Duskpaw's Moonstone Journey

A chill breeze tousled Basilpaw's fur as she trotted across the camp with a bundle of traveling herbs in her jaws, the late afternoon sun bathing the still sleeping camp in a pretty orange glow. Basilpaw sometimes thought that it was a shame for them to sleep during the day, when so many wonderful sights awaited them, but it seemed tradition called more than beauty. Poking her head into the apprentice's den, she called out to her traveling companion. "Duskpaw, it's time to go!" Sitting down outside, she placed the herb bundle on the ground and waited for the dark-pelted tom.

Duskpaw rested himself in his nest, nearly dozing off as he groomed himself. The afternoon was slowly fading away, revealing the soft light that eventually dappled it's way through the apprentice den. His eyelids felt heavy, and it was as if they were ready to close anytime soon now. Though just as he lie his head down, a voice immediately woke him up, nealy making himself startled. He heard his name being mentioned, and soon came to a realization that it was his time to take a journey to the Moonstone. He blinked. Then, the apprentice beamed, stretching out his paws as he rose up. Gradually, he followed her scent outside, and lowered himself down to pick up the herb bundle in his jaws. It smelled.. odd. Unfamiliar. Though, he knew better than just to decline it.

He swallowed it, and almost immediately— the tangy, strikingly bitter scent of the herbs made him scrunch up his nose. Though with a lot of effort, he masked it on with a forced smile, and nodded. "I'm ready to go!" He chirped to Basilpaw. What would the StarClan cats say to him..?

Once Duskpaw had eaten the herbs, Basilpaw hiding a chuckle as the tom tried to hide his disgust, the small molly led the way out of camp and out into the marsh.

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They arrived at Mothermouth when the moon was high in the sky, and after taking a short rest to regain her breath enough to keep going, Basilpaw beckoned Duskpaw to follow her into the tunnel.  Going slow and staying close in case he needed help, it wasn't long until they emerged into the Moonstone cavern's vivid white light.  Standing aside, the tortoiseshell she-cat purred; "All you have to do is lay down and touch your nose to the Moonstone's surface, good luck!"  Touching her tail reassuringly to his shoulder, she found a spot nearby to lay down and rest.  She normally stayed away for Moonstones, but tonight she felt so sleepy.  Perhaps a short nap would be okay...

As soon as the bright light entered his view, Duskpaw squinted his eyes, then opened them again. His pupils were now adjusted to the glorious Moonstone. It had been far more grand than anything he could've ever imagined, and he gasped, eyes widely opened in astonishment. Though the light was so, so incredibly bright— and he forced himself to soften his gaze again. The Moonstone was beautiful. Hearing Basilpaw speak up again, he turned his head over to her, then back at the stone with a quick nod. He felt encouraged as her tail brushed against his shoulder, and he took a step forward, then another, all until he'd finally reach the glowing stone. He crouched himself down, taking in a deep breath— and touched his nose to the cold surface of the Moonstone. He felt everything fading away, and he lie down, drifting off to a deep sleep.

Slowly, the apprentice opened his eyes. Once his gaze was clear, his eyes widened again, bewildered and even more amazed by the scenery in front of him now. His body felt light, and everything else around him sparkled. This.. This must be StarClan! He beamed, when suddenly— he felt something, or someone's presence behind him. Alarmed, he turned himself around to see an unfamiliar, strange figure standing in front of his eyes.

The starlight in Blazeflight’s fiery pelt gave the illusion of faded, glowing embers, still hot after of blazing fire. It was fitting for the she-cat given her name, and the twinkling warmth that radiated from her eyes. She hobbled slowly to approach Duskpaw, causing quite a bit of noise as her unbalanced body traversed the marshy terrain. Without a doubt her case was a strange one, as StarClan healed all wounds. However, she became the warrior and mother that she was only after, and some would say because of, the loss of her leg. Id she hadn’t dealt with such struggles and adversity, then she never would’ve realized the true potential she held. So, when he time came to rise to the stars, her leg was not restored- and she was perfectly alright with that.”Hello, Duskpaw. My name’s Blazeflight, and I was once a warrior of ShadowClan.” She mewed gently, introducing herself to the tom. ”You show great promise, and you have a bright future ahead of you. Tell me, what is it that you seek to learn tonight?”

Duskpaw blinked, gazing up at the radiating energy from the cat that have approached him just now. She seemed so magnicificent. Her pelt beamed of fiery embers, dancing around like flames in the air. Her eyes were no less special, and he felt himself gasping in awe once again. Her eyes were radiant, fascinating in a way that he couldn't quite understand. Were StarClan cats always so bewitching? Though he couldn't help but to glance aside her figure, immediately taking notice of her missing leg. Didn't all StarClan cats have their wounds heal when they arrive here? He frowned, curious of why that could be so. But he didn't ask about that either way. The tom tilted his head, looking back up at Blazeflight. The molly told him that he showed great promises, though the tom didn't quite get that just yet.

Finally with a question in his mind, Duskpaw took in a deep breath, and spoke up. "Blazeflight, you told me that I have a bright future ahead of myself, and that I show gret promises. What exactly do you mean by that? It's a good thing, right?" He smiled. For once, he felt somewhat unsure— though he tried not to be. StarClan was different than what he'd ever seen before, and he assumed that they knew most things of the future. "And well, if you can't quite answer that—" He paused, "—Then will I be able to turn into a great warrior?" He beamed yet again. Duskpaw felt like he was, but he just wanted to make sure. ShadowClan felt like his home; this big family to him. Even if most warriors weren't exactly sharing the same bloodline with his.

A soft chuckle floated off of Blazeflight’s lips at the tom’s question, and a gentle nod followed. “Yes, it is a wonderful thing. ShadowClan needs young minds and hearts ready to give the Clan their all. That is what I see in you, Duskpaw.” Blazeflight’s stumpy tail thumped rhythmically on the starry ground beneath her, happy to be back in her element. Helping sooth young minds and guide them towards their purpose had always made Blazeflight’s feel like she had lived a worthwhile life, so spending her days among the stars doing just that meant everything to her. “You already are turning into a great warrior. Just remember to commit yourself to your duties fully, and put your heart into everything you do. If you stay true to yourself, fate will handle the rest.”

"Thank you. And alright, I will!" The tom chirruped from joy, then nodded. If a StarClan cat had already told him that, Duskpaw felt reassured. Then before he knew it, Duskpaw glanced around again, and the starry landscape still hasn't faded from his eyes. "Could you show me around, Blazeflight? Even if it's just for a brief moment, that's fine to me. This place is like the whole Silverpelt, but gathered in one wide area!" He laughed, bouncing off into the not-so-far distance. Though he stopped just in time, and waited for the StarClan cat to catch up to him. The place he was in swirled with colors and shimmering stars. It amazed him so much, much further on than anything before. After this, he'd have to tell Ratpaw about it! How could he not?