Chapter Twenty-Six: Dawn

Lionpaw gazed around. He was in a beautiful, dark forest. It was unlike the jungle he lived in; it was taller and lusher and more elegant, somehow. It was the future, he realized. It had to be.

But who's future?

"Hello," came a voice from behind him.

Lionpaw's body tensed. Slowly, he turned his head, and his eyes widened. Standing right in front of him was a large lion. He was a bit smaller than Longfang, and his muscles were sculpted perfectly, rippling and shivering even as he stood. His pelt was taut over his powerful bones, and it gleamed a burning red-gold in the moonlight washing over them in the quiet forest. His dark brown eyes were sharp and bright, and his mane was soft and billowing. But the strangest thing about this lion, he had lights glittering in his fur and mane, almost like he had stars in his pelt.

They were captured pinpoints of glittering, cold power, sewn into his fur and his heart. Lionpaw knew who this lion was before he even spoke.

"Firerunner." His voice was low and respectful, yet a hint of a growl lurked in his tone. This was the great warrior who'd given Longfang a threat towards his spot at deputy, but this was also the lion who had broken the
Warrior Code beyond repair and had an affair with Pebbleheart, and had almost left his Clan for her.

All out of love.

The great lion nodded gently, his eyes sad. Though he was large like Snowstar and had wisdom beyond his years gleaming in his eyes, he had a youthful strength that convinced Lionpaw that this lion had been powerful as a young warrior. And like any other young, foolish lion, he'd thought he could break the Code and it wouldn't come back to haunt him.

How wrong he'd been.

"Why did you come to see me?" Lionpaw breathed.

Firerunner gazed at him. "You've heard many stories about me," he said finally, apparently ignoring Lionpaw's words. "From Flamepaw. From Snowstar. From Pebbleheart." Something flashed across his face, like a shooting star, as he said her name. But Lionpaw might have imagined it. "What do you believe, young Lionpaw?"

Lionpaw stared at him, eyes glittering. "I believe you are a good warrior. But a foolish one. I think you fell in love with someone you didn't truly understand."

Firerunner was quiet. "Do you truly believe Pebbleheart's story? I was a great warrior; I was popular, and strong, and smart. I had a shot at being deputy, and maybe leader of LightningClan after that. Why would I throw it all away for something that's wrong?"

Lionpaw was quiet, taken aback for a moment. Was Firerunner denying the truth? Or was Pebbleheart confused? Sudden doubt crashed over him. Was it all a trick after all?

"That's impossible," he growled, staring coldly at Firerunner. "Pebbleheart would never lie, and Longfang agreed with her story."

"Longfang is a killer, Lionpaw," Firerunner sighed. "He'd feed Pebbleheart anything to make sure his secret stays safe, and he can kill her. What happened that night, Lionpaw, was so confusing; I hardly blame Pebbleheart for mixing it up."

Lionpaw gazed at him. "Fine," he said finally. "What happened that night?"

Firerunner looked away, gazing at the starry sky stretching high above the forest. "Pebbleheart had gone out to get some herbs. She was alone, and taking her time in the quiet jungle. But I also left the camp; I wanted to meet with Longfang, to talk with him about the choice of deputy. I felt I deserved the position, but if he got it, I wanted to make it clear we would still be friends." Her stopped, glancing at Lionpaw.

Lionpaw just nodded, listening silently. He had no idea what to believe; this was a StarClan warrior talking to him. Why would Firerunner lie?

"When we were alone, I realized too late that Longfang had a plan of his own. I guess we stopped at a place where Pebbleheart was getting her herbs, because she saw everything. He pinned me down, and we fought... but as you can see, he won. And he made it look like DarkClan warrior killed me out of spite. Pebbleheart was so shocked, she ran back to camp, but Longfang caught her first. He made her swear to keep what she'd seen a secret, or else he'd kill her."

Firerunner stared at Lionpaw, their eyes meeting briefly before Lionpaw glanced away. Doubt colored his mind now, and he hated it. What story was true? Why had Firerunner planted a seed of doubt in his mind?

"I'm sorry, Lionpaw; I know you're confused. But please understand. I brought you here to reveal the truth. Until now, my death has been confusing and in the shadows, but StarClan found me. You see, murdered lions go somewhere different at first; we are alone for moons, and must look for the stars. But I've said too much," he meowed suddenly, sweeping his tail and flicking an ear, his face desperate. "Look... Pebbleheart mixed up the night. I do not know why she claimed we are mates; we're not. Perhaps she had wishes, and confused them with the memory. Whatever happened, it happened. And you must know the real story."

Lionpaw took a paw-step back, eyes swirling. His heart was beating painfully in his chest; none of this made sense. Was Firerunner telling the real story? Or was he covering up the truth, as he was still ashamed of breaking the Code?

He took a deep breath, and finally spoke. "Firerunner..." The name felt strange in his mouth. "I do not know the truth. I don't know if you're lying, or Pebbleheart's confused... I just don't know. But either way, one thing is true: Longfang is a killer. And I'm going to put him to the mercy of LightningClan."

Firerunner sighed, and sat down, his body taut. "Lionpaw, I... I cannot thank you enough for this. You are truly an amazing lion. You have a golden heart, and it shows: you're a true Lion. Snowstar is proud of you," he added quietly. "And yet he has no idea how brave you really are. He knows nothing about this."

"Tomorrow he will," Lionpaw said fiercely.

"Perhaps," Firerunner said faintly. He flicked an ear, and turned to the shadows of the forest, like someone had called his name. Slowly, he turned his head to face Lionpaw again, and he spoke in a low voice. "I have to go now. Remember the truth. Do not let my name become polluted just because of a silly medicine-lion."

Lionpaw sat, feeling unsure, but he forced himself to nod. "Very well. Thank you for meeting me tonight... you're a legend now, Firerunner."

Firerunner just chuckled flatly as he stood up, his powerful body rippling, as he began to pad away and into the shadows. "If you say so, young one."

In a heart-beat, he was swallowed up, and Firerunner was gone.

Lionpaw gazed after him. "Good-bye," he whispered.

The starry forest began to shudder and mix, and it faded as Lionpaw found himself opening his eyes as a gust of cool morning air sliced through him, ripping in his fur.
It was dawn.

Lionpaw shuddered, and looked around. He saw Frostpaw curled up next to him, and he blinked, smiling gently. Suddenly his smile died as the dream came back to him, and he stood up, realizing what he had to do.

He darted from the den, and his paws raced him across the camp. Nobody was awake yet, and he wanted to keep it that way. He had to find Pebbleheart...

He looked around quickly as he slipped into her den. "Pebbleheart? Are you here?" he hissed to the darkness, his muscles rippling uncertainly.

There was silence. And finally, an answer. A soft croak from the shadows.

"Lionpaw? Are we going to tell Snowstar now?" she whispered. Lionpaw saw her eyes gleaming in the darkness, and he blinked, trying to focus his eyes to the damp darkness.

"Not yet," he breathed. "Look, there's something I have to ask you. Pebbleheart... I know it sounds crazy, but Firerunner visited me in a dream last night. He told me a very different version of the story you told me." He hesitated, reading her expression.

The lioness had been curled up in her mossy nest, but now she stood up sharply, her ears flattened. "Go on," she rasped.

Lionpaw swallowed hard. "He said that he was never your mate. That you got confused. And it was all a mistake."

Pebbleheart was silent. He saw the trauma rising in her eyes, and she swayed dangerously, her expression faltering. "He's- he's messing with your head. With my head. Lionpaw, that's not possible. Right?"

Lionpaw felt alarm flash through him. She suddenly looked unstable and a little mad. He took a step back. Was Firerunner right after all? He shook his head angrily. So many questions!

"Only you can know!" he whispered. "Please, what is the truth?"

Pebbleheart stopped, opened her mouth, and almost said something when suddenly there came a low snarl. Her eyes focused on something behind Lionpaw's head, and they widened, burning in sudden fear.

"Lionpaw! Behind you!" she gasped.

I feel very evil sometimes. Im so sorry it's been ages since an update, but life is busy as hell, and I try to write when I can. I'll see you all soon for another chapter(: