Runningflame

* Official image
* Portrait
* Official art
* Life image

**Runningflame** is a ginger-and-white tom tom with green eyes.

## History

Runningkit is born to Amberstep and Flamestripe with his sister, Squirrelkit. He gets along with the other kits in the nursery, especially Ripplekit, who he play-fights with often. One day, the two are playing when Ripplekit accidentally knocks Runningkit into the stream around the island. Runningkit pulls himself out but is not mad at Ripplekit. However, the next day, he falls ill and is forced to stay in Starlingfern's den to recover, but his illness just gets worse. Ripplekit is ridden with guilt, but Runningkit makes a miraculous recovery and he is able to be apprenticed the same time as his denmates.
He receives the loyal warrior Mintfeather as a mentor, who learns to cope with his energy and his wildness. He trains often with Ripplepaw, and the two are made warriors after excelling in a training session. Dapplewing and Shimmerwing, cats they trained with but were made warriors sooner, welcome them warmly. Runningflame joins in an attack against the WindClan patrol, and helps Dapplewing with her empty-fort strategy when the WindClan cats try to assault their camp. When the camp floods, Runningflame assists with the evacuation and they shelter on the marsh.
Runningflame is hunting one day when he hears news that his father, Flamestripe, is being cornered by a patrol of rogues. Runningflame takes a patrol with Shimmerwing, Rippleheart, and a few other cats and approaches the patrol. Runningflame realizes that he only has one choice if he wants to destroy the patrol - to attack, even at the cost of Flamestripe's life. Shimmerwing and Rippleheart try to talk him out of it, but Runningflame gives the order to attack, and in the chaos, Flamestripe is killed. Runningflame is accused of causing the death of his own father and is held prisoner in his camp for a few days before Otterstar declares him not responsible. Many of his Clanmates still accuse him of being responsible, including his mother, Amberstep, and his sister, Squirreltail.
While out on patrol, he, Amberstep, Marshfoot, and Dapplewing are encountered by dogs, and the four cats try to fight them off, but Amberstep is killed in the battle. Squirreltail accuses Runningflame of not doing enough to protect her, and Runningflame blames himself. He sits vigil with Amberstep and hopes that she can one day forgive him.
His friend, Dapplewing, becomes the leader of RiverClan with the name Dapplestar, and Runningflame faithfully serves her, accepting her arrival of the new apprentice Shellpaw into RiverClan without any question, and joining her attack on Cash in the gorge. He is grateful when Cash is defeated, and feels like he finally avenged his father. When Dapplestar invades WindClan and is cornered by Talonstar and Scorchstar, Runningflame helps Shellpaw and Shimmerwing lead the rear guard while Rippleheart escorts Dapplestar back to the camp. Runningflame joins her second attack on WindClan with the help of ThunderClan and engages in a particularly fierce duel with the WindClan warrior Russetstripe.
WindClan is forced to shelter on RiverClan land while their home is ravaged by a fire. Runningflame takes the WindClan warrior, Russetstripe, out, in order to distract her from her worries under the guise of a rematch from their previous battle. He takes her swimming along the waterfall, racing, and near the greenleaf Twolegplace. A mutual respect that kindles to a deep friendship develops between the two, and Runningflame asks her to meet him again. Russetstripe agrees, and he brings her to the Twolegplace where the two cats watch a fireworks show. Just as they get back to Clan territory, Russetstripe tells him that it is wrong they are meeting. Runningflame says that he will leave her alone if that is what she wants, but Russetstripe tells him to meet her on the island again. Runningflame is confused for a moment, but quickly agrees.
He is patrolling the ShadowClan border with Shimmerwing and Redfern when Talonstar and his Clanmmates accidentally drive a fox into their territory. The fox kills Redfern, and Runningflame is infuriated, since Redfern had been his apprentice. He attacks the fox and kills it, and joins Shimmerwing to report to Dapplestar. Dapplestar decides to attack ShadowClan, and when Rainbreeze reports that their patrol was cornered, Runningflame joins Dapplestar in being the relief patrol. They defeat ShadowClan, and Runningflame feels as if he avenged his apprentice.
Runningflame is the cat who finds a dead rogue in their territory and reports it to Dapplestar and Shimmerwing. The two she-cats follow his scent marks and find two kits, which they give to Grayripple to nurse. Runningflame is immediately fond of the kits, who are named Sunkit and Moonkit. When it is time for them to be apprenticed, Dapplestar gives Moonpaw to Runningflame. Later on, Moonpaw is kidnapped by two ShadowClan warriors, but Runningflame and Shimmerwing rescue him successfully from their camp.
When Shimmerwing is taken hostage by Peartuft and his rogues, Runningflame joins Dapplestar in rescuing them. He vouches for the killing of Peartuft and his rogues until Shellfall begs Dapplestar to spare them. Runningflame adamantly disagrees with the decision, but Dapplestar allows them to live and serve her as her vassals. The next day, when Peartuft requests reinforcements, Runningflame joins Dapplestar to travel to their camp, and he sees that Peartuft has taken four cats hostage. One of them is Russetstripe, and Runningflame is terrified to see her condition. His hatred for Peartuft grows and he realizes there is nothing he can do at that moment. He meets Blackdove later on and asks her if she can take him to see Russetstripe. Blackdove agrees, and just as Runningflame is traveling through the tunnels to follow her, he sees Shimmerwing. Shimmerwing asks what he is doing, and Runningflame replies that he is seeing Russetstripe because he loves her. Shimmerwing is visibly hurt, and asks if she can come to keep Runningflame safe. He says yes, and the three cats travel through the tunnel into WindClan's camp.
Blackdove leads Runningflame out of the tunnel but Shimmerwing stays behind. Runningflame sits next to Russetstripe's withered, comatose body, and whispers his goodbye to her as he declares his unconditional love. Just as Blackdove waits for him to be finished, Runningflame hears a cat approaching them, and Blackdove recognizes her as Briarsnow. She pins Briarsnow down, but the attention Briarsnow has brought is already rampaging through camp, and Scorchstar, Wildheart, Harewhisker, and Brambledusk come to see what's going on. Scorchstar hisses at Runningflame and blames him for Russetstripe's condition, and orders him to leave and never come back. Runningflame agrees and leaves the camp with Brambledusk as his escort. Runningflame asks Brambledusk to take care of Russetstripe in her last moments, and tells him to take care of himself. He leaves and travels back to his camp.
Mistsong and her friends start a rebellion against Dapplestar, and they imprison Runningflame and Rippleheart in the elders' den. Runningflame is furious and tries to attack Mistsong and the others, but Rippleheart warns him not to, saying that if he does, he will just prove Mistsong right. Runningflame stays with Rippleheart and Shimmerwing in the den until Shellfall arrives with reinforcements. The camp turns into an uproar as Rowanshade presides punishment over the cats, but he is stopped when Dapplestar arrives in camp. She announces that she is still alive and ends the rebellion by killing Mistsong and her followers.
Petalpaw is found dead on ShadowClan's border, and Dapplestar decides to burn ShadowClan's territory to the ground to punish them for their actions. Runningflame disagrees with Dapplestar's actions but has no choice but to go along with her orders. He stays on the front lines and watches as ShadowClan burns in front of him, and is horrified when Dapplestar leaves the forest with Talonstar's head in her jaws. Russetstripe meets Runningflame on the island and asks him what happened to ShadowClan. Runningflame tells her it had to happen even though he disagreed with his leader's actions, and tells her they cannot meet anymore, to keep her safe. Russetstripe is heartbroken and asks him for one last night together, which he agrees. In the morning, he leaves her.
Later on, Dapplestar suggests burning WindClan to the ground, and this time, Runningflame vocally advocates against it. Dapplestar is furious at his insubordination and tells him that if he does not attack, he will be punished. She orders her apprentice, Icepaw, to watch him during the battle, and Icepaw reports back that he did not attack any cat. Dapplestar punishes Runningflame by stripping him of his status as a Divine Warrior and demoting him to the lowest of the low. She tells him that with his next infraction, he will be killed. Shimmerwing notices Dapplestar's change and tells Runningflame she wants things to change. Runningflame tells her that when the time comes, he will speak with her.
Shimmerwing decides to rebel against Dapplestar and asks Runningflame, Sunshine, and Minnowflight to support her. The three cats do and join her in the pine forest where they attack Dapplestar's cats. Shimmerwing is severely injured in the fight against Dapplestar. Minnowflight orders Runningflame to search for Dapplestar's body and brings Shimmerwing back to camp. Runningflame is unable to find any sign of Dapplestar's body, and when he travels back to camp, he sees Shellfall has arrived and has declared a war against Shimmerwing. RiverClan breaks into two, and Runningflame joins Shimmerwing's side, much to the chagrin of Rippleheart, his best friend, who has chosen to side with Shellfall.
The inevitable battle arrives and Runningflame is forced to fight Rippleheart on the field. He attacks more of his own Clanmates, and when the tides turn in the battle and Shimmerwing ends up winning, he comes across Russetstripe. He tries to apologize to her, and Russetstripe tells him she's expecting his kits. Runningflame is shocked and asks her how things will progress from here. Russetstripe tells him she still loves him and wants to leave WindClan. Runningflame says he will ask Shimmerwing, and when Shimmerwing gives him permission, Runningflame brings Russetstripe to camp. She is allowed to join RiverClan by Shimmerwing, now Shimmerstar.
Russetstripe later gives birth to Runningflame's kits, naming them Lionkit, Tigerkit, and Flamekit. Runningflame is proud of his kits and plays with them every chance he gets. When it is time for them to be apprenticed, he asks if he can take Flamekit on his own, and Shimmerstar agrees, giving him Flamepaw. Later on, they become warriors with the names of Lionflame, Tigerblaze, and Flameheart.

## Personality

Wild and innovative, Runningflame is a born and bred warrior, living life the way he sees fit. His resolve is unwavering, and he always sticks to his principles. He is adventurous and free-spirited, who believes in living life to the fullest, but also is a dangerous and skilled fighter on the battlefield. He loves a good thrill as much as he loves a good battle, but he strongly believes it is his duty to live a life worthy of the title as a military commander. He is not afraid to take risks, and has a gallant side as well - a storm of willfulness and a devil-may-care attitude. He is dangerous, wild, and hungry for a good fight.
Runningflame embraces a wild and adventurous spirit, always seeking new experiences and challenges. He thrives on the thrill of living life to the fullest and is often found exploring the territories or pushing the boundaries of his Clan's traditions. Runningflame possesses an unyielding resolve and steadfast principles. He holds strong convictions and remains true to his beliefs, even in the face of opposition. His resolute nature makes him a pillar of strength and reliability within his Clan. Runningflame is a formidable warrior, known for his exceptional fighting skills. He is agile and quick on his paws, able to anticipate his opponent's moves and strike with precision. His ferocity in battle is matched only by his hunger for victory.
Runningflame carries a sense of gallantry and chivalry within him. He believes in upholding the warrior code and lives by a strict moral compass. He values honor and loyalty, treating his Clanmates with respect and standing up for what is right. Runningflame is not afraid to take risks and challenge the status quo. He constantly seeks innovative approaches to problems and is willing to step outside of conventional boundaries to achieve success. His boldness often leads him to new discoveries and unexpected triumphs. Runningflame serves as a passionate and skilled warrior within RiverClan. His prowess in battle and his unwavering dedication to his Clan make him a respected and influential figure among his peers.
## Quotes

"*So, why would you want to leave them? They wouldn't know where you'd gone. They'd send search patrols out for you. And they'd never have a clear answer, if you never go back. They'd live the rest of their lives wondering what they did wrong. They'd never be able to rest in peace.*"
—Runningflame to Russetstripe

"*I’m so, so sorry, Russetstripe. I’m sorry I never told you how frightened I was. How scared I was of losing you. I always... until I met you, I refused to change. Because changing meant facing the fact that I wasn’t the cat I wanted to be... if I could live my life as this ideal warrior, and nothing else... I could pretend I wasn’t just a guy scared that I’d lose everything I loved. So I locked the weak me inside. I covered it up, so no one could see. Then I prayed every day he would just go away... but really, I knew he wouldn’t. I wish I could do something about how unfair this world is... and how easily we die... but I’m powerful against those. And I had the truth dragged out of me and shoved into my face until I admitted it.*"
—Runningflame to Russetstripe

"*I'm sorry. Maybe, in another life, in another world, it could've been different.*"
—Runningflame to Shimmerwing

## Family

**Mother:**

Amberstep: Deceased
**Father:**

Flamestripe: Deceased
**Sister:**

Squirreltail: Living
**Mate:**

Russetstripe: Living
**Daughter:**

Flameheart: Living
**Sons:**

Tigerblaze: Living
Lionflame: Living
**Adopted daughter:**

Sunshine: Living
**Adopted son:**

Moonshade: Living