AN: Yes, this story does have a prologue. And yes, I did post this rather late. Sorry about that, I've been busy ^^" Anyways, this chapter comes in a new point of view and a character you might actually find interesting. You'll also begin to find out why Stormstar really had her powers and why Riverspirit and Ravenflight have theirs. Enjoy!

Prologue

The creature stumbled through the undergrowth as ferns swatted at it's face. It swung it's head here and there as it tried to get it's bearings. It had been traveling for days now, avoiding anyone that might recognize it. It was worried about it's family and friends, but it could no longer stay in the land where it had come from. It was no longer safe there.

Night had fallen upon the forest by the time the creature reached it. To the south lay strange structures. The creature guessed that they were human nests. It had heard rumors that Twolegs were dangerous creatures that had taken over this land. A shudder coursed down the creature's spine as he wondered what the humans looked like.

It's eyes narrowed into tiny slits when a lithe figure suddenly moved through the undergrowth. The figure was moving at a swift pace, but it was faster. The creature suddenly leaped forward. Moonlight revealed what it really was: A powerful looking fox with strange green eyes. Intelligent green eyes.

The figure had let out a horrible screech when the fox caught it between his paws. He would not kill the stranger - he knew the value of life to know that this creature was a hunter like himself.

"Fox!" It was a gray dappled cat with dark blue eyes. The fox blinked it's green eyes and looked down at the cat calmly. "A... fox... with green eyes?" The cat's startled statement ended in a confused question.

The fox let out a bark of laughter at his confusion. He loved confusing creatures that were not from where he was raised. It made his life that much better.

"Who are you?" the fox asked when the stranger kept looking at him.

"My-My name is Ashfur," the cat stammered. "I've been living alone for moons now."

It was than the fox noticed how skinny the cat was. Ashfur wasn't lithe - he was nothing but skin and bones.

"What a strange name," the fox said.

"So what's your name?" Ashfur had narrowed his eyes at the fox's comment.

"My name is Coal," the fox explained. "And I'll be honest with you, I'm not really a fox." He looked at Ashfur thoughtfully as he remembered his original appearance. Within heartbeats the shaggy fur of a fox was replaced with soft cat fur. The narrow muzzle had changed into a broad shorter nose, but the green eyes remained.

Ashfur gaped at the newly changed cat. His fur was a dark orange, like a flame. In a way Coal reminded Ashfur of Firestar.

"How can you do that?" the gray dappled tom demanded.

"Let's just say that where I come from, everyone can do that and more," Coal replied in a grin. "You see, someone came from our land to this one. Said she didn't like how things were run, so she ran. I'm not sure where she went, but I'd like to meet her."

Ashfur's eyes narrowed into tiny slits. Coal knew that he understood what he meant by those words. He suppressed a shudder when he realized how vulnerable he was now. If Ashfur suddenly turned on him he stood no chance in his cat form.

"I think I know just who you're talking about," Ashfur said while flashing his fangs. "Why don't you come with me?"

Coal tilted his head to one side as he thought about it. He would finally know where the famous Magnolia had wandered off to. Maybe he could meet her and find out why she had really left her home. Then he realized that she might be dead. But it couldn't hurt to find out if Ashfur was right.

"Very well, I will go with you," he finally sighed with a nod.

The dappled gray tom's tail waved happily before he turned around and began moving towards the forest. Coal lashed his own tail as he thought of what they would come across. Either way, it was going to be an adventure.

AN: Ashfur's back! Wonder what sort of trouble he'll get into this time. You'll have to wait and see :P And what do you think of Coal? He's about Ravenflight and Riverspirit's age if you're wondering.