[crexmii]

Username: crexmii
Cat Name: sapphiregaze
Gender: she-cat
Rank: warrior
Clan: softclan
Age: 45 moons
Prompt: “a positive influence? hmm……well, I’m pretty sure my whole life is positive! I’ll have you all the examples…”

“oh, you want only one example? okay, then I’ll choose my favourite!”

“so, when I was a kit, i was bullied for my short legs and being so short just being short in general by my siblings and friends. hmm…i think even my mother was kind of shocked. no cat knew it was just how I was born. why are you looking at me like that? it’s no big deal, trust me. i didn’t get emotionally damaged at all, like, look at me now! although.. back then it hurt, and I was so so so sad, until my friend came and cheered me up! and then we became best buds, forever and EVER!”

oh, you want to know who this friend is? they’re just the best cat ever in the whole world! considering the world isn’t that big, heh. it had been a while since we had both seen each other. she was a loner like me and my family. i think her name was… sundrop. yeah, sundrop! I was still kind of a kit back then, maybe 5 or 6 moons, and she was like, way older than me, about 10 moons!

and then she saw me sitting sadly and lonelily in a corner against a fence watching my other siblings play, and she came to me and asked, “hey, are you alright? why are you so sad?” and I said, ‘oh. it’s because my brothers and sisters are making fun of me! all because of my stupid little short legs! I wish they were normal length..look at you, you’ve got normal legs too! you all are so lucky to be born normal…’

and then, she did the sweetest thing ever to me! she ran away for a few moments and I thought she just went off because she wasn’t interested, but then she came back with several of these sapphire coloured flowers! yeah, the ones I’m wearing right now! she said they matched my eyes. and then we made a flower crown together with them, and she let me have it even though I’m pretty sure she wanted this beautiful flower crown too.

and so we met up frequently. and then we became best friends, yahooo! and we made each other flower crowns and played awesome games, and did awesome things together! i bet all my siblings were jealous I made such a wonderful friend. and like almost every day, we would visit our secret base — yeah we had a secret base of our own! it was just a medium sized hole in one of the alleys and — oops, I’m rambling.

anyway, back to the point, about sundrop the amazing, she helped me think and focus about the more positive things in life! so now I’m like this! it’s great, isn’t it? i bet if I never met her, I’d just be some super depressed cat who hates life and everything and anything, with NO friends. that would suck, thank goodness I never became like that!” sapphire paused and let out a shiver.

“and then, one day, she just disappeared, like she was gone. so I was really lonely and searched for her everyday until I finally found her, living in a group called softclan in the forest. and then she saw me and boom! happy best friend reunion! and then she took me to the leader, violetstar, and then she let me stay and be part of the clan and now we’re happy best friends again! although, since she has a new serious job of being a medicine cat, she sometimes is too busy to talk with me.

but that’s okay, i see her every day anyway! plus I usually go with her to hunt for herbs (really fun, you should try it sometime) and just take walks around the forest. sooo that’s pretty much it! i am so so thankful she helped me become…well… the me i am today. not some angry, depressed cat. and she really lives up to her name, because she’s a beam of sunshine in my life! or maybe the sun itself, wow!!

sorry, that was kind of long, haha! anyway, i hope you have a great day ahead, and stay positive! like me! :DD buhbyeee!”

all jokes aside, this was really enjoyable to write! i loved developing sapphire, and whoever is reading this, good luck, and congratulations to whoever wins <3333

(very rushed and totally not drawn at 10 pm hh) art !!

two gals chilling on a rock 😎

don’t you call me a shorty 😤

ok this is the last final edit I swear

[woes]

big mark!

[jupiter,]

Username: jupiter,
Cat Name: bristle
Gender: female
Rank: caretaker
Clan: flora clan
Age: 3 years
Prompt: BIG MARK

[feather ']

Username: feather '
Cat Name: butternut
Gender: male
Rank: archer
Clan: the still waters!!
Age: 24 moons
Prompt: :)

''butternut?''

a quiet echo tickled at his ears as he gently bumped through tangling roots. back pressing against a knot of vines as a soft giggle bubbled at his lips. bright lively eyes chasing his sister through the viridian vines. watching as she weaved along the damp path. keeping his view locked onto her, making sure she never left his sight. ever.

''butternut! where did you go this time?'' a dash of suspicion inched along her muzzle as she drew close to the sharp corner. the corner he was totally not hiding behind. ''hm. trying to scare me, again butternut? i know you're there.''

his breath lightly rattled in his chest, not daring to slide another secretive peak at her. did she see him? no? she couldn't have. right? his ears angled towards the angle of her rhythmic footsteps. it was almost time to execute his brilliant plan. just a few more seconds.

one.
two.
three.

he swung around the corner. heart lightly thrumming as he tore through his hiding spot. ''boo!'' his eyes were wide open to see her shocked grin. but she was gone… her vivid lapis gaze nowhere to be found… where did she go?

stars. did she leave him alone again?
the gardens were always lurking with monsters.

a jangle of terror arose in his throat,''marshmallow, where are you?''

clip-clop .
clip-clop.

the creatures were coming with harsh footsteps ringing loud and clear. bellowing as he cowered beneath the treehouses. at the edge of his vision, long tongues reached for him. husky roars revealing gold fangs. igniting a spark that brought everything to life.

the trees loomed around him like giants.
autumn leaves creeping along like spiders.
roots reaching for him like snakes.
daylight darkening into midnight.

panic burned through his chest, a panic that seared skin and bone. ''marshmallow? please help me!'' a pant drummed in his lungs, as he flew through the crumbling bridges. his paws skittered across prickly vines, as he threw secret glances at the monsters licking at his heels. a scream held at his mouth as the snakes curled around his legs. pulling him. down. down. down.

were they going to eat him for dinner? was this the end?

''butternut? are you there?''

midnight brightened into daylight at her words.
those snakes around his ankles slithered away into their homes.
and all those monsters began to slowly sink into the ground.

his sister's presence drew close, sweeping him up close to her. tail drawing him even closer. elegant features carrying the secret message of sorrow. a secret message tossed together as a small frown. ''are you alright?''

he breathed in the haunting spice. remembering everything from the monsters and snakes closing in on him. recollecting the stones of panic that ran wild in veins.''i-i saw monsters, snakes and….. they were chasing me and- and… i'm so scared… i don't know what's happening to me? ''

her silence was everything he didn't want. he wanted her airy whistle. he wanted for her to make a silly remark. he wanted her to comfort him, and say everything is going to be okay. but all she had for him was drooping sorrows. a sadness that pierced him inside and out.

say something- please.
what's wrong with me?

he studied her every move. watching the rise and fall of her chest. watching the tap of her foot beating against the earth. watching as her mouth opens and snaps shut.

''what's wrong with me?'' a whimper locked in his throat, droplets of panic blew across the tip of his tongue, ''i thought you were a doctor.'' his voice dropped into a faint whisper; almost silent in the melodic song of the wind. ''can't you help me?''

her lips cascade around her little tooth, intricate glass-like gaze holding him tight within, '' there's nothing wrong with you. '' her thumbs twiddle, so anxious? '' you know that.''

she was lying, wasn't she?
there had to be something wrong.

''you're lying, aren't you.'' he frowned at her. ''why won't you tell me? i can handle it.''

her face tensed. exhaling a sharp whistle. ''it's not about that, butternut. it's just that… it's hard.'' her voice swings into an uneasy rhythm, ''it's going to be better if i don't tell you.''

he huffed, '' do you have any idea what i went through? i need to kno–''

his heart froze in his chest.

clip-clop.
clip-clop.

his ears rang to the song of monsters arriving, legs unsteady beneath him. because together twelve beasts marched to the sound of the shrill blast of his heart. each one identically clothed with the same thick rubbery skin matched with gold fangs.

they were coming… for him.

panic raced wild. his paw snagged around marshmallow's. two identical pairs of wavering eyes reflecting the same terror. ''come on!'' he tugged at her paw, urging her to run with him. ''come on, we have to go.''

he ran the fastest he could that dawn– mud stained paws soaring across rows of snakes that snapped at his heels. eyes closing as he spun through those cackling scorpions underneath his feet. eyes undaring to look behind at the roaring monsters.

although he should've.
because she was there- tripping and stumbling along roots, desperately trying to outrun the jaws of that pale monster.

no.
no.
no.

he should've waited for her.
he could've waited for her.

time seemed to slow as that monster loomed above her. the monsters grinned, harsh wicked gaze piercing her. a cackle bursting through dawn. thundering footsteps rattling the ground.

she looked back up at the army of monsters. panic masked with the trace of defiance.

and the monster striked. snickering as a flash of crimson erupted. the taint of metals soaring into the blurred sunrise. the same metal that pierced her side. this was all his fault. the monsters snicker. pointing at him. mocking him with their garbled voices, cheering.

and then it all faded.

the beast's smug grin faded.
the scorpions on the battlefield retreating.
slithering snakes vanishing into dust.

his voice was a little hum as he flooded around her. ''marshmallow– are you there?'' his paw shook her, hoping to wake her up from her sleep. hoping to have her comfort him after another nightmare. ''marshmallow?'' his nose tucks under her paw, desperation boiling over the rim. ''can you read me a story?''

wake up.
wake up!

her silence was everything he didn't want.

he wanted to listen to her read another bedtime story. he wanted her to click her tongue. accuse him. say that everything was his fault. he wanted to feel the tear of her claws against his skin. anything if it meant she'd wake up.

but she didn't.

he was the soldier.
the soldier who lost the war.
the soldier who lost everything.

and she was the prisoner.
the innocent imprisoned in his war.
the innocent forever trapped in his mistake.

she was the only thing she had.

she was the one who loved him the most.
she was his best friend.
she was his sister.

and her silence meant everything ended. everything that he'd ever known.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

freezing numbness whirled through his chest as he stumbled the streets of ash. managing a soft choked sound furrowing into the back of his throat as darkness soared above, waving their flag of victory.

he was alone. so alone.
and marshmallow wasn't here to protect him from the monsters waiting for him in the dark.

you killed her. this is all your fault.
the monsters are going to come for you.

he rested his head on the oak. scarlet droplets fell as his head swerved down the ragged bark, with only that green goop to cushion his fall. and yet it didn't hurt. not one bit– at least not compared to that scar beneath his skin. where remorse toiled and tugged. ricocheting across all those worlds of emotion. bursting over the edge.

his fists clenched at his side, smashing it down on the rocks. yearning for that intricate glass gaze to hold him captive once more. wishing for the fragrance of her to walk alongside him. wishing for her to come back.

but of course she wouldn't. why would she revisit a life with him? a selfish little brat who ditched her to save himself? his fist crashed down onto the rocks. again and again. same words whistling in his ear.

you did this to her.
you did this to her.
you did this to her.

this is all your fau-

his fist ceased to a stop, eyes studying the darkness that slowly shifted. slowly slipping away to unveil the luminous spiral of light. little splotches dancing across the dark canvas. twisting and tumbling across the night. flowing petals rising together in a spiral.

his eyes widened, the tightness in his chest ebbed away as he reached for one. a gentle paw lightly skimming the golden speckles. a soft giggle frothing, as the splotches tickled across the bridge of his nose.

watching in awe as he breathed in the remnants of a memory. a memory that could change…. everything?

—-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

she tapped him on the shoulder. shaking him lightly. ''come on, butternut– i wanna show you something.''

he groaned, sniffing. ''what is it this time?'' he snuffled, gaze shifting to the crescent fragment of the moon, gasping. ''IT'S MIDNIGHT– you know mom and dad are literally gonna kill us if they find out.''

she scoffed. rubbing her foot against the other impatiently. ''no they won't– it's not even eleven.''

he sighed, flopping onto the wooden floors. ''i'm too tired to go on another adventure, marshmallow.'' he huffed, ''we're going to get in big trouble,''

''come on! it's the ending of the autumn festival! '' she tugged his paw, '' i'll tell mom if you don't come.''

his eyebrow raised, ''wait, what–''

the last thing he saw was her wide grin. her smile bright as she watched him topple down the steps. crashing onto the piles of scarlet leaves. she pushed him down. how dare she?

he waved a fist in front of her face, ''why'd you push me, you mean annoying little jelly–''

her whisper is soft, ''look, butternut.''

and he saw it. billions of golden lights flashing at his face. dashing across the dark scene. swirls of iridescent entangled at the edge of his vision as the speckles loomed around. his jaw dropped, backing away cautiously. ''what are those things?''

she pulls him closer, whispering. ''they're fireflies– and they mean hope for the next season. ''

—-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


hope.

the word sounded like a foreign language on his tongue. from foreign world a thousand centuries away from him.

he breathed the memory in, releasing the tight clench of his fist as his sides. spilling out everything that boiled inside. spitting out everything that swirled the raging storm in his mind. releasing everything that tied him up against a flame.

his paws slowly etched across a blank page, a small reminder… to himself.

i see a flame of hope in the darkest nights.
if you hold on... it'll take you to the brightest places.
it can change everything.

just hold on tight. and remember to never let go of your little firefly.

and his harsh breaths slowed. eyes squeezing into slits to watch the fireflies dance to their last tune. managing to lift his head a little higher. chin held high. letting his limbs fall firm beneath him. and he walked. defiant till the very end.

hoping for a future undaunted by the monsters.





credits:

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[I Like Bees]

Thank you all for entering! Since this isn't an officially-hosted adopt I can't award HMs,
but I did thoroughly enjoy reading everyone's entries ^^

Username: feather '
Cat Name: butternut
Gender: male
Rank: archer
Clan: the still waters!!
Age: 24 moons
Prompt: -snip-

Congrats!! I loved the complex narrative you wove together here, and really enjoyed the insight into Butternut's emotional turmoil and character. Your writing and imagery are so vivid and pleasant to read, and I'm very happy to award you this cat!! 👀

[feather ']

eeeeee, ty so much!! <33 he's so cute 🥺 and i'm so excited to develop him more! eek!