Disclaimer: I do not own Warriors or any of the canon characters.

Warning! This fanfiction may contain spoilers up to the Darkest Hour (book 6) of Warriors. Some scenes are taken directly from Darkest Hour, and some are altered and/or added. I take no credit for the scenes taken directly from the book. They belong to Erin Hunter alone.

My first ScourgexSandstorm fanfiction! There will be approximately 12-16 chapters for this story. Please review and favorite! Thanks!

Chapter 1

The pale she-cat dug her claws deep into the soft ground. Tomorrow is the day, she thought, shifting her paws. The cool dirt felt soothing underneath her paw pads, but it wasn't enough to rid her stomach of its twisting ache. Her tail swished furiously as she gazed into the diamond-dotted sky. Will they do anything to stop tomorrow's battle from occurring? They couldn't possibly want this to happen to us! She stared at the starry blanket intently, hoping for a sign. But when Silverpelt held no response, she hissed crossly.

"Trying to speak with StarClan?" asked a voice behind her.

Her fur stood up as she jumped up and spun around to face the intruder with her fangs bared. However, her muscles relaxed as she recognized his ginger fur and bright green eyes glistening in the moonlight. "Firestar!" she breathed, relieved that it was he and not some disgusting BloodClan cat.

"You know, when talking with StarClan, you must be patient, Sandstorm," he purred softly. "But you should also be focused. You never know when the enemy will attack." He settled down next to her.

"I know, Firestar. It's just…well, I'm nervous about tomorrow."

"We all are." He pressed his nose to her cheek tenderly. "It won't be easy defeating them, but we have to give it our all. And a cat that stays up all night certainly won't have the energy to fight well in the battle."

"I couldn't sleep. I just can't, knowing what we will be up against tomorrow. You saw his claws!" The image of the small black cat ripping open Tigerstar's stomach and draining him of all his lives haunted her mind. She couldn't stand seeing that again.

Firestar shivered. He had felt the same memory. "It tore all nine lives right out of him so easily. No cat deserves to die in such a way…not even Tigerstar…"

Sandstorm flattened her ears against her head. Tigerstar…If it weren't for him, perhaps we wouldn't even have to face BloodClan tomorrow. Still, Firestar is right. No cat should be killed like that…not even a traitor like Tigerstar.

"It will be okay." Firestar wrapped his tail around hers gently. "Scourge will be defeated, and we will drive BloodClan out of our forest. We have all four Clans on our side. We are LionClan now, and StarClan will give us the strength to fight back."

"It also helps that we have the best leader in all of the forest to guide us," purred Sandstorm, burying her face into his neck.

Firestar chuckled, "Well, perhaps not the best. I did become leader of ThunderClan not too long ago, remember?"

"Hmph, still the best," she mumbled into his sweet-smelling fur.

"Heh, you never would have said such things when we were apprentices. You hated me then."

Sandstorm's face twisted in disgust. "Ugh, don't bring that up! I was so stupid and naïve when we were apprentices. I couldn't see the strong, handsome, brave tom that you are." She pushed herself further against Firestar, never wanting to leave his side. She couldn't imagine losing him in the battle against BloodClan. "You better not die tomorrow," she muttered. "I don't know what I'd do without you…"

Firestar touched his muzzle to her forehead. "Same goes for you. I don't think I could live without you." They stayed close to each other for several more minutes, enjoying the warmth and pleasure the company brought, though it wouldn't last long. Sandstorm felt disappointed as Firestar pulled away and stood up. "Come on, we need to be well-rested for tomorrow," he said. She nodded and stretched before reluctantly standing up. They both padded back into camp, and as she and Firestar went in the direction of their separate dens, Sandstorm halted and called out to him.

"Wait!" she said. "Can I…can I sleep with you tonight?"

Firestar paused and smiled towards her. "Of course, as long as you actually go to sleep." Sandstorm nodded happily and trotted into his den first, slipping through the long lichen that shielded it. He followed closely behind. They both settled into his soft moss nest and intertwined their tails affectionately.

"Goodnight, Sandstorm." Firestar touched his nose to hers.

"Night."

Sandstorm curled up against his warm body and within seconds, she already felt herself surrendering to sleep. She only hoped that this wouldn't be the last night she spent with Firestar.

Sandstorm blinked open her heavy lids slowly, revealing her beautiful green eyes. She felt strangely cold and lifted her head. Firestar was gone. No doubt getting things prepared for the fight today, she thought as her jaws parted in a yawn. She stretched her lean body before standing up and shaking the moss from her fur. She peeked her head through the lichen at the entrance of the den. Cats were emerging from their dens. Featherpaw and Stormpaw were clustered around Cinderpelt, each carrying a bundle of herbs. Dustpelt was with them, speaking urgently in a low voice to Fernpaw. Firestar was following Brightheart into the clearing of the camp where Whitestorm was urging cats to eat from the fresh-kill pile. Sandstorm's stomach rumbled. Fresh-kill. That sure does sound good. I am hungry.

She exited the den and headed straight towards the clearing. Before approaching the pile, she trotted up to Whitestorm and greeted him with a simple lick to the shoulder. "Good morning, Whitestorm!" she said.

"Morning, my old apprentice," responded Whitestorm. "Are you ready for today?"

"I suppose," sighed Sandstorm.

Whitestorm nodded his head in understanding. "One can never truly be prepared for a battle no matter how much experience one has. It is ok to be nervous, young one. Especially when so much depends on us winning."

"Yeah, I guess…but my nerves are affecting my ability to focus. I couldn't even sense Firestar when he approached me last night. On the battlefield, what if I mess-"

Whitestorm placed his tail on her shoulder. "Stop worrying, Sandstorm. You will be fine. After all, you were my apprentice. Your skills will prove useful on the battlefield. Now, go eat. You need all your strength." He nudged her over to the pile. "Go on!"

Sandstorm cracked a smile. "Alright, alright. No need to push me. I have legs, you know!"

"Really? I hadn't noticed!"

She playfully smacked Whitestorm's ear with her bushy tail before trotting over to the fresh-kill pile. She picked up a plump mouse and settled down next to Graystripe. Taking a big bite, she groaned in satisfaction. It's delicious! The best kill I've tasted in ages! Upon hearing her sound of approval, Graystripe looked over at Sandstorm slyly. "Enjoying that mouse?" he asked mischievously.

"Mmhmm!" she mumbled, taking another bite.

"Kind of like how you enjoyed Firestar's company last night?" His yellow eyes sparkled with mischief.

Sandstorm's green eyes widened to the size of saucers. "Ack!" She started choking on a piece of the mouse. After a bit a struggling, she finally got it down. "Excuse me?!" she coughed, feeling her ears starting to redden.

"Oh, you did spend the night with Firestar, didn't you?" He smirked at her reaction. He loved pushing her buttons.

"Yeah, you got a problem with it?" She glared at him. Hard.

"No, no, not at all!" he chuckled. "I was just wondering if you two did anything interesting?" He winked.

"Mouse-brain! Nothing happened! We just slept in the same nest. It's not a big deal! Why are you asking so many questions? Good StarClan, you're annoying!"

"Oh? If it's not a big deal, then why are you getting so defensive?"

"I am not getting defensive!"

"You did it again!"

"I'll kill you, Graystripe!" She swiped at his ear, but he dodged it quickly as he giggled, which made Sandstorm even angrier. Sometimes he really got on her nerves! She lowered herself to the ground, preparing to tackle him to the ground. She'd show him!

"Enough of that, you two!" Whitestorm stood between them. "Graystripe, stop teasing her. And Sandstorm, hurry up and eat. We don't have time for this."

"Yes, Whitestorm," they simultaneously grumbled.

Sandstorm settled back down and began angrily eating her mouse. Graystripe went over to the warriors den and began chatting with Thornclaw and Cloudtail. No doubt gossiping about me! Humph! Suddenly, something else caught her attention. Firestar approached the fresh-kill pile by Whitestorm and began chatting with him. As she finished her kill, she listened in on their conversation curiously.

"This is it," the white warrior meowed.

Firestar took a vole from the pile of fresh-kill and forced himself to swallow a few mouthfuls.

"Firestar," Whitestorm continued after a moment, "I just wanted to say that Bluestar could not have led us better in these terrible days. I've been proud to serve as your deputy."

Firestar stared at him. "Whitestorm, you're talking as if…"

The white tom concentrated on the blackbird he was eating, avoiding his eyes, and didn't say anymore. Sandstorm's stomach did a flip. There was no way Whitestorm will die. He's strong, intelligent, and brave! He wouldn't be killed so easily! But BloodClan is strong as well…and very dangerous. She let out a deep sigh. Perhaps Firestar could talk Scourge out the fight? And they could all go back to the way it was before? Ha, right! That'll happen right after prey starts falling from the sky. There's no avoiding this battle.

Swallowing the last bite of her prey, she saw Firestar rise to his paws and flick his tail to gather the Clan. She stood and trotted to where the rest of her comrades assembled. She looked up and caught Firestar's green gaze. She smiled gently, her eyes glowing with trust and love. He truly has grown into a wonderful leader.

"Cats of ThunderClan," he called, "we go now to fight against BloodClan. But we're not alone. Remember there are four Clans in the forest, and always will be, and the other three will fight with us today. We will drive out these evil cats!"

The ThunderClan warriors sprang up, yowling their agreement. Firestar turned, and began to lead them through the gorse tunnel and up the ravine toward Fourtrees. Sandstorm saw him pause at the top to glance back at the camp, and she felt the same achy feeling. They didn't know if they'd ever see their home again.

The first faint streaks of dawn were showing as Sandstorm watched Firestar approach Fourtrees. He paused on the bank of the stream and glanced back at the warriors who followed him. She saw a painful expression tear at his face as his eyes traveled over each one. The Clan meant so much to him, and now they must face a danger that they hadn't even imagined possible.

He raised his voice so that they could all hear him. "You know what lies ahead of us," he meowed. "I only want to say one thing. Ever since StarClan placed the four Clans in the forest, no leader has ever had a band of warriors like you. What ever happens, I want you to remember that."

"There was never a leader like you, Firestar," meowed Graystripe, who stood next to Sandstorm. She mewed in agreement and gave a weak smile to her leader.

Firestar shook his head, his throat too choked for words. He then crossed the stream with his warriors following close behind. Sandstorm heard a whisper of movement from the direction of the river and glanced down the slope to see the cats of RiverClan and ShadowClan slipping quietly toward the meeting place. Firestar signaled a greeting with his tail as the warriors thronged around him, swelling the ranks of LionClan's forces. The three united Clans went on to Fourtrees together, with Firestar and Leopardstar in the lead.

When they came to the top of the hollow, everything was silent. The breeze was blowing away from them, toward the ShadowClan territory, and Sandstorm felt her pelt prickle with dread. Their scent would be carried to the waiting BloodClan, while they themselves had no idea where their enemies might be.

Having the same thought as her, Firestar whispered, "Graystripe, Mousefur. Scout around the hollow. Don't show yourselves. If you see any cats, come back and tell me."

The two cats slid off in opposite directions, barely visible shadows in the gray light. It wasn't long before Graystripe returned with another cat close behind him. It was Tallstar. "Greetings, Firestar," he murmured. "WindClan are here. All our warriors-and your friends, Barely and Ravenpaw."

The loners came up as the WindClan leader spoke their names. "We came to help as we promised," Ravenpaw meowed, twining his tail with Firestar's in greeting. "We'll fight alongside you, if you'll have us."

"If we'll have you?" Firestar echoed, a purr of gratitude swelling up inside him. "You're welcome; you know that."

"We're proud to fight with you," Barley meowed.

Sandstorm moved forward to greet her former Clan mate. She touched her nose to his black ear. He licked her shoulder in response. Both loners then took positions beside her. It had been a long time since she'd seen Ravenpaw. He'd grown only a bit, but she could sense that he had matured into a fine tom.

"Do you know where BloodClan is?" Firestar asked Tallstar.

Tallstar's eyes were bleak as he gazed across the hollow to the ShadowClan territory. "Somewhere out there, watching us, I guess."

He sounds so calm. Sandstorm noted inwardly. She then peered into the shadows, looking for a sign that Mousefur was on her way back. Almost at once, she caught sight of her bounding toward Firestar, and in the same heartbeat, there was movement in the clearing below. Dark shapes appeared from the bushes at the foot of the opposite slope as BloodClan advanced in a single menacing line. Sandstorm's belly clenched in fear when the small figure of Scourge stepped out.

"I know you're there!" the BloodClan leader called. "Come and give me your answer."

Firestar paused for a heartbeat, and glanced back at the cats behind him. They had fierce determination in their faces. LionClan was ready for battle.

"Go on, Firestar," Leopardstar mewed quietly. Her fur bristling and her ears lay flat against her head in a mixture of fear and defiance. "Lead us."

Firestar looked at Tallstar, who nodded. "You spoke for us before," he meowed. "You're the one who should lead us now. We all trust you."

Firestar led the united Clans down into the clearing. Scourge was waiting for him near the base of the Great Rock. His black pelt was neatly groomed and he sat with his paws tucked under him. His eyes were chips of ice, and the rising sun glinted on the teeth that studded his kittypet collar.

"Greetings," he meowed. He swiped his tongue around his jaws as if he were tasting a succulent piece of prey. "Have you decided to leave? Or do you presume you can fight against BloodClan?"

"We don't have to fight," Firestar replied steadily, sounding calm. "We will let you go back to the Twolegplace in peace."

Scourge let out a cold mrrow of laughter. "Go back? Do you really think we're such cowards? No, this is our home now."

Feeling the last spark of hope drain from out of her paws, Sandstorm raised her head higher to see the ranks of the BloodClan warriors. These were lean, tough cats, most of them wearing collars studded with teeth like Scourge, the trophies of earlier battles. Some were flexing claws strengthened with dogs' teeth, and Sandstorm remembered the way Scourge's claws had ripped through Tigerstar's belly. Their eyes glittered as they waited for the order to attack.

"The forest is ours," Firestar told the black cat, snapping Sandstorm's gaze back onto Scourge attentively. "We rule here by the will of StarClan."

"StarClan!" Scourge sneered. "Tales for kits. Forest fool, StarClan won't help you now." He sprang to his paws, his fur suddenly bristling out so that he looked twice his size. "Attack!" he snarled.

The line of BloodClan warriors surged forward.

"LionClan, attack!" Firestar yowled.

The clearing was silent no longer. Cats crashed through the undergrowth all around the hollow. Leopardstar bounded out of the bushes with Tallstar; Blackfoot raced forward at the head of a tight knot of ShadowClan warriors; and Whitestorm ran at the lead of the cats of ThunderClan, as all four forest Clans poured into the clearing and fell snarling on their enemies.

Sandstorm threw herself into combat, colliding with a small tabby. She recovered quickly and spun around with her claws unsheathed. They raked her enemy's face, causing blood and fur to fly. Blindly, the tabby jumped at her, but she dodged it gracefully. She then turned and latched her teeth into his tail, biting down hard. He squealed as she used all her strength to throw him into the frenzy of cats.

Before she had the chance to catch her breath, another cat jumped at her, grabbing onto her perfectly shaped ear. She ripped herself away quickly, not wanting the she-cat to get a better grip. Blood from her ear oozed onto her face as she batted a paw at her opponent. But the she-cat was fast. She dodged it and threw herself into Sandstorm's stomach, causing her to fall flat on her back. The BloodClan cat pinned her as she struggled to get up. She froze as her enemy lifted one paw with claws that were re-enforced with dogs teeth. If she didn't get out from under her grip, she would end up just like Tigerstar!

Suddenly, the weight upon Sandstorm's stomach was lifted as she saw a flash of brown. Dustpelt had knocked the she-cat over onto her back right beside Sandstorm and sunk his teeth deep into her neck. She struggled and clawed at him, but her flailing didn't last long, and she went morbidly still. Sandstorm got up and looked at her Clan mate gratefully. "Thanks, Dustpelt!" she mewed.

"No problem."

They stood beside one another, guarding each other's backs as a few more cats came their way. Sandstorm fought with all her might. She wouldn't allow them to take over their forest! But as the battle progressed, she began to lose her energy. Her sides had been raked by those sharp BloodClan claws several times, and she was starting to lose a lot of blood. She panted heavily and stood her ground. She refused to go down so easily! Suddenly, a pain-filled yowl caught her attention, and she whipped her head around in the direction of the noise. Her eyes widened as they reached the scene.

Firestar lay beside Scourge's claws, his body suffering bouts of harsh spasms. Blood poured from his ripped belly and trickled from his mouth and nose. Everything seemed to slow down in Sandstorm's mind. Battle cries became distant, and all cats except Firestar became blurry. She felt her legs tear through the frenzy of cats to reach her Clan leader. When she finally reached his body, it had stilled, and his eyes stared lifelessly into the sky. She cried in agony as she threw herself upon his body, not even noticing that Scourge only stood a few feet away from her. He yowled victoriously.

"Firestar is dead!"