"Well well, now look at what we have here," Nightfrost meowed, her voice as cold as ice. "Flarefang. What a pleasure to see you again."

"D-Do you know this cat, Nightfrost?" the ShadowClan tom mewed. A grin appeared on Nightfrost's face.

"Why of course, Shadepelt," she replied silkily. "This is the cat we're here to kill." Flarefang lashed his tail, unsheathing his claws and baring his teeth. I'm not going to die to you, he spat inwardly. Nightfrost looked amused.

"Are you too afraid to talk, kit?" Nightfrost mocked. Flarefang felt anger pulse through him.

"Of course not," he attempted to say, though nothing came out. "You made me mute."

"You speak yet no words come out," Nightfrost smirked. "At least I took something from you, even if it's not your life. Alright, Shadepelt, kill him." The ShadowClan tom hesitated. He took a few steps before stopping again.

"Well? Go on!" She hissed. Shadepelt looked over at her.

"I-I can't," the cat meowed, shaking his head quickly. "He saved my life from you... I won't do it!" To Flarefang's surprise, the tom spun around to face Nightfrost. Though he was shaking, the tom's golden eyes were filled with determination. "You'll have to get through me first!"

"Very well," Nightfrost stalked forward before lunging at him quicker than lightning. She bit down quickly on Shadepelt's neck. The tom let out a spluttering yowl, thrashing about, before he fell limp. Nightfrost tossed his body aside as if it were fresh kill. The snow quickly turned from snow white to light red. Flarefang looked solemnly down at the warrior. I'm sorry, Shadepelt, he thought sadly. Thank you for your loyalty. May StarClan light your path... Flarefang glared at Nightfrost, pure hate in his eyes. He huffed, lunging at her. Flarefang tackled Nightfrost to the floor, tumbling around with Nightfrost on the ground. Nightfrost snarled, clawing at Flarefang. He growled, flinging himself forward. Snarling, Flarefang sunk his teeth into Nightfrost's neck. Nightfrost let out a screech, wriggling around to escape his grasp. Flarefang kept an iron grip on her neck until she ripped free. Blood seeped from the wound. Nightfrost panted, gritting her teeth in agony. She made an attempt to lunge at him, though Flarefang sidestepped. She let out a huff, collapsing at once.

"No..." she rasped. "You... Can't... Win..." He narrowed his eyes. Flarefang pressed her face into the snow. Nightfrost twitched for a moment before she fell limp. Flarefang stood back, looking at her through cold narrowed eyes. A gentle breeze buffeted his fur like the night of his parents' deaths. Flarefang felt solemn satisfaction. He had finally avenged his parents, but so many cats had died along the way.

***

"... And that's how Flarefang lost his voice and got his scar," Applepaw, who was now Applefrost, meowed. The kits, Maplekit, Goldenkit, and Larkkit, all gasped and looked up.

"R-really?" Maplekit gasped up at him. Flarefang nodded. Applefrost had told the kits a perfect description of his story, minus the blood and gore. But the tale of his revenge was enough to keep their attention. Many, many moons had passed since the time of Nightfrost. The Clans were now long at peace. Flarefang had become an elder, serving his time of rest. A figure caught his eye and he saw two figures standing side by side. He recognized Falconfang and Petalfall. Flarefang gently nudged the kits with a paw towards the entrance.

"Aww! Bye Flarefang!" The kits called as they left. Flarefang looked at Applefrost.

"I see you want some alone time," she purred. "Okay. Well, see you later then." She padded out. Falconfang stepped in, followed by Petalfall. They smiled down at him.

"It's time to go, Flarefang," Falconfang grinned.

"Everyone is waiting for you. We've come to bring you back to our hunting grounds with us," Petalfall purred. Falconfang stood, feeling lighter than a feather. He looked down, seeing his body at his paws. He walked towards his parents, purring and rubbing against them.

"I missed you..." Flarefang purred. He paused, surprise pulsing through him. "I-I can talk?"

"Of course," Falconfang smiled. "Come, we're going home." Flarefang smiled, following his father, his mother by his side. They looked over the camp. He watched the cats roam around, some grabbing prey, some chatting, others sunning themselves. Flarefang smiled down at them.

"Ready?" Petalfall asked quietly. Flarefang nodded.

"Yes," Flarefang muttered back. "I am."