​Blue.

The rare moon lights up the sky as if the sun itself is still awake, clouds seeming to glow blue in its light. Along a treeline grass whispers under many small feet as the creature enters the clearing, bells chiming softly as the creature sways its antennae in lazy back-and-forth motions. It stands on two pairs of its multiple rat feet, its long body arching up, bells ringing all down its scales save for the pale blue and white cape around its neck. The rat-centipede glows like the clouds, lights bubbling up from its belly as if the creature is made from a wrought iron lamp. Its white eyes are partially hidden beneath a small skull-shaped mask but mischievous whiskers and nose still twitch in the moonlight, a little smile on the creature's face as it sets a xylophone with rainbow keys on the grass.

The creature plays.

Materializing from the trees and almost from the moon itself, ghosts with eyes glowing blue float near the rat-centipede, charmed by the music. Teal wisps creep from the bells covering the creature and dance around the ghosts, mesmerizing them further as they join in, twirling around the clearing together. One stretches tall, trying to grasp the notes as they dance skyward. Another loops through the air while two sigh on the rat-centipede's back. Most simply bob this way and that in time to the sound.

The creature plays.

Everything is blue.

Avian walked over to Totoro's cage. "Time to go do spring cleaning!"
Totoro groaned. "is it really that time of year again?" If there was one thing that the bird hated about spring, it was the cleaning.

"You get the broom, I'll get the mop," Avian said. She then pulled her goggles down over her eyes and went straight to work.
She could understand why Totoro was not a big fan of cleaning. Their house was a huge mess. Potato chip bags lay strewn across the floor, and crushed popcorn was everywhere. There were some old, greasy pizza boxes under the couch, spilled soda stains on the rug, and even chewed up gum splats. "Well this will take forever," sighed Avian. She picked up the pizza box and flung it over her shoulder into the trash. But underneath it, she saw something strange.

"Hey Totoro, check this out."
Totoro flapped over to the couch and looked to where Avian's paw was pointing. "Hey, that looks like... a gold coin?"
He picked it up with his claw and held it closer to his eye. "It looks old... I wonder how it got under our couch." He handed it to Avian.
"Hey, it says something." She removed her goggles. "It says... do not eat." She looked up. "Why would anyone eat a coin, anyways? What do you think, Totoro?"
There was no reply.

"Totoro, are you listening?"
He wasn't. When Avian turned around, she saw her companion greedily licking his claws. "Mmmm, best chocolate I've ever tasted..."
"What...?" Avian looked at the golden coin one more time. She saw a tear in the gold. It was brown. "Wait, this isn't gold, it's chocolate!"
And when she turned around, Totoro was no longer there. In his place was a leprechaun. "Oi Avian, howsit goin? I see ya've been cleanin' a bit."
Avian gasped. It was Totoro... with a beard and a green outfit.
"Well, since I'm here, have ya gots any more chocla' gold coins?" Totoro-chaun asked. He reached a claw into a pocket and pulled out a four leafed clover. "Take this. I wanna spread the luck this time a' year."

Avian just stared. "Totoro, I can't live with you like THIS. I mean... I can't STAND the accent." She reluctantly took the clover.
"Well actually, I'm afraid I can't return to normal without a coin, ya see?"
"And why's that?"
"Well ya see, leprechauns can grant wishes, three actually, but they need a favor done. And I'd like you to get me a coin," Totoro-chaun explained. "So find me a coin, and ya wish meh back!
Avian nodded, pulling her goggles over her eyes. She nodded. "Okay, so where do I find you a coin?"
​
TO BE CONTINUED...

I was used to the feeling.
New home, people, and pets. Been there, done that, got the t-shirt. I wasn't exactly a nice pet, I was rude, stubborn, and (as some described me) a bully to other pets. I'm not denying it, I am a rude pet, but I've never bullied any pet.
People adopt me, think I'm adorable, find out I'm horrible, then return me to the pound. The process repeats, and I realize every time that I'll never find a home. My name has changed so many times, I don't even know what it originally was. Was it Turbo? No, that was last month. Ah, Tangerine! No, last year.
I look at my new owner with tired eyes. They look different, long, wavy auburn hair, lots of freckles, and watery blue eyes. There are other pets in the room, several babies, and only one other pet that seemed about my age. She carried my carrier over to some new section, with several beds, dishes, and toys. I realized that I was the only adult there.
"Alright, Maple, I want your new sister." The lady speaks with such confidence, but I can tell that there is a good amount a fear in her high-pitched voice. The red, black, and orange demon-looking dog raises her tiny head. She yawns, trotting over to me. I growl, but the lady shushes me. "This is Lilac, but her new name is Pandora. Pandora, this is Maple, your new younger sister. Be a good role model for her, her sister is too young to join her, so she's a bit lonely. Maple, Pandora, why don't you play with each other?"
The lady opens my carrier, and I carefully walk out. Maple realizes I'm a lot older than she is, and I can see the fear on her face. I'm a big dog, some people mistake me for a wolf, and I use my strength whenever I can, whether to intimidate, threaten, or attack. The lady leaves the room, heading into the kitchen, and Mpale silently whimpers.
"I-i'm Maple. My sister, Zora, is o-over there. Annie says that she's too young to play yet." Her voice has some sort of accent, I think it's southern. "What do you want to play, Pandora?"
Maple's eyes are filled with innocence, and her chubby face and paws show that's she's obviously not that old, probably was just a baby a few days ago.
"I don't really care." Why am I acting so nice? I shouldn't try to make friends, they'll give me up in two days.
Maple's eyes light up. "How about 'Toy Tag'? I take a toy, and you have to chase me down and grab it from me! It's way more fun outside!"
I smile, nodding. She grabs a toy and trots outside, through a tiny doggy door. I struggle to crawl through it, obviously "Anne" didn't expect her pets to get too big.
First Maple chases me down, the slow little thing couldn't catch up. But when I let her grab the toy from me, she realizes how strong and fast I am. But her tiny size gives her an advantage, and she darts in between my legs, determined to win.
After so long, she collapses, exhausted. I smile, picking her up by her scruff and carrying her back to her bed.

Maybe I'll stay here a bit longer.

Im thinking of a pet.
Can you guess what it is?
It has a candlelit horn.
And it does not have fins.

It has a fluffy silver tail.
And golden eyes.
Big fluffy ears.
And its big for its size

Its a hanukkah dog.
From December.
Its candle horn.
Lit with a ember.

Life of A Pound Pet (Aka Story of my pound adopt, Ghostly!)

I woke up one morning, feeling quite gruff, gloomy and depressed. Just a year ago I was abandoned... I remember it like it was yesterday...My owner took me by my leash, and dragged to this scary place! I was super scared, but foolish me followed (well, i didn't really have a choice..) Owner talked to a Devoloper, and they took me to a the back. I saw Cats, Dogs, Dragons, Rats, Chickens, Hamsters, Squids you name it! It was scary for little ol' me! The person put me in a cage, where I still remain to this day...

Fast forward a year later, around Halloween time came all the Halloween pets came, and people loved them! They took the Cats, Dogs, Dragons, Rats, Chickens, Hamsters, and even the Squids! all...but..Me....

A couple days later, the pound was open, people rushed in! a lot of people saw me! I got excited each time I saw their mouse hover over me! but... they clicked the adorable cat... another clicked the butterfly wolf.. then went the chicken... even the rat with PPS went! I laid down, doubting I would be comforted again...but.. current day came!
this very lucky day, = I would say! A rather short, but colorful girl came skipping by! She was looking around.. then our eyes met...she gasped with Joy and hovered her mouse over me,
then clicked "Take This Pet"

I was overfilled with Joy! she took me home, made a lot of new friends! I see Wolves, Foxes, Dogs, Rats, even a little Hamster! Even More! I'm really happy she took me in! I'm well cared for and we all get equal attention! I thank Tess, and Chicken Smoothie itself, for letting me find a home!

28 souls assembled in the room
Brought to light in the temple.

There stands the Creator
who changed lives
with art and tales of heroes and villains.

There stands the Goddess in admiration
of creations even she could not top.

There stands the Synthesized wondering why they were even created when the living could do much better.

28 souls assembled in the room
Brought to dark in the sands.

There stands the Dark Mage, smirking arrogantly
testing their mettle.

There stands the Trickster, laughing at that,
thinking he could do better.

There stands the Sinful wondering
why they'd all fight in the end.

28 souls assembled in the room
Brought to times in the sea.

There stands the Heroic, proud and tall
telling the story of their life.

There stands the Swimmer, gliding along,
entranced as if it's a siren's song.

There stands the Sailor, watching from afar,
wondering with their crabby pet.

28 souls assembled in the room
Brought to thought in the castle.

There stands the Queen, smiling,
and waving to her faithful subjects.

There stands the Aristocrat, fashionably,
seeking a dance with the Queen.

There stands the Gazer, carefully,
pondering the truth.

28 souls assembled in the room
Brought to thought in the plains.

There stands the Fallen, tears on the ground
not knowing there's still a chance.

There stands the Guide, raising a paw,
to help the Fallen achieve it.

There stands the Dreamer, optimistically,
deciding to go along with them.

28 souls assembled in the room
Brought to hope in the hut.

There stands the Witch, frantically looking,
searching for the cure.

There stands the Odd Case, panicking,
egging on the Witch's worries.

There stands the Apprentice, baffled at this,
all it takes is a root.

28 souls assembled in the room
Brought to dreams in the ruins.

There stands the Destined, trying to piece
together the puzzle before them.

There stands the Wanderer, figuring it out, placing the final piece.

There stands the Awakened, shockingly,
finally out of the thousand-year rest.

28 souls assembled in the room
Brought to romance in the skies.

There stands the Soaring, in the distance,
getting ready for takeoff.

There stands the Lover, watching,
oh, the Lover must confess someday.

There stands the Helpful, trying to convince,
the Lover to say something.

2 souls, together alone
Brought to tears on the side.

There stands the Cursed,
raising the Seed
so the final fate can fly.

28 souls assembled in the room
so the final fate can fly.

28 souls assembled in the room
So the final fate can fly.

☆ the pound ☆ (a story)

i woke up one morning. as usual, i found a bowl of food, lying by my side. it tasted... better than normal. like chicken! 'was something special happening?' i thought. as i neared the back door, my owner stopped me. she brought me into the living room. she got out a comb, and started brushing my silky fur. she then proceeded to drag in a large container of sorts. it was plain black, but it had holes in the sides- although you couldn't fit a rat through one of them. she shut the door and picked it up. where were we going? what was she doing? i let out a frantic meow. softly, she whispered some words to me. it sounded like... the pound? what's the pound? who's the pound?! i soon learnt that whatever it was, it was busy. there were cages, each one surrounded by stone and a heavy door. she brought me up to a desk. a dog wearing goggles picked me up. he was grey- but had white fluff on his head. he was accompanied by a small bird. my owner left the room, and i cried out in fear. the strange dog then brought me into a different room. this one was filled with many other pets, all looking scared. i was stuck in there what felt like years. after a while, i got picked up. was i free?! but no, i was bundled into a cage for myself. where was my owner?! then i heard a small rat squeak. 'the pound is open! we'll all be free!' i ran to the back of my cage. straight away, a girl ran up to my cage! i heard her squeal. 'look mummy! a rare! and it's pink!' she bundled me up in her arms. it just felt... right. she took me to a house. not home, but another house. straight away, she fed me. it was something i'd never tasted before. she called it salmon. i now happily live with her.

the end
thanks for reading <3 

It was a hot summer day in the middle of August. Lena, the Sunjewel, peeked outside of her window to see that the sun was shining brightly outside without a cloud in the sky, the birds cheerfully tweeting their melody without a care in the world. "Oh wow, what a gorgeous day!" she squealed with delight as she grabbed her sunglasses and her favorite soda and hurried outside. She found a nice patch of grass in the backyard and settled down for a little sunbathing, the soft grass tickling her tummy as she lies down to relax. "Ahh, so perfect..." she said with a sigh of content. "It's such a shame that summer is almost over."

She had been lying there for a while when her cousin Zima, the Moonjewel, returned home from her errands, looking pretty worn out. "Ugh, it's so miserable out here, I'm so glad to be back!" She then notices Lena lying out in the backyard and goes over to see her. "Hey Lena, I'm back from shopping for the things we needed. Um, how long have you been out here?"

Upon hearing Zima's voice, Lena sits up, still feeling quite lazy and raises her sunglasses up onto her forehead. "Oh, I don't know. I haven't really been keeping track of time I guess," she says as she lets out a big yawn. Zima starts panting from the intense sun beating down on her fur, "How can you stand it out here, aren't you melting by now?" Lena chuckles with amusement at her cousin's question, "Hehe, oh no way, I think it's fabulous out here!" Zima turns around and rolls her eyes so that Lena can’t see, and starts back towards the house, "Ugh, typical sunjewel," Zima thinks to herself. "Well I'm heading back inside to cool off, Lena." "Ok, catch you in a few!" Lena replies, she then puts her sunglasses back over her eyes and stretches out for another quick nap in the afternoon sun.

The months quickly pass by and already it's January. Lena decides to check out the weather forecast for the day before heading out, and is disgusted to hear the report on the TV say: "It's really going to be brutal out there today, folks; make sure you're prepared for all that snow and wind!" "Well isn't that just great?" she groans in a sarcastic tone. She goes into the closet and puts on her hat, scarf and the thickest jacket that she can find and as Lena opens the front door, the icy wind blasting her in the face, Zima rushes out the door in front of her without wearing any type of warm clothing at all! "Woohoo!! Finally, snow!" she shouts, as she joyfully bounds down the front steps. She then rolls around in the snow and starts making snow angels, and acting as if she were a young puppy again!

Lena slowly shakes her head. "Well at least someone's enjoying it." she says in a lowered voice, careful to make sure that her cousin doesn’t hear her. As she is walking by Zima, a big gust of wind blows through and picks up her jacket so that it resembles more like a super hero's cape blowing around in the gusty air, her four paws nearly being lifted off of the ground, and sending cold shivers all through her. "Agh! How can you stand this, Zima? It's freezing out here!" "Oh no way, I think that this is perfect, I've been waiting so long for this!" she exclaims while she finishes rolling a huge snowball around the yard. "Hey, want to help me put this snowdog together, Lena?" "Maybe later, Zima, I'm heading out to buy some bread and a few other things that we need." Lena zips her jacket closed, being careful not to get her fur caught in it, in hopes that it will keep those gusty winds from trying to carry her away again, and trudges on to the store. 

When she arrives, she is surprised to see how crowded that it is in there. "Hmm, looks like everyone else had the same idea," she thought. Just then, a Clear Eyed Galaxy dog walks up to her. "Hi, how's the storm doing, out there?" he asks Lena. "Trust me, you don't want to know..." Lena grunts as she grabs one of the loaves of bread from the store shelf. A look of concern appears on the galaxy dog's face. "Oh, that bad, huh?" Lena nods slowly, "Yep… I have a cousin back at home though that's really loving it, hah!" The galaxy dog smiled at Lena almost with a sense of amusement. "Well, you know what they say, if we all liked the same things, life would be really boring." and he walks away to continue his shopping. As Lena was shopping through the store, what the galaxy dog said to her remained stuck in her head, and got the wheels turning in her mind. The more she thought about it, the more she realized how right he was about that. Maybe her cousin Zima wasn't as crazy as Lena first thought that she was. By the time that Lena left the store, she couldn't wait to get home to help Zima finish that snowdog; little did she know that Zima had been thinking the exact same things about Lena while she was gone, and she couldn't wait for Lena to get home so she could share the heat from the fireplace with her and with a cup of hot lemon tea for each of them.