Chapter 1: Returning Home

Ash was overjoyed. They had been travelling for miles, and finally, they were home, after such a long journey. His paws ached, especially his broken one, which hadn't healed yet. He spotted The Bending Tower, looked up at it in awe, and limped to the entrance.
Outside were two guards - an owl, an albino fox, and a white wolf.
"Ash? You're back?" the fox perked her ears.
"What happened?" the owl flew over to Ash.
The rest of the patrol followed Ash. "We were successful!" Creature smiled.
Ash smiled at his mentor. He hadn't been more happier in life; he was home.
"Who are all those... Er, other animals with you?" the white wolf asked.
"Crystal, Flare, Slice, Darner, Nightgale, Tiggytiger, and Firefly," Fan explained, nodding to each of them.
"Hello," Crystal smiled.
"This is where we'll be staying? Nice place," Slice commented.
"We should let you into the place," the owl nodded, letting the others through the entrance.
The guards followed the patrol inside. Ash breathed in the sweet scent of The Bending Tower. He winced as he set his broken paw on the ground, and then picked it up into the air again. He had been traveling like that ever since he left the Water Tribe.
"Skye! Eris! Twister! I see you found our patrol and brought them back!" smiled Kabu, a white lion.
"Well, more like they found us," chuckled the barn owl.
Mistletoe, Charlotte's sister, ran over. "Charlotte! I missed you!" she shouted, licking her sister between the ears.
Charlotte smiled, "Aww... Thanks, Misteltoe. Same to you."
"C'mon, want to hunt together?" Mistletoe asked.
"You bet!" Charlotte agreed, and the two sisters darted off.
Airia walked by Ash, "Um... Your paw still hurting?"
"Y-Yeah," Ash nodded slowly.
"I'll... Go get Feather," said Airia, and she ran off.
Ash stared after her. He was glad that she was finally trying to be kind  towards him.
Goldwing passed Airia as she went inside The Bending Tower. He walked out. "Benders! Gather!"
The Waterbenders, Earthbenders, Airbenders, apprentices, travelers, and the one elder, Airwing, all joined together in the yard, everyone sitting in a group.
"As you can see, the patrol is back," Goldwing, the leader smiled. He turned to Ash and the others, "How was it?"
"Great!" Dust replied instantly.
"We defeated the Firebenders," Fan informed Goldwing.
"That's great," Goldwing smiled. "I'm sure you can tell us all the whole story later." he turned to face everyone, "Now, Cora and Diamond have found a loner in our territory."
Stone grumbled, "Oh, that's pleasant..."
"He needs a place to stay, so I gave him a spot in the travelers' room," Goldwing said, "his name is Raoul."
Ash looked around. Near the entrance, he saw a blue dog with white and red spots. On either side of him were Cora, the otter, and a she-wolf, apparently named Diamond.
Tiggerkat and Tiggytiger walked over to the loner and began talking with him. Raoul would be sharing the travelers' room with Tiggerkat, and maybe Tiggytiger.
"Cora, Diamond," Goldwing nodded to them, "take Raoul to his room."
The two Benders nodded, and Raoul trotted with them into The Bending Tower.
"Those who were in the Water Tribe patrol, you all need some rest. You will sleep in the travelers' room, with no distractions. You may sleep as late as you please," Goldwing said.
Good! I won't have to get up so early! Ash thought happily.
Just then, Airia and Feather came out from The Bending Tower. The she-hawk flew over to Ash. "You'll sleep in the healers' den tonight."
"Okay," Ash nodded, a bit disappointed; he wouldn't be sleeping with his friends from the patrol, but at least Feather would be able to heal his broken paw.

Author's Note:
They're back! Spots was one of Ash's friends, yes, he'll appear in the next chapter. Thanks to Ming for Raoul, SpiritHowl for Skye, Freyapaw for Eris, and Perry4464 for Twister!