Prologue

A black cat stepped out of the shadows. Her eyes were filled with sorrow as several heads turned to look at her.

"Welcome," said a dark grey cat. His face was grim and he stepped forward to greet the black cat. The other cats in the clearing were silent as waves of sadness washed over them. The young black cat lifted her head, and the white star on her forehead gleamed in the moonlight. She padded slowly to the middle of the clearing.

"Stonestar," she whispered. "I want to go back." The grey cat looked at her sadly.
"It's too late now, Stardust," he replied. "Every cat wants to go back. No cat wants to leave their clan. But you have shown as much loyalty and commitment to your clan as any clan born cat would. StarClan would be honored to have you here." Stardust's legs crumpled beneath her as she collapsed on the forest floor. "It pains us to have a young cat to join us. But StarClan cannot control everything, and we cannot control death," His dark eyes were serious. "And we need you most right now because of what is coming."
"I had to do it," she said. "There was no other possible thing I could do. She means everything to me and I will do anything for her," Stardust's eyes saddened. "Do you know if she is okay?"
Stonestar placed his tail on her shoulder reassuringly. "She is fine," he said. "It's all over now." Stardust's gaze darkened as she pulled away.

"No," she said. "It has only just started."