The Kin of the Wasteland

[MistyHeart]

Since I'm usually the one to progress too quickly in a Nichling playthrough, I decided to do a lil playthrough that forces me to slow down, and do some more stuff with lore + personalities, so here goes nothing!

 

The Wasteland

Athena POV

Athena gasped at the sudden chill of the island. She wasn't used to it, but she was in no way cold. It seemed like she was built for this kind of weather.

"Is this the snowy place mother was always talking about?" Ursa said, looking around.

"I think so." Athena nodded.

"I don't know why she was so excited about it. It seems like a barren wasteland of death." 

"Well, It's our home now."

Athena POV

"What is that?" Ursa pointed to a weird rock slightly far away. 

The rock was not like any other rock- however. It seemed to contain something valuable, like treasure.

"I don't know." Athena said.

"I'm going to touch it." 

"Okay, but be careful."

The two sisters walked by each other, reaching the rock.

"There's definitely something inside." Athena said.

"Hmmm." Ursa narrowed her eyes, before smacking the rock with her claws. "Let's break it!"

Athena stabbed her fangs into it, but was immediately greeted with the bitter icyness of the rock.

"Don't eat it, dumby!" Ursa giggled, and Athena felt her ears getting hot.

Athena scratched it with all her might, and eventually, a crack was formed. Then the crack got bigger, and with a loud shattering noise, the rock broke, revealing the hidden treasure inside.

 

Athena POV

Athena was shocked to see a furry red lump instead of gold.

"Who are you!" Ursa gasped, backing off a little.

"H-hello! I'm Mane, aren't you guys cold?" Mane shivered. 
"No, we're not cold. We're built for this kind of area." Ursa said.

"O-oh. Well I'm cold. Could I stay w-with you?" Mane whispered.

The two sisters looked at each other.

"Sure." Athena responded before Ursa could argue.

"Yay, thanks!" Mane cheered.

 

Athena POV

"Look, snow!" Mane's eyes glimmered happily.

"Do you like the snow?" Athena asked the small furry Nichling.
"I do, but mother never let me play in it. She said I was different from the other Nichlings." Mane said sadly.

"You came from a tribe?" 

"Yeah... I don't remember much about them. All I know is that for some reason mother left me behind when the tribe was supposed to go travel together... I was so excited. I don't think she's coming back anymore."

 

Athena POV

"Stay in here for now. Your fur is not suited for this kind of weather." Athena said as she put Mane into the hotspring.

"Feels nice. I miss my mom. She would always warm me up when I got cold." Mane mumbled.

"She sounds like a good mom." 

"She was. I don't know why she would leave me."

"Maybe it was against her will." 

"Maybe."

 

Athena POV

Athena looked above at the sky. It was grey, like always, but something was different. A large bird was watching from above. Shoo, you big fat bird. She knew the bird wanted to eat Mane.

"Stay away from that bird, Mane. If it catches you, you'll be done for good- this time no weird rock will save you." Athena warned. 

 

Ursa POV

"I think I'm ready to go now..." Mane said.

"You sure?" Athena flicked her tail.

"Yeah." 

"If you say so, come on, you two." 

Ursa trailed behind Athena and Mane. She wasn't a huge fan of Mane, he required so much of Athena's attention. She wished she never tried to break that rock. Mane was now basically a little brother of Athena, and Ursa despised that. She didn't want any siblings. Only she, and Athena. That was enough.

 

Athena POV

"I feel different, Mane." Athena said to the still tired Nichling.

"Really? How so?" Mane asked curiously. 

"I feel older, with more responsibilities." 

Mane snorted. "Old people."
"Hey! I'm not THAT old!" Athena giggled.

"Totally are." 

"Am not."

"I can prove it. If I tackle you, you will totally fall on the floor and die." 

"Prove it, then."

Mane tackled Athena playfully, and the two wrestled for a bit, eventually tiring each other out.

 

Ursa Pov

Meanwhile, Ursa sat alone in her own world, watching the two playing. She also felt older- but not in the same way as Athena did. She felt like she had a destiny now. A purpose. And that purpose, certainly didn't involve Mane. 

 

Mane POV

Mane was off by himself. Athena was napping, and Ursa never felt like talking to him, so he explored. He heard a slight rustle.

"Hello? Mane said.

He shoved a pile of snow away, and revealed a beautiful brown and white Nichling.

"Oh- hello. Is this your land?" The Nichling took a step back.

"No, It's not."

"Oh good, I already got beat up by some really aggressive Nichling a few weeks back." The Nichling smiled. "Besides, no offense but you don't look like you would strive well enough here to have a territory."

"You don't like you could either. You look really cold." 

"I am, actually."

"Would you like to join our tribe? We're always warm."

"Why not?"

 

Reindeer POV

Reindeer walked into the main area of the tribe, her paws shaking slightly. She was expecting to see a large group of Nichlings, but instead, saw only 2 Nichlings.

"Who's this, Mane?" Athena asked.

"This is Reindeer, I just found her. She would like to join us." Mane explained.

"Welcome, Reindeer." Athena grinned.

"Thank you, what's your name?" Reindeer questioned.

"I am Athena, the orange Nichling over there is Ursa." 

"Nice to meet you two."

 

Reindeer POV

Reindeer looked around, and saw something that scared her- a bear. 

"We need to go, now!" She shouted, panicked. 

"Why?" Athena asked.

"There's a balance bear coming."

All four Nichlings set off, leaving their camp behind.

 

Ursa POV

Ursa wasn't sure why they were trusting the words of the Nichling they just met, but Athena had already set off, and she didn't want to be left behind, so she followed. She was a bit behind, and she could hear the bears behind her now. 

"Athena! I can hear them!" She yowled.

"Coming! Stay here, Reindeer and Mane." Athena replied.

Athena guided Ursa, but suddenly they were jumped by a bear.

Ursa had never seen one, and she truly underestimated their size. She clawed it's eyes, before running away.

 

Athena POV

Athena returned back to Mane, with Ursa following closely behind, and then she suddenly realized a bear was stalking them from afar. She led the group away from them.

 

Ursa POV

Ursa heard a terrified screech. She exchanged a look with Athena, and they went towards the source of the noise. When they reached the area, they saw a cream Nichling standing below a bear. 

"Run!" Athena said loudly to the unknown Nichling.

The Nichling turned around, and dashed off in their direction. The two chased after him.

"Hey, what's your name?" Athena asked.

"Tilted. It's stupid, I know. I never earned my full name." Tilted said.

"I don't think It's stupid. I'm Athena, and this is Ursa, would you like to join us?" Athena asked.

"Oh- sure..."

 

Mane POV

"We're surrounded!" Reindeer said. 

"We'll find a way out, just trust me!" Athena said with no hint of doubt in her tone.

Mane always admired Athena. She was always so confident and nice, and he couldn't help but feel an attachment to her. He would crumble to pieces if she died. 

Before he knew it, they were out of the bear's range. They were safe, and it was all because of Athena.

 

Reindeer POV

"We made it out!" Reindeer panted in between her words.

"We wouldn't have made it out if it wasn't for Athena." Mane purred.
The tribe nodded in agreement.

"I think she should be our leader." Mane suggested. 

I hope they agreed as well. If they didn't, it might cause a split in the tribe, and that's not what I want right now.

"I barely know her, but she saved my life. She has my vote." Tilted said.

Reindeer also agreed.  "She also has mine. She's treated me with only kindness since I've arrived." 

"I guess she has mine too." Ursa sounded a lot less excited then the others.

"Then it's official, Athena is our leader." Mane purred. 

 

Tilted POV

"Hey, look at what I found!" Tilted said to his tribe.

"That's the same type of rock we found Mane in! Break it open, maybe there's another Nichling inside!"  Athena said.

Tilted agreed, and he broke it open.

 

Tilted POV

"Hi! I'm Flying!" 

[Chiyanna]

(I love this! I don't know what it is about mountain/frost island playthroughs but they tend to be great! And you are doing good telling the story and developing the characters' personalities so far. Everything appears to be going well....but Ursa concerns me a bit. Maybe she will leave the tribe...or worse, try and destroy it from within

[Chiyanna]

(which is great drama btw

[MistyHeart]

Ursa POV

"Tilted!" Ursa called.

"Yes?" The light colored yellow Nichling replied.

"Come here." 

Ursa and Tilted had grown close over the few weeks. She was hesitant to follow him at first, since he was so trusting of Athena and Mane, but they grew close, Ursa just had to remember to avoid the topic of Athena. But today, that was going to change. She was going to break through his thick fur, and try and get the secret out of him. Surely he didn't trust her THAT much.

"What is it?" Tilted asked.

"Do you trust Athena?" Ursa said.

"Of course, why?"

"I just, don't know. I thought I loved her, and we would stick together forever, but she just seems so blinded now. So obsessed with that Mane guy. He's up to no good." 

"She is a bit too trustful, I can agree with that. But hasn't she and Mane been together since they were kids? Didn't she kinda raise him? I would trust someone like that too." 

"He's hiding something. She's too trusting to see it. I'm afraid she's going to keep inviting wanderers, and one day one of them is gonna betray us all and cause the downfall of the tribe." 

"...I can see that, actually."

"What I'm trying is to say, we could start a tribe together." 

Tilted eye's shone with curiosity. "Keep explaining."

"We could start a f- empire of our own, we would be the rulers. Only inviting trustworthy Nichlings, and being greater then Athena." Ursa explained.

"Well, I suppose we only live once."  

 

Tilted POV

Titled was supposed to leave tomorrow in the morning, but until dawn, he had nothing better to do. But then he remembered. He always wanted to asking Flying about her backstory, since the name seemed like something his past tribe would've named their Nichlings. So he approached her.

"Hello." He greeted.

"Hi there, you're Tilted, right?" The child asked.

"Yes. I am."

"That's a funny name, but it seems like something my mama would name a child." 

"What was your mama's name?" 

"She was Stalking Antler, I think."

"My mom was called Climbing Tail." 

"Do you think we came from the same tribe?"

"I think so." 

"Flying! Come on, we found something cool!" Mane yelled in the distance.

"Oh! See you later, Tilted!" 

 

Ursa POV

"Athena, goodmorning. You seem extra happy." Ursa commented.

"I am extra happy." Athena grinned.

"Why?"

"Mane is my mate now! He confessed to me! Isn't that great?"

Ursa felt her heart shatter into millions of pieces. Her sister was officially stolen. She had thought about maybe somehow convincing Athena to leave Flying and Mane to join her group as a normal member, but now she knew. They had love. Love is forever. Nothing breaks the loyalty of true love, and Mane and Athena's love was definitely true love. She could separate them, but only for so long. Eventually Athena would leave her group in search of Mane, or Mane would join her group. Both options were bad. Athena could die out in the cold, and while Ursa hated her sister, she didn't want her to die. She just wanted her to forget Mane.

"Yeah. Just great." She faked a smile. 

Athena padded away to Mane without another glance. Ursa looked at Tilted.

"Lets get out of this pathetic love hole." She hissed.

 

Ursa POV

"Last chance to return to the tribe, Tilted." Ursa said.

"I'm sticking with you." Tilted said confidently. 

"Alright then."

 

Tilted POV

"Ursa? Can I tell you something?" Tilted mumbled.

"Of course, what is it?" Ursa said.
"My backstory."

"Go ahead."

"I came from a tribe full of furry, elephant trunked, mammoth footed Nichlings. But as you can see, I got the short end of the stick. My mother protected me with all her soul, and tried to negotiate. But I was left behind. I've been living by myself since."

Ursa stood silently. "Our mother always had a dream of a island like this. Which is why she fell in love with my dad. But my home tribe split up after three siblings, Kiara, Mavina, and Lyka, started a war. Their were three groups, the ones who wanted Kiara to lead, which called themselves The Kiara Fighters, the ones who wanted Mavina to win, they called themselves The Fearless Mavinas, and the ones who wanted Lyka to win. They called themselves The Stealthy Bearyenas. I was just a baby when the split happened. My dad fought for Mavina, and my mom fought for Lyka. My dad threatened to steal and kidnap me and my sister, so she told us to run, and that's how we ended up here."

"Have you ever thought about heading back?"

"There's nothing waiting for me at home. My mother would be dead by the time I got there, my father would kill me, and the tribes are probably still split. So no."

 

Tilted POV

"A bear! We need to run!" Tilted freaked out.

"Come on!" Ursa said, guiding Tilted away from the bear.

 

Ursa POV

After successfully escaping the bear, the two settled into the snow.
"I feel like I'm gonna die. Can I tell you something before I die?" Tilted said.

"Your not gonna die, but sure." Ursa rolled her eyes sarcastically. 

"I think I like you."

 

Reindeer POV

Reindeer relaxed, away from the tribe. She needed a moment of peace, plus, she didn't want the tribe to freak out.

She was gonna die here. It was something she had come to terms with. She didn't accomplish much in her life, and she highly doubt her story would be told, but she was fine with that.

She never wanted to be important. 

 

Flying POV

Flying happily bounced around, energy filled her paws.

"You've gotten older." Athena said.

Flying was happy to be old. Soon, she might earn her adulthood name. But then again, Tilted, Ursa, Mane, and Athena were adults, but their names were still Simples, so maybe this tribe didn't do names, or everybody were Nameless Dishonors. 

 

Athena POV

"Bear!" Athena cried out. 

"Run!" Mane squeaked. 

"Where's Ursa? I need to make sure she's safe!" Athena yowled. 

"Your expecting, Ursa is not! Come on!" 

Athena shot a distraught look at the bear, but pounced away.

 

Tilted POV

"You can stay in here, its warm." Tilted purred. 

Ursa happily bounced into the refreshing hotspring.

Tilted felt so much love for the unborn baby Ursa was expecting. She wanted to assure the safety of not only Ursa, but the baby as well. 

 

Tilted POV

"Bear!" Ursa screeched, hopping out of the pool, running away.

Tilted followed her. Was that my fault? I should've chose somewhere better.

 

Athena POV

"What is that thing?" Athena asked Mane.

"That's a ramfox. Their intelligent, I wouldn't recommend messing with them."

Athena nodded, but she also couldn't help but stare at the beautiful fur of the ramfoxes, observing them from afar.

 

Mane POV

"Cmon, Athena!" Mane yelled.

"I have to get Flying!" Athena replied.

Mane felt his blood boil. Athena seemed to care for Flying more then her actual child. Flying was more then capable of caring for herself now, yet she still cared for the little one like as if she was her own baby.

 

Ursa POV

Ursa happily gazed at the little creature below her. Seeing this baby made her so happy, yet it reminded her of Mane, but she tried to push those feelings back. Mane made her angry and murderous. This baby was supposed to make her joyful. 

"Ursa? Can I ask something?" Tilted said.

Ursa nodded.

"Can we name the kid Running? It's okay if not, I just wanna carry on my tribe's naming tradition." 

"Of course. How do their naming traditions work, again?"
"Well, first, it starts with a verb. Like, Falling, Gaze, or something. And once they reached adulthood, they add something to your name that describes your skills."

Ursa didn't comment on the fact that he didn't have the second part of his name. "What about we name her Running?" 

"I like that. Running."

 

Athena POV

"Wait! I need to get Flying!" Athena tried to run back.
"We'll get her later. Come one!" Mane dragged her away.

Athena didn't understand why Mane was so urgent. It wouldn't take that long to retrieve Flying.

 

Running POV

Running limped weakly outside, both his parents cheering him on. He felt encouraged and loved.

 

Mane POV

Mane smiled at the sight of his son. "Let's name him Burn."

"I was thinking we could name him Lark after my broth-" Athena said.

Mane glared at her. "In my tribe, the father always got to name his kids."

"Okay... Burn it is."

 

Ursa POV

"Ramfoxes." Tilted lowered his ears at the sight of the pack of white creatures.

"So that's what they're called." Ursa said.

"Their dangerous. We should leave." 

 

Tilted POV

"Are you okay, Ursa? You seem weak." Tilted asked, concerned. He hoped his mate wasn't sick.

"I think I'm expecting, again." Ursa admitted. 

"Really? That's great! I'll help you move."

"Thanks, but don't forget Running."

"Of course I wouldn't, come on, little one!"

[Chiyanna]

(uh oh, looks like Ursa might've been right about Mane...

RIP Reindeer and probably Flying

[Peanutpup77]

Are you still writing this?