The only cats in this prologue that are completely mine are Shatter, Tear, Fang and Talon. The other four all come from real Warriors books. Ice and Snake are Barley's brothers, and are mentioned in the 'Warriors Field Guide, Secrets of the Clans'. Brick is a character in the manga Warriors book, 'The Rise of Scourge'. Striker is pretty much completely my character, but just because its interesting to mention, I will tell you that he is supposed to be the black and white cat who is fighting Tallstar when Firestar kills Scourge in the second last chapter of 'The Darkest Hour'. ~Capitaine Jaf

Dedicated to Amber

First in the Shattered Trilogy

Prologue

I was there. I was there when Tigerstar came to see Scourge. I was there when Scourge killed Tigerstar. I was there in the fight against LionClan, the fight for the forest. I was fighting a pretty light coloured tabby when I heard the shrieks. 'Scourge! Scourge is dead!' I was the last to flee from the forest cats.

I was one of the few to return to the alley where Scourge had ruled. The others were Brick, one of Scourge's closest cats. Two brothers were there, sitting side by side. Ice and Snake, they were called. A thin black and white cat was there, Striker. Tear, the longhaired calico was there. Two others were there. Two brothers, one sandy coloured and one the colour of dirt. Fang and Talon. We all noticed the absence of Bone, Scourge's 'deputy'.

Striker was the first to talk. "The red tabby killed Scourge," he told us quietly. "I saw it happen. It was horrible. Scourge had killed the red tabby, I swear by my life that he did… and then the tabby stood up. 'I am a leader with nine lives who fights alongside StarClan. Can you say as much?' the red tabby said. Scourge attacked him. I lost sight of them both for a moment… and then Scourge was dead."

For a moment, we were all silent.

"And Bone?" Brick asked.

"Killed by a bunch of… what did they call them… apprentices," Ice meowed.

"Four or five of them, maybe more," Snake added.

I was silent, thinking. The Clan cats had beaten us, but maybe it was because their way of life was better. This… warrior code… these apprentices… this ability to get nine lives…

"Is this the end of BloodClan?" Tear asked.

The circle of cats was silent.

"No." I got to my feet. "No. I will lead BloodClan."

Seven pairs of eyes looked at me. I stood still under their gaze, knowing that they were wondering if I would be capable of leading. Brick was the first to speak.

"You are young… but then, so was Scourge. I will stand by you."

Tear was next. "As will I."

I was glad to get the approval of the two respected old cats. The others followed quickly.

"Snake and I are with you," Ice meowed.

"I am as well," Striker said.

Talon and Fang walked over to me. They both lowered their heads in respect, and then said, in unison, "Our lives are yours."

I yowled my victory to the sky. The others all joined in, our voices sounded over the twoleg place. Other cats pricked their ears as they heard it. Some felt terror, others awe, and others started towards the alley, recognizing the meaning of the yowl. I stopped first, and one by one, my cats grew quiet.

"I am leader of BloodClan," I announced. "I am Shatter."