Chapter 28: Fighting The Current

Ash tried to fight the current, but it kept pushing him away. He squinted his eyes against the cold, splashing water.
"Get him!" Eclipse shouted.
Creature jumped into the water and began swimming towards Ash. He dived under the water.
Ash had never felt water before. It seemed weird to him.
Suddenly, he saw a bunch of fish behind him. They began swimming, hitting Ash in the sides.
"Help!" Ash wailed, but found himself being sucked underwater.
Not knowing about the water, Ash tried to breath. Water went into his mouth. He broke through the surface of the water and began to cough.
Creature swam swifter, getting close. He finally grabbed ash with his claws and put Ash on his back.
"Dig into my back!" Creature ordered.
Ash dug his claws into Creature's back. Creature swam upstream, heading for land, where the rest of the group was wide-eyed.
"Come on, get him back safely!" Charlotte called.
"I'm trying!" Creature shouted.
Ash looked ahead. They were nearing the group.
Then, something lifted Ash up. He was carried off Creature. As Ash was about to shout for help, he found himself put on the ground by the group.
Looking up, Ash saw that Feather was the one who lifted him.
"Feather!" Eclipse gasped.
"I was looking for herbs," the she-hawk explained. "I had mistaken Creature for a Firebender!"
Creature crawled out of the river. "It's okay, Feather. You helped Ash."
"Be more careful on the journey. You should get moving! You're a slow group, I figured you'd be at least at Mt. Ice by now," Feather smiled. She flew off.

Author's Note:
Well, Ash is safe. Man, I haven't posted a chapter for a while...sorry 'bout that...

Chapter 27: Crossing The River

"Are you still okay, Ash?" Eclipse asked.
"I'm fine," Ash glared. It's just a little scratch!
"Thorns around here are very sharp," Willow warned.
The patrol jumped over some bushes. On the other side was a river. It was big - a strip of water, flowing through the forest.
"Let's just jump across," Rusty shrugged.
"We can fish," Dust suggested.
"None of us know how to," Airia said.
Ash's belly grumbled. He was very hungry.
"We need to find shelter soon, to rest and eat," Charlotte announced.
"Let's quickly cross the river, then find food and shelter," Stone rolled her eyes.
Airia flew over the river. She stood on the other side. "Come on over."
"Easy for you to say," Rusty rolled his eyes, "you can fly."
Airia narrowed her eyes.
Dust took a few steps back. He ran and jumped over the river, barely making it.
"Go, Ash," Fan nodded.
Ash's eyes grew round. The river seemed huge now. His legs shook with fear.
"How ironic. A Waterbender scared of a river," Stone sneered.
Ash quickly hid his fear. He didn't want Airia and Stone thinking Ash was no good. He wouldn't give them a reason to keep making fun of him.
Snapping twigs, Ash took a few steps back. Closing his eyes, he began to run. He jumped and his front paws landed on the other side.
"Ash!" Rusty shouted.
"I can pull myself up!" Ash said. He tried, but then the current took him away.

Author's Note:
I am just too evil. >:D

Chapter 26: A Prickly Enemy

"We need to get moving," Fan said to the patrol, "before some other Firebender rears its ugly head."
"'Ugly' is right," Rusty laughed.
"This is no laughing matter," Stone snapped.
You never laugh, thought Ash as he rolled his eyes.
"Fan is right," Creature nodded. "We do need to get moving."
"I'm going to keep close to Eclipse in case Firetalon comes back," Willow announced.
The patrol walked on. The sun was in the middle of the sky.
"It's about lunchtime," Charlotte said.
"We'll get lunch after we find a safe place to rest and hunt," Fan promised.
"I hope that's soon," Dust complained.
Ash winced as he stepped on something sharp. He looked at his paw and licked it.
"What happened, Ash?" Asked Eclipse.
"I stepped on something sharp, no big deal," Ash reported. His pad was bleeding.
"No big deal?" Rusty walked over. "You've stepped on a thorn."
"Is it stuck in your paw?" Willow fretted.
"No, I told you, I'm fine," Ash glared.
"Let me check it," Eclipse insisted.
Sighing, Ash held out his paw for Eclipse to examine.
"It's bleeding," Dust's eyes were wide.
"So? It's just a small scratch!" Ash growled.
"Don't pick up Stone's attitude," Charlotte laughed.
Stone didn't look amused.
"Get a small cobweb," Eclipse ordered Light.
Light nodded and, without hesitating, ran away.
"Can't I just stick it in a river?" Ash asked.
Eclipse didn't reply. She studied the sky.
"If Ash just sticks it in a river," Dust said, "then we'd be done much quicker."
"This blood wouldn't stop if you put it in a river," Eclipse finally spoke. "It's bleeding and won't stop."
"What kind of thorn is the one Ash stepped on, then?" Rusty asked.
"I don't know," Eclipse admitted, "I've never seen anything like it."
"Back," came Light's voice. She handed Eclipse a small cobweb. Eclipse put it on Ash's paw.

Author's Note:
That thorn must be big, if Ash's paw was bleeding so much that it didn't stop. :3

Chapter 25: Battling

Ash looked around wildly, trying to figure out where the hawk sound came from. Looking in the sky, he saw he couldn't find it.
Eclipse looked like she was trying to calm herself down. Dust and Rusty were standing next to each other, looking wildly.
"Scared?" Light taunted.
"We're not scared!" Dust insisted.
"Yeah! We were born without the fear, unlike you guys!" Rusty growled.
The bushes rustled. Dust jumped and hid behind Rusty, and Rusty crouched down.
Stone came through. She studied the twin wolves. "Scared now, are you?"
"We're not!" Dust glared.
The hawk call came again. Then, a flash of black went by Eclipse, and she fell down.
"I found you, Eclipse," the hawk said.
"Firetalon?" Eclipse gasped.
"Yes," the black hawk sneered. "I was Feather and Cloudsky's only offspring, but then they got you. So here's how I felt!"
As Firetalon was about to slash Eclipse's muzzle, Charlotte tackled Firetalon.
"It was your choice to leave!" Charlotte retorted. "You didn't have to become a loner!"
"I'm no loner," Firetalon sneered, "I became a Firebender!"
Charlotte's eyes widened in fear. Ash stood back in horror.
Firetalon flew out of Charlotte's grip, as fast as lightning. He flew high in the air, then, lightning fast once again, aimed a blow at Charlotte.
To Ash, everything was going in slow motion. Ash jumped into the air, and pounced onto Firetalon's back, crushing him onto the forest floor. Then, the slow motion stopped.
Before Firetalon could react, Ash quickly slashed Firetalon's forehead. "You've made a mistake passing through this forest," Ash growled.
Firetalon glared at Ash and slipped out of Ash's grip. He headed for Eclipse, and picked her up, flying into the sky.
"Eclipse!" Came Airia's voice. She flew out from behind the bushes, heading for Firetalon.
"I feel so useless," Dust turned to Rusty.
"Tell me about it," Rusty rolled his eyes.
"Are there any other Firebenders?" Asked Stone. Ash didn't know why, but the raccoon seemed nervous, with her eyes wide.
"No, just Fire-" Ash was cut off as Firetalon fell to the ground in front of Stone.
"Stone?!" Firetalon panted, laying on the ground. "I know you! You...you-"
Before Firetalon could say more, Airia and Creature lunged at Firetalon. Dust joined the frenzy. They slatched, bit, and hit Firetalon.
Finally, Airia got a huge air current using her tail. She made it hit Firetalon, and he flew into the sky, flying against his will until they could no longer see him.

Author's Note:
Hehe...what was Firetalon about to say about Stone? Luckily, Airia and Creature interrupted him...>:D

Chapter 24: Training

As the Water Tribe patrol left, Spots sighed. Now, he kind of regreted choosing not to go.
But it's dangerous, he reminded himself. They're all risking their lives!
It was true. Spots didn't want to endanger himself. He trotted towards Kabu, his head hanging. What if my friends don't return?
"Alright, Spots," Kabu said, "we're going to give you your assessment. If you pass, you'll become a true Airbender.
Spots wagged his tail. He had been waiting for this for moons. Yes! "What do I have to do?"
"We're doing this with Skye," Kabu explained. "She will be here, after she visits Feather."
"What happened?" Spots asked nervously.
"Skye was flying through the forest when she flew too low, and a rabbit jumped up and clawed her because Skye alarmed it," Kabu explained.
"I'm here," came Skye's voice. She hopped over. "I'm not allowed to fly for a while." Spots noticed she had a bit of ointment on her wing.
"Alright," Kabu nodded. "Let's begin. First, Spots, I want you to show us how good you are at flying with the wind."
Spots nodded. He felt like jumping around like a puppy. No, he told himself, I'm no longer a puppy. I'm now a big dog.
Whirling his tail, Spots closed his eyes tight to help him concentrate. He felt an air current at his tail. His instinct told him to jump into the air. Doing so, Spots landed on the air current and flew to the highest roof of The Bending Tower.
"Good," Kabu called, "see if you can come down!"
Spots nodded. He could see everything from the top - all the students practicing, and the tall trees behid The Bending Tower.
Spots whirled his tail again, and jumped on another air current. He rode it to the bottom.
"Good," Skye nodded.
"Now, let's see you hunt. Let's go into our territory," Kabu said.
They all walked out of the yard and towards the forest.

Author's Note:
Instead of talking about Ash still, I'm leaving you guys on a cliffhanger and I went to Spots instead! -laughs evilly- XD

Chapter 23: Strange Stuff Happens

Ash opened his eyes. He was alone in the forest. The river flowed, fish going through it. No one was around.
"Charlotte? Eclipse? Creature? F-Fan....?" Ash called out.
No response.
Was that all a dream? Ash thought regretfully. Am I still a loner, and I dreamt about becoming a Bender?
Suddenly, there was a blow to Ash's side. He closed his eyes tight. Opening them, he saw a black she-wolf standing over him.
"Who are you?" Ash thought nervously.
"Your kin," the she-wolf replied. "You are dreaming, Ash. While the deer had knocked you out, I thought this was a good time to visit you."
"You're dead?" Ash gasped in astonishment.
"Yes. Ash, I'm your mother," the black wolf said. "My name is Midnight."
"What happened? I-I can't remember any of my history," Ash's legs trembled with anxiety.
"Because, Ash, you were abandoned," Midnight sighed with grief. "I don't know what I was thinking. But The Bending Tower is where you are supposed to be."
As Ash was about to ask more questions, the dreaming world around him began to get blurry.
"No, no, don't leave me!" Ash wailed.
"We're right here, Ash."
Ash woke up, startled. Eclipse, Fan, and Charlotte were standing over him.
"Where-where'd the deer go?" Ash asked.
"Creature took Stone and Airia to chase it and kill it," came Dust's voice, and the young apprentice came over.
"Will he live, Eclipse? He's losing a lot of blood," Charlotte looked at Eclipse nervously.
"Most likely, he will," Eclipse nodded. "But you're right; he's laying in a lot of blood."
Ash looked at his side. There was a puddle of blood.
"Do something!" Ash cried.
"Rusty is looking for cobwebs," Eclipse promised.
"Back," came Rusty's voice. He gave Eclipse some cobwebs. "They were so hard to find!"
Eclipse took the cobwebs and placed them on Ash's side. "This will stop the bleeding."
"Should we get him something else?" Fan asked.
"Yes," Eclipse nodded. "Get a moss ball and soak it in the nearest river. Dust, you go too."
Dust ran off, and Fan followed.
"You will recover," Eclipse nodded, "if things go well."
But, as Ash was about to sigh with relief, there was the call of a hawk.

Author's Note:
Ash is going to live, thanks to Eclipse! But the question is...who is that hawk? 0_0

Chapter 22: Don't Judge A Book By Its Cover

"I'm bored," Rusty complained.
"We're not even out of our territory yet!" Dust shouted.
Ash rolled his eyes.
"If you're bored, think about how happy you'll be once we get there," Charlotte said calmly.
"Wanna play a game?" Eclipse suggested.
"Like what?" Light snorted. "I don't want to play, 'Bender Trivia.'"
"We can play 'Enemy'....who wants to?" Dust said.
"How do you play?" Ash asked.
"We look out for any enemies, hence the name," Rusty rolled his eyes.
"Like there will be any Firebenders around," Stone snorted.
Well, there was. Ash thought silently. Downstairs.
Suddenly, a twig snapped. The patrol froze.
"Care to re-think what you said, Stone?" Said Dust with a smug tone.
Stone glared at the apprentice, but said nothing.
There was another twig snap.
Airia sniffed the air. "Not a Firebender."
"Good," Fan nodded. "But what is it?"
"Deer," Eclipse replied instantly.
"A big one," Charlotte's eyes grew wide.
Then, the bushes rustled. Charlotte was right. A male deer poked his head out of the bushes. He had many antlers, and he looked huge.
"It's just a deer," Light rolled her eyes. "They're prey."
The deer started snorting angrily. It jumped out of the bushes and ran toward the patrol.
"Split up!" Creature shouted.
Airia grabbed Charlotte by the scruff and flew into the air. Fan glided to a tree branch.
The others, having no way of flying, were trapped. Ash ran to a tree and sunk his claws into the bark, trying to claw his way up, but he fell down.
Creature bared his teeth and snarled. Ash looked up, and saw Airia put Charlotte on a tree branch. She flew down and got Stone and Dust, and carried them up to the top of a tree.
The deer looked at Ash and began charging at him. Ash, with his eyes wide, tried to dodge, but the deer scraped him in the side with his antlers, making Ash bleed.
"Airia! Get Ash!" Charlotte wailed.
In pain, Ash closed his eyes tight. It felt as if his side was on fire.

Author's Note:
Who ever knew a deer could be so threatening? XD I'm so evil. >:D

Chapter 21: Dawn

For Ash, it seemed like he had just fallen asleep when dawn came. He was the only apprentice left in the den. It was dawn - the patrol to save the Water Tribe would be leaving soon.
Quickly, Ash blinked the sleep from his eyes and walked out of the room.
Ash entered the yard - everyone was training, except for the rescue patrol. They were all eating.
"I saved you a rabbit," Charlotte said once he came over.
"Thanks," Ash acknowledged.
"Are you excited?" Fan turned to Dust and Rusty.
"Not really. We're only going because we want to see most of the world - I wish we didn't have to walk all the way there," Rusty complained.
"I hear the Water Tribe is far away," Dust sighed.
"We'll be there in no time," Creature nodded.
Ash began eating his rabbit as quickly as he could. Stone and Airia were done - Fan was almost done. Charlotte, Rusty and Dust were still eating. Creature was done eating his meal - so were the rest of the patrol.
Kabu walked over. "You'll be leaving soon," he said, "are you ready?"
"Yes," said a new voice. Ash turned around to see Eclipse coming over. She chose a blackbird from the prey pile, and began eating.
"I can't wait to go," Charlotte's eyes sparkled. "I hear that the Water Tribe is very a very beautiful place."
"Won't be for long," Light joked, "the Firebenders are destroying it."
"They have different routines, I hear," Eclipse shrugged.
After a while, the patrol finished their meals. Then they got up.
"Good luck!" Goldwing called.
"Have a safe journey," said Rockfall.
"May take a while," Kabu warned.
"But, it'll be worth it," Shell walked over to Kabu, her mate.
Finally, after responding to many good-byes, the patrol went into the main room, then went through the door. The patrol stepped into the territory and began walking towards the unknown.

Author's Note:
So they are off! I've planned many events for the journey, keep reading!

Chapter 20: Who's Going?

"The apprentices get to choose?" Spots gasped.
"Yes. Goldwing felt the apprentices never got to choose much, so he figured the apprentices could choose if they wanted to go or not," Kabu nodded.
"I want to go!" Rusty and Dust called out at the same time.
"Me too," Ash agreed.
"I'm going," Charlotte said quickly.
"I don't want to," Mistletoe sighed, "I don't like traveling."
"Come on, Mistletoe, please?" Charlotte begged.
"No, sorry," Mistletoe said shortly.
"I'm staying too," Spots agreed.
"I wanna go!" Susan, a black monkey nodded.
"And I do," called a new voice. It was Light; she was a golden female wolf.
"That's almost all the apprentices," Kabu smiled.
"The more, the merrier," Goldwing added. "Obviously, their mentors are going - Fan, Willow, Creature, Airia, and Stone."
Come on! A long journey with two grumpy Benders? Ash thought regretfully.
"I think Eclipse should go too," Feather spoke.
"Yes, we'll need a medicine bender," Fan agreed.
"Alright. Eclipse can go as well," Goldwing said.
Ash looked at Eclipse - she was sighing in frustration.
"You all will leave at dawn tomorrow," Goldwing continued, "rest and eat."

Author's Note:
I am terribly sorry not everyone could go - I tried to have as much apprentices as I could decide to go. Don't worry - I'll probably make chapters from Spots's point of view, so other characters can still be in the story.

Chapter 19: On The Run

There was a hiss that sounded like a snake. Sniffing the air, Ash could smell something like a snake - he smelled one before as a loner. The snake gripped him hard.
"Poisonfang!" Gasped Charlotte's voice. "She's a Firebender!"
Ash was unsure of where to run - he couldn't see a thing. The snake gripped him tighter.
"The Firebender deputy, since you killed Bone! I've came to avenge him!" Poisonfang snarled.
Please let go! Ash thought desperately. He didn't want to say the words out loud - it'd make him weak, and it wouldn't be likely that the viper would listen.
"Let him go!" Rusty snarled. "Or I attack you!"
"I'll let him go," Poisonfang sounded smug. Ash was shocked when he felt the viper let go of him. Poisonfang continued. "But I'll take the next apprentice I get my tail on to the Firebenders!"
Ash frantically sniffed the air. He could smell the entrance way up above. He dashed towards the stairs and started running - he could smell the others behind him.
Poisonfang was catching up. Ash wanted to scream, but kept it in, trying to show he wasn't afraid.
Ash hit his head against the roof, and the door to the entrance open. He dashed through it; the others came through. Poisonfang almost got through the entrance, but Spots quickly, literally slammed the door on her face. Dust and Rusty quickly pushed the treasure chest onto the door.
The apprentices panted and lay down.
"That was a close one," Mistletoe panted.
"We'll have to tell Goldwing or Kabu," Ash added.
"Hey," came a voice. Ash looked up from his paws, and saw Fan standing there.
"Yes?" Rusty asked. The whole group was panting.
"Goldwing-" Fan stopped. "Did you guys run all around our territory and back?"
"Long story, we'll be telling Goldwing or Kabu," Dust promised.
"Anyways, Goldwing called a meeting," Fan continued.
The group trotted outside, all sitting together.
"Now that we're all here," Goldwing eyed the group, making Ash's pelt hot with embarassment. "I have an important announcement to make - Star gave me her message."
"What, are the Firebenders being attacked and want our help?" Stone sneered.
Goldwing ignored her and kept talking. "The Water Tribe is being attacked by Firebenders - they're being picked off one by one. They sent for help."
Gasps arose from the crowd.
"What's the Water Tribe?" Ash asked Mistletoe.
"A place for Waterbenders only, unless some Travelers who aren't Waterbenders are passing through," she replied.
"So," Goldwing said after the silence died down, "we have to send a patrol to help them. The apprentices get to choose to go this time."

Author's Note:
Who wants to bet Ash is going? I would've finished the chapter, if I weren't being rushed. :/

Chapter 18: The Secret Passageway

The group were all talking on the bottom floor. Dust and Rusty were talking with each other and laughing, and Spots was talking to Mistletoe and Charlotte.
Suddenly, Ash heard a thump - it was so small he was surprised he could hear it himself. The others didn't hear it.
"I heard a thump," Ash announced.
Mistletoe looked at Ash. "You did? Because I didn't..."
"Me either," Rusty added.
"I don't think any of us did," Spots shrugged.
"You must've imagined it," Charlotte guessed.
As the rest of the group kept talking, Ash heard it again.
"Does anyone know an entrance to any kind of basement?" Ash asked.
"I do," Dust announced.
Rusty gave his brother a questioning look. "And I don't know?"
"I vowed myself to keep it a secret, but if Ash wants it...why not?" Dust shrugged.
Sighing, Ash shook his head. Dust walked behind the staircase, and removed a small chest.
"What's in the chest?" Spots asked.
"Nothing; I checked," Dust explained.
Ash heard the thump again. Under the chest was a door. He grabbed the knob with his mouth and pulled up the door.
Only 3 steps were visible - then darkness took the stairs. Ash took a few steps down, then he couldn't see anything.
"It's very dark," came Charlotte's voice.
"Ow! Dust, that's my paw!" Rusty's voice growled.
"Hey! You stepped on my tail!" Dust protested.
"Take this, jerk!" Rusty yowled. There was the sound of someone falling.
"Stop!" Mistletoe shouted.
"Listen, just smell the air and stick to the group," Ash called out into the dark.
"Should we even be in here?" Spots whimpered. It was the first time Ash heard the dog scared.
All of the sudden, there was the sound of something rattling. Ash felt something binding him.
"Lost apprentices, is there?" Came a snarling voice.

Author's Note:
That's a Firebender hanging in that secret room! Oh no, what'll happen next??

Chapter 17: Goofing Around

Later, Goldwing had came out of The Bending Tower and into the yard. He approached Star, and she dipped her head to the golden leader.
"You have news for me," Goldwing nodded.
"Yes." Star confirmed.
"Break time," Goldwing announced, "Star and I will be talking in my den."
Goldwing lead the loner into The Bending Tower.
Ash looked around for something to do. Kabu had told him that, during break time, you could do anything you'd like.
Charlotte was talking with Mistletoe. They were deep in conversation.
Ash wandered over to them. "Hello."
"Hi!" Charlotte said cheerfully.
Looking at the sisters, Ash noticed for the first time that they had matching lockets.
"You got lockets?" Ash nodded.
"Yep," Mistletoe nodded.
"Interesting," Ash said. An idea was forming in his mind.
While Charlotte wasn't looking, Ash took her locket playfully.
"Hey!" Charlotte shouted, amused. "Give it back."
"You'll have to catch me first!" Ash smiled, and took off.
He ran past Stone, who gave a hiss of frustration as he interrupted her snack. Ash ignored the grumpy Bender and kept running.
Ash could tell Charlotte - and Mistletoe - were both giving chase. Ash broke into the Tower and raced up the stairs.
"We'll get you, Ash!" Mistletoe shouted.
Ash just laughed and kept running. He ran down the corridor, and ended up in the Prisoner Room.
Suddenly, Ash felt scared as he recalled the day Alacazame attacked Galmega. He turned to leave, but Charlotte and Mistletoe were blocking the entrance.
"I know you're scared of this room, Ash," Mistletoe growled playfully. "Now hand us the locket."
Ash took a few paces back. Then, he ran and jumped over the two sisters, who exchanged shocked looks.
"Get back here!" Charlotte yowled.
I'm having too much fun, Ash smiled.
All of the sudden, there was a blow to his side. Ash was pinned down. Looking up, he saw that Dust and Spots have pinned him down.
"You needed a little help?" Dust smiled playfully. He took the locket out of Ash's mouth, and handed it back to Charlotte, who looked half amused, half disappointed.
"Come on," Spots offered Ash his tail, and Ash bit down on it lightly, pulling himself up.
"Let's go back  to the yard," Mistletoe smiled.

Author's Note:
Hey, there's always time for fun, right? :P

Chapter 16: A Black Wolf

The patrol walked through the forest, Ash bringing up the rear. The whole patrol was happy for Ash, except Stone and Airia.
"How did you come up with that idea, Ash?" Spots asked.
"It just came to me," Ash shrugged.
"Well, it was great," Cora smiled.
"I hope I'll get good ideas like you, Ash," Dust complimented.
Ash half liked everyone treating him like a hero, half didn't. Hopefully by tomorrow the news will die down. I wonder how the others will act when we tell them Bone is gone.
Every animal in the patrol was chatting and talking except for Stone and Airia. They kept quiet the whole time.
Suddenly, a twig snapped. Ash pricked his ears. He sniffed the air. He now knew what a Firebender smelled like. This wasn't a Firebender.
"It smells like a loner," Stone announced.
So that smells like a loner, Ash thought, promising to remember the scent.
Then, the bushes rustled. A wolf's head poked out. She was black and had a silver star on her forehead.
"What are you doing here?" Stone growled. "This is Bending territory."
"I thought I could smell Benders," the wolf nodded.
Ash exchanged confused looks with Rusty.
"Who are you?" Fan asked.
"My name is Star," the black wolf nodded.
"Hello!" Spots wagged his tail.
"What do you want?" Airia growled.
"What do I want? I have news for your leader - whoever he is," Star replied.
"Okay," Stone narrowed her eyes. "But we'll be extra cautious..." Ash was the only one who heard Stone mumble, "Firebender."
They headed back to The Bending Tower, Star close behind. Creature ordered Ash and Rusty to walk on either side of Star to keep her from running away.
The patrol was greeted by a weasel and an albino fox.
"Who is this?" The fox asked.
"A loner, Eris, can't you tell by his scent?" Airia said coldly.
"Indeed a loner," the weasel nodded.
"Maisoon, Eris, you may let us pass. Star needs to see Goldwing," Fan nodded.
Maisoon and Eris stepped away from their guard spots at the door, let the patrol through, then stood back in their place.
"Another loner?" Kabu questioned.
"She needs to see Goldwing," Stone growled.
"Mistletoe, go get Goldwing for me please," Kabu ordered.
A white wolf with a red and green stripe on her left side nodded, and took off.
Ash shifted his paws, waiting. Star was sitting, licking her paw. Dust and Rusty began talking to each other. Airia and Stone her murmuring words with each other, and Fan and Creature were walking over to a group of apprentices.
A barn owl came over. "I've heard news about a loner?"
"Yes, Skye," Airia sighed, rolling her eyes.
Suddenly, the door busted open. Tiggerkat came out. "I've heard about a loner!" She walked up to Star. "Do you know anything about any Firebenders who took some Reese Cups?"
Star looked at Fan, then looked at Tiggerkat. "Er, no....sorry."
Tiggerkat sighed. "Well if you do, just tell me."

Author's Note:
We got a few new characters in this story - Star is Horselips's character and Skye is SpiritHowl's character. Wonder what Goldwing is going to do with Star?

Chapter 15: Victory

"Bone, get off our territory now," Fan ordered.
"You've tried that," Bone sneered. "And I don't go without a fight first."
"We'll never win!" Ash whispered to Rusty.
"We need a strategy," Dust whispered to both of them.
Ash suddenly had an idea. "Dust, shout, 'Cora', when I say, 'Now'," Ash ordered him.
"Okay," Dust nodded.
I have to risk this, Ash thought regretfully.
He jumped over the border. Ash pretended to twist his paw. "Ow! Ooh, my leg," he moaned.
"Ash!" Fan shouted.
"Quick! Get across the river!" Creature added.
"I'm not strong enough to!" Ash lied.
Creature started to walk, but Airia held up her tail. "He wouldn't survive in the wild anyway," she said, "maybe it's best for him to die."
Yeah, right. You just want to get rid of me, Ash bit back the retort.
"A helpless little apprentice thinks he could attack me," Bone sneered.
Ash had to summon all his strength to prevent himself from showing he was fine.
"So you'll get what you get for trying to be heroic!" Bone shouted. He jumped.
"Now!" Ash whispered to Dust.
"Cora!" Dust shouted.
Suddenly, the otter with a water-soaken pelt jumped out of the river. She bared her teeth and claws, then hit Bone's side, making the giant Komodo Dragon fall to his side.
The impact knocked Bone out.
"Good job!" Rusty cheered.
"It was Ash's idea," Dust acknowledged.
"Yeah," Spots agreed.
"There's no time for giving credit," Ash panted, "quick, throw Bone into the river!"
Fan, Creature, Spots and Stone ran up to Bone and all pushed the Dragon together, and finally got him in the river.
"He was heavy!" Creature panted.
Then, Bone woke up. "Whoa! Why am I in the river?" He looked at the Benders. "You! You all did this to me! You will pay..."
Bone's voice trailed off as he was swept further and further down the river, until he was out of sight.
"Good idea, Ash!" Cora nodded.
"Yeah, we beat a poisonous animal!" Spots cheered. "That's great!"
"Let's go back to The Bending Tower now," Stone growled and shook her fur, shaking off the water that splashed onto her when Bone fell in the river.

Author's Note:
So, thanks to Ash, Bone was beaten! What's going to happen next?

Chapter 14: The Firebender

The patrol trekked through the forest. Ash looked around, alert at every sound. I don't want to be killed. I won't let the Firebender kill any of us, even Stone.
Fan was looking from left to right. At the sound of a vulture, Fan jumped and looked up. When she noticed it was only a vulture, she calmed down.
Rusty and Dust were deep in conversation; Ash couldn't hear them. Spots was jumping around, his tail wagging rapidly, as if he wouldn't care if the forest caught on fire around him.
Stone was growling, looking all around. She looked like she'd pounce at any sudden movements.
Airia was narrowing her eyes, studying the sky. Maybe she thinks that if the deputy can fly, Ash thought, then she can fly after it.
Creature stumbled over roots and rocks every now and then, but showed no sign that he was injured.
Cora was sniffing the air, keeping her guard up.
Finally, the patrol reached the river. They stopped. Cora jumped into the river as they planned, and Ash watched her swim away.
"Okay," Airia whispered, "let's all hide in the toadstools. Creature, walk through the bushes. I can smell the deputy is on the other side."
Ash's legs were shaking with anxiety. He crawled to the toadstools, Dust and Rusty crawling beside him. They settled themselves among the toadstools. Ash's nose screwed at the scent. Man, this will definitely disguise our scent!
He peeked through a small hole in the bushes - the hole was as big as a baby mouse. Ash could barely see through it.
"A Waterbender? Just one?" Came a voice. It was a very creepy voice - deep, but whisper-like.
"Yes," Creature's voice growled. "You are not supposed to be on our borders!"
"One Waterbender can't tell me what to do. Are you trying to be heroic? Or is Goldwing so stupid he thinks one Bender can survive on its own?"
Ash wanted to yowl and attack the Firebender for saying that. He couldn't see the Firebender, but he could see Creature.
"Neither!" Creature shouted. Then, he calmed down. "You have a chance to solve this peacefully. If you don't leave, you'll leave by force."
Ash could picture the Firebender looking smug.
"Like you're going to make me leave," the Firebender laughed.
There was the sound of water. It splashed.
"Go! Now!" Came Airia's fierce whisper.
Together, Ash, Dust, Rusty, Stone, Spots, and Airia jumped out of the bushes at the same time. But not Fan.
"Fan!" Ash whispered to the bushes.
All of the sudden, there was a shake. Ash looked at the Firebender. He gasped when he saw what animal it was. A Komodo Dragon!
Then, the earth shifted under the Firebender. A piece of the earth jerked up, sending the Firebender flying.
Fan jumped out of the bushes.
"Good job, Fan!" Spots wagged his tail.
Airia turned her tail in circles. She jumped onto air, and rode it through the skies. Then, Airia did a motion with her hands, sending the air current into the Komodo Dragon. Airia used her wings to stay in the sky, as the air current hit the Firebender.
"Bone! Leave our border now," Stone growled.
"Most definitely not, Stone," the Komodo Dragon snarled.
Creature looked shocked. "You know his name, Stone?!"
Stone nodded. "Long story, I'll tell you it later."
Bone had saliva drooling from his mouth. "I'll do it."
Airia gasped. Dust and Rusty crawled back, looking scared.
"Why is everyone scared?" Ash whispered to Dust.
"Bone's, er...spit is poisonous!" Dust said urgently.
Ash's eyes grew wide. Then how are we going to win?

Author's Note:
Oooh...there's a problem...Bone is poisonous! That's a true fact - a Komodo Dragon's spit is poisonous. -shudders- Creepy, huh? 0_0

Chapter 13: The Plan

After lunch, Kabu came over to Ash, Spots, Rusty and Dust. All four of them were becoming good friends, since all four of them were apprentices.
"I want you four, Creature, Cora, Airia and Stone to patrol our territory," Kabu said.
Oh, no! I'll take Airia, but not Stone! "Why is it such a big patrol?" Ash thought.
"Goldwing could scent the deputy of the Firebenders near our borders when he was hunting by himself," Kabu explained. "We need as much Benders as we can get by that border."
"Also, it will be good experience for apprentices," Cora added, walking over.
"Before going out, make a plan. We might get ambushed," Kabu suggested. He ran to Goldwing.
"Spots, go get the rest of the patrol," Cora nodded to Spots.
"Of course!" Spots wagged his tail rapidly, and ran off.
In what seemed like a heartbeat, Spots returned with the rest of the patrol.
"Kabu says we need to plan first," Cora explained to them.
"I already have an idea," Rusty announced. "Maybe Cora can go in the river, and if we need backup, she can do a surprise attack."
"A great idea," Creature nodded.
"How about this? We all hide in the bushes with the toadstools, and one Bender goes to confront the Firebender. Then, we can ambush the deputy before it attacks that Bender!" Dust growled.
"Perfect," Cora complimented.
"I'll be the one who confronts the deputy," Creature announced.
"You will?" Spots gasped. "That's dangerous! And after what happened to Galmega?"
"Are you suggesting I'm weak?" Creature pretended to glare, but his eyes sparkled with amusement.
Fan came over. "I'd like to help this patrol. I asked Kabu and he said I could."
"Good," Airia nodded to Fan. "It will be good to have a senior Bender in the act."
Creature then explained their plan to Fan. "I will be the one who confronts the deputy," he finished.
Fan nodded. "Good luck, Creature."
"Let's go now," Stone grumbled. Ash followed the patrol. Will this plan work? But how deadly is the Firebender deputy?

Author's Note:
Looks like the patrol will be seeing yet another Firebender! I wonder what animal this Firebender will be? I'll give you a hint - this Firebender is poisonous! Is another Bender going to end up sharing the Medicine Benders' room with Galmega?

Chapter 12: Airwing's Story

The hunting group returned to The Bending Tower. Students were practicing in the yard - Airbenders, Waterbenders, and Earthbenders.
Stone and Airia were eating together, deep in conversation. Ash avoided them, and put a shrew on the prey-pile.
"Give the rabbit to Airwing," Ice ordered, "and put your mouse in the prey room. With white-earth on the way, we need lots of prey."
"White-earth?" Ash mumbled through his prey.
"When it snows," Ice explained.
Ash nodded and exited the yard. He recalled Galmega's tour of The Bending Tower.
Speaking of Galmega, Ash thought, I think I'll visit him today.
He went to the prey room and put his mouse in the large pile. He exited the room, and then went to the Elders' Room.
Surprisingly, Tiggerkat was in the den.
"Tiggerkat? What are you doing here?" Ash asked, dropping his rabbit.
"She's missing Reese Cups," Airwing smiled weakly. "So I decided to explain to her why there are no Reese Cups here."
"Go on, Airwing! So what did everyone do after the Firebenders took every candy?" Tiggerkat prompted.
Airwing shot Ash a look that said, "I'm making this up as I go along".
Ash nodded.
"So after that, The Bending Tower sent their bravest warriors to go and retrieve the candy and to tell the Firebenders never to return..." Airwing continued.
Ash listened for a bit. He's a good story teller.
"Here, Airwing, I brought you some prey," Ash nudged the rabbit towards him after a while of listening to Airwing's fake story.
"Thank you," Airwing grabbed the rabbit and ate on it.
Ash left the room and went to the yard again.

Author's Note:
So Tiggerkat still isn't pleased about the lack of Reese Cups. Looks like Airwing is trying to explain, huh? I wonder if any Bender ever heard of Reese Cups at all. XD

Chapter 11: First Hunt

After lunch, Kabu, Cora and an albino fox took Ash out of the tower to hunt for the residents of The Bending Tower.
"Ice here will teach you about basic hunting around here," Kabu nodded to the fox.
"Okay, Ash," the fox nodded. "Do you know the difference between stalking a mouse and stalking a rabbit?"
"No," Ash replied instantly.
"Thought so," Ice said. "You see, mice can feel your pawsteps in the earth. Rabbits can smell you. So what should you do if you stalk up on either one of them?"
"Mice you tip-toe, and for a rabbit you stay upwind," Ash said quickly.
"Correct," Ice complimented. "Try it. Sniff the air, see if you can smell something."
Ash closed his eyes and sniffed the air. "Er...rabbit?"
Kabu then sniffed the air, and turned to Ice. "He's right."
"Okay. Use the skills I just told you and try to hunt it," Ice ordered.
"And don't expect to get prey on your first try," Cora added.
Ash crawled along the forest floor. The wind blew; Ash avoided it, hoping his scent wouldn't carry towards the prey.
Finally, the rabbit was in view. It was chewing the grass, its back turned to Ash. It had no idea Ash was there.
Then, Ash jumped. He pounced on the rabbit. It squirmed, but Ash bit its neck, and the rabbit grew limp. It was dead. He carried it back to Ice, Kabu and Cora.
"Good job!" Cora complimented him.
"Great for a new apprentice," Kabu smiled.
"Now, try to catch some more prey," Ice suggested.

Author's Note:
Ash's first try hunting! Cool, huh? What will happen next in the chapter? Comments are much appreciated!

Chapter 10: Lunchtime

Ash returned to The Bending Tower after he had practiced bending water. He had not been able to make it hit the tree - he got close, however.
As they walked up to the door, Kabu came through. "It's time for lunch. Come to the yard - some of our apprentices and teachers have caught prey."
Rusty ran to the yard, Ash trotting after him. Cora came next, and Creature brought up the rear.
Ash grabbed a deer, and dragged it and sat in between Charlotte and Spots. Spots was eating a rabbit. Charlotte was eating a beaver.
"I caught that," Spots wagged his tail. "Willow and Sun helped me."
"Good job," Ash mumbled through his mouthful of deer.
"It is a good job," Charlotte stated. "We rarely catch deer."
"And Ash gets to eat it all?"
Ash looked up from the deer. Stone was standing there, lashing her bushy tail.
"He got it first," Charlotte growled.
"Yeah, lighten up, Stone!" Spots panted, still wagging his tail. "Lighten up and soar through the skies!"
"I don't have wings, you dumb dog," Stone growled.
Spots didn't look offended. He just kept wagging his tail, smiling.
"'Soar through the skies', is Spots's famous quote," Charlotte whispered to Ash.
Stone snarled and stalked off toward Airia, Kabu, Shell and Willow.
"Why is Stone always in a bad mood?" Ash turned to Charlotte.
"She usually is," Charlotte shrugged.
"Stone needs to learn to be nice," Spots commented, eating on his rabbit once again.

Author's Note:
Guess Ash, Charlotte and Spots don't like grumpy Benders. X3

Chapter 9: Waterbending

Ash's eyes opened reluctantly, when he felt a paw prod him in the side. Like yesterday, the sun had not risen yet. Ash had never learned any actual Bending yet. The other day, all he had learned was the schedule, a tour of their territory, the history of The Bending Tower, and about ceremonies.
Hopefully today I will learn something useful. Ash sighed, then looked up at who had waken him. A Dalmatian was standing above him.
"Morning! My name is Spots," the Dalmatian wagged his tail. "Ash right?" before Ash could say "yes", Spots kept talking. "Thought it was. I'm training to be an Airbender, and-"
"Spots, let's just go to the yard," Ash rolled his eyes. It appeared that Spots was very eager. At least someone isn't making fun of me!
"Okay," Spots ran out the open door. Once again, Ash was the last apprentice in the room. He left, and walked out to the yard.
Tired, drowsy animals were everywhere in the yard, sitting down. Kabu was out too, not looking tired, like yesterday. Goldwing was already out.
Ash's pelt grew hot with embarrassment. They were all waiting for me and Spots!
Spots didn't seem to care. He was wagging his tail, sitting next to Dust.
"Slept in?" Stone sneered.
Ash stifled a sigh and sat next to Rusty. Goldwing walked out into the yard, ready to make the morning's speech.
"Yet another day of training," Goldwing spoke out, his voice loud and clear. "Spots, you will be learning how to fly on the air using your Airbending skills-"
"I can't wait!" Spots barked.
"Ash, you will be having your first day of learning Waterbending. Since Galmega is in the Medicine Benders' room, Creature will be teaching you. The rest of the Waterbenders will help too," Goldwing nodded.
Creature dipped his head to the winged leader.
"Other than that, nothing new will be happening-"
"What?" Stone growled. "What if-if that fool of a shark, Alacazame comes back?"
"Good point, Stone," Goldwing looked at the raccoon. "You can be in charge of guarding the tank. Choose the Benders you want to take for the first shift."
The students and Benders broke up into groups. Ash joined the Waterbenders and Waterbending apprentices. The Earthbenders got into a group, and so did the Airbenders.
"Alright," Creature turned to Ash. "I'll take you deep into our territory by the steams." He turned to an otter that had a necklace made of pearls. The otter was talking to Rusty. "Cora, can you bring Rusty and help us out?"
"Of course," Cora nodded.
Creature took the lead, walking into the territory. He stumbled over things every now and then, but walked on.
They made it to the river. Lots of fish were swimming upstream easily. Ash's stomach growled looking at the prey.
"I think Kabu had told you yesterday about how Benders are able to Bend things," Creature began, "and this river will allow you to. As you know, you must concentrate hard on the river. Focus is key. To Bend, imagine that the water will come up as a water ball, and hit that tree in front of you. It will do so, but you need to focus hard enough. If you don't the water will fall back into the river."
Ash nodded. Cora jumped up onto a stump, and Rusty sat beside her.
"Don't expect to get it the first time," Cora nodded.
"I still don't have it good enough," Rusty mumbled.
If Creature or Cora heard Rusty, they didn't show it. "Okay, imagine a waterball hitting the tree. Now!"
Ash closed his eyes, picturing a ball of water rising up and hitting the tree. He focused on that one thing, trying not to think of something else. He repeated it over and over in his mind.
"Hello!"
Ash jerked his eyes opened. Turning around, he saw Tiggerkat licking her chest on a tall tree stump.
"Tiggerkat! Ash had the waterball up out of the river, but you came and now it didn't work!" Creature scolded.
"It did get out of the water?" Ash gasped with excitement.
"Yes," Cora confirmed. "The first few times you try, you'll probably have to close your eyes to learn to focus. After you keep practicing, you can do it with your eyes open."
"Tiggerkat," Creature growled at her, "why are you out here anyways?"
"It's always amusing to watch apprentices on their first try at Bending," Tiggerkat protested, "I came to watch."
"Fine," Creature did a dramatic sigh.

Author's Note:
Ash's first try at Waterbending! Too bad Tiggerkat had to interrupt, huh?