"Why didn't you show up at the meeting last night Naomi. You could have backed me up when I was cornered by Ayami. You could have pressed my demands!" Kay shouted at Naomi that she didn't seem to have backed her up when it came to this.
"First of all, Kay, although the meeting was great, from the first years I've gathered from the interactions last night. It was a terrible idea." Naomi told Kay. "You did poorly and instead of smoothing out tensions, you've only made them worse. Now you're mobilizing the entire group against the school which we don't know what kind of tanks they have."
"Naomi, you have to start participating more. If you don't. I'll revoke your chances of becoming the next commander." Kay used her force to try to get Naomi to get her demands met.
"Okay fine. But don't expect me to be doing much." Naomi sighed. She didn't want to be Kay's punching bag and would eventually want revenge against her. She didn't know how she would want to go with it. Helmet Chan looked on, she wanted to make her chance of escape much like Naomi.
Miho meanwhile was having problems of her own. Explosions were going off around her. She looked around to see Chika fired on by one of Kay's Shermans. Ritsu cried out as Miho looked around to see what was going to happen next. Miho's eyes shot open as she realized this was all a nightmare.
"Having bad dreams?" Momoga asked if this was going to be true.
"Yeah Ayami's words of us getting attacked are true. I don't know if Kay really is going to attack us?" Miho explained to Momoga. She seemed to be nervous about what this was going to mean.
"She might but she might not know about this. If what Kay said is true, then we must follow Kay's words." Momoga explained. "Let's try to get some more sleep." Momoga explained to Miho. The two girls laid down and began to try to sleep again.
Miho had a rather restless night as the nightmares of Kay's attack seemed to loom closer to her. The next morning. She felt groggy over this entire night as the students had gathered around to hear their orders.
"Students, we have to prepare an attack against Kay. We don't know when this attack will come but we suspect that Kay wasn't bluffing. We must try our best to prepare for an attack should the moment come. I will be preparing to move all of our supplies to the center where we believe we can hold out for many days until the time comes. For now, dig trenches and prepare weapon dugouts. We're going to be defending this time around." Ayami explained that their defenses needed to be prepared if they were to survive Kay's onslaught. The students were motivated by Ayami's words and decided to begin digging into the earth. Yukari went off we a couple other students to see how many students, tanks and other vehicles they were going to be facing off against. By the looks of things, they were preparing for a very difficult fight.
Yukari returned a couple hours later with Rosie as she said she was going to help out with the defenses as well as the prisoners. With the tanks repaired, they were being moved to dug out positions where the students were going to use them as strong points. The scrap metal they had used was going to be used as the outer area so the Saunders students were slowed down and they could be gunned.
"Kay said they were mobilizing twenty five tanks for the attack. It's clear that she is willing to go full force if it means trying to get back what has been stolen. Hopefully the training will do good as we currently have about 10 vehicles with guns and that would mean two students per vehicle. This wouldn't be a very efficient means for our tanks but since we're mostly on the defensive, we're going to be reducing the crew size to try to cover each other's weaknesses." Yukari explained that with the size of the group and the fact that they were going to be fighting a superior foe, they were most likely going to be having a reduced size if it meant getting themselves into the fight.
"Scour for the best gunners of the group and have them into the tanks. The others will man the trenches to repel any infantry attacks. Those two Browning machine guns will be helpful as they were salvaged from the motorcycles. The other weapons we can give to the others since they might need them. We still have a shortage of machine guns though so automatic fire will be limited." Ayami asked Yukari to find those with the best aim and have them use the tanks guns. For the others, They were going to be used as the infantry to defend the camp. "I must ask Stephanie to prepare the herbs for the trip ahead. I will need all the strength I need if I am to face whatever the threat may be. You should tell Firepaw and the others to get ready too." Ayami told Yukari before she walked away. Yukari nodded and went to find Miho.
Miho felt like she was working 24/7 throughout the day to get the area ready for the defense for Kay's eventual attack. The other girls weren't entirely sure about why this was going to be the case but to Miho, this felt like she had to do this. Miho had spotted Ritsu who was sitting alone.
"Well, are you ready to head to the moonstone?" Ritsu asked Miho if she was ready to go there.
"I should be, what's the Moonstone?" Miho asked Ritsu if she knew what exactly the Moonstone was.
"The Moonstone is a special rock within the vessel. Students will feel the moon shine down on it and when they touch it, they said they went into a trance-like state in which they end up sleeping for a few minutes to get a message from Starclan." Ritsu explained to Miho what this stone had and what powers it would bring to the person. Chika and Delilah arrived as they had spotted the two girls in a conversation.
"Ah Graypaw, looks like you're about to hit another important milestone in your training." Chika explained to Ritsu that she was going to take another step forward when it came to this.
"What's that?" Ritsu asked.
"You, Firepaw and Ravenpaw will accompany Bluestar with the trip to the Moonstone." Chika explained to Ritsu that she, Miho and Mio will follow Ayami on this important trip. This made Delilah rather disgusted with the news that she wasn't going to get involved.
"No fair! Me and Dustpaw have been apprentices longer than these girls, when will our turn be?" Delilah shouted that she didn't like the arrangement with who will go to the Moonstone.
"I know you seem to be impatient with this young Sandpaw. But your strength will be needed here in camp, I will be staying behind too." Chika explained to Delilah about the arrangement. She would turn her head to Ritsu and Miho. "Go to Spottedleaf to get traveling herbs then meet up with Bluestar and you will begin your trip." Ritsu and Miho nodded before they headed off to go get the herbs. The two girls arrived as Stephanie was busy sorting herbs. They knocked on the door before she opened the door.
"Come in." Stephanie told the girls. Ritsu and Miho walked in as Stephanie was busy getting everything ready.
"Hey uh… Stephanie, you said you got the traveling herbs ready?" Miho asked Stephanie about the traveling herbs.
"Yeah I do, I've been preparing them for some time now." Stephanie told Miho and Ritsu before she passed the herbs to the two girls. "These herbs will keep you fuller longer and reduce the possibility of hunger pangs along the trip. Save some for Mio as she's coming on the trip as Chika had said."
"We're going to need strength for the journey. Thanks again Stephanie." Miho told Stephanie before she and Ritsu left the cabin with the herbs.
"You're welcome." Stephanie told Miho. Miho and Ritsu had arrived by where Mio and Ayami were as Miho spread out the traveling herbs. The three girls began to eat them as they were still curious about the Moonstone.
"How far is the journey Bluestar?" Miho asked Ayami if she knew how far is the trip.
"It takes a couple of hours to get there as the trip is indeed pretty long. We're going together as a group so that means we're going to have to do this in one shot." Ayami explained to Miho that they were going to have to go together if it meant getting there and back in one piece. Miho looked at Ayami as she had a question for her.
"Do you need some traveling herbs?" Miho asked.
"I will not be eating as I need the strength from Starclan to do this. Now we should be ready." Ayami explained that she wouldn't eat the herbs. The three girls ate the rest of the bitter herbs as they were now ready. Chika appeared once more to wish the girls farewell.
"Have a safe journey my friends." Chika told them.
"We will, just as you keep the school safe, Lionheart." Ayami expressed to Chika that she will have the watch over the camp. "I trust you."
"You too Bluestar. Thank you." Chika told them. Ayami began to walk off to find her bike as they were going to need to get to the Moonstone. Chika then walked over to Miho, Ritsu and Mio. She had one more message for them. "Remember, you three are almost warriors, don't forget what I have taught you. Listen to Bluestar and Tigerclaw, they have made this journey before, you have not."
"Yes Lionheart." Miho replied that two older students were going to guide them as they would have been able to lead the three girls.
"See you later." Ritsu told Chika before she left. Miho got up and followed next and Mio followed last. Chika was going to make sure that the girls knew what they were doing.
Ayami, Rowan, Miho, Ritsu and Mio were pedaling along the path that Ayami used to reach the Moonstone.
"Is this the route you normally take?" Miho asked Ayami if this was something she would usually take if they were to arrive where they needed to go.
"Yes. We're mostly using the route to town as once we get there we should be able to figure out where we should go next. It is good to remember where everything is and the town will be your guide to where you want to go." Ayami explained to Miho. The group made their way to the town entrance. They were heading the right way.
"Well we're in town, where to next?" Miho asked Ayami if she knew where the next destination was going to be.
"Follow me and make sure you keep up, we're going to be climbing." Ayami explained to the group what they were going to be doing next.
"Okay let's go." Ritsu explained to the group Ayami took the lead as the others followed her. The group then headed up to the entrance of a familiar path they were going to take.
"Lookout pass, is the Moonstone really up there?" Miho asked Ayami if it was up to the pass.
"Yes. I think you should have more strength in your legs, Tigerclaw." Ayami told Miho before she almost mocked Rowan for being weak and unable to climb the mountain. Rowan grumbled with annoyance.
"Don't worry Rowan, I'm behind you." Miho told Rowan. Rowan went first with Miho pushing behind. Ayami was taking the lead with Ritsu and Miho following her and Miho on the tail end to help Rowan up the steep hill.
"Thanks, my legs don't like steep hills on bikes like these." Rowan explained to Miho. Miho continued to push Rowan up as she remained curious.
"How come you can't take hills like these, are you not steady enough and you want the help?" Miho asked Rowan that she wasn't able to get up this particular hill.
"The other slope on the other side of the ship I don't have any trouble or struggling to reach the top. With Saunders on our tails, this is the safer way to get up. Even coming down this hill is something I struggle with." Rowan explained that she had no trouble going up the gentle parts of the hill but coming down the steep part was something she struggled with.
"Okay, looks like we're definitely going to have something we're having trouble with. Maybe we can figure something out together." Miho explained to Rowan. Rowan paused as she began to think. She took a moment to formulate a response and she began to speak.
"Do you struggle on this hill too?" Rowan asked Miho if she was facing the same difficulty as she was.
"Not on this hill, it's more or less what I've done last year to get mother's approval to lead the Sensha-Do team of my own. My mother tried to disown me when I tried to save the crew of a Panzer 3 from drowning in a river which ended Kuromorimine's nine year streak. It takes a lot to battle the enemy to come back on top. Have you ever tried Sensha-Do?" Miho explained that she struggled in certain situations and with this she had to do something if she was to make something to meet in the end.
"I have, I didn't really like it that much since I found the students very intense and not really friendly when it comes to this. This is coming from my experience from Saunders like Ayami. None of us we're happy with the school and it's the reason why we resent Kay in the first place. She thinks we should say anything we wish unless it goes against her grain and it affects her negatively. It's like we have the freedom to be mindless drones to a leader. It's something we try to protect while we're here so they don't go stomping on them." Rowan explained. Miho listened closely to what Rowan had to say. If she didn't like the fact that she had to deal with a toxic leader. "It's the reason we say that to be truly free with no strings attached is to live in the woods. We can try our best to keep ourselves safe in the face of hostility."
"So you're saying that Kay isn't bluffing when she threatened to attack us?" Miho asked Rowan if she had an answer to that.
"Yeah Kay isn't bluffing. We should try getting our strength together. Even though I'm the strongest girl of the bunch. Your strength is very different from mine." Rowan explained to Miho. They eventually reached the top as they began to pedal their way along Lookout Pass.
"Well I can understand that but what kind of strength do I need?" Miho asked Rowan if she had any answers.
"Your strength seems to be from within. Mine is outward as I'm a fighter. You seem to have the strength akin to Stephanie as a person who focuses on the spiritual parts of life. At least to me." Rowan explained to Miho that different people had different strengths when it came to things in life. For Miho. Her strength was on the inside and not the outside.
"Are you sure?" Miho asked Rowan if this was true.
"Of course it is. You just don't realize it as of yet." Rowan replied. The five girls paused as Ayami was looking out of the mountain hole. They were here.
"Well rest here for a few hours as it's not time yet. Set yourselves up and try to pass the time. I'll let you know when we're ready." Ayami explained. "This is Mothermouth, we're here."
Ayami, Rowan, Ritsu, Mio and Miho rested for the next few hours. Rowan seemed to be grateful that Miho was there to help her but for her. She still didn't sense anything right. Miho was able to catch up on a quick nap as she got no sleep and worked hard all day. Ayami woke up to see that the moon was higher, right at the spot that Ayami wanted it. She gathered everyone at the entrance of the mountain, she was ready.
"Come on, it's time." Ayami began. Ayami grabbed a flashlight while Rowan began to speak.
"How are we going to find our way in such darkness?" Rowan asked as she was curious about it.
"I've been here before, I know the way. Just follow the flashlight." Ayami replied to Rowan. She flicked the flashlight on as the bright light shined into the cave. She then turned to Ritsu and Mio. "Ravenpaw and Graypaw, you will remain on guard outside."
"Yes Bluestar." Mio explained to Ayami that she will remain here. Ayami turned to Miho.
"Firepaw, you will accompany me and Tigerclaw into the moonstone." Ayami explained that she will be following her and Rowan into the cave.
"All right." Miho told Ayami. Ayami nodded as she decided to enter the cave first. Rowan followed in after Ayami. Miho gave one last look at Ritsu and Mio before she followed Ayami and Rowan. She was still mostly curious about what was inside.
Ayami, Rowan and Miho wandered deeper into the cave. They were mostly following the flashlight. The cold damp air of the cave along the occasional trickle of the water falling to the ground was heard. Miho walked around, there was no light other than the flashlight and the ground looked like it hadn't seen the warmth of the sun at all. Miho was still curious as that was the one thing that was driving her deeper into Mothermouth.
"Do you know which way is the Moonstone?" Miho asked Ayami.
"I do, just follow me." Ayami replied. Ayami turned a corner before continuing. Miho followed her but Rowan was growing anxious.
"It's too dark and cramped in here." Rowan tried her best to explain. She didn't like being surrounded in a tight space when it came to navigating something as dark as this. "The air tastes stale."
"What's wrong Rowan, you seem not like yourself?" Miho asked, trying to help her friend out.
"I'm not used to confined spaces." Rowan gave her answer. Miho was thinking of the conversation they had earlier regarding where their strength lies.
"I need to ask you Rowan, if everyone has a strength, do we have a weakness?" Miho asked Rowan.
"Why are you asking me this?" Rowan asked. "Are you going to tease me?"
"Not at all." Miho responded to Rowan's questions. "It's just that when you said that everyone has a strength, I wanted to know if there is something we're not good at. Like you mentioned earlier with that one incline. You're strong when there is a lot of space that you can throw your attackers off but is this something you struggle with more?" Miho was curious about what Rowan was going to say.
"Aside from the hill, it's being placed into spaces like this. I don't like overcrowded elevators for example." Rowan explained. Miho nodded about what Rowan had to say. After a couple of moments of thinking what was wrong, Miho spoke again.
"Claustrophobic I see." Miho told Rowan. Rowan only responded with a nod. "It's okay, being inside of a tank isn't so bad?"
"It's even worse there. I like my space." Rowan explained. Miho knew Rowan was fearless but here, Rowan felt frightened about what she was going through. Ayami stopped them as she was shining her flashlight on the moonstone.
"We're here." Ayami explained to Miho and Rowan. Ayami switched the flashlight off, this left the three girls in pitch darkness for a moment, suddenly light from a small hole in the roof began to pour itself down onto the Moonstone. This caused the Moonstone to light up like one big star as the rock sparkled down on the three girls. Rowan felt fear creeping over her as she didn't know where to go now. She didn't think she was going to last a few more moments down here with Ayami and Miho.
"I don't like this place; I'm getting out of here!" Rowan shouted. She turned and ran, running over Miho in the process as she scrambled out of the cave.
"Rowan? Where are you going?" Miho asked. Ayami walked over to check up on Miho.
"Firepaw are you still here?" Ayami asked Miho.
"Yes, I'm still here." Miho explained to Ayami that she was still in the cave. Ayami walked over as she placed her hand on Miho.
"It is alright young warrior, don't be afraid. Tigerclaw was surprised by the power of the Moonstone." Ayami began speaking to Miho about the world above them. In the world above, Tigerclaw is a fearless and mighty warrior. But down here where the spirits of Starclan speak, a cat needs a different kind of strength." Ayami explained. She walked herself and Miho over to the shining moonstone. They were feet away from the place. Ayami turned to Miho as she wanted to ask what she felt. "What do you feel, young Firepaw?"
"Nothing except my own curiosity." Miho replied to what Ayami had to say regarding what the power of the Moonstone had to show to her.
"Good. I must speak with Starclan. Wait here, I can't be woken from it surely." Ayami explained as she decided to walk over to the Moonstone, she laid her body on it as the light from the stone was on her. Within moments, Ayami was out cold as she rested herself on the floor. Miho watched closely; the Moonstone definitely had some magical powers to people like Ayami in a trance. Miho looked around as she was in awe.
"Wow, it's so beautiful. How the moon lights up the stone." Miho began speaking to herself. She didn't have anything like this in Ooarai or Kuromorimine before. What was it that the Moonstone had for her? She turned to Ayami who looked uncomfortable. "I hope everything is going okay with Bluestar, she looks like she's having a bad dream."
"No… no… this can't happen. Not now." Ayami muttered in her sleep; things weren't going too well for her as this was something she couldn't seem to bear. The moon passed over the stone, once again shining the cave in darkness. Miho stayed put until the flashlight turned on. Ayami had awoken. "Firepaw, are you still here?"
"I am Ayami, what's wrong?" Miho asked Ayami why seemed to be in an agitated state.
"Hurry! We must return to camp at once!" Ayami called out. She was in a panic before she got up and hurried along. Miho followed her as they rushed their way out of the cave. Rowan was waiting at the entrance when Miho and Ayami popped out of the cave. Curious to see what was going on.
"What did you learn?" Rowan asked Ayami if there was something that she had got in her sleep.
"We need to return to camp immediately, I'm praying we aren't too late." Ayami explained. She hopped on her bike and pedaled off. The others got on their bikes too and began to follow Ayami.
"Did Ayami have a bad dream or something? Why does she seem to be so… frantic?" Miho asked herself. She was trying to figure out what was said in the interaction. She was moreover curious about what she meant by if they weren't too late. It quickly struck Miho.
Saunders was waiting for them to leave so they could launch a night attack.
[A/N]: This chapter mainly deals with the girl's journey to the Moonstone I mentioned in the chapter previous to this. Now this is dealt with. Miho and her friends are going to be thrown into their first school-wide battle to preserve the Wilderness school and hold Saunders off.
Let's also try getting another review. It'll show me that you appreciate what I mean, and I can make more of this. See you later.