~I Do not own Warriors. Erin Hunter does~
The following morning, Nightwing, Talonclaw, Reedclaw, Lightpaw and Blackpaw left camp for herb collecting, or so Reedclaw, Talonclaw, Lightpaw and Blackpaw believed. Nightwing started towards the edge of the territory where the two clans will gather that evening. Lightpaw and Blackpaw knew that the best herbs were over by the lake.
"Nightwing, where are we going?" Lightpaw asked. "You said the best herbs are over by the lake."
"I know." Nightwing meowed, entering the clearing. "We are not herb collecting." Lightpaw, Blackpaw, Talonclaw and Reedclaw looked at each other confused.
"Then what are we doing?" Talonclaw asked. "Blackstripe said we were herb collecting."
"We are going to the Moonstone." Nightwing meowed. "Now come on, we have a long trip ahead of us."
"Then why tell us we were going herb collecting?" Blackpaw asked. "Why not just say we were going to the Moonstone."
"That way, if Redlight somehow gets out of sight from Lunarwolf, he would think we are still in the territory."
"Good point." Talonclaw meowed.
"This is serious, isn't it?" Blackpaw asked.
"Yes Blackpaw." Nightwing meowed. "And Skystar still does not see it."
"Nightwing, aren't you supposed to be going to the gathering tonight?" Reedclaw asked. "You can't just miss the gathering."
"This trip to the Moonstone is for more important than any gathering, Reedclaw." Nightwing stated. "I just pray to Starclan that I can hear something."
"So, why'd you decide to bring us?" Talonclaw asked.
"None of you are going to the gathering. Blackpaw and Lightpaw should come because this relates to them. And…" Nightwing paused. "I needed to warriors to come along." Nightwing picked up her pace. "Now come."
Nightwing had led the way to the Moonstone. Talonclaw and Reedclaw both have been to the Moonstone once before, but did not know where they were going for sure. The sun was slowly starting to set. They finally arrived at the Moonstone with enough time for them to Eat and rest.
"You want me to catch you something to eat, Nightwing?" Blackpaw asked.
"Thanks for the offer, but I cannot eat before I speak with Starclan." Nightwing explained. Blackpaw nodded, not wanting to ask why. Blackpaw went to look for something to eat with Reedclaw. Lightpaw and Talonclaw stayed behind to protect Nightwing. When Reedclaw and Blackpaw returned with some fresh-kill, the moon was starting to rise. The four cats ate and just as they finished eating, Nightwing stood up.
"Reedclaw. Talonclaw. Stay out here. Blackpaw. Lightpaw, let's go." Nightwing said. Blackpaw and Lightpaw followed. Nightwing lead the way down the dark corridor. Nightwing could smell the fear coming from the two apprentices. Soon the moonlight led the way to the Moonstone. The moon's rays hit the Moonstone and a burst of shimmering silver that hit the three cats, turning their pelts the same silver. Nightwing made sure that Blackpaw and Lightpaw knew to stay silent. Nightwing went and laid down next to the Moonstone. She motioned Lightpaw and Blackpaw to do the same. Blackpaw and Lightpaw laid down on the opposite side of Nightwing. Nightwing pressed her nose against the Moonstone and fell asleep. Lightpaw and Blackpaw did the same and also fell asleep.
Blackpaw and Lightpaw opened their eyes, but they were not at the Moonstone. They were not in the clearing either. They were back at camp. Cats came left and right, fleeing. Blackpaw and Lightpaw looked around in confusion and in horror. Neither one of them could speak. Lunarstar then appeared in front of them.
"The time is near." She said.
"What do you mean?" Lightpaw asked. Stormlight then appeared next to Lunarstar.
"Dad!" Lightpaw and Blackpaw exclaimed in shock.
"The time is near." He said. The cats fleeing started to speak.
"Secrets have been spilled by the Golden River's son."
"Beware of the Golden River's son."
"The Golden River's son is not to be trusted."
"What does that mean?" Blackpaw asked.
"We know the Golden River's son is Redlight. How do we get Skystar and the rest of the clan to believe us?" Lightpaw asked.
"And you said that you were trying to speak with Skystar. How's that going?" Blackpaw asked, remembering their last encounter.
"He's still refusing, but he's starting to stop fighting." Stormlight meowed. "It won't be long before we can get through to him."
"Why is he stopping the fight?" Blackpaw asked.
"He's worried for his clan. He's realizing something is wrong." Lunarstar meowed. "It won't be long."
"What about my question?" Lightpaw asked. "How do we convince Skystar and the rest of the clan that Redlight is a traitor?"
"It won't be long now." Another cat said, appearing next to Stormlight.
"Moonstar?" Lightpaw asked. The cat nodded. "What won't be long?"
"The Golden River's son will soon slip up." A forth cat appeared.
"Snowstone?" Lightpaw asked. The forth cat nodded.
"I still don't understand." Blackpaw mewed.
"How will Redlight slip up? Where? How will that prove to Skystar that I was right?" None of the four cats spoke. They started to fade. "Wait!" The four cats disappeared.
Lightpaw and Blackpaw blinked their eyes open. Nightwing got to her paws and looked at the two apprentices. She motioned them to follow, but to keep quiet. The apprentices followed Nightwing back down the dark corridor and outside. Reedclaw and Talonclaw turned.
"Well?" Talonclaw asked.
"Did Starclan speak to you?" Reedclaw added.
"Not clearly." Nightwing stated. "But it wasn't about Skystar or the rouges. It just said, 'Time will tell.' Over and over."
"Starclan talked to Lightpaw and I." Blackpaw meowed. Talonclaw, Reedclaw and Nightwing looked at the two apprentices.
"Really?" Nightwing asked. "What did they say?" Blackpaw looked at Lightpaw.
"The time is near. Secrets have been spilled by the Golden River's son. Beware of the Golden River's son. The Golden River's son is not to be trusted."
"But we know that." Talonclaw stated.
"Well, Lunarstar and Stormlight appeared and spoke." Blackpaw mewed. "They told us that Skystar is still fighting, but starting to stop. It won't be long until they get through to him."
"And then Moonstar appeared. She said it won't be long now. Snowstone appeared after that and said the Golden River's son will soon slip up." Lightpaw said. "That's it."
"How did you know who they were anyway?" Blackpaw asked. Talonclaw and Reedclaw looked at Nightwing, already knowing. Lightpaw sighed.
"I spoke with Waterclan…" Lightpaw meowed. "Blackstripe took Talonclaw, Reedclaw and I to Waterclan and I spoke with Oakenstar and he told me about Snowstone, the previous deputy before him, and Moonstar, previous leader."
"Why did you cross?" Blackpaw asked
"We had to talk to Oakenstar about the rouges and…Skystar."
"You talked about Skystar to an enemy clan!" Blackpaw exclaimed.
"Blackstripe talked about Skystar. It's what the whole clan knows, that Skystar is refusing to believe a cat would be giving information to the rouges. I talked to Oakenstar about the rouges and Stormlight."
"What did he tell you?" Reedclaw asked.
"Wait…you don't know?" Blackpaw asked. "I thought you were there?"
"They were, but not when I was talking to Oakenstar." Lightpaw explained. "Oakenstar and Stormlight were really close friends. They would meet outside of gatherings just to talk. They knew where their loyalties lie. Oakenstar was attacked by a badger and Stormlight saved him. Bearstripe was jealous and because of that, they didn't see eye to eye."
"That may be so, but…" Blackpaw started, but was stopped.
"I'm not done. He also said something about the only way to get the clan to believe me is if Redlight slips up. It's what Moonstar and Snowstone said."
"When?" Talonclaw asked.
"I hope before Cloudpaw, Blackpaw and I become warriors." Lightpaw meowed.
"We better start heading back to camp." Nightwing suggested.
"Oh, can you please not tell anyone what I told you?" Lightpaw asked. "Blackstripe can know, but no one else."
"Of course." Nightwing, Talonclaw, Reedclaw and Blackpaw meowed.
"Now, let's go." Nightwing started moving. "I want to get back to camp before the Dawn patrol leaves." Reedclaw, Talonclaw, Blackpaw and Lightpaw followed.
Working on finishing the story soon...just got to get everything written down. Doing a lot of writing while I am at work. (Oh BTW I'm a Nanny now! :| )
I'm starting my observations for SPED (Special Education). So thats 15 hours. I'm doing 5 hours this week. Hopefully it won't get in my way of writing!
This story is after The Untold Stories: Stormlight's Story.
BTW, to all my readers and reviewers, thanks for being patient. You are the best.