In Athene's own words, when she like totally showed Amethyst how to transform into other forms.

Okay, like, totally! Let's rewind to the beginning of this fabulous training arc. Maximillian, that, like, uber-smart Mage, brought Amethyst to Athene.

The air in this part of Arcadia was always, like, extra sparkly, which Athene usually appreciated for her fur. But today, she like I was (I like do this third person stick when like judging peeves between the wee folk), like, kinda bored. Another day, another demonic incursion, whatever. She was lounging in her human form, but with, like, a total panther-like grace, near a moss-covered archway, her piercing green eyes scanning for anything that wasn't, like, totally predictable.

She wasn't surprised when Maximillian shimmered into view. He was, like, so punctual. And he was leading a girl with striking black hair and, like, the most amazing purple highlights. Athene, like, immediately perked up. Those colors were a total vibe.

"Athene, my dear," Maximillian began, his voice its usual calm, collected self. He didn't bother with small talk, because, like, they'd already chatted about this. "This is Amethyst. Amethyst, this is Athene. As I mentioned, she will be mentoring you on your... specific requirements for transformation."

Athene grinned, a flash of white teeth that was, like, totally friendly, but also, like, a little bit predatory.

"OMG, Amethyst! You're, like, exactly as Maximillian described! A daughter of Apollo and a wood nymph? That's, like, a super-cool combo! And those highlights? Obsessed!"

Amethyst looked a little overwhelmed, her eyes darting between Maximillian and Athene. "Hi. Like, it's... nice to meet you. Maximillian, I told you, I can only shift into, like, animals I’ve actually seen."

Maximillian cleared his throat. "Yes, Amethyst, Athene is aware of your unique constraint. And Athene, Amethyst I feel could do with learning some more 'effective' transformations in her repertoire.

'Given your, shall we say, extensive experience mentoring other non-Bastet shapeshifters—and succeeding where others have failed—I knew you were the only one who could help her fully access her potential animal repertoire."

Athene raised an eyebrow, a flicker of genuine amusement and pride in her green eyes.

"So, you want me to, like, teach her how to navigate the whole 'I-can-only-be-a-golden-retriever-because-I-saw-one-in-the-park' problem? And how to, like, get those five different forms without looking totally ridiculous? You had me at purple, Maximillian. Literally!"

Amethyst looked up, a spark of hope replacing the nervousness in her eyes. "You, like, really think you can help me expand past the animals I've seen?"

"Sweetie, as if!" Athene declared, striking a confident pose. "I’ve been teaching shifters who are, like, totally not cats how to, like, master their forms forever. This is, like, my jam. First, you gotta, like, embrace your inner fierce. Then we’ll get you visualizing a new animal and, like, nailing the shift. We're gonna make those new forms, like, totally iconic."

Maximillian smiled, a hint of genuine relief in his expression. "Excellent. I knew I could count on you, Athene."

"Whatever, Maximillian," Athene waved a dismissive hand. "You just, like, owe me a major favor. And maybe, like, a trip to that totally fabulous new café in the Near Umbra with the, like, amazing spiritual lattes. Amethyst, come on! First lesson: We're gonna, like, chill by the stream and talk about, like, visualization."

And so, with a shared laugh, the unlikely duo began their journey, Maximillian watching with a quiet satisfaction, knowing that whatever chaos Athene might bring, Amethyst was in, like, totally capable paws.

Okay, like, totally! The first lesson is, like, super crucial because of the whole "only animals I've seen" thing.

Athene has to start with something Amethyst has, like, definitely seen, but that's still cooler than a sad squirrel.

Athene led Amethyst to a quiet stream, settling down in her relaxed human form.

First Lesson: Mastering Observation (Sokto-Lite)

"Okay, so, like, the number one rule? We are not doing the sad squirrel again. Gag me with a spoon! We need to, like, level up. You've got that sun-god vibe and that nymph intuition. We need an animal that’s, like, common enough to be seen, but totally stealthy and wise."

Athene snapped her fingers. "I know! We're gonna do a Raven or a Crow. You’ve, like, totally seen them hanging around, right? They're everywhere, but they're, like, also super smart spies. Perfect for, like, your Night Pryio mentor's apprentice."

Amethyst nodded, concentrating. "Like, yes, I've seen them in the park. They look... focused."

"Exactly! Focused, not frantic! This form is going to be, like, your Sokto-lite mode—all about, like, high Perception and super low-key presence. Close your eyes, Amethyst. Now, don't think about becoming the bird. Think about absorbing its vibe."

Athene lowered her voice to a soft, seductive purr. "Imagine the black of its feathers blending into your purple highlights. Feel the Wits of the bird—it just, like, knows everything that's going down. You are dissolving into the idea of surveillance. Now, flow! Don't fight the feathers! Own it!"

A shimmer of black and purple light enveloped Amethyst. This time, the change was smooth, clean, and silent. She became a perfectly formed Raven, her eyes shining with purple light.

"OMG! You slayed!" Athene cheered. "See? Not that deep! Now that you've, like, totally nailed the bird-spy form, we can, like, accelerate this whole transformation thing and move on to the actual, like, war forms."

The War Forms: Unleashing the Inner Fierce

"Okay, so, like, you've got the stealth down with your bird, but now we need, like, impact. Since you're training with me, we're gonna, like, stick to the cat aesthetic, because, like, they are the apex predator, duh! You’ve seen, like, nature documentaries, right? Those big cats? They're, like, totally inspirational."

1. The Sokto Shift (The Sleek Hunter)

"First, we're doing the Sokto form—the subtle power. It's when you, like, keep your humanity, but you're amped up with feline grace. This is your 'investigator in a dark alley' mode."

"Close your eyes. Remember the grace of a leopard in those docs. Now, combine that with your nymph grace. Let the purple flow into that sleekness. You're not, like, a total beast; you're just, like, way better than human. Flow!"

Amethyst successfully shifted into her Sokto form, a catwoman with striking purple markings and inhuman agility.

2. The Crinos Shift (The Confrontational Warrior)

"Next is Crinos. This is your, like, no-more-mister-nice-girl form. This is when you're, like, done with the Dauntain's nonsense. It's half-human, half-beast, super muscular, and, like, ready to tackle the problem."

"Think about the sheer force of a wild animal, but with, like, a totally upright stance. Let the sun-god part of you radiate power and the nymph part give you unbreakable strength. You're going to be massive. Go big or go home!"

Amethyst shifts, roaring as she transforms into her imposing, yet agile, Crinos catwoman form, all black fur and purple menace.

3. The Chatro Shift (The Formidable War Form)

"And finally, the Chatro. This is, like, max power. You, like, don't even care about human proportions anymore. This is your 'I'm ending this right now' form. It’s huge, it’s fierce, it’s formidable."

"You're going to feel the total weight of your power. It’s like, channeling a literal mythical war goddess, but one that’s, like, also a huge cat. You're moving past the familiar. Feel your whole body oversize the human form. Unleash!"

Amethyst, now practiced and confident, shifts again, becoming a truly colossal and menacing catwoman with rippling muscles and a terrifying presence, the black and purple energy radiating off her like a heat haze.

4. The Giant Cat Shift (The Apex Predator)

"Okay, last one! The Giant Cat. This is, like, pure intimidation. You're, like, showing the enemy that you are, like, totally above their human-sized issues. You're a literal force of nature, Amethyst."

"You've seen those, like, massive nature documentaries, right? The lions, the tigers? Now, be that, but, like, four times bigger. Let the raw animal instinct guide you. Be the apex predator!"

Amethyst shifts, with a profound connection to the earth and sky, becoming an enormous black cat with purple highlights, her roar shaking the Arcadian stream.

"See, Amethyst? I told you! It's not that deep. You just needed to, like, organize your imagination. You are, like, totally ready for real adventures now! We should go celebrate!"

Okay, like, totally! So, after that epic shapeshifting session, Amethyst is, like, riding a wave of pure, black-and-purple confidence.

Athene, ever the pragmatic mentor, knew it was time for a practical application—and what better way to, like, celebrate than by, like, scaring some annoying Dauntain? Nothing!

Athene, still in her fierce giant black panther form, nudged Amethyst, who was, like, glowing with newfound power in her equally massive black and purple cat form.

"Okay, so, like, I've been dealing with a bad girl Lyssandra, a super scary lady, like, totally schooled?

She's probably still sulking in her, like, super-tacky lair. But her little minions? They're, like, probably out here, trying to, like, round up more, like, helpless creatures for her stupid 'art projects.' Gag me! We should, like, totally interrupt that. It's, like, a total injustice, Amethyst."

Amethyst let out a low growl, a sound that was, like, totally intimidating coming from a giant nymph-cat. Her new forms felt, like, a part of her now, a raw power she was finally in control of.

"Lead the way, Athene. I'm, like, so ready to, like, show them what a true 'glamour sculpture' looks like—one they won't, like, ever forget."

"That's, like, the spirit!" Athene purred, her green eyes glinting. "We'll do some, like, classic Night Pryio stealth first. Even in giant cat mode, we can be, like, super sneaky. It's all about, like, mindset and, like, using the shadows. My Stalking Cat Gift? It's, like, literally cheat codes."

They moved through the Arcadian forest, their massive forms surprisingly silent. Athene, with her Stealth and The Stalking Cat Gift, practically became the shadows, her black fur blending perfectly. Amethyst, following her lead, moved with a newfound fluidity. Her purple markings pulsed softly, absorbing the faint light, a natural extension of her nymph heritage embracing the night.

Soon, they heard them: the grating, mechanical whispers of Dauntain lackeys. They were a trio of smaller, twisted Fae, likely mutated Goblins or Redcaps, dressed in rusted scraps of armor, herding a frightened group of luminous, deer-like chimeras towards a rickety, glowing cage.

One of them, a particularly ugly Goblin-thing with a screechy voice, was, like, literally poking a chimera with a rusty stick.

"Okay, as if!" Athene hissed silently to Amethyst, her giant paw twitching. "That's, like, totally rude. And a complete injustice. We're, like, going in."

Before the Dauntain knew what was happening, the air around them went, like, totally silent thanks to Athene's Shrouded Step Gift. Their chittering faded, their rusty pokes froze mid-air. The only sound was the frantic breathing of the chimeras.

Then, from the deep shadows, Athene launched. She didn't make a sound, but her sheer size and the sudden appearance of a massive black panther with glowing green eyes was, like, a total jump-scare. She landed in front of the Dauntain, not attacking, but just, like, standing there, radiating pure, unadulterated ferocity.

The Dauntain gasped, their eyes wide with terror, dropping their rusty sticks. Before they could, like, process the giant black panther, Amethyst emerged from the other side, equally massive, her black fur etched with glowing purple runes, her own eyes burning with an intense, magical light.

She let out a low, rumbling growl that vibrated through the forest floor, a sound that was, like, half-cat, half-nymph-wrath.

The Dauntain didn't even, like, think about fighting. They were literally paralyzed with fear. One of them, the Goblin-thing, soiled its rusty armor.

Athene, still radiating menace, subtly flicked her tail towards the frightened chimeras, conveying a clear message:

Release them.

Now.

The Dauntain, like, stumbled over each other in their haste to unlock the cage and scatter into the deeper shadows of Arcadia, leaving the chimeras to, like, totally bound away to safety.

Athene let out a satisfied purr. "See, Amethyst? It's not about, like, being a total brute. It's about, like, presence. And, like, making a statement. Those guys are, like, never going to mess with chimeras again. Or, like, totally anyone again, probably. Mission accomplished. Now, like, for those snacks I promised."

Amethyst, still glowing with her purple energy, looked at Athene, a wide smile spreading across her massive cat face. "Oh my god, Athene. That was, like, totally amazing! I, like, totally get it now!"

Okay, like, totally! The Dauntain drama is, like, so last hour. It’s time for a much-needed, like, totally cute interlude!

Athene and Amethyst shifted back into their human forms, laughing and brushing the Arcadian moss off their (very little) clothing.

"Oh my god, I, like, just totally remembered something Maximillian told me," Athene said, her green eyes sparkling with anticipation. She clapped her hands together.

"He, like, mentioned you have this super adorable Lynx! Lotor? Is that his name? That is, like, such a cute name for a fierce kitty, whatever! I'm, like, a Bagheera, which is a leopard, but the Lynx are, like, the Qualmi—they're the riddle-masters! I, like, need to meet this bad boy kitty, like, now."

Amethyst giggled, still buzzing from her successful shifts. "OMG, you're, like, totally right! Lotor is, like, my best friend! He's, like, super fluffy and has the most amazing ear tufts. He’s back in the nature reserve where I live in the mortal world."

We, like, need to go, like now, immediately," Athene declared, already pacing.

She raised her hand, Gnosis crackling at her fingertips (because, like, what's Gnosis 5 for if not for meeting cute pets?). "Tell me, like, the exact vibe of the place. The location, the time, the energy."

Amethyst quickly described the specific location in the reserve—a hidden clearing near a stream where Lotor liked to lounge in a patch of wild clover.

Athene concentrated, her expression suddenly, like, super serious. She traced a swirling black circle in the air with her fingertip, the line of the circle shimmering with purple light, courtesy of Amethyst’s influence.

The circle swelled into a perfect, shimmering black portal, revealing a sun-dappled, grassy clearing on the other side.

"Okay, Amethyst, you're, like, totally lucky you’re friends with a high-Gnosis Feline-Breed mystic," Athene announced, her cheerful tone returning. "This is, like, a totally one-way, non-committal portal. We pop in, meet the bad boy kitty, and, like, go all cat patrol. Come on! Let’s go, like, totally invade his chill spot!"

Athene, ever the enthusiastic cat-lover, stepped through the shimmering, temporary portal first.

Amethyst, still laughing at the absurdity of it all, followed her new mentor.

Amethyst is the OC of @wrestlegirl1