Swiftfoot's eyes opened. He didn't see anything, only darkness, nothing but black surrounding him. Suddenly, a tiny blue flame appeared 20 fox lengths in front of him.

Voices started to harshly whisper all around him. His eyes widened in fear as the whispers pierced his ears. He fixed his eyes on the blue flame. The voices where whispering,

"Only fire can save our clan."

"Blood will form to create a feared army that will rule the whole forest and the clans." Swiftfoot flattened his ears, trying to block out the whispers. Before he reached the flame a ear splitting shriek rung through his ears.

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Swiftfoot opened his eyes in shock. He felt for Brightheart, only to realize that she had been gone for a while. He heaved himself to his paws, padding gently toward the opening of the den. He made sure not to step on any cat's paws and tails as he emerged out of the den.

The cold night air met his warm, smooth pelt. He shivered against the bitter cold night as he looked around camp. He realized Bluestar, Fireheart, and Graystripe were still in vigil for Ravenpaw. The poor apprentice's dull eyes were fixed ahead of him.

He didn't deserve this! He wailed in his mind as he bowed his head both in grief and guilt. I've failed the only task I've been given, but it won't happen again! He decided to look through all the dens, making sure everyone was where they were supposed to be.

He checked the apprentices den. All of them were sleeping safe and soundly, twitching every once and a while as they dreamt.

Swiftfoot then checked on the warriors den. He saw everyone but Whitestorm, who was on duty, and Brightheart and Cloudtail. Swiftfoot shrugged, concluding that they were maybe hunting together.

He checked the nursery. Speckletail wasn't there. He nudged Goldenflower awake.

"Where's Speckletail?" He asked worriedly.

"I don't know. I think she said that she was going to hunt." He nodded, leaving her to slip back into sleep. Swiftfoot reappeared into the clearing. He padded over to Whitestorm.

He prodded him awake. Whitestorm's eyes lit up, he leaped into the air.

"Get some sleep, I'll take guard." Swiftfoot giggled. Whitestorm didn't need to be told twice before he padded over to the warriors den and disappeared.

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For what felt like moons, Swiftfoot saw the sun rise above the horizon. He yawned, pausing to take a stretch before padding into camp.

He saw Tigerclaw pad out into the clearing, followed by Longtail, Brightheart, Cloudtail and Dustpelt.

"We need to bury Ravenpaw." Tigerclaw announced coldly. Dappletail and One-Eye padded out into the clearing. They picked up the limp apprentice's body and slowly trudged out of camp.

Tigerclaw sat beneath the Highrock to give everyone their duties. As he opened his mouth, blood dripped into his mouth. Every cat looked up to see Speckletail's mutilated body lying on top of the Highrock.

Swiftfoot's eyes widened in shock at the sight of the dead queen. He heard everyone's gasps and yowls of grief. Goldenflower had tears streaming off her cheeks. Bluestar's eyes were clouded with grief and shock, just like the rest of the clan.

"Who would do this?" Goldenflower choked out, her cry filled with grief as Willowpelt tried to comfort her. Bramblekit, Tawnykit and Rainkit bounced out of the nursery and gazed up at Speckletail.

"What is she doing?" Bramblekit asked, tilting his head curiously.

"She's sleeping silly! She went out hunting last night; she must be exhausted!" Tawnykit replied to her brother.

"I wonder if she brought any food for us like she always does!" Rainkit thought out loud. Swiftfoot felt horrible for the kits. I've failed again, and I was even guarding the camp. I've failed once again, Spottedleaf. Forgive me. He thought ashamed and full of grief.

"Get her down from there." Bluestar finally ordered Fireheart. Fireheart nodded, jumping up to the queen to heave her down into the clearing. She slid down the Highrock, as limp as any cat can be. A soon as Fireheart laid her down in the clearing, Goldenflower rushed over to her, grooming the blood off of her.

Swiftfoot hung his head shamefully, knowing he could've prevented this. No more innocent cats should die from this, even if it costs me my life Swiftfoot promised determinedly.