As the days passed, Wolfpaw grew stronger from the Dark Forest. True to his name, he began to look sort of, well, wolf-like. His back, top of neck, top of tail, and most of his head grew darker colored than the rest of him.
Some cats teased him because of his pelt. He would snarl or growl something at them in anger. He hadn't realized how much the Dark Forest has changed his reactions and thoughts to other cats. He no longer felt upset for killing Stagfoot, but felt that it was the first step to becoming stronger, more himself.
The day of his fight against Lionscar's apprentice in the Dark Forest had gone well. He had nearly killed the other cat.
But the negative effects of the Dark Forest were the scratches and scars left on his body when he woke up every day.
One day after training with Brackenpelt, he had a dream.
*X*
Images of strange cats flashed around. He heard a few names. He heard cats shrieking and wailing in agony, pain, and sadness.
One voice stood out beyond all of the others. "Mountains. Go to the mountains. Save the tribe."
*X*
Wolfpaw's eyes opened wide. He was breathing heavily. He looked to see if he had disturbed Fernpaw of Whitepaw. Fernpaw wasn't moving, besides her breathing. Whitepaw was shifting in his sleep.
The apprentice snuck out of the den, surprised that it was night. He knew that he should sleep, to go to the Dark Forest, but instinct told him that the mountains and his dream were more important.
He left the camp, telling Bramblepatch, he guard for tonight, that he was going for a walk.
"Alright." His father said. "Don't stay out too long."
He walked towards the cliff that hung over the lake. He laid down on it, thinking to himself. Should I go? I have to. I have to save that tribe. They need me.
By the time he walked back into camp around moonhigh, his decision had been made. He was going to go to the mountains, whether the others liked it or not. He went to his nest for a little more rest, but accidently got pulled into the Dark Forest.
*X*
"What took you so long?" Hawktalon snarled.
"I had a dream of some sort first." Wolfpaw admitted.
"What kind of dream?" The tabby asked.
The gray apprentice hesitated. "It told me to go to the mountains." He meowed at last.
"And are you going to those mountains?" Those icy blue eyes had demand in them.
"Yes." Wolfpaw stated firmly. "It'll help me get stronger. I'll still come at night, don't worry."
"Good choice." His mentor meowed. "Dawn is nearly here. Come tomorrow night and don't be late."
"I won't." He promised.
*X*
Wolfpaw's eyes open as light streamed into the den. He saw the dawn patrol heading out of camp and followed them out silently, heading in the direction of the mountains.
He was going to listen to the cat in his dream. He knew he had to fulfill this dream's wish. He had to, at all costs. He set out across the territory, ready for a day of travelling.