|The Spirits of Shikoku| ~Plot Discussion~ [Accepted members only!]

Twig had wanted to be emperor ever since his aunt, Sora, had allowed him to tag along as she preformed her duty as empress. The ambitious cat had meticulously planned for the rise to his power. He chose the path of guardian so he could best the heirs in combat. Once in training, he practiced like no other pupil, finding no time for friends and infinite time for training. He became a full-fledged guardian early, continuing his training, practicing hunting in the dead of night, and secretly listening in on Moth and Falling-leaf’s leadership lessons. Eventually, the time came for the heir’s ceremony.

And Twig was ready.

His every nerve was on edge; his whole life had been leading up to this moment. As he stepped up to face an emotionless Moth for a fight, he was all confidence and awareness. That was when the emperor forced upon Twig the rules. Rules that limited his ability but spared the emperor’s daughter, rules that made him feel betrayed and cheated.

As far as he was concerned, the fight was rigged.

Twig convinced himself the royal couple had been conspiring against him all along. He felt they led him along like a marionette, scoffing at him as he trained and served, all the while preparing their unworthy children to seize the throne. Twig did not consider reason; he did not consider that Moth was younger and weaker and that she needed some protection, he did not consider that the rules were minor. He only heard that he was being limited, and he suddenly hated them for it. All these angry thoughts were running through his mind as he stood to face Moth. Twig fought his best, but his blind rage was ultimately his downfall. Moth was able to take advantage of his emotion and best him.

And suddenly Twig found himself meticulously plotting his revenge, just as he had once meticulously planned his future.

For many moons he thought on plan after plan, all the while growing increasingly bitter and angry. But Twig was a good actor; he was able to hide his intentions from others. He eventually settled on what he considered the perfect plan, but just as he was about to put it into action, he was swept up in an unusually high river and drowned, carrying his dark secret of hatred with him in death. Only it didn’t die with his body. As a spirit, his hate festered and grew to include every cat in the Spirits. Many seasons have passed without incident, but Twig is about to make a comeback…as the spiritual embodiment of bad luck. How will the madness begin? You’ll have to wait and see…