Chapter 21: Acceptance

Liberty could smell the tensions rising as yet another patrol returned the next day. All day and night, Ash had been tirelessly searching for the missing animals: Campbell, Adele, Misty, Bracken, Rhett, Koro, Lephos, Sidew and Tiggerpaka. But no one had found anything. Liberty had noticed the parents of the missing ones were devastated. Some (like Charlotte and Nyla) seemed to be in shock. Others (like Ash and Raoul) seemed to be desperately trying to get to them, pushing everyone to help get their kids back. While the rest (like Kodi and Dust) were acting calm but were obviously scared. Light was the only one who didn't appear sad or shocked, but totally angered.
"It's my kids that are gone!" Liberty had heard Light roar yesterday. "If we don't find them, I am not going to be happy!"
"Well? Anything?" Ash called, as the patrol came through the entrance.
Hazen, the leader of the patrol, sighed and shook his head.
"This is seeming hopeless," Sun blurted out. "We've been searching nonstop all day, and all night, and we haven't found them."
"I'm not giving up," Ash insisted to his mother-in-law, "two of them are my only daughters, we have to find them."
"I think it's time to give up, Ash," Hazen said regretfully. "They're gone."
"If we're lucky, they may find their way back," Charlotte said, approaching Ash. Liberty noticed her mother seemed weak from grief. "But...your brother is right, Ash. If we haven't found them, they're beyond our reach."
"Are you're suggesting they're..." Ash began, but he seemed reluctant to say it.
"Dead? Yes," Twig said.
"It's merely a possibility," Mistletoe glared at Twig, "that they're dead. But we have no proof."
"Which means they could still be out there!" Ash pointed out.
"Ash." Mistletoe insisted. "Listen. They're gone."
Liberty noticed Ash was trying very hard to keep himself strong. "I...I suppose you're...right. Good work, everyone," he said emotionlessly. Ash trotted into The Bending Tower.
"Ash! Wait!" Airia cried, running after him.
"Hey," said a voice. As the crowd broke up, Liberty turned to see Ekaj walking up to her. "You okay?"
"Of course," Liberty sniffed. "Why wouldn't I be?"
"Well, it's your sister who's missing and all..." Ekaj shuffled his paws nervously.
"She didn't care for me. I have no reason to grieve," Liberty said simply.
"...Okay then," Ekaj shrugged. "But aren't you the least bit worried? You just always seem so...emotionless."
"A bit. But truthfully, there's no help grieving. What's that going to do? Only make us weak," Liberty grumbled.
"Uh...alright," Ekaj murmured. He hesitated, but then padded away.
Pretty much as soon as Ekaj left, Starlight came up to Liberty and sat down next to her. "You don't need to be so cold."
"Cold?" Liberty echoed.
"Ekaj has a point. You are pretty emotionless," Starlight pointed out. "I've never seen you smile, laugh, or be anything but dead serious. You really need to loosen up."
Not sure how to respond, Liberty remained silent.
Suddenly, Audrey ran up to Starlight, looking devastated. "My brothers are dead!" she cried.
"Calm down, Audrey," Starlight said soothingly. "There's no proof they're dead."
"They may as well be!" Audrey yelled. "My brothers...are...dead..."
"Audrey, you're hyperventilating," Starlight murmured. Liberty stifled an eye roll. She's being dramatic, she thought dryly.
But she has anxiety, said a voice in Liberty's head.
"Breathe at a normal pace," Starlight urged. Audrey's breathing began to slow as she got back in control of it.
"My brothers..." she murmured.
"Aren't dead," Starlight insisted. "Audrey, you got to keep strong. Sure, they're your brothers. If Sparky were dead, I'd act like this too." Liberty didn't exactly believe that - Starlight would probably at least act a bit more in control of her actions. "But if they are dead, think about how much happier they'd be. They'll be on Peacebender territory."
"Starlight, Peacebenders don't exist," Liberty scoffed.
Starlight shot Liberty a look before turning to Audrey. "Unlimited dead animals to prank," Starlight said. "That's true happiness for them."
Audrey seemed to give a weak smile, but it quickly retreated and a frown took over. "But that means I don't get to see them until...!"
"Hey, that doesn't mean you should hope to die earlier," Starlight whispered. "If Sidew and Lephos are missing you - I know they love you, but they'll probably be having too much fun on Peacebender territory - they may visit you when you're dreaming. But they're happy."
Audrey took a shaky breath. "Okay...okay," she murmured. She then trotted away.
"Don't Sidew and Lephos find Audrey annoying?" Liberty pointed out.
"Yes, but don't let Audrey know that," Starlight hissed. "Besides, I'm sure Sidew and Lephos do care for their only sister, even if they don't act like it..."
"Speaking of their siblings," Liberty said, "do you think Ryker misses them?"
"Of course," Starlight nodded. "I mean, even though Sidew and Lephos are best friends, occasionally I'd see Ryker hanging out with them, as like a third. He does pranks too, but Ryker's just a bit more mature."
Liberty nodded in agreement. Ryker had done some pranks, but he was really friendly while Lephos and Sidew were a bit more careless. She had always seen Ryker with a friend, so he was somewhat popular in The Bending Tower.
"This is a sad party," commented a voice. Liberty looked to see Tiggerkat nearby. "No reese cups for everyone, either! I thought it'd be more fun." Tiggerkat popped a reese cup in her mouth.
"Tiggerkat, are you upset that there are missing animals?" Liberty asked.
"Wait, there's missing animals?" Tiggerkat frowned.
"Duh," Liberty grumbled. "Why else would there be searching parties?"
"Oh! I absolutely love parties. But what are we searching for?" Tiggerkat asked.
"The missing animals," Starlight said.
"Missing animals? What missing animals?" Tiggerkat said.
"...I think she's finally lost it," Starlight muttered.
"I see no difference," Liberty snorted.

Author's Note:
This is the *cough* REAL chapter 21. *glances at Tiggerpaka* >w>