Jaypaw listened closely to his mentor. "I want you to go at me—full force." She meowed, her tail flicking back and forth. Jaypaw nodded, and when Honeyfern had crouched in the attack stance, he ran at her with all the power he had, and rammed his head into hers—a bit harder than expected. Jaypaw collapsed with a gasp of pain and shock, and the world grew black.

***

Jaypaw looked around. He was back in the Dark Forest! Did that happen purposely? He shook his head, which felt oddly numb, and got to his paws.

"I see you've finally come back." A voice rumbled. Jaypaw spun around to see Tigerstar's amber gaze rested upon him.

"I-I don't want to come back!" Jaypaw spat, the fur rising along his spine. "I don't want to now, or ever!"

"Ah, but that is incorrect." Tigerstar said. "You do want to come back to explore... But not to see me."

Jaypaw's eyes widened. How does he know I only want to... Look around?

"But... Of course, we may somehow manage to change that perspective of yours." Tigerstar continued. "Hawkfrost, please, teach this apprentice some worthy battle moves."

Hawkfrost came out of a large leafless bush, and rested his icy blue gaze on Jaypaw. "Come." He meowed with a flick of his tail. "If you like your training today, you can come back every night and train with me and Tigerstar..."

***

Jaypaw panted. Hawkfrost had some very good moves up in his mind—he even fought with his claws sheathed! Unlike what the nursery tales had told. "Did you enjoy your training?" Hawkfrost asked, his voice flat and unchanged by the heavy training they had just performed.

"Yes!" Jaypaw exclaimed. "I really did! You taught me so many good moves I can use in battles!"

"Well then, we'll see you tonight?"

Jaypaw nodded. The moment he did, the world faded around him into darkness.