The next day in the afternoon, Ash stood in front of the animals, Rusty by his left, Bluefall on his right, with Swiftwing, Quake and Raven also at the front. Everyone seemed battle-ready, and Ash had noticed Streak, Nzuri and Patch had gotten quite skilled at fighting and Bending, especially for such young apprentices. However, they lost an apprentice; Comet had switched from learning about Bending to becoming a Healer apprentice, with Nightgale as his mentor. She had been very excited, and Ash couldn't help notice Mkia throwing not-so-pleased looks at Nightgale.
"Today we will spend hunting and preparing," Ash announced. "We need some battle strategies, which I will talk with my senior Benders about. Each leader will spend the rest of the day talking with their senior Benders, in fact. The rest of you, you can spend the rest of the day doing whatever you please, but try not to worry, I don't want to be taking any anxious Benders to the battle. Leave the worrying to the leaders and their deputies. Healers can spend the rest of the afternoon stocking up on medicine and herbs. If anyone wants to hunt they may do so, as we need energy."
"Can we become full Benders today?" Streak called out.
"No, you only just became an apprentice. You haven't learned everything," Ash said, stifling a chuckle.
"But we were supposed to be taught most things!" Nzuri protested.
"Don't argue with Ash," Rainbow said, "he's your leader."
"But--" Nzuri began, but one look from Rainbow made her be quiet.
"Tomorrow we set off for the Fire Nation," Ash said. "But first, I have some new Benders to name. Leafy, Aimee, Lily and Snakeseye."
The four apprentices looked at Ash expectantly.
"Leafy, Aimee, Lily and Snakeseye are ready to become full Benders," Ash went on. He had watched them practice in sessions, and looked like they already had about every move memorized; Ash told himself to make them into full Benders. "Peacebenders, hear my words as I make Leafy, Aimee, Lily and Snakeseye into full Benders. They have worked hard to understand Bending, and are ready to take their turns to become full Benders. Leafy, do you agree that you are ready to become a full Airbender, and that you can take on all of these responsibilities?"
"Yes!" Leafy squealed.
Ash turned to Aimee. "Aimee?"
"Uh-huh!" Aimee exclaimed.
"Lily?" Ash said.
"I-I do," Lily breathed.
"And Snakeseye?" Ash turned to the reptile.
"Of course," Snakeseye said, excited yet able to control how the words came out.
"Step forward," Ash said, and the four apprentices came up to Ash. "Then with the help of the Peacebenders, you may all get your wish. When I tap your head, the Peacebenders' powers will make you stronger, faster, and a better Bender."
Then, Ash tapped each of the apprentices' heads, and they all looked at Ash, beaming. Ash recalled his Bender ceremony day, when he felt the power surge through him when Goldwing tapped him on the head.
"Leafy, Aimee, Lily and Snakeseye. You are now officially full Benders. Welcome," Ash finished.
Yells of approval erupted from the gathered animals, even some from the Water Tribe and Earth Kingdom.
"Anything to add?" Ash looked at Quake and Bluefall.
"Nope," Quake shook his head.
"Agreed, I have nothing," Bluefall replied.
The crowd split up, and just as it did, Treebranch came through the woods, and a wolf Ash recognized right away as Nightfire. He's my uncle, Ash realized - if Cinderstripe was Nightfire's mate, and Cinderstripe was Midnight's sister...
Most of the animals turned their heads when Treebranch and Nightfire appeared, all of them closely followed by the rest of the Tribe of Flying Birds. Some, however, ignored them and began talking with others.
"Hello," Treebranch nodded curtly to the animals. "I am Treebranch of the Tribe of Flying Birds."
Murmurs broke out among the animals.
"The Tribe of what?" Streak echoed, confused.
"The Tribe of Dying Herds," Tiggerpaka snorted. "Duh."
Leafy clocked Tiggerpaka in the head.
'Hey!" Tiggerpaka protested.
"Well I'm a full Bender now. I can do what I please," Leafy insisted.
Ash walked up to Treebranch. "You're willing to help us?"
"Yes," Treebranch nodded. "I'll stand by you, Ash." She smiled, and murmured, "Stormpup."
Ash smiled back, and couldn't help glancing at Nightfire. I'm related to you, he thought; although Nightfire didn't know that his mate was sisters with Ash's mother.
Just then, Hazen came up. "Treebranch! Hi," he said.
Treebranch nodded at Hazen. "Ah, Hazen, yes," she replied.
Just then, a black male wolf trotted up to Nightfire. "Dad, when are we going to the Tribe of Fire?"
"We need to talk with Ash first," Nightfire nodded. "Be patient."
That's Crow! Ash realized; he had met Crow on the journey to the Water Tribe. "Hi, Crow," Ash nodded.
"Crowwing, thanks," Crow replied. "I've been a warrior for a long time."
"You realize that's our kin you're talking to?" Hazen whispered into Ash's ear.
Ash nodded. "Hard to believe, huh?" His eyes followed Crowwing back to the crowd, where he was greeted by Star - a warrior by now, I assume, Ash told himself - who licked Crowwing on the head. They must be mates now, Ash concluded.
"Come with me, Treebranch and Nightfire. I'll catch you up on what's been going on," Ash said. "The rest of your Tribe can mingle among the Benders if they'd like."
"I don't think they'd want to," Hazen murmured to Ash, "you know the Tribe dislikes Benders."
"Well, I'm sure Streak and his siblings will be talking to them quite a bit," Ash chuckled.
Treebranch turned to face the Tribe. "Ash, Nightfire and I are going to talk. All of you, go find places to settle."
"Among the Benders?" called Crowwing, "no way!"
"Crowwing, be polite," Nightfire insisted.
Crowwing grumbled something Ash couldn't catch, and Star whispered something into his ear.
"Who's going to be in charge while you guys are gone?" called out a golden wolf - Ash recognized her as Lionclaw, a wolf who had fought Ash in the fight with the Firebenders - she had been on their side. Wonder what her excuse was, Ash thought dryly.
Treebranch scanned the Tribe. "Flamefur will be in charge during my absence."
Ash followed the Tribe's gaze and found his eyes landing on a dark orange female wolf.
"We'll be back soon," Treebranch assured them.
The Tribe parted and headed into the clearing, Hazen following, and Ash found himself standing alone with Treebranch and Nightfire.
"So...let's walk through the woods," Ash suggested. "We could maybe hunt on the way."
"Sounds fair enough, but we'd have to keep our voices down," Nightfire pointed out.
"Then let's put hunting off to the side," Treebranch agreed.
"Okay," Ash said, pelt growing warm with embarrassment. Bug-brain! You can't talk and hunt at the same time. "Let's go, then."
The three of them set off into the forest. "So," Ash looked at Treebranch and Nightfire. "What's been happening in the Tribe? Tell me anything and everything."
"Well," Nightfire began, "ever since most of the Tribe betrayed us, we were down to very few members, as most had set off to the Tribe of Fire. But then they returned, much to our surprise. But, we were lucky, because if they hadn't come to their senses the Tribe might have been destroyed."
"I chose Nightfire to be my deputy," Treebranch put in, "because I thought the Tribe was done for, but he kept telling me 'No it's not', and always encouraged me."
"Who were the wolves left when most of the Tribe betrayed you?" Ash asked.
"Crowwing and Stardust," Nightfire said, "Flamefur, Mousetail, Flowerpetal and Starrynight."
"That's not a lot," Ash grimaced.
Just then, there was laughter behind them.
"Dad!" yelled out two pups, both running up to Nightfire. The gray one fell down but quickly recovered and ran to join her brother at Nightfire's paws.
"Whoa," Nightfire said, smiling, "what are you two doing here?"
"We wanted to come with you!" squeaked the gray one.
"Leafpup, you can't, this is leader and deputy business," Nightfire shook his head.
"I'm going to be leader one day!" the black pup proclaimed, puffing out his chest.
"Yeah, right, Cometpup!" Leafpup laughed.
"That's enough you two. Go back to your mother," Nightfire nudged the pups. With that, they ran off.
"You have pups?" Ash said, unable to mask the confusion in him. Nightfire got another mate after Cinderstripe died?
"Her name is Starrynight," Nightfire nodded. "She's a beautiful wolf..."
Ash couldn't help feeling a small pang of anger. And Cinderstripe wasn't? Ash thought.
"Let's continue," Treebranch said, eyeing Ash. She then murmured, "that doesn't mean Nightfire stopped loving Cinderstripe."
"So what's the plan for tomorrow? We need to know," Nightfire insisted.
"We're going to go into the Fire Nation and tell them to stand down. If they don't, we fight," Ash said.
"You're probably wasting your breath to ask them to stand down," Treebranch pointed out.
"I don't want to sink to their level and attack right away. Besides, things can be solved peacefully," Ash shrugged. "Anyways, we outnumbered them. If we can all fight the Firebenders and somehow win, we can make them surrender."
"But some of us might die!" Nightfire protested.
"And some of them may die," Ash reminded him. "However, we're hiding the young and the elders in the caves outside the Fire Nation. We taught everyone a bit of fighting and all so that if Firebenders happen to find the caves they can defend themselves."
Nightfire sighed. "Alright, Ash, but I hope you know how deep this grave is you dug yourself into."
"But will the Firebenders really surrender?" Treebranch asked.
"The Peacebenders will hel--" Ash began, but stopped himself. They don't know what the Peacebenders are! he told himself.
"Peacebenders?" Nightfire echoed.
"Um, where good animals go if they die," Ash muttered.
"We have the Tribe of Starry Skies," replied Nightfire.
"What about their leader? His name is...Iron-something, right?" Treebranch cocked her head.
"Ironfang," Ash said, "and..." Well, I got to tell everyone how Ironfang will go down sooner or later. "I...am going to take care of him."
Nightfire and Treebranch looked at Ash as if he grew two heads.
"Look, it may be shocking, I know, but it's my destiny to defeat Ironfang, alright?" Ash sighed.
"Well, may I say good luck with that," Treebranch chuckled.
Author's Note:
Abrupt ending, I know, I had no more ideas for the chapter. ;;
So psyched about this book almost being finished - second series is right around the corner! :D
"Today we will spend hunting and preparing," Ash announced. "We need some battle strategies, which I will talk with my senior Benders about. Each leader will spend the rest of the day talking with their senior Benders, in fact. The rest of you, you can spend the rest of the day doing whatever you please, but try not to worry, I don't want to be taking any anxious Benders to the battle. Leave the worrying to the leaders and their deputies. Healers can spend the rest of the afternoon stocking up on medicine and herbs. If anyone wants to hunt they may do so, as we need energy."
"Can we become full Benders today?" Streak called out.
"No, you only just became an apprentice. You haven't learned everything," Ash said, stifling a chuckle.
"But we were supposed to be taught most things!" Nzuri protested.
"Don't argue with Ash," Rainbow said, "he's your leader."
"But--" Nzuri began, but one look from Rainbow made her be quiet.
"Tomorrow we set off for the Fire Nation," Ash said. "But first, I have some new Benders to name. Leafy, Aimee, Lily and Snakeseye."
The four apprentices looked at Ash expectantly.
"Leafy, Aimee, Lily and Snakeseye are ready to become full Benders," Ash went on. He had watched them practice in sessions, and looked like they already had about every move memorized; Ash told himself to make them into full Benders. "Peacebenders, hear my words as I make Leafy, Aimee, Lily and Snakeseye into full Benders. They have worked hard to understand Bending, and are ready to take their turns to become full Benders. Leafy, do you agree that you are ready to become a full Airbender, and that you can take on all of these responsibilities?"
"Yes!" Leafy squealed.
Ash turned to Aimee. "Aimee?"
"Uh-huh!" Aimee exclaimed.
"Lily?" Ash said.
"I-I do," Lily breathed.
"And Snakeseye?" Ash turned to the reptile.
"Of course," Snakeseye said, excited yet able to control how the words came out.
"Step forward," Ash said, and the four apprentices came up to Ash. "Then with the help of the Peacebenders, you may all get your wish. When I tap your head, the Peacebenders' powers will make you stronger, faster, and a better Bender."
Then, Ash tapped each of the apprentices' heads, and they all looked at Ash, beaming. Ash recalled his Bender ceremony day, when he felt the power surge through him when Goldwing tapped him on the head.
"Leafy, Aimee, Lily and Snakeseye. You are now officially full Benders. Welcome," Ash finished.
Yells of approval erupted from the gathered animals, even some from the Water Tribe and Earth Kingdom.
"Anything to add?" Ash looked at Quake and Bluefall.
"Nope," Quake shook his head.
"Agreed, I have nothing," Bluefall replied.
The crowd split up, and just as it did, Treebranch came through the woods, and a wolf Ash recognized right away as Nightfire. He's my uncle, Ash realized - if Cinderstripe was Nightfire's mate, and Cinderstripe was Midnight's sister...
Most of the animals turned their heads when Treebranch and Nightfire appeared, all of them closely followed by the rest of the Tribe of Flying Birds. Some, however, ignored them and began talking with others.
"Hello," Treebranch nodded curtly to the animals. "I am Treebranch of the Tribe of Flying Birds."
Murmurs broke out among the animals.
"The Tribe of what?" Streak echoed, confused.
"The Tribe of Dying Herds," Tiggerpaka snorted. "Duh."
Leafy clocked Tiggerpaka in the head.
'Hey!" Tiggerpaka protested.
"Well I'm a full Bender now. I can do what I please," Leafy insisted.
Ash walked up to Treebranch. "You're willing to help us?"
"Yes," Treebranch nodded. "I'll stand by you, Ash." She smiled, and murmured, "Stormpup."
Ash smiled back, and couldn't help glancing at Nightfire. I'm related to you, he thought; although Nightfire didn't know that his mate was sisters with Ash's mother.
Just then, Hazen came up. "Treebranch! Hi," he said.
Treebranch nodded at Hazen. "Ah, Hazen, yes," she replied.
Just then, a black male wolf trotted up to Nightfire. "Dad, when are we going to the Tribe of Fire?"
"We need to talk with Ash first," Nightfire nodded. "Be patient."
That's Crow! Ash realized; he had met Crow on the journey to the Water Tribe. "Hi, Crow," Ash nodded.
"Crowwing, thanks," Crow replied. "I've been a warrior for a long time."
"You realize that's our kin you're talking to?" Hazen whispered into Ash's ear.
Ash nodded. "Hard to believe, huh?" His eyes followed Crowwing back to the crowd, where he was greeted by Star - a warrior by now, I assume, Ash told himself - who licked Crowwing on the head. They must be mates now, Ash concluded.
"Come with me, Treebranch and Nightfire. I'll catch you up on what's been going on," Ash said. "The rest of your Tribe can mingle among the Benders if they'd like."
"I don't think they'd want to," Hazen murmured to Ash, "you know the Tribe dislikes Benders."
"Well, I'm sure Streak and his siblings will be talking to them quite a bit," Ash chuckled.
Treebranch turned to face the Tribe. "Ash, Nightfire and I are going to talk. All of you, go find places to settle."
"Among the Benders?" called Crowwing, "no way!"
"Crowwing, be polite," Nightfire insisted.
Crowwing grumbled something Ash couldn't catch, and Star whispered something into his ear.
"Who's going to be in charge while you guys are gone?" called out a golden wolf - Ash recognized her as Lionclaw, a wolf who had fought Ash in the fight with the Firebenders - she had been on their side. Wonder what her excuse was, Ash thought dryly.
Treebranch scanned the Tribe. "Flamefur will be in charge during my absence."
Ash followed the Tribe's gaze and found his eyes landing on a dark orange female wolf.
"We'll be back soon," Treebranch assured them.
The Tribe parted and headed into the clearing, Hazen following, and Ash found himself standing alone with Treebranch and Nightfire.
"So...let's walk through the woods," Ash suggested. "We could maybe hunt on the way."
"Sounds fair enough, but we'd have to keep our voices down," Nightfire pointed out.
"Then let's put hunting off to the side," Treebranch agreed.
"Okay," Ash said, pelt growing warm with embarrassment. Bug-brain! You can't talk and hunt at the same time. "Let's go, then."
The three of them set off into the forest. "So," Ash looked at Treebranch and Nightfire. "What's been happening in the Tribe? Tell me anything and everything."
"Well," Nightfire began, "ever since most of the Tribe betrayed us, we were down to very few members, as most had set off to the Tribe of Fire. But then they returned, much to our surprise. But, we were lucky, because if they hadn't come to their senses the Tribe might have been destroyed."
"I chose Nightfire to be my deputy," Treebranch put in, "because I thought the Tribe was done for, but he kept telling me 'No it's not', and always encouraged me."
"Who were the wolves left when most of the Tribe betrayed you?" Ash asked.
"Crowwing and Stardust," Nightfire said, "Flamefur, Mousetail, Flowerpetal and Starrynight."
"That's not a lot," Ash grimaced.
Just then, there was laughter behind them.
"Dad!" yelled out two pups, both running up to Nightfire. The gray one fell down but quickly recovered and ran to join her brother at Nightfire's paws.
"Whoa," Nightfire said, smiling, "what are you two doing here?"
"We wanted to come with you!" squeaked the gray one.
"Leafpup, you can't, this is leader and deputy business," Nightfire shook his head.
"I'm going to be leader one day!" the black pup proclaimed, puffing out his chest.
"Yeah, right, Cometpup!" Leafpup laughed.
"That's enough you two. Go back to your mother," Nightfire nudged the pups. With that, they ran off.
"You have pups?" Ash said, unable to mask the confusion in him. Nightfire got another mate after Cinderstripe died?
"Her name is Starrynight," Nightfire nodded. "She's a beautiful wolf..."
Ash couldn't help feeling a small pang of anger. And Cinderstripe wasn't? Ash thought.
"Let's continue," Treebranch said, eyeing Ash. She then murmured, "that doesn't mean Nightfire stopped loving Cinderstripe."
"So what's the plan for tomorrow? We need to know," Nightfire insisted.
"We're going to go into the Fire Nation and tell them to stand down. If they don't, we fight," Ash said.
"You're probably wasting your breath to ask them to stand down," Treebranch pointed out.
"I don't want to sink to their level and attack right away. Besides, things can be solved peacefully," Ash shrugged. "Anyways, we outnumbered them. If we can all fight the Firebenders and somehow win, we can make them surrender."
"But some of us might die!" Nightfire protested.
"And some of them may die," Ash reminded him. "However, we're hiding the young and the elders in the caves outside the Fire Nation. We taught everyone a bit of fighting and all so that if Firebenders happen to find the caves they can defend themselves."
Nightfire sighed. "Alright, Ash, but I hope you know how deep this grave is you dug yourself into."
"But will the Firebenders really surrender?" Treebranch asked.
"The Peacebenders will hel--" Ash began, but stopped himself. They don't know what the Peacebenders are! he told himself.
"Peacebenders?" Nightfire echoed.
"Um, where good animals go if they die," Ash muttered.
"We have the Tribe of Starry Skies," replied Nightfire.
"What about their leader? His name is...Iron-something, right?" Treebranch cocked her head.
"Ironfang," Ash said, "and..." Well, I got to tell everyone how Ironfang will go down sooner or later. "I...am going to take care of him."
Nightfire and Treebranch looked at Ash as if he grew two heads.
"Look, it may be shocking, I know, but it's my destiny to defeat Ironfang, alright?" Ash sighed.
"Well, may I say good luck with that," Treebranch chuckled.
Author's Note:
Abrupt ending, I know, I had no more ideas for the chapter. ;;
So psyched about this book almost being finished - second series is right around the corner! :D
I'm so excited! x3
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