Chapter 28: A Problem Solved

Fear. 

It filled up Ash's body. Ash had been scared many times. When he was an apprentice, the big deer scared him terribly, and it still had until it fell over the ledge. Ash had also been scared when Firetalon picked him up and dropped him during a battle, making him break his paw. Although Ash knew he was meant for a big destiny, like everyone else, he could feel fear.

This time, however, he felt so full of fear he could barely stand.

Goldwing and Airwing caught on fire. Just like Feather had. Although, Ash couldn't hear their yowls or any others. In fact, he couldn't hear anything at all. His ears got clogged and all he could hear was his heart beating. Ash stumbled, but tried keeping his eyes wide open. He thought he was going to pass out, didn't quite know why, but fought the feeling. He watched as Hachiko revealed his sharp teeth and looked like he was laughing. Ash watched as Akumu, Light, River and Crash lunged at Hachiko. Hachiko then had a look of fear come across his face, but before he could run, Akumu had pinned Hachiko down, Light sank her teeth into him, River clawed Hachiko, and Crash dug his claws into Hachiko. He yowled out and plopped down, obviously dead.

His ears now ringing, Ash let himself lay down to catch his breath. He didn't dare look at the lifeless bodies of Goldwing and Airwing. But Ash was confused. How could Hachiko have gotten so powerful? That huge fireball couldn't have been made by him, especially if he was easily defeated by only some bites and scratches. Ash looked at the Benders. They were all talking, some howling out, and all looked desperate, scared, and full of fear, just like Ash.

Ash looked at the dead bodies and winced. It made him very upset. But suddenly, two ghost-like forms arose from the bodies and looked at Ash. Ash mouthed, "Goldwing? Airwing?" But they simply just looked at him, and didn't respond. Ash quickly got to his paws and ran at them, but a wind came by and the ghosts swept away with the wind.

The ringing in Ash's ears stopped, and he could hear perfectly again. He flinched as he became overwhelmed by the yowls, murmurs, barks, growls and plenty of noises. He then saw Dust and Charlotte making their way over to Ash. "Ash! You're leader now. Get these animals under control!" Charlotte exclaimed.

What? Ash thought wildly. He had totally forgotten that he was deputy and had to become leader. Shaking, Ash jumped onto a stump and yowled out, "Hey! Hey! Hey!" but everyone either ignored him or just couldn't hear them. I'm gonna make a terrible leader.

"QUIET!" Dust howled, and everyone stopped talking. "You're welcome," he murmured to Ash.

Ash cleared his throat. "Sorry to say, but Goldwing and Airwing are indeed dead."

"Which means Ash is leader," Dust added.

"Shh!" Mistletoe exclaimed.

"Um, yes. Er...I wasn't...let in on what we're doing," Ash blurted out, "can anyone fill me in?" Silence fell over the crowd. Everyone exchanged nervous glances. "Well?" Ash said, "anyone?" He scanned everyone, feeling slightly annoyed at how all of them weren't telling him anything.

Eclipse stepped forward. "We need to travel to the Water Tribe." 

Ash waited for Eclipse to continue, but that was all she said.

"Fine...okay. Yes. Let's go to the Water Tribe. We need to be cautious, because the Firebenders may be on the prowl looking for us," Ash nodded.

"What about us?" came Streak's voice. Patch nodded agreement.

"You're coming with us. We can't leave you behind," Ash said.

Streak and Patch squealed with excitement, and Rainbow hushed them. 

"Do we have everyone? If we're missing anyone, now's the time to find them," Ash nodded.

No one said anything, so Ash looked at the setting sun. "We'll leave at dawn tomorrow. Stone, River, you two set up a guarding system. The rest of us will try to get some sleep. If apprentices are to guard, a full Bender must help them out. We'll all sleep in the cave."

Everyone piled into the cave except Stone, River, Akumu and Flare, who began to stand guard. Ash slept near the mouth of the cave. He thought he'd get no sleep, but somehow, he managed to close his eyes and dose off.

When Ash woke up, he could tell that he was in Peacebender territory. "Alright, spill it," Ash shouted, frustrated, "I know I'm here for you to tell me something, so go ahead."

Airwing stepped out from the bushes, and Ash flinched. However, Airwing simply smiled. "Hello, Ash. Fancy meeting you here. Beautiful, Peacebender territory, isn't it?" If possible, Airwing seemed more wiser than he already was. "Yes, I am here to let you in on some secrets. Sit down." Ash sat down, and Airwing sat down in front of him. "First off, The Bending Tower has been very stressed due to our deaths. You will lead them."

Ash nodded, "Continue." He wanted to get to some more secrets, like why everyone has been keeping secrets from him and why Eclipse didn't tell him much about why they had to go to the Water Tribe. 

Airwing continued, "Ash, the whole Tower has been working on a plan. But you haven't been let in on it because you had some other problems to deal with. We have a plan to save the world from the Fire Nation. And because you are leader now, you must choose a deputy and embark on a journey to save the whole Bending world."

Anxiety filled Ash. "G-Go on."

"First off," Airwing said, "you need to find the third animal to help you out to defeat Ironfang. Eclipse is one of them, as you already know. The third one, remember, is an autumn-colored animal, not expected to be a hero. You need to figure this out quickly."

Ash began thinking, but Airwing snapped him back to reality. "The whole of the Bending world is under the Firebenders' control. The plan is to save everyone from the Firebenders, unite, and drive the Firebenders out of the land. It is not simple, so Goldwing and I planned to die so we could help you better without others knowing what you were going to do."

"You wanted to die?!" Ash exclaimed. He then wished he had hid the shock from his voice better, but Airwing didn't look offended. He looked amused.

"Yes," Airwing nodded. "If us Peacebenders ever have anything to tell you, we will visit you in your dreams. Don't be afraid to ask us questions, even if you know or think that we'll not give a straight-out answer. Did you see how Akumu, Light, River and Crash worked together to avenge our death? That was an example, that if we all work together we can achieve our goal to drive out the Firebenders. But, the Fire Nation will steadily grow more powerful, making this a challenge."

"How do I defeat Ironfang?" Ash asked. He knew that the sooner he killed Ironfang, the better, because the Fire Nation would collapse if their great, murderous leader were to die, especially at the claws of their enemy. 

"That is not for you to know yet," Airwing said simply. "Now, once you choose the third animal, elect a deputy. Also, Ash, you must find out your past. It will help you along the way of the journey, trust me. Oh, and one more thing...guard Airia with your life."

Ash was about to ask more questions, when the world faded around him.

Ash woke up. It was morning, he could tell, but the sun wasn't quite up yet. It was only just skimming the horizon. He looked out of the mouth of the cave to see Airia sitting out in the dark, alone, her head hanging with sadness. 

Ash trotted up to the mouth of the cave. "How long has she been out there?" he asked the guards.

"'Bout an hour," said Dell, who was helping to guard. "Been very...lonely." Her eyes twinkled with mischief.

"Dell, don't make Ash uncomfortable," Leafy giggled.

Ash tried his best to ignore the apprentices as he walked up to Airia. "You okay?"

"No," Airia muttered. "Goldwing and Airwing are dead."

Ash struggled to find a way to comfort her. "...You got your mother though, don't you?"

"I don't think she understands me. She's wingless. Goldwing and Airwing did. They understood me. They had wings." Airia said.

"Well, I don't have any parents that are alive..." Ash said. He looked up at Airia and remembered what Airwing said: Guard Airia with your life. From what?

Airia smiled and put her wing around Ash. "Then I guess we have something in common."

Ash shuffled nervously. "Um...er...uh-huh." He knew that if Rusty were here, he'd be laughing and teasing Ash, and probably saying, "Real smooth."

That was when Ash grew wide-eyed.

Rusty.

He was autumn-colored, and clumsy.

Author's Note:

...The third animal! c: