WARRIORS AU: Swiftpaw lived

Chapter 3

"Scarpelt! Do you hear yourself?" Fireheart gazed at him in horror. 

"I hardly do," Scarpelt growled. He flicked his one good ear. The other one was shredded. It was covered in dry blood.

"I'm sorry- I didn't mean-" 

"Enough." Scarpelt snarled. "I'll never be a warrior!" 

"Yes, you will!" Fireheart snapped back. Scarpelt's neck fur bristled. 

"How do you know? You're just the deputy!" Scarpelt challenged. Fireheart sighed. 

"Perhaps I might be, but I'm still second in command." He mewed softly. 

"I know. I'm sorry I snapped." Scarpelt meowed. 

"It's ok. Just promise me one thing, never give up. Okay?" 

"I promise." 

                                          ***

6 full moons had passed. Bluestar died. The dog attack was horrific. Firestar was leader now. Tigerstar had been killed by Scourge. The clan was debating on whether to on into battle or not. ThunderClan was slowly falling apart. 

"We should fight!" Mousefur snarled. 

"Scourge is a fox-heart!" Dustpelt chimed in. Scarpelt sighed and sat down. He wrapped his tail around himself. Firestar leaped up on high rock. Whitestorm,  his deputy sat underneath the rock, he looked up at his leader. 

"All that you have said is true," Firestar began. "But there are a few things I need to address." He flicked his tail towards Scarpelt. Scarpelt felt his pelt grow hot as cats glanced at him. 

"Lostface, Scarpelt. Step forwards." Firestar ordered. Lostface nuzzled up against Cloudtail and walked up. Scarpelt sighed and did the same. He wished things were different. But their romance was brief and short. It was never meant to be. 

"Yes, Firestar?" Lostface mewed. Scarpelt nodded. 

"Both of you have proven to be just as loyal as any warrior. Yes, you are young, and probably still should be apprentices, but you have the hearts of warriors. You are no longer Lostface and Scarpelt. Lostface, you shall now be known as Brightheart. For your brave heart and soul. And Scarpelt, you shall now be known as Swiftclaw. You are a fierce fighter and loyal. Uphold the warrior code and be strong, both of you." 

"Swiftclaw! Brightheart!" The clan cheered. Swiftclaw felt a rush of pride. Despite being young, he was proud to be a warrior. 

Note: Please remember this is a FANFICTION, DO NOT come at me for the following scene. I know Leafpool and Squirrelflight were not born until after the prophecies begin. This is an AU.  This is my story and I can write it however I want. Thank you.  

Firestar blinked in approval. "There is also good news," The large ginger tom purred. "My mate, Sandstorm is expecting my kits." The clan cheered in happiness. 

"Congrats!" Cloudtail mewed. 

"Thank you!" Sandstorm looked happier than she's ever been in her whole life. Swiftclaw looked down. He wished he had someone to love. He had lost Brightheart. She was with Cloudtail. He shook his head. Selfish fool, he thought. Be happy for your leader! But a pang of pain still stung his heart. He flicked his one good ear. It was a dark time to have kits- with a battle coming so soon. 

"Meeting dismissed." 

                                                                                                      ***

Swiftclaw flexed his claws. Sandstorm gave birth to two kits: Leafkit and Squirrelkit. Both were healthy and strong. Honestly they weren't much younger than him. But still. 

"Swiftclaw? Are you ready?" Whitestorm asked as he padded up to him. 

"Ready as I'll ever be." Swiftclaw replied. They were about to go to battle with BloodClan. ShadowClan, RiverClan, and WindClan were all fighting on their side too- against BloodClan. This should be interesting, Swiftclaw thought. 

"Can we come too?" A tiny voice asked. It was Bramblepaw. He had the other apprentices padding after him. 

"Yeah!" Ashpaw mewed happily. 

"Yes, let them fight," ThunderClan's newest warrior, Thornclaw mewed. "Their anger towards BloodClan and Tigerstar will make them stronger." 

"I guess." Whitestorm shrugged. "But be careful." 

"We will!" Ashpaw meowed. Bramblepaw's eyes sparkled. 

"Whoa, a real battle!" Fernpaw looked down. 

"Kinda scary!" Bramblepaw squeaked. Swiftclaw sighed. They might be too young for battle. But Thornclaw was right- anger does make you fight harder. He knew that the best. 

"ThunderClan! Let's go!" Firestar lashed his tail and the warriors and apprentices of ThunderClan raced after him. Swiftclaw took a deep breath. This was it. His first battle after the whole pack of dogs thing. Was he up to it? Swiftclaw shivered. He hoped so. If not, it was a path to certain death.