User blog:Ox Rookbane/Collection of Fanfiction - 2018
This collection of writing dates back to the summer of 2018. These works were written for a fanfiction project initiated by a user eulaliaaaaaa on Tumblr and the works were published by each user on Archive of Our Own (AO3) to the collection Redwall Fic Month 2018. Below are my contributions to the fun project back in 2018. Each week had an optional theme for writers to tailor their works to; I am no different.
Enjoy. x
Mythical
[edit]- Theme: Dreams
Everybeast dreams, it's that simple. What it is that each dream is a more complex matter. Dreams sometimes are random, sometimes they're spurred on by actions and fate itself. Some of those dreams created the lineage of the badger Lords of Salamandastron that are very much fabled as they are real. Other times, it guides those creatures who do are unsure of their path and future. They are those who require the guidance of great spirits. Warriors, Lords, youngsters, elders, the list goes on. Everybeast has a dream at least once in their life. Some are big enough to spur change and action in their lives, and others are just dreams. Simple fantasies one could only imagine. All of it is fascinating.
This is just common knowledge, no? Those who are wise may say as such, but for those who've been starved of opportunity and hope call it a miracle. It is lovely that I have the power to create such an impact on everybeast I've cherished in their sleep. My paws create the dream while my mind writes it all out. It is beautiful to see the youngsters at the ol' Salamandastron and Redwall be moved by such moments to tell their elders. Other times, I simply lend a paw to guide those spirits who wish to reach out to those they love. To see an otter, a hare, a mole, shrew, mouse, and much more awake in the morning, only to cry tears of happiness. To know those you love are in a better place now means so much.
Who am I, you may ask? I am simply the bearer of dreams with the sole purpose to deliver. To gift hope to those beasts in need of it, To bring peace to the sleep of youngsters, To empower the next generation of warriors. That is who I am. I am not mythical as the Snow Badger, and neither is it. We do truly exist. I may not be known and remembered, but the memories I give are enough for me to be proud of.
Shimmering Light
[edit]- Theme: sunshine(?)
The sun casts its rays down onto the earth, warming all it touched with its golden glow. The open blue sky, littered with a few fluffy clouds, spread out overhead. Birds chirped, butterflies darted about from flower to flower, drinking the sweet nectar before fluttering away to find another one. A cool breeze whipped through the air and carried itself by, cooling off the hot inhabitants of Redwall Abbey. Within the walls, life flourished near the pond. The shimmering waters could not cease its ripples as the Dibbuns splashed around in the shallows.
Almost all of the Dibbuns played in the waters, splashing each other or lazing around in the cool waters. Some otters supervised as the little ones played, while others and a few other beasts swam around in the more deeper ends, having their own fun or simply sunbathing on the surface of the waters. Bryony watched on as everybeast had fun. She turned to the large badger beside her, Sunflash, and stirred up a conversation. "How about you jump in?"
"Ahah, no thank you. I'll probably splash all the water out if I jump in!" And both of them giggled together.
"How long will you stay?" Bryony asked.
"Oh, not more than a few days and nights. 'Tis only a quick getaway, eh?"
The roars of laughter and cheers from the pond pulled their attention away. A trio of otters entertained the Dibbuns with their aquatic tricks and pranks on one another. No elder bothered with scolding them as they had their fun. The badger stood up. "Why don't we join them? I'm getting a bit hot anyways."
She smiled but declined politely. "No, thank you. I'd rather lay out in the grass. If you like, go on ahead without me."
Sunflash nodded and trodded off. As he approached the pond, the otters suddenly stopped their antics. The badger began to sprint, and soon his looming shadow covered the center of the pond. Everybeast in the waters swam as fast as they could to get away while those on shore scrambled to get out of the splash range. And yet their efforts were to no avail. The youngsters laughed and screamed in joy while the elders only glared at him. When Sunflash resurfaced from the water, he was greeted with such looks which only caused him to give a hearty chuckle.
The sun continued to shine its beautiful rays down upon the land and the creatures inhabiting it. But one the sun began to set onto the other side of the world, the Abbeybeasts moved on inside for a large summer feast to enjoy the last days and nights of the summer season.
Life loves sunshine.
A Cry in the Night
[edit]- Theme: nightmares
The crackling of a nearby fire and the chatter and laughter of nearby creatures slowly seeped into the keen ears of a youthful young otter. Young he was, but he was old enough to fight. He laid in the grass, staring up at the forest canopy and through the crevices to look upon the moon. Stars dotted the night sky, twinkling their light and illuminating the sky along with the moon. Tales and stories circulated through the makeshift army about how the wildcat that stole the mountain could make the stars fall from the very sky. Those hares who saw it for themselves joked about it or would wholeheartedly believe it.
"Aye, but I saw it with me own eyes!"
"Nah, ye nitwit, tis jus' a trick to ye eyes!"
Even the young otter was asked about his thoughts, and he simply shrugged. "I don' think it be possible if ye're askin' me fer certain."
But thinking back to it now made his stomach churn and his head feel light. Can it be possible fer a beast t'do so? The thought ran around in circles in his mind, thoroughly burdened him. He rolled over onto his side, not wanting to see the stars any longer. He forced his eyes shut, attempting to fall into slumber. Exhaustion soon pulled the otter into the depths of sleep and into the world of dreams...
He opened his eyes, but the nighttime he saw before him was not what he expected. The blazing light from countless torches lit up the sands as warfare broke loose. And there stood the young otter, immobilized by fear and utter confusion. Had he just been dreaming before, back to the simple and peaceful times before this had all started, and now he was brought to the reality before him? He shook his head. To his side, a comrade fell, an arrow piercing their chest, effectively killing them. The otter began to tremble, clutching to his javelin for dear life, unable to bring his stubby legs to carry him to safety. Warcries and screams of terror and death flooded his small ears, sinking him even more into the jaws of fear. He stood there, watching as the battling unfolded before him.
Right before his eyes was the blade of a sword. He stood there, paralyzed in horror at the sudden weapon in his face. He demanded every ounce of his body to move, yet not even could he blink. He got a clear view of the smirking weasel behind the blade, their fur dyed all in blue. A face of a field-tested fighter. Centimeter by every painstakingly-small centimeter did the blade approach, and he could still only stare. His mind ran through all of what he could do, what would result, and how insignificant he had become now.
Just another body to add to the casualties. That alone was a blade sharper than the one in his face; one that pierced deep into his very being. And time resumed to a normal pace, but his vision blacked out. The world around him ceased to make another sound. No blood-curdling screams of a fallen creature. No cries of victory or defeat. No one concerned for his life. He tried desperately to open his eyes again and wake up from what screamed of a nightmare to him. But his eyes opened up to the same blade and the same weasel before him, yet the scenery had changed. Fewer soldiers were on the field and more bodies laid across the sands of Salamandastron. And when the blade did its work, he felt a headache that disturbed his head immensely. He opened his eyes again to a familiar but different place. Beams of sunlight shined upon the blade and blinded the otter, yet he could still see what was on the shores. The badger he had come to know as Lord Brocktree, and the wildcat everybeast spoke of stood upon the shore. The two were locked in a duel that played out as slowly as the fate of the otter. And once more, time readjusted itself and he blacked out again.
And before him stood a shore of death and blood. All the comrades that he had been with at the encampment beforepaw laid dead in the sands. The mighty Lord Brocktree was down on his four paws before swiftly executed and dealt with, and the youngster could only gasp in horror. He could feel his body allowing him to move once more, but his movement was not any running, but instead, his paw felt for his chest. A sizeable hole that dripped of blood from where a blade had done its damage occupied itself where his breast would be. And soon, he collapsed into the sands, only to join the soldiers before him in death... The talons of Nightmares would not rest so easily on the young soul, and continued to torment him through his sleep. The otter died, again and again, each time a new way he had never believed could be possible on the battlefield.
The young otter tossed and turned in the grass, his soft whimpers slowly rising to that of a cry. The volume climbed until everybeast was soon staring and aware of his presence. A paw reached out to hold him, to comfort him. It would immediately jerk back as the youngster shot up, sweat pouring down his brow and tears dripping from his eyes. He gasped for air as if he had been starved of it, and looked around. Everybeast there stared at him. Even Lord Brocktree glared at him. Any other time it would embarrass the young otter but after that nightmare? He was thankful to see him alive and be alive himself. The paw that reached out to him before finally rested itself on his shoulder. He looked to see a young haremaid scanning him, concerned. "You okay?"
The otter wiped his face with his paw and nodded furiously. "Y-ya, ma'rm, j-just... just a wicked ol' dream 'here tah scare ye to death..."
She retreated and went to the badger who still studied the otter. She whispered into his ear before he nodded and stood up. The young otter's heart jumped a bit, and when he noticed that Brocktree was approaching him, it began to beat faster than any hare alive could run. "You do not mind me asking, but what was it that you dreamed?"
The badger's voice demanded an answer, yet somehow seemed sincere. "I-I... I... I jus' saw meself in a big ol' war, yet I ain't able t'move one bit, nosirree. An' I jus' watched meself die over an' over an' over with no end... B-but e-every death, more around me lie dead. E-even y-you t-too, sir..."
Brocktree sat down next to the otter. "And what may your name be? You're quite young to be here to fight."
"Wrefro, sir," the otter replied dutifully.
"Wrefro, aye? Well, let me tell you somethin'. Many youngsters such as yourself tend to be scared as such before big battles. It is completely natural. But what makes one a strong warrior is those who are able to hold their heart while being brave and marching into battle."
"B-Brocktree, sir, I don' wanna die..."
The large badger sighed heavily and put a paw around Wrefro. "Nobeast wants to, especially somebeast as youthful as yourself. From some of your fellow otter mates here, they all agree upon this: 'remember that death is the consequence for your inability, so fight! Fight with all you got, and do not dare to back down in the face of battle. The enemy will not sympathize with you, and neither shall you.'"
Wrefro's small face was riddled with thought and pondered what Brocktree had just said. The badger soon stood up and returned to his original seat with whom he'd been with, acting as if he'd never left in the first place. Wrefro ran those words over and over again in his head and began to smile. Fight with all you got, and do not dare to back down in the face of battle!
The grizzly events of his nightmare acted as the timber to the burning ember inside his soul that'd been set afire with the words of the otters. No matter how powerful the talons of Nightmares would puncture and attack his youthful mind and imagination, Wrefro's afire soul burned the monster from his being and left himself boldened and ready for war. Manybeasts began to gather gear and finish with their chatter as they all gathered around for the battle plan.
Death is the consequence for your inability, so fight!
-Ox Rookbane - The badger that still roams these halls... 18:16, July 21, 2020 (UTC)