The dark forest was as black and unforgiving as every time Hawkfrost had walked there, glowing with the sickly green light of fungus. This time his paws felt light as he raced across the ground towards his meeting place with Tigerstar - he felt as if he could run forever.

What news he could tell his father now! Part of him knew there was a Gathering just finishing - the other part didn't care. He burst into the clearing, and saw Tigerstar standing on top of his rock - but he was not alone.

Another cat lay under him, bleeding - a cat with dark tabby fur and amber eyes. Hawkfrost's eyes widened as he recognised Brambleclaw.

"Father!" he meowed, and Tigerstar looked up, releasing Brambleclaw. "Hawkfrost." He nodded. "Good to see you."

Brambleclaw looked up, blinking blood out of his eyes. "How... but... but you're dead!" Tigerstar flicked his whiskers at Hawkfrost, and Hawkfrost understood perfectly.

"Of course I'm dead," he replied silkily. "So is Tigerstar. That's why I'm here."
Brambleclaw flicked his ears, then nodded as if he was confirming it.

"So, you feel nothing for me now, do you?" asked Hawkfrost, wondering if he could persuade his brother to come over to his side.

Brambleclaw looked at his paws for a second, clearly unsure of what to say. Then he raised his head proudly. "I feel no regret for what I did. I am loyal to ThunderClan, and nothing else."

This time it was Tigerstar who replied. "Fool!" he snarled, and cuffed his son sharply round the ears. "Get out of here before I kill you myself. You no longer walk this forest."

Brambleclaw raced out of the clearing, limping fiercly, and Hawkfrost and Tigerstar were left alone. "Tigerstar!" panted Hawkfrost. He pushed the image of his half-brother out of his mind. "I have gathered followers from 3 Clans in the space of two moonrises!"

Tigerstar nodded. "Well done Hawkfrost. You've got loyal cats there - most of them."

Hawkfrost twitched his whiskers, his tail flicking. "Ashfur and Birchpaw of ThunderClan, Blackclaw of RiverClan and Webfoot of WindClan. Or," he added, smirking, "formerly of those Clans."

But instead of agreeing with his son, Tigerstar remained silent. Then, eventually, he spoke. "Hawkfrost."

"Yes?"

"You know I granted you a gift. A gift worthy of StarClan."

"Of course! Those li-"

"I granted you nine lives, like those of a leader," Tigerstar cut in. "And I am equal to StarClan in every way now - perhaps more powerful."

Hawkfrost nodded eagerly. "You are powerful, father!" he yowled loudly.

"The only thing I regret is not making sure of my power when I walked in the forest, alive."

Hawkfrost wrinkled his nose. "What? You became a leader -"

"Of a Clan. Not of four Clans, united under my rule." Tigerstar gave a short growl. "I must now live out those ambitions through you. Hawkfrost, you are truly my son - but you must behave like it. I cannot afford mistakes!"

Hawkfrost shook his head, flattening himself to the ground.

"I will not make mistakes."