"No! We are too late!" Dragonsong gasped, coming to a full stop at the edge of the clearing.

"What… what happened?" Serpentstrike said quietly, horrified. Dragonsong shook her head.

"All that matters now is that we ensure her survival." The black tigress walked forward quietly, forcing herself to walks towards the body on the ground. The strange red glow that bathed the Hidden Kingdom caused the sword lodged in the girl's chest to glow with an unearthly looking-light.

"It's not of any metal I've known the humans to use…" Serpentstrike inspected the blade, eyes narrowed.

"That's most likely the point of why it was used." Dragonsong said, narrowing her eyes as well.

"What… what the!?" Both tigers turned to see the human named Lin Chung. His eyes were wide in horror.

"You see why we needed to find her?" Dragonsong snapped.

"Who did this?" The human gasped. Both tigers shrugged, and Dragonsong turned back to Serpentstrike, who spoke.

"What do we do with it?" Serpentstrike padded in a circle, looking at the sword, tail tip twitching in agitation. Dragonsong thought for a few seconds before grasping the hilt of the sword with her fangs. She yanked backed, and the sword came with her with a sickening sound. Dragonsong dropped the blade on the ground and shuddered. The gaping wound in the One's chest had finally stopped bleeding, but the sword had pierced her heart.

"Is there a way to save her?" Serpentstrike said quietly, so the human wouldn't hear. Dragonsong nodded.

"Yes. But we must get back to the mountains. Help me get her onto my back." Dragonsong ordered. Her companion followed her command. The black tigress turned to face the human, only to find he had disappeared. She shrugged. Soon, Dragonsong was racing through the forest, dodging around hanging branches and other things that could cause the body on her back to fall. Dragonsong slowed down when she reached the base of the mountains. She climbed her way around boulders and up soft slopes, digging in her claws for more traction. She had sent Serpentstrike to find the rest of the patrol. It took the black tigress a good portion of the afternoon to get back to the palace.

"Dragonsong? What are you doing? Who is that?" A tigress asked as she entered the palace the tiger tribe lived in. Dragonsong ignored her, running to where the Ice Cave was. Nearly slipping on the ice, Dragonsong gently put the girl's body down.

"This is the One?" The deep voice said quietly. Dragonsong nodded.

"Is there any way you know of that can save her?" The black tigress asked.

"She will survive. But she will not be the one to defeat TwinMasters." The voice said, its voice echoing through the chamber.

"What?" Dragonsong was shocked.

"Her destiny has a far greater goal."

"Are you sure?" Dragonsong still doubted the voice.

"You must trust my judgment. I know all." The voice said once more before it stopped talking. Dragonsong nodded slowly; the voice was right. She turned back to the body, glanced at it, before turning to the ice wall to see what would then happen in the Hidden Kingdom.

*Four Months Later*

"Are you sure you're alright?" Dragonsong asked me. I nodded.

"Yes, I am. I believe it's time I headed back… to whatever may be left of the Hidden Kingdom…" I started to walk forward. Miraculously, I had been healed of that sword wound. But the horrible scar left by it would forever mark me.

"Rachel, there is one thing you should know before you leave." The black tigress said to me. I turned back to face her.

"What is it?" I asked, curious.

"The war with TwinMasters is over." She stated simply.

"What? How can this be?" I asked, eyes wide.

"The remnants of Big Green, mostly First Squad, defeated him while you were recuperating. There is no longer the threat of him." She said.

"I must go! I must know what happened to my team!" I said urgently, turning around on my paws and sprinting away. They had to be alive. They just had to have survived. It only seemed like moments when I reached the border of the Hidden Kingdom and Northern Kingdom. Looking around, I realized Dragonsong was right; everything was back to normal. The sky was blue again and the forest was healing. Slowing down when I reached the forest, I scented the air; I couldn't smell any of my teammates nearby. Going to the only place I could think of, I sprinted in the direction of where the remnants of Big Green had been. I hissed as the strain caused pain to shoot through my chest; where I had been stabbed still hurt. I slowed my pace, panting, and trotted the rest of the way. Reaching the beach, I shoved my head through the bushes, eyes wide. I couldn't believe what I saw.

"What do you want?" I recognized Lin Chung.

"We're just passing through." Aslan growled. I quickly counted the members of my team. They were all there.

"Why are you all even still here? Rachel's dead." Lin Chung snapped. Azaan growled from his place beside Dazaan.

"That's why we're leaving." Aslan said coldly. The lion walked around Lin Chung and on past him into the forest. I sprinted in the direction Aslan had chosen, but stopped suddenly. They thought I was dead. I couldn't go back to them; it was my whole fault because of what had happened to the Hidden Kingdom. I had put thousands of lives in danger, and I was responsible for hundreds of deaths. It would be better if they figured I was dead; they wouldn't have to worry about me. I turned around slowly, eyes screwed shut.

Opening them again, I walked in a westward direction, away from the path my team had taken. I would find somewhere to live, where the story of my betrayal of the whole Hidden Kingdom wouldn't reach. Where I could live in peace. Where I wouldn't be scrutinized by every set of eyes, or blamed.

Someplace I could forget my past.

And this is the end of the first story. :D

Really proud of this, actually. So glad a lot of people liked it.

And don't worry. There will be a sequel, called "Rise".