Not All Monsters
Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot and ocs. Enjoy and feel free to let me know what you thought!
Chapter 1
When the Sky people fall to earth, it comes as a shock, something the Commander wasn't anticipating. When they land in the middle of a war zone, its much worse than any of the clans thought it would be. Clarke can only glance towards her ward and Lincoln before making her way towards the Commander's tent, eager to learn what she planned.
"What do you mean?" Clarke can only shake her head when Abby shrugs her shoulders.
"Just as I said. We will observe them, learn what they are doing here and if they are a threat. I will not wage war nor offer peace if I am not certain of their intentions. You, Murphy, and Lincoln shall be the first scouts sent. You will report to back to me of what you have learned. Clarke, we do not know what they are doing here or why they were sent. I want you to watch each other," her mother instructed, to which Clarke could only nod.
"You'll keep an eye on Madi for me, right?" she questioned her mother, watching as Abby's chocolate colored eyes softened for a brief moment.
"Of course," she agreed, watching as her daughter bowed before leaving the tent.
Clarke easily found Lincoln, sitting by the gates, waiting for her with an eye brow quirked. Clarke could only roll her eyes before glancing around the area for her ward as well as her adopted brother.
"Where are Madi and Murphy?" she questioned with a furrowed brow. Lincoln could only sigh before jerking his chin towards her hut.
"He knew we would be sent out first and thought it would be wise for you and Madi to say your goodbyes in private," he answered easily, leading her towards the edge of the village where her hut was located. Pushing the door open, Clarke felt the breath forced from her lungs by the tiny force that was simply an energetic girl.
"Ai hod yu in. Leidon Klark," The small figure whispered into Clarke's shirt. Clarke could only wrap her arms around the slight body leaning down slightly to press a kiss to the crown of her head.
"Ai hod yu in Madi," she replied, pulling back and offering the girl a small smile.
"It's only a scouting mission. We will be back by nightfall. Commander will be looking after you until I return and most likely over seeing your warrior training," Clarke explained, watching as the seven year old nodded sharply, wiping at her cheeks before offering a toothy grin.
"I'll be the best warrior ever," she boasted, and Clarke could only grin before turning her attention to her adopted brothers.
"Are you two ready?" Lincoln offered a sharp nod while Murphy only shrugged. Clarke rolled her eyes before lifting her pack onto her shoulder and spinning on her heel to lead the way towards the sight of the crash.
The sight that greeted them was surprising. Clarke shared a look with both Murphy and Lincoln before climbing into the closest tree as they found cover of their own. Clarke counted ninety nine teenagers, children, and an adult closer to her age rather than Lincoln's. They were untrained by the way they reacted to the sight of the earth, one falling to his knees and kissing the ground. Clarke shook her head, returning her attention to the older boy as arguing with one of darker skin.
"Sorry Chancellor Junior, but we aren't taking any orders from you. This is Earth, not the Ark," the older boy growled, challenging the younger for dominance, something Clarke saw often among the boys of her village. She could only roll her eyes before taking in the rest of the teenagers. The youngest in the group looked to be twelve, while the oldest was the boy she saw fighting for dominance. Clarke could only shake her head before glancing towards the ground, seeing both Lincoln and Murphy waiting for her, neither looking excited about what they discovered as well. Clarke released a breath before easily descending from the tree and sharing a look with her adopted brothers. These children were looking for supplies, and they were headed in the direction of the Maunon. Lincoln released a quiet curse, rolling his eyes skywards and Clarke knew he was silently praying for patience. These children were going to get themselves killed if they weren't careful.
Murphy hissed a quiet breath as Clarke hit him once more, a growl escaping from between her teeth as Lincoln finally pulled her off.
"What part of do not engage is so hard for you to understand you dumbass. I'm the one who's going to have to explain what happened to Mother, who's going to take your punishment because you reacted before you thought anything through," Clarke hissed, struggling to escape Lincoln's arms as they banded around her waist to keep her from attacking their brother once more.
"I'm sorry Clarke. But you saw what they were about to do. The Mountain isn't safe, not even from the Sky people. This can be considered their warning, the only help we can give them," Murphy explained himself, his eyes wide as he pleaded with his adopted sister to hear his words.
"Fine, just... Just don't do it again John. Mother can only be so lenient with you before the council starts to question her judgment. I'll say it was me, they'll punish me for it, but it's my first offense, they can't do much more than a public beating, maybe a night in the woods," Clarke mumbled the last part to herself, thinking over just what she was getting herself into before nodding once.
"Come on, we need to report back before nightfall," she ushered the two men behind her, leading the way from the river and the sky people, their friend injured and tied up with a handful of seaweed to help him. Clarke knew it wasn't much, but it was the only help she could offer these teenagers without giving herself, her brothers, or her clan away.
The slap stung, the force jerking her head to the left as her right cheek throbbed with pain, sweat stinging the open cut she knew Anya had caused.
"Was that truly necessary Anya? She made a judgment call, reckless, for certain, but I recall a certain warrior making mistakes once on the battlefield as well," Abby chided shaking her head before turning her attention to her daughter who was standing protectively in front of Murphy, Lincoln offering his silent support as well as he waited to help Clarke.
"I admit it wasn't the wisest choice, however I panicked in the moment. They were attempting to cross the river and that would have drawn the attention of the mountain. I thought it would be best if we refrained from involving them just yet before we ourselves came to learn just what these...children were sent here for," Clarke's voice remained strong and steady as she spoke, knowing her mother would listen to what she had to say, just as the rest of the council would even if they didn't fully agree with her mother's decree.
"They're children? Space is so cruel they would send children to do their own work?" Indra spat, shaking her head in disgust.
"Let us observe them a while longer before you decide what to do. However from what we have seen, I think an alliance would be the wisest choice Commander. They may lack training and discipline, however they are clever and there are nearly a hundred of them. It would be beneficial to us to have the numbers should Azgeda try to fight the coalition," Lincoln finally spoke up, stepping to stand beside Clarke as well as offer her something in which to lean her wait on.
"Make contact with them at first light, you three shall be ambassadors," Abby spoke with a final nod, ending the meeting and dismissing everyone present. Clarke stumbled slightly, sharing a look with her brothers before closing her eyes and straightening her body.
"Let's get some sleep, we have an early day tomorrow, and I would really like to see Madi before I'm shipped off again," Clarke mumbled, knowing her brothers would follow her.
"Great, screw up one time and they put us on babysitting duty," Murphy growled, rolling his eyes as Lincoln only shrugged, knowing their fate could have been much worse.
A/N: My latest project. Let me know what you thought!