Warriors: Darkened Souls [On Hiatus]

Prologue

The calico tom paced back and forth, barely visible amongst the winding fog. Trees loomed out of the shadows, menacing and huge, but he felt no fear. This was his home, where he belonged. When is that good-for-nothing excuse for a cat going to get here already?

He growled to himself, ceasing his pacing in favor of digging his unsheathed claws into the moist earth. Somewhere behind him, a twig snapped, and his head shot straight up, twisting to glare at the darkness beyond him. "I know you are there, " he snarled, lashing his tail once. "Come out."

"Keep your fur on, " came the amused meow as a cat the color of ashes stepped from the shadows. The tom continued to glare at her, his teeth bared into a snarl. "Say that one more time and your fur is what's gone, " he hissed. The she-cat let out a mrrow of laughter. "You think that you can beat me in a fight, Spottedfur?" she queried, her words holding the hint of a threat.

Spottedfur growled, but he relented, dropping his head to study the ground. "Our plan will be soon complete, " he settled on saying, glancing up to meet her yellow eyes. The she-cat gave him a wry smirk. "Of course it is, mouse-brain, " she snapped, lashing her tail. "You have to admit: I am a much better leader then that fool, Snapstar. Good thing he's dead, " she added with glee, unsheathing her claws as a tortured scream sounded, chillingly close.

Spottedfur ignored it, staring deep into the she-cat's eyes. "You are, Ashfrost, " he agreed quickly, eyes stretched as wide as the moon—though such as thing was not visible from the shadowed forest of which they resided. Ashfrost gave him a curt nod, then her eyes glazed over, and it was like she was being transported into another world.

"Oh, the day, " she whispered suddenly, her sharp tone transformed into one of pure, undying malice. "The day where we defeat those pampered kittypet Clans, the day where the Dark Forest can roam the living world, " she continued, her voice becoming angrier and angrier, yet at the same time, ever the more gleeful. "The day where at last, one of our own manage to overthrow the leaders, the day where we take over the Clans!" Her voice rose into a triumphant yowl, and her fur was bushed up, her teeth bared into a ferocious snarl.

Spottedfur found himself trying to inch away from her. By the Dark Forest, she scares me, he thought with a shiver. Ashfrost's head snapped around, and she glared at him, though to him, it felt as though she was glaring into his very soul. "Where are you heading, Spottedfur?" she demanded, growling softly. Spottedfur forced his legs to stop shaking. She's just a cat, Spottedfur. No need to be scared of her, he tried to comfort himself, but with no avail. She may be a fellow cat, but she's even more terrifying then Snapstar was.

"Hello? Earth to Spottedfur, " she snarled, tearing him away from his thoughts. He hurriedly dipped his head, trying to cover his embarrassment—and his fear. "Y-yes, my leader?" he whispered, his legs resuming their uncontrollable shaking. Ashfrost snorted. "You look like a pathetic kit, " she insulted, lashing her tail. "I said, you are to train the one. Any objections?"

Yes. Spottedfur stared at the ground. Why me? I am not ready. Why not Bloodstorm...oh, he's dead. Nightmare? She would be perfect for training the newest cat! He avoided Ashfur's all-seeing eyes, his gut twisting with fear...and was that...excitement? I can't be excited! There is no way I'm ready to train an apprentice! Ashfrost should be able to see that!

Ashfrost just smiled coldly, her eyes as ruthless and as unperceivable as a snake. "It is settled, then, " she announced, flicking her tail back and forth. "You will train the next young cat. And you know what happens if you fail, " she hissed, letting her thorn-sharp claws catch in the dim light. Spottedfur nodded, gulping.

I'm not sure I'm ready...but what choice do I have? This next cat will be the difference between my life or my death. But can I do it?

Ashfrost growled, whirling around with a flick of her tail. "Follow me, " she ordered, sinking her claws into the ground. "To train the next cat, you must be prepared. You must have a reason."

What does she mean? I already have a reason? Spottefur wondered, followed, unease pricking at his gut. Ashfrost was already slinking away, taking to the darkest shadows. Spottefur followed immediately, glaring at her. How does she think she can give me a 'reason?' he wondered, gracefully jumping to the side to avoid stabbing himself on a branch. Ashfrost kept marching onward, eyes fixed on her destination. Wait a second...Spottedfur thought, confused. We aren't going to the training clearing...we're going to the–

Ashfrost hissed, interrupting his train of thought. "This is why your next apprentice must prevail, " she growled, her teeth exposed in a snarl. They had arrived at a thin barrier of mist, blocking two worlds from each other. The border with StarClan.

Faintly, when he pricked his ears, he could hear noises coming from the other side. StarClan cats, hunting, mock-fighting, or just talking. It enraged him every time, as well as rekindled his burning need to kill them all.

He turned to face Ashfrost, no longer reluctant, no longer afraid. "I am ready, " he meowed, without hesitation. "This next cat will not fail. I will give my life for them to win. You can count on me, Ashfrost."

The gray she-cat paused, giving him a nod. "I know you will, " she growled menacingly, her claws remaining unsheathed. She inclined her head, gesturing toward the StarClan border. "Your life depends on it."

A/N: Yay! Prologue! If you perchance stumble across this, please give feedback! Negative feedback is welcomed, just be sure to point out what's wrong so I can fix it. Thank you for reading!

A/N #2: I'm sorry, this chapter may seem a bit short...I'll try and make longer ones in the future.

A/N #3: I changed it, made it a bit longer. I apologize for any typos, as I had a dog sleeping on me, limiting my arms' reach, as I wrote this.