Shadepaw's Moonstone Journey

Jaystream couldn't believe it. Shadepaw, who was fairly younger than some apprentices, was now ready to be a warrior. But, now that he thought about it, it wasn't really impossible. After all, he was trained by Silverfang, one of the most disciplined she-cats in Riverclan. She surely was very severe and strict with him but the deputy was glad to see the results.

As the night slowly approached, the tom sat down at the entrance with herbs in his paws. He already talked with Shadepaw this morning so it was only a matter of time and the only thing he could do was wait.

Shadepaw slipped out of the apprentices' den, yawning and shaking out his fur quickly, then raced over to the entrance where RiverClan's deputy waited for him. He couldn't believe it himself: he was going to share dreams with StarClan! Perhaps they would tell him how amazing a warrior he was going to be, or how lucky RiverClan was to have him.

...Or perhaps they would tell him why he acted so differently from the rest of his Clanmates. He already knew he couldn't hunt properly like the rest of RiverClan. He had to wade and stalk in mud just so his strange hunting technique wouldn't alert any land prey. He also very much enjoyed the taste of frogs, toads, and lizards, while the rest of the Clan preferred fish and wouldn't go anywhere near the reptilian fresh-kill if they had a choice. Not to mention his love for the dark and the very strange desire to explore ShadowClan's marshes and thick pine forest that would resurface from time to time.

Well, he would just have to see what StarClan had planned for him when he got there. He trotted up to Jaystream, then remembered his role in the Clan, and dipped his head in respectful greeting. He looked over to the herbs and wrinkled his nose. "What are those for? They don't smell too good."

OOC: Sorry for the delay. Now that the war is over, this should be done quicker ;D

IC:

The warrior welcomed the conflicted apprentice with a smile and passed to him the larger pack of herbs. "These are travelling herbs. We eat them to have enough energy to travel to the sacred mountains but they aren't tasty at all so don't be surprised when you swallow them." He mewed before picking his herbs between his jaws and eating them quickly, feeling the bitter taste on his tongue.

The deputy licked the last remains of the plants that got stuck on his fangs and he then turned his sight to Shadepaw. "Ready to go now?"

(OOC: That's okay. :3)

Shadepaw watched in shocked disgust as Jaystream ate the herbs, then mumbled softly and prepared himself before taking the rest into his own mouth, gagging at the incredibly bitter taste and nearly losing his stomach. Finally swallowing the herbs down and licking his lips repeatedly to get rid of the taste, he nodded to the deputy. "Lead the way."

Nodding at Shadepaw's words, the deputy made his way to the outsides of the camp, leading the way to the river.

After walking through reeds and small streams, both toms managed to make it to the Twoleg bridge. He stopped the apprentice a few steps away from it and then pointed the natural rock bridge next to it. "Remember this always. The Twoleg bridge is too dangerous to cross it so we always use the river or the rocks. Follow me." Not saying much, the young deputy leapt to the first stone and continued until he landed on the other riverbank, where he waited for the brown tabby.

Shadepaw snorted in disgust. "Twolegs don't scare me! They're too clumsy and fish-brained to do anything right." Nevertheless, he followed Jaystream down to the stream and began leaping from rock to rock. His large paws were able to get a good grip on the icy surface of the rocks, finding it to be not much different than wading through mud if he used the same technique he used for hunting, and in no time he was on the other side with the RiverClan deputy.

Even if bravery was a noble quality for a warrior, there was no need to take risks and he was glad that he still followed his lead to the other side following the rock path.

He quietly guided him, crossing the Fourtrees and then reaching the edge of the Thunderpath. "This grey path is known as the Thunderpath and it crosses Windclan, Thunderclan and even Shadowclan's lands. Here, monsters kill everything that it's in front of them as they run as high speed. No cat or creature can kill them and we only cross this place being extremely careful and checking that nothing is coming our way. That's why we must run... now!" He said loudly, rushing to the Windclan's side as fast as the wind. The apprentice surely followed him and he only looked back at him when he could feel the grass in his paw pads.

The dark tabby tom stumbled a little at Jaystream's sudden command to run, and he pounded across the Thunderpath behind him. Thankfully, no monsters appeared by the time he met up with the RiverClan deputy on the other side, his fur bushed out with terror, making sure to race as far away from the Thunderpath as possible before slowing to a stop. He panted and coughed as the disgusting fumes of the foul-smelling path had entered his lungs.

"That place really gives nerves. But from now on, the trip should be quite peaceful." He purred to the younger tom before entering into Windclan's moors.

(time skip)

Soon, both toms were standing in front of the dark pitch cave that would lead us to the Moonstone. "Okay, Shadepaw.This is the Mothermouth and inside, we will enter a dark tunnel. Do not stay away from me and always follow my voice or you could take another path and end up getting lost in the mountains." He instructed and then he walked in, his sight completely blinded by the blackness. However, the tom knew the way and he moved confidently through the tunnel until they ended up in a huge cave with illumination provided by the sacred rock.

His green eyes gazed at the Moonstone, amazed by its eternal beauty as he approached it, settling down next to the rock. Then, he fixed his eyes on the brown tabby tom who was almost about to enter Starclan's lands. "Is your turn to meet Starclan, Shadepaw. Touch the Moonstone with your nose and then you'll fall asleep. Our Ancestors will talk to you and guide you in your future path as a warrior. Good luck. I'll wait for your right here."

OOC: Okay, you can request your warrior ceremony after a Starclan cat speak to your cat ;3 But don't forget to finish this topic later.

Shadepaw followed Jaystream through the dark, cold cave of Mothermouth, trying not to breathe too heavily to give away how afraid he was, though he had no doubt that his fear could be scented. Once he entered the large room, his eyes locked on the harshly bright Moonstone before him. He barely heard Jaystream's words, yet at the same time he was able to register what he had said. As if in a dream, he slowly walked towards the Moonstone, then curled up in front of it, tucking his paws underneath his belly so that the cold floor that had never been touched by sunlight wouldn't take his breath away.

He closed his eyes and leaned his nose in to touch the brilliant stone, and immediately he felt as if his entire body were made of ice. He choked back a cry as his eyes shut tightly, and when he opened them again he was surprised to find himself no longer in the cave with Jaystream and the Moonstone, but instead in a starlit plain with soft green grass, a gentle breeze, dancing fireflies, and countless glimmering stars up above. I must be in StarClan! I wonder which StarClan cat will talk with me?

(OOC: Alright, thanks! Though I still have to wait at least one more week before Shadepaw has been an apprentice for a month. :3)

When shadepaw appeared darkpaw walked up and smiled. "welcome to starclan shadepaw my name is darkpaw." she said nicely. She only did one other meeting and it hurt her heart to see wolfpaw now wolfsong. She still missed him but didn't let that bug her meetings.

Ooc: umm what am I teaching?

Shadepaw's eyes narrowed. "Darkpaw? Seriously? StarClan sent me a she-cat apprentice? Where are the more respectable warriors?"

(OOC: She's teaching him the value of loyalty and respect for his Clan, as well as telling him he shouldn't keep his family -- especially his mother -- for granted.)

"for your information I died the day before my warrior ceremony." she told him still smiling. "i hear your causing some trouble not being respectful to anyone." she said.

OOC: lol sorry if this sucks I'm still getting used to moonstone trips

Shadepaw's tail twitched irritably. "Yeah, maybe a little... But there are some cats who don't deserve my respect! Like my dumb, soft mother, Sweetheart. I'm convinced she's a traitor! I mean, why else would she be confined in camp for the remainder of leaf-bare if Ivystar and the others didn't question where her loyalties lie? How do you expect me to respect someone like that?"

Darkpaw felt a pain in her heart from what he said. "wait your mother is sweetheart." she said with a little sadness in her voice. Sweetheart was one of her best friends and also the cat the trained her when her mentor wouldn't or was to r the next words he said anger filled her. "that is not why she is in camp. She is loyal to riverclan and I know she always will be. She is probably staying in camp to help out during all the stuff going on." she said.


OOC: ooo stubborn cat fight lol