Stonepaw's Moonstone Journey

It was a dreary, freezing day, and Plumleaf was tasked with escorting yet another apprentice to the Moonstone. Contrary to the gloomy weather, she was actually in quite good spirits, considering the circumstances. She padded across the clearing, a peaceful smile on her face and a bundle of herbs tucked under her chin.

"Stonepaw, it's time to visit the Moonstone!" She gently dropped the herbs, waving the apprentice over with her tail. "Here, eat these herbs and then we'll get going."
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The trip was short and tranquil, and they arrived to Highstones without much trouble. Plumleaf led the way into the cave, murmuring a gentle warning to Stonepaw about the darkness. She remembered how scary it had been the first time she'd been inside the tunnel, though it was thankfully only temporary. The tunnel opened up into a gaping cave, the Moonstone glittering brightly in the center.

"Touch your nose to the stone. When you open your eyes, you will be in Starclan's hunting grounds." She gave the apprentice a gentle nudge.

Stonepaw had been resting when the medicine cat approached with a friendly smile, but lifted her head, tail waving in greeting. Time to go to the moonstone... She'd almost forgotten about that part of apprentice training, with everything else going on. The day was cold and dreary, and really didn't look like the best time to take a long trip away from the clan, but it was Plumleaf, the medicine cat, asking, so Stonepaw supposed she didn't have much of a choice. She kept her displeasure off of her face however, and nodded, leaning down to take the herbs that Plumleaf had prepared. They were... Absolutely horrible. Great Starclan. Stonepaw tried not to grimace at the bitter taste of the herbs, giving her head a shake. Alright, I'm ready to go." She mewed, following Plumleaf out of fourtrees.

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Stonepaw stuck close to the medicine cat, shivering slightly as the dark walls seemed to press in around her. Just when she thought the tunnels wouldn't end, they did, and a shimmering stone stood tall in front of her. The moonstone was strangely bright, almost imposing as she stared at it with wide green eyes. At Plumleaf's instruction, Stonepaw laid down next to the stone, touching her nose to it. Sleep was surprisingly quick to find her.

The moment Stonepaw opened her eyes, she'd be greeted by stars. Grass, trees, wind, sky, all made of shimmering, sparkling lights that gradually solidified into existence beneath her paws. Another shape materialized before her, too... the shape of an aged tom with a dark coat, and kind, amber-gold eyes.

Wolfstar moved forward to greet the young she-cat, dipping his head in acknowledgement. "Greetings, young one," he rumbled gently. "It pleases me to see SkyClan's apprentices so strong, and healthy, despite the recent tribulations."

He looked down at her, smiled, and then sank down to his belly in the starry grass. "My name is Wolfstar. Many moons a go, I was leader of SkyClan. Now, I walk with StarClan, and it is StarClan's job to import wisdom to the clans. Tell me, Stonepaw. How can I help you?"

Stonepaw blinked awake, for a moment staying still as her eyes took in the surrounding starry landscape. Everything had a bright shimmer to it. The grass, the trees, the night sky above. Even the dark tom that stood before her was dusted in starlight. He seemed friendly, though there was something that unnerved Stonepaw as he spoke.

So the stars did watch over them, it wasn't just a kit's tale. She wasn't sure what she'd been expecting, truthfully, but the tom introducing himself as a former leader of Skyclan hadn't been it. She blinked up at him, surprise managing to crack through her expression before Stonepaw could hide it.

"You're asking me?" The question had thrown her off a bit... Or a lot, rather, the fluffy apprentice suddenly unsure of what to say or do. She had half been expecting to be talked at. None of her clanmates were particularly devout, and they must've had a good reason for that aside from the current troubles that led to the clan sheltering in fourtrees, right? But no, Wolfstar was asking her and she... Didn't know.

Amusement sparkled in Wolfstar's eyes when it seemed like Stonepaw just didn't know what to say. He nodded to her, kind smile never fading. "I am asking you, yes." He waited a moment, letting the silence grow, and then glanced upwards, his gaze lingering there as he continued. "Sometimes it feels like our destinies are outside our control," he explained, "like we're all part of a greater picture, and someone else is pulling the strings." Wolfstar dropped his gaze to look at Stonepaw again.

"But know this - StarClan, we're here to guide, and protect, and help when we can, but... the only cat in control of your life is you, Stonepaw. So, yes, I asked you, the same way the cat I spoke to during my first Moonstone journey asked me. It is up to you to decide what you think you need to hear, young one."

"I... Wasn't sure what to expect, I guess. It caught me off guard." Stonepaw murmured, listening intently to Wolfstar's words. "I suppose my clanmates seem more inclined to put the living first - that only makes sense. It's... Strange to see other cats place more importance on going to the moonstone when there's so much to do outside of it. I want to protect my clan, but it feels like I can't even do that with the twolegs and their traps always present. My sister got caught in one on our first day training, Stormwatcher managed to get her free but what if he hadn't?" She shook her head. "And living in fourtrees... It won't be forever, will it? We won't have the clans invade our camp every full moon just for a gathering?"