Swiftpaw & Pigeonpaw's Moonstone Journey

The early morning air was already tinged with the faintest hint of the unbearable heat that the late Greenleaf day held in store, but the thought of the scorching heat it did little to quell the storm of excitement and pride that was filling Brindlewhisker's chest. A few sunrises earlier it had been decided that several of the apprentices were reaching the stages in their apprenticeships where it was finally time for them to meet their Warrior ancestors- likely one of the most exciting adventures of their young lives thus far. The Deputy remained settled on the soft earth beneath the cool shade of the Gorse Wall as she waited for the lucky Swiftpaw and Pigeonpaw to make their appearances.

Yesterday evening Brindlewhisker had managed to corner the two young apprentices privately to inform them of their upcoming journey, but she had decided against allowing the two young cats to sleep in later than they were used to. She wasn't incredibly fond of dealing with two sleep-burdened apprentices while also traveling in the heat of the day. Wrapping her tail around her forepaws neatly, she continued to remain seated close to the camp's entrance as she waited for Swiftpaw and Pigeonpaw, two small bundles of traveling herbs also seated nearby.

Swiftpaw stirred from his suprisingly good sleep. He narrowed his eyes before springing up. His eyes widened a huge amount before stumbling out of his nest and racing toward the camp entrance. He probably startled poor Pigeonpaw but it's woth the wake up call. They were going to see the Moonstone! He could finally talk to Starclan and converse with a warrior he always wanted to. He slowed down his pace to try not to disturb others.

He then sped up his walking a bit until he reached the deputy who was seated at the camp entrance. "Hello Brindlewhisker!" he chirped. His eyes held excitement and seemed pretty awake. He looked down and spotted two bundles. He tilted his head and asked, "What are those?"

Pigeonpaw had already been awake by the time Swiftpaw dashed by. He hadn't been able to sleep at all with the thought of meeting Starclan. He could see a ghost, learn his future! Maybe he could even talk to his family! But would they even want to look at him if he can't even remember who they are?

Pigeonpaw snapped out of his pondering as the thought of Brindlewhisker waiting for him came to mind. What if he was late and because of him they didn't get there until after moonhigh. He burst into a standing position, taking a moment to shake moss and bracken off his pelt from lying down. He could easily see the deputy and the brown ticked cat Pigeonpaw knew as Swiftpaw from his sleeping spot in the camp. Luckily it didn't look like he was lagging behind at all. He eased his way between sleeping bodies and joined the duo. The gray tom greeted both cats and then turned his attention to the herbs lying at his feet. Pigeonpaw easily recognized many herbs from his former mentor and guardian Pepper. He could even recall what they were used for, where you found them, and other important things the crippled she-cat told him. When Swiftpaw asked about them, he replied, "They are travelling herbs, for going on longer expeditions. If you look, there's some Burnet and Lamb's Ear for stamina, the Juniper Berries are probably for strength, and if you look there's some honey smeared over the herbs to let it go down easier and also for extra energy. I learned this from Pe-" Pigeonpaw's voice faltered as he remembered the Barn and the traumatic experiences as he journeyed towards the Clans, unknowingly having Rockthorn at his heels. "Pepper and Bat." He looked up at Brindlewhisker for assurance. "Do... Do you think the Dark Forest would appear instead of Starclan? I remember that when Rockthorn attacked me on my way here, he said that if I told the Clans his hiding spot where I lived, he would h-hunt me down, and k-kill me. And I told on him anyways, and he's dead now, and-" Fear passed through his yellow eyes, much unlike the level headed stoic tom everyone knew. "It's just scary, you know..."

Amusement was evident on Brindlewhisker's face as the ever cheerful Swiftpaw came to greet her and she offered a soft nod in greeting. "Good morning Swiftpaw." She mewed softly, watching out of the corner of her eye as Pigeonpaw rapidly behind the other apprentice. However, before she was able to fully to answer Swiftpaw's question about the traveling herbs, a new voice chimed in and answered far better than she could. "Why yes." She responded to Pigeonpaw's words with a slightly puzzled tone, but his next words caused her nape fur to bristle slightly- partly out of sorrow and partly out of anger.

A part of her would always be pained by the fact that some cats would only ever remember Rockthorn for what he became and not who he was, but she still wasn't fully ready to dwell on those memories in the presence of two apprentices. "Our warrior ancestors are far more powerful than the wandering soul of Rockthorn could ever dream to be, so do not fear. Our kin wish only to teach you and guide you along your path, not needlessly frighten you with your past." Brindlewhisker finally murmured, voice gentle as she gazed down at Pigeonpaw with an unreadable expression. After a few moments of a withdrawn silence, the Deputy finally straightened back up as she gazed down at the two apprentices with her normal commanding presence.

"Make sure to eat every bit of the herbs," She finally instructed briskly, reaching out to push the two small bundles closer to Swiftpaw and Pigeonpaw, "We have a long day ahead of us and I don't want either of you to miss out on anything because you're hungry." Rising to her paws, Brindlewhisker swiftly turned on her heels and trotted towards the  camp entrance, patiently waiting for the two young toms to eat the rather foul-tasting herbs.

He gave Pigeonpaw a small smile. He had just learned some new things. He was always ready to learn. His eyes looked anywhere but the other apprentice's as he talked about the Dark Forest and many other haunting memories. Swiftpaw felt a bit of sadness at the thought of Pigeonpaw getting hurt. He had just met the tom but he considered everyone as a close friend. He felt relief at the deputy's wise words. He looked over to see if the other apprentice was okay.

He sighed as Brindlewhisker had pushed the bad smelling bundle of herbs to their paws and instructed them to eat. He bent down and began to eat the bitter energizing herbs. He gagged a bit but managed to consume them all. He wrinkled his nose and then sat up. He was now ready to go on a journey that would change his life for good.

He followed the deputy to the camp entrance and all the while thinking of who he'll speak with in Starclan.

-time skip-


As the late evening sun continued to fall behind the imposing outline of the Highstones, the sparse land that made up the Mothermouth began to fall deeper and deeper into the cool shadows of the night. The faintest glimmer of silverpelt was evident in the dark night sky that was slowly overtaking the remaining weak light of day. As predicted, the journey to the Highstones had taken the majority of the day- especially with how busy all the thunderpaths had been. Once they had finally arrived to the sacred destination Brindlewhisker had allowed Swiftpaw and Pigeonpaw to find their own resting places near by as they began to wait out the heat of the day. Watching with slightly narrowed eyes, the Deputy observed the yawning wound in the earth ,that was more commonly known as the Mothermouth, eagerly swallowing the remaining light of dusk.

It was time.

Rising to her paws slowly, Brindlewhisker let out a soft wordless chirp to gather Swiftpaw and Pigeonpaw's attention as she padded towards the ominously dark entrance. For several long moments there was only complete silence between the trio- not even the usual nightlife known to frequent areas such as this were making their various noises. The ground below her paws was softly sloping downwards towards the softly rounded entrance to the cave and her whiskers could feel a chilling breeze brewing deep within the belly of the cavern. Swinging her head around to stare at the two apprentices, she used her tail to beckon them closer as she observed them with intent eyes. "Are you ready?" Brindlewhisker mewed softly, voice vehement with several unreadable emotions.

Swiftpaw's mind was ready. Before him stood Mothermouth. The tunnel seemed to dig downwards to total darkness. He was mystified and amazed. It almost seemed like a dream yet, he was here. He looked over at Pigeonpaw and gave him a small smile before turning to the Windclan deputy. "I believe we're ready." he said with a small nod.

Pigeonpaw looked up as Brindlewhisker spoke, and gave a short nod for a yes.

OOC: short

"Good." Brindlewhisker mewed contentedly, feeling a bit more relaxed by Swiftpaw's confident answer to her question- although now the difficult part was just beginning so hopefully his confidence would not waver. "The tunnel we are about to go through is very dark and it will feel like you might get stuck in the passage, but just remember to breathe and keep walking- the tunnel does open back up towards the end." She continued briskly, turning to eye the dark opening in front of them, her voice slightly reassuring. Turning around with a soft chirp, Brindlewhisker plunged down into the gaping entrance of the Mothermouth, her pupils dilating as she tried to find an adequate light source within the dark depths of the tunnel. For several long heartbeats as the little WindClan trio continued further and further into the passage, it began to grow tighter and tighter around them until the stony walls were pressing against their sides in a menacing manner. Her ears were pricked in an attempt to check on Swiftpaw and Pigeonpaw, but she didn't dare halt their progress.

The tight tunnel around them slowly began to widen with every step the trio took and there was the faintest hint of fresh air wafting from deep within the darkness. The soft muddy earth beneath their paws was softly sloping upwards towards an unknown destination. Exhaling quietly, Brindlewhisker felt the walls that once pressed in menacingly around them begin to slowly open up around them and suddenly, deep within the unmerciful darkness ahead of them, the faintest glow was barely visible. Pushing ahead with a new vigor in her step, the Deputy began to pick up the pace to a brisk trot as they finally entered the sacred grounds. A massive cavern unfolded around them, bathed in massive shadows thrown by the various rock formations that spilled into the sacred cave, while the imposing figure of the Moonstone lay nestled in the center as if it was guarded by the teeth-like rocks. The Moonstone was glinting softly in the weak light that streamed down from the jagged opening in the ceiling above them- they were a bit early but better safe than sorry.

Turning to face Swiftpaw and Pigeonpaw, Brindlewhisker beckoned the two young apprentices forwards  with a twitch of her tail before she approached the softly illuminated Moonstone. Settling down at a comfortable distance from the stone, she lifted her head to watch the night sky from the slightly rounded hole in the ceiling. The moon was slowly rising higher and higher in the dark sky until finally it reached the top of the cave's ceiling, flooding the space with its soft, silvery light. The entire cavern was instantly lit up in a dazzling light that erased nearly all the shadows that had previously made their home in the cozy little cave and the Moonstone itself twinkled and glittered as if it had swallowed every star in Silverpelt. Turning to look at Swiftpaw and Pigeonpaw, the Deputy had to squint slightly in the harsh light as she stared at the two apprentices with commanding eyes. "Swiftpaw and Pigeonpaw, you are now able to speak with our Warrior ancestors so come forward and press your nose to the stone. Remember that I will not join you on this part of our journey, but do not be afraid- trust in our ancestors and take heed in their words. I wish you both good luck." Brindlewhisker finished softly, making herself as comfortable as she could as she prepared to wait for the two apprentices to complete their spiritual journey.


ooc) you can speak to StarClan now

Swiftpaw was struck with awe at the sight of the once dimly lit stone now glowing brightly like the moon. He looked at Brindlewhisker as she settled down a good few lengths away and listened to her words as she spoke. He turned back to look at the Moonstone and walked towards it.

He layed down in front of the large stone and took a small breath. He touched his nose to the cold Moonstone and not too long after, began to feel drowsy. After a few minutes he was in Starclan.

He was excited and nervous. He didn't know who'd speak to him. He had been brought to the Starlit plains. It was beautiful and lively. He walked around to see if he could come across a Starclan cat who will speak with him.