Fallowpaw's Moonstone Journey

It was early in the morning, and Scorchfang was sitting by the entrance of the camp waiting for Fallowpaw. He would be taking another apprentice up to the Moonstone for her required speaking with StarClan to gain sage advice from their warrior ancestors that she would apply into her warriorhood. Traveling herbs gulped down and its bitter taste still stinging his tongue, he curled his bushy dark gray tail over his paws and waited patiently for the apprentice.

Fallowpaw woke, yawning widely before pushing to her paws. She carefully navigated the maze of sleeping apprentices that shared her den, noting that a few were already up and gone, probably for the dawn patrol. She took a moment to groom her long, calico pelt, shaking moss and dirt from it. Once she was satisfied that she was presentable, she trotted briskly towards Scorchfang, now confident that she was ready to set out for the Moonstone.

Scorchfang nodded in greeting to the apprentice, then nudged the leaf wrap over to her. "These will taste bad, but they'll sustain you for the trip." He waited for Fallowpaw to consume the herbs contained in the wrap, then stood up and gestured with his tail for her to follow him. With that, the two ShadowClanners headed out of camp and on the way to Highstones.

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(TIME SKIP)

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By the day's end, the two cats reached the entrance of Mothermouth up in Highstones, miles away from camp. Once again, as calculated, there was enough time to have a short talk with Fallowpaw before the sun fell completely over the horizon. Scorchfang turned to the apprentice with a calm smile. "We still have some time before we have to go in, so please allow me to ask you something: are you satisfied with your training, and do you feel that Asterleaf has taught you all you need to know to become a loyal and strong ShadowClan warrior?"

Fallowpaw stopped with Scorchfang, a little bit annoyed that he didn't just take her into the cave already. "Yes," she responded, agitated. "Asterleaf has done a fine job," she frowned, "I've more than proven that I'm ready to become a warrior." Why was he wasting her time like this? She sighed, and to her dismay she found that the bitter taste of the travelling herbs she had consumed hours ago still lingered on her tongue. "Are we going to go in now?" she asked, shifting her weight from side to side impatiently.

Scorchfang fixed Fallowpaw with a stern look. "You need to learn how to have patience, Fallowpaw. The Moonstone's not going anywhere. Sometimes it's beneficial to slow down so you can reflect and appreciate all that you have accomplished. I asked this question not just so you can see for yourself whether or not you feel you're ready to become a warrior, but so that I can effectively appoint Asterleaf as a mentor for another cat who could very well be a better fit for an apprentice's own unique personality or goals." He sighed. "But... yes, we can head in now. The moon is rising, so the Moonstone will be lit by the time we reach it. Follow me."


The deputy led the apprentice into the cave, and after several moments the tom and she-cat finally reached the Moonstone, which was already lit in harsh, cold light at this point. He gestured to it with his tail, inviting Fallowpaw to approach it. "Go and touch your nose to the Moonstone so you may dream with StarClan. I will be here waiting for you when you wake up."

Fallowpaw sighed. "Okay, okay!" she huffed. Finally, she was going to speak to StarClan. She wasn't particularly interested in the dead cats themselves, but mainly in the fact that this was one of the final steps she had to take before becoming a warrior. Getting to her paws, she began following him through the cave that she knew led to the Moonstone. After what seemed to be only a few moments, the Moonstone came into view, its soft glow not nearly as welcoming as she had hoped. At Scorchfang's instruction, the long-furred apprentice padded close to the Moonstone, and without much thought she lay down beside it. She took only a moment to inspect its mysterious surface before pressing her nose to it and shutting her eyes tightly.

She woke in what she assumed must be StarClan, ground and sky flecked with tiny points of light. She stood, turning in a full circle. Was StarClan going to send someone for her? She couldn't say she cared all that much... she knew StarClan must be in favor of her already. After all, she was supporting Lichenfang, and he had spoken to them. She shrugged, calling out anyway. "Hello?" Her words almost seemed to echo back to her. She settled on the ground, tail wrapped around her paws, to see what would happen next.

A beautiful pale calico she-cat appeared. Her tail curled around her paws as she sat in the peaceful grassy territory. "Greetings. I am Dawnflower former Medicine Cat of Shadowclan." Dawnflower looked at the young cat. "Do you have any questions for me young one before I get to giving you advice?" The she-cat asked.

ooc: Sorry I took so long! :c Work killed me