Alderheart should NOT be a Medicine Cat

[@doggo7671]

It's hilarious how in this universe being a doctor/cleric with powers to talk to the dead and immunity is shown as some shitty job no one wants.

[@ElectroEidos]

Yeah, heres just some of the medicine cats privileges. -they have a special connection to Straclan -they have knowledge that determines whether the clan lives or dies during sickness or the aftermath of a battle -they get prophecies -they to make friends from other Clans -they get to cross borders more freely -it is seen as wrong to attack them, even in battle -they are one of the first cats the Clan leader goes to for advice in an emergency The only thing they can't do is take a mate so they can focus on their duties. Honestly, if a medicine cat became evil or corrupt, they could use the privileges their role gives them for personal power or control... now I want a medicine cat villain lol

[@applesong01]

@@ElectroEidos I totally want a medicine cat villian

[@Kilathasaurus]

@@ElectroEidos Im still surprised there isn't any medicine cat who got corrupted by all that power tbh

[@errolluck8347]

​​@@ElectroEidos Lol, one of my WC OCs is an evil medicine cat. He doesn't hate his job as a medicine cat but he is almost a full psychopath that has no remorse in killing other cats "by accident" for his benefit

[@gothicsloth4552]

​@@applesong01While he might not be bad enough to be classed as a villain, Hawkheart from Windclan was a pretty violent Medicine Cat. He did kill a woman after all.

[@Amanecer458]

My opinion is that every warrior need basically knoledge of medicine, and that would made some warriors get interested in the job. We know that medicine cats have to learn to fight and in the new prophecy Leafpaw hunts often, and featherwhisker too. So you need warriors skills

[@marzbarzsz]

I agree, medicine cats need warrior skills no matter what, and warriors need medicine skills, at least a few of them in case the medicine cat isn’t around. Or the medicine cat is killed in battle with no apprentice, someone’s got to keep herbs in mind in case accidents happens, yk.

[@birdsbirdsandmorebirds6251]

Yeah like what happened when Leafpool had to go to Shadowclan to force a kit to be a med cat. Wouldn't need to do that if they had decent knowledge of med cat stuff

[@melanitesong]

Not tryna be that person but *knowledge

[@sophietremblay3795]

Yup exactly medicine cats hunts too time to time we saw that in the books

[@mysryuza]

I agree

[@acemstudio]

I really thought the point of him being forced into becoming a MediCat was because SkyClan didn't have one. SO Alderheart would have to leave his home and become SkyClan's MC. But no Leafpool went instead and came back. ThunderClan had three MCs and SkyClan had none. If the authors actually wanted to THINK about WHY Alderheart was a MediCat that would've been the most logical outcome. But no. This is why I think WC needs a fandom consultant or something, so that when the books are written, there's no inconsistencies, and plot points actually have good payoffs.

[@thunder7114]

agreed

[@sandywolfr26]

This is exactly what I thought was going to happened! It would made so much sense too. Like why tf did thunderclan need three medicine cats?!

[@birdsbirdsandmorebirds6251]

Yeah I thought that Twigbranch and Alderheart were both going to permanently move to Skyclan since that's literally the only reason why he should be a med cat.

[@acemstudio]

@@birdsbirdsandmorebirds6251 and it would fit the Star sign moth flight got to send her kits to the other clans. I know that's retrospect retcon but still lol

[@isabellp.5730]

It would have given us a SkyClan POV that makes sense too. It would ave been a lot more natural than what we ended up with

[@tjtheentertainer9376]

It seems if you have physical/mental problems in Warriors, you’re automatically sentenced to medicine cat training. I hate the ableism in this book series

[@M3RK_Crash]

It *might* be ableist but lets be honest. Could Jayfeather become a warrior? Unlikely because even as a medicine cat he has struggled at times. Cinderpelt is more likely but even as a medicine cat she could barely make it to the moonstone and back without her leg flaring up, which makes her also unlikely. Alderheart could have become a warrior, but his abilities of being a medicine cat were exponentially better than his warrior abilitys. He always trusted his gut, did what was right, and had Vivid visions- All of which are qualitys of a medicine cat. He could have gone either way, but based on his abilitys and how it effected everyone in finding skyclan I think he was better suited as a medicine cat. I agree people with disabilitys can achieve there dreams if they try hard enough but situations like Jayfeather and Cinderpelt are very very unlikely to make it.

[@sokaize]

@@M3RK_Crash Not unlikely actually, cats are very capable of thriving despite broken limbs/being blind.

[@cirol847]

Y'all still complaining over a 19 years old book series.. god twitter shouldn't have existed.

[@steampunk-llama]

@@cirol847 This isn’t Twitter though? Not to mention not every Warriors fan even uses the site, not sure what you’re trying to get at here 🤔

[@neurozoned]

​@@cirol847 Books from this series are still being released? It's not like super old media that became outdated, a lot of these books are current

[@vampirtulpe3606]

So...he learned a little bit slower and has some anxieties and was then shoved in the medicine den because they didn't want to train him? And the cats that are supposed to support him bullied him into being a medicine cat? This just feels so unnecessary, Alderheart could have been the perfect lesson on how to overcome your shortcomings / weaknesses and still be able to excel on what you want to do iwth practice, perseverance and patience. But no, the others aren't patient enough for that and force him in a role he didn't even want? What's that supposed to tell me?

[@Amanecer458]

Yeah if i be Bramblestar i would train MY SON personally to improve, or maybe squirrelflight would do it

[@vampirtulpe3606]

@@Amanecer458 I haven't read the books since the second series, but it seems so out of character for Suirrelflight to not say anyhting about Alderheart being forced into the den. I'd think she of all people would support him in every way and maybe schedule some more training with just the two of them. Like, Squirrelflight is so stubborn and means so well or was that changed in the later books?

[@Idkidc2173]

@@vampirtulpe3606 I think Bramblestar has a big influence on Squirrelflight. Throughout the Squirrelflight superedition, Bramblestar ab*ses her. Squirrelflight is becoming less confident.

[@vampirtulpe3606]

@Polteakitty Aww, that's a shame, I thought she was a bit of a better version of Sandstorm, with how smart and assertive she was..

[@vampirtulpe3606]

@Polteakitty Aren't they painted as couple goals in Warrior's`? Like I said, I havent read the later books, but I wholeheartedly believe you guys. Do the writers just not know how to write a healthy relationship?

[@-creamcheese-]

Not to mention all the medicine cats so far in Thunderclan have been related to firestar. Why not some who isn't related to him.

[@michiic0la]

he is the father of e v e r y o n e

[@justiceandstarsstudios]

@@michiic0la no thats firestar's father, Jake XD

[@Allthemeditz]

FR LIKE BRUH

[@BugsyBugYT]

not all of them yellowfang and cinderpelt werent related to firestar

[@Littlegreetings]

@@BugsyBugYT all of them since Firestar is. Cinderpelt kinda is not rlly not too close but if you dig a ton

[@magena120]

Alderheart has always been one of my favorite characters, his anxiety, tendency to freeze up and the fact he learned at a different pace than his sister was something I relate to so heavily as someone with autism. I remember wanting to see this dark ginger ball of anxiety to succeed as a warrior, but then he was chucked in the medicine den. I remember reading AVOS in my most early years of middle school and having the most sour taste in my mouth when he was begging for another chance to be a warrior. Like wow, thank you Erins for saying that I should shut up and accept that I’m not good enough at something for learning differently. That definitely doesn’t make me feel useless

[@endereye964]

I’m glad to see someone else who also saw themselves in Alderheart. I’m autistic as well, and have an anxiety disorder, so I related to him so much. Then seeing him basically be shoved into the medicine cat role for no good reason made me want to quit the arc. Even now AVOS is easily my least favorite arc….

[@M3RK_Crash]

@@endereye964 There is good reason. Throughout the book he has multiple very vivid visions (Hence the name of the book!) which played the largest factor in him becoming a medicine cat.

[@endereye964]

@@M3RK_Crash There was no reason he had to become a med cat. He could have been a warrior with visions, like Fireheart, Brambleclaw, etc. Visions are not exclusive to Med cats.

[@M3RK_Crash]

@@endereye964 Yes but his visions were vivid, he pretty much summoned them at will at times. Sure other cats had visions but he had a lot of vision over the ark and also was one of very few to act on them.

[@endereye964]

@@M3RK_Crash He never ‘summoned’ his visions. And you’re really going to tell me Fireheart and Brambleclaw’s visions weren’t vivid? Did you forget Firehearts naming ceremony, where he was literally washed away in blood? Or Brambleclaw’s vision of drowning in the ocean by Midnight’s den? My point still stands. He didn’t have to be a Med cat.

[@strangerdanger3759]

It would have been so easy for the Erins write Alderpaw hang out in the medicine den and then realize he want to be a medicine cat apprentice! But according to the Erins cats can't want to be a medicine cat

[@sophietremblay3795]

Honestly it’s ridiculous it’s like if I took the character off Jenny in the book 14 of the spooks saga and she doesn’t like to be Tom’s apprentice that’s so stupid

[@prcervi]

Same could be said for Jayfeather, but the erins don't care to do a convincing character arc

[@Lavender_Dti55]

That’s what happened with spottedleaf

[@itzflame5523]

No one: Molewhisker: "A cat who can’t hunt is no good to his clan." Every Medicine cat: *let me introduce myself*

[@finnsnow2495]

Most of them can hunt pretty well tho. Even Cinderpelt could still hunt from time to time if she needed to. Usually it's not one of their duties because they are too busy but I think almost all the medicine cats could hunt espically since most started out as warrior apprentices

[@finnsnow2495]

@BrayHollVR ik but a lot of them were and often if they go on long journeys it's assumed they catch prey themselves. Like Alderheart learned to hunt as a medicine cat apprentice not a warrior. It's just a general useful skill

[@scaredstiff7176]

@@finnsnow2495 Yeah, not to mention in dawn Leafpaw has to hunt for her clan since there is not enough prey. It is also mentioned they learn how to fight and hunt in case of emergencies.

[@sophietremblay3795]

I was mad when I saw this quote in French I was like what a sucky character kick him out of the book as soon as possible he doesn’t even deserve to be there

[@bluephlox9869]

@@finnsnow2495 the thing is though.. we actually do see him hunt quite decently after he becomes a medicine cat, he was capable of doing it, he just needed to be given more time

[@Trinketttreasures]

When any cat fail in areas in warrior training or have any disability, they don't help them over come it or help them adjust, they just go "Welp, nevermind, they're a Medicine cat now." And I hate it

[@sophietremblay3795]

I agree it’s so annoying like Joseph Delaney put a lot of effort on Jenny the new character of the 14th book of the spook’s saga she is the apprentice of Tom’s and she is a pretty interesting character even if we don’t really know about her

[@Trinketttreasures]

@@sophietremblay3795 the what now

[@sophietremblay3795]

@@Trinketttreasures the book series of Joseph Delaney the ward’s stone I think it’s the title in English but I call it the spook’s saga it’s more easier

[@Lavender_Dti55]

*B R I G H T H E R T*

[@snowheart4077]

So Starclan doesn't give a rat's a*s about the Clans' well being, if a prophecy makes someone suffer, they're like "DeStIny!!" I'm about to be like Mothwing

[@sandywolfr26]

I been like mothwing after reading goosefeather novella. And then again after reading yellowfang super edition. Authors had to make up a power to forced her into being a medicine cat! Never mind yellowfang had a mate and was a warrior!

[@VideoMatoran]

I am pretty sure at this point that his anxiety isn't coming from birth, but from the fact that he is mistreated.

[@pantherbeastly3934]

Exactly! This is something a lot of people don't acknowledge: a person's anxiety is only made worse when the people around them treat them like an inconvenience. Trying to metaphorically beat the anxiety out of a person through constant shaming and gas lighting doesn't work and never will.

[@VideoMatoran]

@@pantherbeastly3934 Amen, brother!

[@pantherbeastly3934]

@@VideoMatoran Hell ye B)

[@tryingartist42]

Just please please Erins give us more cats that actually want to be a medicine cat, the being forced into a role you don’t want once or twice maybe is interesting but it’s been done so much it’s just stale now

[@warriorcatkitty]

That's part of the reason I like Frostpaw. She actually likes being medicine cat, a lot. Although she does have visions as a kit, so it was probably forced on her a bit, but at least she actually WANTED it.

[@Snowstar837]

Yeah, Frostpaw was a refreshing change of pace.

[@sophietremblay3795]

I agree they should put more effort in medicine cats characters i love leafpool yellowfang cinderpelt spoddedleaf jayfeather and featherwhiskers but they need more reason to be a medicine cat

[@sophietremblay3795]

@@warriorcatkitty finally a character that is enjoying the duty and not force to do it

[@3amhellbeast]

That's honestly why I love Leafpool so much. She wanted to be a medicine cat and only had second thoughts because she fell in love! She hated not being a medicine cat when she was forced to be a warrior too. At least it seems like cats in different clans usually want to be medicine cats though like Littlecloud, Puddleshine, Kestrelflight, Mothwing, just to name a few. It seems like it's mainly only Thunderclan that has the medicine cat issue 😅

[@raven_2911]

I really hope the writers did this intentionaly. Personally, I have some kind of theory that the writers made every cat narrow-minded, except a few, like Alder'Heart. I do hope they'll make an arc about open-minded cats trying to change the clans. Because all that "borders are worth dying for" and the entire warrior code, is so flawed. I don't think it's gonna happen, because- I don\t have a reason. But, I hope they change the universe a bit. Feel free to share your opinions.

[@Trecherousbeast]

The narrow-mindedness has been so annoying in these recent books. I get that there’s practically no other way to start conflict, but it’s so weird how far the cats are willing to go for Starclan/warrior code, how almost NONE of the cats have an issue with it and when someone brings up how messed up it is they’re either cowards, or traitors. And then they have the audacity to call rogues and kittypets lesser than them, when they completely lost their morals all because they couldn’t talk to their ancestors anymore.

[@glyphnoceda]

​@@TrecherousbeastI'm late, but I agree. Watching these videos because I'm rereading after like 5 years and I'm noticing just how messed up some of it is. (Note--commenting before Watching bc that's just a thing I do sometimes so if I restate something said I apologize) I get why some rules are in place but others?? There are so many things that could be done. The med cat code is especially flawed imo. "If they have kits, they'll favor them!!" Medicine cats literally have siblings. And parents. And friends. If two warriors were to be severely injured and they only had herbs for one, would they choose their, say, best friend since they were both kits, or some other warrior who they respect bur have no relationship with? Sure, kits could also distract from duties for a few months. That's only from when they're close to being born to when they're weaned. If they have an apprentice, said apprentice could easily take over, possibly ask advice from their mentor. Even if not, it's easy to just... borrow a med cat from another clan. It's been done a thousand times before. Leafpool had gone to Shadow and Skyclan before to help out. They help each other out all the time. It just feels dumb to me. You can't have kits because they'll cause bias or distractions?? There's literally so many flaws in that. Maybe it was harder back when the codes were newer a long time ago.

[@LilQuade]

If the writers absolutley *had* to make him medicine cat, they could of done it much better. They could've had him train as one from the start kinda like Leafpool. Ir what I would've liked is for him to discover that deathberry method on his own/in a different way, save Puddleshine, and decide on his own terms that we would like to be a medicine cat But like, I would prefer if he stayed a warrior. We already have 2 of Firestar's kin as medicine cats, we don't need a 3rd. Someone not related to Firestar should be in power.

[@songbird6414]

I got this idea half from Tenelle, but I really want a warrior who’s determined to serve his clan as a warrior but occasionally gets med cat visions from StarClan. He’s not meant to be a med cat - he had no patience for herbs and is fairly squeamish around blood - but receives visions when his med cat can’t.

[@mysryuza]

I can relate to Alderheart in learning a lot slower than my peers, then being racked up in anxiety from pressure due to how “fast paced” everyone expected training and Warrior life to be. I learn much slowly compared to my peers in my jobs, then get overwhelmed with unrealistic amounts of pressure and emotional issues because of it and my peers acting like I was stupid. I understand him being a Med cat because of these issues, but the story came off as “you suck so you should be med cat instead.” I cannot say that I have Autism, but have showed signs of it, according to my teachers, parent, and a past friend who had diagnosed Autism, and even though I’m not entirely sure, I still feel comforted knowing that some readers who are autistic were able to relate to Alderheart’s story.

[@Ivypool123]

yes i am autistic and i can relate to him😂👍

[@hackidreemurr]

Omg I'm reading about so many autistic people relating to Alderpaw as an autistic person and this just makes me so happy!! I mean, nobody can match Needletail imo, but Alderheart comes really close, now that he's an autism icon and representation

[@hackidreemurr]

​@@Ivypool123Hiiiii!! 😂

[@Ivypool123]

@@hackidreemurr haiiiii

[@aubrisfox]

alternative title; alderheart was practically bullied into his job

[@cheetahlover6589]

Alderheart SHOULD have been a warrior! So should have Cinderpelt, Jayfeather and all the other disabled warriors.

[@Amanecer458]

Would be imposible to cinderpelt be a warrior in her era, if healt and strong warriors get easily murdered in battle that would make like spend her to death

[@sandywolfr26]

What worse is that in exile from shadowclan book, there a disabled cat named volepaw. He still a warrior and all he can do is hunt. He now a warrior named volewhisper. He can’t fight due to his leg but he can still hunt. And everyone treats him normally. Why couldn’t they do this for cinderpelt?

[@nyabis8044]

Didn’t Cinderpelt choose to be a medicine cat anyway, like it wasn’t her first choice but she still became one because she wanted to.

[@kl0diana136]

@@Amanecer458 that's true though- she'd easily die in a battle

[@cheetahlover6589]

@@sandywolfr26 agreed

[@dove5777]

And it always confuses me, because, whereas Thunderclan already had two medicine cats, and poor Shadowclan only had one sick, elderly, medicine cat with no apprentice. What about a couple books about a new Shadowclan apprentice? Puddleshine?

[@atlaskanik]

There is a book about a new ShadowClan apprentice? The entirety of The Broken Code is partially about a ShadowClan Medicine Cat Apprentice.

[@dove5777]

@@atlaskanik Yes, but at that time in that arc there was only one Shadowclan medicine cat. Littlecloud

[@dove5777]

@@iulianatesu3316 What is the fanfic's name and is it on Wattpad? I would like to read it

[@birdsbirdsandmorebirds6251]

@@iulianatesu3316 name please??

[@meatball7669]

@@birdsbirdsandmorebirds6251 I’m not sure if this is what the person was talking about, but I saw a warrior’s PMV called ‘You were loved’ which seemed to have the same idea,

[@serenitythesiren5031]

I'm starting to think it's a rule that every arc has to have some sort of healer as a POV (I ain't counting the first arc because they were still working things out and I also don't count Dawn of the Clans as I haven't read that yet, and it's a prequel before medicine cats were a thing). The New Prophecy: Leafpool. Power of Three: Jayfeather. Omen of the Stars: Still Jayfeather A Vision of Shadows: Alderheart. The Broken Code: Shadowsight. A Starless Clan: Frostpaw. Like what the heck!?

[@quillheart877]

Molewhisker has ALWAYS been a nightmare

[@jillianefaithcobre8637]

Yeah, he didn’t get punished for bullying Alderheart for not concentrating his lesson. Bramblestar wanted his own son to be the medicine cat just because Molewhisker is bullying him is one of the dumbest and cruelest thing that StarClan has ever do to him!

[@jaybam2276]

I'm waiting for a day when a ThunderClan medicine cat isn't a Firestar descendant

[@2devious724]

They're keeping the power in the family -_-

[@nyabis8044]

To be fair, a sizable portion of Thunderclan is related to Firestar in some way now: (Through Cloudtail) Cloudtail, Whitewing, Ivypool, Dewnose, Honeyfur, Leafshade. (Through Firestar’s daughters) Squirrelflight, Jayfeather, Lionblaze, Sparkpelt, Alderheart, Fernsong, Hollytuft, Sorrelstripe, Spotfur, Bristlekit, Stemkit, Graykit. (Through BOTH) Thriftear, Flipclaw, Flamepaw, Finchpaw, Myrtlepaw, Baypaw. This is only including the characters who are still alive/in Thunderclan. It’s going to take a while for a medicine cat to not be related to Firestar. (Shadowsight, the medicine cat of Shadowclan, is ALSO related to Firestar lol)

[@Eclipse-mf6hc]

As someone with anxiety comparable to Alderheart’s hearts, I feel like being a medicine cat would elevate his anxiety levels. With hunting, yeah it’s bad if you miss a rabbit, but when you’re a medicine cat a simple mistake could result in cats dying. Let’s say you misdiagnosis a cat, and that cat actually turns out to have green cough- congrats you’ve just killed 50% of ur Clan

[@weird_art_kid]

Alderheart: but I wanna be a warrior- Bramblestar: did I ask for your opinion?

[@CelesteTreecat]

Alderheart is one of my absolute favorite characters in... spite of the rocky writing. I do have my suspicions that if he did become a warrior, he would have difficulties fighting other cats because of his compassion and personality. Even inflicting injuries would weigh pretty heavily on him! So it makes sense for him to be a medicine cat to me, not because he's bad at anything but because he's got top tier bedside manner and naturally cares for other cats. We also see he makes a great foil for Jayfeather (who, incidentally, despite not wanting to be a medicine cat, and despite receiving immense pressure, at least got to be the one to make the final call on that). I just am in the 'Alderheart should have gone to SkyClan' camp. Still, if he wanted to, he could be a warrior, and the fact that he was forced was another mark against StarClan. The introduction of SkyClan to the lake was the perfect time to shake things up with new ways of thinking and characters striking unusual paths. He and Puddleshine were forced to take the role around the same time, something that should have been brought up more often. He'd also be a good fit for that Mediator roll if the authors didn't immediately discard it...

[@gilramanujan8826]

Thank you Akira for bringing this topic up. the apprentice’s quest was one of the first books I’ve ever read but even then it didn’t really make sense why he had to be a medicine cat especially with the execution. However, I don’t think this is the worst lesson to be given in warrior cats. I personally think that he didn’t need to become a medicine cat especially because of his developing talents but now I don’t mind seeing him as a medicine cat, I personally think that he doesn’t hate being a medicine cat but I think it was meant to show that this was suppose to be showing how while there might be some circumstances that you might not become what you originally want to be you can still be happy when you have a change in destiny and even now I enjoy seeing him as a medicine cat. I love Alderheart and think his story was a bit interesting in a vision of shadows and I don’t mind the fact that he became a medicine cat (and I don’t think everyone forced him because he was useless but considering the context I can see why people see it that way), but it could have been better executed. And even in lost stars he was able to help jayfeather when he was in his most dire need, so maybe he didn’t need to be a medicine cat but it kind of gave him a better destiny to help the clan in the way that isn’t so obvious (like someone who is able to heal sympathetically with other cats). But overall, I hope you don’t mind my rambling and thank you for making another great analysis and I wish you the best.

[@beccacroce7380]

But Fireheart had a big part in a prophecy about saving the clans and he wasn't a medicine cat. Which is why I didn't want Shadowsight to be one either.

[@alexismyers6053]

In the video about naming an OC, I made a comment about one of my ShadowClan OC Flameheart and mentioned her ThunderClan friend, who was an unwilling medicine cat. Like the other main characters for the arch she’s in- Stoatpar/frost/star of WindClan, Flamepaw/heart of ShadowClan, Strikepaw/foot of SkyClan, and Bluepaw/stripe of RiverClan- Hazelpaw/bush is part of a prophesy and was chosen because she was the first born of her litter born on the same night as the others, the night of a gathering. They lived in the only forest territories before SkyClan’s exile. She wanted to be a great warrior like her father as a kit, but her Clan’s medicine cat was very old. Before she was apprenticed, Grayfur, the medicine cat, told the Clan leader that she was tired of being the only medicine cat in the Clan, that she was old and wanted to retire. But there was no one to take her place as her apprentice died several leafbares ago and the other Clans. Grayfur threatened to retire without a successor unless the next apprentice was made her apprentice. The leader agreed because he couldn’t allow the Clan to be without a medicine cat. So Hazelpaw was forced into the role. She hated it and made that known. She refused to learn anything and spent as much time out of camp watching the other apprentices learn to hunt and fight as possible, practicing the moves on her own in secret. She always fights with Grayfur and even scratched her mentor’s face once before screeching at her about how much she hated her. She even refused to go to the Moonstone for her medicine cat apprentice ceremony. Then the battle with the snakes happened a moon after she was apprenticed. The snake population at Snake Rocks became so out of control that the snakes were invading other Clan territories as well. A battle patrol all 5 Clans came together, including the newest apprentices of ShadowClan- siblings Flamepaw and Shrewpaw, who were only as old as Hazelpaw. During the battle, a snake spat venom into Flamepaw’s eyes and then bit Shrewpaw when it went to attack her and he got between the snake and his sister. Shrewpaw died and Flamepaw survived but had severe loss of sight- only being able to make out shadows, lights, and colors if they’re bright enough. Hazelpaw feels bad because she knows Flamepaw is going to be forced to be a medicine cat if she wants to continue being an apprentice, so she spends time talking to Flamepaw and telling her how much she hates it, how if it weren’t for her family being in ThunderClan, she would have run away by then. This prompted Flamepaw and her mother, Palewhisker, into leaving ShadowClan when they returned after Flamepaw recovered enough to go back. When Flamepaw leave, Shrewpaw visits Hazelpaw in her dreams to thank her for giving his sister the advice she needed. He becomes the StarClan cat she sees the most, mainly just being a friend who understood how unfair life was rather than an ancestral guide. Hazelpaw continues to practice being a warrior in secret with Shrewpaw helping her train in her dreams. She ends up being caught by Squirrelpaw, an older apprentice who was bullied by the Clan because his father was a rogue from Twolegplace. He’s upset at first for being spied on, but when he hears her reasoning, he offers to to each her everything he’s learned and they become close. Grayfur then dies in her sleep and everyone puts pressure on Hazelpaw to step up to her medicine cat duties, but she still refuses, her family and Squirrelpaw being the only ones who understand and support her. Grayfur visits her and tells her about the prophecy she’s a apart of, saying she’s already met on of the others and she will meet the rest very soon. A few nights later, Bluepaw of RiverClan seeks out Hazelpaw, Strikepaw, and Stoatpaw, feeling drawn to them and tells them that he feels there is something in Twolegplace that 5hey need to find. Hazelpaw realizes these toms and Flamepaw are the other cats that are part of the prophecy and tells them as much, saying they need to get Flamepaw and bring her back to ShadowClan. She feels bad about this as she thinks she’s going back on what she told Flamepaw, but in her dreams that night, Shrewpaw assures her that his sister has changed and she WILL be a warrior. They make plans and head to Twolegplace with Squirrelpaw, who caught Hazelpaw sneaking out of camp and went with her to protect her. He becomes close to Strikepaw after learning his mother was a Twolegplace loner that came to SkyClan looking for a safe place to have her kits. They find Palewhisker and Flamepaw with help of a family of loners that the 2 had become friendly with. Hazelpaw explains the situation to them and after discussing it, they agree to return. But they’re attacked by Twolegplace rogues lead by a vicious cat named Shred, who reveals he is the father of Squirrelpaw and Strikepaw after recognizing a physical trait of their mothers and asking about it- Strikepaw has a white mark on his forehead that he shares with his mother and Squirrelpaw is the spitting image of his mother but with Shred’s eyes. Shred chases them into narrow tunnels and Palewhisker sacrifices herself so that they can get away, as the tennis so narrow a cat can barely turn around so they pursuers would have to take the time to remove her body if they want to continue following the apprentices. Hazelpaw comforts Flamepaw along with the daughter of the loners, Strom, a pretty she-cat that Flamepaw fancies. Storm goes with Flamepaw back to ShadowClan so she won be alone and Hazelpaw immediately goes to the Moonstone with Squirrelpaw where she confronts Grayfur and the whole of StarClan, with Shrewpaw and his deceased parents backing her up. She demands to know why she was chosen as a medicine cat and they explain that she will be needed to relay information about the prophecy to the others and to guide her Clan during a time of great turmoil. That she was chosen for her stubborn nature and the fact that knows how to motivate others to do their best. This only makes her angrier and she finally tells them that she’ll be a medicine cat for her friends, but that she will leave ThunderClan for good is they didn’t allow her to take a mate and have kits in the future- something she very much wanted. They try to argue, but Shrewpaw- who is mad that they had something as horrible as his sister losing her eye sight in such a traumatic way just to fulfill a prophecy- tells them that they can have their prey and eat it too and that ThunderClan’s future is worth bending the rules if meant having Hazelpaw take up the role she’s meant to play. They finally relent and give Hazelpaw her warrior name, Hazelbush. They agree to guide her and teach her all she needs to know and to tell the other medicine cats to do the same. Hazelbush relays this information to Squirrelpaw and then her Clan. They aren’t happy with her forcing StarClan to allow her to break the rules as they think it will negatively impact that Clan and even blame Squirrelpaw for “putting ideas in her head” but she makes sure they know that this was all her idea and if they wanted a medicat, they’d accept it. Later, after she’s fully trained, she gets an apprentice who actually has a passion for healing- a little calico she-cat that’s looked up to her since she was a kit named Tulippaw. After Squirrelpaw becomes a warrior named Squirreltail, they become close and then become mates and have kits together before StarClan sends a sign that makes Squirreltail ThunderClan’s leader, Squirrelstar. And that’s how Hazelbush dealt with being forced into a role she didn’t want. Each character has a story that I’m figuring out, but Hazelbush and Flameheart I have most of the details down for. And I have some details for Stoarfrost’s rise to Stoatstar and Bluestripe and Strikefoot’s struggles as well, especially Strikefoot having to prove his loyalty when his Clan learns who his father is.

[@ottoww289]

I would honestly think it was better to have him, after being a warrior apprentice for a little while, actually decide himself that being a medicine cat sounds more interesting and have the people around him think it is a mistake and have him prove to them that they are wrong

[@skeeeeet5954]

What a twist it would’ve been to have Sparkpaw have an interest in medicine simply by coming in on the cobweb incident.

[@blossompetal3644]

I agree! And I also think the same for Jayfeather. He could've been a warrior.

[@M3RK_Crash]

Thats very very unlikely. Im sorry to be the bearer of bad news but based on how even now he struggles at times I would consider it *almost* impossible

[@deerlyqueery]

​@M3RK_Crash He's literally shown hunting before without much issue, what do you mean? A warrior's only duties aren't fighting, he can easily just do hunting or patroling without joining in on battles. Even then I've seen blind cats beat up seeing cats just fine, they have superpowered whiskers and ears for a reason.

[@Zelologist]

Lol, The second I saw this in my notifications I clicked on it. I love your videos Akira and you're right his story is confusing.

[@Sawgrass-TML]

Me when akira posts: *Causally has a heart attack*

[@Yae_Miko.-simp]

The intro is beautiful! And i love alderhart

[@Spiderdoestuff]

The intro is by Lapis Feder

[@Yae_Miko.-simp]

@@Spiderdoestuff ik,but the intro is cute

[@Spiderdoestuff]

@@Yae_Miko.-simp ikr!!!

[@Yae_Miko.-simp]

@@Spiderdoestuff i found another les gurl!

[@Spiderdoestuff]

@@Yae_Miko.-simp ye! I am getting a new pfp soon tho bc this is old art 😭

[@popkatgamkng1654]

I think Alderheart should be a warrior, PLEASE YO MAMA, YOUR THE GRANDSON OF THE LEADER COME ON!

[@Yae_Miko.-simp]

You are right,AlderHeart don’t want to be Medicine cat,and he was not happy and at first he was like “scared”. #LetAlderPawToBeWhatHeWant

[@PatchworkRose567]

Imagine if he was made a medicine cat who was destined to be Skyclan’s medicine cat since they were without one. He could go to a clan he helped bring back and start fresh without having to worry about living up to his sister’s abilities.

[@pantherbeastly3934]

It's nice we're finally discussing how botched this character's story was, though I feel like it goes farther than just the wasted potential of character growth. The many issues with how Alderheart was basically forced aside for not being good enough for his clan really starts at the very beginning. When he and his sister are taken out by their mentors, Molewhisker gets impatient with him for not knowing what to do when given an opportunity to hunt, which makes no sense since Alder wasn't given any training before hand on how to do it properly. And even then, he shouldn't be expected to catch something on his first try. He's immediately being set up to fail, because he's just expected to be a natural hunter like Sparkpaw. And sure Molewhisker and Bramblestar are supportive at first, but the idea that this was initially suppose to set up (being that everyone is different and learns at their own pace) is abandoned, when Molewhisker treats him so harshly for being so hesitant, and followed by Alder being forced into a more "slow and calming" occupation against his will. He was basically shamed and neglected for his anxiety, and treated as an other or an inconvenience to his clan for not being as brave and talented as his sister, who actually adds to the issue through how she's often compared to him as being good at everything. His mentor/clan being so dismissive and unwilling to really work with him only sets a list of unsurmountable expectations that worsens his anxiety, while Sparkpelt's whole thing of being way more naturally skilled than him further perpetuates a sense of self loathing and misery by making him feel like an unvaluable mistake to his clan. Through Sparkpelt's natural talent and his clanmate's unwillingness to understand and guide him towards improving at his own pace, the book (s) teach the lesson that greatness isn't learned or taught, it's born. Those not born with the right genes or who don't pick up things quick enough are judged as inadequate and failures to the people around them. This is a very common stigmatization of people with anxiety disorder, and those not given the chance to be in supportive environments that encourage them to keep trying in spite of their anxieties have their self worth and agency taken away from them. This happens with Alder, when he's basically browbeat out of his role as a warrior by his own father, and has no real sense of agency or relevance throughout the rest of the story. And regardless of the fact that he was "happy" with being a medicine cat, that doesn't erase how much of a disservice this was, not only for his character arc, but to the idea that anxious people are able to make clear decisions and lead independent lives by their own terms, in spite of how hesitant and nervous they can be when making those decisions. It doesn't feel like he was made into a med cat because he realized that the job suited him better, but more so he could be shoved off somewhere he wouldn't inconvenience his clan anymore. The writing itself doesn't even show how wrong Alder's situation really is. It's treated as unfortunate, and there are moments where Alder doubts himself as a result, but it doesn't give this character the chance to really define himself and continues to perpetuate the toxic idea of being "useful" to his clan. At some point even, Alder's anxiety is completely forgotten about; no real growth, no moment of clarity, NOTHING. He's just suddenly more confident, and he's once again tossed aside. This is the issue with Warrior cat's writing; instead of writing strong stories that fully develop and explore their characters, they put together rushed plot points and continue to perpetuate harmful ideas without any awareness. I'm sorry if this comment is a downer, but Alder's situation saddens me, because it's basically exactly what I went through in public school, where I was constantly asked what was wrong with me, and told to hurry up and bullied by students and teachers alike for being "too slow" and nervous. The only difference was that I was able to find a strong support system with my parents, who actually listened to me, and taught me how to move past my hesitation and fear of failure, instead of making decisions for me and believing that I couldn't achieve anything because of my anxiety, like everyone else did. If we can take away *something* positive from Alder's botched character arc, it would be the importance of compassion, and that we should take the time to really teach and understand one another instead of pushing people aside and ignoring their issues for the sake of convenience. Despite how much the writers want to say otherwise, Alder's story (as botched as it was) is an example of what can happen to someone when they aren't in an environment where they're able to go at their own pace and learn to persevere in the face of self doubt; they're choice in life is taken away and controlled by uncaring people, depriving them of the opportunity to grow and define their own place in the world.

[@sophietremblay3795]

Honestly the character of molewhiskers was really bad written from the start

[@pantherbeastly3934]

@@sophietremblay3795 Yeah I can see where you're coming from, given that he was actually one of the apprentices to lead the former Dark Forest trainees to an injured fox, and was barely punished for it. In another universe, it would have been nice if it were acknowledged in the text that Molewhisker wasn't a good fit for Alder due to his impatience, and Alder was given to someone who was actually willing to just talk to him, and teach him properly.

[@sophietremblay3795]

@@pantherbeastly3934 exactly it’s one of the consequences of the dark forest training

[@pantherbeastly3934]

@@sophietremblay3795 Yes but, mole and his sister still should have been punished for it, as they endangered the lives of many cats who actually chose to help the clans and were unaware of the DF's intentions. Among those cats included Dovewing, who had nothing to do with it even.

[@sophietremblay3795]

@@pantherbeastly3934 exactly and bramblestar didn’t punish them so yeah I hope that they will work on that because he really needs to that to hit my expectations again

[@GoodGurlRusset]

I like him being a medicine cat (tho I’m only in river of fire), but it’s completely true! That one kid who hates their talent and loves smth else: JUST KEEP TRYING!!! *fails* That one adult that ruins everyone’s lives: NO! You suck at the one thing you love and I won’t let you try no matter how many times you say ‘practice makes puuurrrrrr-fect!’ I will force you into doing something that will not have any impact in what happened and could easily be done with ANY OTHER PERSON!

[@choco.cat.4]

I watched this 5 minutes after it was made and im still watching it because i just started watching it

[@choco.cat.4]

Wowwww!!!!! 4 likes!

[@encryptedatrest]

And, like; three medicine cats?! Really? Two is enough…

[@Bethypoopoo08]

You have anxiety, so here become a doctor!! -Warriors

[@ThunderClanFan22]

Alderheart is just a nervous cat he shouldn’t have been a medicine cat due to his anxiety and nervousness, he is easily startled, fearful, nervous & timid

[@justiceandstarsstudios]

Its cruel, so cruel, to keep forcing cats to be medicine cats. It makes no sense that they should keep doing it too! Think about it: Why did Leafpool encourage Jaypaw when she had Cinderpelt as a mentor, and LITERALLY HAD TO GIVE UP HER KITS AND MATE to be a medicine cat, she KNOWS it can make you suffer emotionally!!??! Why did Jayfeather not stick up for Alderheart if he had been through the forced medicine cat stuff!?!? Honestly, If Briarlight can be classed as a warrior, but not be able to fight or hunt, WHY. NOT. CINDERPELT. AND. JAYFEATHER. AND. ALDERHEART. WHO. CAN. DO. BOTH!? It honestly *TRIGGERS ME* !

[@Pr3cklypear]

#justiceforAlderheart

[@ToxinSaysHi]

I get it- Alderpaw was horrible at hunting and being a warrior and all at first, only because he kept freezing for too long! But then, he had the SAME problems as a medicine-cat! I honestly think that it would make more sense (in my opinion) if StarClan just gave cat the OPTION to become a medicine cat if they want them too. They could also train as one, then the other, and later decide if they want to be a warrior or medicine-cat!

[@II_Fan_lolz]

1. They are good at remembering herbs

[@tallfern4830]

Starclan be like: Opinions? Dont know her

[@Amanecer458]

And can bring the fact to force him to be. Medicine cat he is forbiden to have mate or kits also, i dont think everyone wants a family but prohibit that is so harsh, more because he had any desicion.

[@eckoreckofantasy]

Its as if a cat cant instantly hunt and fight like some firestar, theyre put in the garba- i mean medicine cat den. So many times its also not their choice! Everyone else and “”destiny”” chooses for them to be medicine cats, and will make the cat unable to try to do otherwise Thanks warriors..

[@koyoki0000]

I agree his story is confusing to me

[@TheLightningNinja10956]

This is why I love Briarlight. She is disabled harshly- WORSE THAN CINDERPELT!! And yet she still isn’t forced into the medicine cat position! Sure, she helps Jayfeather *sometimes* but she isn’t a medicine cat! (Yes, I know she’s dead shut up)

[@hackidreemurr]

Yeah. She's still classified as a warrior. Well done!!

[@popkatgamkng1654]

Alder heart is a good boi, he’s my replacement from Ravenpaw. UwU

[@jellymehlberg4404]

I saw the title and thought yes the should have given the spot to Sparkpelt so she might become a character that is the least bit interesting!

[@Cromazone]

I Just finished the apprentices quest, while i do kinda like him being a med i dont rlly like the way they like, explained him being a medicine cat. he was good towards the end of the book and great during thunder and shadow and honestly, the page of cherryfalls injury is one of my fav.

[@sp6rkle]

The erins probably just wanted an excuse to make alderheart a medicine cat

[@herbthenerd31415]

I completely agree with this. I always thought he shouldn’t be a med

[@avastoyboxandarcade]

I have an OC who wanted to be a med cat since kithood. Her name is Sunshine :3

[@Allthemeditz]

Legit every cat : “ ALDER HEART MY CHILD” Alder’heart: “ yes?” Legit every cat: “ YOU HAVE TO BE A MEDICINE CAT” Alder’heart: “why I was doing decent, and got better” Legit every cat : “Because we said so. We wanT DRAMA.” Alder’heart: “FR I HAtE THEESE PPL!”

[@II_Fan_lolz]

And has some secrets shes yet to behold.

[@PawfulOfWaffles]

Pshh. "The will of StarClan." I've noticed a tiring amount of scenes where cats have been confused on what to do because StarClan hasn't acted and shoved some answer in their face. These cats rarely think freely. I also hate how they see anyone who doesn't lose their free will to StarClan as inferior to the Clans. They seem to paint Sol as the villian when he actaully isn't in some sense. Sure, he's still a villian, as he manipulated the three and is lazy and power-hungry,, but he seemed pretty right about not letting StarClan control the Clans.

[@YewAndDevastion]

Firestar had multiple dreams from Starclan as both a warrior and an apprentice. Clearly HE should have been a medicine cat! Since that's all it takes! Unless this is another cause of ableism in Warrior cats. Which. It totally is.

[@II_Fan_lolz]

My favorite character Firestar

[@sync4103]

Clicked faster than the speed of light

[@mothpoolislife8318]

In my oc clans, I have two warrior roles. Hunters, who mainly hunt (duh) and fight, and Keepers, who mostly stay in the clan and go on border patrols. Why, in the canon world, if you have any disability, or are bad at warrior duties in any way, you HAVE to be a med cat? It just make cats miserable. Like Yellowfang, Spottedleaf (for different reasons then the ones I listed), Cinderpelt, Jayfeather, and now Alderheart! Leafpool is the only medicine cat in a long while that became a medicine cat because she genuinely wanted to be, and it still caused problems for her! Warriors ruined cats lives, and when StarClan acknowledged that the ruined a cats life (Cinderpelt, although it wasn't really StarClans fault that she became a med) they just shoved her soul into a kits body like that made up for it.

[@babybee5783]

Your art has improved so much since i last watched you

[@II_Fan_lolz]

I even made a my very own warrior cat Oc

[@II_Fan_lolz]

I named her Pinkpelt.

[@Spiderdoestuff]

Cool!

[@lilyalbro3632]

I agree with you Bright Guardian Akira the freezing problem puts the cats in need in danger and if he has the will to become a warrior.

[@Igottagowalkmyfish]

This could also count for Jayfeather. I mean, yes there was his blindness, but they could have easily worked around that. Instead, perhaps getting him a fighting partner in battle?

[@orangejuicepride8499]

I searched up BLFC 2022 and I find this

[@momoshikadora]

I never read the books but I've been following content for awhile to learn about the series. And most of what I'm seeing is a series that shows its age quite ungracefully yet trudges on because yes. Like many anime series did. Flaws were never fixed and everyone keeps complaining. But it's a series so old, and so close to many people's heart that at this point it's like that narrow-minded grandparent that you can't argue against because they're too old to adapt to new situations. And it's a nice grandparent at the end of it all. So for one I'm glad I never got into the fandom neck deep like I usually do, and second it's amazing to see the amount of artists that thrive thanks to Warrior Cats.

[@scaredstiff7176]

I think what warriors would really benefit from is a remaster. It was clear a lot of characters and plots got butchered because they would either ultimately forget about them or just would write them with horrible implications. If the series ever ended, that's what I would love to see next.

[@momoshikadora]

@@scaredstiff7176 maybe a remaster but with a different team behind it. Maybe this way new fans could come into the fandom and appreciate it with this new coat of paint.

[@II_Fan_lolz]

I like this channel.

[@bluesheep7]

Because nothing can go wrong if you put someone with anxiety issues on a work that involves patience and concentration to save lives, instead of actually supporting them. Poor Alderheart.

[@harrison4219]

Imagine commenting your number in the comments rather than giving input

[@II_Fan_lolz]

The best medicine cat should have these things

[@Toaster_the_what]

Alderheart is like episode 1 or 2 of edgy kit that doesn't want to be a medicine cat but has "amazing" connections to starclan (2 if you count jayfeather)

[@ShifterKid]

I think they should just write a book where the cat wants to be a medicine cat from the start. And not like Hollyleaf. One that wants to be one and gets to be one.

[@II_Fan_lolz]

She is the secret daughter of Spottedleaf

[@Ivypool123]

tbh i like him as a medicine cat

[@II_Fan_lolz]

Minis the leg injury and they ay she died.

[@Flourescene1]

But the only problem he’s a prophecy cat..

[@ninaarslanova8716]

So, the Warrior Cats writers teach us that if you are not good at something, you should give it up and do something you don't like. Ah yes, starclan sucks. :/

[@II_Fan_lolz]

2.They are kind and genty but they can be brave and strong when needed

[@PancakeTheKat]

I like to think bramblestar didn’t care about the will of starclan. Maybe this is just my own headcanon, but In my mind, he didn’t want a warrior who couldn’t hunt or a weak warrior, especially not his son. So, using the will of starclan as an excuse, he made alderheart a medicine cat.

[@II_Fan_lolz]

I made a million draws of him with fire powers

[@Potato-ok6mi]

You are the reason why I got into Warrior Cats IS AMAZING! ( am very new)

[@pugget_nugget3232]

WOAH!!! i haven’t gotten to VoS,(lol) but this i# really in depth! Good job and keep up the good work!

[@cinnamonpuppi]

New favorite character, never read about him, I'm literally on dawn.

[@Real_Aer0]

5:27 you spelled hus instead of his

[@warriorcatsfan2554]

Honestly, you did make really good points. I wish the Erin’s just let him live his dreams being a warrior with Sparkpelt.

[@rileymanders2167]

more cats

[@rachaeldinsdale7634]

I think Alderheart would have been a great warrior.

[@mochamonster6956]

5:26 - hus paws I read that as hummus paws lol

[@dustytailstudios]

Tbh I'll give molewhisker some leniency, even slightly. Imagine you're given a student, one who is just as capable as any cat, but he somehow keeps messing up. Getting frozen in fear, missing an attack,ECT. You change how you train him, but nothing you do seems to even make a dent. You look around and after a moon or two, everyone else has apprentice catching prey. But alderpaw somehow can't. Idk but I'd grow impatient too! Idk if he was trying to push alderpaw by getting stricter, or if he truly didn't know that alderpaw was trying. For all we know, molewhisker might of thought alderpaw wasnt even trying.

[@firepawx3779]

I really don’t think alderheart should be a medicine cat because he didn’t even want to be one he was forced into being one and that’s just not fair

[@meeepteh_potate7759]

« Your point about starclan » that’s the whole reason poeple always believe in a god(s) because they are literally higher beings meant to help and guide people, while dead spirits are just people in a different place

[@KumihoTheFaux]

I love your videos

[@ranikhan1319]

Hey, Akira. I know we havent talked about Dove’Wing's eyes for a while. Why not mix yellow, blue and green together in a video and make that her REAL eye colors? I have been thinking about it.