Adderpaw's Moonstone Journey

The sunset started and the soft light of the sun disappeared from Riverclan's camp as the deputy left his den with two packs of herbs hanging from his long muzzle. Soon, the apprentice should join him at the entrance, like he told her to do this morning. Jaystream settled the herbs on a plain rock, knowing how hard they were to find during leaf-bare. His green gazed at his camp while his fellow clanmates prepared themselves to sleep. Except for him and Adderpaw. He sighed, a bit tired but eager to start this journey. The tom needed a time away from his clan's troubles and he enjoyed the fresh air of the night.

A stream of annoyed hisses and spits often trailed after Adderpaw, her mischievous tendencies and affinity for wild behavior had earned her quite the troublesome reputation- a reputation that was definitely well earned. Abandoning Splashwillow's tail after another reproachful glare, the young she-cat sneezed sharply in an attempt to clear away the clumps of fur that now resided within her teeth. Once she had learned that it was time for her Moonstone journey, the plethora of excitement that had surged down her spine was atrocious. Only a kit would be so foolish as to get excited as something as serious as this! But she couldn't resist the tantalizing surge of adrenaline and anticipation that often flooded her veins at the thought of speaking to a StarClan cat. The little she-cat's pupils dilated as she caught sight of Jaystream trudging from the Medicine Cat's den and it took about two steps for her to cross the clearing.

"Jaystream! There you are! I've been looking for you all day- but Viperstorm got mad at me for sulking around camp while waiting. Can we go yet? Is it time?" Adderpaw launched into a flurry of eager words, rising up onto her toes as she stared at Jaystream with her usual brilliant and innocent gaze.

The deputy watched at the troublesome apprentice came to him as he contained a funny chuckle. He enjoyed the innocent energy of the young cats... it warmed his heart in dark times like this. "I hope she hasn't been so hard on you, Adderpaw." He mewed with an understanding look. "It's time but before leaving, you must eat these travelling herbs. I warn you. They're not tasty at all but I'm sure that an energetic and strong apprentice like can deal with that." He mewed, beckoning the packs of herbs with a flick of his tail. The deputy picked up his own plants and put them between his jaws. Bitter as always, the herbs were soon swallowed by the tall tom. Once the taste was gone, he fixed his green eyes on Adderpaw, waiting for her to say that she was ready.

Adderpaw's chest puffed out in a silent refute to Jaystream's words, her narrow chin jutting upwards as she gazed at the blue tabby before her. "As if! Viperstorm is the best mentor around- no other Warrior is half as loyal and great as she is!" She defended, her soft face twisted in an odd mixture between honesty and fierce loyalty. While it was true that the she-cat could be a bit harsh at times, Adderpaw found herself immensely trusting in the fierce young warrior's teachings. It was marginally better than having Sweetheart or Nutfur as a mentor! Despite her young age, she could still recall witnessing Ivystar's distrust against the two she-cats in a Clan meeting. Ears pricking at Jaystreams mention of herbs, the dusky she-cat leaned down to warily give the dried bundle of herbs a wary sniff.

Why were they giving her herbs while Tigerpaw was still so sick? Shouldn't they be saving what little they needed? The thought made her belly tighten painfully. Adderpaw's gaze remained trained upon the pitiful bundle of herbs for several moments before she hesitantly scarfed them down, wincing harshly at the foul taste that wept onto her tongue. "I'm ready to go!" She mewed, adopting her usual tone of overwhelming exuberance.

"He, I can't argue with that. That's why I choose her as you mentor, after all." He mewed smiling at Adderpaw. Somehow, she was like her mentor: fierce, passionate, loyal and honest. He was glad that Viperstorm put such a good influence on the young she-cat.

"Good, let's go then. It's a long way to the Moonstone." He mewed standing on his four paws. With a lashing of his tail, the tom announced the start of the journey and he led Adderpaw to the exit of the camp, from where they entered the Riverclan territory. This was the least exciting part of the trip for the apprentices since they already knew their own land but for Jaystream, this was the most relaxing and enjoyable part. He liked his own home... seeing the streams shone with the moonlight and how the breeze softly moved the reeds. There was no place he would want to be rather than here.

"Okay, here's the end of our territory. Do you see the rocks over there? We're going to use to cross. Even if the ice covers the river, we can't take any risk. That's why you will jump after me, using the same stones where I land. Be careful, Adderpaw." The deputy mewed in the moment they reached the stone bridge that he usually used to cross the river each time he did these journeys. The large tom leapt in the first rock, seeing if it was sure for the apprentice and then he continued doing that process, clawing off any piece of ice that could cause Adderpaw's fall. Soon, he was standing on the other side, his paws safely resting in the riverbank while he waited for the she-cat to reach him.

A sharp, beaming grin was thrown in Jaystream's direction at his agreement with Adderpaw's words, satisfaction practically dripping from her features. She knew that not all RiverClanners appreciated her mentor's fierce tongue and witty tenancies, but to hear such affirmation from the Deputy greatly pleased her- it was almost like receiving the praise herself. Prancing after the blue tabby, the young she-cat kept an eager pace as they made their way through the familiar territory, resisting the urge to dart off ahead of him. She could practically see the looks of disappointment upon Viperstorm and Rainstorm's faces if they found out she was acting like such an ill-mannered kit and it was more than enough to keep her paws weighted.

Ears pricking up at Jaystream's words, Adderpaw gazed at the stone bridge that paved the way to unfamiliar territory, her pupils dilating slightly as she took in his warning. Why were they dangerous? She had crossed similar rocks countless times during her adventures back in their territory and she had never slipped before. "Doesn't seem too hard." Adderpaw observed, head tilting as she watched Jaystream make his way across, hardly able to contain her urges to dash right out after him. Once he was sufficiently ahead of her, the fluffy young she-cat eagerly bounded out onto the rocks, her claws jarring painfully against the smooth surface as they searched for a proper vantage point. As she continued to carelessly bounce her way across, her rear paw only slipped once- mainly because of the fact that she had misjudged the distance and not because Jaystream had missed a patch of ice. Landing with a heavy thump on the bank alongside the Deputy, Adderpaw turned to gaze at him with sharp eyes once more. "What's next?"

The tom blinked surprised when the apprentice fell a second after he landed. However, she didn't seem to have any injury. Soon, Adderpaw was standing up again and ready to continue. He gave a reassuring nod and the warrior proceeded with the trip.

Together, both warrior and apprentice followed the Twoleg path to the Fourtress. The tall trees welcomed with silence. So different from when Gathering happened there... Jaystream shook that thought away. The last Gathering hadn't been pleasant at all for the young deputy due to the constant tensions between Riverclan and Thunderclan.

Thanks to Starclan they didn't have to stay for too long and soon, he and the she-cat were standing on one side of the Thunderpath. Before he could even talk to Adderpaw, the tom felt the roaring of a monster approaching and he crouched, his eyes fixed on the incoming danger. Soon, the blinding light covered his sight and all he could hear was the horrible cry of that huge and lethal creature. It was truly fearsome..."That was a monster, Adderpaw. Those things cross the Thunderpath non-stop, killing everything that it is in their way." He said once the danger was gone in the distance. "Many great warriors have lost their lives here. That's why we must be cautious. When I tell you, you must run as fast as you can to the Windclan's side and don't stop, okay?" With his paws, he clawed the snow slowly, trying to sense any trembling that could announce the arrival of another of those creatures. The deputy waited for a few seconds in complete silence, which was only broken in the moment he leapt to the Thunderpath. "Now! Run!" Like always, adrenaline filled his veins as he ran in that hard stone that always hurt his paw pads but that didn't make it stop. He breathed faster and his eyes were focused on the moors. Jaystream only felt safe again once he could feel the soft snow comforting his paws.

Shaking away several pestering flakes of snow that clung to the poorly groomed fur of her spine, Adderpaw eagerly marched after Jaystream, occasionally pausing to inspect an unfamiliar plant or enticing scent. Bounding after the Deputy, she contentedly powered through the stray drift of snow as they trekked past Fourtrees and further into the unfamiliar territory that laid before them. Gazing up at the barren branches high above them, her eyes wide with disbelief. Did the forest really just...keep going? How much of a world actually existed outside of the Clan's territories? Blinking as she caught sight of several birds lazily drifting countless tail-lengths above them, she was suddenly unsure if she wanted to know the answer.

The foul scent that lingered in Adderpaw's mouth only strengthened as they drew closer to some unknown destination and the young she-cat was unable to keep her nape fur from bristling. A strange stone river laid before them, but before she even had time to properly inspect the odd landmark that laid before her, a deafening rumble filled the air. The ground beneath her paws seemed to tremble as an unfamiliar and massive creature suddenly sped by, filling the otherwise quiet night with a terrible roar. At first, Adderpaw had pressed against Jaystream, but she ended up backing away entirely as the terrible metal creature passed the two. "A monster?" She echoed, eyes still wide and ears still pressed flat against her skull, "But why do they cross all of the time? Are they guarding their territory? Will it try to come after us if we trespass?"

Clamping her jaws tightly shut, Adderpaw's eyes widened further at Jaystream's words. They were going to try and cross the path of some terrible creature that killed everything? The young she-cat felt greatly unnerved by the prospect of encountering the monster, but she resisted the nagging urge to tuck her tail between her legs. At Jaystream's command, she scrambled forwards and raced after the Deputy, wincing at the way the strange stone tore at the soft flesh of her paws. Clearing the rest of the Thunderpath with a surprisingly large leap, Adderpaw skidded to a halt in the wilted grasses that framed the strange road, gazing up at Jaystream with wide eyes. If the rest of the world was like this, she would be perfectly happy residing in RiverClan's territory for the rest of her days.

"We don't the real nature of monsters but they always stay on the Thunderpath, thanks to Starclan. I wouldn't like one of those things chasing me." He said breathing fastly when the apprentice crossed to the other side. At least, they passed the most dangerous part of the trip.

"We're getting closer but we need to cross Windclan's land to arrive at our destination." His green eyes gazed at the large moors who seemed to extend to the horizon. It was a long journey from here to the mountains but the tom already knew the shortest way to go there due to the multiple journeys he had done. Keeping a constant speed, Jaystream walked with Adderpaw to the sacred mountains. Sometimes, a lonely tree appeared in the middle of the moors but in general, the landscape stayed the same: just grassy plains surrounding everywhere. A land without too much to see or do, in his opinion.

Finally, the grass seemed less frequent and the ground was less soft thanks to the rocks beneath their paws. The tom continued the trip, climbing a few tall stones and avoiding sharp rocks that could hurt his paws until they reached the Mothermouth. "This the way to get into the Moonstone's cave. This entrance had been crossed by dozens of apprentices and by all the leaders of all the clans that are ready to receive their nine lives. It's a sacred place for all the clans but it's also dangerous. Inside, the tunnel can guide to your death if you don't the right path. That's why you will follow me closely. Don't be surprised if you don't see anything inside. If you separate from me, follow my voice and you'll be okay or call for help, got it?" The deputy glanced at the she-cat with a serious but calm expression. His purpose wasn't to scare her. Jaystream just wanted to warn her and keep her safe from any damage. That was his duty as the deputy who had to guide her to this place.

WindClan's territory?

Adderpaw's ears pricked at Jaystream's words, interest evident upon her round features as she gazed at the thinning undergrowth. The further they ventured into the moorland-dwelling Clan's territory, the more sparse the territory became- with only the wilted grasses and occasional scraggly shrub to accompany them. The sensation of being so utterly exposed, with nothing but the earth and sky unfolding around them, made her fur prickle uncomfortably. No wonder this Clan was so cruel! They only had a few patches of dirt and grass as their territory! Picking up her pace, Adderpaw remained hard on Jaystream's heels as the territory transformed around them once more, growing rockier and harsher at they traveled closer and closer to the Highstones.

Brushing past several of the rocks that littered the winding trail Jaystream guided them through, Adderpaw's gaze wandered to the imposing purple stones that rose high above them. The fluffy young she-cat kept unusually quiet as they drew closer to the Mothermouth, her thoughts feverishly bouncing back and forth from Tigerpaw and what laid in wait for her in the suffocating darkness of the Mothermouth. Gazing at Jaystream with wide eyes, the apprentice felt a flush of chilly apprehension claw its way down her spine. Since when was she scared of a little darkness? "Lead the way! Adderpaw finally mewed, the harsh note of determination in her voice drowning out the faint edge of fear.

The deputy nodded and leaded Adderpaw just like she asked for. When he entered the pitch black cave, his sight was soon useless in the complete darkness but the tom had no fear. He was used to this cave thanks to all the apprentices he had brought here since he became the deputy. However, Jaystream still disliked how close this place was and how he always stumbled upon some sharp rock. "Be careful when you walk and be sure to check if there's nothing sharp under your paws. We're getting closer so hold om a bit longer." He mewed to the apprentice behind him.

Pointing out any obstacle on their way to the she-cat, the two RiverClanners slowly approached the end of the tunnel. When they were just a few paw-lengths away from the main cave, the light of the Moonstone was already letting them see the last part of the tunnel. The large tom increased a bit the speed just to enter the sacred cave that was being illuminated by the bright, shiny stone. "And that's is the Moonstone, Adderpaw. The bridge between our world and Starclan's land. Come with me." Jaystream made his way to the rock and sat down next to it, fixing his green eyes on the fiery she-cat. "This is the part of the journey where I can't follow you. Lay down, close your eyes and press your nose against the Moonstone. You'll be in Starclan soon while I'll stay here, waiting for you to come back. I wish you the best, Adderpaw." He purred with a gentle and calm smile.

Slipping into the suffocating darkness after Jaystream, Adderpaw blinked several times in a futile attempt to adjust to the unrelenting darkness that pressed in upon her. Tentatively following after the Deputy, the young she-cat's whiskers twitched and fluttered as she attempted to make sense of the winding stone walls that pressed in all around them. Occasionally tripping upon a hidden stone or an unforeseen dip in the earth, she continued to hesitantly stumble through the darkness after the Deputy, her heart thudding wildly in her chest as she did so. Although she could hear Jaystream moving several steps ahead of her, she was surprised at how utterly alone she felt within the tunnel.

Thankfully, just whenever it seemed like the darkness was going to swallow her whole, Adderpaw was able to pick up the faint hint of silvery light several steps ahead of them. Eagerly hurrying after Jaystream, the fluffy apprentice practically bowled her way into the spacious cavern, eyes going wide at the sight of the brightly illuminated Moonstone. "Alright..." She eventually hummed, round ears twitching at the Deputy's quiet instructions, before tentatively stepping towards the stone. Pressing against the frigid stone floor of the cavern, Adderpaw reluctantly pressed her nose against the Moonstone, inhaling the sharp scent of ice and ancient stone as her eyes closed.

Outstretched before Adderpaw was a luminescent pool of water that was surrounded by reeds on either side. The pebbles that surrounded the waters were smooth, feeling nice against calloused paws that had walked many paths. The only living thing there seemed to be a tabby tom that was facing the waters, his whiskers twitching once, twice before he turned around to face the apprentice that had come to visit.

"Hi, sis." Tigerpaw meowed, his voice sounded clear and there was no debilitating cough that followed his every word. His eyes were bright amber and his fur looked sleek, nothing like the thin tabby that was wasting away in the medicine cat den.

A faint light was barely distinguishable behind Adderpaw's closed lids, a nagging presence that pestered the young she-cat into a more alert state of consciousness within her surreal dream. Feeling her sleep-heavy lids blearily open, she was greeted with the sight of lush reeds and foliage overhanging a strangely dazzling pool of clear waters. The stunning display of tantalizing greenery made Adderpaw's belly twist in an envious manner- was this what Greenleaf looked like? She had only ever known the harshness and utter bleakness of the cold moons.

Overcome with the unearthly beauty, the young she-cat mindlessly gazed at the endless expanse of reeds and undergrowth that unfolded around her, hardly catching sight of the familiar tabby pelt stirring in front of her. At the sound of Tigerpaw's voice, Adderpaw's head whipped around, practically twisting her head clean off of her shoulders in her haste to greet the voice. There was no way. It felt as if the icy waters of the river had been poured into her veins- freezing her muscles, tearing at her now aching bones and ripping the air from her lungs.

"Tigerpaw..?" Adderpaw finally managed out, hardly able to eek out the words, "Why are you here? I...I just saw you before I left."

"Surprise?" Tigerpaw meowed sheepishly, his shoulders all sloped in mild concern that his sister was going to do something drastic like cry or shout something at him. "You knew that I was getting weaker, and finally it was my time. I'm glad that I got to speak to you one last time before I died though. I couldn't do the same for Minnowslip or Splashwillow. You're going to have to console them for me. Sorry."

His final moments had been peaceful from the poppy seeds that Goldeneye and Cloudstone had him doped up on, but he knew that would be little comfort to his family. "I wanted to be Tigerfeather? Or maybe Tigerwillow like mum when I was alive. But I'm happy to just be free from pain and to be able to see you all the time now... Any question sis?"