Lionpaw’s Moonstone Journey

Scorchfang sat patiently by the camp entrance, dragging his tongue repeatedly over his lips to rid himself of the awfully bitter taste of the traveling herbs he had just eaten. Today he would take his son and apprentice Lionpaw up to the Moonstone, and he was very excited for him to speak with StarClan, and then to become a warrior shortly after. Now all he needed to do was wait for his firstborn.

Lionpaw walked over to his father, still chewing his traveling herbs, he made faces of disgust but he had to endure it, when he reached the older tom, he swallowed the herbs and smiled.

-I´m ready dad, ready when you are-

Scorchfang gave a soft mrrow of amusement, then stood up. "Well, I won't keep you waiting, then. Let's go! But be warned, it's a very long journey, and unless you do exactly what I say it can also be dangerous. Make sure to follow my lead, okay?" With that, he led Lionpaw out of camp.

It took a while, but the father and son finally managed to leave ShadowClan territory. After trekking along the outskirts of WindClan's borderlines to the lands that are owned by no Clan, they came across a large Thunderpath, much wider than the one in ShadowClan territory. "Alright, Lionpaw, I want you to listen to me very carefully: you may be familiar with the Thunderpath in our territory, but this one here is kit's play compared to it. I don't want you to touch so much as a whisker on this Thunderpath until I give the word, and when I tell you to run, you run."

Trusting that his son will heed his warning, he waited patiently for a large enough gap between monsters to be made. Once he spotted one, he yowled, "Run!" Letting Lionpaw go first, he followed close behind him so that he could nudge him back into action if he ended up freezing in fear.

The two toms finally reached the other side just as another monster roared past, spraying them with foul-smelling grit and strange-tasting water. He panted heavily and looked over at his son. "Great job, Lionpaw. Are you okay? Think you can keep going?"

Lionpaw followed his father closely, being silent, he needed to save his breath, being honest he was curious, the only times he got out of the Shadow Clan territory was to go to the gatherings, this made him a bit more exited.

When it was time to cross the Thunderpath, Lionpaw gulped, in fear, but he focused, and when his father told him to run, he kept his eyes facing forward and ran as fast as he could, he panted when they were in the other side.

-Y-yes, i´m okay dad... let´s keep going-

Scorchfang continued leading Lionpaw towards Highstones, and the sun was past its peak at this point. They climbed up the mountain until they reached the entrance to Mothermouth, and the sun was beginning to fall behind the horizon.

He yawned, the herbs' effects beginning to wear off now that they have reached their destination, and he laid down on the rocky ground. "We still have a little time before we can go in. So, Lionpaw, how did you like being my apprentice? I hope I was a good mentor to you."

Lionpaw went over and laid down too with Scorchfang, his ears twitched a bit and he purred -Nah you were not good... you were purrfect!- he giggled -I have learned from the best, and now i´ll be a warrior soon, what else can i ask more than make you proud?- 

Scorchfang purred with laughter. "I don't know where you come up with such silliness! You are definitely the silliest cat I have ever met." He playfully nuzzled his muzzle against Lionpaw's ear, tickling inside it with his tongue.

Lionpaw squeaked and shook his head, trying to get rid of the tingles, he purred -Oh come on dad! My sense of humor is clawsome, you gotta admit it hehehe-

"It's definitely something I've never heard before, I'll give you that much." The deputy looked up at the sky, noticing the moon was beginning to rise. He licked between Lionpaw's ears before standing up again. "Alright, it's time to go inside. Follow close behind me, for it is very dark inside. Use your whiskers to guide you, and keep your nose on the tip of my tail. I will guide you through the cave."

He began his journey inside the dark cave, the air and ground freezing cold due to no exposure to the sun's warmth. He had been down this way many times before when he led other apprentices to the room with the magical stone.

It didn't take long for the two toms to reach the wide room, and almost immediately the moon's light shone through the hole in the ceiling, causing the Moonstone to erupt into bright cold light. Scorchfang shut his eyes tightly, then squinted, as his eyes adjusted to the sudden lighting in the once pitch black cave. He turned to Lionpaw and spoke. "I'm afraid you must continue your journey on your own from here on out, Lionpaw. Are you ready to enter the realm of StarClan in your sleep?"

Lionpaw stood and followed his father closely, once inside the cave it was impossible to see anything, but thanks to his father´s instructions, he was able to follow him, he couldn´t help but tremble at the sudden cold,and same as his father, he had to shut his eyes a few seconds to adjust to the sudden light... he heard his father... he took a deep breath, he was nervous, but he had to keep it together... and he nods.

-I´m ready-

"Then lay down in front of the Moonstone and touch your nose to it when you are ready. But remember, anything a StarClan cat may say to you must remain confidential. I'll be right here when you wake up." With a smile, he padded over to the corner of the cave and curled up on the freezing floor, slipping his paws underneath his belly to keep the chilling ground from seeping the warmth and breath away from him too quickly.

Lionpaw nodded -Understood...- he slowly made his way to the moonstone, looking at it... then he laid down in front of it, and giving a last look to his father, he smiled, and then slowly touched his nose with the stone.

He fell asleep.

When Lionpaw opened his eyes again, he saw that he was no longer in the cold cavern with the Moonstone, but instead in a beautifully warm grassy field that seemed to stretch on forever. A gentle cool breeze blew through the soft blades of grass, and fireflies danced in the air, while bright stars glistened up above. Suddenly, the stars began to slowly move and descend, and once they reached the ground, the faded image of a short-furred light brown she-cat with amber eyes and pale paws, tail-tip, and heart-shaped tuft on her chest could be made out. Stars danced in her fur, her eyes sparkled with such kindness and compassion, and her pelt smelled of all four seasons.

"Hello, Lionpaw," the she-cat greeted, her voice gentle and motherly. "My name is Sweet, but you may also call me Sweetheart if you wish."

Lionpaw blinked, watching the place he was in, he felt so calm, like he had no worries anymore... he saw the stars moving and then the she-cat appear in front of him, he was surprised and curious.

-H-hello Sweetheart... nice to meet you-

"I'm so happy to see Scorchfang doing so well in ShadowClan," Sweet meowed softly. Her tone of voice almost sounded wistful, but her eyes gave away nothing but happiness and joy, looking at Lionpaw as if he were her own son. "He has a beautiful mate and many talented kits, including you. I'm glad I got the chance to meet you, Lionpaw. You remind me so much of your father. Do continue to take care of him, will you not?"