Friday Mythical Creature of the Day - Bakeneko

Naoko had always been something of a good luck charm to those around her, and the coming Doom would be a business opportunity of the highest order. How would these rubes pay for her blessing? Her fur? Her blood? Well, someone's blood, anyway?

Animal of the Day: Greater Prairie Chicken

It did not surprise Clara that death would arrive now that she had finally learned how to juggle.

Life was nothing more than a brief aberration from the purity of nonexistence.



(Image Source: Wikipedia Commons)

Animal of the Day - Fudge Duck

Nikolai had expected that this would come sooner or later in one form or another. Endings come to all things, even a life now as lost and wretched as his. And yet, as he pondered his own destruction at the hands of some 'thing', he could not help but feel something stir beneath his plumed breast.

Was this... fear? Self-regard? Peace? Perhaps this true danger would stir him from this torpor. Perhaps he would learn to fight. To stand against this menace and be a leader as he had done during the Feather War. Or, not.

Still, he was excited. But for redemption? Or... oblivion?

Animal of the Day - Andean Mountain Cat

"Oh, nooooooo," yelled Maris.  "Oh, noooooooo! Oh, noooooooooo!"

But then, this is what she always yelled.

Friday Mythical Creature of the Day - Chinese Panlong

It had taken a year for the animal-citizens of New Townville to gathering resource, donations and personnel to mount the big expedition to the Forgotten Island. But now it was the time.

The adventurers and their families gathered down at the docks for departure, excited and nervous, with some sadness as well-

-when a great and terrible water dragon- his name was Barry, but he rarely identified himself as such- arose from the water and boomed a warning, "GAZE UPON ME DIRT WALKERS AND I'LL DO YOU ALL A SOLID!  A REALLY TERRIBLE MONSTER OR MONSTERS ARE COMING THIS WAY. SO I'D HOLD OFF ON LEAVING FOR AN ADVENTURE AND JUST BATTEN DOWN THE HATCHES. FAIR WARNING."

The assembled villagers were aghast, a fearful murmuring quickening in the crowd, "Can you stay and help, oh mighty dragon," cried Mayor Hubblescope, "Your strength would be invaluable!"

Barry snorted water from his mighty snout, "NAH. I MEAN 'NO, THANKS'. THANKS, BUT NO THANKS. YOU KNOW? LOT OF WORK AND A LOT OF DANGER. ANYWAY, THEY'LL BE COMING TO EAT ALL OF YOU, SO PREPARE YOURSELVES. I'S SAY THAT YOU HAVE A FEW WEEKS OR MAYBE LIKE A MONTH?"

And with this dire warning, Barry the water dragon sunk once more beneath the waves.

The 'Doom Swarm Summer' had begun.

Friday Mythical Creature of the Day - Redcap

Stevie the Demon Horse sighed. "If you are absolutely looking to save money at all costs, then might I suggest our CCC Tin Package, which features Kruffkluff the Savage Redcap as a guide."

And savage he was, for Kruffkluff's picture itself showed him gnawing on the femur of a slain "hoo-mun"; the once proud masters of all the world who now reduced living in mud huts and bartering in substandard arts & crafts.

"Hmm," said Mayor Huggsley, "Perhaps we can meet in the middle and find someone a little more agreeable."

(Photo Credit: Monstropedia)

Animal of the Day - Rhinoceros Beetle

Stevie the Demon Horse flipped to the next page of the Guide Catalog he and the Mayor were examining together.

"Well," said Stevie, "Might I offer Mr. Brighton, the star guide of our Standard Platinum Package. He's very strong and can burrow through most things. He even owns a boat that you could use (which of course is added into the fee but which is very reasonable. He's a really nice guy."

"Hmmm," said Mayor Huggsley, "I see the price is still rather steep. And he is kind of gross, even for my standard. And, being a bear, I have been known to eat termites."

(Photo credit: Anaxibia)