Rewriting Tigerheart and Tigerheart's Shadow
Jul 15, 2018 16:45:44 GMT -5
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Post by 𝓣𝓲𝓷𝓾𝓿𝓲𝓮𝓵 on Jul 15, 2018 16:45:44 GMT -5
These are just a few ideas I had for Tigerheart and Tigerheart's Shadow. I actually shared these a long time ago, but I just wanted to share them again out of boredom. I'll probably add more, be it for Tigerheart or for other characters and books, if I think of anything else.
Here's the one for Tigerheart's character, at least as far as PoT and OotS is concerned.
And here's the one for TS.
Here's the one for Tigerheart's character, at least as far as PoT and OotS is concerned.
Tigerkit and his littermates Flamekit and Dawnkit are born to Rowanclaw and Tawnypelt, but the siblings have a rough upbringing.
"What was Tawnypelt thinking? Naming him after that tyrant?" whispers Ratscar.
"She always did make questionable choices," says the deputy, Russetfur. "What else can one expect from someone of her lineage?"
But Tigerkit is too young to understand. Instead, the kit is too busy dreaming of becoming a great warrior one day, surrounded by a loving family. Tawnypelt is fiercely protective of him especially, while Rowanclaw snaps at any cat who so much as looks at his kits the wrong way. And so the whispers and odd looks stop. That is, until the kits become apprentices.
Dawnpaw becomes Ivytail's apprentice, Tigerpaw to Oakfur, and Flamepaw to Littlecloud. And then the whispers start again, but young Tigerpaw listens more closely this time; it becomes clear to him that that not many cats trust him and his siblings, including his own mentor. He finally finds out why after a training session, where he's a little too aggressive with fellow apprentice Redpaw after the latter taunts him.
"How dare you attack your own Clanmate like that!?" Oakfur snaps.
Tigerpaw tries to apologize, but his words are drowned by Redpaw's melodramatic yowling, and any sympathy Tigerpaw had for him is gone.
"I didn't even hurt you that much," Tigerpaw whispers to the older apprentice as the two are taken back to camp, and Tigerpaw is punished for his behavior. Tawnypelt and Rowanclaw take him and his siblings out of camp afterwards, and Tawnypelt tells her kits about her past—how she was born in ThunderClan, but ran away to join her father Tigerstar in ShadowClan. She doesn't bother to sugarcoat any details, and tells her kits how evil Tigerstar was.
Tigerpaw is just as horrified as his siblings, but then demands to know if he was named after his grandfather. Tawnypelt confirms this, but assures her son she didn't do it out of spite—she did it to reclaim the name Tiger. "Besides," she adds, "for all his faults, Tigerstar was still a strong warrior who managed to bring ShadowClan back from ruin. And I hope that strength gets passed onto each of you. Like a great cat said to me once, work hard and be loyal to your Clan, and no cat will blame you for what Tigerstar did."
Dawnpaw and Flamepaw are reassured, but Tigerpaw is still unsatisfied. Still, he strives to prove his Clanmates wrong.
But then Sol takes over ShadowClan.
Rowanclaw stays behind to keep an eye on the rogue, while Tawnypelt and her kits flee to ThunderClan, and Tigerpaw takes a liking to it almost immediately. While there, Tawnypelt introduces her kits to their uncle Brambleclaw. Tigerpaw is quick to admire him, and Brambleclaw comforts his nephew of his fears in turn. Tawnypelt and her kits return to ShadowClan after Sol is defeated, much to Tigerpaw's dismay.
He earns the name Tigerheart moons later, but many warriors believe that that name should only be given to noble cats. Dawnpelt and Flametail try to comfort their brother, but his resentment only continues to build up. He repeats what Tawnypelt had told him moons ago, but it only makes him angrier.
That night, he's visited by a cat who looks just like him, and correctly guesses it to be Tigerstar. The former leader tries to convince his grandson that he's changed, but Tigerheart isn't fooled and refuses to want anything to do with the evil cat. Tigerstar smugly points out that Tigerheart shares his name before leaving his grandson be.
When the time comes for Blackstar to choose ShadowClan representatives, Tigerheart is the first cat to volunteer. Maybe my Clan will finally respect me! he thinks excitedly. But his efforts are in vain, as all the praise goes to Toadfoot instead, while Tigerheart is just barely acknowledged except by his family and the few friends he has. This makes Tigerheart snap, and he agrees to Tigerstar's offer to train with him. But besides training, Tigerstar also tasks Tigerheart to keep an eye on Dovepaw and report anything he learns from her. The young warrior doesn't understand why, but does so anyway, and finds that he genuinely enjoys the apprentice's company. It never goes past friendship.
After the battle that killed Russetfur, Brambleclaw confronts his nephew at a Gathering after revealing that he saw him use a Dark Forest move. Tigerheart confirms his suspicions, but is defensive about his decision. "Why should I even bother staying loyal to cats who don't even trust me!?" he hisses. Brambleclaw is called away before he can give an answer.
As Tigerheart continues to train in the Dark Forest, he finds he enjoys the company of cats from outside his Clan than that of his own Clanmates, whom he continues to resent. His loyalty is finally put to the test when the Great Battle happens. Ivypool, whom he had become close to in the Dark Forest, as well as Dovewing try to convince him to fight for the Clans, but their words fall on deaf ears.
That is, until he faces Dawnpelt in battle.
"You idiot!" she hisses. "You think this will get you respect!?"
"Nothing I do works, so why should I even bother anymore?" he hisses. "And why should you too, sister? Why should any of us?"
"Coward!" Dawnpelt hisses.
The two littermates, once close, have now become enemies. Dawnpelt lunges at him, but Tigerheart quickly manages to overpower her.
And yet, he can't bring himself to kill her.
What am I doing? he thinks, at last coming to his senses. Maybe ShadowClan would never trust him, especially now, but he still had his family and friends. And maybe that would be enough. He would fight for them. Working together with Dawnpelt, the siblings fight side by side to fend off the Dark Forest warriors.
After the Great Battle, Tigerheart is praised for helping the Clans and he's tempted to keep his mouth shut, but he decides to tell the truth and reveals that he had fought on the side of the Dark Forest at first. He also calls out his Clanmates—especially Oakfur—for their disrespectful behavior towards him and his family over the seasons and decides that they aren't worth it anymore, making the decision to leave ShadowClan. Dawnpelt and Rowanclaw try to convince him to stay, but Tawnypelt defends her son's decision, understanding in her gaze.
After his wounds are healed, Tigerheart leaves ShadowClan for good. His fellow former trainees—Blossomfall, Mousewhisker, Minnowtail, and Breezepelt (the only one who was officially exiled)—accompany him, as does Shrewfoot (yes, she lives in this), who was in love with Tigerheart. They travel for moons, with Tigerheart being the unofficial leader of the group, until they come across a certain group of cats living in a gorge.
"What was Tawnypelt thinking? Naming him after that tyrant?" whispers Ratscar.
"She always did make questionable choices," says the deputy, Russetfur. "What else can one expect from someone of her lineage?"
But Tigerkit is too young to understand. Instead, the kit is too busy dreaming of becoming a great warrior one day, surrounded by a loving family. Tawnypelt is fiercely protective of him especially, while Rowanclaw snaps at any cat who so much as looks at his kits the wrong way. And so the whispers and odd looks stop. That is, until the kits become apprentices.
Dawnpaw becomes Ivytail's apprentice, Tigerpaw to Oakfur, and Flamepaw to Littlecloud. And then the whispers start again, but young Tigerpaw listens more closely this time; it becomes clear to him that that not many cats trust him and his siblings, including his own mentor. He finally finds out why after a training session, where he's a little too aggressive with fellow apprentice Redpaw after the latter taunts him.
"How dare you attack your own Clanmate like that!?" Oakfur snaps.
Tigerpaw tries to apologize, but his words are drowned by Redpaw's melodramatic yowling, and any sympathy Tigerpaw had for him is gone.
"I didn't even hurt you that much," Tigerpaw whispers to the older apprentice as the two are taken back to camp, and Tigerpaw is punished for his behavior. Tawnypelt and Rowanclaw take him and his siblings out of camp afterwards, and Tawnypelt tells her kits about her past—how she was born in ThunderClan, but ran away to join her father Tigerstar in ShadowClan. She doesn't bother to sugarcoat any details, and tells her kits how evil Tigerstar was.
Tigerpaw is just as horrified as his siblings, but then demands to know if he was named after his grandfather. Tawnypelt confirms this, but assures her son she didn't do it out of spite—she did it to reclaim the name Tiger. "Besides," she adds, "for all his faults, Tigerstar was still a strong warrior who managed to bring ShadowClan back from ruin. And I hope that strength gets passed onto each of you. Like a great cat said to me once, work hard and be loyal to your Clan, and no cat will blame you for what Tigerstar did."
Dawnpaw and Flamepaw are reassured, but Tigerpaw is still unsatisfied. Still, he strives to prove his Clanmates wrong.
But then Sol takes over ShadowClan.
Rowanclaw stays behind to keep an eye on the rogue, while Tawnypelt and her kits flee to ThunderClan, and Tigerpaw takes a liking to it almost immediately. While there, Tawnypelt introduces her kits to their uncle Brambleclaw. Tigerpaw is quick to admire him, and Brambleclaw comforts his nephew of his fears in turn. Tawnypelt and her kits return to ShadowClan after Sol is defeated, much to Tigerpaw's dismay.
He earns the name Tigerheart moons later, but many warriors believe that that name should only be given to noble cats. Dawnpelt and Flametail try to comfort their brother, but his resentment only continues to build up. He repeats what Tawnypelt had told him moons ago, but it only makes him angrier.
That night, he's visited by a cat who looks just like him, and correctly guesses it to be Tigerstar. The former leader tries to convince his grandson that he's changed, but Tigerheart isn't fooled and refuses to want anything to do with the evil cat. Tigerstar smugly points out that Tigerheart shares his name before leaving his grandson be.
When the time comes for Blackstar to choose ShadowClan representatives, Tigerheart is the first cat to volunteer. Maybe my Clan will finally respect me! he thinks excitedly. But his efforts are in vain, as all the praise goes to Toadfoot instead, while Tigerheart is just barely acknowledged except by his family and the few friends he has. This makes Tigerheart snap, and he agrees to Tigerstar's offer to train with him. But besides training, Tigerstar also tasks Tigerheart to keep an eye on Dovepaw and report anything he learns from her. The young warrior doesn't understand why, but does so anyway, and finds that he genuinely enjoys the apprentice's company. It never goes past friendship.
After the battle that killed Russetfur, Brambleclaw confronts his nephew at a Gathering after revealing that he saw him use a Dark Forest move. Tigerheart confirms his suspicions, but is defensive about his decision. "Why should I even bother staying loyal to cats who don't even trust me!?" he hisses. Brambleclaw is called away before he can give an answer.
As Tigerheart continues to train in the Dark Forest, he finds he enjoys the company of cats from outside his Clan than that of his own Clanmates, whom he continues to resent. His loyalty is finally put to the test when the Great Battle happens. Ivypool, whom he had become close to in the Dark Forest, as well as Dovewing try to convince him to fight for the Clans, but their words fall on deaf ears.
That is, until he faces Dawnpelt in battle.
"You idiot!" she hisses. "You think this will get you respect!?"
"Nothing I do works, so why should I even bother anymore?" he hisses. "And why should you too, sister? Why should any of us?"
"Coward!" Dawnpelt hisses.
The two littermates, once close, have now become enemies. Dawnpelt lunges at him, but Tigerheart quickly manages to overpower her.
And yet, he can't bring himself to kill her.
What am I doing? he thinks, at last coming to his senses. Maybe ShadowClan would never trust him, especially now, but he still had his family and friends. And maybe that would be enough. He would fight for them. Working together with Dawnpelt, the siblings fight side by side to fend off the Dark Forest warriors.
After the Great Battle, Tigerheart is praised for helping the Clans and he's tempted to keep his mouth shut, but he decides to tell the truth and reveals that he had fought on the side of the Dark Forest at first. He also calls out his Clanmates—especially Oakfur—for their disrespectful behavior towards him and his family over the seasons and decides that they aren't worth it anymore, making the decision to leave ShadowClan. Dawnpelt and Rowanclaw try to convince him to stay, but Tawnypelt defends her son's decision, understanding in her gaze.
After his wounds are healed, Tigerheart leaves ShadowClan for good. His fellow former trainees—Blossomfall, Mousewhisker, Minnowtail, and Breezepelt (the only one who was officially exiled)—accompany him, as does Shrewfoot (yes, she lives in this), who was in love with Tigerheart. They travel for moons, with Tigerheart being the unofficial leader of the group, until they come across a certain group of cats living in a gorge.
And here's the one for TS.
The prologue opens with Tawnypelt giving birth to her kits. The cream one she names Dawnkit, while the ginger one is Flamekit. When the times comes for the tabby to be named, someone (maybe Snowbird or something) fearfully points out that the kit resembles Tigerstar. Tawnypelt then decides on the name Tigerkit. Despite protest from her Clanmates, Tawnypelt sticks with her decision, and Rowanclaw defends her, saying that it doesn't matter what the kit is called so long as he's a loyal warrior, and also reminds everyone of Brambleclaw. The discussion is left alone, but as Tawnypelt licks Tigerkit lovingly, she thinks she feels her father's piercing gaze on her and her kits.
The main story begins with Tigerheart meeting Dovewing on the border. Stressed from his duties as deputy, Dovewing provides Tigerheart with a brief escape from all that. She then reveals that she's expecting kits, and while Tigerheart is excited at first, it quickly dies down upon remembering that the two of them are in different Clans. Tigerheart suggests that she move to ShadowClan, but she tells him that she could never leave Ivypool, the only one who knows her secret.
Tigerheart points out that she and Ivypool aren't entwined by the tail (or whatever the cat expression for bound to the hip is) and points out that she needs to live out her own life too. Dovewing however is still hesitant and points out the bad state ShadowClan has been in since Darktail died, but Tigerheart counters that that's all the more reason she should move to ShadowClan, since it would provide the Clan with more kits. Dovewing tells him she'll think about it and goes back to ThunderClan.
Tigerheart returns to ShadowClan with prey and finds Scorchfur and Tawnypelt arguing over Rowanstar's poor leadership, with said leader trying to break up the fight. Things begin to get physical, and Scorchfur nearly takes out an eye. That's when Tigerheart steps in to try and defend his mother, but it's Snowbird who manages to calm everyone down. Scorchfur apologizes to Tawnypelt, and both are taken to see Puddleshine.
Rowanstar goes to check on his mate and warrior while Oakfur asks his former apprentice where he was. It's noted there's suspicion in his tone, which annoys Tigerheart because ever since he was born, cats have been suspicious of him due to his relation and resemblance to Tigerstar. Things didn't get better after it was revealed he trained in the Dark Forest, and worse still since he became deputy. Tigerheart suspects that was one reason almost all of ShadowClan turned on Rowanstar—a desperate attempt to make sure he never became leader, and thus never became a second Tigerstar.
Tigerheart tells Oakfur that he was out hunting. Before the elder can ask any more questions, Ratscar interrupts the two and asks Tigerheart to walk with him, saying that he needs to stretch his legs and wants a young cat to keep him company, but it's really just an excuse to stop the two from arguing. Tigerheart goes out of camp with the elder and gratefully thanks him. It's noted that the two trained in the Dark Forest and stuck together when most of the Clan wanted them to be exiled, and they've been close since.
That night, Tigerheart has a dream about ShadowClan prospering and being with Dovewing and their kits, but it soon turns into a nightmare when another cat kills them all except Tigerheart. The deputy recognizes Tigerstar's scent and goes after his grandfather, but it's gone when he reaches the lake. He then hears Tigerstar's voice coming from the water, but as he leans in, Tigerheart's reflection quickly turns into that of his grandfather's. The nightmare ends with Tigerstar's voice telling Tigerheart that he can't escape his destiny.
The Gathering is a few days later, and Tigerheart has been on edge ever since the nightmare. He confides in Ratscar and Tawnypelt (though leaving out the part about Dovewing and their kits being in it), but both cats assure him that it was only a bad dream and that Tigerstar is gone forever. Still, this does little to comfort him and so he seeks out Bramblestar and Mothwing when they get to the island for advice, but Ivypool confronts him before he can, and Bumblestripe is with her. She tells him to stay away from Dovewing, but Bumblestripe calms her down. He's shown to be suspicious of Tigerheart, but still respectful, especially since he's the father of Dovewing's kits.
Ivypool walks away from them, but Tigerheart and Bumblestripe continue to talk as though the two were old friends, the awkwardness dying down during their conversation, which is mostly about Dovewing, but they talk about other things as well, like SkyClan and ShadowClan's current state. Before Tigerheart goes to sit with the other deputies, Bumblestripe congratulates Tigerheart on being a father, adding that he hopes he and Dovewing work things out. Tigerheart is a bit surprised, saying he remembers hearing as well as seeing for himself while in ThunderClan how clingy Bumblestripe can be towards Dovewing sometimes, but guesses that her having another cat's kits must've finally opened his eyes that she didn't love him the way he loved her.
The Gathering begins, and ShadowClan accuses SkyClan of stealing prey. Leafstar defends her Clan, saying that no one stole prey, and a few SkyClan cats point out that ShadowClan's scent at the border was faint, so it could've been a mistake if someone really did steal. The ShadowClan and SkyClan cats argue with each other until a cloud blocks the moon. The other Clans have nothing new to report except Bramblestar announcing that Dovewing is expecting kits, so the Gathering ends early.
A few days later, scent markers have been renewed, but SkyClan scent is discovered on ShadowClan's side of the border. Rowanstar, Tigerheart, Snowbird, Juniperclaw, and a now healed Tawnypelt go to confront Leafstar, but she denies it and comes to the conclusion that someone is trying to frame SkyClan. A fight nearly breaks out until Tigerheart points out that ShadowClan can't afford to have any more injured cats. They leave, but not before warning Leafstar that they won't be merciful a third time.
A quarter moon later, the Clan keeps criticizing Rowanstar's leadership and a few cats are turning to Tigerheart to lead them until Puddleshine has a vision of shadows (no pun intended) darkening everything around ShadowClan until the sun came out. The sun is assumed to be Tigerheart, but some of his older Clanmates are worried he'll turn out like his namesake and that he's actually the shadow. Rowanstar pulls Tigerheart to the side to talk to him and offers to step down so he could become leader, but Tigerheart thinks it's too soon.
Tawnypelt joins them and tells her son and mate to ignore the comments. While Tawnypelt and Rowanstar are talking, Tigerheart thinks back to a time when ShadowClan was happy and healthy, and him playing with Flametail and Dawnpelt as kits. Thinking about his sister makes Tigerheart think that Dawnpelt might be the sun, but when he tells his parents about it, it's clear they want to avoid talking about their dead daughter. Tigerheart points out that the body was never found and reminds them of Needletail when she was taken by an owl as an apprentice, but they're determined to end the discussion.
Tigerheart continues to have the dream about Tigerstar, and they seem to be getting more and more violent. At some point, due to not getting any sleep for days, he snaps at one of his Clanmates for once again implying that he'll turn out like Tigerstar and nearly uses a Dark Forest move on them. Horrified, Tigerheart leaves his Clan immediately, determined to find Dawnpelt and the other missing ShadowClan cats.
Throughout the book, Tigerheart fears he'll become more like Tigerstar and even resents Tawnypelt for naming him after an evil cat. He thinks about giving up on finding the missing cats and nearly decides on staying away from the Clans for good until Flametail visits him. He tells his brother that he's not Tigerstar, confirms that Tigerstar is indeed gone for good, and also tells him that the dreams are simply his own fears getting the best of him. This makes Tigerheart feel a little better, but he's still not entirely convinced, and Flametail leaves soon after.
Tigerheart decides to continue his search, but he's still unsure whether or not to rejoin ShadowClan afterwards, or even ThunderClan when Dovewing comes to mind. Eventually, he comes across a kittypet named Fuzzball, who becomes his companion throughout the book. He later meets the Guardian Cats and gains more maturity and confidence in himself, as well as expelling his own inner demons, while he helps them drive off Fog and her gang from taking their home while still respecting how the Guardian Cats live. Afterwards, Feirce—the leader of the Guardian Cats—tells Tigerheart that she saw some cats passing through moons ago and that they smelled of pine. Tigerheart thinks it's his missing Clanmates, and a few of the Guardian Cats accompany him and Fuzzball on his journey: Spire, Blaze, Ant, and Cinnamon. Being in a group again makes Tigerheart realize how much he misses his home.
Eventually, they find Dawnpelt, Berryheart, Rippletail, Cloverfoot, and Sparrowtail in an abandoned warehouse. Tigerheart is overjoyed to see his sister again and tries to convince her and the others to go back to ShadowClan with him, but Berryheart, as well as her mate and siblings, are unsure because they still feel guilty for turning on Rowanstar and also because Berryheart is pregnant again, so they can't travel very far anyway. However, Berryheart says they'll think about it and promises to give Tigerheart an answer after her kits are weaned. Tigerheart agrees, and he and his group stay with them until then.
As for Dawnpelt, she stayed away due to fear of Darktail coming after her again, as well as feeling betrayed by Sleekwhisker until Tigerheart informs her and the others of what happened. She agrees to go back to ShadowClan now that Darktail is dead, having missed the rest of her kin.
During their stay, Tigerheart informs Berryheart and Sparrowtail of Needletail's death. The couple are saddened, but are proud that she died bravely. He then asks if any of them had seen or scented the other missing ShadowClan cats, but they tell him they hadn't. Dawnpelt also acts as a leader during this time, and Tigerheart thinks he was right about Dawnpelt being the sun.
After Berryheart's kits are weaned, they all decide to go back to ShadowClan with Tigerheart, who is still unsure if he'll stay. He confides in his old Clanmates about his fears and reveals to them that he wasn't spying on the Dark Forest at all, but his own bitterness towards his Clanmates and Dovewing at the time had gotten the better of him and only decided to turn on them after his talk with Ivypool. His Clanmates are sympathetic, saying that they know Tigerheart never wanted to hurt anyone, just like they didn't know how bad Darktail was until it was too late.
Rippletail then gives a speech about how they're all Clan cats and they made mistakes, but the past is over and all they can do now is focus on the present and make sure they have a good future. The Clan cats agree with him, and Tigerheart remembers how Tawnypelt told him how she and Bramblestar struggled as apprentices for being Tigerstar's kits. Taking inspiration from his uncle, Tigerheart decides to go back to ShadowClan prove to them that he's not like his grandfather.
They make it back to ShadowClan, but are too late. While Tigerheart was gone, Rowanstar couldn't keep a hold on his Clan any longer and disbanded it by merging with SkyClan. He died while Tigerheart was away, and the former ShadowClan cats turn to him to lead them. However, considering that he had abandoned them, Tigerheart steps down and names Dawnpelt his successor. Dawnpelt however declines for the same reason and gives the position to Tawnypelt instead. She accepts and tells her kits that they'll earn the Clan's trust back eventually.
At the Gathering, Bramblestar, Squirrelflight, and even Crowfeather congratulate the newly named Tawnystar before the leaders get ready to announce their news. Meanwhile, Tigerheart spots Dovewing, who is angry at him for leaving for so long. He apologizes and promises to explain later before asking about the kits. This cheers Dovewing up slightly and she says she gave birth to three healthy kits: two daughters and a son. Bumblestripe is posing as the father, but she suspects her Clanmates know the truth. She also tells him that she thought about what he said about needing to live her own life and that right now is her kits. They end their relationship on good terms, but Tigerheart says she'll always have a place in his heart, and he in hers.
The books ends with Tigerheart watching his mother announce her new role as ShadowClan's leader, feeling that the reign of Tawnystar will bring about a new dawn for the Clan.
The main story begins with Tigerheart meeting Dovewing on the border. Stressed from his duties as deputy, Dovewing provides Tigerheart with a brief escape from all that. She then reveals that she's expecting kits, and while Tigerheart is excited at first, it quickly dies down upon remembering that the two of them are in different Clans. Tigerheart suggests that she move to ShadowClan, but she tells him that she could never leave Ivypool, the only one who knows her secret.
Tigerheart points out that she and Ivypool aren't entwined by the tail (or whatever the cat expression for bound to the hip is) and points out that she needs to live out her own life too. Dovewing however is still hesitant and points out the bad state ShadowClan has been in since Darktail died, but Tigerheart counters that that's all the more reason she should move to ShadowClan, since it would provide the Clan with more kits. Dovewing tells him she'll think about it and goes back to ThunderClan.
Tigerheart returns to ShadowClan with prey and finds Scorchfur and Tawnypelt arguing over Rowanstar's poor leadership, with said leader trying to break up the fight. Things begin to get physical, and Scorchfur nearly takes out an eye. That's when Tigerheart steps in to try and defend his mother, but it's Snowbird who manages to calm everyone down. Scorchfur apologizes to Tawnypelt, and both are taken to see Puddleshine.
Rowanstar goes to check on his mate and warrior while Oakfur asks his former apprentice where he was. It's noted there's suspicion in his tone, which annoys Tigerheart because ever since he was born, cats have been suspicious of him due to his relation and resemblance to Tigerstar. Things didn't get better after it was revealed he trained in the Dark Forest, and worse still since he became deputy. Tigerheart suspects that was one reason almost all of ShadowClan turned on Rowanstar—a desperate attempt to make sure he never became leader, and thus never became a second Tigerstar.
Tigerheart tells Oakfur that he was out hunting. Before the elder can ask any more questions, Ratscar interrupts the two and asks Tigerheart to walk with him, saying that he needs to stretch his legs and wants a young cat to keep him company, but it's really just an excuse to stop the two from arguing. Tigerheart goes out of camp with the elder and gratefully thanks him. It's noted that the two trained in the Dark Forest and stuck together when most of the Clan wanted them to be exiled, and they've been close since.
That night, Tigerheart has a dream about ShadowClan prospering and being with Dovewing and their kits, but it soon turns into a nightmare when another cat kills them all except Tigerheart. The deputy recognizes Tigerstar's scent and goes after his grandfather, but it's gone when he reaches the lake. He then hears Tigerstar's voice coming from the water, but as he leans in, Tigerheart's reflection quickly turns into that of his grandfather's. The nightmare ends with Tigerstar's voice telling Tigerheart that he can't escape his destiny.
The Gathering is a few days later, and Tigerheart has been on edge ever since the nightmare. He confides in Ratscar and Tawnypelt (though leaving out the part about Dovewing and their kits being in it), but both cats assure him that it was only a bad dream and that Tigerstar is gone forever. Still, this does little to comfort him and so he seeks out Bramblestar and Mothwing when they get to the island for advice, but Ivypool confronts him before he can, and Bumblestripe is with her. She tells him to stay away from Dovewing, but Bumblestripe calms her down. He's shown to be suspicious of Tigerheart, but still respectful, especially since he's the father of Dovewing's kits.
Ivypool walks away from them, but Tigerheart and Bumblestripe continue to talk as though the two were old friends, the awkwardness dying down during their conversation, which is mostly about Dovewing, but they talk about other things as well, like SkyClan and ShadowClan's current state. Before Tigerheart goes to sit with the other deputies, Bumblestripe congratulates Tigerheart on being a father, adding that he hopes he and Dovewing work things out. Tigerheart is a bit surprised, saying he remembers hearing as well as seeing for himself while in ThunderClan how clingy Bumblestripe can be towards Dovewing sometimes, but guesses that her having another cat's kits must've finally opened his eyes that she didn't love him the way he loved her.
The Gathering begins, and ShadowClan accuses SkyClan of stealing prey. Leafstar defends her Clan, saying that no one stole prey, and a few SkyClan cats point out that ShadowClan's scent at the border was faint, so it could've been a mistake if someone really did steal. The ShadowClan and SkyClan cats argue with each other until a cloud blocks the moon. The other Clans have nothing new to report except Bramblestar announcing that Dovewing is expecting kits, so the Gathering ends early.
A few days later, scent markers have been renewed, but SkyClan scent is discovered on ShadowClan's side of the border. Rowanstar, Tigerheart, Snowbird, Juniperclaw, and a now healed Tawnypelt go to confront Leafstar, but she denies it and comes to the conclusion that someone is trying to frame SkyClan. A fight nearly breaks out until Tigerheart points out that ShadowClan can't afford to have any more injured cats. They leave, but not before warning Leafstar that they won't be merciful a third time.
A quarter moon later, the Clan keeps criticizing Rowanstar's leadership and a few cats are turning to Tigerheart to lead them until Puddleshine has a vision of shadows (no pun intended) darkening everything around ShadowClan until the sun came out. The sun is assumed to be Tigerheart, but some of his older Clanmates are worried he'll turn out like his namesake and that he's actually the shadow. Rowanstar pulls Tigerheart to the side to talk to him and offers to step down so he could become leader, but Tigerheart thinks it's too soon.
Tawnypelt joins them and tells her son and mate to ignore the comments. While Tawnypelt and Rowanstar are talking, Tigerheart thinks back to a time when ShadowClan was happy and healthy, and him playing with Flametail and Dawnpelt as kits. Thinking about his sister makes Tigerheart think that Dawnpelt might be the sun, but when he tells his parents about it, it's clear they want to avoid talking about their dead daughter. Tigerheart points out that the body was never found and reminds them of Needletail when she was taken by an owl as an apprentice, but they're determined to end the discussion.
Tigerheart continues to have the dream about Tigerstar, and they seem to be getting more and more violent. At some point, due to not getting any sleep for days, he snaps at one of his Clanmates for once again implying that he'll turn out like Tigerstar and nearly uses a Dark Forest move on them. Horrified, Tigerheart leaves his Clan immediately, determined to find Dawnpelt and the other missing ShadowClan cats.
Throughout the book, Tigerheart fears he'll become more like Tigerstar and even resents Tawnypelt for naming him after an evil cat. He thinks about giving up on finding the missing cats and nearly decides on staying away from the Clans for good until Flametail visits him. He tells his brother that he's not Tigerstar, confirms that Tigerstar is indeed gone for good, and also tells him that the dreams are simply his own fears getting the best of him. This makes Tigerheart feel a little better, but he's still not entirely convinced, and Flametail leaves soon after.
Tigerheart decides to continue his search, but he's still unsure whether or not to rejoin ShadowClan afterwards, or even ThunderClan when Dovewing comes to mind. Eventually, he comes across a kittypet named Fuzzball, who becomes his companion throughout the book. He later meets the Guardian Cats and gains more maturity and confidence in himself, as well as expelling his own inner demons, while he helps them drive off Fog and her gang from taking their home while still respecting how the Guardian Cats live. Afterwards, Feirce—the leader of the Guardian Cats—tells Tigerheart that she saw some cats passing through moons ago and that they smelled of pine. Tigerheart thinks it's his missing Clanmates, and a few of the Guardian Cats accompany him and Fuzzball on his journey: Spire, Blaze, Ant, and Cinnamon. Being in a group again makes Tigerheart realize how much he misses his home.
Eventually, they find Dawnpelt, Berryheart, Rippletail, Cloverfoot, and Sparrowtail in an abandoned warehouse. Tigerheart is overjoyed to see his sister again and tries to convince her and the others to go back to ShadowClan with him, but Berryheart, as well as her mate and siblings, are unsure because they still feel guilty for turning on Rowanstar and also because Berryheart is pregnant again, so they can't travel very far anyway. However, Berryheart says they'll think about it and promises to give Tigerheart an answer after her kits are weaned. Tigerheart agrees, and he and his group stay with them until then.
As for Dawnpelt, she stayed away due to fear of Darktail coming after her again, as well as feeling betrayed by Sleekwhisker until Tigerheart informs her and the others of what happened. She agrees to go back to ShadowClan now that Darktail is dead, having missed the rest of her kin.
During their stay, Tigerheart informs Berryheart and Sparrowtail of Needletail's death. The couple are saddened, but are proud that she died bravely. He then asks if any of them had seen or scented the other missing ShadowClan cats, but they tell him they hadn't. Dawnpelt also acts as a leader during this time, and Tigerheart thinks he was right about Dawnpelt being the sun.
After Berryheart's kits are weaned, they all decide to go back to ShadowClan with Tigerheart, who is still unsure if he'll stay. He confides in his old Clanmates about his fears and reveals to them that he wasn't spying on the Dark Forest at all, but his own bitterness towards his Clanmates and Dovewing at the time had gotten the better of him and only decided to turn on them after his talk with Ivypool. His Clanmates are sympathetic, saying that they know Tigerheart never wanted to hurt anyone, just like they didn't know how bad Darktail was until it was too late.
Rippletail then gives a speech about how they're all Clan cats and they made mistakes, but the past is over and all they can do now is focus on the present and make sure they have a good future. The Clan cats agree with him, and Tigerheart remembers how Tawnypelt told him how she and Bramblestar struggled as apprentices for being Tigerstar's kits. Taking inspiration from his uncle, Tigerheart decides to go back to ShadowClan prove to them that he's not like his grandfather.
They make it back to ShadowClan, but are too late. While Tigerheart was gone, Rowanstar couldn't keep a hold on his Clan any longer and disbanded it by merging with SkyClan. He died while Tigerheart was away, and the former ShadowClan cats turn to him to lead them. However, considering that he had abandoned them, Tigerheart steps down and names Dawnpelt his successor. Dawnpelt however declines for the same reason and gives the position to Tawnypelt instead. She accepts and tells her kits that they'll earn the Clan's trust back eventually.
At the Gathering, Bramblestar, Squirrelflight, and even Crowfeather congratulate the newly named Tawnystar before the leaders get ready to announce their news. Meanwhile, Tigerheart spots Dovewing, who is angry at him for leaving for so long. He apologizes and promises to explain later before asking about the kits. This cheers Dovewing up slightly and she says she gave birth to three healthy kits: two daughters and a son. Bumblestripe is posing as the father, but she suspects her Clanmates know the truth. She also tells him that she thought about what he said about needing to live her own life and that right now is her kits. They end their relationship on good terms, but Tigerheart says she'll always have a place in his heart, and he in hers.
The books ends with Tigerheart watching his mother announce her new role as ShadowClan's leader, feeling that the reign of Tawnystar will bring about a new dawn for the Clan.