PLAN B: THE UNION

CHAPTER 1

With Clarke desperate to save her people of more bloodshed and free the 47 left in Mount Weather, she has no other option but to accept the Commanders alliance proposal.

Clarke could barely stand as she dragged the other woman across the flame-crisped graveyard. At first the journey from the river was quick and almost weightless as the grounder was severely malnourished. However the further she trekked into the forest dragging the general behind, the heavier her arms felt as he muscles began to strain. Throughout her whole body she cold not seem to find an area that didn't ache. However her name written in bold capital letters carved into the drop ship ahead distracted her immediately from the previous pains. Even going as far as to distract her from the now very awake and very angry grounder general that began staggering towards her turned back.

Anya's wheezing however became to loud to ignore and before Clarke knew it she was ducking to avoid a vicious right hook, entering a fight she was unsure she may win this time around. However it seemed that all Anya could focus on was causing her opponent extreme and possibly mortal damage. Enough in the very least to take the girl back to her Commander, without the child she would no longer be welcomed by her clan. She would be shunned for her failure as a leader.

Fists continued to fly as the Clarke could only redirect the punched to less vital organs and she tried to defend herself and avoid further injuries. However threatening the Grounder, who was trained to fight since birth, with a knife. Whilst telling her indirectly that she didn't have the stomach to kill her, was definitely not one of her most brilliant tactics. In fact the knife was less fruitful than the large branch she had previously tried to defend herself with.

Anya on the other hand took her advantage wherever she could and killing was no problem for her. Slicing into the sky girl's arm she quickly believed that the fight was coming to an end. Especially as she soon sat straddling the young girls legs with a knife held to her throat. She could feel Clarke's heavy breathing lifting her up with every breath as she crouched above the girl, allowing her to catch her breath.

Clarke however had other ideas that did not include being sliced up like sushi ready to be served. No. Acting before thinking Clarke had soon dug her fingers into the older woman's tracker wound and knocked the knife away hearing it land on the ground some distance away. However Anya was still on top of her crushing her slowly. Clarke grasped around wildly looking for anything to be used as a weapon as she finally came into contact with the skull of a warrior. Without thinking once more Clarke struck the skull against her opponents head watching as Anya fell dazed by the sky girls attack.

As the positions had now switched Clarke straddling the grounder she began to rain down her punches ensuring that every strike hit its target. Overall with the repetitive strikes and the drug still in her system slowing her down Anya had no choice but to concede.

Clarke was ready to deliver the final blow stabbing the grounder precisely in the heart, but once again she was soon distracted by what looked to be a shining balloon way ahead of the tree line. Knowing that her people were still alive and that the mountain had lied, Clarke completely forgot about her current predicament focusing solely on how she may help her people further.

'You fought well.' Came a gasp from beside her and was that a hint of respect she heard or maybe her mind was playing tricks on her but who knows the crazy mechanics of a grounder generals mind.

Helping Anya up she soon began to think of ways to convince the grounders of their help. The mountain men not only had her own people but they were also bleeding out the grounders and she could definitely use this to her advantage. However she had no knowledge on how many people had survived the Ark fall and she needed to find out soon.

'Did you see that? I knew it… he lied! My people are out there!' Also gasping Clarke tried to steady her breathing back to its resting heart rate. 'I'm letting you go. I'm not weak but I'm not like you. Our only chance against Mount Weather is if we fight together. To beat them we'll need our technology and your knowledge of this world… I know my people will help. The question is will yours?' she breathed out steadily as she determined whether it was truly safe to let the grounder roam around free and able to kill her as she turns her back.

Seconds that felt like minutes passed before Anya staggered breaths responded. 'The Commander was my second. I can get an audience.' Maybe Clarke could trust her after all. She would ultimately do anything to save her friends from the same fate the grounders currently hold under Mount Weathers reign. Quickly shaking on their agreement the two struggled to figure out the next stage, should they split up or do they become a united front. Anya certainly still believed she would be shunned the moment she steps into the Commander's village. Mentor or not, she has failed as a leader and this alliance would get nowhere unless Clarke arrived with her.

'On one condition, you must accompany me first to the Commanders Village where I will propose the alliance. Without you by my side I believe I will be shunned and there will be no chance of an alliance. Surely you do not want this to occur after everything you have told me Skai Prisa?' She questioned cautiously. She did not want to admit it but she believed in this alliance just as much as the sky girl and would not want to ruin any chances of her people finally reaching peace because an outsider did not trust her. 'I promise no harm shall come to you whilst we travel and I will escort you back to your people myself afterwards.' She continued in the hopes of convincing the girl further. Although she did not believe that Clarke would be in any need of her protection after there fight just minutes previous. What she lacked in skill she certainly made up for in enthusiasm.

'All right but we must hurry. I do not know how many of my people have survived the fall.' Clarke agreed thinking only of the safety and urgency of the 47 remaining in the mountain. There lives depend on this alliance and she will not fail them because she is too scared to travel with a grounder.

The pair had been staggering through the forest for at least another hour until Clarke finally realized where they were and that it was getting increasingly dark. Sooner or later the couple would need to come to a stop and rest for the night and Clarke knew the perfect place to remain safe from both the cold and any other possible threats.

'We should take shelter for the night. I know the perfect place not too far.' Clarke stated as she quickly altered their course. Swiftly moving throughout the forest dodging tree roots and branches that acted as obstacles the pair soon came into a small clearing. Just about fitting the two into it Clarke came to a stop with Anya colliding into her back due to the abrupt halt. They had arrived. Quickly looking around to ensure that no one else was around Clarke knelt down to open the hatch allowing for Anya to carefully step down the ladder and become enveloped in darkness.

The first thing she noticed however was the stench. Rotten and damp was the first presumption but at a closer inspection she soon recognized the smell for what it was; Death. Anya had been around the stench her whole life. There was no mistaking that the current odor was a mixture of blood and decomposition. However it seemed as though Clarke was not expecting the place to reek so much as she began to cough as if toxic fumes had been released into the small bunker. Quickly reaching for the matches she knew lay on the shelf besides the ladder Clarke set to work on lighting the candles, but the task did little to distract her from the curious smell. Anya on the other hand had already guessed the problem and did not know what to presume as the newly lit area revealed the body of a comrades.

Quickly unsheathing her dagger she created as much space as possible between the two. 'So this was your plan all along? Find somewhere secluded to kill me. As I can see if it obviously a practiced technique.' She spat out remaining alert as she took in the sight before her.

Blood pooled around the body as he lay face down with his body still tide up limiting his movement. Although she could not identify the grounder she knew that she could no longer trust the sky girl. The alliance would not come to pass even if she had to give her life. She would not risk the life of her heda.

'Anya I swear, I didn't know. This place has been empty since we came to earth. I promise I had nothing to do with this. I've been with you in the mountain this whole time.' Clarke was quick to defend herself as she realized the general was back to a defensive position ready to fight.

'You lie. You work with the mountain. I have only your word that you were a prisoner.' She reasoned there could be no more risk taking. Anya had to deal with the threat in front of her.

'Anya look at the body. Really look at him. He's only been dead for at least 24 hours. I have spent those last hours with you fighting and trudging through the forest.' Clarke whispered in a last attempt at salvation. She could not die. This alliance needed to happen.

Listening to the sky girl's words Anya glanced at the body once more this time focusing on all the features. Kicking the body over onto his back the leader was finally able to glimpse at the warrior. 'Natrona!' she spat quickly recognizing the man with one eye. He was no grounder. 'He was not one of us. I am sorry Clarke of the sky people. You have done great justice in killing him.' She thanked quietly not looking at Clarke. This warrior was a traitor to his clan. Slaughtering innocents and he deserved the death rewarded.

'I had nothing to do with it! Wait. I'm pretty sure he's grounder. How is he not one of you? What does Natrona mean?' she questioned confused by the sudden change in atmosphere. Anya was thanking her for killing someone, admittedly she didn't do it but if it aided negotiations of the alliance it couldn't help.

'It means he is a Traitor. He did not deserve to live. We must dispose of the body if we want to sleep. The dead are gone Clarke but the living are hungry. Settle down for the night we leave first thing for the Commander's camp we are mere hours away from TonDC. Rest. I will dispose of the Natrona.' Anya stated before quickly grabbing the body and dragging it up the ladder to leave it for the wild animals. This man deserved no peace his spirit will not be released from his body to find another.

Closing the hatch Anya returned to the bed that Clarke was now resting in ready to watch over the princess ensuring no harm came to her over night. However after noticing that the grounder general did not intend to sleep Clarke quickly convinced her otherwise stated no one else will attack there own leaders. They would be safe, even if found. Anya although unsure, quickly succumbed to the princess's wishes, as sleep began to overcome her. After all they would both need strength for the next day ahead.