Chapter 4: Airia's Fear

Flying. It felt like a free sensation. Airia closed her eyes as the wind blew through her pelt, flying through the air. She let go of all her anger about the Firebenders and flew even higher, knowing that the Firebenders couldn't reach her here. If I could, she thought, I know I'd save The Bending Tower and fly them far from the Firebenders...but it's not possible. 
Airia recalled the looks the Firebenders had given her when they had saw she had wings. It made her nervous, and scared. The animals at The Bending Tower accepted her wings like they were no big deal, but the Firebenders did their research on history, and Airia knew that. If they figured out where she came from, they'd certainly do something terrible to her, find some way to use where she came from to their advantage...
Feeling worried, Airia changed direction and shot back to The Bending Tower, going really fast, and she landed on the roof of it in under five seconds. She was as fast as a flyer as her father was. He had said it was her talent. Airia jumped down gracefully, and quickly went inside The Bending Tower before a Firebender could spot her and tell her to get to work.
Airia sniffed the air and followed the scent trail she knew best of: her father's scent. Eventually, Airwing's scent joined the trail, and Airia began to follow her father and great-grandfather's trail. She finally saw them in a room with Poisonfang, Fang and Firetalon. "No," Goldwing was growling, "you may have defeated us in battle, you may have given us scars to remember you well, but I am not letting you choose who fills in the ranks!" Goldwing snarled, looming over the Firebenders, yet they showed no fear, but hatred and frustration. Then, Goldwing turned to look at Airia. "Oh, Airia! Is there anything I can do for you?"
Airia nodded. "But...I don't want them in here," Airia nodded towards the Firebenders. Goldwing looked at them too and nodded, and nodded sideways at the exit, indicating for the Firebenders to leave. However, the Firebenders only gave him a stubborn looked of hatred.
"We're not leaving! We're your rulers, remember?" snarled Poisonfang, baring her venemous fangs.
"You better leave now," Goldwing snarled, "if you don't then you will be killed, I don't care if you poison me or not!" He growled. Poisonfang narrowed her eyes back, but she nodded to Fang and Firetalon, and they both left the room. Poisonfang slithered after them, and Airia walked in. "Those Firebenders...I can't believe we lost to them."
"Father, you had to surrender to them or you would have been killed," Airia protested. "I couldn't struggle through this without you. And if The Bending Tower lost its leader, we'd be weaker, more vulnerable."
Airwing nodded. "Goldwing, you did the right thing. Surrendering was smart in this case," he sighed. "I have been searching the sky for prophecies from the Peacebenders telling me when the Firebenders will leave us. But I've gotten nothing. I don't know why the Peacebenders aren't helping us...it's like they've abandoned us." Airwing shook his head. "But I do know that someday a hero will rise to defeat Ironfang. When, I don't know, and who, I don't know."
"Airia, what do you need?" Goldwing asked his daughter, changing the subject.
"Oh," Airia said, "see, the animals here at The Bending Tower have always accepted our wings. Like it's no big deal, y'know? Well, I feel like that's only because we don't know much about prophecies or  history of our land, but the Firebenders know much more about it than we do. Remember when I was one of the young...and Airwing told me about Alpha Ruins?" Airia cocked her head. Goldwing nodded, and so did Airwing, with a slight smile on his face, as if remembering back when Airia was young. "He told me that if you chanted a certain song, you could...control weather for a limited amount of time. Well...I think the Firebenders made that storm that killed Fan, Willow, Amur and Mystery. They had to. It was unusual, and I think they were gonna kill us all with that ball of lightning, but their time was used up. And since they're close to Alpha Ruins...it had to be them."
Goldwing and Airwing both looked shocked. "When did you figure this out?" Goldwing demanded. "Is this what you came here to tell me?"
"I found this out right after the storm when I realized it," Airia explained. "But I thought it wouldn't matter, since it'd just be known out of curiosity." Airia looked at Airwing, who had a look of pride on his face, like he was proud of Airia for finding that out. "The real reason I came here. Like I said, the animals here from The Bending Tower accept my wing because they don't know what it means. But the Firebenders give me looks. They know why I have wings because they know who we descend from. I'm worried they may use me for bad."
Goldwing nodded. "I don't know if I told you this...but because of our descendants, we have a certain charm that makes animals...well, love us. This is because we are considered sacred. If animals love us, they'll be willing to defend us more, to protect us. So we're not harmed."
"Father, I am not aware of any animal who loves me, so what if I get harmed and used for bad?" Airia protested.
"Airia, I would never let anyone harm you, and if they did, they wouldn't live to see another day," Goldwing said, amusement sparkling in his eyes, "but I know there is one animal in the Tower who, I am sure, will defend you with his life."
Airia perked her ears, "Who?"
Goldwing looked at Airia, "If you ever feel scared the Firebenders will harm you...stick with Ash."

Author's Note:
Ooh, why is Airia scared of the Firebenders? :o

Chapter 3: The Bet

Ash walked alongside Cinder, Airia, Mkia, Ice and Slice as they all headed out into the forest. He couldn't help but shoot looks at Fireblade and Wildfire, who Poisonfang had told to watch them. Fireblade walked alongside Wildfire confidently, and Wildfire kept glaring at them, as if thinking they were going to attack them. Right, Ash snorted to himself, like we'd want to cause a huge fight.
Fireblade stopped, "This is a good area," he said, then whipped around to them. "Now, Poisonfang wants us to see how you train your stupid apprentices and see if we can actually improve upon your moves, because you darn need them. You go ahead and do whatever it is you animals do, and we'll just watch."
"Just watch", Ash thought. More like make fun of us.
Airia shot them a glare, then turned to look at Mkia, her apprentice. "Now, this will be your first time practicing Airbending. We're going to all practice Bending," Airia nodded, and Ash could tell she was doing that because she wanted to show the Firebenders that they were good at Bending, too. "First off, we'll start with Airbending since two apprentices here are learning Airbending." She looked at Mkia. "Now, what you need to do is--"
"Can we try flying?" Mkia asked, eyes wide.
Airia smiled in amusement. Ash looked at Fireblade and Wildfire, seeing that the two of them didn't look amused at all. Fireblade was rolling his eyes, and Wildfire was sitting there with a bored look on  his face. Airia looked at them and her smile quickly faded, and she then turned to Mkia. "No, that's too advanced. We'll start off by making a swift breeze blow."
"Flying?" Wildfire snorted. Ash rounded on the snake, ready to defend Airia if he had to. "Come on. It's impossible to fly." He exchanged looks with Fireblade, who looked like he agreed with Wildfire. Ash growled at them, knowing they were wrong. He walked up to them.
"Look, you may be our 'rulers' now, but that doesn't mean you're right about everything. Airia is right, it is possible to fly with Airbending--"
"Now, now, Ash," Airia stepped up to his side, making Ash flinch, "you're overreacting." Ash felt a bit embarrassed. "But," she looked at Wildfire and Fireblade, "he is right. I am right about this, just because you haven't seen an Airbender fly doesn't mean it's not real." Airia seemed confident, and Ash couldn't help but admire that.
"Really? Well, show us," Wildfire sneered, "and, without using your wings! You may have them, but prove to me that an Airbender can actually fly." He looked at Fireblade, and Fireblade nodded, as if Wildfire had done a good job making his point.
Ash growled, and Airia but her tail in front of him, indicating for him to calm down. Airia then looked at Wildfire and Fireblade. "Very well," she smiled, and Ash noticed the confidence in her voice made Wildfire and Fireblade recoil. "If I'm right, you give all of us more prey to eat."
Ash grew wide-eyed. She had played well. He was starving, despite how much he tried to ignore it. He looked at Airia, with a thankful look on his face. Airia nodded at him, seeing the thanks on his face. She looked at Wildfire and Fireblade, and they both nodded, accepting Airia's bet. Ash looked at the apprentices and saw they looked hopeful. Ash felt sympathy for Cinder and Mkia; they seemed young, and they were being put through this. Ash looked at Slice; she seemed a bit younger than Ash, but was handling everything well, but had been acting worse with it since Miguel had joined the Firebenders.
"Then let me show you," Airia smiled. She slowly moved her tail from side to side, and Ash perked up as he noticed a slight breeze enter the area. It ruffled his pelt, making him cold. Wildfire, hissing, looked from left to right. Fireblade just glare at Airia.
Then, the wind got stronger. Airia moved her tail quicker, and she closed her eyes, a smile on her face. It was then that she leaped. Ash marveled at how high she instantly went, high into the sky. Ash watched as she began to fall down, wings tucked in, showing she wasn't using them. Just when Ash thought Airia would hit the ground, she began moving up again and flew out over Ice River, and Ash jolted as he remembered Spots's death; his Dalmatian friend had fell over the waterfall and had fallen to his death.
Ash then snapped back to the present as Airia quickly flew down the waterfall, then flew back up, spiraling. She then flew down and landed safely on the ground, wings still tucked in. She walked up to Wildfire and Fireblade, who frankly looked...amazed. "I believe you owe us some food."

Author's Note:
Pwned.
And thanks to Jenny7 for Mkia. c:

Chapter 2: Working

Ash crouched down and leaped, biting down into a rabbit which was killed instantly. Sighing he picked it up, overwhelmed by the scent of dead prey. But he didn't dare eat it; if he did the Firebenders would punish him. The Firebenders made The Bending Tower hunt for them and didn't share any of the prey, so it was very difficult to get something to eat. Sighing, Ash walked over to the rest of the patrol; Twister, Dust, Stone and Raoul were there.
"Good catch," Twister mumbled, who had a fresh scar on her ear. Despite her comment was positive, she didn't sound very happy. Ash couldn't blame her; the Firebenders were making everyone miserable, sad and unhappy. "I caught two shrews. Maybe that will be good enough to please the idiots that are those Firebenders," Twister snorted.
"Be careful. If they hear us..." Raoul whimpered, "they're going to hurt us! I c-can't believe Miguel joined them. He kept saying how grateful he was to have came to The Bending Tower and leave the Fire Nation, but then he re-joined?"
"Animals do that a lot," Stone snapped. "These days you can't trust anyone!" She looked at Raoul. "Go try catching some prey to save yourself, kid. Because if you don't, your pelt's doomed." Raoul, wide-eyed, nodded and ran off to go catch some prey. Stone sighed. "I'm going to go find something big so I can get by." She then jumped over one of the fallen trees and headed off.
"Let's take our prey back and see if the Firebenders want to rip our ears off or something," Dust snorted. He picked up two rabbits he got, Ash picked up his one rabbit, and Twister picked up her shrews and they all headed back for The Bending Tower. And, as usual, in the yard, The Bending Tower animals, all skinny, were giving prey to Firebenders and struggling from wounds.
Ash put his rabbit on the large pile, and Dust and Twister put down their prey. "Geez," Ash murmured, "There's a lot of prey here. What, are the Firebenders finally not hungry?" he laughed, and Dust and Twister snickered along with him.
"Enjoying your hunting, eh, Ash?"
Ash grew wide-eyed, realizing that if the Firebender had heard his "joke", he'd be in trouble. Ash slowly turned around and saw Fang standing there, a loathing look on his face. Ash was about to walk away, but then Twister stepped up to Fang. "Yeah. It's wonderful," she growled. "We doing all the work while you all sit around like a bunch of fat rabbits!"
"Twister...!" Dust squeaked, seeing the look of anger on Fang's face. Ash knew Twister made a mistake. Fang snarled at Twister, revealing his very sharp teeth, which Ash was positive Fang would use to give Twister a few injuries.
"Now, now, Fang," said a black she-wolf, trotting up to him, "Leave the poor darling alone, I'm sure she's just some innocent apprentice who has no idea what she's doing. Like all of Goldwing's apprentices," she smiled, looking at Twister, who looked more mad. The she-wolf nudged Fang. "Now, go make someone else's life miserable."
Fang looked at the she-wolf then nodded, and walked off. The she-wolf smiled and grabbed a rabbit from the pile, then trotted after Fang. Ash looked after them, and then turned to Twister, seeing her looking very mad. "Hey, that she-wolf saved your pelt. Better an insult than an injury."
Twister growled. "I hate them!" she then walked away and into The Bending Tower, passing Eclipse, who flinched as Twister bumped into her. Eclipse's blind blue eyes looked around, and she sniffed the air, then headed over to Ash and Dust. "What's with her?" Eclipse asked.
"Fang and some other black she-wolf were making her mad," Ash shrugged.
"Oh. That other she-wolf is his mate," Eclipse sighed.
"His what now?" Dust perked his ears. "How could Fang be mates with anyone? I feel so bad for her," Dust snorted. "Fang must be a horrible animal to be with." He shook his head. "Anyway, Eclipse, what's up with you?"
"Healing animals. As usual," Eclipse rolled her eyes. "Well, Nightgale is doing a good job at healing, she's getting the hang of it."
"Ow!"
Ash turned around and was surprised to see that it wasn't a Bending Tower animal getting hurt, but FireBlade. Tiggerpaka was on his back, biting down into him. FireBlade snarled at Tiggerpaka, "Get off of me, you little runt!" he snarled, and Tiggerpaka jumped off, looking not hurt at all.
"You Firebenders were beaten so easily! We showed you!" Tiggerpaka smirked.
"You were the ones who lost, idiot!" FireBlade snarled, a glare on his face.
"That's what you think, but in truth, The Bending Tower won!"
"You did not! You're our slaves now, go make yourself useful and hunt something."
"Sure. I'm quite hungry," Tiggerpaka ran off, and FireBlade snarled as he ran off.
Ash shook his head. Geez, I hope this doesn't last forever...

Author's Note:
Ohhhh, slave work. ;w;

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.

Prologue: A Strange Dream

Fog covered the area, so thick not a single thing was visible. An owl hooted, breaking the silence. You couldn't tell where the ground started or where the sky started due to the fog. Everything was covered in it.
A black male wolf's head poked out from the fog. He examined the area, unable to detect anything. He began walking, despite he'd never be able to tell what was in front, below or behind him. He just kept walking, somehow determined to find something. He looked from left to right and all around, then kept walking forward.
Suddenly, a silhouette appeared. A silver she-wolf with black legs and icy blue eyes stepped out from the fog, and blinked. The male wolf and her looked at each other for a while, examining each other. Both were unmoving, until a voice came.
"I'm over here!"
It was impossible to tell if the voice was male or female. Suddenly, the black wolf darted after the voice, and the she-wolf ran after him, following. They kept running in the direction of the voice, trying to find who was there. The black male wolf quickly skidded to a halt as he heard the voice again.
"I'm over here!"
The voice was farther this time, and the male wolf kept running after it. The she-wolf began running again as she ran with him. The male wolf ran faster than last time in case the voice would keep going further and further away from them.
The two wolves skidded to a halt once again and perked their ears.
"I'm over here!"
Looking frustrated, the male wolf ran after the voice again. The she-wolf followed him, acting as if she had no choice. The male wolf kept running faster and faster, and the voice began calling over and over and over again.
"I'm over here! I'm over here! I'm over here!"
Startled, Ash woke up.

Author's Note:
What could the dream mean? :o

Book #3: The Rebellion

The final book of the series is 

Book #3: The Rebellion

SUMMARY:

The Bending Tower surrendered to the Firebenders' power. Now the Firebenders rule the land. Ash and his friends are in constant torture as the Firebenders treat them as slaves. There's something happening Ash isn't aware of though; everyone in The Bending Tower is planning a rebellion against the Firebenders to escape, but for some reason aren't telling Ash. The Bending Tower manages to chase the Firebenders away and everyone, even the young, set off to save the other animals from the Firebenders and join with all of them to defeat the Fire Nation once and for all. Tensions are high, and Ash still needs to find out his past and the other animal of the Three. The time to complete his destiny approaches, and the final battle is coming that will include many losses...

With that said, be sure to comment to keep your characters alive!
Characters will keep coming in, and when this book is over a second series will be created on a separate blog. I plan for this to be the longest book in this TFEOB series, and the most action-packed. The time has come for the Firebenders to be chased out of the land once and for all, and Ash is going to make sure that happens.

With that said, I give you...

The third and final book of this series.

Chapter 54: The Battle Continued

Ash looked as more of the Tribe wolves came poring into the yard. He noticed, however, it was only about half the Tribe, not all of the Tribe. Where are the other wolves? Ash wondered, why would only half the Tribe show up? Once all the Tribe wolves arrived, Ash watched as they leapt into battle. They don't know the Firebenders, Ash assured himself, so they should be on our side! Suddenly, Ash jolted as he saw Mousetail, a small warrior from the Tribe of Flying Birds, leap onto Akumu, biting into her. Oh great, Ash growled, they're against us! 
Ash leaped onto one of the Tribe wolves, who was leaping for Nightgale. Ash bowled into the wolf and pinned her to the ground. She snarled up at Ash and scratched at his legs. "Why would you help the Firebenders?" Ash demanded, wanting answers to the questions burning in his mind.
The she-wolf spat at Ash. "Like I would tell you!" Ash then pushed down on her chest, and the Tribe wolf coughed. "Alright, alright!" She snarled. "You Benders act like you're so great. We're treated like we're nothing. The Firebenders want to destroy you and rule. So we're helping them!" she then bit down into Ash's leg, and he yowled out.
"Idiot!"
Someone bowled into Ash and he gasped as he saw that his attacker was Flyigbird, a Tribe wolf Ash had met on the way to The Bending Tower. He looked at the she-wolf. "Lionclaw! Why would you give in so easily to this sorry excuse--" he then examined Ash. "Ash! So we meet again," Flyingbird growled, "You broke Nightgale out and left us. Coward!" Flyingbird hissed.
"You held me against my will!" Ash exclaimed, "Why shouldn't I have broken free?"
"You were supposed to help us," Flyingbird spat, "fallen fire was supposed to bring peace to the land." Flyingbird bared his teeth at Ash. "It doesn't matter now, though. The Tribe should have joined the Tribe of Fire moons ago. Because we're stronger now!"
Ash now realized that the Tribe of Fire was the Firebenders; back when Ash and the patrol went to the Water Tribe, the Tribe of Flying Birds' leader mentioned they were fighting a Tribe of Fire. So the Tribe was under the threat of the Firebenders too! Ash thought. He snapped back to reality when he saw Flyingbird baring his teeth, about to bite. Ash put all his strength into his legs so he could kick Flyingbird away...
Suddenly, a yowl came and Flyingbird was pushed off Ash. He got up and grew wide-eyed as he saw Treebranch had pinned Flyingbird to the ground, snarling at him. Flyingbird had hope on his face. "Treebranch, you're here! Quick, fight alongside me. Ash is on the side against the Tribe of Fire!"
Ash flinched, expecting Treebranch to jump on him, but Treebranch only growled at Flyingbird. "No. Flyingbird, I thought you were loyal to our Tribe. Turns out you're not." A look of sadness came onto her face. "You betrayed the Tribe, you and the others! And...you betrayed me..." Treebranch looked in pain.
Flyingbird spat at Treebranch, "So what. I betrayed you. And my Tribe. But it's better in the Tribe of Fire. We're stronger!" Flyingbird then bared his teeth, and Treebranch flinched. "You don't deserve to be deputy! I used to love you, but it is me who should be deputy of the Tribe of Flying Birds. Not you!"
Ash grew wide-eyed as he looked from Flyingbird to Treebranch. They were mates, and Flyingbird turned against her? Treebranch had a look of horror on her face. She then closed her eyes tight, looking hurt. "Traitor!" she yowled, and let go of Flyingbird, and he got to his paws. "I can't believe you'd do this to me, Flyingbird!"
Ash thought he hated Treebranch since she had been one of the Tribe wolves who helped to trap him so he could be held captive at the Tribe, but Ash realized that he had to take Treebranch's side on this. She wasn't evil, but her mate was; and it probably wasn't even her fault that she helped hold Ash as prisoner.
Flyigbird snarled and ran into the crowd of battle. Treebranch just stared after him, looking
heartbroken. "Treebranch..." Ash began, "I'm really sorry. Flyingbird is not a good wolf." Ash looked at her. "Are you the only good wolf left in the Tribe?"
Treebranch sighed and shook her hanging head. "No... But most of the Tribe joined the Tribe of Fire, believing they'd be more powerful that way, and able to get revenge on you Benders." Treebranch turned to look at Ash, and Ash was confused to see what seemed like a look of longing on her face. "But I heard they betrayed us and were going to attack The Bending Tower. I told the Tribe we've been betrayed by our own warriors and apprentices, but they didn't believe me. I didn't know Flyingbird was in on it too, though..."
"Look out!" yowled a voice, unmistakably belonging to Akumu. Ash looked towards the entrance to see more Tribe wolves pouring in. Treebranch looked wide-eyed, but Ash was growling. "Oh great! More Tribe wolves to help the Fire Nation?" he knew that The Bending Towe would be outnumbered at this rate.
But then, Ash saw Leafclaw, the Tribe wolf leader, yowl and leap into Lionclaw, biting down onto her. Yes! Ash thought happily, some of the Tribe is on our side! He turned to Treebranch. "Come on, we need to win against the Fire Nation!" he leaped into battle. Ash was searching for Hazen, and found Hazen biting down on Airia, who was growling at him, struggling. Snarling, Ash leaped into Hazen's side and bit down on Hazen, making him yowl out in pain.  Ash pinned Hazen, snarling. "Get off her!"
"Aww, so cute. You want to protect Airia," Hazen sneered. Ash felt anger in him, and Hazen kicked Ash into Akumu, who yowled out in surprise. She jumped away and HZdn pinned Ash to the ground. "My brother," Hazen growled at Ash, "you're so weak. I can't believe I'm related to you!"
Ash grew wide-eyed. "What?!" Ash demanded. He prayed that Hazen was lying only to distract him. But if that was true, it would explain why Ash always got a strange déjà vu feeling around Hazen. "How can you be my brother?"
"Curious?" Hazen sneered, "well, you're getting no answers from--" Suddenly, Hazen was picked up
off Ash and thrown across the area. Ash was happy to see Kabu standing there, roaring at Hazen, making Hazen run away in fear. Kabu then turned to Ash. Ash noticed Kabu has a few cuts on his face. "Ash, I know you want to play with Hazen," despite Kabu sounded serious, amusement glittered in his eyes, "but I need your help. Tiggerkat needs to be taken to a place where she won't be harmed. You're a good fighter. Escort her!" Kabu nodded. He then ran off, and Ash dodged a fireball hissing at him and ran for Tiggerkat, who was in the middle of the battle, looking a bit overwhelmed. He passed Ember, who was fighting another fox, and Moonlight, who was fighting Fang, and got to Tiggerkat. "Tiggerkat!" Ash yowled over the battle, "come with me! You need to hide!"
To Ash's surprise, Tiggerkat smiled. "Hide? Ooh! Hide and seek? Okay, I'll count, you hide!"
"No, no!" Ash yowled, "follow me!" This should be a challenge, Ash thought, and lead Tiggerkat through the battle. She looked happy, not stressed at all.
Ash grew wide-eyed as he saw Mousetail in a pouncing position behind Tiggerkat, looking like she was about to tackle Tiggerkat. "Tiggerkat!" Ash exclaimed, "look--"
"Oops! I dropped this pebble!" Tiggerkat exclaimed, bending down to pick up a tiny little rock. Ash was about to yell at Tiggerkat for being an idiot, but Mousetail leaped and missed Tiggerkat, bowling into Lionclaw by accident. Tiggerkat then stood up. "Okay, let's keep going!"
Ash shook his head and ran towards The Bending Tower entrance, Tiggerkat following. He went inside and so did Tiggerkat. "Okay," Ash whispered, "stay in here. Do not go ANYWHERE else!"
Tiggerkat nodded, and Ash ran back outside. He heard a yowl and looked to see Leafclaw standing over Fang, who was coughing, blood coming out of his side.
"Fang!" yowled Darkclaw, and she snarled and leaped into Leafclaw, pinning him. Ash grew wide-eyed as Darkclaw quickly bit into Leafclaw's neck, and he yowled in pain. Just when Ash was about to leap into Darkclaw, Leafclaw went limp, dead.
"Leafclaw!" yowled Ash, running over to the Tribe leader. He stirred a bit and looked up at Ash.
"Ash?" Leafclaw whispered. "Ash... I'm sorry we held you as a prisoner." He looked up at the sky.
"I forgive you," Ash breathed, "stay tight, I'll fetch our healer--"
"No Ash," Leafclaw looked at him, "I'm dying." He had a slight smile on his face. "I remember you when you were a young pup. So playful, innocent..." Leafclaw died.
Ash grew wide-eyed. How did Leafclaw know about him as a pup? He didn't even knew at he was like as a pup, or where he grew up. Ash stiffened. Hazen was his brother, and he had been a loner as far back as he could remember; could Ash possibly have been born in the Fire Nation? I gotta find out my history! Ash decided.
Suddenly, Ash heard a yowl. Whipping around, Ash saw Goldwing struggling under a red snake. His fangs were bared, threatening to bite Goldwing if he made any sudden movements. Ash knew that snakes were fast and could easily react if Goldwing tried to escape. Ash felt an urge to go and attack the snake, but he knew he couldn't, not without getting killed.
"Goldwing!" Ash yowled. Instinct took over and Ash tried running over to Goldwing; the Peacebenders would be on his side since he had to live to kill Ironfang, right? So if I can do this, the Peacebenders will make sure I get out alive, Ash figured.
Suddenly, FireBlade jumped in front of Ash. "Stay away from Goldwing, he's as good as dead with Wildfire on top of him! Just watch your leader die," FireBlade sneered, pinning Ash to the ground, forcing Ash to watch Goldwing struggle under the snake. Ash noticed Goldwing had many scars. Everyone had been silent, all staring at Goldwing. Ash knew that if Goldwing was killed, it would mean that the Firebenders would win.
Then, Poisonfang slithered forward. "Wildfire, I think you made your point," Poisonfang smiled. Wildfire hissed delight and slithered off Goldwing, and Goldwing got to his paws, growling. Poisonfang observed the area knowingly, and Ash did with him. All of The Bending Tower animals were bleeding and had many scars, some looked really weak, like they would die any minute. It made Ash's heart pound as he saw how much less scars the Firebenders had.
"Do you surrender, Goldwing?" Poisonfang sneered.
Goldwing glared at her. "We... We..." He suddenly almost fell to the ground, and Ash flinched: Goldwing was losing too much blood. "We... Surrender."

TO BE CONTINUED...

Author's Note:

The Bending Tower lost. 8c The next book is coming out soon! I might make this a two-chapter day to make up for my long absence. But I'm going to be preparing TFEOB for the third book coming out soon! What was your favorite part of this book? Ideas? Opinions? Comment below! To see spoilers about the third book, click here!