He was drowning. Water foamed furiously around the tom as he thrashed wildly, his paws trying to find purchase but gaining none in the swirling torrent. His lungs screamed for air. Shaking his head furiously, he screamed for help but was repaid only by the contents of the river choking him. Everything grew dark. A grey she cat looked down upon him pity in her soulful eyes.

"What do you want from me?" The tom wanted to ask but found no strength with which to muster the question. Instead he sank further and further as the water claimed him. Drowning. Drowning.

Scourge shot up panting. Looking around him, it took the ebony tom a few heartbeats to realise where he was. Kept in a den at the back of the ThunderClan so as not to disturb the rest of the clan . Sighing somewhat in relief he padded out to the entrance of his holding cell. Brambles had been entwined over the entrance, preventing a barrier to prevent any escape attempt on Scourge's part. Even if the brambles were not there, Scourge doubted he would have made it far following any such escape attempt. Barely visible against the foliage, Scourge could just about make out the shape a one of a large tabby standing vigil, his amber eye scanning the darkness around Scourge's den. Scourge blinked. Could it be? Shaking his head, the black tom squinted. The tabby shape swung his head around. The tom bore a striking resemblance to Tigerstar but no, he was smaller and there seemed to be less aggression radiating from him. Still it was uncanny.

"Are you okay? You seemed perplexed." Cinderpelt's soft voice came from beside him. Blinking slightly, Scourge turned his attention from the brown tabby to the pretty grey she cat. He sighed and looked at her. Throughout the day, Cinderpelt had been reporting back to him with the news. For the most part of the day, ThunderClan had been a hubbub of activity. On top of the normal hunting activities, warriors had been running in and out with news from the other clans. Word had it that neither ShadowClan or RiverClan desired for Scourge to be tried at the Four trees for fear of angering StarClan and wished instead to have the trial just outside.

"As good as I can be all thing considered." he replied calmly.

Cinderpelt gave him a troubled expression. "How can you be so calm in such a time? StarClan knows what they will do to you. They might even choose to kill you." She paused and then grinned, "Maybe I can break you out. You can make it to the border..."

"No," Scourge interjected firmly, cutting Cinderpelt off abruptly, "You will not. Cinderpelt, you have already risked enough on my account. What will come will come." He pressed his muzzle gently against hers through the makeshift bars. Purring slightly, Cinderpelt pressed her own muzzle back against him, revelling in his touch. For a moment they stood there until a sharp cough directed there attention back towards Spottedleaf. The dappled medicine cat had a single eyebrow raised in half amusement, half sadness as the sun came up behind her.

"Yes?" Cinderpelt asked.

Spottedleaf looked at them. "It's almost time."

Cinderpelt hung her head as Brambleclaw and Greystripe began to undo the bramble barrier and escort him out. Cinderpelt lowered her head saidly. Scourge however watched on with a look of utter determination.

"Let's get this over with."

As Scourge was escorted away, no one noted the shimmering shape watch him go.