Seperation

Twister gulped and looked at Feather.  She thought about it for a moment, then opened her mouth.  "Well, the thing is, we don't really know what's so bad..." Ratwing was shocked.  He had thought they would join immediately.
"But, don't you want to take them down? I mean, isn't it obvious?" Blaze nodded, and Bruno started to look a little edgy.
"Well, we understand that all of you guys hate him, but the thing is, we don't really have anything against him.  We don't even know what the mountain king IS. "  At this, Ratwing took a step backwards, as if she had hit him.
"You... But he's evil!" Blaze interrupted him.
"The Mountain King is the supreme ruler of everything.  They can even kill birds if they want to, and nobody will do anything about it.  The position is won by defeating the last Mountain King in battle.  If Tornado stays as Mountain King, life will be horrible for all of us."  He stopped and looked at them, awaiting a decision.
Twister and Feather nodded, and Feather was about to take a step forward, but was interrupted by Twister.  "Well, if what you say is true, then we'll want to stay on his good side.  He doesn't have anything against us yet, and I'd like it to stay that way. " Feather looked at her, then nodded again and settled back.  Ratwing was shocked to hear her say "we" without refering to him and Blaze as well.  He looked at Twister in disbelief, not even hearing what was said next.
"You don't know that.  He'll kill you because you're different.  He's cruel and-" Blaze's words were cut off by Bruno.
"Look, I don't know you, but if you're not going to stand up to Tornado then you're not worth knowing.  We'll take our rebellion elsewhere. " With that he flew off, Blaze following close behind.  Ratwing stood still for a few more minutes, looking back and forth between his two groups of friends, one of which was circling around the tree, waiting impatiently.  His chest felt like it was breaking in two, but he stepped off the branch and jumped into the air.  He hesitated for a moment, silently willing Twister or Feather to call them back, but they didn't say anything.  As he sped off after the two specks that were Bruno and Blaze, he heard a quiet sobbing coming from the tree behind him, and realized that there were tears falling beneath him as well.

Author's Note: Don't worry, I'll bring them back together, just wanted to put a twist on things.  There'll be a new character in the next chapter.

The Mountain King

     A shadow swept over the lush valley, blotting out the sun and piercing the air with it's shattering cry.  Looking up, one can see an outline of a giant wing, and then, in the blink of an eye, it is gone, a rapidly diminishing speck in the distance.  This speck soars high into the air before settling on the tip of a jagged mountain, screaming to all that it rules the Appalachians.  This declaration is heard all the way through the aforementioned valley, to a tall pine tree at the base of a mountain...

     "So, we'll rotate the jobs..." Ratwing was cut off by the scream.  Instantly, he stiffened.  "I've heard that voice before..." Except it wasn't him speaking.  It was Blaze.
     "You have?!" said everyone in the tree, turning to Blaze.
     "Yeah," he said softly, looking away towards the cry.  "His parents killed mine, and ever since I was a hatchling, he's tormented me.  I'd know that voice anywhere."
     "So would I." Interrupted Ratwing.  "He tormented me as a hatchling as well.  I was orphaned, and I wouldn't be surprised if his parents killed mine as well. " He narrowed his eyes darkly.  "Sounds as if he's the King now."
     Feather and Twister both looked confused, but Blaze nodded.  "The Mountain King."
     "Sorry, but what exactly is the Mountain King anyway?" asked Feather.  Ratwing looked at her as if just realizing she was there.
     "The Mountain King..." He began, but was cut off with a scream.  Of rage.
     A mostly black raven with white bands on his wings flew in, looking ready to murder someone.  "The Mountain King is stealing food!" he squawked.  "He has henchbirds keeping everyone away from fresh meat!" Ratwing looked at him incredulously.  "But, the Mountain King is supposed to protect the other birds of the mountains!" he spoke with an undeniable rage in his voice, and it steadily rose.  "He isn't supposed to steal food!" At this point his talons were shifting uneasily on his branch and he looked ready to fly off.  Twister interrupted his monologue.
     "Do you know him?" She said.
     "Yes" both the new bird and Ratwing spoke at once.  "His name is Bruno" explained Ratwing.  "I've seen him around before."  Bruno nodded, then looked around again.  "Something has to be done." he said with a quiet determination.  Ratwing and Blaze nodded at once, stepping closer.  They all looked at the two girls with expectation.

Author's Note: Sorry if it's confusing, all will be explained in the next chapter.