Mark of the Moon (MAGIC CAT ACADEMY STORY)

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Dusk nervously fidgeted her paws, trying not to be intimidated by the enormous castle-like building looming over her. Itching with impatience, Dusk couldn't keep her worries out of her head. Diving deep in thought, Dusk thought of what was awaiting her. What if I'm not ready? She thought, anxiety prickling under her fur. What if there's a test before I can become a student? While she was questioning her skills, a broad-faced gray tom approached her. Dusk sat up straight and faced him with confident eyes. His gaze was gentle and showed no signs of unfriendliness. "You must be one of our new students. Your late." He mewed. Dusk gave her chest fur a few embarrassed licks. "That's me. I'm Dusk." Dusk retorted. She scratched the pavement begging for a mean comment, but he sat quietly. Dusk flicked her ears. "No need to worry. You're ready for our school." He purred. Dusk felt small under her pelt, her fur fluffing up in surprise as he recited her thoughts. Dusk relaxed at his gentle manner at words.

"How did you know?" She asked him, eyes sparkling.

"I learned the art of reading minds through body language and facial expressions." He spoke. "Follow me. We must get to the main hall." He paced up the walkway and slid through the door, his tail disappearing behind him. Dusk's fur rested on her shoulders, and she looked at the sky. Clouds floated over the pale cerulean sky, and the sun rested over them. Sunlight cast over the school, making it shine like it was in the spotlight. Patches of heather lit up in the light, showing a new day in the academy.

"This place is stunning..." Dusk managed to breathe out, taken aback by the wonder of the land. Dusk scrambled up to the door, squeezing through. Everyone turned their heads to stare at her when she went through. Dusk backed up cautiously, thinking everyone would start growling at her. But, instead, a cat nudged her in the side. Dusk glanced over and saw the gray tom, now in an ash-colored cloak. 

"Come with me. They're just excited about the new students." He growled, a hint of fear in his words. Dusk followed him into a small room with four other cats inside. "Go talk to the other new students." Dusk dispersed to the other cats, and they turned to face him.

"Hi. I'm Frog. He's Pumpkin," A tortoiseshell tom began, pointing his tail at a ginger cat. "The brown one is Owl, and the golden cat is Fluffy." Dusk gave each cat an approving glance.

"I'm Dusk." Dusk introduced herself, but everyone except Frog was deep in conversation. Frog was staring directly into Dusk's eyes. His head tilted as if he was trying to figure something out.

"Interesting." He enunciated. Dusk trotted away, noticing that a crowd was gathering. A white she-cat was hurling herself toward Dusk. She stopped in front of Dusk, scrutinizing her and then speaking.

"Hello, new student! I'm Snow! You must be Dusk, the cat with the tabby fur under her eyes?" Snow blurted out. Dusk nodded, and Snow lifted her paw to stop Dusk from leaving. "I'm so thrilled to meet you! Come take a seat by me!" Dusk could barely keep up with the energetic she-cat swerving through the cats. They finally stopped once they had gotten out of the knot of felines. Snow sat down, tucking her paws beneath her. Dusk copied her.

"People outside the school think ill do ice magic, but I'm a fire expert!" Snow held up her wand, and Dusk saw the charred tip and smelled of ash. Wood stuck out from the top. Dusk heard whispers surrounding her until a loud bellow rang through the walls.

"Everyone, we have new students!" A black and white tom howled. "They will be assigned a tutor and learn magic from them!" Snow's eyes blazed with determination.

"Please let me tutor one of them..." She whispered under her breath.

"Frog will be tutored under Bramble's guide! Pumpkin will be tutored under Grizzly's guide! Fluffy will be tutored under Evan's guide! Owl will be tutored under April's guide! Dusk will be tutored under Snow's guide!" He yelled, catching his breath after speaking. Snow let out a yowl of triumph but clamped her jaws shut when everyone twisted their necks to face her. But Dusk realized they weren't gazing at Snow but looking at her. Dusk took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. But even the dean was glancing at her. Words echoed in her ear.

"You'll be popular, I'm sure of it." Dusk let out a sigh of relief hearing Snow's voice. But why me? Why am I so important?