Chapter 43: The Place That's Like A Nightmare

Far off past the mountains, through the valleys, past the Water Tribe and all the villages, lived a city. It was red, lit up by the lights and volcano. It was very hot in that area, with all of the fire.
No living thing dared go near the city. It was a horrible place, a place only for the most evil animals to ever exist.
A wolf walked up to a viper. It nodded his respect to the snake.
"News?" The snake got taller, standing on the end of its tail.
"Yes, I gathered info. I know something..." The black wolf growled.
"Good. You'd be in big trouble if nothing was learnt, you know that," the yellow snake flicked her tongue.
"Yes, of course I know," the black wolf nodded.
The main gate to the city opened. A hawk jumped outside.
"Ah, you're back," the hawk said coolly.
"He's got information," the snake nodded.
"How perfect," the hawk sighed, "come on in, he's waiting."
The hawk lead the black wolf into the city. Many animals walked around the city. We'd never be beaten, the black wolf thought with a smug look, all of us have many animals on our side.
Most of the animals in the city joined because the wanted to. Some joined because they feared the animals who lived there, and if they said no, they'd be killed.
"Where is he?" The black wolf asked.
Suddenly, an owl came flying in. He hit his head on the wall, fell onto his feet, stumbled, and fell down.
The black wolf jumped and put his paw on the owl's chest. "What is it Cackle?"
The barn owl breathed heavy, beings the black wolf's heavy paw was on him. "Iron..." Cackle wheezed, "...fang wants to...see you..."
"Good," the black wolf narrowed his eyes, picked up Cackle by the wing, and threw him across the city. He screamed in terror and he was thrown, but no one cared about the barn owl.
The hawk hopped along, and the black wolf continued to follow. None of the others picked their heads up as the two animals walked on by. No one paid any attention.
There was a lake area in the city as the two animals walked by. A huge great white sharked jumped out of the lake, and did a backflip into the water.
"Seems that Alacazame is practicing," the hawk commented.
Finally, both of them approached the gates to their leader's room. No one at the moment was guarding it.
"Where are the guards...?" The black wolf looked around.
Suddenly, the wolf was hit to the side. He looked up to see that another barn owl, a bigger owl, had hit him and pinned him.
"Beaten by an owl," the owl joked.
The black wolf bared his teeth. "Nyra, I threw your assistant across the city, I can throw you, too."
"Cackle?" Nyra laughed. "He's small! He couldn't be thrown two inches without living. Like I'd care about some stupid little barn owl. I shouldn't be responsible for him!"
"I can see why you hate Skye," the hawk rolled his eyes.
"Indeed I do, Firetalon, indeed I do," Nyra narrowed her eyes at the hawk. "Hate her with all my heart."
"Can you get off me?" The black wolf growled, and bit Nyra's leg.
"Ouch!" Nyra hopped off. She looked at a torch on the wall.
"No, Nyra, no! Not now!" The black wolf protested.
Then, the doors busted open. A crocodile crawled out.
"Idiots!" The croc growled. "Ironfang is growing impatient, and boy do the Darkbenders know he gets in a bad mood once he grows impatient!"
The black wolf and Firetalon exchanged worried glances. When their leader was angry, it was not a good thing.
"Let's go," Firetalon nodded to the now closed gates. Both animals walked in.
It was dark in the building. Only a few red lamps lit up the place. The lamps enabled the black wolf to be able to see Firetalon's face. Both of them could see each other, but just barely.
"You're here," came a voice. It was a bit high-pitched and sounded scary.
"Yes, Ironfang," the black wolf bowed.
"There was word you had news, Fang?" Ironfang asked.
"He does indeed have news to say," Firetalon nodded.
There was no response after a while. Then, Ironfang spoke.
"Firetalon, I want you out of here," Ironfang snapped, "this is just for Fang and I."
"Sorry, sir!" Firetalon panicked. "Is there anyway I can-"
"NOW!" The bobcat roared.
Scared, Firetalon quickly flew out of the building.
Fang became scared. His pelt was hot with nervousness. He didn't want to make the bobcat leader mad.
"Now, where were we?" Ironfang prompted calmly.
"I-I have news," Fang began. "The Waterbenders in the Water Tribe are growing weaker-"
"Good, good, good," Ironfang laughed evilly. "That will show those Waterbenders not to stand up to us Firebenders. We will take their land."
"But, but that m-may not work," Fang could tell his voice was getting a bit high-pitched, since he was so scared.
"WHAT?!" Ironfang shouted. "That's an outrage! Why won't it work?"
Fang found himself tackled by Ironfang. The bobcat had him pinned. Fang could not see his leader in the darkness - in fact, no one ever saw Ironfang's face. If he ever had to step out of his place, he'd wear a hood to hide his face.
"B-Because..." Fang wheezed. Ironfang was pressing down on his chest, like Fang did with Cackle. But Ironfang was way stronger than Fang himself. "...Because the Water Tribe is...is getting...help..."
"HELP?!" Ironfang growled, pushing down harder. Fang thought he'd never breathe again. "From who?!"
"G-Gold..." Fang drew in breaths quickly. "Goldwing's Benders..."
"Goldwing??" Ironfang growled. He let go of Fang, and Fang quickly jumped to his paws. "That idiot is coming to help the Water Tribe? If he wants a war, so be it. We'll murder Goldwing's Benders!" And with that, Ironfang let out an evil laugh.

Author's Note:
Ironfang sounds kinda scary, huh?