Chapter 13: Spirits World

[unedited]

Day 3

Third day. Making, ok progress. They were about halfway to the White Cottage where they were headed. Ty-Lee was getting a bit tired as they trudged on. Nothing new was happening, just the same old traveling. 3 was making sure to keep up a good steady pace, if Ty-Lee was in charge however, she would've just said screw this and nap all day. 3 slowed down as she heard Ty-Lee panting heavily as she tried to keep up. "We can take a break," At the words Ty-Lee dropped to the ground with a heavy breath. She laughed a little as 3 smiled. "Sorry," She apologized weakly. "But this baby isn't getting any smaller," She confessed patting her stomach. 3 giggled and floated on over. "I can see that," She said as she watched Ty-Lee begin relaxing. Lately the pregnant woman had had a little too much stress, she needed this, to relax and feel safe. So 3 was happy to see her relaxing and enjoying the sunshine. A loud bang sounded in the distance, but not too far from where they now rested. Ty-Lee sat up strait, terror running through her entire being as the awful sound rang out. 3 squinted into the sun, trying to figure out what that sound was. A pitch blackness roared over the hills in the distance. "It's Him," 3 barely was able to whisper. "What?" Ty-Lee couldn't believe what she'd just heard. It could t be Him. She was safe he didn't know- "Great Terror has entered Keonama, he's here," 3 said in a determined voice. "Lets move!" She yelled. Ty-Lee was up immediately and ran as fast as she could to get away from Great Terror.

I have to keep going, Ty-Lee repeated these words over and over as she grew weaker and weaker. She was so tired maybe a little rest would-no! Stop thinking that way, keep moving don't stop or He'll get you. Ty-Lee forced herself over the small hill. 3 wanted so badly to let Ty-Lee rest but she couldn't stop now, if they did Great Terror would catch them and they'd surely die. Keep moving, don't stop.

"I can't go any further," Ty-Lee breathed out as she panted heavily. "But it's just up this mountain, can't you make it?" 3 pleaded for her safety. "I-c-can't-" Ty-Lee was so out of breath she was shaking harshly. "But-if only I could carry you," 3 felt useless. She was just a tiny guide. What could she do? She sighed. Turning back she saw the great blackness still coming fast. If only-is that-no, it, it couldn't be, but, maybe, it was! Mitsuki was flying over to them. "Mitsuki!" 3 yelled. Ty-Lee weakly turned to see the star spirit coming in for a landing. She hit the ground with a thud. Remaining on her knees for a moment just staring at them, just to be sure they were real and not one of Great Terror's tricks. Mitsuki stood. Her face was smudged with dirt patches and her eyes were still a little bit red from her tears. "You're alright?" She spoke in a soft, fearful voice. "Yes," Mitsuki brought her in for a hug. She was so relieved she got here soon enough. When she finally let go 3 pointed out Great Terror's cloud of doom, as she called it. "Ty-Lee you Have to get up this mountain," Mitsuki said in urgent warning. "But I-I'm so tired," Mitsuki frowned. "I know, but if you wanna live, if you want your baby to live, you have to get up and force yourself to get up this mountain," Ty-Lee looked at her. The look in her eyes, she looked confused and a little afraid but also, sad. Ty-Lee decide then and there that she wasn't going to be tired. She forced herself to stand, even though her swollen ankles ached as she did so. She faced the mountain with determination and began walking upward. Mitsuki followed and 3 led the way.

~o0o~

At the top, finally! Ty-Lee dropped to the ground in exhaustion. Mitsuki almost did the same, but she made her way to the door of the cottage. An older woman with soft pink hair opened the door. Panting, Mitsuki looked up to meet her gaze and said, "I was sent by the Mèrridian Princess to escape Black Torture, along with my friends," The woman looked to her tired companions and graciously invited them in. "Come come, quickly now," She scooted them along. "Down here," The old woman lifted her rug revealing a trap door. She opened it and told them to go downstairs and wait. "No, I have to protect them," Mitsuki protested. "They'll wait, I'll fight," She said stubbornly. The woman was skeptical but finally consented. Ty-Lee walked down the stairs with 3 floating right beside her. It was dark and musty. Then a light popped up in the center of the room. It glowed a soft bluish white glow, then grew bigger. It wrapped around Ty-Lee completely, and the strangest thing happened. She felt safe, completely safe, it was the safest she'd felt her entire life, Ty-Lee never wanted to leave this place.