Lurking Shadows - Specklepaw/ Pigeonfeather POV

Chapter 25

Pigeonfeather lay in his nest, feeling the empty spaces of the cats that had caught greencough. The prophecy still buzzed in his head. What am I supposed to do? I can't get time alone to speak to the medicine cats and Halfstar seems worried enough about things right now. How am I supposed to contact StarClan? Suddenly, an idea popped into his head. How about I contact StarClan directly? The sun was setting and most warriors were in their nests by now. If he was quick, he could get there and back from the Moonstone before dawn.

He pushed his way out of the den, tasting the air to tell who was on guard. It was Magpiewing. He slunk behind the  Highrock and waited until Magpiewing turned the other way. Then, he bolted towards the dirtplace and wriggled through the thorn barrier to get out of camp. He hated sneaking around his clanmates but they definitely wouldn't agree with him going to a sacred place for medicine cats only. I'm part of a prophecy. There must be some exception, right? He questioned himself as he used his whiskers to avoid the trees in front of him.

Eventually, he had reached the moors. The wind was harsher here and bit his nose as he pushed against it towards Highstones. How do medicine cats make this journey every half moon? He mused as his paws slid into every dent in the grassy ground. He felt too exposed here, without the leaves of the trees to protect him. He heard an occasional squeak of a rabbit, which made his mouth water, yet he reluctantly always turned away, knowing he couldn't hunt on another clan's territory.

Some time later, he could smell the WindClan border marks, marking the end of WindClan territory and the start of unknown territory. Excitement tingled through Pigeonfeather's paws. Finally, I can hunt! The rabbit he had shared with Sparrowflight at dusk seemed ages ago. Immediately, he scented the air for prey. He could smell vole a tree length away. He followed the scent trail and soon saw the creature stuck in a crevice in the rocks. Putting it out of its misery, Pigeonfeather bit it's neck and snagged it out with a claw. He licked his lips hungrily and dug into the prey. Nothing had seemed so delicious in all his life.

Pigeonfeather carefully walking along Highstones, his strong haunches and tough pads helping him along the way. He used his whiskers and sense of smell to find the opening into the mountain which signalled the entrance - otherwise known as Mothermouth.

His whiskers soon sensed a hole in the great mass of rock beside him. His fur prickled with nerves. What if I don't get answers? What if StarClan doesn't want me here? Well, it's too late to go back now. He hesitantly placed a paw on the cold, smooth floor of the passageway and entered the darkness which sent chills down his spine.

The last time he had been here, he had been with his sister, Shellstar (the past leader) and his mentor, Nightclaw. They had been there to guide him through the pitch blackness but they weren't here now. He was alone. Completely alone.

After what seemed like ages, he somehow managed to find a cavern. It's walls stretched far back and a massive rock was situated in the centre. Suddenly, a shaft of light hit the rock and it glowed in a cold, dazzling light. Pigeonfeather slitted his eyes against the blinding light before slowing opening them again.

A beautiful silver stone stood lit up in the centre of the cavern. The sight left him breathless.
"Wow," he managed to breathe. Shaking his ruffled fur and murmuring a quick apology to StarClan for being there, he tucked his paws under him and touched his nose to the stone.

Nothing happened. He could still feel the cold of the cave around him. However, he opened his eyes and the air turned warm, as if it was Greenleaf. He was in an endless meadow, birds tweeted in the trees nearby and water cascaded in a glorious waterfall.
"StarClan, please I need your help. What does the prophecy mean?" He called and called, but no StarClan cats came to help him.

Without warning, a sudden gust of wind came, knocking him over. He picked himself up, in total darkness, yet not at the Moonstone cavern. He barely had time to yowl for help when a sudden gust of wind hit him. He lay on the floor, feeling as if a monster had hit him. An eerie voice came from out of nowhere, saying
"Beware of the future Pigeonfeather, it is as dark as the shadows."

With a jerk, Pigeonfeather woke up in the Moonstone cavern, still shaking from his dreams.
"What was that?" He said aloud to himself, adrenaline still running through him as he staggered out of the cave.

The dawn sun was floating above the moors as Pigeonfeather crossed into StormClan territory once again. Still shaky from his dream, he planned to go to his nest but a loud mew froze him in his tracks.
"Where have you been?" Sparrowflight was standing there, a stern expression on her face.
"I just wanted to do a bit of night hunting. You know I enjoy that," Pigeonfeather meowed, hoping that that would answer for his disappearance.
"Where is your prey, then?" His mate replied.
"Oh, I couldn't find any, they must have been asleep," Pigeonfeather answered casually.
"I was so worried, I though ShadowClan cats had taken you or something!" Sparrowflight's expression immediately softened and, purring, she rubbed her jaw along Pigeonfeather's.
"You would know if a ShadowClan cat tried to take me. Anyway, I'm tired after that night hunt, I'll try to catch some sleep before going on patrol," Pigeonfeather yawned, sleepily walking into the warriors den and curling up in his nest. I went to the Moonstone to answer my questions but now I have even more, he thought as he drifted off into sleep.