Sometimes, I hated myself. By throwing myself into battle like that, I could get myself killed. Logically, I should had been more rational and called for help, but if I did that, Clover Shine would die.

My fearful eyes met the round, beady ones of the male fox which reflected predatory viciousness. I had barely enough time to react when it attacked.

I let out an involuntary cry of pain as my body made contact with a rough tree trunk, which intensified my pain. Gritting my teeth, I got up and pounced, my claws eager to cling on any fox fur it finds.

Clover Shine did not seem to take notice of me as she struggled against the other fox, staggering every few seconds and attempting a few feeble strikes at the stronger and bigger animal.

It struck her, sending her flying and collapsing with a loud thud, but she got up, her resolve unwavering.

"Stop!" I yowled, narrowly dodging another from my attacker. "You will only get yourself killed!"

Clover Shine pounced, ignorant to my warning. She succeeded in making a few scratches on the fox's thicker pelt before being thrown off.

Another strike from the fox sent Clover Shine unconscious, barely holding on to life. Seeing her in that state, it fuelled my resolve even further as I fought against the pair of savage foxes. Clover Shine, just hold on a little longer... I just need to chase two foxes away...

One of them struck my head, nearly knocking my consciousness away. It felt as though my entire body was hurting with a burning intense pain, perhaps even hotter than fire.

My paws were slowly failing me one by one until I couldn't get up anymore, with my light coloured pelt matted with a carpet of blood. Just make it quick...

An unbearable wave of darkness washed over me and the last thing I saw was Thorn's Shadow standing in between me and the foxes.

~~~~

My head was pounding. I groaned as I opened my eyes to a blinding bright place. "Is this how it feels like to be dead?" I muttered, more to myself.

"You are not dead." I jumped at the sound of that voice and spun around to see a mirror image of me.

"Y-you are-" I sputtered.

"Yes, I am," she smiled. "I am the real Frost's Flame. I suppose I owe you some explanations. Follow me."

The ancient led me to a more familiar area, with a rushing waterfall. Frost's Flame sighed and gestured for me to sit.

"No need for that," I mewed. "I just want to hear your explanation."

"Very well," she responded.

"It started a few moons ago. We, the ancients, thought that our job in the Clans were completed, therefore many of us decided to leave it in StarClan's paws. However, it turns out, StarClan was not ready to deal with such matters."

"Young Fangtooth rose to power before StarClan could figure out what to do, and made himself leader. While he does not have nine lives, he has already made an impact on the Clans. We had to step in, and agreed to a solution. You and your friends' spirits have been sent here, in our bodies, to help them."

"You turned us into cats?" I meowed, agitated. "It's my childhood dream, but the reality of it is that it hurts so bad, and that I keep facing countless obstacles and seeing my weaknesses highlighted over and over again!"

"Calm down, there's no need to get so worked up," Frost's Flame meowed.

"There's no need to get so worked up?" I yowled. "You just randomly decided that Twolegs can save a bunch of cats better than actual cats can and don't care how we felt about it! I'm only thirteen!"

"Deep inside, your spirit is strong and brave, burning with a powerful desire to protect. That is why you were chosen," Frost's Flame maintained her cool composure. "I do not have much time left, but please listen to me. Find the other two, and bring them to the Moonpool, before it's too late. If you don't arrive in time, you could risk altering the future of the Clans. Good luck."

~~~~

I jolted awake, wincing at the pain in my head. My paw felt like it was burning and broken a million times. The first cat I saw was Thorn's Shadow.

He rushed over to my side and sat beside me, the warmth of his pelt bringing me an odd sense of comfort. "Don't move too much," he meowed. "You were hurt very bad in the fight. Luckily, I came with help in time. Inked Sky and the others chased the foxes away."

"Is Clover Shine alright?" I asked, slowly pulling myself up.

"Yes, she went outside," Thorn's Shadow gestured outside the den. "Though she seems rather different..."

"I'll talk to her," I mewed, padding out of the den slowly.

"Frost's Flame." Surprisingly, Clover Shine acknowledged my presence.

"Yes?" I spoke hesitantly.

"Thank you," she mewed briefly, before walking away. I smiled and sighed. It's the first time she thanked me, and I have a feeling that we could be great friends one day. Not soon, but one day.

"Clover Shine?" I called.

"What is it?"

"Could you meet me at the tall oak tree around moonhigh? There's something I have to tell you..."

~~~~

Find the other two, Frost's Flame said. That's easier said than done, but I'm running out of time. It will be sundown soon, and it would become harder to find the other two, I was deep in thought, lying on my nest and resting. They must be Stormpaw and Spottedpaw with ancient names...

"Thorn's Shadow," I mewed to the dark grey tom, who was sitting beside me protectively, "do you know a grey tabby tom and a brown spotted she-cat around my age?"

"Storm's Shadows and Honey Spots," Thorn's Shadow replied. "They became sharpclaws at the same time as you and Clover Shine."

"Where can I find them?"

"They are over there," Thorn's Shadow mewed. "I can talk to them if you want. You need to rest."

"Thanks for your concern," I mewed gratefully. "But I can manage."

I limped over to where they were sitting, talking comfortably to each other.

"Frost's Flame, shouldn't you be resting?" Honey Spots asked. "I heard that you were hurt pretty bad."

"I need to talk to both of you about something important," I meowed swiftly. "Meet me at the tall oak tree by moonhigh."

"Why?" Storm's Shadows asked.

"You'll just have to go and find out."

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