Clearpaw's Moonstone Journey

Mintwhisker padded out of her den, two bundles of traveling herbs held loosely in her jaws. Despite... everything, life must go on. And that meant only one thing: Moonstone journeys.
"C-Clearpaw, wake up." Mintwhisker peered into the apprentice's den, her voice muffled by the herbs. "It's t-time to go."
When the apprentice finally stirred, Mintwhisker withdrew from the den and allowed Rippedstar's son to grab a bite to eat before they left. "You're going to want to eat t-those herbs." She mewed dryly, nosing the bundle in Clearpaw's direction. "I know they t-taste awful, b-but they'll give y-you energy and k-keep the hunger at bay until w-we make it back." Once she had made sure he had swallowed everything, she lead the way out of camp, her murky green eyes bright.


"Watch your step," Mintwhisker carefully padded up the steep base of the mountain, wending her way gracefully past rocks and boulders. When the pair finally arrived at the top of the mountain, the Medicine Cat paused for a moment, catching her breath. "Stay close b-behind me." She nodded at the tunnels. "It's e-easy to get lost in there."
The short-legged she-cat lead the way through the tunnels, making sure to keep her tail outstretched in case the young tom required any extra guidance. After a short while, the pair emerged into the main chamber, which was already filled with Moonlight that reflected off of the Moonstone. "D-don't be afraid." Mintwhisker sat down near the tunnels. "T-touch the Moonstone, and you'll f-feel a strong u-urge to fall asleep. Once y-you do so, you'll f-find yourself in Starclan. I-I'll be right here w-when you wake up."

“Good morning, Mintwhisker.” Clearpaw climbed out of his den, stretching out his back and yawning before following Mintwhisker out into camp. At her words, he looked down at the traveling herbs with interest. Something inside him didn’t want to consume the mix of leaves and flowers, not because of their taste, but because of how beautiful they were. But he needed to, and if these had already been picked, then the least he could do was use them. Still, he couldn’t help but notice how nicely the smaller leaves contrasted the broader leaves, and how the yellow centers of the flowers shined from inside the surrounding white petals. After that, it was easier to eat them, and the taste didn’t bother him at all, just gave him another sense to appreciate this vegetation with. Eagerly, he followed the medicine cat out of camp, ready to go. A beautiful cave and stone awaited him, literally a gift from StarClan. Now he could finally get the chance to thank his ancestors for all of the beauty they let him admire.
“Wonderful,” Clearpaw marveled when they came into view of Mothermouth. His paws carefully maneuvered over the rocky hill, trying his best not to scratch his paws on jagged stones. When they reached the cave, his green eyes widened at the site of the dark cave, feeling drawn by the black depths. Following Mintwhisker’s directions, he stayed close behind her, faintly being able to see her tail tip in front of him. A thrill shivered down his spine as he realized how close he was to the Moonstone. As the tunnel began to widen out, he saw a brightening source of light, until they were there. “Why would I be afraid when such a miraculous beauty is right beside me?” Listening to the medicine cat’s words, he lay down in front of the majestic stone, still entirely captivated. Touching his nose to the shining crystal, he closed his eyes, feeling the light flow through him. He was ready to talk to StarClan.

Clearpaw's eyes opened to reveal a very fluffy cat - Blossomheart. Amber eyes glittering, she studied the poetic apprentice. "Hello, Clearpaw. Welcome to Starclan." She flicked her tail, letting him observe their surroundings before they got started. The two cats were in a section of forest not unlike that of their skyclan homeland, except to Clearpaw's right was a dark mist. That was the Dark Forest, and some cats thought she was crazy to bring a living apprentice so close to the border. "Have you any questions before we begin?"

"Greetings, Blossomheart," Clearpaw greeted, only his gaze wasn't fixed on Blossomheart herself. Everywhere around them was sheer beauty that could never be recreated in the living world. Silvery light reflected off of every blade of grass, swaying in a light breeze he couldn't even feel. Tall trees that reminded him so much of SkyClan stretched towards the starry sky, somehow even more majestic than they were in the usual territory. Shades of silver and dark indigo mixed and cast lights and shadows all around them, but somehow everything still seemed so bright. Birds chirped the most wonderful songs, and small rodents scurried through the bushes, so plentiful and lush that SkyClan seemed barren in comparison. The StarClan cat herself seemed beautiful as well, looking like she was once an amazing warrior, her fluffy pelt a shade of pink he had never seen on a cat before. Like a blossoming flower, while also having an air of authority that contrasted her more dainty appearance. Looking to the other side, his sense of awe dropped to one of dread. Usually mist was something unique and splendid, but he could instinctively that this was something else. Swirling and dark, it seemed dangerous, the opposite of the usual beauty in fog. "What is that?"

Blossomheart nodded. The looming darkness was a common topic of discussion, with many cats claiming that it gave them a sense of doom. That made sense. After all,  that was the barrier to the Dark Forest. "That is the Mist. Behind it is a whole new world - the Place of No Stars. The worst cats go there. It's an endless battle of evil and blood." She walked up to it and waved at it with her paw. Behind the Mist, a scene of war took place. Engaged in battle were two cats, hissing and trying to kill each other. No pity showed in the pink shecat's gaze. Only sadness. "Do you understand the concept of the balance of light and darkness? The world is a perfect combination of Starclan and the Dark Forest. Night and day. Light and shadow. The night sky has stars and darkness. Just like the physical world, the morals of the real world has good and bad. Cats can be peaceful like you or I. But to retain balance, there must be fighting and evil." She looked back at him. He had to understand this. "It is harsh out there, and it will only be more so once Greenleaf ends. Fighting is inevitable and you can't run from it. "

"I've heard of there," Clearpaw whispered, remembering a few times he had heard a cat use that as a curse a few stories about cats that went there instead of StarClan. In his opinion, no cat deserved such a horrible fate, not even horrible cats. Wasn't StarClan all about redemption and forgiveness? Yet here was Blossomheart, a StarClan cat, was showing it to him as a purely evil place, even though they were the ones who had created it. For a moment, a crestfallen look appeared on the usually innocent apprentice's face, but it quickly was replaced by an expression of determination. One day, he would make sure no cats had to go to that awful place, and have StarClan see that there was good in every single cat. If there wasn't, then what was the point of them ever being alive? Then he saw what was on the other side. Endless battle, merciless hisses and cries from vicious cats, not a drop of kindness is there eyes.
"No! Stop it!" Clearpaw cried out to them, but neither seemed to hear, continuing to fight and stain the ground crimson with thick rivers of blood. Horrified, he squeezed his eyes shut, not wanting to see any more of the grotesque brawl. As Blossomheart started talking again, he wished he could close his ears shut as well. How could such a soothing voice be saying these things? How had the stars themselves, the most beautiful beings he had ever seen, be telling him that evil needs to exist? It had to wrong, if there was always peace, everyone would always be happy and see the beauty of life! But could she be right, that some cats morals were so warped that if there was peace, they would seek power through war. His eyes opened and he forced himself to look at her, a small sob escaping his throat. Why did she have to be right? Why couldn't all cats see the world like he did? Why could some cats simply not be changed? "Why? Why does it have to be this way?" A series of sobs escaped him once again, and his forest green eyes were filled with a desperate sense of sorrow. "Why is such a beautiful world full of corrupt cats? Why do I have to be the only one who sees anything as beautiful?"


OOC: After answering his questions, please end it with a small bit of positivity so he sees that while he cannot stop hate, he can still spread happiness.

Blossomheart's hard gaze softened and the starry shecat stepped towards him. The mist went back to normal."Clearpaw, not everything is corrupt. Like I said, it's a balanced force. Life and death. Light and dark. Good and evil. There are cats out there who need you and your sight for beauty- never lose sight of it. However, they have lost a lot. You must at least act sad with or for them. Lfe is bittersweet, Clearpaw. Remember that." With a final dip of her head, Starclan faded away from the apprentice. Hopefully, she had made a difference. But there was no way to tell.

"Very well, I can understand what you speak of. While some cats cannot be changed, and peace can never last long, some suffer from losses and need help to recover. I'll do my best to show them what a beautiful world we live in, and grieve along side them to show they are not alone. Because while I can never end violence in this world, I can be the cause of happiness," Clearpaw felt his heart rate slow back down to normal, and the scene beyond the mist faded from view. Looking back up to Blossomheart, his expression had changed from one of heartbreak and terror to one of steadying certainty. Eventually, he would have to come to terms with violence. Maybe even learn how to fight without endless regret after every move. At least now he good realize that ending war forever was not a possible goal, and that he couldn't beat himself up over it. Still, he wasn't useless. Things he said and did could affect cats who had gone through hardships in a positive manner. Maybe someday, something he did could make cats be better for the rest of their lives. That would be all he needed. "Thank you, Blossomheart." The scene faded from before him, and before he knew it, he was back in the cave, the crystal no longer illuminated.
"Mintwhisker, I am ready to return."