Starlingpaw's Moonstone Journey

Starlingpaw knew his moonstone journey was coming, he knew one morning he was going to be woken up by Dovefrost and the two would make their way to Highstones, and that day had finally arrived. He was kicked from his sleep by the large white tom, and told to eat disgusting herbs, which made the Medicine cat chuckle at his reaction of sticking his tongue out with a loud gag. "Disgusting!" Starlingpaw was quick to complain, and Dovefrost was quick to shush him.

"Don't be loud, you will wake the others. Now come on, we don't have time to waste." The white tom said before moving towards the entrance of the camp, the dilute tom following behind shortly.

The whole journey there, few words were spoken between the to. While Starlingpaw was known as an attention seeker, he didn't feel the need to try to catch the large tom's attention. There was an unspoken comfort in the silence. Dovefrost seemed aware of every move the apprentice made without even needing to look at him, and that was perfect enough for Starlingpaw.

Dovefrost didn't even need to speak as they crossed the Thunderpath. He had just tilted his head in a slight challenge to the apprentice, making the apprentice puff his chest as he made sure to cross the black path perfectly. The slight sparkle in the medicine cats eye was all the praise Starlingpaw needed before the two set off once again to the tough stones.

It wasn't much longer after that, that they finally reached the Moonstone. Dovefrost moving to sit off to the side of the large cavern, gesturing to the large stone with his head. "Press your nose to the stone. Starclan will put you to sleep." The medicine cat explained vaguely.

Starlingpaw nodded firmly before turning to the large awe inspiring stone. Hopefully whoever he got to see wouldn't mind giving him all of their attention. The apprentice stepped forward, pressing his nose to the shockingly cold stone before going to sleep.


It didn't take longer for the young tom to awaken in a star-lit forest. A simple gray and white she-cat in front of him, scars covering parts of her body in different places but it didn't take away from the regal feel she gave off, as he tail was curled neatly around her paws.

"Who are you?" Starlingpaw was quick to ask, his tone a little sharp.

The queen didn't seem effected by his tone at all. "Be a little more polite when speaking to ones that are higher in rank than you, young one. The name is Tatteredleaf, I was a former warrior of Thunderclan. I have dealt with many of those with your... attitude." The scarred warrior said.

"You hold yourself at such importance when you are simply part of one whole, Starlingpaw. Take care to know your place among all of it, to serve your clan well. If you place yourself above everyone else you will be quick to find there is no one else behind you, and instead against you."

The dilute tom stared at her with narrowed yellow eyes. Her words sinking in slowly. So he had to put his clan before himself more? Didn't he already do that? He hunted, he patrolled.. What else could he do? Wasn't it only fair to ask for their attention every once in a while?

As if sensing what the young tom was thinking, Tatteredleaf spoke again. "If you serve your clan, and don't worry about where your importance falls in it, you will find all of their attention on you. They will praise you for serving your clan with all your heart, but it shouldn't be attention that drives you. It should be the willingness to help and serve your clan, to be the best warrior you can be. Now go, Starlingpaw. Remember my words when you get back to your camp." The white and gray warrior said before sending him back to the waking world.

Starlingpaw woke with a start, yellow eyes wildly looking around the dulling caverned. What did she mean? He shouldn't seek attention? He didn't really get why he shouldn't.. If it helped both the clan and him in the long run then what was the issue?