The Moon Cave

A cavern with many stalagmite and stalactite crystals hanging from the ceiling and floor. They seem to glow in the darkness of the night, along with the pools of glimmering water collected in indentations of the ground. The journey into this section of the cave is a long one and must be made at moonhigh in order to speak with StarClan. In order to do so, a wolf's nose must be touching one of the crystals. Watch your step, on all sides of this crystal platform the ground slopes downward into darkness and the abyss.

For several long minutes after the two wolves had touched their noses to the stalactites that hung from the ceiling of the cave, everything was dark. Finally, after what seemed an eternity eyes glowed and it got light enough for the two to see they were surrounded. They were led by a large white male who had disturbingly focused amber eyes. There was an intense evil lurking within the depths of those eyes. Neither Nettlecloud nor Cherrypaw had the ability to speak –  indeed they were frozen in place as if statues. Soft snickers sounded from the wolves whom surrounded them, they smelt of death, decay and other things best left untouched by anyone with a conscience. The large white male spoke with a sneer. “No wonder the clans are weak, with an old fool for a medicine wolf and a crippled spoilt brat for an apprentice!” He threw back his head and laughed, loud mocking laughter and sure enough the other wolves of the dark forest joined in. “No, these weeks are ours. Your precious Starclan is powerless until the moon reveals the sun again,” he added, careful not to name how many weeks.

The long forgotten leader Eclipsestar who'd been a cold cruel leader of Riverclan long long ago couldn't help the sneer on his face. So weak, so worthless, so helpless. He'd keep them here a while and toy with them until they returned them to the real world to spread the word that they were essentially doomed. The gang of wolves waited with baited breath to see how the burly male would show the power of the dark forest. “You're both pathetic. We look forward to taking wolves from you as you try ever so desperately to save them but to no avail. Because we're friends, I'll let you in on a little secret. Any wolf that dies during the eclipse doesn’t go to Starclan. They get sent to the dark forest. Fodder for us to practice on.” Chuckling, the handsome but devilish male considered the two medicine wolves before nodding his head to the others. They wouldn't kill them, oh no. They'd just give them a short sharp delicious slice of pain. So they did, the medicine wolf and the one who wished to become an Apprentice were taunted and ripped into before finally they were let go to go and warn the clans of their doom, they were covered in wounds and it seemed Cherrypaws useless paw had been a special target. Once they awoke the cave was in complete darkness, no stars shone it was if the world had been shrouded and the disturbing smell of the dark forest wolves was all around the cave, following them as they made their escape into the frigid night air.

The large wolf had kept up the pace easily enough, silent the entire journey as he considered what was ahead of him, he'd never felt nervous like this before not even before fights. However these thoughts were kept private, halting as Ivyshade did he listened silently as she explained that they needed to follow her once inside and that they needed to touch their noses to one of the crystals that lived embedded in the stalagmites. Listening and watching as Ivyshade preformed the medicine wolf apprentice ceremony, asking Tremblepup if she agreed to treat all wolves equally even as if it cost her her life. Tremblepup responded and then was renamed Tremblepaw the constant changing of names in the clans was something he'd never really gotten used to. But then again before coming to the clans he'd been known as just steel all his life, and now it looked like he would be departing with his name once and for all. The thought was somewhat depressing, he was saying good bye to his old life forever, life as a rogue, life as a fighting wolf, life as an ordinary warrior within this pack. He sighed softly to himself before following Ivyshade through the claustrophobic tunnels allowing Tremblepaw to go infront of him so the scaredy cat wolf wouldn't get lost, looking around him in interest when they reached the cavern where the stalagmites grew up out of the ground and were embedded with crystals that gave off a strange light he couldn't help the suspicious look he flicked them. Going into a small room with shiny crystals and two other wolves seemed like a rather stupid plan, but no backing out now, huffing he picked a stalagmite and padded over to it. Boldly lying down as if he had not a care in the world, however he couldn't help the slight hesitation, he'd never been a big fan of the unknown, but he had no choice, this was what was needed and he would be resolute and see it through. He closed his eyes and touched his nose to the stone, instantly his body went stiff and cold as his soul was drawn through the crystal and sent to starclan for his ceremony

The pup had finally managed to reach the mooncave entrance along with Ivyshade and stood there panting heavily when they finally stopped, she’d never walked so much in her entire life and so naturally she was exhausted. To tired to have the energy to worry and feel anxious she flopped down onto the ground and rested her belly on the cool stone, her ears perked forward and listening to ivyshade as she explained what to do once they were inside. This happened to be following her into the cave where they spoke with starclan, rather mesmerized by the medicine wolfs green eyes tremblepup nodded as the medicine wolf explained that they needed to touch their noses against the crystals and lie down and then after that, Starclan would meet with them. Blinking when she was beckoned to, the puppy got up off of the cool stone ground and padded closer to Ivyshade looking more curious than nervous although the occasional lick of her nose betrayed her. Listening to the words she stared up at the black wolf in surprise, she was asked to promise to up hold the way of a medicine wolf, to stand apart from rivalry between clan and clan and to protect all wolves equally even at the cost of her life. If that meant she could help and heal instead of being forced to hurt, then yes, of course, the pup nodded her head “Yes I do, Ivyshade” her voice trembled a little but she meant her words, being able to help others would be so nice after all.

With those four words, Ivyshade nodded and spoke telling her that her name was now Tremblepaw, a medicine wolf apprentice. Smiling shyly, she blinked in sheer surprise when she was told that Starclan honors her knowledge and her certainty. She didn’t know anything, she was just a stupid pup, worthless and unneeded, a spare, looking down and missing the softer gaze she studied the ground under her paws as her mind continued to pick on her, bring her down and as per usual ruin the moment for her. Taking a short breath, she listened to Ivyshade advise her to lay down at the crystal closest to her and close her eyes. “Okay Ivyshade” she murmured looking up and following her, thankful that she was allowed to go infront of Dragonsteel so she could stay close to her mentor. Trotting into the dark cave she stayed close to Ivy and found a crystal encrusted stalagmite that was close to her mentor and lay down closing her eyes.

Awaking with a slight start, the male wasted little time getting up onto his feet glancing about with wariness at the lack of light from the glow worms that were usually there, even the crystals had ceased shining. Exhausted from his experience and with the cheers of the star hued wolves still ringing in his ears he blinked wordlessly at Ivyshade for a moment as she spoke to him before registering what she’d said. “Well enough, we should return, there are ceremonies to preform” knowing the way out now the big burly grey male turned and padded out following his nose and whiskers. His claws clicked against the slightly uneven stone floor of the cave, none of the glow worms shone at all on their way out reminding him of how the sun had been blocked out for a few days. Narrowing his eyes at the thought he considered a few things, Nightstar had not been among the wolves to greet him, this must mean that he wasn’t in starclan which could only leave one place. The dark forest that the other wolves had spoken of, an evil place for evil wolves, somewhat disappointed in Nightstar for him to have ended up in such a place, he didn’t bother bringing that up well aware of how unliked by his peers the late leader had been. Dragonstar, the name sounded strange, alien as if it belonged to a wolf that he did not know, he’d always been steel ever since he was a small pup and now that name was gone forever, well perhaps not forever he could well guess that FF and Killian would still refer to him as the name he privately considered his true name. however, that was something to be thought about another time, he had things to do, a deputy to name, apprentices to make, flicking a glance up at the sky and noting it was nearly dawn he picked up his pace into a tired trot the journey and the experience taking more out of him than he would have liked to admit
~Shadowclan Camp~

The dark words of Ravensky’s warning had left her trembling as she woke up, looking up at Ivyshade who had woken up before she had, a strange feeling of warmth spread from her paws to her nose and tail when Ivyshade praised her and told her that she was proud of her. No one had ever been proud of her before, almost glowing with happiness for a few moments. Listening intently as Dragonstar rumbled that his ceremony had been a success she sighed softly and just pressed closely to Ivyshade. Soon enough her mentor moved off and Tremblepaw followed her rather obediently, her own worries and thoughts soon pressing down on her again, what could the dark message mean? It was talking about shadows, but she hadn’t seen any, wondering if perhaps it was because of what Ivyshade had blocked out when she’d lain infront of the medicine den? Maybe she’d ask about it later, but then again she might not, probably wouldn’t she didn’t want to bother Ivyshade with question upon question already so she’d keep quiet and just stew over it before she finally blurted it out. Her tail wagged a couple of times as she remembered yet again that finally she was safe from Nightstar, he couldn’t scare or hurt her anymore, however she was tired from the trip here and wasn’t sure how she’d make the trip back.
~Shadowclan Camp~

Slowing to a halt as she reached the gorge that housed several caves, one lead to the sink hole where they gathered under the full moon and another lead to the moon cave. Stopping infront of it as the thick marshy smell of shadowclan washed over her, Rosestar wrinkled her muzzle rather disgustedly, it didn’t smell of Nightstar however instead she could pick up the smell of herbs which meant their medicine wolf and two others. Hoping that the cold arrogant tosspot was currently pushing up daisies, the orange leader turned about and looked at the three wolves she’d brought with her. “Right, when we enter, you follow right on my heels, once we enter the main cavern you’ll see stalagmites embedded with crystals. Song of the sky, Rainseeker and Myself will touch our noses to a crystal, close our eyes and meet with Starclan in our dreams. Shadowheart you keep watch incase any funny business happens” once she had affirmation that the others understood and had heard her words, she mentally prepared herself for the agony that was surely to come. Turning about once more and looking up at the sky, most of the day had passed for them to get here and the sun was just setting over the horizon, wriggling her paws and forcing herself forward Rosestar entered the small dark cave. Feeling her fur brush on each side of her, she kept her tail tucked down so it wouldn’t whack the face of the wolf behind her, relieved that the glow worms as usual shone in the ceiling of the cave giving some light and hope that they were going the right way. The tunnel seemed to go on forever and ever, although finally it opened up into the medium sized cavern that was filled with stalagmites and stalactites, the crystals glowed with an unnatural light as if lost souls were trapped within them guiding the wolves forward. She stepped forward as if she had no fear, no doubts, as if she was her usual, fiery, determined and bristling self, selecting a crystal she moved over to it and paused a moment several thoughts and feelings flickering too quick to read through her pale blue-green eyes before she closed them and lay down touching her nose to the cold crystal.

Rainseeker had kept pace easily with Rosestar as they made their way into the Moon Cave and she blinked with shock when she realized that it was the smaller entrance near the Sinkhole that they held gatherings in. She had always wondered what it was and she sniffed the air leading into it frowning at the scent of Shadowclan. Her head tilted slightly wondering why they had been here but before she could think on it Rosestar was speaking. Her head swung around to look at the ginger fae as she explained what would happen and the patched female let out a shuddering breath in an attempt to control her nerves. She nodded once firmly at her leader before she followed her into the darkness keeping so close her breath ruffled the others fur. Her muzzle opened slightly with awe as she looked around the cave they suddenly found themselves in. Rains paws flattered slightly at the glowing crystals before she made her way over to one particular crystal that called to her and laid down before it. Her blue eyes closed as her nose tip found its target and her body stilled as she was pulled into Starclans territory.

He’d kept pace with Song of the sky the entire way, not appearing to mind the fact that they were lagging behind, he took his duties very seriously and protecting the petite female was now one of them simple as that. When Song of the Sky hesitated at the sight of the cave he wished that there was another way, but there was not nodding as he listened well to Rosestars words, he was quite fine with staying awake and keeping watch as best as he could. and so instead he hung back gesturing with a inky black paw to allow her to go before him so he brought up the rear. Stepping into the darkness he glanced up at the glow worms that mimicked the stars in the sky that had appeared as they’d gotten closer to the moon cave. Following her close enough that she could hear him just behind her he glanced about as they reached the internal cavern. Staring at the glowing crystal stalagmites in awe he watched silently as all three she wolves picked ones that called to them, in the end he chose to sit down near the spotted white she wolf as she had seemed the most nervous about ending up in this small cavern incase of an emergency he settled down and watched as all three became still as if in a deep sleep. As they slept his own thoughts turned towards his past, he missed his brother every day, and still had no idea what had happened to him, Amanda and Grace haunted his thoughts as well, would they be part of starclan now? If he ever had the chance to touch one of the glowing crystals would they visit him? The thought was a painful one, would she want him to move on with his life and learn to love again or would that be betraying her? He didn't know the answer and so decided to think about something else which ended up being the glowing glow worms in the ceiling and how they reflected in the pools of water in the cave like stars.
OOC: Sorry shit post but not much he can do lol