Sunbeam

Sunbeam is a medium-furred brown tabby she-cat with white patches, yellow eyes, soft, glossy fur, and a fluffy tail.
Sunbeam is a ThunderClan warrior under Squirrelstar's leadership, previously a ShadowClan warrior under Tigerstar's leadership, in the lake territories. Sunkit and her brothers, Spirekit and Hollowkit, were born to Sparrowtail and Berryheart on their trek back to ShadowClan, their parents having fled the Clans during the reign of the Kin. She eventually became an apprentice named Sunpaw under the mentorship of Snaketooth and earned her Warrior name, Sunbeam. Sunbeam formed a close relationship with Blazefire since they knew each other as kits and had plans to become mates one day. However, Blazefire realized he loved Lightleap instead, breaking Sunbeam's heart. 
After the Clan leaders accepted changes to the warrior code, including cats switching Clans to be with their mates, Sunbeam came into conflict with her mother's staunch beliefs. Nightheart of ThunderClan left his Clan to be with Sunbeam after they bonded during a mission to fetch catmint, and Sunbeam later joined him in ThunderClan after he returned to his birth Clan, under Squirrelstar's new leadership. After the death of her mother and Splashtail's defeat, Sunbeam and Nightheart had a litter of kits: Goldenpaw and Shinepaw. She also mentored Moonpaw.
==History==
===A Starless Clan===
:Sunbeam is a ShadowClan warrior who aspires to be a mentor and mates with her close friend, Blazefire. However, Blazefire instead has feelings for Sunbeam's best friend, Lightleap. Heartbroken, Sunbeam's close friendship with Lightleap and Blazefire deteriorated. Meanwhile, Sunbeam grows increasingly worried about her mother Berryheart's volatile behavior towards the changes to the warrior code and Tigerstar's takeover of RiverClan when they suffer through a leadership crisis. Sunbeam and Lightleap are chosen to represent ShadowClan on a journey to find more catmint for the Clans, and Sunbeam befriends Nightheart of ThunderClan. However, she is surprised when he abruptly leaves his Clan to be with her, causing another rift to form between Sunbeam and her mother.
:Nightheart's devotion and earnest eventually win Sunbeam over as she helps him practice for his three trials conspired by Berryheart. As ShadowClan grows more divided and Nightheart realizes his Clan needs him, Sunbeam leaves ShadowClan to follow Nightheart in ThunderClan. With Nightheart gone with Frostpaw on a mission from StarClan, Sunbeam successfully completes her three trials to become a ThunderClan warrior. However, she grows increasingly concerned when Berryheart, Sparrowtail, and Hollowspring are exiled and join RiverClan under Splashtail's leadership. She, Nightheart, and Frostpaw help Mothwing, Duskfur, and Icewing escape to ShadowClan, where they are tricked and attacked by RiverClan. Berryheart's attempts to use subterfuge against Splashtail fail, and Berryheart sacrifices herself to save Sunbeam. Sunbeam grows conflicted about her mother's sacrifice. Two moons later, she and Nightheart are expecting a litter of kits.
===Super Editions===
:In Tigerheart's Shadow, Sunkit, Spirekit, and Hollowkit are born to Berryheart and Sparrowtail during their parents' exile from ShadowClan. The kits are born the night after Spiresight drowns saving Pouncekit. Fervent to return to ShadowClan after moons of being away, Tigerheart reluctantly agrees that the group should wait until the kits are strong enough to resume travel. A moon later, Berryheart agrees that her kits might be ready to resume the journey. However, an owl attacks their temporary camp, and Tigerheart saves Hollowkit. Tigerheart's wounds are fatal, though the group carries him back to the Moonpool, where he is revived as Tigerstar.
==Character pixels==
==Official art==
==Personality and traits==
:Sunbeam is dedicated, honest, a rule-follower, patient, and at times insecure. At times, she can be pessimistic, especially when she worries about the future of the Clans. Her mother instilled within Sunbeam to serve her Clan with utmost loyalty, and Sunbeam continued this passion to serve ThunderClan when she realized she was happier there. Sunbeam also had aspirations to become a mentor one day.
==Relationships==
===Berryheart===
 
:Berryheart gave birth to her second litter of kits during her self-imposed exile from ShadowClan. Berryheart was protective of her kits, wanting to make sure they were strong enough before the patrol resumed their trek. After the death of Sunbeam's older sister Needletail, Berryheart instilled within her new litter a strong commitment to serving their Clan and obeying the warrior code. Berryheart was one of the first cats to protest against the changes to the warrior code, and Sunbeam grew worried about her mother's strong opposition while joining her secret meetings. When Sunbeam discovered that Berryheart tricked Fringewhisker into giving prey to SkyClan only to accuse her of betraying the Clan, Sunbeam realized that her mother was not going to change her mind about the Clan-swappers. She decided to distance herself from her mother's meetings. When Nightheart joined the Clan to be with Sunbeam, Berryheart berated her daughter and accused her of betraying the Clan by falling in love with a ThunderClan warrior. Berryheart continued to antagonize Nightheart, though she comforted her daughter after he failed his final trial. When Sunbeam joined ThunderClan to be with Nightheart, Berryheart attempted to convince her daughter to change her mind, but Sunbeam remained firm in her decision. However, she felt hurt by her mother's sharp words. After Berryheart, Sparrowtail, and Hollowspring were exiled from ShadowClan, Sunbeam grew worried when she heard that Berryheart was injured, acknowledging that Berryheart was still her mother despite how much she hurt her daughter. To Sunbeam's horror, her mother was appointed deputy of RiverClan after Splashtail killed Harelight.
===Sparrowtail, Spireclaw, and Hollowspring===
:Sunkit and her littermates were born outside of the Clan territory and spent their first moon as loners before returning to ShadowClan. Her brother Spireclaw attempted to comfort her after Blazefire rejected Sunbeam's feelings. Spireclaw was one of the first to congratulate his sister when Nightheart joined ShadowClan to be with Sunbeam, happy that she'll finally be happy with a mate after Blazefire and Lightleap got together. Spireclaw remained friendly with Sunbeam after she joined ThunderClan, though their father Sparrowtail was bewildered by Sunbeam's decision. After Berryheart, Sparrowtail, and Hollowspring were exiled from ShadowClan, Sunbeam grew worried when she heard that Berryheart was injured and ventured to help her family with stolen herbs. To Sunbeam's horror, Berryheart, Sparrowtail, and Hollowspring joined Splashtail's RiverClan.
===Nightheart===
:Sunbeam first met Flamepaw at a Gathering when she admonished other apprentices for teasing him. At another Gathering, the two found comfort in listening to each other's worries, with Sunbeam upset about Blazefire's rejection and her mother's outspoken disapproval for Spireclaw's relationship with Fringewhisker. The two befriended each other during the journey to find more catmint, and the two bonded over their shared quarrels. Together, they stole Twoleg prey from the night carnival. Sunbeam was shocked when Nightheart abruptly joined ShadowClan to be her mate. Nightheart promised his devotion to her and vowed that it would be her decision if they became mates or stayed as friends; Sunbeam found his earnest behavior and devotion charming. She sometimes felt slightly unsure about his devotion towards her, but Sunbeam felt relieved to have someone to speak freely to about her worries about Berryheart. Sunbeam's heart broke when Nightheart purposefully failed his final trial when he realized his Clan needed him, but Sunbeam decided to join ThunderClan to be with him. While ThunderClan warmly welcomed her, Sunbeam began to briefly doubt Nightheart's loyalty when he suddenly vanished, though Squirrelstar reassured that he was on a mission from StarClan. Upon Nightheart's return to ThunderClan, the pair became mates and planned to have kits eventually in the future. Sunbeam and Nightheart are perceptive of each other's feelings, always willing to listen and help each other despite their own worries.
===Lightleap===
:Sunkit and Lightkit were also part of Tigerheart's patrol back to the Clans, and the two litters of kits played together. The two grew up together, and Lightleap became Sunbeam's best friend. However, Sunbeam grew worried about her friend's reckless behavior after Lightleap was too afraid to enter the Dark Forest. When Sunbeam told Shadowsight about how his sister's resulted in Sunbeam getting injured, Lightleap blamed Sunbeam for tattling on her. Sunbeam's frustration towards her friend grew when Lightleap and Blazefire, Sunbeam's crush, grew closer together. Sunbeam was irritated that Lightleap was chosen to join the catmint patrol, though Sunbeam felt sympathy for her friend when Rowankit died. Eventually Lightleap and Blazefire became mates, breaking Sunbeam's heart. While guarding RiverClan's camp, Lightleap and Sunbeam made amends.
===Blazefire===
:Sunkit and Blaze were also part of Tigerheart's patrol to journey back to the Clans. The two grew up together, and Sunbeam thought she loved Blazefire since they were kits. Blazefire was someone Sunbeam frequently confided with, but Blazefire politely declined her wish to become mates. Sunbeam wondered if he loved Lightleap, Sunbeam's best friend, when the two grew closer. Though Blazefire initially declined this, he and Lightleap eventually became mates. Sunbeam continued to worry for Blazefire when greencough threatened the Clans during a catmint shortage, though eventually accepted his relationship with Lightleap.
==Kin==
===Members===
Mate:
:Nightheart: 
Son:
:Goldenpaw: 
Daughter:
:Shinepaw: 
Mother:
:Berryheart: 
Father:
:Sparrowtail: 
Sister:
:Needletail: 
Brothers:
:Hollowspring: 
:Spireclaw: 
===Tree===
==Appearances==
==Trivia==
===Interesting facts===
*Sunbeam's favorite prey is shrew.
===Author statements===
*In earlier drafts of the A Starless Clan arc, Nightheart and Sunbeam were originally supposed to break up, though the Story Team was touched by their connection and faith in each other.
===Mistakes===
*Sunbeam is mistakenly called "Sunshine".
==Quotes==
==External links==
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==Notes and references==
de:Sonnenstrahl (Staffel 8)fi:Aurinkosädefr:Brin de Soleillt:Sunbeamno:Solstrålepl:Słoneczny Promieńpt-br:Raio de Solru:Солнцесветницаnl:Zonnekit
Category:She-cats
Category:Warriors
Category:ShadowClan cats
Category:ThunderClan cats
Category:The rebels
Category:Main characters
Category:Point of view characters
Category:Queens
Category:Mentors