Challenge for SpiritClan! Happy one this time, promise.

Enjoy, my readers!

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"Hurry up, Morningpaw, it's time to go to the Moonpool!" Frostfeather called to her new apprentice, who put away pile of herbs away and beamed. "I'm so excited, it'll be my first time!" The tortoiseshell stood up and trailed after her mentor, running through the WindClan territory.

Morningpaw wondered what it would be like, meeting her fellow medicine cats for the first time. She purred as the wind rustled their fur, while they ran. Soon they had reached the far edge of the four Clan's territory, and Frostfeather stopped her apprentice. They had reached a Thunderpath. On the other side, six other cats waved their tails.

Duskpool and Foxflight from ShadowClan, Swansplash and Frogpaw from RiverClan, as well as Robinflight and Bluepaw from ThunderClan. Morningpaw waved back excitedly.

"So all I have to do is cross this, and we're there?", Morningpaw asked, and Frostfesther nodded. "Just watch out for monsters, and you'll be safe." To show her, the grey she-cat crossed confidently, and Morningpaw felt re-assured. This'll be easy!

She took a deep breath, twitching her ears and looking around. No monsters in sight. She smiled and stepped onto the path. It was hot from the bright green-leaf sun. Her pads tingled with the strange texture of the black Thunderpath. She stepped forward slowly, as if she was testing the solidity of the path.

"Hurry! You're almost there!" Featherfrost waved her apprentice on, and the other apprentices giggled, inspired by Morningpaw's enthusiasm. Morningpaw got a bold idea. She squeezed her eyes shut and strutted across the path. She could hear the rest of the cats snorting in amusement. Wow, this really isn't so bad!

A loud rumble shook her from her bold act. A Twoleg on a strange, two-wheeled monster approached.

Looking up to see it hurtling towards her, the she-cat closed her eyes and waited to be hit. She wouldn't make it. She was doomed.

But nothing happened. Frogpaw tapped her shoulder with his fluffy black tail. "Um, Morningpaw? You're already on the other side."

The group chuckled. Featherfrost wrapped her tail around Morningpaw's shoulders. "You made it!", she exclaimed, and the young apprentice grinned. "Well, what are we waiting for? Time to continue on." Swansplash meowed, and she, along with the other older cats led the way.

"Hey Morningpaw, it was my first time today too." Bluepaw nudged her, and Frogpaw nodded. "Oh yeah, I remember my first time! An oriole pooped on my head!" The three apprentices laughed together, and Featherfrost turned back.

"Come on, guys! We'll be late!"

They ran to catch up, Frogpaw boasting on how StarClan loved him. Foxflight chuckled. "Don't get too cocky there! StarClan might quiz you on your herb knowledge."

Frogpaw gasped and immediately began naming off the herbs he knew.

Bluepaw corrected him many times. "Comfrey, not compress. And you forgot catmint!"

/\/\/\

Later, when the sun was long gone, and the visit to their ancestors long past, Morningpaw stood at the ThunderPath once more. She waved goodbye to all the others, and crossed with Featherfrost. She grew to love crossing that path, always remembering the first time. Stupid monsters.

Hope you enjoyed! Finally, a fluffy fun challenge after all the dark and sad ones.

Not-so-darkly, Clearly