Chapter 11: Capture the Prey

Out in the middle of the woods, everyone gathered around Ash and Raoul at a large boulder that everyone liked to call "Kabu's Boulder" - Airia had explained to Misty that the former deputy always hopped up on the boulder when The Bending Tower had a meeting in the woods.
"Alright!" Ash called. "Here's how you will play 'Capture the Prey'."
Misty, sitting next to Campbell, perked her ears forward to listen better. I gotta come up with some plans. That way we can win! she thought excitedly.
"There are two teams, as you know," Ash explained. "Apprentices and mentors. Now, there is a deer for each team." Ash nodded at two dead deer laying by him. "The deer will be hidden by each team in their own territories. To win, one team have to get the other's prey and get it to their side."
"Now, if you find an enemy in your territory," Raoul said, "if you attack them and they surrender, then they're your prisoner. And someone from their own team has to rescue them."
"Oh. That makes sense," Campbell said.
"You can do anything possible to try and win," Ash added. "But no killing or inflicting any huge injuries. And do not leave The Bending Tower's territory."
"Any questions?" Raoul asked.
No one said anything.
"Good. If you have anything to report - any rule breaking or whatever - come to a senior Bender. And remember, newbie Benders get to choose their team. Good luck!" Ash exclaimed.
Misty then watched as the mentors all got together, along with most of the newbie Benders. Of course. They don't want to be with the "stupid apprentices", Misty growled to herself. Well, when we beat them they won't think we're weak anymore.
"We must be the only newbie Benders here."
Misty turned to see Leafy and Patch sitting there. "Well, no matter," Leafy shrugged. "We'll shred the mentors."
"Yeah," Patch smiled.
A bunch of running sounds reached Misty's ears. She whipped around to see the other team scurrying off into the forest. Well, there they go, Misty thought.
"We're gonna need a leader," Spot commented. "Sort things out and all."
"Well, who'll it be?" Malroy frowned.
"Obviously us," said Lephos, glancing at Sidew.
"Um, no," Ryker, Lephos and Sidew's other brother said. "You'll get us all beaten," he said with a snicker.
Lephos and Sidew gave Ryker an unimpressed look.
"Maybe it could be Liberty," suggested Starlight. Misty glanced at the she-wolf, seeing her sitting next to her best friend, Audrey. "She's a natural leader."
"Agreed, we could win with her as leader," Sparky nodded.
Misty noticed Campbell stiffen. "Shh. It's just a matter of who's leader," Misty hissed to her friend.
"Yeah...but everyone always picks Liberty," Campbell muttered.
"Why? You want to be leader?" Misty asked.
"No," Campbell said. "It's just that I'd like to see someone else do something important rather than Liberty, she can't always get to do everything..." Misty glanced at Lephos and Sidew, noticing the twins looking at Campbell and whispering. Ryker then gave his brothers a look, and Sidew gave Ryker a "what did I do?!" look back. I can only guess what they're talking about, Misty thought, narrowing her eyes at the brothers.
Misty sighed. "Hey, Liberty!" called Spot.
Liberty, who was sitting alone, perked her ears and made her way over. "What?"
"You wanna be leader? I think we all agree you should be," Ekaj said.
Liberty glanced at her sister, as if she were saying, "I'm pretty sure she didn't." But nevertheless, Liberty shrugged and said, "Yeah, sure. Whatever."
"Nice," Malroy said, stepping forward. "Got any plans?"
Liberty was quiet for a moment, then nodded. "Yep."
She then stood in front of everyone, and the apprentices - plus Leafy and Patch - all stood around to listen.
"Okay. I think we'll need to divide up into jobs, based on our strengths," Liberty suggested. "First job should be those who need to guard our prey. They'll have to be quick, alert and pretty strong."
"I will!" Ekaj exclaimed.
"You're not strong," snorted Ryker teasingly.
"Oh hush," Ekaj hissed.
"Yeah, okay," Liberty nodded. "Someone else'll have to be guard, too."
"I can do guarding," Sparky got to his paws. "I'm big. Ish."
Starlight giggled, "'Ish'? Sparky, you're--"
"It's muscle," Sparky growled at his sister.
Misty knew Sparky was buff, but he wasn't fat or anything. Oh well. Siblings, she thought with a shrug. Not that I'd know what it's like to argue with a sibling, of course...
"Yeah. The next rank we'll need are guards for the border. In case the mentors attempt to cross."
"We can do that!" yelled Lephos and Sidew at about the same time. They ran up to Liberty.
"I'll join you for that," Liberty said, giving them a look. "You'll probably get distracted by something like a butterfly."
Lephos looked a bit offended, and Sidew scowled. Misty heard Ekaji snickering.
"Next we'll have to have some animals patrol our whole territory, in case someone happens to slip by. Which I'm sure'll happen," Liberty said, giving Lephos and Sidew a look. Sidew rolled his eyes, while Lephos gave Liberty and unimpressed expression.
"I'll do that!" Misty said.
"Me too," Campbell nodded, but didn't seem eager to do her sister's bidding.
"I guess I could," Malroy shrugged.
"Ooh! Ooh! Me!" Bracken exclaimed.
"Audrey and I volunteer," Starlight called. Misty noticed Audrey giving her friend a "what?!" look.
"Alright. Final rank is to guard the prisoners that we catch. Spot, Patch and Leafy, that job's for you. You can choose where our prison can be. Now, prey guards, take the deer and hide it somewhere, and let's go!" Liberty exclaimed.
Everyone all broke up. Liberty pulled Lephos and Sidew aside, and Misty notice her hissing something to them, looking a bit ticked off. She's probably expressing how important their job is, Misty guessed.
"Come on!" Bracken said to Misty. "We need to start our job."
"Alright," Misty nodded. She took off with Bracken, and Campbell caught up to Misty's other side, giving Bracken a disliking look.
The three were then alone in the forest. "Oooh, this is gonan be fun!" Bracken exclaimed.
"Shh! You'll give us away!" Campbell hissed to the young bobcat.
"Campbell, I doubt anyone's crossed into our territory yet," Misty replied to her friend.
"We don't know that. The border's all the way back there!" Campbell whispered, pointing her tail in the direction they came from.
"She's right," Bracken agreed. "Let's split up. We'll get our jobs done better that way."
"Okay then. Good luck guys," Misty whispered, and the three broke up, going in separate directions.
Misty looked around, debating about where to go. Towards the border. So if any mentors come over, I can catch them quickly, she told herself. Misty trotted for the border, but then stopped herself. Be quiet. Element of surprise! she thought. Misty then walked slowly back for the border, being cautious about stepping on any sticks.
Suddenly, Misty heard rustling. She jumped. Someone's here already? she thought. She then growled, preparing herself to haul the trespasser off to the prison.
But, out came Tiggerpaka from the bushes. "Ah! Hello."
"Tiggerpaka...! We're busy!" Misty hissed.
"I understand you're playing 'Capture the Prey', eh?" Tiggerpaka said.
"Yes, but we're right in the middle of it and you might alert others that I'm nearby!" Misty whispered.
"I can help you though!" Tiggerpaka exclaimed. "I am the greatest warrior in the land, after all!"
"Sure," Misty murmured, "go into the mentors' territory and tell me what you find."
"Good! I'll return from my reconnaissance mission momentarily," Tiggerpaka puffed out his chest and took off.
With a sigh, Misty kept walking along. Hopefully he'll bring something important back to me, Misty thought. She kept trotting, then looked up at the trees. Some of these should be kind of easy to climb, maybe I can spy from up there...
Misty walked up to the tree and dug her claws into it and heaved herself up. Climbing is heavier than it looks! she thought with a grunt. She kept climbing though, with determination. If I wanna help my side I gotta be willing to do stuff, don't I?
Misty then perched in the branches, hoping the leaves covered her well. She scanned the area. Wow, you can see so high up from here. She smiled. I need to climb trees more often.
Suddenly, Misty heard voices. "I think it's this way..."
Misty stiffened, and dug her claws into the branch to prevent herself from falling. The bushes rustled and Koro came out from them, with Rhett with him. No surprise there, Misty told herself. She kept watching.
"We'll find the apprentices in no time," Rhett snorted. "They have no way of hiding well or covering up their tracks, honestly."
"Don't underestimate them, they're devious little guys," Koro shrugged.
Yes we are, Misty thought. She then bunched her legs together and leaped, jumping onto her mentor with a growl.
"Holy--!" Koro exclaimed as Misty pinned him down onto the ground.
"I can hide pretty good, I think," Misty said.
She then felt something tugging at her and next thing she knew, Misty was thrown off Koro and landed on the ground with an "oof". Misty realized Rhett had gotten to her. "And obviously you don't plan ahead," Rhett said with a grin.
Koro got to his paws, a slight smile on his face. "Sorry, Misty. Just...passing through, y'know."
"Yeah. We'll be on our way," Rhett said with a laugh. The brothers turned to walk away.
Obviously you guys know not to turn your back on an enemy, Misty thought. She then jumped at Rhett this time and pushed him into the ground. Rhett, looking startled, bit on Misty's paw. Misty yelled and flinched her leg away. With a growl, she pushed Rhett into a tree nearby, but it didn't affect him much.
Suddenly, Misty was slammed into the ground by Koro, and he put his paw down on her back, forcing her on the ground. "Nice try, Misty, but I think we win this round--"
The weight lifted off Misty unexpectedly, and she looked to see Bracken looking at Koro. "Hey, don't do that!" he protested.
Rhett got to his paws. "Oh. That guy," Rhett snorted.
Misty turned and gave Rhett a glare.
"Can you not just let us go?" Rhett rolled his eyes.
"Oh, is that a surrender I hear?" Misty smiled.
"No, I--" Rhett began.
"Yep, you surrendered. Come with me," Misty said simply.
"I'm not going to prison!" Rhett protested.
"Yes you are. Both of you. Or you'll have to fight Bracken and me," Misty insisted.
Rhett and Koro exchanged looks.

Author's Note:
Yaaaaaaayy. Fighting stuffz.