Swifthawk's Chance

Prologue

Pain.
That's the only thing Swiftpaw was aware of as he lay on the blood-covered floor, the stench of dog wafting up his nose. Every part of him just...hurt. He prayed to StarClan that Brightpaw wasn't in as much pain as he was. She lay opposite Swiftpaw, motionless, her savaged face covered in blood. The only way he knew she was still alive was from the blood bubbling at her nose with each breath she took.
As Swiftpaw lay there, his foolish words from last night seemed to echo in his mind. All we have to do is get rid of the tresspassers at Snakerocks. We have to do something so brave... Bluestar will have to make us warriors!
If only he had been patient. His stupidity has always run faster than my common sense. He had done foolish things in the past, but this one would actually cost him his life. He knew he was going to die.. He just hoped that Brightpaw didn't from his mistake.

"Keep up!" Swiftpaw yowled, looking behind him to see Brightpaw trotting along, scenting the air.
"I'm just seeing if I can scent anything," she protested, quickening her pace to run beside him.
Swiftpaw rolled his eyes. "You worry too much!" He teased, nudging her.
They both ran side by side and eventually arrived at Snakerocks. The night had been silent, the only sound was a hooting owl on the other side of the forest. There seemed to be no sign of any danger; it was actually really peaceful. Brightpaw was sniffing close to the entrance of a cave.
"I never knew that was there," Swiftpaw purred, walking over.
Brightpaw frowned. "I thought I saw something in there."
He rolled his eyes. "Stop worrying! We'll deal with the danger, return to the Clan, and become warriors!"
The ginger-and-white she-cat smiled slightly. "Yeah."
He turned away to see if he could find any clues near the edge of the clearing when suddenly the ground trembled. There was a high-pitched yowl of pain and Swiftpaw whipped around to see a dog shaking Brightpaw through the air, its fangs sank into her face. Drops of blood scattered on the floor and he watched in horror as more mutts charged out of the cave.
"Pack, pack, kill, kill!"
The words caused Swiftpaw's blood to freeze and he could do nothing but stand there as a large dog stormed towards him. Instinct suddenly kicked in. I don't want to die! He dodged under its paws, wincing as sharp teeth ripped through his tail.
"Brightpaw!" Swiftpaw ran towards the dog and charged into its side. "Let her go!"
The dog dropped her in surprise and the she-cat's body thumped onto the ground, lying motionless. The dog whipped around to face Swiftpaw, its teeth bared and glinting in the moonlight. Swiftpaw narrowed his eyes and curled his lip at the dog.
The mutt's eyes burned into his and Swiftpaw charged forward and clawed at its nose. The dog howled and lunged at him. He rolled on the ground, its fangs snapping a mouse-length away from Swiftpaw's ear. He glanced back to where Brightpaw was lay. She was still motionless, a pool of blood gathering at her face. As Swiftpaw was distracted, teeth sank into his leg and started dragging him backwards. He yowled and struggled furiously, a blinding pain shooting up his leg. All Swiftpaw felt was fangs and claws ripping into his fur all around him and in the gaps of the dogs surrounding him, Swiftpaw spotted Brightpaw staring at him, her green eye wide with anguish.
I'm sorry..

Swiftpaw blinked at her, reaching his paw out slowly to touch hers. Brightpaw stirred slightly at his touch but didn't wake up. He felt the darkness surrounding the edge of his vision. Swiftpaw let out a shaky sigh. "You will be a wonderful warrior, Brightpaw.."
He felt the world blur around him and let go of the pain as he sank into a deep sleep.
A cold breeze washed over him and the scent of blood disappeared.
"Swiftpaw."
Swiftpaw opened his eyes and realised he was standing in an empty, grassy clearing. Silverpelt sparkled above him and he blinked in shock as he saw a black she-cat sitting in front of him. Starlight shimmered at her fur and her green eyes shimmered with welcoming.
The she-cat got up and started walking towards him. "Fate has decreed you die today. But..." She stopped in front of him. "Let's change that fate, shall we?"
She leaned forward and rested her muzzle on his head, as though you would when making an apprentice a warrior. "With this life I give you..."