Spiderpaw's Moonstone Journey

Picking up a small bundle of traveling herbs from the medicine cat den that Oceanlight had set out for him, Tinylegs padded back to the camp entrance where Spiderpaw waited for him. Setting down the herbs at the apprentice's paws, he looked up to the apprentice. "Eat these. They're not very yummy, but they'll help you on the journey," the small white and grey deputy mewed reassuringly. Leaning down, he scooped up his portion into his little muzzle and chewed away, trying not to show his disgust towards the bitter tasting plants. Even though he'd eaten them a many other times before, their taste was still just as revolting as the first time.

Trying to swallow down what was left in his mouth as fast as possible, he looked to the apprentice once more. "Ready to go?"

Spiderpaw rather timidly sniffed at the herbs, then licked them up and began to chew, not wanting to disappoint his deputy. He gagged and coughed at the strong taste, but eventually gulped it down. With a last feeble cough, he nodded sheepishly at the question. "I-I guess so... Um... Will it be d-dangerous?"

"It won't be dangerous and it's not too long of a journey, so don't worry," the deputy mewed with a smile, hoping that he calmed the nervous apprentice down at least a little bit. With that, the two of them set off towards their destination at a somewhat brisk pace. Well, as brisk as Tinylegs' small paws could take him.

(just gonna do a lil time skiperoo if that's alright)

The two of them kept walking for what seemed like longer and farther than he remembered; past the Thunderpath and some Twoleg homes, but soon enough, Mothermouth was in sight. The large Highstones loomed ahead, but the Newleaf sun still shone high in the sky, lighting their path, though he knew night would be upon them soon.

Padding over to a spot closer to the entrance of the ominous cave, the little white and grey tom settled down on a soft patch of a dirt to groom his fur and rest, letting Spiderpaw have free range to rest or explore the area.

After a little while longer of waiting, the sun began to dip low over the horizon and darkness enveloped the sky above them. "Ready to head in?" he asked the apprentice, standing up and giving his legs a stretch.

Spiderpaw followed close behind the SkyClan's temporary deputy during the entire journey, trying hard not to show too much fear. When they finally arrived at Mothermouth in Highstones, he just stuck to a large jagged stone he had found near Tinylegs, not wanting to get too close to the dark gaping cave if he could help it -- though entering it would be inevitable at this point -- and at his question he slowly nodded, looking a little afraid and unsure. "I-I suppose so..."

(OOC: Sorry for the crappy post XD)

Walking down the dark tunnel, it wasn't very difficult for Tinylegs to make his way through the cramped space, seeing that he was small enough that he didn't exactly need to crouch down. Just able to feel Spiderpaw right behind him, he kept a steady pace, and soon enough, the two of them reached the Moonstone.

Lifting his jaw, the little tom took in the comforting, damp scent of the cave and sat down near the entrance that lead back through the tunnel. "Touch the Moonstone whenever you're ready. I'll be waiting here for you," he mewed with a smile and making his way over to the edge of the cave, laid down to wait.

OOC: who did u want for him to talk to? I have Antdrop if you haven't chosen anyone yet.

(OOC: Well, considering I want this to be quick — and I don’t really remember who I had chosen initially — I’ll be fine with Antdrop. X3)

Spiderpaw softly whimpered at the sight of the massive, incredibly bright Moonstone, feeling quite intimidated by it. But at the same time, he felt fascinated. It was almost as if its power was trying to draw him close, and he couldn’t resist its pull.

He slowly padded over to it, nestled down to get as comfortable as he possibly could on the freezing ground, and touched his nose to the magical rock.

He instantly closed his eyes, and when he opened them again he found himself no longer in the cave, but instead in unknown, yet beautifully peaceful territory.

Most cats described StarClan as a utopia sort of realm, which was entirely true, but being like he was, Antdrop never really understood why everyone worshiped it so much, but even so, he wasn't going to complain.

The black tom's life had unfortunately ended too soon due to a hunting accident and now, he lived alone in the starry fields, wishing nothing more than to see his little brother and family again. Admittedly, he'd originally despised Tinylegs, but he hadn't realized how lucky he was until it was all gone. If only he could've changed his ways earlier, then maybe things would have ended differently.

Per usual, Antdrop sat alone on the empty, cloud covered moorlands, concentrating on something. His brother, Tinylegs, had been appointed deputy once again, and the dark pelted tom wondering if it would be for real this time. Whatever happened, he knew his younger brother would be happy with anything. Tinylegs was always so cheery and optimistic, and any cat who could live their entire life like that ceased to amaze him.

Noticing a shape begin to appear not far away from where he sat, the black tom lifted up his head from where it'd rested on his paws and focused his gaze on what seemed to be another apprentice. The young tom's pelt didn't shimmer with sparkling stars like those of deceased cats, which meant he was probably just visiting, which was of course good. Standing up, he gave his black pelt a shake, sending specks of stardust falling back onto the misty ground. With him being what looked to be the only cat around, he knew what needed to be done.

"Here for your Moonstone journey?" Antdrop asked stoically as he approached Spiderpaw, though he assumed that was what the younger cat was there for. Like always, there was no emotion on his face even when "welcoming" a cat to StarClan. Even when he was among the living, the warrior had never been a very social cat and preferred to keep to himself, since that way, life was much more simple, and he was perfectly fine with things being that way.

Spiderpaw looked up at the approaching StarClan cat with a soft, nervous squeak. He had to admit, this cat didn’t look nearly as inviting or welcoming as he imagined all cats of StarClan were, which of course made him very wary. ”U-Um, yes. Th-This is StarClan... right? I-I haven’t been sent to the D-Dark Forest or anything like that?” He inwardly cursed himself. Of course you’re in StarClan, you bird-brain! Where else would the Moonstone possibly bring cats to in their dreams?

"Yes, you're in StarClan," the black tom mewed. Turning around, he began padding up a small hill in which the top was their destination.

{lil time skipperoo}

Looking out onto the vast moorland bellow the hill in which they stood, he stayed silent for a few moments. While it was admittedly a beautiful sight, like everything, the twinkling starlit field didn't last forever. In the distance, as if almost perfectly split down the middle, the dimly lit plains faded into a misty darkness. If some-cat were to go close enough to the darkness, the glinting eyes of the exiled could be seen through the grey, hazy, fog, and their taunting, whispering voices, could be heard. Luckily for them, they weren't going to go anywhere near there.

Flicking his tail back and forth, Antdrop pointed his muzzle towards the ominous darkness that sat over yonder. "Do you know what that is?" he asked stoically, not turning his gaze away from where it sat as he spoke.

Spiderpaw followed the StarClan warrior in silence, anxious yet curious to see where he would lead him. When he saw the white veil with darkness piercing beyond it, he gulped nervously, and a chill ran up his spine, causing the fur along his back to spike up. "Th-That's not the way to the D-Dark Forest... is it?" he squeaked.

Nodding his head as the apprentice spoke, Antdrop kept his gaze fixed on the ominous darkness that loomed across the moorlands. "That's exactly what it is," he said blandly. "That's where cats who fall away from StarClan go and trust me when I say it's nothing to brag about," the black tom continued. "Cats who lose sight of who they are in themselves and their clans end up there. So don't lose sight of your loyalties in your family and clan, got it?" Antdrop finished sternly and turned his head to look down at Spiderpaw.

Spiderpaw looked up at Antdrop, startled. ”Wh-What? I would never do that!...” He may be a terrified, anxious coward who wants nothing more than to run and hide, but if needed be he would give his life to protect his friends, family, and Clanmates at the drop of a leaf — he would not let death claim another friend of his like they claimed his parents and Blossomheart if he could help it!

"Good," Antdrop mewed plainly and turned to Spiderpaw. "Just remember, always stay loyal and never sway from the path to StarClan, and you won't end up in the Dark Forest," he finished, and with that, the black, starry pelted warrior began to fade away as the apprentice's journey came to a finish.


OOC: oof, sorry for the shortness, I wanted to finish it up for ya ><

(OOC: That's okay. Thanks!)

Spiderpaw blinked open his eyes when the stars up above became too bright for him to keep them open any longer, and he found he was back in the cave laying by the Moonstone, which was no longer shining. He slowly and shakily stood up, stretching out his limbs, then padded over to Tinylegs and prodded him gently. "U-Um... Tinylegs? I hope I'm not interrupting a good dream, but, um... I'm ready to go home. Th-That is if you are, too."

Opening his eyes to see Spiderpaw, Tinylegs got up and gave his small legs a stretch. "You didn't interrupt anything," he reassured the younger tom. "Let's head back then," the small deputy mewed with a smile and began making his way up the long tunnel that would lead them out of Mothermouth. Soon, SkyClan would have another warrior and Tinylegs loved seeing the clan grow and prosper.