Chapter 57: Achak's Message

The next day Misty was with the others in their den. Everyone was in conversation, except for Misty, who was sitting next to her sister Adele and lost in thought. Adele was looking around, observing the group, her head held up. Misty had her front paws crossed in front of her, trying to figure out all of her confusion on her mission.
"Hey! Misty!" Askook running in made everyone silent. He went up to her. "Achak wants to see you."
"Ah. Thanks Askook," said Misty, getting to her paws.
"Yeah. And hey, I heard the greatest joke! Why the hyena go to the Healer?"
"...Why?" Misty asked.
"Because he was feeling kind of funny!" Askook bursted into loud laughter, as if he just told the funniest joke on Earth. "Get it?! Because hyenas laugh all the time?" he kept howling with laughter.
To Misty's surprise, Tiggerpaka was laughing along with the hyena. "This kid is killing me!" he said, wiping a tear away from his eyes after his laughter died, shaking his head and grinning.
"Ha ha?" Misty said awkwardly. "Well, anyways...see you around, then."
"Oh! Oh!" Askook grinned. "By the way, I tried to catch some fog yesterday. I mist." He then burst into his howling laughter once more, Tiggerpaka joining.
"Thanks for the jokes, man," said Lephos, getting up and walking over to Askook, "but, uh...d'you mind leaving?"
"Not at all," Askook smiled and left, snickering to himself.
"That guy is funny," Tiggerpaka laughed.
"And I have two heads," muttered Rhett.
"Well, I may as well get going." Misty got to her paws.
"Allow me to come!" Tiggerpaka puffed out his chest. "I must meet with this 'Achak' fellow."
"Sure," shrugged Misty, not knowing any reason why not.
Misty looked at her sister, who now had her head on her paws, her eyes closed. She must be so lonely, thought Misty - Adele couldn't talk to anyone, so she didn't have many animals to hang out with.
She tapped Adele on the head with her paw, and Adele looked up at her. Misty nodded sideways, hoping Adele got the message: do you want to come?
Adele got to her paws and followed Misty and Tiggerpaka out.
"I don't know why Achak didn't want to see me," Tiggerpaka sniffed. "I am by far the most superior one here."
"Well, you are more experienced," Misty acknowledged.
"Of course I am! I have slayed many of my enemies, of course," smirked Tiggerpaka.
They arrived to where Achak lived, and Misty saw him out in the sun. He smiled at them upon their arrival. "Ah. Welcome back Misty. I see you have friends."
"Yes. This is my sister Adele, and my friend Tiggerpaka," Misty said, looking at each of them.
"Well, hello," Achak smiled.
"This one can't hear very well," Tiggerpaka announced, pointing at Adele. "So don't waste your time trying to talk to her."
"Deaf, is she?" said Achak. "Poor thing."
Adele looked at Achak blankly before sitting down. Misty sat down as well. "You wanted to see me?"
Achak sighed. "Yes..." He had a bit of sadness to him, but Misty wasn't sure why. "I need to tell you more about Yin and Yang."
Immediately Misty was interested. "What about it?"
"Everything you need to know," Achak murmured.
Tiggerpaka snorted. "I already know everything about Yang and Yin."
"I doubt that," said Achak. "I'll start from the beginning. Yin and Yang were created naturally by the universe itself to keep good and evil in balance. As long as they didn't fight, the earth was okay. Yin was the evil; their side of the Land is dark, there's no sunshine, and it's where the Shadow Trackers lurk: creatures that are pure black with white eyes and can change form. It's also where the evil opposites live."
"'Evil opposites'?" echoed Misty.
"I'll cover that later," nodded Achak. "Yang is the good; their side of the Land is bright, sunny and happy. It's also where the Light Spirits lurk. They're the same creatures as the Shadow Trackers, but aren't evil. That's also where the good opposites live."
"How do you know all this?" asked Misty.
"Yes!" exclaimed Tiggerpaka. "How do you know all of this? Who are you working for? Tiredblade?"
"I lived in the Land of Yin and Yang myself at a young age," explained Achak, ignoring Tiggerpaka. "Anyways, with Yin and Yang fighting, the world is in peril. Grave danger. Those earthquakes that keep occurring? The bigger the quake, the larger the blow that was struck on Yin or Yang. Another side effect of the two fighting, is that borders begin to fade. The Shadow Trackers become free to leave Yin. But the Light Spirits don't leave Yang, as they're satisfied with where they live."
"What about those 'opposites' you mentioned?" Misty tilted her head.
"Opposites," said Achak. "They look exactly like you, but just act completely different. The evil opposites are the opposites of good animals, and the good opposites are the opposites of the evil animals. Pretty chaotic if they get loose. Since borders disappear, they can leave the Land of Yin and Yang. Imagine the opposites coming to where you live..."
Misty imagined it. What if she was out on patrol back at The Bending Tower and her opposite came along, and caused havoc, and it was blamed on the real Misty? The thought scared her.
"So what? Just kill the opposites," snorted Tiggerpaka. "I could slay them; I am a warrior!"
"You can't," insisted Achak. "Not without killing the real animal. For example, if you were to kill Misty's opposite, she'd die with it."
"Of course," said Tiggerpaka. "I knew that."
"When I lived in the Land of Yin and Yang, I was a...Protector." Achak took a deep breath. "In a new program started, I - along with other animals - got sent to places throughout the land to keep watch for any signs of Yin and Yang fighting. I was sent...here." He took a breath once more.
"Wouldn't it be better for you to stay at the Land of Yin and Yang then, if you're looking for signs of them fighting?" Misty frowned.
"Yes, a stupid strategy indeed," Tiggerpaka rolled his eyes.
"I-It was...better...to be sent out to different places." Achak was wheezing now. Fear sparked in Misty's chest - what was wrong with the old tortoise? "The Protectors live...in the...middle of Yin a-and...Yang. We p-patrolled...the...borders."
"Achak?" Misty was scared now. "What's wrong?"
"P-Punishment," Achak gasped. "I-I pr...omised not to reveal my purpose here." His voice was getting wheezy and quiet. "If I did, I'd...have...to die in the worst way I thought."
"You're dying?" Misty murmured. "But you can't die...!"
"I...I'm giving up my...life for the world," Achak hissed. "You must save the world, Misty...you  and your friends, you have to stop Yin and Yang fighting. It's your destinies. Please. Do that...for me."
"I...I will," Misty said.
"Promise?"
"I...promise."
A slight smile came to Achak's face, but it quickly swept away. "Seek...safety."
"What?" murmured Misty.
"This is the message I must tell you," Achak said. "Seek safety...seek safety...seek...safety..."
Achak's eyes closed.
The tortoise was dead.

TO BE CONTINUED...

Author's Note:
Last chapter of the first book! Yay or nay?

I know, the book was kind of short. But the second book will be started soon. :3

Sorry if this seemed rush, I hope it didn't D:

QOTD: Favorite part of the book?

Chapter 56: Shell's Story

The next day, Liberty found herself filled with tension for the first time in her life. The thought of Bracken and Ash not really being Bracken and Ash had completely taken over her mind, blocking anything else out of it. Suddenly she had felt as though she had a lot of weight on her shoulders, knowing something the rest of The Bending Tower was apparently clueless to. She walked out to breakfast and joined Starlight in eating a rabbit, both silent with both confusion and somewhat of a sadness. Liberty wondered what this meant for The Bending Tower - what were these Bracken-and-Ash impersonators going to do? What were their plans? Liberty also knew that she couldn't tell anyone in The Bending Tower about this - who would ever believe her? Especially since she was merely an apprentice? The only animals who knew about what was going on was Liberty, Starlight, Audrey, Sirius and Ryker.
"Wonder who Adamu is, anyway," commented Starlight out of the blue. "That...gazelle."
Liberty followed her gaze to look at him. "Yeah," she agreed.
"How did he know about Bending not working?" asked Starlight.
"He said. He tried to and passed out," said Liberty.
Starlight sighed. "He's just...off."
Liberty kept studying the gazelle, but then Sirius walked in front of her line of vision with Ryker, the two bickering over something. "...Just shut up, Ryker! Mirage beat you, fair and square."
"No he didn't. I beat him in that race by a few pawsteps!" Ryker exclaimed.
"Face it, Ryker. You lost. Deal with it," Sirius snapped.
"Will you two stop arguing for two seconds?" demanded Starlight.
"We would, if Ryker could just accept the fact that Mirage is faster than him." Sirius shot Ryker a glare.
"I am the fastest apprentice here, Sirius," Ryker retorted.
 "Quit being a sore loser!" yelled Sirius.
"Both of you, shut up!" snarled Liberty.
The two fell silent.
"Thank you," Liberty glared at both of them.
Sirius and Ryker settled down for breakfast, and they all ate in silence, which surprised Liberty, who had figured Sirius and Ryker would've gone back to arguing right away.
After the rather quiet breakfast, Liberty got up and began walking back to The Bending Tower - to do what, she wasn't sure. She figured she'd walk around.
"Hey." Starlight ran up to Liberty's side, followed closely by Sirius. "Where you going?"
"I dunno," shrugged Liberty.
"You don't know?" Sirius echoed with a frown.
They approached The Bending Tower, but ran smack into black fur.
Liberty looked to see not-Ash standing there. He narrowed his eyes. "Watch where you're going," he spat.
"Will do, Ash," growled Liberty in response, lashing her tail angrily before going around the impostor, Starlight quickly following. Liberty could feel his eyes following her, but elected to ignore him. If he finds out what I know, let him try and stop me, declared Liberty to herself.
"Liberty, if he finds out you - or we - know the truth, I don't think he'll be letting us live very long," whimpered Starlight.
"How can he? He'll blow his cover if The Bending Tower sees 'Ash' murdering an apprentice," Liberty retorted.
Then, Charlotte rounded the corner. "You three." She approached Starlight, Sirius and Liberty. "Look, go talk to Shell."
"Why?" asked Sirius.
"She's probably very lonely right now and would love some visitors," Charlotte insisted. "Most likely she'll be by the stream right now."
"Don't I have training to do?" Liberty demanded.
"Twister is taking a day off. Didn't say why though," said Charlotte. "Now go." Liberty's mother then walked off.
"Well, guess we're going to the stream," said Starlight.


Liberty, Sirius and Starlight had been cautious with each pawstep since the big hole in the territory was still there. No one had decided yet what to do about it, however.
They made it to the stream and spotted the old lioness laying right next to it. She lazily swatted her front right paw at the stream, as if trying to catch something but not fully being into it.
"Hi Shell," Starlight greeted the lioness.
Immediately the elder perked up, and a happy look came onto her face. "Ah, such lovely young pups!" she exclaimed. "What are your names?"
Liberty hesitated. "Uh..." She knows me. Shouldn't she know me? "I'm Liberty, these guys are Starlight and Sirius?"
"Oh, such great names!" Shell said. "What are you three doing out here?"
"We wanted to see you," said Sirius, looking confused.
"That's lovely," smiled Shell. "Seeing you young pups reminds me of my childhood."
"Really?" said Starlight.
"Yes!" exclaimed Shell. "It was a long time ago, and I didn't live at The Bending Tower."
"You didn't?" Sirius looked interested.
"No, no! I came here later, near adulthood," Shell smiled. "It was many, many moons ago..."
Shell then launched into a story.


A young lioness was among a group of animals in a lit-up cavern. Torches were on the walls, and a balcony sat near the ceiling with big teeth decorated on the sides of the balcony. There was an opening in the ceiling, revealing the left side of the sky to be bright and the right to be dark, as if the cave was in between two worlds. The cavern was loud with conversation, animals all murmuring to each other, except for the lioness, who sat there with a serious expression on her face, watching the balcony as if waiting for something.
"Hello, Shell," said a young tortoise, who had slowly pulled up to her.
The lioness - Shell - nodded. "Achak," she acknowledged.
It wasn't much later that a big wolf came up to the edge of the balcony, and a hush naturally fell over the crowd. The wolf lacked a left eyeball, and a huge, ugly scar was in his left eye's place. His right eye was a bright yellow. Half of his face was black, and the other half - along with the rest of his body - was brown. "You all know why you're here." The wolf's voice was incredibly deep. "You have all been selected for a new program that has been suggested to us - to watch the land."
The crowd remained silent as the wolf scanned them with his one good right eye, and then continued. "You also all know the consequences. Any revealing of who you are or your purpose, will result in your worst fear of death. For those of you who aren't aware of how this will happen...you will each receive markings on you. These markings will lock you with your own stone that is located in the Stone Chambers. Your stone will know when you break the promise, and it will self-destruct, causing your worst fear of death to happen immediately."
Shell stiffened slightly, but kept her eyes locked on the wolf. She wouldn't break her promise with the wolf; she knew she wouldn't. Revealing why she was where she'd be going, for her, would result in memory loss - dementia. She feared losing her loved ones. If she died with dementia, then she'd completely forget everyone around her, and die a hollow animal, forgetting everyone she'd ever known. Shell couldn't stand the thought.
"The last time Yin and Yang fought was horrible, and we can't have it happen again." The wolf looked down on the crowd, his eye narrowed. "Remember your duty: watch for opposites, Shadow Trackers, any signs of Yin and Yang fighting again, or anything related to them throughout the land.
"Now, listen for your name and your assigned place. A Light Spirit will take you to outside of where you're assigned. There, you can plan out how to live there."
A pure white fox with blue eyes stepped forward to the wolf's side. Standing next to it, the fox looked a lot smaller than it already was. "Rip; Earth Kingdom."
A badger stepped forward in the crowd, and black streaks quickly formed across his back, over his current, natural streaks. In the balcony behind the fox and the wolf, an intensely-white colored creature approached. Shell recognized it as a Light Spirit, as she had learned about them during training. The creature glowed a brilliant white from its already-white pelt, and had golden yellow eyes. Shell recalled what she had heard about Light Spirits: they lived in the Land of Yang, and the Land of Yang only. They only listened to Yang, and the leaders of the Protectors. They were also the opposite of the Shadow Trackers, which lived in the Land of Yin. Light Spirits were thought to not have a mind of their own, and their authorities pretty much told them what to think; they also were able to shift form. Usually, the Light Spirits would select a random animal to appear as. This one had apparently chosen the form of a horse.
The horse reared up and whinnied, then leaped off the balcony and landed next to Rip. In a flash of white, both the Light Spirit and Rip were gone.
Shell could hear murmurs in the crowd, but they didn't last for long; the Protectors were taught not to disrespect their authority figures, and speaking when not told to was a form of disrespect.
"Achak; Amorache Tribe," said the fox.
The tortoise pulled himself forward to where Rip had formerly been. A Light Spirit in the form of an eagle came forward, then darted down to Achak. In another light flash, Achak was gone.
"Shell; The Bending Tower."
Shell's stomach lurched. Nervously she walked forward to where Rip and Achak had stood. She looked up at the balcony. A big male lion appeared. With an incredible roar, it jumped down at Shell, and Shell gasped as it collided with her. Whiteness filled her vision and then it turned black as she became unconscious.


Liberty was left confused. "You lived at the Land of Yin and Yang? You were a 'Protector'...?"
"Yes!" exclaimed Shell cheerfully. "Actually, I lived in the middle of Yin and Yang, with my fellow Protectors. That's where we patrolled the borders and trained. However, the program we did of watching the places was shut down. I was never called back to the Land...I wonder if Achak or Rip or the others were."
"Uh, Shell..." Sirius said. "So what happens if Yin and Yang fight...?"
"If one of them dies, the world goes with it," Shell smiled. "Thankfully, though, I don't think they'll be fighting anytime soon."
"She said that...wolf had stated a side effect of them fighting was...opposites coming out. And those 'Shadow Trackers'," muttered Starlight to Liberty and Sirius. She then raised her voice for Shell to hear. "What else, uh, happens if the two fight?"
"Oh, earthquakes. Every time the two land a blow on each other - like if Yin were to bite Yang's shoulder - an earthquake occurs. Depending on how bad the blow is, is how big the earthquake will be," said Shell. "Shadow Trackers come out, too, but not Light Spirits - the Light Spirits are content with where they are, because they live in the Land of Yin, and are happy there. Shadow Trackers are unhappy with where they live and want to get out."
"And what was that about...opposites?" asked Sirius nervously.
"Every animal has an opposite," Shell explained. "Your opposite looks exactly like you, but is not like you at all. For example, if a good animal were to have an opposite, their opposite would be evil and live in the Land of Yin when they two aren't fighting. But if they do start fighting, then the opposite is free to go wherever they please; borders sometimes disappear if the two are fighting, because that means Yin and Yang aren't keeping the borders."
Liberty's mind was full of confusion - it was so much information to take in. "What will the opposite do?" Liberty asked.
"Opposites have minds of their own, and they're aware that they were only created because the original animal was born," Shell explained. "I don't know what an opposite would be like. Never met one before."
"Well, uh...thanks for the story," Liberty nodded. "We'll get going, then."
The three of them began to pad away. "That was insane," said Sirius as soon as Shell was out of earshot. "Was she telling the truth?"
"She's old. She probably thinks is true, and perhaps it isn't," murmured Liberty.
But in the back of Liberty's mind, something told her Shell was completely right - Liberty just refused to believe it.

Author's Note:
So sorry for not updating!! Hope this makes up for it. c: School has been in the way a lot, haha.
But yeah, check out my other blogs please! I just made a new one. Link in my Blogger profile. :)

Sorry!

I'm really sorry for the lack of posts! School just started, and I've also been getting distracted by other things so I keep forgetting about TFEOB. I apologize if you're getting anxious for another post. I'll try to post tomorrow, but don't get your hopes up, I sometimes have the attention span of a squirrel.

If you want you can look at some of my other blogs, I've been posting a bit on those this week.

Chapter 55: Talking With Achak

"How much longer are we staying here?" Lephos asked Koro, failing to stifle a yawn. They were all awake now, thanks to Misty and Tiggerpaka who had awoken them all. Some of them (such as Campbell, Sidew and Ophir) were angry at being woken up, but the rest didn't seem to mind too much, or at least they didn't act like it.
"Until our strength is built up and we're more aware of where we're going," explained Koro. "In the meantime, we need to learn more of Yin and Yang. See if anyone around here knows."
"Right. Who around here is going to know?" said Campbell dryly.
An image of Achak quickly flashed in Misty's mind, as Ophir replied to Campbell, "well, you never know," he insisted, his usual smirk upon his face, "the person who knows what you want to know may very well be sitting right next to you."
"The heck is that supposed to mean?" demanded Campbell.
"Oh, nothing, merely making a point," said Ophir.
"I'll go look," Misty shot to her paws and eagerly bounded out, heading to the main path of the camp. Many animals walked it, the camp being very alive now with a lot of animals. Misty trotted down the path, heading to where Achak lived.
However, she found herself bumping into someone. She backed up, realizing it was Adonael. "Oh! Sorry, Adonael," she apologized to the brown bear.
But then, Adonael drew her lips back in a snarl. "Don't you run into me again," she snarled, "runt."
Misty gaped as Adonael walked off, growling. How did she say that? She's supposed to be real friendly! she thought in alarm. A bit shaken up, Misty walked down the path a bit slower now towards the elderly tortoise, whom she saw seated outside by some berries. "Achak," she said.
The tortoise looked. "Ah! Hello, Misty."
Misty sat down by the tortoise. "Adonael just shouted at me. But why?"
"Ah," Achak looked up at Misty. "That happens sometimes. Animals around here tend to...change."
"Oh...kay," said Misty slowly, confused. "Anyway, do you know much about Yin and Yang?"
Achak was silent for a few seconds and then said, "Yin and Yang are two winged wolves, much like that winged wolf in that group of yours."
"Adele? She's my sister," said Misty. But she felt puzzled; if Yin and Yang were exactly like Adele...what did that mean?
"Yes. Yin is in charge of all evil in the world, whereas Yang is in charge of all good in the world. With both of them alive, the world hangs in balance, as does good and evil. However, if one of them dies, the world...it dies with it."
Misty nodded, having heard this before, but forced herself to look a bit surprised to keep Achak's suspicions down.
"The Land of Yin and Yang is divided into two sides: Yin, and then Yang. Yin is bright and sunny, the sun never setting. Yang is completely dark, and it's nighttime all the time. Yin and Yang are supposed to never associate with each other, avoiding each other. However, something has caused them to start fighting. There are many side affects of this."
"Such as?" asked Misty curiously.
"Tremors, shadow-like creatures," Achak said.
Misty stiffened. We've had earthquakes at The Bending Tower! she realized. And Campbell and I had run into a shadow creature!
"Is that--"
"I will tell you more later. I must have time to think," insisted Achak.
"Oh. Uh, bye," Misty said, trotting away from the tortoise.

Author's Note:
Incredibly short and pointless chapter, for that I apologize. :/
School's starting this Monday, meaning I won't be posting as much anymore. But I'll certainly try.
Also, I have a new story blog that I'm pretty excited about. I'd appreciate it if you'd check it out; the link is in my blogger profile! Check my profile here.

Chapter 54: Private Meeting

That evening, when the sun was beginning to set, Liberty was eating dinner - her final meal of the day - with Starlight, Audrey, Ryker and Sirius.
"I am so confused," blurted Sirius. "Ash is missing, some Ash is talking about overthrowing--"
"Shush!" hissed Ryker. "Do you really want to be shouting this in the yard?"
"I'm not shouting," replied Sirius with a growl. "No one's hearing me."
"You should be cautious anyway," Ryker retorted.
"Why am I even friends with you?" demanded Sirius.
"Maybe because you have no other friends?" Ryker muttered.
Sirius growled. "What was that?"
"You heard me."
"We got to figure this out," insisted Starlight. "It's just so strange..."
"I hate not knowing," grumbled Liberty. "It just keeps...teasing me."
"What have we gotten ourselves into?" Audrey blurted out. "I want to get back out of it."
"Well, it's too late, much as I hate to say it," shrugged Starlight. "We may as well find out more."
"Benders! Gather!" said a voice.
Animals began gathering around Liberty and her friends looked up to see it was Raoul calling the meeting, as he was Ash's second-in-command. As soon as everyone was gathered around, Raoul began. "As you all know, Ash is missing. The details: he went out to go hunting alone, claiming he need some time to think. And he never returned."
Whispers coursed through the crowd as Raoul continued, pacing back and forth. "We sent out patrol after patrol to find him, yet failed. We don't have the slightest idea where he could be, unless he left the territory. Which we don't know why he would. In the meantime, however, I will serve as the leader of The Bending Tower, and I will not appoint a deputy until we can confirm Ash is gone."
The whispers quickly turned into murmurs after Raoul's announcement. "Dismissed!" barked Raoul, walking off towards Miguel. If Ash doesn't return, I'll bet Miguel becomes deputy, she commented.
"Airia must be devastated," remarked Starlight. "She lost a mate, and her pups."
"She's having another though, don't you know?" said Sirius.
"She is?" replied Starlight, looking surprised.
"Yeah, my mother told me. I think they just felt as though they needed a replacement for their daughters," suggested Sirius.
"No way," sniffed Starlight. "They wouldn't want to replace their own pups."
"Well, that's not what other animals of the Tower think," Sirius shrugged in response.
"Liberty," said a voice. Liberty turned around to come face-to-face with Ekaj. "Hey."
"Hi," responded Liberty.
"Do you know anything about this whole Ash thing?" frowned Ekaj. "It's rather strange."
Liberty felt tempted to tell him about the whole Ash-and-Bracken meeting, but decided to keep it between Sirius, Ryker, Starlight, Audrey and her. "No," he said.
"Well, I hope Ash is found again," Ekaj remarked. "I'll see you around, I guess."
Ekaj trotted off, and Liberty turned to Starlight. "Why does he always seem to want to come to me whenever something happens?"
"He's just trying to make conversation, what's it to you?" Starlight said.
"I dunno. It's just..." Liberty found herself unable to express her feelings about it, so she just gave up.
"Starlight," Sparky, Starlight's brother, made his way over. "Mom wants us to go to sleep soon."
"Can't we stay up a bit longer? I mean, come on, the sun hasn't even set yet," said Starlight, looking at the sun that was making its way below the horizon.
"She insists we need our sleep because we were doing night training last night," Sparky explained. "To be honest, I'm feeling a bit...tired too," he said, failing to stifle a yawn in the process.
"Sleep is for the weak," snorted Starlight.
"Sleep is for the animals who don't want to fail during training," muttered Audrey.
"She told you," snickered Ryker.
"Well anyway, I'm going to the apprentices' den, because I'm tired," nodded Sparky. "So g'night to all of you."
Sparky headed for The Bending Tower. "I think I'm going to turn in, too," murmured Audrey, following him.
"I'm going to wait a while. I'm not tired," insisted Starlight. She turned to Liberty. "Any theories on this?"
Liberty knew what she was talking about - a strange Ash talking to Bracken, and Ash being missing. "Maybe the wolf we saw was a look-alike, or something..." murmured Liberty. "Scratch that, actually...you know what, it's just confusing."
"Maybe if we ask the right animal, we can start putting things together," suggested Starlight.
"Maybe."
They sat in silence for a while, as if lost in thought. But then, someone came into the yard.
"I have found Ash," said a familiar voice. Liberty turned to see Bracken had entered. A growl overcame her as she thought about the meeting they had witnessed.
"Where?!" exclaimed Rusty and Dust simultaneously, practically stepping over each other trying to find out the news about their friend.
"He's right with me," a smirk came upon the bobcat's face as, sure enough, Ash came into the yard.
"Ash!" exclaimed Airia with delight, running over to her mate. "I thought you were dead!"
"I'm very much alive," Ash gave Airia a look.
"Welcome back," smiled Raoul, walking up to Ash. "Where have you been?"
"Oh, you know. Around," said Ash coolly.
"Doing what? You've been gone for a while!" insisted Dust.
"Things. Hunting, walking," muttered Ash. "But I'm back now." He looked at Bracken. "Come along, Bracken, we have things to...discuss."
"Of course," nodded Bracken, following Ash into The Bending Tower.
"Why does he want to talk with Bracken?" asked Rusty.
"I dunno," said Dust in response.
"I'm wondering that, too," growled Liberty to Starlight.
"That's it. I'm spying," Starlight darted to her paws and ran inside The Bending Tower.
"Where's she going?" asked Ryker.
Liberty didn't respond, instead she ran after her friend, also curious.
She followed Starlight into The Bending Tower, who was heading up the stairs and going down the hallway. Starlight then turned to look at Liberty. "Shhh," she whispered, crouching down and gesturing to the room in front of her. Liberty nodded in understanding and strained her ears forward to listen.
"So, what'd you do with the real one?" asked Bracken's voice.
"Some of our associates are keeping him," responded Ash. "But soon The Bending Tower will be under my control."
"Of course. And remember - I'm being deputized," insisted Bracken.
"Why do you want that?" growled Ash. "You'll never take my position, cat."
"If it weren't for me, you wouldn't even be here," snapped Bracken in response. "So be grateful."
"Fine. But realize that you can't take my position. It'd ruin the whole plan," Ash retorted.
"I'm not stupid," hissed Bracken.
"What are you two doing?"
Liberty and Starlight snapped up to realize Light was standing at the end of the hall.
"Uhh--" began Starlight.
"You two need to get out of here," growled Light. "Either go to the apprentices' den or back out to the yard."
"Geez, who stole your kill?" Liberty grumbled in response.
"What was that?" snarled Light, baring her teeth.
"I didn't say anything," Liberty insisted, walking with Starlight out of the hallway.
As soon as Light was well out of earshot, Starlight whipped around to face Liberty. "You realize what this means, right?"
"Yeah, that Light needs to keep her muzzle out of our busine--"
"No, not that," insisted Starlight. "That's not Ash." Looking fearful, she then added, "and I'm willing to bet that wasn't Bracken, either."

Author's Note:
Once again, I know so many things you guys don't. :)
And go check out the Ask a Character page! It's on the "pages" bar under the title (obviously). :3 

Chapter 53: Tribe Members

Misty awoke the next morning in the den she and her friends had been assigned to. She sat up and looked around; everyone else was asleep, curled up and their bodies heaving up and down in a rhythmic way. Outside, the world was dark, but Misty could tell it was early morning.
Not feeling like she wanted to go back to sleep, Misty stretched and trotted out of the den. Much to her surprise, the camp was quite alive, animals moving to and fro yet quietly. Misty examined the animals: leopards, bears, dogs, wolves, cats and other animals Misty didn't recognize.
"Hello," said a voice, making Misty jump in alarm. She turned around to see Tsovo standing there.
"How'd you sneak up on me?" Misty demanded. "I didn't even hear you!"
"I'm rather stealthy," said Tsovo. "Rather fast, too. Anyways, what brings you and your friends here?"
"Answer my question first - how and why did you put me in a tree?" Misty asked, acting rather annoyed.
Tsovo's bored expression returned to his face. "I don't believe you can threaten the son of Chief and get away with it," he remarked.
"I'm not threatening you," Misty forced her voice to sound calmer than it had been when she had asked him the question. "I am just asking."
"You should answer my question first," insisted Tsovo. "I'm the higher-ranking one here. As long as you're in this Tribe, you're supposed to obey me."
"Fine," sighed Misty. He's rather persistent, she remarked to herself. "My friends and I are searching for a place. We thought we'd rest here, since Adonael so kindly invited us in."
"Where are you going to?" asked Tsovo.
"I don't think I should tell you that," said Misty.
"I'm Chief's son. I should know what's going on in the Tribe."
"From what I've been told, you don't even do anything Chief-related. You leave camp all the time."
"That still doesn't change my relatives."
"Look, I already told you. I'm not telling," insisted Misty stubbornly. "Good-bye."
As she trotted off, Tsovo called, "Where are you even going to go?"
"Anywhere else!" snapped Misty in response as she trotted through camp.
"Hey, youngster," said an elderly voice before Misty got too far. She turned to see a big, wrinkled-up tortoise from over by one of the dens. "Come over here. I want to talk to you."
Misty had been taught not to disrespect elders, so she obediently trotted over to the old tortoise.
"How are you?" he asked.
"Um...good," she said, sitting down next to the tortoise. "Who are you?"
"I'm Achak. You?"
"Misty."
"Of?"
"'Of'?" Misty echoed with a frown.
"Where you come from," Achak insisted. "I know you're not from this Tribe; I see everything that goes on in this camp. Because I never leave." He looked at the shell on his back. "This being on my back, I tend to be a bit slow."
"Oh. that makes sense," Misty remarked. "And I'm from a place that I'm pretty sure is far away from here. I don't know if I should say it by name though..."
"I won't tell anyone if you don't want me to," said Achak.
Somehow Misty felt as though she could trust this old tortoise. "Okay. I'm from a place called The Bending Tower."
"Never heard of it," frowned Achak. He looked at Misty. "Tell me about it."
"It's a large tower, in the middle of the woods. There are a lot of animals there. Our leader, who is my father, is named Ash. He's a good leader, and I'm not just saying that 'cause he's my kin," said Misty. "They call it 'The Bending Tower' because three different types of Benders live there: Earth, Water and Air. I'm an Earthbender."
"Ah. There are some Benders in this Tribe. Not many, but some," nodded Achak rather slowly.
"There's not much more to tell," murmured Misty, feeling a bit homesick. "So I'll be on my way, unless you want something else?"
"Well, if you're not at this 'The Bending Tower'," said Achak, "then who will be the next leader?"
"Huh? Oh, at The Bending Tower no one really inherits the leadership. The leader chooses someone from the Tower to take their place. Our deputy is this Border Collie named Raoul. If Ash dies or retires, Raoul will take over and then choose someone new as deputy," Misty explained.
"Ah," Achak nodded. "Well, you're dismissed, youngster. If you ever need someone to talk to, you know where to find me. Like I said, I don't leave camp."
Misty smiled. "See you around, Achak," she said, walking away from the elderly tortoise.
She walked down the trail, but didn't make it far before she heard a voice say, "Hey, black wolf!"
Upon hearing her pelt-color mentioned, Misty turned to see a group of animals - a bobcat, Ebony, and a spotted canine-looking animal. She trotted over to them. "Um..hey?"
"Hi. Who are you?" asked the feline.
"I'm Misty," she replied.
"Ferum," nodded the feline. "And no, I'm not a bobcat. I'm a lynx," she said as if she had rehearsed it a lot. Misty frowned, trying to see if there were any differences between this "lynx" and Bracken, since he was a bobcat. "This is Ebony--"
"We already met," said Ebony dryly.
"Alright," growled Ferum in response. "And this," she turned to the canine, "is Askook."
"What are you?" Misty asked, looking at Askook. He had a spotted pelt and circular ears - definitely not a wolf or coyote.
"Hyena," Askook said, grinning. "How do you not know that?"
"There are no...um, 'hyenas' where I come from," said Misty.
Suddenly, Askook burst into rather loud laughter, causing Misty to flinch from the loud noise. "What other animals don't you have?!"
"Lynxes," Misty slowly nodded, looking at Ferum. "Tortoises..."
"Askook, you really need to control your laughter," scolded Ferum, glaring at the hyena. "It's going to make us all deaf one day."
"Hello, minions!"
Tiggerpaka swooped down onto Ebony's head, causing the bear to growl up at the meerkat. "Misty, why are you socializing with these lowlifes? They are supposed to be serving us," he insisted, puffing out his chest.
Ebony snarled. "Say that again, runt."
Tiggerpaka scampered off of Ebony, standing on the ground and facing her. "Aren't you grouchy," he commented.
"Who is this?" demanded Ferum.
"Uh--" Misty began, but Tiggerpaka beat her to it.
"I am Tiggerpaka, the slayer of the wretched Tiredblade, and the emperor of the land. You?"
Ferum snorted. "You expect me to believe that?"
"You'd better believe it, or I'll get my minions to attack you."
"Listen, short guy," Ferum pushed Tiggerpaka with her paw, making him stumble back, "I don't know who you think you are, but no one in this Tribe serves you. You're the visitor, you obey us because you owe us. And I find it incredibly hard to believe that you slayed anything or rule anything, so I'd watch your mouth if I were you."
"You just wish you were me," snorted Tiggerpaka, making Askook burst into laughter again. Tiggerpaka then turned to Misty. "Come on Misty, we must go awake the others." He then scurried off.
"Who is that?" Ferum asked, looking disgusted.
"Uh...well, he's a meerkat in my group of friends," said Misty.
"Why is he with you guys in the first place?" Ebony grumbled. "Seems like a waste of space to me."
"Well--" Misty began, but was interrupted when she heard Tiggerpaka call her name. "I should get going..."
With that, Misty ran off to find Tiggerpaka.

Author's Note:
Hey, so I got a really cool story idea. I'm posting it on my Wattpad account, which you can see here [link]. And if you download the Wattpad app, you can read stories on your mobile device, so that means you can check out my profile and read the stories I post there on the go. I'd really appreciate it if you'd check it out! <3
I also have a new main blog called "Megan's Musings", go follow that. Link in my profile. =P
And sorry for the late update, haha. Been busy. ^^;

QOTD: Favorite Tribe member?

Chapter 52: The Lost Benders

As the group all stopped in the shadows, Liberty saw what the light was: a crackling fire. They were in a cave; the fire was in a circular room that connected to a hallway on the other side; where it lead to, Liberty didn't know. "What's the fire from?" asked Sirius, head tilted in curiosity.
"W-We should turn back," whimpered Audrey.
"No, I'm curious," insisted Starlight. "You'll be fine, Audrey. Just remember your lessons."
"Okay," whispered Audrey, closing her eyes as if in concentration.
"I don't see anything," remarked Ryker.
"Me nei--" began Sirius, but she stopped. "Whoa, whoa, whoa. Look."
The group looked. Liberty watched as a new shadow danced onto the wall. She looked from it to its owner, a young bobcat who was walking around and then sitting next to the fire, staring into it. "Hold it," murmured Liberty, moving her head forward for better view. "Is that--?"
"Bracken!" hissed Sirius. "What's he doing here...?"
"If you shut up we'll find out," replied Ryker.
"Hey! I'm only asking!" Sirius protested.
"Well your talking is going to get us caught. You girls never shut up," snorted Ryker.
Liberty watched as Sirius slammed her shoulder into Ryker's side, making him stumble. "Hey!" Ryker protested with a growl.
"Both of you. Quiet," growled Liberty.
They all fell silent. Liberty kept her eyes trained on Bracken as he sat by the fire. Is he going to actually do anything? she wondered, as Bracken kept watching the flames crackle. It can't be true that he's just going to sit here, right? He has to have other intentions.
"Is he even going to do anything?" Sirius demanded. "Because if not, this is going to get old. Fast."
"Sirius, you have to learn to play the game of patience," insisted Ryker with a slight chuckle. "You youngsters have no sense of it."
"You called me 'youngster' like an elder would. Then again, you are crippled like one," Sirius retorted.
"Would you two--" began Liberty with a growl, but she was cut off.
"Look!" hissed Starlight.
The group all turned to see another shadow moving alongside the wall. A black wolf - incredibly familiar - made his way around the fire. "Bracken," he said.
"Hold it, that's..." Sirius gasped.
"Ash," Ryker realized.
"What's he doing down here?" Starlight asked aloud.
Bracken's mouth split into a grin. "Ah, hello. Please. Have a seat."
Ash sat down on the other side of the fire so he was across from Bracken. This just seems strange, Liberty remarked to herself. It's a bit suspicious...
"The plan is going rather well," Bracken continued. "I suspect we should have everything as Vortex asked to be in few days' time."
"Who's Vortex?" hissed Sirius, who was shushed by Starlight.
Ash scoffed. "If we can get that vile leader out of The Bending Tower. No one's ever annoyed me so much before."
"You two are the same," Bracken pointed out mildly.
"We are nowhere close to the same," snarled Ash, standing up to his paws. "He is a vermin to all creatures who walk this land. We need to get him out of there soon. I will take over The Bending Tower. Ash doesn't stand a chance with me around."
"Whatever you say," snorted Bracken, smirking. "But you will make me your second-in-command, right?"
"You and I are the only ones alike in this place, Bracken. Of course you will be."
"What's going on?" Audrey said nervously.
"It makes no sense!" hissed Starlight. "Why is Ash talking about overthrowing himself?"
"Unless that's not...Ash," murmured Sirius.
"Oh yeah. How?" demanded Ryker.
"Maybe it's his look-alike. My mother told me that when she was in the Earth Kingdom during the rebellion, there was an Ash-look-alike in there," Sirius's face was brightening up as she came to the realization. She then sighed. "Except...my mom said that his look-alike was a girl. This look-alike is the same gender as Ash."
"We need to head back," insisted Audrey. "We got to tell someone about this."
They snuck away from the cave as Ash and Bracken carried on their insane conversation.


The group crawled out of the trapdoor and slid the chest back over it, looking around.
"There you guys are!" exclaimed a voice. Liberty looked as Rainbow - who was Streak, Nzuri and Patch's mother - ran over. "We've all been looking for you! Your mothers are going to be worried sick, I know the feeling! With us already having several Benders missing, you guys could have--"
"Rainbow, calm down. We're fine," insisted Starlight.
"Well, for Lifebreeze's sake at least tell us where you went!" Rainbow exclaimed.
"You'll find out," Ryker assured her. "But we need to find Ash. It's important."
"Oh..." Rainbow sighed. "He's not...here."
"What...do you mean?" demanded Sirius.
"Ash is missing, too," said Rainbow. "We thought he'd be with you guys...you haven't seen him, have you?"
Nervously and in unison, the group shook their heads no.

Author's Note:
DUN DUN DUNNNNN...

QOTD: What do you think is going on?