Prologue
Tigerpaw stood over his father, Thistleclaw. He was mortally wounded from a battle with RiverClan, and he was probably going to die. The medicine cat had just gone to get more herbs and father and son were alone together at last.
"Listen, son," Thistleclaw rasped. "My time is almost up. But before I go to join StarClan, there is something I must say-" Here he broke of in a fit of coughing. "Hush, father. Save your breath." Tigerpaw meowed, resting his tail on Thistleclaw's muzzle. "Featherwhisker and Spottedpaw are coming."
Thistleclaw shook him off. "It's too late. Herbs will not help me now." He coughed. "I was almost deputy. And if I had been deputy, I would be leader by now. Thus, I give you the task of being the next leader. Remember-" he coughed again. "Remember, power is the most important thing a cat can have. ThunderClan is growing soft under Sunstar's lead. You must-" this time, the coughing lasted so long that Tigerpaw was afraid he would not be able to catch his breath. But at last he continued. .
"You must change ThunderClan. Make them strong. Make them true warriors. And never, ever, let anyone make you look bad. If you look bad, the Clan looks bad." It seemed he was trying to tell his son everything he had ever learned. "Defend your leadership with words and with claws if you must. Warriors and apprentices will look up to you. You will be… Tigerstar" With these last words Thistleclaw took one last deep shuddering breath and lay still.
Tigerpaw bent down and nosed his father. Suddenly he sat up and let out a long mournful wail, "He's dead!" Then he lay down with his muzzle resting in his father's fur, and for the first and last time in his life, cried.
This is my past, the reason I was like that. I know many cats think I was evil. Maybe I was wrong. Possibly bad. But surely not evil! One day they will see – I will make them see! – Why.