons:

Pounce Whisper: Living (As of Ivypool's Heart)

Hunt Leap: Living (As of Ivypool's Heart)

Daughter:

Stretch Blink: Living (As of Ivypool's Heart)

Kits:

Two unnamed litters: Deceased, residence unknown

Tree

Tumble Leap ♂

Stalk Purr ♀

Two unnamed litters

Hunt Leap ♂

Stretch Blink ♀

Pounce Whisper ♂

    = Tom

    = She-cat

    = Gender unknown

Appearances

• Ivypool's Heart (First appearance)

Quotes

"A Clan? Like when we were younger, Stalk Purr. We could raise our kits as we were raised. They could be guided by elders, and learn everything that we once knew about how to live best."

―Tumble Leap to Stalk Purr ^{Ivypool's Heart, chapter 19}

"We need to give thanks to the air spirits for the gift of this seagull and the small bird, and we'll thank the water spirits for giving us the fish and shell creatures, and even that blob thing."

―Tumble Leap about thanking the spirits ^{Ivypool's Heart, chapter 21}

Tumble Leap: "Good luck! I just hope that I can take care of the kits properly while you're away. I've wanted to be a father for so long—but will I be any good at it?"

Ivypool: "Of course you will. You are already! You adore those kits, and they adore you. And Dovewing is an experienced mother who will be able to help."

^{Ivypool's Heart, chapter 25}

Stalk Purr: "We are so grateful for everything you have done for us."

Tumble Leap: "Yes. We can't imagine still being held captive by that Twoleg, and how unbearable it would have been to lose our kits. At first we just hoped to have a litter of healthy kits. We didn't dare expect more."

^{Ivypool's Heart, chapter 33}

External links

• Ivypool's Heart activity sheet on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Mentioned only)

Notes and references