Rereading Into the Wild and once again being struck by how…odd, I guess, the Firestar x Spottedleaf ship is, writing-wise.
It just feels like it was never properly developed, as if some major character scene got cut from the story at some point. Yes, there are some subtle hints that Firepaw has a bit of a crush, and he is understandably upset when Spottedleaf is killed…but none of it is anywhere near the nigh-obsessive infatuation referenced in later books, particularly Firestar’s Quest. And I’ll keep looking as I continue the reread, but so far I’ve found Zero hints that Spottedleaf returned Firepaw’s feelings while alive. The whole mutual yearning idea seems more retconned in by later books than something that was properly present from the beginning.
idk, I just feel like even a short scene where Lionheart or Whitestorm pulls Firepaw aside and are like “hey I’ve noticed you making eyes at Spottedleaf; you need to know that medicine cats can’t take mates” and having Firepaw internally wrestle with that for just a little bit would’ve worked wonders if the authors wanted to go with this ship. I think it would also make Spottedleaf’s death shortly after more complex and impactful. On the one hand Firepaw no longer has to struggle with overcoming a potential forbidden romance and the issues that come with it, but on the other hand his grief is more raw and intense. but i digress ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
…….oh and speaking of weird Warriors ships, Gray Wing is one of my favorite DotC characters but man every time he goes off on how he “loved Storm too” it’s just like bruuhhhhh no you didn’t lol. You barely knew her. You weren’t “in love” with her, you just thought she was hot smh lol
[Image Description: A digital drawing of Spottedleaf from the Warrior Cats books. Spottedleaf is a round tortoiseshell with light orange eyes. She is dark gray with red and cream spots. On her face is a cream spot shaped like a leaf. On either side of her eyes are three small star-shaped markings, three in cream and three in red. She is sitting with “Spottedleaf” written in light orange above her tail. End Description.]
“You have never been wrong before, Spottedleaf. If StarClan has spoken, then it must be so. Fire will save our Clan.”
Spottedleaf is a dark tortoiseshell-and-white she-cat with amber eyes.
Did a challenge made by @jayie-the-hufflepuff ! This was super fun. I think I’ll do the challenge for the other arcs in the future when I’m im the mood :)
Firestar - The OG boy! The one that started everything so many years ago! I have always had such a soft spot in my heart for Firestar, being able to watch his adventure unfold from an outcast to one of the most respected cats in all of the clans, as a little girl. I’ve always loved Firestar- I think one of my favorite scenes is when he sits with Yellowfang when she’s dying and tells her about every good memory they have together. I love the idea of him going from this little tiny kit to this just massive, stronk cat. I could never imagine him as a tabby, so I love his Abyssian designs!! I bet when he purrs it’s REALLY OBNOXIOUSLY LOUD
Graystripe- It has been so long since I have read a Warriors book that I haven’t been able to keep up on Graystripe, other than he had his own book and it was really good ;; I always loved how loyal of a friend he was towards Firestar, but I distinctly remember being incredibly frustrated with him when I was first reading through the series and his romance with Silverstream, followed by his subsequent bouncing between clans. Now I don’t mind it, but when I was little, I was MAD. I also like that he was able to settle back down as he got older with Millie- I really like that it showed he could love again and was able to move on while still honoring Silverstream.
Ravenpaw- I haven’t read Ravenpaw’s story yet, either- but I love this boy! Big ears are a must. Very nervous boy! One of my top 10 favorite characters- I love how even though he was afraid, he came back to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Firestar against BloodClan. I don’t really have too much to say about him- dark kitty, white patch on chest! Loved his brother Dustpelt so much but never felt as good as him.
Tigerstar- A horrible man- disgusting! But his character was already really interesting to me, and the characterization that Cushfuddled made with him was spot on- I love!! I love the concept that he legitimately thought that taking over ThunderClan was in their best interest and he was honestly convinced that he was doing the right thing. Big cat, maybe Maine Coon or Norweigan Forest cat? Just BIG AND LARGE. His design pulls a lot of inspiration for Nifty-senpai’s design for Tigerstar!
Spottedleaf- Man, I was never really a fan of Spottedleaf and I absolutely HATE FirexSpotted. I feel like it was more of a tiny crush on Firepaw’s end like “ooh she’s pretty! uwu” but nothing more than that. I really hate the writing on how that was dragged out into him loving her forever. I mean, when he joined the clan, she was literally old enough to be his mother? I just… don’t like it. Design wise- she is small and has round-shapes Her ears are small and round, compared to Redtail’s, that are large and have tufts. While Redtail’s design is much more simple, Spottedleaf’s is much busier (based on my favorite design for her by cityswarriorkitties on Tumblr). I honestly love in Twin Shadows (by Cushfuddled) SandxSpotted ;; I love it so, so much
Bluestar- Bluestar is the worst. 10/10, dislike. I love my design for her, but just in general dislike her character a ton. I could do a complete character analysis for her as to why I dislike her, but I think my main reason is by naming Brightpaw ‘Lostface’. Even if she was mentally struggling at the time (which I think we have all been there!), she, someone who holds the HIGHEST power and respect in the clan, took our her anger on a CHILD (a literal CHILD) by naming her 'Lostface’. You cannot take our your anger on a literal child. Imagine if a teacher- no, the principal- went to school and was having a really hard time with everything in life, and took a child who was just HORRIBLY misfigured and would be for the rest of her life- and named her LOSTFACE. Not even that, a Warrior name is almost sacred to Warrior cats- it is their entire identity. It’s just cruel, disgusting, and I could never forgive her after that fact.
