Frostedpaw’s Moonstone Journey

Fuzzypaw still felt sore from the hail. The storm frightened him, he had never seen such a thing.

The tom dismissed the thought, shaking his fluffy brown tabby fur out. There was sun, it would be okay, everything would be fine…

He poked his head into the apprentice’s den, finding who he was looking for.

“Hey, Frostedpaw, we’re going on a trip today. I got herbs ready. It will take all day. Ready when you are!”

The tom turned to face the apprentice, eating his bundle first.

Frostedpaw glanced at the bundle. So, it was time to meet the murderers that killed the Dark Forest. She could almost scoff at the thought of the hypocritical 'all-knowing' ancestors telling her what to do. Telling her she was wrong, she needed to change, blah blah blah. She would indulge for the simple fact she wanted her warrior name, but it was a waste of time. The apprentice leaned down and ate the herbs, swallowing the bitter taste and then standing up straight to stare at Fuzzypaw, saying nothing.

“Great! We’ll get going,” the tom chirped, flicking his tail.

It was a long journey, but one they could take in a pretty easy way. At this point, Fuzzypaw had mastered what part of the marsh was the easiest to walk through, then follow the path along WindClan’s border.

“I hope you’re having a good day,” the sunny tom meowed as he walked the path.

It was a long trip, but they eventually made it to Mothermouth. “Well, we’re here! We got to get through the tunnel. When we do that, you put your nose on the stone in the middle. It’s lit up for you. Super easy!”

The tom weaved through the tunnel, letting his tail point out behind him so Frostedpaw could find her way. Why was she so quiet? StarClan only knew.

The tom entered the heart of Mothermouth, with the Moonstone waiting for them. “There it is! Stars light your path.”

Frostedpaw followed the medicine cat apprentice silently, not really even acknowledging his comments along the way. When they made it to the Moonstone, she studied it carefully for a few seconds before sighing and sitting down. Touching her nose to the cold stone, she fell asleep.

When Frostedpaw woke up, she found herself in the marsh. Great. Just what she wanted. More marsh. Taking a seat, Frostedpaw waited. And waited. And waited. She glanced around from side to side, looking for this mysterious and glorious StarClan cat. It seemed like none was coming.

A gentle whisper was carried to her ears on the breeze, a voice calling her name. It sounded familiar, but she couldn't put her paw on it. The large apprentice stood and started trotting to the voice that never seemed to get closer. Gentle whispers started to join in the whisper calling her name, too quiet to make out what the words were. She continued trotting, and it felt like she couldn't stop. Her name never got closer. Frustrated, she picked up her speed to a sprint.

The whispers started to become louder, and louder. Despite how far she has run at this point, the marshes never ended and it looked like she hadn't moved anywhere, despite her paws clearly moving across the ground when she looked down. Letting out a frustrated yowl, Frostedpaw sprinted as fast as she possibly could. Panting, out of breath, she sprinted as her life depended on it. The whispers turned into yelling, and yet, she still couldn't make out words.

Faster. Faster. Faster.

Finally, she saw the edge of the forest. She would be free of the marshes. The forest was so close she could smell its scent. But just as her paws were tail-lengths away, the yelling whispers turned to a shrieking scream, so ear-piercing her head felt like it was going to explode.

Just like that, Frostedpaw found herself sleeping in the cave. Despite it only being a dream, her head ached like nothing she had ever felt before. Blinking for a few seconds, Frostedpaw stood and silently waited for Fuzzypaw to guide her out.