WattyWarriors Fan Magazine 2.0

Contest Entree: Swiftpaw's Death (Ceberous10)

Swiftpaw's POV

I couldn't believe Bluestar refused to make us warriors! I had trained hard along with my den mates and this is what happens! That is why I had planned with Brightpaw a few sunrises ago; we had all heard about the animals at Snakerocks that were killing our prey and thought that if we got rid of them we could become warriors. That is why I was sneaking out of camp with her before the dawn light rose over the trees."Are you sure we should do this?" Brightpaw asked after we got into the undergrowth.

"Do you want to become a warrior or not? Bluestar can't deny us that if we get rid of the dogs." I hissed quietly.

She went silent and I continued to run silently through the dew covered forest, we had left early so hopefully when we attack the creatures they would be too tired to fight properly... little did I know how wrong I would be. I slowed down my pace as we got closer and sniffed the air and noticed dog sent blotting out all other scents but I couldn't see any movement from within the rocks.

I turned to look at Brightpaw and saw steely determination in her eyes, behind that though was a look of worry. "Ready? Or are you going to be a fox-heart and back out?"

"Of course I'm ready." She purred and flicked my ear. "Besides I can't let you fight on your own."

A few heartbeats later multiple growls rose up from inside and a pack of large dogs came out with their teeth bared, nothing like the occasional mutt I'd see with twolegs occasionally. Suddenly feeling mousebrained for wanting to do this I turned and ran, I could feel their hot rancid breath on my tail and leapt for the nearest tree. I heard a shriek and saw Brightpaw clawing at one of the dog's spines to distract it, it flung her off easily and before I could get farther up the tree the other dogs grabbed me and dragged me back onto the ground.

"Swiftpaw!" I heard my den mate's voice faintly over the sound of my hissing and the dog's growling.

"Run!" I yowled back as I was picked up and flung across the clearing.

I landed in a dazed heap and struggled to sit up, my pelt burned from the bites and my white and black fur was turning red with my blood. The dogs ran at me again while Brightpaw still attempted to lead them away, it worked a bit, one dog went after her but the other five still came at me. I crouched down and swiped at their muzzles but they ignored the scratches I was leaving. One bit down on my front leg and started shaking its head, I yowled in pain as I heard the bone crunch in its monstrous jaws. The other dogs joined in, ripping at my body with sharp teeth, no matter how hard I struggled and fought back I couldn't get away. The dog that had attacked Brightpaw came and joined in; I didn't want to know what happened to her... I just pictured her escaping. Maybe she was getting help. Another pain pieced through my tattered body, a flash of red crossed my vision. Then for some reason they stopped. I felt myself being dropped on the ground and left there, that's when I saw a cat I didn't recognize padding over to me. I tried to get up or warn them about the dogs but felt myself growing weaker until darkness consumed me completely.

"You fought bravely Swiftpaw... but now it's time to walk among the stars." The cat told me gently. It was the last thing I heard before waking up with stars glittering in my fur and the smell of Starclan around me.