Prologue - The Vision

          Running. Panicked thought raced around his head, faster than he could ever go. However much he wished. However much he needed, at this point. His paws pounded into the ground as he sprinted towards the cliff. The cliff that loomed over the city with broken, jagged claws. Almost there. Just... Keep... Running... The forest flashed by glimpses of trees and plants and old buildings. Leaf reached the cliff's edge and crouched down before rising up and gliding off. He narrowly missed the top of an old, abandoned lab before flapping his wings and flying higher. The whole city was abandoned, remnants of the humans who created their species. Though the humans were gone now. Like Leaf would be if he was caught. Though he was fast, he could hear the beat of his pursuer's large wings close behind him. He couldn't escape. The realization smashed into him like a heavy weight, nearly crashing him to the forested ground. He sank lower as a low hiss sounded behind him. There was nowhere to run. He finally landed on a pile of moss and turned around, the glowing vial he wore lighting up his terrified expression.

          "L-Leave me alone!" Leaf shouted, hating the tremble in his voice from his thinly veiled fear. "I don't know where Vi- she is!" The stranger, cloaked in shadow, grinned. The low light shined on sharp fangs and dangerous claws. "Oh, yes you do." The dragon-hybrid said in a growl, barely hidden under fake politeness. "And you'll tell me. Or, better yet, show me." The stranger reached up to his own glowing vial, a dark b.l.o.o.d red. His claws made a sharp noise on the glass as Leaf flinched. What could he do? His paw rose towards his own moss green vial but stopped. It was too late for him.

          "Look, we both know you're going to k.i.l.l me anyway. I've said I don't know where she is, and I'm telling the truth." Though Leaf sounded brave, it was all fake confidence. The stranger half smiled as if amused, then turned serious. "Well, you were right about one thing." They said, opening the vial. "I am going to k.i.l.l you." The vial released a red smoke the same color as the liquid inside, and the stranger smiled. The other cat knew this was his end. He sent out one final plea- Violet. If you're out there, I need you to leave the city! Quickly! Don't let him catch you! His Last Wish, sent to her.

He suddenly found he couldn't breathe. The stranger's magic! It was over for Leaf now. His only hope was that it wasn't over for his niece... His last thoughts subsided as he crashed into the ground, gasping desperately. He tried to cough, but there wasn't enough air and he only managed a desperate choking noise. His heart started to beat faster. And faster. And faster, a loud pounding noise. His vision slowly faded to black as the stranger laughed maniacally, the sound echoing in his ears as he faded away. For good.