Firetalon's Destiny

Chapter 28

It was huge. A dark brown bird whose golden head and neck feathers gleamed in the sunlight, its broad wings had to be at least twice the size of Flamestar, if not more, and its deadly talons looked far sharper than even the fangs of a dog. Its gleaming yellow eyes locked onto him, a look of triumph on its face. He had been spotted. It furled in its wings and began to dive.

Firepaw barred his teeth, letting out a low hiss. His back arched, ginger tabby fur fluffing out. His blazing blue orbs meeting the predator's gleaming savage eyes. With a battle cry, he leapt off the ground with claws outstretched. This time he will not run. He's no longer the helpless kit incapable of fighting a dog. Nor is he the inexperience apprentice that ran from a fox. This time he will fight this foe. They met head on, claws digging into the hunter of the sky's neck while it's hooked talons dug deep into his chest. Lashing out, it's beak with a loud thud slammed against his forehead. Snarling, he released the bird and landed back to the ground. Blood dripping into his eyes, he blinked trying to get a clear look at the bird. It circled overhead, clearly unaffected by the small wounds he left.

"Darn it all!" snarling in frustration, he glared up at the confident eagle. Why couldn't he fight this thing? He spent so many nights training with Moon, preparing so that he could fight monsters like this stupid, mangy bird! But was he still incapable of doing so? "Hah... hahaha," so this is it. This is how his short, miserable life is going to end.

It lunged, outstretched talons digging deep into Firepaw's back. An intense pain shot through his back, he gritted his teeth keeping in the howl of pain. His paws left the ground, and they began soaring through the air. The forest, the only home he ever knew, becoming but a distant blob. No! He didn't want to leave! He never got to solve his argument with Tailfur. He still needed to apologize to Skypaw for breaking his promise. He never warned his father about Crimson. And Swiftpaw. Swiftpaw's waiting for him at their spot. Waiting for him to show up so that they could play and laugh and pretend that the hatred between their two Clans wasn't there. He had to live!

Yowling, he began to fight. Twisting and wriggling, he lashed out blindly with his claws. He had to break free. Its grip began to loosen, this was his chance. With a final snarl, he bit down onto the bird's leg. Crunching down desperately, the taste of its delicious blood filled his mouth and it let out a startled screech. He was released and for a moment, he dangled from its leg. It wobbled, unbalanced before lashing out with its free leg. Kicking the side of his head, he released and the bird of prey.

He was plummeting. The air rushed around him, he silently sent up a prayer. To StarClan. To the Dark Forest. To however would listen. He had to survive. He had to return. He had to... Tree branches whipped relentlessly against him. Pulling out large clumps of fur and leaving deep, trailing gashes. And there it was. The ground. THUD!

~~~

The pain was gone. But why? Slowly cracking open his eyes, he froze. Of course, he should've guessed! Standing on shaky legs, he looked around. He was back there. Surrounded by the creepy barkless trees whose bare branches wove so tightly together that the brightness of the moon was kept out. The only source of light was the creepy glow of blue fungus that grew throughout the foggy forest. So he was dead. And he was back here. Guess it was expected. There was no way he'd survive the fall and there was no way StarClan would accept him after becoming Moon's learner.

"You're not dead," it was her. He could easily recognize that charismatic and mysterious voice. Shivers ran down his spine, his blue eyes searching the mist in hopes of making out the small gray she-cat. Slowly a form took shape and she appeared out of the fog, her green eyes calm as always and a casual smile on her face.

"Hello Moon..." he eyed her wearily, his distrust towards her echoed by the expression on his face. But what she said gave a brief glimmer of hope. "What do you mean I'm not dead?"

"You're unconscious, I had no other choice but to ring you here in order to talk," she spoke casually, like she could care less if he had died or not. "Although at this rate, you will be dead before I can even get to the reason why I brought you back here. So let's skip the idle pleasantries and get to the point..." she trailed off, walking closer to him and curling her tail under his chin. Her green gaze, deep with knowledge that only one who had been around for so long would have, meeting his blue eyes that seemed so naïve compared to hers. "I spent quite a bit of time molding you into a decent warrior, although you clearly have quite a bit of work that still needs to be done," her ears flicked, obviously that's the case else they wouldn't be in this position in the first place, "and since it would be a pain to have to train a whole new cat, I have a proposition for you. You don't wish to die at this moment, correct?" she didn't have to wait for his answer. His strong desire to continue to live reflected in his eyes. "Then I'll lend you my strength. You see there is a cat nearby, one that can save you. But you're far too weak. You'll be dead by the time she reaches you. But I can lend you enough strength to survive. She'll find you and care for you, allowing you to live on."

"And what's the catch?" narrowing his eyes, he frowned back at her. Moon wasn't a giver. She'd only do something if she knew she'd get something in return.

"Oh you know me so well Firepaw," she purred, a twisted grin forming on her face, "I will lend you my strength, but in return you must swear absolute loyalty to me. And in case you're wondering what that entails, let me enlighten you. You'll do everything I tell you, so no longer can you refuse my orders. You'll return each night to continue training. And you will have no loyalty towards anyone else. No more following the goody two shoes StarClan and no more being so attached to the Clan cats. You will follow only the Dark Forest."

Uncertainty lay heavily in his stomach like he'd swallowed a bunch of rocks. On one hand, he'd still be alive but he'd forever be enslaved to her. On the other hand, he'd be dead. Most likely he'll still end up dwelling in the Dark Forest. So either way, he'd lose and Moon would win. The tip of his tail began to twitch nervously, what should he do?

"Tick tock, you're running out of time Firepaw," Moon's green orbs drilled silently into him, a mild grin of expectation on her face. Oh how he hated that smug look of her's so much!

"Alright, you win. I swear absolute loyalty to the Dark Forest," he looked down at his paws, defeated. He just sold his soul to this monster, and he'd probably regret it for the rest of his life. But at least, he'd still be alive. He could return to his Clan, see his family, his friends and her.

"Very well Firepaw, the deal has been made," she grinned triumphantly as the world around him began to fade to black. Her final words echoing as all disappeared.