Journey to find SkyClan (TAQ)

The journey to find SkyClan took place in The Apprentice's Quest when, after receiving a vision, Alderpaw and other Clan cats traveled to find SkyClan long after it was renewed by Firestar and Sandstorm. The journey resulted in a failure since SkyClan had fled the gorge in newleaf, but Alderpaw and Needlepaw discovered two kits hidden in a shadowy tunnel and take them back to the Clans, believing them to be the shadows mentioned in the prophecy by StarClan.
==Summary==
===Premise===
:After being driven from the forest territories when Twolegs destroyed their home, SkyClan settled in the gorge and eventually dissipated until Firestar and Sandstorm journeyed to rebuild the lost Clan. Under Leafstar's leadership, SkyClan thrived in the gorge for many seasons until they were driven away by Darktail and his rogues. Skystar instructed SkyClan to find the other Clans with a prophecy to seek out Firestar's kin. The other four Clans had forgotten SkyClan's existence, with only Bramblestar and Sandstorm knowing the truth.
:Sensing great change for the four Clans in the future, Firestar and the rest of StarClan share a prophecy with the medicine cats: "Embrace what you find in the shadows, for only they can clear the sky." While the Clans are unsure what this prophecy means, Alderpaw, the son of Bramblestar and Squirrelflight, dreams of Firestar's meeting with the medicine cats, and later receives a vision of unknown cats in a gorge holding a warrior ceremony while at the Moonpool. Sandstorm recognizes some of the cats as SkyClan's leader, deputy, and medicine cat, prompting Bramblestar to issue a quest to find SkyClan led by Alderpaw. Sandstorm argues to join the quest since she knows the way to the gorge, and Molewhisker, Cherryfall, and Sparkpaw join the patrol as well.
===Overview===
:As the five cats begin their quest, Sandstorm and Alderpaw keep the true reason behind the mission a secret from the others. Foxes attack them their first night, Sandstorm is injured and Needlepaw, a ShadowClan apprentice, abruptly arrives to help, wanting ShadowClan representation on their journey to fulfill the prophecy. Despite Alderpaw's efforts, Sandstorm dies from her wounds the next night, but provides directions to SkyClan in his dreams. Alderpaw reveals the motivation behind his quest to the rest of the group. The patrol discovers SkyClan in the gorge led by Darktail, though are confused by the different Clan customs. Unsure why StarClan led them to SkyClan when they do not appear to need any help, Alderpaw later learns the truth from Mistfeather, a ragged loner who was left behind when SkyClan fled the gorge after Darktail and his rogues overthrew them. Darktail kills Mistfeather and accuses Alderpaw and his friends of attempting to usurp his territory. The Clan cats flee the gorge, but Alderpaw and Needlepaw become separated after falling into the river. Separated from their Clanmates, Alderpaw and Needlepaw journey back to the lake on their own, though Alderpaw worries he's failed his quest since SkyClan is long gone. Needlepaw speculates the prophecy must have another meaning. Sandstorm visits Alderpaw in his dreams with a message to seek a different path, which Needlepaw interprets as literally by taking a tunnel underneath the Thunderpath close to home instead of crossing over. The apprentices discover two kits alone in the dark tunnel, believing them to be the shadows foretold in the prophecy. They name the two she-kits Twigkit and Violetkit, and take them back to the Clans, though disagree which Clan they should belong to.
===Deaths caused by the journey===
*Sandstorm
==Description==
===The journey begins and the uninvited guest===
:Sandstorm takes the lead as the patrol leaves their camp. While Sparkpaw is eager to learn the details of her brother's vision, Sandstorm warns Alderpaw to keep SkyClan's existence a secret. The group attempts to cross a Thunderpath but decide to wait until the morning when Twolegs begin throwing objects at the cats from their monsters. In the morning, the patrol successfully crosses. After traveling for the rest of the day, they make camp in a hollow edged by holly bushes. However, a pair of foxes attacks them in the middle of the night, gravely injuring Sandstorm's shoulder. Needlepaw, a ShadowClan apprentice Alderpaw befriended the previous Gathering, helps them fight off the foxes. Her abrupt arrival is questioned by the ThunderClan cats, especially when Needlepaw demands to join them, but Alderpaw decides to let her stay since she helped them defeat the foxes. They spend the next day resting while they hunt and Alderpaw treats every cat's wound, especially Sandstorm's shoulder bite, before sleeping for the rest of the day. However, Alderpaw dreams of SkyClan in trouble, prompting him to encourage the others that they should resume their quest. He checks on Sandstorm's wound and concludes it might be developing an infection, which Sandstorm brushes off. However, Needlepaw overhears portions of their conversation about SkyClan.
===Sandstorm's death===
:As they continue trekking through the night, the patrol spots a barn in the distance surrounded by fields and a fence. They climb over the fence with a spiky top, and Sandstorm accidentally nicks her wound on one of the spikes. However, they are promptly chased by a monster in a field and scale another fence to escape it. Sandstorm's wound reopens further, and she becomes dazed and feverish. The group stops for the night so she can rest and Alderpaw can treat her wound. That night, Alderpaw dreams of Sandstorm's spirit joining StarClan, and she provides instructions for the rest of their journey. When Alderpaw wakes up, he thinks for a moment that it was just a dream, but soon discovers that that is not the case. The rest of the patrol wakes and, after seeing Sandstorm, decide to bury the old she-cat. This tragic event causes Alderpaw to doubt the patrol's quest and forces him to reveal the truth of the journey to everyone upon Needlepaw's encouragement: they are going to find SkyClan, the lost fifth Clan.
===Remains of SkyClan===
:After many days of travel, Alderpaw and the others finally arrive at SkyClan's gorge and are pleased to see cats living there. However, Alderpaw does not recognize any from his dream. They are quickly confronted by a SkyClan patrol and taken to their leader; a cat named Darktail. Darktail is just as puzzled by the ThunderClan and ShadowClan cats' appearance as they are, especially since Alderpaw is unclear about the purpose of his quest if SkyClan does not need their help. However, Darktail allows them to stay upon Needlepaw's suggestion. The next day, the visitors are dismayed to learn that SkyClan does not care for their young, old, or sick, and Darktail explains they have developed their own warrior code after being separated from the other Clans for so long. Alderpaw begins to wonder if saving SkyClan from the shadows means restoring their faith in the warrior code and Clan customs, and he overhears Darktail, Raven, and Rain discussing about leaving their territory. Alderpaw is hopeful SkyClan will join them on their journey home to reunite the five Clans.
:The next morning, Alderpaw meets Mistfeather and recognizes the ragged and thin tom from his visions. Mistfeather gravely explains how SkyClan was exiled from the gorge by Darktail and his rogues, and that he was left behind. Alderpaw realizes with dread that he and the others have arrived too late to save SkyClan. Darktail abruptly arrives to mock Mistfeather for SkyClan's apparent weakness, prompting a fight between the two cats that results in Mistfeather's death. Darktail accuses Alderpaw and his friends of trying to usurp their territory and threatens them with death, but Needlepaw insists they were unaware of SkyClan until recently. The rogue leader decides to keep the five cats as prisoner instead in an empty cavern. They manage to slip free from the gorge when every cat is asleep, but Alderpaw and Needlepaw slip into the river trying to cross a tree bridge in their rush to escape the rogues.
===Into the shadows===
:Separated from Molewhisker, Cherryfall, and Sparkpaw, the two apprentices rest for a while before searching for the others. After realizing the others completely passed them, Alderpaw and Needlepaw resort to following the river to hopefully return home in hopes the others have done the same. Needlepaw guides them into a Twolegplace to ask a kittypet, Bob, for directions on how to cross the river, and the ginger tom explains how three cats asked him the same question earlier that morning. While the two apprentices rest before resuming, Alderpaw laments how he's failed his quest to find SkyClan since they were driven out by Darktail, but Needlepaw suggests that maybe the prophecy means something else since it appears SkyClan left many moons ago.
:After many more days of travel, following scant scents of the others somewhere up ahead. They recognize the barn from earlier in their journey where Sandstorm had died, and the two apprentices take shelter in the barn from the rain. Alderpaw dreams of Sandstorm that night and urges him to seek a different path to fulfill the prophecy. When they reach the Thunderpath from the start of their journey, Alderpaw speculates the meaning behind Sandstorm's words. Needlepaw instead takes the message literally and suggests they cross underneath the Thunderpath through a shadow tunnel instead of crossing above it like before. In the tunnel, Alderpaw and Needlepaw two tiny kits abandoned in a nest—a black-and-white she-kit and a gray she-kit. Realizing their mother must be gone, Alderpaw and Needlepaw name the kits Violetkit and Twigkit, and Needlepaw recognizes they must be part of the prophecy. The kits' mother, Pebbleshine, watches Alderpaw and Needlepaw discover her kits in the tunnel, having been killed by a monster on the Thunderpath and returned as a ghost to watch over her daughters. The two apprentices carry the kits back to the lake territories, arriving there the following morning. However, Alderpaw and Needlepaw argue about which Clan the kits should join. A ThunderClan patrol led by Molewhisker quickly finds them, and Birchfall reasons they can decide the kits' futures at the Gathering in a few days.
==Aftermath==
:A the Gathering a few days later, Bramblestar explains to the Clans about Alderpaw's quest and the discovery of the two kits in the shadows, leaving out the details about SkyClan. Rowanstar of ShadowClan claims that his Clan has just as much ownership over the kits since Needlepaw participated in the quest, and the Clan leaders agree to split up the kits. Rowanstar claims Violetkit for ShadowClan, leaving ThunderClan with Twigkit. As the kits are separated, Violetkit and Twigkit cry out for each other, and Alderpaw objects to the cruelty of splitting them up. However, he vows to do his best to care for Twigkit. Bramblestar later sends Squirrelflight, Lionblaze, and Cinderheart to search the gorge to SkyClan, but they return a half-moon later with news that it is empty, including Darktail and his rogues. In actuality, Darktail and his Kin followed Alderpaw back to the lake to begin his quest for revenge, striking first at a WindClan patrol. The Clans instead turn towards the kits as their connection to the prophecy, eventually giving up on SkyClan all together.
==Characters==
===Alderpaw===
:The son of Bramblestar and Squirrelflight, Alderpaw was originally a warrior apprentice until he was forced to train as a medicine cat after being called by StarClan. As a kit, he dreams of Firestar's prophecy given to the medicine cats, and Firestar shows him a vision of SkyClan during his inaugural visit at the Moonpool. Because of his visions, Bramblestar instructs Alderpaw to lead a quest to check in on SkyClan, believing them to be in trouble because of the prophecy. While Sandstorm takes charge of leading the patrol, the driving force behind the quest falls on Alderpaw's visions. After Sandstorm's death, Alderpaw shares the reason behind the quest with the others and officially takes the lead. When they arrive at the gorge, Alderpaw originally believes Darktail and his cats to be members of SkyClan, until meeting Mistfeather and witnessing his death at Darktail's claws. He and Needlepaw get separated from the rest of the patrol fleeing the gorge, and the two apprentices make the journey home on their own. Alderpaw laments the apparent failure of his quest, though Needlepaw suggests perhaps his quest is not over. The two apprentices discover two kits alone in a tunnel underneath the Thunderpath and take them back to the Clans.
===Sandstorm===
:Sandstorm was a ThunderClan elder and participated on the journey to restore SkyClan with Firestar. Many moons later, Sandstorm recognizes the cats seen in her grandson Alderpaw's vision as members of SkyClan. She argues for her participation in the journey to find them since she's the only cat left who knows where they live, despite knowing she may not return. Only Sandstorm and Alderpaw know the real reason behind the quest. She and Graystripe brainstorm a path to SkyClan without traveling through the mountains, as the Clans did during the Great Journey. Sandstorm takes the lead during the quest. During their first night, a pair of foxes attacks the group and Sandstorm is injured. She initially brushes of Alderpaw's concerns of infection, until she reopens the wound scaling two fences with spiky tops. Despite Alderpaw's treatments, Sandstorm dies from her wounds, and she gives Alderpaw directions to SkyClan in his dream as she joins StarClan. Sandstorm's death pushes Alderpaw to reveal the purpose behind their quest to the rest of the patrol. After being separated from Molewhisker, Cherryfall, and Sparkpaw, Sandstorm visits Alderpaw in his dreams to seek a different path to fulfill the prophecy.
===Needlepaw===
:Needlepaw is a ShadowClan apprentice. After seeing Alderpaw's patrol leave the lake while exploring WindClan territory, Needlepaw decides to follow them so ShadowClan can be involved in learning the meaning behind StarClan's prophecy. She argues her way into joining their quest after saving them from the foxes, and Alderpaw agrees to let her join, picking up on her insecurity and loneliness. She later overhears Sandstorm and Alderpaw talk about SkyClan, and pesters Alderpaw about the next morning. After Sandstorm's death, Needlepaw encourages Alderpaw to tell the others the truth about the nature of the quest. When they arrive at the gorge, Needlepaw clicks immediately with Rain and is pleased when he and the others decide to join the other Clans at the lake. When Darktail threatens to have them killed once their ruse is revealed, Needlepaw convinces Darktail to let them live. While escaping, Needlepaw and Alderpaw become separated from the others, and she guides Alderpaw through a Twolegplace to ask for directions and reassures Alderpaw when he thinks he's failed the quest. The ShadowClan apprentice interprets Sandstorm's words to take a different path literally by taking the tunnel underneath the Thunderpath, and she and Alderpaw discover two kits. When they arrive back at the lake, Needlepaw advocates for one of the kits to stay in ShadowClan since she was part of the quest.
===Sparkpaw===
:Sparkpaw is Alderpaw's sister and a talented hunter. When Bramblestar announces Alderpaw's quest, Sparkpaw immediately volunteers to join her brother. At the start of the quest, Sparkpaw pesters her brother about the purpose about their quest until their grandmother Sandstorm scolds her. She is eager to explore what lies beyond Clan territory, especially about Twolegs and Thunderpaths. She disproves of Needlepaw joining the quest, and develops a small rivalry with her. When they arrive at the gorge, Sparkpaw openly challenges Darktail's style of leadership that contradicts Clan customs. She, Molewhisker, and Cherryfall become separated from Alderpaw and Needlepaw when they flee the gorge, and search for their missing friends while they journey back to the Clans.
===Molewhisker and Cherryfall===
:Molewhisker and Cherryfall are ThunderClan warriors. Molewhisker was Alderpaw's original mentor before he switched careers, and Cherryfall is Sparkpaw's mentor. The two warrior siblings are chosen for the quest after Sparkpaw asks to join. Molewhisker and Cherryfall help with hunting for the group, and fighting off the pair of foxes. While Cherryfall agrees to let Needlepaw join in on their quest, Molewhisker sharply disagrees. Molewhisker and Cherryfall help bury Sandstorm after her vigil, and they resolve their dedication towards the quest after Alderpaw reveals the true nature of their mission. Molewhisker, Cherryfall, and Sparkpaw become separated from Needlepaw and Alderpaw while fleeing the gorge, and search for the missing apprentices while heading back to the Clans.
===Darktail===
:Darktail is the leader of the Kin. He and his rogues originally drove SkyClan from the gorge, and pose as SkyClan when when Alderpaw and his patrol arrive searching for SkyClan. Darktail allows them to stay in the gorge so they can learn more about each other. Sensing an opportunity to seek revenge against his father Onestar, Darktail is eager to join the other Clans by the lake as Alderpaw suggested. He reveals his true nature to Alderpaw the next day when he kills Mistfeather, a remaining SkyClan warrior. Darktail accuses Alderpaw and his friends of treason against them, but the patrol escapes before anything can be done. However, Darktail and his rogues follow them back to the lake.
==Quotes==
==See also==
*The SkyClan gorge
*The Apprentice's Quest
**The Apprentice's Quest/Cliffnotes
*Pebbleshine's Kits
**Pebbleshine's Kits/Cliffnotes
==Notes and references==
fi:Taivasklaanin etsintämatka (OT)fr:La quête de Nuage d'Aulneit:La missione di ZampaDiOntano e ZampaDiAgopl:Podróż w poszukiwaniu Klanu Nieba (Mu)
Category:Events
Category:Journeys
Category:The Apprentice's Quest
Category:Pebbleshine's Kits