Blacknote was the best warrior ThunderClan had ever seen.
In fact, she was probably one of the best warriors of all time. She kept a level head under pressure and insured victory for ThunderClan. She had come at a time when ThunderClan was suffering greatly, and she brought helped pull her clan away from disaster.
Blacknote was a careful follower of the warrior code. She did nothing out of turn and loved everyone. She respected her elders, and was genuinely a good cat. Her loyalty to the Clan never faltered.
Which was why she was so confused when she died and woke up in the Dark Forest.
Blacknote looked down at the island, staying in the shadows of the large tree she had perched in. She remembered the first time she had tried to get into StarClan from the Dark Forest. In fact, she remembered all six times she had tried. Every time she passed the tests, and every time something kept her from taking the last few steps that would get her into StarClan.
Tigerstar had sent her back. He asked her to turn Dovepaw back onto his side, and she drew on his power to get her back. She had lied to him, just to get to the Clans again.
Blacknote sighed, she hadn't thought this through this far. Be honest, she thought, I never believed that I would make it this far. Blacknote hissed in frustration.
The cats mulled about, awaiting the Gathering to start. It was a warm summer evening, the moon was bright, and the cats of the Clans were enjoying themselves.
A familiar smell settled over her. She looked beside herself, and saw the starry outline of a cat. "Brightmoon." Blacknote said softly, her golden tabby sister. Brightmoon looked down on the cats as well.
"StarClan does not think that you will succeed. They know that you are the only one who could ever go through with this, and they doubt that even you can overcome the wall of stone you must leap over." Brightmoon explained.
Blacknote's battle-ready spirit boiled up inside her, rising to the challenge. "Brightmoon, I haven't seen you in a countless number of seasons. Dapplekit waits for me in StarClan, when I sleep I hear her and Icestar calling for me." Blacknote explained, talking of her two kits. "And Stonestream whispers into my ear sometimes, saying he loves me and misses me. I can go through with this."
Brightmoon smiled on her sister. "Blacknote, I have complete faith in you." and with that, she shimmered away and Blacknote focused on the Gathering that had just started. Blacknote jumped down, branch after branch, to the ground.
Blacknote realized that the cats didn't think anything different about her. Her ThunderClan scent was only a little off, she smelled faintly of the Old Forest, but only a few cats would recognize it, and they were paying attention to the leaders.
Her eyes lit up when she saw the cat she was looking for. Leafpool. Every cat in StarClan and the Dark Forest knew of the warrior not meant to be a warrior. Blacknote sat down next to her, and Leafpool scarcely noticed.
Blacknote only half listened to the leaders talk about how successful they have been this season. It was only then Leafpool realized she was different. "You shouldn't be here." Leafpool meowed softly to her.
"One last adventure," Blacknote responded.
Leafpool shook her head in dismay. "You're so old."
"Thunderstar's great-granddaughter." Blacknote said with satisfaction.
The Gathering ended. Leafpool stood upright, and stretched. "Jayfeather is the medicine cat. You should go to him for help."
"You admit defeat easily." Blacknote pointed out.
Leafpool hissed, and a wispy cloud shadowed the moon a little bit. "You haven't been through what I've been through."
Blacknote rolled her eyes. She hissed into Leafpool's ear, "I haven't seen my kits in an uncountable number of seasons. Dapplekit died before she could get the chance to become an apprentice, and Icestar passed before I could. Instead of going to StarClan, as I was supposed to, I was stuck in a place between the Dark Forest and StarClan. And I could only go in one direction- towards the Dark Forest. Leafpool, you have an unbeatable courage, as I had. Do not give up so easily."
Leafpool only stared in disbelief at Blacknote. Blacknote smiled with her eyes, and flicked Leafpool with her black tail. "Come on, I don't know where I'm going."