Foxpaw's Moonstone Journey

Magpiewing was out of his element. Ebonypaw, his own daughter, had passed away unexpectantly. Oakleaf was sick, too sick to take apprentices to the Moonstone. Firestar had taken the courtesy of showing the tom how to reach the luminous rock a few moons ago, teaching him about its importance, and subsequently guided through the process for when he would become leader.

He could remember the path, that was no issue. But he was unsure about herbs. Did they need any? Highstone was not far, just past the edge of their territory. He knew Oakleaf kept travel bundles prepared for organization's but the black tom couldn't quite recognize them correctly. He did his best to smell the herbs for some recognizable scent but to no avail. Unfortunately for them, Magpiewing and Foxpaw would have to take this trek with their own stamina pushing them.

He reminded her to get the best rest she could before the pair would set out. She slept in, usually waking early dusk, but sleeping until the last second. A soft yawn escaped her mouth as she joined the deputy outside of camp. She shivered. Was it colder than usual?

They took off without many words. Magpiewing was nervous, itching to reach and leave the Highstones as fast as possible. Foxpaw followed along blindly, distracted by the thought of speaking with StarClan.

Who would she talk to? An old warrior? Maybe Shadowstar? Perhaps, if she was lucky, she would see her parents again. She longed to shove her face into father's soft pelt, and feel the warmth of her mother's tongue.

Before she knew it, they were at the maw of the caves. Magpiewing turned to the apprentice. "Follow closely. It's too dark for even us ShadowClan warriors to see. Use your whiskers to find my tail." With that he slipped into the cave, making sure his tail brushed up against the she-cat. She kept close, her thin body easily slipping through even the thinnest parts of the tunnel. Magpiewing, unfortunately, was a burly tom. She couldn't help but giggle at the effort noises he made when coming into the tighter squeezes.

Soon enough, a soft light emanated from ahead. She tried to peak past the deputy, with little success. The cave opened into a clearing filled with moonlight, enhanced by the stone's reflective surface. The cave was warm, a comforting contrast to the bitter cold outside. Foxpaw couldn't help but want to build her nest in such a welcoming and beautiful cave.

Her awe was interrupted by the deputy. "Touch your nose to the stone, and then close your eyes. I'll be here when you wake up." Wake up? Was she supposed to nap?

The apprentice nodded and did as told. It was cold to the touch. After a moment of confusion, she felt her eyes grow heavy and sleep overtook her without hesitation.

---

When she came to, Foxpaw couldn't believe her eyes. W-Was she in StarClan? Screw the Moonstone, she wanted to live here! It was the marsh she knew a loved, coated in soft starlight. The sky above her was dotted more than a ticked pelt, so dense with stars it looked like a river of luminescence cutting through the darkness.

Once again her awe was interrupted. This time, by the cat she most wanted to see.

"Oh Foxpaw, how you've grown."

Wolfheart's soft words were honeyed with a lifetime's worth of familial affection and pride, a mirror image of the young Foxpaw that differed only in the dazzling flecks of starlight that hung heavily from the wavering shape of his ghostly outline. Standing before the young molly, it was difficult to reconcile the sleek and strong young Warrior with what had been discovered in the initial aftermath of the Great Battle- a lifeless collection of upturned limbs that had been more open wound than anything else. Foxpaw, then only a kit who was hardly able to see a few fractional inches beyond her nose, likely wouldn't have remembered the somber proceedings that followed suit- only able to understand that she had lost both parents, for a reason that could hardly make sense to a young kit.

"I know these moons on your own have not been easy, but I hope that you know that I could not be prouder of what you have already seen and accomplished." He began once more, a touch of regret weighing heavily on his tongue, "I wish that fate had a different plan for our family, but just know I could never regret making sure that you were given the chance to grow up and live as you please, without the threat of the Dark Forest to prevent you from doing such."

Taking a short step forward, the rosette-speckled tom carefully wound himself around the physical form of his daughter. She somehow smelled the exact same as she did whenever she was unable to open her eyes, but yet entirely different. Up close, it was easier to see how much she had changed since the last day he had been able to observe her so closely. Not only did she bear such an immensely striking resemblance to him, but she had his eyes as well. The shape of her ears, the bridge of her muzzle, the sharp cut of her jaw was all Olivelily though- something that delighted him just as much then as it did now.

Pressing his cheek to the top of his daughter's head, the soft exhale he eventually let out was riddled with a strange collection of frosty starlight, almost as though it was a little galaxy all its own. "It will be a great long while before we meet again, Foxpaw, something that all parents hope and pray for. Just know that, wherever your paws might take you, Olivelily and I will always follow. Even on the nights so dark that you feel as though you can't see the stars, just know that your kin will always be right beside you." Although the pair had been together for what likely felt like only a few moments, in actuality it was several hours back on the physical plane of existence. Dreams were often cruel in such a way. Wolfheart pulled away slightly, turning his gaze onto Foxpaw for a final time, attempting to memorize every last detail on her little face as time rapidly dwindled.

"I hope you find love and joy in this life, and peace in the next. When we meet again, we'll have much to talk about."

"Father!" She exclaimed, nearly barrelling into the tom before restraining herself. She couldn't help but wonder if there was there an etiquette she needed to follow.

The deep tone of her father's voice soothed the anxiety in her body. To hear that he was proud of her was all she could wish for. While she did wish he could have been there with her throughout her training days, to congratulate her on becoming an apprentice, to sneak out with her during the day to explore the marshes, she knew it couldn't be. But hearing songs of his pride for her, to know that despite the distance separating them Wolfheart and Olivelily were watching over her. It was the comfort she needed. Somehow she knew life would never be hard, and her parents were always there for her when she truly needed.

She opted to listen to her father's words rather than interrupt. She just wanted to listen to his voice. She buried her face into his shoulder as he approached her. It was softer than she imagined.

As sad as it was that she wouldn't be able to see the tom sooner, she knew it was for the better. She had her whole life ahead of her! To become a warrior, perhaps even a mother herself. There was so much left for her to give to ShadowClan.

The she-cat stayed silent as her father spoke, taking in the sight of his bengal pelt as long as she could. It would be some time before she could see it again.

Before she could give her proper goodbyes, the world around began to fade to black, the stars dancing as her vision blurred and eventually faded. Blinking her eyes open once more, she was back beside the Moonstone. Its previous glow had disappeared, leaving the pair in near darkness. "Magpiewing? I-Is it over?"

The tom shook awake, cooing as the apprentice woke him. "Uh, yes," he mewed, voice groggy. "I suppose it is." He rose to his paws and began padding out, making sure the rusty apprentice was following. It would be a long trek home but after their respective naps, hopefully it wouldn't be too tiring.