Goldenpaw sighed. Fogwhisker was acting like the boss of everyone, and he had only been a warrior a moon. Luckypaw had perhaps been worse; she had taken to ignoring Goldenpaw and snapping every time they exchanged words.

Goldenpaw was in the apprentices' den, trying to fall asleep, when she noticed Fogwhisker sneaking away from camp. Determined to find out why he was sneaking out, in the warriors' den and while he was an apprentice, Goldenpaw followed him stealthily. She relied on the thick undergrowth to keep herself hidden and rolled in some bracken to hide her scent. She followed her Clanmate through the forest all the way to the ShadowClan border.

Goldenpaw saw something that made her fur prickle and her stomach sick. Fogwhisker was nuzzling a ShadowClan cat! Knowing that this was definitely not allowed and against the warrior code, Goldenpaw ran back to the camp, dodging bushes and trees. She scrambled through the thorn barrier and ran up the rocks that led to the Highledge. Beside it was Firestar's den.

"Firestar!" Goldenpaw gasped as she entered the den.

Firestar sat up abruptly, his mate Sandstorm stirring too. "What is it, Goldenpaw?" he inquired.

Goldenpaw gulped. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea. "I-it's Fogwhisker! I saw him leaving the camp to nuzzle a ShadowClan cat! He's a traitor!" she spat at last. Goldenpaw regretted it immediately. Perhaps she shouldn't have been so quick to accuse. Perhaps she shouldn't have been so angry at Fogwhisker.

Firestar had a thoughtful look in his eyes.

"Didn't Graystripe do the same thing?" Sandstorm murmured sleepily.

"He did indeed." Firestar replied, before turning his green gaze back to Goldenpaw.

"Tonight, I will watch." Firestar meowed. "Go back to your den and get some sleep," he added softly, before rolling over and dropping back to sleep.

Her audience with the leader was over. She bounded back down the Highledge, before heading to her den. Careful not to wake Luckypaw, although she wouldn't have minded if she did. It was just that Luckypaw would've snapped at her and she didn't want to cause a scene. Goldenpaw finally drifted into dreams.

"Who are you?" Goldenpaw hissed at a brown tabby with gigantic claws.

"By StarClan! Does ThunderClan not teach its apprentices history anymore?" he drawled.

Goldenpaw gasped. "You're Tigerstar! Y-you're a murderer and villain!" she crouched and darted to fight him, but he batted her back with one lazy forepaw.

He had so much strength without even using it! Goldenpaw was shocked. "Why are you in my dream?" she blurted.

"To teach you." Tigerstar sneered. "To teach you to fight and hunt better than any warrior in your Clan."

"B-but you're evil!" Goldenpaw mewed.

"I've changed. Do you believe me? I can make you powerful." Tigerstar answered smoothly. He winked at her.

"Very well." Goldenpaw said cautiously. What was Tigerstar trying to do? Then, a thought flashed through her mind. I can use this to become better than Luckypaw. Yes!

"Let me teach you a fighting move. Duck, leap, roll!" he barked but his eyes showed amusement.

"Duck...leap...roll..." Goldenpaw repeated. "Okay."

"I'm going to attack you. Use this move." Tigerstar warned, before leaping at her.

Goldenpaw froze, then her instincts kicked in. She ducked and Tigerstar flew right over her. Goldenpaw leaped into the air, which dodged his counterattack. Finally, she landed and to her amazement managed to land squarely on Tigerstar's back. She rolled off, slashing her claws as he tried to stand up.

"Good job." Tigerstar mewed briskly, wincing a little from a wound Goldenpaw had gave him. "I'll meet you here tomorrow night in your dreams. "Good luck, Goldenpaw." He added, smiling.

I might be Clan leader like this! I can't wait for tomorrow night.

"See you, Tigerstar."

Goldenpaw woke with a start. She remembered her dream and the fur on her spine rose. She had been trained by Tigerstar! Yet she had thought he seemed okay. He was kind of sweet, too. Goldenpaw remembered her willingness to learn, her trust in him and with a shock, remembered how ambitious she had been. She had thought of herself as Clan leader.

"You're finally awake, mouse-brain," Luckypaw greeted her as she awoke from her third night of training.

"Hello." Goldenpaw replied stiffly. If she knew what training I've been doing, she'll be so jealous! I bet she doesn't train with a legendary warrior every night.

Small jaws clamped around her tail. Goldenpaw whipped around to find Flowerkit pouncing on her tail.

"Hey! Stop!" she complained.

Something tickled on her ears. It was Thunderkit!

"Oi! Kits stop!" Goldenpaw flicked her ears irritably. Thunderkit fell off with a yelp. Immediately, Flowerkit let go of her tail to wobble over to her brother. Swiftkit came over as well, glaring at Goldenpaw.

"Thunderkit! Are you okay?" Dovewing mewed anxiously from the nursery. "Kits, come back, Goldenpaw won't hurt you from in the nursery."

Goldenpaw stared. She hadn't meant to harm the kit. But perhaps her nightly training sessions with Tigerstar had made her stronger than ever. And she knew that she would get stronger still. She was distracted from her thoughts by Jayfeather striding from the medicine cat den, most likely to check on Thunderkit. Goldenpaw bristled. It was just a bit of bruising! Nothing serious. Luckypaw had been more injured as a kit than Thunderkit. The stupid mouse-brain.

"Goldenpaw!" Ivypool was calling for her to train.

"Can't we train tomorrow?" Goldenpaw groaned.

The bad part of extra training was extreme tiredness. And every wound that she got in her dreams appeared on her body in the morning. It was hard to keep the secret from Luckypaw who she slept with every night. Yesterday morning, Luckypaw had even noticed a big scratch on her side. She had lied and blamed it on a thorn in her bedding. She sensed eyes on her and found Luckypaw glaring at her sternly. Goldenpaw knew that her irritating sister was watching for a clue that she was breaking the warrior code. But I'm not! I'm just doing extra training! Where's the harm in that?

Goldenpaw gave her chest fur a couple of embarrassed licks. It would seem as she didn't want to train. At this rate, she'd never become a warrior.

Ivypool's expression softened. "I'm probably training you too hard, am I? It's okay, Goldenpaw. Sleep well. I'll wake you at sunhigh."

Goldenpaw yawned before going back to the apprentices' den. She was met by Luckypaw, who was going out at Ivypool's calls. Her mentor had taken over Luckypaw's training while Dovewing was nursing her kits. However, she didn't want Ivypool to like Luckypaw more than her. She gave her fur a quick lick before bounding out to find her mentor and sister. She followed their scent to the training hollow. Battle training! Goldenpaw loved battle training ever since the handsome tabby, Tigerstar had visited her.

"I've decided to come after all," she announced after pushing through a wall of ivy. Ivypool shot her a pleased look before turning back to Luckypaw.

Luckypaw was matching Ivypool's movements with ease, she dodged and ducked and aimed her own blows as well. Goldenpaw envied her freedom and her skill; they were equal level but only Goldenpaw had taken lessons.

"Good." Ivypool gasped. "Luckypaw, take a break; you earned it. Goldenpaw, try to reach this ball of moss," she flicked a ball behind her with her tail. "I will be defending."

Goldenpaw let her instincts take over. She sped at her mentor, ducking Ivypool's nip and leaping into the air. She briefly remembered that this was what Tigerstar had taught her. Goldenpaw landed squarely on Ivypool's back, squashing her. Finally, she rolled off and batted her mentor with her claws sheathed.

Goldenpaw let Ivypool stand up and waited for praise. Instead, her mentor's eyes were full of distrust and suspicion. Why?

"Where did you learn that move?" she demanded.

"I made it up myself." Goldenpaw lifted her chin up. Surely Ivypool would compliment her and praise her now.

"Stop lying." Ivypool's voice was cold. "I know what you've been doing at night. I suggest you stop." She turned to Luckypaw. "Let's try that fox-attack again, shall we?" Ivypool asked her in a warm tone.

Goldenpaw was stunned. She ran back to camp, trying not to break down, and entered the elders' den.

"Mousefur, Longtail, Purdy, please tell me about Tigerstar," she begged.

"Tigerstar? Why'd a young un' like you want to know about him?" Purdy answered, frowning.

"I want to know why he was dangerous," Goldenpaw retorted.

"Tell her, Mousefur," Longtail mewed.

"Fine." Mousefur snapped. "Tigerstar was one of the greatest warriors ever, but his weakness was his ambition. His ambition made him kill Redtail, a ThunderClan deputy, his ambition made him make a plan to kill Bluestar, the ThunderClan leader before Firestar, his ambition made him side with rogues to kill Bluestar, his ambition made him leader of ShadowClan, his ambition made him form TigerClan, which was RiverClan and ShadowClan together. His ambition made him bring BloodClan in, the most vicious of all clans, with a kittypet for a leader. That kittypet was called Scrouge, and he killed Tigerstar. Not just one life, but all nine of his lives. Finally, Firestar led all four clans as LionClan to defeat BloodClan. The battle cost many warriors and one of Firestar's lives." Mousefur finished soberly.

"Wow." Goldenpaw breathed. "I didn't know."

She was interrupted by a loud yowl from the Highledge.

"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather here beneath the Highledge for a Clan meeting!" Firestar yowled.

Goldenpaw followed the elders to the Highledge. The Clan filed in, murmuring. None of the kits were 6 moons, and none of the apprentices had trained for 6 moons either.

"A couple days ago, I noticed Fogwhisker sneaking out of camp. I followed him. He was meeting with a ShadowClan she-cat. He has broken the warrior code!" Firestar declared. "Explain yourself, Fogwhisker!"

Fogwhisker trembled. "It's just a friendship!" he called.

"It was not. You were sharing tongues with her!" Goldenpaw bristled. She didn't speak loudly, so none of the cats heard her.

"Enough." Firestar commanded. "Fogwhisker, your punishment will be confinement to camp for 1 moon and having to do all apprentice tasks until I say you are released. If you are still sneaking out to see her, you will be punished further, or exiled."

Fogwhisker snarled. "Fine. I'll prove I'm loyal to the Clan." Fuming, he stalked back to his den.

"There is more." Firestar had the Clan's attention. To Goldenpaw's surprise, he was looking straight at her. "Our cats are being corrupted by Tigerstar again. It seems that he doesn't die. If you see him in your dreams, do not listen to him. He is pure evil."

That night, Goldenpaw saw Tigerstar again.

"Welcome back," he purred.

"They say you're evil." Goldenpaw shot.

"You know me better than them," Tigerstar mewed. "Do I seem evil?"

Goldenpaw sat down and thought about it. "No." she finally replied. "You just seem like a cat who wants to help me."

"Exactly," Tigerstar dipped his head.

"I need to beat Luckypaw!" Goldenpaw blurted. "She's so annoying. She's turned my mentor against me!"

"Who is your mentor?" Tigerstar asked.

"Ivypool," Goldenpaw spat, her eyes filling with rage.

"I remember her..." Tigerstar mused before standing up. "Do you trust me?"

"Yes." Goldenpaw's voice was strong.

"Good. I told you, I've changed. Now, let's practice." Tigerstar seemed amused. "This move is called the feinting death-blow. When an enemy leaps at you, you must dodge, then slither underneath them, and finally, if you want to kill them, leap into the air and snap the cord on their neck. If you only want to wound them, leap into the air and slash at their neck. Repeat after me. Dodge, slither, leap, wound," He demonstrated the move.

"Dodge, slither, leap, wound. Alright, got it." Goldenpaw meowed.

"Try it on me. But keep your claws sheathed." Tigerstar nodded, then took a step back.

He leaped onto Goldenpaw, and she dodged the leap and slithered through the grass so that she was facing his back. He spun around, and she leapt into the air, and suddenly, with a bolt of inspiration, smashed her paws onto his head. He crumpled onto the ground and she landed neatly next to him. Finally, she completed the move by slashing with claws sheathed. He attempted a feeble dodge and counterstrike, but the blow to his head had shook him more than he thought. Goldenpaw took a step back, allowing Tigerstar to rise.

"That was impressive," he grunted. "I liked that blow."

"Thank you!" Goldenpaw beamed. Ivypool had praised her a lot, but her praises were never heart-felt. Tigerstar's praise sparked something in her.

"Now, Goldenpaw. Do you know where we are?" Tigerstar asked seriously.

"No."

"We're in the Dark Forest. Lots of cats train here." He explained. "And since we're here, I am the leader of the DarkClan.

Goldenperch nodded respectfully. She was liking this evil cat better and better. He might have been evil in life, but he was nice in death. Maybe he really had changed.

"Let all cats strong enough to kill an enemy meet here beneath the Tigereye for a Clan message!" Tigerstar yowled, bounding up to an amber stone.

Goldenpaw winced, noticing shadows appearing. She recognized Breezepelt, a warrior from WindClan, Tinyfoot from RiverClan and Nightshade from ShadowClan. Goldenpaw took a deep breath. There were no ThunderClan warriors gathered in the glade.

She spied a group of apprentices huddled together. Goldenpaw slid between a bulky male and a lean, agile looking female.

"Hello," she murmured nervously. After all, if she was going to be part of DarkClan, Goldenpaw should make some friends.

"Hmph. Another youngster." The male snorted.

"Take no notice of him," the female mewed kindly. "I'm Duskpaw, from WindClan. My acquaintance here is Pinepaw from ShadowClan. He's a bit grumpy but he's a nice cat underneath."

"Oh, okay. I'm Goldenpaw." She explained.

"I've heard of you." Pinepaw sneered. "You're sister to the great Luckypaw, aren't you?"

"Why does everyone compare me to her! Do you see her here, training? Do you see her every night? No! I'm the one you're talking to, so you should be paying to me. Not that useless fool of her!" Goldenpaw hissed angrily.

Pinepaw shrugged. "She's the flashy one. You ain't. Your sister is the vicious and strong one. You ain't either. She's also the beautiful one."

With a shriek, Goldenpaw leaped into the air, demonstrating the dodge, slither, leap, wound move. Pinepaw struggled beneath her paws, but her leap had wounded the apprentice more than he realized, and his struggles were weak and feeble. Goldenpaw bared her teeth. For once in her life, she felt indestructible, she felt powerful and she felt ready to kill Pinepaw. Her rage erupted and she let a yowl before thrusting her jaw down to make the killing blow. Suddenly, a thin shape bowled her off him. They tussled on the ground for a while and finally with a sickening feeling Goldenpaw realized the cat she was fighting was her new friend, Duskpaw.

Goldenpaw leapt back with a mew of dismay. Her neck ached from a scratch and she saw Duskpaw was feeling the same way from a bite on her leg.

"How could you!" Duskpaw snarled, all friendliness gone.

By this time, the three apprentices had begun to attract a lot of attention. Tigerstar watched them with cold amusement in his eyes from the Tigereye, grooming his fur.

Suddenly self-conscious, Goldenpaw licked her chest, embarrassed. She had attacked a member of her own Clan. No, wait. Her second Clan.

"Well, well. We can't have fighting within the Clan, can we?" Tigerstar drawled.

"I'm sorry, Tigerstar." Goldenpaw murmured. She risked a glance at Duskpaw and saw that her friend was glaring at her with scorn and mistrust.

"You realize you will be punished?" he sneered.

"Yes," Goldenpaw sheathed and unsheathed her claws angrily. Searching the elders for ticks again!

"Good. Your punishment will be having to hunt for me for 2 moons." Tigerstar droned.

That was better. Goldenpaw realized it was because DarkClan did not follow the warrior code, thus meaning they did not care for their elders. She arched her back, about to protest that Clans should follow the warrior code, but guessed that her perfect, prissy sister wasn't getting the chance to hunt for the Clan leader. She gave a curt nod before sitting down to wash and groom.

"Now for the news!" Tigerstar yowled. "Four apprentices are going to spy for us in their Clans! Goldenpaw, Duskpaw, Pinepaw and Moonshadow, please report to my den for your further instructions in three nights time." He grinned widely; his amber eyes directed at Goldenpaw.

"And also! These four apprentices need their mentors, don't they? I shall mentor Goldenpaw and Duskpaw myself. Hawkfrost!"

Goldenpaw must have showed her confusion because a small cat sidled up to her. "Hawkfrost is Tigerstar's son," she purred. "And I'm Moonshadow from RiverClan, nice to meet you."

"Yes!" Hawkfrost meowed.

"You shall mentor Pinepaw. Breezepelt! You shall mentor Moonshadow even though she is already a warrior of her Lake Clan. Mentors, meet your apprentices. Teach them everything you know. And tonight's adventure will end now." Tigerstar ended forlornly, looking up at the daylight spilling into the forest.

Goldenpaw was aware of shaking and with a quick blink, woke up in her den next to Luckypaw.

"You were yowling like crazy!" she mewed worriedly. "And you've also got a cut on your neck. You should go see Jayfeather."

"Thanks, but no thanks." Goldenpaw retorted, storming from the den. It was true, her wound was beginning to sting and hurt, but she wasn't a kit. Trust Luckypaw to be the one to notice, though.

"Goldenpaw! I want to see you in the battle training clearing by sunhigh." It was Ivypool's sharp mew. "You better be there! This is urgent!"

Goldenpaw sighed. What did her mentor want with her now?