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| “ | You're no longer RiverClan. You can't speak for us. I am the new medicine cat for RiverClan. | „ |
| ~ Podlight denying Frostpaw's accusations about Splashtail |
Podlight is a major antagonist in A Starless Clan arc from Erin Hunter's Warriors book series.
He is brother of Curlfeather and a warrior of RiverClan. Following the medicine cat apprentice Frostpaw's supposed death, he becomes the new medicine cat of the Clan, and soon after installs Splashtail as the new leader with a false sign from StarClan. Podlight is surprised when Splashtail turns into a tyrant, but remains loyal out of a desire for a stable and strong RiverClan. After Splashtail's death, Podlight remains in RiverClan and is seen helping repair their camp, though the other cats work away from him.
Appearance[]
Podlight is a stocky tom with gray-and-white fur.
Biography[]
A Starless Clan[]
River[]
Podlight goes on a hunting patrol with Splashtail, Curlfeather, Fognose, and RiverClan's deputy, Reedwhisker. During this patrol, Splashtail and Reedwhisker separate from the group, where the former kills the latter for Curlfeather. Once the patrol returns to camp, Podlight and Fognose are surprised to find the deputy is not there, with Curlfeather and Splashtail feigning surprise as well, the group explaining that they thought Reedwhisker had gone back to camp without them. All four of them are also shocked to discover that RiverClan's leader, Mistystar, had died while they were away.
The Clan's medicine cat Mothwing sends Podlight and several other warriors out to search for Reedwhisker so the deputy may take Mistystar's place as leader. When they do not find him though, Podlight is confident that he will come back on his own soon enough, and when the Clan argues over who should lead until then, he volunteers and is then challenged by Mallownose. Podlight suggests that Mothwing and her apprentice, Frostpaw, lead for the time being, which the Clan agrees upon after the apprentice finds a star-shaped leaf in the medicine den. Once Reedwhisker is found dead at the bottom of a ravine, Podlight's sister is chosen as the new leader, but Splashtail kills her with a pack of dogs on her way to the Moonpool.
Sky[]
After Frostpaw chooses Owlnose to lead the Clan, he takes Podlight, Splashtail, Sneezecloud, Brackenpelt, and Mallownose out hunting. During the hunt, the riverbank collapses, with Podlight and Brackenpelt falling in, and the rest of the patrol saves them. A little while later, as Owlnose panics about unknowingly endangering his Clanmates, Podlight and Sneezecloud escort him to the medicine den so Mothwing can help him.
Shadow[]
When asking Owlnose why he hadn't received nine lives from StarClan before Tigerstar, the leader of ShadowClan, had taken them over, Podlight is informed that he stepped down as leader, knowing he wasn't fit for the responsibility. Later, Podlight expresses his anger towards Tigerstar for taking over RiverClan, and believes the brown tabby is treating them like kits by having his deputy Cloverfoot supervise them. When Frostpaw decides to switch from being a medicine cat apprentice to a warrior apprentice, Tigerstar holds a ceremony for her, but Podlight protests that RiverClan ceremonies should only be held by their leader.
Thunder[]
After Frostpaw is presumed dead, Podlight announces that he has become a medicine cat of RiverClan at a following Gathering, claiming to have been visited by the Clan's founder, Riverstar, in his dreams. Soon after, he announces that Splashtail is now the leader of RiverClan, claiming once more that StarClan had sent the gray-and-white tom a sign to choose him. While watching the Gathering in secret alongside Nightheart, Waffle, and Wasp, Frostpaw recalls that Podlight is Curlfeather's brother and wonders if he's in on the plan she had created that Splashtail is now continuing.
Wind[]
At the Gathering where Splashtail announces his leadership, cats of the other Clans are suspicious of Podlight being a medicine cat, since he was previously a warrior. Mothwing defends him, pointing out that she and her mentor Mudfur were both warriors before becoming medicine cats. Frostpaw, Nightheart, Wasp, and Waffle then interrupt the Gathering. The young gray she-cat states to all the Clans that Splashtail is a fraud, explaining his plan to kill Curlfeather and take power, which Riverstar had revealed to her.
The Clans don't believe her though, as she had admitted to having false visions before, and Duskfur retorts that Podlight has brought stability to RiverClan by finally giving them a new leader. Splashtail banishes Frostpaw soon after, and when discussing what to do with Waffle and Wasp, the two explain that they're from the Cats of the Park. Frostpaw adds that she and Nightheart learned so much from the Park Cats, to which Podlight says they should've stayed with them instead of returning to the Clans. This angers Frostpaw, who has been betrayed by her own family three times between him, Duskfur, and Curlfeather. Later, Frostpaw—now seeking refuge in ShadowClan—meets up with Mothwing in secret. There, the golden tabby tells her that she knows Spalshtail is evil, but can't risk leaving RiverClan without a proper medicine cat, as Podlight isn't even listening to anything she's trying to teach him.
Later still, during a medicine cat meeting at the Moonpool, Frostpaw notes that both Mothwing and Podlight are absent. This disappoints her, as she wanted to see what the gray-and-white tom would do in a meeting with real medicine cats, and she wonders if neither of them showed up because they don't receive messages from StarClan. Once the meeting is about to start, the SkyClan medicine cat Frecklewish asks if they should wait for Podlight, since it'll be his first meeting, with Puddleshine of ShadowClan adding that he wants to know if he's taken Splashtail to receive his nine lives yet. The two RiverClan cats arrive right after, making Frostpaw anxious that Podlight may try to make her leave. Jayfeather of ThunderClan questions Podlight's legitimacy as a medicine cat, pointing out how he'd suddenly started having visions, one of which was to choose a cat who'd wanted to be leader the most. Fellow ThunderClan medicine cat Alderheart then politely invites him to share what his visions were about, to which he describes two incidents where he had supposedly had prophetic dreams.
The other cats, aside from Frostpaw, believe this, with even the gray she-cat silently admitting that it does sound convincing. Wanting to save face, Mothwing supports Podlight's legitimacy, to which he contemptibly remarks that Frostpaw is the only one having false visions. She's taken aback by this, expecting him to have been more soft on her now that she wasn't as much of a threat. She retorts that her delegitimacy as a medicine cat in the past was due to Curlfeather's manipulation, but now no one's manipulating her. In response, Podlight blames her for getting manipulated, saying she's responsible for the poor decisions she made in the past. Frostpaw refutes that Riverstar had come to her while she was with the Cats of the Park, and had shown her that Splashtail killed Reedwhisker, but Mothwing denies this, lying that Splashtail had been chosen by StarClan and wouldn't murder someone. Puddleshine asks if he's sure Splashtail is the right cat, and the RiverClan medicine cat asserts that he is, claiming that Frostpaw has been making up visions and causing trouble in RiverClan since Mistystar's death. When Alderheart asks why she'd do that, Podlight concludes that she must not know what's real anymore, faking sympathy as he describes her difficult life. He then claims that Curlfeather was the one to kill Reedwhisker, not Splashtail.
The medicine cats then decide to move on from the matter, and Mothwing presents Podlight as her new apprentice to StarClan, though the ancestors remain silent. Right before the medicine cats share dreams with StarClan, Puddleshine advises the newly-made apprentice to get Splashtail to the Moonpool for his leadership ceremony as soon as possible, with Jayfeather adding that they'll assume he's a false leader if he doesn't, with Podlight snarling that he will. The medicine cats then visit StarClan in their dreams, where Frostpaw receives an omen about a storm over RiverClan, with the river disappearing into the ground. When they all wake, they share what they saw and who they spoke to in their dreams, with Podlight making up a vision of standing in RiverClan with the sun shining and all of his Clanmates well-fed.
Forstpaw then shares her own vision, but Podlight dismisses it, though Alderheart replies that they should be taking it seriously. They discuss what it could mean, and Kestrelflight of WindClan says he doesn't doubt it's real, but that StarClan hasn't rejected Podlight yet, and they may accept Splashtail too. They then all agree to wait until StarClan sends a sign as to who RiverClan's true medicine cat is, and the meeting ends.
Much later, Forstpaw and Puddleshine spy on Podlight and Splashtail heading to the Moonpool, noting that the gray-and-white tom looks much more anxious compared to the confident young leader, glancing around frequently. The medicine cat remarks that Splashtail's newborn siblings came at the right time, as now Mothwing will be too busy taking care of them to join the two. Splashtail asks if he's sure they aren't being followed, adding that Duskfur and Icewing seemed suspicious of them, and he wouldn't be surprised if they followed to make sure they were actually going to the Moonpool. Podlight concurs that they could've shared a vole instead of having to go all the way to the Moonpool if it wasn't for those two, but when asked, says he's certain they didn't follow. Splashtail then asks how long they should stay there, and the medicine cat replies that it should be long enough to be believable.
Frostpaw realizes they have no intent of actually having Splashtail receive nine lives from StarClan, and Podlight doesn't even know how the ceremony is supposed to work. The older tom says it will be a relief when the Clan accepts Splashtail as leader and RiverClan will be safe from Tigerstar's meddling, but the brown tabby retorts that ShadowClan can't be trusted, especially now that Frostpaw is living with them, and it will only be a matter of time before they try to invade again. Looking around, Podlight wishes that he knew what was supposed to happen once they got to the Moonpool, with Splashtail replying that only leaders and medicine cats know, adding that it'll make lying about the ceremony easier.
He then suggests they see StarClan cats, to which Podlight suggests the Clan's previous leaders, Mistystar and Leopardstar, would show up, adding that Frostpaw says she saw Riverstar. Splashtail reminds him that they don't listen to Frostpaw, and he apologizes. Splashtail then muses that Reedwhisker could appear, saying he could kill him all over again, and the medicine cat wonders if leaders have to fight nine StarClan spirits to receive their lives. Splashtail denies that cats like Leafstar or Harestar could do that, so Podlight instead suggests hunting nine mice, and the brown tabby jokes that he could easily eat nine mice after the trek they took.
Splashtail then concludes that it doesn't matter what happens in a leadership ceremony, because he won't listen to anything dead cats have to tell him anyways. Podlight nods, and Frostpaw wonders if he's trying to appear calmer than he is, rejecting StarClan at the Moonpool. The medicine cat then asks what would happen if StarClan sent a sign for a proper leader, to which Splashtail says they'll pretend to have just wanted to bring stability to the Clan until said leader was revealed, then try their plan again later. He adds that he doubts StarClan will choose a new leader after he's already gotten the support of the Clan, and that they can't care much for the Clan's wellbeing if they put it in Frostpaw's paws, to which both of them laugh. Riverstar then appears from the Moonpool, and while Frostpaw and Puddleshine can see him, both Podlight and Splashtail are oblivious, even after the founder jumps over their heads.
At the next Gathering, Tigerstar greets Splashtail, and Podlight lies that his name is Splashstar now. Puddleshine then announces that Frostpaw and him had seen Riverstar when Podlight had not, he and Tigerstar now fully convinced that the gray-and-white tom and his leader are frauds, though the cats of RiverClan don't believe this. Later, Mothwing, Duskfur, and Icewing all secretly leave RiverClan, meaning that Podlight is the only medicine cat in RiverClan.
Star[]
To be added
Relationships[]
Family[]
- Duskfur (mother)
- Curlfeather (sister)
- Frostdawn (niece)
- Graysky (nephew)
- Mistpool (niece)
Allies[]
- Splashtail (formerly)
Quotes[]
| “ | Podlight: I've always had strange dreams, but I didn't realize they were special. […] I had my first real vision when I was fishing. It wasn't long ago. That's when I knew it was a real connection. Riverstar, the founder of RiverClan, appeared. He told me that the time had come to make RiverClan strong again—as formidable as it had been when he was leader. […] He told me the Clan must be as powerful as the river it was named for. […] Harestar: Did Riverstar tell you who your leader should be? Podlight: Yes. Riverstar was very sure about who should be the next leader of RiverClan. And I agree with him. In fact, I'm surprised no cat has thought of them before. Riverstar's choice is the obvious choice, as far as I'm concerned, and I think you will all agree. Our next leader will be . . . Splashtail. |
„ |
| ~ Podlight claiming to have visions and announcing Splashtail's leadership |
| “ | Mothwing: So you see, our warrior ancestors are speaking to Podlight. Podlight: They are. She is the only RiverClan medicine cat who's had false visons. Frostpaw: To begin with, I was manipulated by my mother. No cat is manipulating me now. Podlight: You're responsible for your own decisions. Just like any cat. And you have made some very bad ones. Frostpaw: Really? Then what do you think about this? I had a vision where Riverstar, the first leader of our Clan, came to speak with me. And he showed me how Reedwhisker died. Splashtail killed him! […] My visions are real! Mothwing: Nonsense. Splashtail wouldn't murder a cat. He's been chosen by StarClan. Fidgetflake: Podlight, are you sure that Splashtail is the right leader for RiverClan? Podlight: I am. Frostpaw has to be inventing these visions. She's done that before, don't forget. Remember how much trouble she caused in RiverClan after Mistystar died. Alderheart: Why would Frostpaw do that? Podlight: I don't know. I'm not even sure she knows she's lying. The poor cat has certainly been through a lot in her young life, witnessing her mother's death, living in exile . . . Maybe Frostpaw just doesn't know what is real anymore. It's true that a cat did terrible things in pursuit of the leadership of RiverClan, but that wasn't Splashtail. I'm sad to say it was my littermate, Curlfeather. How she became a ruthless killer, we'll never know. |
„ |
| ~ Podlight gaslighting the other medicine cats about Frostpaw |
| “ | Tigerstar: Greetings, Splashtail. Podlight: Splashstar. He has received his nine lives and is now leader of RiverClan. RiverClan's troubles are finally over. |
„ |
| ~ Podlight claiming that "Splashstar" has gained nine lives |
| “ | Podlight: If ShadowClan hadn't interfered with RiverClan in the first place, Splashstar would never have gotten so riled up. Why couldn't you just leave us alone? Splashstar would have had the chance to calm down. Things would never have gotten so bad. | „ |
| ~ Podlight to Sunbeam about why RiverClan has invaded and occupied ShadowClan |
| “ | Hawkwing: No one will be allowed to harm RiverClan. Our plan is to preserve it. It is one of the Clans. The five Clans must carry on. Podlight: 'Preserve'? The Clans want to march into RiverClan and tell us what to do just like Tigerstar did before. You want to control us. Haven't we suffered enough humiliation? Hawkwing: It's not us you should be fighting. It's Splashtail. Podlight: Never! RiverClan will never crouch at the paws of the other Clans again! We are stronger than any of you. We'll crush any cat that threatens us. Hawkwing: Can't you see we're trying to help you? Podlight: Help? The Clans have driven us to this. If they'd left us alone, none of this would have happened. We will never back down again! We'll make you sorry you tried to destroy us! You've brought this on yourselves. |
„ |
| ~ Podlight's conversation and fight with Hawkwing after the Clans retake ShadowClan |
Trivia[]
- He is the seventh cat to become a medicine cat after already becoming a full warrior, with the other six being Hawkheart, Yellowfang, Mudfur, Littlecloud, Mothwing, and Flipclaw.
- Author Kate Cary has stated that she likes the idea of Reedwhisker being the father of Podlight and Curlfeather.
- He is the first medicine cat in the series to play a villainous role.
External links[]
Podlight on the Warriors Wiki
