Chapter 9: Helping the Wounded

The earthquake quickly shuttered to a stop after that. Everything stood still. The only thing that had fallen over was the big oak tree.
The oak tree that killed Dust and Campbell.
No, no, no, no, no, Misty thought frantically. This couldn't have happened!
"D-Dust?" Rusty called, looking horrified. He slowly made his way for the tree. Misty got to her paws and ran for it, however. My friend can NOT be dead, she thought. She can't be. She can't be.
"Campbell!" Misty called. She then hopped on top of the tree and grew wide-eyed.
Both Dust and Campbell were laying there knocked out. But the tree was laying next to them; it hadn't crushed them after all. Misty let out a sigh of relief. "They're both okay!" she called happily out to the others. Misty hopped down and pawed at her friend. "Campbell? Wake up. You're fine."
Campbell slowly lifted her head and moaned. "M-Mom...?"
"N-No, Campbell. It's me. Misty." Misty replied.
"Ohhh..." Campbell's head dropped back to the ground.
"I think they need Eclipse," Misty commented.
Koro swiftly jumped over the tree. Misty turned to him. "I got Campbell. Dust's a bit too big for me." He nudged Campbell, picking her up and setting her on his back. Campbell made no comment, laying with her eyes closed. "Someone get Dust," he called to the others, and trotted off. Misty watched as Nzuri ran after Koro.
Misty turned back to Dust, and nudged him with her front paw. "Hey. Get up."
Dust just laid there.
Rusty came over. "H-He's alive, right?"
"Yeah...I'm sure..." Misty said hesitantly. I actually don't know, she thought with worry.
Rusty put his paw on Dust and moved him over. "Ahem. Dust. Dude, you gotta get up."
Dust didn't respond.
"Y-You can't play dead, Dust. Stop worrying me," Rusty stammered.
Misty then put her paw on Dust's chest and felt around for his heart. "Where is it..." she murmured.
After a few moments of fear, Misty finally found his heart. "It's beating!" she announced.
"Oh my Lifebreeze!" Rusty howled. "I thought he was dead...!"
"He's still alive," Misty confirmed.
Rhett made his way over. "Dude. I don't think this guy can be picked up."
"We can try right?" Rusty frowned.
"Well, I'm not breaking my spine over it," Rhett snorted. "We could probably get backup."
"If only Kabu was still here. That guy could pick Dust up easily," Rusty remarked. "Misty, Rhett, head back to The Bending Tower and get some reinforcements, will you?"
"Sure," Misty shrugged.
"C'mon," Rhett said to Misty, and took off. Misty stared at how fast he went, then bolted after him, as quick as she could manage. However, Rhett was already way ahead. Misty picked up the pace, going as fast as she ever went in her life. She finally caught up to Rhett, panting.
"Man you're weak," Rhett laughed.
"Well excuse me," Misty snorted.
They entered the yard, where animals were all crowded around, talking to each other. Talking about the earthquake, Misty told herself. She then went to follow Rhett into The Bending Tower, but felt herself being lifted up off the ground. "Hey!" she exclaimed.
"Misty! Are you alright?" came her mother's voice. She then set Misty back down and Misty turned, looking up at her mother. "You could've been killed. You're so lucky to have survived!"
"Mom, mom!" Misty exclaimed. She glanced at Rhett and saw him snickering. Misty shot him a glare.
"I'm just glad you're okay," Airia sighed.
"Yeah. Go fret over Adele now. She won't mind," Misty muttered.
Airia gave Misty a look.
"I'm not making fun of her disability!" Misty protested.
"Anyways," Rhett trotted up, shooting a teasing grin at Misty, "Airia, we need your help. Dust is out cold, and we need someone to carry him back to The Bending Tower."
"Oh. Sure," Airia nodded. "Come on Misty." She bent down to pick her up but Misty flinched away.
"I can walk," Misty said.
Airia frowned. "Okay then," she shrugged. She then flew up into the sky.
Rhett smiled at Misty.
"Shut up," Misty pushed him with her paw.
"I didn't even say anything," Rhett grinned.
Misty rolled her eyes. "You know what I mean. C'mon, Mom needs to follow us."
"Alright." Rhett then trotted off for the forest. Misty followed him.
Misty and Rhett headed back towards the location Dust was. Misty looked up to see Airia flying above them, looking down to see where they were going.
They then stopped at the fallen tree area, and Airia swooped down and looked at Rusty. "He's over here!" Rusty called.
Airia darted at where Rusty was, going by with a swoooosh of her wings. Misty and Rhett followed, watching as Airia picked Dust's body up with her wing and set Dust on her back. She then took off into the sky, flying back for The Bending Tower.
"Now all we do is pray he doesn't fall off," Rhett snickered.
"I...think that's enough tour for today," Rusty gulped. "L-Let's head back."

Author's Note:
Check out my new blogs - War of the Wolves and Art Unlimited!
Oh, and also there's a new place for where you can sign-up on the sign-ups page. .3.
I'm hungry. e3e *runs off to eat*