Riley's POV

Right in the middle of a bamboo clearing was the biggest, most scariest looking tiger Riley has ever seen. It had battle scars everywhere and had a dark pelt. On its neck was the Bamboo Panda.

"Any plans on what to do now, Eilene?" John asked.

Eilene just looked at the tiger, speechless.

"Why don't we surround the tiger?" Ella suggested.

"Let's try it," Eric agreed.

The team split up and started walking around quietly to get the tiger surrounded. At first, she heard no one, saw no one. Just then, there was a crack and a yelp as Riley spotted Hope trip out of the bush that was blocking her from the tiger's view. The tiger whirled around and roared, then started running towards her. Just when the tiger was about to pounce, Zoron who had been running towards her, pushed her away in time and had scrambled out the tiger's path.

Everyone started running towards the tiger and surrounded it. The tiger spun around, unsure on who to attack. The tiger gave another huge roar and had launched itself right at Eilene, unexpectedly. Eilene jumped up just in time and landed on the tiger's back before the tiger could move, Jef had snatched the talisman away with inhuman speed.

The tiger froze, then it started to shrink until it was a normal sized tiger again. The tiger growled and ran into the bamboo forest.

"We got the talisman," Ivan said, "and the Conquerors aren't even here."

"But they still have the Bronze Eagle," Ella reminded them.

"You know, they've been stealing some talismans of ours," John suggested, "Why don't we do the same?"

Zoey's POV

"I'm starting to have second thoughts," Zoey said uneasily.

"Come on," Ivan said, "It's gonna be fun."

Sam was leading them through the bamboo forest. Riley wanted to see her father so desperately that Sam agreed to lead them where there were. Just then, there were voices, lots of them. Sam quickly ran, the others following them and they stopped. In the clearing were a group of Conquerors, Drina and Derek in the middle.

"Look, we found them," Jef said.

"What do you mean, it's not there?" Drina was yelling at a Conqueror.

"The Greencloaks have gotten to them first," he replied nervously.

"Ah you no good...grr," Drina fired.

"Patience Drina," Derek said, trying to calm her down, "I already have a plan."

Another group of Conquerors came but they were holding someone. He looked like a Zhongese soldier.

"Father!" Riley cried and ran out their hiding places.

"Riley, no-" Ella tried to grab for her but she was already running.

"Quick, grab her!" Drina ordered and the Conquerors quickly grabbed Riley.

"Oh no," Hope gasped.

"Come out, Greencloaks," Derek called, "We know you're out there somewhere."

"What do we do, what do we do?" Zoey said, panicking.

"Everyone just calm down," Eric said.

"Call me crazy," John muttered then stepped out into the clearing.

"He's gone mad," George exclaimed.

"Wait, where's Eilene?" Hope asked.

Zoey looked around but Eilene was nowhere to be found.

"Ah, anyone else?" Derek called.

"No, it's just me and her," John replied, "We got separated from the group."

"Do you really think I would actually believe that?" Derek sneered.

"I've answered your question," John said.

Derek gave a dark laugh and walked over to where Riley and her father.

"I assume you went out just to save your girlfriend," Derek said, "Your new girlfriend I suppose."

John was struggling to stay calm, "I have no girlfriend."

"Well, if none of your friends show up," Derek went on, "Either say goodbye to your girlfriend or your girlfriend's father."

"Riley, you have a boyfriend?" Riley's father exclaimed.

"What?" Riley squeaked, "No I don't!"

"How many times to I have to tell you," John almost growled, "I do not have a girlfriend. Seriously, why do people keep saying I have a girlfriend?"

"So," Drina called, "Anyone else would like to come out?"

Zoey and the other's watched in panicked. Riley and John were trapped and Eilene was missing. Suddenly, Zoey spotted and small hooded Conqueror going closer to Riley and the Zhongese soldier. Another Conqueror was putting them in handcuffs.

"Distract them," Sam suddenly spoke, "The other Zhongese soldiers are near here. I'll be back before you know it."

Then Sam ran deeper into the bamboo forest. Suddenly, George ran into the clearing.

"I guess running into trouble is a family trait," Zoron mumbled.

"Ah, there you are my brother," George said, doing a terrible job at acting, "Why have you been caught?"

Zoey could tell that John was having a hard time not to roll his eyes.

"Why have you run out here in the open?" John countered, "Now we're both trapped."

"Of course I would do anything to save you," George replied.

"How are you saving me right now?" John retorted.

Zoey saw the small, hooded Conqueror walk up to Derek.

"Sir," it was a female's voice, "Aren't you going to kill them?"

She thought she saw a look of surprise flash on Derek's face but it was gone to quickly.

"Of course we will," Derek replied, "This dumb heads aren't much useful."

"What did you just call me?" John asked.

"I called you a dumb head," Derek replied flatly.

"Says the guy who lost all three talismans," John retorted and Derek glared.

"What's taking Sam so long?" Zoey asked.

John and Derek kept on bickering until Drina quieted them.

"Enough!" Drina yelled, "Kill them!"

There were rustling in the bushes and finally, Sam came with a group of Zhongese soldiers.

"That's our cue,"Eric said and they all ran into the clearing to join the fight.

"Stop!" Drina yelled, "Unless you want the girl and the soldier killed!"

Everyone stopped and looked at the small hooded Conqueror who had her axe raised. Just then, she pulled off her hood and Zoey gasped. It was Eilene. Eilene gave them a quick smirk and brought the axe down, breaking the chains and letting them free.

Greencloaks are so smart, aren't they? Please vote and leave a comment on what you think. Stay tuned for the next chapters!