VOK Halloween Event - Prompts

[snapshot]

Username: snapshot
Pride: Ngozi
Prompt level completed: 5 [1035/1000]
Prompt:
Mamba and Lumo laughed about the idea of Lumo and Keahi (or the other fire benders perhaps) pretending to be a dragon. With the help of some air benders, maybe they could create some billows of smoke, and really add to the whole act. Maybe they would try it, at a festival sometime. It would certainly be fun, and the cubs would surely be highly entertained. They did not fear dragons, not since Mamba had picked up a small dragon companion. In fact, the cubs loved playing with the little pseudo dragon.

Their thoughts were interrupted when suddenly, something caught Lumo’s eye.

“Hey Ada?” He said. He frowned as he glanced over his shoulder at a purple rabbit with many eyes. It stared at him, not blinking any of its eyes, and as Lumo watched it seemed to sprout fangs.

“I see it,” Mamba said, frowning. “I will keep after the Creature, you catch this.. thing. It appears to have mutated in the wake of the creature. We don’t want an infestation of mutated animals, that could choke out the native population and create a disaster for the entire ecosystem.”

“Yes, Ada.” Lumo broke away, turning back and dashing after the purple rabbit. It saw him coming and bounded away through the brush, but even its scent was strange, making it easy to follow. That, and it was bright purple, and it seemed to have developed a glow.

“Gotcha,” Lumo pounced on the rabbit, flaring his wings as he did so. He carefully picked it up by the scruff of its neck. It flailed, but could not break Lumo’s hold. It also couldn’t reach around to bite him with its new fangs, so it settled for hissing angrily at him.

The winged lion turned and headed back towards the crater. He would bring the rabbit to Lana, and then they could figure out what to do and how to contain it. Katara would be able to fashion a cage out of strong saplings easily enough, and they could bring it out to one of the rocky areas that the tide separated from the rest of the island. Or, they could even bring it out to one of the small islands that made up the archipelago of the Swimming Lion.

Lumo trotted out of the woods. The lions still gathered at the crater turned, and all their eyes landed on the faintly glowing purple rabbit.

“Is.. that the thing?” Nova asked.

Lumo flicked his tail in a ‘no’ gesture.

“The creature is nowhere to be found,” Mamba announced, walking back to the crater.

Lumo turned to his father in surprise. Why was he back so soon? And where were Avior and Viper?

“That’s unfortunate news,” Lana said, frowning. “I’ll have to send out more scouts. What’s up with this rabbit, Lumo?”

He gestured to Nova, who came and took the rabbit from his so he could speak.

“It mutated in the wake of the creature. The creature must radiate some kind of energy that changes the things around it.”

“That’s not good,” Lana said. “If it’s running around the island, it could change a lot of animals. It could upset the whole ecosystem.”

Lumo hummed in agreement. “Maybe there’s a way to reverse it though?”

“Maybe. We’ll bring the rabbit to one of the camps, and call someone to examine it. But we also need to find the creature before it does more damage. Mamba? Any ideas to find it?” Lana asked.

“I would suggest we regroup and report to the pride, then send out scouts,” Mamba said.

Lana nodded. “Good idea. Alright everyone, make your way back.”

The group returned to the beach. Nova went a different way, to bring the rabbit to a separate camp for safe holding, just in case.

However, the squad was just explaining what happened when suddenly a lion came barreling out of the jungle and slammed into Mamba.

“Mamba! Wait- Mamba?”

The pride stared at the two tussling lions. They both were Mamba. How could that be?

“Imposter!” Second-Mamba snarled, wrestling the first to the ground.

The first kicked the second and threw him off. “I am not. YOU are the imposter, fiend.”

“Lies!”

The pride just stared, unsure of what to do. Lana looked to her father, completely out of her depth here. Mar took charge.

“Everyone, be still!” The white and brown lion bellowed.

The two Mambas froze.

“You must believe me,” First Mamba said. “This lion is an invader. I beg you, lock him up, before more damage is done.”

Second Mamba growled low in his throat, eyes flashing. “Silence, thief of my form. My King, lock us both away, until the truth can be discerned.”

Mar looked between them. They appeared identical. “Thank you, but I do not think that will be necessary.” Mar smirked at them. “The truth can be discerned easily enough while you both stand here on the beach. But if you would, please have a seat.”

The Mambas sat.

Mar stepped to the side. Nuria stepped forward. She circled the pair for only half a second before coming to a stop in front of the Second Mamba. She sat down in front of him and leaned her head forward. He leaned his to meet hers, their foreheads resting together.

“It seems someone has borrowed your face, my love,” she whispered with a hint of amusement.

“Stolen, more like,” Mamba said, his tone more of a growl.

“Mm, perhaps,” Nuria agreed. She leaned back and then turned to face Mar and the rest of the pride. “This is Mamba. The other is the imposter. I can not yet discern its intentions. It is not a lion, whatever it is, which makes things a bit more difficult.” She turned her piercing gaze to the fake Mamba. “But not impossible.”

The pride had, throughout Nuria’s inspection and speaking, moved to surround the two Mambas. The imposter would not be able to escape, and there was no way it would be able to fight some 30 or so lions. It was trapped.

“Well then,” Mar said, “who are you, and why have you come here? And why use the form of one of our own?”

[minifun990]

Username: minifun990
Link to pride or group: Mystic Isles
Prompt level completion: 5 (1022 words)
Prompt:Bahira races off into the trees after Jelsa and Lakvair. Why does she have to be the responsible one?? As soon as she knows she is out of Edana’s and Keitaros site she prepares to travel ahead, assuming they are just in front of her. It feels so strange using her abilities so much so suddenly but they already saw her once, there wasn't exactly any way to lie about it now.

She closed her eyes, gathering the energies around her, but they screamed, warning her not to do it. Something was wrong. Very wrong. Bahira gasped, leaping out of the way as the shadow creature leapt over her head. It didnt hesitate long enough to do anything other than send another sharp teeth filled grin at her before continuing onwards at incredible speed. Leaving Bahira to stare helplessly after it.

She was only broken from her shock by the feeling of something watching her. She turned and- There on the branch, a bird, just a black bird normal as could be. Until it fluffed up feathers and shimmered into a brilliant green, feathers raising on its head in a strange crown. Bahira gasped, and slowly walked forwards towards where the two inventors had run off to, and the creature had run back from.

Every step she took revealed more animals that had changed. A deer raised its head, and other head, and another head. A small wolf blinked its 5 eyes. A frog flew at her with a hiss in its throat. Bahira hurriedly sped up, getting more concerned about what she would see when she caught up with Jelsa and Lakviar. Would they be changed as well? A tail for an ear? Five legs? Bahira had no clue but she desperately hoped that they had avoided whatever this strange mutagen was.

She burst into the clearing, panting still wary of using her powers in case she got ambushed. Lakviar looked up, Jelsa too engaged in whatever she was looking at to bother noticing Bahira. It didnt matter though. Lakviar had the normal amount of eyes and Jelsa seemed perfectly normal as well, if only slightly more blue looking than Bahira remembered.

The two scientists were huddled over a strange purple form, it looked like a rabbit but like everything else Bahira had seen it was… Different now.

“What are you doing?” Bahira yelled. Jelsa leapt off the bunny, allowing it free, while Lakviar took a slight step closer to his friend.

“I-I was investigating, I've never seen anything like that before.” Jelsa said, stammering at the beginning before straightening up.

“Is there a problem with that?” Lakviar asked, watching Bahira carefully. She had never seen the grey lion act so brave before, standing up for someone rather than standing back. She squinted.

“You are acting strange. You didn't see anything else odd did you?” Bahira asked, watching Lakviar carefully. There was no telling if that creature had done something other than physical changes.

“Lakviar is? You are the one acting crazy here Bahira.” Jelsa said, standing in front of Lakviar who just looked a little confused and upset.



--

Keitaro hadn't waited long before following Bahira into the unknown. Edana should've known. There was clearly something going on between those two. Keitaro was probably only hanging out with her to make Bahira jealous or something.

It left her at a loss though. What was she supposed to do now? Follow the lunatics into the darkness? Head back to the pride?

The wind blew making Edana shiver. Suddenly she realised how alone she was. The pride was far away and while the others were likely closer Edana didn't know how far away they were. Or if it was dangerous.

But it wasn't safe here either. That creature was unknown, completely strange and alien. Edana had to warn someone, what if it was too much for them to handle alone. With that in mind she started off towards home. Hopefully she made it in time - hopefully

Bam! Edana skidded into a tree. Her head pounding and then- as she faded into unconsciousness she watched, as her own face took shape before her. She pawed weakly as the creature covered her with autumn leaves, before heading back towards where the others had gone. Darkness.

--

Keitaro felt a little guilty as Edana caught up to him. He probably should've waited before running off. She smiled broadly though, obviously forgiving him. He thought about apologizing but princes dont ever need to do that.

“Where are we approaching to?” Edana asked him, confusing him. Was he going the wrong way while she knew where the others were?

“What do you mean?” He responded.

“Ah we are meeting up with the others.” Keitaro nodded, watching Edana out of the corner of his eye. They were almost there, and yet Edana still trailed behind as if she was following him rather than the scent of the others. There was something off about her posture as well, too fluid yet confident.

Keitaro didn't expect to see the other three in what appeared to be a standoff.

“Are they going to fight? How do they fight?” Edana bounced up and down as if excited for the mayhem.

“How do-?” Keitaro flattened his ears back. This wasn't Edana. This thing was far too energetic and confident and strange. “Guys…”

“We are busy Keitaro. There is an imposter among us.” Bahira said, hardly glancing from where she eyed Lakviar.

“Oh. Well I think there might be two…” Keitaro responded. A little shocked at this turn of events. That got the other threes attention. Edana frowned.

“No there’s only m-” Her eyes widened. “Yes that grey fellow is not the real one! We need to get him!”

“Grey fellow?”

“Edana?”

“Quick get her!”

Keitaro and Jelsa leapt at Edana, but instead of catching her they knocked each other over. Edana skittered to the side and with a grin leapt into the treetops. Bahira closed her eyes, teleporting up into the tree, and promptly falling to the ground when she calculated wrong.

Laughter echoed in the treetops, and with that the creature faded from sight.

[-Isabella-]

Username: –Isabella-
Link to pride or group: xxXxx
Prompt level completion: 5
Prompt:

“Of all the impossible things.” Khalida’s tail lashed in irritation. “I’ve been queen a mere few days and already chaos is striking at the heart of the pride.”

The lions trailing behind her didn’t hear her mutters, but her displeasure was obvious enough. She had enough to do, rebuilding the pride and settling into her new role without some strange creature wreaking havoc over her new lands.

She’d brought some of her best trackers, those with the best noses and eyes, to try to find the odd creature who had appeared in their midst. Among the volunteers was her nephew, Thulani. He had both a keen nose and sharp eyes. Wi8th the tension between Khalida and her brother Nadir she wasn’t sure her nephew was too pleased with her presence, but she wasn’t about to turn down any volunteer right now.

Her own gaze took in the path ahead as she looked for any sign of the creature, but there was nothing. That is, until she spotted a four eyed rabbit with…purple fur? Surprised she stopped walking, hearing the lions behind her come to a halt as well.

“What is it?” Someone breathed.

A sign of danger, nothing good can come of this,” someone else muttered.

“Perhaps this is all an ill omen,” another lion suggested.

Khalida bit back her frustration, saying calmly, “This is obviously the work of that shadow creature. Look.” She gestured to a tree nearby where a colorful bird perched, odd fang like growths protruding from its beak.

“Well we’ve lost any trail any way,” a lion spoke up, sounding more than a little irritated.

“Shall I go investigate further, see if there is any sign of the creature up ahead?” Thulani offered.

Khalida considered a moment then nodded. “We’ll split up, but go in pairs, I don’t want anyone going alone. And remember, we don’t fully know yet what this creature is capable of, we must be cautious and no one is to approach the creature on their own.”

A few lions nodded in agreement or acquiescence. Khalida noticed that Thulani seemed to be only half listening, gazing off into the trees. She almost spoke to him right then, but then decided against it. Calling him out in front of the patrol was hardly the way to win her nephew’s trust.

Instead she signaled the lions to move out and they fanned out in pairs, each taking a different section of the forest ahead.

Unbeknownst to Khalida, once he was out of her sight, Thulani wandered away from the lion who had accompanied him, not finding it hard to do as the lioness was yawning and dragging her paws as if she might sleep where she stood.

Not realizing what her nephew was up to Khalida just kept searching the trees and bushes for signs of the creature, finding herself wishing the brush wasn’t so dense so that she might fly and gain a better view of the ground stretching out before them. But the trees were too close together for her to even spread her wings out on the ground.

Beside her one of her guards was keeping a close eye on her but she ignored his not-so-subtle stares as she continued her search. She had nearly given up hope of having any luck when a cry sounded behind them, back the way they’d come. She turned quickly to head that way, and upon reaching the place where the patrol had split up she saw the sleep lioness standing there wide eyes, now obviously very much awake.

“What is it?” She asked, her tone firm but not harsh.

“I think…I saw it. It had eyes…like drops of blood…” The lioness trailed off, her gaze wandering to the trees.

“And what happened, where did it go?” Khalida prompted.

“Oh, I don’t know it just…disappeared.” By now the other lions that had been on the patrol were gathering again, all listening to the lioness speak. But Khalida noticed her nephew was conspicuously absent.

“Where is Thulani?” She asked them, her gaze resting pointedly on the lioness who was supposed to have been his partner.

“I don’t know,” the lioness replied, shuffling her paws in an embarrassed way.

Khalida bit back a growl, half ready to go find him herself and drag him back. But right as she was thinking of doing just that the pied lion came walking through the trees, blinking almost as if he was surprised when he saw the patrol gathered there. But the surprise faded quickly enough and he trotted over to Khalida.

“Where were you?” Khalida asked him, loudly enough for the others to hear. More quietly she said, “What would I tell my brother if he knew I had let his son wander off on my watch?” She didn’t mean to treat him like a cub and knew he might not like it, but her frustration was borne as much of concern as anger.

“I just…I was checking some sounds I heard. But it was nothing,” he said. “The creature is well gone by now I think.” Surprisingly he didn’t seem angry, or even out off by her words.

“We should head back, regroup and decide what to do,” Khalida’s guard murmured in her ear before she had too much chance to think about it.

She contemplated a moment then nodded. “Very well then. We’ll return home and decide what to do from there.”

All the lions fell in once more as they headed home. The walk wasn’t overly long but for tired lions who had been out too late already it felt longer. Thulani fell in near Khalida, seeming calm as he walked by her shoulder.

“Did you need something?” She asked him before long, finding his closeness strange given how uncertain of her, and even mildly hostile he had seemed earlier.

“No, of course not. I simply wanted to walk with my aunt.”

Khalida’s ear twitched a little at the odd statement but she didn’t immediately say anything. Not that she would have had much chance because after only a moment Thulani spoke again.

“It’s a good thing we have the numbers to allow us to send out a patrol like this. I imagine the pride will appreciate your swift action.”

Khalida glanced sideways at him, knowing all too well that the pride still didn’t seem certain whether they should appreciate her at all yet. And he certainly knew as much too.

“You’re very quiet,” he said when she didn’t answer. “Are you worried? I’m sure the pride is safe.”

“I’m sure you’re right,” she responded slowly.

“Well of course, you have plenty of guards there after all, right?” He said with a half-smile.

“Of course, it wouldn’t due to leave them unprotected.” Khalida felt a growing sense of unease as her nephew continued to speak to her in a calm, comfortable manner as if things hadn’t been strained between them just hours ago. And why did he ask questions about the pride and her rule when he knew all too well the answers? He might not have been an heir but she knew he was well educated in the way the pride was run, and of course knew his pridemates well enough.

“Well, I suppose we are almost there then,” he said before long.

“Yes, of course,” Khalida said. “I just hope your father is feeling better. I know if he hadn’t been feeling ill he would’ve joined us in our hunt.”

“Father? Oh, yes, of course.” Thulani nodded his head and Khalida narrowed her eyes, stopping in her tracks.

‘What is it?” He asked, tilting his head. “Is it the creature?”

“No, Thulani. But you know very well that your father is not ill. And you’ve barely spoken to me this whole day, or any day before. Why are you suddenly so talkative I wonder?”

The young male blinked slowly. “I…Well we are family after all.”

Khalida shook her head. “No Thulani. I don’t know what exactly you think of me. But I know you don’t want to consider me family right now.”

The young male opened his mouth as if he might speak then closed it. His eyes briefly shone with an odd red light then he turned tail and ran, pushing past his pridemates on the path.

Khalida motioned for her guard to follow then took off after him. He led them on a merry chase, and they lost him at least once.

When at least they came to the end of his trail Khalida spotted the young lion crumpled on the ground at the base of a tree. She walked over swiftly and checked to be sure he was breathing. Once she was sure he was alive she gave him a shake with her paw.

It took a couple tries but after a few shakes he lifted his head slowly, blinking as if coming out of a long, deep sleep.

“What is it?”

“Thulani, what is the last thing you remember?” She asked him.

“I…well the creature, we were hunting it.” As he became more alert he sat up slowly, leaning away from his aunt in an almost wary manner.

“You don’t remember walking back to the pride, or speaking to me?” She asked.

“No, I have no idea what…what is this, what’s going on?” His suspicion seemed to be returning as he looked at her, leaning away still with an almost defiant look.

“The creature was you, Thulani.” Khalida wasn’t sure how or when exactly she came to the conclusion, but somehow she just knew.

“How?” Thulani seemed suspicious still, but also shocked.

“I don’t know. Either…it pretended to be you and borrowed your appearance, or…it actually took over your body. It was just like you.”

Thulani shuddered a little. “How did you know it wasn’t me then?”

She paused a moment, then with a hint of amusement said, “It acted as if it liked me.”

Thulani looked almost surprised then, perhaps because she didn’t seem upset.

“Well, good for us you’re so observant I guess,” he muttered as he stood.

“Perhaps. Now, come on. Let’s go home.” Khalida turned to go then and Thulani followed.

While she didn’t like this newest development, and not liking not knowing where the creature might strike next, Khalida was glad her nephew was alright at least. And for now at least he walked by her without shying away or casting glares in her direction, so perhaps some good had come out of the experience.

1749/1000

[Raptocidic]

Username: RupturedRaptor
Link to pride or group: The Fire Empire
Prompt level completion: Level 5
Prompt: [1128/1000]

Ozmore tapped methodically at the book of legends as he shuffled towards his reading desk. He marvelled at the broken window for a second. The window was once decorative; made from stained glass and filled with imagery of flowers and tropical plants. Many citizens used to visit the parameters of the royal court, gazing at the pretty imagery taken from across the Empire. Ozmore had had the windows put in when the court was built, intended as a reminder of all that he had achieved. Many windows would need replacing, which wasn’t much of an issue to him, but that particular window was one of his favourites. It used to shine with a thousand colors at midday, right when the sun aligned perfectly with the intricate design. It would cast its colors onto the floor beside him, always narrowly missing the desk. Ozmore stared at the glass shards on the floor as he slouched in his chair moodily.

In an effort to distract his mind, Ozmore held the book up from a slight height and watched as it fell onto the table with a thud. Amused with the result, he picked up the book once again and let it fall from a larger height. The thud echoed through the room. He had expected a larger sound, but not one quite as aggressive. He yawned as his eyes crept back towards the broken glass and wondered if he could just piece it back together. Most of the shards were missing, having been flung somewhere outside when the creature crashed through it.

There was another echoing thud. Ozmore looked at his book in bewilderment. A third thud, this time louder and somewhat impatient. It took Ozmore a while to realise that the noise wasn’t coming from his book. Another sound, this time less violent and much more like a polite knock on a door than anything. Ozmore shuffled his chair around to face his door. It made an awful screeching noise as it scratched the floor. Ozmore winced as he looked at the damage. Another small knock, followed by a voice coming from the behind the door.

“We’ve caught it, Emperor, Sir. We caught the cre-“

The voice was cut off as Ozmore swung the door open. There were two guards, one covering behind the other. Ozmore decided it would be entertaining to play a game he called ‘scary emperor’, which was where he pretended to be much more intimidating than he actually was.

“QUIET” he bellowed, glaring at the guard in front. “YOU SPEAK” he said as he gestured towards the guard cowering behind the other.

“W- we have caught the thing. The thing, the thing that escaped?” the guard sounded unsure of his last sentence, ending it in a high pitched manner as if he were asking a question. Ozmore couldn’t keep up his act any longer.

“The thing that crashed through my window, yes?” he asked eagerly.

“Yes.” The guard replied, growing in confidence slightly. “Some citizens and a few soldiers caught it. We were told to tell you. The other guard decided to take over the conversation, deciding to stop the other one rambling on too much.

“It’s in the square at the moment. You should go to-.” Ozmore gave the other gaurd a disappointed expression, as if to tell him he hadn’t been allowed to speak yet, but he didn’t say anything. Instead he rushed off down the corridor. The gaurd seemed irritated, having not finished everything he was about to say. “You should go because its head looks like yours” he muttered as he watched Ozmore turn round the corner. Nobody ever listened to him, for some strange reason.


---

Having arrived at the square, Ozmore was met with the back of a large crowd. They were circled around something (which he guessed was the creature), however he couldn’t see it for himself. He stood there unnoticed for a few minutes until General Mirra approached from behind, bringing with her some soldiers.

“CLEAR AREA” She yelled at her soldiers in a voice much like Ozmore’s scary voice, except unlike him she wasn’t putting on an act. The soldiers quickly cleared a path through the crowd (who had only just realised that Ozmore was present and had collectively begun shuffling away, not wanting to end up in any sort of trouble). Ozmore walked in strides towards the middle, aware that half of the city were watching him. There he saw, tied to the stone pillar in the square, was the creature. It was dark. Its fur refused to shine in the sunlight, instead appearing darker than shadows.

One of the soldiers who had captured it spoke to Mirra. “It’s been talking half gibberish, Ma'am. “ He paused for a second before adding “Something about chasing Uuk'oks, i think.” The soldier seemed pleased with himself.

Ozmore was less than pleased. He approached the creature himself, crouching down in front of it. He stared at it as its eyes looked back at him.

“Tell me, what is Uukooks?” Ozmore asked. He hadn’t said it how the soldier did, instead finding it more difficult to pronounce than he had expected it to be.

“Uuk'oks.” The creature said. “Here, Run Uuk'oks. Chase, Find?" It was speaking strangely, warped even, appearing to struggle with getting each word out. Ozmore was about to speak but the creature continued before he could. "Vegnoiks, Jetjai. Find him, He is Hidden.” It spoke again, that time growing in confidence slightly. The creature gestured its paw towards itself as it spoke its next line. "Like me. Better game hider." Ozmore observed that the creature seemed somewhat frustrated, glancing towards the floor as it muttered "Will take. Stop Uuk'oks. It nodded its head as it looked up towards Ozmore. “You help”.

Ozmore looked at the creature with confusion, his mind trying to piece together the broken message. It seemed pleased with itself after that last line, having complete what it was trying to say. Mirra seemed unpleased. She gestured towards her soldiers to come closer as she ordered for it to be moved elsewhere.

“Secure it and move it!” She shouted. The soldiers moved towards the creature.

“Don’t hurt it, be gentle for Eatoria’s sake!” Ozmore replied angrily as he watched one of them attempt to grab the creature violently. Ozmore didn’t really know what was going on or what it was cape able of, but he knew from earlier before that it didn’t seem to like being grabbed. It appeared to be asking for them to do something, although what exactly he wasn’t sure. All Ozmore really cared for at that point is that he didn’t want any more windows getting broken, and being unnecessarily violent was how most had gotten broken up until that point.

[Firedancer77]

Username: Firedancer77
Link to pride or group: Isle of Roses
Prompt level completion: Level 5
Prompt: Day 4.1

[-Isabella-]

Username: –Isabella-
Link to pride or group: xxXxx
Prompt level completion: 5
Prompt:

After taking some time to rest, eat, and deliberate, it was decided that the patrol would go back out again and try to find the creature before it ventured too close to the pride or caused any more mischief.

Khalida led them once more, and Thulani insisted he get to come along despite her thinking it might be a good idea for him to stay and rest.

As the patrol set out again they were especially cautious. Now that they knew what it could do they couldn’t risk one of them being replaced or imitated. Of course, without splitting up it took them longer to find the creature’s trail, and it was midday before they found a clue.

Luckily the trail wasn’t so hard to follow after that. The oddly mutated animals left in the creature’s wake were certainly a good indicator of where it had gone.

Finally someone sighted the creature, still bearing Thulani’s appearance. At their shout the creature bolted, running swiftly between the trees and bushes. But the patrol stuck with it, not letting the creature disappear from their sight.

When at last they had managed to corner it against a large tree the creature cowered before them, seeming more frightened than hostile.

“We should kill it now,” one lion said.

“We need to find out more first,” another protested.

More opinions went back and forth before Khalida silenced them all with a wave of her tail. As the forest grew quiet again she studied the creature. As the other lions had been speaking a few sounds had escaped its mouth but the more it spoke the less it sounded like a lion, almost as if some enchantment was wearing off.

It seemed half afraid half desperate as it tried to make odd motions that Khalida assumed were an imitation of theirs. Gradually its disguise faded, showing its true face while its body maintained Thulani’s build and coloring. The sight was more than a little unnerving but Khalida kept calm as she asked it what it was, and what its purpose was.

She doubted she’d get a decent answer really, but she had to try.

At her questions the creature seemed to try to smile, but it’s sharp teeth made it look more terrifying than appealing.

The rush of words that poured out of the creature’s mouth at her questions were all gibberish to her. A few sounded like their own tongue, but the rest were garbled or totally foreign to her. Someone was hidden? And he was a better hider? Or perhaps he was better at playing whatever games this creature attempted to play with them…
Will take…take what? Take their appearances? Take their land? Take this creature? Possibilities swirled around in Khalida’s head, some more plausible than others.

“You help.”

That was what drew her full attention back to the creature. “We help…what?” She wondered out loud.

Up until she spoke the creature had looked almost pleased with itself, but now it’s expression fell into one of dejection….or at least that’s what she thought it resembled.

“If this thing thinks we are helping it find another of its kind it must be crazy,” one lion grumbled.

“What if this other one is more dangerous, means us harm?” Another lion put forth hesitantly.

“We don’t even know if there is another creature, this one is far too confusing to understand,” someone retorted sharply.

“We can’t assume anything,” Khalida said firmly, raising her voice just enough to be heard over the others. “But whatever the case, this creature has asked us for help so we should do our best to figure out what exactly it is they want.”

“Seems like playing with fire to me,” one of the patrol members said skeptically.

“It’s not a lion, we owe it nothing,” another added.

“It’s still a living being,” another lion said, seeming shocked by their pridemate’s casual dismissal of the creature and its concerns.

“We don’t even know that much, look at it.”

Every pair of eyes turned back to the creature who was watching the lions with a look that seemed akin to frustration. “You help,” it repeated as if that might help them understand.

“We help with what?” Khalida asked it.

The creature made a strangled sort of grunting noise as if annoyed or impatient, shuffling its ‘paw’ in the dirt and lowering its gaze.

“Perhaps it can write,” someone murmured.

“Or make a picture to show us what it means,” another added.

“Would we even be able to understand if it could or did? We don’t know its language and clearly where this…creature comes from things don’t look the same as here.”

Lions continued to argue among themselves and Khalida did her best to shut them out, trying to focus on the creature and work some kind of sense out of its words. It stared at her now, its red gaze piercing and for a moment she could’ve sworn it looked as if the creature was willing her to understand somehow what it was they were trying to convey.

It hadn’t hurt them yet, not really, so Khalida supposed killing them wasn’t likely it’s goal, at least not yet. But if it wasn’t here to hurt them why was it here? And why had it changed all the animals into those strange looking creatures. Could it even help it, and would they change too if they spent too much time around this odd being?

No answers presented themselves of course, and it was then she thought that perhaps she could reach out to the creature another way. Perhaps her magic might aid her? Telepathy would do no good of course because the creature still wouldn’t understand her words, or at the very least would be unable to mimic them well enough to give her a reply she could understand. But maybe, just maybe if there was some magic in this creature she could appeal to it that way and get to the bottom of whatever was going on.

(1003/1000)

[Tiger♥Bear]

The creature escapes (or doesn't.) But it is eventually captured by your lions. Cornered, wearing the guise of one of their own cats. As it is confronted, it seems genuinely afraid of the prides that accuse it. It drops its act of trying to mimic them, speaking in broken words and showing off weird mannerisms that weren't quite...normal. Given it was from another world, that was to be expected. It was easy to mimic the actions of another with a little bit of alien wizardry- but trying to translate its own personality into that of something they'd recognize was harder. Its face begins to melt away, uncomfortably revealing the head of a dark being with its red eyes, still wearing the faux-pelt of their comrade as its unusual face showed from the neck up. It was as black and empty as space itself, swirling faintly with colors of iridescence, lit by its four glowing eyes. The shape of its head vaguely resembled that of a lion, but shorter and more stout. It had a large ridge along its back that looked more like the mane of a zebra than any lion that would be on earth, and deep black horns curved from its jawbones out at pointed angles that gave it an almost triangular silhouette. It offered its best attempt at a peaceable smile, but with its dagger-like teeth it looked more threatening than "kind".

"Here, Run Uuk'oks. Chase, Find?" it stumbled out clumsily. Mixed in with a few words alien to your pride's tongue. Its voice wasn't normal either. It had faked the pride member's voice, but now it spoke with an odd warped tongue "Vegnoiks, Jetjai. Find him, He is Hidden." it attempted to relay this message. Moving its 'paw' in a motion that indicated itself "Like me. Better game hider." it stared at the ground, perturbed by its lack of ability to communicate. "Will take. Stop Uuk'oks." it said, nodding in affirmation. "You help." it added decisively.

Did your lions catch all that? The alien being seems to think so. It seems quite proud of itself as it lifts its head in assurance that it can't possibly have been misunderstood. It's lionspeak was totally impeccable.

....Yeah it definitely wasn't. How do your lions handle the strange intruder on their lands now that they've been cornered. What do they make of its strange message and mannerisms? Do they heed its "Warning" or accuse it of being dangerous?

Username: Tiger♥Bear
Link to their pride or group: Pekee Pamoja
Prompt level completion: 5 (1,055 Words)
Prompt:

SPACE"Come on, we have to catch up to it."

SPACE"Are you serious? Mother, it could be dangerous."

SPACE"And if it isn't?" Nuru spoke calmly to her son. "This creature is in a strange land. It could very well be as afraid of us as we are of it. It had opportune time to attack. I don't think we should jump to conclusions. Perhaps it hopes to learn something or find something. But we won't know what that is unless we communicate."

SPACEKondo knew better than to argue with the seer. She had been here longest and, though he would be hesitant to admit to it, was probably the wisest of those currently present if not the whole pride. His first instinct was to chase after it to interrogate it. What was it doing here? What did it want? Khamisi seemed to be weighing his thoughts before responding.

SPACE"Alright. We'll do it your way." With that, Nuru lead the two knights in the direction the imposter Sayyid took off in. It didn't take them long to find it cowering behind a tree. Hearing them approach, it's head whipped around. Nuru paused causing the others to halt as well.

SPACEAs if it had sensed it had no where else to go, the facade faded revealing the form they had seen only glimpses of before in the crater. No longer appearing like the half cheetah Sayyid with deep green eyes and a spotted face, it now showed four crimson eyes that glowed against a shimmering black coat reminiscent of space. A mane like that of a zebra protruded from it's neck and also angular horns curved out from it's jaw. What she could only assume was an attempt at a friendly smile was instead another flashy display of it's sharp teeth.

SPACE"What are you doing here?," Nuru questioned softly. There was no need for a threatening display. She sensed this creature was nervous in their presence.

SPACE"Here," it started haltingly. "Run Uuk'oks." It's voice was odd. Clearly apparent now that it had some sort of mimicry ability to sound like Sayyid before. This was something entirely different. "Chase. Find?"

SPACE"Uh-" Khamisi started but hushed as Nuru raised a paw. He wasn't quite understanding what was trying to be translated across but perhaps his mother was catching some of it. Sharing a glance with Kondo who simply shrugged told him he wasn't the only one at a loss.

SPACE"Vegnoiks, Jetjai. Find him. He is Hidden." The three lions watched as the creature waved it's...paw...around. "Like me. Better game hider." It looked to the ground as if trying to find the words. It was already struggling with the words it had said. "Will take. Stop Uuk'oks." It nodded it's head with what appeared to be conviction. "You help."

SPACE"Wait. What?" Kondo gazed questioningly at the creature. "You want us to help you?"

SPACEThe creature looked up, it's odd grin wide with pleasure. "Yes. Yes! You understand." It nodded it's head again, this time with some enthusiasm. "You help."

SPACE"Help? With what?" Khamisi was also confused. At this the creatures face dropped. Perhaps these lions did not understand as well as it had hoped.

SPACE"I believe this... Ook-oaks-"

SPACE"Uuk'oks," it corrected.

SPACE"Uuk'oks...?" When there was no further correction, Nuru continued. "I believe it is also an alien like this creature. One of his kind even. Or perhaps a predator to it's kind? I'm not sure what the relation is. It sounded as if it had the ability to disguise it's self as well. 'He is hidden. Like me. Better game hider.' I can only assume that means this...Uuk'oks-" She looked to the creature who nodded its head rapidly, a hint of relief on its face as she continued. "Has taken the form of another creature. Perhaps even a lion. Someone we know."

SPACE"Great. So what are we supposed to do about it?"

SPACE"How do we even know this thing can be trusted?"

SPACE"I understand your uncertainty, Kondo, but I don't sense malicious content. This creature, it's aura is frightened. I think it hopes to prevent an incident involving this other alien." She took a moment to collect her thoughts, her eyes glow faintly pulsing as she thought back on what the foreign feline had said. "It said to 'Chase. Find.' We have to find him. 'Here, Run Uuk'oks.' I think it means that Uuk'oks fled here. To the valley."

SPACE"Okay. Well. Where should we start then?"

SPACE"I think we should bring him to Prince Russom for now. Tell him what we know. Have Elewisa take the news to King Imamu. Perhaps even have him send warnings to the others. Who knows where this creature could be? We may also be able to get the dog pack on our side. If this is a threat on our land, they have a right to know as well." The three looked to the alien who shrunk a little under their gaze. "Come. We want to take you to the prince of this region. Explain to him what we are dealing with."

SPACEKondo and Khamisi led the party leaving Nuru again behind with the creature. The walk was silent and held a bit of tension. There was still a lot of unknown revolving around the entire situation. If there was another alien here, how long had it been here? Where was it hiding? Who has it been impersonating if hiding in plain sight? What did he want? She couldn't recall encountering a rock like that from with their newest companion had come from. If anyone else had seen it or happened up on, it hadn't been mentioned to the others. This lead to her own slivers of doubt. What if this thing was lying? What did it have to gain or lose from all of this? What would happen when they did find this Uuk'oks character? Would they simply leave? Would there be repercussions? Her thoughts wandered to different scenarios. Occasionally she'd glance at the strange creature hoping to glean some sort of insight to more of the situation. It was times like this when she wished her ability of sight was more flexible to show her things when she needed to see them. For now, she and the others were at the mercy of her own intuition and the words of this foreign beast.

[Sunlitsecrets]

Username: Sunlitsecrets
Link to pride or group: Starheart's Regiment
Prompt level completion: level 5
Prompt:

Real Delia returns to call out imposter Delia! Or is this second Delia yet another impostor?
Meanwhile, Phaedra understands being misunderstood for a villain. She's going to give this shadowy fellow the benefit of the doubt.

[wildly-unaware]

Username: -wild-
Link to pride or group: Rosetinted Pride
Prompt level completion: lvl 4
Prompt:

"Wait... are you sure i-it really wasn't her?" Bigwig asked, concern in his voice. Lander shook his head, "No it definitely looked like Harley but it wasn't her." Lander looked pale, like he was about to throw up. "But how do you know?" Bigwig asked, utterly confused by the whole ordeal. "It's speech, it was badly broken up, it didn't sound like real words."

Bigwig thought for a moment, unsure of what to do. "Do you know where it is?" Both Land and Kodah shook their heads, Lander was about to speak but a voice interrupted him. "I do."

The three lion's heads spun around to find Harlequin, the real one. "Harley! Wait... is that Harley?" Kodah asked, concern on his voice. "Of course it is me! I saw the whole thing... And I know where it is, but come on! We have to be fast." Bigwig stepped forwards now, "Show us the way."

In no time, Harley had taken off, the three male lions following on her tail. Soon enough, they spotted something up ahead. "That's it!" Harley called, pouncing forwards faster. Kodah followed her forwards. "Lander, let's take the sides." Bigwig called to his scout. Lander nodded and drifted off to the right side while Bigwig took the left.

In to time, they had the creature cornered.

Harley snarls at the creature, her vicious expression seemed to frighten it. It concerned Bigwig, "Harley, stand down." "What?!" Harley protested. "Stand down. You are scaring it." Harlequin back up a little, her expression only just softening into a neutral one. Suddenly, the creature began to drop the act, it must of felt more comfortable with Harley out of reach.

Bigwig and his pride all looked on amazed as it exposed it's true self. Even other lions from the area circled around to see what was happening. It was an odd looking ... thing. It tried it's best, seemingly to not look intimidating but it pretty much did the opposite. Now, the creature began to speak. Lander looked around to see if any of the other lions seemed to know what it was sayingbut they all looked just as confused as he did.

"You help." It said. It was about the only thing everyone seemed to understand. "Hm, seems like it just wants our help." Bigwig said. Harley snorted, "Yeah right! I'm not helping that thing!" "Harlequin!" Bigwig scolded, "Don't be so judgemental, it obviously is not use to this world." Harley just rolled her eyes, "I'm still not helping Bigwig. Gods know what this is!"

"I think we should help!" A voice from the crowds around them came. Ossione appeared now, Fearne behind her. "I think we should help it." Ossi repeated. There were whispers from the surrounding lions too, some other groups seemed to be debating the same thing. "It definitely did sound like it was kind of warning us of some danger..." Lander added, "Maybe we should help?"

"Pfft! You guys are crazy! If anything, we should be chasing this thing out of here! Maybe it's the danger!" Harley snarled, in the direction of the creature who cowered a little under her harsh gaze. Bigwig sighed and gave her a glance of disapproval but she didn't seem to care. "I... kinda agree with Harlequin. We don't know what this thing even is, or what it even really said!" Kodah added, "Maybe we shouldn't be so trusting." Ossi shook her head, "Maybe we just need to try and understand them a bit more. We can't be so quick to judge him as a danger with no evidence."

"Really Ossicone, everything that's happened hasn't been enough evidence for you?" Harlequin sassed. "Look around you! The valley is covered in stones from this... this moonrock! There are strange animals and lions running around, which started happening when it arrived and it crashed this huge ass rock into our grounds! What the hell?!"

Ossicone's face remained calm through Harley's whole rant, "Harlequin, I understand your worries. But remember that Bigwig and his pride helped you when you left the tree and entered the valley for the first time." Harlequin gritted her teeth, probably because she knew Ossi wasn't entirely wrong, or wrong at all.

"That was different and you know it..." Harley grumbled, "I didn't think you would use that against me." Her voice was sour.

Ossicone sighed, "I'm not using it against you, I'm just saying it's more of a similar situation than you seem to be making it out to be." She nudged the other lioness slightly who recoiled from her, "Leave me alone!" Harley hissed. "Harley, please, just give them a chance." Harley gritted her teeth once more, "At the end of the day... The decision isn't up to me."

Both lioness' turned and looked to Bigwig now. The king lion gulped. He had a decision to make, and as far as he was aware, he didn't have much time to decide.

822 words

[snapshot]

Username: snapshot
Pride: Ngozi
Prompt level completed: 5
Prompt: