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Avatar: Elemental Dystrophy [Rated PG-16]


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Things were beginning to look up...after he moved with the mop and bucket, Tae Jin struck, then Yao and Mimi again...it seemed like they were beginning to understand things now...however, a huge clap of thunder made them all stop.

 

"I guess we'll have to bring this to a close. Looks like I don't have time to teach you all much of anything. But when we make land, after this storm, I will teach you the art of bending. I can't force you to be a team, but I can at least get you on your feet. Stuff your faces. We need to tie down the ship and prepare for storms. It's gonna get nasty."

 

Udal seemed serious...even more than before, at least to Shinya. But the Fire Nation boy only knew one thing...things weren't going to be pretty by the way the storm clouds looked...

 

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Shinya hated when he was right. Almost as quickly as it appeared...it came onto the ship. This seemed like one of the times where Shinya actually had to rush through a meal. Regardless, it was necessary... Once he finished, Udal called him, Tae Jin, and Yao to help with tying down the mast and securing the cargo.

 

This is insane!! Shinya thought, rushing around to tie down the mast. This had a lot of stress on his mind, but he shook it off quickly. Relax Shinya...just keep focused on your task. Besides, this is nothing. You've tied hundreds of rope traps and nets when hunting...this should be a piece of cake! With a new found drive, Shinya tied down his side of the mast quickly.

 

"My ends tied down!" he shouted against the rain and the winds the storm had to offer. It wasn't long before the mast was held down now, and Udal directed the group towards below deck. Shinya questioned why, but he shook his head to remove the doubt and questions.

 

"Settle in! I'm gonna steer us through this as best I can! But I'll need help!"

 

Shinya watched as Anyu immediately, though reluctantly rushed up to help Udal. "We'll do what we can down here...don't worry!" he shouted up to Udal, before the group began to settle in, as instructed...

 

However...

 

Suddenly the ship began to shake, with the sudden appearance of rocks appearing. They had hit up on quite the number of rocks and right now it was shredding the bottom of the ship...BADLY!!

 

sheet... Shinya acted quickly and grabbed a few buckets, tossing them at Tae Jin and Yao. "Help me bail the water out!" From there, the trio began to bail as much water as they could...but to what avail? The more water they tried to bail out, the more water seemed to come flowing in.

 

"We're taking on too much! Drop those buckets and get me all the metal you can. I'm gonna try to patch this hole up."

 

"Aye aye!" Shinya nodded, moving a bit to throw a shovel or few at Udal, whilst continuing to bail the water out. He only paused for a moment to watch Udal start bending. He saw Ortho bend that one time and of course Udal this entire time...but right now...something about the bending this go around seemed mesmerizing to Shinya. It was only when Udal shouted to keep bailing the water out as he left that Shinya snapped out of it and came to...

 

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-BGM-

 

Shinya did what he could with bailing out the water, but it didn't seem like it was going anywhere. And what was more, the ship was struck again by the rocks. This was the time the team ran up to the top deck, seeing what was occurring now. Then...it happened...

 

The Fire Nation boy could almost blink in the second it took...but once the groan from the ship was heard, he found himself being sent overboard along with Tae Jin and Mimi... D-Damnit!! he thought, as his body made contact with the water. Struggling to breakthrough the water's surface, Shinya swam with all his might as he finally broke free.

 

A loud gasp for air followed as Shinya grabbed onto a small piece of the ship that broke away as he began to just float. This...this is crazy! he thought, now being at the mercy of the currents as he looked around for the others...no such luck. Damnit...where are they?! Shinya looked again, before seeing the silhouette of an island. There...if anything...they'll head towards land! Hang on guys... he thought, pushing himself to the very brink as he started to swim towards the island...determined to make it there...

 

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The currents pushed and pulled Shinya as he neared the island...its dark silhouette being quite frightening at first glance...but still he pressed on. If the others were smart, which he knew them to be, they would all end up heading for this island...

 

That's when Shinya spotted it. Amongst the chaos of the storm around him, there was a little cove. Shelter...somewhere to get out of the storm... he thought, making his way towards the small cove on the apparent east side of the island.

 

It wasn't long before he made land and quickly got into the cove, being thankful and thanking the spirits that he made it out of the storm in one piece. But for Shinya, he was worried about the crew, the others that were given the bending gloves, and Udal. Did they make it from the storm? He wasn't certain...however, he knew that he'd have to stay here to avoid the storm. ...All he had to do was wait it out...

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Simply put, the whole thing had gone wrong. Something was wrong with the weather, the ship had sunk as a result, and Anyu was soaked due to that. Trying to swim in raging waters that had just claimed the boat she was behind the wheel of just moments ago was not a good situation to be in, and once she saw land, basic instinct demanded she swim toward it. Once she was on "dry" land, Anyu took the briefest of moments to catch her breath and regain her composure. Pulse? Check. Vision...not so great. I'm still alive and well. Raincoat? Not that it did me much good. Keep calm and think this one out, Anyu.

 

Looking ahead of her, Anyu spotted a cove. Somewhere to shelter herself while she waited out the rest of this storm. Perfect. She wasn't certain, but she thought she saw somebody else heading in as well. With any luck, that somebody would be everybody else, but luck was thrown out the window long ago. Pulling up her hood for what little good it would still do her, Anyu made her way to the cove and glanced around at her surroundings. It was no fancy hotel, but it beat being outside right now. As Anyu pulled the hood back down off her head, she spotted one other person in the cove with her. Shinya.

 

"So Fire Nation folks can swim," Anyu nonchalantly commented. "Do you get the feeling something's not right about this storm?"

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"So Fire Nation folks can swim"

 

Shinya quickly whipped his head around, hearing the sudden new voice in the cove. He instinctively grabbed a loose nearby rock, hoping to chuck it at the poor soul who just found him. However, he stopped with that plan to see that it was none other than Anyu who was taking shelter in the cove.

 

"Anyu..." Shinya finally said, sighing in relief as he lowered the rock in his hand. "Nearly gave me a scare there. But yeah...we can swim. That so surprising?" he chuckled, trying to lighten the mood, but it wasn't doing anything. "You run into any of the others?" He watched as Anyu could only shake her head no, forcing Shinya to sigh out greatly again.

 

"Do you get the feeling something's not right about this storm?"

 

"Yeah...I do." he said, rubbing the back of his neck some. "I may live in Shu Jing with not many storms like this...but I know something's up when I see it. Besides, what I overheard you tell Udal was spot on. Basic stuff like that, going parallel with the storm we should've hit the eye...so why didn't we?"

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Tae Jin had seen a few storms in her life. Never had she felt scared of one...until now. As she fell into the water, she screamed only to be cut short by a mouthful of seawater. Breaking the surface, she coughed the salt out of her lungs, only to be dragged back under. In a flash of lightning, she thought she saw the panicked form of Mimi thrashing about in the water. She tried to swim closer to her only to be thrown back by a wave. She spiraled around, trying to find something that would give her, her bearings. Occasionally she thought she saw the remnants of their ship and sometimes she thought she could see another person struggling about in the water. However, each time she tried to move closer she was thwarted by the tumultuous waters.

 

Eventually she gave up fighting the waters and simply tried to stay above the surface. Tae Jin wouldn't have been surprised to find that she blacked out and yet still she also felt that she was able to feel every terrifying second. She wasn't sure how long it took for her to realize the water she was coughing out no longer tasted of salt and that she could more easily maneuver in the subjectively calmer waters. Her head whipped about, desperately searching for the reason things had changed. Her gaze settled on a large structure not too far off. She had made it to land.

 

Struggling up onto land, she was about to move towards the building, eager for shelter, but was stopped by a strong ominous feeling that washed over her. Tae Jin looked up at the building, her stomach cinched tight in fear...though she did not know if it was from being caught in the storm or because of the peculiarity of the temple. She nearly jumped out of her skin when a flash of distant lightning lit up the inlet around her and just a few meters away from her was the silhouette of a figure.

 

"Yao? Oh my goodness! Thank the spirits you are here. We have to make it to shelter!" 

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Yao had never been good with storms. One of his brothers had been a lightning bender, and had liked to scare his older brother with his lightning tricks. Once, he got shocked badly enough to fall unconscious, and since then, he had avoided his brother and storms whenever he could. Mimi, on the other hand, enjoyed them, but even she was starting to get nervous when the first bolt struck remarkably close to the ship.
 
After that it was a flurry of activity with the ship shoring on rocks, people bailing out the water, Udal attempting to patch the hole, and then...
 
And then Mimi fell overboard.
 
Yao felt as if his heart had stopped beating at that very moment. Without thinking, screaming his best friend's name, he dove overboard after her. Never mind he had never been the best of swimmers, for all his fishing skills. Never mind Mimi could probably take care of herself better than he could out there. Never mind all that, because it was Mimi. He could think of nothing but the fact she was down there, and he wasn't. So obviously he needed to be down there too, and hopefully rescue her if she was in trouble.
 
However, he had vastly overestimated his aim. Splashing a few meters from Mimi, he attempted to swim closer, however with each stroke, a wave pushed him backwards, water entering his mouth. Sputtering, he eventually settled for struggling to stay afloat, but even that got harder as time passed. Until, eventually, he blacked out.
 
--
 
The brunette opened his eyes, feeling the patter of rain on his cheek. Groaning, he turned, wincing as he felt the hard ground underneath him. Looking around, he noted he was on the shore of an inlet, and then the world spun and he was throwing up the contents of his stomach on the ground. Which was mostly saltwater. Supporting himself on wobbly arms, he sat up and cradled his head in his hands.
 
After a few minutes of this, his memory came back to him. "Mimi!" he shouted. However, there was no answering cry. Dread curdled in his stomach, and he stood up fully to look around. A flash of lightning lit up the area, and then there was a shout from nearby.
 
"Yao? Oh my goodness! Thank the spirits you are here. We have to make it to shelter!" 

"Huh? Tae Jin?Yao was a bit flummoxed. He hadn't expected to meet her here, washed up on this strange island, but then again, she had been nearby in the water. "Shelter? Where?" Another flash of lightning, and he almost facepalmed. A building. Right there. He stepped toward it, though fright nearly stayed his feet. It's just the lighting, just the lighting, he reassured himself.
 
--
 
Meanwhile, Mimi shook her body, attempting to dry herself as best she could underneath a tree. This place was strange and scary, and she didn't have her best friend with her either. Hunching in on herself, she let loose a pitiful mew, looking out at the storm with wide eyes. Was that a human figure she saw, or was that just a figment of her imagination?

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Chapter One

 

Udal swirled in the storm, unable to get his bearings.  The tide was powerful, ripping and pulling at his body as he valiantly fought to keep his head above water.  As he was strewn about, Udal's eyes landed on the rocks that originally drew them in.  He immediately stopped fighting the current, and allowed himself to be pulled under.  Udal dove deeper, until he could clearly see the jagged rocks from afar.  He struggled towards them, holding his breath for as long as he could.  He felt his strength failing, but Udal kept pushing.

 

Stretching his metal arm outwards, the tips of his fingers barely grabbed onto the edge of the outcrop.  Udal swam with all of his might, and hugged the outcrop until he could pull himself out of the water.  Gasping for air, he held tightly to the rocks, scrambling to get out of the water.

 

Coughing and spitting up water, Udal tried to slow his breathing as he gathered his senses.  Turning east, he could barely make out the shadowy outline of the shore of the island.  Using the rocks beneath his feet, he bent them into a make shift surfboard, and kicked off into the current once more.  

 

Trying to keep his balance, Udal was able to cross nearly three hundred feet before the torrent of water over came him once more.  This time, holding onto the makeshift surfboard, Udal used it to guide himself to shore, the shadowy outline slowly becoming more and more clear.  His eyes landed on a tiny, almost childlike figure, curled up on the shore.  Was it one of the half-benders?  Or was it something else?  

 

The island was in plain sight now, and Udal could see the palm trees swaying and rippling against the wind.  The small figure he had spotted earlier seemed to move again, this time turning towards him.  It turned in circles a few times, as he drew closer to the shore, and Udal was sure of what it was now.  "Mimi!?" he called over the storm, as he approached the shore.  His surfboard was yanked away from him by the current, and Udal went under once more.

 

Mimi's eyes went wide, as she frantically searched the water with her eyes for Udal.  She ran up to the shore, but the harsh current caused her to step back.  She whined, looking for any sign of life, but began to worry.  She yelped a cry of relief when Udal poked his head out of water, gasping for air again.

 

"Mimi!" he called, swimming the last stretch of the ocean, until he was able to stand at last.  Landing on the Northern Beach, Udal struggled out of the water, falling on his knees beside Mimi.  She instinctively tackled him, seeing the joy of a familiar face.  Udal didn't resist, as the rain fell atop them both.  He held Mimi closely, the warmth of her little lion-dragon fur bringing him comfort.  

 

"Good to see you're okay," he said, coughing up more water.  He sat up straight, and struggled to his feet. "Let's get out of this weather."  Mimi scrambled ahead of Udal, ducking between the palm trees, trying to get out of the rain.  But with no actual shelter in sight, they would have to make due with lying in the thick brush of palm trees.

 

The rain was lessened where they sat, and Mimi tucked herself into Udal's arms as they waited out the storm together.

 


 

Under the storm, they watched from afar.  Who were these people that had suddenly come upon them?  Anxiously prepared to strike, one of them held up a hand, causing the others to step back into the forest.  Silently, they hid themselves in the darkness and the forest, waiting for their signal to appear.

 


 

She was washed up in the Southern Outcrop, somehow alive, having survived the storm and the waters, and even the rocks that should have crushed her alive.  Karina sat up on her hands and knees, vomiting up water and salt.  She grasped at her chest, coughing and gagging as she continued to rid her body of the ocean's waters.  She rolled over onto her back, gasping for air, sighing with relief as she stared into the storm clouds above.  There was no sign of the storm letting up.

 

She looked at the S.E.D. glove on her wrist,feeling anxious.  Was it really worth it?  

 

. . . 

 

She shook her head, turning over again, wiping the rain from her face.  Of course it was worth it.  There was a lot at stake.  Not just for her, but for so many others too.  She sighed, standing up and trying to find a place to get out of the storm.  There was a large cliff just a bit further to her south.  It wasn't a cave or a temple, but it would keep her out of the rain for the night at least. 

 

The waters had really sapped her strength, and Karina couldn't help but feel exhausted.  She lay her back against the cliffside, raising her knees and wrapping her arms around them.  She quickly drifted off, a tear escaping her eyes as she wondered what she would do next.  She was alone.  She was stranded.  She was--

 

"Mmph!"

 

She found herself surrounded, almost out of nowhere.  Three of them, their skin black as night, wielding crude weapons, and having gagged her with a thick cloth.  They had quickly bound her hands and feet before she could even react.  They spoke to each other in a strange tongue that she didn't recognize.  They nodded to one another, before one of them raised their hand, and struck Karina in the back of the head.  She was knocked out cold, and deathly afraid.

 

And now, she was being taken to an unknown location in an unfamiliar place, by unfamiliar people.  She was in the most trouble she had ever been in, in her life.  

 


 

" . . .because he asked me to."

 

"Then make sure we're prepared.  There will be more."

 

"Look!  She's waking up!"

 

"Ytach?"

 

"Ytach."

 

"Hmm?  Mm!" Karina said, muffled through the cloth over her mouth and nose.  "Mmm!  Mmmmph!"

 

"She can't breathe."

 

"She's panicking."

 

"Take it off her face."

 

The same three men who had surrounded her before were now standing over her, their faces clouded by the black paint that covered them.  To the right, the tallest, more muscular figure of the three folded his arms.  His face was painted black and white, the white marks on his face forming a death skull around him, giving him an authoritative feel and a more threatening presence.  Karina remained silent, unable to gather her thoughts or even question what was happening to her, as her kidnappers stood over her.  

 

"Whatever you do, don't scr--"

 

Karina let out an almost deafening cry for help, hoping someone, anyone near the Eastern side of the island would hear her.  But with the storm still raging over head, the chances of rescue were starting to look very slim.  The skull faced man quickly gagged Karina again, leaving her nose uncovered.

 

"She's going to be a problem," he said.

 

"Should we have gone all the way?" the man in the middle questioned.

 

"Mmm!?  Mm-mm!" Karina protested.

 

"Yes.  We should have.  We can't let her die," the last man replied.

 

The tallest man nodded, standing up straight.  "Take her.  The ritual will commence as planned.  And we'll need a sacrifice."

 

"Mm!?  Mm!  MMMPH!!" Karina squeaked.

 

"We'll leave that up to Dugo," the middle man stated firmly.

 

The skullfaced man picked Karina up and threw her over his shoulder, placing cloth over her eyes this time so that she could not see where they were going.  She struggled, flailing about as this larger than life man carried her with little effort.  And as they traveled across the island, she could feel the rain lessening, and the heat increasing.  Over the course of nearly forty minutes, Karina found herself sweating in the now blistering heat, that seemed to appear from nowhere.  Yet, the man who carried her did not seem to sweat at all.

 

Curious, Karina ran her hand down the nape of the man's neck, reaching up to touch him.

 

"Hey!" he laughed, nearly dropping Karina.  "That tickles!" he said, turning around to snatch the girl as she nearly fell from his grip.  

 

During Karina's fall, the cloth fell from her face, and landed on the ground.  The open, sweltering ground that hissed of steam, and molten rock.  The cloth melted instantly, as Karina gasped.  She raised her head, looking around anxiously.  They were completely surrounded by lava, on a thin rocky path that led into a deep cavern, somewhere on the island.  

 

"Careful.  You almost died," he said, tightening his grip on Karina, who had begun to cry.  A loud splash and a quake that shook the cavern around them caused Karina to look up, as two more men covered in black paint shifted a boulder with their earth bending, sealing the cavern behind them as lava splashed around them.

 

"If they care, they will come for you," the large man said, his skullface not easing the tension on Karina's mind.

 

"If they care."

 


 

Mission Details

 

Karina has been captured by a group of natives.  Her voice was last heard screeching over the Eastern part of the island.  Due to the rain, the entire island is heavily damp, so the ground will retain it indents for one day's time.  On your next post, the rain will have stopped and you will be free to move about the island as you please.  Because you are separated at this time, there will be different events occurring in different parts of the island.  Depending on how you move, what you do, or where you go, will determine the next course of action.

 

As of right now, the only characters who may have heard Karina's cries for help are those on the East side of the island.  Her screams would have come from the Southwest of the cove.

 

Your characters have all safely found shelter, and were unharmed for the rest of the storm over the course of the night.  Except Karina.  She gon die.  However, with a lack of supplies and resources, you will begin to suffer from starvation in about twelve hours.  Hope you washed up some place with food!

 

Your goals for this mission should look like the following:

 

  • Find food and water
  • Regroup with your SQUADGOALS
  • Investigate the island
  • Find and rescue Karina
  • Assist the natives OR
  • Kill the natives

 

Good luck.  If you have any questions regarding events or you need a hint on what to do next in your area, PM me or Skype me.  We'll discuss things privately to keep things interesting. 

 

Have fun!

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Yao wasn't the most self-sufficient of people. Nor was he very savvy when it came to survival. However, he did know that wood was needed to start a fire, he could create fire with his glove, and he was cold. So, procrastinating in entering the building, he gathered some branches from the forest to the west, and when his arms were full, proceeded to head toward the temple. As he walked closer, he noted that the ground shifted under his feet. 
 
Once inside, he dropped the branches in a pile on the bare sandstone floor a few yards from the entrance. Glancing around, the first thing he noticed was its size. This place was huge. The walls looked to be going back about two hundred feet, and the width was more than double that length. The ceiling was tiered, like an inverted staircase, getting higher the closer it got to the center of the room, till it reached about two hundred feet.
 
Beyond that he couldn't see because of the darkness, so he sat down and attempted to light the wood using his glove. After several tries, he finally got a flame going, but it poured out thick smoke because of the lingering dampness in the wood. Coughing, Yao waved the smoke toward the entrance. "This would be a good time to try out that airbending power of yours," he hinted.
 
Once the smoke started to clear, Yao could make out more of the temple's interior. Around the walls columns supported the ceiling's weight, and clay pots sat in every corner. The walls themselves were striated with what looked to be a mixture of stones, judging by the colors, which ranged from beige to red. In the light of the fire, they looked like the sky at sunset. Etched into the sides were unintelligible symbols. Yao, having a bit of a scholar's background, thought they looked familiar, but he had been more of a musician than a historian, so try as he might, he couldn't begin to remember where he'd seen them, or what they meant. In the center stood a pillar that had yet more carvings on it.
 
Shivering, Yao moved closer to the fire, hoping to dry himself off. "Do you think the others got here safely too?" he asked, looking out at the storm outside.
 
The next day dawned bright and clear. The fire had burned low during the night, but that didn't matter anymore, seeing as the ground was lit up by the sun outside. The air smelled slightly sweet as it always did after a rain, and best of all, Yao was warm and dry. The temple looked dark in comparison. "Should we start looking around, then?" the brown-haired man asked.
 
--
 
On the northern beach, Mimi shivered in Udal's arms for warmth. The next day, however, she wriggled out like an eel, plopping onto the sandy shore. Basking in the sun, she purred, rolling in the sand like a dog, and becoming caked with it in the process. Shaking it off, she nudged at Udal with her nose, mewling plaintively. She was hungry, and Udal was human which meant he could find food.

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Northern Beach

 

Udal was fast asleep when he felt something furry pressed against his bare side.  He turned over once, still asleep and subconsciously not wanting to wake.  But once Mimi headbutted him in the ribs, Udal shot right up.

 

"Hmm?  Huh?  Wha--oh.  Mimi," he said, noting her big eyes and the whine coming from her purs.  "You must be hungry," he said, stretching and standing up straight.  Udal scratched his chest, looking around anxiously for any source of substance that he could muster for both himself and Mimi.  He scanned the area as thoroughly as he could, throwing his hands up in submission when for a moment, he thought they would have to search deeper into the island for food.  But as he turned around, a loud plop in the sand made Udal look up, noting the coconuts teasingly dangling from the palm trees above.

 

"That'll work," he thought aloud, approaching the tree.  Wrapping his legs around the base of the tree, Udal went to work, scaling the palm tree and causing it to lean slightly under his weight.  Upon reaching the top, he plucked three big coconuts from the tree, tossing them to the sand below.  Mimi skillfully dodged the coconuts, sniffing at them and even trying to cook one of them with a spurt of flames from her gullet.

 

Udal slid down the tree, then took a knee beside Mimi.  "Hang on, hang on.  I got it," Udal said, taking the coconut from Mimi.  Using his metal hand, he squeezed the coconut, until it broke in half.  Giving half of it to Mimi, Udal took the other half, and snacked on the milk and flesh of the coconut's insides.

 

"Let's divvy these up and hold them for later.  We'll have to spread out our meals until we're sure we can find more food," he said to Mimi, hoping she wouldn't be too angry that the other two coconuts wouldn't be opened right away.  Wiping his mouth, Udal was satisfied, sitting the other coconuts in the sand to be picked up before the duo ventured off.  Udal motioned for Mimi to follow him, as he scoured the beach for any possible washed up supplies from the now destroyed S.S. Republic.  He sighed heavily at the sight of the scraps that were left, having hoped for a much more positive result when he had acquired the ship from that salty old sea captain back in Republic City.

 

No time to reminisce now.  Udal found some rope, a hammer, a shovel, and a broken but large plank of wood.  There was about one hundred feet of rope available for use.  The wooden plank was slightly heavy, and it was ten feet long and about five feet wide.  The hammer and shovel were both completely fine, save for a few dings and dents.  It was something, but Udal had to find a way to use it all.  "Back in my shop," Udal said to Mimi, unaware if she cared or was listening.  Still, it was better than talking to himself.  "I had a saying.  'Everything has a use.  Let nothing go to waste.'  Was my father's saying really, but I kinda adopted it.  No sense in letting it go unheard, right?" he said, gathering up the rope and perfectly encircling it on his arm. 

 

"Well, it's not like I can carry it all.  What to do, what to do?  Hmm" Udal said, taking a knee again. Carefully examining his options, Udal came to a swift conclusion.  "Okay.  Let's do this," he said, taking the rope and tightly wrapping it around the plank.  Once the rope was snug, Udal tied a not in it and secured it to the plank.  "Perfect.  And now," he said, taking the shovel and hammer, he slid them inside of the rope and kept them snug to the board.  "One big package," he said, satisfied with himself.  

 

"Okay Mimi," Udal began again.  "We should try to find the others.  I hope everyone made it okay.  I'm sure you're anxious to see Yao."

 

They trudged towards the forest, heading East, picking up the remaining two coconuts along the way.  Udal carried one coconut in his spare hand while Mimi carried the other in her jaw.  "Let's see who we can find first."

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"Yeah...I do. I may live in Shu Jing with not many storms like this...but I know something's up when I see it. Besides, what I overheard you tell Udal was spot on. Basic stuff like that, going parallel with the storm we should've hit the eye...so why didn't we?"

 

"Exactly. Something unnatural's going on, like somebody doesn't want us to be here." Which probably meant they were on the right track, but at the cost of the boat?

 

Well, if it got things dealt with, so be it.

 

As Anyu was about to continue the conversation further, she faintly heard something. A scream, it sounded like. From a familiar voice, but...there was no point in investigating in this kind of weather. "You heard that, right? We're looking into it tomorrow, so rest up, swimmer boy."

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Many people talked about "the calm before the storm", but to Anyu, the one of greater interest was the calm that came after the storm. As she woke up, she looked out the cove and saw the wet land, glistening with yesterday's harsh rain and any debris left behind by the wind. Inside the cove, all was as she figured it would be, except for one thing. Shinya was already awake. Anyu wasn't used to not being the first person awake.

 

"Well, good morning early bird." Getting up to her feet and shaking off the tiredness of just waking up, Anyu immediately took into consideration the situation and what their priorities should be based on that. They were stranded on an unknown island, with no way to know if everybody else was still alive. In addition to that, there was the mystery scream from yesterday, and they still hadn't gotten to their destination. As much as she hated to say it, Anyu wasn't working her way out of this one single-handedly.

 

"We've got a lot of options right now, so let's work out what we're doing. We could - and if you ask me - should prioritize finding some kind of food. If you can catch or kill it, I'll see what I can cook up without a fire. On the other hand, we've also got Udal and the others out there, and we have no clue if they're even alive, plus that scream from yesterday. What's your take?"

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"Exactly. Something unnatural's going on, like somebody doesn't want us to be here."

 

A bit ominous sounding, sure...but she had a point. A strange storm that didn't exactly follow nature's bend in a sense...so why would that even be the case? Shinya didn't have the answers to this yet...but he would hope he would soon.

 

However, Shinya's concentration was cut short by a faint scream. He turned his head, trying to see if he could hear it again. Unfortunately he couldn't.

 

"You heard that, right?"

 

"I did..." Shinya nodded, a little relieved that Anyu heard the scream too. Otherwise that would mean he would be going crazy. "What do you think it was?"

 

"Dunno. But we're looking into it tomorrow, so rest up, swimmer boy."

 

He looked at Anyu, rolling his eyes at the 'swimmer boy' comment as he saw her turning over and getting some rest. A sigh escaped Shinya's lips for a moment, before he found a nice place to lay down. He closed his eyes, sighing greatly once more. Let's hope things get better in the morning...

 

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The morning came over the island, though Shinya was surprised it ever came to begin with. For the Fire Nation boy, waking up before the sun rose was sort of a thing for him now. He had been doing that for so long in his training that it almost became his normal routine. While this was a different place for him to wake up and at least train in his stances...he didn't mind it though.

 

However, today Shinya was focused on getting his stances correct in his Northern Shaolin Kung Fu...he wanted them to be perfected when he finally could learn bending. Shinya performed his stances and trained until the sun finally arose. Letting out a small exhale, calming his breathing down, Shinya returned towards the cove. My form is looking well...now I hope I can keep the sturdy from when Udal finally does teach us... he thought.

 

"Well, good morning early bird."

 

Shinya's head turned in Anyu's direction, seeing the girl waking up. "Morning." he nodded, as he did his best to wash up.

 

"We've got a lot of options right now, so let's work out what we're doing. We could - and if you ask me - should prioritize finding some kind of food. If you can catch or kill it, I'll see what I can cook up without a fire. On the other hand, we've also got Udal and the others out there, and we have no clue if they're even alive, plus that scream from yesterday. What's your take?"

 

After hearing his current teammate's options that were out, Shinya smiled and nodded. "You're pretty much right. Thankfully your up now...otherwise I wouldn't be able to tell you that I'm planning on going hunting." he said, moving out near the cove's mouth. "See I'm not only a skilled fighter, but a pretty good hunter. Only drawback is that I can't cook worth crap. So I suppose it definitely works out for the best."

 

He looked out near the dense forested areas away from the beach, before sighing. "As for Udal and the others...I wouldn't sweat it. I'm positive that the others are doing fine...however that scream last night has me worried." Shinya sighed and rubbed the back of his neck slightly. "Alright, here's my plan. We go search for some food...or at least I do some tracking of some of the local creatures and we'll go from there. However, if you follow me...ya gotta at least follow me lead. Alright?"

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Tae Jin sat in the shelter of the temple, watching as the occasional strike of lightning illuminated the chaos of the outside world. She waited for Yao to return with firewood, thinking of what a horrible situation they were in. Even with the storm clearing up, they had no idea where they were and they were separated from each other. A worm of fear writhed about in Tae Jin's mind as she refused to think about the fact that they didn't even know if the others were alive. 

 

When Yao returned with the firewood Tae Jin knew that it would be sopping wet so she stood a ways back as half-bender struggled to light the damp pile of sticks. When he finally did, she couldn't help but laugh as he got caught in a cloud of smoke. "This would be a good time to try out that airbending poweof yours."

 

"Sure thing." She said with a wink, still giggling slightly. Her first few attempts were actually a little too good. She managed to blow the fire right out, putting the two of them right back at square one. This forced them to do a few rounds of restarting the fire, cough on the smoke, and put out of the fire, before Tae Jin finally got the hang of it and funneled the smoke away from them. 

 

Yao snuck closer to the fire, shivering from the cold. Tae Jin found that she wasn't all that cold. She was uncomfortable, that was for sure. But as long as she controlled her breathing she found that she was able to keep the chill at bay. Her memory wandered to her acolyte training, the hours she spent studying ancient airbenders. She knew they could control their body temperatures with just their breath. She thought it had something to do with their chi, but she couldn't quite remember it all. Admittedly, she wasn't the best student. Still, she also huddled around the fire, getting closer to Yao. 

 

"Do you think the others got here safely too?" Tae Jin's stomach dropped. He asked the question that she didn't even want to ask herself. 

 

"Well I mean, if we survived the storm..." She said, dodging the question. 

 

===

 

Tae Jin had fallen asleep with the scent of Yao in her nostrils and was woken by sunlight streaming in the next morning. Her clothes were no longer wet and best of all no longer clung to her. Leaping up, she was renewed with her normal optimism and vitality now that the storm had passed. 

 

"Should we start looking around, then?" Yao asked, already awake. 

 

"You be- AAGH!...ow!" The ground had shifted beneath her feet causing the newly made airbender to lose her footing. Blushing intensely she looked up at Yao. "Let's pretend that didn't happen." 

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Western Nomad Temple

 

In the dead of the night, as Yao and Tae Jin had slept, the fire burned and kept them warm.  But for Yao and Tae Jin, this fire disturbed the temple in which they slept, just enough that the smoke it produced breathed life into the central support pillar.  For just a moment, the symbols carved into the support pillar turned a dull blue shade, before becoming lifeless again.  The sands beneath the temple responded in kind, shifting just slightly, one of many safety mechanisms left to guard this temple--and its secrets--from those who wished to use them for wrong doing.

 

As they woke, Tae Jin and Yao had the right idea.  Remaining static for too long could prove dangerous.  If they were found by someone other than their allies, it could prove to be fatal.  They were hopeful, however.  Hopeful that they would find their allies.  Hopeful that they would be able to get off of this island and find a cure for E.D.  Yao was hopeful that he would find Mimi.  But before starting a search, the painfully obvious and almost demonic stomach growl that rumbled in Tae Jin's belly urged her and Yao to find food first.  It was something of a lion's roar, and it disturbed Yao, as he leaped up and looked around for enemies, only to discover it was the lovely Tae Jin's stomach that was out to kill him.

 

They would have to venture out away from the temple for now, in order to find sustenance.  There was a clearing west of them, and crossing a river they would find trees abundant with fruit (namely apples and pineapples).  There was also an exorbitant supply of iguana-seals on this island, as their nature acclimated them to warm climates.  This would provide the survivors with a source of meat, if they chose not to fish by hand. 

 

Yao led the way out of the temple, but paused, bowing and extending a directing hand to the forest beyond the temple.

 

"Ladies first," he recited.

 

Tae Jin thanked Yao, taking the first steps out of the temple.  

 

And for a moment, Tae Jin would feel weightless, almost as if she were floating.  And then, without warning, the sands beneath her would shift, and Tae Jin was sent sliding deep into the ground below, a deep pit trapping her nearly sixty feet below the ground level of the temple.  Tae Jin yelped as she fell, but thankfully landed on a pile of sand that waited for her below.  Now, sixty feet of terrain that was impossible to climb by hand stood between her and Yao.

 

Still, they had options.  Yao could search for food and hopefully bump into some of his allies.  Or he could risk crossing the sands of the temple to possibly find tools to get Tae Jin out of the pit.  The former was more reliable.  The latter was riskier, but came with a faster reward.  But of course, time was of the essence.  The sands were shifting again, and threatened to bury Tae Jin alive by the end of the night.  What was worse, if Yao did decide to leave Tae Jin behind, there was no telling what animals or even natives would come by that could threaten her.  They were trapped between a rock and a hard place.  Or, well, at least Tae Jin was.  Yao could easily cross the gap of the pit with a little effort and good foot placement.  What he did after that would determined how far their journey went.

 


 

The Eastern Cove

 

As the morning set in, the seaweed on the western wall dried and tightened itself like rope, making the cove easier to escape.  Shinya and Anyu were up early, just in time to witness the rising tide.  They were forced back by the tide, the cove quickly filling with water.  They hurriedly pushed along to the western wall, and using the seaweed, climbed out and forced themselves through the tiny opening that led to the surface of the island.  The cove would be filled with water for the next few days, so returning to sleep there was not an option.  The surrounding eastern side of the island was also very bare, and scarce for resources.  They would have to go one of three : north, west, or south.  

 

Going west would take the duo inland, providing them with food, and perhaps giving them a chance to bump into their allies.  However, the island terrain heading west is much higher than the rest of the island, making the walk much more difficult.  In addition, the scream they heard last night was close by.  Heading north, Shinya and Anyu would find less food, but a had a better chance of finding tools and even weapons or goods from the wrecked S.S. Republic.  Heading south, there was much less than the other parts of the island.  The waters were most harsh on this side, slamming heavily against the shore and regularly washing away people and shoreline alike.  There was little chance for much of anything to survive on the southern side of the island, unless you were a real warrior.

 

The problem that Anyu and Shinya faced now was getting out of the East side of the island. Because upon exiting the cove, they found themselves in an encampment owned by natives.  Of course, they were on the outside.  However, judging by the hundreds of pikes with skulls on them, the five mile long crude stone wall, and the trenches laid with quick sand, they were able to quickly assume that the natives weren't very kind.  There was no way to get food if they didn't cross the encampment walls.  And on the other side, the natives numbered at least ten.  Bargaining may be an option, if Shinya and Anyu had anything to trade.  That's if the natives even wanted to trade.

 

Of course, Anyu and Shinya could try to find some wild boar.  They travel alone, and there were at least six on this side of the island.  Though they are a mean creature, quick to fight and dangerous too.  And if they did find wild boar, they would have to hope a third party wasn't interested in their prey.  Luckily, after the rain, boar tracks would be easy to follow.

 

With a bit of careful planning and attention to detail, they could find themselves a meal.  Or, if they acted recklessly, they could find themselves becoming a meal.  It wasn't just natives and boars they had to worry about.

 


 

Northern Beach

 

They had been walking for at least an hour, and Mimi was getting hungry again.  Udal wasn't exactly sure which direction they were heading in, and he didn't have a compass.  He knew a little about forestry, so he had hoped to come across some moss covered stones.  Instead, they hit a river bank, now in the thick of the forest.  

 

"Hmm."

 

His first thought was the direction of the river flow.  He had come from the beach, but the river was flowing east.  His sense of direction was still a bit distorted since he was thrown overboard of the S.S. Republic, but he wasn't crazy.  Wasn't the beach on the north side of the island?  Mimi pawed at Udal's leg, grabbing his attention and shaking him out of his daydreaming.  "Oh, right.  Food," he said, taking a coconut from their remaining resources.

 

Using his metal hand, he gave it a squeeze, and divided the coconut between himself and Mimi.  "Ah, what the hell.  You can have my half too.  You're a growing girl."  Udal slid the other half of the coconut over to Mimi, while he examined the river more closely.  

 

Even the stones in the river were odd, having moss grow on their west side, the same as the direction from which the river was flowing.  The island was. . .wrong.   Udal of course payed it no mind, because he was more concerned with finding and securing the safety of the others.  He had to meet up with the soon.  Being separated for too long, they didn't have much to defend themselves with.  While Mimi devoured the coconut, Udal decided to test the waters of the river.  Taking a sip, it was fresh.  If it was flowing from west to east, it had to have a source.  But, Udal figured he was more likely to find at least one of the half-benders at either end.  He was taking a gamble, but he decided to follow the river East.  He had no idea where it was coming from, but if he came across even one other person, it was a good thing.  

 

"Mimi," he called to the lion dragon, who peered up from her meal, then went back to eating.  "Come on, we're moving," Udal said as Mimi lapped up the last of the coconut flesh and milk.  She kept to Udal's side for the moment as they followed the riverside.  

 

As they walked beside the river, Mimi managed to catch herself a stray iguana-seal.  It was alone, apparently sunbathing on the rocks.  It didn't suspect the courageous lion-dragon to pounce on it so quickly, and failed to react to Mimi's presence. Udal laughed, as Mimi devoured her catch.  "Meat sounds good right about now," Udal said, jealous of Mimi.  There were no more iguana-seals around, so it was a sign that they weren't as common in their location.  Perhaps, walking along this path, they could find more of them further into the forest.

 

But for Udal, the search for food would have to wait.  There was a cracking of branches from the opposite side of the riverbank, and Udal turned on a dime.  Mimi's ears perked up, as she stopped at Udal's side.  "Who's there?" he called, hoping someone would answer him honestly.  But who or whatever had broken those branches on the ground had stopped moving.  Was he being followed?  "Mimi," Udal said, turning to the lion-dragon.  She tilted her head in Udal's direction.  He placed a finger to his lips, hoping she would understand to be quiet and still.  Placing a palm against the ground, Udal used his Tremorsense to see if he could detect any further movement around them.  He could make out a small portion of the landscape around himself and Mimi, but he could sense no other presence.

 

"Did I imagine it?" Udal wondered, trying to remain quiet.  Udal moved forwards slowly along the riverbank, trying to remain silent.  Once more, he heard the crunching of branches under someone's feet on the opposite side of the river.  Quickly activating his Tremorsense again, he saw nothing. "What the hell--!?" Udal's thoughts were cut short, as he was suddenly lifted off of his feet, and flipped upside down.  A trap was sprung and Udal was caught in a rather thick netting.  Mimi snarled, looking around, and a sudden rumbling from below caused Udal's eyes to widen.  Mimi was in danger.

 

"Run Mimi!  Run!  Follow the river!  Get help!  Go!"  he screamed at her.  Mimi began backing away slowly, her eyes on Udal.  Reluctantly, she sprinted away, following the river and the smell of fresh water.  There was still a lot of rumbling coming from the surrounding area, but Mimi was out of danger for now.  Udal frantically attempted to shred through the netting he was caught in, but it was sticky, covered in slime and incredibly hard to grip.  He couldn't pull it apart, and it felt a lot like rubber.  "What the hell is this!?" he said, frustrated.  He stretched his metal arm out to reach for a tree branch, but it was too far out of reach.

 

He felt like a kid in a play pen.  He attempted to bend the earth below, but his strength was still sapped from the tussle with the ocean.  He hadn't fully recovered.  It was going to require Mimi running into one of the others to keep Udal from becoming a house pet for whatever was coming.

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Shinya and Anyu finally made it out of the cove...well, were forced to more like it because of the morning tide. However, with survival on their mind, they made their trek westward. They needed food right now...and their best bet, was definitely to go finding it.

 

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As they ventured through a very difficult walk, they came across a small area that Shinya immediately stopped them at. Crouching down, Shinya could see some very detailed and easily identified tracks. "Looks like the rains were good for something afterall." he said, pointing at the tracks for Anyu to see. "Boars...and from the looks of it...it seems to be an adolescent. Meaning it isn't too keen and well known about traps and even attacking."

 

He looked in the direction of where the tracks were heading, as he stood back up. "Seems like its one, maybe two miles away. Either way, thanks to the rain, it makes following it simple. We'll be able to catch up to it easily, but catching it might be a little difficult." Shinya crossed his arms, closing his eyes to think. It would be one adolescent boar against the two of them. The tracks are easy to follow, so that would give them an advantage. With it also being an adolescent, it wouldn't be used to the traps he could use, another advantage.

 

"Alright. Here's what I got, Anyu." Shinya finally said, turning towards her. "We need to make a quick netting. After that, I can lure it towards the location where we hide the net and you spring it. Of course, I'll strike at it, to where it'll lose some blood and run." he nodded. "Your thoughts?"

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Yao was worried. He had no clue where Mimi was, the others were gone, and for all he knew, he and Tae Jin were the only survivors. Not to mention he was starving, but there wasn't much he could do about that in this storm. Still, at least Tae Jin was here. The air nomad had proven not only kind, but also talented, with a good head on her shoulders as well. Right after asking her to airbend, the Fire Nation man realized how stupid of a request that was. None of them had learned how to bend yet, so why was he putting the pressure on her? Perhaps it was because she had already proven so reliable? Or maybe it was the clothes--it was easy to forget that she was still a beginner. Her first few tries were testament to that, but she improved enough to create a small current, enough that the smoke wafted away from them rather than toward them.
 
Still, he couldn't help but worry, and asked the question that ate at both of their minds.
 
"Well I mean, if we survived the storm..." the woman responded, and those words were, strangely, enough to reassure him. Mimi was strong, stronger than him. If he survived, there was no way she couldn't. And the others, well, two of them were from the water tribes, which, as you might expect, were full of water. They could probably swim like turtle ducks. Shinya was in far better shape than him, and Udal...well, he couldn't not picture that fierce, gruff man still alive. Somehow Tae Jin had known exactly what to say to reassure him.
 
"That's true," he acknowledged, "If we're alive, then there's a good chance the others are too. We should probably go look for them in the morning, or at least for some supplies," he smiled at the air nomad, spirits elevated.
 
In the morning, after getting up, Yao had watched Tae Jin sleep with some amusement. Her normally well-groomed hair had been in disarray from the storm and sleeping on the ground. But after waking up, she seemed fresh as a daisy. "You be- AAGH!...ow!" The ground had shifted beneath her feet causing the newly made airbender to lose her footing. Blushing intensely she looked up at Yao. "Let's pretend that didn't happen."
 
"Sure," he replied, unable to hide his grin. "Ladies first," he bowed, letting her leave the building first, remaining behind to check on the campsite, unsure if he should clean it up or just leave it there. Deciding to let it be, he moved to follow the air nomad when she slipped once more, but this time with far worse consequences. The ground seemed to be quicksand, and had trapped the woman inside a deep pit. Thankfully, she had landed on a pile of sand, but she was also underground, and that worried him.
 
"Well," he said, "This isn't good. Are you all right?" He looked around, "I'm going to look for something to help you out of here. Rope would probably be the best, as long as I don't slip and fall too," he ran a hand through his hair, letting out a sigh. Right when things were starting to look up too.
 
Looking around the temple, he could see nothing but the jars from before. Well, he would have to find what he needed outside, it seemed. Tiptoeing around the pit, he managed to make it outside. Breathing a sigh of relief, he searched the coast, struggling to keep his footing in the shifting sand, but managing. However, he found nothing but a couple broken planks, some silverware, and a sealed barrel of water. Well. That would be useful later on, but not so useful now. Bringing them back to the temple just in case, and starting to panic, he eyed the forest to the east, steeling himself to enter it. Maybe he could find some vines? Those might work as ropes.

 

It took him two hours to get to the edge of the forest. Stepping inside, he looked around, knowing there was only so much time he could waste.
 
--
 
Mimi mewled in disappointment when Udal put the coconuts away, but she understood why he did it, so she didn't fight him on it. The man then picked up a bunch of things, and put together some sort of sled to drag them all in. Wasn't that heavy? Did he need help? She circled his hand, ready to jump in if he got tired.
 
They kept moving. Mimi ate another coconut and also caught an iguana seal, which she devoured. It was only after Udal started to laugh that she flinched, looking up at him with wide eyes. She hadn't left him anything. Then again, Yao never asked her to give him food, but he had never been this hungry either. So she made a mistake? Was she a bad friend?
 
As they walked, they heard the cracking of branches. Mimi's ears perked up, but the sound stopped as suddenly as it began. Ears swiveling to pick up any trace of the sound, she watched Udal put his hand to the ground, and tipped her head. What was the weird man doing this time? Continuing, the noise came again, and soon after a giant net scooped her new friend up. The ground started to rumble, and Udal shouted at Mimi to run. Run? Why run? He was still here. But as the rumbling grew louder, Mimi understood, and sprinted away, following the river east.

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Being forced out a cove due to the rising tide was less than an ideal start to the morning. Of course, being forced to take shelter in said cove wasn't exactly Anyu's dream vacation either, so she wasn't really bothered by this part in particular. Following Shinya up a tough walk westward, she realized she'd have to leave the major decisions in his hands. He was the one who knew about survival out of the pair; Anyu was just a good cook.

 

"Looks like the rains were good for something afterall. Boars...and from the looks of it...it seems to be an adolescent. Meaning it isn't too keen and well known about traps and even attacking. Seems like its one, maybe two miles away. Either way, thanks to the rain, it makes following it simple. We'll be able to catch up to it easily, but catching it might be a little difficult."

 

"You really know your stuff," Anyu commented, honestly pretty impressed that he could tell that much just by the tracks in front of them.

 

"Alright. Here's what I got, Anyu. We need to make a quick netting. After that, I can lure it towards the location where we hide the net and you spring it. Of course, I'll strike at it, to where it'll lose some blood and run. Your thoughts?"

 

"The faster we kill it, the better. I'd like to kill it in the net, but I'm guessing that's not an option if it didn't occur to you. What are we making the net out of?" This was Shinya's domain, so to speak, and Anyu was a guest. However, she'd make sure to reward the effort in killing this boar with something nice.


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Hog Wild

 

As Anyu and Shinya contemplated how to get their catch, a wild youngling sprinted beneath Yao's legs, slipping past him and racing to the West side of the island, squealing with fear.  It was running from something.  But the only thing on Yao and Anyu's minds was a free meal.  Anyu whipped her head left as the youngling ran past them.  She looked to Shinya, who was as shocked as she was.  

 

"After it!" Shinya said, dropping everything and sprinting after the hog.

 

"I'll cut him off!" Anyu said running a diagonal route past Shinya.

 

The creature's squealing gave its position away as it stepped into the forest.  Shinya leaped over a large tree root that the hog slipped under and continued the chase.  Anyu could see them to her left, turning wide and making a zig-zag pattern forwards as they raced to catch their food.  The hog easily scrambled through the wet and muddy grounds of the forest, with Shinya right on its tail.  Splashing through the mud, Shinya adjusted the chase and slowly began driving the hog towards Anyu.  The closer they got, the more frantic the hog seemed to become.

 

Shinya and Anyu were about one hundred feet out from one another, when Shinya dove for the hog and caught its legs, with a face full of mud.  Anyu stopped, just out of splash range, and scooping up the young hog from Shinya.  He spat out mud and shook the dirt from his legs.  "Well," he said panting, and out of breath.  "Not how I expected that to go."

 

The hog squealed in Anyu's hands, wriggling and fighting for its life.  But she had a tight grip on the hog, only passing it to Shinya when he gestured to her.  In his excitement for catching the hog, Shinya examined it carefully, raising the hog just a bit higher to see if it had been recently attacked or if it had been sick.  "Well, this one looks okay.  We're gonna eat goo--"

 

Shinya's voice was cut short, when a spear yanked the hog out of his hands and pinned it to a large tree behind him, barely missing his head.  "What gives!?" he belted out, turning to examine his catch.

 

Anyu's eyes widened as the spear pierced the tree, and the hog hung there, still barely alive.

 

They both turned back around, looking for the source of the spear, but there was no one in sight.  Instinctively, Anyu and Shinya put their backs to one another and looked around carefully.  "See anything?"

 

Anyu shook her head.  "No.  You?"

 

"Yeah.  Up there," Shinya pointed, causing Anyu to turn around.  A half naked bald man in black face paint and white soot balanced on a high branch of an even taller tree about two hundred feet from them.  He had bushy eyebrows, a scrubby beard, and his jaw was adorned with the jaw bone of one of his kills, most likely human. With him were six more spears, one of which he chucked right at Shinya's feet.  The boy barely managed to step back, spreading his legs as the spear landed between them and almost nicked him.  The enemy was bold, a rather annoyed look on his face as he picked up his remaining five spears, and skillfully climbed down the tree.  He stabbed three of them into the ground, still holding the other three in his hands.

 

Anyu and Shinya paced themselves carefully, watching the enemy's movements carefully.  This time, he tossed a spear at Anyu, but it was a very light toss, almost as if he was waiting for her to catch it.  And catch it Anyu did, a confused look on her face.

 

The man nodded, grunting at Shinya now.  "Ytach?" he asked, gesturing to the spear at Shinya's feet.  Shinya looked to Anyu, then back to his enemy. He pulled the spear from the ground, standing at the ready.  

 

"I think. . .he wants to fight us for it," Shinya said, pointing his spear at the native.

 

Anyu followed Shinya's movements, also pointing her spear at the native.

 

"Ytach!?" he asked again.

 

Shinya nodded, unaware that he was about to engage in a battle of both endurance and skill.  The native stepped forward, whipping a spear in his right hand, as he beat his chest with his left hand.  He pointed at Shinya, speaking again.  "That's Jugo's kill."

 

Jugo lunged at Shinya, stepping in quickly and swiping at his opponent's chest.

 


 

Rock Bottom

 

Tae Jin had been trapped for over two hours now.  Biding her time, she occasionally looked up to see if anything changed, purely out of optimism.  What concerned Tae Jin most however, was that the hole she fell through seemed to be getting smaller.  The sun was much higher in the sky now, which meant Yao had been gone for a significant amount of time.  And if that time extended for too long, there was a chance that Tae Jin would be trapped in the sand pit for good.  And the heat was unbearable, making Tae Jin uncomfortable in this rather annoying trap.  With an exasperated sigh, she flopped to her bottom, folding her legs, as she preceded to meditate.  

 

She had faith in Yao.  She just hoped that he had enough faith in himself to do the job.

 


 

Welcome to the Jungle

 

Two hours. Two hours he had been walking through the forest when Yao finally saw the end of the river.  Fresh water was a good sign.  Where there was water, there would be animals.  If there were animals, and the others had washed up on this island, then they were bound to hunt for food.  This was as good a place as any to find help for Tae Jin.  He was thirsty, having traveled in this heat for two hours, so he quickly helped himself to some water.  He would need all the energy he could manage to make sure that Tae Jin would be rescued. 

 

The area was also very shady, with a large canopy from the trees overhead.  They were covered in thick vines, possibly thick enough to be used as rope.  Yao could cut these vines, and hopefully use them to get Tae Jin out of her predicament.  But first, a drink.  He slurped down the water, and it was cool, and refreshing.  The river was flowing from the west, so there must be a source further along.  Wiping his face on his shirt, Yao coughed, having breathed too quickly and choking on the water just a bit.  Then, raising his head, Yao spotted a furry creature charging headlong his way.  It was Mimi.  "Mimi?"  She kept running, her mouth wide as she sprinted forwards, a panicked look on her face.  "Mimi!" Yao called, meeting the lion-dragon halfway.  She leaped into his arms, whining as he held her.

 

"It's so good to see you," he said, holding her close. Mimi licked his face, but she still appeared to be rattled.  She wriggled, trying to get Yao to put her down.  She ran around his legs, nudging at his ankles trying to get him to move.  "What's wrong?"  She was insistent on getting Yao to follow her now, but he had a choice to make.  Did he take Mimi back with him to try to save Tae Jin?  Or did he investigate the source of her distress?

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It seemed the spirits had favored Shinya and Anyu right now, as a boar sprinted beneath his legs. Though, right away...Shinya could sense that it was scared, fearful even. Did something spook it? Regardless of it, Shinya had to act fast!

 

"After it!" he shouted, sprinting after the boar, seeing Anyu running diagonally past him. Cutting him off...smart move! he thought, focusing on catching the boar.

 

Eventually they caught it...but not without having it where Shinya didn't have mud literally on his face. After spitting some mud out, he looked at Anyu, dusting himself off. "Well," he said panting, and out of breath.  "Not how I expected that to go." Shinya felt absolutely terrible about this hunt. If anything, he didn't have enough time to implement his strategies...but then that begged the question... What was the boar running from? he thought. Still... "Well, this one looks okay.  We're gonna eat goo-"

 

Unfortunately, he got his answer...

 

A spear immediately yanked the boar out of his hands, and Shinya's eyes widened. However, right now he nor Anyu could see anything to figure out what was trying to steal their boar. That was, until he noticed a silhouette in a higher tree branch. Pointing Anyu in the right direction, both of them were now apparently facing one of the natives on the island. Shinya cursed quietly under his breath, as a spear was chucked near his legs. He almost didn't dodge it in time, but thankfully it missed...barely...but missed.

 

Then the man finally came down from the tree, even tossing a spear at Anyu.

 

-BGM-

 

"Ytach?"

 

"I think...he wants to fight us for it." Shinya spoke, grabbing the spear near him and pointing it at the man.

 

"Ytach!? That's Jugo's kill."

 

Shinya remained focused, staring this Jugo down, only seeing him lunging towards him and trying to swipe at his chest. The Fire Nation boy took a side step to the left, only spinning the spear in his hands and swinging the weapon like a club to the back of Jugo's head. He exhaled slightly and kept moving in a circular motion around Jugo, before lunging and attempting to strike at Jugo, thrusting the spear towards the man's legs.

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  • 2 weeks later...

Yao was relieved to see Mimi alive and well. He had figured her alive, but the uncertainty of it, well, he could only thank Tae Jin's presence for the fact he hadn't gone out of his mind with worry. Her reassuring words had been a balm, and she had been right. Hugging his best friend, the feelings were...indescribable. He started to shake, overcome with emotion. "It's so good to see you,he murmured. However, she still appeared distressed, wriggling out of his hold. "What's wrong?" he asked, concerned, as she nudged him forward. It was obvious that she wanted him to go...somewhere, but why?

 

He couldn't think of why, but then again, he was fairly distressed himself, mind preoccupied with Tae Jin's plight. He hadn't known her for very long, but already he couldn't bear the thought of her being alone like she was, to be buried alive by sand. However, he couldn't think on that for too long. Whatever Mimi's problem was, it was urgent, and Tae Jin still had the rest of the day. Perhaps it was even one of their companions, in trouble. In that case, two hands would definitely be better than one. Resolved to at least check it out, Yao followed Mimi through the forest, all the way to where a certain metalbender had last been seen.

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"After it!"

 

"I'll cut him off!" This boar was theirs for the taking. Anyu wasn't about to let their best shot at a meal slip away that easily. The chase was...something. In the end, Shinya got treated to a faceful of mud; mud that Anyu was just out of the splashing range of. She scooped up the hog, handing it to Shinya once he was ready to take it.

 

"Well. Not how I expected that to go. Well, this one looks okay. We're gonna eat goo-"

 

He was cut off by a spear tearing the creature right out of Shinya's hands, the natural reaction to which was both of them staring wide-eyed at what had just happened. Shinya spotted something apparently, directing Anyu toward it. What she saw was a sight she wouldn't soon forget. A native of the island, armed with spears, jumped down from his spot in the trees, tossing a spear each to Shinya and Anyu.

 

"Ytach?"

 

"I think...he wants to fight us for it."

 

Real negotiators, these boys, Anyu thought to herself, picking up the spear tossed to her and also pointing it at this native.

 

"Ytach!? That's Jugo's kill."

 

This "Jugo" man then charged Shinya, swiping a spear at his chest. Shinya responded by moving around Jugo, before lunging his own spear at the native's legs. It would be unfair to join in and make the fight two-on-one, but since when was life known for being fair? Moving in with her own spear, Anyu swiped her spear horizontally, aiming for Jugo's arms.


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Sharp Blade, Sharp Mind

 

Jugo was admittedly surprised when they accepted his challenge.  When the male avoided his attacks and skirted around his back, Jugo ran forwards, climbing the tree before him and kicking off of it.  Using the momentum, he landed beside Shinya, and kicked him in the back of the leg and forced him to a knee.  As Jugo went for the killing blow, he was dissuaded as Anyu struck at his legs.  Jugo attempted to step backwards but was still slashed across his thighs and knees.  Unfortunately, Jugo understood what this meant.  Being that these spears were laced with poison, he would be dead in minutes.

 

He had released Shinya, who was back on his feet.  But Jugo wouldn't go down without causing some damage.  He stood up and whipped his spear at Shinya, who parried the strike surprisingly well.  They went toe to toe, but Anyu got in several good swipes, making the two on one scenario more favorable for herself and Shinya.

 

Jugo had begun to slow down, the poison taking quick action.  But before he would collapse, he got a glancing blow across Shinya's ribs.  Though he did not completely pierce the skin, Shinya did bleed.  And once he began to feel the paralyzing effects of the poison, he would understand the trouble he was in.

 

Jugo fell to a knee, trying to hold himself up with his spear.  But after muttering something incomprehensible and falling onto his face, Jugo blacked out from what appeared to be blood loss and poison.

 

It would take ten minutes for Shinya to feel the effects of the poison.  It would take an hour's time for the poison to kill him, if he didn't find help.

 


 

​Rubber-band Man

 

"Thanks," Udal said as he fell from the netting and landed on his feet.  "But why the hell did you have this anyway?  And what is it?"  Udal peeled the sticky, rubber like black rope off of his arm.

 

A gentleman a few years older than him rubbed his hands together with water he pulled from the river.  "It's a special rope I made, from the resources on the island.  It's tougher than steel and twice as flexible.  I call it bom-bau rope."

 

Udal grunted.  "It's also a big pain in the ass," he said, rolling his shoulder.  "So who are you, anyway?"

 

The man tilted a wide brimmed tan explorer's hat on his head to one side, shielding him from the sun.  "Apologies.  I've been stranded here for months and it's already affecting my manners.  My name is Jeaunau Popovich.  Head scientist and water bender from the Republic City E.D. Research Team."  He was about as tall as Udal, wearing tattered cargo shirts, a ripped white t-shirt, and muddy brown boots.  He had a southern accent, but he was no country boy.  A wild black beard from lack of shaving and tired beady eyes made him a tad off putting, but being stranded will do that to you.

 

Udal stopped, narrowing his eyes.  "Name's Udal.  Now what's this about an E.D. research team?  And you've been here for months?"  Finally, Udal shook Jeaunau's hand.  "Republic City sent me and a band of kids to figure this E.D. thing out, but they didn't send anyone after you?"

 

Jeaunau shrugged.  "After seven months, I sort of made this island my home.  Learning the ropes and the ways of the natives.  Not to mention that nasty--oh?  And who might that be?" Jeaunau said, pointing behind Udal.  There was a lion-dragon and a young man chasing behind her.  Mimi circled Udal happily, before resting at Yao's feet.

 

"Friend's of mine.  Yao, I'm glad you're okay.  You too, Mimi.  This here is Jeaunau.  That little trap was his, but was apparently meant for a bear-boar, not a human."

 

Jeaunau nodded politely, shaking Yao's hand.  "The pleasure is mine.  Say, are there more of you, Udal?  When you said band of kids, I imagined five or six of them."

 

Udal nodded.  "Yeah.  Speaking of which.  Yao, have you seen anyone else?  And if so, take us to 'em."

 

Jeaunau was gathering up the last of his bom-bau rope and slung it over his shoulder.  "I can give you all a hand, if you'd like.  I've managed well for myself with food to spare.  I'm sure you're all starving.  Let's go get your friends."

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Yao felt his face lift at seeing the metalbender up ahead. "Udal!" he shouted, relieved. "You're alive!" he couldn't stop grinning at this. If Udal and Mimi were alive and well, most likely the others were too. He started after that, just then noticing the stranger. An older gentleman, dressed like some sort of explorer, but his tattered appearance gave him the look of a vagabond.

 

"Yao, I'm glad you're okay.  You too, Mimi.  This here is Jeaunau.  That little trap was his, but was apparently meant for a bear-boar, not a human," Udal explained.
 
"I'm glad you're okay too," the brunette beamed. He turned to Jeaunau. "Nice to meet you," he greeted politely, offering a hand.
 
"The pleasure is mine.  Say, are there more of you, Udal?  When you said band of kids, I imagined five or six of them," Jeanau stated.
 
"Yeah.  Speaking of which.  Yao, have you seen anyone else?  And if so, take us to 'em."
 
Jeaunau was gathering up the last of his rope and slung it over his shoulder. "I can give you all a hand, if you'd like.  I've managed well for myself with food to spare.  I'm sure you're all starving.  Let's go get your friends."
 
"Only Tae Jin, which--Tae Jin! She's in trouble, Udal!" Yao yelped. He looked at Jeaunau. "You have no idea how much of a relief it is that you have rope with you. Tae Jin's stuck down a hole filling up with sand as we speak and I can only hope she'll be okay by the time we get there," he said as he moved quickly back to where they came from.
 
Meanwhile, Mimi sniffed the air in the opposite direction, to the east.
 
"What is it, Mimi?" Yao asked.
 
She shook her head, expression troubled.
 
The man glanced helplessly at the others. "Do you know if there's something off that way?" he asked.

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  • 2 weeks later...

Shinya felt himself being dropped to a knee by this native, surprised that this little man was able to move as quick as he did. Nevertheless, Anyu prevented Jugo from dealing the final blow to him, which was a good thing for him. Especially with Anyu slashing at his knees.

 

However, this is when Shinya noticed Jugo acting different. Desperate even...

 

And as the Fire Nation boy stood up, he watched as Jugo lunged once more at him...but this time his spear making contact with his ribs. "GAH!!!" he shouted, feeling the blood trickle down from his new wound. Holding his wound, Shinya tried his best to keep the blood suppressed the best he could. Though the native did fall over due to blood loss, but not before muttering gibberish to the pair. W-What...what was he s-saying...? he thought, before leaning up against a tree.

 

However, in ten minutes after he was cut, Shinya began to feel strange. He shook his head and looked worse for wear, before chuckling weakly. "W-Well...I'll be...a fire ferret...t-that spear..." he spoke weakly. "I-Its was laced...w-w-with...poison..."

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The native - Jugo - fell not long after Anyu struck him, babbling some incomprehensible nonsense before just stopping entirely. Whatever he was talking about, Anyu couldn't understand any of it. She had to admit, it wasn't something she was comfortable with. It only got worse ten minutes later.

 

"W-Well...I'll be...a fire ferret...t-that spear... I-It was laced...w-w-with...poison..."

 

"Poison!?" Anyu exclaimed, very much not in the usual cool and collected Anyu fashion. That knowledge sunk in fast. She struck Jugo with one of his spears - probably poisoned as well - and he just stopped doing anything. She'd taken a life. And now, unless they figured out a solution, the native would be taking Shinya with him. "W-Well, what grows here!? What kinds of animals do you know that live here we can make an antid-no that's stupid how many animals are really..." Anyu stopped, straightened her posture, and took a deep breath. Holding it in before releasing the built-up air in her lungs, Anyu tried again from square one, calmly. "If Jugo made a poison, there needs to be some kind of antidote. The question is where we can find it."

 

Where indeed. Tossing the spear she'd been given aside, Anyu turned deeper into the island. "Come on. We're going to find out where we can get an antidote, before you die." Not taking no for an answer, Anyu started East. She'd make sure Shinya left this island alive and well.


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In the Jungle

 

Mimi's nose pulled her West, and of course, Yao, Jeaunau, and Udal were inclined to follow.  There was something really intriguing her, and she wouldn't let it go.  Jeaunau filled up a flask with water from the river, and closed it, signaling that he was ready.

 

"Okay, Mimi.  Lead the way," Yao said, encouraging her.

 

Through thick patches of jungle, and unforgiving heat, they followed Mimi up the river's path.  They followed the river's bends for nearly forty minutes, before stumbling across two more persons they recognized:  Anyu and Shinya.  Anyu had Shinya held up over her shoulder, barely managing to walk while carrying the boy.  She collapsed of exhaustion and relief upon spotting the others, as Mimi ran over to Shinya first.  Something was clearly wrong.  Udal approached second, taking a knee next to Shinya who had fallen unconscious.  

 

"What happened?" Udal asked, flipping Shinya over.  His clothes had been torn and there was a tight, crude, makeshift bandage over his ribs.  

 

"We were. . . attacked," Anyu said, panting.  "He's. . . he's been poisoned."

 

Jeaunau took action immediately.  "Stand aside Udal.  Let me take a look," he said, as Udal backed away.  "Who was it that attacked you?"

 

Anyu sat back on her hands, trying to slow her breathing.  "Native guy.  About six feet tall.  Weird tattoos.  The poison was on his spear."

 

Jeaunau sighed, placing a hand against Shinya's head.  "Their a local tribe.  Very territorial.  You may have been on their grounds.  But I have a cure for the poison.  However--"

 

"You do?  What do you need?"

 

"I have everything I need, but its not here.  We would have to go back to my camp, where it's safe.  And judging by his temperature, the sweating--I don't know how much time he has."

 

Yao interrupted right away.  "Wait.  Waitwaitwait.  Tae Jin's trapped.  In a sand pit.  We can't leave her."

 

Udal folded his arms, thinking.  "Where is she, Yao?"

 

"East of here," he pointed back through the forest.  "Just past the mouth of the river.  If we hurry, we can save her.  It's filling up fast."

 

Udal nodded.  "Okay.  We'll have to split up then.  Jeaunau, how far out is your camp?"

 

The older man pushed back the glasses on his face.  "About fifteen minutes.  Just due south.  We can reconvene there, if you'd like."  Jeaunau stood up, and handed Udal the rope he created.  "You should go with Yao here, to save your friend.  You'll need some muscle to pull out of the sticky sand on that part of the island.  I can carry the boy, and young lady, I could use your help," Jeaunau said, looking to Anyu.

 

She nodded silently.  Udal agreed, helping Jeaunau to lift up Shinya.  "Got him?"

 

"I have him.  On your way back up the river, look for a clearing to the south.  You'll see a number of palm trees stacked atop one another to form a bridge.  That's where I'll be."

 

Udal patted Shinya on the head.  "Weird considering we just met, but you'd better take care of him."

 

"Trust me," Jeaunau said.

 

Anyu gave Jeaunau a strange look, before they began parting ways.  "See you shortly!" Jeaunau called back.  Udal threw up a hand and waved Jeaunau and Anyu off, with Shinya.  

 

"Okay.  Let's go get--what's wrong?" Yao asked, noticing the look on Udal's face.  He was watching Jeaunau and Anyu carefully, clearly not comfortable with this situation.  "You don't trust him, do you?"

 

Udal shook his head.  "Of course not.  We barely met an hour ago, after his crazy rope trapped me.  And if he's really a research scientist, why's he been here for seven months with no one looking for him?  Plus, he's a God damn bender.  I don't trust him as far as I can throw him.  And that's pretty damn far."  Udal folded his arms, then looked down to Yao.  He peeked over at Mimi, then back at Yao.

 

"What?  Udal?  Udal, no.  Absolutely not.  We just got back toge--get that smile off your face!" Yao demanded.

 

Udal finally said what he had to.  "I need you to follow them.  Do a little recon.  But keep your distance."

 

Yao sighed.  "How're you gonna find Tae Jin?"

 

Udal flexed his metal arm.  "I'll find her.  Just keep an eye on Anyu and Shinya."

 

Yao clicked his tongue, and he and Mimi skirted carefully around the edge of the forest, following Anyu and Jeaunau.  Udal went in the opposite direction, heading back east towards the mouth of the river with the rope over his arm.  The entire time, he was thinking about how they had barely been together for twenty four hours, and everything had already gone south.  "Hang in there Tae Jin.  I'm comin'."

 


 

Nearly half an hour later, stumbling out of the forest, Udal landed on the beach.  The sun was beginning to set, an orange sky greeting him as he stepped out on to the sand.  It was warm, and the sand felt good between his toes.  "If only I could've taken a damn vacation," he mumbled to himself.  "But nooooo, not Udal.  Nope.  Instead I'm babysitting on a damn science expedition with kids and a lion dragon.  And now I'm stranded on a backwards ass island with a couple of crazy natives, a deranged missing researcher, and sand up my ass."

 

Udal's babbling was broken by the sudden screech of a female about eight hundred feet in front of him.  "Help!"

 

"Tae Jin?" he asked, starting to walk forwards.  She screamed again.

 

"Help!"

 

"Tae Jin!"  Udal broke into a full sprint.  As he got closer to Tae Jin, he could see the pit filling up quickly.  She was up to her waist in sand now, and it was getting dark.

 

"Udal!"

 

"Hang on, I'm gonna pull you outta there!" he said, looking for something to tie the rope to.  He sent one end down to Tae Jin, who snatched it right away.  "Tie that around you, tight as you can!"

 

Tae Jin tied the rope around her, groaning as she touched it.  "Ew, this is sticky!  What is this!?"

 

Udal was tying the rope off to one of the pillars on the temple behind him, and checking it twice.  "Truth be told," he called into the pit.  "I have no idea!"  He pulled at the knot with all his might, to ensure it was secure, before going back over to Tae Jin.  "Rope's tight!  I'm gonna pull you up!"

 

Tae Jin nodded, gripping onto the rope tightly.

 

"Ready!?"

 

She gave Udal a thumb's up.  

 

Udal's metal arm hissed, as his fingers locked onto the rope and he began to pull up with all his might.  Tae Jin felt her waist budge, but there was a lot of sand around her, weighing her down.  "There's too much sand on top of you!  Can you feel your legs at all?"

 

Try as she might to wriggle free, Tae Jin couldn't feel anything below her waist.  She shook her head.  "No.  Nothing," she said softly.  The sand was packed tightly and preventing her from moving at all.  "Udal--"

 

"Hey!  Your glove!  Tae Jin!  Have you used it yet?"

 

She looked at her wrist, then back up at Udal.  "Yes, but how--you think I can break some of the sediment?"

 

"Yeah!  Yeah that's it!  Concentrate now, give it a whirl.  Focus your mind on the air around you!  Feel it, and use it!"

 

Tae Jin closed her eyes, clearing her thoughts as she focused on bending the air around her.  She placed her gloved palm against the sand at her waist, and visualized herself pushing up, and breaking free of the pit.  Then, a sudden burst of air near her legs blew upwards, and kicked sand into the air.  For a brief moment, Tae Jin rose nearly one foot into the air, only her thighs and feet still being caught in the sand now.

 

"One more time," Udal called again.

 

With another push, Tae Jin burst free of the sand, and Udal yanked her up the pit, and dropped her on the beach.  She let out a huge sigh of relief, and Udal spread out his arms stretching his metal arm to the sky.  "Sorry it took so long," he said finally.  "I bet you're sta--"

 

Right on cue, Tae Jin's stomach growled, causing Udal to raise an eyebrow, and cautiously look in her direction.  She said nothing, as Udal crawled to his feet.  "Right.  If things went well, we'll have a place to crash tonight.  Everyone's there, so, let's get you some food.

 

Tae Jin nodded.  "Thanks, by the way."

 

Udal shrugged, helping Tae Jin up.  "Least I could do.  Really."

 

The walk back to Jeaunau's camp would take them a little over an hour and forty five minutes.

 


 

It was all smiles back at Jeaunau's camp.  Yao's report turned up nothing, and thanks to some local herbs, fresh water, and coconut milk, Shinya was still alive.  Jeaunau served up spare pork and vegetables, and everyone settled in.

 

"I don't have much to offer, but it's nice to see faces of someone other than the natives.  You're welcome to stay as long as you need," Jeaunau said.

 

Udal wiped his mouth.  "Thanks, but we need to get off this island as quickly as possible.  There's what, seven of us?  We can't stay with you for too long.  We'd kill your supplies.  Besides, don't you wanna go home too, Jeaunau?"

 

Jeaunau was tending to the metal craft he had shaped into plates, stocking the dirty ones neatly into a pile for cleaning.  "I do.  Soon, hopefully.  I'd like to report my findings.  And, pardon me, Udal.  But, there are only six of you, including Mimi there."

 

Mimi's head perked up at her name, but she immediately went back to her meal.

 

"Six?  Who're we--"

 

"Karina!"  Anyu said, cupping her mouth.

 

"Wait.  Didn't she wash up with one of you guys?" Yao asked.

 

Shinya shook his head.  "I was sure she washed up with Udal."

 

"No, I was with Mimi.  But then, that means she's alone.  And it's dangerous.  We've gotta find--"

 

"She's not alone," Jeaunau interrupted.  He wiped his glasses on his shirt, placing them back on his face.  He sighed, rubbing his chin.  "I wasn't sure, but now that I know you're missing someone, I know what happened to your friend.  Or, at least I think I do."

 

Udal looked around at the concerned faces of the others, then up to Jeaunau.  "What do you know, Jeaunau?  We can't leave her out there."

 

"Last night--the night of the storm.  I heard screaming.  There was a ruckus north of here, but I was awoken out of my sleep, to find nothing.  I can't say where or by whom, but the only other persons I'm aware of on this island, are the natives.  The Okrin Tribe.  Savages in their own right, but perhaps they'd be willing to bargain."

 

Tae Jin spoke up.  "You think. . .she's been captured?"

 

Jeaunau nodded.  "I'm quite sure of it, actually.  After setting traps early this morning, I investigated the north side of the island.  I found a young woman's torn garments.  It wasn't much, but it's not a material I've seen around the island.  I have to assume it belongs to your friend."

 

They were silent, heads hanging low.  "Then. . . how do we get her back?""

 

Jeaunau sat in a hand made wooden chair, and crossed one leg over the other.  "You'll have to ask the natives.  Question them.  And as much as I hate to say it, you may have to use force.  You can bend, can't you?"

 

Udal continued looking at Jeaunau.  "I can.  We're working on getting these guys on their feet.  But if I have to bash a few skulls to rescue Karina, I will."

 

Jeaunau nodded, standing up straight.  "Tomorrow then.  We'll go in teams of two and question the locals.  We share information and we bring Karina back safely.  And if there is trouble, we should only fight together.  There could be more poison, and I don't have much medicine left.  But I will do my best to assist you."

 

Udal cracked his knuckles.  "Things went from bad to worse, huh?"

 


 

Mission Details

 

It's time to save Karina.  Split up (but we just got the band back together!?) into teams of two.  Your choice who you roll with.  There are three native camps on the West side of the island.  Each one needs to be investigated, and they go by different tribe names.  Okrin Sa will be investigated by Team One.  Okrin Je will be investigate by Team Two.  Okrin Fo will be investigated by Team Three.  Udal will stay behind to assist teams as necessary, but he will not be investigating.  I'll explain the differences between each camp below:

 

Okrin Sa - A gathering camp.  They're peaceful, and prefer to farm and grow crops over hunting or fighting for food.  They're the most reserved of the Okrin camps, but prefer to be left alone.  Not aggressive, but not easily persuaded.

 

Okrin Je - A warrior camp.  The Okrin that roam the island and are the best trackers among their entire tribe.  They know the island in and out.  Very aggressive, and don't like intruders.  Approach with caution.

 

Okrin Fo - A bartering camp.  They get what they need by 'using' the other two camps to their advantage.  Cunning, and very likely to lie.  Do not trust a word they say.

 

Teams can be decided in character or in Skype.  If I missed anything, let me know!

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Tae Jin was acutely aware of how she was demolishing Jeaunau's supply of vegetables, but she couldn't help it. After being stuck in that hole all day, her stomach wouldn't allow her to compromise on the grounds of civility or politeness. Even that pork looked pretty good, however, even the thought of eating it started an internal lecture of some crusty old monk in her head and yada yada yada, the bottom line was she was going to stick to the vegetables and respect the cycle of life. Even the gravity of having to rescue Karina didn't really slow Tae Jin down. Perhaps it made her chew more...thoughtfully.

 

With a mouth full of food, she questioned Jeaunau about these tribes. "Oo unt uf to spit up? Ishn't that gonna be danderous?" It may have seemed like Tae Jin was pausing to let Jeaunau answer, but in truth she was just taking a moment to swallow. Her torrent of speech continue. "I mean, we just got back together and look at the trouble we managed to get into. I think if we are going to split up we should at least know all we can before we decide to 'split up into teams of two'." 

 

After Jeaunau explained what he could about the natives, Tae Jin interrupting where she could, the Air Acolyte turned to Yao. "I'm going with you, wherever your headed. I, uh, I want to make sure you're, um, safe." Looking to Mimi, she gave the Lion-Dragon a pat. "And you too, of course." 

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