Talonstar

* Official image
* Portrait
* Official art
* Life image

**Talonstar** is a dark brown tabby tom with amber eyes.

## History

Born as Talonkit to Sparrowflight and Thistlesnow, alongside his sister, Birdkit, he is insistent on becoming the best warrior ShadowClan has seen, and is apprenticed to his own father, Sparrowflight. Talonpaw and his close friend, Shrewpaw, become warriors after Talonpaw saves Shrewpaw's life while fighting dogs. He receives the warrior name of Talonclaw, when Shrewpaw becomes Shrewfur. When Robinwing becomes ill, Lionstar sends Talonclaw to go to the Twolegplace to find a cat with golden fur, a healer Birdpaw had seen in her dreams. He meets Comte and Luna, the healers Birdpaw had seen in her dream. Comte originally refuses to go, but after Talonclaw saves a kit from burning in a fire, Comte changes his mind and comes with Luna to ShadowClan.
He receives an apprentice named Lizardpaw and became close to Mapleheart. When Birdpaw was attacked by a ThunderClan warrior, Talonclaw was supportive of the attacks against ThunderClan and led one on his own. A while later, Lionstar and Toadstep grow ill, unable to run their Clan properly. One of Lionstar's generals, Featherheart, took over and ran the Clan in his stead, making selfish and cruel decisions that Talonclaw takes issue with. After some discussion with his sister, he and Birdpaw realized that Featherheart, alongside the young warrior Leafshade, were poisoning the fresh-kill pile to render Lionstar and Toadstep incapable of power so that Featherheart could take over. During a Clan meeting, Talonclaw points this out in a fit of rage, and Featherheart exiles him. Talonclaw originally refuses to go, and Featherheart goads him into a fight, furthering his reason to exile the tom.
Talonclaw roams the lake and finds his way to the Twolegplace. He passes out, and is found by Rocket and Aeolus in the Twolegplace. They bring Talonclaw back to Comte and Luna, and when Talonclaw comes to, he explains what happened. Aeolus tells Talonclaw he can stay in the Twolegplace until further notice. Talonclaw stays with Aeolus and his campmates, but longs for camp life. After leading the Twolegplace cats in a fight to stop thieves from taking Comte's prey, Luna urges Talonclaw to go back to ShadowClan. Talonclaw brings Luna with him when he goes back to his Clan, where Luna concocts a cure that can heal the ill cats. The two cats plot to take ShadowClan back, and Talonclaw rescues Toadstep from being killed by Featherheart.
The brown tabby plans with Shrewfur, Owlfang, and Hawkflight to take ShadowClan back from Featherheart, and just as Talonclaw is ready to lead his rebellion, he sees Birdpaw being pinned down by Featherheart. In a fit of rage, Talonclaw discards his plan and instead jumps into the camp, bowling Featherheart off his sister. The two toms fight until Talonclaw is forced to kill Featherheart. Seen by everyone in the public view, Snakenose imprisons Talonclaw until Lionstar is fit to issue his punishment and lead his Clan properly.
Thanks to Luna's help, Lionstar and the other ill cats get better, although Talonclaw's parents, Sparrowflight and Thistlesnow, are two of the victims of the illness. Lionstar tells Talonclaw he will not punish him, since Talonclaw's kill of Featherheart and the loss of his two parents is punishment enough.
## Detailed description

Talonstar is a huge, muscular, long-furred, dark brown tabby tom with amber eyes and several battle scars.
### Scars gained

* Scars on his back from Featherheart
* Scar on face from Dapplestar
* Torn right ear caused by Hailstep
* Torn left ear caused by Lightningfang
* Scar on chest caused from a deep stab wound by a Twoleg

### Abilities

"*The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.*"
—Talonstar

Talonstar is an excellent fighter with impressive military prestige, often using his brute strength to his advantage. First and foremost, he is a strategist, and thus believes the best way to win a battle is to not fight it at all. However, this does not make him a coward - he is willing to fight and die for his Clan, but does not want to sacrifice the lives of his Clanmates if he can win the battle another way. In battle, he is aggressive and fierce, but values the lives of his warriors and will order a retreat if necessary.

## Personality

Talonstar is known for his no-nonsense approach to leadership. He maintains a strict code of conduct and expects his Clanmates to follow it without question. He doesn't tolerate laziness or disobedience and holds his warriors to high standards. Talonstar possesses a keen intellect and is highly skilled in strategic thinking. He can quickly assess a situation and develop effective plans to achieve his goals. His strategic prowess gives his Clan an edge in battles and territorial disputes. Talonstar exudes charisma and confidence, drawing cats to him with his natural charm. His strong presence and unwavering self-assurance inspire loyalty and respect from his Clanmates. He has the ability to unite cats behind a common cause and motivate them to give their best.
Talonstar's decisions are driven by a ruthless level of rationality. He prioritizes the well-being of his Clan and makes tough choices based on what he believes is necessary for their survival and success. He can be relentless in pursuing his goals, even if it means making sacrifices along the way. Talonstar has a dominant personality and is not one to back down from a challenge. He demands respect from his Clanmates and doesn't tolerate insubordination or weakness. He can be unforgiving to those who betray the Clan or fail to meet his expectations. Talonstar is a powerful and influential leader within ShadowClan. He ensures the strength and unity of his Clan through his strict leadership and strategic mindset. His determination to protect and advance the interests of ShadowClan drives him to make difficult decisions and lead his Clan with an iron paw.

## Relationships

#### Mapleheart

Mapleheart was Talonstar's mate before she died of illness shortly after childbirth. Talonstar met Mapleheart when he was an apprentice, and she moved into the warriors' den before he did. Once he became a warrior, the two cats started spending more time with each other, with Talonstar being drawn to Mapleheart's strong beliefs and her unwavering loyalty.

## Theme songs

* **Bones Shatter** by Hedley

*"I'll be fine, alive again, another day, not afraid to get over. Never stop, because we're only getting better. I'll be fine. You were everything to me."*
* **It's Hard To Speak From My Heart** by Ben Platt & The Cast of Parade

*"It's hard to speak from my heart, I'm not a man who bares his soul. I let the moment pass by, I stay where I am in control. I hide behind my work, safe and sure of what to say. I know I must seem hard, I know I must seem cold."*
## Quotes

"*I understand. There was something my father told me when I was young. He said that only one thing matters. One thing. To never lose your dignity.*"
—Talonclaw to Comte

"*This journey has helped me understand. Wherever you must go, honor isn’t enough. Something must change. Someone must make a change. Or else the Clans – or any cat outside the Clans – will ever be able to live with strength and honor.*"
—Talonclaw to Luna

"*These kits have nothing to do with what Daisyflight did. All they know is ShadowClan – with you as their leader, Toadstep as their deputy, and Daisyflight as their mother. We are ShadowClan because we are loyal to each other, and we would fight and die for each other, nine times over if we had to. That includes Seedkit and Dustkit, regardless of who their father is. They’re out there, cold, alone, missing their mother, and they’re with cats who we’ve seen have no trouble resorting to violence if they don’t get what they want. Are we true warriors if we allow two kits to die on their own?*"
—Talonclaw to Lionstar

"*To make the enemy yield without a fight is the best thing. Because warriors are cats. Battles involve contriving, and it means to draw in an ally without hurting or tormenting him. By not losing your warriors, you can attain complete victory. To win without a fight... that is the best thing you can do. So, to trick the enemy and beat him in resourcefulness is the best strategy you can have in battle.*"
—Talonclaw to Lionstar

## Killed victims

* Featherheart (in a duel)
* Dapplestar (one life)
* Rootstar (one life)

## Family

**Mate:**

Mapleheart: Deceased
**Daughters:**

Splashpelt: Living
Lightkit: Deceased
**Son:**

Shadowkit: Deceased
**Mother:**

Thistlesnow: Deceased
**Father:**

Sparrowflight: Deceased
**Sister:**

Birdflight: Living
**Granddaughters:**

Shadowkit: Living
Wishkit: Living
**Grandsons:**

Rockkit: Living
Cedarkit: Living