Lilypaw's Moonstone Journey

Mistedsong's fluffy tail swished as he led the apprentice into the cave, the familiar white gleam of the Moonstone illuminating the cavern with a comforting glow. He watched Lilypaw follow him, and gave the she-cat a reassuring smile. The medicine cat had been a little nervous-- as he always was, taking cats into the dark and dangerous cave-- but as always, StarClan made him feel safe. "Touch your nose to the stone when you are ready to visit StarClan," he meowed. "I will be right behind you." Mistedsong followed after the apprentice, pressing his nose to the cold stone, darkness quickly overtaking him.

Lilypaw was excited to meet one of her ancestors. She hoped that they would give her some good advice. Mudmask, their father had spoken to Swiftbranch. She wondered who would speak to her! As they reached the illuminated stone, the torbie laid down, pressing her nose to it. She soon woke up, in a strange place. She soon saw the figure of a cat approaching. She gazed at him, waiting for him to speak.

Lilypaw."

The deep purr came from the starry figure of a tom, his orange eyes twinkling like someone she knew oh-so-well. The shade of brown on the fur around his face was all too familiar to the apprentice. His heart ached seeing her. "You look just like your mother."

His maw twisted in a toothy grin. "I know you well. We sadly never got to meet in life. Do you know who I am?" The tom asked. Her sisters, Swiftbranch and Mudpaw had known immediately. Would she, too, know?

Lilypaw heard her name, and the way it rolled off the tom’s tongue filled her with warmth. She recognized his brown pet, the one that Swiftbranch carried. And for the first time in her life, she got to say the words to him, how she had always wanted to address someone. ”Dad.” she said quietly. It was Mudmask, her father! She ran closer, her smile spreading. It was really him! She finally got to meet him!

"Oh, my sweet daughter," He purred, almost too overwhelmed to speak. He nuzzled her cheek with his own as she came closer, stars brushing against fur. Awkwardly he cleared his voice, lifting his muzzle to look down at her. He had a task to do, guilt that tied him to the living realm.

"I apologize for the mistakes I would have made, the pain I would have bestowed upon my entire family- your mother, you, and your siblings. I was foolish as a warrior, but my love for your mother was true." He mewed, voice deep and solemn as he continued. "As I look back, I fear the foolish choice I would have made upon discovering your birth. But I see clare now, with no ambition to block my gaze." Mudmask explained, raw guilt and hatred at the choice he would have made--had he still been in WindClan, living.

"I'd give a million stars to join you in SkyClan. But I am never far away. You'll find me everywhere. In Mudpaw's eyes. In Swiftbranch's pelt. In Acornpaw and Maplepaw's stature. In Brindlepaw's spirit. In your fierce determination. In your heart and your mother's. I will always be here." Mudmask mewed, longing and love in his purr.

It wasn't time for him to go yet, and for that he was glad. Just a couple moments, he begged the moon. Just a little longer with my daughter.

Lilypaw smiled, she knew that this was a special moment. She listened to him, and nuzzled him. ”Everyone makes mistakes. I did...” she mewed quietly. She smiled, saving his image. It was true. Mudpaw bore his orange eyes,  Swiftbranch held his brown pelt, Acornpaw and Maplepaw’s build, Brindlepaw’s brightness, he was everywhere. Her fluffy tail flicked happily. She was with Mudmask. And she was happy.

"Every cat makes mistakes. But what you do after is your choice. Will you dwell on the mistakes? Or will you move forward, learn and grow?" He asked, looking down at her with a fierce love. "When I first met your mother, it wasn't love at first sight. In fact, she called me a flea-brain for scaring her mouse." He chuckled, thinking back to their first meeting.

"I told Mudpaw I would always love her. Swiftbranch I told of her inner strength. But you, my sweet flower, don't need any of these. You know you are loved, you know of your strength. What you need to know," he lowered his muzzle to touch her nose. "Is that while your pure heart defines you, not all cats care for protecting you. Your heart is the most fragile part of any cat, as it is so easily broken. Protect your heart, but don't block it off. Balance is necessary in life, don't forget that. Love is wonderful, but before you go chasing things off into the deep end, test the waters, take it slow, breath. Love is a game of patience and passion. You have passion down to an art, but don't forget about patience." Mudmask mewed.

Around them, the stars began to fade. Sadness and fear flashed in his orange eyes. Leaning down, he whispered one last thing in her ear. "I know we're not supposed to, but, for me, tell your mother I will always watch over her and love her. Go safe, my daughter." Regrettably, he stepped back, not before touching noses with Lilypaw one last time.

"I love you."

Lilypaw nodded, her eyes softening. I have to move on. she realized. She smiled as her father shared the tidbit of the story. As he touched her nose, Lilypaw’s exhaled quietly. She nodded. ”I will!” she mewed softly, still near his starry body. She watched his start to fade. She let out a scared gasp. ”I need more time!” she said desperately. As he leaned in, Lilypaw nodded starting to tear up. ”I love you too!” she called out, as she woke up. Her wet eyes looked towards Mistedsong. ”I’m ready to go home.” her voice rang out.

Mistedsong got to his feet, arching his back painfully as he stretched. "I hope your visit with StarClan was better than it seems at first glance. Let us return home," he mewed with a soft smile. "I'm sure you'd rather be in your nest as much as I would," he huffed out with an amused twitch of his tail, before disappearing back into the darkness, making sure that the she-cat followed behind him.