Chapter 57: The New Plan

Raoul collapsed onto the hard, cold ground of his cell in the prisoner's room. He was exhausted from working all day catching food in the blazing sun, and the group had accomplished the chores assigned for them. Well, the Firebenders sure will have a great party now, he thought bitterly.
"Great. I wanna go to sleep now," muttered Streak. "Worst journey ever."
"We'll be fine," Cinder insisted, although her usual bright face seemed to have lost hope as well.
"We let The Bending Tower down," Comet murmured.
"What are you guys talking about?"
Raoul looked to see that Nota had awoken up, and was slowly getting into a sitting position.
"Nothing," Light lied.
"'Nothing', huh?" Nota cocked her head.
"Yes, that's what I said," Light grumbled.
"Hmm. I see you all are losing hope," Nota commented.
"Really?" said Streak dryly, receiving a warning look from Firefly.
"We've all lost hope too," Nota said. "And look at us. Old. Crippled. But look at you guys! You're younger than us. Look, in the end, good always triumphs over evil. Oldest saying in the Alpha Ruins."
"Why are you bolstering us? You gave up hope!" Akumu exclaimed.
"That..." Nota sighed, "is because if we do stand up for ourselves...our family, the Earth Kingdom, and everyone we love will be destroyed because of it. Dusk, you must know her...she's the leader of the Earth Kingdom, she's my sister. If she got killed because of me, I wouldn't know what to do with myself!"
"So, you're only in here to defend your family and friends? By hiding in a cell?" Light asked.
"It makes sense, though," Firefly pointed out. "They don't want their friends kill--"
"But it shows fear!" Light growled, rounding on Firefly. "If you show fear, evil will take it as an advantage to use it against you. If these warriors hide in shame, nothing good will come out of it. They need to act now, and if they do they can save their families!"
Raoul flinched away from Light; why was she so strong about this?
"Look," growled Caput, coming out from the shadows. "We're doing the right thing. You can all go about your own plans and whatnot, but we--"
Suddenly, the earth started shaking. Raoul got to his paws. "What the--"
Bits of rock from the ceiling started falling down. Raoul looked at the ones fallen to the ground, which were now shaking with the earth. "Earthquake!" Raoul gasped. Fear gripped him as he recalled the earthquake that nearly destroyed The Bending Tower before the rebellion started. Were all earthquakes like that one?
"Duck down!" Caput yelled out.
Raoul did as the warrior told him, and ducked down onto the ground, putting his paws over his head. He heard a yelp from somewhere in the prison room. Raoul wanted to help whoever it was, but couldn't without risking himself being killed.
Raoul could hear screaming and yelling from above. Raoul tried to block out the noise, feeling bad for the animals above. He could hear some of the warriors yelling out and talking, but Raoul just shut his eyes tight, hoping for the earthquake to be over soon.
However, the earthquake quickly stopped. Raoul got to his paws, looking around: there were rocks everywhere, and a big hole was in the ceiling, revealing the sun and the blue sky. Raoul then looked at the patrol; all of them were fine, and slowly getting up, taking in what just happened. The warriors also appeared to be fine, just startled. Although some of them looked a bit angry.
"Who did that?!" demanded a tiger, baring his fangs.
"That wasn't ordinary, I mean--" began a leopard.
A cough came and Cinder got up. "I-I think everyone is okay."
Streak shook his dusty pelt, getting up as well. "Phew! What was that?"
"Um...an earthquake?" Comet suggested.
"You know what?" Streak glared.
Comet was about to reply when there was a banging sound. Everyone suddenly went quiet and turned to look at the entrance.
It was Quake.
"Oh boy, what does he want?" Light growled.
However, the warriors said some different things.
"You traitor!" Caput was roaring.
"Why'd you do that?" demanded Nota.
"The heck is wrong with them?" Akumu asked.
"Hey, hey, calm down!" Quake growled. "Besides, you're free!"
Raoul observed the now-broken cell surrounding him. He was so surprised about the sudden earthquake that he didn't notice the cells were down. At first, his heart leapt with joy, but he quickly stopped. Wait a minute... "So?" Raoul muttered. "That doesn't mean the Firebenders think we're free."
"Well...I've been spying," Quake grumbled.
Raoul cocked his head. Huh? he then turned to look at the warriors, who all also looked confused.
"Spying, eh?" Nota said. "What'dja spy on?"
"Spying?" echoed Akumu. "Why is he spying? Doesn't he like the Firebenders?"
"No," Quake said, rounding on Akumu. "I'm only obedient to them to gain their trust. See, the Firebenders must be stopped. The land needs to be at peace. Firebenders killed my brother, and I don't want to see more deaths than necessary. When I lead the Earth Kingdom...well, if I live to, I'm going to make sure a Firebender doesn't set foot into our territory again."
"Well, for Lifebreeze's sake, Quake, if you're so determined to set the Earth Kingdom free, do it without trying to kill us, first! This guy didn't even live to see you were good!" Nota hissed, flicking her tail to a limp body in the patrol's cell.
"Wh-What?" Firefly whispered.
Raoul watched as Comet went over to the rocks and dug the body up.
It was Windows.
And he was dead.
"Crushed from impact of the rocks," grunted Caput. "Well, if we do rebel, he's the first of plenty."
Akumu glared at Quake. "Why did you do that?! You should've known you would've killed someone! I mean, making earthquakes? What is wrong with you?"
"Akumu, if the land is to be at peace, sacrifices must be made," pointed out Nota.
"But--" Akumu began.
"Alright, alright," Caput grumbled, clearly not wanting to hear an argument. "So, Quake, what is this brilliant plan of yours?"
"I've already spread the word to the residents," Quake explained, "tonight I will cause another tremor to distract the Firebenders - this one bigger - and while the Firebenders are distracted, we will sneak out, hopefully unnoticed, and get the heck out of here."
The warriors all exchanged looks.
"Sounds good," nodded Caput. "If it doesn't work, boy I will pound you."
"And good luck with that," Quake nodded back, eyes narrowed.
"That's all?" Nyla asked, stepping forward.
"Yep," Quake turned to Nyla. "Nyla, make sure no one comes in here."
"Is Dusk aware of this?" Nota asked, cocking her head.
Quake hesitated, then sighed. "No, she isn't."
With that, Quake left.

Author's Note:
Sorry for being inactive. D: I hope this makes up for it. :c
And check my new blog, if you will. ouo