Badgerpaw's Moonstone Journey

Flashpaw was up bright and early, her paws carefully pulling out the exact measures of the herbs she needed. It was very important to get the correct dosages, as it was quite a journey to Mothermouth, and the herbs were invaluable in getting young paws there. Her's included, she knew. She'd made the trek before, but this would be her first time taking someone on her own. At least it was her brother, Badgerpaw, and she knew she'd be safe with him.

Finally getting all the herbs together, she chewed up hers and then picked up the other bundle, heading for the apprentice's den.

"Badgerpaw, are you ready to head out?" She set down the leaves and called for him in her clear voice.

Badgerpaw was already awake and grooming his fur when his sister called. “Yup just finishing grooming.” he said and with one last lick of his fluffy tail he stood up and padded towards flashpaw. He noticed the herbs and ate them quickly as the taste was really bad. “This will be my first time going and your first time bringing someone, this will be an adventure.” he mewed at his sister. If anything went wrong he would surely protect her even it if costed him his life.

"You look very handsome and presentable," she purred as he joined her, "The herbs are bitter but believe me, you'll want them." She noticed his reaction to the herbs, and she really couldn't blame him. They were best to be eaten quickly, but there was really no good way to avoid the taste entirely.

"Come, let's stop for a drink and then be on our way," Flashpaw nodded. It certainly would be an adventure. Hopefully everything would go smoothly for the two siblings.

Badgerpaw followed after his sister with a smile. He enjoyed the company of his family maybe a little bit to much but who could blame him. Everyone had either a high rank or looked up to him as a brother. Except cinder. This would be badger’s first time seeing Starclan and he was a bit nervous he wouldn’t lie.

Flashpaw led the way, taking him out of camp and along the path towards Fourtrees. Badgerpaw would know the way there better than she would at this point, but after that she would be the one with the knowledge, and the safe passage to cross through WindClan's territory to get to their destination. Crossing the thunderpath, and making their way into the rougher terrain near Highstones, until finally the two cats were at Mothermouth.

"Welcome to Highstones and Mothermouth, Badgerpaw," Flashpaw turned twinkling eyes on her brother. "Now we just wait. We don't want to be in the cavern too early. Perhaps you would like to hunt?"

“I think I can last without hunting, I don’t wanna become big.” he mewed and sat down to wait until the time was right.

Flashpaw settled herself as well, watching the skies with critical eyes. There wasn't much else to do while waiting, but she supposed it built character or something. As the sun began to drop in the sky once more, she got to her paws, flicking her tail against Badgerpaw's flank, and stepping towards Mothermouth.

"It's time," she spoke, before disappearing into the shadows, going slowly to give him time to keep up and for his eyes to adjust as well as they would in the near blackness. Thankfully, her whiskers and fur touching the walls of the tunnel were enough to guide her, and she easily retraced the steps that she and Logleap had taken not long before.

"Not that way," Flashpaw said, as she felt the rush of wind from the a branching tunnel. Logleap had seemed to think that death awaited anyone going down that way, and she wasn't in the mood to find out tonight.

Soon Flashpaw made her way out into the cavern, grateful for the extra space, and settled herself, wrapping her tail neatly around her paws.

"Welcome to the Moonstone."

Badgerpaw looked around in amazement at the big cave with the glowing stone in the middle. He nodded at his sister not wanting to disturb the peaceful silence.

She gestured towards the stone with her nose, signalling that it was time for Badgerpaw to approach and touch it.

Badgerpaw padded up to the glowing stone and laid down, Putin’s his nose on it, and then went into a sleep like state. He opened his eyes and looked out to see a Starclan cat coming forwards.

Padding towards the young apprentice, a black and white tom approached, and it was none other than ThunderStar himself. Thunderstar, Lightningstar's father and the founder of ThunderClan, was remembered as one of the most courageous and compassionate founding leaders, developing the sympathetic components of the warrior code. He hoped to be able to pass down such attributes and beliefs of the code to his kin for many more moons, and after watching Badgerpaw from the stars above, he had faith in the apprentice.

Giving a dip of his head to the tom, a soft smile was held on his black and white muzzle. "Here for your moonstone journey, I presume? I am Thunderstar, the previous leader and founder of ThunderClan," he mewed.

Badgerpaw looked at Thunderstar with a shocked looks before smiling widely. “Oh so I get my pelt colors from you!” he exclaimed happily finally realizing he wasn’t the odd one in the family. “It’s great to finally meet you grandad.” he mewed with a slight bow of his head.

"It's good to finally meet you as well, young one," ThunderStar mewed with a nod, a smile still resting on his white and black maw. "Badgerpaw, do you know what it means to be a warrior?" the large tom asked.

“To be brave and strong for your clan and to protect them at all costs.” he said at the black and white Starclan Tom.

"That is correct," Thunderstar mewed with a smile. "Badgerpaw, if you stay true and faithful to your clan and the code, always, StarClan will be sure to bless you and your family," the large tom added. With that, the black and white tom took a few steps back from the apprentice before fading away. "May StarClan light your path, young one," he spoke before fading into nothing but specks of stardust and leaving Badgerpaw to wake up.

Badgerpaw awoke and went to his sister to motion he was ready to leave.

Flashpaw nodded, silently leading the way back out of the tunnel. She didn't know what had occurred in Badgerpaw's dream, nor would she ask. The relationship with StarClan was always a personal one, even she knew that, young as her bond with their mystical ancestors was. She would travel back to their camp with her brother, knowing he was one step closer to his full name. She purred a bit at the thought, brushing her tail against him affectionately before heading off. She looked forward to her cozy nest and a nap when they returned.