"I have traveled so far and loved so much, and yet I am still following the Sun Trail, heading for my new hunting grounds." |
— Gray Wing reflecting on his life in Path of Stars, page 308 |
Gray Wing is a sleek, dark gray tom with golden eyes,[4] and a torn ear-tip.[16]
Gray Wing was a member of Windstar's camp in the forest territories. He was born in the Ancient Tribe to Quiet Rain alongside his brother, Clear Sky. When Half Moon spoke of a new home, Gray Wing chose to stay behind; however, after his younger brother Jagged Peak left to follow the group, Gray Wing joined them on the journey. He stayed with Shadowstar's group on the moor and adopted his brother's orphaned son, Thunder. Realizing his brother had changed, Gray Wing cut ties with Clear Sky. Gray Wing and Turtle Tail became mates and he adopted her kits, Sparrow Fur, Pebble Heart, and Owl Eyes. Gray Wing was chosen to lead the group after Tall Shadow, though he decided to co-lead with her following his asthma he developed from a fire. Gray Wing eventually stepped down leading the group following a battle with Clear Sky, and mourned Turtle Tail's death deeply. He helped defeat One Eye and Slash by drawing out battle strategies, and once his mother died, he left the pines to the moor and became mates with Slate, who had his kits, Black Ear, White Tail, and Silver Stripe. Due to his asthma, Gray Wing passed away after renaming the group to Clans. He ascended to StarClan, watching over his kin, and gave Windstar, Thunderstar, Riverstar, and Blackstar one of their nine lives.
History
Looking for a longer overview? Find one here!
Dawn of the Clans
- "You have been like a father to so many. To Thunder, as well as to my kits. To any cat that needed comfort and guidance. No other cat is as well-loved as you, Gray Wing. You will be remembered."
- ―Turtle Tail's spirit to Gray Wing Path of Stars, page 2
- Gray Wing develops feelings for a rogue named Storm, despite his initial feelings for Turtle Tail. To his dismay, Storm becomes mates with Clear Sky instead and becomes pregnant with his kits. Before Gray Wing goes to visit Storm, who fled Clear Sky after discovering his violent behavior, he tries to confront Clear Sky, but is attacked by Fox, but he accidentally kills the tom. Gray Wing searches for Turtle Tail and Bumble in the Twolegplace, and Gray Wing learns that the Twoleg nest she was living in collapsed. Gray Wing and Turtle Tail find Storm and two of her kits has died in the accident. Gray Wing finds only one surviving kit, and Turtle Tail names him Thunder, in honor of his mother. He then takes Thunder to Clear Sky who, blinded by his fear of failing to protect his loved ones, disowns his son. Angered by the cat he once knew as his brother, Gray Wing takes Thunder back to the moor and raises him as his own.
- On the moor, the cats are frustrated by Tall Shadow's inability to lead and insist Gray Wing should be leader. Gray Wing continues to deny this motion until Tall Shadow turns over her leadership after a fire rages through the forest, killing her brother, Moon Shadow. However, he develops asthma from smoke inhalation that festers for the rest of his life. He adopts Turtle Tail's kits, Sparrow Fur, Owl Eyes, and Pebble Heart, after their mother flees the Twolegplace from their father, Tom. Tensions continue to rise between the two groups, and Gray Wing still believes there is hope for peace with his brother. In the midst of all this, his kits are stolen by Tom. Gray Wing and Turtle Tail desperately search for their kits, but Turtle Tail is killed by a monster. Gray Wing mourns and vows to never forget her memory. At a meeting with all the leaders at four trees, a deadly battle breaks out, and Clear Sky almost kills his brother. The fight ceases when spirit cats of their fallen friends appear, warning them to release their fear and unite.
- Weakened by his persistent illness, Gray Wing turns over leadership to Thunder. He grows concerned when a mysterious illness entraps the groups, with the spirit cats' only guidance is to grow and spread like the blazing star. During some time to rest and reflect at River Ripple's camp, he meets Slate, a friendly she-cat who easily trusts him. When One Eye launches his assault on them, Gray Wing expertly draws out battle plans to counter him and his rogues. He and Tall Shadow find the Blazing Star used to heal the sick cats, and Gray Wing believes they are meant to grow and spread like the five petals of the herb.
- Gray Wing decides to live in the pines to be with Jagged Peak and his new family. Quiet Rain arrives, along with Moon Shadow's son, Sun Shadow, having journeyed to see her sons again before she dies. Gray Wing leaves the group to join Wind Runner's group on the moor with Slate, realizing he would be happier there and becomes mates with Slate. Star Flower, Clear Sky's new mate, is kidnapped by Slash, and Gray Wing joins the rescue effort to save the expecting queen. When he returns, Slate reveals she's expecting his kits. She later gives birth to Black Ear, White Tail, and Silver Stripe. During another peaceful meeting under the full moon, Slash's cats steal Black Ear, and Gray Wing is too frail to save him. Clear Sky and Thunder rescue him and bring him back to his family. While dying, Gray Wing declares the groups should be named Clans instead, and he names WindClan and SkyClan. Surrounded by his family, Gray Wing succumbs to his asthma and passes away peacefully. He is welcomed by his family as he walks to his new hunting grounds.
The Broken Code
- Skystar: "So the rule on boundaries comes last now?"
- Gray Wing: "Perhaps it should have come last all along."
- A Light in the Mist, page 302
Super Editions
This section summarizes Gray Wing's significant Super Editions appearances. If you're looking for a full list, find one here!
- Moth Flight: "Any cat can follow a moth."
- Gray Wing: "Few cats would understand which moth will lead their Clan to safety."
- Moth Flight's Vision, pages 439-440
Novellas
This section summarizes Gray Wing's significant Novellas appearances. If you're looking for a full list, find one here!
- "Lightning Tail truly did save you. And there is nothing more important than protecting the cats you love."
- ―Gray Wing to Thunderstar Thunderstar's Echo, chapter 6
- "Even so many generations on, they remember you. ShadowClan survives. And all the Clans will uphold the warrior code, knowing it's what makes them Clan cats."
- ―Gray Wing about the future of the Clans Shadowstar's Life, chapter 10
- "With this life, I give you unity. Do all that you can to make sure every Clan is strong. Because if one Clan falls, all the Clans will be lost."
- ―Gray Wing to Blackfoot Blackfoot's Reckoning, chapter 6
Detailed description
Scars gained
The following is a chronological list of scars and/or major injuries that Gray Wing has gained:
- Torn ear-tip caused by Petal during the Great Battle in The First Battle.[17]
Character pixels
The pixel artwork is fanart based on the canon description; undefined traits are left to the artist's interpretation. |
Official art
Please do not edit this gallery |
Killed victims
This list shows the victims Gray Wing has killed:
Ceremonies
Lives granted
The following is a list of gifts Gray Wing has granted during nine lives ceremonies:
Lives granted | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
|
Family
- Main article: Gray Wing/Family
- Gray Wing's mother is Quiet Rain. His mates are Turtle Tail and Slate, and his kits are Silver Stripe, Black Ear, and White Tail. He is also the adopted father of Thunderstar, Sparrowstar, Pebble Heart, and Owl Eyes. For more of Gray Wing's family, click here!
Appearances
- Riverstar's Home †
- The Sun Trail
- Thunder Rising
- The First Battle
- The Blazing Star
- A Forest Divided
- Path of Stars †
- Moth Flight's Vision
- Thunderstar's Echo
- Shadowstar's Life
- Blackfoot's Reckoning
- A Light in the Mist
- Battles of the Clans (First appearance; mentioned only)
- The Ultimate Guide
- The Ultimate Guide: Updated and Expanded Edition
Merchandise
Toys and Plush
Gray Wing Keychain - Discontinued
- Head to school in style with StarClan's Gray Wing, a cute Warrior Cats keychain.
- Gray Wing, with his patience and love as a father to so many young cats, and his work in forming the five Clans, represents the guidance and love of StarClan—shown even more clearly in the starry pelt he wears in his keychain design.
- Also included in a three-pack bundle with Mistystar and Firestar.
- Approximate individual price is $7.99 USD.
Trivia
- Main article: Gray Wing/Trivia
- Did you know Gray Wing was originally supposed to die in The Sun Trail? For more trivia about Gray Wing, click here!
Quotes
- Main article: Gray Wing/Quotes
External links
- Graywing's profile on the Warriors official website (backup link)
- Pick a Plush on the Warriors official website (Poll option) (backup link)
- The Best Fathers a Cat Could Have on the Warriors official website (backup link)
- Blood Isn't Everything on the Warriors official website (backup link)
- New In Store: Keychains on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Mentioned only)
- Best of the Worst on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Indirect mention only)
- Together We Are Strong on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Indirect mention only)
- A Common Bond on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Indirect mention only)
- From the Very Beginning on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Mentioned only)
- Pick a Large Plush: The Sequel on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Poll option)
- As long as the moon is full... on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Indirect mention only)
- Pick a Large Plush 2021 on the Warriors official website (backup link) (screenshot) (Poll option)
- The Forest Map: RiverClan on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Mentioned only)
- Warrior Cats books that will make you cry on the Warriors official website (backup link)
Fan content
- Winners of the January Fan Challenge + New Challenge Announcement on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Mentioned only)
- Winners of the holiday tradition fan challenge on the Warriors official website (backup link)
- Winners of the Valentine's Day card fan challenge on the Warriors official website (backup link)
- Our Favorite Gray Wing Artwork on the Warriors official website (backup link)
- Following the Sun Trail Artwork on the Warriors official website (backup link)
- The First Battle Artwork on the Warriors official website (backup link)
- Blackstar's Nine Life-Givers Artwork on the Warriors official website (backup link)
- Our favorite artwork from 2021 on the Warriors official website (backup link)
- More leafbare scenes artwork on the Warriors official website (backup link)
- Gray Wing's family artwork on the Warriors official website (backup link)
- Warrior Cats love stories on the Warriors official website (backup link)
Notes and references
- ↑ Revealed in Path of Stars, page 307
- ↑ Revealed in Battles of the Clans, page 59
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Revealed in The Sun Trail, page 254
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Revealed in The Sun Trail, allegiances
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Revealed in Thunder Rising, allegiances
- ↑ Revealed in The Blazing Star, chapter 16
- ↑ Revealed in A Forest Divided, page 324
- ↑ Revealed in Battles of the Clans, page 60
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Revealed in The Sun Trail, page 7
- ↑ Gray Wing mentions that he and Clear Sky were kits during the last sunny season, implying they had been born the previous year before The Sun Trail is set.[9]
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Revealed in Path of Stars, pages 307-308
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 Revealed in Thunder Rising, page 168
- ↑ Revealed in Moth Flight's Vision, page 89
- ↑ Revealed in Thunder Rising, page 285
- ↑ Revealed in The Blazing Star, page 13
- ↑ Revealed in The First Battle, page 261
- ↑ Revealed in The First Battle, chapter 20
- ↑ Revealed in The Sun Trail, page 291
- ↑ Revealed in The Blazing Star, pages 239-240
- ↑ Revealed in Moth Flight's Vision, page 440
- ↑ Revealed in Thunderstar's Echo, chapter 6
- ↑ Revealed in Riverstar's Home, page 292
- ↑ Revealed in Blackfoot's Reckoning, chapter 6
Tribe of Rushing Water (ancient) cats | |
---|---|
Healer | Stoneteller |
Members | Twisted Branch • Stone Song • Hollow Tree • Sharp Hail • Jay Frost |
Queen | Dewy Leaf |
Kits | Fluttering Bird • Crow Muzzle • Melting Ice • Dancing Leaf • Falling Dusk • Morning Star |
Elders | Lion's Roar • Snow Hare • Silver Frost • Misty Water |
Cats that left on the sun trail | Shaded Moss • Tall Shadow • Clear Sky • Gray Wing • Bright Stream • Dappled Pelt • Rainswept Flower • Turtle Tail • Moon Shadow • Shattered Ice • Cloud Spots • Quick Water • Hawk Swoop • Falling Feather • Jackdaw's Cry • Jagged Peak • Quiet Rain • Sun Shadow |