Murkypaw’s Moonstone Journey

It was rather odd, he reasoned, to name a cat after someone who died. Sort of a superstitious cat by nature, he wondered briefly if his Moonstone companion today would also face the trials and tribulations that their late leader did.

But that was no matter. Grabbing traveling herbs, he walked over to Murkypaw. She seemed awake, which he thanked the stars for. It was weird to wake someone up.

“Today, you’re coming with me to the Moonstone. I got the herbs ready. They taste really bad, but it will get us there. Are you ready to go?”

Murkypaw didn't need to go on any patrol or training lesson that night, instead, the silver tortoiseshell was free to lay in the apprentice's den until Fuzzybelly was ready for her.

When the time finally came around, Murkypaw rolled onto her paws, lifting her lanky body up from her nest. "Yeah." She mewed, nodding. She bent down and ate the herbs she was given. They really didn't taste that good... But Murkystar probably wouldn't complain, so she wouldn't either. "Let's go." She purred, trying to swallow the rest of the herby flavour out of her mouth.

“I wish StarClan made them taste better, but I suppose they have their reasons,” Fuzzybelly meowed as a joke. “Follow me, it’s a long way but we’ll make it.”

Weaving through the marsh, they eventually got to Highstones. There was an energy that he couldn’t resist when it came to going to the Moonstone. All cats before him, watching. Guiding.

He flicked his fluffy tail as he said, “The Moonstone is in here, you’re going to love it.”

As they entered the cavern with the light touching the stone, Fuzzybelly smiled.

“Now, it is time. Touch your nose to the stone, and may stars light your path.”

Murkypaw followed the Medicine Cat towards Highstones, nodding whenever the tom told her about something, she took in all the information she thought she needed.

Finally, they were there. Murkypaw stood in front of the glowing rock, her eyes wide in pure kit-like wonder. Her jaw practically dropped at the sight. Eyes sparkling, she glanced back at Fuzzybelly before pushing on, touching her nose to the stone and letting sleep take over her lanky body.

At first, Murkypaw wasn't quite sure when she should open her eyes. She didn't know if she was in StarClan yet. She didn't even know if she'd actually fallen asleep yet. That was, until, she felt a cool breeze rush over her fur, and grass brush against her underbelly. She rose, yellow eyes scanning the area in wonder. "Anyone here?" She mewed, staying in her place and slowly looking around the star-lit forest.

Crouched in the swaying grass, a large tom lay in wait, ears pricked to attention. One of ShadowClan's apprentices was coming to speak with StarClan– which was odd enough, especially since he wasn't even related to this cat. As far as he knew, at least. Once the she-cat appeared, he waited a few moments before springing into view, a skip to his step and tail curled high over his back. "Well 'ello there," he rumbled, a cheeky grin stretching across his maw. "M'name's Newtspring, SkyClan warrior. Whatcha come here t'talk about?"

Murkypaw almost jumped back in surprise as the Starclan cat bounced into view like a rabbit, instead, she managed to step back just once, trying to keep a calm expression on her face. Swallowing back any signs of nervousness, Murkypaw nodded and stepped forward. "Hello, I'm Murkypaw." She mewed. Skyclan warrior? Was she in the wrong spot? After glancing around she brought her attention back to the Starclan cat, looking a little confused. "Skyclan?" She blinked. She shook her head, Starclan wouldn't make a mistake, so she's supposed to meet this cat.

"Okay, well.. Maybe you already knew just from my name- but I'm named after a super mega important leader named Murkystar, and everything thinks I should be as important as she was- at least... I do, and Marshmallow does, and... I think other cats do as well." She could remember, faintly, Marshmallow telling her about the great Murkystar as a kit, how important she was, and how she didn't believe Murkypaw could be as great as the late leader. She blinked, turning her head to her paws. "Well, it's so incredibly hard to just stay calm, collected, follow every rule there is... I.. Don't know... I want to be a rolemodel for everyone, and I want to be as great as Murkystar was, but I wasn't even around then, I don't even know what Murkystar was like." Her ears lowered as she continued to speak, before sighing slowly.