Maggottail

"We can do this."

— Maggottail reaffirming his decision to fight Ashfur to Bristlefrost in A Light in the Mist, page 165

Maggottail
The pixel artwork is fanart based on the canon description; undefined traits are left to the artist's interpretation.
Affiliations
Current:	The Place of No Stars
Past:	ShadowClan
Names
Known/Given:	Maggottail
Dark Forest resident:	Maggottail
Book appearances
Dead	The Forgotten Warrior, A Light in the Mist
Dead	The Forgotten Warrior, A Light in the Mist

Maggottail is a ragged, gray tabby tom.

History

In the Omen of the Stars arc

The Forgotten Warrior

Narrator: "The oldest of the leaders, little more than a faint shadow against the slimy trunk behind him, loomed threateningly over her."

Maggottail: "Big words for one so small."

^{The Forgotten Warrior, page 224}

Maggottail is one of the leaders of the Dark Forest present when Ivypool asks Brokenstar to make her a warrior there. Maggottail, said to be the oldest of them, looms over her, saying that Ivypool is speaking big words for a cat so small. Noted to be little more than a shadow against the trunk behind him, Ivypool tries not to recoil from his foul breath and baleful eyes as he inspects her all over. Brokenstar shoves him away, telling him to leave her alone.

In The Broken Code arc

A Light in the Mist

"Even if Ashfur can't get us into the living Clans, he still might be able to make life here better for us."

―Maggottail about siding with Ashfur ^{A Light in the Mist (book), page 102}

Bristlefrost comes across Maggottail, Redwillow, and Sparrowfeather while outrunning Ashfur and his cats. The three argue about Ashfur's plan to take over the living world, and Maggottail chastises Redwillow and Sparrowfeather for fretting about the Dark Forest slowly shrinking underneath thick fog and dark water. They notice Bristlefrost spying on them and give chase. They catch up with her and Redwillow and Sparrowfeather attempt to shove themselves into her body just like Ashfur had done with Bramblestar. Maggottail tries by shoving his head into the gray warrior's flank but fails to possess her. Bristlefrost is confused, and Maggottail explains they've performed the ritual that Ashfur had instructed them to do—pull out three of their whiskers while Ashfur buried them near the border with StarClan—so it should work. Bristlefrost realizes that Ashfur lied to them and feels pity. She explains that Ashfur was able to do it because Bramblestar had nine lives, and his plan to help the Dark Forest cats take over the living world wouldn't work with only five leaders.

Maggottail accuses Bristlefrost of lying and still insists on following Ashfur, though Bristlefrost manages to convince the three Dark Forest cats to help her so they can save the Dark Forest from disappearing. As they head towards the barrier with StarClan, Maggottail expresses his doubts about Bristlefrost telling the truth and wonders out loud if they need to kill her so they can inhabit her body. Sparrowfeather argues with him about following Ashfur, and mocks Maggottail for only joining Ashfur because there's a slim chance he might live again and become ShadowClan's leader, as he once was obsessed with the idea when he was alive. They reach the thick bramble barrier separating StarClan with the Dark Forest, and Bristlefrost explains the barrier weakens with hope. Maggottail is dubious, but Bristlefrost manages to convince him and the others to help her create a gap by insisting they can rule the Dark Forest after Ashfur is gone and save their territory. Needletail, a StarClan cat, arrives from the gap they create, and Maggottail and the other Dark Forest cats are uneasy around her. However, Ashfur and his army of possessed spirits arrive and he orders them to kill Needletail. As they chase Needletail, Bristlefrost is surprised when Maggottail, Redwillow, and Sparrowfeather remain by her side as they fight Ashfur and his army. Realizing they are outnumbered, Bristlefrost calls a retreat.

In their chase, Maggottail nearly falls into the dark water until Bristlefrost yanks him back, but Redwillow is not as fortunate and he falls in, drowning. They escape into some trees and capture some of Ashfur's cats. Rootspring and Silverhawk arrive to help them, and Maggottail is surprised to see his fellow Dark Forest cat. After joining up with more StarClan cats and cats from the living world, the patrol ventures to confront Ashfur. Maggottail participates in the ensuing battle against Ashfur and his army. After Ashfur's defeat, Leafpool leads them to the former barrier with StarClan, and Maggottail wonders if she wanted the Dark Forest cats to follow as well. Maggottail grumpily remarks that the others should be thanking them for helping, though Juniperclaw rebukes him by saying it was a team effort. He is uneasy gazing into StarClan from the border, but is firm about remaining in the Dark Forest. He is skeptical of Juniperclaw's decision to guard the border. Firestar thanks the Dark Forest cats for their help, and Maggottail and the others disappear.

Character pixels

The pixel artwork is fanart based on the canon description; undefined traits are left to the artist's interpretation. Adult Version Dark Forest Resident Version

Appearances

• The Forgotten Warrior (First appearance)
• A Light in the Mist

Trivia

Interesting facts

• Maggottail is one of the oldest spirits in the Dark Forest, and his spirit continuously fades in and out like a shadow.

Continuity

The following information is from sources considered non-canon or retconned.

• In Su Susann's "Missing Kits" on Vicky's Facebook, Maggottail was born in SkyClan before their exile from the forest territories, and was named Dashkit due to his speed. He was described as a black tom with a white tail-tip and splash on his nose with yellow eyes. As an apprentice, Dashpaw was dared to race a young fox, but instead the fox bit his tail. Dashpaw's tail became infected with maggots and his Clanmates teased him with the nickname 'Maggottail'. However, Dashpaw was proud of his ability to survive a fox bite and asked for his warrior name to be Maggottail.

External links

• Creating an Antagonist on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Indirect mention only)
• Bristlefrost: A Tribute on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Mentioned only)

Fan content

• Our Favorite Dark Forest Artwork on the Warriors official website (backup link)
• Dark Forest allies artwork on the Warriors official website (backup link)