Submission (#8605) Approved

Thetis was a small kittom with black, curly fur and a little welkin tail. His green eyes surveyed the area with the curiosity that was beyond his normal behaviour. His little paws batted forward in a measly attempt to defend himself from the threat. Here in Ealei things were new, things were bold. The sky was bright and blue with puffy white clouds, and the ocean vast all around the island. The rocks kept the sea at bay, and the trees kept them safe from the waves... but what would keep him safe from this? His curly fur fluffed up, and his eyes narrowed.

He had to clear the path before Hebe got here! He would protect her from this threat! The tree cities above him were close but not close enough! They couldn't save him. No, only he could save himself. His little back arched and he made a little hiss, his tail twitching with each breath. This blue devil, this fiend in his path!

He batted at it, more heavily than last time but his distance still kept between them just in case it should strike back!

It was round, so very round. It was such a bright blue with a hint of teal with a golden yellow spot on the side like a star. Around it, little greens sprouted in a protective layer. This plant was everywhere in Ealei, or so he'd heard... this was the first time he had seen the fiend before in all its round glory. It terrified him, haunted him. He didn't want Hebe to be forced to defend herself from it like he had to. No, he would clear the path. He would defeat this manaberry and stand tall.

He sighed, heaving a breath. He didn't know how hard it would be to fight until now. His fears shivered through him, and he lifted his paw up. It felt so heavy, but he swatted firmly with his little paws. Was this how you fought? He didn't want to touch it, which was really hindering the progress.

The wind blew softly, and the leaves of the plant rustled. The moving of the plant startled Thetis and he jumped back with a cry. Why must it be... so round? He shivered and picked up a stick. Maybe he could weld it? He lunged forward, trying to use the stick to crush the manaberry. He missed, and ended up falling forward, tumbling down the hill a little.

A big huff and puff, his fluffed-up fur shook the dirty out of it before he ran back up to the manaberry in his path. He couldn't let Hebe down! He couldn't give in to fear! He charged forward and ran the manaberry through with the stick.

Triumph!

He celebrated, he felt the glory set in... and then he saw the manaberry skewed through on the stick he had... so close to... his... face. He screamed. He dropped the stick and watched as the manaberry touched his foot! His little beans! He screamed the most... manliest of screams, of course, and freaked out. Without thinking, he tried to kick the manaberry away with his foot and then... he crushed the manaberry under his foot.

The manliest of screams turned into a bloodcurdling scream as he felt the manaberry touch him. The juices and pulp were all over his foot, and all over the ground around him. It was no longer round, for sure, but it was now all over him. He couldn't process the events that had suddenly unfolded around him. Well, it wasn't so terrifying anymore but instead he was sticky. He didn't know if this was worse or better. All he knew was he had conquered the plant, and Hebe would be here soon... he needed to go clean up!