Warriors-Secret of the Realms-#1 Dark Tunnels

Chapter 21

Reedpaw

This border patrol was boring. He wanted to go hunting, it was a talent of his. Whatever, he had to do this to go on this journey.

"Sunshade!" He called. "I think I smell Ridgeclan over here" Sunshade raced to where he was standing. "It Ridgeclan and rogue scent" he Mewed. "The rogues must've picked up their scent." Added Cedarbranch, who was also on the patrol. "Why are rogues in our territory?!" Demanded Reedpaw.

"You're right. We need to investigate" Flintfall, the leader of the patrol, joined them by the scent. "Wait-" paused Sunshade. "What if this is a warning?" She asked. "Nonsense" snapped Cedarbranch. "You're right- lets go" sighed Sunshade.

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Reedpaw felt like he had walked all the way from the edge of Lightclan territory and all the way back. He squeezed his eyes shut and slept for the rest of the day.

His energy had awoken him. Darkness creeping at every corner of the apprentices den.  Birchstar was waiting with his littermates under the Highrock. Reedpaw slipped past the sleeping Bluepaw and padded towards them.

"Come on!" Hissed Leopardpaw quietly. "Hurry up!" Birchstar led them to the medicine cat den. "Does Nettlepatch know of this? Which herbs do we get?" Asked Owlpaw. "I know what we need. I remember from my trip to the Moonpool" Said Birchstar in a hushed tone.

He emerged from behind the herb stock moments later with 5 different herbs. "Eat these" he gave all the apprentices one herb from each pile. Reedpaw felt instant energy fizzing through him. "Let's go!" He hissed. They bounded outside the camp.

They reached the border to Ridgeclan territory and marched across it all the way to the Moonpool. "We're here" hissed Birchstar, now able to speak loud enough. "Come on!" Yowled Owlpaw. They padded towards the shining pool.

Reedpaw stared in awe at the Moonpool. It was shining brighter then the Stars. "Remember, you'll be in that realm for days, but it will be a moment here." Birchstar Mewed. "Are you ready?" He asked. "Ready" They Mewed.

"Touch your nose to the Moonpool. The Realm Of Stars will guide you." Instructed Birchstar. The littermate exchanged glances and then bent their heads. "Wait!" Yowled Leopardpaw, who was still reluctant about this journey. "What if you were wrong?" She asked Owlpaw.

"Of course not!" He snapped. "If you don't want to come, then don't touch your nose to The Moonpool." Leopardpaw stiffened, then relaxed. "You're right. I'll do it" she bent her head with them.

Reedpaw tensed as he touched his nose to the Moonpool. He dipped it to far and breathed in the water. He choked on it as the icy water clawed his throat. In a instant it was all over.

He felt pain in his side, he rolled over and let out a painful groan. "Violetpaw? Leopardpaw, are you there? Owlpaw?" He called to the darkness. "I'm here! Where are you?" He heard Leopardpaw's terrified mew. He looked around and followed the sound.

He bumped into a tall Tom and stumbled backwards. "Who are you?" He snarled. The Tom leaned over him threateningly. "Scorchwing" he answered. "Who are you?" Reedpaw felt startled by his question. "Re-Reedpaw." He stammered. "Why are you here? You are no medicine cat."

"I- need to get to the Realm Of Eagles." Scorchwing stifled a short of amusement. "You don't believe in that- do you Reedkit?" Scorchwing was sounding more scary and threatening. "It Reedpaw!" He Snarled. "Oh, give him a break! Scorchwing" Called a She-cat.

"The names Turtle Tail" answered the She-cat, blinking at him kindly. "Shoo, Scorchwing" She Mewed, Scorchwing obediently stalked away. "Why are you here?" She asked Reedpaw. "To get to the Realm Of Eagles." He prepared himself for her to say he was an imaginative kit, or stupid.

"I understand, you will land there but will forget everything that happened here" the She-cat whisked her tail and instantly Reedpaw was swept away.

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He blinked and adjusted to the blinding light. Where am I? Am I here yet? He thought as he heaved himself to his paws. "Reedpaw!" He heard Leopardpaws mew of relief. "You're here?" They twined their tails together.

"Where are the others?" She asked. "We're over here!" Violetpaws call echoed towards them. He could make out his littermates shapes on the horizon. Closing in quickly. "Come on!" She Mewed to him as they charged after them.

He relished the feeling of the wind through his fur as he raced across the desert. He skidded to a halt in front of a gorge. Owlpaw and Violetpaw were stranded on the other side. 

"Stop! There's a gorge!" Screeched Leopardpaw. His littermate skidded to a halt on the other side of the gorge.

"How do we get across?" Called Owlpaw.

"There is no way to get across!" Answered Leopardpaw. Reedpaw sighed. "The journey ends before it started" his tail drooped. He looked forwards to this journey.

It's time to turn back. But how do we get back? "You will not go back!" A voice echoed In his ear. "You will leave when you finish" declared the voice.

"That's it! We're stranded!" Screeched Leopardpaw. "No" Mewed Reedpaw. "What do you mean no?" Asked Leopardpaw. "We have to finish our journey" Reedpaw now determined, told his littermates about the voice.

"We will finish what we started" echoed Leopardpaw. "And that means doing anything- even death"