Echopaw's Moonstone Journey (closed)

Picking up the small bundle of traveling herbs from the medicine cat den that Oceanlight had set out for him, Tinylegs padded back to the camp entrance where Echopaw sat waiting for him. Today, he would take Rippedsky's daughter, Echopaw, to the Moonstone. He didn't know how she felt about not being able to go with her father, but he hoped that she wouldn't let that ruin their time together.

Setting down the herbs at Echopaw's paws, Tinylegs looked up to the apprentice. "Eat these. They're not very yummy, but they'll help you on the journey," he mewed reassuringly. Leaning down, he scooped up his portion into his little muzzle and chewed away, trying not to show his disgust towards the bitter tasting plants. Trying to swallow down what was left in his mouth as fast as possible, the small white and grey tom looked to the apprentice once more. "Ready to get going?"

Echopaw hid her annoyance that the tiny cat was giving her these herbs instead of her father. She had always thought it would be her father bringing her. But it wasn't. Wordlessly, Echopaw leaned down and lapped up the bitter herbs, cringing softly at the taste. "Ready." she said quietly.

While he assumed that Echopaw was trying to hide her disappointment from this whole ordeal, her quietness was enough to show it all.

Trotting out of the camp, Tinylegs and the apprentice made their way in the direction of Highstones. "I'm sorry that your father isn't able to take you," the little warrior began softly after a few moments of silence. "But even though that's the case, don't let it distract you from the task at hand. I mean, just think about it, you'll be a warrior soon!" he finished with a cheery smile, perking up. Apprentices were the new generations of the clan and he always loved watching the clan grow and flourish.

Echopaw walked quietly until Tinylegs spoke. "I guess. It just sucks Rippedsky isn't here. He always said he would be." She passed on, trying desperately to lighten her mood.

Ooc; mobile

Perking his ears when Echopaw began to speak again, Tinylegs had to admit that he related to her disappointment, even though he tried not to dwell on it. Having your father be sick enough that he wasn't able to bring you to the Moonstone or even preform regular everyday tasks was probably taking a toll on Echopaw, not to mention it was most likely scary for her family, seeing that no one really knew what was going to happen to the tom.

Staying quiet for a moment, he silently prayed to StarClan for Rippedsky's safety and then turned his head to look at the she-cat. "I guess I understand that," he started and looked up to the sky. "If Crowstar ever got sick or hurt, I don't know what I'd do with myself... but even so, I would suggest reminding yourself that while it stinks that he isn't able to be by your side right now, he still wants you to become the best warrior you can be, so moping about isn't fulfilling his wishes, is it?" he inquired with a smile on his muzzle as he looked back to Echopaw. "I know it's a bummer, trust me, I get that, and I know that I'm no Rippedsky, nor am I even your father, but I'm still here for you and every other cat in SkyClan, just like he was and still is," he finished with a soft sigh hoping that he'd said the right things.

Echopaw walked quietly, contemplating what the tom was saying. It was true, and it really wasn't fair to Tinylegs to treat him this way. Like it or not, he was the temporary deputy of her clan. Finaly, Echopaw spoke, quietly. "I'm sorry Tinylegs. And I don't think my father would be dissapointed to me. I am earning my warrior rank extremely young." she pointed out, the usual cheer of her voice slowly filling back in. She was going to be one of the youngest cats of SkyClan to be made a warrior. She shouldn't be moping around at all, even if her father was sick. Her steps began to lighten, and excitement began to rise once more.

Well, at least what he'd said had reassured her some way or another.

{timeskip}

After their little chat, the two cats walked on, continuing their journey towards Highstones. They kept walking for what seemed like forever, past the Thunderpath and some Twoleg homes, but soon enough, Mothermouth was in sight. The large Highstones loomed ahead, but the Leafbare sun still shone in the sky, lighting their path, though he knew night would be upon them soon.

Padding over to a spot closer to the entrance of the ominous cave, the little white and grey deputy settled down on a soft patch of a dirt to groom his fur and rest, letting Echopaw have free range to rest or explore the area. After a little while longer of waiting, the sun began to dip low over the horizon and darkness enveloped the sky above them.

Standing up and flicking the tip of his tail, he beckoned the apprentice to the tunnel opening. "It's time. Make sure you stay close behind me and don't forget to use your nose and whiskers to guide you. It's going to be very dark,"  Tinylegs mewed with a smile. With that, he stepped into the passage and began to lead the way downward where Echopaw would meet with StarClan.

Echopaw trudged on and on until finally Tinylegs led them to the cave. With a deep breath, the speckled she-cat followed the deputy in. Her breath almost held the whole time they walked through the tunnels to the... gasp... the moonstone. It was so beautiful. It lit up the whole cavern with it's glory. Nodding, Echopaw walked up to the moonstone and laid down in front of it. Carefully, she pressed her nose and closed her eyes.

The apprentice found herself in the field of StarClan. Beautiful and gorgeous. Her heart churned. She would live here one day. "Hello?" she called into the mist.

A soft breeze whisked through the beautiful silvery-tinged plain, blades of grass waving and rippling like the waves of a great lake.  The clean, refreshing scent of a cold night wafted through the air as a dark gray and white patched cat materialized before the SkyClan apprentice, the billions of stars dancing within her pale form sparking and twinkling with pristine beauty.  She padded forward, her paws stepping lightly against the ground, until she stood directly in front of Echopaw, her murky green eyes shining affectionately.  When she spoke though her voice was light-hearted and tinged with playfulness, as it had always been in life.  "Hello Echopaw, my name is Pansyface.  I was a warrior of SkyClan, and died less than a moon before you were born.  Your father may have spoken about me...we were good friends, and he took in my two surviving children, Fernpaw and Mintpaw."  For a moment her eyes flashed with grief at the sound of her beloved kit's names, but it quickly passed.  With a curious tilt of her bi-color head, she purred; "I have been chosen to speak with you tonight, is there anything you have been wondering about?"

Echopaw looked upon Pansyface in amazement. An actual StarClan cat "I know Mintpaw!" she exclaimed before quieting down again. Echopaw shook her head, her black and white pelt glittering. "No, Pansyface. I just want to know anything you need to tell me." The apprentice all but whispered in amazement.

Pansyface couldn't help but purr, amused by the apprentice's awed amazement.  Even though she had died and her pelt was now adorned with stars, she was still the same 'ol spunky she-cat she had been in life, and she sat down to hopefully give this meeting a bit more of a casual feeling.  A thrilled rush of pride lifted her spirit as Echopaw spoke of her more timid daughter with such exuberance, but now was not the time to ask about how her kits were doing.  This meeting was about Echopaw.  She thought for a long moment, her murky green eyes staring off blankly into the distance, before she smiled.  The words she spoke were serious, but her tone was light and informal, as if this was just a conversation between clanmates sitting around the fresh-kill pile.  

"Echopaw, being a warrior of SkyClan is a great honor and privilege, that is reachable to most...but for others it can only be a far-off dream.  You are a skilled apprentice, and I have no doubt that you will be an exceptional warrior, but no matter what you do don't let those abilities go to waste.  Work hard to help SkyClan survive the cold season this leaf-bare, and next leaf-bare, and on and on until it is time for you to join us in the stars as well.  Loyalty and dedication to one's clan brings the greatest honor and happiness any cat can receive...even if you must sacrifice much for it's sake, I promise you that it will be worth it."  

With a faint sigh, Pansyface lifted her gaze to meet Echopaw's, their green depths flecked with brown swimming with the glimmer of starlight, just like her pelt.  "Do you understand, Echopaw?"

Echopaw listened carefully to Pansyface, taking in every star in her pelt and every word from her mouth. Time slowed, seemed to be swirling around her head like she had drank milk from her mother like she did when she was a kit. Echopaw looked into Pansyface's eyes and nodded slowly. StarClan even noticed her skills, and that made her proud. She was noticable from StarClan. Echopaw nodded again to Pansyface's question. "I do, Pansyface. I won't let you down. And hey, maybe you'll be giving me a life in the future!" The spotted apprentice joked, her eyes twinkling in ambition and humor. "And Pansyface? I don't know about Fernpaw much but Mintpaw is doing extremely well. She's shy but... I'll never let her get hurt." she nodded, per pelt burning a little hot, despite the comfortable temperature of StarClan.

Pansyface chuckled softly, her eyes narrowing fondly as she purred; "Maybe so, Echopaw."  This young she-cat reminded the dead queen of her dear friend so much...she missed Rippedsky with all her heart, almost as much as she missed her own family.  Speaking of her own family...the bi-colored she-cat's starry eyes glinted with emotion, hearing of her two remaining kits filling her heart with blinding joy, and sickening grief.  Mintpaw was happy...she had friends that cared about her, and someday soon she would be a warrior as well, serving the clan she had adored.  Fernpaw though...someday.  Someday, Pansyface reminded herself.  Someday.

"Thank you...for telling me that Echopaw."  As the conversation drew to a close, the StarClan warrior's gray and white pelt slowly began to melt into the landscape, the blades of grass and boundless hilltops clearly visible through her body.  The sun was rising, and it was time for them to part ways.  "Remember what I've told you tonight, alright?  I'm looking forward to seeing what you become Echopaw, and I wish you luck!"  With those last parting words, Pansyface's form faded into mist, and Echopaw was jolted out of StarClan, back into the Moonstone cave.

Echopaw woke with a start, gasping in air. She stood, and followed Tinylegs out of the cave and into the light. They padded back together quietly, back to camp.

Hearing the apprentice's approaching pawsteps, Tinylegs met Echopaw outside the cave and the two of them briskly made their way back to camp. "Did it go well? You don't have to tell me if you don't want to," the little tom mewed with a smile, hoping that he look to be nosy.