Chapter 7: Apprenticeship

The patrol all returned to The Bending Tower. Misty looked at the yard: everyone was all in conversation with others, training or eating. No one seemed concerned as they returned. Did they not believe us? Misty thought. Campbell and I weren't imagining things!
Ash then trotted up. "Anything?"
"Nothing," Hazen shook his head.
"I didn't see a single thing," Rhett nodded.
"It's because I chased it off," Tiggerpaka smirked.
Ash - and the others - ignored Tiggerpaka. "Oh well. You're all dismissed."
The patrol then broke up and all went in separate directions - all except Misty and Campbell.
"So I heard the two of you want to be apprentices," Ash said.
"Yeah!" Campbell and Misty both exclaimed at once.
"Hmm. What Benders would you be?" Ash asked with a smile.
"Airbender!" Campbell said right away.
"Misty?" Ash looked at his daughter.
"Hmm..." Misty thought for a minute. She glanced around the clearing, looking at the animals. "I don't--" Her eyes then landed on Koro. He's an Earthbender, she thought. That may be fun... "Earthbender," Misty decided with a nod.
"Alright then," Ash smiled. "I think you two will be apprentices rather...soon."
Misty and Campbell exchanged excited looks.


"Oh Misty, I'm so proud of you!" Airia licked Misty on the forehead.
"Mom! The whole Bending Tower is here," Misty flinched away from her mother.
Ash then said, "Okay everyone." The Bending Tower all went quiet and turned Ash. Misty and Campbell, both sitting by their mothers, looked at each other with eager grins. "We need two new apprentices," Ash announced. "Misty and Campbell. They have shown that they are ready to become apprentices, and each will be mentored by one of our own Benders. Campbell, what Bender do you want to be?"
"Airbender," Campbell replied with a curt nod.
Ash then scanned the animals. "Nzuri will be Campbell's mentor."
"Great. I get an animal who's smaller than me," Campbell hissed.
Misty punched Campbell with her paw.
"Hey!" Campbell exclaimed.
"Nzuri'll be fine. Go to her," Misty said.
Campbell trotted over to sit next to Nzuri, who looked really excited.
"I chose Nzuri because she's been an Airbender for a while, and deserves her first apprentice," Ash said. "She will teach Campbell well."
Misty noticed Campbell looked a bit happier now. Well that's good, Misty thought.
"Misty, what Bender do you want to be?" Ash asked.
"Earthbender," Misty nodded, turning to look at Ash.
"Okay. Misty, your mentor will be..." Ash looked at the animals. "Koro."
Misty's eyes widened. Koro? she thought.
She then glanced at Koro, who gave a slight smile at Misty. Misty found herself walking to sit next to her new mentor.
"I chose Koro because he has shown that he is ready for an apprentice. Koro was a skilled apprentice, and I'm sure he'll pass on his skills," Ash said.
Misty glanced at her sister, Adele. If only she could become an apprentice too...

Author's Note:
Short chapter. :U