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Time flew, and soon it was the day to leave for Camp Magic, a place where young cats awakened their powers and trained for basic self defense.
The sky was already melting into dusk when Crystal and Star reached the edge of the camp. A massive, gleaming purple crystal ball stood in the center like a silent sentinel. The scent of fresh grass, canvas tents, and grilled salmon drifted through the air. Cats were scattered across the clearing, tugging at ropes, setting up tents, and whispering with excitement.10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNz7dHKewiR
Crystal dropped her pack with a quiet sigh, her paws sore from the walk.10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxu9gmFKJTK
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“Guess we’re not the last ones,” she muttered. “Look at those tents. This feels official.” Star gazed and nodded in agreement.
Star was humming softly, eyes wide as she took it all in, lanterns still dark, flags fluttering, and groups struggling to tie pole knots.10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbEASp4gePp
“It feels like something big’s about to start.Crystal nodded. “Ability awakening isn’t exactly small stuff.”Star laughed. “Right, how could I forget? We should find Camp 12 fast, says so in the letter.”
They moved toward a quieter area near the woods, where a wooden sign marked Camp 12 Area. Crystal started setting up the tent while Star unpacked.
“Blanket… snacks… Oh! You brought the lucky stone!” Star gasped.10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1iYG83ZytP
“Of course,” Crystal smirked. “You’d cry without it. And hey, I’m totally getting the plant ability. I’ll laugh if you don’t get what you want. Kidding. Mostly.” “I’d cry because you’d lose all your luck. That stone basically is your luck,” Star teased back. Crystal rolled her eyes, but smiled.
Then a soft and uncertain voice said behind them“Um… sorry, is this spot taken?” A cream colored cat stood there, fur ruffled and turquoise eyes nervous. She wore a worn satchel and looked like she’d run the whole way. Crystal straightened. “Not taken. We just got here.”10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1A2lNE4i15
“Good,” the stranger sighed. “Didn’t want to camp next to those noisy lunatics over there.” She gestured to the group of cats in camp 12 afar that is laughing and joking loudly. Star giggled. “You can join us. I’m Star. She’s Crystal.” “I’m Jasmine. Nice to meet you!” She said excitedly.
Jasmine hesitated. “Are you nervous? About the ability awakening?”Star nodded. “Yeah… it feels big.”10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJCmxYtTm4
Crystal snorted. “Of course it’s big, genius. But hey, we made it this far.” Star stuck her tongue out at her.10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkXQpS8s5ky
As the lanterns lit up across the camp, Crystal motioned. “Go ahead. Set up next to us.”Jasmine smiled, ears perking. “Thanks!”10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUSbWi1g3Ir
They settled in. While Jasmine fumbled with her tent knots, Crystal eventually stepped over. “Need help?”Jasmine beamed. “Yes, please. You’re the best!” Jasmine watched as Crystal help tie her tent knots easily. She thanked Crystal again after she finished tying the knots. When done, Jasmine curled into her camp and pulled out a book.
“What book’s that?” Star asked.“A history of Catlantis! I love history.” “No way, I love history too!” Star lit up. Jasmine’s eyes sparkled at that.Crystal, usually reserved, caught herself smiling at their excitement.10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeyPCDEnBs8
“…Maybe I’ll go lie down now,” she said awkwardly. Star nodded, still chatting with Jasmine.10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3hGQia5R3E
Crystal lay in her sleeping bag, using her pillow to block out the noisy campers nearby. She drifted into a light nap.10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6dvpZEm6ss
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“Crystal! Wake up! Campfire time!” Star’s voice shook her awake. She got up, rubbing her eyes, to see Jasmine tending the fire with grilled fish and marshmallows.“Hi Crystal! We have been waiting for you, bt the way, what game should we play?” Jasmine asked. “How about Circle of Secrets? You share your goals and dreams.“Great idea!” Star and Crystal echoed.10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCCjqFS1fJg
“I’ll go first,” Jasmine said. “The brightest stars always fall first—but they shine before they do. I always wanted to be one of those stars. I love that sentence the most, and it actually means a good meaning.”10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3TjYx7zpuf
Crystal went next. “Nice sentence Jasmine, my turn, I’ve always seen Luna Citrine Amethyst, Amaru, and Calna Eve Tealbright as criminals. My dream is to catch them and become part of the Council.” Star squealed. “I’m sisters with a future Council member?!” Crystal chuckled. “Trying doesn’t guarantee it. But I’m signing up for the path, at least.”10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwSdXJCF1RF
Star grinned. “My turn! I want to be a historian! I want to record the stories that matter.”Jasmine smiled at her joy, before Star darted into the peach tree in a blur of white and brown fur. Crystal blinked, then chuckled as Star peeked out from the leaves, balancing a pile of peaches. “Sorry girls! I am craving for peaches today!” Star exclaimed as she handed both Jasmine and Crystal some peaches.10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX024IgwMYs
“Did you girls hear Umbryth is crowning a new queen soon? Princess Jo, I think,” Jasmine said. Crystal nodded, already eating a peach Star gave her. “It was in the school paper.” Crystal said, voice muffled from chewing. “Oh gods Crystal, finish chewing before you talk, I can barely hear a thing.” Star flicked her tail at Crystal before continuing “And BFG, before first god that Year 100?” Star added. “The cultural war?”
Jasmine perked up. “Yes! Between ancestor kids and normal cats. Camp Starclaw’s brave warriors helped end it. Even if it meant that they will die. Even if it means Camo Starclaw will be nothing but a myth now.” “Exactly,” Star said, then turned to Jasmine. “And the Unity Circle… they were the ones who reported Luna and Amaru during the royal massacre.” Crystal added, “They’ve always moved in when Luna and Amaru make chaos.”10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYhDu3OqbMK
“Bingo, they are always the good guys, and what I mean when I say I want to be the brightest star,” Jasmine replied.
As the fire crackled and the night settled in, the three girls fell silent, then slowly, peacefully, As the fire crackled under the soft night sky, the three girls leaned back, full from food, warm from laughter, and quiet in that way only close company allows.
Jasmine poked at the embers with a stick, the glow lighting up her turquoise eyes. Star rested her head on her paws, smiling at the stars overhead. Crystal yawned and stretched, finally letting herself relax. No one said anything for a while. Then Star mumbled, “I hope nights like this never end.”Crystal didn’t reply, but she didn’t need to. Star was humming her favorite tune. Jasmine just smiled as she stared at the fire.One by one, they drifted off to sleep, the fire slowly fading, the world around them still as they slept.10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPG2HmpydIc
Tomorrow would come. But for now, this moment was theirs.10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1KQYhGD0y7
