Journey to find SkyClan (TAQ)

"We can't help SkyClan now. We have no idea where they've gone. And if we try to stay in the woods, Darktail and his rogues will surely find us. Maybe when we get home, Bramblestar will have some idea of what we can do to help SkyClan, but this quest...This quest is a failure. The best we can do is get home safely."

— Alderpaw about their quest in The Apprentice's Quest, page 233

Journey to find SkyClan
General information
Book	The Apprentice's Quest, Pebbleshine's Kits
Locations	The lake territories to the gorge
Duration	Late greenleaf; approximately two weeks
Participants	Alderpaw, Sparkpaw, Molewhisker, Cherryfall, Sandstorm, and Needlepaw
Outcome	Alderpaw arrives at the gorge only to discover the Kin residing there, having driven SkyClan from their home. Alderpaw and Needlepaw find Twigkit and Violetkit and bring them back to the Clans. Darktail and his rogues follow Alderpaw back to the lake.
Chronology
Preceded by:	Battle of the gorge, The Kin's campaign, SkyClan's journey to find the Clans
Concurrent:	SkyClan's journey to find the Clans
Followed by:	Yellowcough plague

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

"StarClan wouldn't have sent you the vision if you weren't ready. We believe the vision you had was about the prophecy. As Sandstorm told you, the cats you saw are from another Clan, called SkyClan. Since the prophecy mentioned the sky clearing, we think they may be in trouble. Jayfeather, Leafpool, and I agree that you must go on a quest to find them."

―Bramblestar to Alderpaw about his vision ^{The Apprentice's Quest, page 106}

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

"Embrace what you find in the shadows, for only they can clear the sky."

―Firestar's prophecy to the medicine cats ^{The Apprentice's Quest, page 6}

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

"Cats of ThunderClan! Alderpaw has had an important vision—and this vision is to set him off on a quest that, I predict, will prove as important to our Clan as the one that Dovewing undertook as an apprentice, when the drought came and she saved our lake. The medicine cats' prophecy told us that unless we embrace what we find in the shadows, the sky will never clear. Alderpaw's vision gives us hope that the cats of ThunderClan can find what lies in the shadows, and if so, then our Clan will prosper."

―Bramblestar about the quest ^{The Apprentice's Quest, page 118}

Alderpaw's visions lead him on his quest to find SkyClan to fulfill the prophecy

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

"This is my destiny. And you do not need me anymore. You are stronger than you know. Listen. You must lead the others now. Continue heading toward the rising sun. It is many days' journey, and you will have to cross a very big and busy Thunderpath. After that, you will come to a river. Follow it upstream, and you will find the gorge where SkyClan has their camp."

―Sandstorm to Alderpaw ^{The Apprentice's Quest, page 181}

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

"Something is...off about these cats. I think they're beyond our help. Is all this really what you saw in your dream?"

―Cherryfall to Alderpaw about the "SkyClan cats" ^{The Apprentice's Quest, page 206}

Instead of finding SkyClan, Alderpaw's patrol discovers Darktail and his Kin living in the gorge

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

"When are you going to thank me for leading you into the tunnel? [...] Isn't it obvious? These kits are what you find in the shadows!"

―Needlepaw about the two kits ^{The Apprentice's Quest, pages 269-270}

Alderpaw and Needlepaw discover two abandoned kits in a tunnel and take them to the Clans, believing them to be part of the prophecy

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

«I can take care of Twigkit. I always will, and I'll do everything I can do make sure that she's happy. If nothing else comes of my quest, at least I can make sure that this little one has a good life.»

—Alderpaw's thoughts about Twigkit ^{The Apprentice's Quest, page 296}

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

"My visions were telling me to go to SkyClan and bring them back to share our territory by the lake—to clear the sky, like in the prophecy. I messed up! I didn't understand the first vision right away, and then Sandstorm died...We got to the gorge too late. We couldn't find what lay in the shadows, because SkyClan had already left. Now the sky will never clear! Who knows what will happen to the Clans? And it's all because I'm a terrible medicine cat!"

―Alderpaw about his quest to Needlepaw ^{The Apprentice's Quest, page 254}

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

"It wasn't your fault. It was my time to go, I sensed when I decided to go with you to search for SkyClan that I might not survive the journey. You know, I never wanted to spend my last days as an elder, sitting around in camp. I wanted to die doing something important...and your quest gave me the chance to relive a special moment with Firestar."

―Sandstorm to Alderpaw from StarClan ^{The Apprentice's Quest, page 260}

Sandstorm led the quest originally since she was part of the original quest to SkyClan with Firestar

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

"I'm staying, and you can't stop me. I know you're going to look for the thing in the shadows that the prophecy spoke about. And there's no way I'm going to let you find it just for ThunderClan. Who's to say ShadowClan can't have some of that destiny, too? If I can do anything to help the sky clear for my Clan, then I have to do it."

―Needlepaw to the others about letting her join the quest ^{The Apprentice's Quest, pages 148-149}

Needlepaw invited herself on Alderpaw's quest, but her headstrongness and creativity led to them discovering Twigkit and Violetkit

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

"I'm wondering if we should leave. StarClan sent us here, and we haven't found SkyClan. Maybe we should stay close by and look for them."

―Sparkpaw to the rest of the group ^{The Apprentice's Quest, page 233}

Sparkpaw is Alderpaw's sister and she participated in the quest

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

"I think I speak for all of us when I tell you that we pledge ourselves to do whatever it takes to find SkyClan and complete the quest."

―Molewhisker to Alderpaw after Sandstorm's death ^{The Apprentice's Quest, page 191}

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

"And yes, there's probably quite a bit we can learn from one another."

―Darktail welcoming Alderpaw and the others to his camp ^{The Apprentice's Quest, page 201}

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

«A shiver passed through Alderpaw, as if he were being stabbed by masses of icicles, all at once. Glancing back, he could still see the lake with the Clan territories around it, the only place he had known all his life. Ahead, everything was unknown. It was even more frightening than his journey to the Moonpool, because then he had been following a path the other medicine cats had traveled before him. Now he was taking his Clanmates where there were no familiar paths.»

—Alderpaw's thoughts as they leave the lake ^{The Apprentice's Quest, page 125}

«Alderpaw's heart clenched with pity and fury. Everything makes sense now! Guilt tore at him like a fox's fangs as he realized that his vision had been real. SkyClan had needed help, but he and his friends had come too late.»

—Alderpaw's thoughts ^{The Apprentice's Quest, page 221}

Alderpaw: "Don't you get it? It's because I've failed. What kind of medicine cat am I?"

Needlepaw: "What do you mean?"

^{The Apprentice's Quest, pages 253-255}

"You have not failed. And it is not too late to fulfill your quest. It will merely require a different path."

―Sandstorm to Alderpaw ^{The Apprentice's Quest, page 262}

"Have you got bees in your brain? Look, we came over the Thunderpath, and now here's a 'different path' that leads under it. Plus, it's all in shadow! We can go this way!"

―Needlepaw to Alderpaw about taking a different path ^{The Apprentice's Quest, page 265}

See also

• The SkyClan gorge
• The Apprentice's Quest
  • The Apprentice's Quest/Cliffnotes
• Pebbleshine's Kits
  • Pebbleshine's Kits/Cliffnotes