Chapter 1: The Firebenders' Control

"Come on! MOVE!"
Ash flinched as he saw Akumu yelp and fall to the ground, a new scar running across her back. Ash normally would attack and avenge Akumu, but he couldn't; not with Firebenders everywhere. They ruled The Bending Tower, and kept them working by making them hunt for the Firebenders and treat them with respect as their kings, and starving them. Ash knew that if he attacked the Firebender who harmed Akumu, he'd be harmed too, and punished.
Ash watched as Akumu slowly struggled to get up, yet fell down again, losing blood. Ash quickly turned around and slipped through the animals into The Bending Tower, heading for the healers' den, hoping a Firebender wouldn't spot him and send him to go to work. Every animal in The Bending Tower had scars. All of them had been injured somehow for the Firebenders' own enjoyment; this had been going on for a full moon now. Ash bore a scar over his right eye and a scar on his left ear.
"Eclipse?" Ash said, and looked to see the silver she-wolf look up from her herbs. Nightgale was also in the room, helping to sort the herbs. Nightgale had recently became Eclipse's apprentice in healing, and Ash admitted Nightgale was doing a good job.
"Oh, Ash!" Eclipse exclaimed, trotting over to Ash. "What do you need? Oh wait...let me guess, another injury?" She shook her head. "Those Firebenders are not doing us one bit of good, are they?" Eclipse smiled. "Airwing told me to look on the bright side, that we can discover the Firebenders' weaknesses...but it seems their only weakness is how arrogant they are."
Ash smiled slightly. "Akumu was struck and can't get back up." Ash sighed. "If she doesn't get up soon I fear they'll keep harming her. You got to help her." Ash knew that the Firebenders didn't seem to harm or stand up to Eclipse. Ash didn't know why though. Other than Tiggerkat and Tiggerpaka, Eclipse was the only one who didn't have any scars. "Eclipse...why haven't the Firebenders gave you any scars? They've harmed the rest of us..."
Eclipse sighed. "I am not certain, Ash, but I suspect it may be because I am the sister of a Firebender. Surely you heard of my past from anyone?" With a jolt Ash remembered Cloudsky; he was the one who adopted Eclipse and Cloudsky was the one who told Ash about what happened to Eclipse in the past. "I believe they fear to harm me because Fang would be angry since I am his sister. I know...he seems like he hates me, but perhaps deep down he still cares for me..." She sighed. "Come on, Nightgale, we have ourselves another injury."
Nightgale bounded over. "Got the leaves. Let's go." Nightgale trotted alongside Eclipse down the hall, and Ash looked after them, hearing Nightgale chattering all the way. They were both about the same age and same height, and both friends. Perfect to be working together.
Suddenly, Ash was pinned to the ground. He knew it had to be a Firebender, perhaps to harm him for not working. Ash looked up and growled as he saw his brother Hazen; Hazen had told Ash they were brothers. Ash loathed him however, because Hazen was a Firebender.
"Why aren't you working?" Hazen demanded, his voice cold. Ash felt like pinning Hazen and clawing him, but he knew he couldn't. No one could show disrespect for the Firebenders without being punished; Ash could recall when Dust learned it the hard way.
"Hazen?"
Ash looked to see Mistletoe behind Hazen. She still had what appeared to be a look of love in her eye; she and Hazen had been friends, and when Hazen turned out to be a spy Mistletoe was broken hearted. Hazen looked at Mistletoe, not seeming as aggressive towards her as he was towards Ash. "What?"
"Please, just...let Ash go," Mistletoe said, her voice shaky. Ash expected Hazen to only grippen harder on Ash, but instead he let go, sighed and walked away. Hazen's weakness was Mistletoe. It was quite obvious.
"Thank you," Ash breathed, getting to his paws.
"I miss him," Mistletoe blurted out right away.
Ash sighed. "I know. He would have been a great Bender here. But you'll...find someone better to be with. I'm sure." Ash then walked out into the yard, where both Firebenders and Bending Tower animals were. Ash watched as Crystal fell to the ground in exhaustion. Fang walked over to Crystal and gave her a threatening growl, and Rusty, who had loved Crystal since he was an apprentice, quickly rushed over to Crystal and leaned against her and helped her up, shooting a glare at Fang. He simply snarled in return and walked away
"Ash," said a voice, and Ash turned to see Charlotte standing there. She looked beautiful, despite the scar on her tail. "What the Firebenders are doing to us...it's scaring me." She pressed against him for comfort, and even though it made Ash feel uncomfortable, he let her because he could see the fear in her eyes.
"I know," Ash murmured, "but we're strong. We'll get through this." He scanned the area and saw Slice fall to the ground, looking very injured. Nightgale rushed over to Slice with herbs to treat her injuries.
Miguel, who had cared for Slice for quite a while, trotted over to Slice and looked down on her. Slice looked up at him, eyes full of hope, knowing Miguel would calm her and help Nightgale heal her and make sure she was fine and not gravely harmed.
But, to Ash's shock, Miguel pushed Nightgale away and put his paw on Slice's head, latching his claws onto her. She looked up at him in shock, and Ash could her him whisper into her ear: "Get back to hunting and don't be so weak."
Miguel then walked away, and Ash felt his jaw drop, and saw Slice had a look of horror on her face. Ash looked at Charlotte, who was still pressed against him, and saw she looked almost as shocked as he was. Ash then recalled the Peacebenders' warning of a traitor in The Bending Tower.
It had to be Miguel.

Author's Note:
Dang Firebenders. They cause trouble. .3.