Prologue

Many moons ago...

It was a frightening night indeed for all the residents of ThunderClan. The clouded, starless sky above them was pitch black, with a sliver of moonlight creeping through the blanket, illuminating the ground just in front of the high rock. From above it, a tall, broad-shouldered tabby tom stood on his pedestal, glaring down at his murderous subject.

Redhawk, a sleek, mostly white-furred cat with ginger stripes, met the leader's gaze calmly, emotionless, uncaring, tail casually resting in the air. He smirked without guilt as Rattlestar began to speak, striped tail flicking from side to side with in rage.

"Cats of ThunderClan, although our investigations of Blizzardflare's death have been long lasting these past few torturous moons, I present to you the bloodthirsty killer of her poor, young soul. Redhawk. A once trusted senior warrior. Do you have anything to say for yourself?" Rattlestar hissed.

Redhawk's smirk grew, eyeing Duskstorm, who looked ready enough to leap forward and slit his throat. "She was a descendant of the kittypet leader Firestar, a filthy invasion of our once purebred race, our strong and tough warriors. No, I regret nothing, my dear leader, apart from the fact that I couldn't kill her father too," he stated coldly. "Anyway-"

"Silence!" the brown tabby spat. "You are hereby exiled from ThunderClan, from both plotting to kill a cat and committing the murder of an innocent. If you do not leave our territory by sunrise, we will not hold back in your execution. I'm sure StarClan supports this decision." Looking up, he saw that the moonlight had not faded, and Rattlestar looked back at the villain with triumph.

To many cat's disgust, the white cat nodded and began chuckling to himself, casually strolling towards the Clan entrance. Suddenly, his sly exit was cut short, with Duskstorm leaping in front of him, claws unsheathed, glaring up at his leader.

"How dare you?! Exile? Simply exile?" he began, panting in rage, eyes wide and unblinking as his fury began to grow.

"Duskstorm, I will not be spoken to like-" the tabby tried, but the warrior cut him off.

"My daughter had so much potential. So many skills. She was so full of life. My beautiful kit... If you'll not kill him, then I'll do it myself!" Duskstorm was practically having to screech out every word by the end, his voice shaking, an explosion bubbling up in his stomach that he couldn't control.

As he turned towards Redhawk with his claws still unsheathed, the deputy, Hailpelt, began to sprint towards him, yet his impressive speed was not fast enough for the impulsive father. Surprisingly, Redhawk did not move, eyes tainted with amusement as Duskstorm leapt onto him, long claws scraping down his vulnerable belly and watching with satisfaction as blood poured out of the wound.

"Ha.. Y-You've done it now, D-" Redhawk's body went slack, eyes glazing over as his breath left him.

"D-Dusks-" a she-cat began, looking at him in shock. "Wh-"

Rattlestar, breaking out of his shock, leapt off of the high rock. "You have betrayed StarClan's agreement! Once an oath is sworn, the terms must be followed! I care not if this was for your daughter, StarClan bless her soul, you have committed an act of ruthless murder, and for that your punishment matches his. Leave, Duskstorm. Do not be foolish enough to come back or I will follow through with your death, although I do not wish for any more blood to spilled."

"No!" Duskstorm's mate wailed, legs giving out, falling on her bloated stomach. It was too late for pleas. With one last mournful yet hateful look, the ginger tom raced towards the forest, refusing to look back again.