Sorry about the wait between chapters, I am currently working on two other stories.

Chapter 13: The First Clash Between Hope and Domination

Honeypaw was watching over Fireheart's recovery. Spottedleaf padded over and asked, "How's he doing?" Honeypaw replied, "He's alright I guess. He isn't on the brink of death like the last time at least. So, I'd call that a win." Jayfeather snorted and said, "Not exactly a win. But it's something I suppose."

Bramblestar walked into the Medicine Den with Lionblaze and Cinderheart. Lionblaze asked, "Any news?" Jayfeather responded honestly, "He isn't on the brink of death this time. He just needs to recover." Cinderheart breathed a sigh of relief and commotion at the entrance of the Thunderclan camp drew out everyone from the medicine den aside from the Medicine Cats. Fireheart didn't stir.

Bramblestar, Lionblaze, and Cinderheart walked out of the Medicine Den and saw Smokefoot at the entrance. Bramblestar's ears twitched in curiosity and he walked over towards Smokefoot. Smokefoot ducked his head in respect to Bramblestar and asked, "Where's Firestar? I have news." Bramblestar replied, "I see you remember as well. He's recovering right now. News of what if you don't mind me asking." Smokefoot responded, "Sorry Bramblestar. Firestar told me to report to him or… his friend in a high place." Dovewing had walked out of the Warriors Den and said, "I can second that Bramblestar."

Bramblestar looked surprised but didn't pry. Bramblestar mewed, "He's in the Medicine Den. If he isn't awake, please don't wake him." Smokefoot lowered his head once more and padded towards the Medicine Den.

Fireheart had opened his eyes and looked around. His eyes began adjusting and he muttered, "Right. In the Medicine Den. I blacked out after the fight last night." He heard Honeypaw walk over. Honeypaw mewed, "Morning Love. Sleep well?" Fireheart responded, "As well I could without you in my bed with me." Honeypaw blushed and responded, "Hush you." Spottedleaf was about to say something when noise at the entrance alerted Fireheart. He was on his feet swiftly and leapt over Honeypaw and landed at the entrance, ready to fight. His hostility vanished as he saw Smokefoot.

Smokefoot ducked his head in respect to Fireheart and said, "Firestar. I have news involving what we talked about a little while ago." Fireheart looked around and said, "Let's take a walk shall we. And until I fully reunite Lionclan, please, call me Fireheart." Smokefoot nodded his head in understanding and said, "As you wish, Fires…Fireheart." Fireheart looked at Spottedleaf and asked, "Am I cleared for a walk?" Spottedleaf replied, "Yes. Yes you are Fireheart." Fireheart nodded his appreciation and walked out of the Medicine Den with Smokefoot.

Bramblestar watched Fireheart and Smokefoot walk out of camp together. He walked over to Dovewing, who was at the fresh kill pile and asked, "Can you tell me what mission or intel that Fireheart asked of Smokefoot?" Dovewing replied, "No. No I can not. Fireheart asked everyone who was there to keep quiet about it and only to talk to each other, himself, and his friend in a high place." Bramblestar asked, "Who is his friend in a high place? If you can tell me that." Dovewing responded, "All I can say is that it's an old foe of Fireheart's."

Bramblestar mewed, "Interesting. That kind of narrows it down, but he has had many foes." Dovewing nodded her agreement and said, "I will also not eavesdrop on his location to get you info. Sorry Bramblestar." Bramblestar laughed and said, "Damn."

Fireheart was walking with Smokefoot. Once they got to the edge of the Lake, they both sat down. Fireheart asked Smokefoot, "So. What kind of intel did you get?" Smokefoot replied, "I know what the last creature of the army is and maybe narrowed the search for Tigerstar's body down." Fireheart's ears twitched in curiosity and he asked, "Alright. Hit me with it." Smokefoot replied, "The last creature in Tigerstar's army is foxes." Fireheart growled in annoyance and said, "Fuck! Foxes are clever and sly." Smokefoot nodded his agreement and said, "And the search for Tigerstar's body. Through the Dark Forest I have overheard multiple people say their leader's body is where it all began." Fireheart mewed, "So. It is in the Old Forest. Where it began? Maybe where Tigerstar killed Redtail. The Battle of Sunning Rocks. I do believe that is where he first began his despicable plan to become clan leader of Thunderclan." Smokefoot looked surprised at Fireheart's knowledge on the subject.

Smokefoot asked, "How do you know so much about the Old Forest?" Fireheart immediately realized his mistake and hastily lied, "Elders have quite a few stories passed down to them from other elders. Purdy told me about it when I was an apprentice." Smokefoot looked at Fireheart and couldn't discern anything that gave away that he was lying. Smokefoot mewed, "That is all I have found out so far Fireheart." Fireheart replied, "Thank you for the intel Smokefoot. Keep up the great work. This intel is just what I needed to devise strategies to fight against our assailants. I also know where I need to go to finish this once and for all. Keep this up, and we will prevail. Keep doing what you're doing." Fireheart heard bushes rustle around them and he immediately jumped into the bushes where he heard the rustling.

He saw a muscular pale gray tom with darker flecks and dark blue eyes. The tom had short, thick fur, and a torn ear. Fireheart gasped in disbelief as he recognized Ashfur. Ashfur kicked Fireheart off of him and hissed, "Thanks for the intel on who the rat is!" Fireheart growled in disbelief. Ashfur began to fade away. Fireheart yowled, "Go warn the clans Smokefoot! It's no longer safe for you in the Dark Forest until I take care of Ashfur! Go! That's an order!" Fireheart leapt at Ashfur before Ashfur vanished.

Smokefoot immediately obeyed Fireheart's order and ran to Thunderclan first. As he ran into the Thunderclan camp, he heard the voice of Bramblestar say, "What's the rush Smokefoot? Wait. Where's Fireheart?!" Smokefoot hastily said, "Fireheart told me to come and warn you all! Our enemies have some information on me! Fireheart is trying to take care of it!" Crowfeather and Lionblaze both immediately looked at one another and mouthed something to one another. They both nodded in agreement and walked towards the Medicine Den. Spottedleaf walked out of the Medicine and was greeted by Crowfeather and Lionblaze. They said something to her and she nodded in agreement. All three walked into the Medicine Den. All anyone heard was Jayfeather's voice saying, "Starclan damn it! Alright. Let's do this. He is always into something isn't he? Fucks sake."

Smokefoot began to leave when Dovewing asked, "Who got the information on you, Smokefoot?" Smokefoot replied hastily, "Ash." Bramblestar's eyes went wide and he muttered something. He walked into the Nursery. Smokefoot said, "Can someone here go tell Riverclan and Windclan? I need to go tell Shadowclan." Dovewing said, "I'll go tell Windclan." Lionstar walked out of the Warrior's den and said, "I will go tell Riverclan." Smokefoot mewed his thanks and swiftly left Thunderclan's camp.

In the Dark Forest:

Fireheart opened his eyes and looked around. He sighed and said, "Now I gotta either attempt to turn Ashfur to our side or dispose of him. Fuck me! Where the hell did he go?" Fireheart tasted the air and got a hit on Ashfur's scent. He muttered, "I thought Ashfur was in Starclan! Why would he betray the clans?!" He remembered the books he read as a Twoleg and said, "That's right. He loves Squirrelflight and would do anything to be with her." Fireheart looked around at his unfamiliar surroundings and followed Ashfur's scent.

Fireheart followed Ashfur's scent to a clearing coated in fresh and old blood. Fireheart heard something leap at him from behind him. Fireheart immediately dropped to his stomach and the assailant flew over him. Fireheart looked up as he got to his paws and saw Ashfur. Ashfur cackled and said, "Makes sense you'd follow me. But you must desire something besides peace because only those who are truly evil can get here." Fireheart let the comment roll over him, knowing it wasn't true and he replied, "Now. I am gonna give you a choice. You're an intelligent albeit naive tom. You can either work for me, or die here. Think of it. If you fight for the clans, you might get a chance with Squirrelflight." Ashfur's eyes lit up a bit at the thought of being with Squirrelflight but he said, "I already have that planned out. I am going to kill Brameblestar and frame someone for it. And then, in her distraught, she will kill the one I framed for no reason which would damn her to the Place of No Stars. Bramblestar will go to Starclan and Squirrelflight will go to the Place of No Stars. Without her mate, she will be distraught. That's when I swoop in and take her!"

Fireheart growled in disgust and hissed, "That's despicable!" Ashfur cackled and said, "Thank you. Now. Your journey ends here Fireheart! IT'S TIME TO DIE! YOUR POWERS MEAN NOTHING HERE AS STARCLAN CAN'T REACH OR SEE YOU HERE! YOU'RE JUST AN ORDINARY CAT NOW!" Ashfur leapt at Fireheart, teeth bared. Fireheart ducked under the leap. Fireheart slipped a claw and retaliated with a powerful left hook. Ashfur was sent flying into a tree and he grunted in pain as he got to his paws. Ashfur wiped blood off of his lips with his paw and cackled as he said, "So. You're just naturally strong. Impressive. You should join us, Fireheart. She-cats falling at your feet left, right, and center. All the pussy you could ever want. Unlimited power. Never dying. Sounds pretty sweet right?"

Fireheart hissed in annoyance and retorted, not even considering accepting Ashfur's offer, "Seems pretty sweet. You are right. But you know what's sweeter? Destroying the Dark Forest once and for all. I don't know how I will do it, but I swear to Starclan I will. If I have to come here myself after I defeat Tigerstar and completely destroy any and all traces of it with my power of hope, so fucking be it!"

Fireheart leapt at Ashfur and Ashfur dodged his attack and dug his claws deep into Fireheart's flanks. Scarlet littered the ground. Fireheart hissed in pain and let Ashfur come to him. Ashfur cackled and said, "Feeling lost without your power? How's it feel to be an ordinary cat Fireheart?! THIS IS HOW ALL YOUR OPPONENTS HAVE FELT!" Fireheart chuckled and responded, "It feels wonderful. It adds an additional challenge! And the fact that I can actually die is thrilling! But, you're forgetting one thing." Ashfur twitched his ears in curiosity and asked, "What's that?" Fireheart laughed and said, "I don't need my powers to kick your ass! I BEAT TIGERSTAR AS A NEWBORN KIT! BACK BEFORE I EVEN KNEW I HAD POWERS!"

Fireheart launched towards Ashfur and tackled him. Fireheart pinned Ashfur there, he felt Ashfur's hind claws dig into his stomach and Fireheart growled in pain. Fireheart clawed Ashfur's face and leapt off of him. Fireheart looked down and saw blood pooling from his stomach. He chuckled and said, "This is fun. I can see why my father liked training here. That is…" Fireheart looked towards Ashfur as his eyes flashed flame orange, "Until he understood the purpose of the Dark Forest was to attack and kill the Clans!" Ashfur gulped as Fireheart's eyes flashed flame orange and Fireheart seemed to vanish from where he was.

Fireheart jumped onto Ashfur's back from behind and forced him to the ground. Ashfur was surprised and was shoved to the ground easily. Fireheart went for the kill but Ashfur managed to get Fireheart off of his back. Fireheart backflipped and landed gracefully. Fireheart took a deep breath and darted towards Ashfur. Ashfur met him in the middle and they became a flurry of claws.

Ashfur went for a claw for Fireheart's throat. Fireheart blocked the attack with his front legs. Ashfur's eyes went wide. Fireheart smirked and caught the surprised Ashfur with an uppercut. Ashfur hissed in pain as he was launched into the sky. Fireheart climbed up a tree and leapt at Ashfur fast as a bullet. Ashfur coughed up blood from the force of the impact and was sent into the ground. Ashfur hit the ground so hard, he bounced once after the impact. Ashfur yowled in agony. Ashfur tried to move, but found he couldn't.

Fireheart landed on the ground harshly and grunted in pain. He padded over to Ashfur and mewed in his ear, "You may think you can't die. But wanna know something?" Ashfur hissed, "What?! Make it quick." Fireheart chuckled and his pelt became a brilliant white. The area surrounding him and Ashfur became pure white. Fireheart chuckled and said, "Now Starclan can see this area in particular. Until I leave that is. I drowned out the hatred and dishonor with my power of Hope. I may not have access to my powers, but you can never take away the fact that I am the Heavenly Cat of Hope. Wanna know something else my power of hope gives me?" Ashfur gulped in fear and asked, "What?"

Fireheart responded calmly, "I have never tried this. So. This may hurt Ashfur like a son of a bitch. Who am I kidding? It is going to hurt. I will use my Hope to remove your protection that Tigerstar gave you, meaning I will be able to kill you, once and for all." Fireheart stuck a paw out as a white orb appeared. Ashfur began to try to move again, only to find he couldn't. Fireheart replied, "The fall you took. You do realize you landed on your back, right? You're completely paralyzed. It broke most of your spine." Ashfur hissed in annoyance and fear. He immediately said, "What if I fought for the Clans?!" Fireheart replied somberly, "Sadly, you chose your path already. You can't be trusted. And you know who the rat is. Truth is, you must cease to exist for Peace and Hope to thrive in the Forest.

The orb in Fireheart's paw began to shake violently as it absorbed something from Ashfur. Ashfur howled in pain as his protection was stripped from him. Fireheart struggled to control the power that the orb was giving off, but he managed to strip Ashfur of his protection. Fireheart padded towards Ashfur and said, "Things could've been so much different. Since you're about to die anyways, I will let you in on a secret. I know Hollyleaf is the one who killed you. I also used to be a Twoleg. That's how I know so much about the history of the clans. Somebody actually wrote books about us. Never in a million years did I think they were real. Until I was born into Thunderclan. I have long forsaken my old life. Aside from my own moves. It's a huge advantage. No cat in the Forest has seen a Twoleg fight. I got into more than my fair share of fist fights as a Twoleg. Now. This has gone on long enough. It's time to take a permanent dirt nap, Ashfur." Ashfur looked at Fireheart with fear in his eyes.

Fireheart gave three quick, precise, clean cuts across Ashfur's throat. Ashfur gurgled on his blood as it sprayed onto Fireheart's pelt. Fireheart sighed as Ashfur's eyes rolled into the back of his head. Ashfur's body began to vanish. Fireheart heard movement around him and he whirled around, ready to fight. His hostility disappeared as his father and Crowfeather walked into the Hollow. Lionblaze and Crowfeather ran towards Fireheart. Lionblaze asked with concern in his voice, "Are you okay? That's a lot of blood that you have on you!" Fireheart replied, "I am fine, Father. Thank you for the concern. I took care of what I needed to. How the fuck do we leave this terrible place?" Lionblaze replied, "Just gotta wake up. At least that's how it always has been."

Fireheart asked, "How did you two even get here?" Crowfeather answered truthfully, "We have been here before." Fireheart acted surprised and Lionblaze said, "Yeah. We just had to ask Jayfeather to help us get here as we have been banished from here so we can't show up here on our own." Fireheart said, "That makes sense."

Fireheart began to clean his wounds. Lionblaze looked at him with curiosity. Fireheart looked back at him and said, "My powers didn't activate. Are you trying to tell me your powers did while you were training in the Dark Forest?" Lionblaze replied, "No, they didn't. I am surprised yours didn't." Fireheart replied, "My powers are also a gift from Starclan. They can't reach here. Well." Fireheart used his tail to point to the white clearing.

Crowfeather's and Lionblaze's jaws dropped as they just saw the white clearing. Lionblaze asked, "What the hell happened to the hollow?" Fireheart answered, "I happened to the Hollow. I was able to drown out the hatred and dishonor with the power of Hope for the time being. Meaning Starclan can see and reach us here. It just takes them a while to look here as it's been off their radar for Starclan knows how long." Fireheart's pelt ignited with white flames and his wounds healed themself. Fireheart chuckled and said, "Speak of the Devil."

Fireheart looked at the hollow and sighed quietly. He looked at the paw he used to kill Ashfur and flexed it. Fireheart cleaned his claws off on his pelt. Suddenly, where Ashfur's body was, another appeared with a slash across its neck. Fireheart saw fresh blood on his claws, signifying he was the one who killed the cat ahead. He walked over and turned the body over and choked on grief. He recognized Heathertail. Fireheart started to hyperventilate and muttered, "No. No. No. I-I would never. I would never kill her." Tears fell from his eyes and he growled, "What kind of sick and twisted game is this Tigerstar?!" He heard Tigerstar's voice boom in his head, "It's not a game. You killed her. You're a monster. You don't remember? You chose the path of Domination. Not Hope. It's funny how you think you're the hero. Look around. Would a hero leave behind such a wake of destruction and death? Karma's a bitch!"

Fireheart looked around frantically, trying to see if Lionblaze and Crowfeather were there, only to see that they had vanished. Fireheart watched the Hollow he was in fill with blood as bodies began appearing. Fireheart felt his pelt get more and more sticky with each body that appeared. One by one, the bodies' heads looked at him and said, "Look what you've done to us! You killed us when we wouldn't listen to your orders! Remember Firestar! REMEMBER WHAT YOU'VE DONE!" Fireheart looked around at the countless bodies around him as blood began to rise and slowly form a lake of blood.

Fireheart yelled, "GET OUT OF MY HEAD! I WOULD NEVER DO ANY OF THIS! GET THE FUCK OUT OF MY HEAD TIGERSTAR!" Waves began to form in the lake of Blood and Fireheart struggled to keep his head above the surface. Fireheart felt something cold grasp his hind legs and begin dragging him to the depths.

Fireheart's vision began to blur as lack of oxygen was beginning to take its toll. Just before Fireheart blacked out, he felt something grip his back and lift him out of the lake of blood. He felt himself hit solid ground and he coughed up several mouthfuls of blood. As he took deep breaths, his vision began returning to him. He looked around and saw Sharptooth. Sharptooth mewed to Fireheart, "I just got here. Are you okay Fireheart?!" Fireheart looked around and didn't see a lake of blood and asked, "W-Where is it?"

Sharptooth asked, "Where is what? You were sleeping on the ground. Lots of muttering and yowls of grief. The fuck did you dream of?!" Fireheart got to his paws and replied, "It was nothing. Just a nightmare I guess. Where are Lionblaze and Crowfeather?" Sharptooth answered, "You were alone here." Fireheart looked around again and saw Ashfur's body still there. He sighed in relief and said, "Let's get the fuck out of here. I hate this place." Sharptooth said, "I agree. This place is filled with evil."

Sharptooth and Fireheart began looking for a way out when they ran into Lionblaze and Crowfeather. Lionblaze ran towards his son and said, "I was worried! We looked away for a split second and you were gone!" Lionblaze noticed that something was off with his son and he asked, "What happened son?" Fireheart looked at Lionblaze and said, "It's nothing. I just need to get out of this hellhole." Lionblaze retorted, "Bullshit. If you won't tell me, at least talk to someone when we get back. You're drowning in your thoughts. It's going to kill you if you don't talk to someone." Fireheart replied, "I will be fine, father. I appreciate the concern, but I promise I am fine." Crowfeather mewed, "Don't trust anything you see here. This place has a way of warping your reality."

Fireheart asked, "Since I didn't fall asleep and show up here, how the hell do I get back?" Lionblaze answered, "Look for a place that actually has life so Starclan can see you. Or use your power to force Starclan to see you so they can bring you back themselves." Fireheart said, "Got it. I will meet you two back home. Sharptooth, you're with me." Sharptooth bowed in respect and said, "As you wish Fireheart." Fireheart watched his father and Crowfeather vanish from the Dark Forest. Fireheart took a deep breath and mewed, "Can you be stealthy if the need arises?" Sharptooth nodded and Fireheart led the way.

Fireheart moved quiet as a snake with Sharptooth behind him. They heard voices ahead of them and Fireheart motioned with his tail to stop moving. Sharptooth obeyed without hesitation. Fireheart used the dead bushes in front of him as cover as he began to eavesdrop.

Fireheart heard a voice he immediately recognized say, "My ploy to kill Fireheart failed cause someone interrupted it." He heard another voice ask, "Any ideas who it was?" The first cat shook his head no and said, "Looked like a cat from Starclan. But that's impossible." Fireheart growled quietly, "Tigerstar. You bastard. I will make you pay for making me think I killed Heathertail. And for making me think I left a wake of death behind me. It might not be today, but you will perish by my paws!" Fireheart felt Sharptooth tense beside him and he muttered, "No. We can not have them knowing we are still here. Only fight when there is no choice. We need to remain stealthy. If we can sneak up on someone and take them out of the fight for the time being, great. Just gotta hide bodies." Sharptooth growled quietly, "But he tried to kill you!" Fireheart replied, "I know. He has been trying since I was a kit to kill me. He knows I am the only one able to defeat him once and for all. He will get his just desserts eventually." Sharptooth looked confused and Fireheart said quietly, "It basically means he will get what's coming to him." Sharptooth nodded his understanding.

Fireheart waited for Tigerstar to leave. As Tigerstar left, Fireheart nodded towards Sharptooth. Sharptooth followed behind Fireheart. Fireheart snuck up on the light colored tabby with dark markings. Fireheart jumped onto its back and forced his paw around the cat's mouth so it couldn't yowl for help. He wrapped his other paw around the cat's neck and began to squeeze. The cat's movements began to become weak and it collapsed to the ground. Fireheart released his grip and got off of the cat. Fireheart mewed, "Let's go. They'll be out for a bit." Sharptooth padded towards Fireheart and said, "I think I see forest ahead." Fireheart looked around and saw the trees as well. Fireheart nodded his agreement and bolted forwards, quiet as a mouse. Sharptooth followed him.

Fireheart and Sharptooth ran into a hollow of the forest. Fireheart looked around and hissed, "It's quiet. Too quiet. Be vigilant, Sharptooth! I don't think we hid the body well!" Sharptooth replied, "Way ahead of you Fireheart." Fireheart looked around and looked up. He saw the stars and said, "Come on! Starclan please!" Yowls of battle echoed throughout the hollow. Fireheart growled in annoyance and saw Tigerstar approach him from the woods.

Tigerstar mewed, "I see you found your way out. But did you really think it would be that easy? You may have taken Ashfur out of the fight permanently. But you forget…" Tigerstar's body filled with power as a visible black and red aura appeared around him. Tigerstar's eyes glowed red in the darkness of the hollow. Tigerstar continued, "I have an entire army around you right now. And I am the Cat of Domination." Fireheart mewed aggressively, "A non verbal activation. Very unstable. You're dumber than you look. Let's see if it protects you from me." Tigerstar laughed and said, "You gonna activate yours? Let's see who prevails. I will let you do your verbal activation. It's the least I could do. Give you even a sliver of a chance."

Fireheart growled and mewed, "Fuck it. LET'S DO THIS!" Fireheart's body erupted in a pure white and gold aura as he began the chant, "I, who shall awaken, am the cat sent from Heaven to protect the forest and defeat the Cat of Domination." Fireheart's aura became bright gold as he continued, "I protect the weak, and give the Forest hope!" Fireheart's eyes became pure white as he continued, "I shall become the Heavenly Cat of Hope!" Fireheart's pelt became pure white as he continued, "I shall bring you all from the depths of despair!" Fireheart's body ignited in brilliant white flames as he finished, "HEAVENLY CAT DRIVE!" Tigerstar smirked and mewed, "Now, it's a fair fight. Well, as fair as it can be."

Fireheart mewed, "You and I both know this won't be our final fight. So why don't we make it a one versus one. My comrade will stay back, as will your army." Tigerstar cackled and said, his voice almost demonic, "This'll be fun. Let's do it! Stay back!" Fireheart said calmly, his voice sounding almost holy, "Stand down Sharptooth. This is my fight. He could kill you in a mere second, probably less. Sadly, only I am strong enough to fight him when he is in this form." Sharptooth bowed his head and said, "As you wish, Fireheart." Fireheart mewed, "Thank you." He turned his attention towards Tigerstar.

Both cats stared one another down; the hollow shaking from the tremendous amount of power in one area; until Fireheart made the first move. Fireheart dashed forwards faster than one can blink. He got behind Tigerstar and struck. Tigerstar evaded the attack and retaliated with a powerful slash across Fireheart's flank. Fireheart growled in pain and leapt backwards. Tigerstar laughed and said, "Hurts doesn't it? The Cat of Domination possessed me and suddenly, my attacks breathe fear into the wound. Causing my opponents to lose their minds slowly, but surely. I don't know how long it lasts." Fireheart hissed in annoyance and a mist of red flew from the wound Tigerstar inflicted upon him.

Tigerstar cackled and said, "Interesting. The Cat of Hope possessed you and it allows you to not be affected by my attacks nearly as much as others. We are exact opposites. Interesting! Show me more!" Fireheart dashed forwards. Tigerstar went to attack him, but Fireheart blocked the strike and retaliated with a flaming hook. Tigerstar was sent flying into a tree. Tigerstar looked shocked and said, "The rumors are true. You used to be a.." Fireheart dashed forwards and clawed Tigerstar's flanks harshly. He growled, "Keep your mouth shut. I gave up that life long ago!" Light exploded from Tigerstar's flanks and Tigerstar hissed in pain. Fireheart mewed, "I am light, you are dark. Our attacks inflict additional damage to one another. Use your head!"

Tigerstar laughed and said, "Perfect! Let's go!" Tigerstar roared violently and a fog of darkness surrounded Fireheart. Fireheart looked around and closed his eyes to improve his hearing. Tigerstar's voice boomed all around him and bodies appeared around Fireheart. Tigerstar mewed, "Look at the damage you've already done to the forest. So many dead. So many parents and children without each other. You're a monster." Fireheart heard footsteps approaching from his right and dodged the attack. Fireheart heard many voices that he recognized say, "You took us from them! You're a monster!" Fireheart dodged another attack and muttered, "Now." Light exploded from Fireheart's body. He heard Tigerstar groan in pain and he dashed towards the noise he heard.

Fireheart tackled Tigerstar to the ground and began a relentless barrage of claws and bites. Tigerstar hissed in pain and kicked Fireheart off of him. Fireheart felt his body begin to move on its own. He felt his speed increase drastically and multiple images of Fireheart appeared around Tigerstar. Tigerstar looked around and smirked as he said, "Didn't know you were that fast." All of the images said, "I am not this quick. You're just slow. Domination gives you power, not agility." Tigerstar growled in anger and lunged at one of the images. Tigerstar flew right through it. Tigerstar felt himself get launched into the air. He looked around only to see Fireheart sprint up a tree and launch towards him.

Fireheart sprinted up the nearest tree and launched at Tigerstar. While they were in the air, they began a relentless barrage of attacks, blood covering the hollow below them. As they approached the ground, Tigerstar managed to grip Fireheart's scruff with his teeth. Tigerstar threw Fireheart into the ground harshly. Fireheart coughed up blood and immediately rolled to his paws. Tigerstar landed in front of Fireheart and dashed towards him. He slid under Fireheart and clawed his stomach deeply. Blood pooled below Fireheart and Fireheart hissed in pain. He whirled around and pelted towards a tree. He used the tree as a springboard and launched towards Tigerstar, shoulder lowered. Tigerstar felt Fireheart impact his body. Tigerstar coughed up blood and was sent flying into a tree, back first. The tree cracked as Tigerstar flew through it. Tigerstar growled in pain and got to his paws.

Fireheart looked up and muttered, "The fuck is taking you guys so long! I can't hold this form much longer!" Fireheart felt his wounds heal themself and he sighed in relief as he said, "I am sorry Tigerstar. But it's time to end this fight!" Tigerstar cackled and said, "I couldn't agree more." Tigerheart yowled in a foreign tongue and the army in the woods leapt into combat. Fireheart yelled, "IT WAS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE YOU REALIZED YOU COULDN'T WIN! SHARPTOOTH! WE NEED TO SURVIVE LONG ENOUGH FOR STARCLAN TO BRING US BACK TO THE FOREST! DON'T YOU GO DYING ON ME!" Sharptooth roared a ferocious battle cry. Fireheart roared loudly, the ground shaking from the force of the roar.

Tigerstar roared once more, and a thick, dark fog rolled into the hollow. Fireheart backed up until he felt his back brush something. He whirled around only to see Sharptooth. Fireheart smirked and turned around as he said, "Back to back! Stick close to me so you can see!" Sharptooth growled his agreement as light exploded from Fireheart's body, allowing the two to see around them and into the fog a bit. They heard Tigerstar's voice echo around them as he said, "This is my domain! You can't possibly hope to beat me on my own turf!"

Fireheart looked around and saw multiple cats approach him. He stayed close to Sharptooth so Sharptooth could see as well. The cats leapt at Fireheart as one and Fireheart felt claws rake down his flank. He hissed in annoyance and retaliated with a flaming claw. The cat yowled in agony as its wounds immediately cauterized. Fireheart blocked another strike and retaliated with a flaming jab. The opponent yowled in pain and ran away. He heard Sharptooth yowl in pain. Fireheart turned around to Sharptooth bleeding profusely from several wounds. Fireheart immediately said, "You need to go! NOW!" Sharptooth opened his mouth to argue but Fireheart said, "THAT'S AN ORDER! THEY'RE TOO MANY FOR YOU TO HANDLE AT ONCE! LEAVE! I WILL BE FINE!" Sharptooth nodded in understanding as he said, "I swear if you die on me, I will go to Starclan myself and curse you out." Fireheart chuckled as Sharptooth vanished from the Dark Forest.

Fireheart took a deep breath and the light exploding from his pelt blinded several cats all around him. He looked around and saw a figure that could have been Tigerstar. He dashed forwards and attacked viciously. Fireheart stopped once he recognized the cat. He choked on grief as he recognized Flowerkit. He held his daughter in his paws as she looked at her father and asked, "W-Why dad?" Fireheart felt his heart break as Flowerkit bled out in his paws. Fireheart muttered in defeat, "N-No. I-It can't be." Fireheart felt several cats land on him at once.

Fireheart thought to himself, 'I deserve this. I killed my daughter! I should just let them…' He shook his head as he remembered what Crowfeather said to him and he got to his paws and shot upwards. Cats were launched into the sky and Fireheart landed gracefully. Tigerstar's voice boomed around him as Tigerstar said, "You don't even care that you killed your own daughter. Impressive." Fireheart retorted loudly, "I would never! I know it's a psychological game you're playing! Trying to destroy me psychologically so you can kill me! You will not break me! I will fight to my last breath for the Forest! FACE ME YOURSELF YOU COWARD!"

The fog around Fireheart disappeared as Tigerstar revealed himself. Fireheart looked where Flowerkit was, and saw a Dark Forest cat laying there, bleeding out. He sighed in relief and Tigerstar hissed, "No one calls me a coward and lives to tell the tale!" Tigerstar's killing intent increased drastically and Fireheart smirked as he said, "Yes! Let your anger consume you! Make my job easy!" Tigerstar growled in anger and darted towards Fireheart. Fireheart evaded Tigerstar's attacks with ease. Tigerstar launched Fireheart into the sky with a strike that Fireheart didn't foresee. Tigerstar jumped upwards with a powerful leap.

Fireheart felt Tigerstar's claws rake his pelt. He growled in pain and felt himself get sent towards the ground from a powerful strike. Fireheart landed harshly and rolled multiple times. Fireheart struggled to get to his paws and stood up shakily. Fireheart felt his control over the Heavenly Drive waver and he hissed as he said, "Not yet! He is still standing! I CAN DO THIS!" White flames erupted from Fireheart's body that engulfed the hollow. Several cats yowled in pain as they caught ablaze. Tigerstar walked through the flames and looked at Fireheart with a look of hatred and disgust.

Fireheart looked around and said, "I see." He muttered, "Just like the final showdown between Firestar and him. But perhaps this is a clue as to how to beat him once and for all once I find his body. Firestar was destined to die in that battle, but what if Tigerstar was too? And he somehow made it out by some freak accident. So… maybe." He heard pawsteps fast approaching him and he looked up to see Tigerstar barreling towards him. Fireheart dodged out of the way and Tigerstar hissed, "You can't hold that form forever Fireheart! You aren't at full strength! It has got to be taxing you mentally and physically!"

Fireheart glared at Tigerstar and mewed, "I can hold this form for as long as I need to! This will only end when either Starclan brings me back to the forest! OR WHEN ONE US FALLS! THERE IS NO IN BETWEEN!" Tigerstar cackled and licked his lips as he said, "I was right. This is fun." Fireheart's wounds healed themselves, as did Tigerstar's. Tigerstar cackled and said, "Care to try again?!" Fireheart hissed and pelted towards Tigerstar, teeth bared. Tigerstar met him in the middle. The two began engaging in ruthless close quarters combat.

Blood sprayed the hollow as Tigerstar slashed Fireheart's throat and the wound immediately healed. Fireheart growled and a ball of light began circling him. Anytime it came in contact with Tigerstar's body, Tigerstar yowled in pain. Fireheart growled, "Nothing left to do, but fight like Hell!" Tigerstar cackled and a ball of darkness began circling his body. Both of the balls came into contact with one another and both cats were sent flying backwards from a ludicrous blast of force. Fireheart's vision became hazy for a moment, but he got to his paws. Tigerstar was already sprinting towards Fireheart. Fireheart blocked the attack and seemed to disappear from sight. Tigerstar looked around, only to feel something jump on his back.

Tigerstar immediately rolled over and tried to crush Fireheart under his weight. Tigerstar felt his back hit the ground and he rolled to his paws. Fireheart was already in front of him, flames shooting from his pelt. Tigerstar charged Fireheart and knocked Fireheart to his stomach. Fireheart coughed up blood and Tigerstar sprinted towards a tree and climbed up it quickly. Black fog began enveloping the hollow once again, and Fireheart closed his eyes immediately.

Fireheart leapt out of the way from Tigerstar's attack from above. Tigerstar landed gently and stuck a paw out. An orb of darkness appeared there. Fireheart stuck his paw out and an orb of light appeared there. The two began warping the power of each of their orbs and the orbs flew at one another. A loud explosion shook the hollow. Once the dust settled, there was a massive crater in the center of it. Fireheart's body screeched in agony as he was reaching his limit. He hissed quietly, "Don't you fucking dare! I can not hope to stand up to him without this!" Tigerstar cackled and said, "Looks like you've reached your limit. It was fun while it lasted, Fireheart; but the Dark Forest will be your final resting place!"

Tigerstar seemed to become enveloped by darkness as he pelted towards Fireheart. Fireheart became enveloped in light as he charged towards Tigerstar. Darkness flowed from Tigerstar's claws, and light flowed from Fireheart's claws. They met in the middle.

Fireheart leapt over Tigerstar. He immediately backflipped over an attack from Tigerstar. Tigerstar kept sprinting and ran up a tree and leapt off of it towards Fireheart. Fireheart let strength build in his hind legs as he leapt towards Tigerstar.

Fireheart landed in a clearing and looked around. He recognized that he was no longer in the Dark Forest. The Heavenly Drive immediately deactivated and he collapsed on the spot. He began to breathe raggedly and harshly. He coughed up countless mouthfuls of blood and tried to get to his paws. Fireheart managed to get to his paws, albeit slowly and shakily. He muttered, "Note to self. Do not use the Heavenly Drive without properly resting first. About fucking time Starclan. Thank you. I am not ready for that fight yet. He was toying with me the entire time! I have barely scratched the surface of the Heavenly Drive! Like what the hell was that ball of light that appeared around me?! Some sort of defensive mechanism?!" Fireheart sighed and said, "Tigerstar seems to have the Infernal Drive fully mastered! How the fuck am I supposed to compete with that?! He probably used it many more times than I have used mine. I bet he also used it on his followers. Those poor bastards." Fireheart looked around and noticed the moon was high in the sky. He looked around and figured he was closest to Shadowclan territory. He took a deep breath and began to walk towards Shadowclan's camp, limping heavily.

As he arrived at Shadowclan's camp, a yowl of battle was heard. Fireheart looked around and prepared to defend himself. He heard a cat yell, "STAND DOWN SHADOWCLAN!" Fireheart looked up and saw Blackstar. Blackstar padded towards him and asked, "Mind if I ask what you're doing so far from home, Fireheart?" Fireheart opened his mouth to explain, when he collapsed. The last thing he heard was a feminine voice yelling his name, and a masculine voice ordering cats to take Fireheart to the unused Den in Shadowclan.

Well! That was something! The first actual clash between Domination and Hope! Sorry it wasn't longer. I am trying to make the abilities of both drives make sense. It kind of seems like magic eh? I am trying to not have it be that. But! When in Rome as they say. It would've been much longer, but I need to think of opposite abilities. As Fireheart and Tigerstar are complete opposites, especially their Drives! May Starclan watch over you all! Until next time, HappytheExceed16 logging out!