Got another new chapter that I hope everyone will enjoy!

Note: notice how I don't even call this a one-shot anymore? Haven't complained about that in a while. So enjoy this one-shot-that-isnt-a-one-shot-but-was-meant-to-be!

Review, favorite and follow!

O0O0O0O

It was a long day of traveling. Crookedstar refused them any more moments of rest till they reached the opening of the cavern tunnel that led down to the deep depths of the Moonstone. Morningpaw watched her leader carefully, wondering what was going on in his mind as he sat there, just gazing down into the seemingly endless hole.

Morningpaw knew what she herself was thinking. When the overwhelming butterflies ripple in your stomach as you prepare yourself to venture into what feels like another world. When you gather whatever courage you could as you descend into the pitch black tunnel, unsure whether or not you'd be able to return. Then the sheer magnificence once you lay your eyes on the Moonstone in all its glory, the way it shimmers like silver fish scales in the early morning sunshine.

Suddenly, as if sensing eyes upon him, Crookedstar looked up sharply and turned to look directly at Morningpaw. Their eyes connected for an uncomfortable moment. It was as if Crookedstar was searching for something within the flame-pelted apprentice. Morningpaw wasn't sure as to what he was looking for.

Crookedstar broke eye contact quickly, finally addressing the group as a whole. "Three of you shall stay out here as guards. Only one of you shall accompany me." Crookedstar turned to each cat in turn. "Silverstream and Shadepaw will guard on both sides of the tunnel and Whiteclaw will guard from a few yards off, to watch for any incoming danger. And Morningpaw shall accompany me."

Jealousy practically radiated off Shadepaw's pelt as Morningpaw passed the other RiverClan apprentice. Though Silverstream and Whiteclaw beamed as Crookedstar began leading Morningpaw down through the tunnel.

Morningpaw's paws tingled as she began the long winding trek through the dark mazed tunnel. The echoes of the past were heard in every step she took. It has been so long since she made a journey to the Moonstone. She still recalled its destruction in her past life and having to find a substitute. Will the destruction of the forest Clan's be repeated once more? Morningpaw didn't want to think about it.

Morningpaw focused on the scent trail ahead. Listening to Crookedstar's much heavier steps as they went further into the heart of Mothermouth. Morningpaw eventually realized they were

within the heart of Mothermouth when her whiskers no longer brushed against stone. Fresh air blew in her face as both Morningpaw and Crookedstar entered a large open cavern that filtered in fresh outside air from a hole in the roof of the cave. Everything was pitch black up until the moment the moon rose and made the moonstone glow unnaturally bright that showed upon the two cats and made them appear otherworldly.

Every hair on Morningpaw's pelt rose up. The far off memories of her previous life were being cleared of their cobwebs and it felt like Morningpaw's first time all over again. When she had just been an apprentice of ThunderClan named Firepaw, accompanying Bluestar to witness the moonstone.

It took a moment for Morningpaw to catch Crookedstar staring at her from the reflection of the moonstone. Their eyes met, but he broke it off first. Morningpaw was about ready to settle in and watch as the RiverClan leader made contact with StarClan when Crookedstar then made a surprising demand.

"Come join me, Morningpaw."

Morningpaw's crooked tail shot straight up in surprise. Never before had a leader asked for a cat who wasn't a deputy or medicine cat to join them during a ritual with StarClan, let alone a troublemaking apprentice.

"W-what do you mean, Crookedstar?" Morningpaw nervously asked.

Crookedstar's ear flicked back in annoyance for only a fraction of a second before he replied, "There is something I must discuss with StarClan but you must be there for it."

"Me?" Morningpaw repeated, unsure as to where Crookedstar was going with this. This has never happened before in the history of the Clan's, that a leader would allow an apprentice with seemingly no special connection with StarClan to partake in the ceremony, not to Morningpaw's knowledge. Though if Morningpaw tried hard enough she could vaguely think of a few who had secretly communicated with StarClan in her past life.

Crookedstar didn't respond, just gestured to a place beside him and looked back at Morningpaw expectedly.

Morningpaw only hesitated for a moment. Thoughts too fast for her to grasp went through her mind before settling on excitement. Now she was getting her chance to once again speak with StarClan. To gain their guidance on what she should now do about the fate of the Clan's that has now drastically changed from how she had experienced them before.

Morningpaw approached the moonstone and laid a respectful distance away from her leader. Giving them both space. Then both she and Crookedstar reached out to the moonstone at the exact same time.

Falling unconscious with their noses touching the moonstone, the two cats were plunged into a completely new world.

Clear, unchurned cerulean water and gentle swaying of the river painted a calm scenery in the cove that Morningpaw awoke too. The soft sand that coated the floor was dotted with the occasional smooth rock pile and bountiful plant life dancing along with the movement of the water. Plenty of bright little fish darted along the root systems that outlined the shore and dipped into the crystal clear water of the cove.

It was beyond shocking that Morningpaw found herself here alongside Crookedstar. Was this were RiverClan leaders met their ancestors? How could they possibly be able to breathe underwater? This was all a dream wasn't it? They haven't been accidentally turned into fish--

A flash of fur and playful purring alerted the two to the whereabouts of another presence. A younger, or perhaps they were older and only looked younger now in StarClan, star-filled pelted she-cat was happily terrorizing some of the fish through the underwater reeds, lazily snagging the little fishes before letting them go to resume her game of cat and mouse.

Crookedstar let out a low rumbling of greeting as he went to approach the other cat. The she-cat, who Morningpaw could vaguely make out to be small, lithe, snowy-white she-cat with black spots and blue eyes that all sparkled with starlight, happily returned the greeting as she came to touch noses with RiverClan's current leader.

"Greetings, Brambleberry." Crookedstar meowed as he touched noses with the she-cat.

"Greetings, Crookedstar." Brambleberry repeated, eyes shining brighter as she gazed upon Crookedstar. Like a mother would her kit. Then those eyes turned to Morningpaw and the flame-pelted apprentice stiffened under the she-cat's curious scrutiny. "I see you've brought a guest. Quite a peculiar one at that."

Crookedstar waved his tail in the small apprentice's direction. "This is Morningpaw. She's one of our newest apprentices. Though she was born outside the Clan's."

Brambleberry hummed in acknowledgement. Then suddenly the StarClan warrior decided to approach Morningpaw, wanting to take in the apprentice close-up. Morningpaw was poked and prodded as though she was being checked over by a medicine cat. Perhaps that was what Brambleberry is, a medicine cat. The snowy-white black spotted she-cat even took a look at Morningpaw's crooked tail and flashed Crookedstar a look of amusement over her shoulder before continuing Morningpaw's examination.

It only took a short amount of time for Brambleberry to get finished. To Morningpaw though it felt like it took forever. Perhaps Morningpaw needs to make more of an effort to stay out of the medicine cat's den. Or try to. Mudfur would be happy if she made an effort at least.

"She seems to be in good health." Brambleberry said as she stepped away from her examination. "In top physical form, and from what I can tell is a hard worker." But there was a knowing look in Brambleberry's eyes as she turned back to Crookedstar. "But that is not why you are here."

Crookedstar nodded. "Mapleshade has taken an interest in Morningpaw. I'm concerned as to what that might mean."

Brambleberry took in a sharp inhale before sighing. The she-cat then paddled her way around a group of fish that were swimming by to stand closer to Morningpaw. "Mapleshade seeks to ruin lives. But she plans things carefully and must have grave intentions for Morningpaw."

"Do you think Mapleshade will try and recruit her?" Crookedstar questioned.

"Who knows what Mapleshade wants from the young apprentice."

Morningpaw was left confused as Brambleberry and Crookedstar spoke to one another as though Morningpaw wasn't even there. So lost in her own confusion Morningpaw didn't hear at first when Brambleberry began to speak to her. "--about you"

Morningpaw jolted into awareness. Sheepishly ducking her head as being caught being inattentive. "I'm sorry. I wasn't paying close attention. What did you say again?"

Brambleberry's whiskers twitched in amusement. Appearing patient and not at all annoyed by the apprentices lack of focus. "I was saying that there is something very special about you. An aura of mystery that's draped in perhaps something far older than StarClan itself. Tell me, Morningpaw, is there anything you might know about who we are, or more importantly, who you are?"

Morningpaw went completely still, like a frozen river in leaf-bare. A chill shot up her spine regardless of how pleasantly warm it was under the sunny river sky. That wasn't a question Morningpaw was expecting to be asked.

O0O0O0O

Question: Which so far has been your favorite chapter? I need to know for future reference.

Also want to apologize for focusing so much on my AU's instead of my main series. Please forgive me! Just currently in an AU mindset! Hopefully inspiration comes back…also I got a Beta and they're great! They are going to help me with Into the Wild and another side project!

Fun Facts:

I had a dream about underwater mermaids the night prior to writing the StarClan scene and just thought it would be an interesting detail to add and it's RiverClan so I found it fitting.

I had no idea which cat Morningpaw and Crookedstar were going to meet until I started writing the part where they actually meet the StarClan cat.

Shadepaw is salty now but she will have her moment of glory soon. (I know many of you won't like that. Understandable. But for storyline sake she will have her glorious moment!!)