[Meekins12345]

Username: Meekins12345
Lion name: Roc
Lion gender: Male/lion
Pride: In the signature - The Pride of Wikimak (Specifically the sub-pride, The Cloud Coalition)
Pride status: Corporal
Story:

The one time I had to have courage? Heh, well... I can think of one time, sure. It was long ago, back when I was only a couple years old.

I lived in the desolate lands of the Jutting Rocks, where lions and lionesses that resided within the pride of Kohure lived. The lions that dwelled there had to have some pretty good rock-climbing skills, because any wrong move could have you or your friends falling down into the nearly non-existent ground below... So you had to be careful.

My sister and I were playing around on the tall rocks that plagued our pride lands, but stopped once our eyes caught onto something. Two lions were fighting in the depths below. For what reason? I don't know to this day. But we both knew that the fight was rather intense, and a little too rough for the sake of most prides. So, being the curious and concerned young'uns we were, we began to ascend down to the depths. By the time we got there, there was only one lion there... and this lion was unmoving, laying on the ground like he had fallen asleep. We later found out he was dead.

There was no trace of the other lion, not even a paw print, which was strange, but nevertheless my sister and I thought it best to go and contact the rest of the pride... but as soon as we took one pawstep forward, we found the entire pride in front of us... staring us down as if we had committed a crime.

In reality, they thought we did. Well... they thought my sister did, thanks to her larger size. I was a pip-squeak back then... anyway, they began accusing her of killing this lion, who apparently was the king's high official, an important figure in the pride. They had no evidence and just assumed it was her because of her strength... I tried to reason with them but they wouldn't listen. They were bent on taking a prisoner, and that prisoner was going to be her.

I couldn't let her go, not when she hadn't done anything... I knew she wouldn't survive in the caves, it was too dangerous... So I spoke up, against my mind that screamed not to. As innocent as we both were, I wasn't going to let my sister pay for a crime she didn't commit, let alone remain within the caves that were known for the creatures they housed. Not many lions that went into the punishment caves came out alive... I was willing to take that chance, I just had to be brave about it.

"She didn't do it! ... I did!"

Without questioning it, they took me over her, and I took the punishment neither of us deserved, but the pride clearly needed.

But I did it. I did it for her... I just hope she can forget all that had happened and get on with her life. (495 wc)

[Tiger♥Bear]

Username: Tiger♥Bear
Lion name: Kuruka
Lion gender: Male
Pride: Pekee Pamoja
Pride status: Head Hunter
Story: (496/500 Words)

"I never said this would be the easy thing- just the right thing."

　　Shani, the scout had given news to Lord Elewisa about a rogue lion that had been wandering the eastern border of the valley. The valley was along the southern and western borders of this region so it could be a possibility that this rogue would wander up into the region. Little was known about him. A fairly new face seen in the valley. The prides spy Kesi was able to gather some information. The rogues name was Kivuli. He was gray with red eyes, an elegant mane and, oddly enough, a beard. He was ruthless and dangerous. It was recommended to keep your distance.
　　Kuruka was leading the two huntresses Atiena and Kamaria on a hunt near the desert border. It had rained recently so they had to be careful of the isolated sand patches. They would occasionally transform to quicksand pools during heavy rain. During the hunt, he was interrupted by the sounds of distress.
　　"What is that?" The two sisters stopped and listened, their ears swiveling. "Sounds like..."
　　"If I had to guess, something got stuck in one of the sand pits."
　　"My thoughts exactly. Come on. Let's check it out."
　　The three changed course toward the disturbance. Sure enough, someone had been caught in a patch of quicksand. A lion by the looks of it. The pride members that lived in this region knew how to get themselves out, mostly, though there were some instances when another's help was required. This lion (who definitely was not anyone from the subpride) had been fighting it and was fairly deep in the sand. It seemed he hadn't noticed the three hunters yet.
　　Kamaria gasped. "That- he is as Kesi described." Her words were hushed.
　　"Kivuli? The rogue?" Atiena seemed to study the lion then started taking steps back, her sister following her. "We should leave him here. The pride said he was dangerous."
　　"No." Kuruka spoke up, voice quiet but his tone was firm. He looked to the two sisters. "We can't just leave him here."
　　"Why not? It would be as easy as walking away. He hasn't seen us and no one would know."
　　"It's wrong. We would know." He looked over at the lion. "I don't want that on my conscience."
　　Kamaria looked over at Atiena who sighed. "It's not going to be easy."
　　"I never said this would be the easy thing- just the right thing." Kuruka stepped forward drawing the attention of the lion. Kivuli roared at him, but Kuruka could hear the fear laced into that. "I'm going to help you get out of this."
　　The rogue narrowed his eyes at the three hunters. After a moment of contemplation, he nodded his head with indignation. Kuruka stepped forward with Atiena and Kamaria and helped Kivuli work his way out of the quicksand. Once freed, the two sisters stepped back leaving Kuruka to face Kivuli.
　　The rogue scrutinized the hunter. "Not sure if you're brave or just stupid. But... thank you."

[Galeslash7]

Feather baby! (Perfect for a bird pride mwha ha ha)

Username: MacawWildGirl
Lion name: MightyCry
Lion gender: Male
Pride: Ndege Pride
Pride status: Eagle
Story:

MightyCry was just a young Flock Guard when the Hyenas' laugh was heard. They were the fiercest Clan of Hyenas around the Ndege Plateau that were known to prey on young hatchlings. With a start, MightyCry realized that his sister, HarmonicPeace was out on a hunt. By herself. MightyCry leaped out of his indent and ran in the tall grass, his feet going so fast it looked like they were flying. With his long glorious mane flying, a sign of his high rank and status, he leaped towards the Tree Grove where she was supposed to be hunting.

Instead of his sister, he found six hyenas standing over his sister's broken body.

"HarmonicPeace!" He screamed at her body and in a rage, he leaped at the Hyenas, snarling and roaring. Pain didn't register with him and he was a whirlwind of claws. Soon, all six of the hyenas were dead at his feet or fleeing. MightyCry realized with a start that sometime during the battle, his mane had been cut off and his head was left bare and bleeding. His status and his rank would be gone, and he feared he might be banished from the Pride. What male lion didn't have a mane?

Heartbroken, he stumbled back to the Pride and saw that everyone had helped driven off the Hyenas. The Pride was safe, but HarmonicPeace had died and his mane was cut off. The Raven took one look at him and shook her head. He knew right then that his mane would never grow back. All he would have would be a simple buzzcut. How could he show status? The Pride would surely hate him even if he was allowed to stay.

GoldenShiningSun walked up to him and stood regally with her beautiful mane flowing in the wind. "You have lost your mane MightyCry, but you still helped fight off the hyenas. For that, you may stay a Flock Guard. I know it is your dream to become Eagle, but to do that it will now be much harder. Earn our Pride's respect MightyCry and someday you might not even need a mane."

MightCry felt like screaming. Whether with joy or despair he did not know. He had lost his sister and mane, but at least he was allowed to stay. And he would work hard to earn their respect and become Eagle. He felt it was his destiny!

"I will GoldenShiningSun. Mark my words, I will become Eagle."

--------------------------------------------------------------- Many Winds later----------------------------------------------------

"Here we are today, MightyCry will you come forawrd? We recognize that you have worked hard to earn our respect and we honor you with the title Eagle. Even if you have no mane, we give you the highest status a male can have besides Pathfinder. Congrats, you have earned it." With that, GoldenShiningSun placed the mark of Eagle upon MightyCry's shoulder and the Clan called out in pride.

"Our new EAGLE!"

[487/500 words]

[EchoIre]

Username: EchoIre
Lion name: Amin
Lion gender: Male
Pride: Motoheri Pride
Pride status: Lead Hunter
Story:

Amin was never a particularly courageous lion - at least, he didn't think so. He was a warrior, like all his family before him had been, and was a good one at that. His peers liked him, and he was always there to protect them.

But it was not the life he wanted.

His entire life, Amin felt a calling for the role of hunter.

wip bc it's late aaa

[snapshot]

Username: snapshot
Lion name: Abir
Lion gender: male
Pride: Ngozi
Pride status: Koaloha
Prompt:

Abir unfurled his wings with the first light of dawn, leaping off a branch and swooping out to greet the rising sun, calling to it as he did every morning. Once it had fully risen over the horizon, Abir dove back into the jungle, searching for something to eat.

"Abir."

The eagle faltered, searching for who had spoken.

"Abir."

Abir shrieked, flinging his wings out to slow himself. He clumsily landed on a branch after narrowly avoiding running into another eagle. He was large, larger than any eagle Abir had ever seen. Hastily, he bowed to it.

"Great Eagle."

"Abir," the eagle said a third time. "I have a task for you."

"Anything."

"Go south, to the land of Ngozi. You are to be a guide to the Air. I have appointed you to teach the airbenders and live among them, in their form."

Abir opened his beak in shock. "Their form?"

"They are lions."

"You.. you want me to be a lion?"

He couldn't imagine losing his wings.

The Eagle chuckled. "Not always. They will call you a Koaloha, and you will be able to shift between forms at will."

"But why me?" Abir asked.

"There is a reason your name means courage. I chose you because you have the strength to be their eagle Koaloha. And they will need a guide."

Abir bowed to the Great Eagle. "I want to do as you ask. I am honored. But I am afraid. I don't feel courageous."

"Fear is not the absence of courage. And I will be with you. Now go, fly, Eagle called Courage."

And he did. He left his home, everything he ever knew. He pressed on through rain, wind, and sun. He didn't hear from the Eagle for a long time, but he continued forward, remembering what his name meant and that the Great Eagle believed he could do this. If the Great Eagle says he can, then he must be able to, right?

Eventually he came to a jetty, and he landed on it, eyes wide as he took in the sight of the ocean all around him.

"Abir."

He turned, and there was- well, he thought it was the Great Eagle, but it looked like a lion.

"It is time to try your second form."

"How?"

"Be."

That didn't make much sense, but as Abir looked at the Great Ea- Lion, he felt himself change.

He immediately fell over. The Great One chuckled, and a breeze righted Abir on his new feet.

"I can't see anything! I can only look forward. How will I see what's around me?"

Another chuckle. "Have courage, Abir. You will come to understand this form in time."

And he did. He drew strength from the Great One's support. In time, the memory of the journey to Ngozi faded somewhat, but he preserved it as best he could by telling the story. Cubs loved it, and soon it became a legend.

They called it The Legend of Abir's Courage.

499/500

[zoocyte]

bump, ending tomorrow (if anyone needs an extension let me know)

[AwkwardAnxiety]

..I did not realize this ended 2:30 am my time or I would have finished my entry yesterday T^T

[zoocyte]

closed for judging :3

[DraconisSumeris]

Omg I love this kiddo! Lately birds have been on my mind lol, this is such an epic design!

Username: Chanceuxcat
Lion name: Enzi
Lion gender: Female
Pride: Veren's Pride
Pride status: Musician
Story:

-snip-

Stepping in to judge this one. I adored many of the entries, but Chanceuxcat's spoke volumes to me. There is a lot of fear involved in coming out, especially to parents when you fear you'll be rejected. It's a truely courageous action.

[Nia The Elf]

Grats Chanceux! Very lovely entry <3