A/N - This is how I'm passing the time until The Last Hope comes out. On the Warriors Official Forums there's a voting thread, but you can leave suggestions in the comments on scenes, pairings, characters who die, ect. That's why it's called the Fan's Version. I may/may not create a poll to vote.

I accept critiques but no flames.

Disclaimer: I don't own Warriors, the characters, ect. They belong to Erin Hunter.

Prologue

A dark tabby tom slunk through the damp muggy forest, his amber eyes sweeping through the branches. The cat's tail stirred up rotting leaves, making a slight rustling sound. The muffled yowls of fighting cats rang through the mist. A cat rushed out of the bushes, nearly bowling over the tabby.

"Tigerstar?" his breath came in shallow gasps as if he had been running several foxlengths. "What's happening? Are we attacking those mangy excuses for warriors soon—"

"Silence!" the powerful tom hissed, cutting Darkstripe off viciously. "I'm thinking."

"But Ti—"

"Shut up!" Tigerstar pounced on him. "I've had enough of your groveling, Darkstripe. You try and act loyal and brave, when on the inside you're a coward. Do you hear me? A coward!" his harsh words were absorbed by the thick moistness of the air. The tabby placed his paw on the other tom's throat, digging his long, curved claws into his windpipe, slowly sinking them in just deep enough to draw tiny droplets of blood, shimmering in the eerie glow of the forest. "You have been a nuisance to me for too long, you crow-food eater!" Tigerstar snarled. Darkstripe made a retching sound, the whites of his eyes showing as the larger cat crushed his throat.

"Please! I'll do anything!" Tigerstar rolled his eyes.

"You're pathetic," he sniffed, and slowly got off of the cowering tom, disgusted by his lack of self dignity. "I'll give you one last chance. Kill one of the Three." Darkstripe whimpered.

"B-but, how?" he mewed quietly.

"Use your imagination. Or are you too scared to kill a blind medicine cat? Or a puny kit-warrior who isn't strong enough to use her own power? Surely even you have not sunk so low..." the amber eyed tabby growled.

"Of course not! They are no match for me!" he puffed out his chest. Tigerstar smirked.

"The only one that you are to fear is that filth, Lionblaze. He could have been a useful warrior. But now he is nothing but a pawn. He may be able to fight decently, but he has not a chance against the legions of our warriors."

"I'm sure you could beat him in a fight, Tigerstar!" Darkstripe meowed. Tigerstar's whiskers twitched at the other tom's attempt to flatter him. The tom padded away brusquely, leaving no time for Darkstripe to follow after him like a stupid puppy. He passed two apprentices battling furiously, claws unsheathed and looked on approvingly.

"They're doing well, Mapleshade." he meowed to their mentor. "They should be ready for the ultimate test soon...very soon." Mapleshade flicked her tail eagerly, and nodded.

Pawsteps sounded behind the two cats and Mapleshade started, turning around with her hackles raised. "Oh, Brokenstar, it's you," she mewed at the tabby tom who had appeared from the scraggly underbrush. "What do you want?" she whispered hostilely. "You're not going to come and try to teach my apprentices again, are you?"

Brokenstar twitched his ear, but made an effort to keep his voice calm. "You should be glad to have help with your apprentices. But that's not what I cam here to discuss." Brokenstar beckoned with his crooked tail to follow his into the denser forest, leaving the two sparring apprentices to themselves.

"The end of the Clans is near, but I'm afraid there is a traitor in our midst," Brokenstar growled. Mapleshade's eyes widened, and Tigerstar tore at the mossy soil with his claws. "The Three and—dare I say their wretched name—StarClan know too much of our plot. They are gathering their own forces, and preparing for battle. One of our trainees has been whispering into the ears of the opposing side, and I believe I know who it is."

Mapleshade shot a furtive glance through the brambles at her two trainees, now talking to Shredtail. "Who?" she whispered. Tigerstar fixed his amber eyes on Brokenstar, waiting for an answer.

"Ivypool," Brokenstar stated, looking deep into their eyes for a sign that they had suspicions as well. Their blank, disbelieving faces stared back. "You know, Hawkfrost's apprenti—"

"Yes, I know who she is!" Tigerstar cut him off. "Are you suggesting that my son is training a traitor?" he asked incredulously.

Mapleshade's whiskers twitched. "Don't get your tail in a twist! Now really Brokenstar, why do you think the spy's Ivypool, of all cats? She killed Antpelt and nearly killed Flametail!"

"Did you know that she is Dovewing's sister? Of course you do. I'm surprised you haven't guessed already. Who else could it be? And she's been acting suspiciously lately, trying to get more information on the siege by being made a warrior! Who knows, the Three could have employed her as a spy, and what would be more convenient for them?"

Mapleshade and Tigerstar's eyes were widening in realization.

"We must get rid of that...that...contamination before it's too late! I shall deal with her immediately." Tigerstar's amber eyes glinted, as if savoring the moment he could sink his teeth into the traitors throat.