Cherrybreeze had been pardoned on the account that it was believed to be an accident; it was all too chaotic for anyone to see anything else. WindClan had certainly been furious, and Spikestar had gone over to to their camp to deliver a personal apology, and the incident soon fizzed out after it had been picked over until there was nothing left to talk about. 

Shadowpaw. I've got to ask about Shadowpaw! Lionfire thought. He glanced around. Cherrybreeze was not in camp again, which gave him a good moment to ask about the black tom without her overhearing. For a moment he felt worried that she was going to meet him again, but she'd promised him that she wouldn't see him again and she'd sounded scared enough that he'd believed her. Padding over to the elders' den, he poked his head in. "Lichenwhisker? Sparrowclaw? Got a moment?" 

"Always," came the croak from Sparrowclaw. "We always enjoy visitors. Come in, young'un. What brings you here?" 

"Well," Lionfire began, sitting down in front of them. "I have a question. About... someone. I uh, heard his name somewhere or another, and I just remembered him... and I'm curious if you've heard about him." 

The moment he mentioned the word "Shadowpaw," both elders had grimaced. Lionfire frowned. "Shadowpaw? You are talking about a black tom, right?" Lichenwhisker confirmed. 

"Yes." 

"He was a bad speck, that one," she continued, and Lionfire's insides grew cold. "Psychopath, he was. Good warrior, but violent tendencies. He was so aggressive with everything. Insisted on killing everything he fought against. Killed a cat in his first battle, went for the throat-- that was always his first move. He was banned from fighting for a while by the previous leader Russetstar, and then he claimed he'd changed his ways, promised to stop. But next battle, guess what happens? Kills another cat. Accident, he called it. Russetstar gets mad, punishes Shadowpaw again, and this time Shadowpaw gets mad, attacks Russetstar personally, and Russetstar loses a life. Russetstar chased him off, though, in the end." 

Lionfire's eyes widened. There was no way that this monster was in StarClan. How could he be? But if he wasn't, how could he have reappeared on living land? "What happened to him?" 

"Oh, he came back after a moon or so," Sparrowclaw cut in. "He was mad. Confronted Russetstar, called him a coward. And he was a good warrior. No, a superb warrior. If he wasn't so vicious, he would've gotten his warrior name ages ago. But he'd murdered the entrance guard in cold blood, then entered the camp unwelcomed. So in the end, when he attacked Russetstar again, Russetstar killed him." 

"But he told-- er, I heard that he was killed by a badger?" 

Sparrowclaw snorted, and Lichenwhisker scoffed. "No, young'un, that bastard was definitely killed by Russetstar. And good riddance." 

"And is there... any chance that he could be in StarClan? Or something?" Lionfire asked weakly. 

Lichenwhisker's eyes widened. "Him? StarClan would be mad to take him in! No, he's in the Dark Forest for sure. Filth like him belong there." 

"Oh," he said, getting a sinking feeling in his chest. Cherrybreeze had been tricked! I have to save her before she is permanently trapped! "T-thanks," he stuttered out. "Um, I think Laurelheart's calling my name. I'd better go." 

"Really?" Lichenwhisker asked. "Well, our hearing is basically gone, I guess if you have to go, go. It was nice seeing you. Not so nice having to recall Shadowpaw." 

"I'm sorry about that," he said, before he raced away, his heart pounding. Where was Cherrybreeze? He gave the camp a sweep; she was still nowhere to be seen. Without a word, he raced outside by himself. He opened his jaws. Multiple scents filled the air, but he had learned to recognize hers a long time ago. Following it, he found himself running deeper and deeper into the forest. "Cherrybreeze! Cherrybreeze!" 

"Looking for your friend?" asked an oily voice. The hairs on Lionfire's back stood up, and his hackles rose. Spinning around, he found himself facing Shadowpaw, no longer the handsome face he'd seen before. The black face was twisted in an evil way, the eyes glittering maliciously. "She's with me now. Too late, kit." 

"Release her!" 

"Her soul is in the Dark Forest," he taunted. "You love her." 

Lionfire growled. 

"I saw it on the day I met you two," Shadowpaw drawled. "The way you looked at her. So sweet. Too bad she will be in the blackness forever." 

"Give her back!" 

"No," Shadowpaw replied, sounding amused. "BUT if you are willing to step into my world, and attempt to get her back... you are very much welcome." And he stepped aside, the forest behind him turning black and rotten. In the distance, something shimmered, and materialized into a familiar form. Lionfire's heart twisted with pain. 

"Cherrybreeze!" 

"Help!" she called out, her voice sounding disembodied. "Help me, Lionfire!" 

"I'm-- I'm--" coming? Did he dare step into the dark void? Risk his life? 

But he knew that, if he didn't try, he wouldn't be able to live with himself. Shadowpaw smirked as a determined realization crossed Lionfire's face, and stepped aside, gesturing in a mocking welcome with his tail. 

"Enjoy," he said in that oily, smug voice. 

Without hesitation, Lionpaw entered the hell-lands.