-❂-

Lynxpaw's eyes fluttered open only to be embraced by utter darkness, the fur along her spine erect. Terror crept over her similiar to how the waves of a river lapped their bank, and her gaze dashed from side-to-side hopeful of another cat to be amongst her. She was laying in the elder's den of HeathClan, yet all of the nests around here were empty and she was banished from the comfort of her mother's pelt.

The den entrance allowed a streak of moonlight to flit across her spotted, tabby pelt. Her muzzle twitched and she slowly rose to her paws, desperate to find out the purpose behind her dream. It had to be a dream, right? Her clanmates would never leave her behind, and she never woke to any commotion.

Suddenly, a shadow blocked the moonlight and it's black stature crossed her form. Lynxpaw's hackles rose as she met it's chocolate gaze, staring upon her as if she was merely a lost kid wandering through the woods. The shadow left waves of apprehension crashing about in her stomach and her claws threatened to unsheathe. Had Cottonstar and his followers arrived to attack them? The thought left a shiver crawling over her skin as she observed the shadow.

The shadowy feline instead turned away, it's tail lashing as if to beckon Lynxpaw to follow it. Curiousity brimmed Lynxpaw's gaze, but anxiety still thrashed about in her stomach. If this was a vision from the Star Realm, they would want Lynxpaw to follow the shadow, but if it was merely reality playing a trick on her, she could be walking straight towards her fate.

She held her breath for a second before she emerged from the den, gaze attached to the shadow that started for the camp exit. HeathClan camp was deserted, gloomy as a row of fog blanketed over it. Moonlight peered through the fog, igniting the clouds in a luminous glow. Lynxpaw's neck fur bristled and she was desperate to search the dens for signs of other cats, but she instead whirled around on her paws and followed the shadow out of camp.

She pursued the shadow out onto the fog burdened moor. A light breeze whisked through her pelt as Lynxpaw hastened her pace, the shadow nearly disappearing over a hill ahead of her. Lynxpaw trekked over the hill, peering ahead to watch as the shadow turned, it's hazel eyes latched onto her before it turned back ahead. Where could it possibly be leading her?

Lynxpaw's tail dropped and slithered across the forest floor as they entered what appeared to be RidgeClan territory. Trees loomed over her, but their forms were empty of shadows that crossed over her light chocolate pelt. The only shadow that crawled across the forest floor was the cat she was following, it's head held high with perked ears as it marched deeper into the woods.

Breathing in, Lynxpaw hoped to inhale the familiar scents of her homeland, but instead it only reeked like rancid, rotten flesh. The scent flared in her nostrils and she blinked away the stinging sensation which weakened the deeper they padded through the forest. Her ears latched onto the back of her skull and she observed her surroundings, noting that the trees were beginning to part, revealing a dim, starlit sky overhead.

Is this cat leading me to the Moon Realm? Lynxpaw thought, realization sparking. The trees were peeling away from each other and the forest floor began to open, answering her question in the matter of a few tail flicks.

The pointed stone of the Moon Realm appeared before her, its marks ignited in the silver light of the moon. A heavy fog hung over it, the scenery leaving an eerie feeling traveling across Lynxpaw's spine. The shadow stood before the stone, it's gaze fixed on the immense formation. The medicine cat apprentice glanced side-to-side, checking her surroundings before she approached the shadowy feline.

At first she didn't notice how thin the air around her had grown. Every breath grew shorter and the atmosphere around her was suffocating. She began to wince and gasp for air with every step, her heartbeat echoing through her eardrums. It felt as if boulders were added across her back with every step, her paws trembling and her muscles aching for mercy. Her eyes watered and blurred her vision as pain seared through Lynxpaw, her haunches falling and her paws giving in below her.

Lynxpaw's body shook with every ragged breath. Pain throbbed in her chest with every heartbeat, and her claws drove into the soil below her as she struggled to draw in every ounce of her strength. Panic rolled over the molly like a quick, ravaging storm but her cries for help only erupted as a raspy breath. Her clouded vision remained latched onto the shadow though, and hope sparked in her chest as it turned and acknowledged her presence.

It's dark, hazel enchanted eyes stared upon her as if she was a Star Realm prophet, stars clinging to her pelt like dew to heath in the early morning. It pressed closer to her, leaning down so it's face was uncomfortably close to her's. Lynxpaw had no strength left to pull away with or rake her claws across it's shadowy stature, instead she stared into it's solemn gaze and begged for help.

"Find me, Lynxpaw," The shadow suddenly murmured, it's words locking into her brain like icicles to the cavern ceiling during leafbare. "I have the answers you seek. I can save you."

It's cold muzzle met her's, signaling her eyes to close. The chilling air still lingered around her but she finally felt as if she could breathe, her eyes snapping open as her chest heaved with an immense gasp for breath. Panic still lightly surged in her chest but her gaze darted around, desperate for answers.

She was in the elders den of HeathClan though, her clanmates dozing peacefully around her. Lynxpaw's whiskers twitched as her gaze scanned over to Fawnleap, who slept quietly next to her with Hawkpaw curled up against her. Lynxpaw glanced down at her paws, noticing her claws were unsheathed and tearing through her nest wielded of moss and feathers. Grimacing, she slowly stood to her paws and examined her surroundings.

Did I stir a ruckis during my dream? She pondered. As she examined the sleeping RidgeClanners though, her muzzle twitched in realization. Doesn't look like I did. No other cat is awake.

Lynxpaw eyed her paws again though, pulling her claws out of her nest and sheathing them. Was her dream another vision from the Star Realm? If so, who was the cat she was supposed to find? Supposedly they had answers, and also some purpose of saving Lynxpaw as well.

I don't need any saving though! The Clans need to be saved, not just me, Lynxpaw cursed. The tabby pulled away from her sleeping companions and towards the exit of the elder's den. Peeking outside, her gaze fixed itself on the medicine cat den across from where she stood. I need to talk to Nightfrost. I can't keep these things from him anymore.

Lynxpaw glanced to and fro for a moment before she pelted across the camp clearing. Violetberry was supposedly on guard duty with Olivewhisker, but neither of the warriors were in sight. The medicine cat apprentice bounded over to the medicine cat den, nerves pricking at her paws like the grass below. She was hoping Nightfrost would have a more knowledgeable reasoning for her dream, and that hopefully this cat she was told to follow would truly have the answers she seeked.

Stepping into the medicine cat den, she noticed Robinwing and Nightfrost curled up in the back of the den, resting a few pawsteps away from one another. Worry swirled within Lynxpaw as she approached her mentor, a snore rattling his nostrils. She hated to wake him from such a placid slumber after days of anguish and terror, but she had no other options. She needed answers now.

Lynxpaw prodded her mentor's shoulder with a paw, the tom only grunting in response. Her ears flattened and she jabbed his shoulder strong, urging Nightfrost to wake. "Nightfrost, I need to talk to you," She mumbled, hoping to not wake a resting Robinwing.

The black tom stirred in his nest for a few moments before his chin rolled up from his paws. His heterochromatic eyes fell upon her, blinking as he struggled to fight of his restlessness. "Lynxpaw? What do you need? It's so late..."

"I know, but I had a vision," Lynxpaw informed. Nightfrost's eyes stretched wide with her words, his ears leaning forward to listen to her. "I wanted to mention to it you first and discuss it before I told Mousestar and Robinwing. I know it's so late but it... It unsettled me. I wouldn't be able to go back to sleep anyway."

Nightfrost blinked at her and she could have sworn a flicker of sympathy wavered in his gaze. "What happened? I need every detail," Nightfrost whispered to her, his gaze catching her's.

"There was this shadow that stood at the entrance to our den," Lynxpaw started, remembering the haunting vision. Her haunches trembled and twitched as she continued on. "It beckoned me for to follow it, so I did. I didn't know at first where it was taking me but I pursued it until we reached the Moon Realm. The closer I got to the Moon Realm though, the air grew thin and I could hardly breathe. It was as if every tail-length of live was draining from me. Then it turned to me and it still looked so... hopeful. It told me to find it and that it would have the answers I've been looking for. It also said it would save me."

Nightfrost's face twisted, the tom bewildered by Lynxpaw's words. She searched her mentor's gaze for any spark of realization, but it remained empty as he glimpsed over at Robinwing. "Stars, you should have spoken to Robinwing if you wanted a reasonable answer," Nightfrost softly scoffed.

Lynxpaw glanced to the side, biting her lip at her mentor's words. It was obvious that her anxious behavior alarmed Nightfrost though, the tom rushing to insert another reply. "I'm sure it's not that complicated though," He muttered as she turned to eye him again. His eyes squinted as if he was searching for something to observe across her expression. "Perhaps we just need to go to the Moon Realm. That is where that shadow lead you afterall, isn't it? Maybe one of our ancestors has the answers you need."

She could tell her mentor was uncertain with his response, but she nodded along to it regardless. "What did it mean by it will save me though?" Lynxpaw questioned.

"We all need saving right about now, Lynxpaw. Cottonstar is stirring up trouble and we know something is bound to strike HeathClan as well any day now," Nightfrost started. Lynxpaw's gaze dropped to her paws at his words, which stimulated the tom to quickly continue. "Lynxpaw, maybe the answers the ancestors give you it what will save you. You will finally understand your visions and the prophecy, and maybe you can save us all."

Lynxpaw fur spiked at his words. In the end, she was only a medicine cat apprentice with visions that guided her paws. Lynxpaw was unable to simply follow what her visions delivered to her though, so how was she of any use towards rescuing the Clans? She gritted her teeth and shook her head at Nightfrost's statement. "I can't save any cat. I couldn't save Heroncall, Marshleap, or even Foxpaw!"

Nightfrost's jaws parted to reply to Lynxpaw but a sudden rustling and approaching pawsteps alarmed them. They both turned and fixed their gazes on the entrance to their den, horror encasing their form. Two pelts moved into the moonlight, and they relaxed when it revealed Violetberry and Olivewhisker.

The two HeathClanners appeared shocked to see Nightfrost and Lynxpaw awake. Why are they here? It doesn't look as if they knew we were awake. Stars, HeathClan can't even have proper guards!

"Apologies, we were just about to wake Plumcloud and Ravencall for their shift," Violetberry spoke up, her expression blank as she dipped her head to Nightfrost. "We figured we'd check in with the RidgeClanners before we fetched them."

Lynxpaw peered over at Nightfrost. She was shocked when his whiskers twitched and he spent a few tail flicks examining the two warriors. Was her mentor suspicious of their behavior? Glimpsing over at Violetberry and Olivewhisker, she realized how dull their expressions appeared as they awaited a proper response. They sound as if they're trying to be sincere but they're acting as if we're feeble-minded mice scurrying about their camp.

"We are fine. Lynxpaw just had a nightmare and couldn't sleep, so she came to me and decided she wanted to start her lesson for today super early," Nightfrost responded, flashing Lynxpaw a look. Why would he lie to them? Were they supposed to keep her visions away from every other cat?

Olivewhisker nodded but neither of them appeared amused by his response. "Well, enjoy your lesson," The tom simply remarked before he beckoned to Violetberry and they pulled away from the medicine cat den.

Stars, HeathClanners either can't stop smiling or won't smile at all, Lynxpaw thought to herself, her whiskers twitching out of irritation with the warriors.

She glanced over to her mentor, expecting the tom to speak up about his suspicions. Nightfrost only huffed though, turning back to Lynxpaw and addressing their topic from before the encounter. "I'm sure the vision is nothing to worry about, Lynxpaw. We'll discuss later with Mousestar about taking a trip to the Moon Realm," Nightfrost mewed.

Lynxpaw nodded, content with Nightfrost's suggestion. She couldn't help but still swallow nervously though, anxiety rummaging through her stomach like birds picking through crowfood. She glanced over her shoulder at the entrance to their den, and her mind played daunting tricks on her, the molly imagining Violetberry and Olivewhisker staring down at them from there once again. Was their something else the HeathClan warriors wanted? Had they been eavesdropping?

"Well, are we gonna start our lesson or not?" Nightfrost meowed, releasing Lynxpaw from her thoughts. "If you can't sleep, then neither can I. Let's go over our herbs and ensure you aren't losing your memory over time."

Lynxpaw felt a grin ease onto her muzzle at Nightfrost's meow. She watched as her mentor inched closer to the herb supply, his eyes half-closed as he examined it. Lynxpaw leaned back on her haunches and directed her gaze to the herb supply, the scent running through her nostrils like sap across tree bark, smooth and sweet. The tom cautiously maneuvered his paws through the herbs, addressing Lynxpaw and questioning her on each and every one.

As they journeyed through the herb supply, she realized how her mentor paused and skipped over one with a shorter, diminished supply. The red flecks stared back at her like spider eyes, and her neck fur fluffed at the sight of them. Deathberries.

"Now, what is this?" Nightfrost asked, the tom prodding a supply of blue stained flowers.

"Borage. It helps a queen's supply of milk but it can also soothe fevers and stomach pain," Lynxpaw sharply responded, directing her attention back to her mentor.

Nightfrost grinned, pleased with her swift response before he beckoned to a supply of plants topped with fuzzy, green balls. "These?"

As they continued through their lesson, Lynxpaw kept up with her mentor and provided quick and knowledgeable responses. Between their breaths and words though, her gaze wandered to the nearly empty supply of deathberries. The urge to bundle them up in a wrap of leaves and toss them into a river felt overwhelming, especially with the cruel memories that attached themselves to the red berries.

The one part she hated about being a medicine cat was the idea of them lingering at her paws, available for use at any moment.

-❂-

that was a slightly shorter chapter (only 2700 in comparison to 3000 with others) so here's some trivia heh.

➵ Cherrypaw has trouble making friends. She has abandonment issues because of her father and is clingy and overprotective because of the loss of her brother. She attempts to appear severely confident though and as a guide to others, for she believes getting others to admire her will lead to future friendships.

➵ Nightfrost wants Lynxpaw to focus on her connection to the prophecy and her role as a medicine cat more than ever, which is why he seems a little rough on her at points. He doesn't want her to fail, for Nightfrost feels as if he's failed in his life countless times and wants to positively impact Lynxpaw. He genuinely cares about her like a little sister though.

➵ Shiverbee and Smokebite have been together since two moons into becoming warriors. They grew up together and always had a thing for each other. Shiverbee was very hesitant about kits for a long while though until she was finally convinced.

➵ Pebblestep was always very isolated and to herself, even in RidgeClan. The she-cat has trust issues because of bad experiences with her past mentor, but she enjoys protecting and caring for others.

➵ Robinwing's mentor's name was Hazelbranch. She was a very experienced and intelligent molly who he admired a lot. She passed down all she knew to the tom, and he is known to be very clever and generous. HeathClan is always proud to have him as their medicine cat.

➵ it has not been directly stated yet but after the events of Marshleap's death and their escape, Hawkpaw asked Flareheart to take over the role of being his mentor. The feline was hesitant at first but since their arrival at HeathClan has agreed and cannot wait to train with their apprentice.