Shrikepaw’s Moonstone Journey

The Leaf-fall breeze chilled Spiderquill’s bones. His fluffier compatriots were glad for the relief from the blazing sun, and while the medicine cat was grateful for a break from the constant sunburn he couldn't help but shiver as the cold temperature weaselled its way under his thin pelt. He grabbed his pre-prepared herbs, stepping into the pale moonlight as he made his way towards the medicine den. You'd think he’d have worn a path into the ground by now, all this walking he was doing. And yet somehow he still couldn’t run a fox-length without getting a stitch. Ah well, he sighed as he dropped the herbs in front of Shrikepaw absent-mindedly. At least he didn’t have to hunt. He swallowed his own herbs before looking back towards the apprentice. ”Shrikepaw, you ready?”

The young tom's sleep was not restful in the least. He twisted and turned, still half-awake, as Spiderquill's scent and voice permeated the air. In an instant Shrikepaw was up, licking scraps of moss off of his fur. His maw lowered in a yawn. His muzzle wrinkled with distaste at the bile-smelling herbs in front of him. He had mostly eaten land prey. Things like shrews weren't his favorite, but come on. At least they smelled edible. This bile, sharp mass of plants in front of him probably came from the Dark Forest. He seriously considered refusing the herbs, but his desire to visit a member of StarClan overcame his disgust. He stuffed the pile into his mouth and nearly choked it back up, wheezing. Bile, retched, kind of like the aftertaste of a burp if it was sour. "Water. I need... water," he panted, swiping his tongue around his jaws and cringing. "And this better be worth it. I won't get this aftertaste out for a moon."

Spiderquill allowed himself a quiet chuckle at the apprentice's disgust. They always reacted strongly, but this Shrikepaw was definitely the most vocal about it so far. "Well, I can't speak for StarClan, but nobody has ever left the Moonstone disappointed." A bare-faced(ha) lie, but in fairness, most of the apprentices Spiderquill accompanied left at least a little bit fulfilled. He motioned with his tail, getting up and taking the path he had walked so many times before with Shrikepaw in tow. 

A while later, the duo was finally at the mouth of the tunnel. Spiderquill gave his usual speech, not really focusing on the words and more on the yawn he was trying to keep back, and led the apprentice through the winding passageway. Once the pale glow of the Moonstone came into view, the medicine cat turned to his younger acquaintance. "Alright, here we are. Just press your nose against the stone, StarClan'll do the rest. Enjoy yourself, I'll be waiting when you wake up."

Shrikepaw considered the stone for a moment. He wasn’t as awed by the beauty of it as others may have been. It meant close to nothing to him. He was very skeptical of StarClan. They allowed SkyClan to infiltrate RiverClan, the fire to start, the drought to take away the river, and of course he’d heard stories of the Righteous Few. He could barely swim or catch fish because of what had happened, the basis of RiverClan, and StarClan seemed not to care, much less able to do anything about it.

He had to admit that he was curious to meet a dead cat. He was sure they weren’t as wise as stories made them out to be, but there was bound to be something he could learn. Spiderquill was waiting, so Shrikepaw strengthened his resolve and lowered towards the ground. It was cold to the touch. He hissed a little as the cold cave floor met his belly fur. He guessed he would be sore from the stone the next morning. His eyes were closed as he extended his neck. The tip of his nose touched the glowing stone and he sank into sleep.

The red pelt of Applefang emerged from what seemed like a strange fog. He had done a Moonstone Journey already, and it was strange to hear how the cats he loved had developed. Riverclan’s current events were currently unusual with the Skyclan situation, and he had many questions. But this was time for the apprentice to get some wisdom, whatever that may be. "Hiya! I’m Applefang, former warrior of Riverclan.” he introduced himself to Shrikepaw.