Chapter 17: Redmoon Flowers

Liberty ran further and further into the forest until she saw the old lioness sitting by her stream, looking at the flowing water in a rather content matter. Liberty slowed to a stop as she looked at Shell, who was quiet and umoving, laying down by her stream with her head raised up, the only sound breaking the silence of the area being the stream itself flowing. How could she just sit there? Liberty wondered as she padded towards the elder.
"Shell," she said loudly, knowing the lioness's hearing wasn't at its best these days.
Upon hearing her name Shell turned and looked at Liberty, a smile spreading onto her face. "Oh, hello! How nice it is to receive a young visitor. What is your name?"
"Liberty," Liberty responded. She must be really old, if she can't remember names. Liberty then had to remind herself of why Shell was this way: she talked about her life as a Protector in her youth, how she used to live and train at the Land of Yin and Yang. Shell's punishment for that was to slowly begin to forget everything she knew until she was near death, and at that point to have completely forgotten anything - like time was going backwards for the old lioness. The thought was actually kind of sad. "Shell, I need your help."
"You have such a lovely name," Shell smiled.
"Thank you. Now look, Starlight was bitten by a Shadow Tracker. I don't know what's happening to her. But I need your help," Liberty insisted. "She keeps screaming and I'm worried she might d--"
"The sun's been covered by clouds," Shell murmured.
Immediately Liberty was confused and taken by surprise at Shell's remark. "Wha--?" she began, looking up at the sky. It was nighttime, the stars were dotting the sky and there was definitely no sun or clouds. In fact it was pretty dark out. "Shell, there is no sun ou--"
"You can't let the clouds cover the sun," Shell said in a very serious and worried tone, enough to make Liberty believe that it was somehow important to take the clouds off of the sun somehow. But she snapped out of it. That's ridiculous. This is ridiculous. "Don't let the clouds cover the sun," she said, looking Liberty in the eyes.
"Shell, there are no clouds. There is no sun. Calm down," Liberty said, but deep inside she was beginning to worry.
"The sun will fade if the clouds don't go away!" Shell exclaimed, with so much worry in her voice that Liberty took a few steps back, wondering if Shell was truly beginning to lose it. If the lioness was going crazy, that couldn't be good; not only was Shell a well-known member of The Bending Tower and an honored veteran Bender, she was also Liberty's only good source to inside information of all of this Yin and Yang business. "The only way to get the clouds away is to find a redmoon. The redmoon can cure it..." Shell continued.
"What in Lifebreeze's name is a redmoon?" Liberty demanded.
"It's a flower," Shell said, actually replying to Liberty this time. "A red flower. And you need it to take the clouds away. Don't let the sun get covered up!"
"The sun isn't covered up!" Liberty shouted, a mixture of fear and anger taking over. "Stop talking about the sun and clouds! They're fine! Neither of them are in the sky right now! And I don't know what a stupid flower has to do with taking clouds away! That's freakin'..."
"Please. Don't let the sun get covered," Shell said pleadingly. "Find the redmoon!"
"I'm not finding any redmoons!" Liberty growled. "Because I don't need that, I need to find a cure for Starlight's injury!"
"Find the redmoon!" Shell repeated.
"For the last time, I don't--!" Liberty began, but she stopped mid-sentence as realization clicked, and she understood what Shell was trying to say. What with the lioness's dementia she probably couldn't say it outright, but all this time Shell had actually been trying to tell Liberty the cure to Starlight's bite. "Oh..."
"Take away the clouds," Shell murmured.
"I will," said Liberty, and Shell's face seemed to light up with relief. "I'll, uh...take the clouds off of the sun, Shell. The sun will be okay."
The lioness gave a weak smile. "Save the sun, Liberty."
Liberty nodded before turning and running off deeper into The Bending Tower territory.


Charlotte had told stories about the rebellion that Ash had lead, moons before Liberty was born. She told Liberty about how, when they set off, after going through the woods of The Bending Tower their first stop was in a field of flowers. If there was any place nearby that might have that 'redmoon' Shell was talking about, Liberty figured it had to be the flower field. But how am I supposed to know which flower is the redmoon? Liberty realized. There's probably tons of red flowers! She considered going back for Shell but then decided against it almost as quickly. Who knows how much time Starlight has left. And in Shell's state...she may not be able to tell me. Or at least not in a way that could save Starlight's life quickly.
By that time Liberty had approached Ice River. She looked at the cold waters that moved rapidly through the area. She figured it wasn't named "Ice River" for nothing, because it looked very cold; it was probably one of the last things Liberty wanted to fall into.
All the time when she was little, older Benders would always tell Liberty to not ever, under any circumstance, cross Ice River. That if for some reason someone had to, the senior Benders would take care of it, and Liberty was not to go.
But this time the rules were out of the question. This was Starlight's life on the line, and Liberty wasn't going to risk her friend's life by running all the way back to The Bending Tower to tell a senior Bender to do something for her.
Besides, that sounded cowardly. Liberty didn't ever wanted to be known as a coward. A coward would run back and get someone else to cross out of Bending Tower territory. Taking the risk of the consequences of breaking that rule was obviously the better choice.
After telling herself that, Liberty took a few steps back and then leaped across Ice River, and only just made it to the other side. She got to her paws and looked back at The Bending Tower territory as she realized this was the furthest from home she'd ever been.
Liberty turned to look forward and kept running through the woods, jumping over logs and clearing through bushes, veering out of the way of briars. She kept telling herself not to slow down, not to start walking. She didn't know how much time Starlight had left, but it was best to assume there was little, as that would keep Liberty going. Starlight was one of the only animals Liberty cared for, and she didn't want to lose her.
After a while the woods finally began to get thinner, and up ahead Liberty saw a field. She ran faster despite the pain that jabbed at her ribs, until she came crashing into the field, only to find that the few flowers there were dead.
She took in what she saw before collapsing to the ground in a defeated way. She felt like clawing herself for being such an idiot. It was white-earth. The coldest season. No way flowers could be growing during this; in fact, there was already little prey out to hunt. Why would there be flowers?
For the first time, Liberty actually felt a lump in her throat and tears beginning to well up in her eyes, and she didn't realize how much sadness and fear for Starlight she'd been keeping locked up inside her. But now that her friend may as well be dead, Liberty let the tears flow, glad no one was around to see as sobs choked her.
Starlight was dead.
Soon she'd be nothing more than a memory.
Liberty squeezed her eyes tight, ashamed of letting such emotions grip her, but deep down she wanted to let it all out. She began to recall memories of her and Starlight; their first time going into the forest together, as Liberty commented on how boring it was, Starlight chuckling and telling her to quit being so negative.
Then she was remembering Starlight taking her to visit the elders, Liberty a pup and Starlight an apprentice. Creature had told them the story of the beginning of Bending.  That was the day Liberty had decided to be a Waterbender, after Creature had told Liberty about the first Waterbender and how he was one as well.
She also recalled Starlight and Liberty sharing a meal together, talking about the unfairness of them not being allowed to have night training yet because they were too young to stay up late. Starlight had told Liberty about how interesting night training seemed, and it made Liberty wanting more to go out during the night.
Then her memories were shattered by the one of Starlight screaming in pain with the black liquid oozing from where she had been bitten from the Shadow Tracker, and Liberty gritted her teeth at the memory.
"Hell-oooo!"
Liberty's eyes shot open as she saw Tiggerkat hopping over to her, wearing a crown around her head made of flowers, a necklace as well. Liberty blinked the remnants of tears from her eyes and swallowed down any more that could've been coming, determined not to let her sadness show; especially to Tiggerkat, who'd probably talk about it to the whole Tower. "What're you doing out here?" Liberty asked, forcing her voice to sound strong.
"Picking the last of the flowers!" hummed Tiggerkat, a smile on her face. Did she know about Starlight being bitten? Liberty doubted it. And even if Tiggerkat had, she'd probably forgotten about it by now. In some ways the reese-cup loving animal was as bad as Shell. "They're so pretty. Most of them are dying though. I came to get some of the last alive ones so I could make these." She looked at her crown and necklace.
"Mm-hmm," Liberty nodded, looking at the flowers. "Why'd you leave Bending Tower territory?"
"Because there's flowers out here!" Tiggerkat exclaimed. "This is my favorite place to be. I love flowers."
"I can tell," Liberty muttered.
"It's a shame they're dying though," Tiggerkat sighed. "But luckily they'll be back one day! Nature always grows back. 'Circle of life', I hear they call it. Not sure why though. Why a circle? Why isn't it a square? Or a rectangle! Ooh! Perhaps a hexago--"
"A what?" Liberty frowned.
"Anyway, so like I was saying, the flowers'll be back. Then I'll pick some more. Maybe I'll make you a flower necklace!" Tiggerkat grinned.
Liberty began to think. Tiggerkat picked the only alive flowers...realization dawned on Liberty that if there was a redmoon anywhere, Tiggerkat had it.
"Tiggerkat!" Liberty said. "Do you know types of flowers?"
"Of course!" Tiggerkat smiled. "I'm an expert! On that, and reese cups."
"Do you have a 'redmoon'?" Liberty asked.
Tiggerkat looked up at the sky. "No, the moon's pretty bright tonight. White-ish color. Definitely not red."
"No!" Liberty snapped. "A type of flower! It's called a redmoon!"
Tiggerkat took the crown off her head and examined it. "Sure do! Two of 'em!" Tiggerkat grinned. She placed the crown on Liberty's head. "I'll let you have it!"
"Thanks," Liberty responded before zipping off into the woods again.
As she ran back through the trees and back towards her familiar territory, she considered stopping to hold the crown in her jaws. No, she realized. It may rip the flowers. Better safe than sorry.
Then Liberty realized she'd be wearing a flower crown back into The Bending Tower and embarrassment spread over her. Oh, great...


She scurried back into The Bending Tower yard, which was actually quite busy. Liberty wondered if it was because of what had happened to Starlight; maybe animals couldn't sleep over it or they were anxious to know what'd be going on. Liberty ignored the animals of The Bending Tower as she raced towards the building, mind set on going to find Nightgale.
"Liberty!" a voice exclaimed.
Liberty turned to see Bracken coming up. Or Fake-Bracken, actually. After seeing what this new Bracken was like, Liberty knew there was no way it was the actual one. "What?" she said through gritted teeth.
"Nice crown," he sneered.
"Thanks," Liberty growled.
"Where'd you get it?" he asked with a smirk.
"From Tiggerkat," replied Liberty, feeling no need to hide the information. "Now is that all you needed to say or do you have more stupid remarks?"
Fake-Bracken scowled. "Do not call me stupid. I could have you kicked out of here, y'know."
"Ooh, I'm so scared," Liberty growled. "You can't be more than the size of a fox, and you're going to get me kicked out of my own home."
"Say that again," Fake-Bracken growled.
"Hate to say it, but I don't have the time. Got places to be," Liberty retorted, running inside The Bending Tower before Fake-Bracken could object.
She raced up the stairs and headed down the hallway, a loud scream reaching her ears. Nausea entered her stomach as she recognized it as Starlight's. Oh, Lifebreeze...
Liberty entered the Healers' den to see Airia and Max holding Starlight down, who was screaming at the top of her lungs. Liberty looked at Starlight to see that somehow the liquid on her shoulder had spread to half of her chest and some of her right flank. She could also see herbs scattered across the room, and Liberty assumed it was from Starlight.
"Oh great," Comet growled, glaring at Liberty. "What do you want?"
Confusion swept over Liberty. "What do you mean?"
"Don't play dumb," Comet retorted. "Glad to see you finally came back to face the consequences. Why'd you do this?"
"I don't know what you're talking about," Liberty said, a growl rising in her throat.
"What's with the crown?" Max asked.
"That doesn't matter," Airia retorted. "Liberty, what you did was very rude."
"What did I do?!" Liberty demanded. "That's what I'd like to know?"
"How could you not?" Comet demanded. "You destroyed our herb storage! And what with white-earth getting colder, we're not going to find more! In fact Nightgale's out right now, trying to find herbs, but there's obviously not going to be any. You've pretty much doomed us to illness and injury!"
"'Doomed' is a strong word, Comet," Airia pointed out. She then gave Liberty a harsh look. "But he's right. What you did was unacceptable."
Anger was filling Liberty's chest, as well as confusion and desperation to know what everyone was talking about. "I didn't do anything! I've been out with Shell the whole time!" She decided to leave out the part about leaving The Bending Tower's territory.
"And now you're lying!" Comet snarled. "What makes you think we could believe you when you clearly came in here and destroyed our remaining supply of herbs?"
"But I didn't!" Liberty yelled. What with all the arguing, for a while she was actually able to block out Starlight's screaming, but it didn't fail to fill her ears again.
"Yes you did!" Airia exclaimed.
"Why're you trying to act like you didn't? I mean, it was pretty obvious..." said Max, trailing off. But he obviously didn't want to be part of the conversation. In fact, he was absent in most discussions, always as if he was lost in thought. What he was lost in, Liberty didn't know, nor cared to find out.
"I don't know what you guys are talking about!" Liberty growled. "I'm here to try and help with Starlight."
"You've 'helped' enough," Comet retorted.
"Shut up about that!" Liberty snarled. "Whatever 'that' is. But I found out what can cure Starlight. It's something called a redmoon." She shook the crown off her head and looked at the only two red flowers in the crown, with yellow centers and thin - but many - petals.
"Why should we accept your help after you destroying our herbs!?" Comet growled.
"Oh, let's not forget what else she said," Airia snarled. "Why do you all of a sudden want to help Starlight?"
"What do you mean?!" Liberty demanded.
"So now you didn't say anything?" Airia growled. She hit Starlight in the head with a rock, effectively stopping the screaming and Starlight's struggling. Airia let go of the wolf and turned to face Liberty. "We heard you, Liberty. You said you hoped Starlight would die."
Liberty took a few steps back in shock. "Why would I...?"
"That's what I'd like to know," said Comet through narrowed eyes.
Shock was filling Liberty, but she quickly replaced it with anger, growling. "Fine, if you don't want me in here. But keep the stupid flower crown. The red flowers there can heal Starlight."
"How?" Comet demanded. "You don't know anything about medicine! If you did you wouldn't have--"
"It's not like you have anything else!" Liberty snarled. "And besides, you'll find a way. If you wanna heal Starlight, you will." She then spun around and stormed out of the healers' den, full of confusion, anger and shock.
What was Comet and Airia talking about?

Author's Note:
Sorry for the lack of posts! Hopefully this makes up for it. ouo
For some reason now I'm expecting Comet to be shipped with his medical supply oh dear lord
But yeah, for valentines' day I had made some TFEOB cards. Click here to see 'em. :P

QOTD: Would you date any character in TFEOB? (im asking this bc the question was quite popular for some stories on deviantART)