“IS ANYBODY THERE?” he’d shout aimlessly Nobody heard him Or was it that nobody came to rescue him? Did he really have no effect on pyroclan? Was this starclan’s final warning? Or was this the demise of a silent warrior? . . . . . . . . . wait . . . . . . WAIT . . . A scream escaped Smudgeshadow’s throat once more, a strained sound against his vocal cords. WHY WAS HE SUDDENLY FALLING?! The ground beneath him had vanished, making leeway and causing Smudgeshadow to fall into – THE VOLCANO? Smudgeshadow’s paws stretched up towards the clouded sky – tears began to fall from his golden gaze. Was this his final fate? .. .. .. Why was the landing so soft? Was he in starclan? Smudgeshadow opened his eyes – what on earth? Who was this . . . new cat?. . . A large figure stood floating before him – dark red pelt with pupilless eyes, whole body burning with fire and flame, a semi-see-through cat that looked so. . . woah, so cool. On this cat’s face were bright blue eyes, lashes flowing like the fire itself. Who was this new cat? “He-hello. . .? Who..are you?” Smudgeshadow inquires as he slowly stands up – he looked down to find that he was just… STANDING ON THE LAVA?! “Be not afraid, little one. I am Basaltblaze, the future of pyroclan lies in my paws and so does yours.” The cat spoke; their voice was almost supernatural – something so terrifyingly beautiful that it made Smudge’s knees buckle. “Bas-Basaltblaze?” Smudge whispers softly in curiosity as he shifted, the rumbling of the volcano made him tremble; he dropped to his knees. Smudgeshadow felt like a kit again “Yes, it is I. You must be Smudgeshadow, correct? I’ve heard much about you.” The voice rang out again, fiery paws began to slowly step further down until this giant flame stood before Smudgeshadow. “Obsidianflare and Pumiceprice have had quite the fun with your fate. Andestiticcharge was quite cruel with her illusions too, I apologize on all their concern. Come, my child, walk with me.” The flames turned and Basaltblaze walked, “I’m assuming you’re behind me, Smudgeling.”
“smudge..ling? oh-! Ok..” Smudgeshadow moved, his paws unsteadily following behind this flaming cat. “Uhm . . Mx. Basaltblaze, where are you taking m-“ “I said be not afraid, stop worrying little shadow!” Basaltic interrupted Smudge and sighed under its breath, they seemed to be calmer than the past. . . “I am the Future in the blaze, young smudgeshadow. I shall be showing you the hypotheticals of your future. I’ve been told that you don’t know where you want to be, is this about your identity or as yourself as a whole?” Smudgeshadow’s maw fell agape, he forgot, for a moment, that this was a supernatural entity he was talking to. “uhm – I..my Identity, Basalticblaze, I. . . I don’t feel like a tom..er- I don’t feel masculine! I-I..I don’t..” “Okay so you’re having an identity crisis along with gender dysmorphia, good to know sweetie.” Basalticblaze moved, its paws paused against the walls of the volcano, and they blew out a strong flame, opening a gateway. To the future? “Come along, we’ll see your fate in your elder years. If you stay as, you are.” “. . . “ a pause from Smudge, “alright.” He agrees hesitantly. .. .. .. As they stepped through the gateway, Smudge found himself dizzy once more. His gaze bleary from the unadapt to the travel, he leaned against the wall of the elder’s den. He saw himself; hair greyed from old age, eyes dull, paws weakened, fur matted and messy. ``am I really that pathetic?`` smudgeshadow thought, his eyes widened with shock. “That is you as an elder, you hid yourself away every single moon and never socialized. You isolated yourself, became invisible, lost everyone and everything. You didn’t show yourself, Smudgeshadow. You hid. Now, no kit comes to you for stories like you did to your own grandpa, you did not mentor any apprentices, you found no mate to comfort. You just hid. And you paid the price.” Basalticblaze began, the flamed cat had a scowl on its face, “you were pathetic, Smudge, and I’m saying that lightly.” “pathetic..” smudgeshadow mirrored, his ears lowering with unease. He swallowed quietly. “I-I…I stay alone? Forever? Even. . . even in starclan?! Basalticblaze please tell me this isn’t my only fate.” Basalticblaze clicked their tongue, it clearly didn’t like Smudge’s nagging. “Fret not, little shadow. You have better fates. But you should see what this has done to you.” “So. . . there’s the chance I could fix all of this and. . well . . fix it?” “yes, but im not the person to talk to that about. But I know two cats who can help you.” Basalticblaze smirks. “good luck, little smudgeling. These two twins are. . . interesting.” “wait- what?!” Smudgeshadow squealed and gasped – why did the floor give out again!? He fell once more, a small oomph leaves the cat’s throat. . . . . . . . . . Two twinlike giggles began to spin around the air, Smudgeshadow opened his eyes and saw two cats standing above him.
