Chapter 16: Locked Up

Misty's eyes slowly opened. She moaned, blinking her eyes. Bad dream, she said to herself. Her eyes then opened more, and she gasped. Not a dream.
She darted to her paws in alarm, but then flinched as her head hit something. "Ow!" she hissed. She looked around - Misty seemed to be surrounded by some sort of square black net. What is this? she thought, worry washing over her. Misty pushed at the side, and found there was no way out of it. I'm stuck! she thought in alarm. "H-Hello? Somebody?" she called.
Misty perked her ears, hearing voices. "Wh-Who's there?"
"Misty?" a voice called back - a voice Misty recognized.
"Lephos!" Misty cried. "Hey! Is Sidew there?" she asked. If Sidew wasn't with Lephos, Misty knew that'd make the border collie feel terrible.
"Huh? Oh, he's here," Lephos assured her.
"This place is dark, stinky and creepy," growled Sidew's voice.
"Is anyone else in here?" Misty demanded. Adele? Campbell? she wondered.
"Uh...yeah!" Lephos exclaimed. "Adele's right next to us. She's awake."
Relief washed over Misty, knowing her sister was there.
But was her sister in a net as well?
"Do you guys have a net, too?" Misty asked.
"A what?" Lephos replied.
"A net," Misty repeated.
"Oh, these square black things? Yeah, Sidew and I are in the same one," Lephos reported.
"I'm trapped in my own one," Misty announced, pushing at the net.
"Seems more like a cage, rather than a net," Lephos said.
"Net, cage, whatever," Sidew snarled. "I stayed behind for you, and look what I got into!"
"Sorry," whimpered Lephos.
Sidew sighed, seeming regretful. "Maybe we'll get out of this..."
"We've got to," Misty insisted. "I'm certainly not staying in a...cage for the rest of my life."
"Sheesh! Where am I?!" someone exclaimed.
"Campbell?!" Misty exclaimed, recognizing the grumpy voice.
"Hey Misty," muttered Campbell's voice.
"I wonder if they know we're gone yet," murmured Lephos. Misty at first didn't know what he was talking about, but then realized he meant The Bending Tower. This added to Misty's anxiety. What did her mother think of this? Her father? Charlotte? Dust?
"The Bending Tower? Well, maybe they think we died," snorted Sidew.
Lephos must've had a bad reaction, because Misty then heard Sidew quickly say, "Just joking, just joking...but they're quick to assume."
"Probably think we got lost, like Tiggerpaka," Misty suggested.
"Speaking of which, d'you think he ended up in here?" Lephos wondered.
"You guys are loud!" protested a voice. "Pipe down, will you?"
Something shifting in the shadows caught Misty's eyes. She got as close to it as she could - she couldn't really, being in a cage - and the figure seemed to be sitting there, pressing its head against the wall. "Tiggerpaka...?" Misty murmured, looking at the figure.
"Yo, meerkat!" Sidew snapped.
The figure quickly got to its feet and strutted into the very small source of light, coming from a small opening by the ceiling. Indeed, Tiggerpaka was the figure. He had his hands on his hips, a smirk on his face - his usual pose. "Ah! I see you have found the enemy's base I had infiltrated to gather reconnaissance."
Sidew snorted.
"A what?" Misty frowned.
"'Enemy's base'?" Campbell said.
"Amateurs," Tiggerpaka sniffed.
"You might hurt your neck from looking down on us all the time," Lephos grumbled.
"What was that, Leafus?" Tiggerpaka said.
"Lephos," Lephos corrected him. "And nothing."
"Alright, Lephos-and-nothing," Tiggerpaka sniffed.
Lephos scowled.
"Why were you pressed against the wall?" asked Misty.
"Duh, listening for the sounds of the enemy!" Tiggerpaka snorted, as if it were obvious.
"...And what's the enemy doing?" snorted Campbell.
"I don't know. With all of you making a ruckus, I can't hear!" Tiggerpaka protested.
Suddenly, Misty heard a bang. She flinched. "What was that?"
"Sidew trying to Earthbend his way out of here," snorted Lephos. "Not a very good Bender yet."
"Shut up," Sidew snapped.
Misty watched as Tiggerpaka left the light, strutting over towards Sidew and Lephos's cage. "Weak," he observed.
Misty heard Sidew snarl.
"It's not like you can do any Bending yourself," pointed out Campbell. "What Bender are you, if at all?"
"A truth bender!" Tiggerpaka announced proudly.
There was an awkward silence.
"A what?" Lephos said after a while.
"Truth bender!" Tiggerpaka repeated.
"Ain't that the truth," snorted Campbell.
"Guys?" came a new voice. "Wh-Where are we?"
"Another one?!" Tiggerpaka moaned. "I'll never get my mission done with you idiots around me!"
"Who's that?" Campbell called.
"Rhett," yawned the voice. "Man...something hit me..."
"Something," mumbled another voice. Misty nearly jumped as she realized it was Koro. "Knocked us out."
"You don't say?" growled Sidew.
Suddenly, light began pouring into the room. Two silhouettes appeared in the light.
Help, Misty thought frantically.

Author's Note:
Susssspeeeennnnseee~

Chapter 15: Strange Intruders

"So, Misty, where'd you send Tiggerpaka off?" asked Crystal, as the patrol trekked through the territory, looking for any signs that the meerkat was anywhere nearby - they hadn't found a scent trail or any clues, however, and were still searching.
"Um, into the mentors' territory," Misty recalled.
"He's gotta be somewhere," Koro pointed out. "Guy'd probably get killed not far off."
"Agreed," muttered Lephos.
Nzuri padded up to them. "I'mma scout ahead," she announced, and with that she ran off, weaving through bushes, and Campbell trotted up to Misty. "Tell me again why we're searching for a useless meerkat who's no help to The Bending Tower?" she hissed.
"Well, he could be dead. And it'd be my fault," Misty said, feeling guilty.
Campbell snorted. "You'd be doing us a favor."
"We should all split up, be easier," Crystal nodded. "But try to stay somewhat close, 'kay?"
"Alright," Lephos muttered. Misty watched the young Border Collie run off. Misty headed off in a different direction, and she heard pawsteps behind her. She turned to see Campbell coming up to her.
"I'll follow you," Campbell said.
"M'kay," Misty shrugged.
The two padded along in silence for a while as they searched. Then Campbell spoke.
"What's with the earthquakes, anyway?" she asked.
"Don't expect me to know," Misty shrugged. "Maybe earthquakes occur often around here."
"Doubt it. Or else the rest of The Bending Tower wouldn't be freaking out as much," Campbell pointed out.
"True," Misty muttered.
"Do you have any clue where the meerkat may be?" Campbell wondered.
"Hmm...If I were Tiggerpaka, what would I do?" Misty whispered.
"Go and track down invisible or dead enemies, that's what," Campbell giggled.
"That's actually not a bad idea," Misty nodded. "Where do you think Tiggerpaka would assume enemies would be hiding?"
"I was joking," Campbell insisted. "But...I dunno. By the river? Maybe?"
Suddenly, there was the sound of pawsteps.
"Tiggerpaka?" Misty called.
Campbell sniffed the air. "That's not Tiggerpaka."
"Well? Who is it?" Misty asked.
"I think it's your deaf sister," Campbell replied.
Misty gasped, feeling fear wash over her. "Crap!" she exclaimed, running in the direction she heard the movement.
"What's so bad about this?!" Campbell yelled, following.
"The forest is dangerous for Adele!" Misty called, stopping to sniff the air. "If she's deaf, she can't hear danger." Misty turned, heading for Adele's scent. "That's why Adele isn't an apprentice yet, nor is she allowed outside the yard."
"Oh. That's bad," Campbell frowned.
"Adele!" Misty yelled, but then stopped herself. Bug-brain! She can't hear you!
"You know she can't--"
"I know she can't hear me," Misty snapped, full of worry for her sister.
Misty ran, and then stopped - there was her sister, wings extended, standing in the middle of the clearing. "Okay. She's safe," Misty hissed to Campbell.
"Why are we whispering?" Campbell exclaimed. "One, there's nothing to hide from. And two, Adele can't hear--"
Suddenly, there was a screeching-like sound - something Misty had never heard in her life. "What's that?" she asked.
"Whatever it is, Adele certainly doesn't know," Campbell snorted.
And then...something burst into the clearing. Misty wasn't quite sure what it was...its eyes were white and orange, and they were low, on either side of it. Its paws were huge, round and pitch-black, with strange markings on it. The creature was light brown, with a dark brown top. It came to a screeching halt and stopped in front of Adele, who stopped and merely stared at it.
"She needs to get out of there!" Misty yelled.
"She must have no sense of danger!" Campbell pointed out, "she's never had her life at stake...so she has no clue she can die, get captured, be eaten by whatever that--"
Misty then gasped as the sides of the creature moved, and wing-like things popped out from the sides. Then out came two incredibly ugly creatures.
They were tall, and had no fur. One had something black hooking from their ears to in front of his eyes, and a tan thing on top of his head. He had a tan pelt on him, that covered his shoulders and his bottom body - then another strange green pelt below the top one, and something covering his bottom paws. The other animal had the same things.
Both the animals gasped at Adele, then said something to each other rapidly - something Misty couldn't understand, like a totally separate language. But they looked eager.
"What...are...those things?!"  Campbell cried, frozen in shock.
Misty then turned back and yelled out as she saw one take a long stick from behind him and pointed it in Adele's direction, who cocked her head. He then pulled something and there was a pow, as something flew at Adele's head. She then tripped over her paws and fell forward.
"She's...d-dead?" Misty hissed, as one of them picked Adele up and headed back for the black-pawed creature. "Adele!" Misty cried, jumping out of the bushes.
"Misty!" Campbell yelled, jumping after her friend.
The other guy yelled out and quickly took out a stick of his own and pointed it at Misty, firing the same thing at her.
Darkenss overtook Misty and she fell to the ground.

Author's Note:
Can't wait to write the next chapteeerrrrr. .3.

Chapter 14: The Lost Meerkat

This particular earthquake seemed stronger than the last ones Misty had been through. The earth swayed and everything shook. Misty dug her paws into the ground, trying not to fall as the area shook tremendously. I'm gonna die! Misty thought in alarm. A tree fell near Misty, and, heart pounding, she shot away from it in fear, only to have another tree fall her way. Misty screamed as a branch whipped at her head, and she ducked down, covering her head with her paws. Help! Someone! she pleaded silently.
Something hit Misty in the head - it felt like a large rock. Misty's vision went blurry and she felt herself stumbled, but tried staying awake. Don't get knocked out, she instructed herself, fighting to stay on her paws. I gotta find a place to hide...
Misty kept blinking, trying to clear her vision as the earth around her felt to be breaking in half. Of all the times to get hit with a rock! she thought angrily.
Then, something pushed Misty down onto the ground. Misty heard a screeching sound above the quake and heard a voice hiss "DIE!" Misty fought to open her eyes, wondering what it was, but she then heard a pow and whatever it was, must've gone away.
Misty then blacked out.


"Should I Waterbend something onto her face?"
"No, Rhett! That'd be stupid."
"C'mon Koro, it'd be funny."
Misty's eyes shot open and she found herself in the yard, Rhett and Koro standing over her. Koro had concern on his face, and Rhett had a teasing grin on his - as usual. Misty looked around. "Wh-What happened?"
"After the earthquake, Capture the Prey was called off. I found you knocked out in the middle of two fallen trees," Koro answered. Misty noticed he had a cut on his forehead. "You okay?"
"Uh..." Misty said. "Y-Yeah."
Koro gave a slight smile, and Misty felt a bit nervous. "That's nice. Nightgale and Eclipse helped you. You had a terrible cut bye your eye."
Misty started to get to her paws. "Is everyone else okay?" she asked.
"Um...Well, Tiggerpaka's missing," Koro shrugged.
"But who cares?" laughed Rhett.
Immediately Misty felt a rush of guilt. "Oh no..." she murmured. It was her fault - she's the one who sent Tiggerpaka on the little "mission".
"What?" Rhett asked.
"I...think it's my fault Tiggerpaka's gone," Misty gulped.
"Thank you. You got rid of a very annoying pest," Rhett chuckled.
Koro flashed Rhett a look, then turned to Misty. "I'm sure he's fine. That one's a survivor."
"How?" Rhett demanded.
"If he survived through the Firebender fight, I think he can survive anything," Koro observed.
"You gotta point," Rhett frowned. "It's a miracle he's still alive...but then again, he could be dead right now."
This made Misty feel worse. "Wh-Where's my dad?"
"Ash? He's talking to Raoul, over there," Koro responded, nodding to behind Misty. Misty turned to see, indeed, that her father was talking to his deputy. Misty got up and trotted for her father, hearing their conversation as she got closer to them.
"...Except one, which you know is Tiggerpaka," Raoul was saying. "No one knows where he is."
"Hmm. What do you think we should do?" Ash frowned.
Misty hesitated, listening, not wanting to interrupt.
"Probably leave him," Raoul snorted. "He can be a nuisance."
"Yeah, but really, I don't think we should let him wander. It feels wrong," Ash insisted.
"Ash, I'm sure he's having some made-up adventure he thinks is real--"
"Uh...dad?"
Ash and Raoul looked at Misty. "Oh, hello Misty," Ash approached his daughter. "Feeling better?"
"Yes," Misty replied. "Um...I-I think I may be the cause of Tiggerpaka being lost..."
"What happened?" Ash asked calmly.
"He wanted to help in...Capture the Prey," Misty said, finding it hard to meet her father's eyes. "And I sent him off."
"Misty," Raoul said, "never let Tiggerpaka help you with stuff."
Ash looked at Raoul. "That may be true, but let's just deal with finding him first, instead of giving advice," Ash suggested. He turned to Misty. "You can help us track him, if you want."
"Okay," Misty murmured. She didn't feel like doing a tracking job, but it was her responsibility.
"Benders! Gather!" Ash called.
The animals of The Bending Tower came up to Ash, and Misty joined them, sitting next to Lephos and Sidew.
"As you know," Ash began, "Tiggerpaka is missing."
Some animals laughed with delight, but a look from Ash made them stop.
"So we got to find him," Ash insisted.
"Come on!" moaned Akumu, "we did the same thing for Tiggerkat moons ago!"
"Yeah! And we found her in a hot spring!" roared Rusty furiously.
"Tiggerpaka would most likely be found fighting a bush," Raoul pointed out.
"Can't argue with that," muttered Dust's voice.
"Nonetheless, no matter what he find him doing, we got to find him. If another earthquake starts, Tiggerpaka would probably die," Ash insisted. "We'll have three tracking parties - the first will consist of Crystal, Lephos, Misty, Koro, Campbell and Nzuri. Patrol two will have Rhett, Ekaj, Dell, Mkia and Leafy. Patrol three will have Darner, Firefly, Bracken, Twister and Liberty. Any questions?"
"Ooh!" exclaimed a voice - Misty realized it belonged to Wyki."Can I search too? I'm a great tracker!"
"No Wyki," came Flare's voice. "You're too young."
"Aw! I could really help!" cried Wyki. "Please dad?"
"Dad, don't let him," snorted Sirius. "Wyki will trip over his own paws, over and over."
"Oh, will not!" Wyki insisted.
"Start the search!" Ash said, cutting their conversation off. "Meeting over."

Author's Note:
And the great search for Tiggerpaka begins. ouo 

Chapter 13: Guard Duty

Tiggerpaka scampered downhill, panting. He ran faster and faster. Tiredblade shall never catch me! he thought determinedly. The meerkat then looked over his shoulder to see if his nemesis was pursuing. No--
Suddenly, Tiggerpaka tripped over his own feet. With a yell, Tiggerpaka fell down and flipped over, hitting his head on a rock. He kept rolling, yelling "OW!" every time he got hit by something (which was pretty much every time he rolled over). Tiggerpaka then fell into some mud and slowly rose his head. "Try and...beat me now...Tiredblade..." Tiggerpaka gasped, mud covering his face and thorns stuck in him. With a moan, he faceplanted into the mud.


Misty crashed through the bushes and into the clearing where Liberty, Lephos and Sidew were patrolling. "How many mentors have slipped by?!" she demanded, walking over to Liberty - she was looking onto the other side of the border from Kabu's Boulder.
Liberty looked at Misty. "What?" she demanded. Liberty growled and jumped off the boulder. "Lephos! Sidew!" Liberty yelled.
The two border collies obediently came running over. "Yeah? What's up?" Lephos asked.
"How many mentors did you let over?!" Liberty snarled.
Lephos flinched. "Uh...R-Rhett and Koro ran over and we gave chase, and w-we couldn't catch up...Th-Then Light came over the border and we fought...fought her but she...uh..."
Misty noticed Liberty looked like she was about to explode with anger. "I knew I couldn't trust the two of you!" Liberty roared. "Even with a task as simple as this!"
Lephos flinched, and Sidew growled back at Liberty. "It's not our fault! They're mentors!"
"We're supposed to win!" Liberty exclaimed. "If you don't want to win, don't play!"
"Sorry, Liberty," Lephos mumbled.
"Liberty--" Sidew began, looking mad.
Liberty sighed. "Here. We've been playing defense, right? You two, go into enemy territory and try to get their prey."
"Okay!" Lephos and Sidew said eagerly.
The brothers then ran off, into the mentors' side.
"Then who's gonna guard?" Misty asked.
"Misty, welcome to guard duty," Liberty replied, walking off.
"...Alright then," Misty muttered.
Misty trotted along the border, looking around for any signs of intruders - but none. They're probably all in our territory, Misty thought grumpily. She did not want to lose this game, but at the moment things weren't looking to be in her favor. I'll hear Rhett rubbing his  victory in my face for moons!
Misty sniffed the air. No one was nearby. She could only smell the fresh scent of Liberty. Misty then perked her ears. No birds were singing...no twigs snapping...the scene seemed eerily quiet.
Too quiet.
And then, another earthquake struck.

Author's Note:
Verrrrrrry late [and short] chapter. Ended it on a cliffhanger. ;D
Check my new rad awesome story too, please. ;u; It's got sign-ups, music and everything.

Chapter 12: Facing the Enemies

The bushes rustled as Tiggerpaka hopped through them. "On a grub hunt, on a grub hunt..." he hummed. "Silly Mistake. I can defeat the whole team for her single-handedly. I'll find the other team." He looked at a log to see a grub crawling along. "Ah!" Tiggerpaka then grabbed the grub and took a bite of it. "Grub hunts," he said. "I'm the best grub hunter of all."
Suddenly, there was a rumble. Tiggerpaka, chewing the rest of the grub, looked around. "Who iff fhere?" he asked, voice muffled by his eating.
Then, out from the bushes stepped a black figure, shaped like a wolf. There was fire-like bits flying off its pure black pelt. Its white eyes stared at Tiggerpaka menacingly. It opened its mouth, revealing a long tongue, and hissed. "WHERE ARRREEE THEEEEEYYYYY!" it snarled.
Tiggerpaka shrieked and darted off.
"MUSSSSST FINNNNND THEEEEEMMMM," the figure hissed, disappearing in a shadowy vortex.


"So here they are."
Misty and Bracken walked to the prison, guarded by Spot, Leafy and Patch. They had no prisoners yet, but Rhett and Koro would make a good addition. Misty smiled. Wait till the other team hears about us imprisoning these two, she thought.
The prison was in the fallen trees, making it difficult for prisoners to get out. Misty thought this was a good choice. Spot, Leafy and Patch sat around the entrance as guards.
"Nice," Spot nodded, as Rhett and Koro came up. Rhett looked a bit ticked off, and Koro had a blank expression on his face. Misty examined the leg where Rhett bit her. Did he really have to do that? Misty asked herself. Like really...
"Bring 'em in here," Leafy nodded, looking at the brothers with mischief in her eyes.
Misty pushed Koro. "Get in," she giggled.
Koro glanced back at Misty and walked into the prison. With a small growl, Rhett followed.
"We'll guard them," Patch assured them.
"Thanks," Bracken said. He turned to Misty. "Let's set off. Look for more intruders."
Misty nodded at her friend and ran off. She looked over her shoulder to see Bracken running in the other direction.
Suddenly, something slammed into Misty. With a yelp, Misty fell to the ground and felt claws digging into her. With a gasp, Misty realized Light - Koro and Rhett's mother - had pinned her to the ground. Light growled. "I'm taking my sons back."
Crap, Misty thought, feeling scared. Light was one of the best Benders - unlike an ordinary mother, she hadn't quite developed a kind and loving personality. Instead she was tough, mean and was someone you definitely wouldn't want to fight. Misty felt like she didn't stand a chance.
"You can't. They're in prison," Misty replied, trying to hide her fear.
"Misty, I play to win. Which means I don't give that they're in prison," Light hissed.
Misty kicked at Light with her hind legs. Light growled, loosening her grip, but fought to keep on Misty, who squirmed, but couldn't get out from under the larger she-wolf. Light snarled and pushed down Misty. "Where's your prison?!" she demanded.
"I...can't...breathe..." Misty wheezed.
"Tell me where your prison is and I'll let go," Light insisted.
"Breathing...is...essential...for...life...to...continue," Misty protested.
Light pushed down harder. "The prison!"
Suddenly, Misty watched Light get blown to the side. Misty quickly got to her paws and breathed heavily. She realized Starlight had tackled Light, and Audrey was running over as well - Audrey stopped at Light's body and hesitated, looking nervous.
Light growled and pushed Starlight off of her. "You stupid apprentices."
Audrey flinched. Starlight took some steps back. "...Retreat!" Starlight decided. She turned around and darted off. Audrey gathered her paws together and went to run after her friend, but Light put her paw on Audrey's tail. "Not so fast, sweetie. Where's your prison?!" Light demanded.
"Starlight!" Audrey shrieked. "H-Help!"
Misty jumped onto Light's back. She pushed her paws into Light's sides and tried to use all her weight to try and push Light down. Light growled, and then Starlight burst back into the clearing, and kicked at Light's leg that was holding Audrey down. Audrey, scrabbling, took off and Starlight didn't hesitate to run after her. Misty sprang off of Light's back and scurried away.
"Sure, retreat!" Misty heard Light howling.
Quickly, Misty turned to a tree, worried Light was going to give chase. Can Light climb? she wondered as she clawed her way up the tree, trying to get to the top. It was difficult, but Misty could manage it. Misty climbed into a branch and dug her claws into it, surveying the area and panting. Misty paused to sniff the air. She couldn't detect anyone coming by, much to her relief. Maybe I can relax, Misty thought gratefully. She'd have to get back to patrolling - Lifebreeze knew that Lephos and Sidew would probably let plenty of animals by - and try to catch some more enemies.
Misty looked around. The sunlight dazzled through the trees, and she could hear birds calling out songs to each other. The sun was warm on her back, but the air was a bit chilly. Getting cold, Misty thought. She shifted her weight, relaxing back in the branch. It can't hurt to chill for a while.
Misty then stiffened as the bushes rustled below. Twister padded out, alone. She perked her ears and sniffed the air. How many enemies are in here?! she thought. Is anyone on the other side...?
Bending, Misty told herself. Since Twister was just standing there, Misty realized it must've been a good time to test her Earthbending skills. Alright... she thought, breathing in. Misty closed her eyes and imagined the earth rising up beneath Twister, throwing her into the bushes. Hit Twister. Hit Twister.
There was a small rumble. Misty opened her eyes to see Twister rising slowly up. She looked at the ground, confused. The earth stopped however, leaving Twister just standing there - it didn't do any affect.
Twister then turned around to look at Misty.
Dang it! Misty thought, leaping off the tree to run off.

Author's Note:
Eh, she tried. .3.
Check my new blogs please! OnO I need followahs. 

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.

Chapter 10: Goodbye to Tiggerkat

The next morning Misty's eyes opened and she found Lephos and Sidew standing over her.
"GAH!" she cried, jumping back in alarm.
Sidew kicked Lephos in the leg, making his brother double over. "Bug-brain! You told me she probably wouldn't wake up!"
"Well how am I supposed to know?!" Lephos growled at his brother.
"What were you guys doing?!" Misty yelled.
"...None of your business," Sidew said flatly.
Misty got to her paws. "Well, after that, I don't think I'll be very sleepy."
"Oh, don't be such a bore," Sidew snorted.
"I think I need something for my leg," Lephos grunted.
"Anyway, I think you need to see what's going on," Sidew shrugged. "Tiggerkat's leaving."
"She is?" Misty frowned.
"Yeah! She's telling everybody goodbye, down at the yard," Lephos said, examining his leg.
Misty stretched. "Alright, I gotta see--" she then stopped and looked at the brothers. "Wait, this isn't a prank is it?"
"Look, from the bottom of our hearts, we hereby are telling the truth," Lephos promised. "Lephos-and-Sidew-swear."
"What?" Misty said.
"One, I thought it was 'Sidew-and-Lephos-swear," Sidew glanced at Lephos. "Two," he turned to Misty, "it means pranks are off and we're not lying."
Misty rolled her eyes. "Yeah. I'm going down to the yard."
She then left the room as Sidew called after her, "We're not faking it!"
Misty trotted down the stairs and rounded the corner, only to bump into Rhett.
"Ahg!" Misty jumped back. "Oh. Sorry."
"If you could watch where you're going, that'd be nice," chuckled Rhett.
"It was around a corner!" Misty protested.
Rhett smiled. "Hey, your friend's all good by the way. I walked by the Medicine Benders' room. She's up."
"...Alright," Misty replied. Rhett grinned and continued down the hallway. Misty glanced at him as he went, then turned back to walk towards the yard. I'll check on Campbell later. I need to see what this whole "Tiggerkat" thing is about, Misty told herself.
Misty then headed out into the yard to see Tiggerkat sitting there. She had a huge bundle of leaves, and Misty could see it was stacked to the top of what she heard Tiggerkat call "reese cups". Around her was Wyki, Sirius and Mirage.
"You're really leaving?" squeaked Mirage.
"I have found my reese cups! I need to embark elsewhere before they run off!" Tiggerkat exclaimed.
"But we don't want you to leave!" Wyki protested.
Tiggerkat patted Wyki's head. "Maybe we'll meet again someday, little Wyki, but for now I am going on an adventure!"
"Good riddance!" shouted Tiggerpaka from across the yard.
"We're gonna miss you!" Mirage cried.
"I will, too! You guys are my best friends!" Tiggerkat said.
Misty trotted up to Tiggerkat. "You're really leaving?"
"I need to find more reese cups elsewhere, Misty!" Tiggerkat said. "But don't worry, maybe I'll see you again someday!"
"You've stayed here for a long time," Charlotte said, trotting over. "Are you sure you're ready to leave?"
"Of course! I got the reese cups from those Firebenders - that party was awesome! Free reese cups for me. Maybe there's more out there I can be given!" Tiggerkat beamed at Charlotte. "Everyone here are my best friends, but like I said. I'm going elsewhere."
"'Best friends'," snorted Max, who was nearby.
"Oh, hush," Raoul hissed to his friend.
"Well, I'm taking my leave," Tiggerkat sighed, getting to her feet. "Goodbye! And may you all find reese cups too someday!"
"Byeeeee!" cried Wyki, Sirius and Mirage.
Other animals nodded and bid goodbye to Tiggerkat as she went, and sure enough, Tiggerkat left the yard and went off into the forest.
"I'll bet a moon's worth of my lunch she'll either get killed or come back. I'll give her a day," snorted Akumu.
"I'll give her until lunch," Stone muttered.
After a while of waiting for Tiggerkat to come barreling through the entrance to rant about pretty flowers she saw, animals began to realize she wasn't faking nor returning - at least not anytime soon. They began to break up and continue their duties.
"I can't believe she's gone!" Mirage exclaimed.
"Oh, she'll be back," Akumu assured her son. "She'll be back."
"Has she ever left and returned?" Sirius asked her mother.
"Actually, yes. Dust tricked her into leaving and our old leader Goldwing made the whole Tower search for her," Akumu chuckled.
Misty walked over to her mother, Airia. "Hey, mom."
"Hello, sweetie," Airia licked Misty on the forehead. "Are you gonna miss Tiggerkat?"
"Yes, of course," Misty nodded. "But...will she come back?"
"I don't know," Airia looked at the exit, as if she expected Tiggerkat to jump through. "Her mind seemed pretty set on leaving..."
"I never thought I'd see the day!" exclaimed Rusty, walking by. "No more annoying outbursts of--"
"Rusty!" cried Charlotte, sitting next to Airia, "have you any respect for Tiggerkat?"
"Well hey, she was annoying," Rusty insisted.
"She saved us from the Firebenders!" Charlotte pointed out.
"Please. That doesn't make her any less annoying," Rusty retorted.
Misty thought Charlotte was going to hit Rusty, but luckily they were stopped.
"Benders! Gather!"
At the sound of her father's voice, Misty whipped around. The Benders were, sure enough, coming up to Ash for a meeting. Misty hared after the crowd, wanting to sit with the rest of them. Hey, it's my first apprentice meeting! Misty realized.
Several animals rushed out of the Tower as well - Starlight, Spot, Snakeseye and Sparky.
"Are the rumors true?" Snakeseye demanded. "Tiggerkat's gone?"
"Yes, Tiggerkat has left," Ash announced.
This sent whispers and conversations through the crowd of gathered animals. Misty was pretty sure she was the only one who noticed Rhett and Campbell walking out into the yard through the Tower door, both of them discussing something Misty couldn't hear. Misty perked her head, trying to make herself visible above the crowd. "Campbell!" Misty exclaimed. When Campbell turned in her direction, Misty mouthed, "Over here!"
Campbell made her way over to Misty. "What's up?"
"Tiggerkat's gone," Misty said.
"She is?" Campbell said in disbelief.
"Excuse me!" Ash exclaimed.
Everyone stopped and turned Ash's way.
"Ahem. Yes, Tiggerkat is gone," Ash confirmed.
"WONDERFUL!" Tiggerpaka cheered.
"Shut up!" someone shouted.
"So anyway," Ash continued, scanning the crowd, "on a happier note, we are planning something fun to do."
"Ooh!" Starlight exclaimed.
"Raoul and I have designed a strategic game for the apprentices to play. It'll be good for training, and the apprentices should enjoy it," Ash explained. "We call it 'Capture the Prey'."
"'Capture the Prey'?" Misty hissed to Campbell. "What's that...?"
"Mm-mm-mm," Campbell shrugged.
"Capture the Prey will take place on half moon, which should be in about three days," Ash went on. "It'll be after lunch, and we'll divide up teams - mentors vs. apprentices. Newbie Benders will participate too and they get to choose which team to go on."
"Sounds interesting," remarked Malroy from nearby.
"But how do you play?" called Ryker, Lephos and Sidew's other brother.
"You'll find out at half moon," Raoul said.
"Be prepared, and remember. After lunch!" Ash exclaimed. "Meeting over."
Everyone began taking their leave.
"Wonder how that's all gonna go down," Misty said, turning to Campbell.

Author's Note:
Wheeeeeew. TFEOB version of Capture the Flag! :'D
Check out my new blogs please. :3