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Disclaimer: Warriors is owned by Erin Hunter/HarperCollins Publishers LLC

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The Shadow's Warning

…

Fireheart kept his expression hardened as he slowly trotted through the forest of red he found himself in.

It was not long after he helped Brightpaw that his need for sleep eventually overcame him, and it was only a few moments ago when he found himself waking up back in these crimson woods - or the Dark Forest, as it was so-called.

He knew he wouldn't be able to avoid this place, as one has to sleep, after all. Fireheart would meet with that strange cat from before again, but this time, he would be more prepared.

Cautiously, he swept his gaze across the land, looking for any signs of that particular entity. What they had said to him just a few nights ago didn't mean much to him then, but after a full day's worth of thought, Fireheart had changed his mind.

This cat held answers to who knows how many questions Fireheart had in regards to this place, StarClan, and perhaps even Tigerstar's plans. The creature did say they wanted to help, though Fireheart was hesitant to believe them. If it was true they would help, then Fireheart wanted to spend no more time in this place than he needed to.

Peeking around every tree, every bush, every rock, stick, everything in-between, not once could Fireheart catch a sight of the cat. There were a few times when he saw one of those 'wandering spirits' as the entity called them. Despite his curiosity, Fireheart made sure to steer clear of them. He didn't know what would happen if he interacted with one, but the entity made it quite clear how bad of an idea they thought it was. Fireheart had no reason not to believe them in that regard.

Staying away from any stray spirits, Fireheart could feel himself growing frustrated. Each step brought him nowhere - the forest seemed endless. He wondered how long it would take to find the entity from before again. They appeared out of nowhere before, so perhaps they-

"Looking for something?"

Fireheart nearly jumped out of his paws, suddenly hearing a familiar, deep voice from behind. He turned briskly, looking above him to spy the shadowy cat from before. Its blood-red eyes gazed at him amusedly, as they sat on a low-hanging branch.

Fireheart flicked his ears, calming his nerves.

"Someone."

The entity just shrugged.

"Curiosity killed the cat, you know."

Fireheart sniffed, ignoring the cat's nonchalant demeanor.

"You said we would talk again soon. I knew you'd bring me back here," he said to them.

"How do you know it was me?" the entity said, lifting their chin. "You're simply connected to this place now, thanks to those scars."

Fireheart gave them a frown of confusion before shaking his head.

"Whatever. I was looking for you because I want answers."

The entity lifted themselves to their paws, stretching their limbs. They gave Fireheart a sly grin as they peered down at him.

"Well, you wanted me?"

Fireheart watched as they stepped back into the shadows behind the tree before suddenly they were gone. Fireheart pinned his ears, alarmed at the fact the cat seemingly disappeared into the darkness without a trace.

It was then he suddenly jumped back, feeling the fur spike along his neck. Whipping around, he saw the entity approaching him from his side.

"Here I am~"

They still held their grin, sitting down.

Fireheart backed away fearfully, seeing as the larger cat was suddenly so close to him. He wondered how these ghostly creatures could be so quiet in their movements, but Fireheart pushed away any questions he had. For now, he simply had to accept that this cat had abilities he could not understand.

"I never said I wanted you," he relayed sharply, his composure restored. "I don't trust you at all. I'm only here because I've got no other choice."

The entity dropped their grin, giving him an unreadable stare. Their cold, red eyes were suddenly draped with disappointment.

"Perhaps we started off on the wrong paw…" The entity looked away for a moment. "I don't want you to dread this place. I want to help."

"But why?" Fireheart pressed. "I don't even know who you are - or what you are. Why should I trust you or this place?"

"Ah, well, let's just say… our relationship is a clean slate. We have nothing to hide, don't we? It's just the two of us, and we aren't at each other's throats - I'd say that's a good start," they stated smoothly. "And yes, it is true that this place has caused you a bit of pain, but sometimes… A little pain is necessary. With the mark, you are now connected to the Dark Forest."

They emphasized that last part, sweeping their gaze across the land with a noticeable sheen in their eyes.

"A whole realm of possibilities has opened for you!"

Fireheart looked around as well, frowning. He couldn't claim to understand this dream forest, but from what he's gathered so far, this was basically the place where bad cats go after death. And understandably, he didn't want to be in a place like that.

Thinking back to what Yellowfang said earlier, though, about curses and folktale stories, the questions he'd been saving up ever since he returned from ShadowClan suddenly came back to him.

"My… friend told me StarClan used to mark cats, in order to sever their connection with them," Fireheart began, thinking of the scars that adorned his face. "Is that… why I'm here? Because I was cursed?"

The entity quickly lost the shimmer in their gaze, returning a seemingly thoughtful expression.

"Hmph, your friend does not lie," they said. "But some things are only a curse… because others say they are. Perhaps, with time, you will have changed your views in regards to your… predicament."

"How is this anything but a curse?" Fireheart argued.

"The point of those scars-" the entity said, shooting a paw towards his face. "I repeat, is to connect you with this place. Or more specifically… to me. Cutting off StarClan, in doing so, provides the most efficient connection."

Fireheart frowned.

"Why would I ever want to be around something like you? Why can't I be connected to StarClan instead?" he questioned angrily, before quickly stepping down. "Although I-I guess it's true you haven't tried to attack me yet."

"Me and StarClan… happen to have similar interests, and you are at the center of them," the entity responded. "Though, I can tell you're curious. I take it you must have a few questions, hmm?"

"Yeah," Fireheart grimaced at their curious stare. "But even if you haven't done anything, I'm not sure if I should trust the answers I receive."

They raised a brow, smirking. "Come now… Don't doubt my wisdom."

"That's not what I meant." Fireheart looked at them suspiciously. "How do I know you're telling the truth? I don't know what your true intentions are, but it seems like you've just been making things worse for me. How can you help?"

"There is much you don't understand… but that's fine. You will learn," they said reassuringly. "I've already told you my true intentions… you have been called to me by the shadows; A mortal bearing those scars means that much."

Fireheart faltered for a moment. It was true he didn't know how the 'powers' of his scars worked, but how can he trust this cat's explanation? They held a strong, shady aura around them that Fireheart couldn't help but dislike.

"How do I know it wasn't you who made Tigerstar give me my curse?" he asked them.

"Tigerstar?" they echoed, seemingly over the questioning already. Fireheart went on.

"You must know about him! I saw him- in this place the night I got these scars!"

Despite how desperate for answers he was, the entity only seemed marginally interested.

"Indeed," they muttered. "You two have quite a history, don't you? …But yes, Tigerstar was here before."

Fireheart furrowed his brow, watching the entity contemplate for a moment.

"Hmph, fine… I will explain. I suppose for you to trust me, then I must tell you something truthful."

Fireheart could feel his tail flicking. So only now are they answering my questions with some truth?

Fireheart had no more time to wonder as the entity abruptly began.

"I wanted help." They said, gazing at him with a serious expression. "It was only this last moon that I could feel it. The shadows… they spoke to me, just as they always do… but this time was different. A calling from another world… a strong, vehement pestering it was… and their whispers only repeated one thing…"

They trailed off, putting on a marveled expression as they gazed at the ginger tom.

"Fiiireheart."

Fireheart kept a serious gaze, flexing his claws at the sound of his name. He could feel his fur stand a little on end, hearing them continue.

"When the shadows call, I must listen! I knew I had to meet this warrior… I just needed to find them. That Tigerstar cat was in this place at that time. He could help… and he seemed content in doing so once I mentioned your name."

"Of course, he was," Fireheart grumbled to himself. "But… wait, that means… that dream I had at the Moonstone - it was all set up?"

The entity regarded him with a blank stare.

"Tigerstar assured me he'd find a way to bring you here…" they stated. "Though from the way he sounded, and considering the method he used, I expected you to be a little more… mmm… dead."

Fireheart grit his teeth in surprise, but the shadow only continued muttering to themselves.

"He must have wanted you alive for some plan of his... I suppose killing you then would've been suspicious as well."

"I knew it!" Fireheart erupted suddenly, surprising the entity. "The both of you want me dead, don't you?!"

"Mmph… wrong," the entity replied dryly. "Tigerstar did not kill you when he could have… and I never wanted you dead in the first place. The shadows must have coerced him into cursing you instead of killing you… or perhaps even StarClan themselves."

They sat thinking for a moment, before shrugging.

"No matter. Whatever you went through to receive those scars… it had to be done. Otherwise, the only way we could meet was through death. Tigerstar knew that, and so he must have chosen to mark you instead."

"But what plan could Tigerstar have?" Fireheart agonized, shaking his head. "This doesn't make any sense. How could StarClan not interfere?"

"StarClan does not interfere because this is their will!" The entity looked at him wide-eyed. "Your greatest enemy has made a blunder - this curse happens to provide the most stable connection to here."

The entity laughed. "That bark-licking fool! So he truly does not realize the extent of the mark's abilities." They turned to Fireheart. "Your connection to this place… it is your greatest chance of survival, Fireheart! Can't you see?"

"But-" Fireheart stuttered, not believing for a second that Tigerstar could possibly make any sort of mistake. "This is where evil souls go after they die! How can I survive?" He looked around desperately. "Tigerstar, Brokenstar, and a few of his rogues, all of them must be here too!"

The entity only stared at him.

"How can my destiny have led me to the same place?" Fireheart asked, forgetting the entity was even there.

He suddenly heard the sounds of faint chuckling from beside him. Fireheart perked his ears, looking toward the cat.

"What?" He gave them a frown.

"Hah, I see you hardly remember our previous conversation," they muttered. "Fireheart, they can not hurt you in this place. You are here for a special reason… your gift."

Fireheart curled his lip, hearing the mention of that 'gift' nonsense again.

"Wait, I remember," Fireheart said, He thought back, remembering how the entity had mentioned a gift multiple times. He meant to ask them about that as well, however, those thoughts must have been lost immediately as soon as he stepped foot back in this dreadful place.

"You said I have some… gift, but that makes no sense. I don't feel any different," he said, confused. "Besides I already know it's up to me to expose Tigerstar, so-"

"And how will you do that?" the entity suddenly interrupted, causing Fireheart to look annoyed.

"Well," He mumbled. "I'm not quite sure yet."

The entity didn't seem convinced.

"Tigerstar… Brokenstar… and many others. All this evil - it upsets the cosmic balance." They gazed toward the starless sky with a knowing look. "And StarClan doesn't like when things are… unbalanced."

Fireheart eyed them, confused. "I don't understand."

The entity only kept their frown as they returned their gaze to his.

"Listen… and you will."

He noticed their hardened glare - a sign they were willing to give him more answers. He gulped, giving them a hesitant nod.

"In their desperation, you were given a gift. A blessing… used by StarClan only during their greatest times of need," they explained. "But… their knowledge of such powers have faded with time. They cannot teach you - the generation of blessings passed on centuries ago."

They purred. "Here, however, knowledge is eternal… nothing is lost in this place - for this is where what is lost comes to rest."

New energy seemed to invigorate their glare, as they stated their next words. "I've retained the knowledge you need. StarClan can't help you, only me! Do you not want to learn what this blessing is?"

Fireheart almost curled his lip, struggling to understand any of what they'd just said.

"No, no, no- It doesn't make sense," he blurted. "I've been cursed with these horrid marks on my face - just to learn that I've actually been blessed?"

Fireheart stumbled away from them, dumbfounded. He shook his head. "Yeah right. That just sounds to me like a load of mousedung!"

The entity frowned. For the first time, he saw a flash of genuine concern across their face.

"You doubt my words… after what you've been through?"

"After what I've been through?" Fireheart was suddenly animated. That sentence… it triggered something within him.

He lashed his tail. "All I've ever wanted was to be a warrior," he started with a growl. "But ever since I became one, I've been nothing but a failure. I've had two apprentices and failed them both. I had a best friend, and he ran away because I failed him. I had a mentor - the cat I looked up to the most - but they were killed because I failed!"

The entity suddenly looked at him with widened eyes, almost like he entertained them with his whining. Fireheart could feel himself growing more agitated by the second, both at the entity and his past actions.

"I knew Tigerstar was a threat, but I just couldn't stop him. Ravenpaw, Graystripe… it was not up to them; it was me who dragged them into it. I knew everything I had to do, and yet I still failed!"

Fireheart felt irritated. The stress was getting to him, he could tell. Everything has been spiraling out of control lately - ever since he met this entity in this world, he couldn't tell what to think.

He looked back at the shadowed figure before him, growling.

"So, yes, after everything I've been through, I find it hard to believe StarClan would now enlist your help."

The entity did not respond, staring at him for a long moment. Fireheart could feel his fur prick under their gaze, but soon they were breaking their stare.

"All of what you said… is true," they said. "But I and StarClan have common interests. It seems another failure of yours… is not seeing an opportunity when it presents itself."

The entity gave him a look of reverence. "Your heart… it burns bright with a passion. You care so much about this forest… you want to rid it of evil." They frowned. "But you simply can not. Such a task was proven too great for one feline."

"Are you saying I had no chance?" Fireheart blurted."But-"

"I'm not finished." The entity shut him up with a firm glare. "Yes, before you were unprepared. Now, however… things are different. You need to stop dwelling on the past, and look towards the future."

Fireheart frowned critically and watched as they stood up, an inviting gaze in their eyes.

"Your gift… that is your future. Join me, and we can work together… That's the reason you are here, after all. Failure is not final. We will uncover the power StarClan has blessed you with - and only then will you be able to strike down Tigerstar along with any other threat the forest faces!"

Fireheart stepped back, hearing their voice rise. He gave them a confused look.

"Are you saying-" he mumbled. "You want to train me?"

"Your gift… it needs a special mentor," the entity began, still slightly elevated. "StarClan is unable-"

"I don't believe you."

Fireheart watched as the other cat immediately put on a frown. The air around them grew colder and heavier. He swore he heard the faint buzzing of white noise vanish too.

"Oh?"

Fireheart huffed, keeping his face hard as he continued.

"You said you're some keeper of souls. You want to help unlock some gift that StarClan has given me, but you're the only one who can?" He scoffed. "Then, you're the last cat I want to speak with! If StarClan has some special gift for me, then they should be the ones to tell me."

The entity simply stared as he kept going.

"And besides, you've met with Tigerstar. He's here in this place, so you must be up to no good!" He paused. "I know, you just want my soul, don't you?"

The black cat only stared for a second, long enough to make Fireheart start to worry, before squinting their eyes in a suppressed outrage.

"Such presumptuous insolence…" they hissed. "If I wanted your soul, then you would've died a long time ago. I'm offering you an opportunity… a way out of this hell you call your life… yet all you do is spit at me?"

"What were you expecting?" Fireheart growled. "I don't know anything about this place, or you, but there's definitely evil here, and I don't want to be anywhere near it." He looked at them suspiciously. "You only want me here because you believe I have some gift. I've seen no gift!"

"Mmph" the entity merely grunted. "This place is more than just a wasteland of lost souls. Here, I can help you; I can bring your gift to life. After that, you'll finally be something again… no, not just something… the greatest warrior in the whole forest!

They lashed their tail, beginning to pace around him. Fireheart looked at them unsteadily as they circled.

"You want to make a REAL change?" they exclaimed. "Are you sick of being a failure, and treated like mousedung? Because that gift is the key… and the only way you'll unlock it is with my help."

Fireheart was not so convinced. This cat still kept him in the dark about whatever this 'gift' was, save for a vague description. An ancient power? What kind of power?

"You haven't even told me what this gift is!" he turned his head around as the entity circled him. "For all I know, you're just telling me lies. If I'm going to beat Tigerstar, then I can do it alone, or StarClan themselves will tell me otherwise. I don't need to submit myself to some shadow."

"Some shadow, eh?" the entity sneered. "You have no choice… That mark will block your connection to StarClan from now on. If you try to contact them - they'll open again as fast as they closed."

Fireheart widened his eyes, suddenly losing his composure.

"W-what?"

The entity continued. "But it's not like they helped you before right? And that ragged beldam and her familiar you call your friends… Pah! You're more of a liability to them at this point!"

Fireheart curled his lip, feeling himself burning up again.

"That's it," he said with a growl. "I don't want anything to do with you. Until StarClan themselves show me a sign, I will do this myself. Gift or not, it doesn't matter - that's all probably a lie anyway!"

He could almost feel the anger rising within him. For someone, this cat just seemed to tip him off the right way. When was the last time he felt such anger?...

"Oooh," the dark feline suddenly mewled, putting on a grin. "Hah~ how ironic! Your anger stirs the power festering within you. I can feel it!"

"Nrgh… Stop that," Fireheart hissed, blinking. "You're just… messing with me now."

"Nooo-no." They shook their head stubbornly, peering at him with their grin. "That's your power! Rage… hah, how fitting for ThunderClan's Blessing."

Fireheart snapped out of it, growling toward them. However, they simply kept their excited grin.

"When the time comes… you will see. Yes, yes, you will see… and you will be so scared then!"

Fireheart frowned, his anger suddenly evaporating - and in its place, a sudden sense of danger arose. He couldn't tell where it was coming from as he looked around, feeling afraid. It felt… all around him. Inside of him.

"Others will be as well! Yes, yes, I can see it!"

Fireheart felt his fur spike as he heard the faint sounds of wind beginning to rush. He snapped back toward the entity, seeing their eyes lit aglow. They observed him with awe, lashing their tail furiously.

"Yes, in a quarter-moon from now… Your hate… Your anger… it will feed it. It will nurture it juust enough."

Fireheart looked around fearfully, seeing that fog from the void starting to swirl around his paws.

"What are you-"

"Oh, nonono."

He looked up, seeing the entity shaking their head. Their eyes continued glowing, and he could see their toothy grin.

"Handle it alone." They practically spat. "You want this to be done the hard way, remember? You want to be convinced, yes?"

Fireheart gritted his teeth, feeling a bit of adrenaline as the rushing wind grew louder.

"Nrgh- fine! I will!" He shouted. "And you'll see! I don't need help from some shadow. I don't need some-... power-"

Fireheart began to feel light-headed, his eyelids fluttering shut.

"...You and Tigerstar always seem so poised… yet neither of you realizes your limits." Fireheart could still hear the entity speaking. "A shame you must learn the hard way… this could've been easier if you had just listened."

Fireheart bent over, feeling the fog consume him. His vision eventually blurred.

"And when that time comes… perhaps you'll see-"

Fireheart, through squinted lids, could see the glowing red pupils of the entity, before he suddenly lost consciousness.

"How much of my help… you REALLY need."

The faint sounds of crickets greeted Fireheart as the tom awoke with a start. He clutched his face in pain, giving a low hiss.

He stayed like that for a moment, catching his breath. He gritted his teeth - his face was aching.

It's still night. He mused numbly, looking around. Yellowfang was there - sleeping in her nest as the drapes of lichen revealed hints of moonlight from outside.

Slowly, quietly, he raised himself out of the small nest of leaves he'd been using ever since he'd been trapped in here.

He clutched his face still, stumbling across the den.

Poppy seeds for pain.

He poked around their stash - luckily, Yellowfang seemed to agree with his sentiments regarding its organization. He quickly found the poppy seeds, lapping a few up.

He sat there, doing nothing but stare at the ground, awaiting the relief from the herbs. The tom eventually shook his head, as if it would help.

These stupid scars… they always hurt whenever I wake up from one of those dreams.

He grumbled lowly, flashing another look towards the sleeping medicine cat.

But… Yellowfang doesn't need to worry about that. I can handle it myself.

He kept his gaze on her, feeling a sense of guilt. He watched her as she almost struggled for breaths. They were loud, ragged, and seemed uncomfortable.

He pinned his ears. He hated when she was given more problems than usual, and this past moon has been chock-full of them.

I'm sorry, but I can't keep weighing you down. There's at least one thing that cat was right about… I'm a liability.

Sniffing, Fireheart turned away.

Poking his head through the drapes of lichen, he noticed everything was quiet. Very rarely would he snoop around in the middle of the night, as Tigerstar would usually post some cats as guards to keep an eye on him.

Fireheart gave a tiny snort of victory, seeing no such cats were around this particular night. Perhaps, Tigerstar was getting bold by taking away the guards. Or perhaps, his iron grip on the clan was loosening, allowing for some cats to take their jobs less seriously.

No matter. Whatever the reason, Fireheart was just grateful no one was around.

Quick and quiet as a mouse, he slinked over to the prisoner's den. He crawled inside his other, dirtier nest, but he didn't mind. It was simply the price of having solitude.

Fireheart shuffled his paws, the feeling of discontent flowing through him.

He left that Dark Forest with more questions than answers, which was exactly what he feared. The entity spoke more of this mysterious gift but failed to explain anything clearly. Fireheart couldn't help but feel it was intentional.

Some things, though, did make him reconsider a lot of what he believed. This whole time Fireheart had been waiting on StarClan for answers. Even before his scars became a factor, they never really interacted with him. Perhaps their silence was a sign?

But they've tried guiding me before. Spottedleaf's scent… He thought. No, she can't seriously be suggesting I work in that place.

He thought about it a little more. Spottedleaf's scent led him into the forest of red, however, he was consumed by a raging fire! That had to have been a sign - perhaps to tell him how working with the Dark Forest was a bad idea.

He shook his head. It was late at night, and he still felt tired despite just waking up. From the way he heard it, the entity wouldn't bother him anymore. At least not until things - as they put it - got worse.

Fireheart scoffed at that. How could things get worse?

He's been mutilated, ostracized, and all his friends were chased away. Ravenpaw, Graystripe, Cloudpaw, all of them are gone.

Though, as he thought about it more, perhaps it was better that way. Fireheart was alone, which meant he could do what he wanted. Yellowfang and Cinderpaw would be safe; he wouldn't wrap them up in his plans.

Yeah… Fireheart felt suddenly encouraged. I'm done sitting and moping. I shouldn't wait for StarClan to respond… Maybe they are waiting for me to do something instead! He thought. I can't rely on others' help either. I don't want anyone else I love to be taken from me.

He laid his head on his paws, the pain emanating from his face now having all but vanished.

Even if StarClan can't hear me because of these stupid scars, I know this has to be their will.

Fireheart huffed to himself, fully convicted.

I still have a chance to stop Tigerstar… I can't blow it. Not again!

…

A/N - I had to rewrite this chapter like 50 times so that the conversations flowed somewhat normally. Writing/hinting at lore without revealing too much is really tough… Hopefully, there are no inconsistencies. If there are, then they'll just stay like that until I get to reviewing the arc when it's done x)

Anyway, IDK 'bout you guys, but it seems like Fireheart doesn't realize how much of a rough ride he's truly in for (I'm curious to see how bold I get when writing the "M-rated" scenes...)

But hey! Bear with me, readers who love Fireheart, for all things must get worse before they can get better! :D