Were-Whisker

* Complete MAP
* MAP Call

## Resources

**Were-Whisker** is the third CCU MAP and the third MAP in the official storyline. The plot revolves around Sleekwhisker, a young warrior who can shapeshift into a coyote, and her relationship with Needletail.

## Blurb

*This M.A.P (Multi Animator Project) is about Sleekwhisker's relationship with Darktail, Needletail, and Sleekwhisker's were-coyote form! In this Sleekwhisker is a were-coyote; while Needletail finds out about Sleekwhisker's secret she loves and accepts Sleekwhisker but when Darktail finds out he uses Sleekwhisker as a weapon.*

## Detailed plot description

Sleekwhisker strolls through the woods, carrying her most recent capture, a rabbit. She looks around to make sure no one is looking before resuming her cat form. Darktail comes from behind the trees, a wicked sneer twisting across his face, as she continues to go towards the Kins camp.

She returns to camp and looks around for a bit before noticing Needletail, who sits next to her with a smile on her face. They are both talking while eating together, with blushes on their faces.

Later that night, Needletail and Sleekwhisker are both exploring the waterfalls of the ShadowClans territory. They decide for a spot near the river, but Needletail doesn't seem to notice Sleekwhisker's mounting unease when she spots the full moon and transforms into her coyote form in front of Needletail. Needletail is stunned by the unexpected revelation, which confirms Sleekwhiskers worst worries for a minute, but she manages to calm herself down as she continues to convince her that she doesn't think of her any differently. They nuzzle as she says this, a relieved smile emerging on Sleekwhiskers muzzle.

The kin convene in Darktail's den to discuss war plans, with Sleekwhisker and Needletail arriving a touch late, walking in in the middle of the meeting. Darktail dismisses everyone but Sleekwhisker for a private one-on-one meeting. The unexpected news worries Needletail, but Sleekwhisker reassures her with a smile. Needletail manages a slight nod as she moves out of the den, in the opposite direction as the rest of the Kin.

It cuts to Needletail as she wanders amid a sea of mangled dead bodies on the night of the war, her face distorted with terror. She glances up to see Darktail commanding Sleekwhisker in her coyote form, killing any cat he points his paw at. Sleekwhisker's eyes were no longer cat-like, instead being totally coated in an animalistic hue. Needletail looks on in terror at what she is watching, and she begins to flee the scene, but not before Sleekwhisker turns around and sees her flee.

After several moons, Needletail eventually finds Darktail alone alongside the lake. She pounces on him and begins to yell at him in anguish for everything he has done to her and her family, viewing this as her only chance to stop him and free Sleekwhisker from his clutches. Needletail becomes increasingly bewildered as he continues to cackle, until she hears Sleekwhisker screaming her name from behind her.

She becomes increasingly afraid when Darktail frees himself from Needletail's hold and instructs Sleekwhisker to kill her. Sleekwhisker unwillingly changes into a coyote and chases Needletail across the lake. Needletail is afraid for her own life, but she progressively slows down as she maintains certain that she is still alive somewhere in there. Needletail approaches a growling Sleekwhisker and repeats the motions she did in the waterfalls the night before, but this time she is mualed by her.

When Sleekwhisker finally recovers, she nearly throws herself back in panic at the sight of Needletail's body in front of her, but her expressions gradually turn cold and soulless as she begins to feel that she ultimately did the right thing.

### Credits

A transformed Sleekwhisker is shown in the credits gazing off into the distance as Needletail's ghost emerges in front of her. Needletail stays with her for a while more, giving Sleekwhisker one last look before flying away. Sleekwhisker glances back at the viewer with nothing in her eyes as the credits roll.

## Trivia

* Despite the title saying otherwise, lots of people thought that Sleekwhisker transformed into a wolf instead of a coyote.
* This is the first and only MAP to not have Cheeteh be directly credited as a director in the credits.
	+ Nor were the character designers credited, only in the description.
* Sparroet created the MAP call thumbnail, while Owlspark created the finished product thumbnail, marking the first time Cheeteh Z had others create the thumbnails.
* Sleekwhisker's coyote eyes show how much control she gradually loses over her coyote shape during the MAP .
* Needletail's dying sequence in the MAP was inspired by Tim's death in Beastars.
	+ Cheeteh Z also stated that they have always seen a 3D animator animating the final shot.

## Publication history

* Teaser Trailer - September 26, 2021
* MAP Call - September 27, 2021
* Complete MAP - October 24, 2021

It took 3 weeks and 6 days for the MAP to be complete.

## Gallery

Thumbnail for the Complete MAP by OwlSparkThumbnail for the MAP Call by Sparroet