Foxpaw's Moonstone Journey

"Foxpaw, it's time to head out!" Leopardclaw dropped the bundle of traveling herbs at his paws as he came to a halt in front of the apprentice's den, peering into the entrance to see if the ginger apprentice was inside; today they would be traveling to the Moonstone together.

Foxpaw padded out of the apprentices' den."I'm coming," he mewed. He ate the bitter traveling herbs. "I guess we can go now?"

Leopardclaw greeted the young tom with a wave of his tail as he emerged from the den and watched as Foxpaw wolfed down the herbs placed before him, surprisingly without much outward distaste. Glad to be leaving so quickly, the golden deputy nodded and purred; "Yes, follow me." With a flick of his black-tipped ears, he lead the way out of camp, and broke into a run once they had entered the frosty forest.

Foxpaw followed after the deputy, interested and excited. He had never spoken to StarClan. Who would speak to him? What would they be like? What would they say? Would they scold him for something? Congratulate him for something? Maybe he would receive a prophecy? No, He wouldn't get a prophecy. He's not a medicine cat! Though he couldn't help but ponder all the possibilities that could happen.

After a long trek through the woods, across the windy moorland, over Thunderpaths, and by Twoleg dwellings, the two ThunderClan cats finally came within sight of Mothermouth.  Highstones loomed above them, but the leaf-bare sun still shone.  It would be a while before night fell.  Giving the ginger apprentice free range to explore or rest, the golden spotted deputy settled down on a flat stone, illuminated by the sun, to groom his fur and rest.

Finally though, the sun began to dip low over the horizon.  Darkness enveloped the sky high above them, and it didn't take long until Leopardclaw stood up and flicked his tail, beckoning Foxpaw to the tunnel opening.  "It's time, make sure you stay close behind me Foxpaw, and don't forget to use your nose and whiskers to guide you.  It's going to be very dark."  With that, Leopardclaw stepped into the passage and began to lead the way downward.

Foxpaw carefully followed Leopardclaw through the dark cave. He couldn't see a thing. "how will we see the moonstone?"

OOC: Mobile

(occ: I'm so sorry for the delay Dx)

His paws thudding softly against the stone floor, Leopardclaw squinted his eyes slightly as the light vanished, forced to use other means of direction other than his sight.  It was much colder down here in the dark, and the tom couldn't help the shiver that quivered down his spine.  Pricking his ears at the sound of Foxpaw's curious voice, the deputy purred; "This tunnel will open out into a cave with a hole in the roof, letting moonlight in.  It will be dim, but bright enough to let us get our bearings at least."  With a comforting smile the apprentice couldn't see, the golden spotted tom quickened his pace slightly, until the walls of the passage began to expand.

Soon enough they had emerged into the large cavern that housed the Moonstone, for a moment just a faintly glittering crystal; but as soon as the crescent moon passed in front of the hole in the roof, it burst to life.  Blinding white light illuminated the cave, seeming to make the hues of the two tom's coats many shades lighter.  Blinking rapidly to adjust his eyes to the brightness, Leopardclaw stepped forward and stood in front of the stone, looking down at Foxpaw through serious greenish-hazel eyes.  "Foxpaw, it is time for you to meet with StarClan.  Lay down, and touch your nose to the Moonstone; our warrior ancestors will soon call you into the realm of dreams."

OOC: it's alright! I'll pm Ash now
IC:
Foxpaw padded after the golden deputy as the traveled further into the narrow dark cave. He could hear his heart pounding, and felt uncomfortable. But when the cave opened up, he managed to lift some of his anxiety.
He could only see slight shimmers of what must be the stone. A few moments later, he gasped as the moonstone suddenly glowed with a blinding light.
He adjusted to the light, and nodded at Leopardclaw's instructions. He laid down on the cold ground, and touched his nose to the stone cold crystal. He soon drifted off to sleep.

He opened his eyes to see large starry plains. He must be in StarClan now. He glanced around. "H-Hello? A-A-Anyone th-there?"

One of the bright stars that lay in the sky above where Foxpaw sat seemed to glow a little stronger than its companions. In the blink of an eye, the star appeared to shoot down from the dark curtain of sky and hurtle down towards the ground below. Where it fell, a bright flash of light illuminated the silvery grass for a moment, and then the shape of a cat blossomed upwards. The tom's form was short and stocky, with thick, light brown fur and a long, fluffy tail. His golden eyes were calm and intelligent, with a spark of light in them, and he seemed wise despite how young he looked. The only thing that made him look truly different was the glowing stars that shone in his fur. "Hey there, Foxpaw. My name's Ryestep. I've been chosen to speak to you- but I'm sure you can already tell that, can't you? You're a smart enough tom." The StarClan tom smiled, making his face look a little kinder. "Do you know why you're here, Foxpaw? Your purpose? What questions do you need answered?"

Foxpaw jerked his head back towards where a tom stood. "Ryestep..." he murmured. He'd never heard of this cat. "I don't know," he replied. He tried to think. What did he want answered? He had several questions, most weren't as important as other. He had to find the right one.
Maybe..? No. I already know why I missed that prey.. This one? No, I figured that out a while ago. I'm so scatter-brained! I can't do anything- oh wait.
He lifted his gaze back up to the StarClan cat. "I can't often think straight. I mind is always jumping from here, to there. I'm scatter-brained, basically. I don't know why. And I feel like I can't do as well as I should. Why? I've gotten a little worse, because I don't try as much. I feel like it's not worth trying so hard, when I'm not gonna be as good as I hope."

OOC: woah, that's deep. xD

For a few moments Ryestep contemplated the question, head tilted to the side, mind deep in thought. When the answer came to him, his mouth quirked upward in his usual half-smile. "I knew a cat just like you, once. A ThunderClan apprentice so unsure of himself, so uncertain about his capability to be a warrior that he was afraid to try anything. He probably would've just given up and run away, believing he'd do better somewhere else, without the advice his mentor offered to him." The young warrior's golden eyes gleamed as he spoke. "She told him, 'you'll never succeed until you believe.' When he was told that, the apprentice shook his head, believing the answer to just be an empty, blindly promotional message like the others he'd received. But then, he thought about it a little more- he liked to think, and he didn't have much else to do with his sleepless time. 'What did Cobraeyes mean by "believe?" I mean, obviously she succeeded, so she must know something about it. It sounds mouse-brained, but if she believes in believing, and she's my mentor, shouldn't I? After all, the leader made her my mentor for a reason.' "

The StarClan tom paused for a second, then continued. "So, he tried what she'd told him. When he went hunting and he saw a shrew, he believed that he would get the shrew. And he did. When he sparred with another apprentice, he believed that he could win. And he did. When he was finally given his assessment, he believed that he would pass. And he did. But the method Cobraeyes had given him didn't only hold true during his apprenticehood. When he became a warrior, he believed that maybe, just maybe, he could convince the funniest, most beautiful she-cat in ThunderClan to be his mate... and guess what? He did. The only time he ever failed was when he doubted. When he was attacked by two RiverClan warriors, anger and hatred in their eyes, he doubted that he would survive long enough to see his mate ever again, or to see the kits she would bear him in a few moons. And he was right- he died that day, his life bleeding out onto Sunningrocks, his only wish to see Thinstripe's beautiful eyes one last time." Shaking off the sudden sadness he felt, Ryestep looked deep into Foxpaw's eyes. This message was an important one for the young tom to hear. "Do you understand?"

Ooc: holy crap I completely forgot about this topic! I’ve been gone forever!
IC:
Foxpaw listened to the Tom. It made so much sense. Just Ryestep’s words gave him much more confidence. He nodded. ”Yes, I understand.” Though he liked the odd comforting feeling the StarClan grounds gave him, he couldn’t wait to wake up, work harder, and impress his mentor more than ever. He grinned at Ryestep. ”Thank you,” Foxpaw mewed. It was just then the starry forest began to fade, and he open his eyes to find himself back in the dark cavern. ”Leopardclaw? I’m ready to head back.”

OOC: I guess the topic can end here.