Chapter 33: The Disease

It had been decided that Starlight would stay at The Bending Tower and be kept alive in the end, but Liberty had focused on Twister's comments. No one really talked to the white wolf afterwards - Liberty had seen her being given strange looks, and anyone who asked for more information on what Starlight was always ended up leaving without knowing anything more. But Liberty did want to know how Twister knew about all of this. It bugged her, truly.
That next morning Liberty was walking down the halls when Fake-Ash had rounded the corner. "Liberty," he said. "Come walk with me."
Reluctantly, she nodded and went to pad alongside the opposite. What did he think about Twister's knowledge on Shadow Trackers? He hadn't given anything away, however, so Liberty was unsure of his feelings about it; although she could assume he wasn't happy.
"I'd like to tell you about something," Fake-Ash said. Liberty perked up slightly; did this mean she was becoming closer to him? Would she get to learn more about the opposite's intentions?
"What is it?" Liberty asked calmly.
"There seems to be some sort of...problem," said the opposite, heading down a flight of stairs with Liberty padding after.
"What kind of problem?" wondered Liberty. He hadn't found out about her knowing of Yin and Yang, had he?
"I've found out of a disease," Fake-Ash continued, speaking as if not having had heard Liberty's question. "And I'm quite concerned about it, whether it may spread or how many members of the Tower it may infect..."
Was he talking about the Shadow Tracker bite? No, he couldn't be; he wouldn't be so vague about it if he was, Liberty realized. She remained silent as she waited for him to continue. "The symptoms of it are pretty strange," he explained. "And I feel as though you should know them. That way if you experience them, you can come to me right away."
He looked at Liberty, who gave a nod, wanting him to continue. The opposite took the invitation. "Animals who have experienced this tend to...hallucinate, I suppose. From what I've heard, they see...themselves."
"What do you mean?" Liberty asked, slightly annoyed at how little he was explaining.
"It's the biggest symptom; they see themselves, but the animal they see acts nothing like them. They look the same, but it's like it's their opposite."
She felt her heart lurch as she realized what he was talking about: Fake-Ash was trying to convince her she didn't see her opposite. That she was infected by a disease that didn't truly exist. "Really?" she said, trying not to sound doubtful.
Fake-Ash nodded. "And I'm afraid it's already taken effect on some of the members of The Bending Tower. One wolf claimed she saw an opposite, but one of you." Liberty knew Fake-Ash was looking at her, but she was alarmed; who saw her opposite? "She said the opposite of you tried to kill her, but of course that's not true. You'd never kill one of your own friends."
Liberty already knew the animal's name, but she was praying it wouldn't be who she thought it was. "Who is it?"
"Sirius," confirmed Fake-Ash. "And until she gets better, we're having her stay in the prison that Sparky, Nzuri and you cleaned out."
Liberty wasn't sure what to feel. What did Sirius think of this? Did she blame Liberty for landing her in prison? Had she blown Liberty's cover as a spy? "May I visit her?" Liberty asked.
Fake-Ash shook his head. "Not now. I have Eclipse and Nightgale checking Sirius and trying to determine a cure. Once that's done you may visit her. But I'd be cautious. We're still not sure what this disease does to animals..."
Because it doesn't exist, Liberty told herself. She felt a twinge of doubt - what if Fake-Ash was telling the truth, at least to an extent? - but Liberty tried to push it away. He's just trying to manipulate me.
"But Liberty, I have to ask...have you been feeling any of the symptoms?" Fake-Ash asked, taking Liberty by surprise. "You're one of my best Benders, and I don't want you catching the disease."
Although she felt satisfaction that she was considered of high ranking, Liberty found herself hesitating. What does he want me to say? She hesitated before shaking her head. "No."
Fake-Ash smiled. "Well that's good then. I--"
Suddenly a shriek sounded, and Liberty flinched. "What was that?"
The opposite didn't reply; he bolted to the exit, and Liberty felt she had no choice but to run after him. She quickly headed for the yard, not too far away from Fake-Ash, curiosity filling her as she wondered what it was about.
She made it outside, and there was a large crowd gathered. Fake-Ash was pushing his way through it, and Liberty quickly followed before the crowd could close back up. She managed to push her way to the front, standing at Fake-Ash's side as she looked at the scene before her.
Slice stood above a body, shaking with fear. Liberty looked at the body and suppressed a gasp as she realized who it was: a bloody Mkia, who had obviously been bitten at the throat.
"She...she's dead," Slice managed.

Author's Note:
So sorry I haven't posted much. Kinda lost my motivation. :/
But hope this makes up for it - and also, The Powered Ones has come back! Please check it out, I'd love for you guys to read the prologue and maybe sign up if you'd like. Click here to see it.