| “ | "I'm sorry." Her mind grew hazy. "But we beat him. We destroyed Ashfur. We saved the Clans." (...) The cold that gripped her seemed at last to let her go. She closed her eyes and in her last moment felt only warmth. Only love. | „ |
| ~ Bristlefrost's thoughts in her final moments |
| “ | You haven't lost me. I'm everywhere. You only need to look for me. | „ |
| ~ The remains of Bristlefrost's spirit to Ivypool in her dreams |
Bristlefrost is one of the main three protagonists of The Broken Code, the 7th arc of the Warriors series, alongside Rootspring and Shadowsight. While she initially supports her leader despite his cruelty to "code-breakers", she soon finds out that the cat she's been serving is actually Ashfur possessing the ThunderClan leader, turning against him and ultimately sacrificing herself to stop his destruction of both the Clans and the afterlife. After her double death, Ivypool and Rootspring find that she does still exist in some form, having become part of the world around them.
Appearance[]
Bristlefrost is a fluffy, light gray she-cat with blueish-green eyes and long whiskers.
Biography[]
A Vision of Shadows[]
River of Fire[]
Along with Flipkit and Thriftkit, Bristlekit is born to Fernsong and Ivypool. Alderheart walks into the nursery to see Ivypool curled around the three newborn kittens, Fernsong sat beside her and both purring happily. Ivypool introduces her kits to the medicine cat. Alderheart leans down to check them, asking if they're feeding regularly, to which Ivypool happily responds that all three don't seem to ever stop feeding, and Fernsong comments that neither of them could be happier.
Later, when Dovewing pays a visit to her old Clanmates, Ivypool introduces her kits to their cousins Shadowkit, Lightkit and Pouncekit. Lightkit touches noses with Bristlekit, telling her that she and her siblings are small unlike the ShadowClan litter. Ivypool tells her that the kits are smaller because they're only a few days old, having just recently opened their eyes. Pouncekit says that its nice to visit family, though Ivypool bitterly gathers her own children around her when Dovewing announces that she's now living in ShadowClan.
The Raging Storm[]
As Dovewing visits ThunderClan again to check on Puddleshine, Bristlekit bounds up to her, not knowing why her mother doesn't want her talking to her aunt, and admitting that she doesn't remember their first encounter. The young she-kit is excited to know that she has kin in another Clan and Flipkit asks their mother to go see them, but Ivypool hushes them and says that cats are only loyal to the Clan they are born in, which Bristlekit points out Dovewing was not.
Later, while spending time with the elders, Bristlekit asks what the original Tigerstar was like, and Graystripe tells her that he had murdered Firestar. She fears that the current leader of ShadowClan is like him, as they share a name, but Ivypool assures her that Graystripe is just telling stories. Bristlekit retorts that Graystripe knew the first Tigerstar more than her mother did, not knowing about her past raining in the Dark Forest where his spirit resided, and Ivypool sends her to go play with her siblings.
After Alderheart returns from a trip to ShadowClan, Bristlekit runs up to him and starts to ask what the other Clan is like. Alderheart shoos her away promising to tell her later, and Ivypool brings her kits back into the nursery, worrying that they'll catch greencough from the weather. Her daughter says that warriors going on patrol don't worry about catching greencough, but listens to Ivypool anyways.
When it rains in camp, Bristlekit and her siblings excitedly splash around in the puddles. Bristlekit claims she can swim, even though the water only goes up to her paws. Ivypool says that the three of them look like drowned mice, and ushers her kittens back into the nursery to dry off.
Squirrelflight's Hope[]
Bristlepaw is now a warrior apprentice taught by Rosepetal. During a hunting trip she catches a very large rabbit and shows it off, impressing Flippaw and Thriftpaw. While bringing the injured Sister Sunrise into camp to heal her, Squirrelflight and her patrol run into Rosepetal and Bristlepaw, the latter of which is apprehensive about The Sisters. While waiting for a sign from StarClan to heal Sunrise, Bramblestar orders the gray apprentice and her mentor to repair the nursery, and later Bristlepaw insists to Alderheart that The Sisters should leave ThunderClan territory. She's later seen burying fresh-kill with Squirrelflight, Hollytuft and Flippaw after a warrior named Larksong falls ill. She's anxious when Larksong's mate Sparkpelt gets sick as well, and later attends the vigils held for the deceased tom and his son Flickerkit.
The Broken Code[]
Lost Stars[]
Forming a crush on Stemleaf, Bristlepaw hopes that he'll notice her despite her still being an apprentice. While out on a patrol, she witnesses the SkyClan apprentice Rootpaw falling through the ice on a frozen lake, diving in to save him. Rootpaw is convinced by her to recover in ThuderClan's medicine den, and Stemleaf along with Bristlepaw's siblings praise the blue-eyed apprentice for her bravery. Bramblestar has her join a patrol to inform the SkyClan leader Leafstar about what happened to Rootpaw. After Stemleaf compliments Bristlepaw on what she caught while hunting, she thinks about how the two of them will be ThunderClan's strongest duo.
Bristlepaw and Rootpaw bond as the former visits the latter in the medicine den, and the gray apprentice advises him to stay away from his bullies Turtlepaw and Kitepaw and to just focus on becoming a good warrior. Rosepetal, impressed by her student's skill, allows her to take her warrior assessment early. She wonders if it would be better for newleaf to come before taking her assessment as prey would be scarce in leafbare, but accepts taking it early anyways, wanting to prove that she's worthy. She only finds a vole that runs into WindClan territory, and while she considers chasing it, decides not to trespass. Rosepetal commends her for sticking to the warrior code by not hunting on another Clan's territory, but she still fails the assessment for not bringing back any fresh-kill. Bristlepaw laments that she'll never get to be a warrior in time to get together with Stemleaf.
Half a moon has passed, and Bristlepaw still struggles to catch any prey, though Rosepetal reassures her that every apprentice is struggling at the moment. When hearing about the medicine cats' concern as they struggle to communicate with StarClan, she states that they should be more worried about the lack of fresh-kill, to which Jayfeather scolds her for her comment. To the blind tom's surprise, Bramblestar decides to let all the apprentices go to the Gathering, deciding they need to learn more about StarClan. At the Gathering, Bristlepaw and Rootpaw run into each other, with the latter enthusiastically talking about a large crow he caught that his Clan will feast on, unknowingly annoying the ThunderClan apprentice. As thanks for rescuing him in the past, Rootpaw visits Bristlepaw and gives her a vole. Though she tries to decline his gift before awkwardly accepting it, she silently thanks him and gives the vole to the elders.
After Steamleaf teases her that Rootpaw has a crush on her, she's even more determined to pass her warrior assessment. Early in the morning, she wakes up her mentor for the assessment, this time successfully catching a mouse. Her family is excited for her, and Bramblestar holds her warrior ceremony, where she earns the name Bristlefrost. As Stemleaf congratulates her, she admits her love for him. However, Stemleaf turns her down, saying that he only considers her a good friend and that he already has feelings for Spotfur, which crushes the newly-made warrior. She sulks back into her den humiliated, and Fernsong's attempts to comfort his daughter are unsuccessful.
When Rosepetal confronts her former apprentice for moping after being so excited to become a warrior, she tells her about what happened with Stemleaf. Rosepetal sympathetically tells her that the same thing happened with her and Foxleap. She says that Bristlefrost will find someone else and to focus on using her skills for the Clan for the time being. Later, both she-cats notice Bramblestar's odd and irritable behavior while he leads a patrol with them, and carry him back to camp when he suddenly collapses. As she's leaving the medicine den as per Jayfeather's orders, she briefly hears Bramblestar describing the strange dreams he's been having before he faints again.
She and several other ThunderClan cats attempt to break the ice covering the Moonpool alongside cats of WindClan, RiverClan and SkyClan, believing that the frozen pool is what interfering with their connection to StarClan. She runs into Rootpaw yet again, and apologizes to him for her prior behavior when he gave her the vole. She admits that she doesn't feel like she's very helpful to her Clan, but Rootpaw tells her that she's one of the best warriors he knows.
After she and Snaptooth catch a rabbit together, the latter comments on how well they work together, which reminds Bristlefrost of her crush on Stemleaf. The two warriors later overhear Berrynose's and Mousewhisker's conversation concerning Bramblestar's deteriorating health. Tigerstar and Shadowpaw come by, with the ShadowClan leader stating that his son received a message from a StarClan cat that the only way to heal Bramblestar is by burying him in snow. Skeptical of Shadowpaw's plan, the other medicine cats instead decide to try giving Bramblestar borage, with Alderheart sending Bristlefrost and Spotfur to go retrieve some. The gray warrior is bothered by having to go with Spotfur, though sees what Stemleaf sees in the gray tabby when she saves her from drowning in the lake. While the two succeed in getting borage, Squirrelflight ultimately decides to go with Shadowpaw's idea instead.
After being buried under the snow as Shadowpaw had instructed, Bramblestar suffocates to death. As he takes longer than usual to come back from losing a life, the Clan assumes that he's permanently dead and mourns his loss while sharing memories of him. Bristlefrost in particular states that the proudest day of her life was when he made her a warrior. She then notices that his body is moving, and gleefully exclaims that he's still alive.
The Silent Thaw[]
Bristlefrost thinks about how she's still upset about Stemleaf's choice of Spotfur over her while cleaning the elder's den with the aforementioned she-cat and Thriftear. The other cats are wary of Bramblestar's sudden change in attitude since coming back, but Bristlefrost defends him by saying his change in behavior was from losing his first life. When asking what she can do for him, her leader designates the responsibilities of organizing patrols to her so that he may spend more time with Squirrelflight.
While on a hunting patrol, she comes up with the idea of thanking StarClan out loud for they prey so that their ancestors will be pleased with them and return. Bramblestar agrees with her and gives her the responsibility of making sure her Clanmates are following the warrior code, telling her to report to him any potential code-breaking she finds. The dark brown tabby then alters the code so that the leader and deputy may eat before the rest of the Clan, which surprises Bristlefrost, but she concludes that Bramblestar knows what he's doing and only wants the best for his Clan.
Bristlefrost reports to her leader that some of their Clanmates are feeling uneasy about the sudden changes to Clan life, while telling him that Lionblaze and Spotfur accidentally crossed into WindClan's territory while hunting. To her shock, he immediately exiles Lionblaze and orders that no cat should speak to Spotfur for a week. She catches Spotfur talking to Stemleaf about Bramblestar in secret that night, and the latter warns her that ThunderClan is in danger.
Later, she, Finleap and Molewhisker catch Rootpaw sneaking into ThunderClan's territory, and her Clanmates accuse her of meeting with the SkyClan tom in secret. Bristlefrost denies this, and Bramblestar orders she keep watch over Rootpaw. While alone, the apprentice reveals that the real Bramblestar is dead, his spirit unable to return to the living world, and that the one acting as leader is an imposter possessing his body. She doesn't believe him, but Rootpaw asks her to deliver a message to Squirrelflight from Bramblestar's spirit. The rest of ThunderClan grow suspicious of her spending so much time with a SkyClan cat, but she continues to deny having any feelings towards him. She passes Bramblestar's message onto the deputy, though the latter dismisses it. Later, now believing Rootpaw's statement to be true, Squirrelflight tries to convince Bristlefrost as well during a Gathering by bringing up Bramblestar's odd mannerisms.
When asked for her report, Bristlefrost tells Bramblestar that Sparkpelt has been bringing back less fresh-kill than usual. When the leader confronts her, the orange warrior admits she'd been searching for Lionblaze, and he sends her to fetch catnip from an abandoned twoleg house as punishment. Lionblaze returns from exile, and Bramblestar makes him, Jayfeather and Twigbranch swear an oath of loyalty to ThunderClan, which Bristlefrost finds to be a fair punishment. However, when Sparkpelt returns severely injured and says that she had to fight off a bunch of vicious dogs, Bristlefrost sees Bramblestar's cold glare at her. Realizing that he knew the dogs were there and intended to get Sparkpelt killed, Bristlefrost is forced to accept the truth that the leader is indeed an imposter.
During a secret meeting between cats suspicious of the tabby tom's attitude, Bristlefrost arrives and is accused of spying on them. However, the gray she-cat tells them that she's also concerned and reveals to them that Bramblestar has been possessed, saying that they'll need more support from the rest of ThunderClan in order to overthrow him. Agreeing that Squirrelflight is their best chance at success, Bristlefrost speaks to the Clan deputy about what's been happening, and later convinces "Bramblestar" to make her atone for codebreaking in the past so that she may speak to the other Clans. The imposter gains support from the other Clan leaders when announcing his plan to punish codebreakers more severely at the Gathering, and Bristlefrost stares in horror at Rootpaw, knowing he'll be a victim of this change. Berrynose accuses the two of codebreaking when he sees them interacting, and Bristlefrost turns down Rootpaw's affection when he admits his crush on her, with Berrynose swearing that he'll keep him from acting on his feelings.
Later, she overhears Squirrelflight arguing with the imposter, him accusing her of falsifying her atonement, and notices that the voice he speaks in is not Bramblestar's, but does not recognize who it belongs to. He accuses the ThunderClan deputy of betraying him and banishes her from the Clan, replacing her with Berrynose as the new deputy. She's shocked to see that most of the Clan agrees with this decision and is unhappy about Berrynose's new authority, but is glad that she at least doesn't have to organize patrols anymore. She regrets being so loyal to the false leader in the past and promises to never rat out another cat to him again. She pretends to agree with the possessor's new rules to the Clan when he presents them, and he tells her that he initially considered her to be his deputy instead of Berrynose, but didn't because she's too young. He then sends her to look for Squirrelflight, with the blue-eyed warrior sensing that he's worried about her by the anxious look in his eyes.
At the SkyClan border, she warns Rootpaw that the faux leader is growing suspicious of her, and expresses confusion at his worry for Squirrelflight despite treating her poorly and then banishing her. Rootpaw tells her that the former deputy is being sheltered in ShadowClan, where she told the medicine cats Puddleshine and Shadowsight that she knows who's posing as Bramblestar. Squirrelflight states that once the truth is revealed about Bramblestar's imposter, the rest of the Clans will support ShadowClan in defeating him. As Bristlefrost returns to camp, she lies to the fake leader that Squirrelflight is residing in twolegplace. Though he's satisfied with the answer, he threatens to exile her as well if he catches her lying to him, and Bristlefrost is terrified that she's no longer safe in her own Clan.
Veil of Shadows[]
After Shadowsight mysteriously disappears, Bristlefrost sees the imposter retuning to camp late in the night, with his deputy by his side and blood all over his fur. The next morning, she tells Stemleaf and Spotfur about what she saw last night, though says she doesn't know what to do, before the imposter calls a Clan meeting. He announces that he believes Shadowsight has left the Clans, and that it's a sign that StarClan approves of codebreakers being punished. He then exiles Jayfeather and Lionblaze due to them being half-Clan, but allows Twigbranch to atone when he exiles her as well. Bristlefrost catches up with the three banished cats and tells them that "Bramblestar" is possessed, before leading them to ShadowClan to take refuge.
She accompanies the imposter along with Whitewing when he goes to speak to Leafstar about punishing codebreakers. Bristlefrost notes that the imposter has begun to trust her even more and frequently tells her about his troubles with their Clanmates. When retuning home, she tells Stemleaf and Spotfur about what happened, though quickly silences herself when Thornclaw walks into the warrior's den. To cover for Finleap's angry outburst, Bristlefrost requests to speak with the imposter, where she learns that he no longer has interest in leading ThunderClan without Squirrelflight. As they head to the Gathering that night, she sees that he still misses the ex-deputy dearly as he tries desperately to pick up her scent. During said Gathering, the imposter succeeds in getting Harestar and Mistystar to exile Crowfeather and Mothwing respectively, and Bristlefrost is relived to see Stemleaf following the two to guide them to ShadowClan.
She later helps to renovate SkyClan's old camp into a refuge site for the banished cats. She announces that Bramblestar's been possessed by an imposter and has Rootpaw explain the rest. She also says that she suspects he had something to do with Shadowsight's disappearance. While she's not surprised when the refugees suggest killing him, she and Squirrelflight state that they can't do so, as killing Bramblestar's body will cause him to stay trapped as a spirit forever.
Though she values how close she can get to the imposter due to his trust in her, she's remorseful of the damage done to the rest of her Clanmates' faith in her. She's surprised when her brother Flipclaw is made into Alderheart's apprentice to replace Jayfeather after Flipclaw had a strange dream that the imposter interprets as an omen from StarClan. The imposter then tells Bristlefrost that he's been searching around the twolegplace for Squirrelflight lately to no avail, ordering her to find the orange she-cat instead and bring her back to ThunderClan. Bristlefrost tells Squirrelflight of the imposter's attempts to find her, worrying that he'll find the rebels' camp. Along with the former deputy and Mothwing, she comes up with a plan to fake Squirrelflight's death. The imposter falls for this, devastated and remorseful for banishing her.
As the false leader mourns Squirrelflight's "death", Bristlefrost attends a meeting in the rebels' camp, surprised to see their numbers growing and even more surprised to see Shadowsight alive, Rootpaw stating that he found the black tom gravely wounded. As even more of the rebels are rallying to kill the imposter, Bristlefrost promises Squirrelflight that she'll protect Bramblestar's body. After Twigbranch and Alderheart are banished, the imposter leads Bristlefrost into the forest and asks her what she thinks of their Clanmates. Before she can answer however, a group of five rebels ambush the false leader. He cries for Bristlefrost's help, and while conflicted, she remembers her promise to Squirrelflight and goes to get the help of Berrynose and his patrol. When she returns, she passes out from shock and horror when she finds Stemleaf, Conefoot and Dappleduft dead.
Bristlefrost wakes up in ThunderClan's medicine den with the memories of her Clanmates' deaths fresh in her mind. Believing that Berrynose is plotting against him for not arriving on time to help him with the rebels, the imposter exiles the cream-colored tom and appoints Bristlefrost as his new deputy. Several of the Clan cats object, as Bristlefrost has never had an apprentice before, but the imposter states that his word is the code. While meeting with the rebels, they question her loyalty for defending the imposter instead of helping them with the attack. She becomes even more isolated from the rest of ThunderClan after becoming deputy, and several cats are shocked by her new position at the next Gathering. The imposter banishes Sparkpelt when she confronts him about his tyranny, and her daughter Finchpaw decides to go with her into exile as well as Graystripe and his children, and Bristlefrost's sister Thriftear. The newly-made deputy tries to talk to the imposter afterwards, but backs off in fear when she sees him snarling at some unseen entity.
Rootspring sneaks into ThunderClan territory to confront Bristlefrost about her betrayal of the rebels to help the imposter. The gray she-cat is hurt to know that Rootspring no longer trusts her, but the yellow tom apologizes and admits that he's still in love with her. She reveals that she's fallen in love with him too, but doesn't believe that their feelings will go anywhere. Due to the upcoming battle against the imposter, Rootspring says he has a feeling things will start changing afterwards, and the pair agree that they hope they can be together one day.
Bristlefrost participates in the battle against ShadowClan alongside RiverClan and WindClan. SkyClan arrives, but they start attacking ThunderClan instead, and Bristlefrost is thankful to know that Leafstar knows the truth about what happened to Bramblestar. Not wanting to hurt her allies, she tries to stay out of the fight, dislodging Dewspring when he attacks her. She attempts to protect Bramblestar's body and tries to stop Lionblaze from killing Harestar, though is unsuccessful. Lionblaze takes one of the WindClan leader's lives, and as Harestar revives, he yowls that StarClan has told him that Bramblestar is possessed. At once the remaining Clans turn against the imposter, and Tigerstar fights him head on. Ultimately the ShadowClan leader wins and incapacitates the imposter, with Bristlefrost and Squirrelflight having to stop him from killing the faux leader. The imposter is taken back to ShadowClan as a prisoner, and Bristlefrost is horrified to find that Rosepetal and Berrynose were killed in the fight. Squirrelflight steps up as ThunderClan's temporary leader, appointing Lionblaze as deputy. She tells Bristlefrost that though she's a capable warrior with a bright future ahead of her, she's not yet ready for the responsibility of being deputy, which Bristlefrost accepts.
Darkness Within[]
Squirrelflight says that the imposter possessing Bramblestar's body is most likely Ashfur, a StarClan cat who previously sought revenge on her for choosing Bramblestar over him. Bristlefrost recalls hearing stories about the aforementioned tom, finding it hard to believe that a cat would betray their own Clanmates like that. She asks Squirrelflight why the imposter's identity matters and wonders if Ashfur is working alone, to which the orange she-cat requests to speak with her in private, and Bristlefrost worries that she's accidentally offended her. Squirrelflight instead elaborates on how Ashfur was obsessed with her in life, even going so far as to try and kill her father and later her adoptive children to make her suffer for breaking up with him. She then states her belief that her plan to get Ashfur to reveal his identity, though reckless, will work. Once the imposter's true identity is revealed, ThunderClan mourns those he's killed, with Bristlefrost comforting Spotfur over the death of her mate. She feels guilty about getting over her past crush on Stemleaf, and asks Rootspring if he's done the same with his infatuation of her. Rootspring admits that he still has feeling for her, and comforts her as she worries about her Clan's future.
Bristlefrost is later woken from a nap by Lionblaze's and Thornclaw's argument. The two toms are debating whether or not Squirrelflight is a true leader, with Thornclaw arguing that Lionblaze is only supporting her because he's the deputy and her son. Along with several of her Clanmates, the young gray she-cat concludes that Thornclaw is only fighting with Lionblaze because he's jealous of him for being picked to be deputy, though she also finds herself agreeing with the older warrior's observation that the succession of ThunderClan's leadership has been sticking to Firestar's descendants, thinking that the position should be going to the Clan's strongest warriors. Bristlefrost is relieved when Squirrelflight returns from a patrol and breaks the argument up, and supports her belief that the real Bramblestar will soon return. However, she's shocked when Graystripe, Thornclaw, Flywhisker, Snaptooth, and even her brother Flipclaw decide to leave the Clan in search of the Moonstone from the forest territories in hopes of reaching StarClan that way. Squirrelflight gives the group a month to make their decision, and Bristlefrost worriedly asks if they'll come back, to which Squirrelflight just tells her that she doesn't have the time to reassure her and to just focus on being a loyal warrior for the time being.
When Rootspring and his father Tree learn that StarClan is in trouble, Bristlefrost is sent with the former alongside Needleclaw and Spotfur to find The Sisters and get their help. She's at first excited to get to venture out of Clan territory, but quickly notices and is taken aback by Rootspring's distance. The SkyClan tom tells the rest of the group that Tree advised they look for a kittypet named Pancakes who knows The Sisters, and they search the twoleg neighborhood for him. After being chased by a dog, they encounter Pancakes' children Eggs and Bacon, who tell them about a tom named Leaf who is the son of Moonlight, a deceased member of The Sisters. As night comes, the four cats settle in, with Bristlefrost and Rootspring guarding the other two, much to Needleclaw's annoyance. Bristlefrost has a hard time holding in her feelings for the yellow warrior, thinking about how much he's grown since they first met as apprentices. They spend the night together as the tom comforts her about her brother's departure from the Clans.
While out hunting the next morning, Bristlefrost and Rootspring talk about ThunderClan's stability after Bramblestar's possession, and the latter wonders if the blue-eyed cat will ever leave her Clan. She insists that she'll never leave her Clanmates, though internally is not sure of the statement herself. They're interrupted by Spotfur's screams of terror as a hawk attempts to carry her away, and along with Needleclaw they rescue her, though Bristlefrost is horrified when Spotfur briefly tries to cling onto the bird. While trying to comfort her, Spotfur snaps that she's not pleased to have to raise kits without her mate at her side, and Bristlefrost tells her that she'll help raise them.
The four cats eventually find The Sisters, and explain the situation with Ashfur. After the spirit of Moonlight encourages them to do so, The Sisters agree to assist. Upon hearing that Spotfur is pregnant, The Sisters congratulate her on her soon-to-be-born kits, putting on a celebration that the other Clan cats join in on, and Bristlefrost is happy to see that the spotted gray she-cat is much calmer now. She later shares fresh-kill with Rootspring, but brushes his tail away when Sunrise remarks how close the two are. The two insist that they're just friends, and Needleclaw adds that the warrior code prohibits cats from becoming mates with those outside their Clan. When Spotfur points out that both Dovewing and Finleap left their original Clans for Tigerstar and Twigbranch, Bristlefrost says that they were very brave for following their hearts, though both her and Rootspring agree that they shouldn't leave the Clans they were born in.
As the group arrives back in Clan territory with The Sisters in tow, Bristlefrost runs ahead to bring Squirrelflight to SkyClan. She arrives to see the she-cat she was looking for scolding Lionblaze for trying to kill Ashfur, though many cats argue that he's better off dead. Hoping that The Sisters will be able to summon Bramblestar's spirit, as well as the spirits of al the cats who've died recently, Squirrelflight follows Bristlefrost into SkyClan's camp. The Sisters ask for Rootspring's help in the summoning process, and the yellow tom is reassured by Bristlefrost's presence. However, once the spirits are summoned, they're crying out in fear and agony, and Bristlefrost comforts a shaken Rootspring after the event.
As The Sisters depart, Sunrise advises Rootspring to not let go of Bristlefrost, and taking her advice he bounds up to her and professes his love. Bristlefrost reciprocates, but then the two start debating whether or not they should leave their Clan for the other. The ThunderClan warrior doesn't want to leave her Clanmates behind while they need her more than ever, and the SkyClan tom says that he'll have to think his decision over, which she respects. Meanwhile, Squirrelflight's Clanmates are pressuring her to give up on saving Bramblestar's body and just kill Ashfur while they have the chance, and Squirrelflight says that she'll consult the other Clan leaders about what to do. During a Gathering, the other Clans, including ThunderClan, all agree to kill Ashfur. Bristlefrost and Rootspring follow a distraught Squirrelflight as she races to ShadowClan camp where he's being help prisoner. On they way there, Bristlefrost tells Rootspring that she intends to stay in ThunderClan, which he accepts. They then convince Squirrelflight that Ashfur, along with Bramblestar's body, is dead, comforting her when it seems the other Clan leaders have killed him. They follow Squirrelflight as she sadly goes to the Moonpool to gain nine lives, with Bristlefrost wishing the yellow tom to be careful.
The Place of No Stars[]
Pacing anxiously around the camp as Lionblaze and several others head to ShadowClan to kill Ashfur, Bristlefrost worries about what will happen now that Bramblestar appears to be gone for good. However, Flipclaw suddenly returns from his journey, telling his sister about meeting the Tribe of Rushing Water in the mountains and how Snaptooth and Flywhisker have left Clan life to become kittypets while Graystripe is visiting the Moonstone in the old forest. Lionblaze then returns as well, reporting that Ashfur has escaped with Shadowsight's help and that Squirrelflight has gone missing. Standing in as leader, Lionblaze organizes a patrol to go to ShadowClan and interrogate Shadowsight, with Bristlefrost volunteering to go. However, just as the patrol is about to leave Rootspring arrives and tells them that Ashfur has kidnapped Squirrelflight and dragged her into the Moonpool, and the Clan leaders agree to meet the medicine cats there.
With Harestar's permission, Lionblaze sends Bristlefrost to WindClan to get Kestrelflight. Breezepelt, Crouchfoot and Songpaw attempt to stop her, but when she explains the situation, they take her to WindClan's camp. There, the deputy Crowfeather permits her to take Kestrelflight to the Moonpool, going with them. At the Moonpool, the leaders investigate the area while the medicine cats try to speak to StarClan, though neither yields any results. Mistystar, Mothwing and Willowshine attempt to swim in its waters to enter the Dark Forest, but that is also unsuccessful. Shadowsight volunteers to enter the Dark Forest through his dreams, though the Clans send Willowshine to do so instead, and the RiverClan medicine cat is killed during her attempt.
Back in ThunderClan, Lionblaze has Bristlefrost tell the rest of the Clan what happened at the Moonpool, and that dreaming into the Dark Forest was Shadowsight's idea. After Lionblaze accidentally admits that he had tried to kill Shadowsight earlier, the Clan argues whether or not Lionblaze should be leader with Squirrelflight and Bramblestar gone. While Bristlefrost grows concerned about ThunderClan being destroyed from inside out all over again, Graystripe returns from his journey to the Moonstone. She notes that he looks much younger and more authoritative he seemed before he left as he tells her what happened while he was in the old territories. He then beings to reign in the Clan with calmness and start organizing patrols, and Bristlefrost suggests that he should be leader while Squirrelflight and Bramblestar are gone. Jayfeather and Lionblaze agree, and the fluffy gray tom accepts her offer. He then asks Bristlefrost to share prey with him in the leaders den so they can discuss what's been happening.
Later, Bristlefrost goes to the Moonpool with Graystripe, Leafstar, Rootspring and Tree, where they find Mothwing and Shadowsight, the latter asleep. Mothwing explains that Shadowsight has accessed the Dark Forest in his dreams. The cats wait for the other leaders to arrive before doing anything, when suddenly Rootspring is dragged into the Moonpool by the brainwashed spirit of Willowshine. Bristlefrost dives in to try and save him, but starts to drown and is rescued by Mothwing. The Sisters arrive to help, having been brought by Leafstar, and Bristlefrost convinces Tigerstar to let them help. While seeing the ShadowClan leader share an affectionate glace with Dovewing, she wonders if she and Rootspring could do that one day.
That night, Bristlefrost talks to Tree about his son, with Tree saying that he knows how much the two care for each other and worries Rootspring will leave SkyClan to be with her. Bristlefrost tells him that neither of them are leaving their Clans and that they know they can't be together, and Tree comments that they must really love each other then. He asks Bristlefrost what ThunderClan means to her, and she responds that her Clan is like her family. When asked if she's ever though about leaving one day, she insists that she could never. Though while hunting, she wonders if she could should ThunderClan change into someplace she no longer recognizes. She suddenly has the urge to hear Rootspring's voice, and tries to get Mothwing to teach her how to enter the Dark Forest in her dreams. The RiverClan medicine cat is still too overcome with grief following the death of Willowshine, however.
That night, Bristlefrost dreams of Rootspring joining ThunderClan to be with her, but suddenly wakes up in the Dark Forest after subconsciously harnessing her dark thoughts. There, she witnesses Squirrelflight and Ashfur, the latter still possessing Bramblestar, about to fight each other. Shadowsight attempts to intervene by attacking Ashfur, but the gray tom simply swipes him away. Ashfur then notices Bristlefrost and says that he can see her, calling her "his faithful warrior". She locks eyes with Shadowsight, before abruptly waking up near the Moonpool. Shadowsight wakes too, yowling from the pain of the wounds Ashfur inflicted on him.
As Mothwing is examining his injuries, she tells him that she went to the Dark Forest in search of Rootspring. She wishes to go back, refusing to believe he could be captured or dead. Shadowsight also wants to return to save Bramblestar and Squirrelflight, but their parents won't allow them to go back in. Bristlefrost tries to convince her mother to teach her how to dream into the Dark Forest, but remembering her own experiences in the Place of No Stars, Ivypool adamantly refuses. She then scolds her daughter for falling in love with a SkyClan cat, even as she insists that they'll remain loyal to their own Clans, though secretly isn't sure about her words. At last, Ivypool gives in and tells Bristlefrost that she was able to go to the Dark Forest because of her jealousy towards her sister Dovewing. Bristlefrost also asks for Shadowsight's assistance, but he warns that being there for too long corrupts a cat. He then suggests speaking to The Sisters to find if there's a way to be in the Dark Forest without becoming corrupted.
Before the ritual to send Bristlefrost and Shadowsight to the Place of No Stars begins, Bramblestar and Squirrelflight emerge from the waters of the Moonpool. Though every cat is delighted to have them back, Rootspring is not with them, so the ThunderClan warrior and ShadowClan medicine cat proceed with entering the Dark Forest to search for him. They lie down next to the Moonpool and are put into a trance, where they wake up at their destination and begin their search. The two quickly find Rootspring being jeered at by several brainwashed spirits including Stemleaf as he's locked in battle with Snowtuft.
A Light in the Mist[]
Bristlefrost runs into the battle to save Rootspring as Shadowsight distracts Ashfur by announcing that Squirrelflight will never love him again, loosening his grip on the captured spirits. As Ashfur orders his Dark Forest followers to re-capture the spirits, Bristlefrost is able to save Stemleaf from Mapleshade before Ashfur regains control over him. Bristlefrost, Rootspring and Shadowsight are able to escape due to the rebelling Snowtuft distracting Ashfur. The trio then meet up with Stemleaf and Spiresight, and Shadowsight leads them to a path to StarClan. Surprised to see excessive amount of dark water expanding throughout the Dark Forest, Rootspring warns them that sinking into it will kill both a cat's body and spirit almost instantly. Willowshine joins them, informing them that Ashfur snapped Snowtuft's neck while they were escaping, causing him to fade away. She then takes them to the border between StarClan and the Dark Forest, which is being blocked off by a wall of near-impenetrable brambles. As Bristlefrost informs Stemleaf that Spotfur is expecting their kits, his resulting happiness loosens the brambles slightly. The cats then realize that positive emotions can destroy the barrier. Their hope looses the branches a bit more, and Leafpool appears on the other side, where Bristlefrost tells her about what's been happening. Leafpool tells them that StarClan is starting to disappear from being cut off to both the Dark Forest and the living world, as all three need each other to survive. Hearing approaching pawsteps, the group splits up with Shadowsight, who is designated to return to the living world and gather more cats to fight Ashfur and his forces.
Bristlefrost happens across the Dark Forest spirits Redwillow, Sparrowfeather and Maggottail, overhearing their concerns about the flooding dark water and questioning Ashfur's promises of returning to the living world via possession. The three then spot her and give chase, eventually catching up and pinning the ThunderClan warrior down. Rather than harming her however, they attempt to posses her by shoving their faces into her body. Their attempt fails, much to Bristlefrost's amusement, and she then explains that Ashfur lied to them about being able to posses living cats, as such a thing can only happen to leaders with multiple lives. She then reveals to them that Ashfur's meddling is the reason their home is flooding, and they quickly turn against him. As she and the three spirits arrive at the barrier, she inspires her new allies by telling them that they can help save their home from Ashfur. This hope loosens the brambles even more, and the StarClan cat Needletail is able to fit through the hole onto the other side.
Rootspring telepathically sends a message to Bristlefrost that Ashfur will be arriving soon, and when he and his brainwashed spirits attack, the gray she-cat is happy to see Maggottail, Redwillow and Sparrowfeather fighting alongside her. However, as Redwillow is about to kill the controlled Rosepetal, she suddenly recalls the threat of fading away if they die in this fight, and has everyone retreat. As they flee, Bristlefrost, Maggottail and Sparrowfeather all narrowly avoid falling into the dark water, but Redwillow runs too fast to avoid it and falls in, his spirit fading away into nothing. Needletail leads them up a tree to hide in, and the four of them are able to capture the brainwashed spirits of Berrynose, Willowshine and Stemleaf. As Ashfur searches elsewhere, his grip on the three aforementioned cats' minds begins to faulter. Rootspring then reunites with the group alongside Silverhawk, another Dark Forest cat rebelling against Ashfur, and Bristlefrost is overjoyed to see the yellow tom alive. Rootspring explains how Firestar briefly possessed him to fight Darkstripe before they all return to the bramble barrier. More of the brambles have loosened, allowing Firestar, Silverstream, Larksong, Redtail, Onestar and Feathertail to all pass through. Bristlefrost happily informs Larksong that his mate Sparkpelt and children Finchpaw and Flamepaw are doing well. The blue-eyed warrior is also in awe of meeting Firestar, who remarks that Rootspring thinks of her very often.
In the living world, Shadowsight gathers Graystripe, Mistystar, Lightleap, Crowfeather and Violetshine to enter the Dark Forest, though Lightleap backs out due to fear. After several happy reunions once the living cat enter, Firestar leads the group to higher ground in search of Ashfur. Bristlefrost wonders if Violetshine will mind if she walks next to her son, but is delighted when the older she-cat speaks fondly to her. At a large expanse of dark water, Bristlefrost comes up with the idea to dig up the nearby tree's roots and then push the trees into the water to use as a bridge. Her plan works, and the others commend her for her courage. They soon find Ashfur talking to himself in in a clearing alone and surround him. Ashfur is happy to see them however, and several of his followers, including the spirit of the former Kin leader Darktail, step out of the bushes. Bristlefrost and Rootspring fight side-by-side, working vey well together as they do so. Rootspring tells her that once this is all over, he's going to join ThunderClan to be with her.
Shadowsight falls out of a tree and an unknown tabby tom tries to push him into the dark water, but Bristlefrost saves him just in time. Ashfur attempts to control the black tom's mind and get him to kill his cousin, since once she's dead, Rootspring will be too distraught to continue fighting and the malicious gray tom will have a better chance at winning. Shadowsight is able to resists his control though, and while fighting the tabby tom from before, Bristlefrost sees Ashfur dragging the medicine cat's body towards the dark water. She kills her opponent and races toward Ashfur to stop him, but Antfur, Mapleshade and Thistleclaw interfere, and she's only able to call Shadowsight's name in a panic. Rootspring and Violetshine help free her, and she locks eyes with the former, regretting that she has so much to tell him that she'll never be able to due to what she's about to do. She charges at Ashfur, tacking him and sending the both of them plunging into the dark water. As Ashfur's spirit fades away, Bristlefrost gets visions of what her life could've been like with Rootspring, seeing them start a family and grow old together as she sinks deeper and deeper. She concludes that these things must have been what happened in another life. She thinks about her regret for never getting to live through those moments but happy that she was able to save the Clans. As her spirit fades away, she is overcome with feeling of warmth and love in her final moments.
Rootspring tries to dive in and save her, but Violetshine stops him. He then tries to listen to her spirit, but realizes with agony that she's gone forever. He thinks about the life they could've shared together, but reminds himself that Bristlefrost would've wanted him to be the best warrior he can be. Mistystar later tells Bristlefrost's mother about what happened to her, and Ivypool is in disbelief that her daughter is gone, recalling that Bristlefrost's body was right beside her one moment and gone the moment she looked back. At the next Gathering, Bramblestar thanks those who saved him and honors Bristlefrost's sacrifice, giving her and the others who fought against Ashfur that day the title of "Lights in the Mist".
As the warrior code is being changed, Rootspring suggests that cats who wish to change Clans may do so, citing the reason being that if he could've moved to ThunderClan, he and Bristlefrost would've been able to be together while she was still around instead of spending the whole time worrying about the code. During the vigil of those who died due to Ashfur's terror, Fernsong asks The Sisters if they can summon his daughter's spirit. While knowing that she's gone, Rootspring tries to summon Bristlefrost anyways, but only finds the visions that Bristlefrost herself saw in her last moments. While going back to SkyClan, Rootspring resolves that Bristlefrost will never truly be gone as long as he carries her memory, and his grief at last begins to fade.
Ivypool's Heart[]
Ivypool and Rootspring start meeting up at night to share in their grief for Bristlefrost's death. When the two go on an adventure together alongside Dovewing, Whistlepaw and Icewing to retore the memory of the long=forgotten StormClan, they happen upon a group of wildcats who they can communicate with. When learning of her daughter's death, one of the wildcats, Claw Stretch, offers Ivypool her sympathies, and says that the wildcats believe that faded spirits don't really disappear, as they become part of the world around them. Claw Stretch then tells her to try reaching out to Bristlefrost and sensing her presence, which the Clan cat tries, despite doubting it will work. To her astonishment though, she then sees a patch of sky the same color of Bristlefrost's eyes, and detects her daughter's scent faintly on the wind. Ivypool then wonders if the wildcats are right about the faded, and her kit is sending her a sign.
After helping the wildcats and restoring StormClan's memeory, the group starts heading back for the lake, though while resting one night, Ivypool has a dream of witnessing Bristlefrost fighting Ashfur and his forces. She rushes to help her daughter, when the Dark Forest suddenly dissapears and she finds herself standing by the lake during a peaceful sunset. The remains of Bristlefrost's spirit then appears and presses her cheek to her mother's, with Ivypool, feeling her heart breaking all over again, lamenting that she's missed her and can't stand losing her. Bristlefrost replies that she hasn't lost her, as she's everywhere, and her mother only needs to look for her. As she wakes from the dream, the lake vanishes, with her kit's loving eyes being the last thing she sees before she wakes with Bristlefrost's faint scent still on her cheek.
Ivypool then learns that Rootspring had the same dream, and they conclude that spirits lingering after they fade as the wildcats said must be true, bringing the two comfort. They then see a majestic white stag emerging from the undergrowth on the other side of a nearby stream. The stag drinks from the stream, then lifts its head to look at the two cats, having the same calm look in its eyes Bristlefrost had at the end of the dream. The two stare at it in awe before it walks away, and realize it was a sign from Bristlefrost that she still exists in some form, making the two feel lighter as they finally overcome their grief. They head back to the lake, knowing Bristlefrost is watching over them always.
Trivia[]
- She is the second main-series protagonist to die while still being a POV character, with the first being Gray Wing.
- Author Kate Cary believes that Bristlefrost would've been a good leader if given the chance.
- Bristlefrost is one of several cats to be made deputy despite not having been a mentor.
External Links[]
- Bristlefrost on the Warriors Wiki
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