A/N: Hello, everyone. This is a rewrite of another fanfic I was previously writing about, called The Undying Flame. It's premise involved no twolegs and Fireheart gaining power outside of the clans, but I think there were too many variables that distracted me from writing a good story, so I wanted to rewrite it with a simple setting. That way, I could focus more on characters and world-building based on a setting that's already there. Anyway, I'm only counting the first four series of the warriors books as canon (since I haven't read anything past The Last Hope), so any names that may be coinciding with a cat name from a later series is purely coincidence. I hope you enjoy!

P.S. - I do hope to actually finish this story instead of the numerous times I've abandoned them because I thought they were trash, so this time I really hope to write a decent one with lots of thought into it.

Prologue

He could feel them. Their breath, their fangs, and their massive claws were right on his tail. If he slowed down for even a second, the beasts behind him would surely snatch him up and swallow him whole. They barked loudly, shouting incomprehensible threats and taunts. Each bark reverberated in the air, shaking him to his bone. His muscles screamed for a break, his lungs gasped for air, and his paws ached as they thrummed against the mud. He dared not look back. He could not bear to look at the encroaching death in its eyes.

His paws splashed heavily in the puddles that littered the ground. His pelt was drenched, and rain came down so heavily that he could barely see a couple foxlengths in front of him. He ran past houses, some with their lights on and some without. Each time he turned a corner, he feared he would run into a dead end. Every direction he took was a gamble. The only saving grace was the infrequent lightning that would reveal his path before plunging him back into the nighttime darkness.

His mind raced as fast as it could. An outlet, an opening into a house, or some kind of cover was all that he needed. Unfortunately, he couldn't see anything in this blasted rain. His wet pelt added some extra weight, slowing him down from his top speed drastically. He continued to make turns without a second thought while the jowls of the dogs drew ever closer.

As he ran into the alley of what appeared to be a decrepit area full of old houses, his fears had come true. A tall, metal fence stood in front of him, with several silver trash cans lining the walls of the surrounding buildings. The fence was too tall to scale quickly, and the rain made the metal slippery. A small window was open above the trash cans, but it was too high up to reach. He whipped his body around to face the beasts as they made their way around the corner. They drooled and snapped their jaws when they saw their prey cornered. Even if they wouldn't eat him, they would definitely use him as a chew toy until they were bored.

The cruel beasts growled deeply and padded forward slowly. There were five of them, all desperate to rip into this cat's hide. There was no one he could call for help. No one that could fight alongside him. Just himself.

The black-and-white cat was ready to accept his death. There was no way out, no one to help, and no way of fighting off the dogs. He was as good as dead.

I wonder if I had just listened to Feroca… no. My decision wouldn't have changed in the long run anyway. My mistakes… my sins… they've led me to this very moment: to die in a cold, wet alley by dogs and to be forgotten. But-

The leader of the dogs kicked off with his hind legs. The five beasts raced excitedly to the lonesome cat. He closed his eyes, waiting for the pain and death to envelope him.

At least I don't have regrets. I've chosen my path, and I shall accept the consequences.

Just as the jaws of the leading dog opened to bite the cat, a loud crash from the side startled them. The dogs paused their charge and raised their heads to the sound. Several of the trash cans had been toppled over, and a small, black cat stood on top.

"This is my territory, filthy dogs. Back off!"

In an instant, the black cat leaped from the trash cans and darted straight for the leader of the dogs. His speed was fast despite the wet surface, and he utilized the confusion he had caused with the trash cans to catch the dogs completely off guard. He dove towards the pack leader's nose, slashing it with his claws. The dog howled in pain, its acute sense of smell now rich with blood. The other dogs snapped out of their confusion and raced to the black cat, while the black cat darted back to the trash. The black-and-white tom couldn't help but gawk at this daring newcomer.

What does he think he's doing? He's going to get killed!

The black cat reached the trash cans first, digging deep into the spilt pile. The dogs began to close in, but immediately recoiled at the intense smell coming from the trash. The black cat used his mouth to pull out a dirty piece of cloth with immense odors seeping off of it, wanting to hurl but keeping a stoic expression. Even the black-and-white cat could smell it from where he was. The dogs, with their superior sense of smell, backed off one by one and ran off in the other direction, whimpering until the two cats were left alone in the rain.

The black-and-white cat was utterly dumbfounded.

"Ho-... how did you…"

The black cat spat out the smelly cloth and coughed profusely.

"Skunk urine. The owners of the house next door threw out this cloth because I watched them get sprayed with it. It was hilarious, but I thought it might also be a good trick to defend myself with. The problem is that the smell is incredibly hard to get rid of. I'll probably be tasting this for moons..."

The black cat sputtered and spat, attempting to erase the horrid taste from his mouth. The black-and-white cat, allowing himself time to gather his thoughts, padded over to the black cat. Despite fighting off the dogs, the black cat was at least a third of his size. The rescued tom didn't think there was any cat crazy enough to chase off five ferocious dogs, yet here he was.

The larger tom bore his gaze deeply into the small tom.

"What? You got a problem or something? Just so you know, I didn't chase the dogs off to save you. I just hate intruders, got it?" defended the black cat.

"No, I was just… curious who you are."

The small tom puffed his chest out.

"The name's Scourge. I own this area, and I protect it. Who might you be? I don't see visitors around these parts that often."

"I'm…"

The large tom looked up for a second, then shook his head.

"I don't have a name. My family gave me one, but my past caused my family to disown me and revoke my name. I am not called anything anymore."

"You lost your name? Isn't that just something you get permanently?" asked Scourge.

"Our names were a symbol of our soul. It was the representation of our being and served as our purpose to live. However, I have tarnished my previous name, thus, I no longer own it."

"Must've done something pretty bad, huh?"

"…it was something I do not regret."

"Interesting."

Scourge looked up to the pounding rain and began padding out of the alley.

"Well, I don't know who you are, but good luck doing… whatever it is that you're doing. I'm not staying in the rain any longer. I also want you off my territory by tonight, understand?"

"Wait!" cried out the unnamed tom.

"What?"

Scourge turned around. The larger tom had lowered himself deeply to his savior, startling the black tom.

"Hey, what are you doing? You're weirding me out."

"I sincerely plead with you to accept me as a member of your family. You are my savior, and I have nowhere left to go."

"Member of my family? Listen, buddy. I don't have a family. It's just me. Besides, I'm not looking to be a mother anytime soon. Just leave."

"If you won't accept me, then I ask that you kill me here and now. You are my last resort."

The unnamed cat thrusted his head into the soggy ground, soaking it in mud.

I think I came across a really weird one, Scourge thought. However, he was still intrigued.

"…what can you do?"

"Anything that you ask," replied the large tom.

"Anything?"

"Anything. My vessel is yours to command."

"Can you hunt?"

"Yes, I can."

"What about fighting?"

"It is one of my specialties."

"Can you kill?"

The black-and-white cat looked up with intense determination in his eyes, surprising Scourge.

"I can kill."

Scourge thought deeply. The rain was still coming down hard, but neither cat paid any heed to it at the moment.

"Alright," decided Scourge. "I'll allow you to join me. But know that if you are not useful to me, I won't hesitate to kill you, got it?"

"Of course," replied the tom.

"Then let's get back-"

"May I ask that you inaugurate me with a new name as well? I must accept a new name that will represent this new life I'm about to receive."

"Am I really going to be okay with this cat?" dreaded Scourge silently.

"Fine, fine. Your new name will be… Bone. That shall be your new name."

The newly named Bone raised his head, the dirt dripping down his face.

"Thank you, sir."

Scourge rolled his eyes.

"What's with you and customs? Whatever. I'm tired of being wet. Let's get back. I'm soaking to my pelt here."

"As you wish."