Wafflepelt

Wafflepelt is a little marbled gray-and-brown tabby tom with green eyes. 
Wafflepelt is a ThunderClan warrior under Squirrelstar's leadership in the lake territories. Born a kittypet, Waffle was tossed into the river by his Twolegs as a kit, but his life was saved by the Cats of the Park. Waffle befriended the visiting Clan cats, Nightheart and Frostpaw, and decided to join RiverClan along with his friend, Wasp. However, due to Splashtail's control of RiverClan, the two were forced to stay in ThunderClan. Pledging his loyalty to ThunderClan, Waffle received the apprentice name Wafflepaw with Nightheart as his mentor. After completing his training, he earned the name Wafflepelt.
==History==
===In the A Starless Clan arc===
====Thunder====
:Waffle is a young member of the Cats of the Park. When Nightheart and Frostpaw arrive, Waffle is curious about warriors and asks who Riverstar is. He introduces himself, Firefly, and Chalk, and helps Bee teach Frostpaw how to meditate. A quarter-moon later, Waffle, Wasp, Molly, and Nightheart invite Frostpaw to play a game of find-the-shell to ease her stress, and soon Waffle introduces her to Lark's kits, Weevil and Peg.
:Waffle, Nightheart, and Rook work together to ambush a rat, but Waffle scares it away after being distracted by a bird. Nightheart asks Waffle to imagine he has a Clan to feed, but Waffle brings up their access to Twoleg food, and Rook snaps that cats cannot rely on Twolegs. She explains that Waffle's Twolegs threw him in the river when he was a kit, and she and Scruff had to tear him out of the bag. Waffle and Rook groom Frostpaw after she comes to terms with Splashtail's attempt to kill her, and Waffle explains that park cats share tongues to show others they are safe and welcome. Moreover, he assures Frostpaw that she is special and urges her not to listen to those who say otherwise. The group return to their hunt and Waffle quickly improves.
:Waffle asks Nightheart to teach him and Wasp the fighting techniques he showed Weevil and Peg, pointing out that they may encounter hostile rogues like in Riverstar's day, and Nightheart agrees. Later, Frostpaw mentions Waffle when she tells Nightheart that the park cats have taught her what to look for in a leader of RiverClan. Moreover, as Frostpaw prepares to speak to Riverstar about the truth he withheld from her, she reminds herself of Waffle's kind words.
:When Nightheart and Frostpaw announce they are returning home, Waffle and Wasp ask to join them. Nightheart worries that their absence will threaten the park's safety, but Scruff reassures him. Waffle tells them about the quickest way through Twolegplace and a safe way across the river, and upon their arrival at the lake, the group makes their way to the Gathering. Together, they eavesdrop on the news of Splashtail's ascension as leader of RiverClan. Waffle doubts the truth of Podlight's dream, noticing that the Riverstar he described does not sound like the Riverstar the park knows, and questions why Podlight would make it up.
====Wind====
:After Splashtail banishes Frostpaw, Waffle and Wasp's eagerness to join RiverClan wavers. At Nightheart's request, Squirrelstar allows them to stay in ThunderClan as guests. Squirrelstar gives them one moon to decide if they will join and assigns Nightheart to hunt for them. Nightheart suggests they learn about ThunderClan's history, intriguing Waffle. Some days later, Nightheart takes Waffle and Wasp into the territory to hunt with Sunbeam and Finchlight. Waffle scents a squirrel and Nightheart thanks StarClan after catching it, teaching Waffle and Wasp this part of the the warrior code. Waffle wonders what RiverClan prey is like, and as the patrol returns to camp, the park cats chat about how they enjoyed the lesson.
:Soon after, Nightheart leads the toms to the elders' den for stories. Waffle learns about the Dark Forest, Tigerstar, the Great Battle, the old forest, the journey to Midnight, and the Great Journey. Nightheart tells Sunbeam that while Waffle and Wasp loved the stories, they are still desperate to see RiverClan. Later, Nightheart recalls that Waffle, Wasp, and Sunbeam were with him on a long, successful hunting patrol. When Squirrelstar summons Nightheart to accompany her to ShadowClan in order to speak with Frostpaw, Nightheart tells Waffle and Wasp that he will be gone a while. Waffle assures him that they will be fine and Nightheart greets them when he returns.
:On a dawn patrol, Nightheart recognizes that Waffle has begun to feel more at home in ThunderClan, as he has been sleeping well and visiting the elders at every opportunity. Noticing Nightheart's aloofness, Waffle presses if something is wrong, to which Nightheart admits that Sunbeam is missing. Waffle consoles him and remarks that warrior life seems very complicated. Nightheart retorts that as a park cat, there were still dangers, and Waffle begrudgingly agrees. Waffle suggests that Sunbeam may be back by the time they return to camp. However, they are interrupted by Crowfeather, who brings Sunbeam back from WindClan territory. When they arrive back in camp, Tigerstar demands a meeting with Squirrelstar. Nightheart begs Waffle to tell Sunbeam he has no choice but to go. During the meeting, Jayfeather catches Waffle and Wasp eavesdropping. Without flinching, Waffle explains that they heard this was about Frostpaw, calling her a true friend and no a liar. After the meeting, Squirrelstar lets Waffle and Wasp go without punishment, but urges them not to be caught sneaking around again.
:At the next Gathering, Waffle excitedly affirms his intention to join ThunderClan while Wasp announces he will return to the park. The next morning, Squirrelstar calls a Clan meeting to hold an apprentice ceremony for Graykit, Stemkit, Bristlekit, and Waffle, who is renamed Wafflepaw with Nightheart as his mentor. Wafflepaw and Nightheart join Graypaw, Bristlepaw, and their mentors, Bayshine and Finchlight, for their first training session. Wafflepaw wishes that Wasp were joining them, but Wasp assures Wafflepaw that he will make a great warrior. He correctly identifies a stale fox scent and responds that if it were fresh, he would return to camp to report to the Clan leader. Testing the apprentices' composure, the mentors launch a surprise attack. While the younger apprentices panic, Wafflepaw collapses with laughter and reports that they learned the power of surprise.
:When a storm approaches, Wafflepaw and his fellow apprentices stash prey from the fresh-kill pile within clefts of the cliff face. Afterward, they join Nightheart and Sunbeam in gathering bramble tendrils to secure the loose branches in the camp. Nightheart takes Wafflepaw and Bristlepaw and the group successfully collect enough to fortify the elders' den. In the aftermath of the storm, Sunbeam remarks that Wafflepaw is doing well as he directs the other apprentices to clean debris from the camp. Nightheart asks him where Wasp is and Wafflepaw admits that he left the day prior to try to join RiverClan, having asked Wafflepaw to come too. Nightheart questions if Wafflepaw had tresspassed on RiverClan territory, to which Wafflepaw is slightly indignant, affirming that he is loyal to ThunderClan. Nightheart apologizes for being away when Wafflepaw needed him. Terrified for Wasp, Nightheart reasons that if he is lucky, RiverClan will just throw him out. When Squirrelstar learns, she believes there is no way to rescue him, forgiving Wafflepaw but denying his request to search for Wasp.
:To take his mind off of Wasp, Nightheart asks Wafflepaw to join the other apprentices for a training session. While training, they spot Sneezecloud and Gorseclaw leaving ThunderClan and assume they had brought Wasp. Rushing back to camp, Wafflepaw asks if Wasp is all right and is distraught by his wounds. Squirrelstar tells Wafflepaw it is time to say goodbye. Wasp explains that it was his decision to leave, but Wafflepaw urges that he stay a few days to recover. Once Wasp's wounds are cleared, Wafflepaw gathers alongside the rest of the Clan to bid him farewell.
====Star====
:Wafflepaw goes on a morning hunting patrol with Nightheart, Flipclaw, Myrtlebloom, and Eaglewing. Nightheart reflects that he had neglected Wafflepaw during the Clan's efforts to defeat Splashtail, and he resolves to be a better mentor. His apprentice eagerly asks if they can patrol again soon, and Nightheart agrees. Wafflepaw scampers off to join the other apprentices. 
===In the Changing Skies arc===
====The Elders' Quest====
:He is now a warrior named Wafflepelt. 
==Character pixels==
==Official art==
==Ceremonies==
==Personality and traits==
:Wafflepelt is an honest, smart, playful, caring, brave, curious, and eager cat. He is quick on his paws, highly attentive, and is fascinated by Clan life, quickly becoming popular in ThunderClan due to his enthusiasm. Wafflepelt excels as a member of ThunderClan, finding satisfaction in difficult work and staying tactful in times of conflict.
==Relationships==
===Rook, Scruff, and the Cats of the Park===
:As a kit, Waffle was rescued by Scruff and Rook who took on familial roles for him; the stoic Rook showed her soft side with Waffle, licking his cheek and assuring him he was safe. Moreover, when Waffle prepared to leave the park, Scruff walked to Waffle's side and ran his tail across his spine, encouraging Waffle that if he was sure of his choice, he should go. Compared to the Clan cats, Waffle believed park cats have little prestige, referring to them as "just park cats," whom no one had ever wanted to talk to before. He had never heard of Riverstar, suggesting he is less versed in park tradition. Reflecting on their different values, Waffle admitted that while he loves being a warrior, Clan life is more complicated, as no park cat was told where they could and could not go. Waffle aided Bee in teaching Frostpaw meditation; however, it is unknown whether Wafflepelt continues to follow this park custom after joining ThunderClan.
===Wasp===
:Wasp is Wafflepelt's friend and fellow park cat. When trouble in RiverClan forced them to shelter in ThunderClan, Waffle was quick to indulge in ThunderClan's stories, but Wasp was nervous and struggled to engage. Despite this, Wasp enjoyed hunting lessons with Waffle and the two were always together, sharing tongues and lying in sunlight with their heads together. Wafflepaw failed to change his friend's mind about joining RiverClan, but his concern for Wasp led him to accompany him to the lake. Wafflepaw was horrified when he learned the danger Wasp was in and begged to be allowed to look for him. When he discovered Wasp was wounded by RiverClan warriors, Wafflepaw rushed toward him and pressed up against his side, begging Squirrelstar not to send him away. However, Wasp insisted on going, pressing his nose into Wafflepaw's fur as Wafflepaw choked out a goodbye.
===Nightheart===
:Wafflepaw was glad that Nightheart, the first warrior he met, was made his mentor. At the park, Waffle was amazed by Nightheart's coolness and aspired to be like him. His admiration was not one-sided; even before leaving the park Nightheart was impressed by how quickly Waffle learned and almost forgot he was not a Clan cat. When Waffle and Wasp sheltered in ThunderClan, Nightheart realized he had grown fond of them and hoped they would stay. He was disappointed at Waffle's continued talk of RiverClan and slyly brought him to the elders to hear stories of ThunderClan. Soon, he and Waffle grew closer, so much so that Waffle correctly identified that Nightheart was feeling depressed, and Nightheart was willing to confide in him. When Nightheart began Wafflepaw's training, he felt warm with pride in his apprentice and took care to plan for one-on-one time without the younger apprentices. Moreover, Nightheart placed great emphasis being a good mentor, blaming himself for being away when Wafflepaw needed him. Likewise, Wafflepaw felt crushed with guilt for concealing Wasp's plan to go to RiverClan from him. Nightheart advocated for Wafflepaw when he begged to be allowed to search for Wasp, offering to go alongside him. 
===Frostdawn===
:Wafflepelt and Frostdawn share a dear friendship, with Wafflepelt considering her a true friend and Frostdawn praising him as honest and smart. Waffle met Frostpaw during a difficult time in her life, as she arrived at the park soon after her near-death at the paws of Splashtail. Frostpaw accepted Waffle's offer to learn meditation, but stayed isolated from him and the others for several days. When she returned, Waffle was hesitant until she expressed interest in playing with them. From them on, Frostpaw spent more time with Waffle, and he introduced her to Weevil and Peg. When Frostpaw confided in her friends about Splashtail, Waffle groomed her to ease her pain and Frostpaw remembered his kind words to steady herself before facing the truth of her mother's betrayal. Though Waffle intended to join Frostpaw's Clan, RiverClan's ill treatment of her at the Gathering led him to reconsider. Frostpaw encouraged Waffle that ThunderClan would treat him and Wasp well and Waffle bade her goodbye, assuring her that Riverstar would take care of her. His trust in her and interest in her well-being led Wafflepaw to eavesdrop on a meeting between Squirrelstar and Tigerstar despite the risk of punishment, during which he stood up for her as no liar.
==Appearances==
==Trivia==
===Interesting facts===
*On March 7, 2023, fans were invited to submit apprentice name suggestions for a new character to be featured in this book.Revealed on the Warriors Instagram The final choices were Bubblepaw, Basilpaw, Biscuitpaw, Jinxpaw, Pumpkinpaw, Luckypaw, Copperpaw, Picklepaw, Bagelpaw, Wafflepaw, Pepperpaw, Cricketpaw, Buddypaw, Scooterpaw, Sophiepaw, Beanspaw, Figpaw, Sproutpaw, Pixiepaw, and Mollypaw,Revealed on We asked you to nominate your pet to be featured in Thunder, and here is the shortlist of real names. Vote for your favorite! poll on the Warriors official website and Wafflepaw was the winner.Revealed on the Warriors Instagram Revealed in the results for We asked you to nominate your pet to be featured in Thunder, and here is the shortlist of real names. Vote for your favorite! poll on the Warriors official website 
*Wafflepelt's real life inspiration comes from Basil Kat's real life cat named Waffles. He is a brown tabby tom with green eyes, and here is his official reference.Revealed on Basil Kat's Instagram 
===Mistakes===
*He is mistakenly referred to as female.
==Quotes==
==External links==
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===Fan content===
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==Notes and references==
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Category:Characters
Category:Warriors
Category:Toms
Category:ThunderClan cats